Beauty appliances and hair dryers

Abstract

We provide beauty appliances and hair dryers that can improve usability. [Solution] The beauty appliance (hair dryer 10) comprises a plurality of electrical components (fan 12, heater 13, cooler 14) that operate by applying voltage from a power source E1, a device control unit (control unit) 19 that controls the plurality of electrical components, and a communication unit 18 that receives commands from a mobile terminal 20. The device control unit (control unit) 19 changes the voltage applied to each of the electrical components in response to commands from the mobile terminal 20 via the communication unit 18.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to beauty appliances and hair dryers.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, hair dryers have various functions. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a hair dryer including a plurality of display units individually provided according to the magnitude of the air volume and a plurality of display units individually provided according to the blowing temperature.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when a plurality of display units that light up or the like according to the state of each part are installed in a hair dryer, the weight of the hair dryer may increase, resulting in a decrease in operability.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a beauty appliance and a hair dryer capable of improving operability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a beauty appliance according to the present invention includes a plurality of electrical components that operate by applying a voltage from a power source, a control unit that controls the plurality of electrical components, and a communication unit that receives a command from a portable terminal. The control unit changes the voltage applied to each electrical component according to a command from the portable terminal via the communication unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one or more embodiments of the beauty appliance, etc., of the present invention, the above configuration can improve workability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention, including not only essential components of the invention but also optional and preferred embodiments. [Figure 1] This is a side view of the hair dryer according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the hair dryer. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a front view of a mobile terminal that transmits commands to a hair dryer. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of the terminal display device displayed on the mobile device shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Embodiment] The following embodiments relate to the dryer 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and include not only essential components of the invention but also optional and preferred components. The embodiments of the dryer 10 will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] The hair dryer 10 shown in Figure 1 is a small beauty appliance 100 for quickly drying and styling wet hair by blowing hot or cold air onto it. Furthermore, this hair dryer 10 is small enough that, for example, a user can dry wet hair by holding it in one hand and blowing air onto it.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the hair dryer 10 according to this embodiment includes a hair dryer body 11, a fan 12, a heater 13, a cooler 14, a humidifying unit 15, an operating unit 16, a display unit 17, a communication unit 18, a device control unit 19, a temperature sensor s1, and a gyro sensor s2.

[0012] The dryer body 11 is formed, for example, from synthetic resin, and has a roughly T-shape when viewed from the side. An operating section 16 is provided on the outer surface of the dryer body 11. Furthermore, an air outlet 11H from which hot air or the like is blown out is provided at the tip of the dryer body 11.

[0013] The fan 12 is an electrical component built into the dryer body 11 and includes, for example, a fan motor, a drive shaft connected to the fan motor, and a plurality of blades provided on the drive shaft.

[0014] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the dryer body 11 is provided with an electric wire W. The end of the electric wire W is provided with a plug (not shown), and by plugging this plug into a household electrical outlet (a so-called "outlet"), the dryer 10 and the power supply E1 are electrically connected, and voltage can be applied from the power supply E1 to the electrical components 12-18 and sensors s1 and s2.

[0015] Then, with the dryer 10 connected to the power supply E1 via the wire W, when the user operates the control unit 16 (first control unit 16a), voltage is applied from the power supply E1 to the fan motor, causing the drive shaft to rotate along with the multiple blades, and air is blown out from the outlet 11H.

[0016] The heater 13 is an electrical component and is built into the dryer body 11. When the dryer 10 is connected to the power supply E1 via the wire W, and the user operates the control unit 16 (second control unit 16b), voltage is applied from the power supply E1 to the heater 13, which heats the air inside the dryer body 11, causing warm air to blow out from the outlet 11H.

[0017] The cooler 14 is an electrical component, for example, composed of a Peltier element, and is built into the dryer main body 11. When the user operates the operation unit 16 (the second operation unit 16b) with the dryer 10 connected to the power supply E1 via the electric wire W, a voltage is applied from the power supply E1 to the cooler 14, and the air inside the dryer main body 11 is cooled, so that cold air blows out from the air outlet 11H.

