Haircare appliance

Abstract

Disclosed is a haircare appliance comprising: an airflow generator, a barrel having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of air outlets disposed around the longitudinal axis of the barrel, a position sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a position of the barrel relative to hair to be treated by the haircare appliance and to generate a first signal indicative of the position, and a controller. The haircare appliance is configurable between a first configuration in which, in use, airflow generated by the airflow generator is emitted from the plurality of air outlets in a clockwise direction around the barrel, and a second configuration in which, in use, airflow generated by the airflow generator is emitted from the plurality of air outlets in an anticlockwise direction around the barrel. The controller is configured to perform a determination, on the basis of the first signal, as to whether the haircare appliance should be in the first or second configuration, and to output a second signal indicative of the determination.

Description

[0001] HAIRCARE APPLIANCE

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Traditionally hair care appliances can include multiple different styling attachments. These styling attachments may be configurable to provide different styling outcomes.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention provides a haircare appliance comprising an airflow generator, a barrel having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of air outlets disposed around the longitudinal axis, a position sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a position of the barrel relative to hair to be treated by the haircare appliance and to generate a first signal indicative of the position, and a controller. The haircare appliance is configurable between a first configuration, in which, in use, airflow generated by the airflow generator is emitted from the plurality of air outlets in a clockwise direction around the barrel, and a second configuration, in which, in use, airflow generated by the airflow generator is emitted from the plurality of air outlets in an anticlockwise direction around the barrel. The controller is configured to perform a determination, on the basis of the first signal, as to whether the haircare appliance should be in the first or second configuration, and to output a second signal indicative of the determination.

[0006] With some existing haircare appliances comprising a barrel and being configurable to emit air in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction around the barrel depending on whether the haircare appliance is in the first or second configuration, it can be difficult to determine which configuration the appliance should be in for a required hair treatment to be performed. A user may have at least partially wrapped a tress of hair around the barrel before realising that the haircare appliance is in the wrong configuration. In a more extreme example, a user may not realise that the haircare appliance is in the wrong configuration until a tress of hair has been treated by the haircare appliance. The claimed haircare appliance may mitigate such issues by providing the position sensor and determining, based on the first signal indicative of the position of the barrel relative to hair to be treated, whether the haircare appliance should be in the first configuration or the second configuration. By outputting the second signal indicative of the determination, the configuration can be changed, if required, to the configuration that the haircare appliance should be in before hair is wrapped around the barrel.

[0007] The position sensor may comprise at least three proximity sensors disposed around the barrel, for example around the periphery of the barrel. An angle between circumferentially adjacent proximity sensors may be less than 180 degrees. This may provide a relatively simple way of determining which region of the barrel is closest to the hair to be treated by the haircare appliance. Provision of at least three proximity sensors at less than 180 degrees to each other helps to ensure that there is always at least one of the proximity sensors on a side of the barrel that is adjacent to the hair, and that is closer to the hair than another one of the proximity sensors.

[0008] The position sensor may comprise a capacitive sensor. Capacitive sensors may permit rapid detection of the position of the barrel, with relatively cheap and small components.

[0009] The proximity sensors may comprise capacitive sensors. In other examples, at least one of the proximity sensors comprises one or more of a visual sensor, for example a camera, an infrared sensor, and a time-of-flight sensor. Such sensors may provide alternative ways to detect the position of the barrel to capacitive sensors.

[0010] The position sensor may comprise a plurality of sensors disposed around the barrel, for example around the periphery of the barrel, and interspersed between circumferentially adjacent air outlets of the plurality of air outlets. This may provide a compact arrangement, with the proximity sensors positioned close to where hair contacts the barrel in use. This may then help to provide a more accurate detection of the position of the barrel relative to the hair.

[0011] The proximity sensors may be disposed along a majority of a length of each of the plurality of air outlets, the length of the plurality of air outlets extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel. The haircare appliance may comprise an orientation sensor to sense a parameter indicative of an orientation of the barrel relative to a surrounding environment of the haircare appliance and to generate a third signal indicative of the orientation. The controller may be configured to perform the determination on the basis of the third signal. The orientation sensor may permit detection of an orientation in which the haircare appliance is being held. Since the hair to be treated typically hangs downward under gravity, the detected orientation can help to provide a more accurate determination of which configuration the haircare appliance should be in to treat the hair.

[0012] The orientation sensor may comprise a three-axis accelerometer. A three-axis accelerometer may provide reliable, repeatable performance, which may help to provide an accurate detection of the orientation of the barrel relative to the surrounding environment of the haircare appliance.

[0013] The controller may be configured to cause the airflow generator to generate an airflow below a predetermined flow rate in the event that a distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated is greater than a predetermined distance. The controller may be configured to cause the airflow generator to generate an airflow at or above the predetermined flow rate in the event that the distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated is less than or equal to the predetermined distance. By causing the airflow generator to generate an airflow below the predetermined flow rate when the distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated is greater than the predetermined distance, disturbance of hair may be minimised by airflow emitted from the plurality of air outlets as the barrel is moved towards the hair.

[0014] Determination of the distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated compared to the predetermined distance may be performed on the basis of an output of the position sensor. For example, the first signal may be indicative of the distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated and the controller may be configured to perform a distance determination to determine the distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated on the basis of the first signal. This may negate a need for an additional detector for detecting the distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated. The predetermined flow rate may be a flow rate sufficient to cause the hair to wrap around the barrel in use. By keeping flow rate below the predetermined flow rate when the distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated is greater than the predetermined distance, inadvertent or premature wrapping of hair around the barrel may be avoided.

