Haircare appliance and attachment

Abstract

An attachment for a haircare appliance includes an airflow inlet for receiving an airflow from the haircare appliance, and a wall defining an airflow outlet passageway, that is in fluid communication with the airflow inlet. A peripheral edge of the wall defines an outlet through which airflow is exhausted from the airflow outlet passageway to ambient atmosphere. The attachment includes a bleed passageway spaced from the airflow outlet passageway, and the wall comprises a bleed formation that fluidically connects the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway.

Description

[0001] HAIRCARE APPLIANCE AND ATTACHMENT

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Haircare appliances are generally used to treat or style hair, and some haircare appliances may treat or style hair using airflow and heat. Some haircare appliances include different attachments to provide different treatment or styling functionality.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an attachment for a haircare appliance, wherein the attachment comprises: an airflow inlet for receiving an airflow from the haircare appliance; a wall defining an airflow outlet passageway, the airflow outlet passageway in fluid communication with the airflow inlet, wherein a peripheral edge of the wall defines an outlet through which airflow is exhausted from the airflow outlet passageway to ambient atmosphere; and a bleed passageway spaced from the airflow outlet passageway; wherein the wall comprises a bleed formation that fluidically connects the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway.

[0006] When the outlet is blocked by an external object, such as hair or the like, airflow may be inhibited from leaving the attachment via the outlet. By providing a bleed passageway, and a bleed formation that fluidically connects the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway, airflow can be redirected from the airflow outlet passageway in the event that the outlet is blocked by an external object. This can inhibit airflow from travelling in a reverse direction along the airflow outlet passageway, in a direction back toward the haircare appliance. If airflow were permitted to flow back toward the haircare appliance, then there is a risk that the airflow could enter and / or re-enter the haircare appliance, thereby presenting a risk damage to components that would otherwise not interact with the airflow in normal use and / or resulting in altered functionality of such components. Such risks may be mitigated by providing a bleed passageway, and a bleed formation that fluidically connects the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway, in the manner claimed. The bleed formation may be located upstream of the outlet. When the airflow passageway is blocked downstream of the bleed formation, for example at the outlet, the bleed formation may allow airflow to pass from the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway.

[0007] The bleed passageway may be spaced from the airflow outlet passageway by the wall. This may provide a relatively straightforward layout, for example with the bleed passageway and the airflow outlet passageway thereby sharing a common wall. This may avoid the need for any intermediate components, thereby reducing complexity and cost.

[0008] The attachment may comprise a further wall spaced from the wall, the bleed passageway may be defined between the wall and the further wall, and the further wall may define an outer wall of the attachment. Such a layout may enable the bleed passageway to function as a thermally insulative passageway that is located between the airflow outlet passageway and the further wall. This may lead to improved usability, for example by ensuring that heat carried by the airflow through the airflow outlet passageway in normal use is not transferred to the further wall, thereby enabling the further wall to be grasped by a user to manipulate the attachment. In normal use, there may be very little to no airflow through the bleed passageway. The bleed passageway may be located intermediate the wall and the further wall, with the bleed passageway and the airflow outlet passageway located on either side of the wall.

[0009] The peripheral edge of the wall may extend annularly about a central longitudinal axis of the attachment, and may be located in a plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the attachment. The peripheral edge of the wall may thereby give the wall a flat end. Providing a bleed passageway, and a bleed formation that fluidically connects the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway, in an attachment with a flat outlet end, may be beneficial as such an attachment may be at greater risk of the outlet being blocked when compared to, for example, an attachment where the peripheral edge that defines the outlet is not located in a plane. The peripheral edge of the wall may define a substantially circular, oval, or obround cross- sectional shape, for example when viewed in the plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the attachment.

[0010] A peripheral edge of the further wall may extend annularly about the central longitudinal axis of the attachment, and may be located in a plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the attachment. The peripheral edge of the further wall may be located in a different plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the attachment to the peripheral edge of the wall.

