FR3161533A1 - Multifunctional hair styling tool with radial air blower - Google Patents

Abstract

Multifunctional Hair Styling Device with Radial Air Blower The invention relates to a hair styling device (1) comprising a blower head 5 having first and second air blower outlets (6, 7), an air direction member (18) comprising an air inlet (19) and an air direction orifice (20A), the second air blower outlet defining an elongated air blower orifice (7A) following the direction of the airflow inlet, the air direction orifice having a maximum width of at least 20 mm, the air blower orifice having a maximum length (L2max) of between 50 mm and 60 mm and a maximum width of between 5 mm and 10 mm, the blower head comprising a portion of air duct (25) to guide the airflow to said blower orifice airflow is directed orthogonally to the airflow inlet direction over an air guide distance (Dg) of at least 20 mm. Hairdressing appliances. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 8.

Description

Multifunctional hair styling tool with radial air blower

The present invention relates to the general technical field of hairdressing appliances, for example for domestic use, and more specifically to the field of hairdressing appliances designed to blow a flow of air in order to dry and/or facilitate the shaping of hair.

In the field of hair styling tools, there are devices designed to blow air onto the hair using different blowing modes, giving these devices a multifunctional character, allowing for various hair drying and/or styling techniques with a single appliance. For example, there are handheld hair dryers, consisting of a handle and a blower head with an air outlet that directs a forced stream of hot or cold air onto the user's hair. The forced airflow follows a single path within the device, exiting through this air outlet. To modify the airflow pattern of these hair dryers, additional accessories, either detachable or fixed, are generally provided at the air outlet. These accessories typically modify the effective airflow cross-section and/or the direction of the airflow, thus defining a variety of different airflow patterns adapted to specific hair drying and/or styling techniques. While these well-known hair dryers are generally satisfactory, they do have some drawbacks. In particular, switching between airflow patterns requires the user to assemble/disassemble accessories, or to manipulate a pre-mounted accessory at the air outlet. This can sometimes be tedious, which detracts from the ease of use and ergonomics of the device. There is also a significant risk of burns when handling the accessory(ies), as well as a possible risk of losing the accessories, when they are not simply stored out of reach and inaccessible to the user when the latter wishes to use them.

To address these issues, a new hair styling device has recently been proposed. Its blower head has separate first and second air outlets, allowing air to be directed from the device towards the hair being styled, typically using different first and second blowing modes. The device also includes a blower module to initiate the airflow and a control element comprising an air inlet connected to the blower module and an air direction outlet. This latter outlet defines an air direction orifice designed and configured to direct the airflow out of the air direction element along an average outlet direction that is inclined relative to an average inlet direction of the airflow into the air direction element. The air direction element and the blower head are mounted to move relative to each other between
– a first air direction configuration, in which the air direction device directs the airflow towards the first air blower outlet, particularly for operation of the device in “blower brush” mode, and
– a second air direction configuration, in which the air direction device directs the airflow towards the second air outlet, the second air outlet delimiting an air outlet of generally elongated shape in a direction substantially parallel to said average direction of airflow inlet, in particular for operation of the device in “hair dryer” mode.

While such a multifunctional hair styling tool offers several advantages in addressing the aforementioned issues, it has been observed that its airflow performance, and therefore its hair treatment effectiveness, could still be improved. Indeed, achieving consistent and efficient airflow in each of the styling tool's operating modes proves difficult, particularly when the tool is intended to be used alternately as a "hot air brush" and as a "hair dryer."

The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to propose a new multimode blow-drying hair styling device with a more efficient and effective aerodynamic design, thus allowing optimal hair treatment, regardless of the blow-drying mode used.

Another object of the invention aims to propose a new multimode blow-drying hair styling device of particularly simple and compact construction.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new hairdressing device that is particularly robust and reliable.

