Hair dryer

Abstract

To provide a hair dryer that can be used as drying a scalp first with a temperature suitable for a scalp and hair.SOLUTION: A hair dryer 10 includes: a heat generator 43; and an infrared temperature sensor 41 for detecting a surface temperature of user's hair within an air blowing region. The hair dryer 10 has a detection temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41 when the surface temperature of user's hair within the air blowing region is assumed to be 50°C±5°C, as a temperature threshold and has a 'SCALP mode' of supplying power to the heat generator 43 when the detection temperature is less than the temperature threshold and not supplying power to the heat generator 43 when the detection temperature is equal to or more than the temperature threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional hair dryer. This hair dryer includes a heating element and an infrared temperature sensor. The infrared temperature sensor can detect the surface temperature of the user's hair, which is located in front of the infrared temperature sensor, when the hair dryer is in use. This hair dryer automatically adjusts the heating temperature of the heating element according to the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor. This allows the hair dryer to blow alternately hot and cold air according to the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor, thereby tightening the cuticles of the user's hair, ensuring a glossy cuticle effect, and promoting proper blood circulation in the scalp. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-150999 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The hair dryer in Patent Document 1 does not have a function that assumes that hair is dried starting from the scalp. Furthermore, when using this hair dryer to dry hair, it is necessary to adjust the heat to the hair by swinging the dryer over the hair, making it difficult to provide an appropriate temperature for the scalp and hair.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hair dryer that can be used to dry the scalp first at a temperature appropriate for the scalp and hair. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The hair dryer of the first invention is A heating element; a non-contact temperature sensor that detects the surface temperature of the user's hair within the air blowing area; It is equipped with The temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor when the surface temperature is assumed to be 50°C ± 5°C is set as a temperature threshold value, The heating element has a drying mode in which power is supplied to the heating element when the detected temperature is below the temperature threshold, and power is not supplied to the heating element when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold.

[0007] This hair dryer has a drying mode that switches between supplying and not supplying power to the heating element when the hair surface temperature reaches around 50°C. As a result, users of this hair dryer do not feel the heat as the hot air and cold air are switched on and off when the hair surface temperature reaches around 50°C, reducing heat damage to the hair. This allows users of this hair dryer to dry their scalp well.

[0008] Therefore, the hair dryer of the first invention can be used to dry the scalp first by setting the appropriate temperature for the scalp and hair, thereby preventing the scalp from becoming damp and reducing thermal damage to the hair. Note that a temperature below the temperature threshold is a temperature that has not reached the temperature threshold, and a temperature above the temperature threshold is a temperature that includes the temperature threshold and is higher than that.

[0009] The hair dryer of the second invention is A heating element; a non-contact temperature sensor that detects the surface temperature of the user's hair within the air blowing area; It is equipped with A plurality of different surface temperatures are assumed, and the detected temperatures detected by the non-contact temperature sensor are set as temperature thresholds. a plurality of drying modes each having a different temperature threshold; In each drying mode, power is supplied to the heating element when the detected temperature is below the temperature threshold, and power is not supplied to the heating element when the detected temperature is equal to or greater than the temperature threshold.

[0010] This hair dryer has multiple drying modes with different temperature thresholds. In one drying mode, the temperature threshold is set to a temperature suitable for drying the scalp, at which the hot air and cold air are switched over, and in another drying mode, the temperature threshold is set to a temperature suitable for drying the hair, allowing the user of this hair dryer to thoroughly dry the scalp and then the entire hair.

[0011] Therefore, the hair dryer of the second invention can be used to dry the scalp first by using a temperature that is appropriate for the scalp and hair, thereby preventing the scalp from becoming too dry and reducing heat damage to the hair. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the hair dryer of Example 1, seen from diagonally above the front right. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hair dryer of Example 1, seen from the rear right diagonally downward. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a hair dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing first to third mesh members attached to an opening on the right side of the air blowing unit of the hair dryer of Example 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a user of the hair dryer of Example 1 is gripping a handle portion. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a hair dryer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the hair dryer of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the hair dryer of the first embodiment. [Figure 9]3 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the hair dryer of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the hair dryer of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a graph showing changes in scalp elasticity. [Figure 12] 1 is a graph showing changes in moisture content in each layer of the scalp. [Figure 13] 1 is a graph showing changes in scalp elasticity. [Figure 14] 1 is a graph showing the drying time in a quick-drying test. [Figure 15] 1 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of a cross section of hair in a heat damage test. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stand as seen from diagonally above the front right. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stand as seen from diagonally below the front right. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the hair dryer of Example 1 placed on the stand. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a left side view showing the hair dryer of Example 1 placed on the stand. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which the hair dryer of Example 1 is placed on a stand. [Figure 21] FIG. [Figure 22] 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XX in FIG. 18. [Figure 23] 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow YY in FIG. 18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0014] The hair dryer of the first invention can start blowing air when the dry mode is selected. In this case, the hair dryer operates in the dry mode, which automatically switches between hot and cold air when the hair surface temperature reaches around 50°C, allowing the user to dry their hair thoroughly, starting from the scalp.

[0015] The hair dryer of the second invention can start blowing air by selecting the drying mode with the lowest temperature threshold among the multiple drying modes. In this case, the hair dryer automatically operates in the drying mode with the lowest temperature threshold when starting to blow air, thereby drying the scalp well. After drying the scalp, the hair dryer operates in the drying mode with a higher temperature threshold to dry the hair, thereby drying the scalp first at a temperature appropriate for the scalp and hair, preventing the scalp from becoming damp and reducing thermal damage to the hair.

