Hair dryer

Abstract

To provide a hair dryer capable of performing operation control optimized according to a turning position of the hair dryer.SOLUTION: A hair dryer comprising: a first body; a second body; a rotation unit configured to rotate the first body and the second body; a detection unit configured to detect rotation positions of the first body and the second body; and a control unit configured to allow a power-on state of the hair dryer when the rotation positions of the first body and the second body are opened from a boundary position, and prohibit the power-on state of the hair dryer when the rotation positions of the first body and the second body are closed from the boundary position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair dryer. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a hair dryer that includes a main body and a grip, and the grip rotates around an axis perpendicular to a sliding surface formed between the main body and the grip, thereby bending the grip between a folded state and an unfolded state. In Patent Document 1, the bending portion of the hair dryer includes a first member that is fixed to one of the housings of the main body and the grip and has a protrusion, and a second member that is fixed to the other housing of the main body and the grip and has a recess. The first and second members are stacked in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface, and at least one of the first and second members elastically deforms when transitioning between the folded state and the unfolded state, and the protrusion and the recess fit together in the folded and unfolded states to restrict rotation of the grip.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a hair care device that includes a main housing, a grip housing rotatably attached to a connecting portion of the main housing, and a moderation mechanism that restricts rotation of the grip housing relative to the main housing in both the use position and the folded position. The moderation mechanism includes a first engagement member provided on one of the main housing or the grip housing, and a second engagement member provided on the other member so as to be movable relative to the first engagement member, and that engages with the first engagement member in both the use position and the folded position to restrict rotation of the grip housing relative to the main housing. The second engagement member is made of a material that is stronger than the other member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-017312 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-067315 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, there is a risk of problems occurring when the hair dryer is turned on or driven to emit warm or hot air when it is folded (not in use).Similarly, in Patent Document 2, there is a risk of problems occurring when the hair care device is turned on or driven to emit warm or hot air when it is in the folded position (not in use).

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hair dryer that can perform optimized operation control according to the rotation position of the hair dryer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The hair dryer of this embodiment is characterized by having a first body, a second body, a rotating unit that rotates the first body and the second body, a detection unit that detects the rotating positions of the first body and the second body, and a control unit that allows the hair dryer to be turned on when the rotating positions of the first body and the second body are open from a boundary position, and that prohibits the hair dryer from being turned on when the rotating positions of the first body and the second body are closed from the boundary position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hair dryer that can perform optimized operation control depending on the rotation position of the hair dryer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are plan and side views of a hair dryer in a fully open position. [Figure 2]1A and 1B are a plan view and a side view showing a hair dryer in a fully closed position. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a hair dryer in a fully open position. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the hair dryer in an intermediate position. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a detection unit including a Hall element and a magnet corresponding to the fully open position and the boundary position of the hair dryer. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the configuration of a click mechanism that corresponds to a fully open position and an intermediate position of the hair dryer. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the air leakage prevention part corresponding to the fully open position and the intermediate position of the hair dryer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the hair dryer of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1A and 1B are plan and side views of a hair dryer in the fully open position. 2A and 2B are plan and side views of a hair dryer in the fully closed position. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a hair dryer in the fully open position. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a hair dryer in an intermediate position. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the configuration of a detection unit consisting of a Hall element and a magnet corresponding to the fully open position and the boundary position of the hair dryer. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the configuration of a click mechanism corresponding to the fully open position and the intermediate position of the hair dryer. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the configuration of a wind leakage prevention unit corresponding to the fully open position and the intermediate position of the hair dryer.

[0012] The hair dryer 1 has a first body (handle-side body) 10 and a second body (main body) 20.

[0013] The first body 10 has a first cylindrical portion 11, a first overlapping outer shell portion 12 provided at one end (base end side) of the first cylindrical portion 11, and a protrusion portion (ridge portion, cord bushing) 13 provided at the other end (tip end side) of the first cylindrical portion 11. A power cord 14 which serves as a supply path for driving current to the hair dryer 1 is connected to the protrusion portion 13, and an intake portion 15 which draws air into the hair dryer 1 is formed around the power cord 14.

[0014] The second body 20 has a second cylindrical portion 21, a second overlapping outer shell portion 22 provided at one end (base end side) of the second cylindrical portion 21, and a discharge portion 23 provided at the other end (tip end side) of the second cylindrical portion 21. The discharge portion 23 discharges the air sucked in from the suction portion 15 in the form of warm air (hot air) or cold air.

