Hairdryer

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a hair dryer. The hair dryer includes: a main body including an air outlet at a front, wherein air is discharged through the air outlet; and an accessory nozzle attached to the air outlet. The air outlet includes: a ring-shaped discharge hole positioned at a front of the main body; and a discharge flow path extending and widening rearward from the discharge hole. The discharge flow path has a trapezoidal cross-section. The hair dryer may enhance the intensity and volume of air discharged from the air outlet.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hair dryer.BACKGROUND

[0002] A hair dryer that discharges air through an air outlet may be used to remove as much moisture as desired from wet hair or to style hair from the current shape to a desired shape.

[0003] The hair dryer may incorporate internal components such as a fan unit to facilitate airflow. The hair dryer with internal components may be designed in consideration of the weight thereof to ensure convenient use for users.

[0004] When a heater module is located in a head portion, if the temperature of a case rises due to heat from the heater module, there is a risk of burns. In addition, it may affect internal components such as a controller. Therefore, a structure in which the heat from the heater module is not transferred to the exterior or other components but is entirely transferred to air passing through an airflow path is required.

[0005] In particular, for wireless use, the hair dryer needs to have a built-in battery, and additional space need to be secured to accommodate the battery. There is also a need for a hair dryer capable of being equipped with additional components such as an ion generator for expanded functionality and being combined with accessories.

[0006] However, since the hair dryer is used while being held in the hand, it is necessary to implement an optimal layout with minimal components to avoid increasing the size or weight when various functions are added.DISCLOSURE TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide a hair dryer including a nozzle attachment portion to facilitate the attachment of a nozzle to an air outlet.

[0008] In addition, the present disclosure aims to provide a hair dryer capable of improving the intensity and volume of air discharged from an air outlet.TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0009] The present disclosure provides a hair dryer. The hair dryer includes: a main body including an air outlet at a front, wherein air is discharged through the air outlet; and an accessory nozzle attached to the air outlet. The air outlet includes: a ring-shaped discharge hole positioned at a front of the main body; and a discharge flow path extending and widening rearward from the discharge hole. The discharge flow path has a trapezoidal cross-section.

[0010] A length of the discharge flow path may be between 2.6 times and 2.7 times a front width thereof.

[0011] A rear width of the discharge flow path may be between 1.8 times and 2 times a front width thereof.

[0012] The hair dryer may include a heater module positioned at a rear of the air outlet of the main body, and the air outlet may include a curved section extending from the heater module to the discharge flow path.

[0013] The heater module may include: a cylindrical heater core; a plurality of support walls radially arranged on an outer surface of the heater core; a heating coil wound around an outer end of the support wall; and an air cutout formed at a front edge of at least a portion of the plurality of support walls and having a shape corresponding to the curved section.

[0014] The present disclosure provides a hair dryer. The hair dryer includes: a main body including a head magnet positioned at a front and an air outlet positioned around a circumference of the head magnet, wherein air is discharged through the air outlet; and an accessory nozzle attached to the air outlet. The accessory nozzle includes: a nozzle frame including a fluid inlet for air intake, a fluid outlet for air discharge, and a nozzle flow path extending from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet; a middle frame positioned at a center of the fluid inlet of the nozzle frame and connected to the nozzle frame through a frame bridge; a nozzle magnet positioned on the middle frame and attached to the head magnet; and a ring-shaped silicone guide protruding rearward around a circumference of the nozzle magnet.

[0015] The air outlet may be formed at a location corresponding to a ring-shaped gap between the middle frame and an outer ring frame.

[0016] The main body may include a ring-shaped nozzle attachment groove corresponding to the silicone guide around a circumference of the head magnet.

[0017] The silicon guide may include: a molded portion seated on the middle frame; and a silicone portion dual-injected onto the molded portion. The silicone portion may wrap around an end of the molded portion in a U-shape.

[0018] The hair dryer may include: a nozzle screw passing through the nozzle magnet and the silicone guide and fastened to the middle frame; and a magnet cover covering a head of the nozzle screw and the nozzle magnet.

[0019] The fluid outlet of the nozzle frame may have an elongated rectangular shape in one direction, and the middle frame may protrude forward in a conical shape and include frame wings extending in the direction.

[0020] A front of the nozzle flow path of the nozzle frame may be either a same size as or narrower than a rear thereof.

[0021] The hair dryer may include a nozzle case fitted from a front of the nozzle frame to a rear of the nozzle frame and covering an outer surface of the nozzle frame.

[0022] The nozzle frame may include an outer ring frame positioned around a circumference of the fluid inlet and coupled to a circumference of the discharge hole of the main body. The outer ring frame may include an elastic material and be fastened to the frame bridge of the middle frame.

[0023] The accessory nozzle may include a central support rib positioned at a center of the nozzle frame in a width direction thereof. The nozzle flow path may include: a straight section extending forward from the fluid inlet; and an expansion section extending from the straight section to the fluid outlet, where an angle between side walls on both sides in the width direction of the expansion section is greater than an angle between side walls on both sides in the width direction of the straight section.

