curly hair

Abstract

The hair curling device includes a barrel 20 including a heat sink 22. The heat sink 22 includes a hair curling surface 24, and a first set of light emitting diodes LEDs 26 are coupled to the heat sink 22. The heat sink 22 is configured to transfer residual thermal energy from the first set of LEDs 26 to heat hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24 via conduction. The hair curling device also includes a housing 28 surrounding the barrel 20. The housing 28 and the barrel 20 define a hair chamber 14 therebetween. A second set of LEDs 12 are coupled to the housing 28. The second set of LEDs 12 are configured to emit light energy toward the hair curling surface 24 and heat the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24 via absorption of the emitted light energy.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to the field of hair curling, and more particularly to devices and methods for curling hair. [Background technology]

[0002] Hair curling devices generally include a curling surface for curling the hair and a heating element for heating the hair to facilitate curling the hair. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In some prior art devices, the heating element may comprise a light emitting diode (LED) for heating the hair via optical radiation absorption.

[0004] WO2019 / 048357A1 discloses a hair styling device having a heat source for heating hair by conduction through direct contact between the hair-contacting surface of the heat source and the hair. The object of the subject matter of the present disclosure is to improve upon the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for curling hair, the device having a barrel including a heat sink. The heat sink includes a hair curling surface, and a first set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are attached to the heat sink. The heat sink is configured to transfer residual thermal energy from the first set of LEDs to heat hair wrapped around the hair curling surface via conduction. The hair curling device also includes a housing surrounding the barrel. The housing and the barrel define a hair chamber therebetween. A second set of LEDs is attached to the housing. The second set of LEDs is configured to emit light energy toward the hair curling surface and heat the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface via absorption of the emitted light energy.

[0006] In this way, the hair is heated through conduction using residual heat energy from the first set of light emitting diodes LED and by absorbing light energy from the second set of LEDs, thereby providing efficient heating of the hair.Furthermore, this method uses energy from two sets of light emitting diodes to heat the hair, thereby providing fast heating of the hair.

[0007] In one embodiment, the heat sink is configured to transfer residual thermal energy from the first set of light emitting diodes to heat the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface via conduction, and simultaneously, the second set of light emitting diodes is configured to emit light energy towards the hair curling surface and heat the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface via absorption of the emitted light energy.

[0008] In one embodiment, the housing also includes a heat sink to which a second set of light emitting diodes are mounted, the heat sink configured to transfer residual thermal energy from the second set of light emitting diodes to hair wrapped around the hair curling surface of the heat sink via conduction.

[0009] Thus, heating by the second set of LEDs using light energy and residual heat energy provides more efficient heating of the hair than heating using only the first set of LEDs. A lower intensity of the first set of LEDs is required than the LEDs in prior art hair curling devices. A lower intensity of the second set of LEDs is required than the LEDs in prior art hair curling devices. Thus, heating of the hair is faster than if the heating did not occur simultaneously.

[0010] In one embodiment, the barrel is an inner barrel and the housing is an outer barrel, and the device further comprises a connecting bridge between the inner barrel and the outer barrel, and the inner barrel, the outer barrel, and the connecting bridge are integrally formed.

[0011] This provides more efficient heat transfer compared to having connections between the inner barrel, outer barrel and connecting bridge.

[0012] In one embodiment, the barrel has a waveguide within which a first set of light emitting diodes are embedded.

[0013] In one embodiment, the waveguide is configured to allow light emitted by the first set of light emitting diodes to heat hair wrapped around the hair curling surface via absorption of light energy from the light emitted by the first set of light emitting diodes.

[0014] This provides for more efficient heating of the hair using the light energy from the first set of LEDs.

[0015] In one embodiment, the waveguide is configured to block light emitted by the first set of light emitting diodes from reaching hair wrapped around the hair curling surface, thus blocking the light from view in embodiments where the light within the hair-receiving chamber is too bright.

[0016] In one embodiment, the waveguide is configured to selectively block light emitted by the first set of light emitting diodes from reaching hair wrapped around the hair curling surface.

[0017] In one embodiment, the waveguide has a hair curl surface that provides a continuation of the hair curl surface of the barrel.

[0018] Thus, there is no obstruction of the hair curling surface to provide the first set of LEDs on the barrel. This allows for a smooth hair curling surface, which produces smooth curls. This also reduces the risk of hair getting caught or snagged in the hair curling device.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first set of light emitting diodes are divided into a plurality of groups, each group including a plurality of first light emitting diodes arranged along a longitudinal direction of said barrel, said groups being circumferentially separated from adjacent groups from said plurality of groups. In one embodiment, the second set of light emitting diodes includes a plurality of second light emitting diodes arranged substantially equally spaced around the inner surface of the housing.

