Hair care device

Abstract

To obtain a hair care device capable of improving a hair care effect.SOLUTION: A hair care device 1 includes: a housing 3 having a flow channel 4 from an inlet 4a to an outlet 4b and constituting an outer fence; and a blowing part 5 arranged in the flow channel 4 so as to adjust an air quantity. The hair care device 1 also includes: a control part 100 for controlling the air quantity of the blowing part 5; and an angle sensor 200 for detecting an angle θ1 in a discharging direction of an air stream to be discharged from the outlet 4b. When the plurality of air stream discharging directions exist, the control part 100 adjusts the air quantity of the blowing part 5 by allowing a direction of a vector obtained by synthesizing unit vectors of the respective air stream discharge directions detected by the angle sensor 200 to be defined as the air stream discharge direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hair care device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a heated air blower device has been known as a hair care device, as disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, which has a housing, a fan, and a control unit that controls the amount of components produced in a production unit provided within the housing.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the control unit controls the amount of ingredients produced in the production unit, making it possible to supply the optimal amount of ingredients depending on the dryness of the user's hair, thereby improving the hair care effects such as the manageability and feel of the user's hair. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-202129 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although it is possible to improve the hair care effect with the above-mentioned conventional techniques, it is preferable to be able to improve the hair care effect even further.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to obtain a hair care device that can further improve hair care effects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The hair care device according to the present disclosure includes a housing having an air flow path extending from an inlet to an outlet and constituting an outer shell, an air blower arranged in the air flow path and capable of adjusting the air volume, a controller for controlling the air volume of the air blower, and an angle sensor for detecting the angle of the airflow discharged from the outlet. When there are multiple airflow discharge directions, the controller determines the airflow discharge direction as the direction of a vector obtained by combining the unit vectors of the airflow discharge directions detected by the angle sensor, and adjusts the air volume of the air blower. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a hair care device capable of further improving hair care effects can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a hair care device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view showing a hair care device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view showing a hair care device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view showing the upper interior of a hair care device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] Cross section AA of Figure 4. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a hair care device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] A graph showing the relationship between the angle of the wind and the degree of tangled hair. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an angle detected by an angle sensor. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the direction in which airflow is discharged when there are multiple discharge ports. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of an electrical system of the hair care device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 4 is a graph illustrating an example of control using the hair care device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12]FIG. 4 is a side view showing a hair care device according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a hair care device according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a hair care device according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0011] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] In the following embodiments, a hair dryer (heated air blower) will be exemplified as the hair care device.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) The hair dryer 1 according to the first embodiment includes a grip portion 1a that is held by the user's hand, and a main body portion 1b that is joined in a direction that intersects with the grip portion 1a. The hair dryer 1 is foldable so that the grip portion 1a and the main body portion 1b form a roughly T-shaped or L-shaped (a roughly T-shaped shape in the first embodiment) when in use.

[0014] A power cord 2 extends from the protruding end of the grip 1a. The grip 1a is divided into a base 1c on the main body 1b side and a tip 1d, and the base 1c and tip 1d are rotatably connected via a connecting portion 1e. The tip 1d can be folded up to a position that fits alongside the main body 1b.

[0015] The housing 3, which forms the outer wall (constituting the outer shell) of the hair dryer 1, is made up of multiple divided parts joined together. A cavity is formed inside the housing 3, and various electrical components are housed inside this cavity.

[0016] An air tunnel (air flow path) 4 is formed inside the main body 1b, extending from an inlet opening (intake port) 4a on one side (right side) in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5) of the main body 1b to an outlet opening (discharge port) 4b, and an airflow W1 is formed by rotating a fan 5 serving as an air blower housed in the air tunnel 4. That is, the airflow W1 flows from the outside into the air tunnel 4 through the inlet opening 4a, passes through the air tunnel 4, and is discharged to the outside from the outlet opening 4b.

[0017] The inlet opening (suction port) 4a is covered with a mesh-like frame 81, and the opening 81a of this frame 81 has a honeycomb shape. This makes it possible to increase the total opening area of ​​the inlet opening (suction port) 4a while ensuring uniform strength of the crosspieces 81b, thereby increasing the airflow.

[0018] 5, a mesh 82 having an opening ratio of about 55 to 90 percent and a mesh width of about 300 to 650 μm is integrally molded into the frame 81. This mesh 82 can be made of, for example, metal or flame-retardant resin such as polyester, and by integrally molding the mesh 82 with such a fine mesh width, it is possible to more reliably prevent fine dust, hair, and the like from entering the air flow path.

[0019] In the main body 1b, an approximately cylindrical inner cylinder 6 is provided inside the outer cylinder 3a of the housing 3, and the airflow W1 flows inside the inner cylinder 6. Inside the inner cylinder 6, a fan 5 is disposed on the most upstream side, a motor 7 that drives the fan 5 is disposed downstream of that, and a heater 8 serving as a heating unit (heating mechanism) is disposed further downstream of the motor 7.

[0020] When the heater 8 is operated, hot air is blown out from the outlet opening 4b. In the first embodiment, the heater 8 is configured as a band-shaped, corrugated electric resistor wound around the inner periphery of the inner cylinder 6, but is not limited to this configuration.

[0021] The inner tube 6 has a cylindrical portion 6a, a plurality of support ribs 6b (only one of which is shown in Figure 5) extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion 6a and distributed around the circumference, and a flange portion 6c connected to the cylindrical portion 6a via the support rib 6b and extending in a direction approximately perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 6a.

