Hair drying assembly and method with proximity detection

Abstract

Hair drying assembly and method with proximity detection The hair drying assembly has a hair drying apparatus (4) comprising an air flow generator (8) and / or one or more hair styling elements (10A, 10B, 10C), a detection system (40) configured to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of an object in proximity to an air outlet (18) of the hair drying apparatus (4), and an electronic control unit (54) configured to, in at least one operating mode, vary the electrical power supplying the air flow generator (8) and / or the electrical power supplying at least one of the hair styling element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C) as a function of the detection signal. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Hair drying assembly and method with proximity detection

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hair care, and in particular to hair drying.

[0002] For drying and / or styling hair, it is possible to use a portable hair drying apparatus (or "hair dryer") configured to generate an airflow through an air outlet of the hair drying apparatus, the hair drying apparatus being adjustable by the user to direct the airflow towards the hair.

[0003] The hair drying apparatus comprises for example a heating device configured to heat the air flow so as to generate a hot air flow and / or a lighting device configured to generate light, in particular infrared light to heat the air flow and / or the hair.

[0004] During hair drying, it is possible to use a hair accessory such as a hairbrush to style the hair, i.e. to manipulate strands of hair and give them a particular shape.

[0005] Drying hair can be noisy, in particular due to the operation of the airflow generator of the hair drying appliance, and energy-consuming, in particular due to the operation of the airflow generator, the heating device and / or the lighting device of the hair drying appliance, if applicable.

[0006] One of the aims of the invention is to provide a hair drying assembly which has improved operation and which is energy efficient.

[0007] For this purpose, the invention proposes a hair drying assembly having a hair drying appliance comprising an air flow generator and / or one or more hair styling elements, a detection system configured to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of an object near an air outlet of the hair drying appliance, and an electronic control unit configured to, in at least one operating mode, vary the electrical power supplying the air flow generator and / or the electrical power supplying at least one of the hair styling element(s) as a function of the detection signal.

[0008] The airflow generator generally comprises a motor and a bladed rotor driven into rotation by the motor when the airflow generator is activated to generate the airflow. The variation in the electrical power supplying the airflow generator causes a variation in the rotational speed of the motor and therefore of the rotor.

[0009] The hair styling elements include for example at least one hair styling element configured to heat the air flow and / or at least one hair styling element configured to generate light, in particular infrared light, and / or at least one hair styling element configured to generate a plasma, in particular near the air outlet.

[0010] The variation of the electrical power supplying such hairdressing elements is obtained for example by varying the supply voltage and / or the intensity of the supply current, and results in a variation of a heating power, a variation of a light power or a variation of a plasma power.

[0011] When using the hair drying apparatus, the air outlet of the hair drying apparatus is not constantly directed towards the hair or in sufficient proximity to the hair to effectively dry the hair and / or style the hair, i.e. shape it.

[0012] The user can in fact temporarily divert the air outlet of the hair drying appliance from the hair, while performing a particular manipulation of the hair, for example to grasp a particular lock of hair and separate it from the other locks of hair to dry it and / or style it individually, or to separate a lock of hair by possibly fixing it in a separated position using a clip, to more easily access other locks of hair initially located under the lock of hair which has been separated.

[0013] Automatic variation of the electrical power supplying the air flow generator and / or the electrical power supplying at least one hairstyling element as a function of the detection signal indicating the presence or absence of an object near the air outlet of the hair drying appliance makes it possible to reduce the noise produced by the hair drying appliance and / or to reduce the electrical consumption of the hair drying appliance.

[0014] In the case where the hair drying appliance has a battery allowing the hair drying appliance to be used on battery power, i.e. autonomously, without connecting it to an electrical supply network by an electrical supply cable, the lower energy consumption makes it possible to increase the autonomy of the hair drying appliance and / or to equip the hair drying appliance with a battery of lower capacity, and therefore generally more compact and / or lighter than a battery of higher capacity.

[0015] Using the hair drying device is thus more pleasant and more energy-efficient.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the electronic control unit is configured to, in at least one operating mode, disable or reduce the power electrical power supply of the air flow generator and / or deactivate or reduce the electrical power supply of at least one or each of the hairdressing elements when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object near the air outlet.

[0017] Deactivating or reducing the electrical power supply to the airflow generator and / or deactivating or reducing the electrical power supply to at least one or each of the hair styling elements makes it possible to reduce the noise produced by the hair drying apparatus and / or to reduce the energy consumption of the hair drying apparatus.

[0018] Preferably, the electronic control unit is configured to, in at least one operating mode, deactivate or reduce the electrical power supplying the air flow generator, without deactivating or reducing the electrical power supplying the hairdressing element(s), when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object near the air outlet.

[0019] Preferably, the electronic control unit is configured to, in at least one operating mode, deactivate or reduce the electrical power supply to at least one or each of the hair styling elements, without deactivating or reducing the electrical power supply to the air flow generator, when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object near the air outlet.

[0020] Preferably, the electronic control unit is configured to, in at least one operating mode, deactivate or reduce the electrical power supply to at least one or each of the hairdressing elements and deactivate or reduce the electrical power supply to the air flow generator, when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object near the air outlet.