[0024] A front end of the straight section may be positioned on a same line as the central support rib in the width directionADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0025] A hair dryer of the present disclosure may facilitate the assembly of an accessory nozzle to an air outlet.

[0026] In addition, the hair dryer of the present disclosure may enhance the intensity and volume of air discharged from the air outlet.

[0027] Further, the hair dryer of the present disclosure may provide high-speed and high-temperature airflow without splitting by improving the shape of a nozzle flow path of the accessory nozzle.

[0028] Effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited by the above mentioned effects, and other unmentioned effects can be clearly understood from the above description by those having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hair dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the hair dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the interior of the hair dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a head assembly of the hair dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a head portion of the hair dryer of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an air outlet of a hair dryer according to another aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a discharge flow path according to an embodiment of (b) of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which a nozzle module is attached to the hair dryer according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a nozzle attachment portion of a main body and an accessory nozzle of the hair dryer of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 shows another example of the accessory nozzle of the hair dryer of the present disclosure. FIGS. 11 and 12 are exploded perspective views of the accessory nozzle of the hair dryer of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory nozzle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line B-B of FIG. 9. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the accessory nozzle of the hair dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a view illustrating another embodiment of the accessory nozzle of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a fluid flow depending on the presence of a straight section of the accessory nozzle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the accessory nozzle of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to be easily implemented by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs.

[0031] However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to clearly describe the present disclosure, components irrelevant to the description are omitted, and like reference numerals are assigned to similar components throughout the specification.

[0032] In this specification, duplicate descriptions of the same components are omitted.

[0033] Further, in this specification, it will be understood that when a component is referred to as being "connected with" another component, the component may be directly connected with the other component or intervening components may also be present. In contrast, it will be understood that when a component is referred to as being "directly connected with" another component in this specification, there are no intervening components present.

[0034] Further, in this specification, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing a specific embodiment only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

[0035] Further, in this specification, the singular forms "a" and "an" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0036] Further, in this specification, it will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and "including" specify the presence of the certain features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and parts or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and parts or combinations thereof.

[0037] Further, in this specification, the term 'and / or' includes a combination of a plurality of listed items or one of the plurality of listed items. In this specification, 'A or B' may include 'A,' 'B,' or 'both A and B.'

[0038] The present disclosure relates to a portable device capable of being used handheld by a user and, more particularly, to an electronic device that is small in size and designed to be used handheld by a user. Since the portable device is not used in a stationary position but rather is held and used directly by the user, the portable device needs to be lightweight, and the grip comfort of a handle 102 is important. Additionally, because the portable device is prone to contamination from external substances, a waterproof feature may be necessary.

[0039] The portable device of the present disclosure relates to beauty devices. For example, the portable device relates to a hair dryer 100. While the present disclosure is described based on the hair dryer 100, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Portable devices such as handheld skincare devices or body care devices may also be included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the hair dryer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the hair dryer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the hair dryer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2.

[0041] In the drawings, the x-axis represents the left-right direction, the y-axis represents the front-back direction, and the z-axis represents the up-down direction. When viewed from the front, +x is to the right when viewed from the front, -x is to the left. Further, +y is forward, -y is backward, +z is upward, and -z is downward.

[0042] The hair dryer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a main body including a head portion 101 and a handle portion 102. The handle portion 102 includes an air inlet 104 through which air is drawn from the outside at the bottom thereof, and the head portion 101 includes an air outlet 103 from which air is discharged.

[0043] The interior of the main body 101 and 102 of the hair dryer 100 includes an air flow path extending from the air inlet 104 to the air outlet 103. The air flow path of the present disclosure is not a straight path. Specifically, the air flow path moves vertically at the handle portion 102 and then bends horizontally at the head portion 101.

[0044] The air inlet 104 may be located at the bottom of the handle portion 102, and the air outlet 103 may be located at the front of the head portion 101. The handle portion 102 and the head portion 101 have shapes corresponding to the direction in which the air flow path extends. For usability, the handle portion 102 may extend in a direction slightly tilted forward from the vertical direction with respect to the head portion 101.

[0045] The handle portion 102 may be formed as a cylinder with a diameter that capable of being gripped by the user, and the head portion 101 may be formed as a cylinder with a larger diameter than the handle portion 102. The diameter of the handle portion 102 may be uniform from the bottom to the top, but the head portion 101 may have a slightly smaller diameter at the front to guide air towards the air outlet 103.

[0046] The air inlet 104 may include air intake holes 1283 formed around the circumference of the handle portion 102 and a filter 1293 to prevent the ingress of other foreign substances such as dust. A filter frame on which the filter 1293 is fixed may be located at the bottom of the handle portion 102 to form the air inlet 104.

[0047] The filter 1293 is made of a different material from cases 111 and 121 forming the exterior of the hair dryer 100. Since the filter 1293 is a thin film component, the filter 1293 may be damaged by external impacts. Therefore, a filter cover 128 may be further included to protect the filter 1293, and the filter cover 128 may be configured to be detachable for cleaning and replacing the filter 1293.

