Hair care device with sensor-emitter configuration

Abstract

The hair care device comprises a body having an annular outlet configured to emit an airflow in the form of an annular column. The hair care device also comprises a sensor-emitter arrangement located radially inward of the annular outlet. The sensor-emitter arrangement comprises at least one of a sensor and an emitter configured to sense an attachment attached to the body, or to sense a property of hair proximate to the hair care device, or to irradiate hair proximate to the hair care device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair care device comprising a sensor-emitter arrangement. [Background technology]

[0002] The hair care device may incorporate a sensor or emitter. For example, the sensor may sense the hair or an attachment attached to the body of the hair care device. However, incorporating a sensor or emitter into the hair care device can present challenges. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair care device comprising: a body having an annular outlet configured to emit an airflow in the form of an annular column; and a sensor-emitter arrangement located radially inward of the annular outlet, the sensor-emitter arrangement comprising at least one of a sensor and an emitter configured to sense an attachment attached to the body, or to sense a property of hair in proximity to the hair care device, or to irradiate hair in proximity to the hair care device.

[0004] By positioning the sensor-emitter configuration radially inside the annular outlet, the sensor-emitter can align with the path of the emitted airflow or with a target in the path of the emitted airflow (such as the user's head or hair) without disturbing the emitted airflow itself. This can provide accurate sensing and / or precisely directed illumination without negatively affecting or impacting the emitted airflow. Alternatively, or additionally, by positioning the sensor-emitter configuration radially inside the annular outlet, the sensor-emitter configuration can be located away from the heated airflow or other components of the hair care device that could interfere with the sensor or emitter. This, in turn, can reduce thermal or other protection that might be required for the sensor or emitter, and / or allow the use of sensors or emitters that could be damaged or adversely affected by heat or other interference. Alternatively, or additionally, by positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement radially inward of the annular outlet, the sensor or emitter can be cost-effectively incorporated into the hair care device without requiring significant modifications to the packaging of the hair care device and / or without increasing the overall size of the hair care device.

[0005] The hair care device may comprise a barrel portion comprising an annular outlet, the barrel portion may comprise a bore, and the sensor-emitter arrangement may be located within the bore.

[0006] Positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement within the bore may allow the sensor-emitter arrangement to be relatively physically separated from other components located within the barrel, such as the heater, reducing heat transfer and / or other interference from those components. Alternatively, or additionally, this may allow for a clear line of sight from the sensor-emitter arrangement to the exterior of the hair care device. This may be beneficial, for example, when the sensor senses properties of the attachment or hair using a light-based sensing method and / or when the emitter irradiates hair in close proximity to the hair care device.

[0007] The body may surround or house the sensor-emitter arrangement, which may provide physical protection for the sensor-emitter arrangement and may provide a robust hair care device.

[0008] The sensor-emitter arrangement may be located on the central axis of the annular outlet, which allows for ideal alignment of the sensor / emitter arrangement with the emitted airflow. Alternatively, or additionally, this may allow the sensor-emitter arrangement to be equidistant from the heated airflow, which may reduce the extent to which hot spots develop in the sensor-emitter arrangement.

[0009] The sensor-emitter configuration may include at least one of a light-based sensor and a light-based emitter. For example, the sensor-emitter configuration may include one or more of a time-of-flight sensor, an imaging device such as a camera, a spectrometry and / or reflectance measurement device, and a light-based hair, skin, or scalp treatment device such as an infrared therapy emitter, a low-power laser therapy emitter, or an ultraviolet C (UVC) emitter. By being located radially inward of the annular outlet, the emitted and / or received light can be coordinated with the emitted airflow, allowing for more accurate sensing of the target of the emitted airflow and / or more accurate delivery of the emitted airflow to the target.

[0010] The light-based sensor may be configured to sense light in a first direction, or the light-based emitter may be configured to emit light in a first direction, which may be parallel to a central axis of the annular outlet. This helps ensure that the emitted and / or received light is aligned with the emitted airflow, allowing for more accurate sensing of and / or more accurate emission of the emitted airflow at a target.

[0011] The sensor-emitter configuration may include a proximity sensor or magnetometer. Positioning the proximity sensor radially inside the annular outlet allows the proximity sensor's target (such as the user's head or hair) to align with the airflow target. This, in turn, allows for accurate and / or reliable determination of proximity, e.g., distance to the user's head or hair, and thus may improve operation of the hair care device, for example. For example, the proximity sensor may include a time-of-flight sensor. The magnetometer may identify the magnetic attachment without having to place it at the attachment interface, which has stringent packaging constraints. Alternatively, or additionally, positioning the magnetometer radially inside the annular outlet may reduce interference from electrical components of the hair care device, such as the heater.

[0012] The sensor-emitter arrangement may include a visual display device configured to indicate to a user the current operational mode of the hair care device. For example, the visual display device may be an LED. For example, the visual display device may indicate the operational mode of the sensor-emitter arrangement, such as whether the sensor-emitter arrangement is currently operating or whether the sensor-emitter arrangement is currently operating in a sensing mode or an emitting mode. By including a visual display device in the sensor-emitter arrangement, the operational mode can be communicated to a user without significantly modifying the display configuration of the body of the hair care device itself, which is cost-effective.

[0013] The body may include an annular heater through which the airflow passes before being emitted, and the sensor-emitter arrangement may be located radially inward of the annular heater. This may reduce the temperature to which the sensor or emitter is exposed, which may in turn reduce the thermal protection that the sensor or emitter may require and / or may still allow the use of sensors or emitters that may be damaged by heat or otherwise adversely affected by interference.