[0021] In exemplary embodiments, the detection signal is indicative of the presence or absence of an object at a distance from the air outlet equal to or less than a threshold distance and / or representative of a measurement of the distance between the air outlet and an object present in front of the air outlet.

[0022] Detecting the presence of the object at a distance less than a threshold distance makes it possible to deactivate or reduce the electrical power supplying the air flow generator and / or at least one of the hairdressing element(s) as soon as the object is at a distance from the air outlet greater than the threshold distance.

[0023] Measuring a distance between the object and the air outlet makes it possible to deactivate or reduce the electrical power supplying the air flow generator and / or at least one or each of the hair styling elements when the measured distance is greater than a threshold distance and / or to vary the electrical power supplying the air flow generator and / or at least one of the hair styling element(s) as a function of the measured distance, for example continuously or in stages. Measuring a distance makes it possible to provide a threshold distance adjustable by the user.

[0024] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system comprises beacons, each beacon being configured to cooperate with one or more sensors of the detection system.

[0025] Each tag is for example an optical tag to cooperate with an optical sensor, a magnetic tag to cooperate with a magnetic sensor, for example a Hall effect sensor, or a radiofrequency tag to cooperate with a radiofrequency sensor, for example an RFID tag.

[0026] In the case where one or more sensors of the detection system are arranged on the hair drying appliance, the hair accessory is for example provided with one or more corresponding beacons.

[0027] In the case where one or more sensors of the detection system are arranged on the hair accessory, the hair drying appliance is for example provided with one or more corresponding beacons.

[0028] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system comprises one or more distance sensors configured to measure a distance between the air outlet and an object located in front of the air outlet, in particular a hairbrush located in front of the air outlet.

[0029] In exemplary embodiments, each distance sensor is a sonar, i.e. a sound remote sensor using sound or ultrasonic waves, a radar, i.e. a radar remote sensor using electromagnetic waves, or a lidar, i.e. a radar remote sensor using a laser.

[0030] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system comprises one or more proximity sensors.

[0031] The use of a proximity sensor makes it possible to control the deactivation or reduction of the electrical power supplying the air flow generator and / or the deactivation or reduction of the electrical power supplying one or more hairdressing elements depending on whether or not an object is detected in front of the air outlet.

[0032] In particular, when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in front of the air outlet, the air flow generator and / or one or more hair styling elements are activated, and when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in front of the air outlet, the air flow generator and / or the hair styling elements are deactivated.

[0033] Each proximity sensor is chosen or configured so that the detection range of the proximity sensor corresponds to the threshold distance, beyond which it is considered that the air flow generator and / or the hair styling element(s) can be deactivated.

[0034] In exemplary embodiments, each proximity sensor is a capacitive proximity sensor, an inductive proximity sensor, or a magnetic proximity sensor. Lobby.

[0035] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system comprises one or more contact sensors.

[0036] The use of a contact sensor makes it possible to detect the presence of an object due to contact or mechanical interaction, for example between the object and a probe or a sensitive area of the contact sensor. A contact sensor is advantageous when the reference distance is small.

[0037] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system comprises one or more radiofrequency sensors, each radiofrequency sensor being carried by one of the hair drying appliance and the object and configured for communication by radiofrequency waves with one or more radiofrequency beacons carried by the other, with a communication range equal to or less than a threshold distance, the detection signal indicating the presence of the object in front of the air outlet when communication is established between at least one of the radiofrequency sensor(s) and at least one of the radiofrequency beacon(s).

[0038] In exemplary embodiments, each radiofrequency sensor is an RFID reader, each radiofrequency tag being an RFID tag configured to return a unique identifier specific to that RFID tag when the RFID tag is interrogated by the RFID reader.

[0039] In exemplary embodiments, each radio frequency sensor is configured for near-field communication with each radio frequency beacon.

[0040] In exemplary embodiments, the hair drying assembly comprises RFID tags arranged on several objects, such as hair accessories, the electronic control unit being advantageously configured to individually identify the different hair accessories based on communications between radiofrequency sensors provided as RFID readers and these RFID tags, and, optionally, to define different respective threshold distances for these different hair accessories.

[0041] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system comprises one or more temperature sensors. Each temperature sensor is preferably arranged to measure the temperature in front of the air outlet of the hair drying apparatus.

[0042] The presence of an object, and in particular hair, in front of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance modifies the temperature measured by a temperature sensor arranged to measure a temperature in front of the air outlet, so that it is possible to use such a temperature sensor to detect the proximity of an object in front of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance.

[0043] According to exemplary embodiments, the hair drying assembly comprises the object formed by a hair accessory intended to be used in conjunction with the hair drying appliance for manipulating the hair during drying, especially a hairbrush.

[0044] The detection system is for example at least partly arranged on the hair drying appliance, to detect the proximity of the hair accessory to the air outlet.

[0045] In particular, the detection system comprises one or more sensors arranged on the hair drying appliance.

[0046] Alternatively or optionally, the detection system is for example at least partly arranged on the hair accessory to detect the proximity of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance to the hair accessory.

[0047] In particular, the detection system comprises one or more sensors arranged on the hair accessory for detecting the proximity of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance to the hair accessory.