[0048] The air outlet 103 is located at the front of the head portion 101 and may include a circular opening. As shown in FIG. 3, the heating coil of a heater module 150 of the present disclosure has a donut shape with an empty central part, and the air outlet 103 may also have a ring shape related thereto.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 3, a head case 111, which forms the exterior of the head portion 101, is a cylindrical member with open front and rear ends. The head case 111 may be designed such that the front end has a slightly smaller diameter to facilitate air flow.

[0050] The heater module 150 that heats air as well as a board module 130 that controls the hair dryer 100 may be positioned inside the head case 111. The board module 130 may have a plurality of printed circuit boards 132 stacked in a layered structure. A touch display 135 that provides the user with information about the operating status of the hair dryer 100 and allows for touch input may be positioned at the rear of the board module 130.

[0051] In addition to the board module 130, a switch board for buttons and a board for an air motor 171 may be positioned at the handle portion 102. For convenience of explanation, a board on the board module 130 is referred to as a head board 132.

[0052] The heater module 150 and board module 130 of the head portion 101 may be combined through a head frame 112 to form a single head assembly 114. The head assembly 114 may be inserted from the rear to the front of the head case 111 to assemble the head portion 101.

[0053] With respect to the handle connection portion 1115, the heater module 150 may be positioned at the front of the head portion 101, while the board module 130 may be located at the rear of the head portion 101.

[0054] The heater module 150 may include a coil 156 that receives power and heats air. The coil 156 may be designed to have high resistance to increase the heat output and may be wound in a spiral shape or bent in a serpentine shape to maximize the contact area with air.

[0055] In the present embodiment, a serpentine-shaped heating coil that extends inward and then bends outward is used. The coil 156 is arranged in a spiral shape inside the head portion 101.

[0056] Since the heating coil of the heater module 150 is arranged in a ring shape, an empty space is formed in the center. The heater module 150 of the present disclosure may use this space by placing an ionizer 158 for generating ions inside the coil 156.

[0057] The board module 130 may be positioned spaced apart in the rear direction from the heater module 150. The space between the heater module 150 and the board module 130 may provide a space for providing the air supplied from the handle portion 102 to the heater module 150 by changing the path, thereby protecting the board module 130 from the heat of the heater module 150. In addition, the heat generated by the board module 130 is cooled by the cold air supplied from the handle portion 102, thereby preventing any overheating issues with the board module 130.

[0058] The handle connection portion 1115 coupled to the top of the handle portion 102 may be located at the central part of the head portion 101. The handle connection portion 1115 into which the upper end of the handle portion 102 is inserted may be located at the lower part of the cylindrical member of the head case 111.

[0059] The handle portion 102 may include a handle frame 122 that houses various components and a handle case 121 that surrounds the exterior of the handle frame 122 and forms the appearance. In addition, the air motor 171 that directs the air flow such that air is drawn into the air inlet 104 positioned at the bottom of the handle portion 102.

[0060] A power input cable 191 connected to an external power source is positioned at the bottom of the handle portion 102. A power connection cable 192 that is connected to the power input cable 191 and extends to the head board 132 of the head portion 101 may be included inside the handle portion 102.

[0061] To prevent a portion connected to the lower part of the handle portion 102 from bending and breaking, the power input cable 191 may include an anti-breakage rib 1912 that extend radially from the power input cable 191.

[0062] Physical buttons 162 and 166 may be implemented for the user to operate the primary functions of the hair dryer 100. The handle portion 102 may include a power button 162 for turning the power on / off and an operation button 166 for adjusting the intensity or temperature of air. The power button 162 may be positioned at the front of the handle portion 102, and the operation button 166 may be located at the rear thereof.

[0063] The buttons may use one of several types, such as a push button, a toggle switch, or a slide switch 1625. In the present embodiment, the power button is implemented as a slide switch, and the function change is implemented as a push button.

[0064] The air motor 171, which is positioned below the buttons 162 and 166, forces the air flow from the air inlet 104, which is positioned at the bottom of the handle portion 102, to the air outlet 103. The air motor 171 may generate vibration and noise. To mitigate such vibration and noise, an elastic motor damper 173 that surrounds the outer surface of the air motor 171 may be used.

[0065] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the head assembly 114 of the hair dryer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the head portion 101 of the hair dryer 100 according to the present disclosure.

[0066] The head assembly 114 includes the heater module 150 that heats air entering from the handle and the board module 130 that houses a controller for controlling the hair dryer 100. The heater module 150 and the board module 130 may be fastened by the head frame 112.

[0067] The head frame 112 includes an air discharge guide 112a that guides air to the air outlet 103 at the front and a heater housing 112b where the heater module 150 is seated. A head hook groove 1127 for fastening the board module 130 may be positioned at an end 112d extending rearward from the heater housing 112b. A space 112c between the heater housing 112b and the head hook groove 1127 is separated. The space 112c corresponds to the position of the handle connection portion 1115, and a handle fastening hole 1125 that overlaps with the handle connection portion 1115 is included therein.

[0068] The handle fastening hole 1125 is a part where the air rising along the handle portion 102 enters the head portion 101. As shown in FIG. 4, the head frame 112 includes a part of the handle fastening hole 1125 and has an open rear end. When the board module 130 is coupled to the head frame 112, the handle fastening hole 1125 may be formed by blocking the open rear end of the handle fastening hole 1125 with the head frame 112.

