Hair curler

Abstract

A hair curler has a heating cartridge that is adjustable in size. The cartridge size is changed by a manual operation selector that is mechanically coupled to the cartridge size changing mechanism. The sensing unit is coupled with the manual operation selector and is used for sensing the position of the manual operation selector. The controller controls operating parameters of the hair curler based on the sensed selected position. In this way, the hair curler can be controlled in different ways for different curl sizes without complicating the mechanical cylinder size change mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present utility model relates to a hair curler, and particularly to a hair curler in which hair is wound around a drum, and in which the drum size is adjustable. Background Art

[0002] To meet different consumer needs, some consumer products may include functions adjustable by the user. Such adjustable functions can be achieved by providing changeable components. For example, the size, shape, or other configuration of a certain component of the product is changeable.

[0003] For example, a hair curler is a handheld electronic product for curling hair. Its main components are a handle and a heating element. The heating element is in the form of a heating drum, which usually has a cylindrical shape. For example, the heating drum is a tourmaline ceramic plate.

[0004] It is known to provide a hair curler that enables the user to achieve different hair curling styles by providing a changeable heating element, particularly having a changeable heating drum size. When the user wants to change their curling style, for example, between larger curls and smaller curls, he / she usually operates a manual user interface (such as a slider knob) to drive the drum size adjustment mechanism. Then, the drum size changes accordingly.

[0005] Generally, the control of the heating drum is independent of the selected drum size. In fact, the drum size adjustment mechanism is, for example, purely mechanical, such that there are no control signals or sensing signals associated with different drum sizes.

[0006] It is desirable to provide the user with more functionality to match their desired curling characteristics. Summary of the Utility Model

[0007] According to an example of one aspect of the present utility model, there is provided a hair curler, comprising:

[0008] A heating drum around which hair is wound for curling;

[0009] A drum size changing mechanism adapted to change the size of the heating drum;

[0010] A manually operated selector mechanically coupled to the drum size changing mechanism, wherein the manually operated selector has a plurality of operating positions such that the heating drum can be driven to different sizes using the manually operated selector, each different size being associated with one of the operating positions of the manually operated selector;

[0011] A sensing unit, which is coupled to a manual operation selector, for sensing the position of the manual operation selector and generating a sensing signal indicating the operating position of the manual operation selector; and

[0012] A controller, which is adapted to control the operating parameters of the hair curler based on the sensing signal.

[0013] The utility model relates to a hair curler having an adjustable barrel size for generating selectable curl sizes. The user can adjust the barrel size by operating a manual operation selector. The manual operation selector is physically configured by the user to a selected operating position, for example, it can be a slider or a knob. Then, through a mechanical connection, the selector operates a mechanical structure for changing the barrel size. Therefore, the barrel size is adjusted by a mechanical mechanism actuated by the physical configuration of the selector. Therefore, the control of the barrel size is purely mechanical, rather than using a system that converts user input into an electrical signal and then controls an electric actuator to change the barrel size. Therefore, this mechanical system does not provide any inductive sensing signal. The sensing unit provides a suitable electrical signal to enable the operation of the hair curler to be adjusted according to the selected curl size. The sensing unit is associated with the manual selector to sense the configuration of the selector (e.g., linear position or rotational position), rather than sensing the actual change in the barrel size.

[0014] In this way, when the barrel size changes, the operating settings of the hair curler, such as the heating parameter or the number of rotations for loading the hair onto the heating barrel, can be automatically changed. For example, larger curl sizes and smaller curls may require different temperatures, and compared to a smaller barrel size, for a larger barrel size, the loop former (a rotatable element such as a blade) used to wind the hair around the barrel may require fewer rotations.

[0015] The heating barrel is a component with a variable state (specifically, a variable size), so the barrel size changing mechanism is a state changing unit for changing the component. The manual operation selector includes a user operation unit and is movable along a path between operating positions. In response to the user operation unit (selector), the barrel size changing mechanism changes the state of the component (heating barrel).

[0016] For example, the manual operation selector can include a slide switch or a rotatable knob or button.

[0017] For example, the heating barrel includes a heater for heating the barrel, and wherein the operating parameters of the hair curler at least include the heating temperature and / or heating time of the heater.