[0048] In the case where one or more sensors of the detection system are arranged on the hair accessory, preferably, the hair accessory is provided with an electricity supply device, comprising for example a cable for connection to the electricity supply network and / or a battery.

[0049] In the case where one or more sensors of the detection system are arranged on the hair accessory, preferably, the hair drying appliance and the hair accessory are provided with a communication system for exchanging communication signals between the hair drying appliance and the hair accessory, in particular for transmitting measurement signals from sensors arranged on the hair accessory to the hair drying appliance.

[0050] The communication system is preferably a wireless communication system, for example configured for communication according to one or more protocols among WIFI®, Bluetooth®, ANT+®...

[0051] The invention further relates to a method for drying hair using a hair drying appliance comprising an air flow generator and one or more hair styling elements, the drying method comprising detecting the presence of an object near an air outlet of the hair drying appliance using a detection system configured to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of the object near the air outlet, and automatically controlling the air flow generator and / or the hair styling element(s) to vary the electrical power supplying the air flow generator and / or the electrical power supplying at least one of the hair styling elements as a function of the detection signal.

[0052] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings annexed, on which:

[0053] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a hair drying assembly;

[0054] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates a hair drying method that can be implemented works with the hair drying assembly of [Fig.l].

[0055] The hair drying assembly 2 illustrated in [Fig.l] comprises a hair drying apparatus 4 and a hair attachment 6 usable in conjunction with the hair drying apparatus 4.

[0056] The hair drying apparatus 4 comprises an airflow generator 8 configured to generate an airflow when activated and one or more hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C.

[0057] Each hairstyling element 10A, 10B, 10C is configured to allow the drying and / or styling of the hair.

[0058] Each hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C is for example configured to generate heat, generate light and / or generate a plasma when it is activated, i.e. when it is supplied with electrical energy with a non-zero electrical supply power.

[0059] The air flow generator 8 comprises for example a fan comprising a motor 12 and rotor 14 coupled to the motor 12 for driving the rotor 14 in rotation, the rotor 14 having blades for generating an air flow due to the rotation of the rotor 14.

[0060] The hair drying apparatus 8 comprises an air inlet 16 for sucking in air to supply air to the air flow generator 8.

[0061] The hair drying apparatus 8 comprises an air outlet 18 through which the air flow generated by the air flow generator 8 exits the hair drying apparatus 8. The air outlet 18 is configured for an outlet of the air flow along a blowing axis S. The air outlet 18 is intended to be oriented by the user in the direction of the hair to be dried.

[0062] The air flow generator 8 is arranged in an air circuit 20 extending between the air inlet 16 and the air outlet 18 to generate the air flow from the air inlet 16 to the air outlet 18 when the air flow generator 8 is active.

[0063] In exemplary embodiments, the hair drying appliance 8 comprises a body 22 and a nozzle 24 removably mounted on the body 22. The air inlet 16 is for example located on the body 22. The air outlet 18 is for example located on the nozzle 24. The air circuit 20 extends inside the body 22 and the nozzle 24.

[0064] The hair drying apparatus 8 comprises for example a handle 26 attached to the body 22. The handle 26 is configured to allow the user to grip the hair drying apparatus 8 ergonomically.

[0065] The styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C comprise for example first styling elements 10A configured to heat the air flow produced by the hair drying apparatus 8 when they are activated.

[0066] The first hair styling elements 10A are for example electrical heating resistors. Such electrical heating resistors are configured to generate heat by the Joule effect when they are supplied with electricity.

[0067] Each first hairdressing element 10A is arranged to be in contact with the air and thus heat the air flow generated by the air flow generator 8.

[0068] Each first headdress element 10A is for example arranged in the air circuit 20 by being located upstream of the air flow generator 8 or downstream of the air flow generator 8.

[0069] It is possible to provide at least one first hairdressing element 10A located upstream of the air flow generator 8 and / or at least one first hairdressing element 10A located downstream of the air flow generator 8.

[0070] The hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C comprise for example one or more second hair styling elements 10B, each second hair styling element 10B being configured to generate light, in particular infrared light, to heat hair located opposite the air outlet 18, when the second hair styling element 10B is active.

[0071] Each second hairdressing element 10B is for example a lamp, in particular an infrared lamp.

[0072] Each second hairdressing element 10B is for example arranged on the hair drying appliance 8 to emit light in a radiation zone located in front of the air outlet 18.

[0073] Preferably, the hair drying apparatus 8 comprises an optical deflector 29 arranged to direct the radiation emitted by each second hairstyling element 10B in front of the air outlet 22, in particular to converge the radiation emitted by the second hairstyling element(s) 10B in a convergence zone located in front of the air outlet 18.

[0074] The hair drying appliance 8 comprises, for example, several second hairdressing elements 10B distributed, preferably uniformly, around a section of the air circuit 20.

[0075] The hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C comprise for example one or more third hair styling elements 10C configured to generate a plasma at the air outlet 18 when it is activated.

[0076] Each third hairdressing element 10C is for example arranged on an edge 28 of an opening 30 delimiting the air outlet 18.

[0077] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the hair drying apparatus 8 comprises by example a power supply device 32 configured to supply power to the airflow generator 8 and the hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C.