[0016] Next, a first embodiment of a hair dryer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] Example 1 As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the hair dryer 10 of Example 1 includes a housing 20, a blower 30, an infrared temperature sensor 41 which is a non-contact temperature sensor, a heating element 43, a far-infrared generating unit 45, an ionizer 47, an operation unit 51, a power button 53, a cord bushing 61, a power cord 63, and a control unit 70.

[0018] The housing 20 has a blower section 21, a blower tube section 23, and a handle section 25. The blower section 21 houses a blower 30. The blower 30 incorporates a brushless DC motor 31 and a sirocco fan 33 rotated by the motor 31 (see FIG. 3). The blower tube section 23 is substantially cylindrical and extends from the blower section 21. The blower tube section 23 has an outlet 23A formed at its tip. The handle section 25 extends from the blower section 21. An imaginary line parallel to the direction in which the blower tube section 23 extends and an imaginary line parallel to the direction in which the handle section 25 extends intersect at approximately 90°.

[0019] For the sake of convenience in describing the hair dryer 10, in the hair dryer 10 in which the blower tube portion 23 extends horizontally and the handle portion 25 extends vertically, the direction in which the blower tube portion 23 extends from the blower portion 21 is referred to as the front, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rear. In the hair dryer 10 in which the blower tube portion 23 extends horizontally and the handle portion 25 extends vertically, the direction in which the handle portion 25 extends from the blower portion 21 is referred to as the down direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the up direction. In the hair dryer 10 in which the blower tube portion 23 extends horizontally and the handle portion 25 extends vertically, the left direction when looking at the air outlet 23A from the front is referred to as the left side, and the right direction is referred to as the right side. In Figures 1 to 4, the positive direction of the X-axis is the front, and the negative direction is the rear. The positive direction of the Y-axis is the right side, and the negative direction is the left side. The positive direction of the Z-axis is the up direction, and the negative direction is the down direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, a circular opening 21A is formed on each of the left and right side surfaces of the blower unit 21. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a circular air intake 80 is formed on each of the left and right side surfaces of the blower unit 21 along the inner periphery of the opening 21A. A first cover member 91 is attached to the right side surface of the blower unit 21 around the air intake 80. The first cover member 91 extends from the rear of the blower tube 23, the upper part of the handle 25, and the underside of the blower unit 21 to the lower part of the left side surface. The first cover member 91 has a display unit (not shown) in an area R diagonally above and forward of the air intake 80. The display unit displays the selected status of each mode, the air volume, and the temperature of the blown air, as described below. A second cover member 92 is attached to the rear side surface of the blower unit 21. The outer peripheries of the right and lower sides of the second cover member 92 are continuous with the first cover member 91.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, opening 21A formed on the right side of blower unit 21 has a three-layer filter structure in which, from the inside of blower unit 21 to the right, a first mesh member 81 having a metal mesh portion 81A, a second mesh member 82 having a resin mesh portion 82A, and a third mesh member 83 having a metal mesh portion 83A are arranged. First mesh member 81 is fitted into opening 21A so as not to be removable. Blower unit 21 has a substantially cylindrical protrusion 22 that penetrates the center of first mesh member 81 and protrudes rightward beyond first mesh member 81. Protrusion 22 has a hook portion 22A formed on its outer circumferential surface. Hook portion 22A can hook onto a hooked portion 85B (described later) of third mesh member 83.

[0022] The second mesh member 82 has a circular outer shape and has an opening 82B formed in the center, through which the protrusion 22 of the blower 21 is inserted. The second mesh member 82 is attached to the opening 21A of the blower 21 by attaching the third mesh member 83 to the right side of the second mesh member 82, with the protrusion 22 of the blower 21 inserted into the opening 82B in the center. The second mesh member 82 can be removed from the opening 21A of the blower 21 by removing the third mesh member 83 from the opening 21A of the blower 21.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the third mesh member 83 has a circular shape with an outer periphery that is slightly larger than the opening 21A of the blower 21. A circular disk portion 85 is attached to the center of the third mesh member 83. The third mesh member 83 has an intake port 80 formed between the outer periphery 83B and the outer periphery of the disk portion 84, and a metal mesh portion 83A is disposed in the intake port 80. As shown in Figure 4, the third mesh member 83 has a recess 85A formed on the back side of the disk portion 85. The recess 85A of the disk portion 85 has a hook portion 85B formed on its inner periphery. When third mesh member 83 is rotated in one direction around the center of disk portion 85, hooked portions 85B of recessed portions 85A are caught on hooked portions 22A of protrusions 22 of blower unit 21, and when third mesh member 83 is rotated in the other direction, hooked portions 85B of recessed portions 85A are released from hooked portions 22A of protrusions 22 of blower unit 21. In this manner, third mesh member 83 is detachably attached to blower unit 21. Third mesh member 83 and second mesh member 82 attached to opening 21A formed in the right side surface of blower unit 21 can be removed from opening 21A formed in the right side surface of blower unit 21, allowing each mesh portion 82A, 83A to be easily cleaned.