[0014] The sensor-emitter configuration may include a capsule housing at least one of the sensor and the emitter, and the capsule may be coupled to the body by a support member. This configuration can minimize heat transfer from the body to the capsule. For example, the capsule can be coupled to the body by a single rib to minimize heat transfer from the body to the capsule.

[0015] The capsule may be elongated in a direction parallel to the direction of the emitted airflow, which may reduce interference with secondary airflow that may be drawn through the hair care device (e.g., through the bore in which the sensor-emitter arrangement is located) when air is emitted from the annular outlet, thereby improving operation of the hair care device.

[0016] The hair care device may include a control module configured to control operation of the hair care device based on the output of the sensor-emitter arrangement. This allows for automatic control of the hair care device. Operation of the hair care device may include controlling a heater and / or airflow generator of the hair care device. For example, if the sensor detects a particular attachment, the control module may control the hair care device to operate at settings according to the particular attachment (e.g., heater and / or airflow generator). For example, the attachment may include a diffuser and a concentrator. The diffuser may improve styling results when a relatively low airflow rate is used, while the concentrator may improve styling results when a relatively high airflow rate is used.

[0017] The hair care device may include an attachment attachable to the main body that receives the emitted airflow from the annular outlet, and the sensor-emitter arrangement may be configured to sense the attachment when attached to the main body, or to sense a property of hair proximate to the attachment, or to illuminate hair proximate to the attachment, thereby allowing the sensor-emitter arrangement to function when the attachment is attached to the main body, which may increase the flexibility with which the hair care device can be used.

[0018] The attachment may comprise a transport path for emissions to pass to or from the sensor-emitter arrangement, such that emissions, such as electromagnetic radiation, can pass from the sensor-emitter arrangement to the user's head or hair (or vice versa) when the attachment is attached to the body, thereby allowing flexibility in the functionality of the hair care device while still enabling the hair sensing and / or illumination functions of the hair care device.

[0019] The sensor-emitter arrangement may include a magnetometer, the attachment may be one of a plurality of magnetic attachments, and the hair care device may include a control module configured to determine which of the plurality of magnetic attachments is attached to the body based on data output by the magnetometer. This allows the control module to determine which of the plurality of magnetic attachments is attached to the body. For example, different magnetic attachments may generate different magnetic fields at the magnetometer when attached to the body. This may be sensed by the magnetometer, and the control module may identify a given one of the plurality of magnetic attachments based on an output from the magnetometer indicating a given magnetic field at the magnetometer. By locating the magnetometer radially inward of the annular outlet, the attachment may be determined away from the attachment interface (i.e., the region of the body where the attachment is attached), where packaging constraints are stringent.

[0020] The sensor-emitter configuration may include a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor, the attachment may be one of a plurality of attachments, and the hair care device may include a control module configured to determine which of the plurality of magnetic attachments is attached to the main body based on data output by the time-of-flight sensor. This allows the control module to determine which of the plurality of attachments is attached to the main body. By positioning the TOF sensor radially inward of the annular outlet, the attachment can be determined away from the attachment interface where packaging constraints are stringent. Alternatively, or additionally, the TOF sensor may be used both to determine which attachment is attached to the main body and to sense the proximity of hair to the attachment. Using one sensor for two functions may result in a more cost-effective configuration compared to, for example, providing separate sensors for the separate functions.

[0021] The sensor-emitter arrangement may be located on a central axis of the annular outlet, and the attachment, when attached to the main body, may be rotatable relative to the main body about the central axis. This allows the sensor-emitter arrangement to align with the rotational axis of the attachment. This allows the sensor-emitter arrangement to function regardless of the rotational position of the attachment. This may increase flexibility in use of the attachment. For example, this may allow the sensor-emitter arrangement to align with the transport path of the attachment's emissions regardless of the rotational position of the attachment, and / or allow the magnetometer to identify the magnetic attachment regardless of the rotational position of the magnetic attachment. The ability of the attachment to rotate relative to the main body about the central axis may increase functionality and / or ease of use of the hair care device.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a hair care device is provided, comprising: a body including a barrel portion having a central bore and an outlet located at the end of the barrel portion, the outlet emitting an airflow in the form of an annular column; and a sensor-emitter arrangement located within the bore, the sensor-emitter arrangement including at least one of a sensor and an emitter. As described above, by locating the sensor-emitter arrangement within the bore, the sensor-emitter can align with the path of the emitted airflow or a target in the path of the emitted airflow (such as a user's head or hair) without disturbing the emitted airflow itself. This can provide accurate sensing and / or precisely directed irradiation without negatively affecting or affecting the emitted airflow. Alternatively, or additionally, locating the sensor-emitter arrangement within the bore can physically separate the sensor-emitter arrangement from other components located within the barrel portion, such as a heater, reducing heat transfer and / or other interference from those components. Alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement within the bore allows the sensor or emitter to be incorporated into the hair care device, which is cost-effective, without requiring significant modifications to the packaging of the hair care device and / or without increasing the overall size of the hair care device. Alternatively or additionally, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement within the bore allows for a clear line of sight from the sensor-emitter arrangement to the outside of the hair care device. This can be beneficial, for example, when the sensor senses properties of the attachment or hair using a light-based sensing method and / or when the emitter illuminates hair in close proximity to the hair care device.

