Assembly and method for drying hair with proximity detection

Abstract

The hair drying assembly has a hair drying appliance (4) comprising an air flow generator (8) and / or one or more hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C), a detection system (40) configured to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of an object in the proximity of an air outlet (18) of the hair drying appliance (4), and an electronic control unit (54) configured, in at least one operating mode, to vary the electric power supply of the air flow generator (8) and / or the electric power supply of at least one amongst the hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C) according to the detection signal.

Description

[0001] Assembly and method for drying hair with proximity detection

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of hair care, and in particular hair drying.

[0003] For hair drying and / or hairdressing, it is possible to use a handheld hair drying appliance (or "hair dryer") configured to generate an air flow through an air outlet of the hair drying apparatus, the hair drying apparatus being orientable by the user to direct the air flow towards the hair.

[0004] For example, the hair drying appliance comprises a heating device configured to heat the air flow so as to generate a hot air flow and / or a luminous device configured to generate light, in particular infrared light to heat the air flow and / or the hair.

[0005] When drying hair, it is possible to use a hair accessory such as a hairbrush to dress the hair, i.e. manipulate hair strand and confer a particular shape thereon.

[0006] Hair drying could prove to be noisy, in particular because of the operation of the air flow generator of the hair drying apparatus, and energy intensive, in particular because of the operation of the air flow generator, of the heating device and / or of the luminous device of the hair drying apparatus, where appropriate.

[0007] One of the aims of the invention is to provide a hair drying assembly which features an improved operation and which is energy-efficient.

[0008] To this end, the invention provides a hair drying assembly having a hair drying appliance comprising an air flow generator and / or one or more hairdressing element(s), a detection system configured to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of an object in the proximity of an air outlet of the hair drying appliance, and an electronic control unit configured, in at least one operating mode, to vary the electric power supply of the air flow generator and / or the electric power supply of at least one amongst the hairdressing element(s) according to the detection signal.

[0009] In general, the air flow generator is a motor and a bladed rotor driven in rotation by the motor during the activation of the air flow generator to generate the air flow. The variation of the electric power supply of the air flow generator results in a variation of the rotational speed of the motor and therefore of the rotor.

[0010] For example, the hairdressing elements include at least one hairdressing element configured to heat the air flow and / or at least one hairdressing element configured to generate light, in particular infrared light and / or at least one hairdressing element configured to generate a plasma, in particular proximate to the air outlet.

[0011] The variation of the electric power supply of such hairdressing elements is obtained for example by varying the power supply voltage and / or the intensity of the power supply current, and results in a variation of a heating power, a variation of a luminous power or a variation of a plasma power.

[0012] During the use of the hair drying appliance, the air outlet of the hair drying appliance is not constantly directed towards the hair or proximate enough to the hair to effectively dry the hair and / or dress the hair, i.e. shape it.

[0013] Indeed, the user could temporarily divert the air outlet of the hair drying appliance from the hair, while performing a particular manipulation of the hair, for example to grasp a particular hair strand and separate it from the other hair strands to dry it and / or dress it individually, or separate a hair strand possibly while fixing it in the separated position using a clamp, to have access more easily to other hair strands initially located beneath the hair strand that has been separated.

[0014] The automatic variation of the electric power supply of the air flow generator and / or of the electric power supply of at least one hairdressing element according to the detection signal indicative of the presence, or not, of an object in the proximity of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance allows reducing the noise produced by the hair drying appliance and / or reducing the electric consumption of the hair drying appliance.

[0015] In the case where the hair drying appliance has a battery allowing using the hair drying appliance on battery, i.e. in a standalone manner, without connecting it to an electric power supply network via an electric power supply cable, the lower energy consumption allows increasing the autonomy of the hair drying appliance and / or equipping the hair drying appliance with a battery with a lower capacity, and therefore generally more compact and / or lighter than a battery with a higher capacity.

[0016] Thus, the use of the hair drying appliance is more pleasant and more energy-efficient.

[0017] In some embodiments, the electronic control unit is configured, in at least one operating mode, to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of the air flow generator and / or to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of at least one amongst the hairdressing element(s), when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object in the proximity of the air outlet.

[0018] The deactivation or the reduction of the electric power supply of the air flow generator and / or the deactivation or the reduction of the electric power supply of at least one or each of the hairdressing elements allows reducing the noise produced by the hair drying appliance and / or reducing the energy consumption of the hair drying appliance.

[0019] Preferably, the electronic control unit is configured, in at least one operating mode, to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of the air flow generator, without deactivating or without reducing the electric power supply of the hairdressing element(s), when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object in the proximity of the air outlet. Preferably, the electronic control unit is configured, in at least one operating mode, to deactivate and / or reduce the electric power supply of at least one or each of the hairdressing elements, without deactivating or without reducing the electric power supply of the air flow generator, when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object in the proximity of the air outlet.

[0020] Preferably, the electronic control unit is configured, in at least one operating mode, to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of at least one or each of the hairdressing elements and deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of the air flow generator, when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object in the proximity of the air outlet.

[0021] In some embodiments, the detection signal is indicative of the presence, or not, of an object at a distance from the air outlet equal to or shorter than a threshold distance and / or representative of a measurement of the distance between the air outlet and an object present in front of the air outlet.

