Hair Dryer Air Outlet Flow Changing Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hair dryers often cause overheating and damage due to reduced air flow when the nozzle is positioned too close to the hair, leading to increased air resistance and higher temperatures, which existing solutions attempt to address by controlling fan speed and heating power, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
The hair dryer incorporates a flow changing device at the air outlet arrangement that modifies the air flow by altering its direction or providing alternative pathways, increasing the effective cross section when pressure thresholds are met, thereby reducing air temperature and preventing overheating without altering fan speed or heating power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a nozzle is positioned close to the hair for styling purposes, then air speed is increased for better styling effect, but air flow is significantly reduced and air temperature increases to dangerous levels
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet arrangement is segmented into multiple independent outlets (first air outlet and second air outlet), allowing the system to direct air flow through different paths. When the nozzle blocks the first outlet, air can escape through the second outlet, preventing dangerous temperature buildup while maintaining styling effectiveness.
2Temperature
If fan speed and heating power are reduced to prevent overheating, then hair damage is avoided, but drying efficiency and styling power are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its air outlet configuration based on operating conditions. The movable air outlet can change position or open/close different outlets depending on whether the nozzle is positioned close or far from the hair, allowing the system to maintain high power output during normal operation while automatically preventing overheating when the nozzle is close to the hair.
3Temperature
If control circuitry and sensors are added to monitor and adjust fan speed and heating power, then overheating is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet arrangement with multiple outlets and a movable configuration enables the system to self-regulate air flow and temperature without requiring external sensors or control circuitry. The physical design inherently prevents overheating by providing alternative air escape paths when the nozzle blocks the primary outlet, eliminating the need for complex electronic temperature monitoring and control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces the risk of hair damage by maintaining a lower air temperature through increased air mass flow, even when the nozzle is close to the hair, without the need for complex control systems, thus reducing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a flow changing device for changing a flow of air at the air outlet arrangement depending on a pressure within the housing
Implementation Method 2
a spring element for exerting a closing force on the mechanical shutter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hair dryer (100) and a nozzle (113, 310, 410) for a hair dryer(100), and more specifically to an air outlet arrangement(112, 220, 300, 400, 00, 600, 700). The air outlet arrangement (112, 220, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700)comprises a flow changing device(223, 224, 331, 341, 431, 531, 631, 632) for changing a flow of air at the air outlet arrangement(112, 220, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700), depending on a pressure and/or temperature within a housing (110), in particular within the nozzle (113, 310, 410).