Another object of the invention aims to provide a new multi-mode blow-drying hair styling device that is particularly ergonomic, easy and safe to use, especially for a user without any particular professional hairstyling skills.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved using a hair styling device comprising a blower head having first and second air outlets, separate from each other, for blowing a flow of air out of the device towards the hair to be treated, a blower module for initiating said airflow, and an air direction member comprising an air inlet connected to the blower module and an air direction outlet, said air direction outlet of the air direction member defining an air direction orifice designed and configured to direct the airflow out of the air direction member along an average outlet direction that is inclined with respect to an average inlet direction of the airflow into the air direction member, the air direction member and the blower head being mounted movable with respect to each other between a first air direction configuration in which the air direction member directs the airflow towards the first air outlet and a second air direction configuration in which the air direction device directs the airflow towards the second air outlet, the second air outlet defining an air outlet of generally elongated shape in a direction substantially parallel to said average direction of airflow inlet, said apparatus being characterized in that
– said air direction orifice of the air direction device has, in a direction orthogonal to said average direction of airflow inlet, a maximum width of at least 20 mm;
– said air blower orifice of the second air blower outlet having a maximum length of between 50 mm and 60 mm and a maximum width of between 5 mm and 10 mm,
– the blower head comprising a portion of air duct, one end of which defines said air blower orifice, and which cooperates with said air direction member when the latter is in said second air direction configuration to guide the airflow from said air direction outlet to said air blower orifice in an average direction orthogonal to said average direction of inlet of the airflow over an air guidance distance of at least 20 mm.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent and will be described in more detail in the following description, with reference to the attached drawings, which are given solely as illustrative and non-limiting examples, including:
– FIG. 1 there FIG. 1 illustrates, according to a perspective view, a particular embodiment of a hair styling device according to the invention. In this embodiment, it is a hair styling device that can operate alternately in a "blower brush" mode and in a "hair dryer"mode;
– FIG. 2 there FIG. 2 illustrates, from a side view, the device of the FIG. 1 ;
– FIG. 3 there FIG. 3 illustrates, according to a front view, a first face of the device of figures 1 and 2, which is here in a first blowing mode (mode "blower brush") corresponding to the first air direction configuration of the air direction element of the device;
– FIG. 4 there FIG. 4 illustrates, according to a front view, a second side of the device in figures 1 to 3, which is here in a second blowing mode (the "hair dryer" mode), corresponding to the second air direction configuration of the air direction element;
– FIG. 5 there FIG. 5 illustrated schematically, according to a sagittal section view II (see FIG. 3 ), the device in figures 1 to 4 in its first blowing mode;
– FIG. 6 there FIG. 6 illustrates, according to a truncated schematic view in sagittal section II, the apparatus of figures 1 to 5 in its first mode of blowing;
– FIG. 7 there FIG. 7 illustrated schematically, according to a sagittal section view II (see FIG. 3 ), the device in figures 1 to 6 in its second blowing mode;
– FIG. 8 there FIG. 8 schematically illustrates, according to a truncated sagittal section view II, the apparatus of figures 1 to 7 in its second blowing mode;
– FIG. 9 there FIG. 9 illustrated, according to a frontal sectional view II-II (see FIG. 2 ), the apparatus in figures 1 to 8 in its first blowing mode;
– FIG. 10 there FIG. 10 illustrates, according to a front section view II-II, the apparatus of figures 1 to 10. A button of a control system of the apparatus is here in the pressed position;
– FIG. 11 there FIG. 11 illustrated, according to a frontal sectional view II'-II' (see FIG. 2 ), the device in figures 1 to 10 in its second blowing mode;
– FIG. 12 there FIG. 12 illustrates schematically, from a front view, one face of the air direction organ of the device in figures 1 to 11;
– FIG. 13 there FIG. 13 schematically illustrates, from a side view, the air direction unit of the FIG. 12 ;
– FIG. 14 there FIG. 14 illustrates, in perspective view, an internal ducting arrangement of the blower head of the apparatus in Figures 1 to 11, within which the air direction member is arranged in its second air direction configuration. An upper part of the internal ducting arrangement, visible in Figures 5 to 11, has been omitted;
– FIG. 15 there FIG. 15 schematically illustrates, from a front view, one face of the internal piping system of the FIG. 14 ;
– FIG. 16 there FIG. 16 schematically illustrates, from a front view, another face of the internal piping system of the FIG. 14 ;
– FIG. 17 there FIG. 17 schematically illustrates, according to another perspective view, the internal ducting system of figures 14 and 16, within which the air direction unit is arranged in its first air direction configuration;
– FIG. 18 there FIG. 18 illustrated schematically, according to a cross-sectional view III-III (see FIG. 3 ), the apparatus in figures 1 to 11 in its first blowing mode;
– FIG. 19 there FIG. 19 illustrated schematically, according to a cross-sectional view IV-IV (see FIG. 4 ), the apparatus of figures 1 to 11 in its second blowing mode;
– FIG. 20 there FIG. 20 illustrated schematically, according to a cross-sectional view VV (see FIG. 4 ), the apparatus of figures 1 to 11 in its second blowing mode;
– FIG. 21 there FIG. 21 illustrated schematically, according to a cross-sectional view VI-VI (see FIG. 4 ), the device in figures 1 to 11 in its second blowing mode.

The invention relates to a hair styling device 1, that is, a device intended to allow a user, male or female, to perform one or more hair treatment operations (on their own hair or that of a third party) in order to dry and/or style it. More specifically, the hair styling device 1 according to the invention, a non-limiting embodiment of which is illustrated in the figures, is at least designed to blow a stream of air towards the hair in order to dry and/or facilitate the styling of said hair. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the hair styling device 1 is designed to be used alternately as a blow dryer on the one hand, and as a hair dryer on the other. However, although the hair styling device according to the invention is advantageously designed to operate in at least one blowing mode, which is a "hair dryer" mode, the invention is not limited to operating the hair styling device in another blowing mode, which is necessarily a "blowing brush" mode.

The hair styling device 1 according to the invention is preferably portable, meaning that at least part, and preferably all, of the hair styling device 1 is designed to be grasped and manipulated by hand. As illustrated in the figures, the hair styling device 1 advantageously includes a handle 2 (or grip) for manual handling, which is intended to be grasped by the hand, and for example, gripped, by the user to manipulate the hair styling device 1. The handle 2 typically extends between a first end 3 and a second opposite end 4, preferably longitudinally along an axis A-A' of average extension. The handle 2 advantageously has a slender, elongated shape so that it can be grasped fully by the user. The hair styling device 1 is preferably a portable power tool designed to be connected to the mains electricity supply for power, for example, via a power cord with a plug at one end (not shown). Alternatively, however, without departing from the scope of the invention, the hair styling device 1 may be powered by batteries, possibly rechargeable. The hair styling device 1 is preferably intended for use in a domestic setting by a user without any particular professional skills in hairdressing, i.e., in terms of drying, styling, or shaping hair. Preferably, the hair styling device 1 is designed for use by the user on themselves, i.e., on their own hair. However, it is perfectly conceivable that the hair styling device 1 may be designed for use by the user on the hair of another person.