[0069] The air discharge guide 112a, which is located at the front of the head frame 112, may include a ring-shaped discharge hole 1122 through which air heated by the heater module 150 is discharged and a front portion 1112 where a nozzle attachment portion 113 is positioned at the center of the discharge hole 1122. As shown in FIG. 5, the air discharge guide 112a may include a discharge flow path 1123 with a narrowing inclined surface to increase the speed of air discharge.

[0070] The head frame 112 extends to the rear of the heater module 150 and is open at the rear to allow insertion of the heater module 150. A head hook hole 1128 located at the rear end of the heater module 150 is fastened to a head hook 1318 of the head frame 112. The head hook hole 1128 formed at the rear end of the head frame 112 and the head hook 1318 formed on the outer surface of the board frame 131 are fastened together to form the head assembly 114.

[0071] The heater module 150 may include a plurality of support walls 153 and 154 radially fitted on the outer surface of a cylindrical heater core 151 and a heating coil 156 wound around the circumference of the support walls. The heating coil 156 is wound in a spiral shape and forms two layers in the radial direction. A first support wall 153, which supports an outer coil 1561, has a greater radial length than a second support wall 154, which supports an inner coil 1562.

[0072] The interior of the heater core 151 provides a space for components such as the ionizer 158, and a wiring 1582 for the ionizer and a wiring 1592 for a temperature sensor located at the front may extend from the inside of the heater core 151 to the rear of the heater core 151. The heater module 150 includes a ring-shaped heater duct located on the outer circumference of the heater core 151. To prevent heat from being transferred to the outside of the heater duct, a cylindrical inner insulation housing 1512 and a cylindrical outer insulation housing 152 may be provided on the inner and outer sides of the heater duct, respectively. The inner insulation housing 1512 and outer insulation housing 152 may be made of materials with low thermal conductivity such as mica.

[0073] The nozzle attachment portion 113, which is positioned at the center of the air discharge guide 112a, may be attached to the front of the heater core 151. The nozzle attachment portion 113 may include a head magnet 1132 for attaching to the accessory nozzle 200, a magnet seating portion 1311 where the head magnet 1132 is placed, a screw 1137 for fastening the magnet seating portion 1311 to the head frame 112, and a magnet cover 1134 for covering the head magnet 1132.

[0074] A ring-shaped ring frame 1135 may be included around the head magnet 1132, and a ring-shaped nozzle attachment groove 1136 may be formed between the head magnet 1132 and the ring frame 1135 to guide the position of the accessory nozzle 200.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of head boards 1321, 1322, and 1323 may be arranged in a layered structure, and cylindrical board frames 1311 and 1312 that house the head boards 1321, 1322, and 1323 may be included. To house the plurality of head boards 1321, 1322, and 1323, the board frames 1311 and 1312 are composed of multiple pieces, which may be assembled to form a single board module 130.

[0076] When components significantly affected by electromagnetic waves such as a wireless communication module 134a are mounted, electromagnetic shielding is necessary. To avoid interference between components mounted between the plurality of head boards 1321, 1322, and 1323 and to prevent the strong pressure of air from impacting the rear display 135, a middle board frame 1313 may be further included between the head boards 1321 and 1322.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 2, the touch display 135 may be positioned on the rear surface of the board module 130, and the rear end of the board module 130 is exposed to the rear of the head frame 112, forming the appearance of the rear of the head portion 101.

[0078] The head case 111 includes openings at the front and rear. To prevent air from escaping through a gap between the head assembly 114 and the head case 111, the head case 111 may include a front sealing ring 1128 positioned at the front of the head assembly 114 and a rear sealing ring 137 positioned at the rear thereof.

[0079] The front sealing ring 1128 is positioned on the air discharge guide 112a. Since the head case 111 includes the ring-shaped front portion 1112 arranged along the edge, the front sealing ring 1128 may be positioned between the air discharge guide 112a of the head frame 112 and the ring-shaped front of the head case 111 and arranged to overlap in the front-rear direction.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 4, the rear sealing ring 137 may be positioned around the outer circumference of the board frame 131 of the board module 130. As shown in FIG. 5, the rear sealing ring 137 overlaps with the head case 111 and the board module 130 in the radial direction.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the air outlet 103 of the hair dryer 100 according to another aspect of the present disclosure. The hair dryer 100 may include the ring-shaped discharge hole 1122 at the front and the discharge flow path 1123 inside the discharge hole 1122, which is connected to the heater module 150.

[0082] The discharge flow path 1123 may be positioned in the head frame 112 and also be positioned at the front end of the heater housing 112b. The head frame 112 may include a curved section 1121 to compensate for the difference in size between the discharge flow path 1123 and the flow path of the heater module 150.

[0083] In FIG. 6(a), the air outlet 103 directly connected to the discharge hole 1122 may be included in the front end of the gentle curved section 1121 extending from the heater module 150. In this case, the discharge flow path 1123 may be shortened or omitted.