[0018] Thus, when using an adjustable-size hair curler, heating is controlled according to the size of the curl selected by the user. This feature is based on the understanding that if the user selects a large curl size, they generally prefer a loose curl effect, and if the user selects a small curl size, they prefer a tight curl effect. With this understanding, and knowing that a loose curl requires less heat energy (i.e., a lower temperature and / or a shorter heating time) and a tight curl requires more heat energy (i.e., a higher temperature and / or a longer heating time), heating control can be achieved based on the curl size. For example, lower heating energy can be used for a large curl compared to a small curl.

[0019] Note that the heating temperature may not be constant over time. In this case, the heating temperature can be regarded as the average heating temperature over the heating period. The heating period is the time during which heat is applied to a specific portion of the hair while it is being curled (rather than the total time of the entire curling process, which will of course depend on the amount of hair the user chooses to curl and their hair length). The section of hair being curled is the hair that is rotated around the heating barrel at a given time in order to apply the curling function.

[0020] The hair curler also includes, for example, a looping member for looping the hair around the heating barrel, and wherein the operating parameters of the hair curler include at least the number of rotations of the looping member.

[0021] Thus, the winding of the hair around the barrel can be controlled according to the barrel size.

[0022] For example, the heating barrel includes a plurality of sections that can be configured to form different-sized shapes according to the operating position of a manual operation selector. The different-sized shapes can be closed or semi-closed, cylindrical, ellipsoidal, or any other curved cylindrical shape. Thus, the heating barrel shrinks or expands to the desired size.

[0023] For example, the sensing unit includes a first set of electrical contacts in a fixed position relative to the body of the hair curler and a second set of electrical contacts that can move with the manual operation selector, such that a characteristic electrical connection is formed between the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts in each operating position.

[0024] Different contacts will be connected to each other in different selector positions, such that the selector position can be detected.

[0025] For example, one of the first set and the second set includes a single contact, and the other of the first set and the second set includes a plurality of contacts corresponding to the number of operating positions. Thus, only one contact is required on one side of the connector, while a set of contacts is required on the other side. The second set of electrical contacts includes a single contact, for example.

[0026] For example, the contact includes a spring contact. This provides a firm electrical connection.

[0027] Instead of the electrical contact device, the sensing unit may include a first part of a magnetic sensor that is in a fixed position relative to the body of the hair curler and a second part of the magnetic sensor that is movable together with the manually operable selector, such that a characteristic magnetic coupling is formed between the first part and the second part in each operating position, wherein one of the first part and the second part includes a magnetic element and the other of the first part and the second part is a magnetic sensor.

[0028] The magnetic coupling is detected by the sensor, and the sensed magnetic coupling is used to indicate the position of the selector.

[0029] The magnetic element may be (i) fixed on the user operation unit (manually operable selector) or (ii) fixed on the path along which the user operation unit moves. The magnetic sensor is, for example, a Hall sensor, which may be (i) fixed on the path along which the user operation unit moves or (ii) fixed on the user operation unit.

[0030] The first part of the magnetic sensor includes, for example, a Hall sensor, and the second part includes a permanent magnet. The Hall sensor may be a linear Hall sensor or a (rotary) magnetic encoder.

[0031] The second part may include an array of magnetic poles, and the magnetic poles alternate along the movement direction of the second part. The manually operated switch includes, for example, a knob, and the Hall sensor is located at the axis of rotation of the knob and is implemented as a magnetic encoder.

[0032] Instead of the above electrical contact or magnetic sensing method, the sensing may be based on a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, or optical sensing. Thus, any suitable characteristic indicating the position of the manually operable selector can be sensed.

[0033] The present utility model also provides a method for controlling a hair curler, which includes: a heating cylinder around which hair is wound for curling; a cylinder size changing mechanism adapted to change the size of the heating cylinder; and a manually operable selector mechanically coupled to the cylinder size changing mechanism, wherein the manually operable selector has a plurality of operating positions such that the heating cylinder can be driven to different sizes using the manually operable selector, and each different size is associated with one of the operating positions of the manually operable selector.

[0034] The method includes:

[0035] using a sensing unit to sense the position of the manually operable selector and generate a signal indicating the operating position of the manually operable selector; and

[0036] Based on the signals generated by the sensing unit, the operating parameters of the hair curler are controlled.