[0024] A third mesh member 83 of the same shape as that attached to opening 21A formed on the right side of blower 21 is detachably attached to opening 21A formed on the left side of blower 21. Third mesh member 83 attached to opening 21A formed on the left side of blower 21 can also be removed from opening 21A formed on the left side of blower 21, making it easy to clean mesh member 83A.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, blower tube portion 23 extends forward from the upper front end of blower section 21. The upper surface of blower tube portion 23 is continuous with the upper surface of blower section 21. Blower tube portion 23 has an outlet member 27 attached to the front end portion to form outlet 23A. Outlet member 27 has an annular ring portion 27A and a mesh portion 27B attached to ring portion 27A. Mesh portion 27B has a circular opening 27C formed in the center.

[0026] 3, the air blower tube portion 23 houses a tubular member 40, a support member 49, a heating element 43, an infrared temperature sensor 41, a far-infrared ray generating unit 45, and an ionizer 47. The tubular member 40 is a thin cylindrical member with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the air blower tube portion 23. The tubular member 40 extends rearward from the rear surface of the mesh portion 27B of the outlet member 27. The tubular member 40 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the air blower tube portion 23.

[0027] The support member 49 is composed of a flat first plate member 49A and a second plate member 49B that are combined so that they partially intersect on the central axis of the cylindrical member 40. The support member 49 is fixed to the cylindrical member 40. The first plate member 49A extends on a vertical plane. The second plate member 49B extends on a horizontal plane. The upper and lower end edges of the first plate member 49A and the left and right end edges of the second plate member 49B extend in the front-rear direction along the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 40.

[0028] The heating element 43 is composed of nichrome wire 43A. The nichrome wire 43A is wound around the support member 49 so as to hook onto both upper and lower edge portions of the first plate member 49A and both left and right edge portions of the second plate member 49B of the support member 49. The infrared temperature sensor 41 is fixed to the front end of the support member 49 and is arranged on the central axis of the tubular member 40. The infrared temperature sensor 41 has a sensor cover 41A attached to the front end. The sensor cover 41A protrudes slightly forward from the opening 27C formed in the center of the mesh portion 27B of the outlet member 27. The infrared temperature sensor 41 has a viewing angle of 13 degrees and can detect the surface temperature of the user's hair within the airflow area of the hair dryer 10. Sensing the surface temperature of the user's hair within the airflow area of the hair dryer 10 using the infrared temperature sensor 41 is called sensing. The hair dryer 10 automatically adjusts the heating temperature of the heating element 43 in three drying modes, "SCALP mode," "MOIST mode," and "VOLUME UP mode," which will be described later, according to the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41.

[0029] The far-infrared generating unit 45 is fixed to a support member 49 behind the infrared temperature sensor 41 and is disposed on the central axis of the tubular member 40. The far-infrared generating unit 45 has a carbon block (not shown). The far-infrared generating unit 45 generates far-infrared rays when the carbon block is overheated by the heating element 43.

[0030] The ionizer 47 is fixed to the rear end of the support member 49 and is disposed on the central axis of the cylindrical member 40. Two ion emission hoses 47A extend from the rear end surface of the ionizer 47. Each ion emission hose 47A extends to the front end of the support member 49 on both the left and right sides of the first plate member 49A of the support member 49. The front end of each ion emission hose 47A is fixed to the second plate member 49B of the support member 49.

[0031] 1 and 2, the handle portion 25 extends downward from the front lower end of the blower portion 21. When viewed from the left and right sides, the front edge of the handle portion 25 is curved so as to bulge forward, is inclined forward from the upper end to the vertical middle portion, and is inclined slightly backward from the vertical middle portion to the lower end. The handle portion 25 becomes slightly narrower from the vertical middle portion to the lower end.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 51 is provided at the upper front surface of the handle unit 25, in the center from left to right. The operation unit 51 has a sensing button 51A and a mode button 51B. The sensing button 51A and the mode button 51B are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. The sensing button 51A is arranged above the mode button 51B.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 2, the power button 53 is located at the center of the left and right sides on the underside of the blower unit 21, which extends rearward from the top of the handle unit 25. As shown in Fig. 5, the power button 53 is located in a position that is out of reach of the user when the user of the hair dryer 10 holds the handle unit 25 to use the hair dryer.

[0034] 1 and 2, the cord bushing 61 is continuous with the lower end of the handle portion 25 and extends downward. The cord bushing 61 has a hook portion 61A provided on the upper rear surface. The cord bushing 61 protects the power cord 63 extending from the lower end of the handle portion 25.

[0035] 6, when the power button 53, sensing button 51A, or mode button 51B is pressed, an operation signal corresponding to each button 51A, 51B, 53 is input to the control unit 70. A temperature signal corresponding to the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41 is input to the control unit 70. In response to the input operation signal and temperature signal, the control unit 70 controls the infrared temperature sensor 41, the motor 31 of the blower 30, the heating element 43, the ionizer 47, the display unit, etc.

[0036] The hair dryer 10 is repeatedly turned on and off each time the power button 53 is pressed. The hair dryer 10 has three airflow modes: "HIGH mode," "LOW mode," and "COOL mode." When the power is on, the hair dryer 10 switches between the "HIGH mode," "LOW mode," and "COOL mode" in that order each time the mode button 51B is pressed.

[0037] The hair dryer 10 drives the motor 31 of the blower 30 at two different rotation speeds to blow air from the outlet 23A at two different airflow levels: "strong air" and "weak air." In "HIGH mode," the hair dryer 10 blows "strong air" from the outlet 23A, and in "LOW mode," blows "weak air" from the outlet 23A. The hair dryer 10 can select one of four drying modes, described below, between the two air blowing modes, "HIGH mode" and "LOW mode." In "COOL mode," the hair dryer 10 blows "strong air" at room temperature from the outlet 23A without supplying power to the heating element 43.