[0018] The humidifying unit 15 is an electrical component having a tank 15a capable of storing a liquid such as water or beauty liquid, and a shutter 15b capable of switching between a communicating state and a closed state between the inside of the tank 15a and the inside of the dryer main body 11. The tank 15a is detachable from the dryer main body 11, and the liquid can be replenished into the tank in a state where the tank 15a is removed from the dryer main body 1,1.

[0019] When the liquid is stored in the tank 15a and the dryer 10 is connected to the power supply E1 via the electric wire W, and the user operates the humidifying unit 15 from the mobile terminal 20 as will be described later, the shutter 15b switches to the communicating state so as to communicate the inside of the tank 15a and the inside of the dryer main body 11. In this state, the air containing the liquid stored in the tank 15a blows out from the air outlet 11H. The shutter 15b shown in FIG. 1 indicates the communicating state. When the shutter 15b is moved to the left side of FIG. 1 from this state to close the opening of the tank 15a with the shutter 15b, it switches to the closed state. In the closed state, the air blows out from the air outlet 11H without the liquid stored in the tank 15a being contained in the air.

[0020] The operation unit 16 is composed of a first operation unit 16a and a second operation unit 16b. The first operation unit 16a is, for example, a changeover switch and is a part for changing the air volume blown out from the air outlet 11H. That is, the first operation unit 16a is a part for operating the fan 12. The first operation unit 16a can switch the air volume of the fan 12, for example, to "off", "strong", "medium", and "weak".

[0021] When the first operation unit 16a is set to "off", the amount of air blown out from the air outlet 11H becomes zero. That is, in this state, no air is blown out from the air outlet 11H.

[0022] When the first operation unit 16a is set to "strong", the amount of air blown out from the air outlet 11H becomes the largest.

[0023] When the first operation unit 16a is set to "medium", the amount of air blown out from the air outlet 11H becomes less than that in the "strong" state.

[0024] When the first operation unit 16a is set to "weak", the amount of air blown out from the air outlet 11H becomes less than that in the "medium" state.

[0025] That is, by operating the "off", "weak", "medium", and "strong" of the first operation unit 16a on the dryer body 11, the strength of the air volume from the air outlet 11H can be changed in four levels.

[0026] The second operation unit 16b is, for example, a push button switch and is a part for changing the temperature of the air blown out from the air outlet 11H. That is, the second operation unit 16b is a part for operating the heater 13 and the cooler 14. The second operation unit 16b can switch the temperature of the air by the heater 13 and the cooler 14, for example, to "warm air", "cold air", and "room temperature".

[0027] When the second operation unit 16b is pressed once, for example, warm air is blown out from the air outlet 11H by the operation of the heater 13 and the fan 12 without operating the cooler 14.

[0028] When the second operation unit 16b is pressed one more time, air at room temperature (natural temperature without intentional heating or cooling) is blown out from the air outlet 11H by the operation of only the fan 12 without operating the heater 13 and the cooler 14.

[0029] If the second control unit 16b is pressed one more time, cool air will be blown out of the outlet 11H by the operation of the cooler 14 and fan 12 without activating the heater 13.

[0030] In other words, by changing the number of times the second operating section 16b on the hair dryer body 11 is pressed, the temperature of the air coming out of the air outlet 11H can be changed to three different levels.

[0031] The display unit 17 is an electrical component, for example, composed of LEDs, and is arranged around the second operating unit 16b. The display unit 17 lights up red when hot air is blown out from the outlet 11H, lights up blue when cold air is blown out from the outlet 11H, and lights up yellow when room temperature air is blown out from the outlet 11H.

[0032] The communication unit 18 is the part that performs communication, such as short-range wireless communication (Bluetooth®) with the mobile terminal 20, which will be described later.

