Hair iron

Abstract

We provide a hair iron that can brightly and effectively illuminate the hair and scalp. [Solution] The hair iron 10 is equipped with a pair of arm sections 10A and 10B that extend from the base end to the tip and are connected at the base end, with the tip end being able to open and close. The hair iron 10 is equipped with a clamping section 20 provided at the tip end of each arm section 10A and 10B that can clamp hair, and a gripping section 30 provided at the base end of each arm section 10A and 10B that grips the hair when clamping it. The clamping section 20 is equipped with a pair of plates 40 having clamping surfaces 20A for clamping hair, a heating section 21 provided on each plate 40 and equipped with a pair of heat sources 50 that heat each plate 40, and a lighting section 22 that illuminates the area being treated during treatment. The lighting section 22 is lit while each plate 40 is being heated by each heat source 50.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair iron.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional hair iron. This hair iron heats a press body that is applied to the hair by the radiation light from a light source, and can directly heat the hair by irradiating the hair with the radiation light. Since the hair iron of Patent Document 1 irradiates the hair with the radiation light through an antiglare filter that absorbs visible light of 700 nm or less, it can prevent the radiation light from being felt dazzling, and mainly irradiates the hair with infrared rays among the components of the radiation light to directly heat the hair.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, if the hair and the skin can be brightly illuminated during the use of the hair iron, it is preferable because the hair can be styled while checking the state of the hair and the skin. For example, in the case of the one in Patent Document 1, if the configuration excluding the antiglare filter is adopted, it is considered that the hair and the skin can be brightly illuminated by the radiation light. However, when the temperature of the press body is set low, the amount of the radiation light is suppressed. Therefore, in this case, there is a concern that the hair and the skin cannot be brightly illuminated by the radiation light.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional situation, and an object to be solved is to provide a hair iron that can brightly and favorably illuminate the hair and the skin.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The hair iron according to the present invention comprises a pair of arm portions that extend from a base end to a tip and are connected at the base end, with the tip end being able to open and close. The hair iron comprises a clamping portion provided at the tip end of each arm portion that can clamp hair, and a gripping portion provided at the base end of each arm portion that grips the hair when clamping it. The clamping portion comprises a pair of plates having clamping surfaces for clamping hair, a heating portion provided on each plate with a pair of heat sources for heating each plate, and a lighting portion for illuminating the area being treated during treatment. The lighting portion remains lit while each plate is being heated by each heat source.

[0007] The lighting unit of this hair iron is located separately from the heating unit, allowing it to maintain consistent light output regardless of temperature changes in the heating unit, and to emit light directly onto the area being treated during styling. Furthermore, since the lighting unit remains lit while each plate is being heated by its respective heat source, the user can intuitively understand that the plates are hot by visually observing the lighting unit's illumination.

[0008] Therefore, this hair iron can brighten and illuminate the hair and scalp effectively. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a hair iron according to an example. [Figure 2] This is a side cross-sectional view showing a hair iron according to an embodiment, with the pair of arms in the open position. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the front of the lower arm section. [Figure 5] This is an exploded perspective view showing the front of the outer housing of the lower arm section and the lighting section. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part, showing a magnified view of the lighting section on the left side of the lower arm in Figure 3. [Figure 7]This is a cross-sectional view of BB as indicated by the arrow in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a side view showing the front of the hair iron according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown below.

[0011] In the hair iron according to the present invention, the lighting unit comprises a light source that emits light and a light-emitting surface through which the light is transmitted, and the light-emitting surface may be positioned so as to be exposed to the edge of the clamping portion that extends from the base end to the tip end. In this case, when the clamping portion clamps hair, it is possible to configure the unit to emit light toward the hair extending from the clamping portion.

[0012] In the hair iron according to the present invention, the light-emitting surface can emit light outward from the opposing plates of the pair of plates. In this case, when the clamping portion clamps hair, light can be effectively emitted toward the hair extending from the clamping portion.

[0013] <Example 1> Hereinafter, Embodiment 1, which embodies the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. The hair iron 10 according to Embodiment 1 is equipped with a pair of arm portions 10A and 10B, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The pair of arm portions 10A and 10B extend from a base end 11 to a tip end 12, respectively. The pair of arm portions 10A and 10B are connected at the base end 11 and are provided so that the tip end 12 can be opened and closed. The hair iron 10 can be used to style hair by opening the pair of arm portions 10A and 10B, placing hair between them, and applying heat to the hair. When not in use, the hair iron 10 is in a closed state (see Figure 1), and a case member (not shown) is detachably placed over the tip ends 12 of the pair of arm portions 10A and 10B.