The hair styling appliance 1 includes a blower head 5 for blowing a stream F of air out of the hair styling appliance 1 towards the hair to be treated. Typically connected to the handle 2, the blower head 5 has at least one first air blower outlet 6 and a second air blower outlet 7, separate from each other, for blowing a stream F of air out of the hair styling appliance 1 towards the hair, typically respectively according to a first blowing mode (or "first operating mode") and according to a second blowing mode (or "second operating mode") of the hair styling appliance 1. Advantageously, the first and second air blower outlets 6, 7 exist simultaneously (i.e., they are both permanently present on the hair styling appliance 1), and not alternately. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the blower head 5 advantageously has a first face 8 which carries the first air blower outlet 6, and a second face 9 which carries the second air blower outlet 7. Said first and second faces 8, 9 constitute different, and preferably opposite, faces of the hair styling device 1. Typically, the blower head 5 comprises a housing, for example made of plastic, an external face of which defines at least a part of said first and second faces 8, 9 of the blower head 5. Said housing has an external surface (defined by said external face) which defines at least a portion of an external surface of the blower head 5.

Advantageously, the blower head 5 extends along an average extension axis B-B', between a lower end (first end) at which the blower head 5 is connected to the handle 2, and thus preferably extends the handle 2 beyond its first end 3, and an opposite free upper end (second end). Depending on the shape and dimensions of the blower head 5, this average extension axis B-B' can constitute an average longitudinal extension axis of the blower head 5, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the average extension axis B-B' of the blow-dry head 5 is advantageously parallel or collinear (coinciding) with the average longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2. The hair styling appliance 1 then advantageously extends, in general, along an average extension direction that is parallel or collinear with the average longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the handle 2 and with the average extension axis B-B' of the blow-dry head 5. The blow-dry head 5 can be designed to be removably connected to the handle 2, so that the user can separate the blow-dry head 5 from the handle 2, for example, to clean or replace the blow-dry head 5. Alternatively, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the blow-dry head 5 is designed to remain permanently connected to the handle 2 and is therefore not intended (under normal use) to can be detached from handle 2 by the user. This simplifies both the design and the use of the hair styling tool 1.

The hair styling device 1 also includes a blower module 10 (or "motor-fan unit" or "turbine") to initiate the airflow F, i.e. to produce the airflow F, from ambient air in the environment of the hair styling device 1. Preferably, the blower module 10 is integrated into the hair styling device 1, i.e. the blower module 10 is preferably arranged in a main body of the hair styling device 1 comprising the handle 2 and the blower head 5 of the latter. In this case, the hair styling device 1 is advantageously provided with an air inlet 11, through which ambient air can be drawn into the blower module 10 and then blown towards the hair via one or the other of the first and second air outlets 6, 7. The blower module 10, which advantageously comprises at least one propeller 12 (or "fan") driven by an electric motor 13, can advantageously be arranged within the blower head 5 or within the handle 2, or alternatively, be assembled to the handle 2 at its second end 4. More preferably, however, the blower module 10 is assembled to the handle 2 at its second end 4, so that the blower module 10 advantageously extends the handle 2 beyond its second end 4. Advantageously, the blower head 5 is connected to the handle 2 at the first end 3 of the latter. In the case where the blower module 10 is arranged within the handle 2 or, more preferably, is assembled to the handle 2 at the second end 4 of the latter, the hair styling device 1 advantageously includes an air guide channel 14 arranged, provided, at least in part inside the handle 2 to guide, channel, the air flow F initiated by the blower module 10 to the blower head 5.

Preferably, the hair styling device 1 also includes a heating element for raising the temperature of the airflow F, which is advantageously initiated by the blower module 10. The heating element is advantageously arranged to be interposed in the airflow F initiated by the blower module 10. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the heating element is advantageously positioned inside the air guide channel 14 arranged in the handle 2. The heating element is typically an electric heating element, comprising a heating electrical resistance formed of an electrically conductive wire (not shown) wound around an insulating core 15. Alternatively, the heating element could be housed in the blower head 5, although this would reduce the compactness of the latter. Advantageously, the hair styling appliance 1 includes means for the user to manually control and/or adjust the electrical operation of the hair styling appliance 1, and in particular the blower module 10 and/or the heating element, if applicable. These are adjustment means, for example, toggle switches, push buttons, and/or slide or dial dimmers, as illustrated in the figures, which the user can directly use to electrically switch the hair styling appliance 1 on and off and to change the rotational speed of the blower module 10's fan, and therefore the speed/flow rate of the airflow F blown by the hair styling appliance 1, and/or the heating temperature of the heating element, if applicable. Such manual control and/or adjustment means can be positioned, for example, on the handle 2 or on the blower module 10, when the latter is assembled to the second end 4 of the handle 2 as in the example illustrated in the figures. The hair styling appliance 1 may also optionally include a hot/cold air switch (not shown), for example carried by the handle 2, to control the switching on and/or off of the heating element.

Preferably, the blow-drying head 5 includes a mechanical hair engagement element 17, designed to come into contact with the hair to shape it, or at least to assist in shaping it. Designed and configured to interact mechanically with the hair, particularly for brushing, setting, styling, and/or combing, the mechanical hair engagement element 17 typically comprises a plurality of bristles, tufts of bristles, and/or prongs and/or teeth, which are arranged projecting from an external surface of the blow-drying head 5. The latter thus advantageously forms a styling or brushing head. When using the hair styling appliance 1, the mechanical hair engagement element 17 can therefore be applied to and against the hair to help shape it through mechanical interaction between the hair and the mechanical hair engagement element 17. Advantageously, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first face 8 of the blower head 5 carries the first air outlet 6 and the mechanical hair engagement element 17, thus blowing the airflow F through the first air outlet 6 onto hair engaged by the mechanical hair engagement element 17. The hair styling device 1 thus preferentially forms, at least according to said first blowing mode (first operating mode), a blower brush intended to be applied against the hair to subject it to a mechanical action by interaction with the mechanical hair engagement element 17 coupled with an application of the airflow F, possibly hot.

More preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first air outlet 6 comprises a plurality of air outlet orifices, i.e., a plurality of air outlet portions, which air outlet orifices are advantageously supported by, and/or arranged between, teeth, prongs, and/or brush bristles comprising the mechanical engagement element 17 of the hair. For example, the air outlets of the first air outlet 6 can each be formed by a (straight or curved) slot arranged between teeth, prongs, and/or brush bristles. Thus, the airflow F is optimally directed towards the hair when the hair is in contact with the mechanical engagement element 17 of the hair during a styling operation. Alternatively or additionally, the air outlets of the first air outlet 6, or at least some of said air outlets, may be arranged along at least a portion of the circumference of the mechanical engagement element 17 of the hair. In this case, it is advantageous to provide that said air outlets are shaped and configured to blow the airflow F towards the mechanical engagement element 17 of the hair. Thus, the airflow F can be optimally blown towards the hair when the latter is in contact with the mechanical engagement element 17 of the hair during a styling operation.

Advantageously, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first air blowing outlet 6 extends longitudinally, continuously or discontinuously, substantially along the axis B-B’ of average longitudinal extension of the blowing head 5, which contributes in particular to a rapid and efficient treatment of the hair in a limited number of passes of the hair styling device 1 against the hair. Thus, the first air outlet 6 advantageously has a generally elongated shape along the average longitudinal extension axis B-B' of the blower head 5. For example, the first air outlet 6 may then comprise a plurality of air outlets, each in the form of a slot (e.g., curved), as mentioned above, and arranged in a stepped fashion along the average longitudinal extension axis B-B' of the blower head 5. Preferably, the first air outlet 6 extends longitudinally along the average longitudinal extension axis B-B' of the blower head 5 over a length that is at least equal to half, and preferably at least equal to two-thirds, of the length along which the mechanical engagement element 17 of the hair extends along the average longitudinal extension axis B-B' of the blower head 5. blowing 5. This also advantageously contributes to a quick and efficient treatment of the hair in a limited number of passes of the styling appliance 1 against the hair. Preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first air blowing outlet 6 extends in a mean direction (or "mean transverse extension direction") orthogonal to the axis B-B' of mean longitudinal extension of the blowing head 5, continuously or discontinuously, over a width that is at least equal to half, and preferably at least equal to two-thirds, of the width over which the mechanical engagement element 17 of the hair extends in a mean direction (or "mean transverse extension direction") orthogonal to the axis B-B' of mean longitudinal extension of the blowing head 5. This also advantageously contributes to a quick and efficient treatment of the hair in a limited number of passes of the styling appliance 1 against the hair.

The hair styling unit 1 includes an air direction device 18 (“air distribution device” or “air deflection device”), for directing and distributing the airflow F initiated by the blower module 10 towards one and/or the other (and preferably one or the other) of the first and second air outlets 6, 7 of the hair styling unit 1, depending on the selected blowing mode. Accordingly, the air direction device 18 and the blower head 5 are mounted to move relative to each other at least between
– a first air direction configuration (or “first air distribution configuration”) in which the air direction device 18 directs the air flow F towards (and preferably only towards) the first air outlet 6, according to the first blowing mode (Figures 3, 5, 6, 9 and 18 in particular), and
– a second air direction configuration (or “second air distribution configuration”) in which the air direction member 18 directs the air flow F towards (and preferably only towards) the second air blow outlet 7, according to the second blowing mode (Figures 4, 7, 8, 11 and 19 to 21 in particular).

Advantageously arranged in the blower head 5 to limit the size of the hair styling appliance 1, the air direction unit 18 comprises:
– an air inlet 19, preferably a single inlet, which is connected to the wind tunnel module 10, i.e., which is in aerodynamic communication with the latter, to collect the airflow F initiated by the wind tunnel module 10, and
– an air direction outlet 20, preferably unique, through which the air flow F is directed out of the air direction member 18.

The air direction element 18 is therefore advantageously designed and configured to define, or at least to help define, different paths of the air flow F within the hairdressing device 1 according to the air direction configuration it occupies in relation to the blower head 5. The air direction element 18 thus distributes the air flow F initiated by the blower module 10 alternately to one or the other of the first and second blower outlets 6, 7, by making the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction element 18 alternately with one or the other of the first and second blower outlets 6, 7, according to the air direction configuration occupied.

More specifically, the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 defines a unique, advantageously designed, air direction orifice 20A, which is configured to direct the airflow F out of the air direction member 18 along an average outlet direction that is inclined relative to an average inlet direction of the airflow F into the air direction member 18. In other words, as illustrated in the figures, the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 (and in particular the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction outlet 20) is designed and configured such that the airflow F, which enters the air direction member 18 through its air inlet 19 along an average inlet direction, then exits through the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction outlet 20 along a direction average outlet direction that is inclined with respect to (and for example secant to) said average inlet direction of the airflow F. Ideally, said average outlet direction of the airflow F is orthogonal to said average inlet direction of the airflow F. Preferably, the average inlet direction of the airflow F into the air direction member 18 is parallel or collinear with the average longitudinal extension axis B-B’ of the blower head 5. In the case where the blower module 10 is arranged in the sleeve 2 or at the second end 4 of the sleeve 2, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the air inlet 19 of the air direction member 18 is advantageously connected to the air guide channel 14 of the sleeve 2, as mentioned previously, in order to collect the airflow F initiated by the blower module 10. Preferably, the air direction member 18 forms an air direction duct (or “air deflection duct”, or “plug”), which advantageously extends the air guide channel 14 beyond the first end 3 of the sleeve 2.

