Hair dryer, and method for displaying temperature band and air volume of hair dryer

The hair dryer uses LED displays to indicate temperature and air volume through color, intensity, and blinking patterns, allowing users to easily monitor both parameters simultaneously without shifting their gaze, addressing the inconvenience of separate checks in conventional models.

JP2024174162AActive Publication Date: 2024-12-13SHARP KK

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024172763
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-10-01
Publication Date
2024-12-13
Estimated Expiration
2041-03-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional hair dryers require users to check the temperature and air volume at different positions, making it inconvenient to simultaneously monitor both parameters.

Method used

A hair dryer that displays temperature and air volume through light emission, using color, intensity, blinking speed, and pattern of LEDs to indicate these parameters, allowing simultaneous observation without changing the line of sight.

Benefits of technology

Enables easy and simultaneous checking of temperature and air volume by observing the display, reducing operational errors and enhancing user convenience.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a hair dryer for facilitating confirmation of temperature and air volume of air to be blown out.SOLUTION: A hair dryer (100) includes a display section (15) for displaying two or more kinds of temperature bands of air to be blown out from an air outlet (70) in association with kinds of color. Two or more kinds of air volumes of the air to be blown out from a blowing part (14) are displayed in the display section (15) with the use of display parameters other than the kinds of color associated with the temperature bands.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair dryer and a method for displaying the temperature zone and air volume of the hair dryer. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, hair dryers have a function for allowing a user to recognize the temperature and volume of the air being blown out. For example, in the heated fan disclosed in Patent Document 1, the volume of the air being blown out is recognized by the slide position of a slide switch provided on the grip, and the temperature of the air being blown out is recognized by displaying it on the side of the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-130442 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional hair dryers, when a user wants to check the volume of the air being blown out, they have to check the position of the slide switch on the grip, and when they want to check the temperature of the air, they have to check the temperature display on the side of the main body. In this way, the user has to look at displays in different positions to check the temperature and volume of the air being blown out, which is inconvenient.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a hair dryer that has been made in consideration of the above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a hair dryer according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an air blowing unit and a display unit which uses light to indicate the temperature zone and air volume of the air blown from the air blowing unit, wherein the air blowing unit has two or more types of temperature zone and air volume, and the temperature zone and the air volume can be controlled individually, the display unit indicates the type of temperature zone of the air blown from the air blowing unit with a first pattern of light emission, and indicates the type of air volume of the air blown from the air blowing unit with a second pattern of light emission, wherein the first pattern is the light emission in a color type corresponding to the type of temperature zone, and the second pattern is the light emission in at least one of a type of light intensity, a type of light blinking speed, and a type of light blinking pattern corresponding to the type of air volume.

[0007] An air volume display method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method for displaying a temperature zone and air volume of a hair dryer comprising an air blowing unit and a display unit which displays the temperature zone and air volume of the air blown from the air blowing unit by light emission, wherein the air blowing unit has two or more types of temperature zone and air volume for the air blown, and the temperature zone and the air volume are individually controllable, and the display unit is caused to display the type of the temperature zone of the air blown from the air blowing unit in a first manner of light emission and to display the type of the air volume of the air blown from the air blowing unit in a second manner of light emission, wherein the first manner is the light emission in a color type corresponding to the type of temperature zone, and the second manner is the light emission in at least one of a type of intensity of the light emission, a type of blinking speed of the light emission, and a type of blinking pattern of the light emission corresponding to the type of air volume. Effect of the Invention

[0008] Advantageous Effects of Invention According to one aspect of the present invention, an effect is achieved in that the temperature and volume of the blown air can be easily confirmed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a hair dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the hair dryer shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the hair dryer shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a main part of the hair dryer shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the temperature display of blown air in the hair dryer shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the hair dryer shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the indication of the volume of blown air in the hair dryer shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining displays of temperature and volume of blown air according to measurement conditions of a distance sensor in the hair dryer shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the indication of the volume of blown air in the hair dryer shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the indication of the volume of blown air in the hair dryer shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the indication of the volume of blown air in the hair dryer shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the indication of the volume of blown air in the hair dryer shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the indication of the volume of blown air in the hair dryer shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a hair dryer according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0011] (Overall structure of the hair dryer) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a hair dryer 100 according to this embodiment. In explaining the shape and positional relationship of each component of the hair dryer 100, for convenience, the hair dryer 100 is defined by three coordinate axes, namely, the X (X1-X2) direction (left-right direction), the Y (Y1-Y2) direction (up-down direction), and the Z (Z1-Z2) direction (front-back direction) as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the external appearance of the hair dryer 100 shown in Fig. 1 as seen from the front side (Z1 side). Fig. 3 shows the external appearance of the hair dryer 100 shown in Fig. 1 as seen from the side side (X2 side).