[0014] Hereinafter, in the hair iron 10, the state in which the pair of arm sections 10A and 10B are open will be referred to as the open state (see Figure 2), and the state in which the pair of arm sections 10A and 10B are closed will be referred to as the closed state (see Figure 1). The directions used in the description of each component will be based on the closed state of the pair of arm sections 10A and 10B. In the coordinate axes shown in each figure, the positive Z-axis is upward, the negative Z-axis is downward, the positive X-axis (towards the tip 12 of the arm sections 10A and 10B) is forward, the negative X-axis (towards the base 11 of the arm sections 10A and 10B) is backward, the positive Y-axis is to the right, and the negative Y-axis is to the left. The front-to-back direction is also referred to as the extension direction of the arm sections 10A and 10B, and the left-to-right direction is also referred to as the width direction of the arm sections 10A and 10B. In the description of each arm section 10A, 10B, the side of a pair of arm sections 10A, 10B that is opposite to each other is referred to as the inner side or front side, and the side opposite to the opposite side is referred to as the outer side or back side. In other words, the vertical direction is also referred to as the inner / outer direction or the front / back direction of the arm sections 10A, 10B.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the pair of arm portions 10A and 10B rotate relative to each other around a hinge portion 13A provided at the base end 11. Between the pair of arm portions 10A and 10B, in front of the hinge portion 13A, a compression coil spring 13B is provided extending in the vertical direction.

[0016] Each of the pair of arm sections 10A and 10B has an outer housing 16A, an inner housing 16B, a gripping decorative plate 16C, a clamping decorative plate 16D, and a cap 16E. The outer housing 16A is made of synthetic resin. The outer housing 16A has width in the left-right direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The outer housing 16A of the upper arm section 10A is curved upward so that its left-right central portion is above both ends in the left-right direction (see Figure 3). The outer housing 16A of the lower arm section 10B is curved downward so that its left-right central portion is below both ends in the left-right direction (see Figure 3).

[0017] On each of the left and right side edges in the front side of the outer housing 16A, a light guide member insertion hole 16F penetrating in the left-right direction is formed (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 5, the light guide member insertion hole 16F is formed to be long in the front-back direction. In the outer housing 16A, a plurality of reinforcing columns 16G are provided to prevent the light guide member insertion hole 16F from being deformed. These reinforcing columns 16G are configured to connect the upper side and the lower side of the light guide member insertion hole 16F, and are provided at equal intervals in the front-back direction.

[0018] In the outer housing 16A, a plurality of support walls 16H are provided so as to face the light guide member insertion hole 16F from the inner side in the left-right direction. In the left-right direction, these support walls 16H and the reinforcing columns 16G are arranged at a predetermined distance apart.

[0019] The inner housing 16B is made of synthetic resin. The inner housing 16B has a width in the left-right direction and is formed to extend in the front-back direction. In the upper arm portion 10A, the inner housing 16B is attached so as to face the rear side (base end portion 11 side) of the outer housing 16A from below as shown in FIG. 2. In the lower arm portion 10B, the inner housing 16B is attached so as to face the rear side (base end portion 11 side) of the outer housing 16A from above.

[0020] When the inner housing 16B is attached to the rear side of the outer housing 16A, as shown in FIG. 4, an opening region R that forms a long rectangular shape in the front-rear direction is formed, where the front edge, the left and right edges are partitioned by the outer housing 16A, and the rear edge is partitioned by the inner housing 16B. Standing walls 16K are provided at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the opening region R. Specifically, the standing wall 16K provided at the front end portion of the opening region R rises along the front edge of the opening region R and the front end portions of both side edges in the left-right direction. The standing wall 16K provided at the rear end portion of the opening region R rises along the rear edge of the opening region R and the rear end portions of both side edges in the left-right direction. FIG. 4 shows the outer housing 16A and the inner housing 16B in the lower arm portion 10B, but in the upper arm portion 10A as well, the opening region R and the standing wall 16K are in the same form as in the lower arm portion 10B. The heat generating portion 21, which will be described later, is disposed so as to be exposed in the opening region R.

