Hair styling apparatus with air deflecting elbow

Abstract

The present invention discloses a hair styling device comprising: - a cylindrical body including a proximal end serving as a handle and a distal end; - an axial air inlet located on the proximal end of the cylindrical body; - a radial air outlet located on the distal end of the cylindrical body; - a turbine located in said cylindrical body which, in use, is driven in rotation by a motor, which allows air to be drawn in through the air inlet and expelled through the air outlet; - a deflector elbow located in the cylindrical body to guide the air moving axially in the cylindrical body towards the radial air outlet, said deflector elbow including an air inlet and an air outlet and at least two vanes to direct the airflow;characterized in that the at least two blades each comprise a base arranged to separate the air inlet of the deflector elbow into different channels, and in that each of said blades divides inside the deflector elbow into at least two arms so as to create a set of baffles at the air outlet of the deflector elbow.

Description

Subject of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a hairdressing appliance, in particular to a stick-shaped hairdryer, the air outlet of which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the appliance. The present invention relates in particular to a stick-shaped hairdryer with an air deflector elbow present in the hairdressing appliance for deflecting air towards the outlet. State of the art

[0002] There is a current trend to modify the design of classic pistol-shaped hair dryers to make them more like blow-drying brushes. The hair dryer then takes the form of an elongated cylinder with a distal side and a proximal side, the proximal side acting as a grip and having an air inlet at its base, and the distal side serving to expel the air via an outlet positioned radially on the cylinder casing. The flow therefore first follows an axial path in the hair dryer before being deflected to exit perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical hair dryer. A 90° bend is therefore provided inside the cylinder to guide the air flow towards the outlet. This particular design combines the advantages of the hair dryer and the blow-drying brush, namely performance and flexibility of use. The cylinder acts as a handle, making the hair dryer more ergonomic.

[0003] To create an efficient and well-distributed airflow across the entire air outlet, the geometry of the elbow located in the hair dryer is of great importance. The elbow is equipped with various vanes to improve air guidance.

[0004] Document CN114073368A discloses a cylindrical hair dryer with a radial outlet comprising an airflow reversing part with several fins to guide the flow and change its direction. The reversing part also comprises a connecting bar connecting the various fins together, making the structure more robust and less deformable. The fins are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal axis.

[0005] WO2022089673A1 discloses a cylindrical hair dryer with a radial outlet comprising an air guide grille for changing the flow direction. The vanes of the guide grille are arc-shaped and have an air outlet that branches off in a Y shape to narrow the outlet section to accelerate the airflow speed and pressure. Aims of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art, and in particular to provide a hairdressing appliance in the form of a "stick" comprising a deflector elbow making it possible to deflect the air flow generated in a longitudinal direction towards a radial direction and allowing a better distribution of the flow at the air outlet. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention discloses a hairdressing device comprising: a cylindrical body comprising a proximal side acting as a handle and a distal side; an axial air inlet located on the proximal side of the cylindrical body; a radial air outlet located on the distal side of the cylindrical body; an impeller located in said cylindrical body which, in use, is rotated by a motor, thereby drawing air in through the air inlet and expelling air through the air outlet; a deflector elbow located in the cylindrical body for guiding air moving axially in the cylindrical body toward the radial air outlet, said deflector elbow comprising an air inlet and an air outlet and at least two vanes for directing the air flow; the at least two blades each comprise a base arranged so as to separate the air inlet of the deflector elbow into different channels, and in that each of said blades divides inside the deflector elbow into at least two arms so as to create a set of baffles at the air outlet of the deflector elbow.