[0011] The airflow outlet passageway may be configured to guide airflow through the outlet in a first direction, and the bleed passageway may be configured to guide airflow in a second direction away from the first direction. If the outlet of the attachment is blocked, airflow may tend to travel in a direction away from the direction in which airflow normally travels through the airflow outlet passageway. As the bleed passageway is configured to guide airflow in the second direction, away from the first direction in which the airflow outlet passageway is configured to guide airflow through the outlet, the bleed passageway may be configured to guide airflow in the direction in which airflow may tend to travel when the outlet is blocked. This may minimise a number of direction changes the airflow takes when the outlet is blocked, which may minimise noise. The second direction may be substantially opposite to the first direction, for example with the first direction being from a rear of the attachment towards a front of the attachment, and the second direction being from the front of the attachment to the rear of the attachment.

[0012] The first direction may be a direction away from the air inlet. The bleed passageway may be configured to guide airflow in the second direction when the peripheral edge of the wall is covered, such that the outlet is blocked and airflow is inhibited from leaving the airflow outlet passageway via the outlet.

[0013] The bleed formation may be configured to guide airflow in a third direction having a directional component that is substantially orthogonal to the first and second directions. The bleed passageway may be annular about the airflow outlet passageway. By providing the bleed passageway annularly about the airflow outlet passageway, a volume of the bleed passageway for a given radial extent may be maximised. The bleed formation may be configured to fluidically connect the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway at a plurality of spaced apart locations about a periphery of the airflow outlet passageway.

[0014] The bleed passageway may be in fluid communication with an ambient external environment of the attachment. This may enable airflow to be vented to the ambient external environment when the outlet is blocked in use. This may be beneficial in terms of noise and / or internal pressure of the attachment when compared to, for example, and arrangement where the airflow recirculates within the attachment.

[0015] The bleed-formation may comprise a through-hole formed in the wall, for example extending between the airflow outlet passageway and the bleed passageway. A through- hole may provide a relatively simple bleed formation, without modifying the outlet of the attachment.

[0016] The bleed-formation may comprise a plurality of through-holes formed in the wall. Use of a plurality of through-holes may, for example, enable the airflow outlet passageway to be fluidically connected to the bleed passageway at a variety of locations about the airflow outlet passageway.

[0017] The plurality of through-holes may comprise a total open cross-sectional area in the region of 40% to 100% of a total cross-sectional area of the outlet, for example in the region of 40% to 50%. This may enable a sufficient amount of airflow to pass from the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway, whilst maximising structural strength of the wall and minimising an impact to airflow flowing through the airflow outlet passageway in normal use. The plurality of through-holes may comprise a total open cross-sectional area in the region of 46% of the total cross-sectional area of the outlet. The plurality of through-holes may comprise a total open cross-sectional area of at least 45% of the total cross-sectional area of the outlet. The plurality of through-holes may have a total open cross-sectional in the region of 300mm2to 900mm2, for example around 300mm2to 500mm2. The plurality of through-holes may have a total open cross-sectional in the region of 339mm2.

[0018] Each of the plurality of through-holes may comprise a constant cross-sectional area. This may ensure that airflow does not increase or decrease in speed when flowing through the through-holes, which may minimise variations in noise.

[0019] The attachment may comprise a central longitudinal axis, and the plurality of through holes may be spaced from the central longitudinal axis along the wall. This may ensure that, during normal use when the outlet is not blocked, airflow at a central region of the airflow outlet passageway isn’t impacted directly by the plurality of through-holes.

[0020] The plurality of through-holes may be arranged in first, second, third, and fourth subgroups on the wall, the first and second sub-groups may be located on opposite sides of the wall and oppose one another, the third and fourth sub-groups may be located on opposite sides of the wall and oppose one another, and the first and second sub-groups may be located on an opposite side of a central plane of the attachment to the third and fourth subgroups. This may provide relatively even spacing of the through-holes about the periphery of the airflow outlet passageway.

[0021] Each of the first, second, third, and fourth sub-groups may comprise three or more through-holes. The bleed formation may comprise twelve through-holes. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth sub-groups may comprise a triangular array of through-holes.

[0022] Each through-hole may comprise a diameter in the region of 2mm to 4mm, for example around 3 mm. Each through-hole may comprise a minimal distance in the region of 1mm to 3mm from an adjacent through-hole, for example around 2mm.