[0084] In FIG. 6(b), the discharge flow path 1123 that gradually narrows may be included in the rear end of the discharge hole 1122. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the discharge flow path 1123, which has a trapezoidal cross-section, may secure a predetermined flow path length and gradually reduce the size of the flow path, thereby increasing the intensity of the air exiting through the discharge hole 1122.

[0085] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the discharge flow path 1123 according to the embodiment of FIG. 6(b). The discharge flow path 1123 may be defined based on the cross-sectional shape of the discharge flow path 1123. The front end of the discharge flow path 1123, which is similar in width to the discharge hole 1122, is wider than the rear end of the discharge flow path 1123, which is in contact with the curved section 1121 extending from the heater housing 112b (a < b).

[0086] When the front end and the rear end are connected, the cross-section of the discharge flow path 1123 forms a trapezoid as shown in FIG. 7. The width b of the rear end may be configured to be about 2.6 to 2.7 times the width a of the front end.

[0087] If the width b of the rear end is too wide compared to the width a of the front end, the effect of increasing the air speed may be diminished. If the width b of the rear end is too small compared to the width a of the front end, the air volume may decrease. To enhance both the air volume and air speed, the optimal size range is determined as follows: the rear end has a size about 2.6 to 2.7 times larger than the front end (b = 2.6a to 2.7a).

[0088] The length c of the discharge flow path 1123 may be about 1.8 to 2 times the width a of the front end. If the length c of the discharge flow path 1123 increases, both the air volume and air speed may increase, but if the length c of the discharge flow path 1123 decreases, the size of the product may become larger. According to the present disclosure, the discharge flow path 1123 is extended rearward within the length range required for the mounting space of the nozzle attachment portion 113 of the air outlet 103 of the hair dryer 100.

[0089] The discharge flow path 1123 with the trapezoidal cross-section within the numerical ranges a, b, and c may improve the air speed and air volume. Compared to the embodiment in FIG. 6(a), the embodiment in FIG. 6(b) shows an increase in air speed by approximately 1.5 meters per second (m / s) and an increase in air volume by 0.03 cubic meters per minute (cmm).

[0090] However, by extending the discharge flow path 1123 as shown in FIG. 6(a), the curved section of the head frame 112 may be positioned more towards the heater module 150 compared to the form in FIG. 6(a). In this case, the space between the support walls 154, which are radially arranged along the flow path of the heater module 150, and the curved section 1121 may become narrower.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 7, a concave air cutout 1547 corresponding to the shape of the curved section 1121 of the head frame 112 may be formed at the front edge of the support wall 154.

[0092] By forming the air cutout 1547 on the front edge of the support wall 154, the function of supporting the heating coil 156 of the support wall 154 is maintained while securing a space connected to the discharge flow path 1123.

[0093] FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which the accessory nozzle 200 is attached to the main body, and FIG. 9 illustrates the nozzle attachment portion 113 of the main body of the hair dryer 100 and the accessory nozzle 200 according to the present disclosure. To change the way that air is discharged as desired by the user, various types of nozzles 200 may be attached to and detached from the air outlet 103.

[0094] A ring-shaped opening such as the air outlet 103 in FIG. 1 allows air to come out over a wide area, and thus the ring-shaped opening is convenient for drying hair. However, for purposes such as styling or scalp care, it is advantageous to change a pattern in which air is discharged.

[0095] Thus, a detachable nozzle 200 may be used to change the air discharge pattern according to the intended use. Since the central part of the air outlet 103 is an area where air is not discharged, the nozzle attachment portion 113 may be placed thereon. The head magnet 1132 that attaches to the accessory nozzle 200 may be positioned in the nozzle attachment portion 113. A nozzle magnet 212 positioned opposite to the head magnet 1132 may be included on the rear surface of the accessory nozzle 200. The hair dryer 100 may be used for various purposes through the accessory nozzle 200, which is optionally detachable in the form of an accessory.

[0096] The fluid inlet 2211 connected to the air outlet 103 of the head portion 101 is located at the rear of the accessory nozzle 200. The fluid outlet 2213 is formed at the front of the accessory nozzle 200. A nozzle flow path 2212 connecting the fluid inlet 2211 and the fluid outlet 2213 is formed inside the accessory nozzle 200. The fluid inlet 2211 has a ring shape corresponding to the shape of the air outlet 103, but the fluid outlet 2213 may vary depending on the purpose.

[0097] FIG. 10 illustrates another example of the accessory nozzle 200. FIG. 10(a) shows a styling nozzle 200b with a fluid outlet 2213 that is long in the width direction and short in the height direction to provide stronger and concentrated airflow.

[0098] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10(b), a scalp drying nozzle 200c may be used to disperse air over a wide area to dry the scalp. Since the air is discharged close to the scalp, the speed of the discharged air may decrease.

[0099] The styling nozzle 200b and the scalp drying nozzle 200c may also be attached to the front of the head portion 101 through the nozzle magnet 212 located at the rear fluid inlet 2211.

[0100] FIGS. 11 and 12 are exploded perspective views of the accessory nozzle 200 of the hair dryer 100 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a view from the rear, and FIG. 12 is a view from the front. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the main body of the hair dryer 100 is also shown.

[0101] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory nozzle 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line B-B of FIG. 9. FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the hair dryer 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the cross-section of the head portion 101 when the accessory nozzle 200 is attached thereto.