[0008] According to particular embodiments, the invention comprises one or more of the following characteristics: the angle of curvature of the first arm of each blade is greater than the angle of curvature of the second arm of each blade; the cylindrical body comprises an inner tube connected to the inlet of the deflector elbow to channel the axial flow into the cylindrical body of the hair dryer, before it is deflected by the deflector elbow, said inner tube constituting thermal insulation for the casing of the hair dryer; the cross-section of the air inlet mouth is between 180 and 300 cm 2< and the cross-section of the air outlet mouth is between 200 and 500 cm 2<; the distance between the air inlet mouth and the air outlet mouth over the total length of the cylindrical body is between 0.05 and 0.2; the ratio of the diameter of the inner tube to the diameter of the cylindrical body is between 0.4 and 0.9; the ratio of the length of the inner tube to the diameter of the inner tube is between 3.5 and 6.5; the ratio of the angle of curvature of the first arm to the angle of curvature of the second arm is between 0.35 and 0.7; the baffles located in the air outlet are positioned in a staggered pattern; the deflector elbow is a set of two assembled parts, each corresponding to half of the deflector elbow, the blade arms being at a different level for each of the parts so as to form the staggered baffles; the section of the device is ellipsoidal in shape. Brief description of the figures

[0009] There figure 1 represents a three-dimensional view of an example of a hair dryer according to the invention. The figure 2 represents a three-dimensional view of the air deflector elbow and the inner tube, these being shown outside the housing of the hair dryer. The Figure 3A represents a view of the deflector elbow in relation to its air outlet. The Figure 3Brepresents a view of the deflector elbow in relation to its air inlet. The Figures 4A and 4B are equivalent to Figures 3A and 3B on which the internal blades are represented in dotted lines. The Figure 5 represents a profile view of the deflector elbow, with the internal vanes shown in dotted lines. Figures 6A and 6B represent, in the case where the deflector elbow is manufactured in two pieces, a view of the left part of the deflector, respectively in relation to the air outlet and the air inlet of the deflector elbow. The Figures 7A and 7B represent, in the case where the deflector elbow is manufactured in two pieces, a view of the right part of the deflector, respectively in relation to the air outlet and the air inlet of the deflector elbow. The Figures 8A and 8B represent diagrams of the air velocity distribution of a prior art elbow, this one not having internal vanes. The Figure 8Ais the 3-dimensional diagram at the outlet of the hair dryer, while the Figure 8B is the 2-dimensional diagram at the outlet of the hair dryer. The Figures 9A and 9B represent diagrams of the air velocity distribution of a prior art elbow, the latter having three continuous internal vanes, which do not separate into two arms but whose curvature remains parallel to the external surface of the elbow. Figure 9A is the 3-dimensional diagram at the outlet of the hair dryer, while the Figure 9B is the 2-dimensional diagram at the outlet of the hair dryer. The Figures 10A and 10B represent diagrams of the air velocity distribution of an exemplary elbow according to the present invention, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 7B , this one having two internal blades each comprising two arms with different curvatures. The Figure 10A is the 3-dimensional diagram at the outlet of the hair dryer, while the Figure 10Bis the 2-dimensional diagram at the outlet of the hair dryer. List of reference symbols

[0010] 1: hair dryer 2: cylindrical body of the hair dryer 3: air inlet mouth in the base of the proximal part of the cylindrical body 4: air outlet mouth in the casing of the distal part of the cylindrical body 5: deflector elbow 51: inlet of the deflector elbow 52: outlet of the deflector elbow 6: inner tube 7: vane of the deflector elbow 8: inlet channels of the deflector elbow 9: air outlet baffles of the deflector elbow 10: first arm of the vane 11: second arm of the vane 12: base of the vane 13: proximal part of the hair dryer 14: distal part of the hair dryer Detailed description of the invention