[0023] The plurality of through-holes may be located within 30% of an axial length of the wall from the peripheral edge of the wall. If the plurality of through-holes were located greater than 30% of the axial length of the wall from the peripheral edge of the wall, for example closer toward the airflow inlet, then there may be a greater risk of airflow exiting through the through-holes during normal use, which may result in undesirable airflow characteristics at the outlet. The wall may comprise an axial length of around 55mm, for example a length measured in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the attachment. The plurality of through-holes may be located within 16.5mm from the peripheral edge of the wall.

[0024] The plurality of through-holes may be located at least 3.30mm from the peripheral edge of the wall, with such a distance measured from the peripheral edge of the wall to a center of the through-hole located closest to the peripheral edge of the wall. The plurality of through-holes may be located at least 6% of an axial length of the wall from the peripheral edge of the wall.

[0025] The bleed formation may comprise a cut-out formed in the peripheral edge of the wall. Forming the cut-out in the peripheral edge of the wall may ensure that the bleed formation is located close to the outlet, which may provide greater consistency of airflow at the outlet compared to an arrangement in which the bleed formation is located further away from the outlet. For example, with the bleed formation located further from the outlet, airflow may be diverted away from the outlet through the bleed formation in normal use, thereby resulting in inconsistent airflow at the outlet.

[0026] The bleed formation may comprise a plurality of cut-outs formed in the peripheral edge of the wall, and the plurality of cut-outs may be evenly spaced about the peripheral edge of the wall. This may provide for relatively even redistribution of airflow to the bleed passageway in the event of blockage of the outlet in use. The bleed formation may comprise a first cut-out located on a first side of the attachment, and a second cut-out located on a second side of the attachment opposite to the first side of the attachment.

[0027] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a haircare appliance comprising a main unit, and an attachment according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the attachment is releasably connectable to the main unit. The haircare appliance may comprise an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow at a flow rate in the region of 12L / s to 14L / s, for example in the region of 13.3L / s to 13.7L / s. The forms of bleed formation previously discussed may provide sufficient transfer of airflow from the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway at such flow rates to inhibit damage and / or altered functionality of components of the haircare appliance. The airflow generator may be housed within the main unit.

[0028] The haircare appliance may comprise a heater configured to heat an airflow generated by the airflow generator. Provision of the bleed passageway, and the bleed formation that fluidically connects the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway, may reduce a risk of damage to components that would otherwise not interact with the heated airflow in normal use and / or reduce a risk of altered functionality of such components, when the outlet is blocked, compared to an arrangement in which heated airflow is simply allowed to recirculate to such components.

[0029] The haircare appliance may comprise a sensor assembly housed within the main unit, and, when the attachment is releasably connected to the main unit, the sensor assembly may have a line of sight through, and be in fluid communication with, the airflow outlet passageway. Thus, when the outlet is blocked, and if no bleed formation and bleed passageway were provided, airflow could recirculate from the attachment toward the sensor assembly. Some sensor assemblies are sensitive to heat, with heat resulting in one or more of impacting on measurements made by the sensor assembly, and damaging components of the sensor assembly. Provision of the bleed passageway and bleed formation may minimise temperature increases of the sensor assembly in comparison to a haircare appliance where no such bleed passageway or bleed formation is utilised.

[0030] The haircare appliance may be configured to direct airflow away from the sensor assembly in normal use. The main unit may comprise a bore within which the sensor assembly sits, and the bore may be removed from a fluid flow path through the main unit of the haircare appliance. The attachment may overlie the bore when releasably connected to the sensor assembly, and may comprise an aperture through which the sensor assembly has line of sight through, and is in fluid communication with, the airflow outlet passageway. The sensor assembly may be configured to detect a presence of an object external to the haircare appliance, for example hair and / or an external styling accessory. The sensor assembly may be configured to emit and / or receive light radiation. The sensor assembly may be configured to emit and / or receive light radiation through the attachment, for example through the airflow outlet passageway, when the attachment is releasably connected to the main unit. The sensor assembly may comprise a time-of-flight sensor. The sensor assembly may be configured to obtain a parameter indicative of a distance from the sensor assembly to hair of a user in use.

[0031] The bleed formation may be configured such that, with the outlet defined by the peripheral wall covered by an external object such that airflow is inhibited from leaving the attachment through the outlet, a temperature of the sensor assembly increases by no greater than 75°C, for example no greater than 55°C, no greater than 50°C, or no greater than 45°C.