[0022] The detection of the presence of the object at a distance shorter than a threshold distance allows deactivating or reducing the electric power supply of the air flow generator and / or of at least one amongst the hairdressing element(s) insofar as the object is at a distance from the air outlet longer than the threshold distance.

[0023] The measurement of a distance between the object and the air outlet allows deactivating or reducing the electric power supply of the air flow generator and / or of at least one or each of the hairdressing elements insofar as the measured distance is longer than a threshold distance and / or varying the electric power supply of the air flow generator and / or of at least one amongst the hairdressing element(s) according to the measured distance, for example continuously or in steps. The measurement of a distance allows providing for a threshold distance adjustable by the user.

[0024] In some embodiments, the detection system comprises beacons, each beacon being configured to cooperate with one or more sensor(s) of the detection system.

[0025] For example, each beacon is an optical beacon for cooperating with an optical sensor, a magnetic beacon for cooperating with a magnetic sensor, for example a Hall-effect sensor, or a radiofrequency beacon for cooperating with a radiofrequency sensor, for example an RFID beacon.

[0026] In the case where one or more sensor(s) of the detection system is / are arranged on the hair drying appliance, the hair accessory is for example provided with one or more corresponding beacon(s).

[0027] In the case where one or more sensor(s) of the detection system is / are arranged on the hair accessory, the hair drying appliance is for example provided with one or more corresponding beacon(s). In some embodiments, the detection system comprises one or more distance sensor(s) configured to measure a distance between the air outlet and an object located in front of the air outlet, in particular a hairbrush located in front of the air outlet.

[0028] In some embodiments, each distance sensor is a sonar, i.e. a sound ranger using sound ultrasound waves, a radar, i.e. a radar ranger using electromagnetic waves, or a lidar, i.e. a radar ranger using a laser.

[0029] In some embodiments, the detection system comprises one or more proximity sensor(s).

[0030] The use of a proximity sensor allows controlling the deactivation or the reduction of the electric power supply of the air flow generator and / or the deactivation or the reduction of the electric power supply of one or more hairdressing element(s) according to the detection, or not, of an object in front of the air outlet.

[0031] In particular, when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in front of the air outlet, the air flow generator and / or one or more hairdressing element(s) are activated, and when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in front of the air outlet, the air flow generator and / or the hairdressing elements are deactivated.

[0032] Each proximity sensor is selected or configured so that the detection range of the proximity sensor corresponds to the threshold distance, beyond which it is considered that the air flow generator and / or the hairdressing element(s) could be deactivated.

[0033] In some embodiments, each proximity sensor is a capacitive proximity sensor, an inductive proximity sensor or a Hall-effect proximity sensor.

[0034] In some embodiments, the detection system comprises one or more contact sensor(s).

[0035] The use of a contact sensor allows carrying out the detection of the presence of an object because of a contact or a mechanical interaction, for example between the object and a touch probe or a sensitive area of the contact sensor. A contact sensor is advantageous when the reference distance is short.

[0036] In some embodiments, the detection system comprises one or more radiofrequency sensor(s), each radiofrequency sensor being carried by one amongst the hair drying appliance and the object and configured for radiofrequency communication with one or more radiofrequency beacon(s) carried by the other one, with a communication range equal to or shorter than a threshold distance, the detection signal indicating the presence of the object in front of the air outlet when the communication is established between at least one amongst the radiofrequency sensor(s) and at least one amongst the radiofrequency beacon(s). In some embodiments, each radiofrequency sensor is an RFID reader, each radiofrequency beacon being an RFID beacon configured to return a unique identifier specific to this RFID beacon when the RFID beacon is interrogated by the RFID reader.

[0037] In some embodiments, each radiofrequency sensor is configured for near-field communication with each radiofrequency beacon.

[0038] In some embodiments, the hair drying assembly comprises RFID beacons arranged on several objects, such as hair accessories, the electronic control units being advantageously configured to individually identify the different hair accessories according to the communications between provided radiofrequency sensors like RFID readers and these RFID beacons and, optionally, define different respective threshold distances for these different hair accessories.

[0039] In some embodiments, the detection system comprises one or more temperature sensor(s). Preferably, each temperature sensor is arranged so as to measure the temperature in front of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance.

[0040] The presence of an object, and in particular hair, in front of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance modifies the temperature measured by a temperature sensor arranged so as to measure a temperature in front of the air outlet, so that it is possible to use such a temperature sensor to detect the proximity of an object in front of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the hair drying assembly encompasses the object formed by a hair accessory intended to be used together with the hair drying appliance to manipulate the hairs during drying, in particular a hairbrush.

[0042] For example, the detection system is at least partially arranged on the hair drying appliance, to detect the proximity of the hair accessory with the air outlet

[0043] In particular, the detection system comprises one or more sensor(s) arranged on the hair drying appliance.

[0044] Alternatively or optionally, the detection system is for example at least partially arranged on the hair accessory to detect the proximity of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance with the hair accessory.

[0045] In particular, the detection system comprises one or more sensor(s) arranged on the hair accessory to detect the proximity of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance with the hair accessory.