[0020] In these ways, uniform heat distribution is provided on the hair and hair curl surface.

[0021] In one embodiment, the hair curling surface is made from a light absorbing material for absorbing light energy from the second set of light emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the inner surface of the housing facing the hair curling surface is made from a light absorbing material configured to absorb light energy emitted by the first set of light emitting diodes.

[0022] These methods provide more efficient heating of the hair because any light energy not absorbed by the hair can be absorbed by the surface and used to heat the hair via conduction.

[0023] In one embodiment, the barrel is hollow.

[0024] In one embodiment, the barrel has an air inlet and an air outlet, and the apparatus further comprises a fan configured to draw air in through the air inlet and to blow air out through the air outlet.

[0025] Thus, a cooling mechanism is provided to cool the device and / or the hair.

[0026] In one embodiment, the device further comprises a hair collection mechanism for wrapping hair around the hair curling surface.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of curling hair using a device according to any preceding claim, the method comprising the steps of wrapping hair around a hair curling surface, activating a first set of light emitting diodes to generate residual thermal energy and heat the hair surrounding the hair curling surface by conduction through a heat sink, and activating a second set of light emitting diodes to generate light energy and heat the hair surrounding the hair curling surface by absorption of the light energy.

[0028] In this way, the hair is heated through conduction using residual heat energy from the first set of light emitting diodes LEDs and by absorbing light energy from the second set of LEDs, thereby providing efficient heating of the hair.Furthermore, this method uses energy from two sets of light emitting diodes to heat the hair, thereby providing fast heating of the hair.

[0029] In one embodiment, the method further comprises activating the first set of light emitting diodes and simultaneously activating the second set of light emitting diodes.

[0030] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective schematic representation of a hair curling device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hair curling device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a flow chart of a method of operating the hair curling device of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention can be best understood with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] At least some of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be constructed, in part or in whole, using dedicated, special-purpose hardware. At least some of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be constructed, in part or in whole, using dedicated, special-purpose hardware. As used herein, terms such as "component," "module," and "unit" include, but are not limited to, hardware devices such as discrete or integrated components, circuitry in the form of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that perform specific tasks or provide related functionality. Although various combinations of optional features are described herein, it should be understood that the described features can be combined in any suitable combination. In particular, features of any one exemplary embodiment can be combined with features of any other embodiment, where appropriate, unless such combinations are mutually exclusive. Throughout this document, the terms "having" or "including" mean including the specified components but do not exclude the presence of other components.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, the hair curling device 8 includes a barrel 20 and a housing 28 .

[0035] The barrel 20 is an inner barrel. The barrel 20 is a right circular cylinder. The air inlet 36 is located at a first end of the barrel 20 on its first circular surface 30. The air outlet 16 is located at a second end of the barrel 20 on the second circular surface 18 of the cylinder. The barrel 20 includes a heat sink 22. The heat sink 22 is the primary structure of the device 8. The heat sink 22 provides a structure to which elements of the device can be attached, including, for example, elements disposed within the barrel 20. The heat sink 22 is made from a thermally conductive material, such as aluminum.

[0036] In some embodiments, barrel 20 may be hollow. Barrel 20 may have any suitable shape, such as a prism. For example, barrel 20 may be conical rather than cylindrical. The elements of device 8 may be mounted to a heat sink 22.

[0037] The heat sink 22 includes a hair curling surface 24. The hair curling surface 24 is made from a thermally conductive material, such as aluminum. The hair curling surface 24 is made from the same material as the heat sink 22. The hair curling surface 24 is smooth. In use, a user's hair is wrapped around the hair curling surface 24 such that at least a portion of the user's hair is in direct physical contact with the hair curling surface 24. The user can wrap their hair around the hair curling surface 24 using any number of full or partial wraps.

[0038] In some embodiments, the heat sink 22 can have a main portion and a separate hair curling surface 24, which allows different materials to be used for the hair curling surface 24 of the heat sink 22 and the main portion of the heat sink 22. The hair curling surface 24 may be made from a light-absorbing material to absorb the light energy 34 from the second set of light-emitting diodes 12. This provides more efficient heating of the hair because any light energy 34 not absorbed by the hair can be absorbed by the hair curling surface 24 and used to heat the hair via conduction.

[0039] The first set of LEDs 26 are mounted to the heat sink 22 of the barrel 20 such that thermal energy generated by the first set of LEDs 26 when the LEDs are on can be transferred to the heat sink 22 via conduction. The first set of LEDs 26 are mounted such that light energy generated by the first set of LEDs 26 when the LEDs are on can be transferred to the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24 via light radiation absorption.