[0032] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a haircare appliance comprising: a wall defining an airflow outlet passageway, wherein a peripheral edge of the wall defines an outlet through which airflow is exhausted from the airflow outlet passageway to ambient atmosphere; and a bleed passageway spaced from the airflow outlet passageway; wherein the wall comprises a bleed formation that fluidically connects the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway.

[0033] Optional features of aspects of the present invention may be equally applied to other aspects of the present invention, where appropriate.

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure l is a perspective view of a haircare appliance;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of a main unit of the haircare appliance of Figure 1;

[0037] Figure 3 is a rear view of the main unit of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an attachment for use with the main unit of Figure 2;

[0038] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the attachment;

[0039] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a main body of the first embodiment of the attachment;

[0040] Figure 7 is a schematic front view of the first embodiment of the attachment;

[0041] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a sleeve of the first embodiment of the attachment;

[0042] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a plug of the first embodiment of the attachment;

[0043] Figure 10 is a schematic sectional view through the first embodiment of the attachment; and

[0044] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an attachment for use with the main unit of Figure 2.

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] A haircare appliance 10 is illustrated schematically in Figure 1, and comprises a main unit 12 and an attachment 14. The attachment 14 is a first embodiment of an attachment for use with the main unit 12.

[0047] The main unit 12 is shown schematically in isolation in Figures 2 and 3, and comprises a handle portion 18, a head portion 20, an airflow generator 22, a heater 24, user controls 26, a control module 28, and a time-of-flight sensor 30.

[0048] The handle portion 18 is generally cylindrical and hollow in form, and houses the airflow generator 22. The handle portion 18 has an air inlet 32 in the form of a plurality of perforations at a first end 34 of the handle portion 18.

[0049] The head portion 20 is generally cylindrical and hollow in form, and is disposed at a second end 36 of the handle portion 18, with a central axis of the head portion 20 orthogonal to a central axis of the handle portion 18 such that the main unit 12 is generally T-shaped in form. The head portion 20 houses the heater 24. The head portion 20 comprises a bore 38, and an air outlet 40. The air outlet 40 is generally annular in form about a periphery of the bore 38. The head portion 20 further comprises an annular magnet (not shown) for releasably connecting the handle unit 12 to the attachment 14. The annular magnet extends annularly about the air outlet 40.

[0050] The airflow generator 22 is configured to provide airflow at a flow rate of around 13.3L / s to 13.7L / s. An appropriate airflow generator may be, for example, the V9 digital motor produced by Dyson Technology Limited at the filing date of the present application.

[0051] The user controls 26 are provided on both the handle portion 18 and the head portion 20, and comprise a first button 42 or slider to power on and off the appliance 10, a second button 44 to momentarily power off the heater 24 such that the appliance 10 delivers a cold shot of air, a third button 46 to control the flow rate of the airflow, and a fourth button 48 to control the temperature of the airflow.

[0052] The control module 28 is responsible for controlling the airflow generator 22 and the heater 24 in response to inputs from the user controls 26. For example, in response to inputs from the user controls 26, the control module 28 may power on and off the airflow generator 22 and / or the heater 24. Additionally, the control module 28 may control the power or speed of the airflow generator 22 in order to vary the flow rate of the airflow. For example, repeatedly pressing the third button 46 may cause the control module 28 to cycle through different flow rates (e.g., low, medium and high). Similarly, the control module 28 may control the power of the heater 24 in order to vary the temperature of the airflow. For example, repeatedly pressing the fourth button 48 may cause the control module 28 to cycle through different temperature settings (e.g., cold, warm, hot).

[0053] The control module 28 further controls the airflow generator 22 and the heater 24 in response to inputs from the time-of-flight sensor 30, as will be discussed in more detail hereafter.

[0054] The time-of-flight (TOF) sensor 30 is located within the bore 38 along a central axis of the bore 38. The TOF sensor 30 is an integrated package or all-in-one system that comprises an emitter, a receiver, and a processor. The emitter emits emissions, which in this example are photons of electromagnetic radiation. The receiver then receives reflected emissions, which have been reflected and returned to the TOF sensor 30. The processor then determines time differences between emitting and receiving the emissions and from this calculates distances between the TOF sensor 30 and targets responsible for the reflected emissions. The processor then outputs this distance data to the control module 28.