[0102] The accessory nozzle 200 may include a nozzle frame 221, a middle frame 211, and a nozzle magnet 212. The nozzle frame 221 may include the fluid inlet 2211 for air intake, the fluid outlet 2213 for air discharge, and the nozzle flow path 2212 extending from the fluid inlet 2211 to the fluid outlet 2213.

[0103] The shapes of the fluid inlet 2211 and the fluid outlet 2213 are different. In this embodiment, the fluid inlet 2211 may be circular, while the fluid outlet 2213 may have an elongated rectangular shape in one direction. As shown in FIG. 13, the width of the fluid inlet 2211 is similar to that of the fluid outlet 2213 in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 14, the fluid inlet 2211 may have a narrower width than the fluid outlet 2213 in the vertical direction.

[0104] The nozzle flow path 2212 may have a constant width in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 13 and become narrow in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 14.

[0105] The middle frame 211 may be positioned at the center of the fluid inlet 2211 through a frame bridge 2115 that extends radially. The space between the fluid inlet 2211 and the middle frame 211 is connected to the discharge hole 1122 of the head portion 101, allowing the air from the discharge hole 1122 to flow into the fluid inlet 2211.

[0106] The fluid inlet 2211 needs to be in close contact with the air outlet 103 to ensure that the air from the discharge hole 1122 is supplied to the accessory nozzle 200 without any leakage. The nozzle frame 221 may include a ring-shaped outer ring frame 223 around the circumference of the fluid inlet 2211, which is in contact with the front portion 1112 of the head case 111 and positioned around the discharge hole 1122.

[0107] The outer ring frame 223 has a shape corresponding to the front portion 1112 of the head case 111 and may protrude backward to match the inclination of the front portion 1112 of the head case 111 from the periphery towards the center. The outer ring frame 223 may include an elastic material such as silicone to be in close contact with the front portion 1112 of the head case 111 with no gap.

[0108] The frame bridge 2115 of the middle frame 211 may be coupled to the outer ring frame 223. After being inserted into a groove formed at the front of the outer ring frame 223, the middle frame 211 and the nozzle frame 221 may be fastened together by securing the outer ring frame 223 and the nozzle frame 221. Since the outer side of the nozzle frame 221 is covered by the nozzle case 222, a nozzle screw 224 that fasten the nozzle frame 221 and the outer ring frame 223 is not exposed externally.

[0109] The nozzle case 222, which covers the nozzle frame 221, is arranged to form a gap with a nozzle cover to protect the user from burns when touching the accessory nozzle 200. In addition, the nozzle case 222 also forms the exterior appearance of the accessory nozzle 200.

[0110] Since the fluid inlet 2211 of the nozzle frame 221 is larger than the fluid outlet 2213, the nozzle case 222 may be fitted from the front to the back of the nozzle frame 221 and then fastened to the nozzle frame 221.

[0111] The nozzle case 222 and the nozzle frame 221 may be fastened using a hook placed adjacent to the fluid inlet 2211 as shown in FIG. 14 to ensure that the fastening structure is not exposed externally.

[0112] The middle frame 211 protrudes forward in a conical shape. The middle frame 211 may guide the air entering from the circular fluid inlet 2211 to be discharged widely through the fluid outlet 2213 in the width direction.

[0113] The middle frame 211 may include frame wings extending in the width direction (longer dimension) of the fluid outlet 2213. As shown in FIG. 14, the frame wings may extend further forward from the middle frame 211.

[0114] The nozzle magnet 212 attached to the head magnet 1132 positioned in the head portion 101 is located on the rear surface of the middle frame 211. The middle frame 211 may include a screw boss 2117 into which the magnet screw 213 fastened to the nozzle magnet 212 is inserted.

[0115] A silicone guide 215 protruding rearward around the circumference of the nozzle magnet 212 may be included. The silicone guide 215 may protrude further in the rear direction than the nozzle magnet 212 to ensure that the nozzle magnet 212 and the head magnet 1132 are attached without misalignment.

[0116] The nozzle attachment portion 113 of the head portion 101 includes the nozzle attachment groove 1136 that is recessed rearward around the circumference of the head magnet 1132. As shown in FIG. 14, the silicone guide 215 may be inserted into the nozzle attachment portion 113.

[0117] When the accessory nozzle 200 is attached to or detached from the nozzle attachment portion 113 of the head portion 101, noise and wear may occur if made of plastic or metal, Therefore, the silicone guide 215 may include an elastic material such as silicone.

[0118] Since the silicone guide 215 needs to be inserted into the nozzle attachment portion 113 to fix the accessory nozzle 200, that is, to prevent the accessory nozzle 200from moving, the silicone guide 215 needs to have rigidity. Thus, the silicone guide 215 may include a molded portion 2152 made of an injection-molded material to provide the necessary rigidity.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 13, the molded portion 2152 includes a housing for seating a magnet and may protrude rearward beyond the nozzle magnet 212. The silicone guide 215 may be formed by double injection molding such that the silicone portion 2151 wraps around the outer side of the molded portion 2152.

