Rotatable accessory for a blowing hairstyling device

Abstract

An air guiding accessory (1) designed to transform a first substantially monodirectional flow of air (F1) of a hairstyling device (2) into a second flow of air (F2) scanning a plurality of different directions, the air guiding accessory comprising: a stator (11) extending along and around a stator axis (S-S') from a stator input plane (PES) to a stator output plane (PSS), a rotor (12) extending from a rotor input plane (PER) to a rotor output plane (PSR) and comprising an aeraulic drive device (121) designed to rotate the rotor (12) about the stator axis (S-S') by means of the first flow of air (F1), the rotor (12) comprising at least one portion extending along and around a scanning axis (R-R') that forms an angle of intersection (|3) with the stator axis (S-S') of between 5 and 40 degrees, characterised in that the point at which the scanning axis (R-R') intersects the stator axis (S-S') lies between the rotor input plane (PER) and stator output plane (PSS).

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of blowing hair styling appliances, such as hair dryers, and their air guidance or direction accessories.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to the technical field of air guide accessories designed to be mounted on an air outlet of a hair styling appliance that blows a first, substantially unidirectional, airflow. The accessory is designed to transform this first airflow into a second airflow sweeping in a plurality of different directions. This type of accessory is commonly called a rotating or oscillating nozzle.

[0003] The invention also relates to the technical field of hairdressing devices comprising a hairdressing device blowing a first substantially unidirectional airflow, such as a hair dryer, and an air guide accessory as defined above. State of the art

[0004] Blow-drying hair styling tools, such as hair dryers, are well-known and allow a user to dry and / or style their own hair (if using the tool on themselves) or someone else's hair (if using it on another person). Most of these devices contain a motor driving a fan, which creates an airflow between an inlet and an outlet. This airflow, often heated by an internal heating element, is then directed onto the hair. These devices traditionally have a handle for the user to grip and a body housing the aforementioned components. Generally, the airflow from these hair styling tools is essentially unidirectional, meaning that the air is ejected in a single main direction, usually along the longitudinal axis of the tool's body.Therefore, the airflow from the device is concentrated and limited to a relatively small area of ​​the hair. This results in low hair drying efficiency, a risk of hair damage, and even burns if the airflow is hot.

[0005] Therefore, if the user wishes to direct the airflow to another area of ​​their hair or a larger area, they will need to move the styling tool, for example, by moving their wrist to create an oscillating motion. This wrist movement is very common among hairdressing professionals (hairdressers, for example) who are well aware of the drawbacks of a unidirectional airflow on a single area of ​​the hair, such as the risk of hair damage or even burning, as well as limited drying efficiency. However, such a movement can be tiring for the user, especially if they handle the styling tool all day long (as hairdressers do). This can lead to user fatigue and even the risk of injury (musculoskeletal disorders, for example).

[0006] In an attempt to improve the situation, US patent application number US5473824 was filed. This document proposes a hair dryer attachment comprising a rotating element driven by the airflow of the styling appliance. This rotating element is also offset from the axis of the hair styling appliance's airflow so as to direct the airflow in different directions along a circular path. However, the solution proposed in this document remains improvable, particularly with regard to the area covered by the airflow, the size of the attachment, and the aerodynamic performance and the compromise between these different elements. Document EP 2 510 827 A1 discloses a rotating hair dryer attachment that expands the area covered by the airflow through the attachment's rotation. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention therefore aims to improve, perfect and optimize known blow-drying hair styling devices and their accessories.

[0008] One objective of the invention is to provide an accessory for a blow-drying hair styling device that allows the area treated by the airflow of the blow-drying hair styling device to be widened without the user having to make any particular effort.

[0009] Another objective of the invention is to provide a blow-drying hair styling tool accessory that is particularly effective, regardless of the area or hair type.

[0010] Another objective of the invention is to provide an accessory for a blow-drying hair styling device that is particularly simple, intuitive, comfortable and ergonomic to use, both for a user using the device on themselves and for a user using the device on another person (user styling another person's hair), regardless of the area or type of hair being treated.

[0011] Another objective of the invention is to provide a particularly safe accessory for blow-drying hair styling devices.

[0012] Another objective of the invention is to provide an accessory for a blow-drying hair styling device that is particularly reliable and robust.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is to provide an accessory for a blow-drying hair styling device that is particularly economical to design and manufacture.

[0014] An objective of the invention is also to provide a hair styling device that offers the user a large area treated by the airflow, without the user having to make any particular effort.

[0015] Another objective of the invention is to provide a blow-drying hair styling device that is particularly effective, regardless of the area or type of hair being treated.

[0016] Another objective of the invention is to provide a blow-drying hair styling device that is particularly simple, intuitive, comfortable and ergonomic to use, both for a user using the device on themselves and for a user using the device on another person (user styling another person's hair), regardless of the area or type of hair.

[0017] Another objective of the invention is to provide a blow-drying hair styling device that is particularly safe.

[0018] Another objective of the invention is to provide a blow-drying hair styling device that is particularly reliable and robust.

[0019] Another objective of the invention is to offer a blow-drying hair styling device that is particularly economical to design and manufacture.

[0020] To achieve these objectives, the invention relates to an air guide accessory, as defined in claim 1, designed to be mounted on an air outlet of a hair styling device blowing a first substantially unidirectional airflow, said air guide accessory being designed to transform said first airflow into a second airflow sweeping in a plurality of different directions.

[0021] An air guidance accessory is defined as any part or set of parts that guides, directs, contains, or diffuses an airflow, such as a nozzle or diffuser. Preferably, the accessory is separate from and removable from the hair styling appliance. However, an accessory that is an integral part of the hair styling appliance could be conceived without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0022] A hair styling device that blows a primarily unidirectional airflow refers to any device that blows air in a single main direction, such as a hairdryer. The direction of ejection of this first airflow is generally parallel and coaxial with the main axis of the hair styling device, as will be explained in detail later.