[0015] The first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 21 have the same diameter (substantially the same diameter) and also have the same (substantially the same) axial length.

[0016] The first overlapping outer shell portion 12 has a snail or ear shape that is an incomplete circle in plan view (a shape with a part of a circle cut out in plan view) that communicates with the cylindrical space on one end side (base end side) of the first cylindrical portion 11. The first overlapping outer shell portion 12 has, on one end side (base end side) of the first cylindrical portion 11, an arc-shaped sliding piece (partial annular sliding piece) 12X that is formed so as to protrude from one end side to the other end side in the radial direction, and a sliding guide piece (sliding guide end) 12Y that is formed so as to face the tip end portion of the arc-shaped sliding piece 12X.

[0017] The second overlapping outer shell portion 22 has a snail shape or an ear shape that is an incomplete circle in plan view (a shape in which another part of a circle in plan view is cut away) that communicates with the cylindrical space on one end side (base end side) of the second cylindrical portion 21. The second overlapping outer shell portion 22 has, on one end side (base end side) of the second cylindrical portion 21, an arc-shaped sliding piece (partial annular sliding piece) 22X formed so as to protrude from one end side to the other end side in the radial direction, and an arc-shaped sliding piece (partial annular sliding piece) 22Y formed so as to protrude from the other end side to one end side in the radial direction.

[0018] The arc-shaped sliding piece 12X and the arc-shaped sliding piece 22X are fitted into each other with a small clearance (minimum clearance) such that the former is on the outside and the latter is on the inside. The arc-shaped sliding piece 22Y is guided inside the sliding guide piece 12Y with a small clearance (minimum clearance).

[0019] By joining the first body 10 and the second body 20, that is, by polymerizing the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22, a disk-shaped polymerized portion (polymerized space) is formed between the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22, which is circular in plan view (approximately circular in plan view) and has a greater thickness in the center and becomes thinner toward the periphery.

[0020] The first body 10 and the second body 20 are rotatably (slidably) connected to each other via a pivot shaft 30 that rotates the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22 while they are overlapped. In other words, the first polymerized outer shell portion 12, the second polymerized outer shell portion 22, and the pivot shaft 30 that rotates the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22 while they are overlapped are provided as "rotating parts" that rotate the first body 10 and the second body 20. When the first body 10 and the second body 20 (first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and second overlapping outer shell portion 22) rotate (slide) relative to each other via the rotating shaft 30, the outer arc-shaped sliding piece 12X and the inner arc-shaped sliding piece 22X rotate (slide) relative to each other, and the arc-shaped sliding piece 22Y rotates (slides) inside the sliding guide piece 12Y.

[0021] When the hair dryer 1 is in the fully open position, the overlapping amount between the arc-shaped sliding piece 12X and the arc-shaped sliding piece 22X is maximum, and the amount of insertion of the arc-shaped sliding piece 22Y into the inside of the sliding guide piece 12Y is minimum. When the hair dryer 1 is in the fully closed position, the overlapping amount between the arc-shaped sliding piece 12X and the arc-shaped sliding piece 22X is minimum, and the amount of insertion of the arc-shaped sliding piece 22Y into the inside of the sliding guide piece 12Y is maximum. Therefore, regardless of whether the hair dryer 1 is in the fully open position or the fully closed position (either the fully open position or the fully closed position), the robustness of the overlapping portion (overlapping space) between the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22 is ensured, and the function of protecting the contents inside can be improved. In addition, since there are many parts (overlapping rotation parts) where the first overlapping outer shell part 12 and the second overlapping outer shell part 22 are fitted together, the force load on the rotation axis 30 is reduced, thereby improving strength and durability against external forces and impacts in the torsional direction.

[0022] Furthermore, when the hair dryer 1 is in the fully open position, the amount of intrusion of the arc-shaped sliding piece 22Y into the inside of the sliding guide piece 12Y is minimized, thereby ensuring an air flow path from the first body 10 to the second body 20. On the other hand, when the hair dryer 1 is in the fully closed position, the amount of intrusion of the arc-shaped sliding piece 22Y into the inside of the sliding guide piece 12Y is maximized, thereby blocking (blocking) the air flow path from the first body 10 to the second body 20. The term "blocked (blocked)" used here may mean a partial blocking (blocking) of the air flow path, rather than a complete blocking (blocking) of the air flow path.