As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the air direction member 18 preferably comprises a side wall 21 (airtight) which extends along an axis C-C’ of average longitudinal extension of the air direction member 18 between a first end 22 which carries or defines the air inlet 19 of the air direction member 18 and a second opposite end 23 closed (and therefore airtight). Said average inlet direction of the air flow F is advantageously parallel or collinear with said axis C-C’ of average longitudinal extension of the air direction member 18. Advantageously, the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 is provided through, or is at least delimited by, the lateral wall 21 of the air direction member 18 and preferably extends longitudinally along the axis C-C’ of average longitudinal extension of the air direction member 18 (but not necessarily parallel to said axis C-C’ of average longitudinal extension).

As illustrated in particular in Figures 4 to 8, said second air outlet 7 delimits an advantageously unique air outlet 7A, which is generally elongated in shape along a direction (or "average longitudinal extension direction") which is oriented substantially parallel to the average direction of entry of the airflow F into the air direction member 18, so as to blow the airflow F out of the hair styling appliance 1 along an average direction which is orthogonal to the average direction of entry of the airflow F ( FIG. 7 ). As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the air outlet 7A of the second air outlet 7 can advantageously have a generally rectangular shape, the ends of which may be rounded (or an "oblong" shape). Thus, in the second blowing mode, which advantageously corresponds to the operation of the hair styling appliance 1 in a "hair dryer mode", the airflow F is blown towards the hair to be treated in the form of an air blade, which extends along a mean plane parallel to the mean direction of the inlet of the airflow F into the air direction member 18.

Advantageously, the blower head 5 includes a (first) portion of air duct 24 which cooperates with the air direction member 18 when the latter is in the first air direction configuration to guide, i.e., channel, the airflow F from the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 to the first air blower outlet 6, and in particular to the air blower orifice, or orifices, of the latter. Said (first) portion of duct 24 is therefore provided to ensure an airflow connection between the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 and the first air blower outlet 6 of the blower head 5 when the air direction member 18 is in the first air direction configuration. Even more advantageously, the (first) portion of air duct 24 is designed and configured to guide the airflow F from the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 to the first air blower outlet 6, along a mean direction (or "(first) mean guidance direction") orthogonal to the mean inlet direction of the airflow F into the air direction member 18 ( FIG. 5 ). Typically, the (first) portion of air duct 24 extends between an air inlet end which is connected in aerodynamic communication with the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 when the latter is in the first air direction configuration, and an opposite air outlet end which is connected in aerodynamic communication with the first air blow outlet 6 or which defines the latter.

According to the invention, the blower head 5 comprises a (second) air duct portion 25 (distinct, where applicable, from the first air duct portion 24), which cooperates with the air direction member 18 when the latter is in the second air direction configuration to guide, i.e., channel, the airflow F from the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 to the air blower port 7A of the second air blower outlet 7, along a mean direction (or "second mean guidance direction") orthogonal to the mean inlet direction of the airflow F into the air direction member 18. The (second) duct portion 25 is therefore provided to ensure an aerodynamic connection between said air direction outlet 20 and the second air blower outlet 7 when the air direction member Air 18 occupies the second air direction configuration. The (second) portion of air duct 25 has an end (or "air outlet end"), advantageously free, which defines the air blower orifice 7A of the second air blower outlet 7 of the blower head 5. Advantageously, the (second) portion of air duct 25 has an opposite air inlet end, from which said (second) portion of air duct 25 extends to said air outlet end, and which is therefore connected in aerodynamic communication with the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 when the latter is in the second air direction configuration (Figures 4, 7, 8, 11 and 19 to 21). Thus, the (second) portion of air duct 25 forms a nozzle (or “nozzle”) for ducting and blowing air, which is arranged at least partly inside the blowing head 5, and which concentrates the air flow F exiting the air direction member 18 to blow the latter in the form of an air blade through the second air blowing outlet 7.

As illustrated in the figures, the blower head 5 includes, for example, an internal ducting device 26, which defines at least in part the said first and second ducting sections 24, 25, and which therefore constitutes a "two-way" internal ducting device (or "two-way distributor"). The air direction member 18 and the internal ducting device 26 of the blower head 5 are thus advantageously mounted to move relative to each other between the said first and second air direction configurations. Thus, when the air direction element 18 occupies the first air direction configuration (Figures 3, 5, 6, 9, and 18), the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction element 18 is in aerodynamic communication with the first duct section 24 of the internal ducting system 26, and therefore with the first air supply outlet 6. Conversely, the air direction element 18 (for example, its side wall 21) then blocks the second duct section 25 of the internal ducting system 26. When the air direction element 18 occupies the second air direction configuration (Figures 4, 7, 8, 11, and 19 to 21), the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction element 18 is in aerodynamic communication with the second duct section 25, and therefore with the second air outlet 7. The air directing element 18 (for example, the side wall 21 of the latter) then closes the first portion of the duct 24 of the internal ducting device 26. Preferably, the air directing element 18 is arranged at least partly in the internal ducting device 26, which helps to reduce the size of the blower head 5.