[0078] In operation, the power supply device 32 delivers a power supply to the airflow generator 8 and a power supply to each of the hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C.

[0079] The electrical power supply device 32 comprises for example an electrical cable 34 for connecting the hair drying appliance 8 to an electricity distribution network and / or an electrical battery 36 housed in the hair drying appliance 8.

[0080] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the hair drying assembly 4 comprises a detection system 40 configured to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence or absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18 of the hair drying apparatus 8.

[0081] The detection system 40 comprises one or more sensors 42 configured to detect the presence of an object near the air outlet 18.

[0082] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises one or more beacons 44, each beacon 44 being configured to cooperate with one or more sensors 42 of the detection system 40.

[0083] Each beacon 44 is for example an optical beacon for cooperating with an optical sensor, a magnetic beacon for cooperating with a magnetic sensor, for example a metallic, ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic beacon, or a permanent magnet, or a radiofrequency beacon for cooperating with a radiofrequency sensor.

[0084] In the case where one or more sensors 42 of the detection system 40 are arranged on the hair drying appliance 4, the hair accessory 6 is for example provided with one or more corresponding beacons 44.

[0085] In the case where one or more sensors 42 of the detection system 40 are arranged on the hair accessory 6, the hair drying appliance 4 is for example provided with one or more corresponding beacons 44.

[0086] In exemplary embodiments, the proximity detection system 40 comprises at least one distance sensor 42 configured to measure a distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18.

[0087] In exemplary embodiments, each distance sensor 42 is a laser remote sensor (or lidar), a sound wave remote sensor (or sonar) or an electromagnetic wave remote sensor (or radar).

[0088] A laser remote sensor is configured to emit a laser beam, detect reflected light and generate a measurement signal based on the emitted laser beam and the reflected light.

[0089] A sound wave remote sensor is configured to emit sound waves, detect reflected sound waves, and generate a measurement signal based on the emitted sound waves and the reflected sound waves.

[0090] An electromagnetic wave remote sensor is configured to emit electromagnetic waves, detect reflected electromagnetic waves, and generate a measurement signal based on the emitted electromagnetic waves and the reflected electromagnetic waves.

[0091] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises one or more beacons 44 configured to cooperate with the distance sensor(s) 42. Each beacon 44 is for example an optical beacon, a magnetic beacon, for example a metallic, ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic beacon, or a permanent magnet.

[0092] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises at least one proximity sensor 42. A proximity sensor 42 makes it possible to detect the presence of an object in the vicinity of the proximity sensor 42, in particular when the object is at a distance from the proximity sensor less than a threshold distance specific to the proximity sensor 42.

[0093] Each proximity sensor 42 is for example a capacitive proximity sensor, an inductive proximity sensor or a Hall effect proximity sensor.

[0094] A capacitive proximity sensor 42 detects the proximity of an object due to a change in an electrical capacitance of an electrical circuit by the proximity of an object.

[0095] An inductive proximity sensor 42 detects the proximity of an object due to a disturbance of a magnetic field induced by the proximity of an object.

[0096] A Hall effect proximity sensor 42 detects the proximity of an object by the appearance of an electrical potential in an electrical circuit placed in a magnetic field.

[0097] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises one or more beacons 44 configured to cooperate with the proximity sensor(s) 42. Each beacon 44 is for example an optical beacon, a magnetic beacon, for example a metallic, ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic beacon, or a permanent magnet.

[0098] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises a contact sensor 42 configured to detect contact of a detection zone of the hair drying appliance 8 adjacent to the air outlet 18 with an object. Each contact sensor 42 is for example located on the hair drying appliance 8, in the detection zone.

[0099] Each contact sensor 42 detects a contact, for example by detecting a movement of a feeler of the contact sensor 42 coming into contact with the object and / or the appearance of a mechanical stress of a feeler of the contact sensor 42. coming into contact with the object.

[0100] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises at least one radiofrequency sensor 42, each radiofrequency sensor 42 being configured to communicate by radiofrequency waves with one or more radiofrequency beacons 44.

[0101] The radiofrequency sensor 42 and each radiofrequency beacon 44 each comprise, for example, a radiofrequency transceiver associated with a radiofrequency antenna so as to be able to communicate by radiofrequency waves to determine the presence of the hair accessory 6 and possibly a distance between the hair accessory 6 and the air outlet 18.

[0102] The presence or absence of the object near the air outlet is for example determined as a function of the reception or absence, by each radiofrequency sensor 42, of a response from at least one radiofrequency beacon 44 to an interrogation of the radiofrequency sensor 42.

[0103] The reception by a radiofrequency sensor 42 of a response from a radiofrequency beacon 44 means that the distance between the radiofrequency sensor and the radiofrequency beacon 44 (and therefore the distance between the air outlet 18 and the object), is equal to or less than the communication range between the radiofrequency sensor 42 and the radiofrequency beacon 44.

[0104] The detection threshold distance corresponds in such a case to the radiocommunication range between the radiofrequency sensor(s) 42 and the radiofrequency beacon(s) 44.

[0105] In exemplary embodiments, each radiofrequency sensor 42 is configured for near-field communication with the radiofrequency beacon(s) 44. Near-field communication (or NFC) is communication by radiofrequency waves with a short communication range.

