Device for charging a cordless hair trimmer

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for charging a cordless hair trimmer, the device comprising a power connector (5) intended to be connected to a charging connector of the trimmer and an electrical circuit for supplying electricity to the trimmer via the power connector (5), wherein an elastic sleeve (1) is intended to surround a grip handle of the trimmer and comprises the power connector (5), at least one induction charging receiver coil (2), and a signal processing region in the form of a converter circuit (3) connected to the receiver coils (2) in order to supply the electricity generated in the receiver coils (2) to the power connector (5). The invention also relates to a system comprising the charging device and a mat for generating an induction field.

Description

Charging device for a cordless hair clipper

[0001] The present invention relates to a device that allows a conventional cordless hair clipper to recharge.

[0002] Professional hairdressers very frequently use hair clippers. These clippers consist of a cutting head powered by an electric motor and a handle with the cutting head at the end. The handle also contains a battery to power the cutting head. The battery is recharged by plugging a power cord into a power outlet, usually located at the end of the handle opposite the cutting head.

[0003] Currently, hair clippers need to be placed on their charging base or reconnected to the charger to recharge them. This process is time-consuming, especially when the technician is often in the middle of a busy job. During a haircut, technicians switch clippers by placing them on the work surface in front of them, but this doesn't allow them to recharge.

[0004] Battery life is often between 30 min and 160 min, few batteries have a battery life of up to 300 min and none have enough battery life to last a full day of use by a professional without needing to be recharged.

[0005] The device of the invention makes it possible to remedy this drawback. According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device for charging a cordless hair clipper comprising a power plug intended to connect to a charging plug of the clipper and an electrical circuit for supplying electricity to the clipper via the power plug, characterized in that it comprises an elastic sock intended to enclose a gripping handle of the clipper and comprising the power plug, at least one induction charging receiving coil, a signal processing area in the form of a converter circuit connected to the receiving coil(s) to supply the electricity generated in the coil(s) to the power plug.

[0006] The first element of this invention is a sock that can house several inductive charging receivers connected together. This elastic sock will adapt to any type of trimmer handle. The sock can have a non-slip grip, or not, depending on the user's preference. It should be as thin as possible to avoid negatively impacting the ergonomics of the trimmer.

[0007] According to its design, the sock is made of an elastic material such as fabric, polyester, or narrow, flexible, and stretchy silicone to conform to the shape of all types of hair clipper handles. The choice of these materials ensures the flexibility and thinness necessary for the device to adapt to the clipper being fitted, while preserving the clipper's ergonomics.

[0008] According to a design feature, the sock has a circular cross-section of radius R, with the induction charging coils of the sock positioned optimally for receiving charge at an angle =arcos((Rh) / R), h being the maximum height au- of an induction charging surface for the reception of the induction field.

[0009] According to a design feature, the converter circuit includes embedded electronic components such as a transformer, a rectifier, a charge controller, and a battery power tester, and is located at the end of the battery sleeve near the power plug. The transformer adapts the voltage supplied by the load coils. The rectifier provides direct current from the current supplied by the transformer or the coils, as applicable. The charge controller assesses the battery's charge level and adjusts the supplied current in terms of voltage and amperage, notably to cut off the power supply when the battery is considered fully charged. The controller receives information from the power tester.

[0010] According to the design, the power plug is a male USB-C connector intended to connect to a female adapter that connects to the trimmer and serves as an interface to the trimmer via a charging head. The charging head allows the device to be configured according to the type of connector the trimmer is equipped with.

[0011] According to an improvement, the device includes a battery that can be charged by the converter circuit and power the lawnmower. This allows the device to further extend the lawnmower's operating time with additional storage capacity.

[0012] According to a design feature, the device includes a measuring circuit for measuring the charging current and indicator lights configured to show the status of the lawnmower battery by different colors depending on the charging current measured by the circuit. The user can thus receive information on the lawnmower's charge level.

[0013] According to an improvement, the device includes a switch allowing the power supply to be enabled or disabled on command.

[0014] The invention also relates to a charging system for a hair clipper, characterized in that it comprises a device according to one of the preceding claims and an induction charging mat including induction charge-emitting coils that generate an induction field capable of being captured by the receiving coil(s). The system provides all the means for charging the clipper.

[0015] According to a specific design, the induction charging coils are housed on an insulating layer of plastic, polyester, or fabric within the induction charging mat, which allows the mower to be charged in its sock. This insulating layer protects the coils and provides a uniform visual appearance.