[0023] A brushless DC motor (BLDC motor) 40 is provided (built-in) inside the first cylindrical portion 11 of the first body 10. The BLDC motor 40 draws air from the intake port 15 of the first body 10 and exhausts it from the exhaust port 23 of the second body 20. The BLDC motor 40 may be a high-speed BLDC motor with a maximum rotation speed of 100,000 rpm or more and is disposed inside the cylindrical ventilation main body (e.g., the first cylindrical portion 11), or may be a structure (e.g., an axial fan structure or an air blowing structure) that includes a rotating blade (fan) connected to the BLDC motor. By using a small, high-performance (high-output) BLDC motor 40 as the driving source of the hair dryer 1, it is possible to deliver air (warm air or cool air) to the user at a high speed despite the lightweight and compact size.

[0024] In particular, in a hair dryer 1 that is movable (foldable) between a fully open position and a fully closed position, by providing a BLDC motor 40 inside the first cylindrical portion 11 of the first body 10 that sucks in air from the suction portion 15 of the first body 10 and expels it from the discharge portion 23 of the second body 20, the internal space of the hair dryer 1 (the internal space of the first cylindrical portion 11, the internal space of the second cylindrical portion 21, and the overlapping portion (overlapping space) of the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22) can be effectively utilized, thereby improving the layout efficiency of the parts and flow paths of the hair dryer 1.

[0025] For example, a control board 50 that controls the operation of the hair dryer 1 can be provided inside the overlapping portion (overlapping space) of the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22. The control board 50 is equipped with heat-generating components such as an edge bridge that drives the BLDC motor 40 and an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient Thermistor) for suppressing surge current, and inside the overlapping portion (overlapping space) of the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22, a flow path (cold air flow path) is formed for sucking air from the suction portion 15 of the first body 10 and discharging it from the discharge portion 23 of the second body 20. Therefore, inside the overlapping portion (overlapping space) of the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22, the control board 50 (heat-generating component) can be cooled by the air in the flow path (at this stage, the air has not been converted into warm air (hot air)). Furthermore, since the control board 50 does not need to be provided in the first cylindrical portion 11 of the first body 10, which is the gripping portion, temperature rise in the first cylindrical portion 11 of the first body 10, which is the gripping portion, can be suppressed, thereby improving customer satisfaction.

[0026] Furthermore, because the overlapping portion (overlap space) between the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22 is large (wide), the control board 50 can be fixed as a single, undivided control board, for example, inside the second overlapping outer shell portion 22 of the second body 20. Furthermore, most of the internal space of the hair dryer 1 (the internal space of the first tubular portion 11, the internal space of the second tubular portion 21, and the overlapping portion (overlap space) between the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22) serves as an air flow path (the opening / closing mechanism and the folding mechanism also serve as part of the air flow path), which simplifies the internal wiring (wire routing) route of the hair dryer 1. For example, the wiring (wire routing) that transmits the drive current from the power cord 14 can be laid out to pass on both sides of the BLDC motor 40 and directly connected to the control board (single control board) 50. Furthermore, the wiring (wire routing) from the control board (single control board) 50 to the heater assembly 60 (described later) can also be simplified. In this way, it is possible to minimize the amount of wiring (running wires) between the first body 10 and the second body 20. Furthermore, the layout efficiency of electronic components is excellent, and cost benefits can be expected.

[0027] The hair dryer 1 has a BLDC motor 40 mounted inside the first cylindrical portion 11 of the first body 10. The first cylindrical portion 11 of the first body 10 forms a grip that the user holds, and the center of gravity can be shifted to the grip, making it easier to maintain balance. In other words, because the center of gravity is located on the grip side, the hair dryer is easier to swing and use than conventional folding hair dryers. Furthermore, even if the overall weight of the hair dryer is the same, the hair dryer feels lighter to the user, improving customer satisfaction.

[0028] 3 and 4, a heater assembly 60 is provided inside the second cylindrical portion 21 of the second body 20 to convert air drawn in through the suction portion 15 of the first body 10 into warm air (hot air) when the air is discharged from the discharge portion 23 of the second body 20 (before being discharged). The heater assembly 60 is configured to be able to selectively output the air drawn in through the suction portion 15 of the first body 10 at a plurality of temperature levels by switching its own drive output. For example, the heater assembly 60 may be able to selectively output the air drawn in through the suction portion 15 of the first body 10 at four temperature levels: cool air, warm air (low temperature), warm air (medium temperature), and warm air (high temperature).