[0023] Further features and advantages will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] As used herein, like reference numerals refer to like features. The x, y, and z axes shown in the various figures are consistent between the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of a hair care device according to an example. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a rear view of an example hair care device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a partial front view of an example hair care device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional side view of an example hair care device. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional side view of an example hair care device with an attachment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example hair care device with multiple attachments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] 1-6, a hair care device 102 according to one example is shown. In overview, the hair care device 102 comprises a body 104 with an annular outlet 108 configured to emit an airflow 109 in the form of an annular column 109. The hair care device 102 also comprises a sensor-emitter arrangement 220 located radially inward of the annular outlet 108. The sensor-emitter arrangement 220 comprises at least one of a sensor 361, 363 and an emitter 361 configured to sense an attachment 114, 116 attached to the body 104, or to sense a property of a hair 404 proximate to the hair care device 102, or to irradiate a hair 404 proximate to the hair care device 102.

[0027] By positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 radially inward of the annular outlet 108, the sensors 361, 363 and / or emitters 361 can cooperate with the path of the emitted airflow 109 or with a target in the path of the emitted airflow 109 (such as the user's head or hair 404) without disturbing the emitted airflow 109 itself. This can result in accurate sensing and / or accurately directed irradiation without negatively affecting or influencing the emitted airflow 109. As is known per se in hair dryers, the emitted airflow 109 may be heated. Alternatively, or additionally, therefore, by positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 radially inward of the annular outlet 108, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 can be located away from the heated airflow 109 or other components, such as the heater 330, of the hair care appliance 102 that could interfere with the sensors 361, 363 or emitters 361. This, in turn, can reduce thermal or other protection that may be required for the sensors 361, 363 or emitters 361, and / or allow sensors 361, 363 or emitters 361 that could be damaged or adversely affected by heat or other interference to still be used in the sensor-emitter arrangement 220. Alternatively, or additionally, by positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 radially inward of the annular outlet 108, the sensor or emitter can be incorporated into the hair care device 102 cost-effectively without requiring significant modifications to the packaging of the hair care device 102 and / or without increasing the overall size of the hair care device 102.

[0028] 1-6, the hair care device is a hair dryer. The body 104 of the hair care device 102 comprises a handle portion 110 and a barrel portion 106. The handle portion 110 is generally cylindrical and comprises a housing 337 that houses an air flow generator 332. The housing 337 comprises an inlet 112 through which air flow is drawn into the handle portion 110 by the air flow generator 332, and an outlet 350 through which air flow is discharged into the barrel portion 106. The air flow generator 332 may comprise, for example, a fan driven by an electric motor.

[0029] The barrel portion 106 is also generally cylindrical, but is shorter in length and wider in diameter than the handle portion 112. The barrel portion 106 is attached to the end of the handle portion 112 and is oriented so that the longitudinal axes of the handle portion 112 and the barrel portion 106 are perpendicular to each other. As a result, the shape of the body portion 104 resembles a gavel or mallet.

[0030] The barrel portion 106 includes a housing 301 that houses the heater 330 and the control module 315. The housing 301 includes substantially concentric outer and inner walls 301a and 301b that define a chamber, specifically an annular chamber, in which the heater 330 and the control module 315 are housed. The housing 301 includes an inlet 351 through which airflow from the handle portion 112 enters the chamber and an annular outlet 108 at the end of the barrel portion 104 through which the airflow is discharged. The heater 330 is located between the inlet 351 and the outlet 108 and heats the airflow when power is applied. The inner wall 301b defines a bore 334 that extends through the center of the barrel portion 106.

[0031] 2 , the main body 104 further includes user controls 222, 224, 226, and 228. The user controls 222, 224, 226, and 228 are located on both the handle portion 110 and the barrel portion 106 and include a first button 226 or slider for powering the device 102 on and off, a second button 228 for momentarily turning off the heater 330 so that the device 102 delivers a cool shot of air, a third button 222 for controlling the airflow rate, and a fourth button 224 for controlling the temperature of the airflow. The control module 315 may control electrical components 332, 330, and 361 in response to the user controls. For example, in response to input from the user controls 222, 224, 226, and 228, the control module 315 may power the airflow generator 332 and / or the heater 330 on and off. Additionally, the control module 315 may control the power or speed of the airflow generator 332 to vary the flow rate of the airflow. For example, repeatedly pressing the third button 228 may cause the control module 315 to cycle through different flow rates (e.g., low, medium, and high). Similarly, the control module 315 may control the power of the heater 330 to vary the temperature of the airflow. For example, repeatedly pressing the fourth button 224 may cause the control module 315 to cycle through different temperature settings (e.g., cool, warm, hot).

[0032] As previously mentioned, the outlet 108 is annular and configured to emit the airflow 109 in the form of an annular column 109. The annular outlet 108 may be continuous or discontinuous. For example, as best seen in FIG. 3 , the hair care device 102 may include a thin rib 107 connecting the outer wall 301 a and the inner wall 301 b and traversing the annular outlet 108. In this case, the annular outlet 108 may be described as discontinuous, but is still an annular outlet configured to emit the airflow 109 in the form of an annular column 109. In examples without such a thin rib 107, the annular outlet 108 may be described as continuous. The annular column 109 of emitted airflow may take different shapes. For example, in some examples, the annular column 109 may take the general form of a hollow cylinder. However, other shapes may also be used. For example, as best seen in FIG. 4 , the sides of the annular column 109 may be angled toward the central axis A of the barrel portion 106 of the body 104. In this case, the annular column 109 may take the form of a hollow truncated cone. In the illustrated example, the annular outlet 108, and correspondingly, the annular column 109 of emitted airflow, are circular. This provides, for example, uniform airflow and, therefore, uniform drying, as well as compatibility with and flexibility in use of the attachments 114, 116. However, in some examples (not shown), the annular outlet 108 and annular column 109 need not necessarily be circular, but may take other forms, such as, for example, an arbitrary polygonal annular outlet (not shown) and / or an arbitrary polygonal annular column (not shown). It will therefore be understood that the outlet 108 may be annular in the sense that the outlet is in the form of a ring or loop (of some shape) having a central hole and / or portion where the outlet 108 is not provided (in the illustrated example, the central hole and / or portion where the outlet 108 is not provided consists of the inner wall 310b and the bore 334).Indeed, as in the illustrated example, the airflow generated by and within the hair care device 102 and to be emitted from the hair care device 102 may not be provided at or within this central hole or portion 310b, 334. Similarly, the emitted air column 109 may be annular, in the sense that it has a central hole where the emitted airflow 109 is not present. Indeed, as in the illustrated example, the airflow generated by and within the hair care device 102 and emitted from the hair care device 102 at the outlet 108 is not present at this central hole. In either case, by positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 radially inward of the annular outlet 108, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 can cooperate with the emitted airflow 109 but not interfere with it (e.g., not be in the path of the emitted airflow 109). Indeed, as in the illustrated example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is not in the path of the airflow that is generated by the hair care appliance 102 within the hair care appliance 102 and that is to be emitted from the hair care appliance through the annular outlet 108. Thus, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 does not interfere with the generated airflow, which may result in efficient operation of the hair care appliance 102.