[0016] According to an improvement, the induction charging mat is equipped with targets indicating where to place the clippers; these targets light up when clippers equipped with the charging device are present. The targets visually mark the locations conducive to efficient charging by the device.

[0017] According to an improvement, the induction mat is configured to indicate the presence of a lawnmower fitted with its sock, detected by its magnetic interaction with the mat's emitting coils, via a light indicator associated with each target. The visual aid is supplemented by the detection of the device's presence and the provision of a visual feedback signal.

[0018] According to an improvement, the carpet indicator light is powered via a second switch to activate or deactivate the mower presence indication function.

[0019] The second element of this invention is a non-slip inductive charging mat with targets indicating where to place the trimmers, with the option to illuminate them with RGB lighting when a trimmer is charging. The mat creates a magnetic field on its surface to easily recharge the trimmer when fitted with its compatible charging sock.

[0020] Under each target, there will be an induction coil. This mat will be connected to a control box, allowing the mat to be powered via a power cable and a control device. The target layout and arrangement can be customized. These mats can offer a customized number of charging zones for mowers equipped with induction sock charging pads.

[0021] Thanks to this system, the cordless trimmer will automatically recharge each time it is placed on a target.

[0022] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

[0023] Elastic sock incorporating induction receiving coils and the signal processing part according to a first embodiment.

[0024] Induction charging mat incorporating the transmitter coils and targets designed for lawnmowers.

[0025] Cross-section diagram of the sock explaining the optimization of the arrangement of the reels.

[0026] A view similar to that of a sock according to a second embodiment.

[0027] Schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sock. Detailed description

[0028] According to a first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the elastic sock (1) is made of narrow, flexible, and stretchable fabric, polyester, or silicone to conform to the shape of the handles of all types of lawnmowers. Several induction coils (2) are inserted inside this sock to receive a charge. They are optimized to cover the maximum possible surface area. The charge-receiving coils are arranged at a frequency of one at all angles cf. [Math. 1] and i. The receiving coils (2) are connected to a signal processing area forming a converter circuit (3) and comprising several embedded electronic components such as a transformer, a rectifier, a load calculator, and a battery power tester, which will be located at the end of the sock. If the sock is made of silicone, it could be molded with the copper wires forming the receiving coils (2). If made of fabric, the sock may consist of two layers of fabric between which the receiving coils (2) are housed.

[0029] The sock has a substantially circular cross-section of radius R at rest, as shown in the figure. The induction charge receiving coils (2) of the sock (1) are positioned optimally for charge reception at an angle θ according to formula [Math. 1], h being the maximum height above the induction charge mat (7) for receiving the induction field.

[0030] The sock is equipped with an on / off button (4) located at its end. The sock has a USB-C connector (5) at its output. This connector is attached to a female adapter which plugs directly into the cordless trimmer using several different charging heads (6) compatible with all types of trimmers (semi-circle, oval, double fork, double slot, single slot, Pentium). The adapters are interchangeable and are selected according to the trimmer's charging port.

[0031] Sock dimensions as a non-limiting example: size between 0 and 10 cm in length with the possibility of custom sizes.

[0032] According to the demonstrations [Math. 2, 3, 4 and 5], the feasibility by orders of magnitude is proven.

[0033] If we calculate the flux density associated with the propagation of the electromagnetic wave between the two coils using the Poynting vector, and if we consider E0 as the maximum electric field and B0 as the maximum magnetic field according to the standards, taking its maximum value, we obtain a flux specified in equation [Math. 2].

[0034] The surface area of ​​the receiving coil is approximated as a rectangle, hence its value indicated in equation [Math. 3]. Thus the maximum power passing through the coil is expressed by equation [Math. 4] is then of in order of magnitude. If we consider a lower efficiency of 1%, the power received by the sock's coil is This power is more than sufficient to power conventional battery-operated hair clippers as shown in equation [Math. 5].

[0035] Furthermore, we have the possibility of reducing B0 by a factor of 2 to 10 to comply with legislation and while maintaining a margin, which is consistent with the feasibility of a sufficient energy transfer for only a part of the sock in contact with the mat.

[0036] This is consistent with the feasibility of sufficient energy transfer for only a portion of the sock in contact with the mat. cf.