[0055] The attachment 14 is shown in Figures 4 to 10, and comprises a main body 50, a sleeve 52, and a plug 54.

[0056] The main body 50 is integrally formed as part of a single moulding process, and comprises a connection portion 56 and a nozzle portion 58. The connection portion 56 is generally annular in form, and is shaped to generally correspond to a periphery of the head portion 20 about the air outlet 40. The connection portion 56 comprises an embedded annular magnetic portion 60 for releasably engaging with the annular magnet of the head portion 20.

[0057] The nozzle portion 58 is substantially hollow in form, and is defined by a wall 62 that extends from a first end 64 proximal to the connection portion 56, to a second end 66 distal from the connection portion 56. The wall 62 has an axial length AL of around 55mm, and is tapered between the first 64 and second 66 ends such that the wall 62 has a greater height at the first end 64 than at the second end 66. The wall 62 also flares outwardly between the first end 64 and the second end 66, such that the wall 62 has a greater width at the second end 66 than at the first end 64. An interior volume defined by the wall 62 acts as an airflow outlet passageway 68, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

[0058] The first end 64 comprises a pair of wings 70 that extend outwardly from the wall 62. Each wing 70 is shaped and dimensioned to generally correspond to a first end 90 of the sleeve 52.

[0059] The second end 66 is a free end of the nozzle portion 58, and a peripheral edge 72 of the wall 62 at the second end 66 defines an outlet 74 of the attachment, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. The peripheral edge 72 is generally obround in cross-sectional shape when viewed in a plane orthogonal to a central longitudinal axis CL of the attachment 14, save for a central bulge 76. The peripheral edge 72 is located in the plane such that the peripheral edge 72 is generally flat.

[0060] The second end 66 of the wall 62 comprises first 78, second, 80, third 82, and fourth 84 sub-groups of through-holes 86. Collectively the first 78, second, 80, third 82, and fourth 84 sub-groups of through-holes 86 can be thought of as a bleed formation of the attachment 14, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

[0061] The central longitudinal axis CL of the attachment 14 is located in a central plane CP. The first sub-group 78 is offset from the central longitudinal axis CL, and the central plane CP, such that the first sub-group 78 is located in an upper left quadrant UL of the attachment 14 in the schematic illustration of Figure 7. The second sub-group 80 is offset from the central longitudinal axis CL, and the central plane CP, such that the second sub-group 80 is located in a lower left quadrant LL of the attachment 14 in the schematic illustration of Figure 7. The third sub-group 82 is offset from the central longitudinal axis CL, and the central plane CP, such that the third sub-group 78 is located in an upper right quadrant UR of the attachment 14 in the schematic illustration of Figure 7. The fourth sub-group 84 is offset from the central longitudinal axis CL, and the central plane CP, such that the fourth sub-group 84 is located in a lower right quadrant LR of the attachment 14 in the schematic illustration of Figure 7. The first 78 and second 80 sub-groups are located on an opposite side of the central plane CP to the third 82 and fourth 84 sub-groups.

[0062] Each of the first 78, second, 80, third 82, and fourth 84 sub-groups comprise three through- holes 86 arranged in a triangular array, with two through-holes 86 located closer to the peripheral edge 72 of the wall than a third through-hole 86 of that sub-group. There are thus twelve through-holes 86 in total. The through-holes 86 are positioned on the wall 62 such that each through-hole 86 is located within 3.30mm to 15mm of the peripheral edge 72. Thus the through-holes 86 are located within 6% to 30% of the axial length of the wall 62 from the peripheral edge 72. The through-holes 86 are located at least 3.30mm from the peripheral edge 72, upstream of the outlet 74, with such a distance measured from the peripheral edge 72 to a center of the through-hole 86 located closest to the peripheral edge 72. Each through-hole 86 has a generally constant circular cross-sectional shape, with a central axis of each through-hole 86 generally orthogonal to inner and outer surfaces of the wall 62 at the location at which the through-hole 86 is formed. Through-holes 86 within each of the first 78, second 80, third 82, and fourth 84 sub-groups are spaced from other through-holes 86 in that sub-group by around 2mm, indicated S in Figure 7. Each through- hole 86 has a diameter of around 3mm, such that the through-holes 86 collectively define an open cross-sectional area of around 339mm2. Diameters of between 2mm and 4mm are also envisaged.