[0021] The grip portion decorative plate 16C is made of synthetic resin. The grip portion decorative plate 16C has a width in the left-right direction and is formed to extend in the front-rear direction. In the upper arm portion 10A, as shown in FIG. 2, the grip portion decorative plate 16C is attached so as to cover the rear side (base end portion 11 side) of the outer housing 16A from above. In the lower arm portion 10B, the grip portion decorative plate 16C is attached so as to cover the rear side (base end portion 11 side) of the outer housing 16A from below.

[0022] For the clamping portion decorative plate 16D, a so-called synthetic resin felt, which is formed by compressing synthetic resin fibers into a sheet shape, is used. In the upper arm portion 10A, the clamping portion decorative plate 16D is attached so as to cover the front side (tip portion 12 side) of the outer housing 16A from above (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In the lower arm portion 10B, the clamping portion decorative plate 16D is attached so as to cover the front side (tip portion 12 side) of the outer housing 16A from below (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Since the synthetic resin felt is used for the clamping portion decorative plate 16D, it has the effect of making it difficult to feel heat when the user touches it.

[0023] The cap 16E is made of synthetic resin. The cap 16E is formed to extend in the left-right direction (see Figure 1). The cap 16E is attached so as to cover the tip 12 of each arm portion 10A, 10B from the front.

[0024] The hair iron 10 comprises a clamping portion 20 and a gripping portion 30. The clamping portion 20 is provided on the tip portion 12 side (front end side) of a pair of arm portions 10A and 10B and is capable of clamping hair.

[0025] [Structure of the clamping part] As shown in Figure 3, the clamping section 20 includes a heating section 21, a pair of brackets 51, a plurality of elastic members 52, and a lighting section 22 for illuminating the hair and scalp, which are the areas to be treated during the procedure. The heating section 21 comprises a pair of plates 40 having clamping surfaces 20A for clamping hair, and a pair of heat sources 50, one of which is provided on each plate 40 to heat each plate 40. The pair of plates 40 are made of, for example, aluminum. Each plate 40 is formed in a flat shape with its thickness direction oriented vertically. Each plate 40 has a clamping surface 20A. Each clamping surface 20A faces the other in the vertical direction. The pair of clamping surfaces 20A are surfaces that contact the hair and clamp it. Each plate 40 protrudes inward from the opening region R formed by the outer housing 16A and the inner housing 16B.

[0026] A pair of heat sources 50 are positioned one on each plate 40 on the side opposite to the clamping surface 20A. For example, known ceramic heaters are used as heat sources 50. The heat sources 50 generate heat when electricity is supplied and heat the plate 40.

[0027] The pair of brackets 51 are made of, for example, synthetic resin. Each bracket 51 corresponds to each plate 40. Each bracket 51 is positioned on the side opposite to the clamping surface 20A of each plate 40. One plate 40 is attached to each bracket 51. The heat source 50 is clamped from above and below by the brackets 51 and the plates 40.

[0028] Multiple elastic members 52 are made of, for example, frustoconical rubber. Two elastic members 52 are attached side by side to the inside of each outer housing 16A, spaced apart in the front-to-back direction (see Figure 2). Each elastic member 52 has a through hole 52A that penetrates it in the vertical direction. A boss 51A provided on the bracket 51 is press-fitted into each through hole 52A. In this way, the plate 40 is connected to the outer housing 16A via the elastic members 52. When a force is applied to each plate 40 toward the back side, the elastic members 52 are compressed in the vertical direction. As a result, each plate 40 is displaced vertically so as to move closer to the outer housing 16A to which it is connected. When the force applied to each plate 40 toward the back side is removed, the elastic members 52 elastically return to their original position. As a result, each plate 40 returns to its original position relative to the outer housing 16A to which it is connected.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the lighting unit 22 comprises a plurality of light sources 22A that emit light, a plurality of light guide members 22B, a plurality of light-emitting surfaces 22K through which light passes, and a plurality of light-shielding sheets 22C. Each light source 22A is, for example, an LED that is heat-resistant and emits white light. These light sources 22A are surface-mounted on one side of a substrate 22D that extends in the front-to-back direction. A known printed circuit board is used for the substrate 22D. The substrate 22D on which the light sources 22A are mounted is positioned with the light sources 22A facing outward in the left-right direction and is inserted between the reinforcing column 16G and the support wall 16H in the outer housing 16A (see Figures 6 and 7). As a result, each light source 22A is positioned to face the light guide member insertion hole 16F from the inside in the left-right direction (see Figures 6 and 7).