[0106] In exemplary embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises at least one temperature sensor 42 arranged to measure a temperature in front of the air outlet 18.

[0107] When emitting an air flow via the air outlet 18, the presence or absence of an object in front of the air outlet 18 modifies the temperature measured by a temperature sensor 42 arranged to measure a temperature in front of the air outlet 18. The temperature measurement thus makes it possible to detect the proximity of an object in front of the air outlet 18.

[0108] Each temperature sensor 42 is for example an infrared temperature sensor, comprising for example an infrared photodetector.

[0109] Preferably, one or more sensors 42 of the detection system 40 are arranged on the hair drying appliance 4.

[0110] Alternatively or optionally, one or more sensors 42 of the detection system 40 are arranged on the hair accessory 6 to detect the proximity of the air outlet 18 of the hair drying appliance 4 to the hair accessory 6.

[0111] In the case where one or more sensors 42 of the detection system 40 are arranged on the hair accessory 6, preferably, the hair accessory 6 is provided with an electricity supply device 46, comprising for example a connection cable 48 to the electricity supply network and / or a battery 50.

[0112] In the case where one or more sensors 42 of the detection system 40 are arranged on the hair accessory 6, preferably, the hair drying appliance 4 and the hair accessory 6 are provided with respective communication modules 52 for exchanging communication signals between the hair drying appliance 4 and the hair accessory 6, in particular for the transmission of measurement signals from sensors 42 arranged on the hair accessory 6 to the hair drying appliance 4.

[0113] The communication modules 52 are preferably configured for wireless communication, for example communication by optical signals and / or by radiofrequency signals, in particular according to one or more protocols among WIFI®, Bluetooth®, ANT+®...

[0114] The hair drying assembly 4 comprises an electronic control unit 54 configured to control the air flow generator 8 and the hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C depending on the proximity detection carried out by the proximity detection system 40.

[0115] The electronic control unit 54 is preferably arranged in the hair drying appliance 4.

[0116] The hair drying appliance 8 comprises, for example, several operating modes that can be manually selected by the user, for example via a selector, or automatically by the electronic control unit 54.

[0117] In each operating mode, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to activate the airflow generator 8 and / or selected hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C. The unselected hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C remain permanently deactivated during the implementation of this operating mode.

[0118] In one or more operating modes with power variation, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to vary the electrical power supplying the air flow generator 8 and / or the electrical power supplying selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C as a function of the detection signal provided by the detection system 40.

[0119] In at least one operating mode with power variation, named by the following operating mode with power reduction, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to deactivate or reduce the electrical power supplying the air flow generator 8 and / or deactivate or reduce the electrical power supplying at least one or each selected hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0120] In the operating modes with power reduction, the electronic control unit 54 is preferably configured to supply the air flow generator 8 with a nominal supply electrical power associated with this operating mode and / or to supply each selected hair styling element 10A, 10B, 10C with a nominal supply electrical power associated with this operating mode as long as the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18, and to deactivate or reduce the supply electrical power of the air flow generator 8 and / or deactivate or reduce the supply electrical power of at least one of the selected hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0121] The hair drying apparatus 8 comprises for example one or more operating modes in which the air flow generator 8 is activated and / or one or more operating modes in which the air flow generator 8 remains inactive.

[0122] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which the air flow generator 8 is activated, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to supply the air flow generator 8 with a nominal electrical supply power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18 and to deactivate or reduce the supply power of the air flow generator 8 when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0123] The hair drying apparatus 8 comprises for example one or more operating modes in which at least one first styling element 10A configured to heat the air flow is selected (and is therefore activatable) and / or one or more operating modes in which no first styling element 10A is selected (and the first styling elements 10A therefore remain inactive).

[0124] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which at least first hairdressing element 10A is selected, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to power each first hairdressing element 10A selected with a nominal electrical supply power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal indicates the presence of a nearby object in front of the air outlet 18 and to deactivate or reduce the supply power of each first selected hairdressing element 10A when the detection signal indicates the absence of a nearby object in front of the air outlet 18.

[0125] The hair drying apparatus 8 comprises for example one or more operating modes in which at least one second hairstyling element 10B configured to generate light, in particular infrared light, is selected (and is therefore activatable) and / or one or more operating modes in which no second hairstyling element 10B is selected (and the second hairstyling elements therefore remain inactive).

[0126] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which at least one second hairdressing element 10B is selected, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to power each selected second hairdressing element 10B with a nominal electrical supply power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18 and to deactivate or reduce the electrical supply power of each selected second hairdressing element 10B when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0127] The hair drying apparatus 8 comprises for example one or more operating modes in which each third hairstyling element 10C configured to generate a plasma is selected (and is therefore activatable) and / or one or more operating modes in which no third hairstyling element 10C is selected (and the third hairstyling elements 10C therefore remain inactive).

