Heating element for an electric hair appliance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heating element (1), suitable for being housed within an electric hair appliance (100) provided with an airflow generation unit (110), wherein the heating element (1) is suitable for being impacted by said airflow, and comprises at least one heating wire (10) suitable for being crossed by an electric current for heating the airflow; a wire support (2) predominantly extending along a support axis (X-X), the heating wire being wound about said wire support (2); and a flow deflector (3) inserted into a deflector seat (20) obtained coaxially to the support axis (X-X). The flow deflector (3) forms a deflection surface (30) that is tapered in a direction opposite to an airflow advancement direction (F), in such a way as to diverge the airflow with respect to the support axis (X-X). The heating element (1) extends between a proximal end (12), which, when the heating element (1) is housed within the electric hair appliance (100), is turned towards the airflow generation unit (110), and a distal end (14) opposite the proximal end (12). The flow deflector (3) is arranged in proximity to the distal end (14) with the deflection surface (30) tapered towards the proximal end (12).

Description

HEATING ELEMENT FOR AN ELECTRIC HAIR APPLIANCE DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electric hair appliances and refers in particular to a heating element.

[0002] Specifically, the term "electric hair appliance" means, for example, a hair drier, a curling iron or a hair plate.

[0003] Heating elements for electric hair appliances are already known comprising at least one heating wire suitable for acting as a conductor for the passage of an electric current and therefore acting as an electrical resistance to heat an airflow that impacts such heating wire. The heating wire is wound onto an insulating support, usually formed of at least two plates that cross therebetween .

[0004] In recent years, very small motors have been introduced that often require electronic control in order to operate properly. This has made it possible to reduce the size of electric hair appliances and consequently also the heating elements mounted therein.

[0005] However, in reducing the dimensions and spaces, the cooling of the heating element has also become more difficult.

[0006] In particular, in solutions wherein there is anelectronic board that controls the motor that is mounted between the latter and the heating element, the same critically interferes with the airflow, which becomes disordered resulting in the heating element not be adequately cooled.

[0007] In DE 202005015411U1, an electric hair appliance was proposed that employs an air duct having a conical surface arranged between the heating element and an airflow emitting unit.

[0008] The air duct has the vertex thereof facing the airflow emission unit in such a way that the airflow is directed towards the periphery of the heating element. As a result of this arrangement, the heat exchange between the airflow and the heating element should be more efficient, in such a way that the temperature of the airflow at the outlet of the appliance is increased, whilst the temperature of the heating element is correspondingly reduced.

[0009] However, the Applicant has observed that, insofar as the conical air duct is located between the end of the heating element and the unit for emitting the airflow, at least part of the airflow, after being diverted towards the periphery of the appliance, tends to reconverge towards the center of the heating element thereby failing to effectively cool the end part of the resistive wire,i.e., the part near the air outlet where the temperature increases the most thereby causing localized overheating problems, which may be perceived from the redness of the wire.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to propose a heating element, in particular for electric hair appliances, which allows for the creation of high- performing, compact and manageable appliances, whilst overcoming the drawbacks described above with reference to the known heating elements.

[0011] Said object is achieved by a heating element according to the independent claim 1, by an electric hair appliance according to claim 12 and by a deflector according to claim 13. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0012] The features and advantages of the heating element according to the invention shall be made readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiment examples thereof, provided purely by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:- Figure 1 is a front sectional view of a body of an electric hair appliance according to an embodiment, according to the invention;- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a heating element ofthe electric hair appliance in accordance with an embodiment, according to the invention;- Figure 3 is a perspective view of a support of the heating element in Figure 2;- Figure 3a is an axial cross-section of the support shown in Figure 3;- Figure 4 is a perspective view of some components of the heating element in Figure 2;- Figures 5a and 5b are two perspective views of a deflector of the heating element, according to the invention;- Figures 6a and 6b are two views from above of the deflector;- Figure 7 is a front view of the deflector in Figures 5a and 5b;- Figure 8 is a schematic axial section of an end portion of an electric hair appliance equipped with a heating element according to the invention, wherein the dashed arrows indicate the airflow.

[0013] In said drawings, a heating element has been indicated in the entirety thereof with the numeral 1. Specifically, the heating element 1 is for an electric hair appliance 100.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the electric appliance for hair 100 comprises an internally hollow body 150,suitable for containing an airflow generation unit 110, and management means 120. For example, the management means 120 comprise an electronic board, for the electronic control of the electric hair appliance 100.