[0022] A gap g1 is formed between the cylindrical portion 6a and the flange portion 6c, and a portion of the air flow W1 branches off and flows into the cavity 9 through this gap g1, forming a branched flow W2. The gap g1, which serves as an inlet for the branched flow W2 into the cavity 9, is located downstream of the fan 5 and upstream of the heater 8. Therefore, the branched flow W2 is a relatively cool air flow before being heated by the heater 8.

[0023] A portion of the branched flow W2 is further branched to become a branched flow W3. This branched flow W3 does not pass through metal particle outlets (ion outlets) 20a and 20b or mist outlet (ion outlet) 20c (described later), but passes between the inner cylinder 6 and the housing 3, becoming a relatively cool air flow that is blown out from the outer periphery of the outlet opening 4b.

[0024] The housing 3 has a substantially arc-shaped through-hole (opening) 3b formed at a position on the outlet opening 4b side of the cavity 9, and this through-hole 3b is covered with a cover 20 made of an insulating synthetic resin material.

[0025] In this way, in the present embodiment 1, the cover 20 is attached to the housing 3 so as to cover the through-hole (opening) 3b formed in the housing 3. Also, in the present embodiment 1, the cover 20 is attached to the housing 3 by moving it from the left side to the right side in FIG.

[0026] Therefore, in the first embodiment, the direction from the downstream side to the upstream side of the air channel (air flow path) 4 is the attachment direction of the cover 20 to the housing 3.

[0027] In addition, in this embodiment 1, two (multiple) metal microparticle generation units 30, 40 and one mist generation unit 50 are arranged in a cavity 9 formed between the housing 3 and the inner cylinder 6 within the main body 1b.

[0028] Therefore, the components generated in the generation units (metal microparticle generation units 30, 40 and mist generation unit 50) are discharged together with the branch flow W2, but may also be discharged from the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b together with the air flow W1. Also, the generation units may be provided inside the inner cylinder 6 in which the heater (heating unit) 8 is provided, but as shown in the present embodiment 1, it is preferable to provide them in a location that is not heated by the heater (heating unit) 8.

[0029] Metallic fine particles, ions, and acidic components are generated in the metallic fine particle generating units 30 and 40. On the other hand, charged liquid microparticles, ions, and acidic components are generated in the mist generating unit 50.

[0030] In this way, in the present embodiment 1, the metal microparticle generation units 30 and 40 function as both an ion generation unit and an acidic component generation unit, and the mist generation unit 50 functions as both a charged microparticle liquid generation unit, an ion generation unit, and an acidic component generation unit.

[0031] Therefore, in the first embodiment, three types of generating units are provided in the housing 3: an ion generating unit that generates ions, an acidic component generating unit that generates acidic components, and a charged minute particle liquid generating unit that generates charged minute particle liquid. The ion generating units and the acidic component generating units are each provided in three locations, and the charged minute particle liquid generating unit is provided in one location.

[0032] Furthermore, the cover 20 is formed with metal fine particle outlets (ion outlets) 20a and 20b and a mist outlet (ion outlet) 20c, which are independent of each other.

[0033] In addition, an ion flow path 4c through which ions flow is formed in front of the mist generation section (ion generation section) 50 and the metal microparticle generation section (ion generation section) 30, 40, so the metal microparticle outlets (ion emission ports) 20a, 20b and the mist outlet (ion emission port) 20c are provided downstream of the ion flow path 4c.

[0034] Furthermore, in order to prevent the cover 20 from becoming charged by the metal fine particles or mist, it is preferable that the cover 20 have lower conductivity than the housing 3. If the cover 20 becomes charged, the charge will make it difficult for the metal fine particle generating units 30, 40 and the mist generating unit 50 to release charged metal fine particles, negative ions, and mist.

[0035] In order to prevent the cover 20 from becoming electrically charged, it is preferable to form the cover 20 using a material that does not easily become electrically charged, such as PC (polycarbonate) resin, and to use a material that does not easily become electrically charged as the material for the cover 20. In this portion, the cover 20 forms the outer wall of the hair dryer 1 (constitutes the outer shell).

[0036] In addition, in the present embodiment 1, the hole diameter of metal particle outlets 20a and 20b is smaller than the hole diameter of mist outlet 20c. This makes it easier to perform maintenance and check the status of mist generating unit 50 through mist outlet 20c, and also prevents fingers, tools, etc. from accidentally entering through metal particle outlets 20a and 20b.

[0037] It is preferable to provide a rib (protrusion: connection portion) on the inside of the cover 20 and to abut this rib against the discharge counter electrode (second electrode) 52 of the mist generating unit 50 described later, thereby eliminating static electricity from the cover 20.

[0038] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a charging unit (charge-giving panel) 1f is provided that can change the charge state of the hair. This charging unit 1f is provided near the gripping unit 1a. Specifically, the charging unit 1f is made of conductive resin (conductive material) exposed on the outer surface of the gripping unit 1a.

[0039] In the first embodiment, metal fine particle outlets (ion emission ports) 20a and 20b are formed around the mist outlet 20c.

[0040] Specifically, the metal particle outlet 20a and the metal particle outlet 20b are arranged side by side with the mist outlet 20c at the center.

[0041] That is, the cover 20 has metal microparticle outlets 20a, 20b and mist outlet 20c formed in a row in the width direction of the hair dryer 1 (left and right direction in Figure 2) in the order of metal microparticle outlet 20a, mist outlet 20c, metal microparticle outlet 20b.

[0042] This arrangement prevents the negatively charged mist from being diffused (dispersed) outward by the negative ions blown out from the metal microparticle outlets (ion emission ports) 20a, 20b formed around the mist outlet 20c.