[0012] The hair dryer 100 is composed of a main body 20 and a grip 30 provided below the main body 20. An air intake (not shown) is provided on the rear 20b of the main body 20. An air passage (not shown) is formed inside the main body 20. An air blower 14 including a blower 1 and a heater 2, which will be described later, and an ion generating unit 3 are arranged in the air passage (see FIG. 6). When the blower 1 starts operating, air that has passed through the air intake on the rear 20b of the main body 20 is sucked in and blown out from an outlet 70 on the front 20a of the main body 20. The ion generating unit 3 is a type of charged particle generating unit. The charged particle generating unit is not limited to an ion generating unit, and may be any discharge device that generates ions, electrons, ozone, radicals, active species, etc. by discharging. In addition, when the charged particle generating unit generates ions, it may be configured to generate both positive ions and negative ions, or may be configured to generate either positive ions or negative ions.

[0013] A disk-shaped front panel 40 is disposed on the front portion 20a of the main body 20 so as to cover an opening at the front end of the main body 20. The front panel 40 has a board on which four LEDs 51-54 are mounted, and these LEDs 51-54 constitute an LED display unit 50. The LEDs 51-54 provided on the LED display unit 50 each light up to indicate the selected operation mode of the hair dryer 100. When a user selects an operation mode of the hair dryer 100, one of the LEDs 51-54 corresponding to that operation mode lights up.

[0014] The front panel 40 has a curved concave shape. Furthermore, in the front panel 40 having this curved concave shape, the ends in the left-right direction (X direction) (i.e., the left end and the right end) are located closer to the front (Z1 side) than the ends in the up-down direction (Y direction) (upper end and lower end) in the side view and the top view (or the bottom view). That is, the ends in the up-down direction (Y direction) of the main body part 20 are recessed further upstream (Z2 side) of the wind flow than the ends in the left-right direction (X direction) of the main body part 20.

[0015] The front panel 40 has arc-shaped cutouts on the left and right outer periphery, and these cutouts serve as air outlets 70. The air outlet 70 is composed of a first air outlet 71 and a second air outlet 72. The air from the blower 1 is blown out from the air outlet 70. The front surface 20a of the main body 20 including the front panel 40 will be described in detail later.

[0016] The grip part 30 is provided with an operation unit 60 that allows a user to operate to operate the hair dryer 100. The operation unit 60 has four buttons 61 to 64. The bottom sliding button is an ON / OFF button (power switch) 61, which is a button for turning the operation of the hair dryer 100 ON / OFF. When the ON / OFF button 61 is turned on, the blower 1 starts operating. When the ON / OFF button 61 is turned off, the blower 1 stops operating. When the ON / OFF button 61 is turned on, the heater 2 is also turned on in a mode in which the heater 2 is turned on, and the ion generating unit 3 is also turned on in a mode in which the ion generating unit 3 is turned on. When the ON / OFF button 61 is turned off, the heater 2 is turned off in a mode in which the heater 2 is on, and the ion generating unit 3 is also turned off in a mode in which the ion generating unit 3 is on.

[0017] The one-shot cold air button 62 is an alternately operated push button located immediately above the ON / OFF button 61. When the one-shot cold air button 62 is pressed once while hot air is being blown out, the heater 2 is turned off and the air blown out becomes cold air. When the one-shot cold air button 62 is pressed once while cold air is being blown out, the heater 2 is turned on and the air blown out becomes hot air. The one-shot cold air button 62 may be a momentarily operated push button so that the heater 2 is turned off only while the one-shot cold air button 62 is pressed.

[0018] The two push buttons located above the one-shot cold air button 62 are a mode change button 63 for changing the operation mode and an air volume change button 64 for changing the air volume. Each time the mode change button 63 is pressed, the mode can be changed in a rotational (cyclical) manner, for example, from a first dry mode 1 to a second dry mode 2 to a third dry mode 3 to a cold air mode to a beauty mode to an automatic mode to a first dry mode, as described below. Similarly, each time the air volume change button 64 is pressed, the air volume can be changed in a rotational (cyclical) manner, for example, from a high air volume (TURBO) to a medium air volume (DRY) to a low air volume (SET) to a high air volume (TURBO).

[0019] A power cord 80 having a connector (not shown) at the tip is pulled out from the bottom of the grip 30. When the power cord 80 (more precisely, the connector) is plugged into an outlet, the power supply unit (not shown) of the hair dryer 100 is ready to supply power. Note that instead of power supply via the power cord, power may be supplied from a battery.

[0020] (Front structure of hair dryer 100) Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the front part 20a of the main body part 20 in the hair dryer 100 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining that the display color of the display part 15 shown in Fig. 4 changes depending on the temperature of the blown air.

[0021] The front portion of the hair dryer 100 is formed by the front portion 20a of the main body 20, and the front portion 20a is provided with a front panel 40. A first air outlet 71 is provided on the left side (X1 side) of the front panel 40 as viewed from the Z1 side, so as to follow the outer periphery of the front panel 40. Also, a second air outlet 72 is provided on the right side (X2 side) of the front panel 40 as viewed from the Z1 side, so as to follow the outer periphery of the front panel 40.

[0022] A substantially circular central portion 40a is provided at the center of the front panel 40, a distance sensor 6 is provided at the center of the central portion 40a, and a display unit 15 is provided around the central portion 40a. The central portion 40a is recessed further than the ends in the left and right direction (X direction) where the first air outlet 71 and the second air outlet 72 are provided.