[0128] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which at least one third hairdressing element 10C is selected, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to supply each third selected hairdressing element 10C with a determined electrical power when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18 and to deactivate or reduce the electrical power supplying each third selected hairdressing element 10B when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0129] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which the air flow generator 8 is active and at least one hair styling element 10A, 10B, 10C is selected, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to power the air flow generator 8 and each selected hair styling element 10A, 10B, 10C with a nominal electrical supply power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18, and to deactivate or reduce the electrical power supply to the air flow generator 8 when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18, without deactivating or reducing the electrical power supply to at least one or each of the selected hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C, when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0130] Advantageously, at least one such operating mode with power reduction is implemented without reduction of the electrical power supply of at least one or each of the selected hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C (i.e. with maintenance of the nominal electrical power supply of at least one or each of the selected hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C) when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18 or with a partial reduction of the electrical power supply of at least one or each of the hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0131] This makes it possible to reduce the electrical power consumed by the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C without completely deactivating them, which facilitates reactivation at the nominal electrical power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal again indicates the presence of an object nearby in front of the air outlet 18. The hair drying appliance 8 is thus responsive.

[0132] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which the air flow generator 8 is active and at least one hair styling element 10A, 10B, 10C is selected, and the electronic control unit 54 is configured to power the air flow generator 8 and each selected hair styling element 10A, 10B, 10C with a nominal supply electrical power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18, and to deactivate or reduce the supply electrical power of at least one or each selected hair styling element 10A, 10B, 10C when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18, without deactivating or reducing the supply electrical power of the air flow generator 8 when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0133] Advantageously, in such operating modes with power reduction without deactivation or reduction of power of the electrical supply of the air flow generator 8, at least one first hairdressing element 10A configured to heat the air flow is selected, with deactivation or reduction of power of the electrical supply of each selected hairdressing element 10A when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the outlet. air outlet 18, and / or at least one second hairstyling element 10B configured to generate light is selected, with deactivation or reduction of electrical supply power of each second hairstyling element 10B when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18 and / or at least one or each third hairstyling element 10C configured to generate plasma is selected, with deactivation or reduction of electrical supply power of each selected third hairstyling element 10C when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0134] Each operating mode with power reduction without deactivation of the air flow generator 8 is for example implemented without reduction of the electrical power supplying the air flow generator 8 (i.e. with maintenance of the nominal electrical power supplying the air flow generator 8) when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object nearby in front of the air outlet 18 or with a partial reduction of the electrical power supplying the air flow generator 8 when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object nearby in front of the air outlet 18.

[0135] In the event of a partial reduction in the electrical supply power of the air flow generator 8 when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in the vicinity in front of the air outlet 18, the air flow generator 8 is kept active and continues to generate an air flow with an air flow rate and electrical consumption of the air flow generator 8 lower than those with the nominal electrical supply power associated with the operating mode.

[0136] This makes it possible to reduce the electrical power consumed by the air flow generator 8 without completely deactivating it, which facilitates reactivation at the nominal electrical power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal again indicates the presence of an object nearby in front of the air outlet 18. The hair drying appliance 8 is thus responsive.

[0137] Maintaining an air flow also allows the internal cooling of the hair drying appliance 8 to be maintained, which may be useful for example when hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C are kept at least partially active when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object nearby in front of the air outlet 18, in particular when hair styling elements 10A configured to heat the air flow and / or hair styling elements 10B configured to generate light are kept at least partially active when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object nearby in front of the air outlet 18.

[0138] The operating modes can make particular selections of the hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C.

[0139] In exemplary embodiments in which the styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C include styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C of at least two different types, the hair drying apparatus 8 comprises for example one or more operating modes with power variation or power reduction in which styling elements of one type (e.g., airflow heating) are selected, the styling elements of each other type (e.g., radiation and / or plasma generation) being unselected and inactive.

[0140] In exemplary embodiments, the detection signal indicates the presence or absence of an object in front of the air outlet at a distance from the air outlet equal to or less than a threshold distance.

[0141] The threshold distance is for example between 3 cm and 10 cm, in particular between 3 cm and 6 cm.

[0142] It has been found that when using a hair drying appliance 8 for shaping the hair using a hair accessory 6 such as a brush, the user keeps the air outlet 18 at a distance from the hair generally less than 5 cm, or even 3 cm.

[0143] In exemplary embodiments, the threshold distance is manually adjustable by the user, for example via an adjustment interface provided on the hair drying device 8.

[0144] In exemplary embodiments, the detection signal is representative of a measurement of the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet.

[0145] In such exemplary embodiments, the detection system preferably comprises one or more sensors 42 which are distance sensors.

[0146] In such exemplary embodiments, in at least one operating mode with power variation, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to vary the electrical power supplying the air flow generator 8 and / or to vary the electrical power supplying at least one of the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C as a function of the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18.

[0147] In at least one operating mode with power variation, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to vary the electrical power supplying the air flow generator 8 inversely with respect to the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet, i.e. to decrease the electrical power supplying the air flow generator 8 when the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18 increases, and vice versa.

[0148] In at least one operating mode with power variation, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to vary the electrical power supplying at least one of the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C inversely by relative to the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18, i.e. to reduce the electrical power supplying at least one of the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C when the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18 increases, and vice versa.

[0149] In the different operating modes with power variation, the variation in the electrical power supplying the air flow generator 8 as a function of the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18 is for example continuous or gradual (i.e. in stages).