[0043] As a result, the mist moves more directional, making it easier for the mist to reach the hair, further enhancing the hair care effect.

[0044] In addition, the metal microparticle generating units 30, 40 and the mist generating unit 50 are arranged in parallel within the cavity 9 in the width direction of the hair dryer 1 (left and right direction in Figure 2), in the order of metal microparticle generating unit 30, mist generating unit 50, metal microparticle generating unit 40.

[0045] Between the mist generating unit 50 and the metal microparticle generating units (negative ion generating units) 30, 40 adjacent to the mist generating unit 50, a shielding plate (partition unit) 6d is provided.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, the shielding plate 6d is positioned to extend in the vertical direction of the hair dryer 1 and in the direction in which the mist is blown out, thereby preventing the metal microparticles and mist from mixing before being blown out from the metal microparticle outlets 20a, 20b and the mist outlet 20c.

[0047] The metal microparticle generating units 30 and 40 respectively have discharge electrodes (first electrodes) 31 and 41 and discharge counter electrodes (second electrodes) 32 and 42 made of a conductive metal material.

[0048] A high voltage (-1 kV to -3 kV in this embodiment 1) is applied between these discharge electrodes 31, 41 and the discharge counter electrodes 32, 42 by a voltage application circuit (not shown) to generate a discharge (corona discharge, etc.), and this discharge action causes metal particles (metal molecules, negative ions, etc.) to be released from the discharge electrodes 31, 41 and the discharge counter electrodes 32, 42, etc.

[0049] The metal microparticle generating parts 30, 40 may be formed in substantially the same shape, or the metal microparticle generating parts 30, 40 may have different shapes.

[0050] The mist generating unit 50 has a discharge electrode (first electrode) 51 and a discharge counter electrode (second electrode) 52, both made of a conductive metal material. A high voltage (-3 kV to -5 kV in the first embodiment) is applied between the discharge electrode 51 and the discharge counter electrode 52 by a voltage application circuit 12, thereby generating a discharge (corona discharge, etc.).

[0051] In the first embodiment, the discharge electrode 51 is formed in a needle shape, and the discharge counter electrode 52 is formed as a plate-like member disposed on the tip side of the discharge electrode 51 at a distance.

[0052] The discharge counter electrode 52 has a substantially plate-shaped base portion 52a, and a circular opening 52c serving as an emission port for metal microparticles is formed at the substantially central position of the base portion 52a. The discharge electrode 51 is disposed substantially at the center of the opening 52c when viewed from the front.

[0053] In addition, the mist generating unit 50 is an electrostatic atomization device equipped with a cooling unit 53 for cooling the discharge electrode 51 and heat dissipation fins 54 for dissipating heat generated when the discharge electrode 51 is cooled by the cooling unit 53.

[0054] Specifically, the mist generating unit 50 includes a Peltier element 53a as the cooling unit 53 and a cooling plate 53b made of a thermally conductive material (e.g., a metal material), and is configured to condense moisture in the air onto the surface of the cooling plate 53b cooled by the Peltier element 53a, producing condensed water.

[0055] Additionally, heat dissipation fins 54 are provided upstream of the mist generation unit 50 to dissipate heat generated when cooling the cooling plate 53b. In this configuration, the supplied water, i.e., condensed water, is atomized by discharge, generating an extremely fine mist of nanometer size (negatively charged mist containing negative ions: charged particulate liquid). The mist generation unit 50 also generates ions and acidic components by discharge.

[0056] Furthermore, the metal microparticle generation units 30, 40 and the mist generation unit 50 are placed on a fixing member 6g protruding from the upper wall 6f of the inner cylinder 6, thereby fixing the metal microparticle generation units 30, 40 and the mist generation unit 50 above the inner cylinder 6. The mist generation unit 50 has an attachment plate 55 provided below the heat dissipation fins 54, and is fixed above the inner cylinder 6 by attaching this attachment plate 55 to the fixing member 6g.

[0057] It should be noted that by varying the shape and protruding position of the fixing member 6g, it is possible to adjust the desired direction and volume of the wind flowing through the cavity (branch flow path) 9. In other words, the fixing member 6g can be used as a control means for controlling the direction and volume of the wind flowing through the cavity (branch flow path) 9.

[0058] The three types of generating units may be provided independently of each other. It is not necessary to provide all three types of generating units, and only one type of generating unit may be provided in the housing 3. Two types of generating units arbitrarily selected from the three types of generating units may be provided in the housing 3. It is also possible to provide a hair dryer that does not have any of the three types of generating units.

[0059] In the first embodiment, the amounts of ions, charged minute liquid particles, metal particles, and acidic components generated are controlled by the control unit 100, so that appropriate amounts of components are supplied depending on the condition of the hair (hair type, length, dryness). A known control method can be used for this control method. It is not necessary for the control unit 100 to control all of the amounts of ions, charged minute liquid particles, metal particles, and acidic components generated. For example, it is possible to generate a substantially constant amount of at least one of the ions, charged minute liquid particles, metal particles, and acidic components when the power is turned on.

[0060] Furthermore, within the main body 1b, a cavity 9 formed between the housing 3 and the inner cylinder 6 also houses a voltage application circuit 12 that applies voltage to the mist generation unit 50. A voltage application circuit (not shown) that applies voltage to the metal microparticle generation units 30, 40 is also housed within the housing 3, but this voltage application circuit (not shown) is housed in a location separate from the location where the voltage application circuit 12 is housed in order to prevent problems due to mutual interference.