[0037] The heating cylinder includes, for example, a heater for the cylinder, and the operating parameters of the hair curler at least include the heating temperature and / or the heating time of the heater. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] For a better understanding of the present invention and to more clearly show how to implement the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] Figure 1 An example of the type of hair curler to which the present invention can be applied is shown;

[0040] Figure 2 An example of a known mechanical cylinder size changing mechanism is shown;

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the heating cylinder and shows that it is formed of three sections;

[0042] Figure 4 A first implementation of the sensor is shown;

[0043] Figure 5 A slider knob is shown, which is mounted on a Hall sensor of the sensor for implementing Figure 4 the sensor;

[0044] Figure 6 A second implementation of the sensor is shown;

[0045] Figure 7 A third implementation of the sensor is shown;

[0046] Figure 8 It is shown that the signals from Figure 7 the sensor are provided to the controller; and

[0047] Figure 9 A method of controlling the above-mentioned hair curler is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems and methods, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the devices, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, the appended claims and the drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same or similar components.

[0050] The present utility model provides a hair curler, which has a heating cylinder with an adjustable size. The cylinder size is changed by a manually operated selector, which is mechanically coupled to a cylinder size changing mechanism. A sensing unit is coupled to the manually operated selector for sensing the position of the manually operated selector. Based on the sensed selected position, a controller controls the operating parameters of the hair curler. In this way, the hair curler can be controlled differently for different curling sizes without complicating the mechanical cylinder size changing mechanism.

[0051] Figure 1 An example of a hair curler 10 of this type to which the present utility model can be applied is shown.

[0052] The hair curler 10 includes a body 12 having a handle 14 and a curling head 16. The curling head includes a central cylindrical heating cylinder 18 around which a shroud 20 extends. The shroud has a transverse opening 22 into which hair can be received. The received hair is wound around the heating cylinder 18 by a looping member 24 (i.e., a rotatable element such as having a blade form). The looping member 24 is driven to rotate around the heating cylinder, and it winds the hair around the heating cylinder. The hair between the heating cylinder 18 and the shroud 20 is heated when in a wound state.

[0053] The heating cylinder includes an internal heater (not shown) for the outer surface of the heating cylinder, which will contact the hair wound around the cylinder.

[0054] The hair curler has a controller 30 to control the temperature of the heater, which can evenly disperse heat, cycle the heating process, improve the protein structure of the hair to produce curls, and at the same time protect the hair during the curling process.

[0055] The present utility model relates to a hair curler having an adjustable heating cylinder size.

[0056] For this purpose, the hair curler includes a heating cylinder 18 around which hair is wound for curling, and the hair curler includes an internal heater (as described above), and also includes a cylinder size changing mechanism adapted to change the size of the heating cylinder in response to user input. Figure 1 A selector 32 is shown that enables a user to select the heating cylinder size. As described below, in some examples, the selector 32 can implement a purely mechanical adjustment of the heating cylinder configuration, but in other examples, an electro - actuation system can be used.

[0057] Figure 2An example of a known mechanical cylinder size changing mechanism is shown. The size of the heating cylinder 18 is changed by a knob 40 that rotates a control disk 42. The control disk 42 engages the cylinder to move the cylinder sections together and to move the cylinder sections apart, and thus to change the outer diameter of the heating cylinder such that the radius of the curl applied to the hair is changed.

[0058] Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the heating cylinder and shows that the heating cylinder is formed by three sections 50, 52, 54. They are slidably coupled together such that the three sections can be in Figure 3A the contracted state shown, Figure 3B the intermediate state shown or Figure 3C the expanded state shown. Each section has its own heater 50a, 52a, 54a. Generally, the heating cylinder includes a plurality of sections that can be configured to form different sized shapes according to user input. Thus, the heating cylinder contracts or expands to the desired size. These sections are driven together and apart by actuating drive pins 56. The example of Figure 3 is taken from CN218527966U, which is incorporated by reference for further illustration. CN218527966U is incorporated herein by reference.

[0059] However, any suitable deployable design of the heating cylinder can be used.

[0060] Figure 2 A regulating knob is shown. More generally, a state changing unit is provided that includes a user operating unit (serving as a user interface) that can move along a path. In response to the user operating the user interface, the heating cylinder size changing mechanism changes the cylinder size. Instead of a knob, the user operating unit can be a slide button or a switch.