[0030] The multiple light guide members 22B are made of, for example, a colorless, transparent synthetic resin to which a small amount of diffusing agent has been added. Each light guide member 22B is formed to extend in the front-to-back direction. Each light guide member 22B comprises multiple insertion portions 22E that are inserted into the light guide member insertion hole 16F, multiple locking claws 22F, and a retaining boss 22G. Each insertion portion 22E is shaped to protrude inward in the left-right direction and is formed in a row in the front-to-back direction. The protruding end of each insertion portion 22E is formed as a facing surface 22H that faces each light source 22A. Each facing surface 22H is formed in an uneven shape (see Figures 6 and 7). When light emitted from each light source 22A is incident on each facing surface 22H, it is refracted in various directions and reaches every corner of the light guide member 22B.

[0031] Each insertion portion 22E has one locking claw 22F. Each locking claw 22F protrudes inward in the left-right direction from each insertion portion 22E. The retaining boss 22G is provided in the insertion portion 22E at the center in the front-rear direction. The retaining boss 22G is integrally formed with the locking claw 22F and protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the locking claw 22F (see Figure 7). When attaching the light guide member 22B to the light guide member insertion hole 16F, each insertion portion 22E is inserted into the light guide member insertion hole 16F so as to avoid the reinforcing column 16G (see Figure 7). Then, each locking claw 22F engages with the locking projection 16J provided on the outer housing 16A (see Figure 6). The retaining boss 22G is inserted through the insertion hole 22J formed in the substrate 22D, which is positioned between the reinforcing column 16G and the support wall 16H (see Figure 7). This prevents the substrate 22D from falling out from between the reinforcing column 16G and the support wall 16H.

[0032] The multiple light-emitting surfaces 22K are the surfaces exposed to the outside of each light guide member 22B when the light guide member 22B is attached to the light guide member insertion hole 16F (see Figures 6 and 7). Each light-emitting surface 22K is exposed on both left and right side edges of the clamping portion 20, extending from the base end 11 to the tip end 12 (see Figure 4). As shown in Figure 3, each light-emitting surface 22K faces outward in the left and right direction of the opposing plate 40 of the pair of plates 40. As a result, the light L transmitted through the light-emitting surface 22K and radiated outward travels outward (outward direction) of the opposing plate 40 of the pair of plates 40. In other words, the light-emitting surface 22K radiates light L outward of the opposing plate 40 of the pair of plates 40. When the pair of clamping surfaces 20A clamp the hair H, the light L radiated from the light-emitting surface 22K can illuminate the hair H extending from the plate 40 in the left and right directions. In the front-to-back direction, the front end of the light-emitting surface 22K is located approximately at the same position as the front end of the plate 40, as shown in Figure 8. In the front-to-back direction, the rear end of the light-emitting surface 22K is located in front of the rear end of the plate 40.

[0033] With the light guide member 22B attached to the light guide member insertion hole 16F, the reinforcing column 16G is covered from the outside by the light guide member 22B (see Figure 7). A diffusing agent is added to the light guide member 22B, and the light emitted from each light source 22A is refracted in various directions as it enters each opposing surface 22H, reaching every corner of the light guide member 22B. As a result, light is emitted evenly from the light-emitting surface 22K, making light spots less noticeable, and the presence of the reinforcing column 16G is less likely to be noticed by the user. In addition, since the reinforcing column 16G is not exposed, the light guide member 22B can be made invisible by being separated by the reinforcing column 16G, compared to when the reinforcing column is exposed.

[0034] The multiple light-shielding sheets 22C are, for example, made of flat silicone rubber. Each light-shielding sheet 22C is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-back direction, as shown in Figure 5. Each light-shielding sheet 22C is attached to the substrate 22D, which is placed between the reinforcing column 16G and the support wall 16H, as shown in Figure 6. Specifically, the light-shielding sheet 22C is attached to the side of the light source 22A facing the heat-generating section 21, with one edge in the longitudinal direction abutting against the surface on the substrate 22D on which the light source 22A is mounted. The other edge in the longitudinal direction of the light-shielding sheet 22C is then attached to the inner surface of the left edge (right edge) that forms the opening region R in the outer housing 16A. By attaching the light-shielding sheets 22C in this way, light emitted from the light source 22A is prevented from leaking out of the opening region R.