[0011] The stick-shaped hair dryer 1 according to the present invention is shown in the Figure 1. This comprises a cylindrical body 2, or tubular housing, having a proximal side 13 acting as a grip handle, and a distal side 14 where the air is expelled. The air circulates through the hair dryer by entering through an air inlet mouth 3 located in the base of the proximal side of the cylindrical body, and then exiting through an air outlet mouth 4 positioned radially on the casing of the distal side of the cylindrical body. A turbine (not shown) is located in the cylindrical body and is rotated by a motor (not shown), which makes it possible to suck in air through the air inlet mouth and to expel air through the air outlet mouth. Preferably, the cross-section of the air inlet mouth is between 180 and 300 cm 2< , while the cross-section of the air outlet mouth is between 200 and 500 cm 2< .The ratio between the distance between the two air vents and the total length of the cylindrical body is preferably between 0.05 and 0.2, the distance being taken along the axis of the hair dryer. This distance between the inlet and the outlet of the air vent is preferably between 25 mm and 60 mm, more preferably between 35 and 50 mm. The total length of the cylindrical body may be between 250 mm and 350 mm.

[0012] The hair dryer of the present invention comprises a deflector elbow 5 located upstream of the air outlet mouth, in order to deflect the incoming air flow axially towards the air outlet mouth located radially on the casing of the cylinder. An inner tube 6 may be provided inside the cylindrical body, to channel the axial flow into the cylindrical body of the hair dryer, before it is deflected by the elbow. As shown in the Figure 2, the inner tube is connected to the air inlet of the deflector elbow. This inner tube also has a thermal insulation function. The motor, the turbine as well as the heating resistors are located inside the tube which insulates the core of the cylindrical body from the external casing which will be held by the user. The ratio of the diameter of the inner tube to the diameter of the cylindrical body is preferably between 0.4 and 0.9. This allows for a space between the two walls to thermally insulate the external casing of the hair dryer. Preferably, the diameter of the inner tube is between 25 and 50 mm, preferably between 30 and 40 mm. Preferably, the cylindrical body has an ellipsoidal section. The ratio between the length and the diameter of the inner tube is preferably between 3.5 and 6.5. Preferably, the length of the inner tube is between 150 and 200 mm.

[0013] The deflector elbow, which is illustrated in detail on the Figures 3A-7B , includes 7 vanes to guide the flow so that it is as homogeneous as possible at the exit of the hair dryer.

[0014] More specifically, the elbow comprises an inlet 51 and an outlet 52. At least two vanes are located in the elbow and extend between the inlet and the outlet of the elbow. Each vane comprises a base 12 located in the inlet of the elbow, and two arms 10, 11 extending to the outlet of the elbow. The base of each vane therefore gradually divides into two arms, between the inlet and the outlet of the elbow.

[0015] In this way, the entrance, as illustrated in the Figures 3B and 4B, is separated into several air inlet channels 8. In the case of the example, two blades are shown, which gives rise to 3 air inlet channels. The channels are subdivisions of the inlet surface of the elbow, creating several separate and distinct inlet surfaces. Preferably, each surface is between 60 and 100 mm 2< .

[0016] Each blade has a first arm 10 and a second arm 11. At the outlet, the two arms of each blade obstruct the outlet so as to create a set of baffles 9. Four baffles are illustrated in the figures of the example given that there are two blades. In order to form the baffles, the two arms of the same blade have a different angle of curvature. In this way, the first arm of the blade will be located at a first level in the outlet of the elbow, and the second arm of the blade will be located at a second level in the outlet of the elbow. Preferably, the first blade gives rise to a first baffle secured to a first lateral side of the outlet of the elbow, and to a second baffle secured to the other lateral side of the outlet of the elbow. The two baffles of the same blade are in this case staggered with respect to each other at the outlet of the elbow. The same applies to the second blade, and so on if additional blades are present.Preferably, the ratio of the angle of curvature of the first arm to the angle of curvature of the second arm is between 0.35 and 0.7. Since the radius of curvature of the arms is of evolving shape, the defined measured angle is the angle measured between the base of the deflector elbow (at the entrance of the elbow) and a straight line connecting the point of tangency of entry of the elbow and the point of tangency of exit of the elbow. In the examples shown, the defined angle of curvature of the first arm is 38° and the defined angle of curvature of the second arm is 48°.