[0120] The silicone portion 2151 may be configured to wrap around the end of the molded portion 2152 in a U-shape to prevent separation from the molded portion 2152. The fastening strength between the silicone portion 2151 and the molded portion 2152 may be improved by forming holes in the molded portion 2152 and allowing the silicone to flow into the holes.

[0121] The molded portion 2152 protruding in the rear direction of the nozzle magnet 212 is covered by the silicone portion 2151, and thus the molded portion 2152 may be inserted into the nozzle attachment groove 1136 of the head portion 101 without causing damage to the nozzle attachment portion 113. Additionally, the silicone portion 2151 may also be formed in a portion where the nozzle magnet 212 is seated.

[0122] When the nozzle magnet 212 is fastened to the middle frame 211 using the screw 213, the silicone portion 2151 is compressed, and thus the nozzle magnet 212, the silicone guide 215, and the middle frame 211 may be securely coupled. Further, a magnet cover 214 that covers the nozzle magnet 212 and the magnet screw 213 may be provided at the rear of the nozzle magnet 212.

[0123] FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the accessory nozzle 200 for the hair dryer 100 according to the present disclosure. The accessory nozzle 200 of this embodiment aims to provide high-speed and high-temperature airflow concentrated in a narrow area for styling purposes in order to set the shape of the hair.

[0124] In this embodiment, a fluid outlet 2313 of the accessory nozzle 200 has a wider width and a narrower height compared to the above-described accessory nozzle 200. Therefore, a nozzle frame 231 and a nozzle case 232 where the fluid outlet 2313 extends more in the width direction than a fluid inlet 2311 may be included.

[0125] Due to the wide width in the horizontal direction, sagging may occur in the central part, and thus a central support rib 234 may be included in the central part of a nozzle flow path 2312. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of C-C of FIG. 15. The central support rib 234 may be located at the central part in the width direction. In addition, the central support rib 234 may be positioned in front of the middle frame 211.

[0126] However, as air moves from the fluid inlet 2311 towards the fluid outlet 2313 along the conical shape of the middle frame 211, the air may hit the central support rib 234. As a result, the air may be split and discharge in the left-right direction.

[0127] Particularly, when the fluid outlet 2313 has a large width as described in the present disclosure, the nozzle flow path 2312 expands towards the front, which may cause the problem of hot air not being supplied to the central part as shown in FIG. 17(a). Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the air may be guided to be discharged in a straight line without splitting by dividing the nozzle flow path 2312 into a straight section 2312a and an expansion section 2312b.

[0128] The straight section 2312a is adjacent to the fluid inlet 2311, and the expansion section 2312b is adjacent to the fluid outlet 2313. To compensate for the width difference between the fluid inlet 2311 and the fluid outlet 2313, the nozzle flow path 2312 has an expanding shape. However, instead of expanding at a constant slope, the nozzle flow path 2312 may be divided into two sections as shown in FIG. 16.

[0129] The straight section 2312a does not have a significant difference in width in the front-back direction, but the expansion section 2312b has a substantial difference in width between the front and rear ends. Therefore, the angle formed by the side walls 235 of the expansion section 2312b in the width direction is greater than the angle formed by the side walls 235 of the straight section 2312a in the width direction.

[0130] The side walls 235 of the straight section 2312a may be parallel (with an angle of 0° between the side walls in the width direction) or may diverge within a predetermined angle (less than about 10°). The straight section 2312a may extend up to the same line (Y in FIG. 16) as the front end of the central support rib 234 in the width direction.

[0131] The straight section 2312a guides the air in the straight direction without splitting the air, thereby reducing the air splitting effect caused by the central support rib 234 as shown in FIG. 17(b).

[0132] As shown in FIG. 10(a), the accessory nozzle 200 may provide a simple appearance with a straight shape. Therefore, the shape of the nozzle flow path 2312, which is divided into the straight section 2312a and the expansion section 2312b, may be realized by varying the thickness of the side walls 235 of the nozzle frame 231 such that the shape of the nozzle flow path 2312 does not protrude outward.

[0133] The side walls 235 may be the thickest at a boundary (Y) between the straight section 2312a and the expansion section 2312b

[0134] FIG. 18 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the accessory nozzle 200 of the present disclosure.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 16, the nozzle frame 231 has the wide fluid outlet 2313, and thus the nozzle frame 231 may not be inserted from the rear of the nozzle case 232 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, the nozzle frame 231 may be composed of two pieces as shown in FIG. 18.

[0136] A first nozzle frame 231a includes the fluid inlet 2311 and the rear part of the nozzle flow path 2312, while a second nozzle frame 231b includes the fluid outlet 2313 and the front part of the nozzle flow path 2312. As shown in FIG. 18, the first nozzle frame 231a has a conical shape, and the side walls 235 may be positioned on the second nozzle frame 231b.

[0137] The first nozzle frame 231a is inserted from the rear of the nozzle case 232, and the second nozzle frame 231b is inserted from the front of the nozzle case 232 for fastening. Thus, the first nozzle frame 231a and the second nozzle frame 231b may form the nozzle frame 231 positioned inside the nozzle case 232.