[0063] The sleeve 52 is substantially hollow in form, and is defined by a wall 88 that extends from a first end 90 to a second end 92. The wall 88 may be thought of as a further wall of the attachment 14. With the sleeve 52 overlying the nozzle portion 58, the wall 88 of the sleeve 52 defines an outer surface of the attachment 14. The first end 90 is shaped and dimensioned to overlie the first end 64 of the wall 62 of the main body 50, such that the first end 90 of the wall 88 of the sleeve 52 is spaced slightly from the connection portion 56 of the main body 50 when the sleeve 52 overlies the main body 50. The first end 90 of the wall 88 of the sleeve 52 is further shaped to overlie the pair of wings 70 of the nozzle portion 58 of the main body 50, such that a gap is defined between the first end 90 of the wall 88 of the sleeve 52 and the wings 70. The spacing between the first end 90 of the wall 88 of the sleeve 52 and the main body 50 defines a bleed outlet 94, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

[0064] The second end 92 of the wall 88 of the sleeve 52 is shaped and dimensioned to overlie the second end 66 of the wall 62 of the nozzle portion 58, such that a gap is defined between the sleeve 52 and the nozzle portion 58. The gap defines a bleed passageway 96, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. The bleed passageway 96 has a minimal width MW of around 1.35mm to 1.40mm. The bleed passageway 96 extends annularly about the nozzle portion 58 of the main body 50 when the attachment 14 is assembled. In such a manner the wall 62 of the nozzle portion 58 may act to space the bleed passageway 96 from the airflow outlet passageway 68, with the bleed passageway 96 and the airflow outlet passageway 68 located either side of the wall 62 of the nozzle portion 58. The second end 92 of the wall 88 of the sleeve 52 comprises a peripheral edge 98 that lies in a different plane to the peripheral edge 72 of the wall 62 of the nozzle portion 58, save for notches 100 that receive the central bulge 76 of the peripheral edge 72 of the wall 62 of the nozzle portion 58.

[0065] The plug 54 comprises a first plug portion 102 and a second plug portion 104. The first plug portion 102 is generally frustoconical in form, and comprises a central bore 106. The first plug portion 102 is receivable within the main body 50 radially inwardly of the connection portion 56, such that a space between the first plug portion 102 and the connection portion 56 defines an airflow inlet 108 of the attachment 14. The central bore 106 is substantially centrally located, such that the central longitudinal axis CL of the attachment 14 is coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the central bore 106.

[0066] The second plug portion 104 is generally cylindrical and hollow in form, and has a central aperture 110, four magnets 112, and four magnet retaining features 114. The central aperture 110 is shaped and dimensioned to correspond substantially to the central bore 106. The four magnet retaining features 114 are generally cylindrical channels formed on an interior of the second plug portion 104, with each shaped and dimensioned to receive a corresponding one of the four magnets 112. The four magnets 112 act to provide an RFID identifier for the attachment 14, and in some examples the main unit 12 can comprise an appropriate RFID scanner that can communicate with the control module 28 to enable appropriate control for the attachment 14 to be determined. The second plug portion 104 is mounted to the first plug portion 102 by two screws, which also act to mount the plug 54 as a whole to the main body 50. The first 102 and second 104 plug portions are shaped and dimensioned so that at least the second plug portion 104 extends into the bore 38 of the head portion 20 of the main unit 12, when the attachment 14 is attached to the main unit 12.

[0067] In use, a user attaches the attachment 14 to the main unit 12, and uses the user controls 26 to power on the haircare appliance 10. The user can further use the user controls 26 to set a flow rate and / or desired temperature for an intended styling operation. The airflow generator generates an airflow through the haircare appliance 10, with airflow entering the main unit 12 through the air inlet 32 of the handle portion 18. Airflow passes through the head portion 20 of the main unit 12 where it is heated by the heater 24, before exiting the main unit 12 via the air outlet 40.