According to the invention, the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction member 18 has, along a direction orthogonal to the average direction of the airflow inlet F into the air direction member 18, a maximum width L1max of at least 20 mm. As illustrated in the figures, and as will be discussed later, the width of said air direction orifice 20A is not necessarily constant, in particular along the axis C-C’ of average longitudinal extension of the air direction member 18. Thus, advantageously, “maximum width” is understood to mean the largest opening width L1 of said air direction orifice 20A along a direction orthogonal to said average direction of the airflow inlet F.

Furthermore, the air blower port 7A of the second air blower outlet 7 has,
– a maximum length L2max which is between 50 mm and 60 mm (and for example equal to 55 mm), along said average longitudinal extension direction of said air blowing orifice 7A, and
– a maximum width L3max which is between 5 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 9 mm (and for example equal to 6 mm), following a direction orthogonal to said average direction of longitudinal extension of said air blowing orifice 7A.

Advantageously, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the width of the air blowing orifice 7A of the second air blowing outlet 7 is constant (and therefore equal to said maximum width L3max) along the entire length of said air blowing orifice 7A, except possibly at the opposite ends of the latter, for example when the latter are rounded.

Furthermore, said (second) portion of air duct 25 which defines the air blowing orifice 7A of the second air blowing outlet 7 is designed and configured to guide the air flow F from the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 to said air blowing orifice 7A, according to said (second) average guidance direction orthogonal to said average inlet direction of the air flow F into the air direction member 18, over an air guidance distance Dg of at least 20 mm. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, said air guidance distance Dg can vary along a direction parallel to said average direction of inlet of the air flow F, and therefore along the longitudinal extension direction of the air blower orifice 7A of the second air blower outlet 7 (figures 19 to 21), to take into account in particular the conformation and configuration of the air direction member 18 and/or the air direction outlet 20 of the latter.

Such a very particular combination in terms of dimensioning a) of the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18, b) of the air blowing orifice 7A of the second blowing outlet 7, and c) of the air guidance distance Dg between the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction member 18 and the air blowing orifice 7A of the second blowing outlet 7, makes it possible to give the hairdressing device 1 excellent aerodynamic performance, both in the first blowing mode and in the second blowing mode. Indeed, a maximum width L1max of the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction device 18 of at least 20 mm advantageously allows for optimal air supply to the first supply outlet 6, particularly when the latter (whether continuous or discontinuous) is large and, in particular, has a significant width along a direction orthogonal to the average direction of the airflow inlet F into the air direction device 18. Considering such a dimensioning of the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction device 18, the aforementioned characteristics regarding the specific dimensions of the air supply orifice 7A of the second supply outlet 7 and the air guidance distance Dg advantageously allow
– a particularly efficient straightening and guiding of the airflow F along a direction orthogonal to the average direction of the airflow F's entry into the air direction member 18, then
- a blowing of the air flow F through the second blowing outlet 7 at a particularly high average speed of between 110 km/h and 150 km/h and for example equal to about 140 km/h, which ultimately allows for a particularly effective drying of the hair, while remaining pleasant.

Thus, the hair styling device 1 according to the invention has a particularly efficient and effective aerodynamic design, and allows optimal hair treatment regardless of the blowing method used.

Preferably, the maximum width L1max of the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction element 18 is between 20 mm and 40 mm, more preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm, and for example, 33 mm. This allows for a good compromise between the air supply to the first and second air outlets 6, 7 and the compactness of the hair styling appliance 1. To limit the size of the blower head 5, it is preferable that the air guidance distance Dg be less than or equal to 45 mm, and more preferably less than or equal to 35 mm. An excellent compromise can be achieved when the air guidance distance Dg is between 20 mm and 30 mm, and for example, between 25 mm and 28 mm.

To further optimize the air supply to the first and second air outlets 6 and 7, the air inlet 19 of the air direction device 18 preferably has an effective cross-sectional area (or "effective air inlet cross-section") of between 1 cm² and 20 cm², and more preferably between 8 cm² and 15 cm², and for example, approximately 8 cm². Advantageously, said air inlet 19 defines a circular air inlet opening. Conversely, said air direction orifice 20A has an effective cross-sectional area (or "effective air outlet cross-section") that is preferably between 1 cm² and 20 cm², and more preferably between 8 cm² and 20 cm². In any case, it is preferable that the effective area of the air direction orifice 20A be at least equal to, and preferably greater than, the effective area of the air inlet 19. In order to ensure a particularly optimal blowing of the air flow F towards the hair, in particular in terms of air flow rate, the first air blow outlet 6 has a minimum total effective area (i.e. sum of the effective areas of each of the portions of the first air blow outlet 6 where applicable) which is preferably between 1 cm² and 20 cm², and even more preferably between 8 cm² and 20 cm².

Preferably, the electric motor 13 of the wind tunnel module 10 is designed and configured to drive the propeller 12 of the wind tunnel module 10 in rotation at a speed between 80,000 rpm and 120,000 rpm, and more preferably between 90,000 rpm and 110,000 rpm. Preferably, said electric motor 13 is a brushless DC motor (BLDC motor), which makes it possible to achieve such speeds with a limited footprint. Such a rotational speed of the propeller 12 of the wind tunnel module 10 advantageously allows, in conjunction with a suitable propeller design, for the wind tunnel module 10 to have significant aerodynamic power to overcome, particularly effectively, the pressure drop induced by the specific dimensions of the (second) section of duct 25. In combination with the specific dimensions, described above, of the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction device 18 and the air outlet 7A of the second air outlet 7, this advantageously allows the airflow F to be delivered through the second air outlet 7 at a flow rate between 35 ^m³ /h and 60 ^m³ /h, and preferably 50 ^m³ /h (± 5 ^m³ /h), and at an average speed of up to 110 km/h. and 150 km/h, and for example equal to approximately 140 km/h, which allows for a particularly effective treatment (and in particular drying) of the hair.