[0033] The temperature sensor s1 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the air blown out from the outlet 11H.

[0034] The gyro sensor s2 is a sensor that detects in which direction and at what speed (angular velocity) the air outlet 11H of the hair dryer body 11 is rotating relative to the vertical direction.

[0035] The equipment control unit 19 is the part that comprehensively controls each of the above-mentioned parts of the dryer 10.

[0036] Next, the mobile terminal 20, which is connected to the hair dryer 10 via wireless communication, will be explained using Figures 3 and 4. The hair dryer 10 and the mobile terminal 20 according to this embodiment constitute a home appliance system.

[0037] The mobile terminal 20 is, for example, an information processing terminal owned by the user of the hair dryer 10. The mobile terminal 20 is a portable electronic computer such as a smartphone, tablet, or notebook PC (Personal Computer).

[0038] The mobile terminal 20 can download a program or application (hereinafter referred to as "app") that controls the hair dryer 10 via wireless communication from a server operated and managed by, for example, a manufacturer that produces the hair dryer 10. Then, by operating the mobile terminal 20 while the downloaded program is running, the following actions can be performed on the hair dryer 10.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the mobile terminal 20 includes a terminal control device 21, a terminal recording device 22, terminal operation buttons 23a, and a terminal display device 23b.

[0040] The terminal control unit 21 comprehensively controls all parts of the mobile terminal 20. The terminal recording device 22 stores various data, such as programs that operate the various parts of the mobile terminal 20. The terminal control unit 21 can record various data in the terminal recording device 22.

[0041] The terminal recording device 22 is a memory capable of recording programs and the like. The terminal control device 21 can display various types of information on the terminal display device 23b by activating the programs and the like recorded in the terminal recording device 22.

[0042] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 20 includes, for example, an input / output device 23. The input / output device 23 includes terminal operation buttons 23a that, when pressed by the user of the mobile terminal 20, execute functions displayed on the terminal display device 23b.

[0043] Furthermore, the input / output device 23 includes a terminal display device 23b. The terminal display device 23b is a so-called touch panel, an input / output device that can be operated by directly touching the screen, and can be operated with a finger or a stylus. In addition, the terminal display device 23b has a function to display the operating status of information (for example, data such as programs) recorded in the terminal recording device 22.

[0044] Next, we will explain the functions of the hair dryer 10 that can be operated by the mobile terminal 20 while the hair dryer 10 is connected to the mobile terminal 20.

[0045] When the hair dryer 10 is connected to the mobile terminal 20 and the app for the hair dryer 10 downloaded to the mobile terminal 20 is activated, as shown in Figure 4, the terminal display device 23b displays information about the hair dryer 10 in the first window W1 and the second window W2.

[0046] The first window W1 displays, for example, a first bar Ba1 representing the airflow volume blown out from the hair dryer 10, and a second bar Ba2 representing the temperature of the air blown out from the hair dryer 10.

[0047] The first bar Ba1 is displayed on the terminal display device 23b of the mobile terminal 20 so as to extend horizontally. On the other hand, the third bar Ba3 is displayed on the terminal display device 23b of the mobile terminal 20 so as to intersect with the first bar Ba1 and extend vertically. Furthermore, the intersection position of the third bar Ba3 with respect to the first bar Ba1 corresponds to the airflow volume instruction from the air outlet 11H by the user, as described below.

[0048] In Figure 4, when the third bar Ba3 is located at the right end of the first bar Ba1, the airflow from the outlet 11H is strongest, and when the third bar Ba3 is located at the left end of the first bar Ba1, no air is blown out from the outlet 11H. In other words, as the third bar Ba3 is gradually moved to the right horizontally, the airflow from the outlet 11H gradually increases, while as the third bar Ba3 is gradually moved to the left horizontally, the airflow from the outlet 11H gradually decreases.

[0049] When the third bar Ba3 is located at the right end of the first bar Ba1, it corresponds to the "high" setting on the first operating section 16a of the dryer body 11.