[0038] The hair dryer 10 has four drying modes: "SCALP mode," "MOIST mode," "VOLUME UP mode," and "no sensing." The hair dryer 10 has two air blowing modes, "HIGH mode" and "LOW mode," and each time the sensing button 51A is pressed, the drying mode switches in the following order: "SCALP mode," "MOIST mode," "VOLUME UP mode," and "no sensing mode."

[0039] When the hair dryer 10 is operated in "SCALP mode," it switches between supplying and not supplying power to the heating element 43 based on the temperature threshold detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41 when the surface temperature of the user's hair in the air blowing area is assumed to be in the range of 50°C ± 5°C. As an example, when the hair dryer 10 is operated in the "SCALP mode" drying mode and the "HIGH mode" air blowing mode, it blows hot air at approximately 80°C from the air outlet 23A. When the hair dryer 10 is operated in the "SCALP mode" drying mode and the "LOW mode" air blowing mode, it blows hot air at approximately 70°C from the air outlet 23A. For this reason, in the "SCALP mode," the hair dryer 10 sets the temperature threshold at which the heating element 43 switches from a power-supply state to a power-non-supply state to 42°C, and the temperature threshold at which the heating element 43 switches from a power-non-supply state to a power-supply state to 38°C, so that the surface temperature of the user's hair is in the range of 50°C ± 5°C.

[0040] When operated in "SCALP mode," hair dryer 10 automatically switches between hot and cold airflow depending on the temperature detected by infrared temperature sensor 41, so as to maintain the surface temperature of the user's hair at around 50°C. Therefore, by operating hair dryer 10 in "SCALP mode," the user can dry their scalp well without feeling hot even when the air is continuously blown onto their scalp. When hair dryer 10 is operated in "SCALP mode," ionizer 47 is activated, and negative ions generated by ionizer 47 are released through ion release hose 47A near outlet member 27 and carried by the air blown from outlet 23A to the user's hair. Therefore, by operating hair dryer 10 in "SCALP mode," the negative ions suppress static electricity and prevent hair from frizzing.

[0041] When the hair dryer 10 is operated in either the "MOIST mode" or the "VOLUME UP mode" drying mode, it switches between supplying and not supplying power to the heating element 43 based on the temperature threshold detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41 when the surface temperature of the user's hair in the air blowing area is assumed to be in the range of 60°C ± 5°C. As an example, when the hair dryer 10 is operated in either the "MOIST mode" or the "VOLUME UP mode" drying mode and in the "HIGH mode" air blowing mode, it blows hot air at approximately 95°C from the air outlet 23A. When the hair dryer 10 is operated in either the "MOIST mode" or the "VOLUME UP mode" drying mode and in the "LOW mode" air blowing mode, it blows hot air at approximately 80°C from the air outlet 23A. For this reason, in the two drying modes, "MOIST mode" and "VOLUME UP mode," the hair dryer 10 sets the temperature threshold for switching from a state in which power is supplied to the heating element 43 to a state in which it is not supplied to 49°C, and the temperature threshold for switching from a state in which power is not supplied to the heating element 43 to a state in which it is supplied to 47°C, so that the surface temperature of the user's hair becomes 60°C±5°C.

[0042] When the hair dryer 10 is operated in either the "MOIST mode" or "VOLUME UP mode," it automatically switches between hot and cold airflow depending on the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41, so as to maintain the surface temperature of the user's hair at around 60°C. When the hair dryer 10 is operated in the "MOIST mode," the ionizer 47 is activated, and negative ions generated by the ionizer 47 are emitted through the ion emission hose 47A near the air outlet member 27 and carried by the air blown from the air outlet 23A to the user's hair. Therefore, by operating the hair dryer 10 in the "MOIST mode," the user can suppress static electricity with the negative ions and prevent their hair from frizzing. When the hair dryer 10 is operated in the "VOLUME UP mode," the ionizer 47 is not activated.

[0043] When the hair dryer 10 is operated in the "no sensing mode," it supplies power to the heating element 43 and blows hot air from the outlet 23A regardless of the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41. As an example, when the hair dryer 10 is operated in the "no sensing mode" drying mode and the air blowing mode "HIGH mode," it blows hot air at approximately 95°C from the outlet 23A. When the hair dryer 10 is operated in the "no sensing mode" drying mode and the air blowing mode "LOW mode," it blows hot air at approximately 80°C from the outlet 23A.

[0044] Next, the operation flow of this hair dryer 10 will be described. The hair dryer 10 is turned on by pressing the power button 53. Then, the infrared temperature sensor 41, the motor 31 of the blower 30, the heating element 43, the ionizer 47, the display unit, etc. enter a standby state. As shown in Figures 7 to 10, when the power button 53 is pressed in the power-on state (step D1), the hair dryer 10 is turned off.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, when the mode button 51B is pressed (step M1) while the power is on, the hair dryer 10 operates in the "HIGH mode" airflow mode and the "SCALP mode" drying mode, and starts blowing air. In this way, the hair dryer 10 starts blowing air in the "SCALP mode," which has a lower temperature threshold than the "MOIST mode" and "VOLUME UP mode" temperature thresholds. In other words, the hair dryer 10 starts blowing air using the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41 when the surface temperature of the user's hair in the airflow area is assumed to be in the range of 50°C ± 5°C as the temperature threshold. Therefore, a user who uses this hair dryer 10 to dry their hair can dry their scalp while maintaining the surface temperature of their hair at around 50°C.