[0046] In the case where one or more sensor(s) of the detection system is / are arranged on the hair accessory, the hair accessory is provided with an electric power supply device comprising for example a cable for connection to the electric power supply network and / or a battery. In the case where one or more sensor(s) of the detection system is / are arranged on the hair accessory, preferably, the hair drying appliance and the hair accessory are provided with a communication system allowing exchanging communication signals between the hair drying appliance and the hair accessory, in particular for the transmission of measurement signals from sensors arranged on the hair accessory to the hair drying appliance.

[0047] Preferably, the communication system is a wireless communication system, for example configured for a communication according to one or more protocol(s) from among WIFI®, Bluetooth®, ANT+®, etc.

[0048] The invention also relates to a method for hair drying using a hair drying appliance comprising an air flow generator and one or more hairdressing element(s), the drying method comprising detecting the presence of an object in the proximity of an air outlet of the hair drying appliance using a detection system configured to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of the object in the proximity of the air outlet, and automatically controlling the air flow generator and / or the hairdressing element(s) to vary the electric power supply of the air flow generator and / or the electric power supply of at least one amongst the hairdressing element(s) according to the detection signal

[0049] The invention will appear more clearly upon reading the following description, given solely as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0050] - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a hair drying assembly;

[0051] - Figure 2 illustrates a hair drying method that could be implemented with the hair drying assembly of Figure 1.

[0052] The hair drying assembly 2 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a hair drying appliance 4 and a hair accessory 6 that can be used together with the hair drying appliance 4.

[0053] The hair drying appliance 4 comprises an air flow generator 8 configured to generate an air flow when it is activated and one or more hairdressing element(s) 10A, 10B, 10C.

[0054] Each hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C is configured to enable drying and / or hairdressing hairs.

[0055] For example, each hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C is configured to generate heat, generate light and / or generate a plasma when it is activated, i.e. when it is supplied with electrical energy with a non-zero electric power supply.

[0056] For example, the air flow generator 8 comprises a fan comprising a motor 12 and a rotor 14 coupled to the motor 12 for driving the rotor 14 in rotation, the rotor 14 having blades for generating an air flow by rotation of the rotor 14.

[0057] The hair drying appliance 4 comprises an air inlet 16 to suck in air to supply the air flow generator 8 with air. The hair drying appliance 4 comprises an air outlet 18 through which the air flow generated by the air flow generator 8 comes out of the hair drying appliance 4. The air outlet 18 is configured for an outflow of the air flow according to a blowing axis S. The air outlet 18 is intended to be oriented by the user in the direction of the hairs to be dried.

[0058] The air flow generator 8 is arranged in an aeraulic circuit 20 extending between the air inlet 16 and the air outlet 18 to generate the air flow of the air inlet 16 towards the air outlet 18 when the air flow generator 8 is active.

[0059] In some embodiments, the hair drying appliance 4 comprises a body 22 and a fitting 24 removably mounted on the body 22. For example, the air inlet 16 is located on the body 22. For example, the air outlet 18 is located on the fitting 24. The aeraulic circuit 20 extends inside the body 22 and the fitting 24.

[0060] For example, the hair drying appliance 4 comprises a grip 26 attached to the body 22. The grip 26 is configured to enable the user to ergonomically grasp the hair drying appliance 4.

[0061] For example, the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C comprise first hairdressing elements 10A configured to heat the air flow produced by the hair drying appliance 4 when they are activated.

[0062] For example, the first hairdressing elements 10A are heater electrical resistors. Such electrical resistors are configured to generate heat by Joule effect when they are supplied with electricity.

[0063] Each first hairdressing element 10A is arranged so as to be in contact with air and thus heat the air flow generated by the air flow generator 8.

[0064] For example, each first hairdressing element 10A is arranged in the aeraulic circuit 20 while being located upstream of the air flow generator 8 or downstream of the air flow generator 8.

[0065] It is possible to provide for at least one first hairdressing element 10A located upstream of the air flow generator 8 and / or at least one first hairdressing element 10A located downstream of the air flow generator 8.

[0066] For example, the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C comprise one or more second hairdressing elements 10B, each second hairdressing element 10B being configured to generate light, in particular infrared light, to heat hairs located opposite the air outlet 18, when the second hairdressing element 10B is active.

[0067] For example, each second hairdressing element 10B is a lamp, in particular an infrared lamp.

[0068] For example, each hairdressing element 10B is arranged on the hair drying appliance 4 to emit light in a radiation area located in front of the air outlet 18. Preferably, the hair drying appliance 4 comprises an optical deflector 29 arranged to direct the radiations emitted by each second hairdressing element 10B in front of the air outlet 22, in particular to make the radiations emitted by the second hairdressing element(s) 10B converge in a convergence area located in front of the air outlet 18.

[0069] For example, the hair drying appliance 4 comprises several second hairdressing elements 10B distributed, preferably uniformly, around a section of the aeraulic circuit 20.

[0070] For example, the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C comprise one or more third hairdressing elements 10C configured to generate a plasma at the air outlet 18 when it is activated.

[0071] For example, each third hairdressing element 10C is arranged on an edge 28 of an opening 30 delimiting the air outlet 18.

[0072] As illustrated in Figure 2, the hair drying appliance 4 comprises for example an electric power supply device 32 configured to electrically power the air flow generator 8 and the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C.

[0073] In operation, the electric power supply device 32 delivers an electric power supply to the air flow generator 8 and an electric power supply to each of the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C.