[0015] The controller may be configured to perform the determination when a distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated is greater than a predetermined distance. This may allow the haircare appliance to be placed in the required configuration before the hair is wrapped around the barrel.

[0016] The haircare appliance may comprise a configuration sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of whether the haircare appliance is in the first configuration or the second configuration, and to output a fourth signal indicative of the configuration that the haircare appliance is in. This may help to ascertain whether the configuration of the haircare appliance should be changed.

[0017] The controller may be configured to receive the fourth signal, perform a comparison between the configuration that the haircare appliance is in and the configuration determined by the determination, andoutput the second signal only when the comparison is indicative that the haircare appliance is not in the configuration determined by the determination. This may simplify operation of the haircare appliance because the controller is configured to output the second signal only when the configuration of the haircare appliance should be changed.

[0018] The controller may be configured to cause the airflow generator to generate an airflow below a predetermined flow rate in the event that the fourth signal is indicative that the haircare appliance is not in the configuration determined by the determination. This may help to reduce a chance of hair being wrapped around the barrel in an incorrect direction.

[0019] The haircare appliance may comprise a feedback module configured to receive the second signal and, on the basis of the second signal, to output a feedback signal indicative of which of the first and second configurations the haircare appliance should be in. The feedback signal may thus prompt the user to change the configuration of the haircare appliance to a correct configuration. This may allow a user to change the configuration of the haircare appliance before hair is wrapped around the barrel in an incorrect direction.

[0020] The feedback signal may comprise a haptic, visual and / or audible element.

[0021] The feedback module may be configured to send the feedback signal wirelessly (for example via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) to a separate device, such as a smart device of the user.

[0022] The feedback module may be configured to only output the feedback signal when the haircare appliance is in an incorrect configuration. A user may thus be reassured that the haircare appliance is in the correct configuration when no feedback signal is received by the user. The feedback module may determine that the haircare appliance is in the incorrect position on the basis of the second signal and the fourth signal.

[0023] The haircare appliance may comprise a switching system configured to switch the haircare appliance between the first configuration and the second configuration in response to an input command. Providing a switching mechanism may help to ensure that the haircare appliance is correctly placed in the first and second configurations, compared to a haircare appliance that is manually switched between the first and second configurations by a user.

[0024] The input command may comprise the second signal. The haircare appliance may thus move to the correct configuration on the basis of the position of the barrel relative to the hair to be treated, without user input. A user may thus simply move the barrel close to the hair, in the knowledge that the haircare appliance will be in the correct configuration.

[0025] The input command may comprise a user input. A user may thus command switching of the configuration of the haircare appliance, which may provide a user with more control over operation of the haircare appliance. For example, the user may be prompted to input the user input in response to the feedback signal. The controller may be configured to perform the determination on the basis of an input indicative of a type of treatment to be applied to the hair to be treated. The controller may thus determine whether the haircare appliance is in the correct configuration based on the treatment to be performed on the hair, for example the input may be indicative of a desired style or particular curl direction.

[0026] The input indicative of the type of treatment to be applied to the hair to be treated may be received by the controller via a user interface of the haircare appliance and / or wirelessly from a remote device such as a smartphone of the user.

[0027] The plurality of air outlets may comprise a plurality of first air outlets configured to emit air in a clockwise direction around the barrel, and a plurality of second air outlets configured to emit air in an anti-clockwise direction around the barrel. The haircare appliance may comprise a valve movably disposed within the barrel. With the haircare appliance in the first configuration, the valve may occlude the first air outlets to a lesser extent than the second air outlets and, with the haircare appliance in the second configuration, the valve may occlude the second air outlets to a lesser extent than the first air outlets. This may provide a compact arrangement for switching the haircare appliance between the first and second configurations, since movement of the valve is within the barrel. In addition, the valve is separated from the hair such that movement of the valve is unlikely to disturb or catch on hair.

[0028] The barrel may define an internal bore. The valve may be movably disposed in the internal bore.

[0029] The valve may be movable within the barrel by the switching system, which may simplify or remove the need for a user of the haircare appliance to initiate switching of the configuration of the haircare appliance.

[0030] The plurality of first air outlets and the plurality of second air outlets may be alternately arranged around the periphery of the barrel. This may help to provide more uniform airflow around the barrel in the first and second configurations. The valve may be rotatable within the barrel, for example within the internal bore, about the longitudinal axis of the barrel. This may provide a particularly compact arrangement.

[0031] The haircare appliance may comprise a main body and an attachment removably attachable to the main body, wherein the attachment comprises the barrel. The main body may thus be usable with a number of different attachments, which may increase the functionality of the haircare appliance.

[0032] The attachment may comprise one or more of the position sensor and, when provided, the orientation sensor, the configuration sensor and the switching system. This may permit retrofitting of the attachment to a main body of an existing appliance.

[0033] The attachment may comprise one or more of the controller and the feedback module. This may permit retrofitting of the attachment to a main body of an existing appliance within minimal to no structural modification requirements. Alternatively, the controller and / or the feedback module may be comprised in the main body, which may reduce the complexity, size, weight and / or cost of the attachment.

[0034] The controller may comprise a first control module comprised in the attachment and a second control module comprised in the main body, the first control module configured to communicate with the second control module when the attachment is attached to the main body.

[0035] A second aspect of the present invention provides an attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: a barrel having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of air outlets disposed around the longitudinal axis of the barrel, a position sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a position of the barrel relative to hair to be treated by the haircare appliance and to generate a position signal indicative of the position, and a switching system configured, on the basis of the position signal, to switch the attachment between a first configuration, in which, in use, airflow is emitted from the plurality of air outlets in a clockwise direction around the barrel, and a second configuration, in which, in use, airflow is emitted from the plurality of air outlets in an anticlockwise direction around the barrel.