[0046] When the mode button 51B is pressed (step M2) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "HIGH mode" airflow mode and the "SCALP mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 switches to the "LOW mode" airflow mode and continues to operate in the "SCALP mode" drying mode. Furthermore, when the mode button 51B is pressed (step M3) in this state, the hair dryer 10 operates in the "COOL mode."

[0047] When the sensing button 51A is pressed (step S1) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "LOW mode" air blowing mode and the "SCALP mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 switches to the "MOIST mode" drying mode and operates while the air blowing mode remains in the "LOW mode".

[0048] 7 and 8, when the mode button 51B is pressed (step M4) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "LOW mode" airflow mode and the "MOIST mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 operates in the "COOL mode." When the sensing button 51A is pressed (step S2) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "LOW mode" airflow mode and the "MOIST mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 operates in the "VOLUME UP mode" while the airflow mode remains in the "LOW mode."

[0049] 7 to 9, when the mode button 51B is pressed (step M5) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "LOW mode" air blowing mode and the "VOLUME UP mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 operates in the "COOL mode." When the sensing button 51A is pressed (step S3) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "LOW mode" air blowing mode and the "VOLUME UP mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 operates in the "no sensing mode" while the air blowing mode remains in the "LOW mode."

[0050] 7 to 10, when the mode button 51B is pressed (step M6) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "LOW mode" air blowing mode and the "no-sensing mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 operates in the "COOL mode." When the sensing button 51A is pressed (step S4) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "LOW mode" air blowing mode and the "no-sensing mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 operates in the "SCALP mode" drying mode while the air blowing mode remains in the "LOW mode."

[0051] 8, when the sensing button 51A is pressed (step S5) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "HIGH mode" airflow mode and the "SCALP mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 switches the drying mode to the "MOIST mode" while the airflow mode remains in the "HIGH mode." When the mode button 51B is pressed (step M7) in this state, the hair dryer 10 switches the airflow mode to the "LOW mode" while the hair dryer 10 continues to operate in the "MOIST mode" drying mode.

[0052] 9, when the sensing button 51A is pressed (step S6) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "HIGH mode" airflow mode and the "MOIST mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 switches the drying mode to the "VOLUME UP mode" while the airflow mode remains in the "HIGH mode." When the mode button 51B is pressed (step M8) in this state, the hair dryer 10 switches the airflow mode to the "LOW mode" while the hair dryer 10 continues to operate in the "VOLUME UP mode" drying mode.

[0053] 10, when the sensing button 51A is pressed (step S7) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "HIGH mode" air blowing mode and the "VOLUME UP mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 switches the drying mode to the "no-sensing mode" while the air blowing mode remains in the "HIGH mode." When the mode button 51B is pressed (step M9) in this state, the hair dryer 10 switches the air blowing mode to the "LOW mode" while the hair dryer 10 continues to operate in the "no-sensing mode" drying mode.

[0054] When the sensing button 51A is pressed (step S8) while the hair dryer 10 is operating in the "HIGH mode" air blowing mode and the "no sensing mode" drying mode, the hair dryer 10 switches to the "SCALP mode" drying mode while maintaining the "HIGH mode" air blowing mode.

[0055] Next, the results of tests conducted on the scalp environment, quick-drying ability, and heat damage to hair when drying hair using this hair dryer 10 will be described.

[0056] <Scalp environment test 1: Scalp elasticity> The subjects were 10 women in their 20s to 50s. After 20 minutes of acclimation in a test room with a room temperature of 20°C ± 1°C and a humidity of 40% ± 5%, the scalp elasticity of each subject was measured before using the hair dryer 10. Each subject's hair was washed with lukewarm water only, and then dried for 5 minutes using the hair dryer 10, separately for the left and right hair sections, according to the drying method described below. After leaving the hair for another 5 minutes, the scalp elasticity of each subject was measured again. The scalp elasticity was measured using a skin-pressure hardness measuring device called the "Indentometer IDM800" (product name, manufactured by Integral Corporation).

[0057] (1) How to dry the hair on the right side Each subject pressed the mode button 51B of the powered-on hair dryer 10, and operated the hair dryer 10 for one minute with the airflow mode set to "HIGH mode" and the drying mode set to "SCALP mode" to dry their scalp. After that, they pressed the sensing button 51A of the hair dryer 10, and switched the drying mode to "MOIST mode" while keeping the airflow mode set to "HIGH mode," and operated the hair dryer 10 for four minutes to dry their entire hair. (2) How to dry the hair on the left side Each subject operated the hair dryer 10 for 5 minutes with the air blowing mode set to "HIGH mode" and the drying mode set to "non-sensing mode" to dry all of their hair.

[0058] As shown in Table 1 and Figure 11, when the hair on the right side was dried using the "SCALP mode" and "MOIST mode," the scalp elasticity was 105% compared to before drying the hair using the hair dryer 10. When the hair on the left side was dried using the "no sensing mode," the scalp elasticity was 94% compared to before drying the hair using the hair dryer 10. Thus, it was found that drying hair using the hair dryer 10 in the "SCALP mode" and "MOIST mode" made the scalp softer.