[0023] The hair styling attachment transforms the initial, essentially unidirectional airflow emitted by the styling tool into a second, multidirectional airflow. This second airflow sweeps, covers, or describes different directions that are advantageously neither parallel nor aligned with the direction of the first airflow. This results in a wider (i.e., an increased) area covered by the airflow, and therefore a larger area treated by the airflow. The user can thus treat a larger area of ​​hair than if they were using only the styling tool. Furthermore, this increased treatment area is achieved without any particular effort from the user, as the attachment automatically allows the second airflow to sweep (or cover) in multiple directions.The user can thus keep the hair styling device fixed, which avoids any fatigue or even injury related to any movement of the arm and / or wrist holding the hair styling device.

[0024] According to the invention, the air guidance accessory comprises an accessory air inlet designed to cooperate with the air outlet of the hair styling appliance and an accessory air outlet for directing the second airflow towards the user's head. In other words, the accessory air inlet of the invention is designed to cooperate in a substantially airtight manner with the air outlet of the hair styling appliance, for example, by being designed to be mounted on the hair styling appliance's air outlet. Conversely, the air outlet of the accessory of the invention is a free outlet, that is, not connected to the hair styling appliance or any other object, and is designed to diffuse the second airflow towards the surface to be treated, such as, but not limited to, the user's hair and / or head.

[0025] According to the invention, the air guide accessory comprises a stator extending along and around a stator axis from a stator inlet plane to a stator outlet plane. In other words, the stator is a part of revolution. For example, the stator is cylindrical, which allows it to easily cooperate with the air outlet of the hair styling device, which is generally itself cylindrical. The terms "stator inlet plane" and "stator outlet plane" refer respectively to imaginary planes delimiting the stator, whether at its air inlet or its air outlet. Thus, the initial airflow enters the stator through the stator inlet plane and exits through the stator outlet plane.

[0026] Preferably, the stator includes the accessory air inlet and is designed to be assembled onto the hair styling appliance's air outlet. The stator is then fixed and stationary when connected to the hair styling appliance. Advantageously, in this case, the stator inlet plane includes the accessory air inlet, and, when the accessory is connected to the hair styling appliance, the stator inlet plane, accessory air inlet, and hair styling appliance air outlet are parallel and preferably coincident.

[0027] Preferably, the accessory, more preferably the stator, is designed to be removably, that is, non-permanently, attached to the air outlet of the hair styling appliance. The air guide accessory is thus designed to be easily connected to, attached to, or conversely disconnected from, the hair styling appliance via its stator, without any particular effort from the user. Furthermore, the user does not need to use any special tools to assemble or disassemble the air guide accessory of the invention from the hair styling appliance. This allows the user to use the hair styling appliance without the accessory, with another accessory, or to connect the accessory of the invention to another hair styling appliance.

[0028] According to the invention, the air guidance accessory comprises a rotor extending from a rotor inlet plane to a rotor outlet plane and including an air drive device designed to rotate the rotor around the stator axis by means of the first airflow. In other words, the rotor is a part of revolution that rotates about the stator axis, and it is the first unidirectional airflow emitted by the hair styling device that imparts its rotational motion to the rotor. To this end, the rotor is preferably mounted via a pivot joint with the stator. The terms "rotor inlet plane" and "rotor outlet plane" respectively designate imaginary planes delimiting the rotor, whether at its air inlet or its air outlet. Thus, the first airflow enters the rotor through the rotor inlet plane, and the second airflow exits the rotor through the rotor outlet plane.An aerodynamic drive device is defined as any device that transforms aerodynamic energy (in this case, that of the initial airflow) into mechanical motion (in this case, rotation). For example, and not as a limitation, an aerodynamic drive device can include a propeller, a turbine, one or more blades, one or more wings, etc. Since the aerodynamic drive device is positioned within the initial airflow, the airflow will create some resistance, thus causing the rotor to rotate around the stator axis. However, the aerodynamic drive device is advantageously designed to minimize aerodynamic disturbances (by not excessively opposing the initial airflow) while ensuring proper rotor rotation, as will be explained in detail later.

[0029] Advantageously, the rotor outlet plane includes the accessory air outlet. The accessory can then advantageously be defined by the accessory air inlet located on the stator, as mentioned previously, and by the accessory air outlet located on the rotor.

[0030] According to the invention, the rotor comprises at least one portion extending along and around a sweeping axis, said at least one portion being designed to direct the second airflow in said plurality of different directions. In other words, the rotor comprises a portion, that is, a piece of the rotor, which allows the direction of the first airflow emitted by the hair styling device to be changed. Said at least one portion may, in particular, comprise a cylinder or portion of a cylinder that is inclined with respect to the stator axis. Thus, said at least one portion will transform the first unidirectional airflow of the hair styling device into a second multidirectional airflow, that is, one sweeping in several different directions, thanks to the rotational movement of the rotor described above.Preferably, the plurality of different directions swept follows a circular path, thus increasing the area treated by the air, which then changes from a disk (the first unidirectional airflow) to a disk of increased diameter. This portion can form the entire rotor or only a part of it. The sweep axis is understood to be the axis around which the second airflow sweeps a plurality of different directions during the rotor's rotation. The sweep axis is then defined as a fictitious axis around which this at least one portion extends. Like the rotor, this at least one portion is preferably a part of revolution.