[0035] [Structure of the gripping part] As shown in Figure 2, the gripping portion 30 is provided on the base end 11 side (rear end side) of the pair of arm portions 10A and 10B and is gripped by the user when gripping hair. The base end 11 of the gripping portion 30 is provided with a locking portion 13C that can slide freely in the front-rear direction. When the locking portion 13C is slid backward, the pair of arm portions 10A and 10B are held open by the elastic repulsive force of the compression coil spring 13B. At this time, the pair of arm portions 10A and 10B can be freely displaced between the open and closed states by the user adjusting the gripping force applied to the gripping portion 30. When the locking portion 13C is slid forward while the pair of arm portions 10A and 10B are in the closed state, the pair of arm portions 10A and 10B are held closed (see Figure 1). An electric wire 90 with a power plug (not shown) is provided on the base end 11 of the gripping portion 30. As shown in Figure 1, the width dimension of the clamping portion 20 in the left-right direction is greater than the width dimension of the gripping portion 30 in the left-right direction.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the hair iron 10 is equipped with a display unit 14. The display unit 14 is provided on the outer surface of the gripping portion 30 on the lower arm portion 10B. The display unit 14 is the area enclosed by the dotted rectangle in Figure 1. A control board (not shown) is housed inside the gripping portion 30 on the lower arm portion 10B. The control board is, for example, a known printed circuit board. The control board has surface-mounted control units (not shown), such as a microcomputer, for controlling various parts of the hair iron 10, and multiple LEDs. The light emitted from these LEDs passes through the display unit 14 and is emitted to the outside. The display unit 14 is formed so that light shaped like predetermined display content, such as the power on / off status and set temperature, passes through it. Here, predetermined display content includes letters, numbers, symbols, icons, patterns, etc.

[0037] For example, transparent or translucent synthetic resin is used for the components constituting the display unit 14. The front or back surface of the components constituting the display unit 14 is painted black. The components constituting the display unit 14 are formed by removing part of the black paint (so-called "white outline"). Furthermore, the entire surface of the display unit 14 is painted with a predetermined color other than black (for example, a light color or white). Therefore, when the LED is off, the predetermined display is not visible from the outside, but when the LED lights up, it becomes visible from the outside.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the gripping section 30 is provided with a power button 19A, a down button 19B, and an up button 19C. The power button 19A, down button 19B, and up button 19C are arranged in a front-to-back direction between the upper arm section 10A and the lower arm section 10B, in other words, in the vertical center of the gripping section 30. The control board has surface-mounted switches (not shown) corresponding to the power button 19A, down button 19B, and up button 19C. For example, known tact switches or membrane switches can be used as switches. Pressing the power button 19A switches the power of the hair iron 10 on or off. Pressing the down button 19B and up button 19C switches the temperature of the plate 40 to the desired temperature. When the power of the hair iron 10 is turned on by operating the power button 19A, the heating of the plate 40, which will be described later, begins. The hair iron 10 allows you to set the temperature of the plates 40 to one of several temperature settings by operating the down button 19B or the up button 19C. For example, the temperature can be selected from five options: 120°C, 140°C, 160°C, 180°C, and 200°C. For example, pressing the up button 19C once will select a temperature one level higher than the currently selected temperature, and pressing the down button 19B once will select a temperature one level lower than the currently selected temperature.

[0039] Next, the operation of the hair iron 10 in this embodiment will be described. First, the user connects the power plug (not shown) attached to the electric wire 90 to the outlet. Then, the user removes the case member (not shown) that is placed over the tip 12 of the pair of arm parts 10A and 10B. Then, the user slides the lock part 13C backward. The pair of arm parts 10A and 10B are then held open by the elastic repulsive force of the compression coil spring 13B (see Figure 2).

[0040] The user then presses the power button 19A for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds). This starts the power supply to the heat source 50, and the heating of the plate 40 begins. At the same time, power is also supplied to the light source 22A, and the emission of light from the light source 22A begins. After pressing the power button 19A, the user can set the temperature of the plate 40 to the desired set temperature by pressing the down button 19B or up button 19C within a predetermined time (for example, within 5 seconds).