[0036] The attachment may comprise a controller configured to receive the position signal, determine whether the attachment should be in the first configuration or the second configuration, and cause the switching system to move the attachment to the required first or second configuration.

[0037] It will be appreciated that the attachment may comprise any suitable features of the haircare appliance of the first aspect.

[0038] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 shows a haircare appliance according to an example, the haircare appliance comprising a handle unit and a first attachment according to an example;

[0040] Figure 2 shows a schematic section view of the handle unit of Figure 1 and a remote device;

[0041] Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-section of the first attachment in a direction along a central axis of the first attachment;

[0042] Figures 4 and 5 show schematic cross-sections of the first attachment in a direction normal to the central axis, with a valve of the first attachment in a first and second valve position, respectively;

[0043] Figure 6 shows a first process performed by a control module of the handle unit, according to an example;

[0044] Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of a second attachment according to an example, for attachment to the handle unit of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 8 shows a schematic cross-section of the second attachment in a direction along a central axis of the second attachment;

[0045] Figure 9 shows a second process performed by the control module of the handle unit, according to an example;

[0046] Figure 10 shows a third process performed by the control module of the handle unit, according to an example;

[0047] Figure 11 shoes a schematic cross-section of a third attachment according to an example, for attachment to the handle unit of Figures 1 and 2;

[0048] Figure 12 shows a fourth process performed by the control module of the handle unit, according to an example;

[0049] Figure 13 shows a schematic side view of a fourth attachment according to an example, for attachment to the handle unit of Figures 1 and 2;

[0050] Figure 14 shows a schematic cross-section of the fourth attachment in a direction along a central axis of the fourth attachment;

[0051] Figure 15 shows a fifth process performed by the control module of the handle unit, according to an example;

[0052] Figure 16 shows a sixth process performed by the control module of the handle unit, according to an example; and

[0053] Figure 17 shows a schematic cross-section of a fifth attachment according to an example, the cross-section taken in a direction along a central axis of the fifth attachment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] A haircare appliance 10 according to an example is shown schematically in Figure 1. The haircare appliance 10 comprises a handle unit 12, and, in the example of Figure 1, a first attachment 100 removably attachable to the handle unit 12.

[0055] The term ‘haircare appliance 10’ used herein refers to the handle unit 12 with an attachment, for example any of the attachments described herein, attached thereto. As will be described in more detail below, each of the attachments described herein is operable to emit air in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction around a barrel of an attachment of the haircare appliance 10. The haircare appliance 10 is in a first configuration when arranged to emit air in the anti-clockwise direction, and in a second configuration when arranged to emit air in the clockwise direction.

[0056] The handle unit 12 comprises a housing 14, an airflow generator 16, a heater 18, and a control unit 20, as can be seen schematically in Figure 2.

[0057] The housing 14 is tubular in shape, and comprises an air inlet 22 through which an airflow is drawn into the housing 14 by the airflow generator 16, and an air outlet 24 through which the airflow is emitted from the housing 14. The airflow generator 16 is housed within the housing 14, and comprises an impeller 26 driven by an electric motor 28. The heater 18 is also housed within the housing 14, and comprises heating elements 30 to optionally heat the airflow.

[0058] The control unit 20 comprises electronic circuitry for a user interface 32, a control module 34, a feedback module 36, a receiver 38, and a gesture control module 40.

[0059] The user interface 32 is provided on an outer surface of the housing 14, and is used to power on and off the haircare appliance 10, to select a flow rate (for example high, medium and low), to select an airflow temperature (for example hot, medium or cold), and to select a configuration of the haircare appliance 10, as will be discussed in more detail below. In the example of Figure 1, the user interface 32 comprises a plurality of sliding switches, but other forms of user interface 32, for example buttons, dials or touchscreens, are also envisaged.

[0060] The control module 34 is responsible for controlling the airflow generator 16, and the heater 18 in response to inputs from the user interface 32. For example, in response to inputs from the user interface 32, the control module 34 may control the power or the speed of the airflow generator 16 in order to adjust the airflow rate of the airflow, and the power of the heater 18 in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow. The control module 34 is also responsible for causing the haircare appliance 10 to switch between the first and second configurations, as described in more detail hereinafter.

[0061] The feedback module 36 is responsible for providing haptic feedback relating to a status of the haircare appliance 10 to a user of the haircare appliance 10, as will be described in more detail below. In this example, the feedback module 36 comprises a vibration generator (not shown) to selectively generate a vibration of the handle unit 12 that is discernible by a user of the haircare appliance 10. It will be appreciated that other forms of feedback may, additionally or alternatively, be provided by the feedback module 36 such as audible and visual feedback.

[0062] The receiver 38 wirelessly receives instruction signals from a remote device 1, in this example a smartphone, as shown in Figure 2.

[0063] The gesture control 40 receives kinetic signals indicative of movement of the haircare appliance, and determines, on the basis of the kinetic signals, whether a particular gesture has been performed with the haircare appliance 10.

[0064] A number of attachments suitable for attachment to the handle unit 12 will now be described. It will be appreciated that one or more of the feedback module 36, receiver 38 and gesture control module 40 may be omitted from the handle unit 12 in some examples, depending on which attachment(s) / remote device(s) the handle unit 12 is intended for use with, as will be described hereinafter. When attached to the handle unit 12, each attachment described below is electrically connected to the control unit 20 via connectors (not shown). In particular, the connectors enable communication between the control module 34 and electrical components of the attachment. Upon attachment, the control unit 20 identifies which attachment has been attached to the handle unit 12 using an identifier associated with the respective attachment. In response to identifying which attachment has been attached to the handle unit 12, the control unit 20 determines how to operate in use of the haircare appliance 10.