[0023] The display unit 15 is provided in an annular shape on the outer periphery of the central portion 40a, and is a temperature display unit that indicates the temperature of the air blown out from the air outlet 70, such as hot air / cold air. Specifically, the display unit 15 displays each of two or more types of temperature zones of the air blown out from the blower 1 in correspondence with a type of color. For example, when hot air is blown out, the display unit 15 displays in red, and when cold air is blown out, the display unit 15 displays in blue. Also, when air of an intermediate temperature between hot air and cold air is blown out, the display unit 15 displays in green. In this embodiment, the display unit 15 is provided in an annular shape on the entire outer periphery of the central portion 40a, but in another embodiment, it may be provided in a semi-annular shape on the lower half of the outer periphery of the central portion 40a, or may be provided in a semi-annular shape on the upper half of the outer periphery of the central portion 40a. The display unit 15 may have any shape other than annular or semi-annular, such as a circle, a square, or a dot.

[0024] Specifically, the display unit 15 has an LED light emitting unit 5 that is composed of, for example, a red LED (light emitting diode) lamp, a blue LED lamp, and a light guide member. The light guide member has an annular shape and is disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the central portion 40a. The red LED lamp and the blue LED lamp are disposed on the rear side of the light guide member.

[0025] Therefore, when hot air is blown out from the air outlet 70, the red LED lamp of the display unit 15 is turned on, and the red light is diffused by the light guide member to emit a ring-shaped color as shown by reference numeral 1051 in FIG. 5. When cold air is blown out from the air outlet 70, the blue LED lamp of the display unit 15 is turned on, and the blue light is diffused by the light guide member to emit a ring-shaped color as shown by reference numeral 1053 in FIG. 5. When air of an intermediate temperature between hot air and cold air is blown out from the air outlet 70, the red LED lamp and the blue LED lamp of the display unit 15 are turned on at the same time, and the green light, which is a mixture of red and blue, is diffused by the light guide member to emit a ring-shaped color as shown by reference numeral 1052 in FIG. This allows the user to easily identify the temperature of the air being blown out by the color of the lit display unit 15.

[0026] Here, the hair dryer 100 has a hot mode, a cold mode, a scalp mode, and a sensing mode as operation modes. Therefore, when the hot mode is selected as the operation mode, the blown air is high temperature (for example, about 95°C), so the display unit 15 is displayed in red, when the cold mode is selected as the operation mode, the blown air is almost the same as room temperature, so the display unit 15 is displayed in blue, and when the scalp mode is selected, the blown air is medium temperature (for example, about 75°C), so the display unit 15 is displayed in green. Note that when the sensing mode is selected, the temperature of the blown air changes depending on the distance (the distance from the hair dryer 100 to the blowing target), so the display color of the display unit 15 also changes depending on the distance.

[0027] (Control block diagram of hair dryer 100) Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the hair dryer 100. As shown in Fig. 6, the hair dryer 100 includes a control unit 10 consisting of, for example, a microcomputer, a blower unit 14 connected to the control unit 10, an ion generating unit 3, an operation unit 60, a storage unit 4, a display unit 15, a distance sensor 6, and the like.

[0028] The control unit 10 is a computer device composed of an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU or a dedicated processor. The control unit 10 includes an air volume control unit 11 that controls the air volume of the blower 1 of the blower unit 14, a heating control unit 12 that controls the heat generation amount of the heater 2 of the blower unit 14, and an LED lighting control unit 13 that controls the lighting of the LED light emitting unit 5 of the display unit 15. The control unit 10 controls the operation of each part of the hair dryer 100 according to information and programs stored in the memory unit 4. The memory unit 4 stores information, programs, etc. that the control unit 10 uses to control each part of the hair dryer 100.

[0029] Blower unit 14 includes blower 1 and heater 2. Blower 1 draws in air from an air intake port and generates wind to be blown out from air outlet 70. The rotation of blower 1 is controlled by air volume control unit 11 of control unit 10. Air volume control unit 11 rotates blower 1 based on set values ​​set for each air volume level, such as strong, medium, and weak, to generate winds of different volumes.

[0030] The heater 2 supplies heat to the wind generated by the blower 1 to warm it. The amount of heat generated by the heater 2 is controlled by a heating control unit 12 of the control unit 10. The heating control unit 12 generates winds of different temperatures by making the heater 2 generate heat based on set values ​​set for each wind temperature level, such as high temperature, medium temperature, low temperature, and cold temperature.

[0031] The ion generating unit 3 is a unit that generates ions. As an example, the ion generating unit 3 includes a needle-shaped discharge electrode and a ring-shaped induction electrode that surrounds the periphery of the discharge electrode. A voltage is applied between the discharge electrode and the induction electrode to generate a corona discharge, and H + (H 2 O) m and positive ions such as O 2- (H 2 O) n The generated positive ions and negative ions are mixed into the air flowing through the ventilation passage and are discharged from the air outlet 70.

[0032] The distance sensor 6 is a sensor that measures the distance between a user to whom air is to be blown and the hair dryer 100. For example, the distance sensor 6 measures the distance between the hair dryer 100 and a part of the user's hair to which air is being blown by the hair dryer 100.