[0061] One aspect of the present disclosure is based on the recognition that in known designs, during hair styling, the same heating parameters are maintained for different heating cylinder sizes. This can overheat the hair or the heating is insufficient to provide the desired hairstyle. Thus, a first aspect of the present disclosure is to provide different heating times and / or different temperatures for different heating cylinder sizes during the curling process. Thus, the heating time and / or heating temperature of the heater is controlled according to the size of the heating cylinder.

[0062] For this purpose, the controller is adapted to control the heater according to the selected size of the heating cylinder such that the heating temperature and / or heating duration applied to the hair wrapped around the heating cylinder is inversely related to the size of the cylinder.

[0063] This inverse correlation need not be linear. Generally, there is a set of heating cylinder sizes, for example a set of fixed diameters between 25 mm and 35 mm. Each allowable cylinder size can be associated with a specific heating temperature and a specific heating time.

[0064] When the heating time (referred to as the shaping time) ends, feedback is provided to the user to remind the user to pull the curling iron away from the curl or pull the curled hair out of the curling iron. The feedback is, for example, an audio signal such as a buzzer.

[0065] If the user selects a large curl size, the user generally prefers a loose curl effect, while if the user selects a small curl size, the user prefers a tight curl effect. Loose curls require less thermal energy (especially lower temperature and / or shorter heating time), while tight curls require more thermal energy (especially higher temperature and / or longer heating time). Therefore, the heating control is based on the curl size, with lower heating energy (lower temperature and / or shorter heating time) for larger curls compared to smaller curls.

[0066] The heating temperature may not be constant over time. In this case, the heating temperature can be regarded as the average heating temperature over the heating time period.

[0067] The controller can control the heater such that only the heating temperature is inversely related to the size of the barrel, but with a fixed heating time. Thus, a temperature control loop can be used to control the heater. Then, each heating barrel size can have an associated temperature setting.

[0068] Conversely, the controller can control the heater such that only the heating time is inversely related to the size of the barrel, with a fixed heating temperature. Then, each heating barrel size can have an associated heating duration.

[0069] These two control methods can be combined such that for each curling operation, each heating barrel size can be associated with a specific combination of heating temperature and heating time. Between the respective barrel sizes, one or both of the heating temperature and heating time may vary.

[0070] For example, the smallest barrel size, such as 25 mm in diameter, can be associated with a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius and a time of 10 seconds. The intermediate barrel size, such as 30 mm in diameter, can be associated with a temperature of 190 degrees Celsius and a time of 8 seconds. The largest barrel size, such as 35 mm in diameter, can be associated with a temperature of 170 degrees Celsius and a time of 8 seconds.

[0071] To control the heating conditions based on the heating barrel size, the heating barrel size needs to be known. There are various ways to make this possible.

[0072] In one example, an electro - actuator (e.g., a motor) can be used to implement the adjustment of the heating barrel size. In this case, there is an electrical user interface for receiving user input and generating a control signal to control the electro - actuator (motor). In this case, there is already an electrical signal representing the heating barrel size. Thus, this signal can be provided to a controller so that curling iron parameters such as heating time and / or heating temperature can be controlled. Therefore, the motor control signal can also be used by the controller as a heating control signal.

[0073] If there is no suitable electrical signal representing the selected size of the heating barrel, a sensor can be used for this purpose. The sensor can be provided at any suitable location and it can be associated with any component having a configuration that can be sensed and representing the heating barrel size setting. For example, between a user interface (e.g., a control knob, slider, switch) and the physical mechanism for adjusting the heating barrel size, there will be a drive chain. The drive chain can include mechanical components and / or electrical components or even hydraulic components. Any suitable component along the drive chain can be associated with a sensor (e.g., a position sensor or an electrical signal sensor) for detecting the size setting of the heating barrel. For example, the drive chain can include gears and the gear position can represent the heating barrel size setting and can be sensed.

[0074] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a specific design where the barrel size changing mechanism is a manually - operated selector (having a plurality of operating positions and each different size is associated with one of the operating positions of the manually - operated selector). Through a mechanical linkage, the manually - operated selector operates the mechanical structure for changing the barrel size. Thus, the barrel size is adjusted by a purely mechanical mechanism actuated by the physical configuration of the selector. This has the problem that the mechanical system does not provide any inductive sensing signal.