[0031] According to the invention, the sweeping axis forms an intersection angle with the stator axis of between 5 and 40 degrees. The angle between these axes is thus strictly greater than 0 degrees, which allows for a second multidirectional airflow at the accessory outlet. In other words, the inclination between the rotor axis and the sweeping axis ensures that the rotor, or more precisely at least a portion of the rotor, which is set in rotation, can rotate around the stator axis while the sweeping axis describes a circular path, thereby transforming the first unidirectional airflow into a second multidirectional airflow. Thus, the further the intersection angle between the sweeping axis and the stator axis deviates from 0 degrees (the axes are parallel or coincident), the greater the sweeping angle becomes, which expands the area of ​​hair swept by the second airflow.However, the greater the sweep angle, the more the rotor opposes the airflow, resulting in a loss of aerodynamic performance and efficiency. In this case, the forces exerted on the rotor will also be greater, potentially causing premature wear of the rotor or the air guide accessory in general. Furthermore, the noise emitted by the air guide accessory becomes significant, degrading user comfort. Finally, the size of the air guide accessory also increases with the intersection angle. It is therefore important to find the right compromise between these different parameters. The inventors determined that an intersection angle between the stator axis and the sweep axis of between 5 and 40 degrees provides the best compromise between drying (or styling) efficiency, size, reliability, and user comfort of the air guide accessory.

[0032] Advantageously, the intersection angle is between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, and preferably equal to 18 degrees, or equal to 20 degrees, or equal to 22 degrees. This range of values, or each of these values ​​for the intersection angle, is considered the best possible compromise between drying (or styling) performance, size, reliability, and ease of use of the air guide accessory (particularly noise level), as explained previously.

[0033] According to the invention, the stator and rotor are located between the accessory air inlet and accessory air outlet and connected by a substantially fluid-tight connection. This connection is necessary to prevent, or at least limit, leakage of the first and / or second airflow. Preferably, the substantially fluid-tight connection comprises a guide device and a complementary guide device designed to provide a seal between the stator and rotor and located between the rotor inlet plane and the stator outlet plane. The guide device and complementary guide device are, for example, respectively formed by an edge of the stator that fits into a shoulder of the rotor. The rotor, which is a rotating part, preferably has a functional clearance with the stator allowing it to rotate easily about the stator axis.However, this functional clearance must not unduly impair the fluidic sealing between the stator and the rotor.

[0034] According to the invention, the point of intersection of the sweep axis with the stator axis lies between the rotor inlet plane and the stator outlet plane. This remarkably limits the overall size of the hair styling tool while ensuring the widest possible area swept by the second airflow. Indeed, in the prior art, this point of intersection is located downstream (in the direction of airflow) of the rotor inlet plane and the stator outlet plane, resulting in a particularly long and therefore bulky rotor.By arranging the point of intersection of the sweep axis and the stator axis between the said rotor inlet plane and stator outlet plane, the inventors have remarkably reduced the size of the air guide accessory while offering excellent drying (or styling) performance, i.e. by offering a wide sweeping area by the second airflow.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rotor inlet plane is located upstream of the stator outlet plane in the direction of the first airflow. In other words, the rotor inlet plane is located before the stator outlet plane, in the direction of the first airflow. This ensures an overlap between the rotor and the stator, thus providing optimal mounting between these two parts and, advantageously, a substantially fluid-tight connection.

[0036] Advantageously, the overlap length, defined between the rotor inlet plane and the stator outlet plane, is between 1 mm and 5 mm, and is advantageously approximately 3 mm. This length ensures excellent sealing between the stator and the rotor while guaranteeing good rotational guidance of the rotor relative to the stator and also maintaining a compact size for the air guide accessory.

[0037] Naturally, according to the invention the stator and the rotor are located between said accessory air inlet and accessory air outlet and connected to each other by a substantially fluidly sealed connection, in order to avoid any excessive loss of the first and / or second airflow between the stator and the rotor.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sweep axis and the stator axis intersect in a transition plane parallel to a rotor inlet plane, said stator axis being orthogonal to said transition plane. This means that the transition plane including the point of intersection is parallel to the rotor inlet plane and the stator outlet plane. Said stator inlet plane, rotor inlet plane, and stator outlet plane are parallel to each other and orthogonal to the stator axis. Such an arrangement between these planes ensures a particularly simple and compact construction of the accessory while guaranteeing good aerodynamic performance.

[0039] Preferably, the distance between said transition plane and said rotor inlet plane is less than 5 mm, preferably between 0 and 2.5 mm, and possibly equal to 0 mm. Such a distance ensures the compactness of the air guide accessory without impacting aerodynamic performance.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotor is cylindrical, thus allowing for a particularly simple and compact design. This rotor shape can be easily mechanically connected to the stator, which is also cylindrical.

[0041] Alternatively, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotor is frustoconical in shape, which allows for the acceleration of the second airflow, as will be detailed later. Preferably, the rotor cone angle is advantageously between 5 and 20 degrees and is preferably equal to 16 degrees, or equal to 14 degrees, or equal to 6 degrees; these values ​​offer the best compromises between air velocity, accessory size, and aerodynamic performance.

[0042] In an advantageous embodiment, the stator comprises a hub carrier connected to an outer wall of the stator by at least one arm. This at least one arm serves to maintain the hub carrier preferably at the center of the stator, along the stator axis. To increase the rigidity of the stator and the hub carrier, the hub carrier is advantageously connected to the outer wall of the stator by three arms, preferably evenly distributed at 120° around the hub carrier.