[0059] [Table 1]

[0060] <Scalp environment test 2: Scalp stratum corneum moisture content and scalp elasticity> Three males and females aged 24 to 50 years were used as subjects. After 20 minutes of acclimation in a test room at room temperature of 20°C ± 1°C and humidity of 40% ± 5%, the moisture content of the stratum corneum and scalp elasticity of each subject's scalp at the hairline were measured before using a hair dryer 10. Each subject then washed their hair daily and dried it using a hair dryer 10 as described below. After two and three weeks, after 20 minutes of acclimation in a test room at room temperature of 20°C ± 1°C and humidity of 40% ± 5%, the moisture content of the stratum corneum and scalp elasticity of each subject's scalp at the hairline were measured. The moisture content of the stratum corneum was measured using a skin moisture measurement device called "Corneometer CM825" (manufactured by Integral Corporation). The scalp elasticity was measured using a skin pressure-type hardness measurement device called "Indentometer IDM800" (manufactured by Integral Corporation).

[0061] How to dry your hair Each subject pressed the mode button 51B of the powered-on hair dryer 10, set the airflow mode to "HIGH mode" and the drying mode to "SCALP mode," and operated the hair dryer 10 for 2-3 minutes to dry their scalp while combing their hair. Then, they pressed the sensing button 51A of the hair dryer 10, switched the drying mode to "MOIST mode" while keeping the airflow mode to "HIGH mode," and operated the hair dryer 10 for 5 minutes to dry all of their hair.

[0062] As shown in Table 2 and Figure 12, the moisture content of the stratum corneum at the hairline increased to 158% after two weeks and 184% after three weeks compared to before using the hair dryer 10. As shown in Table 3 and Figure 13, the scalp elasticity increased to 115% after two weeks and 117% after three weeks compared to before using the hair dryer 10. As such, it was found that drying hair using the hair dryer 10 in the "SCALP mode" and "MOIST mode" suppresses moisture evaporation from the scalp, making the scalp softer.

[0063] [Table 2]

[0064] [Table 3]

[0065] <Quick-drying test> The subjects were seven women in their 20s to 50s. After washing their hair, each subject used a hair dryer 10 in a test room with a room temperature of 20°C ± 1°C and a humidity of 40% ± 5% to dry their hair using the two methods shown below, and the time it took for their hair to be completely dry was measured.

[0066] (1) Drying method using "SCALP mode" and "MOIST mode" After wiping off the moisture from their wet hair with a dry towel for one minute, each subject pressed the mode button 51B of the powered-on hair dryer 10 to operate the hair dryer 10 in the "HIGH mode" airflow mode and the "SCALP mode" drying mode to dry their scalp. After that, they pressed the sensing button 51A of the hair dryer 10 to switch the drying mode to the "MOIST mode" while keeping the airflow mode in the "HIGH mode," and operated the hair dryer 10 to dry all of their hair. (2) How to dry using "MOIST mode" Each subject spent one minute wiping the moisture off their wet hair with a dry towel, then pressed the mode button 51B and the sensing button 51A of the hair dryer 10 in the powered-on state, successively, to operate the hair dryer 10 in the "HIGH mode" airflow mode and the "MOIST mode" drying mode, drying their scalp and then their entire hair.

[0067] As shown in Table 4 and Figure 14, the average time required to completely dry hair using the "SCALP mode" and "MOIST mode" was 6 minutes 7 seconds. The average time required to completely dry hair using only the "MOIST mode" was 6 minutes 31 seconds. Thus, it is better to dry hair by operating the hair dryer 10 in the "SCALP mode" and "MOIST mode" than by using only the "MOIST mode." Drive One reason for this is that when drying hair, if the hair dryer 10 is operated in "SCALP mode" and the scalp is dried first, the scalp does not feel hot even when the air is continuously blown onto the scalp, and the scalp can be dried in a short time by continuously blowing air onto the scalp, whereas when the hair dryer 10 is operated in "MOIST mode" and the scalp is dried first, the hair dryer 10 is swung while blowing air onto the scalp to prevent the user from feeling hot, which makes it difficult to dry the scalp efficiently and takes a long time.

[0068] [Table 4]

[0069] <Heat damage test> The mode button 51B of the hair dryer 10 was pressed with the power on, and the airflow mode was set to "HIGH mode" and the drying mode to "SCALP mode." A hair sample from the same person was treated with a hair dryer simulating one month's worth of use (washing + brushing + 30 minutes of drying, for a total of five sets), and the cross-section of the hair was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). As a comparative example, the airflow mode of the hair dryer 10 was set to "HIGH mode" and the drying mode to "no sensing mode," and a hair sample from the same person was treated with a hair dryer simulating one month's worth of use (washing + brushing + 30 minutes of drying, for a total of five sets), and the cross-section of the hair was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

[0070] Figure 1 5 As shown in (A), hair dried in the "no sensing mode" of the comparative example has cavities caused by partial denaturation of the hair protein due to heat. 5 As shown in (B), no cavities are observed in hair dried in "SCALP mode."

[0071] Next, the stand 100 for the hair dryer 10 will be described. The stand 100 is shown in FIG. 16 ~Figure 23 As shown in Fig. 1, the base 100 has a substantially semi-cylindrical portion 110, a bottom portion 130, and an outer peripheral wall portion 150. The substantially semi-cylindrical portion 110 forms an inner peripheral surface that fits along the front surface of the lower end of the blower portion 21 of the hair dryer 10 and the lower surface of the blower tube portion 23. The bottom portion 130 is substantially circular and closes one axial end of the substantially semi-cylindrical portion 110. The outer peripheral wall portion 150 extends from both left and right end edges 110L, 110R extending in the axial direction of the substantially semi-cylindrical portion 110 and the other axial end edge 110U of the substantially semi-cylindrical portion 110, and expands to surround the substantially semi-cylindrical portion 110. The base 100 is made of transparent resin.