[0015] Preferably, the body 150 comprises an air inlet mouth 152 for air to enter and an air outlet mouth 154 for hot air to escape.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the airflow generation unit 110 comprises an actuator 112, for example electrical, for generating mechanical energy, and an airflow generation device 114, for example a fan, for directing the airflow towards the air outlet mouth 154.

[0017] The airflow generation unit 110, the management means 120, and the heating element 1 are preferably arranged along an airflow advancement direction F, between the air inlet mouth 152 and the air outlet mouth 154.

[0018] The heating element 1 is therefore suitable for being impacted by the airflow.

[0019] The heating element 1 comprises at least one heating wire 10 wound about a wire support 2.

[0020] The heating wire 10 is suitable for being crossed by an electric current in such a way as to heat the airflow impacting upon the heating element 1.

[0021] In one embodiment, the wire support 2 has an axialsymmetrical structure that extends about a support axis X-X. For example, the wire support 2 has a cylindrical or conical structure or else it has a cylindrical or conical envelope.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the wire support 2 comprises two or more support plates 25 mutually crossing therebetween along the support axis X-X. Each plate comprises longitudinal edges 250. Housing seats 26 for the heating wire 10 are obtained along the longitudinal edges 250 of each support plate 25.

[0023] In one embodiment, the support plates 25 are made of micanite.

[0024] The heating element 1 comprises a flow deflector 3 inserted into a deflector seat 20 obtained coaxially to the support axis X-X.

[0025] In one embodiment, the flow deflector 3 has an axial symmetrical shape extending about a deflector axis Y-Y. The deflector axis Y-Y is preferably substantially coincident with the support axis X-X.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the flow deflector 3 is made of a technical ceramic material.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the flow deflector 3 is made as one piece.

[0028] The flow deflector 3 forms a deflection surface 30 that is suitable for being impacted by the airflow. Thedeflection surface 30 is tapered in the direction opposite to the airflow advancement direction F, in such a way as to diverge the airflow with respect to the support axis X-X.

[0029] In one embodiment, the deflection surface 30 at least partially has a dome-shaped.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the deflection surface 30 is convex with respect to the airflow advancement direction F.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the flow deflector 3 forms a substantially cylindrical side surface 35 extending from the deflection surface 30 on the opposite side with respect to the tapering direction. In other words, the side surface 35 extends from the deflection surface 30 in the flow advancement direction F.

[0032] In fact, the tapering direction is opposite to the flow advancement direction F.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the flow deflector 3 is conical or cusp shaped, or else it has a conical or cusp envelope.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the flow deflector 3 is stably supported by the wire support 2.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the flow deflector 3 is housed within the deflector seat 20 using shape coupling.

[0036] According to one embodiment, longitudinal grooves 32are obtained in the flow deflector 3, wherein the support plates 25 are interlocked in proximity to the deflector seat 20. In other words, there is a mechanical interlocking coupling between the wire support 2 and the flow deflector 3.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, the flow deflector 3 comprises engagement means for engagement with the wire support 2.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the heating element 1 extends between a proximal end 12, which when the heating element 1 is housed within the electric hair appliance 100 is turned towards the airflow generation unit 110, and a distal end 14 opposite the proximal end 12. The flow deflector 3 is arranged in proximity to the distal end 14.

[0039] The deflection surface 30 is therefore tapered in the direction of the proximal end 12 of the heating element. In other words, the deflection surface 30 is tapered towards the inside of the heating element 1.

[0040] In particular, the deflection surface 30 ends in proximity to the center of the heating element 1.

[0041] In one embodiment, the flow deflector 3 extends axially into the second distal half of the heating element 1 and has an axial extension equal to, or less than, half of the total axial extension of the heatingelement 1.

[0042] According to one embodiment, each support plate 25 is notched at the distal end 14 in such a way as to define the deflector seat 20.

[0043] In other words, each support plate 25 comprises an outlet that is substantially complementary to the profile of the flow deflector 3.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the support plates 25 comprise end edges 24 at the distal end 14.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the flow deflector 3 comprises a deflector base 33 opposite to the deflection surface 30. In other words, the deflector base 33 is arranged in such a way as to close off the side surface 35.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the deflector base 33 is aligned with the end edges 24.