[0043] Preferably, the air drive system comprises a hub connected to an outer wall of the rotor by at least one blade. The term "blade" refers to any mechanical part or set of parts whose shape is such that it transforms aerodynamic energy (i.e., energy from an airflow, in this case the initial airflow emitted by the hair styling device) into mechanical force. Thus, this blade can preferably take the form of an inclined parallelepiped. The blade is advantageously positioned within the initial airflow and connected on one side to the hub and on the other to the outer wall of the rotor. This blade then partially opposes the passage of the airflow through the rotor, which sets the rotor in rotation, as mentioned previously. Preferably, the hub is connected to the outer wall of the rotor by three blades, which allows for a good distribution of the aerodynamic forces and optimizes the rotor's rotation.The three blades are then advantageously distributed at 120° around the hub.

[0044] Advantageously, said hub is mounted in pivot connection with said hub carrier, said rotor hub and stator hub carrier thus ensuring excellent rotational guidance between the rotor and the stator.

[0045] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the air guide accessory comprises a housing around at least one of the rotors, said housing being integral with the stator and designed to protect said rotor from contact with a user. The term "housing" means any part or set of parts forming a semi-enclosed housing, such as a sleeve, and allowing the rotor to be protected without interfering with its free rotation or the diffusion of the secondary airflow.

[0046] Preferably, the housing is frustoconical in shape, advantageously with a housing cone angle between 25 degrees and 60 degrees, preferably 40 degrees. Indeed, a frustoconical shape ensures the free rotation of the rotor, has little or no impact on the diffusion of the secondary airflow, and offers a relatively small footprint. The angle ranges preferred by the designers of the invention offer the best possible compromises between compactness and influence on the secondary airflow, regardless of the shape and dimensions of the rotor as defined by the invention. The purpose of the housing is, in particular, to prevent, or at least discourage, the user from touching the rotor in order to avoid any injury. Indeed, the rotor is a potentially hot and moving part.

[0047] The invention also relates as such to a hair styling device comprising a hair styling appliance blowing a first substantially unidirectional airflow, such as a hair dryer, and an air guiding accessory as defined above.

[0048] Preferably, the blow-drying hair styling device comprises a main axis that is parallel to, and preferably coincides with, the stator axis. In other words, the stator is positioned parallel to, or even coincides with, the main axis of the hair styling device. This allows for a particularly compact hair styling device (device and attachment). Furthermore, the hair styling device is particularly ergonomic and intuitive for the user, as they are naturally inclined to position the air guide attachment (via its stator, as mentioned above) in line with the main axis of the hair styling device. Brief description of the figures

[0049] There [ Fig 1 ] is a front view of a hair styling device comprising a blow-drying hair styling appliance equipped with an air guide accessory according to a first embodiment of the invention; The [ Fig 2] is a cross-sectional view of the hair styling device of the figure 1 along the M-M' axis; The [ Fig 3 ] is a detailed view of the figure 2 , showing in cross-section the air guide accessory according to the first embodiment; The [ Fig 4 ] is a perspective and cross-sectional view along the MM' axis of the hair styling device figure 1 ; There [ Fig 5 ] is a cross-sectional view along axis MM' of an air guide accessory according to a second embodiment of the invention; The [ Fig 6 ] is a schematic view of the main planes and axes of the figure 3 . There [ Fig 7 ] is a schematic front view of the trajectories described by the first and second airflows of the figure 1 . There [ Fig 8a[ ] is a schematic representation of the treated area and the temperature emitted by a hair styling device equipped with an air guide accessory according to the invention. Such a representation can be obtained from a thermal photograph of a surface positioned opposite the air outlet of the air guide accessory. The [ Fig 8b ] is the same representation as the figure 8a the hair styling device being devoid of the air guide accessory (it is therefore the hair styling device alone). Description of the implementation methods

[0050] As can be seen on the figures 1 to 4 The invention relates to an air guide accessory 1 designed to be mounted on an air outlet 28 of a hair styling appliance 2. The invention also relates to a hair styling device comprising said hair styling appliance 2 and said air guide accessory 1.

[0051] The air guide accessory 1 includes an accessory air inlet 117 designed to cooperate with the air outlet 28 of the hair styling appliance 2, as can be seen on the figure 3 More specifically, when the air guide accessory 1 is mounted (assembled) onto the air outlet 28 of the hair styling appliance 2, the accessory air inlet 117 coincides with the air outlet 28 of the hair styling appliance 2. The air guide accessory 1 also includes an accessory air outlet 127 for blowing said second airflow F2 towards the user's head, as can be seen in the figure 3 . This accessory air outlet 127 is, for example, circular in shape so as to form an airflow in a cylindrical or conical shape.

[0052] The hair styling appliance 2 is, according to the illustrated embodiments, a hair dryer, and comprises, in a manner known as such, an appliance air inlet 21, a propeller 23 rotated by a motor 24, and a heating element 25. The heating element 25 is advantageously designed to be able to be switched on or off or even adjusted to different power levels, according to techniques known to those skilled in the art, which will therefore not be detailed here. These various components are located inside a main body 22, also called the barrel, which extends longitudinally along a principal axis F-F', as can be seen in the figure 2 The main body 22 is a hollow solid of revolution, with a roughly truncated cone shape, as can be seen on the figure 2 . Thus, the air outlet 28 of the hair styling device 2 represents a section of the main body 22 and therefore takes the form of a disc.

[0053] The hair styling appliance 2 generates a first airflow F1, preferably hot, which is ejected from the appliance 2 through the air outlet 28, which includes a grille 26. Various parameters related to the airflow, such as its speed and / or temperature, can be adjusted by the user, notably via a control device 291. This control device is preferably integrated into a handle 29 attached to the main body 22. This handle 29 allows the user of the hair styling appliance 2 to easily grasp and manipulate it, particularly for drying their own hair (or someone else's hair) and / or styling it. As can be seen on the figure 1 And 2The handle 29 (or grip) extends longitudinally along an axis of the handle M-M'. This axis is neither coincident with nor parallel to the principal axis F-F'. For example, the axis of the handle MM' presents an angle between 50° and 90° with respect to the principal axis F-F'.