[0033] As previously mentioned, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is located radially inward of the annular outlet 108. Specifically, in the illustrated example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is located within the bore 334. More specifically, in the illustrated example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is located on the central axis A of the annular outlet 108 (which, in the illustrated example, is the same as the central longitudinal axis A of the barrel portion 106 of the body 104). Positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 on the central axis A of the annular outlet 108 allows for ideal alignment of the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 with the emitted airflow 109. Alternatively, or additionally, this allows the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to be equidistant from the heater 330 or the heated airflow. This, in turn, can eliminate or reduce the extent to which hot spots develop in the sensor-emitter arrangement 220.

[0034] In other examples (not shown), the sensor-emitter configuration 220 may be positioned anywhere radially inward of the annular outlet 108. For example, dashed line R shown in FIG. 3 represents a series of positions radially inward of the annular outlet 108. While dashed line R has a particular rotational position about axis A, it will be understood that dashed line R may instead be drawn having any rotational position about axis A; that is, in some examples, the sensor-emitter configuration 220 may be positioned anywhere radially inward of the annular outlet 108. In the illustrated example, the sensor-emitter configuration 220 is disposed aft from the annular outlet 108 within the bore 334, but it will be understood that the sensor-emitter configuration 220 is still positioned radially inward of the annular outlet 108. Indeed, in other examples (not shown), the sensor-emitter configuration 220 may be positioned at any axial position relative to the annular outlet 108, for example, anywhere along the central axis A of the annular outlet 108.

[0035] In the illustrated example, the body 104 includes an annular heater 330 through which the airflow passes before being emitted, and the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is located radially inward of the annular heater 330. This may reduce the temperature to which the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is exposed, which may in turn reduce the thermal protection that the sensors 361, 363 or emitters 361 may require, and / or may still allow the use of sensors 361, 363 or emitters 361 that may otherwise be damaged by heat or adversely affected by other interference.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 includes a capsule 338 that houses at least one of the sensors 361, 363 and the emitter 361. The capsule 338 is coupled to the body 104, specifically to the inner wall 301b of the barrel portion 106, by a support member 335. This configuration can minimize heat transfer from the body 104 to the capsule 338. For example, the capsule 338 can be coupled to the body 104 by a single rib 335, minimizing heat transfer from the body 104 to the capsule 338. As illustrated, in some examples, the capsule can be elongated in a direction D parallel to the direction of the emitted airflow 109. This can reduce interference of the capsule 338 with secondary airflow that may be drawn through the hair care device, specifically through the bore 334 of the barrel portion 106 of the body 104 of the hair care device 102, when air is emitted from the annular outlet 108. This can improve the operation of the hair care device 102.

[0037] As previously mentioned, the hair care device 102 includes a control module 315. In some examples, the control module 315 may be configured to control the operation of the hair care device 102 based on the output of the sensor-emitter arrangement 220. For example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may be connected to the control module 315 by wired or wireless means and configured to output data, such as values ​​of one or more sensed parameters, to the control module 315. For example, the sensor-emitter arrangement may include a proximity sensor 361, and the data output may indicate the proximity of an object, such as hair or an attachment 114, 116, to the proximity sensor 361. As another example, the sensor-emitter arrangement may include a magnetometer 363, and the data output may indicate the magnetic field at the magnetometer 363. The control module may be configured to control the operation of the hair care device 102 based on such output. This may allow the hair care device to be controlled automatically. For example, operation of the hair care device may include controlling the heater 330 and / or the airflow generator 332 of the hair care device 102. For example, if the sensors 361, 363 detect a particular attachment 114, 116, the control module may control the hair care device 102 to operate (e.g., to operate the heater 330 and / or the airflow generator 332) with settings according to the particular attachment 114. For example, the attachment may include a diffuser 116 and a concentrator 114. The diffuser 116 may improve styling results when a relatively low airflow rate is used, while the concentrator 114 may improve styling results when a relatively high airflow rate is used. Accordingly, the control module 315 may be configured to control the airflow rate generated by the airflow generator 332 based on the attachments 114, 116 attached to the main body 104. As another example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may include a sensor 363 configured to sense a property of the hair 404 in proximity to the hair care device, and the control module 315 may be configured to control the operation of the hair care device 102 based on the sensed property.For example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may include a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the user's hair 404, and if the control module 315 determines that the sensed temperature exceeds a threshold, the control module 315 may control the heater 330 to reduce the extent to which the heater 330 heats the airflow. As another example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may include a proximity sensor 361 configured to sense the proximity of the hair 404 to the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 (and thus the hair care device 102), and the control module 315 may be configured to control the heater 330 to increase its temperature and / or the airflow generator 332 to increase the airflow rate in response to determining that the hair is in proximity to the hair care device 102. Other properties of the hair, such as humidity, may also be sensed and operation of the heater 330, air flow generator 332, emitter 361, or other components of the hair care appliance 102 may be controlled accordingly by the control module 315. In this manner, the control module 315 may be configured in proximity to the hair care appliance 102 to control operation of the hair care appliance based on the sensed hair properties.