[0040] The heat sink 22 includes a plurality of elongated grooves. Each groove extends along the length of the barrel 20. The grooves are circumferentially separated from adjacent grooves within a groove set. A waveguide 10 is provided in each groove. The waveguides are thus parallel to one another. Each waveguide 10 includes a hair curling surface 24. The waveguide's hair curling surface 24 is a continuation of the heat sink's hair curling surface, such that the combination of the barrel's heat sink and waveguide 22 is cylindrical. This allows hair to be wrapped around and curled on a smooth surface. This prevents the hair from getting caught in the hair curling device and twisting the curls produced by the device, allowing for smooth curls. A first set of LEDs 26 is embedded within the waveguide 10. The waveguide 22 is made of a transparent material to allow light energy from the first set of LEDs 26 to pass through the hair curling surface 24 and heat the hair.

[0041] In some embodiments, the hair curling surface 24 of the waveguide 10 may be made from a material that is partially or selectively transparent to light. The hair curling surface 24 of the waveguide 10 may include gaps through which light energy can pass. The hair curling surface 24 of the waveguide 10 may have any other suitable configuration for allowing the light energy emitted by the first set of LEDs 26 to heat hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24.

[0042] In some embodiments, the waveguide 10 may be made from a material that is selectively or completely opaque. The waveguide 10 may be made from a material that selectively or completely absorbs the light energy generated by the first set of LEDs 26. The hair curling surface 24 of the waveguide 10 converts the light energy generated by the first set of LEDs 26 into heat energy, which is transferred to the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24.

[0043] The housing 28 is a right circular hollow cylinder disposed around the barrel 20. The housing 28 can have a substantially cylindrical inner surface. The housing can be disposed around the barrel 20 to provide a hair chamber therebetween. The housing 28 is connected to the barrel 20 via a connecting bridge 40. The housing 28 can be a heat sink or can form part of the heat sink 22. The connecting bridge 40 can be a heat sink or can form part of the heat sink 22. The barrel 20, the housing 28, and the connecting bridge 40 are integrally formed, providing more efficient heat transfer compared to having connections between the inner barrel, the outer barrel, and the connecting bridge 40. The housing 28 and the connecting bridge 40 can be made from the same material as the barrel 20.

[0044] In some embodiments, the inner surface of the housing 28 and / or connecting bridge 40 facing the hair curling surface 24 may be made from a light-absorbing material configured to absorb the light energy emitted by the first set of light emitting diodes 26. The connecting bridge and housing may be made from a metallic material, such as aluminum.

[0045] The second set of LEDs 12 are mounted on the inner surface of the housing. The second set of LEDs 12 are mounted on a heat sink 22 such that residual heat energy generated by the second set of LEDs 12 when the LEDs are on can be transferred to the heat sink 22 via conduction. The second set of LEDs 12 are mounted such that light energy 34 generated by the second set of LEDs 12 when the LEDs are on can be transferred to hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24. The second set of LEDs 12 includes a plurality of LEDs substantially evenly spaced around the inner surface of the housing.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first set of LEDs 26 and the second set of LEDs 12 can generate light energy and heat energy simultaneously, and the transfer of the respective light energy and heat energy to the hair can occur simultaneously.

[0047] 2, connecting bridge 40 extends between barrel 20 and housing 28 at a first end of barrel 20. Connecting bridge 40 is an annular planar structure, with the inner periphery of connecting bridge 40 defined by the circumference of the first end of barrel 20 and the outer periphery of connecting bridge 40 defined by the circumference of the first end of housing 28. Heat sink 22 is barrel 20, connecting bridge 40, and housing 28.

[0048] An air inlet 36 allows air 32 to enter the hollow portion of barrel 20, and an air outlet 16 allows air 32 to exit the hollow portion of barrel 20. Barrel 20 includes a fan 38 configured to direct air 32 through air inlet 36 and out through air outlet 16. Fan 38 is disposed at a first end of barrel 20 within air inlet 36.

[0049] When the first set of LEDs 26 are on, the LEDs generate light energy and residual heat energy. The residual heat energy is transferred to the heat sink 22 primarily via conduction. The residual heat energy is transferred through the heat sink 22 to the hair curling surface 24 portion of the heat sink 22 primarily via conduction. The residual heat energy is transferred from the hair curling surface 24 to the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24 primarily via conduction. This heats the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24. Additionally, the light energy emitted by the first set of LEDs 26 passes through the hair chamber 14 and is absorbed by the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24. This heats the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24.

[0050] When the second set of LEDs 12 are on, the LEDs generate light energy 34 and residual heat energy. The residual heat energy is transferred to the heat sink 22 primarily via conduction. The residual heat energy is transferred through the heat sink 22 to the hair curling surface 24 portion of the heat sink 22 via conduction. The residual heat energy is transferred from the hair curling surface 24 to the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24. This heats the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24. Additionally, the light energy 34 emitted by the second set of LEDs 12 passes through the hair chamber 14 and is absorbed by the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24. This heats the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface 24.