[0033] An example of the distance sensor 6 is a ToF (Time Of Flight) distance sensor that measures the above-mentioned distance based on the flight time of infrared light from the distance sensor 6 to a specific location on the user's hair (the time it takes for the infrared light irradiated by the distance sensor 6 to hit the specific location, be reflected, and return).

[0034] It should be noted that the distance between the user and the hair dryer 100 is not limited to the above-mentioned ToF (Time Of Flight) distance sensor 6. For example, the distance between the user and the hair dryer 100 may be measured using a GPS, a reflective Doppler sensor, a camera (not shown), and a dot projector (not shown). These methods can also suitably measure the distance between the user and the hair dryer 100.

[0035] The hair dryer 100 may also be equipped with a temperature sensor such as a radiation temperature sensor or an infrared sensor, a 3D acceleration sensor, a 9-axis sensor, or other attitude sensor as a sensing means that can be used in place of the distance sensor or in combination with the distance sensor.

[0036] The display unit 15 includes an LED light-emitting unit 5 that uses, as a light source, an LED lamp that emits light in a color corresponding to each of a plurality of temperature zones. As the LED lamps, a red LED lamp and a blue LED lamp are used as described above. The LED light-emitting unit 5 is controlled by the LED lighting control unit 13 of the control unit 10 so as to emit light in a color corresponding to the temperature zone of the temperature of the air blown out by the blower 1.

[0037] The display unit 15 not only displays the temperature of the blown air by illuminating the LED lamps of the LED light emitting unit 5, but also displays the volume of the blown air. In this embodiment, there are three types of air volume: strong, medium, and weak. Therefore, the display unit 15 displays each volume of the blown air by a display parameter other than the type of color associated with the temperature range of the blown air.

[0038] (Air volume display using display unit 15) FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the display of the air volume of blown air in the hair dryer 100. The display unit 15 uses the brightness of the LED lamp as a display parameter other than the color type of the temperature display to display according to the air volume. Here, an example is explained in which three types of air volume, high air volume (TURBO), medium air volume (DRY), and low air volume (SET), are displayed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when the display unit 15 displays red indicating hot air, the high air volume is displayed most brightly as indicated by reference numeral 1071, and the low air volume is displayed most darkly as indicated by reference numeral 1073. Furthermore, when the air volume is medium, the display unit 15 displays the LED lamp at a brightness intermediate between the brightness of the high air volume and the brightness of the low air volume as indicated by reference numeral 1072 in FIG. 7.

[0039] Generally, when a user looks at a display in a different position to check the temperature and volume of the air being blown out, the user may not be able to concentrate on the operation and may make an operational error, but the above configuration can reduce the possibility of such an operational error. That is, with the above configuration, the user can easily grasp the temperature range and volume of the air being blown out of the hair dryer 100 simply by checking the color and brightness of the display unit 15. In other words, the user can simultaneously check the temperature and volume of the air being blown out of the hair dryer 100 without changing his or her line of sight. This allows the user to concentrate on the operation and reduces the possibility of making an operational error.

[0040] (Distance display using display unit 15) FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the display of the temperature and air volume of the blown air on the display unit 15 according to the measurement status of the distance sensor 6 in the hair dryer 100. In FIG.

[0041] The distance sensor 6 measures the distance between the user, who is a beauty treatment subject, and the hair dryer 100. Specifically, the distance between the user and the display unit 15 of the hair dryer 100 is measured. When the distance measured by the distance sensor 6 is long, that is, when the distance from the hair dryer 100 to the user is long, the display unit 15 displays red as shown by reference numeral 1081 in FIG. 8, and when the distance from the hair dryer 100 to the user is short, the display unit 15 displays blue as shown by reference numeral 1083 in FIG. 8. When the distance from the hair dryer 100 to the user is between the distance shown by reference numeral 1081 and the distance shown by reference numeral 1083, the display unit 15 displays green as shown by reference numeral 1082 in FIG. 8. That is, the display unit 15 switches the color of the temperature zone according to the distance detected by the distance sensor 6.

[0042] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the display color of the display unit 15 indicates the distance between the user and the hair dryer 100, but also indirectly indicates the temperature of the air blown by the hair dryer 100. That is, in order to make the temperature of the air blown to the user the same regardless of the distance, the farther the user is from the hair dryer 100, the higher the temperature of the air blown, and the closer the user is from the hair dryer 100, the lower the temperature of the air blown. Therefore, as shown by reference numeral 1081 in FIG. 8, when the hair dryer 100 is far from the user, the display unit 15 indicates the distance by displaying in red, but also indicates that the temperature of the air blown is high. Similarly, the display unit 15 indicates the distance and the temperature of the air blown by displaying in other colors. That is, when the hair dryer 100 is near the user, the display unit 15 indicates the distance by displaying in blue, but also indicates that the temperature of the air blown is low. When the distance between the user and the hair dryer 100 is between the far and close cases, the display unit 15 indicates the distance by displaying in green, but also indicates that the temperature of the air blown is medium.