[0054] The hair styling device 2 will then blow an initial, essentially unidirectional, airflow F1, in a manner known as such. As can be seen on the figures 2 And 3The first airflow F1 is parallel to the main axis F-F'. The first airflow F1 is unidirectional insofar as it takes substantially the form of a cylinder, the diameter of which corresponds substantially to the diameter of the air outlet 28. Thus, when this first airflow F1 encounters a surface, such as the hair of the user (or the person whose hair one wishes to dry), the area treated by the airflow is a disk whose diameter corresponds substantially to the diameter of the air outlet 28.

[0055] The air guide accessory 1 comprises a stator 11, as can be seen in the various figures. The stator 11 extends along and around a stator axis S-S', so as to form a hollow part. The stator 11 extends longitudinally along the stator axis SS' from a stator inlet plane PES to a stator outlet plane PSS, as can be seen in the figure 3 Or 5In other words, the stator 11 is a hollow part of a certain length. The stator 11 also extends around the stator axis S-S', so as to form a hollow part of revolution.

[0056] According to the first embodiment of figures 1 to 4 , the length of the stator 11 is between 5 mm and 30 mm, advantageously between 10 mm and 15 mm and for example being approximately equal to 13 mm.

[0057] Depending on the method of implementation of the figure 5 The length of the stator 11 is between 20 mm and 60 mm, advantageously between 30 mm and 40 mm, for example being approximately 37 mm. Such length values ​​each ensure good air guidance while maintaining a relatively compact air guidance accessory 1.

[0058] According to the embodiment illustrated on the figures 1 to 4The stator 11 is cylindrical in shape. Its diameter is preferably between 40 mm and 70 mm, advantageously between 55 mm and 60 mm, and is, for example, approximately 57 mm. Thus, the stator 11 is a hollow part of revolution with axis SS' (stator axis) which includes an outer wall of the stator 113, as can be seen in the figure 3 in particular. This external wall of the stator 113 thus allows the first airflow F1 to be channeled inside the stator 11 when the air guide accessory 1, and more specifically the stator 11, is attached (i.e. connected, fixed, assembled or mounted) on the air outlet 28 of the hair styling appliance 2.

[0059] As can be seen in the various figures, the stator 11 includes the accessory air inlet 117 and is designed to be assembled onto the air outlet 28 of the hair styling appliance 2, preferably in a removable manner, that is to say, in a non-permanent, temporary way, so that the user of the hair styling appliance 2 and / or the air guide accessory 1 can assemble or disassemble these elements at will and without any effort or special tools. To this end, various assembly methods can be used without departing from the scope of the invention, such as, for example, a ring clip, a so-called "bayonet" system, a tight fit, magnetic devices, etc.

[0060] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 4, the air guide accessory 1, and more specifically the stator 11, is temporarily assembled on the hair styling device 2, more specifically on its air outlet 28, by means of an annular clip. For example, the outer wall of the stator 113 has a certain elasticity so that it can be temporarily deformed when attached to the hair styling appliance 2. To ensure proper attachment of the air guide accessory 1 to the hair styling appliance 2, the stator 11 includes a first attachment device 114 designed to cooperate with a first complementary attachment device 224 belonging to the hair styling appliance 2, and more specifically to the main body 22. The cooperation between said first attachment device 114 and first complementary attachment device 224 then occurs elastically and temporarily when the air guide accessory 1 is mounted on the hair styling appliance 2. As can be seen in the figure 3, the first hooking device 114 includes a circular hollow groove while the first complementary hooking device 224 includes a circular solid rib.

[0061] As can be seen on the figures 3 Or 5 The stator 11 includes a hub carrier 1112 connected to the outer wall of the stator 113 by at least one arm 1111, more precisely by three arms 1111. As can be seen on the figure 1The three arms 1111 are diametrically distributed at 120° around the stator axis S-S'. This ensures the rigidity of all the stator components 11, particularly the outer wall of the stator 113 and the hub carrier 1112. Each arm 1111 is formed from a parallelepiped-shaped piece with its narrowest cross-section in the first airflow F1 to minimize aerodynamic disturbances. The hub carrier 1112 is a hollow cylindrical piece designed to receive a rotational guide device 1113, such as a shaft or a screw, for a rotor 12, as will be detailed later.

[0062] The air guide accessory 1 also includes a rotor 12 extending from a rotor inlet plane PER to a rotor outlet plane PSR, as can be seen in the various figures. In other words, the rotor 12 extends longitudinally between said rotor inlet plane PER and rotor outlet plane PSR, over a certain length.

[0063] In the implementation of figures 1 to 4 , the distance between the said rotor inlet plane PER and rotor outlet plane PSR, i.e. the length of the rotor, is between 15 mm and 40 mm, advantageously between 22 mm and 28 mm.

[0064] In the implementation mode of the figure 5 , the distance between said rotor inlet plane PER and rotor outlet plane PSR, i.e. the length of the rotor, is between 10 mm and 50 mm, advantageously between 17 mm and 35 mm.

[0065] As can be seen in the various figures, the rotor outlet plane PSR includes the accessory air outlet 127. When the air guide accessory 1 is assembled on the hair styling unit 2, the airflow path is as follows. The first airflow F1 exits the hair styling unit 2 through the air outlet 28, enters the air guide accessory 1 through the accessory air inlet 117 (i.e., through the stator inlet plane PES), flows in a relatively airtight manner between the rotor inlet plane PER and the stator outlet plane PSS, is transformed into a second multidirectional airflow F2, and is ejected from the air guide accessory 1 through the rotor outlet plane PSR (i.e., through the accessory air outlet 127). The PSR rotor output plane is not perpendicular to the stator axis S-S', that is to say it forms with the stator axis SS' an angle other than 90° (it also forms an angle other than 0°).Thus, the rotor output plane PSR is not parallel to the rotor input plane PER. In other words, the rotor 12 is not symmetrical with respect to the stator axis S-S'. Specifically, the length of the rotor 12 is not uniform along its revolution around the stator axis S-S'. This particular shape of the rotor 12 and the rotor output plane PSR then allow us to define a sweep axis RR', which will be described in detail later.