[0041] For example, the plate 40 is provided with a known thermocouple (not shown), and a control unit (not shown) surface-mounted on the control board is configured to detect the temperature of the plate 40. When the plate 40 is being heated up or cooled down to the set temperature, the control unit flashes the LED corresponding to the selected set temperature in red on the display unit 14, and lights up the LED corresponding to the unselected set temperature in white. When the control unit detects that the temperature of the plate 40 has reached the set temperature using the thermocouple, it lights up the LED corresponding to the selected set temperature in red on the display unit 14. Here, it is preferable that the condition for the LED corresponding to the selected set temperature to light up in red is when the difference between the temperature detected by the thermocouple and the set temperature falls below a predetermined difference (for example, less than 10 degrees). If the down button 19B or up button 19C is not operated for a predetermined period of time or longer (for example, 5 seconds or more), the control unit prohibits changing the set temperature. In conjunction with this, the control unit illuminates the LED corresponding to the display content (for example, a padlock icon) on the display unit 14 that indicates that changing the set temperature is prohibited, in white.

[0042] To release the restriction on changing the set temperature and change the set temperature again, the control unit releases the restriction on changing the set temperature and turns off the LED (padlock icon) on the display unit 14 that corresponds to the display content indicating that the set temperature change has been fixed. This allows the user to reset the set temperature to the desired setting by operating the down button 19B or up button 19C.

[0043] Next, the user of the hair iron 10 inserts the clamping portion 20 into the hair from the tip portion 12 side. Once the desired amount of hair is positioned on the clamping portion 20, the user grips the gripping portion 30 to close the pair of arm portions 10A and 10B. This causes the hair H to be clamped by the pair of clamping surfaces 20A (see Figure 3). At this time, since the plate 40 is connected to the outer housing 16A via the elastic member 52, even if the user grips the gripping portion 30 with strong force, it is possible to prevent the hair from being excessively pressed by the pair of clamping surfaces 20A.

[0044] Light L emitted from the light-emitting surface 22K travels outward in the left-right direction of the opposing plate 40 of the pair of plates 40 (see Figure 3). The light L emitted after passing through the light-emitting surface 22K can brightly illuminate the hair H extending from the plate 40 in the left-right direction, as well as the scalp (not shown) (see Figure 3). This allows the user to style their hair while checking the condition of their hair H and scalp.

[0045] When a user styles their hair using the hair iron 10, the hair H is positioned in a direction that intersects the opening region R from left to right (see Figures 3 and 4). In other words, while styling the hair, the hair H positioned in the clamping portion 20 moves from left to right across the opening region R. As a result, the hair H can easily enter the opening region R through the gaps formed at the front and rear edges. However, by providing vertical walls 16K along the front and rear edges of the opening region R, it is possible to prevent the hair H from entering the opening region R through the gaps formed at the front and rear edges.

[0046] After using the hair iron 10, the user presses the power button 19A to turn off the power. This stops the power supply to the heat source 50, the light source 22A, and the LEDs of the display unit 14, stopping the heating of the plates 40 by the heat source 50, and simultaneously turning off the light source 22A and the LEDs of the display unit 14. In other words, the lighting unit 22 remains lit while each plate 40 is being heated by each heat source 50. After that, the locking part 13C is slid forward while the pair of arm parts 10A and 10B are in the closed position, holding the pair of arm parts 10A and 10B in the closed position (see Figure 1). Then, a case member (not shown) is placed over the clamping part 20. Then, the user unplugs the power plug (not shown) attached to the electric wire 90 from the outlet.

[0047] As described above, the hair iron 10 includes a pair of arm sections 10A and 10B that extend from the base end to the tip and are connected at the base end, with the tip end being able to open and close. The hair iron 10 includes a clamping section 20 provided at the tip end of each arm section 10A and 10B that can clamp hair, and a gripping section 30 provided at the base end of each arm section 10A and 10B that grips the hair when clamping it. The clamping section 20 includes a pair of plates 40 having clamping surfaces 20A for clamping hair, a heating section 21 equipped with a pair of heat sources 50 provided one on each plate 40 for heating each plate 40, and a lighting section 22 for illuminating the area being treated during treatment. The lighting section 22 lights up while each plate 40 is being heated by each heat source 50.

[0048] Since the lighting unit 22 of this hair iron 10 is provided separately from the heating unit 21, it is possible to maintain the light intensity and emit light regardless of the temperature change of the heating unit 21. In addition, since the lighting unit 22 continues to emit light while each plate 40 is being heated by each heat source 50, the user can intuitively understand that the plates 40 are hot by visually observing the light emission.

[0049] Therefore, hair iron 10 can brightly and effectively illuminate the hair and scalp.