[0065] The first attachment 100, shown in Figures 1 and 3-5, comprises a barrel 110 that is coaxial with a central axis 102 of the first attachment 100, and a switching system 130.

[0066] The barrel 110 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a length extending from an open end 110a to a closed end 110b. The open end 110a serves as an inlet 111 to an interior bore 112 of the barrel 110. The open end 110a forms a connection portion having a number of projections 114 disposed around a periphery of the barrel 110, and which are receivable within corresponding recesses (not shown) formed on the handle unit 12 to ensure correct connection and alignment between the handle unit 12 and the first attachment 100 to form the haircare appliance 10.

[0067] The barrel 110 defines five pairs of air outlets 116. Each pair of air outlets 116 comprises a first air outlet 117 configured to emit air in an anti-clockwise direction around the barrel 110 (as best shown in Figure 4) and a second air outlet 118 configured to emit air in a clockwise direction around the barrel 110 (as best shown in Figure 5). The barrel 110 comprises five outer surfaces 110c disposed between adjacent pairs of air outlets 116, and which are generally curved about the central axis 102 and free of any step-changes in profile. A path from the inlet 111 to the first air outlets 117 is defined as a first airflow path, and a path from the inlet 111 to the second air outlets 118 is defined as a second airflow path.

[0068] The switching system 130 comprises a valve 132 disposed within the interior bore 112 of the barrel, and a servomotor 134 positioned towards the open end 110a of the barrel 110 and in communication with the control unit 20 when the first attachment 100 is attached to the handle unit 12. It will be appreciated that the servomotor 134 may be positioned elsewhere within the first attachment 100 in other examples.

[0069] The valve 132 has five openings 136 disposed around a periphery of the valve 132. The number of openings 136 is equal to the number of pairs of air outlets 116 of the barrel 110. The openings 136 are uniformly distributed around the valve 132, and each have a length that is substantially equal to a length of each of the first and second air outlets 117, 118. The valve 132 is movable by the servomotor 134 about the central axis 102 between a first valve position (as shown in Figure 4), in which the valve 132 occludes each of the second air outlets 118 and does not obstruct each of the first air outlets 117, and a second valve position (as shown in Figure 5), in which the valve 132 occludes each of the first air outlets 117 and does not obstruct each of the second air outlets 118. In the first valve position, each of the openings 136 are aligned with a respective one of the first air outlets 117 and the second airflow path is occluded. In the second valve position, each of the openings 136 are aligned with a respective one of the second air outlets 118 and the first airflow path is occluded.

[0070] The switching system 130 comprises magnets (not shown) to retain the valve 132 in the first valve position and in the second valve position.

[0071] In use of the haircare appliance 10, with the first attachment 100 attached to the handle unit 12, the control unit 20 causes the airflow generator 16 to generate an airflow, which is drawn into the handle unit 12 via the air inlet 22, and passes across the heating elements 30 of the heater 18. The, optionally heated, airflow is emitted from the handle unit 12 via the air outlet 24, and passes into the interior bore 112 of the barrel 110. The airflow is emitted from the first attachment 100 via either the first air outlets 117 or the second air outlets 118, depending on whether the valve 132 is in the first or second valve position and thus which of the first and second airflow paths is occluded by the valve 132. The curved outer surface 110c of the barrel 110 causes the airflow to attach to, and thus curve around, the barrel 110 due to the Coanda effect. In turn, this encourages a user’s hair to wrap around the barrel to dry and / or style the hair. The haircare appliance 10 is in the first configuration when the airflow is directed by the valve 132 along the first airflow path and is emitted from the first air outlets 117, and in the second configuration when the airflow is directed by the valve 132 along the second airflow path and is emitted from the second air outlets 118 (as shown in Figures 4 and 5, respectively, with the first and second airflow paths shown with the dashed arrows).

[0072] A first sliding switch 33 of the user interface 32 is operable by the user to change a direction in which airflow is emitted from the first attachment 100, and thus switch the haircare appliance between the first and second configurations. Operation of the first switch 33 generates a first signal receivable by the control module 34 indicative that the user wishes to change a direction in which airflow is emitted from the first attachment 100.

[0073] Figure 6 schematically shows a first process 1100 performed by the control module 34 during use of the haircare appliance 10, with the first attachment 100 attached to the handle unit 12. The control module 34 determines 1102 whether the first signal has been received. If the first signal has not been received, the control module 34 takes no action with regard to changing which configuration the haircare appliance 10 is in. If the first signal has been received, the control module 34 sends 1104 a command to the switching system 130. In response to the command, the servomotor 134 actuates to cause the valve 132 to move from whichever one of the first and second valve positions that the valve 132 is currently in, to the other of the first and second valve positions, to switch the haircare appliance 10 between the first and second configurations. This provides an intuitive and ergonomic way for a user to cause the haircare appliance 10 to switch between the first and second configurations.

[0074] A second attachment 200, shown in Figures 7 and 8, for attachment to the handle unit 12 comprises the same barrel 110 and switching system 130 as the first attachment 100. Construction and operation of the second attachment 200 is similar to that of the first attachment 100, and will not be described again in detail, for brevity. Common components have the same reference number, but increased by 100. The switching system 230 is operable, in response to a command from the control module 34 of the handle unit 12 to move the valve 232 between the first and second valve positions to change which of the first and second air outlets 217, 218 are occluded by the valve 232, and thus which direction air is emitted from the second attachment 200 in use. This switches the haircare appliance 10 between the first and second configurations. Differences between the first and second attachments 100, 200 will now be described.