[0072] For the sake of convenience in explaining the stand 100, when the stand 100 is placed on a horizontally extending support surface S so that the hair dryer 10 can be placed thereon, the horizontal direction in which the side opening of the approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110 faces is referred to as the front, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rear. When the stand 100 is placed on the support surface S so that the hair dryer 10 can be placed thereon, the direction in which the surface of the bottom 130 facing the approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110 faces is referred to as the up, and the opposite direction is referred to as the up. When the stand 100 is placed on the support surface S so that the hair dryer 10 can be placed thereon, the left direction when looking at the side opening of the approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110 from the front is referred to as the left, and the right direction is referred to as the right. 16 ~Figure 21 In this diagram, the positive direction of the X axis is forward and the negative direction is backward, the positive direction of the Y axis is right and the negative direction is left, and the positive direction of the Z axis is upward and the negative direction is downward.

[0073] The rear end edge 101 of the stand 100 in the left and right side view is 18 and Figure 19 As shown in Fig. 1, the base 100 extends in the vertical direction and curves slightly forward. When viewed from the left or right side, the rear edge 101 of the base 100 is inclined slightly downward and forward at the upper end, and the lower part of the base 100 is inclined downward and backward and widens.

[0074] The upper edges 102L, 102R of the stand 100 in left and right side views have rear ends that are continuous with the upper end of the rear edge 101 of the stand 100 and extend in the front-to-rear direction. The upper edges 102L, 102R of the stand 100 in left and right side views are curved so as to bulge upward. The upper edges 102L, 102R of the stand 100 in left and right side views are the upper edge 110U of the approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110 of the stand 100. The upper edge 110U of the approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110 of the stand 100 is shown in FIG. 20 and Figure 21 As shown in Fig. 1, the left top T2 is higher than the right top T1 and is located further forward than the right top T1. The stand 100 has an asymmetrical shape in which the heights of the left and right tops T1, T2 of the upper edge 110U of the approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110 are different, as well as the left and right shapes. The asymmetrical shape of the stand 100 allows the hair dryer 10 to be placed stably.

[0075] The left and right end edges 102 of the stand 100 in a front view are as shown in FIG. 20 As shown in Fig. 1, the stand 100 extends in the vertical direction and curves slightly inward on both sides. The width of the stand 100 in front view gradually increases from the top to the bottom.

[0076] The approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110 of the stand 100 is 16 ~Figure 19 As shown in FIG. 1, the semi-cylindrical portion 110 is inclined obliquely forward from its upper end to its lower end. 20 As shown in Fig. 1, the width gradually narrows from the top to the bottom. When the hair dryer 10 is placed on the stand 100, the central axis of the blower tube 23 of the hair dryer 10 and the central axis of the approximately semi-cylindrical part 110 of the stand 100 are aligned on the same straight line.

[0077] The hair dryer 10 is placed on the stand 100, and the cross section of the hair dryer 10 is cut along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the central axis of the blower tube portion 23. 22 and Figure 23 As shown in FIG. 1, the lower ends of both left and right end edges 110L, 110R extending in the axial direction of the approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110 extend forward of the central axis of the front end of the blower tube portion 23 of the hair dryer 10. The distance L1 between the lower ends of both left and right end edges 110L, 110R extending in the axial direction of the approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110 is set to be equal to or larger than the distance L1 in FIG. 1 at the portion where the ring portion 27A of the outlet member 27 attached to the front end of the blower tube portion 23 of the hair dryer 10 placed on the stand 100 is located. 23 1, the outer diameter R1 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter R1 of the ring portion 27A of the air outlet member 27. When the hair dryer 10 is placed on the stand 100 and the front end of the blower tube portion 23 of the hair dryer 10 tries to rotate in a direction away from the stand 100, with the rear edge of the upper end of the approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110 as a fulcrum, the outer peripheral surface of the ring portion 27A of the air outlet member 27 gets caught on the lower parts of the left and right end edges 110L, 110R extending in the axial direction of the approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110 of the stand 100. In this way, the stand 100 is provided with a structure that prevents the hair dryer 10 from falling.

[0078] The front edges 103L and 103R of the stand 100 in the left and right side views are as shown in FIG. 18 ,figure 19 , and Fig. 21 As shown in Fig. 1, the left and right end edges 110L, 110R extend in the axial direction of the approximately semi-cylindrical portion 110. The upper ends of the front edges 103L, 103R of the stand 100 in left and right side views are continuous with the front ends of the upper edges 102L, 102R of the stand 100. The upper ends of the front edges 103L, 103R of the stand 100 in left and right side views have a gradually decreasing curvature from the upper edges 102L, 102R of the stand 100, and extend diagonally forward in a straight line below the upper ends and above the lower ends. The lower ends of the front edges 103L, 103R of the stand 100 in left and right side views protrude forward. The lower edges 104L, 104R of the stand 100 in left and right side views extend linearly in the front-to-rear direction.