[0061] The voltage application circuit 12 and a voltage application circuit (not shown) that applies voltage to the metal microparticle generation units 30 and 40 are preferably arranged within the gripping unit 1a or within the main body unit 1b in a region that is an extension of the gripping unit 1a. This is to reduce the rotational moment caused by the mass of the voltage application circuit 12 and the voltage application circuit (not shown) when the user holds the gripping unit 1a, thereby reducing the load acting on the user's hand.

[0062] It is also preferable to place the voltage application circuit 12 and the voltage application circuit (not shown) on opposite sides of the inner cylinder 6. This further reduces problems such as voltage drop and instability due to mutual interference between the voltage application circuit 12 and the voltage application circuit (not shown).

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, a switch section 21 that switches between hot and cold air, switches operating modes, etc. is housed in the side portion of the cavity 9 (a section separate from the section in the cavity 9 where the voltage application circuit 12 is housed).

[0064] Furthermore, a cavity in the tip 1d of the gripping part 1a houses another switch part 16 for switching the power on and off, etc. These electrical components are connected to each other by lead wires 17, which have core wires made of metal conductors or the like covered with insulating resin or the like.

[0065] It is preferable to route the lead wires 17 connected to the metal microparticle generation unit 30, the lead wires 17 connected to the metal microparticle generation unit 40, and the lead wires 17 connected to the mist generation unit 50 as far apart as possible without crossing each other. This is to prevent mutual interference of the currents flowing through each lead wire 17 from causing the metal microparticle generation units 30, 40 or the mist generation unit 50 to not be able to obtain the desired voltage or to cause the voltage to become unstable.

[0066] In the first embodiment, the switch unit 16 is configured so that the open / closed state of the internal contact can be switched by operating an operating element 18 exposed on the surface of the housing 3. At this time, by sliding the operating element 18 in the vertical direction, it is possible to switch the open / closed state of the internal contact in multiple stages.

[0067] For example, it is possible to switch between four modes: power off, weak wind, medium wind, and strong wind. In this case, the power can be turned off when the operating member 18 is positioned at the lowest position.

[0068] When the operating member 18 is slid one step upward from the bottom, the power is turned on and a weak wind is blown. When the operating member 18 is slid one step upward, a medium wind is blown, and when the operating member 18 is slid to the top, a strong wind is blown.

[0069] On the other hand, switch section 21, which switches between hot and cold air and the operating mode, is configured to switch the open / closed state of the internal contacts by operating (pressing) controls 19 and controls 19a and 19b formed on the surface (side) of housing 3. A display section 14, which displays the currently selected mode, is formed on the top of main body section 1b.

[0070] The switch section 21, the display section 14, etc. are electrically connected to the control section 100.

[0071] In the first embodiment, hot air and cold air can be switched by operating the operating element 19. It is also possible to switch between four air temperature modes, "HOT," "Hot / Cold," "COLD," and "SCALP," rather than simply switching between two hot and cold modes, i.e., hot air, cold air, hot air, etc., each time the operating element 19 is operated.

[0072] At this time, it is preferable that characters or the like that allow the selected mode to be recognized are displayed on the display unit 14. An example of each mode and a method of displaying it on the display unit 14 will be described below.

[0073] "HOT" is a mode that outputs hot air, and during normal use, the temperature of the air that hits the hair is approximately 70°C to 80°C. When this mode for outputting hot air is selected, the word "HOT" is displayed on the display unit 14.

[0074] "Hot / Cold" is a mode in which hot and cold air is alternately output, for example, cold air for 5 seconds and hot air for 7 seconds. When this "Hot / Cold" mode is selected, an arrow is displayed on the display unit 14, and "HOT" and "COLD" are alternately displayed according to the output of hot and cold air.

[0075] "COLD" is a mode that outputs cool air, and is a mode in which the temperature of the air that hits the hair during normal use is approximately 30° C. When this mode for outputting cool air is selected, the word "COLD" is displayed on the display unit 14.

[0076] "SCALP" is a mode that outputs low-temperature air, and the temperature of the air that hits the hair during normal use is approximately 50°C. This "SCALP" mode is set as the mode that is selected primarily when caring for the scalp. When the "SCALP" mode is selected, the word "SCALP" is displayed on the display unit 14.

[0077] When the operator 18 is slid upward to turn on the power, the control unit 100 is energized, the heater 8 is driven by a drive signal corresponding to the current air temperature mode, and the air temperature display on the display unit 14 is controlled to display the current air temperature mode. Note that when the operator 18 is simply slid upward to turn on the power, the "HOT" mode is selected and hot air is blown out.

[0078] Each time the operator operates the operator 19, a push signal is sent to the control unit 100, and the four air temperature states are switched in the following order: "hot / cold" mode, "COLD" mode, "SCALP" mode, and "HOT" mode.

[0079] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the word "SKIN" is displayed on the display unit 14, and when "COLD" is selected in the weak wind mode, "SKIN" is displayed together with "COLD".

[0080] That is, when "COLD" is selected in the weak wind mode, it can also be used as "SKIN" mode. The "SKIN" mode is a mode selected for skin care, such as by blowing cool air containing mist onto the skin to keep it moderately hydrated.

[0081] The above explanation is merely an example, and various methods can be used to display each mode. Also, various modes can be set for switching between hot air and cold air.

[0082] The display unit 14 comprises a chip-type light-emitting diode 11 mounted on the control board 10, a white or milky white diffusion plate 13 that diffuses the light from the light-emitting diode 11, and a display panel 15 made of transparent resin.