[0029] 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, an operation switch 70 for operating the hair dryer 1 is provided on the outer surface of the first overlapping outer shell 12 of the first body 10. The operation switch 70 has a power button 71, an airflow volume change button 72, and a temperature change button 73. By not locating the operation switch on the first cylindrical portion 11 of the first body 10, which serves as the grip, it is possible to prevent malfunctions caused by unintentionally (carelessly) pressing the operation switch when gripping the first cylindrical portion 11 of the first body 10, which serves as the grip.

[0030] Each time the power button 71 is pressed, the hair dryer 1 is switched between a power-on state and a power-off state. When the hair dryer 1 is in a power-on state, the power button 71 may light up in red, and when the hair dryer 1 is in a power-off state, the power button 71 may light up in white. As will be described in detail later, the power-on state of the hair dryer 1 is permitted or prohibited depending on the rotational positions of the first body 10 and the second body 20. Operation of the power button 71 may be enabled when the power-on state of the hair dryer 1 is permitted, and may be disabled when the power-on state of the hair dryer 1 is prohibited.

[0031] Each time the air volume switch button 72 is pressed, the volume of air discharged from the discharge unit 23 of the hair dryer 1 is switched. For example, the volume of air discharged from the discharge unit 23 may be switchable between three levels: small, medium, and large, and the air volume switch button 72 may light up in white when the air volume is small, in orange (vermilion) when the air volume is medium, and in red when the air volume is large.

[0032] Each time the temperature switch button 73 is pressed, the temperature of the air discharged from the discharge portion 23 of the hair dryer 1 is switched. For example, the temperature of the air discharged from the discharge portion 23 may be switchable between four levels: cold air, hot air (low temperature), hot air (medium temperature), and hot air (high temperature), and the temperature switch button 73 may be unlit for cold air, lit in white for hot air (low temperature), lit in orange (vermilion) for hot air (medium temperature), and lit in red for hot air (high temperature).

[0033] As described above, the first body 10 has the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the first tubular portion 11 extending from the first polymerized outer shell portion 12. The second body 20 has the second polymerized outer shell portion 22 and the second tubular portion 21 extending from the second polymerized outer shell portion 22.

[0034] 1A and 1B, when the first body 10 and the second body 20 (first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and second overlapping outer shell portion 22) are in the fully open position, the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 21 open at a predetermined angle (an acute angle, for example, about 80°). On the other hand, when the first body 10 and the second body 20 (first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and second overlapping outer shell portion 22) are in the fully closed position, the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 21 face each other in a parallel state (i.e., the angle is 0°), as shown in FIGS.

[0035] Furthermore, the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the first cylindrical portion 11 in the first body 10, and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22 and the second cylindrical portion 21 in the second body 20, have substantially similar shapes. The hair dryer 1 in which the first body 10 and the second body 20 are connected has a substantially symmetrical shape as a whole, with the overlapping portion of the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22 at the center, and the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 21 extending from the overlapping portion.

[0036] For example, when the hair dryer 1 is in the fully open position, the first tubular portion 11 and the second tubular portion 21 extend from the overlapping portion of the first outer shell portion 12 and the second outer shell portion 22 in a V-shape (a dogleg shape) at a predetermined angle (an acute angle, for example, about 80°). When the hair dryer 1 is in the fully closed position, the first tubular portion 11 and the second tubular portion 21 extend from the overlapping portion of the first outer shell portion 12 and the second outer shell portion 22 in a folded shape in parallel with each other without any gap (i.e., an angle of 0°). Therefore, when in the folded shape, there is no gap between the first body 10 and the second body 20, which contributes to miniaturization and improved layout efficiency. Furthermore, the hair dryer 1 has a substantially symmetrical shape across the fully open position, the fully closed position, and intermediate positions, which also contributes to improved design.

[0037] As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the hair dryer 1 is provided with an "air leakage prevention section" that prevents air from leaking from the overlapping section (overlapping space) of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (first overlapping outer shell section 12 and second overlapping outer shell section 22) when the first body 10 and the second body 20 (first overlapping outer shell section 12 and second overlapping outer shell section 22) are in the fully open position.