[0079] The outer peripheral wall 150 of the stand 100 is 16 ~Figure 23 As shown in Fig. 1, the outer and inner surfaces are formed with fold-like irregularities that extend in the vertical direction. The irregularities formed on the outer and inner surfaces of the outer peripheral wall portion 150 have a triangular cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the irregularities extend. The irregularities formed on the outer and inner surfaces of the outer peripheral wall portion 150 have different angles at which the irregularities formed on the outer surface extend in the vertical direction from the angles at which the irregularities formed on the inner surface extend in the vertical direction. In other words, as shown in Fig. 21 As shown in Fig. 1, the angle at which the peaks 150F of the irregularities formed on the outer surface of the outer peripheral wall 150 extend in the vertical direction is different from the angle at which the peaks 150R of the irregularities formed on the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall 150 extend in the vertical direction. This allows the stand 100 to generate a lot of diffuse reflection of light. The stand 100 is hollow and open at the bottom.

[0080] As described above, the hair dryer 10 of Example 1 includes the nichrome wire 43A that constitutes the heating element 43, and the infrared temperature sensor 41, which is a non-contact temperature sensor that detects the surface temperature of the user's hair in the air blowing area. The hair dryer 10 has a "SCALP mode" that uses the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41 when the surface temperature of the user's hair in the air blowing area is assumed to be in the range of 50°C ± 5°C as a temperature threshold, and supplies power to the heating element 43 when the detected temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41 is below the temperature threshold, and does not supply power to the heating element 43 when the detected temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41 is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold.

[0081] The hair dryer 10 of Example 1 has a "SCALP mode" that switches between supplying and not supplying power to the heating element 43 when the hair surface temperature reaches approximately 50°C. As a result, the user of this hair dryer 10 feels less heat and heat damage can be reduced because the hair switches between hot and cold air when the hair surface temperature reaches approximately 50°C. This allows the user of this hair dryer 10 to dry their scalp well.

[0082] The hair dryer 10 of Example 1 has a "SCALP mode," a "MOIST mode," and a "VOLUME UP mode," which are drying modes with different temperature thresholds, and detects temperatures detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41 assuming two different surface temperatures of the user's hair within the air blowing area: 50°C±5°C and 60°C±5°C. In the drying modes, when the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41 is below the temperature threshold, power is supplied to the heating element 43, and when the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 41 is above the temperature threshold, power is not supplied to the heating element 43.

[0083] The hair dryer 10 of Example 1 has a "SCALP mode," a "MOIST mode," and a "VOLUME UP mode" with different temperature thresholds. That is, this hair dryer 10 has a "SCALP mode" that switches between hot and cold air at a temperature suitable for drying the scalp, and a "MOIST mode" and a "VOLUME UP mode" that switches between hot and cold air at a temperature suitable for drying hair. Therefore, a user of this hair dryer 10 can use the "SCALP mode" to thoroughly dry the scalp, and then use the "MOIST mode" and "VOLUME UP mode" to thoroughly dry the entire hair.

[0084] Therefore, the hair dryer 10 of Example 1 can be used to dry the scalp first by using a temperature appropriate for the scalp and hair, thereby preventing the scalp from becoming too dry and reducing heat damage to the hair.

[0085] The hair dryer 10 of Example 1 starts blowing air by selecting "SCALP mode," which has the lowest temperature threshold among "SCALP mode," "MOIST mode," and "VOLUME UP mode." Therefore, when the hair dryer 10 starts blowing air, it automatically selects and operates in "SCALP mode," which allows the hair to dry well. The hair dryer 10 then selects and operates in "MOIST mode" to dry the hair, resulting in moisturized, manageable hair.

[0086] The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above with reference to the drawings, and the following embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. (1) The hair dryer in Example 1 had four drying modes: “SCALP mode,” “MOIST mode,” “VOLUME UP mode,” and “no sensing.” However, it is not necessary for the hair dryer to have all of “MOIST mode,” “VOLUME UP mode,” and “no sensing,” as long as it has at least one mode. (2) The temperature threshold of the hair dryer may be changed as appropriate. (3) In the hair dryer of Example 1, the temperature threshold at which the heating element switches from a power-supply state to a power-non-supply state is different from the temperature threshold at which the heating element switches from a power-non-supply state to a power-supply state, but they may be the same. (4) The hair dryer may have either a far-infrared generating unit or an ionizer, or may have either one of them. (5) The hair dryer in Example 1 has three airflow modes: "HIGH mode," "LOW mode," and "COOL mode." However, the airflow volume may not change in two stages, "HIGH mode" and "LOW mode," but may change in only one stage, or in three or more stages. The hair dryer does not have to have a "COOL mode." [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10...Hair dryer 43...heating element 41...Infrared temperature sensor (non-contact temperature sensor)

Claims

[Claim 1] A heating element; a non-contact temperature sensor that detects the surface temperature of the user's hair within the air blowing area; It is equipped with a first temperature threshold value is a temperature detected by the non-contact temperature sensor when the surface temperature is assumed to be in a range of 50°C ± 5°C; A scalp drying mode in which power is supplied to the heating element when the detected temperature is less than the first temperature threshold, and power is not supplied to the heating element when the detected temperature is equal to or greater than the first temperature threshold; a second temperature threshold value higher than the first temperature threshold value; a hair drying mode in which power is supplied to the heating element when the detected temperature is lower than the second temperature threshold, and power is not supplied to the heating element when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold; It has The hair dryer starts blowing air when the scalp drying mode is selected.

Images