[0050] When the third bar Ba3 is located at the left end of the first bar Ba1, it corresponds to the "off" setting on the first control unit 16a of the dryer body 11, and no air comes out of the outlet 11H.

[0051] When the third bar Ba3 is located in the center of the first bar Ba1, it corresponds to the "middle" position of the first operating section 16a of the dryer body 11.

[0052] Furthermore, in the home appliance system of this embodiment, the strength of the airflow from the air outlet 11H can be changed in, for example, 10 steps by operating the third bar Ba3 of the mobile terminal 20.

[0053] In other words, the number of airflow intensity settings on the mobile terminal 20 is greater than the number of airflow intensity settings on the first operation unit 16a of the hair dryer body 11. Therefore, according to the hair dryer 10 of this embodiment, the operability of the airflow output from the outlet 11H can be improved.

[0054] The second bar Ba2 is displayed on the terminal display device 23b of the mobile terminal 20 so as to extend horizontally. On the other hand, the fourth bar Ba4 is displayed on the terminal display device 23b of the mobile terminal 20 so as to intersect with the second bar Ba2 and extend vertically. Furthermore, the intersection position of the fourth bar Ba4 with respect to the second bar Ba2 corresponds to the temperature of the air blown out from the outlet 11H as indicated by the user, as described below.

[0055] In Figure 4, when the fourth bar Ba4 is located at the right end of the second bar Ba2, the temperature of the air coming from the outlet 11H is the highest, and when the fourth bar Ba4 is located at the left end of the second bar Ba2, the temperature of the air coming from the outlet 11H is the lowest. In other words, as the fourth bar Ba4 is gradually moved to the right horizontally, the temperature of the air coming from the outlet 11H gradually increases, while as the fourth bar Ba4 is gradually moved to the left horizontally, the temperature of the air coming from the outlet 11H gradually decreases.

[0056] When the fourth bar Ba4 is located at the right end of the second bar Ba2, it corresponds to the "hot air" setting on the second operating section 16b of the dryer body 11.

[0057] When the fourth bar Ba4 is located at the left end of the second bar Ba2, it corresponds to the "cool air" setting on the second operating section 16b of the dryer body 11.

[0058] When the fourth bar Ba4 is positioned in the center of the second bar Ba2, it corresponds to the "room temperature" setting on the second operating section 16b of the dryer body 11.

[0059] Furthermore, in the home appliance system of this embodiment, the temperature of the air coming from the air outlet 11H can be changed in, for example, 10 steps by operating the fourth bar Ba4 of the mobile terminal 20.

[0060] In other words, the number of high and low temperature settings for the airflow on the mobile terminal 20 is greater than the number of high and low temperature settings for the airflow on the second operation unit 16b of the dryer body 11. Therefore, according to the dryer 10 of this embodiment, the operability of the airflow temperature blown out from the outlet 11H can be improved.

[0061] The second window W2 displays, for example, the humidification mode, the cycle mode, the first checkbox Bo1 located to the left of the humidification mode, and the second checkbox Bo2 located to the left of the cycle mode.

[0062] Then, when the user of the hair dryer 10 touches the first checkbox Bo1 with their finger, a checkmark appears in the first checkbox Bo1. In this state, when the terminal operation button 23a is pressed, as described above, air containing the liquid from tank 15a is blown out from the outlet 11H of the hair dryer body 11.

[0063] On the other hand, when the user of the hair dryer 10 touches the second checkbox Bo2 with their finger, a checkmark appears in the second checkbox Bo2. In this state, when the terminal operation button 23a is pressed, the airflow switches between a strong airflow state, a weak airflow state, a high air temperature state, and a low air temperature state at predetermined time intervals.

[0064] In other words, in the home appliance system of this embodiment, functions that cannot be operated by the control unit 16 provided on the hair dryer body 11 can be operated by using the mobile terminal 20.