[0075] The second attachment 200 comprises, a three-axis accelerometer 238, five capacitive sensors 240, and a contact switch 242.

[0076] The three-axis accelerometer 238 is disposed in the interior bore 212 towards the closed end 210b of the barrel 210 and measures acceleration of motion of the second attachment 200. Data relating to the measured acceleration of motion is sent to the control module 34, via the connectors, as an orientation signal. The orientation signal is indicative of a position of the barrel 210 relative to a surrounding environment. In this example, the orientation signal is indicative of which part of the barrel 210 is facing downwards.

[0077] The capacitive sensors 240 are disposed on the outer surface 210c of the barrel 210 between adjacent pairs of air outlets 216 and emit an electrical field. Disruption of the electrical field by hair is detected by the capacitive sensors. Data relating to the disruption of the electrical field by the hair is sent to the control module 34, via the connectors, as a respective position signal. The position signal is indicative of a proximity of the respective capacitive sensor 240 with the hair.

[0078] The contact switch 242 is disposed in the interior bore adjacent to the servomotor 234 and is operable to detect whether the valve 232 is in contact with the contact switch 242. When the valve 232 is in the first valve position, and thus the haircare appliance is in the first configuration, the valve 232 is in contact with the contact switch 242. When the valve 232 is in the second valve position, and thus the haircare appliance 10 is in the second configuration, the valve 232 is not in contact with the contact switch 242. The contact switch 242 generates a configuration signal indicative of whether the valve 232 is in contact with the contact switch 242, and thus whether the haircare appliance 10 is in the first or second configuration. Figure 9 schematically shows a second process 1200 performed by the control module 34 during use of the haircare appliance 10, with the second attachment 200 attached to the handle unit 12.

[0079] The control module 34 receives 1202, via the connectors, the orientation signal and position signals from the three-axis accelerometer 238 and capacitive sensors 240, respectively. The orientation signal and position signals allow the control module 34 to determine where the second attachment 200 is in relation to hair to the styled by the haircare appliance 10, in particular which part of the barrel 210 is facing towards the hair, and which part of the barrel is facing towards the ground. Accordingly, the control module 34 is able to determine 1204 a location of the second attachment 200 relative to the hair and thus whether the haircare appliance 10 should be in the first or second configuration.

[0080] The control module 34 also receives 1206, via the connectors, the configuration signal and determines 1208, on the basis of the configuration signal, whether the haircare appliance 10 is currently in the first or second configuration.

[0081] The control module 34 then determines 1210 whether the haircare appliance 10 is currently in the same one of the first and second configurations that the control module 34 has determined that the haircare appliance 10 should be in. If the haircare appliance is currently in the same one of the first and second configurations that the control module 34 has determined that the haircare appliance 10 should be in, the control module 34 takes no action with regard to changing a direction in which airflow is emitted from the second attachment 200. If the haircare appliance is not currently in the same one of the first and second configurations that the control module 34 has determined that the haircare appliance should be in, the control module 34 sends 1212, via the connectors, a command to the switching system 230. In response to the command, the servomotor 234 actuates to cause the valve 232 to move from whichever one of the first and second valve positions that the valve 232 is currently in, to the other of the first and second valve positions. The haircare appliance 10 is thus switched to the one of the first and second configurations that the control module 34 has determined that the haircare appliance 10 should be in. In use of the haircare appliance 10 with the second attachment 200 attached to the handle unit 12, the gesture control module 40 receives orientation signals from the three-axis accelerometer and determines whether either a first gesture or a second gesture have been performed with the second attachment 200 by the user. In this example, the first gesture is a rapid rotation of the barrel 210 in the anti-clockwise direction, and the second gesture is a rapid rotation of the barrel 210 in the clockwise direction. Performance of the first gesture is indicative that the user wishes the haircare appliance 10 to be in the first configuration, and performance of the second gesture is indicative that the user wishes the haircare appliance 10 to be in the second configuration. If the gesture control module 40 determines that neither of the first and second gestures have been performed, the gesture control module 40 takes no action. If the gesture control module 40 determines that the first gesture has been performed, the gesture control module 40 sends a first kinetic signal to the control module 34. If the gesture control module 40 determines that the second gesture has been performed, the gesture control module sends a second kinetic signal, different to the first kinetic signal, to the control module 34. Accordingly, the configuration of the haircare appliance 10 may be switched without requiring user input.

[0082] Figure 10 schematically shows a third process 1300 performed by the control module 34 during use of the haircare appliance 10, with the second attachment 200 attached to the handle unit 12.

[0083] The control module 34 receives 1302 the configuration signal and determines 1304, on the basis of the configuration signal, whether the haircare appliance 10 is currently in the first or second configuration.

[0084] The control module 34 determines 1306 whether either the first or second kinetic signals have been received from the gesture control module 40. If the control module 34 determines 1306 that neither of the first and second kinetic signals have been received, the control module 34 takes no action. If the control module 34 determines 1306 that the first or second kinetic signal has been received, the control module 34 determines 1308 whether the haircare appliance 10 is currently in the configuration requested by the user by performing the first or second gesture. If the haircare appliance 10 is currently in the same one of the first and second configurations that the user has requested by performing the first or second gesture, the control module 34 takes no action with regard to changing the configuration of the haircare appliance 10. If the haircare appliance 10 is not currently in the same one of the first and second configurations that the user has requested by performing the first or second gesture, the control module 34 sends 1310, via the connectors, a command to the switching system 230. In response to the command, the servomotor 234 actuates to cause the valve 232 to move from whichever one of the first and second valve positions that the valve 232 is currently in, to the other of the first and second valve positions. The haircare appliance 10 is thus switched to the one of the first and second configurations requested by the user by performing the first or second gesture. This may provide a rapid way for a user to switch a configuration of the haircare appliance 10 without needing to actuate the user interface 32.