[0066] As shown by figures 3 And 5In particular, the rotor 12 also includes an air drive device 121 designed to rotate said rotor 12 around the stator axis SS' by means of said first airflow F1. In other words, the rotor is designed to be automatically set in rotation by the first airflow F1 when the air guide accessory 1 is connected to the hair styling device 2, as explained previously. More specifically, the aerodynamic drive device 121 includes a hub 1212 connected to an external wall of the rotor 125 by at least one blade 1211, more specifically by three blades 1211. The three blades 1211 are diametrically evenly distributed at 120° in order to ensure good rigidity of the rotor 12 and the hub 1212. The profile of each blade 1211 is an aircraft wing profile of the "pseudo-NACA" type, with an angle of incidence of 10°.The angle of attack and the profile of each 1211 blade were chosen to achieve the best lift / lift ratio compromise at typical speeds for hair styling tools. This results in greater user comfort. In particular, each 1211 blade was designed to generate minimal pressure loss (lift ratio), provide sufficient torque (lift) to set the rotor in motion, thus overcoming inertia and friction. Furthermore, the inventors have remarkably demonstrated the existence of induced suction thanks to the profile of each 1211 blade. In other words, the profile of the 1211 blades creates a suction effect that is then added to the initial airflow F1.This creates an induced airflow, which is a bonus, free airflow, which remarkably helps to limit the flow loss associated with the presence of the blades 1211 and / or the arms 1111 and thus to improve the overall performance of the air guide accessory 1.

[0067] In the implementation of the figure 3 The rotor 12 has a cylindrical cross-section. This allows for a particularly simple and economical design.

[0068] However, one might prefer the method of implementation of the figure 5 in which the rotor 12 is frustoconical in shape. More precisely, as can be seen on the figure 5 The rotor 12 has a cross-section defining a truncated cone. Thus, the rotor 12 has a non-zero cone angle γ, unlike the embodiment of the figure 3The cone angle γ of the rotor 12 is between 5 and 20 degrees and is preferably equal to 16 degrees, or equal to 14 degrees, or equal to 6 degrees, as detailed in the table below. Indeed, a truncated cone shape for the rotor 12 accelerates the second airflow F2, thus improving drying and / or styling performance, since air velocity is an important parameter in the drying efficiency of hair styling accessories and devices.

[0069] As can be seen in the various figures, the rotor 12 is mounted via a pivot joint with the stator 11. More precisely, the hub 1212 is mounted via a pivot joint with the hub carrier 1112. As can be seen in the figure 3 Or 5The hub 1212 includes a second guiding device 1222, formed, for example, by a shoulder. This second guiding device 1222 fits inside a second complementary guiding device 1122, formed, for example, by a bore, belonging to the hub carrier 1112. This provides rotational guidance and a sliding pivot joint. To lock the rotor 12 in axial translation relative to the stator 11 and create said pivot joint, any known locking device may be used, such as a screw, a clip, a pin, etc. (not shown). Naturally, the invention is by no means limited to any one of these mechanical mounting methods, which are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0070] Regardless of the embodiment of the invention, the rotor 12 comprises at least one portion extending along and around a sweep axis R-R'. This portion plays a crucial role in the air guidance accessory 1 of the invention, since it is this portion, in particular, which enables the transformation of the first substantially unidirectional airflow F1 so as to orient it into a second airflow F2 in a plurality of different directions during the rotation of the rotor.

[0071] As can be seen on the figures 3 Or 5This at least one portion comprises the rotor output plane PSR. The sweep axis RR' is defined as a fictitious axis perpendicular to the rotor output plane PSR. This at least one portion is then a part of revolution extending along and around this sweep axis R-R'. Thus, this sweep axis RR' forms an intersection angle β with the stator axis SS' that is not 0°. It will be understood that this intersection angle β is the maximum angle that the sweep axis RR' can take during its movement. In other words, the sweep axis RR' is neither coincident with nor parallel to the stator axis SS'. Given this non-zero angle, and the fact that the rotor 12 is mounted to rotate relative to the stator 11 along the stator axis S-S', the sweep axis RR' will, during the rotation of the rotor 12, undergo a sweeping motion along a circular trajectory around the stator axis S-S'. This trajectory is schematically illustrated by the figure 7 The airflow is then no longer unidirectional but rather multidirectional, since each unidirectional component f1 of the first airflow F1 is now radially reoriented according to a component f2. Thus, the accessory that is the subject of the invention is designed to transform said first airflow F1 into a second airflow F2 sweeping in a plurality of different directions, and therefore to widen the area treated by the airflow of the hair styling device 2.

[0072] The RR' scanning axis is shown as a dashed line in two of its extreme positions at figures 3 And 5 These are positions exhibiting the same intersection angle β with the stator axis S-S'. The PSR rotor output plane is also shown in dashed lines in two of its extreme positions at figures 3 And 5It can thus be seen that the rotor outlet plane PSR and the sweep axis RR' remain perfectly perpendicular to each other. Therefore, it is clear that, regardless of the embodiment, the rotor 12 will sweep through a plurality of different positions over time, between an initial position (illustrated by solid lines) and a final position (dashed line). This rotor sweeping motion results in the airflow being swept along several directions, and thus ultimately transforms the first, essentially unidirectional, airflow F1 into a second airflow F2 sweeping through a plurality of different directions.