[0074] For example, the electric power supply device 32 comprises an electrical cable 34 to plug the hair drying appliance 4 to an electric power distribution network and / or an electric battery 36 accommodated in the hair drying appliance 4.

[0075] As illustrated in Figure 2, the hair drying assembly 4 comprises a detection system 40 configured to generate a detection signal indicating the presence or not of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18 of the hair drying appliance 4.

[0076] The detection system 40 comprises one or more sensor(s) 42 configured to detect the presence of an object in the proximity of the air outlet 18.

[0077] In some embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises one or more beacon(s) 44, each beacon 44 being configured to cooperate with one or more sensor(s) 42 of the detection system 40.

[0078] For example, each beacon 44 is an optical beacon for cooperating with an optical sensor, a magnetic beacon for cooperating with a magnetic sensor, for example a metallic, ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic beacon, or a permanent magnet, or a radiofrequency beacon for cooperating with a radiofrequency sensor.

[0079] In the case where one or more sensor(s) 42 of the detection system 40 are arranged on the hair drying appliance 4, the hair accessory 6 is for example provided with one or more corresponding beacon(s) 44. In the case where one or more sensor(s) 42 of the detection system 40 are arranged on the hair accessory 6, the hair drying appliance 4 is for example provided with one or more corresponding beacon(s) 44.

[0080] In some embodiments, the proximity detection system 40 comprises at least one distance sensor 42 configured for measuring a distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18.

[0081] In some embodiments, each distance sensor 42 is a laser ranger (or lidar) or a sound waves ranger (or sonar) or an electromagnetic waves ranger (or radar).

[0082] A laser ranger is configured to emit a laser beam, detect a reflected light and generate a measurement signal according to the emitted laser beam and the reflected light.

[0083] A sound waves ranger is configured to emit sound waves, detect reflected sound waves and generate a measurement signal according to the emitted sound waves and the reflected sound waves.

[0084] An electromagnetic waves ranger is configured to emit electromagnetic waves, detect reflected electromagnetic waves and generate a measurement signal according to the emitted electromagnetic waves and the reflected electromagnetic waves.

[0085] In some embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises one or more beacon(s) 44 configured to cooperate with the distance sensor(s) 42. For example, each beacon 44 is an optical beacon, a magnetic beacon, for example a metallic, ferromagnetic or nonferromagnetic beacon, or a permanent magnet.

[0086] In some embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises at least one proximity sensor 42. A proximity sensor 42 allows detecting the presence of an object in the proximity of the proximity sensor 42, in particular when the object is at a distance from the proximity sensor shorter than a threshold distance specific to the proximity sensor 42.

[0087] For example, each proximity sensor 42 is a capacitive proximity sensor, an inductive proximity sensor or a Hall-effect proximity sensor.

[0088] A capacitive proximity sensor 42 detects the proximity of an object because of a modification of an electrical capacitance of an electrical circuit by the proximity of an object.

[0089] An inductive proximity sensor 42 detects the proximity of an object by a disturbance of a magnetic field induced by the proximity of an object.

[0090] A Hall-effect proximity sensor 42 detects the proximity of an object by the apparition of an electrical potential in an electrical circuit placed in a magnetic field.

[0091] In some embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises one or more beacon(s) 44 configured to cooperate with the proximity sensor(s) 42. For example, each beacon 44 is an optical beacon, a magnetic beacon, for example a metallic, ferromagnetic or nonferromagnetic beacon, or a permanent magnet. In some embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises a contact sensor 42 configured to detect a contact of a detection area of the hair drying appliance 4 adjacent to the air outlet 18 with an object. For example, each contact sensor 42 is located on the hair drying appliance 4, in the detection area.

[0092] Each contact sensor 42 detects a contact, for example by detection of a movement of a touch probe of the contact sensor 42 coming into contact with the object and / or of the apparition of a mechanical stress of a touch probe of the contact sensor 42 coming into contact with the object.

[0093] In some embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises at least one radiofrequency sensor 42, each radiofrequency sensor 42 being configured to communicate by radiofrequency waves with one or more radiofrequency beacon(s) 44.

[0094] For example, each of the radiofrequency sensor 42 and each radiofrequency beacon 44 comprises a radiofrequency transceiver associated with a radiofrequency antenna so as to be able to communicate by radiofrequency waves to determine the presence of the hair accessory 6 and possibly a distance between the hair accessory 6 and the air outlet 18.

[0095] For example, the presence, or not, of the object in the proximity of the air outlet is determined according to the reception, or not, by each radiofrequency sensor 42, of a response from at least one radiofrequency beacon 44 to an interrogation of the radiofrequency sensor 42.

[0096] The reception by a radiofrequency sensor 42 of a response of a radiofrequency beacon 44 means that the distance between the radiofrequency sensor and the radiofrequency beacon 44 (and therefore the distance between the air outlet 18 and the object) is equal to or shorter than the communication range between the radiofrequency sensor 42 and the radiofrequency beacon 44.

[0097] In such a case, the detection threshold distance corresponds to the radiocommunication range between the radiofrequency sensor(s) 42 and the radiofrequency beacon(s) 44.

[0098] In some embodiments, each radiofrequency sensor 42 is configured for near-field communication with the radiofrequency beacon(s) 44. A near-field communication (or NFC, standing for "Near Field Communication" in English) is a radiofrequency communication with a short communication range.