[0085] A third attachment 300, shown in Figure 11, for attachment to the handle unit 12 comprises the same barrel 210, switching system 230 and contact switch 242 as the second attachment 200. Common components have the same reference number, but increased by 100 and will not be described again in detail, for brevity. Construction and operation of the third attachment 300 is similar to that of the second attachment 200, except that the three- axis accelerometer 238 and capacitive sensors 240 of the second attachment 200 are omitted in the third attachment 300. The position of the barrel 310 relative to hair of the user and the surrounding environment is instead determined by the smartphone 1 that is in communication with the receiver 38, as will be described herein.

[0086] In use, the control module 34 determines, on the basis of a configuration signal from the contact switch 342, which of the first and second configurations the haircare appliance is currently in. The switching system 330 is operable, in response to a command from the control module 34 of the handle unit 12 to move the valve 332 between the first and second valve positions to change which of the first and second air outlets are occluded by the valve 332, and thus which direction air is emitted from the second attachment 300 in use. This switches the haircare appliance 10 between the first and second configurations. The user may thus have authority over which configuration the haircare appliance 10 is placed in. The smartphone 1, which is in communication with the receiver 38, comprises a camera operable to generate images indicative of use of the haircare appliance by the user, and image processing software. In use of the haircare appliance 10, with the third attachment 300 attached to the handle unit 12, the camera generates images of the user using the haircare appliance 10, and the image processing software determines which of the first and second configurations the haircare appliance 10 should be in based on the images generated by the camera. For example, the images may show which side of a head of the user the haircare appliance is located next to, and which angle the barrel 310 is at relative to hair of the user. The smartphone 1 sends an instruction signal to the receiver 38 that is indicative of which of the first and second configurations the image processing software has determined that the haircare appliance 10 should be in, based on the images. The receiver 38 sends the instruction signal to the control module 34.

[0087] Figure 12 schematically shows a fourth process 1400 performed by the control module 34 during use of the haircare appliance 10, with the third attachment 300 attached to the handle unit 12. The control module 34 receives 1402 the instruction signal from the receiver 38. The control module 34 also receives 1404, via the connectors, the configuration signal and determines 1406, on the basis of the configuration signal, whether the haircare appliance 10 is currently in the first or second configuration.

[0088] The control module 34 then determines 1408 whether the haircare appliance 10 is currently in the same one of the first and second configurations that the instruction signal is indicative of. If the haircare appliance is currently in the same one of the first and second configurations that the instruction signal is indicative of, the control module 34 takes no action with regard to changing the configuration of the haircare appliance 10. If the haircare appliance is not currently in the same one of the first and second configurations that the instruction signal is indicative of, the control module 34 sends 1410, via the connectors, a command to the switching system 330. In response to the command, the servomotor 334 actuates to cause the valve 332 to move from whichever one of the first and second valve positions that the valve 332 is currently in, to the other of the first and second valve positions. The haircare appliance 10 is thus switched to the one of the first and second configurations that the control module 34 has determined that the haircare appliance 10 should be in. This allows the third attachment 300 to be simpler in construction compared to the second attachment 200, whilst still enabling switching of the haircare appliance 10 between the first and second configurations without user input.

[0089] It will be appreciated that the control module 34 may also be operable to perform the fourth process to instead control the switching system 230 of the second attachment 200 when the second attachment 200 is attached to the handle unit 12.

[0090] The control module 34 is also operable to perform the first process 1100, described above with reference to Figure 6, to control the switching system 230, 330 of the respective second or third attachment 200, 300 when the second attachment 200 or the third attachment 300 is attached to the handle unit 12. Which of the first and second configurations the haircare appliance 10 is in, as controlled by the control module 34, may thus be overridden by a user moving the first sliding switch 33.

[0091] The feedback module 36 generates a haptic signal in the event that the haircare appliance 10 is switched between the first and second configurations by the control module 34.

[0092] In some examples, the smartphone 1 determines, for example with a camera and image processing software of the smartphone 1, which configuration the haircare appliance 10 is in, and sends the configuration signal to the receiver 38. This may negate a need for an attachment, for attachment to the handle unit 12, to comprise a contact switch or other suitable sensor for determining which configuration the haircare appliance 10 is in. In such examples, the control module 34 may perform the second or fourth processes with the first attachment 100 attached to the handle unit 12.

[0093] A fourth attachment 400, shown in Figures 13 and 14, for attachment to the handle unit 12 has similar construction and operation to the second attachment 200 described above, except that the servomotor 234 of the switching system 230 of the second attachment 200 is omitted in the fourth attachment 400, and the fourth attachment 400 comprises a dial 420 positioned at the closed end 410b of the barrel 410. The dial 420 is mechanically connected to the valve 432, and allows a user to move the valve 432 between the first and second valve positions by manually rotating the dial 420 about the central axis 402. Common components have the same reference number as the second attachment 200, but increased by 200, and will not be described again in detail, for brevity. In use of the haircare appliance 10 with the fourth attachment 400 attached to the handle unit 10, the three-axis accelerometer 438 and the capacitive sensors 440 send, via the connectors, respective orientation and position sensors to the control module 34, and the contact switch 442 sends the configuration signal to the control module 34.