[0043] 8, the air volume is indicated by the brightness of the LED lamp on the display unit 15. In each of the following embodiments, an example will be described in which the air volume blown out from the hair dryer 100 is displayed on the display unit 15 by a display parameter other than the brightness of the LED lamp.

[0044] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are used for members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the explanations will not be repeated. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the light blinking speed and the light blinking pattern, among the light intensity (brightness), the light blinking speed (LED blinking speed), and the light blinking pattern (LED blinking interval), are used as display parameters for displaying on the display unit 15.

[0045] (Airflow display: LED blinking speed) 9 is a diagram showing the air volume by the blinking speed of the LED lamp of the display unit 15. Specifically, the LED lighting control unit 13 of the control unit 10 controls the lighting of the LED lamp in the LED light emission unit 5 of the display unit 15 so that the greater the air volume, the faster the blinking speed of the LED lamp, and the smaller the air volume, the slower the blinking speed of the LED lamp. That is, the LED lighting control unit 13 transmits to the LED light emission unit 5 of the display unit 15 a rectangular wave control signal that causes the interval at which the LED lamp switches between bright and dark to be the shortest in the case of high air volume (TURBO), the next shortest in the case of medium air volume (DRY), and the longest in the case of low air volume (SET).

[0046] The control signal transmitted to the LED light emitter 5 is a square wave control signal with a 1:1 bright and dark period. This makes the bright and dark periods of the LED lamp of the LED light emitter 5 the same.

[0047] As described above, by generating a lighting control signal according to the air volume, the temperature and air volume of the air blown out by the hair dryer 100 can be checked simultaneously without moving one's eyes, simply by checking the color displayed on the display unit 15 and the blinking speed of the displayed color. In other words, the user can easily determine the temperature of the air blown out by the color of the display unit 15, and the air volume blown out by the blinking speed of the LED lamp on the display unit 15, simply by looking at the display unit 15. In particular, since the air volume is displayed by the blinking speed of the LED lamp, the user can intuitively determine that a fast blinking speed means a large air volume, and a slow blinking speed means a small air volume.

[0048] The control signal for controlling the brightness of the LED lamp is not limited to a square wave control signal with a 1:1 bright / dark period as shown in FIG. 9, and may be a control signal with any waveform as long as the blinking speed of the LED lamp can be controlled so that the amount of airflow can be determined. For example, a sine wave control signal may be used instead of a square wave. When the LED lamp is dark, the LED lamp may be made to emit less light or may be turned off. Furthermore, the control signal is not limited to a square wave control signal with a 1:1 bright / dark period, and may be other ratios such as 2:1, 1:2, etc.

[0049] (Air volume display: LED blinking interval) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the air volume by the blinking interval of the LED lamp of the display unit 15. Specifically, the LED lighting control unit 13 of the control unit 10 controls the lighting of the LED lamp in the LED light emission unit 5 of the display unit 15 so that the greater the air volume, the shorter the blinking interval of the LED lamp, and the smaller the air volume, the longer the blinking interval of the LED lamp. That is, the LED lighting control unit 13 transmits a rectangular wave control signal to the LED light emission unit 5 of the display unit 15 such that the blinking interval of the LED lamp is the shortest in the case of high air volume (TURBO), the next shortest in the case of medium air volume (DRY), and the longest in the case of low air volume (SET). In the case of FIG. 10, the control is performed such that, based on three blinks for high air volume (TURBO), in the case of medium air volume (DRY), one blink is thinned out from the three blinks for high air volume, and two blinks, one no blink, two blinks, and one no blink are repeated. When the airflow is low (SET), the light is controlled to flash twice instead of three times when the airflow is high, so that the light flashes once, then stops flashing twice, then flashes once, then stops flashing twice.

[0050] As described above, by generating a lighting control signal according to the air volume, the temperature and air volume of the air blown out by the hair dryer 100 can be checked simultaneously without moving one's eyes, simply by checking the color displayed on the display unit 15 and the blinking interval of the displayed color. In other words, the user can easily determine the temperature of the air blown out by the color of the display unit 15, and the air volume blown out by the blinking interval of the LED lamp on the display unit 15, simply by looking at the display unit 15. In particular, since the air volume is displayed by the blinking interval of the LED lamp, the user can intuitively determine that a short blinking interval means a large air volume, and that a long blinking interval means a small air volume.

[0051] [Embodiment 3] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the explanations thereof will not be repeated. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the display area of ​​the display unit 15 is used as the display parameter for displaying on the display unit 15.

[0052] (Air volume display: Display area of ​​display unit 15) 11 is a diagram showing the air volume in terms of the display area (area where the LED lamp is lit) of the LED lamp of the display unit 15. Specifically, the LED lighting control unit 13 of the control unit 10 controls the lighting of the LED lamp in the LED light-emitting unit 5 of the display unit 15 so that the greater the air volume, the larger the display area of ​​the LED lamp, and the smaller the air volume, the smaller the display area of ​​the LED lamp. That is, the LED lighting control unit 13 transmits a control signal to the LED light-emitting unit 5 of the display unit 15 so that the display area of ​​the LED lamp is the largest for high air volume (TURBO), the next smallest for medium air volume (DRY), and the smallest for low air volume (SET).