[0099] In some embodiments, the detection system 40 comprises at least one temperature sensor 42 arranged so as to measure a temperature in front of the air outlet 18.

[0100] During the emission of an air flow via the air outlet 18, the presence, or not, of an object in front of the air outlet 18 modifies the temperature measured by a temperature sensor 42 arranged so as to measure a temperature in front of the air outlet 18. Thus, the measurement of the temperature allows detecting the proximity of an object in front of the air outlet 18.

[0101] For example, each temperature sensor 42 is an infrared temperature sensor, comprising for example an infrared photodetector.

[0102] Preferably, one or more sensor(s) 42 of the detection system 40 are arranged on the hair drying appliance 4.

[0103] Alternatively or optionally, one or more sensor(s) 42 of the detection system 40 is / are arranged on the hair accessory 6 to detect the proximity of the air outlet 18 of the hair drying appliance 4 with the hair accessory 6.

[0104] In the case where one or more sensor(s) 42 of the detection system 40 is / are arranged on the hair accessory 6, preferably, the hair accessory 6 is provided with an electric power supply 46, comprising for example a cable 48 for connection to the electric power supply network and / or a battery 50.

[0105] In the case where one or more sensor(s) 42 of the detection system 40 is / are arranged on the hair accessory 6, preferably, the hair drying appliance 4 and the hair accessory 6 are provided with respective communication modules 52 allowing exchanging communication signals between the hair drying appliance 4 and the hair accessory 6, in particular for the transmission of measurement signals from sensors 42 arranged on the hair accessory 6 to the hair drying appliance 4.

[0106] Preferably, the communication modules 52 are configured for wireless communication, for example communication by optical signals and / or by radiofrequency signals, in particular according to one or more protocol(s) from among WIFI®, Bluetooth®, ANT+®, etc.

[0107] The hair drying assembly 4 comprises an electronic control unit 54 configured to control the air flow generator 8 and the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C according to the proximity detection carried out by the proximity detection system 40.

[0108] Preferably, the electronic control unit 54 is arranged in the hair drying appliance 4.

[0109] For example, the hair drying appliance 4 comprises several operating modes which could be selected manually by the user, for example via a selector, or automatically by the electronic control unit 54.

[0110] In each operating mode, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to activate the air flow generator 8 and / or selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C. The non-selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C remain permanently deactivated during the implementation of this operating mode. In one or more operating mode(s) with power variation, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to vary the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 and / or the electric power supply of selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C according to the detection signal supplied by the detection system 40.

[0111] In at least one operating mode with power variation, hereinafter referred to as the operating mode with power reduction, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 and / or deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of at least one or of each selected hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0112] In the operating modes with power reduction, the electronic control unit 54 is preferably configured to supply the air flow generator 8 with a rated electric power associated with this operating mode and / or to supply each selected hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C with a rated electric power associated with this operating mode as long as the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18, and to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 and / or deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of at least one of the selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0113] For example, the hair drying appliance 4 comprises one or more operating mode(s) in which the air flow generator 8 is activated and / or one or more operating mode(s) in which the air flow generator 8 remains inactive.

[0114] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which the air flow generator 8 is activated, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to supply the air flow generator 8 with a rated electric power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18 and to deactivate or reduce the power supply of the air flow generator 8 when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0115] For example, the hair drying appliance 4 comprises one or more operating mode(s) in which at least one first hairdressing element 10A configured to heat the air flow is selected (and is therefore activable) and / or one or more operating mode(s) in which no first hairdressing element 10A is selected (and the first hairdressing elements 10A therefore remain inactive).

[0116] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which at least one first hairdressing element 10A is selected, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to supply each selected first hairdressing element 10A with a rated electric power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18 and to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of each selected first hairdressing element 10A when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0117] For example, the hair drying appliance 4 comprises one or more operating mode(s) in which at least one second hairdressing element 10B configured to generate light, in particular infrared light, is selected (and is therefore activable) and / or one or more operating mode(s) in which no second hairdressing element 10B is selected (and the second hairdressing elements therefore remain inactive).

[0118] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which at least one second hairdressing element 10B is selected, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to supply each selected second hairdressing element 10B with a rated electric power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18 and to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of each selected second hairdressing element 10B when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0119] For example, the hair drying appliance 4 comprises one or more operating mode(s) in which each third hairdressing element 10C configured to generate a plasma is selected (and is therefore activable) and / or one or more operating mode(s) in which no third hairdressing element 10C is selected (and the third hairdressing elements 10C therefore remain inactive).

[0120] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which at least one third hairdressing element 10C is selected, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to supply each selected third hairdressing element 10C with a determined electric power when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18 and to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of each selected third hairdressing element 10B when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0121] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which the air flow generator 8 is active and at least one hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C is selected, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to power the air flow generator 8 and each selected hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C with a rated electric power supply associated with this operating mode when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18, and to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18, without deactivating or reducing the electric power supply of at least one or of each of the selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C, when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0122] Advantageously, at least one operating mode with power reduction is implemented without reduction of the electric power supply of at least one or each of the selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C (i.e. with maintenance of the rated electric power supply of at least one or each of the selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C) when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18 or with a partial reduction of the electric power supply of at least one or each of the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0123] This allows reducing the electric power consumed by the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C without completely deactivating it, which facilitates a reactivation at the rated electric power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal again indicates the presence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18. Thus, the hair drying appliance 4 is reactive.