[0017] THE Figures 8A to 10B compare the airflow distribution at the outlet of different hair dryers. These diagrams represent the flow speed in m / s. Figures 8A and 8B relate to a prior art elbow, without blades. The Figures 9A and 9Brelate to a prior art elbow comprising 3 conventional blades, which do not divide to create baffles at the outlet of the elbow, and whose curvature is substantially parallel to that of the elbow. The Figures 10A and 10B relate to an example of an elbow equipping the hairdressing device according to the present invention, which is notably represented in the Figures 1 to 7B . The flow is better distributed at the outlet of the elbow and the hair dryer of the invention. Indeed, the particular geometry of the vanes allows a better distribution of the flow, which also improves the distribution of heat at the outlet of the hairdressing device. The hairdressing device according to the present invention offers a better and faster styling result given the improved heat distribution.

[0018] THE Figures 6A-7Brepresent an example of an elbow according to the present invention, in two pieces. For convenience, the elbow can be manufactured by assembling two pieces each corresponding to one half of the elbow, as shown in the Figures 6A-7B . In order to be able to produce staggered baffles in the elbow outlet, the two parts are different. In fact, as shown in the Figures 6B and 7B , the blade arms at the outlet of the elbow are not at the same level. As for the base of the blades, each piece includes two half-blades, which will form the bases of the two blades once the two pieces are assembled.

Claims

1. Hairdressing device (1) comprising: - a cylindrical body (2) comprising a proximal side (13) acting as a handle and a distal side (14); - an axial air inlet mouth (3) located on the proximal side (13) of the cylindrical body (2); - a radial air outlet mouth (4) located on the distal side (14) of the cylindrical body (2); - a turbine located in said cylindrical body (2) which, in use, is rotated by a motor, thereby allowing air to be sucked in through the air inlet mouth (3) and air to be expelled through the air outlet mouth (4); - a deflector elbow (5) located in the cylindrical body (2) in order to guide the air moving axially in the cylindrical body (2) towards the radial air outlet mouth (4), said deflector elbow (5) comprising an air inlet (51) and an air outlet (52) and at least two vanes (7) for directing the air flow; characterized in thatthe at least two blades (7) each comprise a base (12) arranged so as to separate the air inlet (51) of the deflector elbow (5) into different channels (8), and in that each of said blades (7) is divided inside the deflector elbow into at least two arms (10, 11) so as to create a set of baffles (9) at the air outlet (52) of the deflector elbow (5).

2. Hairdressing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of curvature of the first arm (10) of each blade (7) is greater than the angle of curvature of the second arm (11) of each blade (7).

3. Hairdressing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cylindrical body (2) comprises an internal tube (6) connected to the inlet (51) of the deflector elbow (5) to channel the axial flow into the cylindrical body (2) of the hair dryer, before it is deflected by the deflector elbow (5), said internal tube (6) constituting thermal insulation for the casing of the hair dryer.

4. Hairdressing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the section of the air inlet mouth (3) is between 180 and 300 cm 2 and the section of the air outlet mouth (4) is between 200 and 500 cm 2 .

5. Hairdressing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the air inlet mouth (3) and the air outlet mouth (4) over the total length of the cylindrical body (2) is between 0.05 and 0.

2.

6. Hairdressing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio of the diameter of the internal tube (6) to the diameter of the cylindrical body (2) is between 0.4 and 0.

9.

7. Hairdressing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio between the length of the inner tube (6) and the diameter of the inner tube (6) is between 3.5 and 6.

5.

8. Hairdressing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio of the angle of curvature of the first arm (10) to the angle of curvature of the second arm (11) is between 0.35 and 0.

7.

9. Hairdressing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the baffles (9) located in the air outlet (4) are positioned in a staggered pattern.

10. Hairdressing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe deflector elbow (5) is a set of two assembled parts, each corresponding to half of the deflector elbow (5), the arms (10, 11) of the blades (7) being at a different level for each of the parts so as to form the staggered baffles (9).

11. Hairdressing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the section of the device is ellipsoidal in shape.

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