[0038] More specifically, the "wind leakage prevention portion" is made up of an engaging portion 16 provided on the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 of the first body 10 and an engaging portion 24 provided on the second overlapping outer shell portion 22 of the second body 20, which engage with each other near the rotating portion (sliding portion) of the arc-shaped sliding piece 12X and the arc-shaped sliding piece 22X. Furthermore, the "wind leakage prevention portion" is made up of an engaging portion 17 provided on the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 of the first body 10 and an engaging portion 25 provided on the second overlapping outer shell portion 22 of the second body 20, which engage with each other near the rotating portion (sliding portion) of the sliding guide piece 12Y and the arc-shaped sliding piece 22Y.

[0039] 7A, when the first body 10 and the second body 20 (first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and second overlapping outer shell portion 22) are in the fully open position, the engaging portion 16 and the engaging portion 24 engage with each other, and the engaging portion 17 and the engaging portion 25 engage with each other, thereby preventing air leakage from the overlapping portion (overlapping space) of the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22 (performing the function of a wind leakage prevention portion). The engaging portion 16 and the engaging portion 24 may be interpreted as an engaging portion and an engaged portion, and the engaging portion 17 and the engaging portion 25 may be interpreted as an engaging portion and an engaged portion. As shown in Figure 7B, at an intermediate position (other than the fully open position) between the first body 10 and the second body 20 (the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22), the engagement portion 16 and the engagement portion 24 do not engage with each other (are spaced apart), and the engagement portion 17 and the engagement portion 25 do not engage with each other (are spaced apart).

[0040] Furthermore, the rotating portions (sliding portions) of the arc-shaped sliding pieces 12X and 22X may constitute "opposing contact portions" such as stepped portions, uneven portions, engagement grooves, etc., which face each other, and thus "wind leakage prevention portions," and the rotating portions (sliding portions) of the slide guide piece 12Y and 22Y may constitute "opposing contact portions" such as stepped portions, uneven portions, engagement grooves, etc., which face each other, and thus "wind leakage prevention portions." The opposing directions of the rotating portions (sliding portions) of the arc-shaped sliding pieces 12X and 22X and the opposing directions of the rotating portions (sliding portions) of the slide guide piece 12Y and 22Y may be parallel to the rotation axis 30 or may intersect with the rotation axis 30.

[0041] In this way, the "wind leakage prevention portion" may have an "engagement portion" provided on each of the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22, and / or an "opposing contact portion" provided on each of the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22.

[0042] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the pivot shaft 30 has a click mechanism 80 that restricts the rotation of the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22 to a fully open position, a fully closed position, or at least one intermediate position between the fully open position and the fully closed position.

[0043] The click mechanism 80 has a pair of engaging protrusions 81 formed on the first body 10 (first overlapping outer shell portion 12) and rotating around the pivot axis 30, and multiple pairs of engaging holes 82 formed on the second body 20 (second overlapping outer shell portion 22) that can selectively engage with the pair of engaging protrusions 81.

[0044] The multiple pairs of engaging holes 82 include a pair of engaging holes 82X corresponding to the fully open position of the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22, a pair of engaging holes 82Y corresponding to the intermediate position between the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22, and a pair of engaging holes 82Z corresponding to the fully closed position of the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22.

[0045] 6A shows the fully open position of the first and second overlapping outer shell portions 12 and 22, where a pair of engaging protrusions 81 are engaged with a pair of engaging holes 82X, and FIG. 6B shows an intermediate position between the first and second overlapping outer shell portions 12 and 22, where a pair of engaging protrusions 81 are engaged with a pair of engaging holes 82Y. Note that FIGS. 6A and 6B do not show the fully closed position of the first and second overlapping outer shell portions 12 and 22, where a pair of engaging protrusions 81 are engaged with a pair of engaging holes 82Z.

[0046] 6B, the fully open position of the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22 depicted in FIG. 6A is set as a reference angle (0°), and the closing angle of the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22 from this reference angle is depicted as β°. For example, when the closing angle of the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22 in the fully closed position is 80°, the closing angle β° at the intermediate position between the first polymerized outer shell portion 12 and the second polymerized outer shell portion 22 may be 40°, which is half of the closing angle of 80° in the fully closed position.