[0053] Specifically, the display area of ​​the display unit 15 is divided into three equal-area areas in the circumferential direction, and LED lamps are provided corresponding to each area, and the air volume is distinguished by the number of lit LED lamps in the display area of ​​the display unit 15, i.e., the area of ​​the display area. That is, in the case of high air volume (TURBO), the entire display area of ​​the display unit 15 is lit as shown by reference numeral 1111 in Fig. 11, in the case of medium air volume (DRY), two-thirds of the display area of ​​the display unit 15 is lit as shown by reference numeral 1112 in Fig. 11, and in the case of low air volume (SET), one-third of the display area of ​​the display unit 15 is lit. This allows the user to grasp the air volume just by looking at the proportion of the display area of ​​the display unit 15 that is lit (display area).

[0054] As described above, by generating a lighting control signal according to the air volume, the temperature and air volume of the air blown out by the hair dryer 100 can be checked at the same time without moving one's eyes, simply by checking the color displayed on the display unit 15 and the display area of ​​the LED lamps on the display unit 15. In other words, the user can easily grasp the temperature of the air blown out by the color of the display unit 15, and the volume of the air blown out by the display area D of the display unit 15 and the lit area of ​​the lamps, simply by looking at the display unit 15. In particular, the air volume can be intuitively grasped by the display area of ​​the LED lamps.

[0055] In this embodiment, an example in which the display area of ​​the display unit 15 is divided into three areas has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of divisions of the display area of ​​the display unit 15 may be determined so that the air volume can be intuitively grasped. For example, if the air volume has four levels, the display area of ​​the display unit 15 may be divided into four areas of equal area in the circumferential direction, and LED lamps may be provided to correspond to each area.

[0056] [Embodiment 4] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0057] (Air volume display: part of display section 15) FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which a part of the display area of ​​the display unit 15 is used to display the air volume. Specifically, the display unit 15 is divided into two areas (first area 15a and second area 15b). The first area 15a is an area that displays in a color according to the temperature range of the air being blown out, and the second area 15b is an area that displays in accordance with the air volume of the air being blown out. The second area 15b is narrower than the first area 15a, and is further divided into three display areas. Each display area of ​​the second area 15b is provided with a corresponding LED lamp, and the amount of air volume is expressed by the number of LED lamps that are turned on. Here, four LED lamps are provided, and the lighting of each LED lamp is controlled.

[0058] The LED lighting control unit 13 of the control unit 10 controls the lighting of the LED lamps in the LED light emission unit 5 of the display unit 15 so that the greater the air volume, the greater the number of lit LED lamps in the second area 15b, and the smaller the air volume, the fewer the number of lit LED lamps in the second area 15b. That is, the LED lighting control unit 13 transmits a control signal to the LED light emission unit 5 of the display unit 15 to light all the LED lamps corresponding to the three display areas of the second area 15b in the case of a large air volume (TURBO), light the LED lamps corresponding to the two display areas of the second area 15b in the case of a medium air volume (DRY), and light the LED lamps corresponding to one display area of ​​the second area 15b in the case of a small air volume (SET). In this way, the air volume is distinguished by the number of lit LED lamps in the three display areas of the second area 15b, which is a part of the display unit 15. The second area 15b is displayed in the same color as the first area 15a.

[0059] This allows the user to grasp the airflow volume simply by looking at the number of lit LED lamps in the three display areas of second area 15b of display unit 15.

[0060] As described above, by generating the lighting control signal according to the air volume, the user can simultaneously check the temperature and air volume of the air blown out by the hair dryer 100 without moving his / her eyes by simply checking the color displayed in the first area 15a of the display unit 15 and the number of lit LED lamps in the second area 15b of the display unit 15. In other words, the user can easily check the temperature of the air blown out by the display color of the first area 15a of the display unit 15 and the air volume of the air blown out by the number of lit LED lamps in the second area 15b of the display unit 15 just by looking at the display unit 15. In particular, the air volume can be intuitively understood by the number of lit LED lamps in the second area 15b, that is, the number of display areas. Furthermore, not only the number of lit LED lamps but also the brightness of the lit LED lamps may be included as a parameter of the air volume. This makes it possible to convey the air volume in detail. For example, when two of the three LED lamps are lit, the brightness of the two lit LED lamps can be adjusted to display the air volume in detail. In this way, when the number of airflow levels increases, it is possible to accommodate the increase without increasing the number of LED lamps in the second area 15b.

[0061] In this embodiment, an example in which the second area 15b of the display unit 15 is divided into three display areas has been described, but this is not limited to this, and the number of divisions of the display area of ​​the second area 15b of the display unit 15 can be determined to an extent that allows the air volume to be intuitively grasped.

[0062] In the above example, the display color of the second region 15b of the display unit 15 is the same as the display color of the first region 15a, which is displayed in the same color according to the temperature of the blown air, that is, the display color of the second region 15b is the color according to the temperature of the blown air. In the following modified example, an example in which the display color of the second region 15b is displayed in a color other than the color according to the temperature of the blown air will be described.