[0051] Reusing the light and heat energy from both the first and second sets of LEDs 12 improves the efficiency of the device compared to conventional hair curling devices. As previously mentioned, using two sets of LEDs and the energy from two sets of LEDs allows for faster heating of the hair than conventional hair curling devices. Furthermore, heating with the second set of LEDs 12 using light energy 34 and residual heat energy provides more efficient and faster heating of the hair than heating using only the first set of LEDs 26. A lower intensity is required for the first set of LEDs 26 than for the LEDs in conventional hair curling devices. A lower intensity is required for the second set of LEDs 12 than for the LEDs in conventional hair curling devices.

[0052] In some embodiments, the hair curling device includes an automatic hair collection mechanism for winding the hair around the hair curling surface 24. Automatic hair collection mechanisms are known in the art. The automatic hair collection mechanism can be provided using any suitable device.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 3, a method of using the device is shown, comprising the steps of wrapping hair around curling surface 41, activating a first set of light emitting diodes to generate residual thermal energy to heat the hair surrounding the hair curling surface by conduction through heat sink 42, and activating a second set of light emitting diodes to generate light energy to heat the hair surrounding the hair curling surface by absorption of light energy 43.

[0054] When the device is used by a user, in a first step 41, the user wraps the hair to be curled around the hair curling surface 24. In a second step 42, the user activates the first LED 26 to generate residual thermal energy, which heats the hair surrounding the hair curling surface 24 by conduction through the heat sink 22. In a third step 43, the user activates the second LED 12 to generate light energy 34, which heats the hair surrounding the hair curling surface 24 by absorption of the light energy 34. The user operates the set of LEDs using an input, such as a switch. When the LEDs are activated, they are in an on state. In some embodiments, the user can activate the first and second LEDs 12 simultaneously. The order of the described steps is not important to the present invention.

[0055] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and description, such illustration and description are exemplary or explanatory only and are not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0056] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures, the description, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprises" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. Thus, the mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A device for curling hair, comprising: a barrel including a heat sink having a hair curling surface and a first set of light emitting diodes; a housing surrounding the barrel and defining a hair chamber therebetween, the housing having a second set of light emitting diodes; the heat sink transfers residual thermal energy from the first set of light emitting diodes to heat hair wrapped around the hair curling surface via conduction, and the second set of light emitting diodes emit light energy towards the hair curling surface and heat the hair wrapped around the hair curling surface via absorption of the emitted light energy.

2. the housing has the heat sink to which the second light emitting diode is coupled; 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the heat sink transfers residual heat energy from the second set of light emitting diodes to hair wrapped around the hair curling surface of the heat sink via conduction.

3. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the barrel is an inner barrel and the housing is an outer barrel, and the device further comprises a connecting bridge between the inner barrel and the outer barrel, and the inner barrel, the outer barrel, and the connecting bridge are integrally formed.

4. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the barrel includes a waveguide within which the first set of light emitting diodes are embedded.

5. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the waveguide is configured to allow light emitted by the first set of light emitting diodes to heat hair wrapped around the hair curling surface via absorption of light energy from the light emitted by the first set of light emitting diodes.

6. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the waveguide is configured to block light emitted by the first set of light emitting diodes from reaching hair wrapped around the hair curling surface.

7. 7. The device of claim 4, wherein the waveguide has a hair curling surface that provides a continuation of the hair curling surface of the barrel.

8. The first set of light emitting diodes are divided into a plurality of groups, each group including a plurality of first light emitting diodes arranged longitudinally along the length of the barrel, the groups being circumferentially separated from adjacent groups from the plurality of groups.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second set of light emitting diodes comprises a plurality of second light emitting diodes substantially equally spaced around the inner surface of the housing.

10. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the hair curling surface is made from a light absorbing material that absorbs light energy from the second set of light emitting diodes.

11. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the housing facing the hair curling surface is made from a light absorbing material that absorbs light energy emitted by the first set of light emitting diodes.

12. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the barrel is hollow.

13. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the barrel has an air inlet and an air outlet, the apparatus further comprising a fan that draws air in through the air inlet and pushes air out through the air outlet.

14. 14. The device of any preceding claim, further comprising a hair collection mechanism for wrapping the hair around the hair curling surface.

15. 15. A method for curling hair using a device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising: wrapping hair around the hair curling surface; activating the first set of light emitting diodes to generate residual heat energy to heat the hair surrounding the hair curling surface by conduction through the heat sink; and activating the second set of light emitting diodes to generate light energy and heating the hair surrounding the hair curling surface by absorption of the light energy.

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