[0083] The display panel 15 may be formed separately from the housing 3 and fixed to the housing 3 with double-sided adhesive tape, or may be formed integrally with the housing 3. It is preferable that a half-mirror layer that reflects external light is provided on the back surface of the display panel 15 by printing or transferring.

[0084] It is preferable that a light-shielding layer that selectively blocks light from the light-emitting diodes 11 is provided by printing or painting on the upper surface of the half mirror layer that faces the light-emitting diodes 11.

[0085] Note that "selectively blocking light" means blocking light from specific areas (e.g., areas other than the text) so that the air temperature display, text and images such as "HOT," "Hot / Cold," "COLD," "SCALP," and "SKIN" are visible.

[0086] By configuring the display unit 14 in this way, when the power is off, the inside of the hair dryer 1 is dark because the light-emitting diode 11 does not emit light, and even if the outside of the hair dryer 1 is bright, the external light is reflected by the half mirror layer, making it difficult to see the internal parts, characters, etc.

[0087] On the other hand, when the power is turned on, the light emitting diode 11 emits light, and the light passes through the light-shielding layer and the half mirror layer and is irradiated to the outside. At this time, the light-shielding layer blocks light from the area other than the character area, so the character appears to the outside.

[0088] At this time, the light emitting diodes 11 may be made to emit light of different colors depending on the characters or patterns to be displayed, or the light emitting diodes 11 may be made to emit light of the same color.

[0089] The printing color of the display unit 14 may be changed to match the color of the main body 1b. However, in the case of white, pink, gold, or other colors, single-color printing is not sufficient to block light, so it is recommended to print in the exterior printing color and then print in a silver-based printing color that uses ink material with a high proportion of metal powder for light blocking.

[0090] By using the hair dryer (hair care device) 1 configured in this way, the hair care effect of the user or the like can be improved, but it is preferable to aim for an even further improvement in the hair care effect.

[0091] Here, as a result of extensive research, the inventors have found that depending on the air volume (flow rate of the airflow discharged from the outlet opening 4b) of the fan (blowing section) 5 and the angle at which the air is blown, hair can become tangled and difficult to untangle (see Figure 7).

[0092] The graph shown in FIG. 7 was obtained by the following evaluation.

[0093] First, the root side of the test hair is fixed, and the tip side is hung down vertically.

[0094] Next, the hair dryer is fixed in place, and the angle between the direction A of the airflow coming out of the outlet and the vertical downward direction (direction of gravity g) is set to a predetermined angle. In this case, the predetermined angles were set to four levels: 20°, 45°, 90°, and 135°. Here, 20° is the side where the outlet faces the ground, and 135° is the side where the outlet faces the ceiling.

[0095] The hair dryer is then placed so that the distance between the hair and the hair is 15 cm.

[0096] In this state, the hair dryer is operated at the specified airflow rate for 10 seconds, and the cool air is irradiated onto the test hair. In this case, the specified airflow rate is 0.4 m / min. 3 , 0.6 m per minute 3 , 0.9 m per minute 3 , 1.3 m per minute 3 There were four levels:

[0097] Ten panelists then evaluated the tangled condition of the conditioned hair (irradiated with cold air) by touch. The results of the panelists' evaluations were expressed in six levels: very easy to use, easy to use, difficult to use, unusable, does not tangle, and does not tangle at all.

[0098] As shown in the graph in Figure 7, when the airflow is relatively high, if the angle between the airflow direction A of the airflow discharged from the outlet and the vertical downward direction (direction of gravity g) becomes large, the hair becomes more disordered and may become tangled in complex ways. In particular, when the hair dryer is used with the outlet facing upward, the airflow is 0.6 m / min. 3 This shows that even with this airflow, it is still rated as difficult to use.

[0099] When using a hair dryer, if hair becomes tangled and difficult to untangle, it may take time to untangle the hair. In addition, the stress placed on the hair when untangling it may cause damage to the hair.

[0100] Therefore, in this embodiment 1, it is possible to more reliably prevent hair from becoming tangled when using the hair dryer 1, thereby further improving the hair care effect on the user's hair.

[0101] Specifically, the hair dryer 1 is provided with an angle sensor 200 that detects the angle θ1 of the discharge direction A of the airflow discharged from the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b. In the present embodiment 1, the discharge direction A of the airflow is substantially the same as the normal direction of the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b.

[0102] In the first embodiment, the angle sensor 200 is mounted on a substrate 10 as shown in Fig. 6. The control unit 100 is also mounted on the substrate 10. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the angle sensor 200 is mounted on the substrate 10 on which the control unit 100 is mounted.

[0103] In the first embodiment, the substrate 10 on which the angle sensor 200 is mounted is arranged downstream of the fan (blower) 5 in the air channel (air flow path) 4.

[0104] In this case, the angle sensor 200 is mounted on the substrate 10 so as to be located downstream of the fan (blower) 5 and upstream of the heater 8.

[0105] In this way, the angle sensor 200 can be cooled by the air flowing inside the air tunnel (air flow path) 4 while being prevented from being affected by heat from the heater 8.

[0106] In the first embodiment, the control unit 100 acquires the detection result of the angle sensor 200 when the power is turned on.

[0107] Specifically, angle sensor 200 detects angle θ1 formed between discharge direction A of the airflow discharged from outlet opening (discharge port) 4b and vertical plane P, and control unit 100 acquires angle θ1 detected by angle sensor 200 as angle data. In the first embodiment, when the power is on, angle sensor 200 constantly detects angle θ1, and control unit 100 acquires angle θ1 detected by angle sensor 200 as angle data every time angle sensor 200 detects angle θ1. This ensures that the latest angle information is obtained.