[0150] In the different operating modes with power variation, the variation in the electrical power supplying each hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C as a function of the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18 is for example continuous or gradual (i.e. in stages).

[0151] When the hair drying apparatus 8 comprises a body 22 and a nozzle 24 removably mounted on the body 22, the electronic control unit 54 is preferably located in the body 22.

[0152] Each sensor 42 of the detection system is for example arranged on the body 22 or on the end piece 24, in particular close to the air outlet 18 defined by the end piece 24.

[0153] When one or more sensors 42 are carried by the end piece 24, the body 22 and the end piece 24 are provided with complementary connectors configured to mutually engage when the end piece 24 is mounted on the body 22 and to connect each sensor 42 carried by the end piece 24 to the electronic control unit 54 located in the body 22.

[0154] Each hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C is carried by the body 22 or by the end piece 24. In particular, preferably, a hairdressing element 10C for generating a plasma is carried by the end piece 24 on an edge 28 of an opening 30 delimiting the air outlet 18.

[0155] When one or more hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C are carried by the end piece 24, the body 22 and the end piece 24 are provided with complementary connectors configured to mutually engage when the end piece 24 is mounted on the body 22 and to connect each hair styling element carried by the end piece 24 to the electronic control unit 54 located in the body 22.

[0156] When the hair drying apparatus comprises a battery 36 for supplying electricity to the air flow generator 8 and / or all or part of the hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C, preferably, the battery 36 comprises several battery elements 36A, 36B, 36C (or "cell"). Each battery element 36A, 36B, 36C comprises an electrolyte.

[0157] Advantageously, at least one battery element 36A, 36B, 36C has an electrolyte solid. Preferably, each battery cell 36A, 36B, 36C is solid electrolyte. The battery 36 only comprises battery cells 36A, 36B, 36C with solid electrolyte.

[0158] Such solid electrolyte battery cells 36A, 36B, 36C withstand high operating temperatures and are therefore suitable for use in a hot environment such as that induced when using a hair drying appliance.

[0159] Such 36A, 36B, 36C solid electrolyte battery elements also have a much higher energy density than lithium-ion liquid electrolyte batteries and therefore allow, either for the same volume, to have more electrical energy and therefore better autonomy or the possibility of powering additional electrical components, or to reduce the size of the battery and its bulk while keeping the same amount of available energy. Their recharge is also much faster (less than 60 minutes for a total battery capacity of 2,600 mAh - 4 cells in series for a voltage of 14.4V).

[0160] Preferably, the hair drying appliance comprises a battery 36 having a total capacity of at least 3,000 mAh (nominal voltage between 10 and 16V), preferably at least 4,000 mAh, better still at least 5,000 mAh. Thus, it is possible to achieve an autonomy greater than or equal to 60 minutes.

[0161] Preferably, the battery 36 comprises at least one anode comprising metallic lithium and in particular which may be made of metallic lithium.

[0162] The battery 36 also comprises at least one cathode which can be made of a material similar to that of a lithium-ion liquid electrolyte battery cathode such as Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt oxides (NMC) and / or lithium manganese oxides (LMO).

[0163] The battery 36 is for example housed entirely or partly in the body 22 and / or entirely or partly in the handle 30. Preferably, the battery 36 is removably mounted in the hair drying appliance 8, in particular in the body 22 and / or in the handle 30.

[0164] Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments, the electronic control unit 54 is formed for example of a memory in which software is recorded for controlling the activation / deactivation of the air flow generator 8 and of each hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C and of a processor associated with the memory for the execution of the software.

[0165] Alternatively, the electronic control unit 54 is produced in the form of a programmable logic component, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0166] In operation, the hair drying apparatus 4 allows the implementation of a hair drying method comprising detecting the presence of an object near the air outlet using the detection system, and activating the air flow generator and / or at least one of the hair styling elements when the detection system detects the presence of an object near the air outlet and deactivating the air flow generator and / or at least one of the hair styling elements when the proximity detection system no longer detects the presence of the object near the air outlet.

[0167] [Fig.2] illustrates such a method of drying hair.

[0168] The hair drying method comprises a step E1 of starting the hair drying appliance 4, and, optionally, a step E2 of selecting an operating mode.

[0169] The operating mode determines which of the airflow generator and the hair styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C are selected and are therefore likely to be activated when implementing the operating mode.

[0170] The hair drying method comprises a step E3 detecting the presence of an object in front of the air outlet 18 and generating a detection signal.

[0171] The hair drying method comprises a control step E4 comprising the implementation of an operating world with power variation, i.e. comprising the automatic variation of the electrical power supplying the air flow generator 8 and / or the electrical power supplying at least one hair styling element 10A, 10B, 10C as a function of the detection signal generated in the detection step E3, and in particular the implementation of an operating world with power reduction, i.e. comprising the automatic deactivation or reduction of the electrical power supplying the air flow generator 8 and / or the electrical power supplying at least one hair styling element 10A, 10B, 10C as a function of the detection signal generated in the detection step E3.

[0172] The control step E4 comprising in particular the supply of the air flow generator with a determined electrical supply power and the supply of the selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C with a determined electrical supply power if the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in front of the air outlet and the deactivation or reduction of the electrical supply power of the air flow generator and / or the deactivation or reduction of the electrical supply power of at least one of the selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C if the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in front of the air outlet.