[0073] The intersection angle β is between 5 and 40 degrees, advantageously between 5 and 25 degrees, and preferably equal to 18 degrees, or equal to 20 degrees, or equal to 22 degrees. Indeed, each of these values ​​has been tested, validated and defined by the designers of the invention to guarantee an air guidance accessory 1 that meets the objectives stated above, in particular by offering the best possible compromises between compactness, aerodynamic performance, and drying efficiency.

[0074] As can be seen on the figures 3 Or 5 The point of intersection of the sweep axis RR' with the stator axis SS' lies between the rotor inlet planes PER and the stator outlet plane PSS. This ensures good compactness of the air guide accessory 1 while providing a large area swept by the second airflow F2, as can be understood from reading the figures 3 And 5Furthermore, a sweep angle α can be defined between the extreme positions that the rotor 12 can take, on either side of the sweep axis R-R'. This sweep angle α can be calculated using the following formula: α = β − γ / 2 * 2

[0075] As can be seen in the various figures, said sweep axis RR' and said stator axis SS' are intersecting in a transition plane T parallel to a rotor input plane PER, said stator axis SS' being orthogonal to said transition plane T. More precisely, the distance d between said transition plane T and said rotor input plane PER is less than 7 mm, preferably between 0 and 5 mm.

[0076] The designers of the air guide accessory 1, which is the subject of the invention, have also carried out various measurements of drying indices according to the IEC 61855 edition 1 standard, the title of which in English is “household electrical hair care appliances - methods of measuring the performance”.This standard is well known to professionals and is frequently used to measure the drying indices of various hair styling tools and therefore their overall performance. Different air guide accessories are used depending on the design of the figure 5 were tested. Each accessory had a different intersection angle β. These results are compared to the results of a device without accessories. [Table 1] Accessory 2.1 Accessory 2.2 Accessory 2.3 Without accessories Angle of intersection β 20° 22° 18° 0° Rotor cone angle γ 12 16° 6° 14° 0° Scanning angle α 24° 38° 22° 0° Hair styling device power 1835 W 1835 W 1835 W 1835 W Hair styling device propeller speed 16320 rpm 16230 rpm 16260 rpm 16485 rpm Temperature of the second airflow F2 at 2.5 cm from the accessory air outlet 127 80.6 °C 81.6 °C 82.2 °C 80.5 °C Temperature of the second airflow F2 at 10 cm from the accessory air outlet 127 74.2 °C 75.1 °C 75.9 °C 72.4 °C Indice de séchage 5.32 g / min 4.83 g / min 4.84 g / min 5.44 g / min

[0077] These results show, for example, that for a roughly equivalent drying index, accessory 2.1 increases the airflow diffusion range by 24° compared to a device without the accessory. This greatly improves user comfort, as the user is less likely to need to move the styling tool 2.

[0078] THE figures 8a et 8b They also schematically illustrate the improvement in temperature homogeneity and the enlargement of the treated area by the second airflow F2 from the air guide accessory 1, which is the subject of the invention. On the figure 8b The diagram schematically shows the thermal footprint of a hair styling appliance 2 without an air guide accessory 1. A first, moderately hot disc (shown in gray) is visible, its diameter roughly corresponding to the diameter of the air outlet 28 of the hair styling appliance 2. However, two hotter zones are present within the airflow (shown in black). These hotter zones are related to the intrinsic construction of the hair styling appliance 2, and in particular to the positioning and operation of its heating element. These zones are relatively uncomfortable for the user, who will have to manually move the hair styling appliance 2 to homogenize the airflow and widen the treatment area. On the figure 8a , we can schematically see the thermal footprint of the hair styling device 2 of the figure 8b but this time equipped with an air guidance accessory 1 as defined by the invention. It is noted that the average diameter treated by the airflow has increased compared to that of the figure 8b Thanks to the sweeping action performed by rotor 12, as explained previously, the temperature is much more evenly distributed and the two hot spots have disappeared, since the airflow is constantly and automatically circulated by rotor 12, as previously explained. Therefore, the user no longer needs to manually operate the styling tool 2. This results in increased user comfort and less fatigue.

[0079] Naturally, to ensure the proper functioning of the invention, the stator 11 and the rotor 12 are located between the accessory air inlet 117 and the accessory air outlet 127 and connected to each other by a substantially fluid-tight connection 116, 126, in order to prevent any excessive loss of the first and / or second airflow F2 between the stator 11 and the rotor 12. As can be seen on the figure 3 The substantially fluid-tight connection 116, 126 comprises, on the one hand, a guide device 116 belonging to the stator 11, and on the other hand, a complementary guide device 126 belonging to the rotor 12. More specifically, the guide device 116 comprises a circular edge designed to penetrate a circular shoulder formed by the complementary guide device 126. Furthermore, the complementary guide device 126, i.e., the shoulder according to the embodiment of the figure 3 The rotor 12 extends longitudinally along the stator axis S-S'. In other words, a portion of the rotor 12 penetrates the stator 11. Thus, the rotor inlet plane PER is located upstream of the stator outlet plane PSS in the direction of the first airflow F1. This ensures a good seal between the stator 11 and the rotor 12, and therefore proper operation of the air guide accessory 1. More precisely, the overlap length L, defined between the rotor inlet plane PER and the stator outlet plane PSS, is approximately 3 mm, which guarantees a good compromise between sealing and size, as well as rotational guidance. Indeed, the overlap length L must not be too great so as not to impede the proper rotation of the rotor 12 relative to the stator 11.It will also be possible to use, without departing from the scope of the invention, various devices well known to those skilled in the art which make it possible to seal a mechanical connection, in particular between a moving part (in this case the rotor 12) and a fixed part (in this case the stator 11), such as for example an O-ring, while ensuring that this kind of device does not impede the free rotation of the rotor 12.