[0065] The disclosure relating to the present invention described above can be summarized to at least the following:

[0066] The beauty appliance 100 comprises a plurality of electrical components (e.g., a fan 12, a heater 13) that operate by applying voltage from a power supply E1, a device control unit (control unit) 19 that controls the plurality of electrical components, and a communication unit 18 that receives commands from a mobile terminal 20. The device control unit (control unit) 19 changes the voltage applied to each electrical component in response to commands from the mobile terminal 20 via the communication unit 18. Therefore, according to the beauty appliance 100 of this embodiment, the number of operating parts provided on the beauty appliance 100 can be reduced, thereby reducing the weight of the beauty appliance 100 and improving the operability of the beauty appliance 100.

[0067] The present invention disclosed in paragraph 0066 above may include at least the following embodiments. These embodiments may be adopted separately or in combination with each other.

[0068] (1) The hair dryer 100 includes a fan 12 that operates when voltage is applied from a power supply E1, a heater 13 that operates when voltage is applied from a power supply E1, an equipment control unit (control unit) 19 that controls the fan 12, heater 13, and cooler 14, and a communication unit 18 that receives commands from a mobile terminal 20. The equipment control unit (control unit) 19 changes the voltage applied to the fan 12, heater 13, and cooler 14 in response to commands from the mobile terminal 20 via the communication unit 18. As a result, the hair dryer 10 according to this embodiment can reduce the number of operating parts provided on the hair dryer body 11, thereby reducing the weight of the hair dryer 10 and improving the operability of the hair dryer 10 when held in one hand to dry wet hair.

[0069] (2) The hair dryer 10 further comprises a humidifier 15 and a hair dryer body 11 that operate by applying voltage from a power supply E1. The humidifier 15 includes a tank 15a in which liquid can be stored, and a shutter 15b that can switch between a state of communication and a state of closure between the inside of the tank 15a and the inside of the hair dryer body 11. The device control unit 19 controls the humidifier 15 and switches the shutter 15b between a state of communication and a state of closure in response to a command from the mobile terminal 20 via the communication unit 18. Therefore, according to the hair dryer 10 of this embodiment, there is no need to provide an operating part for operating the humidifier 15 on the hair dryer body 11, so the weight of the hair dryer 10 can be reduced, thereby improving the operability of the hair dryer 10 when held in one hand to dry wet hair.

[0070] (3) The hair dryer 10 further comprises a hair dryer body 11. The hair dryer body 11 is provided with an operating section 16 (first operating section 16a) for the fan 12. The mobile terminal 20 has more stages for controlling the airflow strength (e.g., 10 stages) than the operating section 16 on the hair dryer body 11 (e.g., 4 stages). Therefore, according to the hair dryer 10 of this embodiment, finer control can be achieved by operating through the mobile terminal 20 than by operating with the first operating section 16a on the hair dryer body 11. Accordingly, according to the hair dryer 10 of this embodiment, the amount of air blown out from the outlet 11H of the hair dryer 10 can be finely controlled via the mobile terminal 20 without providing a large number of operating sections on the hair dryer body 11, and the weight of the hair dryer 10 is not increased.

[0071] (4) The hair dryer 10 further comprises a hair dryer body 11. The hair dryer body 11 is provided with an operating section 16 (second operating section 16b) for the heater 13 and the cooler 14. The mobile terminal 20 has more high and low temperature settings (e.g., 10 levels) than the operating section 16 on the hair dryer body 11 (e.g., 3 levels). Therefore, according to the hair dryer 10 of this embodiment, finer control can be achieved by operating through the mobile terminal 20 than by operating through the second operating section 16b on the hair dryer body 11. Accordingly, according to the hair dryer 10 of this embodiment, the amount of air temperature blown out from the outlet 11H of the hair dryer 10 can be finely controlled via the mobile terminal 20 without providing a large number of operating sections on the hair dryer body 11, and the weight of the hair dryer 10 is not increased.