[0068] Airflow exiting the main unit 12 enters the attachment 14 via the airflow inlet 108 of the attachment 14, and flows through the nozzle portion 58 of the attachment 14 along the airflow outlet passageway 68, before exiting the attachment 14 via the outlet 74. As airflow does not flow along the bleed passageway 96 in normal use, the bleed passageway 96 provides a degree of thermal insulation, such that the wall 88 of the sleeve 52 remains relatively cool to the touch, and hence can be used by a user to grasp the attachment, if needed.

[0069] The TOF sensor 30 senses the proximity of a user’s head or other object to the appliance 10. In particular, radiation emitted and received by the TOF sensor can pass through the central bore 106 of the first plug portion 102, and through the airflow outlet passageway 68, of the attachment 14. In the present example, the control module 28 then analyses the distance data output by the TOF sensor 30 and from this analysis determines the proximity of the head of a user. In other examples, the TOF sensor 30 itself, rather than the control module 28, may analyse the distance data and output data indicative of the proximity of a user’s head. In each of these examples, the control module 28 nevertheless determines the proximity of the user’s head based on the data received from the TOF sensor 30. The control module 28 then uses this determination to control the flow rate and / or the temperature of the airflow.

[0070] As indicated above, the control module 28 controls the airflow generator 22 and the heater 24 in response to inputs from the time-of-flight sensor 30. As a result, better drying and / or styling results may be achieved. For example, if the head of the user is too close to the appliance, a high flow rate may move the hair excessively resulting in unsatisfactory styling results and / or a high temperature may over-dry or damage the hair. Accordingly, by controlling the flow rate and / or the temperature of the airflow based on the proximity of the head of the user, better styling results may be achieved. The control module 28 may store a plurality of different flow and temperature settings, and the control module 28 may select one of the plurality of settings based on how close hair is to the attachment 14. For example, the control module 28 may store a default flow and temperature setting for different distances between hair and the attachment 14.

[0071] In such a manner, appropriate flow and / or temperature settings can be determined for a particular distance at which a user’s head is located relative to the appliance.

[0072] When using the attachment 14, it may be the case that the outlet 74 of the attachment becomes blocked, for example with hair covering the outlet 74. In such a case, airflow can move from the airflow outlet passageway 68, to the bleed passageway 96, via the through- holes 86. Airflow can then travel along the bleed passageway 96, in an opposite direction to the direction in which airflow travels through the airflow outlet passageway 68, and is vented to ambient external atmosphere via the bleed outlet 94.

[0073] In such a manner, rather than being directed back through the airflow outlet passageway 68 and through the central bore 106 of the first plug portion 102 towards the TOF sensor 30, as would be the case if the through-holes 86 were not present, heated airflow can pass into the bleed passageway 96 when the outlet 74 of the attachment 14 is blocked. If airflow were permitted to flow back toward the main unit 12, then there is a risk that the airflow could enter and / or re-enter the main unit 12, thereby presenting a risk of damage to components that would otherwise not interact with the airflow in normal use and / or resulting in altered functionality of such components. In particular, the TOF sensor 30 may be particularly susceptible to variations in temperature. By reducing the amount of heated airflow that flows toward the TOF sensor 30 when the outlet 74 of the attachment 14 is blocked, effects of temperature of the TOF sensor 30 can be reduced relative to an arrangement absent the through-holes 86.

[0074] A second embodiment of an attachment 200 is illustrated schematically in Figure 11. Like references will be used for sake of clarity. The second embodiment of the attachment 200 is substantially the same as the first embodiment of the attachment 14, save that the second embodiment of the attachment 200 comprises cut-outs 202 instead of the through-holes 86.

[0075] There are two cut-outs 202 formed in the peripheral edge 72 of the wall 66, with the cutouts opposing one another at either side of the attachment 200. Each cut-out 202 has an open cross-sectional area that is equivalent to six of the through-holes 86 of the first embodiment of the attachment 14, and thus around 42.5mm2. The cut-outs 202 provide similar functionality to the through-holes 86 of the first embodiment of the attachment 14, and hence may considered to be a bleed formation that fluidically connects the airflow outlet passageway 68 to the bleed passageway 96.