[0075] Therefore, this aspect of the present disclosure provides a sensor coupled to the manually - operated selector for sensing the position of the manually - operated selector and providing a signal to the controller indicating the operating position of the manually - operated selector. The sensing unit is associated with the manual selector to sense the configuration of the operating unit (e.g., the linear or rotational position of a slide switch or a rotatable knob or button), rather than sensing the actual change in the barrel size.

[0076] Figure 4Shows a first embodiment of a sensor according to this aspect. It shows a manually operable selector in the form of a slider knob 60. The slider knob 60 is coupled to a sensing unit that is configured to sense the position of the slider knob and generate a sensing signal indicative of the operating position of the slider knob. In this example, the sensing unit is a magnetic sensor and it includes a first part 62 that is in a fixed position relative to the body of the hair curler and a second part 64 that is movable with the sliding knob. In this way, at each operating position, a different magnetic coupling is formed between the first part 62 and the second part 64. Thus, the type of magnetic coupling sensed indicates the operating position of the selector, and the nature of the magnetic coupling can be considered a characteristic feature of the operating position.

[0077] In Figure 4 the example, the first part 62 includes a Hall sensor mounted on a Hall sensor PCB 63, and the second part 64 includes a permanent magnet. Thus, the sliding knob carries the permanent magnet, and the stationary body of the hair curler carries the Hall sensor. More generally, one of the first part and the second part includes a detectable magnetic element, and the other of the first part and the second part is a magnetic sensor.

[0078] For an example with three size settings, the Hall sensor has three positions relative to the permanent magnet. In Figure 4 the center position is shown, and the other positions are shown in dashed lines. In this example, the Hall sensor is placed in the middle of the sliding path (and it can be placed in the middle of the rotational path for a rotary control knob).

[0079] The positions of the magnetic element and the Hall sensor are of course interchangeable. Thus, the magnetic sensor can alternatively be fixed to the user-controlled moving part (slider button or knob) of the selector, and the magnetic element can be stationary and fixed at a position along the path of the selector (the rotational path of the knob or the linear path of the slider button).

[0080] Figure 5 Shows the slider knob 60 mounted on the Hall sensor PCB 63 and the Hall sensor 62. Arrow 70 shows the direction of movement of the permanent magnet and the slider knob. Figure 5 Schematically shows three possible sensor signals provided to a controller 30 mounted on a controller PCB 31.

[0081] Figure 6A second embodiment of the sensor is shown. In this example, the manual operation selector is in the form of a knob 80 that pivots about a pivot axis 84 (as shown by arrow 82). Near the pivot axis, the knob 80 is coupled to an alternating (N-S-N-S) magnetic pole array 86, with the magnetic poles alternating along the direction of the knob. These alternating magnetic poles form a ring magnet. The magnetic poles thus form the second (movable) part of the magnetic sensor.

[0082] The Hall sensor 88 is statically mounted at the axis of rotation on the Hall sensor PCB 90. The Hall sensor thus forms the first (static) part of the magnetic sensor.

[0083] In this example, the Hall sensor is implemented as a magnetic encoder for sensing rotational position information, and the magnetic element and the magnetic encoder are placed at the pivot position of the knob, and the magnetic element and the magnetic encoder are relatively rotatable.

[0084] As an alternative to the magnetic sensor, another option is to use electrical contacts.

[0085] Figure 7 An example of a sensing unit is shown, which includes a first set 102 of electrical contacts 102a, 102b, 102c that are in a fixed position relative to the body of the hair curler and a second set of electrical contacts 106 that are movable together with the manual operation selector 60. In this example, the first set includes a set of three contacts 102a, 102b, 102c, while the second set includes a single contact 106. At each operating position, a characteristic electrical connection is formed between one of the contacts in the first set and the single contact in the second set.

[0086] The first set of electrical contacts 102a, 102b, 102c is attached to the PCB 100, and the second set of electrical contacts 106 is attached to the PCB 104.

[0087] The electrical contacts are, for example, spring elements formed of a conductive material. Each pair of possible connecting spring elements corresponds to different signals to be generated for the heating system. The spring contacts can take any suitable form and can implement any desired number of different positions.

[0088] As Figure 8 shown, the altered electrical connection path generates a suitable signal to the controller 30. In this way, when the user operates the manual operation selector, a signal is directly generated from the user. After receiving this signal, the processor 30 processes the signal and provides feedback to the heating system.