[0108] Here, the angle θ1 detected by the angle sensor 200 is defined as 0 degrees, which is the angle between the airflow discharge direction A and the vertical plane P when the direction is approximately the same as the direction of gravity g, and 180 degrees, which is the angle between the airflow discharge direction A and the vertical plane P when the direction is approximately opposite to the direction of gravity -g.

[0109] That is, the angle θ1 detected when the airflow discharge direction A is aligned vertically downward is 0 degrees, the angle θ1 detected when the airflow discharge direction A is aligned vertically upward is 180 degrees, and the angle θ1 detected when the airflow discharge direction A is aligned horizontally is 90 degrees.

[0110] Here, as the angle sensor 200, a magnetic sensor or an acceleration sensor capable of detecting angles along three axes can be used.

[0111] When such a three-axis angle sensor is used, the angle of the circuit board 10 relative to the vertical plane P is calculated from the angles of the three axes detected. At this time, the difference between the angle of the circuit board 10 relative to the vertical plane P and the angle θ1 between the airflow discharge direction A and the vertical plane P is corrected by the dimensions at the time of assembly. Therefore, by calculating the angle of the circuit board 10 relative to the vertical plane P, the angle θ1 between the airflow discharge direction A and the vertical plane P can be obtained.

[0112] Depending on the shape of the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b, the discharge direction A of the airflow discharged from the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b may not coincide with the normal direction of the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b. For example, if the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b has a curved surface, the discharge direction A of the airflow will not coincide with the normal direction of the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b. Also, if the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b is cut at an angle, the discharge direction A of the airflow will not coincide with the normal direction of the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b.

[0113] In such a case, there will be multiple airflow discharge directions A. When there are multiple airflow discharge directions A, the direction of the vector obtained by combining the unit vectors of the individual airflow discharge directions A can be set as the airflow discharge direction A.

[0114] For example, Fig. 9 illustrates a case where there are a first outlet opening (outlet) 4b1 and a second outlet opening (outlet) 4b2. In Fig. 9, the direction A1 of the airflow discharged from the first outlet opening (outlet) 4b1 and the direction A2 of the airflow discharged from the second outlet opening (outlet) 4b2 are different from each other. In this case, the direction A of the vector obtained by combining the unit vector of the discharge direction A1 and the unit vector of the discharge direction A2 can be set as the discharge direction of the airflow.

[0115] Then, the control unit 100 adjusts the air volume of the fan (blower unit) 5 based on the angle θ1 detected by the angle sensor 200.

[0116] In the first embodiment, the control unit 100 sets the air volume of the fan 5 according to the angle θ1 acquired by the control unit 100 in accordance with a preset table.

[0117] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the hair dryer 1 includes a memory unit 110, which stores an air volume control program 111. The air volume control program 111 controls the control unit 100 to discharge an appropriate volume of air according to the angle θ1 of the discharge direction A of the airflow discharged from the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b.

[0118] Furthermore, signals are input to the control unit 100 from a switch unit (air blowing mode selection unit) 16 and a switch unit (air blowing mode selection unit) 19 (see FIG. 10).

[0119] That is, when the switch unit (air blowing mode selection unit) 16 or the switch unit (air blowing mode selection unit) 19 is operated to select the desired air blowing mode (for example, a mode in which strong hot air is blown out), a signal from the switch unit 16 or the switch unit 19 is input to the control unit 100.

[0120] When the signals from switch unit 16 and switch unit 19 are input to control unit 100 and the power is turned on, angle sensor 200 detects angle θ1, and control unit 100 acquires angle θ1 detected by angle sensor 200 as angle data.

[0121] In this embodiment 1, the control unit 100 is equipped with an angle acquisition unit 120 that acquires the angle θ1 detected by the angle sensor 200 as angle data, and the angle θ1 detected by the angle sensor 200 is input to the angle acquisition unit 120 as angle data.

[0122] The control unit 100 also includes an air volume control unit 130 that controls the air volume of the fan 5 based on the angle θ1 acquired by the angle acquisition unit 120, and the air volume of the fan 5 is controlled by operating this air volume control unit 130.

[0123] Specifically, the air volume control unit 130 controls the air volume of the fan 5 by controlling the rotation speed of the motor 7 that drives the fan 5.

[0124] As described above, the air volume of the fan 5 is controlled by the air volume control program 111.

[0125] This air volume control program 111 includes a step of detecting the angle θ1 between the discharge direction A of the airflow discharged from the outlet opening (discharge port) 4b and the vertical plane P, and a step of controlling the air volume of the fan (blowing section) 5 based on the detected angle.

[0126] In the step of controlling the air volume of the fan (blowing section) 5, when the angle θ1 detected in the step of detecting the angle is greater than a predetermined angle, the air volume of the fan (blowing section) 5 is set to be smaller than the air volume of the fan (blowing section) 5 when the angle is smaller than the predetermined angle.

[0127] For example, 0.9 m per minute 3 When the mode for using hair dryer 1 with the airflow rate of 0.4 m / min is selected, if the angle θ1 detected in the angle detection step is greater than 135 degrees, the airflow rate is 0.4 m / min. 3 The air volume of the fan (blower) 5 can be controlled so as to satisfy the following.

[0128] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent hair from getting tangled when using the hair dryer 1.