[0037] The mat (7), shown in an exploded view, can be made of various materials: plastic, polyester, fabric. Several zones will then be equipped with charge-emitting induction coils (8) and indicator lights (9) to delineate these charging zones. A small box will contain the electronics (inverter, transistors, resistors, etc.) necessary to power the coils and illuminate them when lawnmowers (13) are present.

[0038] An on / off button (11) for powering on and an on / off button for lighting the RGB LEDs when mowers (10) are present, are fixed to the edge of the mat.

[0039] Over the joined or overlapped spools is placed a layer of plastic, polyester or fabric (12) or other materials to separate the set of spools from the mowers equipped with the sock.

[0040] The charging power delivered by the mat is adjusted to accommodate any type of rechargeable cordless trimmer and ranges from 5 to 15 watts, as a non-limiting example. This power will nevertheless comply with the maximum standard of 0.001 T for a magnetic field.

[0041] Mat dimensions: The mat can be custom-made to order or in standard sizes, for example (but not limited to): 38x32, 50x34, 60x40, 80x40, 80x50 cm, to accommodate a wide range of mowers and to be customized. See also

[0042] In a second embodiment of the charging device, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, it includes a battery (15) to extend the operating time of the lawnmower. The battery (15) is in the form of a disc located at the closed end of the device. The battery (15) is further connected to the converter circuit (3) via a male connector (16) and a female connector (17) in order to receive power when supplied by the receiving coils (2), or otherwise to supply power to the lawnmower. The connectors (16) and (17) are, for example, USB-C connectors. Variables and parameters

[0043] R: Sock department

[0044] h: Maximum height above the mat for induction field reception

[0045] : Angle that must contain a coil

[0046] Maximum magnetic field according to European ICNIRP standards

[0047] Maximum electric field

[0048] : Magnetic permeability of vacuum

[0049] C: Speed ​​of light in a vacuum

[0050] :Poynting Vector

[0051] A: Surface of the coil approximated as a rectangle

[0052] Magnetic power passing through the coil

[0053] : Efficiency

[0054] Power received by the sock's coil

Claims

A cordless hair clipper charging device comprising a power plug (5) intended to connect to a charging plug of the clipper and an electrical circuit for supplying electricity to the clipper via the power plug (5), characterized in that it comprises an elastic sock (1) intended to enclose a gripping handle of the clipper and comprising the power plug (5), at least one induction charging receiving coil (2), a signal processing area in the form of a converter circuit (3) connected to the receiving coil(s) (2) to supply the electricity generated in the receiving coil(s) (2) to the power plug (5). Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the sock (1) is designed in an elastic material such as fabric, polyester or narrow silicone, flexible and stretchable to conform to the shape of all types of hair clipper handles. Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the sock has a circular cross-section of radius R, the receiving coils (2 of induction charging) of the sock (1) being positioned in an optimized manner for receiving charge at an angle (14) =arcos((Rh) / R), h being the maximum height above the induction charging mat (7) for receiving the induction field. Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the converter circuit (3) includes embedded electronic components such as a transformer, a current rectifier, a charge calculator, a battery power tester, and is located at the end of the sock near the power plug (5). Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the power plug (5) is a male USB-C type connector (5) intended to connect to a female adapter capable of connecting to the trimmer and serving as an interface to the trimmer via a charging head tip (6). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a battery (15) capable of being charged by the converter circuit (3) and of powering the mower. Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a measuring circuit for measuring the charging current and light indicators configured to indicate the state of a lawnmower battery by distinct colors depending on the charging current measured by the measuring circuit. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a switch (4) allowing the supply of the power plug (5) to be enabled or disabled on command. A hair clipper charging system, characterized in that it comprises a device according to one of the preceding claims and an induction charging mat (7) comprising induction charging transmitting coils (8) which generate an induction field capable of being captured by the receiving coil(s) (2). System according to claim 6, characterized in that the induction charging emitting coils (8) are housed on an insulating layer of plastic, polyester or fabric (12) of the induction charging mat (7) allowing the mower to be charged in its sock (1). System according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the induction charging mat (7) is provided with targets (9) indicating where to place the mowers. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the induction mat is configured to indicate the presence of a lawnmower equipped with its sock (1), detected by its magnetic interaction with the emitting coils (8) of the mat, by a light indicator associated with each of the targets (9). System according to claim 12, wherein the light indicator of the mat is powered via a second switch (11) to activate or deactivate the function of indicating the presence of a mower by the targets (9).

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