[0038] As previously mentioned, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 comprises at least one of a sensor 361, 363 and an emitter 361 configured to sense an attachment 114, 116 attached to the body 104, or to sense a property of hair proximate to the hair care device 102, or to illuminate hair proximate to the hair care device 102. As described in more detail below, examples of sensors 361, 363 configured to sense an attachment 114, 116 attached to the body 104 include a magnetometer 363 and a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor 361. As described in more detail below, examples of sensors 361 configured to sense a property of hair proximate to the hair care device 102 (not shown) include a proximity sensor such as a TOF sensor 361. As described in more detail below, examples of emitters 361 configured to illuminate hair proximate to the hair care device 102 include a TOF sensor 361 and a hair, skin, or scalp treatment device (not shown), such as a phototherapy or light therapy emitter, such as an infrared therapy emitter, a low-power laser therapy emitter, or an ultraviolet C (UVC) emitter. Phototherapy or light therapy emitters may emit electromagnetic radiation (i.e., light) in a certain wavelength range. Infrared therapy emitters may emit light having red and / or near-infrared wavelengths (e.g., about 600 nm to about 850 nm). Low-power laser therapy emitters may be used to treat hair loss and may emit light in the visible to near-infrared range (e.g., about 670 nm to about 950 nm). UVC emitters may be used, for example, for disinfection to kill microorganisms and may emit light in the UV C range (e.g., about 100 nm to about 280 nm). Other examples of sensors or emitters may also be used. For example, the sensor may include a humidity sensor that senses the humidity of the hair and / or a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the hair. These may be provided by sensors that use spectroscopic techniques such as spectrometry, imaging, and reflectometry.

[0039] In some examples, as shown, the sensors 361, 363 may be remote sensors and / or the emitter 361 may be a remote emitter, in the sense that the remote sensors 361, 363 and / or the remote emitter 361 are configured to sense the attachments 114, 116 attached to the body 104, or to sense properties of or illuminate hair in proximity to the hair care device 102, at a distance from (e.g., without contacting) the attachments 114, 116 themselves and / or the hair 404 themselves. This may provide flexibility in the placement of the sensor-emitter arrangement 220.

[0040] In some examples, the sensor-emitter configuration 220 may include at least one of a light-based sensor 361 and a light-based emitter 361. For example, as previously mentioned, the sensor-emitter configuration 220 may include one or more of a light-based time-of-flight sensor (which may include both a light-based emitter and a light-based sensor), an imaging device such as a camera, a spectroscopy and / or reflectance measurement device, and a light-based hair, skin, or scalp treatment device such as a phototherapy or phototherapy emitter. By being located radially inward of the annular outlet 108, the light emitted from the emitter and / or light received by the sensor can be coordinated with the emitted airflow 109, allowing for more accurate sensing of the target of the emitted airflow 109 and / or more accurate delivery of the emitted airflow 109 to the target.

[0041] The light-based sensor 361 may be configured to sense light in a first direction 440, and / or the light-based emitter may be configured to emit light in the first direction 440, which may be parallel to the central axis A of the annular outlet 108. This helps ensure that the emitted and / or received light is aligned with the emitted airflow 109, allowing for more accurate sensing of the target of the emitted airflow 109 and / or more accurate emission of the emitted airflow 109 at the target. In the illustrated example, the first direction 440 may be aligned or collinear with the central axis A of the annular outlet 108. This may further ensure that the emitted and / or received light is aligned with the emitted airflow 109.

[0042] As previously mentioned, the sensor-emitter arrangement 110 may include a proximity sensor 361, such as a TOF sensor 361, and / or a magnetometer 363. Positioning the proximity sensor 361 radially inward of the annular outlet 108 enables alignment of the proximity sensor target (e.g., the user's head or hair) with the airflow target (i.e., the user's head or hair). This, in turn, may enable accurate and / or reliable determination of proximity, e.g., distance to the user's head or hair, and thus improve operation of the hair care device 102, for example. As described in more detail below, the magnetometer 363 may identify the magnetic attachments 114, 116 without providing a magnetometer at the attachment interface 339 between the body 104 and the attachments 114, 116, which has stringent packaging constraints. Alternatively, or additionally, by positioning the magnetometer 363 radially inward of the annular outlet 108 , interference from other electrical components of the hair care device 102 , such as the heater 330 , may be reduced.

[0043] As previously mentioned, in the illustrated example, the hair care device 102 includes a barrel portion 106 with an annular outlet 108, the barrel portion 106 includes a bore 334, and the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is located within the bore 334. Positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 within the bore 334 may allow the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to be relatively physically separated from components located within the annular barrel portion 106, such as the heater 330, thereby reducing heat transfer and / or other interference from those components. In the illustrated example, the bore 334 is an open bore 334 (not a blind bore) that extends all the way through the barrel portion 106, and both ends of the bore 334 are uncovered. Thus, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 within the bore 334 may provide a clear line of sight from the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to outside the barrel portion 106 of the hair care device 102. This can be beneficial, for example, when the sensor 361 senses properties of the attachment 114, 116 or hair using a light-based sensing method and / or when the emitter 361 illuminates hair in proximity to the hair care device 102.