[0129] And the airflow is 0.4 m per minute 3 When the angle θ1 detected in the angle detection step is smaller than 135 degrees, the original mode (0.9 m / min) is used. 3 The air volume of the fan (air blowing unit) 5 can be controlled so that the mode returns to the normal mode (a mode in which the hair dryer 1 is used with the air volume set to 0).

[0130] This will keep your hair dry and tangle-free at the same time.

[0131] It is also possible to control the air volume of the fan (blower) 5 in accordance with the change in angle, so that the smaller the angle θ1 detected in the step of detecting the angle, the larger the air volume of the fan (blower) 5. In this case, the air volume may be changed continuously or in stages.

[0132] This allows the optimum amount of air to be directed at the hair depending on the angle.

[0133] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the control unit 100 includes a timer 140, a calculation unit 150, and a power supply switching unit 160. The timer 140 counts time, and the calculation unit 150 calculates an output to the power supply switching unit 160 based on the time counted by the timer 140 and the angle data acquired by the angle acquisition unit 120. The power supply switching unit 160 also controls switching the power supply from on to off.

[0134] The angle data acquired by the angle acquisition unit 120 is input to the calculation unit 150, and the count value (time measurement value) counted by the timer 140 is also input to the calculation unit 150 (see FIG. 10).

[0135] Furthermore, the calculation unit 150 controls the power supply switching unit 160 based on the input angle data and time measurement value.

[0136] For example, when a user uses the hair dryer 1 while changing the angle as shown by the solid line in Fig. 11, the angle sensor 200 will detect that the angle change has remained below a certain amount for a certain period of time in area A. When the angle sensor 200 detects that the angle change has remained below a certain amount for a certain period of time, the calculation unit 150 determines that the hair dryer 1 has been left stationary, and controls the power switch unit 160 to switch the power off.

[0137] Furthermore, when the user uses the hair dryer 1 while changing the angle as shown by the dashed line in Figure 11, the angle sensor 200 will detect that in area B, the angle has changed by more than a certain amount within a certain period of time, repeated a certain number of times within a certain period of time.

[0138] When the angle sensor 200 detects such a state, the calculation unit 150 determines that the hair dryer 1 has fallen, and controls the power switch unit 160 to switch the power off.

[0139] Such control to switch the power off can also be performed by a program stored in the storage unit 110.

[0140] [Actions and Effects] The following describes the characteristic configuration of the hair care device shown in the first embodiment and the effects obtained thereby.

[0141] (1) The hair care device according to the first embodiment includes a housing having an air flow path extending from an inlet to an outlet and constituting an outer shell, and an air blower disposed in the air flow path and capable of adjusting the air volume. The hair care device also includes a controller for controlling the air volume of the air blower, and an angle sensor for detecting the angle of the airflow discharged from the outlet. The controller adjusts the air volume of the air blower based on the angle detected by the angle sensor.

[0142] In this way, if the hair care device has an angle sensor, it is possible to detect the orientation of the hair care device when in use.

[0143] If the control unit controls the air volume of the fan based on the detection result of the angle sensor, it is possible to prevent hair from getting tangled when using the hair care device.

[0144] As a result, a hair care device that can further improve hair care effects can be obtained.

[0145] (2) The hair care device of (1) above may further include a board on which the control unit is mounted, and the angle sensor may be attached to the board.

[0146] In this way, the angle sensor is attached to the board on which the control unit is mounted, so the angle sensor can be attached without changing the assembly process of the housing, fan, board, etc., thereby preventing an increase in production costs.

[0147] (3) The hair care device of (1) or (2) above may further include a substrate on which the angle sensor is mounted, and the substrate on which the angle sensor is mounted may be disposed downstream of the blower in the air flow path.

[0148] In this way, the angle sensor is mounted on a board that is placed in the flow path downstream of the blower, so that the airflow from the blower promotes heat dissipation from the angle sensor, thereby reducing the effects of temperature.

[0149] (4) In addition, any one of the hair care devices (1) to (3) above may further include a program for controlling the control unit, and the program may include a step of detecting an angle between the direction of the airflow discharged from the outlet and a vertical plane, and a step of controlling the air volume of the blower unit based on the detected angle.

[0150] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent hair from becoming tangled when using the hair care device, thereby further improving the hair care effect.

[0151] (5) In the hair care device of (4), the angle sensor may detect an angle defined as 0 degrees, where the angle between the airflow discharge direction and the vertical plane is approximately the same as the direction of gravity, and 180 degrees, where the angle between the airflow discharge direction and the vertical plane is approximately opposite to the direction of gravity. The step of controlling the airflow volume of the air blower may reduce the airflow volume of the air blower when the angle detected in the step of detecting the angle is greater than a predetermined angle, compared to the airflow volume of the air blower when the angle is smaller than the predetermined angle.

[0152] This allows the volume of air blowing down from the top of the head (when the angle is small) to be greater than the volume of air blowing up from the ends of the hair (when the angle is large), achieving both dryness and reduced tangles in the hair.

[0153] [others] The hair care device according to the present disclosure has been described above, but it is not limited to this description, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements are possible.

[0154] For example, the present disclosure can be applied to a hair dryer (hair care device: heated air blower) 1A as shown in FIGS.

[0155] In the hair dryer 1A, two (plural) metal microparticle generating units 30, 40 and one mist generating unit 50 are also arranged in a cavity 9 formed between the housing 3 and the inner cylinder 6 within the main body 1b.

[0156] In addition, in the hair dryer 1A, a wall portion 20e is provided downstream and below the mist outlet 20c, extending in the direction in which the mist is blown out.By providing this wall portion 20e, it is possible to prevent the mist blown out from the mist outlet 20c from diffusing (dispersing) downward.