[0094] Figure 15 shows a fifth process 1500 performed by the control module 34 during use of the haircare appliance 10, with the fourth attachment 400 attached to the handle unit 12. The fifth process 1500 is substantially the same as the second process 1200 described above with reference to Figure 9, and only differences will be described, for brevity. Common processes have the same reference number, but increased by 300.

[0095] If the control module 34 determines 1510, on the basis of the configuration signal, that the haircare appliance is currently in the same one of the first and second configurations that the control module 34 has determined 1504 that the haircare appliance 10 should be in, on the basis of the orientation and position signals, the control module 34 takes no action with regard to changing which configuration the haircare appliance 10 is in. The control module 34 causes 1514 the haircare appliance 10 to operate in a high flow mode, in which the airflow generator 16 generates airflow at a first air flow rate. If the haircare appliance is not currently in the same one of the first and second configurations that the control module 34 has determined 1504 that the haircare appliance should be in, the control module 34 sends 1516 a command to the feedback module 36 and causes 1518 the haircare appliance 10 to operate in a low flow mode, in which the airflow generator 16 generates airflow at a second air flow rate, lower than the first air flow rate. The second air flow rate is insufficient for airflow emitted from the plurality of pairs of air outlets 416 to cause hair to wrap around the barrel 410. In response to the command, the feedback module outputs a feedback alert to the user, in this example in the form of a vibration by the vibration module. In other examples, the feedback alert is, additionally or alternatively, visual or audible. The feedback alert prompts the user to rotate the dial 420 about the central axis 402 to move the valve 432 between the first and second valve positions, and thus switch the haircare appliance 10 to the one of the first and second configurations that the control module 34 has determined that the haircare appliance 10 should be in.

[0096] In some other examples, the control module 34 does not send the command to the feedback module, as indicated by the dashed box 1516 in Figure 15, and operation of the haircare appliance 10 in the low flow mode is sufficient to prompt the user to turn the dial 420 to place the haircare appliance 10 is in the correct configuration.

[0097] In other examples, causing 1514, 1518 the haircare appliance 10 to operate in the first and second modes based on whether the haircare appliance 10 is in the correct configuration may be omitted, as denoted by the dashed boxes 1514, 1518 in Figure 15.

[0098] The control module 34 may be operable to cause the haircare appliance to operate in the first and second modes, based on whether the haircare appliance 10 is in the correct configuration, when other attachments according to examples are attached to the handle unit 12, for example the first to third attachments 100, 200, 300 described above.

[0099] The capacitive sensors 440 are operable to generate data indicative of a distance between the barrel 410 and the hair of the user. The position signals are indicative of the distance. Figure 16 shows a sixth process 1600 performed by the control module 34 during use of the haircare appliance 10, with the fourth attachment 400 attached to the handle unit 12. The control module 34 receives 1602 the position signals from the capacitive sensors 440 and determines 1604, based on the position signals, a distance between the barrel 410 and hair of the user. The control module 34 then determines 1606 whether the distance exceeds a predetermined distance Pd.

[0100] In the event that the control module 34 determines 1606 that the distance exceeds the predetermined distance Pd, the control module 34 causes 1608 the haircare appliance 10 to operate in the low flow mode. In the event that the control module 34 determines that the distance does not exceed the predetermined distance Pd, the control module 34 causes 1610 the haircare appliance 10 to operate in the high flow mode. This may help to ensure that hair is only wrapped around the barrel 410 when the haircare appliance 10 is in the correct configuration.

[0101] The control module 34 is operable to determine whether the haircare appliance 10 is in the correct configuration when the barrel 410 is at least the predetermined distance Pd away from the hair of the user. In this example, the predetermined distance is 5 cm. This may inhibit hair from being wrapped around the barrel 410 in the wrong direction.

[0102] It will be appreciated that the control module 34 may perform the sixth process to control the airflow generator 16 when any other attachment according to an example is attached to the handle unit 12, for example the first to third attachments 100, 200, 300 described above. In such example, the control module 34 may receive the position signal from the respective capacitive sensors or from a remote device, such as the smartphone 1, via the receiver 38.

[0103] In some examples, the user generates a styling signal, for example via the user interface 32 or smartphone 1, indicative of a parameter relating to use of the haircare appliance 10, for example type of hair to be styled, moisture level of hair to be styled, or a desired style outcome to be produced by the haircare appliance 10. In such examples, the control module 34 is operable to determine which of the first and second configurations the haircare appliance 10 should be in on the basis of the styling signal.

[0104] It will be appreciated that in other examples, other types of switching system 130, 230, 330 may be employed to switch the haircare appliance 10 between the first and second configurations. An example is shown in Figure 17, which shows a fifth attachment 500 in cross-section. Construction and operation of the fifth attachment 500 is similar to the second attachment 200 described above, except that the servomotor 234 of the second attachment 200 is replaced by a valve guide 544.

[0105] The valve guide 544 is cylindrical and defines a zigzag-shaped track 546 extending around a circumference of the valve guide 544, having four peaks and four troughs alternately arranged around the circumference. The valve 532 comprises a pin 548 that travels along the track 546 to move the valve between the first and second valve positions.