As illustrated in the figures, the side wall 21 of the air direction member preferentially defines a hollow internal shape whose cross-section narrows from said first end 22 of the side wall 21 towards said second end 23 of the side wall 21. Thus, the air direction member 18 advantageously forms an air direction duct, defined by said side wall 21, of generally conical or frustoconical internal shape. In other words, the air direction element 18 advantageously comprises a hollow tube with a generally conical or frustoconical internal shape, defined by said lateral wall 21. Said hollow tube typically has an axis of revolution that is advantageously coincident with, or parallel to, the average longitudinal axis C-C' of the air direction element 18. The first end 22 of said lateral wall 21 thus defines a large base of the overall frustoconical internal shape, through which the airflow F enters the air direction element 18. Such a hollow internal shape, the cross-section of which narrows from the first end 22 towards the second end 23 of the lateral wall 21, advantageously homogenizes the profile of the airflow F (particularly in terms of pressure) circulating inside the air direction element 18, and thus further improves the aerodynamic performance of the hair styling appliance 1. Furthermore, such a hollow internal shape, whose cross-section thus narrows, helps to initiate a straightening and guidance of the airflow F in an average outlet direction that is inclined relative to the average inlet direction of the airflow F in the air direction member 18. The average longitudinal extension axis C-C' of the air direction member 18 is advantageously coincident with, and collinear with, the average longitudinal extension axis B-B' of the blower head 5. The respective average longitudinal extension axes B-B' and C-C' of the blower head 5 and the air direction member 18 are advantageously collinear with the average longitudinal extension axis A-A' of the duct 2. Advantageously, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the air direction member 18 may also have a generally convergent external shape, that is to say, generally conical or frustoconical, since the first end 22 of the side wall 21 of the air direction member 18 towards the second end 23 of said side wall 21.

Even more advantageously, the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction member 18 has a useful cross-section that narrows towards the second end 23 of the lateral wall 21 of the air direction member 18, as illustrated in the example in the FIG. 12 in particular. This contributes advantageously to homogenizing the profile of the airflow F exiting the air direction member 18 through said air direction outlet 20, and thus to further improving the aerodynamic performance of the hairdressing appliance 1. In this case, it is therefore understood that the width L1 of the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction member 18, following a direction orthogonal to the average direction of the inlet flow F of the air in the air direction member 18, is at most equal to said maximum width Lmax1 and generally decreases towards the second end 23 of the side wall 21 of the air direction member 19.

As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, said (second) portion of air duct 25, which is therefore intended to guide the airflow F outwards from the hair styling appliance 1 via the second air outlet 7, preferably comprises (figures 19 to 21):
– a first section 25A in which internal side walls of said (second) air duct section 25 generally converge towards each other in the direction of the air blow-off orifice 7A of the second air blow-off outlet 7, and
– a second section 25B, which extends the first section 25A, and in which said internal side walls of said (second) portion of air duct 25 are substantially parallel to each other, a free end of the second section 25B defining the air blowing orifice 7A of the second air blowing outlet A. Thus, in the second section 25B, said internal side walls of the (second) portion of air duct 25 advantageously extend each in a plane which is arranged parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the air blowing orifice 7A of the second air blowing outlet 7.

Advantageously, said first section 25A defines the air inlet end of the (second) air duct portion 25 and thus cooperates with the air direction member 18 when the latter is in the second air direction configuration to collect and guide the air flow F from the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 towards said air blower orifice 7A. By thus reducing the effective cross-sectional area of airflow through the (second) section of air duct 25, the first section 25A guides the airflow F in a generally convergent manner, along an average direction orthogonal to the average direction of the airflow F's entry into the air direction member 18, towards the air outlet 7A of the second air outlet 7, thereby increasing the velocity of the airflow F. The presence of the second section 25B, with parallel internal side walls, which extends the first section 25A, advantageously completes the guidance of the airflow F by limiting the generation of turbulence within the (second) section of air duct 25. This also allows for a more homogeneous orientation of the velocity vectors of the airflow F parallel to the same direction, making hair drying more efficient.

As can be seen in Figures 19 to 21, the said first section 25A may include
– a first sub-section which defines said air inlet end of the (second) portion of air duct 25, and whose shape conforms to an external shape of the air direction member 18, and
– a second sub-section, which extends said first sub-section and which is itself connected to said second section 25B, and in which said internal side walls of said (second) portion of air duct 25 generally converge towards each other in the direction of said air blowing orifice 7A at a convergence angle Τ preferably between 30° and 50°.