[0157] The hair dryer 1A also includes an angle sensor 200, and the control unit 100 adjusts the air volume of the fan (blower unit) 5 based on the angle detected by the angle sensor 200.

[0158] In the hair dryer 1A, the angle sensor 200 is attached to a substrate on which the voltage application circuit 12 is formed. The control unit 100 may also be mounted on this substrate.

[0159] Even when the present disclosure is applied to such a hair dryer (hair care device: heated air blower) 1A, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0160] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, the present disclosure can also be applied to a hair dryer with a brush (hair care device: heated air blower) 1B.

[0161] The brush-equipped hair dryer 1B is formed in a rod shape, and a user holds the grip part 1a and applies the brush part 23 attached to the tip part 1g to the hair to style (comb) the hair. The brush part 23 has a plurality of bristles 23a protruding therefrom.

[0162] The housing 3B, which forms the outer wall (constitutes the outer shell), is made up of multiple divided bodies joined together, and an air tunnel (air flow path) 9B is formed inside it, and various electrical components are housed inside this air tunnel 9B.

[0163] In addition, a cover 20B forming a bulging outer wall (forming the outer shell) is attached to the part of the gripping portion 1a near the brush portion 23, and the metal microparticle generating portion 30, 40 and the mist generating portion 50 are housed within the air tunnel 9B formed by this cover 20B and the housing 3B.

[0164] The cover 20B has outlets 20a and 20b that are open toward the bristles 23a, and the metal particles generated by the metal particle generation units 30 and 40 and the mist generated by the mist generation unit 50 are released to the outside from these outlets 20a and 20b and act on the hair and scalp. Voltage is applied to the metal particle generation units 30 and 40 and the mist generation unit 50 from the circuit unit 24.

[0165] In addition, a fan 5B that generates an air flow W in the wind tunnel 9B and a motor 7B that rotates this fan 5B are provided, so that the metal fine particles generated in the metal fine particle generation units 30, 40 and the mist generated in the mist generation unit 50 can be discharged on the branched flow Wp.

[0166] The motor 7B and the fan 5B are housed in an air channel 9B formed in the case 3B. The motor 7B is driven to rotate by a drive circuit included in the circuit section 24.

[0167] An opening 1h serving as an air intake port is formed on the base end side of the case 3B (the lower side in FIG. 14), and when the fan 5B rotates, air flows from the outside into the air channel 9B through the opening 1h, and forms an airflow W that passes through the air channel 9B and is discharged toward the brush section 23. The airflow W is blown out from the outlet holes (discharge ports) 23b formed at the bases of the bristles 23a of the brush section 23.

[0168] Furthermore, in order to prevent the release of metal particles from being hindered by the charge of the user, a charging portion (charge imparting panel) 1f is exposed on the surface of the grip portion 1a.

[0169] In addition, a shielding wall 22B is provided to prevent the mist generated in the mist generating unit 50 from reaching the metal microparticle generating units 30 and 40.

[0170] The brush-equipped hair dryer 1B also includes an angle sensor 200, and the control unit 100 adjusts the air volume of the fan (air blowing unit) 5B based on the angle detected by the angle sensor 200.

[0171] In the hair dryer with brush 1B, the angle sensor 200 is attached to the substrate 10 on which the control unit 100 is mounted.

[0172] Even when the present disclosure is applied to such a brush-equipped hair dryer (hair care device: heated air blower) 1B, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0173] In addition, the specifications of the cover, housing, and other details (shape, size, layout, etc.) can also be changed as appropriate. [Industrial Applicability]

[0174] As described above, the hair care device according to the present disclosure can reduce hair tangles and improve hair care effects, and therefore can be used in applications other than human dryers, such as pet dryers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0175] 1,1A Hair dryer (hair care device) 1B Hair dryer with brush (hair care device) 3,3B Housing 4 Wind tunnel (ventilation channel) 4a Inlet opening (inlet) 4b Outlet opening (discharge port) 5 Fan (blower) 10 Substrate 100 control section 111 Program 200 Angle Sensor

Claims

1. a housing that forms an outer shell and has an air flow path extending from an intake port to a discharge port; a blower section disposed in the air flow path and capable of adjusting an air volume; a control unit for controlling the air volume of the blower; an angle sensor that detects the angle of the discharge direction of the airflow discharged from the discharge port; Equipped with When there are a plurality of discharge directions of the airflow, the control unit determines the direction of a vector obtained by combining unit vectors of the discharge directions of the airflow detected by the angle sensor as the discharge direction of the airflow, and adjusts the air volume of the blower unit. Hair care device.

2. a substrate on which the control unit is mounted, The angle sensor is attached to the substrate. The hair care device according to claim 1.

3. a substrate on which the angle sensor is mounted; a substrate on which the angle sensor is mounted is disposed downstream of the air blower in the air flow path; The hair care device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Further comprising a program for controlling the control unit, The program detecting an angle between a discharge direction of the airflow discharged from the discharge port and a vertical plane; controlling the air volume of the blower based on the detected angle; having The hair care device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the angle sensor detects an angle defined as 0 degrees when the airflow discharge direction is substantially the same as the direction of gravity and the vertical plane, and 180 degrees when the airflow discharge direction is substantially opposite to the direction of gravity and the vertical plane, In the step of controlling the air volume of the blower, when the angle detected in the step of detecting the angle is smaller than a predetermined angle, the air volume of the blower is increased compared to the air volume of the blower when the angle is larger than the predetermined angle. The hair care device according to claim 4.

Images