[0124] Advantageously, in at least one operating mode with power reduction in which the air flow generator 8 is active and at least one hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C is selected, and the electronic control unit 54 is configured to power the air flow generator 8 and each selected hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C with a rated electric power supply associated with this operating mode when the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18, and to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of at least one or of each selected hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18, without deactivating or reducing the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0125] Advantageously, in such operating modes with power reduction without deactivation or reduction of the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8, at least one first hairdressing element 10A configured to heat the air flow is selected, with a deactivation or a reduction of the electric power supply of each selected hairdressing element 10A when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18, and / or at least one second hairdressing element 10B configured to generate light is selected, with a deactivation or a reduction of the electric power supply of each second hairdressing element 10B when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18 and / or at least one or each third hairdressing element 10C configured to generate a plasma is selected, with a deactivation or a reduction of the electric power supply of each selected third hairdressing element 10C when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0126] Each operating mode with power reduction without deactivation of the air flow generator 8 is implemented for example without reduction of the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 (i.e. with holding of the rated electric power supply of the air flow generator 8) when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18 or with a partial reduction of the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0127] In case of partial reduction of the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18, the air flow generator 8 is kept active and continues generating an air flow with an air flow rate and an electric consumption of the air flow generator 8 lower than those with the rated electric power supply associated with the operating mode.

[0128] This allows reducing the electric power consumed by the air flow generator 8 without deactivating it completely, which facilitates a reactivation at the rated electric power associated with this operating mode when the detection signal indicates again the presence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18. Thus, the hair drying appliance 4 is reactive.

[0129] Moreover, maintaining an air flow allows maintaining an internal cooling of the hair drying appliance 4, which might be useful when hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C are kept at least partially active when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18, in particular when hairdressing elements 10A configured to heat the air flow and / or hairdressing elements 10B configured to generate light are kept at least partially active when the detection signal indicates the absence of an object in proximity in front of the air outlet 18.

[0130] The operating modes may carry out particular selections of the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C.

[0131] In some embodiments wherein the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C include hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C of at least two different types, the hair drying appliance 4 comprises for example one or more operating mode(s) with power variation or power reduction in which hairdressing elements of one type (for example, involving heating of the air flow) are selected, the hairdressing elements of each other type (for example, involving plasma radiation and / or generation) being non-selected and inactive. In some embodiments, the detection signal indicates the presence or not of an object in front of the air outlet at a distance from the air outlet equal to or shorter than a threshold distance.

[0132] For example, the threshold distance is comprised between 3 cm and 10 cm, in particular between 3 cm and 6 cm.

[0133] It has been noticed that, during the use of a hair drying appliance 4 for shaping hairs using a hair accessory 6 such as a brush, the user keeps the air outlet 18 at a distance from the hairs generally shorter than 5 cm, or 3 cm.

[0134] In some embodiments, the threshold distance could be manually adjusted by the user, for example via an adjustment interface provided on the hair drying appliance 4.

[0135] In some embodiments, the detection signal is representative of a measurement of the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet.

[0136] In such embodiments, the detection system preferably comprises one or more sensor(s) 42 which consist(s) of distance sensor(s).

[0137] In such embodiments, in at least one operating mode with power variation, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to vary the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 and / or to vary the electric power supply of at least one of the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C according to the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18.

[0138] In at least one operating mode with power variation, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to vary the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 inversely with respect to the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet, i.e. to reduce the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 when the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18 increases, and vice versa.

[0139] In at least one operating mode with power variation, the electronic control unit 54 is configured to vary the electric power supply of at least one of the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C inversely with respect to the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18, i.e. to reduce the electric power supply of at least one of the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C when the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18 increases, and vice versa.

[0140] In the different operating modes with power variation, the variation of the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 according to the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18 is for example continuous or gradual (i.e. in steps).

[0141] In the different operating modes with power variation, the variation of the electric power supply of each hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C according to the distance between the air outlet 18 and an object located in front of the air outlet 18 is for example continuous or gradual (i.e. in steps).

[0142] When the hair drying appliance 4 comprises a body 22 and a fitting 24 removably mounted on the body 22, the electronic control unit 54 is preferably located in the body 22.

[0143] For example, each sensor 42 of the detection system is arranged on the body 22 or on the fitting 24, in particular in the proximity of the air outlet 18 defined by the fitting 24.

[0144] When one or more sensor(s) 42 is / are carried by the fitting 24, the body 22 and the fitting 24 are provided with complementary connectors configured to interlock together during mounting of the fitting 24 on the body 22 and to connect each sensor 42 carried by the fitting 24 to the electronic control unit 54 located in the body 22.

[0145] Each hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C is carried by the body 22 or by the fitting 24. In particular, preferably, a hairdressing element 10C for the generation of a plasma is carried by the fitting 24 on an edge 28 of an opening 30 delimiting the air outlet 18.

[0146] When one or more hairdressing element(s) 10A, 10B, 10C is / are carried by the fitting 24, the body 22 and the fitting 24 are provided with complementary connectors configured to interlock together during mounting of the fitting 24 on the body 22 and to connect each hairdressing element carried by the fitting 24 to the electronic control unit 54 located in the body 22.