[0080] According to the embodiment illustrated on the figure 5The stator 11 is still a hollow part of revolution, but its shape is more complex. In particular, the air guide accessory 1, and more specifically the stator 11, includes a housing 13 that extends around at least the rotor 12. The housing 13 can either be an integral part of the stator 11 or a separate component. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 13 is monolithic with the stator 11; that is, it is a single piece, continuous in material. In other words, the outer wall 113 of the stator forms the housing 13. This facilitates the assembly of the air guide accessory 1. The housing 13 is therefore integral with the stator 11 and designed to protect the rotor 12 from contact with a user.The housing 13 is frustoconical in shape, advantageously with a housing cone angle θ between 25 degrees and 60 degrees, preferably 40 degrees. This ensures the smooth movement of the rotor 12 while maintaining a relatively compact air guide accessory 1. The rotor can thus freely perform its sweeping motion inside the housing 13 while being protected from external elements. The housing 13 is therefore particularly useful in preventing the user from touching the moving (and potentially hot) rotor 12 with their hands, head, hair, etc. The housing 13 significantly increases the safety of using the air guide accessory 1 by, for example, preventing any risk of accidental contact between the moving rotor 12 and the user's hair, and thus limiting the risk of hair entanglement.The housing 13 will also increase the reliability of the air guide accessory 1 by protecting the rotor 12 in the event of a fall of the air guide accessory 1.

Claims

1. Air guidance accessory (1) designed to be mounted on an air outlet (28) of a hair styling device (2) blowing a substantially unidirectional first air flow (F1), said air guidance accessory (1) being designed to transform said first air flow (F1) into a second air flow (F2) sweeping a plurality of different directions, said air guidance accessory (1) comprising: - an accessory air inlet (117) designed to cooperate with the air outlet (28) of the hair styling device (2), - an accessory air outlet (127) for blowing said second air flow (F2) towards the head of a user, - a stator (11) extending along and around a stator axis (S-S') from a stator entry plane (PES) to a stator exit plane (PSS), - a rotor (12) extending from a rotor entry plane (PER) to a rotor exit plane (PSR) and comprising an aerodynamic drive device (121) designed to rotate said rotor (12) around the stator axis (S-S') using said first air flow (F1), - said rotor (12) comprising at least one portion extending along and around a sweeping axis (R-R'), said at least one portion being designed to direct the second air flow (F2) according to said plurality of different directions, - said sweeping axis (R-R') forming an angle of intersection (β) with the stator axis (S-S') between 5 and 40 degrees, - the stator (11) and the rotor (12) are situated between said accessory air inlet (117) and accessory air outlet (127) and are connected to each other by a substantially fluid-tight connection (116, 126), characterized in that the intersection point of the sweeping axis (R-R') with the stator axis (S-S') is located between said rotor entry plane (PER) and stator exit plane (PSS).

2. Air guidance accessory (1) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the rotor entry plane (PER) is located upstream of the stator exit plane (PSS) according to the flow direction of the first air flow (F1).

3. Air guidance accessory (1) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the overlap length (L), defined between the rotor entry plane (PER) and the stator exit plane (PSS), is between 1 mm and 5 mm, and is preferably substantially equal to 3 mm.

4. Air guidance accessory (1) according to any preceding claim characterized in that the stator (11) comprises the accessory air inlet (117) and is designed to assemble onto the air outlet (28) of the hair styling device (2), preferably in a detachable manner.

5. Air guidance accessory (1) according to any preceding claim characterized in that the rotor exit plane (PSR) comprises the accessory air outlet (127).

6. Air guidance accessory (1) according to any preceding claim characterized in that said sweeping axis (R-R') and said stator axis (S-S') intersect within a transition plane (T) parallel to a rotor entry plane (PER), said stator axis (S-S') being orthogonal to said transition plane (T).

7. Air guidance accessory (1) according to any preceding claim characterized in that said angle of intersection (β) is between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, and preferably equal to 18 degrees, or equal to 20 degrees, or equal to 22 degrees.

8. Air guidance accessory (1) according to any preceding claim characterized in that the rotor (12) is conical in shape.

9. Air guidance accessory (1) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the cone angle (γ) of the rotor (12) is between 5 and 20 degrees and is preferably equal to 16 degrees, or equal to 14 degrees, or equal to 6 degrees.

10. Air guidance accessory (1) according to any preceding claim characterized in that the stator (11) comprises a hub holder (1112) connected to an external wall of the stator (113) by at least one arm (1111), preferably by three arms (1111).

11. Air guidance accessory (1) according to any preceding claim characterized in that the aerodynamic drive device (121) comprises a hub (1212) connected to an external wall of the rotor (125) by at least one blade (1211), preferably by three blades (1211).

12. Air guidance accessory (1) according to claims 10 and 11 characterized in that said hub (1212) is pivotally mounted with said hub holder (1112).

13. Air guidance accessory (1) according to any preceding claim characterized in that it comprises a housing (13) around at least said rotor (12), said housing (13) being integral with the stator (11) and designed to protect said rotor (12) from contact with a user.

14. Air guidance accessory (1) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the housing (13) is conical in shape and advantageously has a housing cone angle (8) between 25 degrees and 60 degrees, preferably equal to 40 degrees.

15. Hair styling device comprising a hair styling device (2) blowing a substantially unidirectional first air flow (F1), such as a hair dryer, and an air guidance accessory (1) according to any preceding claim.

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