[0047] In this way, the hinge click structure allows for two-stage folding, and by working in cooperation with the "detection unit" and "control unit" described below, the folding angle of the first stage can be set to 40°, half the folding angle of 80° between the fully open and fully closed positions, to ensure that operation stops (the power is turned off) in the first stage.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the hair dryer 1 has a "detection unit" that detects the rotational positions of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and second overlapping outer shell portion 22). This "detection unit" is composed of a magnet 90 provided in the first body 10 (first overlapping outer shell portion 12) and a Hall element 100 provided in the second body 20 (second overlapping outer shell portion 22). The magnet 90 is fixedly provided in the first body 10, and the Hall element 100 is fixedly provided on the control board 50 of the second body 20.

[0049] The magnet 90 and the Hall element 100 operate as follows depending on the rotational position of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and second overlapping outer shell portion 22). When the rotational position of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and second overlapping outer shell portion 22) is more open than the boundary position, the magnet 90 and the Hall element 100 approach each other, and the Hall element 100 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 90. When the rotational position of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and second overlapping outer shell portion 22) is more closed than the boundary position, the magnet 90 and the Hall element 100 are separated from each other, and the Hall element 100 does not detect the magnetic force of the magnet 90. 5B, the boundary position is depicted as a position where the closing angle of the first and second overlapping outer shell portions 12 and 22 from the fully open position of the first and second overlapping outer shell portions 12 and 22 depicted in FIG. 5A is α°, assuming that the reference angle is 0°. The closing angle α° at the boundary position can be set to, for example, 20°, as long as the amount of airflow from the hair dryer 1 (discharge portion 23) is sufficient.

[0050] The Hall element 100 is connected to the control unit 110, and the detection result by the Hall element 100 (whether or not the magnetic force of the magnet 90 is detected) is output in real time (dynamically) to the control unit 110. The control unit 110 is realized, for example, as a functional component of a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0051] The control unit 110 allows the power-on state of the hair dryer 1 when the Hall element 100 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 90, i.e., when the rotation position of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22) is closer to the boundary position than the open position. On the other hand, the control unit 110 prohibits the power-on state of the hair dryer 1 when the Hall element 100 does not detect the magnetic force of the magnet 90, i.e., when the rotation position of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22) is closer to the boundary position than the closed position. Note that there is a degree of freedom as to whether to allow or prohibit the power-on state of the hair dryer 1 when the rotation position of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22) is at the boundary position, and various design modifications are possible (either may be selected, or the control may be based on whether the magnetic force of the magnet 90 is detected by the Hall element 100).

[0052] When the control unit 110 allows the hair dryer 1 to be turned on, the hair dryer 1 may be switched between the on state and the off state in accordance with the operation of the power button 71 of the operation switch 70 (each time the power button 71 is pressed). When the control unit 110 prohibits the hair dryer 1 from being turned on, the hair dryer 1 may be maintained in the off state regardless of (not accepting or disabling) the operation of the power button 71 of the operation switch 70. In other words, when the control unit 110 prohibits the hair dryer 1 from being turned on, this may be equivalent to a situation in which the supply of drive current via the power cord 14 is interrupted.

[0053] In this way, the power-on state of the hair dryer 1 is permitted when the rotation position of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (the first polymerized outer shell part 12 and the second polymerized outer shell part 22) is more open than the boundary position, and the power-on state of the hair dryer 1 is prohibited when the rotation position of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (the first polymerized outer shell part 12 and the second polymerized outer shell part 22) is more closed than the boundary position, thereby enabling optimized operation control according to the rotation position of the hair dryer 1. For example, it is possible to prevent malfunctions (damage to the power cord due to hot air, burns or thermal damage due to the power being turned on unexpectedly) caused by turning on the power or operating the hair dryer 1 when the hair dryer 1 is folded (not in use) or more closed than the boundary position and emitting warm or hot air.

[0054] Here, the relationship between whether the Hall element 100 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 90 and whether the rotational position of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (the first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and the second overlapping outer shell portion 22) is open or closed relative to the boundary position can be understood (interpreted) as follows: The boundary position (for example, the closing angle α° in FIG. 5B ) at which the Hall element 100 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 90 may vary slightly depending on the characteristics and individual differences of the Hall element 100 and the magnet 90. In other words, rather than attaching a special technical meaning to the boundary position (closing angle α°) itself, it is preferable to set the arrangement of the Hall element 100 and the magnet 90 so that the detection of the magnetic force of the magnet 90 by the Hall element 100 switches between being open and closed at a rough guideline (closing angle) at which turning on the power in a closed state would cause a malfunction.