[0173] The detection steps E3 and control steps E4 are repeated so that the ge air flow generator and the selected styling elements 10A, 10B, 10C are activated if the presence of an object in front of the air outlet is detected and kept active as long as the presence of an object in front of the air outlet is detected, and deactivated if the presence of an object in front of the air outlet is not detected and kept inactive as long as the presence of an object in front of the air outlet is not detected.

[0174] The detection steps E3 and control steps E4 are repeated until the hair drying appliance 8 is stopped or paused or the current operating mode is deselected.

[0175] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to have a hair drying assembly allowing improved operation and reduced energy consumption. The deactivation of an air flow generator and / or hair styling element makes it possible to limit the noise generated by the operation of the hair drying appliance, in particular by the air flow generator, and to limit the electrical consumption of the air flow generator and of each hair styling element which is deactivated or whose electrical supply power is reduced depending on the proximity of an object in front of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance.

Claims

Claims

1. A hair drying assembly having a hair drying apparatus (4) comprising an air flow generator (8) and / or one or more hair styling elements (10A, 10B, 10C), a detection system (40) configured to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of an object in the vicinity of an air outlet (18) of the hair drying apparatus (4), and an electronic control unit (54) configured to, in at least one operating mode, vary the electrical power supplied to the air flow generator (8) and / or the electrical power supplied to at least one of the hair styling element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C) as a function of the detection signal.

2. Hair drying assembly according to claim 1, wherein the styling elements (10A, 10B, 10C) include at least one styling element (10A) configured to heat the air flow and / or at least one styling element (10B) configured to generate light, in particular infrared light and / or at least one styling element (10C) configured to generate plasma, in particular near the air outlet.

3. A hair drying assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic control unit (54) is configured to, in at least one operating mode, deactivate or reduce the electrical power supply to the air flow generator (8) and / or deactivate or reduce the electrical power supply to at least one of the hair styling element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C) when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object in the vicinity of the air outlet.

4. Hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (54) is configured to, in at least one operating mode, deactivate or reduce the electrical power supplying the air flow generator (8), without deactivating or reducing the electrical power supplying the hair styling element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C), when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object in the vicinity of the air outlet.

5. A hair drying assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the electronic control unit (54) is configured to, in at least one operating mode, deactivating and / or reducing the electrical power supply to at least one of the hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C), without deactivating or reducing the electrical power supply to the air flow generator (8), when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object near the air outlet (18).

6. Hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (54) is configured to, in at least one operating mode, deactivate or reduce the electrical power supply to the air flow generator (8) and deactivate or reduce the electrical power supply to at least one of the hair styling element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C), when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object in the vicinity of the air outlet (18).

7. A hair drying assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection signal is indicative of a distance between the object and the air outlet (18) equal to or less than a threshold distance or representative of a measurement of the distance between the air outlet (18) and an object present in front of the air outlet.

8. A hair drying assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection system (40) comprises one or more distance sensors (42) configured to measure a distance between the air outlet (18) and an object located in front of the air outlet.

9. A hair drying assembly according to claim 8, wherein each distance sensor (42) is a sonar, radar or lidar.

10. A hair drying assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the proximity detection system (40) comprises one or more proximity sensors (42).

11. The hair drying assembly of claim 10, wherein each proximity sensor (42) is a capacitive proximity sensor, an inductive proximity sensor, or a Hall effect proximity sensor.

12. A hair drying assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection system (40) comprises one or more contact sensors.

13. A hair drying assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing system (40) comprises one or more radio frequency sensors (42), each radio frequency sensor (42) being carried by one of the hair drying apparatus hair (4) and the object and configured for communication by radiofrequency waves with a radiofrequency beacon (44) carried by the other, with a communication range equal to or less than a threshold distance, the detection signal indicating the presence of the object in front of the air outlet (18) when communication is established between at least one of the radiofrequency sensor(s) (42) and at least one of the radiofrequency beacon(s) (44).

14. The hair drying assembly of claim 13, wherein each radio frequency sensor (42) is an RFID reader, each radio frequency tag (44) being an RFID tag configured to return a unique identifier specific to that RFID tag when the RFID tag is interrogated by the RFID reader.

15. A hair drying assembly according to claim 13 or 14, wherein each radio frequency sensor (42) is configured for near field communication with each radio frequency beacon (44).

16. A hair drying assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing system (40) comprises one or more temperature sensors.

17. Hair drying assembly, including the object formed of a hair accessory (6) for use in conjunction with the hair drying apparatus (4) for manipulating the hair during drying, in particular a hair brush.

18. A method of drying hair using a hair drying apparatus (4) comprising an air flow generator (8) and one or more styling elements (10A, 10B, 10C), the drying method comprising detecting the presence of an object in the vicinity of an air outlet (18) of the hair drying apparatus (4) using a detection system (40) configured to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of the object in the vicinity of the air outlet (18), and automatically controlling the air flow generator (8) and / or the styling element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C) to vary the electrical power supplied to the air flow generator (8) and / or the electrical power supplied to at least one of the styling elements (10A, 10B, 10C) as a function of the detection signal.

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