[0044] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the body 104, and more particularly the barrel portion 106 of the body 104, surrounds or houses the sensor-emitter arrangement 220. This allows the body 104 to physically protect the sensor-emitter arrangement 202, and a robust hair care device may be provided.

[0045] In the illustrated example, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 includes a visual display device 367 configured to indicate the current operational mode of the hair care device 102 to the user. For example, the visual display device 367 may be an LED. In the illustrated example, the visual display device 367 is configured to present a visual indication in a direction opposite to the direction D of the emitted airflow 109. This allows the user to view the visual display device 367 without the emitted airflow 109 being directed at the user. In some examples, the visual display device 367 may indicate the operational mode of the sensor-emitter arrangement 220, such as whether the sensor-emitter 220 is currently operating or whether the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 is currently operating in a sensing mode or an emitting mode. Providing the visual display device 367 in the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 provides a cost-effective way to communicate the operational mode to the user without significantly modifying the display configuration of the body 104 of the hair care device 102 itself. In some examples, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may include other sensors and / or emitters, such as an accelerometer (not shown) configured to sense changes in the direction of movement of the hair care appliance 102.

[0046] 5 and 6, in some examples, the hair care device 102 may include attachments 114, 116 attachable to the main body 104 that receive the emitted airflow 109 from the annular outlet 108. In these cases, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may be configured to sense the attachments 114, 116, or to sense a property of hair proximate the attachments 114, 116, or to illuminate hair proximate the attachments 114, 116 when the attachments are attached to the main body 104. This allows the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to function when the attachments 114, 116 are attached to the main body 104. This may increase the flexibility with which the hair care device 102 can be used.

[0047] Each of the attachments 114, 116 may be attached to the end of the barrel portion 106 of the main body portion 104. When attached, each of the attachments 114, 116 may be freely rotatable 115 relative to the main body portion 104 about a central longitudinal axis A of the barrel portion 106 (which, in the illustrated example, is collinear with the central axis A of the annular outlet 108). The free rotation of the attachments 114, 116 has the advantage that the user can achieve a desired direction and angle of airflow without having to hold or manipulate the hair care device 102 at an awkward angle. In this example, each of the attachments 114, 116 includes an annular magnet 338, and the barrel portion includes an iron ring 336 to which the magnet 338 is attracted, securing the attachments 114, 116 in place. It will be appreciated that the ring 336 need not necessarily be iron and may be made of another material to which the magnet 338 is magnetically attracted. It will also be appreciated that attachment of attachments 114, 116 to body 104 does not necessarily have to be via magnetic means, and other attachment means may be used. In the illustrated example, when attachments 114, 116 are attached to body 104, a portion or plug 333 of attachment 114, 116 is received within bore 334. In this example, when attachments 114, 116 are attached to body 104, airflow in the form of annular column 109 is emitted from annular outlet 108, flows through the attachment, and then is emitted from outlet 340 of attachment 114.

[0048] The attachments 114, 116 may comprise a transport path through which emissions 440 pass to or from the sensor-emitter arrangement 220. This allows emissions 440, such as electromagnetic radiation, to pass from the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to the user's head or hair (or vice versa) when the attachments 114, 116 are attached to the body 104. This allows for flexibility in the functionality of the hair care device (i.e., by enabling the use of the attachments 114, 116) while still enabling the hair sensing and / or illumination functions of the hair care device 102. In the illustrated example, the transport path is linear and includes one or more optical windows 570 in the attachments 114, 116. Each optical window 570 may comprise a hole or a transparent member. In other examples, the transport path through the attachments 114, 116 is non-linear and may include one or more optical elements (e.g., mirrors, lenses, and / or optical fibers) to redirect the path that the emissions pass through to or from the sensor-emitter configuration 220. The emissions 440 passing to or from the sensor-emitter configuration 220 may include, for example, one or more of emissions emitted from the emitters of the sensor-emitter configuration 220 toward the hair, such emissions reflected from the hair back to the sensor-emitter configuration 220, and emissions emitted by the hair toward the sensor-emitter configuration 220 due to thermal electromagnetic radiation or fluorescent emission.

[0049] As previously mentioned, the sensor-emitter arrangement may include a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor 361, and the attachment 114, 116 may be one of a plurality of attachments 114, 116. In this case, the control module 315 may be configured to determine which of the plurality of magnetic attachments 114, 116 is attached to the body 104 based on data output by the time-of-flight sensor 361. This enables the control module 315 to determine which of the plurality of attachments 114, 116 is attached to the body. The location of the TOF sensor 361 radially inward of the annular outlet 108 allows the attachment 114, 116 to be determined away from the attachment interface 339, where packaging constraints are stringent. Alternatively, or additionally, the TOF sensor 361 may be used both to determine which attachment 114, 116 is attached to the main body portion 104 and to sense the proximity of a hair to the attachment 114, 116. Using one sensor for two functions may result in a more cost-effective arrangement compared to, for example, providing separate sensors for the separate functions.