[0055] Whether or not the Hall element 100 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 90 may be based on whether the detected magnetic force (e.g., in units of gauss (G) or tesla (T)) is zero or non-zero. Alternatively, whether or not the Hall element 100 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 90 may be based on whether the detected magnetic force (e.g., in units of gauss (G) or tesla (T)) is less than or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0056] 5B and 6B, the relationship between the closing angle α° from the fully open position at the boundary position where the Hall element 100 detects or does not detect the magnetic force of the magnet 90, and the closing angle β° at the intermediate position where the click mechanism 80 closes the door by one click from the fully open position, will be described. In the above example, the closing angle α° was described as 20° and the closing angle β° was described as 40°, but the values ​​of the closing angles α° and β° themselves are not important, and it is preferable that α°≦β° be satisfied.

[0057] In other words, from the user's perspective, even if the hair dryer 1 is left turned on, when the hair dryer 1 transitions from the fully open position to a position restricted state at an intermediate position closed by one click by the click mechanism 80 (when it closes to a closing angle β°), the closing angle α° at the boundary position, which is the detection limit of the detection unit (magnet 90, Hall element 100), will necessarily be exceeded, and the power-on state of the hair dryer 1 will automatically be prohibited (the power will be turned off) under the control of the control unit 110.

[0058] In this way, the magnet 90 and the Hall element 100 are positioned such that when the first overlapping outer casing 12 and the second overlapping outer casing 22 are in the fully open position, the Hall element 100 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 90, and when the first overlapping outer casing 12 and the second overlapping outer casing 22 are restricted in rotation to the intermediate position closest to the fully open position (closed by one click by the click mechanism 80), the Hall element 100 does not detect the magnetic force of the magnet 90.

[0059] In the above embodiment, a magnet is provided on the first body (handle-side body) side, and a Hall element is provided on the second body (main body-side body). The rotational positions of the first body and the second body, and therefore whether to allow or prohibit the hair dryer from being turned on, are determined based on whether the Hall element detects the magnetic force of the magnet. However, the positional relationship between the magnet and the Hall element may be reversed, with the magnet provided on the second body (main body-side body) side, and the Hall element provided on the first body (handle-side body). That is, a magnet and a Hall element may be provided on one side of the first body (handle-side body) and the second body (main body-side body).

[0060] In the above embodiment, the "detector" that detects the rotational position of the first body 10 and the second body 20 (first overlapping outer shell portion 12 and second overlapping outer shell portion 22) is realized by a combination of a Hall element and a magnet. However, the "detector" can be configured by a device other than the combination of a Hall element and a magnet, for example, a microswitch, a capacitance detector, or an optical position detector (photocoupler).

[0061] Among the above variations of the "detection unit," configuring the "detection unit" with a combination of a Hall element and a magnet offers the following advantages. First, it is resistant (less susceptible) to the effects of complex electromagnetic environments such as high-frequency noise (motor control circuit) and high voltage (ionizer), reducing the risk of malfunction. Furthermore, the Hall element and magnet are small, which simplifies their placement and improves layout efficiency. Furthermore, Hall elements and magnets have a long lifespan, do not affect operation even if a small amount of dust adheres to them, and are also excellent in terms of noise reduction. For these reasons, it can be said that, among the various variations of the "detection unit," the combination of a Hall element and a magnet is preferable (highly reliable).

[0062] Furthermore, by fixing the magnet 90 to the first body 10 and fixing the Hall element 100 to the control board 50 of the second body 20, and particularly by arranging them in an integrated form near the engagement portion 24, which is a part that prevents air leakage, it is possible to achieve both ease of wiring (running wires) and layout efficiency (preventing interference), and reduce the number of parts.

[0063] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which operation switches (power button, air volume change button, temperature change button) are provided on the outer surface of the first polymerized outer shell of the first body. However, operation switches (power button, air volume change button, temperature change button) may also be provided on the outer surface of the second polymerized outer shell of the second body. In other words, an operation switch for operating the hair dryer may be provided on the outer surface of at least one of the first polymerized outer shell of the first body and the second polymerized outer shell of the second body.

[0064] The hair dryer of this embodiment includes a first body, a second body, a rotation unit for rotating the first body and the second body, a detection unit for detecting the rotation positions of the first body and the second body, and a control unit for allowing the hair dryer to be turned on when the rotation positions of the first body and the second body are more open than the boundary position and forbidding the hair dryer to be turned on when the rotation positions of the first body and the second body are more closed than the boundary position, thereby enabling optimized operation control according to the rotation position of the hair dryer.