[0138] The central support rib 234 is partially provided on both the first nozzle frame 231a and the second nozzle frame 231b such that the parts of the central support rib 234 may be connected when the first nozzle frame 231a and the second nozzle frame 231b are fastened together.

[0139] The first nozzle frame 231a and the second nozzle frame 231b may be fastened by hooks and hook grooves. The first nozzle frame 231a and the second nozzle frame 231b may be fastened through hook fastening structures 2317 and 2318 located at the rear adjacent to the fluid inlet 2311 as shown in FIG. 16 and hook fastening structures 2315 and 2316 located adjacent to the central support rib 234 as shown in FIG. 18.

[0140] The hook fastening structures 2315 and 2316 adjacent to the central support rib 234 ensure that the central support rib 234 is properly aligned with the first nozzle frame 231a and the second nozzle frame 231b without mismatch.

[0141] The hair dryer 100 of the present disclosure may facilitate the assembly of the accessory nozzle 200 and the air outlet 103.

[0142] In addition, the hair dryer 100 of the present disclosure may enhance the intensity and volume of air discharged from the air outlet 103.

[0143] Further, the hair dryer 100 of the present disclosure may provide high-speed and high-temperature airflow without splitting by improving the shape of the nozzle flow path of the accessory nozzle 200.

[0144] Although a specific embodiment of the present disclosure has been illustrated and described above, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will appreciate that various modifications are possible within the limits without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure provided by the following claims.

Claims

1. A hair dryer comprising: a main body comprising an air outlet at a front, wherein air is discharged through the air outlet; and an accessory nozzle attached to the air outlet, wherein the air outlet comprises: a ring-shaped discharge hole positioned at a front of the main body; and a discharge flow path extending and widening rearward from the discharge hole, and wherein the discharge flow path has a trapezoidal cross-section.

2. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein a length of the discharge flow path is between 2.6 times and 2.7 times a front width thereof.

3. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein a rear width of the discharge flow path is between 1.8 times and 2 times a front width thereof.

4. The hair dryer of claim 1, comprising a heater module positioned at a rear of the air outlet of the main body, and wherein the air outlet comprises a curved section extending from the heater module to the discharge flow path.

5. The hair dryer of claim 4, wherein the heater module comprises: a cylindrical heater core; a plurality of support walls radially arranged on an outer surface of the heater core; a heating coil wound around an outer end of the support wall; and an air cutout formed at a front edge of at least a portion of the plurality of support walls and having a shape corresponding to the curved section.

6. A hair dryer comprising: a main body comprising a head magnet positioned at a front and an air outlet positioned around a circumference of the head magnet, wherein air is discharged through the air outlet; and an accessory nozzle attached to the air outlet, wherein the accessory nozzle comprises: a nozzle frame comprising a fluid inlet for air intake, a fluid outlet for air discharge, and a nozzle flow path extending from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet; a middle frame positioned at a center of the fluid inlet of the nozzle frame and connected to the nozzle frame through a frame bridge; a nozzle magnet positioned on the middle frame and attached to the head magnet; and a ring-shaped silicone guide protruding rearward around a circumference of the nozzle magnet.

7. The hair dryer of claim 6, wherein the air outlet is formed at a location corresponding to a ring-shaped gap between the middle frame and an outer ring frame.

8. The hair dryer of claim 6, wherein the main body comprises a ring-shaped nozzle attachment groove corresponding to the silicone guide around a circumference of the head magnet.

9. The hair dryer of claim 6, wherein the silicon guide comprises: a molded portion seated on the middle frame; and a silicone portion dual-injected onto the molded portion, wherein the silicone portion wraps around an end of the molded portion in a U-shape.

10. The hair dryer of claim 6, comprising: a nozzle screw passing through the nozzle magnet and the silicone guide and fastened to the middle frame; and a magnet cover covering a head of the nozzle screw and the nozzle magnet.

11. The hair dryer of claim 6, wherein the fluid outlet of the nozzle frame has an elongated rectangular shape in one direction, and wherein the middle frame protrudes forward in a conical shape, the middle frame comprising frame wings extending in the direction.

12. The hair dryer of claim 6, wherein a front of the nozzle flow path of the nozzle frame is either a same size as or narrower than a rear thereof, and wherein the hair dryer comprises a nozzle case fitted from a front of the nozzle frame to a rear of the nozzle frame and covering an outer surface of the nozzle frame.

13. The hair dryer of claim 6, wherein the nozzle frame comprises an outer ring frame positioned around a circumference of the fluid inlet and coupled to a circumference of the discharge hole of the main body, and wherein the outer ring frame comprises an elastic material and is fastened to the frame bridge of the middle frame.

14. The hair dryer of claim 6, wherein the accessory nozzle comprises a central support rib positioned at a center of the nozzle frame in a width direction thereof, and wherein the nozzle flow path comprises: a straight section extending forward from the fluid inlet; and an expansion section extending from the straight section to the fluid outlet, wherein an angle between side walls on both sides in the width direction of the expansion section is greater than an angle between side walls on both sides in the width direction of the straight section.

15. The hair dryer of claim 6, wherein a front end of a straight section is positioned on a same line as a central support rib in a width direction.

Images