[0147] When the hair drying appliance comprises a battery 36 for electrically powering the air flow generator 8 and / or all or some of the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C, preferably, the battery 36 comprises several battery elements 36A, 36B, 36C (or "cell"). Each battery element 36A, 36B, 36C comprises an electrolyte.

[0148] Advantageously, at least one battery element 36A, 36B, 36C is a solid-electrolyte battery element. Preferably, each battery element 36A, 36B, 36C is a solid-electrolyte battery element. The battery 36 comprises only solid-electrolyte battery elements 36A, 36B, 36C.

[0149] Such solid-electrolyte battery elements 36A, 36B, 36C withstand high operating temperatures and are therefore suited to use in a hot environment such as that one created during the use of a hair drying appliance.

[0150] Such solid-electrolyte battery elements 36A, 36B, 36C also have an energy density much higher than lithium-ion liquid-electrolyte batteries and therefore allow, either having more electrical energy and therefore a better autonomy or the possibility of powering additional electrical components for the same volume, or reducing the size of the battery and its bulk while keeping the same available amount of energy. Recharging thereof is also much faster (less than 60 minutes for a total capacity of the battery of 2,600 mAh - 4 cells in series for a 14.4V voltage). Preferably, the hair drying appliance comprises a battery 36 with a total capacity of at least 3,000 mAh (rated voltage comprised between 10 and 16V), preferably at least 4,000 mAh, better still at least 5,000 mAh. Thus, it is possible to reach an autonomy longer than or equal to 60 minutes.

[0151] Preferably, the battery 36 comprises at least one anode comprising metallic lithium and in particular could consist of metallic lithium.

[0152] The battery 36 also comprises a cathode which could be made of a material similar to that one of a cathode of a lithium-ion liquid-electrolyte battery such as Lithium Iron Phosphate (LIP), Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) and / or lithium manganese oxides (LMO).

[0153] For example, the battery 36 is accommodated entirely or partially in the body 22 and / or entirely or partially in the grip 30. Preferably, the battery 36 is removably mounted in the hair drying appliance 4, in particular in the body 22 and / or in the grip 30.

[0154] Moreover, in some embodiments, the electronic control unit 54 is formed for example by a memory in which a software for controlling the activation / deactivation of the air flow generator 8 and of each hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C is stored and by a processor associated with the memory for the execution of the software.

[0155] Alternatively, the electronic control unit 54 is made in the form of a programmable logic component, such as an FPGA (standing for Field Programmable Gate Array in English), or an integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (standing for Application Specific Integrated Circuit in English).

[0156] In operation, the hair drying appliance 4 enables the implementation of a hair drying method comprising detecting the presence of an object in the proximity of the air outlet using the detection system, and activating the air flow generator and / or at least one amongst the hairdressing elements when the detection system detects the presence of an object in the proximity of the air outlet and deactivating the air flow generator and / or at least one amongst the hairdressing elements when the proximity detection system no longer detects the presence of the object in the proximity of the air outlet.

[0157] Figure 2 illustrates such a hair drying method.

[0158] The hair drying method comprises a step E1 of turning on the hair drying appliance 4 and, optionally, a step E2 of selecting an operating mode.

[0159] The operating mode determines which members among the air flow generator and the hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C are selected and therefore likely to be activated during the implementation of the operating mode.

[0160] The hair drying method comprises a step E3 of detecting the presence of an object in front of the air outlet 18 and the generation of a detection signal. The hair drying method comprises a control step E4 comprising the implementation of an operating mode with power variation, i.e. comprising the automatic variation of the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 and / or of the electric power supply of at least one hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C according to the detection signal generated in the detection step E3, and in particular the implementation of an operating mode with power reduction, i.e. comprising the automatic deactivation or reduction of the electric power supply of the air flow generator 8 and / or of the electric power supply of at least one hairdressing element 10A, 10B, 10C according to the detection signal generated in the detection step E3.

[0161] The control step E4 comprising in particular supplying the air flow generator with a determined electric power and supplying the selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C with a determined electric power if the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in front of the air outlet and the deactivation or the reduction of the electric power supply of the air flow generator and / or the deactivation or the reduction of the electric power supply of at least one of the selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C if the detection signal indicates the presence of an object in front of the air outlet.

[0162] The detection E3 and control E4 steps are repeated so that the air flow generator and the selected hairdressing elements 10A, 10B, 10C are activated if the presence of an object in front of the air outlet is detected and kept active as long as the presence of an object in front of the air outlet is detected, and deactivated if the presence of an object in front of the air outlet is not detected and kept inactive as long as the presence of an object in front of the air outlet is not detected.

[0163] The detection E3 and control E4 steps are repeated until the hair drying appliance 4 is turned off or set in standby or the current operating mode is unselected.

[0164] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to have a hair drying assembly allowing for an improved operation and a reduced energy consumption. The deactivation of an air flow generator and / or of a hairdressing element allows limiting the noise generated by the operation of the hair drying appliance, in particular by the air flow generator, and limiting the electric consumption of the air flow generator and of each hairdressing element which is deactivated or whose electric power supply is reduced according to the proximity of an object in front of the air outlet of the hair drying appliance.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A hair drying assembly having a hair drying appliance (4) comprising an air flow generator (8) and / or one or more hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C), a detection system (40) configured to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of an object in the proximity of an air outlet (18) of the hair drying appliance (4), and an electronic control unit (54) configured, in at least one operating mode, to vary the electric power supply of the air flow generator (8) and / or the electric power supply of at least one amongst the hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C) according to the detection signal.