[0050] In the hair iron 10, the lighting unit 22 comprises a light source 22A that emits light and a light-emitting surface 22K through which light is transmitted. The light-emitting surface 22K is exposed and positioned on the edge of the clamping part 20 that extends from the base end to the tip end. Therefore, when the clamping part 20 clamps hair, it is possible to configure it to emit light toward the hair extending from the clamping part 20.

[0051] In the hair iron 10, the light-emitting surface 22K emits light outward from the opposing plate 40 of the pair of plates 40. Therefore, when the clamping part 20 clamps hair, light can be effectively emitted toward the hair extending from the clamping part 20.

[0052] <Other examples> The present invention is not limited to Example 1 described above in the description and drawings, and the following examples are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. (1) Unlike in Example 1, the light-emitting color of the illumination unit may be changed according to the temperature of the plate. In this case, a thermocouple is provided on each plate, and the temperature of the plate is monitored on the control board. For example, when the power plug is connected to an outlet, if the temperature of the plate is 50 degrees or less, the illumination unit lights up in white. If the temperature of the plate is greater than 50 degrees and about 10 degrees lower than the set temperature, the illumination unit lights up or flashes in blue. If the temperature of the plate is in the range from about 10 degrees lower than the set temperature to about 10 degrees higher than the set temperature, the illumination unit lights up in red. Furthermore, the illumination unit may be used to notify errors. For example, if power is not supplied to the heat source, the illumination unit may flash in red. If power is supplied to the heat source and the temperature of the plate does not reach the set temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, 3 minutes), the illumination unit may flash in blue and white alternately. If the temperature difference between each plate is greater than a predetermined difference (for example, 10 degrees or more), the illumination unit may flash in blue and red alternately. Additionally, the lighting unit may be made to blink white a short time before (for example, 1 minute before) the auto-off function is executed, which automatically switches the power off if the power is left on continuously for a predetermined period of time. (2) Unlike in Example 1, the reinforcing columns may be exposed. In this case, the light-emitting surface will be divided by the reinforcing columns. (3) Unlike in Example 1, three types of LEDs—red, green, and blue—may be used in sequence as the light source. (4) Unlike in Embodiment 1, the lighting unit may be provided to the clamping portion via a flexible arm. It is preferable to route the power supply to the lighting unit with wires inside the flexible arm. For example, the flexible arm may be configured to extend from the upper surface of the clamping portion on the upper arm portion, or from the lower surface of the clamping portion on the lower arm portion. In this case, the flexible arm can be bent into a desired shape to freely change the direction in which light is emitted from the lighting unit. (5) Unlike in Example 1, the light source may be configured to be provided one per light guide member. (6) Unlike in Example 1, the light transmitted through the light-emitting surface may be radiated toward the clamping surface of the plate. (7) Unlike in Example 1, the illumination unit may emit light other than white. For example, it may emit red, blue, or yellow light. If the illumination unit emits red light, it can be expected to have an effect on improving skin wrinkles; if it emits blue light, it can be expected to have an effect on improving skin dullness; and if it emits yellow light, it can be expected to have an effect on improving skin blemishes. In other words, the illumination unit can provide different benefits to the skin depending on the color of light it emits. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10: Hair iron 10A, 10B: Arm section 20: Holding part 20A: Gripping surface 21: Heat-generating part 22: Lighting Department 22A:Light source 22K: Illuminating surface 30: Grip part 40: Plate 50: Heat source H: Hair L: light

Claims

1. A hair iron comprising a pair of arm portions that extend from the base to the tip and are connected at the base end, with the tip end being able to open and close, Each of the aforementioned arm portions is provided at the tip side with a clamping portion capable of holding hair, Each of the aforementioned arm portions is provided on the base end side and has a gripping portion that is used to grip hair when it is held in place, It is equipped with, The clamping portion is, A heating element comprising a pair of plates having a clamping surface for holding hair, and a pair of heat sources provided on each plate for heating each plate, The lighting unit illuminates the area being treated during the procedure, It has, The lighting unit of the hair iron lights up while each of the plates is being heated by each of the heat sources.

2. The aforementioned lighting unit is A light source that emits light, The device comprises a light-emitting surface through which the aforementioned light is transmitted, The hair iron according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting surface is exposed to the edge of the clamping portion extending from the base end to the tip end.

3. The hair iron according to claim 2, wherein the light-emitting surface emits light outward from the opposing plates of the pair of plates.

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