[0063] (Modification) Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a part of the display area of ​​the display unit 15 is used for displaying the air volume. The first area 15a of the display unit 15 shown in Fig. 13 is the same as the first area 15a of the display unit 15 shown in Fig. 12, and the second area 15b of the display unit 15 is different from the second area 15b of the display unit 15 shown in Fig. 12. Here, the display color of the second area 15b is a color other than the display colors (red, green, blue) of the first area 15a, for example, white. The only difference from the display unit 15 shown in Fig. 12 is the display color of the second area 15b, and the lighting control of the LED lamp according to the air volume of the blown air is the same.

[0064] That is, the LED lighting control unit 13 of the control unit 10 transmits a control signal to the LED light emitter 5 of the display unit 15 to light all the LED lamps corresponding to the three display areas of the second area 15b when the air volume is high (TURBO), light the LED lamps corresponding to the two display areas of the second area 15b when the air volume is medium (DRY), and light the LED lamp corresponding to one display area of ​​the second area 15b when the air volume is low (SET). In this way, the air volume is distinguished by the number of lit LED lamps in the three display areas of the second area 15b, which is a part of the display unit 15.

[0065] This allows the user to grasp the air volume simply by looking at the number of lit LED lamps in the three display areas of the second area 15b of the display unit 15. Moreover, since the display colors of the first area 15a and the second area 15b of the display unit 15 are different, it is easier to check the temperature and volume of the blown air compared to when the display colors of the first area 15a and the second area 15b are the same.

[0066] One aspect of the present invention is intended to enable the user to check the temperature and volume of the air being blown out simultaneously without having to move their line of sight, so as in the hair dryer 100 shown in Figure 1, a display unit 15 that displays the temperature and volume of the air being blown out is provided on the front of the main body 20, i.e., on the surface (arrangement area) where the air outlet 70 is formed, and further, an operating unit 60 is provided on the same side as the display unit 15.

[0067] 1, the display unit 15 does not have to be provided on the surface of the hair dryer 100 where the air outlet 70 is formed, and may be provided in another location as long as the temperature and volume of the air blown out can be displayed by the display unit 15. A modified example in which the display unit is provided in another location will be described.

[0068] [Modifications] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a hair dryer 200 according to a modified example of the present invention.

[0069] Hair dryer 200 is basically the same as hair dryer 100 shown in Fig. 1, and as shown in Fig. 14, is composed of main body 220 and grip 230 provided below main body 220. Main body 220 has an air intake port provided at rear part 220b and an air outlet (not shown) provided at front part 220a, and is configured to blow air taken in from the air intake port as wind (which may contain ions) from the air outlet.

[0070] The grip portion 230 is provided with an operation portion 260 through which a user performs operations to operate the hair dryer 200. The operation portion 260 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons, and these operation buttons are operated to turn the hair dryer 200 on / off, set the operation mode, and the like.

[0071] A display unit 215 is provided on the side of the main body 220, and displays a color according to the temperature zone of the temperature of the air being blown out. The volume of the air being blown out is indicated by changing the brightness of the LED lamp of this display unit 215.

[0072] In this case, the display unit 215 is not provided on the front side of the main body unit 220 (the surface where the air outlet is formed) but on the side of the main body unit 220. However, the user can check the temperature and volume of the air being blown out from the color displayed on the display unit 215 and the brightness of that color without moving his or her eyes.

[0073] The air volume display on display unit 215 may be an LED blinking interval or LED blinking speed as in embodiment 2, or a display area as in embodiment 3. Alternatively, as in embodiment 4 and its modified examples, a part of the display area of ​​display unit 215 may be used as the display area for displaying the air volume.

[0074] In the above-described embodiments, the hair dryer 100 (200) has the operation modes of the hot mode, cold mode, scalp mode, and sensing mode, but the operation modes are not limited to these and may be other operation modes. Even in other operation modes, the display color of the display unit 15 may be changed according to the temperature of the blown air.

[0075] In addition, three types of airflow are shown as examples: high airflow (TURBO), medium airflow (DRY), and low airflow (SET), but this is not limited to these and two types of airflow or four or more types of airflow may be used as long as each airflow can be displayed by the display unit 15.

[0076] 〔summary〕 The hair dryer according to aspect 1 of the present invention comprises an air blowing unit 14 and a temperature display unit (display unit 15) that displays each of two or more temperature ranges of air blown from the air blowing unit 14 in association with a type of color, and the temperature display unit (display unit 15) displays the two or more air volumes of the air blown from the air blowing unit 14 using display parameters other than the types of colors associated with the temperature ranges.

[0077] According to the above configuration, the user can easily grasp the temperature zone and volume of the air being blown out simply by checking the color of the temperature display section and display parameters other than the color type. This allows the user to check the temperature and volume of the air being blown out without changing his or her line of sight.

[0078] A hair dryer according to a second aspect of the present invention is the hair dryer according to the first aspect, wherein the display parameter is at least one of the intensity of light, the blinking speed of light, and the blinking pattern of light in the temperature display section.

[0079] According to the above configuration, by simply checking at least one of the light intensity, the light blinking speed, and the light blinking pattern on the temperature display unit, it is possible to check the volume of the air being blown out and the temperature of the air being blown out at the same time.