[0106] With the haircare appliance 10 switched on and in high flow mode, the pin 548 is pushed by the airflow towards the closed end 510b of the barrel 510 to a peak of the track 546. With the pin 548 at a peak of the track 546 and in position A, as shown in Figure 17, the valve 532 is in the first valve position. With the pin 548 at a peak of the track 546 and in position B, as shown in Figure 17, the valve 532 is in the second valve position. The valve 532 is biased toward the troughs of the track 546, for example to position C, as shown in Figure 17. Accordingly, a drop in airflow from the airflow generator 16 causes the pin 548 to move to towards the open end 510a of the barrel 510 to position C. A subsequent increase in flow rate causes the pin 548 to move back to the other of position A or B to the position that the pin 548 was in before the pin was moved to position C. The pin 548 rotates around the central axis 502 as the pin 548 follows the track 546, which causes corresponding rotation of a remainder of the valve 532.

[0107] In such examples, the control module 34, upon determining that the configuration of the haircare appliance 10 needs to be switched, causes the airflow generator 16 to temporarily reduce a flow rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator by a sufficient amount to cause the pin 548 to move to one of the troughs of the track 546, and then increase the flow rate to move the pin 548 to one of the peaks of the track 546. Accordingly, the valve 532 is moved between the first and second valve positions, and the haircare appliance 10 is switched between the first and second configurations.

[0108] Other examples are envisaged, which fall within the scope of the claims. For example, features of any one of the attachments described herein may be equally applicable to others of the attachments. For example, processes described as being performed by the control module when one of the attachments is attached to the handle unit may be performed when other attachments are attached to the handle unit.

[0109] It will be appreciated that, in other examples, other types of sensor may be employed compared to those described in the above examples. For example, a different type of sensor may be employed to determine which of the first and second configurations the haircare appliance 10, 50 is in, such as a light gate or flow sensor located at an air outlet. For example, a different type of sensor may be employed to determine a position of the haircare appliance relative to hair of the user, such as a camera on the haircare appliance 10, 50.

[0110] It is to be noted that the term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted to mean “and / or”, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A haircare appliance comprising: an airflow generator, a barrel having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of air outlets disposed around the longitudinal axis, a position sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a position of the barrel relative to hair to be treated by the haircare appliance and to generate a first signal indicative of the position, and a controller, wherein: the haircare appliance is configurable between a first configuration in which, in use, airflow generated by the airflow generator is emitted from the plurality of air outlets in a clockwise direction around the barrel, and a second configuration in which, in use, airflow generated by the airflow generator is emitted from the plurality of air outlets in an anticlockwise direction around the barrel, and the controller is configured to perform a determination, on the basis of the first signal, as to whether the haircare appliance should be in the first or second configuration, and to output a second signal indicative of the determination.

2. The haircare appliance according to claim 1, wherein the position sensor comprises at least three proximity sensors disposed around the barrel, and wherein optionally an angle between circumferentially adjacent proximity sensors is less than 180 degrees.

3. The haircare appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the position sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.

4. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the position sensor comprises a plurality of sensors disposed around the barrel and interspersed between circumferentially adjacent air outlets of the plurality of air outlets.

5. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an orientation sensor to sense a parameter indicative of an orientation of the barrel relative to a surrounding environment of the haircare appliance and to generate a third signal indicative of the orientation,wherein the controller is configured to perform the determination on the basis of the third signal.

6. The haircare appliance according to claim 5, wherein the orientation sensor comprises a three-axis accelerometer.

7. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the controller is configured to cause the airflow generator to generate an airflow below a predetermined flow rate in the event that a distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated is greater than a predetermined distance, and the controller is configured to cause the airflow generator to generate an airflow at or above the predetermined flow rate in the event that the distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated is less than or equal to the predetermined distance.

8. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to perform the determination when a distance between the barrel and the hair to be treated is greater than a predetermined distance.

9. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a configuration sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of whether the haircare appliance is in the first configuration or the second configuration, and to output a fourth signal indicative of the configuration that the haircare appliance is in.

10. The haircare appliance according to claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to: receive the fourth signal, perform a comparison between the configuration that the haircare appliance is in and the configuration determined by the determination, and output the second signal only when the comparison is indicative that the haircare appliance is not in the configuration determined by the determination.

11. The haircare appliance according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to cause the airflow generator to generate an airflow below a predetermined flow rate in the event that the fourth signal is indicative that the haircare appliance is not in the configuration determined by the determination.

12. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a feedback module configured to receive the second signal and, on the basis of the second signal, to output a feedback signal indicative of which of the first and second configurations the haircare appliance should be in.

13. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a switching system configured to switch the haircare appliance between the first configuration and the second configuration in response to an input command.

14. The haircare appliance according to claim 13, wherein the input command comprises the second signal.

15. The haircare appliance according to claim 13, wherein the input command is a user input.

16. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to perform the determination on the basis of an input indicative of a type of treatment to be applied to the hair to be treated.

17. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the plurality of air outlets comprises a plurality of first air outlets configured to emit air in a clockwise direction around the barrel, and a plurality of second air outlets configured to emit air in an anti-clockwise direction around the barrel, the haircare appliance comprises a valve movably disposed within the barrel, and with the haircare appliance in the first configuration, the valve occludes the first air outlets to a lesser extent than the second air outlets and, with the haircare appliance in thesecond configuration, the valve occludes the second air outlets to a lesser extent than the first air outlets.

18. The haircare appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a main body and an attachment removably attachable to the main body, wherein the attachment comprises the barrel.

19. An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising: a barrel having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of air outlets disposed around the longitudinal axis of the barrel, a position sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a position of the barrel relative to hair to be treated by the haircare appliance and to generate a position signal indicative of the position, and a switching system configured, on the basis of the position signal, to switch the attachment between a first configuration in which, in use, airflow is emitted from the plurality of air outlets in a clockwise direction around the barrel, and a second configuration in which, in use, airflow is emitted from the plurality of air outlets in an anticlockwise direction around the barrel.

Images