[0076] It will be appreciated that other variations are also envisaged. For example, the haircare appliance can in some examples have the main unit 12 and any of the attachments 14,200 integrally formed. The attachments 14, 200 may also be used with other types of haircare appliances, such as one without the TOF sensor 30. Further, the through-holes 86 may have a different shape and / or may be arranged differently from that shown in Fig. 6. The number of through-holes 86 may also vary in the range of 12 to 16. In addition, while the figures show the bore 38 as extending entirely through the head portion 20 of the main unit 12, the bore 38 may extend only partially through this head portion 20.

[0077] It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one example may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the examples, or any combination of any other of the examples. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An attachment for a haircare appliance, wherein the attachment comprises: an airflow inlet for receiving an airflow from the haircare appliance; a wall defining an airflow outlet passageway, the airflow outlet passageway in fluid communication with the airflow inlet, wherein a peripheral edge of the wall defines an outlet through which airflow is exhausted from the airflow outlet passageway to ambient atmosphere; and a bleed passageway spaced from the airflow outlet passageway; wherein the wall comprises a bleed formation that fluidically connects the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway.

2. An attachment as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the bleed passageway is spaced from the airflow outlet passageway by the wall.

3. An attachment as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the attachment comprises a further wall spaced from the wall, the bleed passageway is defined between the wall and the further wall, and the further wall defines an outer wall of the attachment.

4. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral edge of the wall extends annularly about a central longitudinal axis of the attachment, and is located in a plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the attachment.

5. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the airflow outlet passageway is configured to guide airflow through the outlet in a first direction, and the bleed passageway is configured to guide airflow in a second direction away from the first direction.

6. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bleed passageway is annular about the airflow outlet passageway.

7. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bleed passageway is in fluid communication with an ambient external environment of the attachment.

8. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bleedformation comprises a through-hole formed in the wall.

9. An attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bleedformation comprises a plurality of through-holes formed in the wall.

10. An attachment as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the plurality of through-holes have a total open cross-sectional area in the region of 40% to 100% of the total cross-sectional area of the outlet.

11. An attachment as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of through-holes comprises a constant cross-sectional area.

12. An attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the attachment comprises a central longitudinal axis, and the plurality of through holes are spaced from the central longitudinal axis along the wall.

13. An attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 12, wherein the plurality of through-holes are arranged in first, second, third, and fourth sub-groups on the wall, the first and second sub-groups are located on opposite sides of the wall and oppose one another, the third and fourth sub-groups are located on opposite sides of the wall and oppose one another, and the first and second sub-groups are located on an opposite side of a central plane of the attachment to the third and fourth sub-groups.

14. An attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 13, wherein the plurality of through-holes are located within 30% of an axial length of the wall from the peripheral edge of the wall.

15. An attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the bleed formation comprises a cut-out formed in the peripheral edge of the wall.

16. An attachment as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the bleed formation comprises a plurality of cut-outs formed in the peripheral edge of the wall, and the plurality of cut-outs are evenly spaced about the peripheral edge of the wall.

17. A haircare appliance comprising a main unit, and an attachment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment is releasably connectable to the main unit.

18. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the haircare appliance comprises an airflow generator configured to generate an airflow at a flow rate in the region of 12L / s to 14L / s.

19. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, wherein the haircare appliance comprises a heater configured to heat an airflow generated by the airflow generator.

20. A haircare appliance as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 19, wherein the haircare appliance comprises a sensor assembly housed within the main unit, and, when the attachment is releasably connected to the main unit, the sensor assembly has a line of sight through, and is in fluid communication with, the airflow outlet passageway.

21. A haircare appliance as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the bleed formation is configured such that, with the outlet defined by the peripheral wall covered by an external object such that airflow is inhibited from leaving the attachment through the outlet, a temperature of the sensor assembly increases by no greater than 75°C.

22. A haircare appliance comprising:a wall defining an airflow outlet passageway, wherein a peripheral edge of the wall defines an outlet through which airflow is exhausted from the airflow outlet passageway to ambient atmosphere; and a bleed passageway spaced from the airflow outlet passageway; wherein the wall comprises a bleed formation that fluidically connects the airflow outlet passageway to the bleed passageway.

Images