[0065] The hair dryer of this embodiment includes a first body having an inlet, a second body having an outlet, a rotating part for rotating the first body and the second body, and a brushless DC motor (BLDC motor) provided in the first body for sucking air through the inlet of the first body and discharging it from the outlet of the second body, thereby improving the layout efficiency of components and flow paths in the interior space of the hair dryer.

[0066] The hair dryer of this embodiment is easy to carry and store, and by detecting the transition from the normal use state to the folded state, it is possible to prevent the power from being turned on in the folded state, thereby preventing damage to the power cord due to hot air and burns or thermal damage due to the power being turned on unexpectedly.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 hair dryer 10 First body (grip side body) 11 First cylindrical portion 12 First overlapping outer shell part (rotating part) 12X Circular sliding piece (partial circular sliding piece, opposing contact part, wind leakage prevention part) 12Y Sliding guide piece (sliding guide end, opposing contact part, wind leakage prevention part) 13 Ridge (cord bush) 14 Power cord 15 Intake section 16 Engagement part (wind leakage prevention part) 17 Engagement part (wind leakage prevention part) 20 Second body (main body) 21 Second cylindrical portion 22 Second overlapping outer shell part (rotating part) 22X Circular sliding piece (partial annular sliding piece, opposing contact part, wind leakage prevention part) 22Y Arc-shaped sliding piece (partial annular sliding piece, opposing contact part, wind leakage prevention part) 23 Discharge part 24 Engagement part (wind leakage prevention part) 25 Engagement part (wind leakage prevention part) 30 Rotating shaft (rotating part) 40 BLDC motor (brushless DC motor) 50 control board (single control board) 60 Heater Assy 70 Operation switch 71 Power button 72 Air volume switch button 73 Temperature switch button 80 Click mechanism 81 Engagement protrusion piece 82 82X 82Y 82Z Engagement hole 90 Magnet (detection part) 100 Hall element (detection part) 110 control section

Claims

1. A first body; A second body; a rotation unit that rotates the first body and the second body; a detection unit that detects the rotation positions of the first body and the second body; a control unit that allows a power-on state of the hair dryer when the rotation positions of the first body and the second body are more open than a boundary position, and prohibits the power-on state of the hair dryer when the rotation positions of the first body and the second body are more closed than the boundary position; A hair dryer comprising:

2. the detection unit includes a magnet provided in one of the first body and the second body, and a Hall element provided in the other of the first body and the second body; When the rotational positions of the first body and the second body are apart from the boundary position, the Hall element detects the magnetic force of the magnet, When the rotation position of the first body and the second body is closer to the boundary position, the Hall element does not detect the magnetic force of the magnet.

2. A hair dryer according to claim 1.

3. The rotating portion is a first overlapping outer shell portion provided on the first body; a second overlapping outer shell portion provided on the second body; a rotation shaft that rotates the first outer polymerized shell portion and the second outer polymerized shell portion in a state in which the first outer polymerized shell portion and the second outer polymerized shell portion are overlapped with each other; and the magnet is provided in one of the first overlapping outer shell portion and the second overlapping outer shell portion, the Hall element is provided on the other of the first overlapping outer portion and the second overlapping outer portion; 3. A hairdryer according to claim 2.

4. the rotation shaft has a click mechanism that restricts the rotation of the first overlapping outer shell portion and the second overlapping outer shell portion to at least one intermediate position between a fully open position and a fully closed position, The magnet and the Hall element are disposed in a positional relationship such that the Hall element detects the magnetic force of the magnet when the first overlapping outer shell portion and the second overlapping outer shell portion are at the fully open position, and the Hall element does not detect the magnetic force of the magnet when the first overlapping outer shell portion and the second overlapping outer shell portion are restricted in rotation to the intermediate position closest to the fully open position.

4. A hairdryer according to claim 3.

5. an intake portion provided in the first body for drawing in air; an outlet portion provided in the second body for discharging air; a brushless DC motor (BLDC motor) provided in the first body, which draws air from the suction portion of the first body and discharges the air from the discharge portion of the second body; a control board provided in the second body for controlling the operation of the hair dryer; and the magnet is fixedly provided to the first body, the Hall element is fixedly provided on the control board of the second body; 3. A hairdryer according to claim 2.

6. The detection unit includes a microswitch, a capacitance detector, or an optical position detector.

2. A hair dryer according to claim 1.

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