[0080] A hair dryer according to a third aspect of the present invention is the hair dryer according to the first or second aspect, wherein the display parameter is a display area of ​​the temperature display section.

[0081] According to the above configuration, the volume of the air being blown out can be easily checked at the same time by simply checking the display area of ​​the temperature display section.

[0082] The hair dryer according to aspect 4 of the present invention is any one of aspects 1 to 3 above, and has an operating unit 60 capable of switching at least one of the temperature zone and the air volume, and the operating unit 60 may be provided on the same side as the temperature display unit (display unit 15).

[0083] According to the above configuration, a user operating the operation unit can check the temperature and volume of the blown air by simply moving his / her line of sight slightly away from the operation unit.

[0084] The hair dryer according to Aspect 5 of the present invention is any one of Aspects 1 to 4 above, wherein the temperature display unit (display unit 15) may be provided in an area where an air outlet 70 through which air is blown out from the air blower 14 is disposed.

[0085] According to the above configuration, since the temperature display unit is provided in the arrangement area of ​​the air outlet through which the air from the blower unit is blown, when the air is blown from the front, it is possible to see the temperature display unit by moving the line of sight almost entirely. This makes it possible to easily check the temperature and volume of the air being blown while being exposed to the air being blown.

[0086] The hair dryer according to aspect 6 of the present invention, in any one of aspects 1 to 5 above, further includes a distance sensor 6 that detects the distance from the air outlet 70 through which air is blown out from the air blowing unit 14 to the target, and the temperature display unit (display unit 15) may switch the color of the temperature zone depending on the distance detected by the distance sensor 6.

[0087] According to the above configuration, the distance to the target to which air is being blown is detected by the distance sensor, so that the temperature and volume of the air to be blown out can be appropriately set for the target to which air is being blown.

[0088] The air volume display method for a hair dryer according to aspect 7 of the present invention is a method for displaying air volume for a hair dryer 100 equipped with an air blowing unit 14 and a temperature display unit (display unit 15) which displays each of two or more temperature ranges of air blown from the air blowing unit 14 in correspondence with a type of color, and the two or more air volumes of the air blown from the air blowing unit 14 are displayed on the temperature display unit (display unit 15) using display parameters other than the types of colors associated with the temperature ranges.

[0089] According to the above configuration, the user can easily grasp the temperature zone and volume of the air being blown out by simply checking the color of the temperature display section and display parameters other than the color type. This allows the user to check the temperature and volume of the air being blown out without changing his or her line of sight.

[0090] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The technical scope of the present invention also includes embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 Blower 2 Heater 3 Ion generating unit 4 Storage section 5 LED light emitting section 6 Distance Sensor 10 Control section 13 LED lighting control unit 14 Blower section 15 Display section (temperature display section) 15a 1st area 15b 2nd area 20 Main body 20a Front part 20b Back part 30 Gripping part 40 Front Panel 40a Center 50 LED display section 51~54 LED 60 Control section 61 ON / OFF button 62 1 shot cool air button 63 Mode change button 64 Airflow change button 70 Air outlet 71 1st outlet 72 2nd outlet 80 Power cord 100 Hair dryer 200 Hair dryer 215 Display section 220 body part 220a front part 220b Back part 230 Gripping part 260 Operation section

Claims

1. A blower section; a display unit that displays the temperature zone and the volume of the air blown from the blower unit by emitting light, the air blowing unit has two or more types of temperature zones and two or more types of air volume for the air to be blown, and the temperature zones and the air volumes are individually controllable; the display unit displays the type of the temperature zone of the air blown from the air blower unit in a first manner of light emission, and displays the type of the air volume of the air blown from the air blower unit in a second manner of light emission, the first aspect is the emission of light in a color type associated with a type of the temperature zone, The second aspect is a hair dryer in which the light is emitted in at least one of a type of intensity of the light, a type of blinking speed of the light, and a type of blinking pattern of the light, which are associated with the type of airflow.

2. an operation unit capable of switching at least one of the temperature zone and the air volume; 2. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is provided on the same side as the display unit.

3. The display unit is 3. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein the air outlet is disposed in an area where an air outlet for blowing air from the blowing section is disposed.

4. A distance sensor is further provided to detect a distance from an outlet through which air is blown from the blowing unit to a target to be blown. The display unit is The hair dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the color of the temperature zone is changed according to the distance detected by the distance sensor.

5. A method for displaying a temperature zone and an air volume of a hair dryer, the method comprising: the air blowing unit has two or more types of temperature zones and two or more types of air volume for the air to be blown, and the temperature zones and the air volumes are individually controllable; displaying, on the display unit, the type of the temperature zone of the air blown from the air blowing unit in the first light emission manner, and displaying, on the display unit, the type of the air volume of the air blown from the air blowing unit in the second light emission manner; the first aspect is the emission of light in a color type associated with a type of the temperature zone, The second aspect is a temperature zone and air volume display method, in which the light is emitted in at least one of a type of light intensity, a type of blinking speed of the light, and a type of blinking pattern of the light, which are associated with the type of air volume.

Citation Information

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