[0089] In the above example, the barrel heating temperature and / or the heating duration are controlled according to the heating barrel size setting. However, in other examples, other parameters can also be controlled or alternatively controlled, such as the rotational drive of the looping member.

[0090] Figure 9 A method of controlling the above-mentioned hair curler is shown.

[0091] In step 110, the set size of the heating cylinder is sensed, thereby generating a signal indicating the operating position of the manual operation selector.

[0092] In step 1112, based on the signal generated by the sensing unit, the operating parameters of the hair curler are set.

[0093] According to one aspect of the present invention, a sensor is used to sense the size of the heating cylinder, and the sensor senses the setting of the manual operation selector, which is mechanically coupled to the cylinder size changing mechanism.

[0094] According to another aspect of the present invention, the operating parameters are the heating temperature and / or the heating duration of the heating cylinder, and one or both of them are inversely correlated with the size of the cylinder.

[0095] The selector is interpreted above as being "movable" or "moveable". In the context of the present invention, this can represent movement along a linear path or a curved path, or rotation about an axis. In the case where the Hall sensor is implemented as a magnetic encoder, the relative movement between the magnetic element and the magnetic sensor is rotation.

[0096] By studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art when practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0097] The functions implemented by a processor or a controller can be implemented by a single processor or by multiple separate processing units, which can be considered together to constitute a "processor". In some cases, such processing units can be far from each other and communicate with each other in a wired or wireless manner.

[0098] The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

[0099] If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". If the term "means" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that the term "means" is intended to be equivalent to the term "system", and vice versa.

[0100] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A hair curler (10), characterized in that: include: a heating cylinder (18) around which the hair is wrapped to be curled; a cartridge size changing mechanism (40, 42) adapted to change the size of the heating cartridge; a manually operable selector (60) mechanically coupled to the cartridge size changing mechanism, wherein the manually operable selector has a plurality of operating positions such that the heating cartridge can be driven to different sizes using the manually operable selector, each different size being associated with one of the operating positions of the manually operable selector; a sensing unit (62, 64; 86, 88; 102, 106) coupled to the manually-operated selector for sensing a position of the manually-operated selector and generating a sensing signal indicative of the operating position of the manually-operated selector; and A controller (30) is adapted to control an operating parameter of the hair curler based on the sensed signal.

2. The hair curler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The manually operable selector comprises a slide switch.

3. The hair curler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The manually operated selector comprises a rotatable knob or button.

4. The hair curler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The heating cartridge comprises a heater for heating the cartridge, and wherein the operating parameters of the hair curler include at least a heating temperature and / or a heating time of the heater.

5. The hair curler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A looping member (24) is also included for looping hair around the heating cylinder, and wherein the operating parameters of the curling iron include at least the number of rotations of the looping member.

6. The hair curler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The heating cartridge includes a plurality of sections (50, 52, 54) that are configurable to form shapes of different sizes depending on the operating position of the manually-operated selector.

7. The hair curler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The sensing unit comprises a first set of electrical contacts in a fixed position relative to the body of the curling iron and a second set of electrical contacts movable with the manually operated selector such that in each operating position a characteristic electrical connection is formed between the first and second sets of electrical contacts.

8. The hair curler according to claim 7, characterized in that One of the first group and the second group includes a single contact, while the other of the first group and the second group includes a plurality of contacts (102a, 102b, 102c) corresponding to the number of operating positions.

9. The hair curler according to claim 8, characterized in that The second set of electrical contacts includes the single contact.

10. The hair curler according to claim 7, characterized in that: The electrical contacts include spring contacts.

11. The hair curler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The sensing unit comprises a first part of a magnetic sensor in a fixed position relative to the body of the curling iron and a second part of the magnetic sensor movable together with the manual operation selector (60), so that in each operating position a characteristic magnetic coupling is formed between the first part and the second part, wherein one of the first part and the second part comprises a magnetic element and the other of the first part and the second part comprises a magnetic sensor.

12. The hair curler according to claim 11, characterized in that The first portion includes a Hall sensor and the second portion includes a permanent magnet.

13. The hair curler according to claim 11, characterized in that The second portion includes an array of magnetic poles (86) that alternate along a direction of movement of the second portion.

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