[0050] For example, the TOF sensor 361 may be provided as an integrated package or all-in-one system including an emitter, a receiver (i.e., a sensor), and a processor. The emitter emits emissions, which in this example are photons of electromagnetic radiation. The emitter emits the emissions as discrete pulses, typically having frequencies on the order of MHz. In other examples, the emissions may include acoustic (e.g., ultrasonic) pulses. The sensor then receives the reflected emissions that are reflected back to the TOF sensor 361. The processor then determines the time difference between the emission and reception of the emissions and calculates from this time difference the distance between the TOF sensor 361 and the target that is the source of the reflected emissions. The processor then outputs this distance data to the control module 315. The TOF sensor 361 may be used to sense which, if any, of the attachments 114, 116 are attached to the main body 104 and / or to sense the proximity of a user's head or other object to the hair care device 102. For example, the control module 315 may analyze the distance data output by the TOF sensor 361 and from this analysis determine (i) which, if any, attachments are attached to the main body 104 and (ii) the proximity of the user's head.

[0051] For example, each of the attachments 114, 116 may include a protrusion 333 that protrudes within the bore 334 of the barrel portion 106 toward the TOF sensor 361. Emissions emitted by the TOF sensor 361 are reflected off the protrusion 333 and returned to the TOF sensor 361. The protrusions 333 of the attachments 114, 116 may be different so that the emissions reflected by the protrusions of each attachment are different, e.g., have different signatures. For example, the protrusions 333 may be different in size. For example, the length of the protrusions 333 may be different so that when a particular attachment 114, 116 is attached to the body 104, the protrusions 333 protrude toward the TOF sensor 361 by a different amount than the other attachments 114, 116. As such, the distance between the TOF sensor 361 and the protrusions 333 varies depending on the attachment 114, 116. This is reflected in the data output by the TOF sensor 361, and the control module 315 may use this data to determine which, if any, of the attachments 114, 116 are attached to the body 114. In other examples, the protrusions 333 may additionally or alternatively differ in shape, surface features, or indeed any other features that change the way emissions are reflected by the protrusions 333.

[0052] As previously mentioned, each of the attachments 114, 116 can be attached to the body 114 at any one of a number of rotational positions 115 about a rotational axis A (which, in the illustrated example, is the same as the central longitudinal axis A of the barrel portion and the central axis A of the annular outlet 108). By positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 on the rotational axis A, the TOF sensor 361 can receive the same reflected emissions from the attachments 114, 116 regardless of the rotational position of the attachments 114, 116. This, in turn, allows the TOF sensor 361 to sense which of the attachments 114, 116 is attached to the body 104 regardless of the rotational position of the attachments 114, 116. Alternatively, or additionally, this allows emissions 340 to travel along the transport path of attachments 114, 116 to and / or from the user's head, to and / or from TOF sensor 361 in the same manner regardless of the rotational position of attachments 114, 116. This allows TOF sensor 361 to sense the distance to the user's head or other object regardless of the rotational position of attachments 114, 116. This allows for flexible use of attachments 114, 116 while still being able to provide attachment sensing and / or head distance sensing functions.

[0053] As previously mentioned, in some examples, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may include a magnetometer 363, and the attachment 114, 116 may be one of a plurality of magnetic attachments 114, 116. In these examples, the control module 315 may be configured to determine which of the plurality of magnetic attachments 114, 116 is attached to the body 104 based on the data output by the magnetometer 363. This enables the control module 315 to determine which of the plurality of magnetic attachments 114, 116 is attached to the body. For example, different magnetic attachments 114, 116 may experience different magnetic fields generated by the magnets 338 of the attachments 114, 116 in the magnetometer 363 when the magnetic attachments 114, 116 are attached to the body 104. This may be sensed by the magnetometer 363, and the control module 315 may identify a given one of the magnetic attachments 114, 116 based on an output from the magnetometer 363 indicating a given magnetic field at the magnetometer 363. For example, different configurations of one or more magnetic elements may generate different magnetic fields, e.g., configurations of magnetic elements that differ in size, magnetic strength, physical distribution, magnetic polarity, and / or magnet orientation. The location of the magnetometer 363 radially inward of the annular outlet 108 allows the attachments 114, 116 to be determined away from the attachment interface 339 (i.e., the region of the body 104 where the attachments 114, 116 are attached to the body 104), where packaging constraints are stringent.

[0054] As previously mentioned, each of the attachments 114, 116 is mountable to the body 114 at any one of a number of rotational positions 115 about the axis of rotation A (which, in the illustrated example, is identical to the central longitudinal axis A of the barrel portion 106 and the central axis A of the annular outlet 108). By positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 on the axis of rotation A, the magnetometer can experience the same magnetic field (at least the same component of the magnetic field at the magnetometer 363 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A) generated by a given magnetic attachment 114, 116 regardless of the rotational position of the attachment 114, 116. This, in turn, enables the magnetometer 363 to sense which of the attachments 114, 116 is mounted to the body 104 regardless of the rotational position of the attachment 114, 116.

[0055] Indeed, in some examples, the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 may be located on the central axis A of the annular outlet 108, and the attachments 114, 116, when attached to the body 104, may be rotatable relative to the body about the central axis A. This allows the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to align with the rotational axes of the attachments 114, 116. This allows the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to function regardless of the rotational positions of the attachments 114, 116. This may increase the flexibility of use of the attachments 114, 116. For example, this allows the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to align with the transport path of the emissions of the attachments 114, 116 regardless of the rotational positions of the attachments, and / or allows the TOF sensor 361 or magnetometer 220 of the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to identify the attachments 114, 116 regardless of the rotational positions of the attachments 114, 116. The ability of the attachment to rotate relative to the body about a central axis can improve the functionality and / or ease of use of the hair care device 102. Other configurations are possible.

[0056] 1-6, the hair care device 102 has been described as having a particular form and including particular components and features, but it will be understood that this is not necessarily the case, and that any hair care device may be provided that, in some examples, includes a body having an annular outlet configured to emit airflow in the form of an annular column; and a sensor-emitter arrangement located radially inward of the annular outlet, the sensor-emitter arrangement including at least one of a sensor and an emitter configured to sense an attachment attached to the body, or to sense a property of hair proximate to the hair care device, or to irradiate hair proximate to the hair care device. It will also be understood that the hair care device may include any one or combination of the components and / or features of the examples of hair care device 102 described above with reference to FIGS.