[0072] In the embodiments described above, a hair dryer 10 was explained as an example of a beauty appliance 100. However, the beauty appliance 100 according to the present invention is not limited to that. For example, it can be used as a facial steamer or other beauty device.

[0073] Furthermore, in the dryer 10 of the embodiment described above, the first operating unit 16a for operating the fan 12 provided on the dryer body 11 was described as having four switching settings. However, the dryer 10 according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the dryer body 11 can be configured so that the first operating unit 16a for operating the fan 12 switches to multiple settings other than four.

[0074] Furthermore, in the dryer 10 of the embodiment described above, a second operating unit 16b for operating the heater 13 and cooler 14 provided on the dryer body 11 was described as having three switching modes. However, the dryer 10 according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the dryer body 11 can be configured so that the second operating unit 1ba for operating the heater 13 and cooler 14 can be switched between multiple modes other than three.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment of the hair dryer 10, the airflow of the fan 12 was switched in 10 stages via the mobile terminal 20. However, the hair dryer 10 according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the airflow of the fan 12 may be configured to be switched in multiple stages other than 10 via the mobile terminal 20. However, the number of airflow strength stages on the mobile terminal 20 should be greater than the number of airflow strength stages on the first operation unit 16a of the fan 12 provided on the hair dryer body 11.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment of the hair dryer 10, the temperature of the air from the heater 13 and cooler 14 can be switched in 10 stages via the mobile terminal 20. However, the hair dryer 10 according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the temperature of the air from the heater 13 and cooler 14 can be switched in stages other than 10 via the mobile terminal 20. However, it is necessary to configure the mobile terminal 20 to have more high and low air temperature stages than the number of high and low air temperature stages of the second operation section 16b of the heater 13 and cooler 14 provided on the hair dryer body 11.

[0077] Furthermore, the dryer 10 in the above-described embodiment was equipped with a cooler 14. However, the dryer 10 according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the dryer 10 does not need to be equipped with a cooler 14. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 10 Hair dryer 12 Fans (electrical components) 13. Heater (electrical component) 14. Cooler (electrical component) 15. Humidification section (electrical components) 17 Display Unit (Electrical Components) 18 Communications Department 19. Equipment Control Unit (Control Unit) 20 Mobile devices 100 beauty appliances

Claims

1. Multiple electrical components that operate by applying voltage from a power source, A control unit that controls the plurality of electrical components, A communication unit that receives commands from a mobile device, Equipped with, The control unit is characterized by changing the voltage applied to each electrical component in response to a command from the mobile terminal via the communication unit.

2. A fan that operates by applying voltage from a power supply, A heater that operates by applying voltage from the aforementioned power supply, A cooler that operates by applying voltage from the aforementioned power supply, A control unit that controls the fan, the heater, and the cooler, A communication unit that receives commands from a mobile device, Equipped with, The control unit is characterized by changing the voltage applied to the fan, the heater, and the cooler in response to a command from the mobile terminal via the communication unit.

3. The dryer further comprises a humidifier unit and a dryer body that operate by applying voltage from the aforementioned power supply, The humidifying unit comprises a tank capable of storing liquid, and a shutter capable of switching between a state of communication and a state of closure between the inside of the tank and the inside of the dryer body. The hair dryer according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the humidifying unit and switches the shutter between an open state and a closed state in response to a command from the mobile terminal via the communication unit.

4. The hair dryer unit is also included. The dryer body is provided with the fan operating section, The hair dryer according to claim 2, wherein the number of airflow intensity settings on the mobile terminal is greater than the number of airflow intensity settings on the control unit of the hair dryer body.

5. The hair dryer unit is also included. The dryer body is provided with operating parts for the heater and the cooler. The hair dryer according to claim 2, wherein the number of high and low temperature settings for the airflow of the mobile terminal is greater than the number of high and low temperature settings for the airflow of the operating section of the hair dryer body.

Images