2. The hair drying assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the hairdressing elements (10A, 10B, 10C) include at least one hairdressing element (10A) configured to heat the air flow and / or at least one hairdressing element (1 OB) configured to generate light, in particular infrared light and / or at least one hairdressing element (10C) configured to generate a plasma, in particular proximate to the air outlet.

3. The hair drying assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic control unit (54) is configured, in at least one operating mode, to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of the air flow generator (8) and / or to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of at least one amongst the hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C), when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object in the proximity of the air outlet.

4. The hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (54) is configured, in at least one operating mode, to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of the air flow generator (8), without deactivating or reducing the electric power supply of the hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C), when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object in the proximity of the air outlet.

5. The hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (54) is configured, in at least one operating mode, to deactivate and / or reduce the electric power supply of at least one amongst the hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C), without deactivating or reducing the electric power supply of the air flow generator (8), when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object in the proximity of the air outlet (18).

6. The hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (54) is configured, in at least one operating mode, to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of the air flow generator (8) and to deactivate or reduce the electric power supply of at least one amongst the hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B,10C), when the detection signal indicates the absence of the object in the proximity of the air outlet (18).

7. The hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection signal is indicative of a distance between the object and the air outlet (18) equal to or shorter than a threshold distance or representative of a measurement of the distance between the air outlet (18) and an object present in front of the air outlet.

8. The hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection system (40) comprises beacons (44), each beacon (44) being configured to cooperate with one or more sensor(s) (42) of the detection system.

9. The hair drying assembly according to claim 8, wherein each beacon (44) is an optical beacon configured to cooperate with an optical sensor of the detection system (40), a magnetic beacon, for example a metallic, ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic beacon, or a permanent magnet, configured to cooperate with a magnetic sensor of the detection system (40), for example a Hall-effect sensor, or a radiofrequency beacon configured to cooperate with a radiofrequency sensor of the detection system (40), for example an RFID beacon.

10. The hair drying assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein one or more sensor(s) (42) of the detection system (40) are arranged on the hair drying appliance, the object being provided with one or more corresponding beacon(s) (44) and / or one or more sensor(s) (42) of the detection system (40) are arranged on the object, the hair drying appliance being provided with one or more corresponding beacon(s) (44).

11. The hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection system (40) comprises one or more distance sensor(s) (42) configured to measure a distance between the air outlet (18) and an object located in front of the air outlet.

12. The hair drying assembly according to claim 11 , wherein each distance sensor (42) is a sonar, a radar or a lidar.

13. The hair drying assembly according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the detection system (40) comprises one or more beacon(s) (44) configured to cooperate with the distance sensor(s) (42), each beacon 44 being for example an optical beacon or a magnetic beacon, for example a metallic, ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic beacon, or a permanent magnet.

14. The hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the proximity detection system (40) comprises one or more proximity sensor(s) (42).

15. The hair drying assembly according to claim 14, wherein each proximity sensor (42) is a capacitive proximity sensor, an inductive proximity sensor or a Hall-effect proximity sensor.

16. The hair drying assembly according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the detection system (40) comprises one or more beacon(s) (44) configured to cooperate with the proximity sensor(s) (42), each beacon (44) being for example an optical beacon or a magnetic beacon, for example a metallic, ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic beacon, or a permanent magnet.

17. The hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection system (40) comprises one or more contact sensor(s).

18. The hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection system (40) comprises one or more radiofrequency sensor(s) (42), each radiofrequency sensor (42) being carried by one amongst the hair drying appliance (4) and the object and configured for radiofrequency communication with a radiofrequency beacon (44) carried by the other one, with a communication range equal to or shorter than a threshold distance, the detection signal indicating the presence of the object in front of the air outlet (18) when the communication is established between at least one amongst the radiofrequency sensor(s) (42) and at least one amongst the radiofrequency beacon(s) (44).

19. The hair drying assembly according to claim 18, wherein each radiofrequency sensor (42) is an RFID reader, each radiofrequency beacon (44) being an RFID beacon configured to return a unique identifier specific to this RFID beacon when the RFID beacon is interrogated by the RFID reader.

20. The hair drying assembly according to claim 18 or 19, wherein each radiofrequency sensor (42) is configured for near-field communication with each radiofrequency beacon (44).

21. The hair drying assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection system (40) comprises one or more temperature sensor(s).

22. A hair drying assembly, including the object formed by a hair accessory (6) intended to be used together with the hair drying appliance (4) to manipulate the hairs during drying, in particular a hairbrush.

23. A method for hair drying using a hair drying appliance (4) comprising an air flow generator (8) and one or more hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C), the drying method comprising detecting the presence of an object in the proximity of an air outlet (18) of the hair drying appliance (4) using a detection system (40) configured to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of the object in the proximity of the air outlet (18), and automatically controlling the air flow generator (8) and / or the hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C) to vary the electric power supply of the air flow generator (8) and / or the electric power supply of at least one amongst the hairdressing element(s) (10A, 10B, 10C) according to the detection signal.

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