[0057] In yet another embodiment, a hair care device may be provided that includes a body including a barrel portion having a central bore and an outlet located at the end of the barrel portion that emits an airflow in the form of an annular column; and a sensor-emitter arrangement located within the bore, the sensor-emitter arrangement including at least one of a sensor and an emitter. Note that in particular examples of this other embodiment, the sensor may be any sensor and / or the emitter may be any emitter. In some examples of this other embodiment, the hair care device may have the same or similar components and / or features as the hair care device 102 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6. For example, the hair care device, body, barrel portion, central bore, outlet, emitted airflow of the annular column, sensor-emitter arrangement, sensor, and / or emitter of this other embodiment may be the same as or have the same or similar functionality as the hair care device 102, body 104, barrel portion 106, central bore 334, outlet 108, emitted airflow of the annular column 109, sensor-emitter arrangement 220, sensors 361, 363, and / or emitter 361 described above with reference to Figures 1-6. In some examples of this other embodiment, the hair care device may have any one or combination of the components and / or features of the example hair care device 102 described above with reference to Figures 1-6. In either case, positioning sensor-emitter arrangement 220 within bore 334 allows sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to align with the path of emitted airflow 109 or with a target in the path of the emitted airflow (such as a user's head or hair) without disturbing emitted airflow 109 itself, thereby providing accurate sensing and / or emission without negatively affecting or impacting emitted airflow 109. Alternatively, or additionally, positioning sensor-emitter arrangement 220 within bore 334 allows sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to be relatively physically separated from other components located within barrel portion 106, such as heater 330, which may in turn reduce heat transfer and / or other interference from those components.Alternatively, or additionally, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 within the bore 334 may allow the sensor 361, 363 or emitter 363 to be incorporated into the hair care device 102, which may be cost-effective, without requiring significant modifications to the packaging of the hair care device 102 and / or increasing the overall size of the hair care device 102. Alternatively, or additionally, positioning the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 within the bore 334 may provide a clear line of sight from the sensor-emitter arrangement 220 to outside the hair care device 102. This may be beneficial, for example, if the sensor 361 uses a light-based sensing method to sense properties of the attachments 114, 116 or hair and / or if the emitter 361 irradiates hair in close proximity to the hair care device.

[0058] Although particular examples have been described, it should be understood that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A hair care device, a body having an annular outlet configured to emit an airflow in the form of an annular column; a sensor-emitter arrangement located radially inward of the annular outlet, the sensor-emitter arrangement comprising at least one of a sensor and an emitter configured to sense an attachment attached to the body, or to sense a property of hair proximate to the hair care device, or to irradiate hair proximate to the hair care device; A hair care device comprising:

2. 10. The hair care device of claim 1, wherein the hair care device comprises a barrel portion comprising the annular outlet, the barrel portion comprising a bore, and the sensor-emitter arrangement is located within the bore.

3. A hair care device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body surrounds or houses the sensor-emitter arrangement.

4. A hair care device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement is located on the central axis of the annular outlet.

5. A hair care device according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement comprises at least one of a light-based sensor and a light-based emitter.

6. 6. The hair care device of claim 5, wherein the light-based sensor is configured to sense light in a first direction or the light-based emitter is configured to emit light in the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the central axis of the annular outlet.

7. A hair care device according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement comprises a proximity sensor or a magnetometer.

8. A hair care appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement comprises a visual display device configured to indicate to a user the current operating mode of the hair care appliance.

9. 9. A hair care device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body comprises an annular heater through which the air flow passes before being emitted, and the sensor-emitter arrangement is located radially inward of the annular heater.

10. 10. A hair care device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement comprises a capsule housing at least one of the sensor and the emitter, the capsule being connected to the main body by a support member.

11. 11. The hair care device of claim 10, wherein the capsule is elongated in a direction parallel to the direction of the emitted air flow.

12. A hair care device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hair care device comprises a control module configured to control operation of the hair care device based on the output of the sensor-emitter arrangement.

13. 13. The hair care device of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the hair care device comprises an attachment attachable to the main body to receive the emitted airflow from the annular outlet, and the sensor-emitter arrangement is configured to sense the attachment when attached to the main body, or to sense a property of hair adjacent to the attachment, or to irradiate hair adjacent to the attachment.

14. 14. A hair care device according to claim 13, wherein the attachment comprises a transport path for emissions to pass to or from the sensor-emitter arrangement.

15. 15. A hair care device according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement comprises a magnetometer, the attachment is one of a plurality of magnetic attachments, and the hair care device comprises a control module configured to determine which of the plurality of magnetic attachments is attached to the body based on data output by the magnetometer.

16. 16. A hair care device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement comprises a time-of-flight sensor, the attachment is one of a plurality of attachments, and the hair care device comprises a control module configured to determine which of the plurality of magnetic attachments is attached to the body based on data output by the time-of-flight sensor.

17. 17. A hair care device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the sensor-emitter arrangement is located on a central axis of the annular outlet, and the attachment, when attached to the main body, is rotatable relative to the main body about the central axis.

18. A hair care device, a body including a barrel portion having a central bore and an outlet at an end of the barrel portion for discharging an air flow in the form of an annular column; a sensor-emitter arrangement located within the bore, the sensor-emitter arrangement comprising at least one of a sensor and an emitter; A hair care device comprising:

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