[0047] The heating element, object of the present invention, allows an electric hair appliance to be obtained that is strong, compact and manageable.

[0048] By virtue of the flow deflector, the heating element is capable of properly cooling itself thereby preventing further components of the electric hair appliance from being damaged and worn due to overheating.

[0049] As shown in Figure 8, the deflector being arranged within the distal part of the heating element, with thetapered deflection surface facing the proximal end of the heating element, forces the flow of cold air passing through the resistance to move outwards, especially near the outlet mouth of the appliance.

[0050] In this way, at least two main advantages are obtained: the airflow in the vicinity of the end part of the heating element is faster, and the entirety of the airflow directly impacts the distal portions of the resistive wire, i.e., those in the vicinity of the outlet mouth which are the most subject to overheating, thereby optimally cooling them.

[0051] The use of the deflector engaged with the support allows the support plates to be held in position thereby rendering solidity to the entire heating element.

[0052] By virtue of the interlocking engagement between the wire support and the flow deflector, no additional indicated fastening means are required.

[0053] A person skilled in the art, in order to meet specific needs, may make several changes to the embodiments of the heating element or substitutions of elements with other functionally equivalent ones. Such variants are also included within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims. Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variantsdescribed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A heating element (1), suitable for being housed within an electric hair appliance (100) provided with an airflow generation unit (110), wherein the heating element (1) is suitable for being impacted by said airflow and comprises:- at least one heating wire (10) suitable for being crossed by an electric current for heating the airflow;- a wire support (2) predominantly extending along a support axis (X-X), the heating wire being wound about said wire support (2), wherein the heating element (1) is characterized in that it comprises a flow deflector (3) inserted into a deflector seat (20) obtained coaxially to the support axis (X-X), wherein the flow deflector (3) forms a deflection surface (30) that is tapered in a direction opposite to an airflow advancement direction (F), in such a way as to cause the airflow to diverge with respect to the support axis (X-X), wherein the heating element (1) extends between a proximal end (12), which when the heating element (1) is housed within the electric hair appliance (100) is turned towards the airflow generation unit (110), and a distal end (14) opposite the proximal end (12), and wherein the flow defector (3) is arranged in proximity to the distal end (14) with the deflection surface (30) tapered towards theproximal end (12).

2. Heating element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the deflector (3) has an axial symmetric shape extending about a deflector axis (Y-Y), substantially coinciding with the support axis (X-X).

3. Heating element (1) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the deflection surface (30) is at least partially dome-shaped.

4. Heating element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflection surface (30) is convex with respect to the airflow advancement direction (F).

5. Heating element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow deflector (3) further forms a substantially cylindrical side surface (35) extending from the deflection surface (30) on the opposite side with respect to the tapering direction.

6. Heating element (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 4, wherein the deflector (3) is conical or cusp shaped, or else it has a conical or cusp envelope.

7. Heating element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflector (3) is housed within the deflector seat (20) using shape coupling.

8. Heating element (1) according to any one of thepreceding claims, wherein the support (2) comprises two or more support plates (25) mutually crossing therebetween along the support axis (X-X) and each comprising longitudinal edges (250), wherein housing seats (26) of the heating wire (10) are obtained along the longitudinal edges (250) of each support plate (25).

9. Heating element (1) according to claim 8, wherein longitudinal grooves (32) are obtained in the deflector (3), wherein the support plates (25) are interlocked within said longitudinal grooves (32), in proximity to the deflector seat (20).

10. Heating element (1) according to claim 8, comprising a deflector base (33) opposite to the deflection surface (30), and wherein the support plates (25) comprise end edges (24) at the distal end (14), wherein the deflector base (33) is aligned with said end edges (24).

11. An electric hair appliance (100) comprising at least one heating element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. A flow deflector (3) for a heating element (1) suitable for being housed within an electric hair appliance (100), comprising a deflection surface (30) suitable for being impacted by an airflow, and that is tapered in a direction opposite to an airflow advancement direction (F).

13. Flow deflector (3) according to claim 12, forming a substantially cylindrical side surface (35) extending from the deflection surface (30) on the opposite side to the tapering direction, and wherein longitudinal grooves (32) are obtained.

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