More preferably, said first section 25A extends in a direction orthogonal to the average direction of the airflow inlet F into the air direction member over a length L4 which is strictly greater, preferably at least 3 times greater, and preferably at least 5 times greater, than a length L5 along which said second section 25B extends respectively in a direction orthogonal to said average direction of the airflow inlet F into the air direction member 18. This advantageously allows for a sufficiently long length L5 of the first section 25A, taking into account said air guidance distance Dg, to define a relatively gradual narrowing of the effective cross-section of the (second) air duct portion 25 and thus further limit the risk of turbulence generation in said (second) air duct portion 25. Advantageously, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the length L4 of said first section 25A can vary according to a parallel to the average direction of the airflow inlet F into the air direction member 18, and therefore along the longitudinal extension direction of the air outlet 7A of the second air outlet 7 (Figures 19 to 21). Advantageously, the length L5 of said second section 25B can vary along a direction parallel to the average direction of the airflow inlet F into the air direction member 18, and therefore along the longitudinal extension direction of the air outlet 7A of the second air outlet 7 (Figures 19 to 21). This advantageously allows for further optimization of the airflow guidance F, particularly in terms of homogeneity of orientation and length of the velocity vectors of the airflow F, taking into account the conformation and configuration of the air direction element 18 and/or the air direction outlet 20 of the latter.

Preferably, the internal side walls of the (second) air duct section 25 generally converge towards each other in the first section 25A at an average angle of convergence that varies along a direction parallel to the average direction of the airflow F in the air direction member 18, and therefore along the longitudinal extension direction of the air outlet 7A of the second air outlet 7 (Figures 18 to 21). This advantageously allows for further optimization of the airflow F guidance, particularly in terms of the homogeneity of orientation and length of the airflow F velocity vectors, taking into account the shape and configuration of the air direction member 18 and/or its air direction outlet 20. In particular, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures in which the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction member 18 has a useful section which narrows towards the second end 23 of the side wall 21 of the air direction member 18, said mean angle of convergence decreases in a direction parallel to said mean direction of entry of the air flow F into the air direction member 18, and in a direction going towards the second end 23 of the side wall 21 of the air direction member 18.

Advantageously, as illustrated in the figures, a portion of the end of the (second) air duct section 25 of the blower head 5 extends outside the housing of the latter. Thus, the second air blower outlet 7, and in particular the air blower orifice 7A of the latter, is arranged on the outside of said housing. This advantageously reduces the overall size of the housing, and therefore of the blower head 5, despite the length of the (second) air duct section 25. In this case, the blower head 5 preferably includes a protective housing 27, at least part of which protrudes from an external surface of the second face 9 of the hair styling appliance 1, and a side wall of which laterally surrounds at least partially, and preferably totally, the end part of the (second) air duct section 25. The implementation of such a protective housing 27 contributes to the robustness of the hair styling appliance 1 by limiting the risk of damage to the end part of the (second) air duct section 25 in the event of an external impact. For example, as illustrated in the figures, the protective housing 27 has a nozzle shape diverging outwards from the hair styling device 1. Advantageously, the side wall of the protective housing 27 is arranged at a distance from the end part of the (second) air duct portion 25, preferably along the entire contour of said end part. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the protective housing 27 can advantageously form a dummy nozzle, i.e., one that is not intended as such to guide the airflow F blown by the hair styling appliance 1. In addition to its role in protecting the end part of the (second) portion of the air duct 27 which defines the second air outlet 7, the protective housing 27 can advantageously constitute a visual element that helps the user to identify the position of the second air outlet 7. Moreover, the protective housing 27 advantageously contributes to making the use of the hair styling appliance 1 even safer by limiting the risk of burns from contact between the second air outlet 7 and the user when the blown airflow F is hot.

Preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the blower head 5 includes air deflectors 28 (or "air deflector elements"), which are arranged inside the (second) portion of the air duct 25, the end of which defines the air blower outlet 7A of the second air blower outlet 7, to guide the initiated airflow F directed towards the second air blower outlet 7 from the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18, when the latter is in the second air direction configuration. Typically, said air deflectors 28 form fins, flaps, or "blades". Arranged so as to be interposed in the airflow F circulating in said (second) portion of air duct 25 towards the outside of the hair styling device 1, each of said air deflectors 28 advantageously extends from a leading edge to an opposite trailing edge along a first average direction, and from a first lateral end to a second lateral end along a second average direction which is secant to said first average direction. The first average direction advantageously defines a length of the air deflectors 28, while the second average direction advantageously defines a width of the air deflectors 28. Typically, each of the air deflectors 28 has two opposite faces, each connecting the leading edge to the opposite trailing edge of the air deflector 28. The implementation of such air deflectors 28 within the (second) portion of the air duct 25 contributes to the straightening and efficient guidance of the airflow F along an average direction orthogonal to the average direction of the airflow F's entry into the air direction member 18, as well as to the optimization of the homogeneity of the orientation and length of the velocity vectors of the airflow F blown out of the hair styling device 1 via the second air outlet 7. This thus enables treatment particularly effective on hair according to the aforementioned second blowing method.

Preferably, the air deflectors 28 are fixed and therefore stationary relative to the air outlet 7A of the second air outlet 7. Their position and spatial orientation are thus fixed by design and cannot be changed. This contributes in particular to the simplicity of the aerodynamic design of the hairdressing appliance 1 and to the reliability of its operation. Accordingly, each of the air deflectors 28 is preferably fixedly connected to an internal wall of the (second) section of air duct 25. Advantageously, as illustrated in the figures, the air deflectors 28 are arranged in at least one row. More advantageously, said air deflectors 28 are arranged in a single row, which preferably comprises between two and seven air deflectors 28, and more preferably five air deflectors 28. More preferably still, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, each of the air deflectors 28 in said single row is fixedly connected, via its first lateral end and its second lateral end respectively, to said internal lateral walls of said (second) portion of air duct 25. Advantageously, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, said air deflectors 28 are arranged equidistant from each other along an extension direction of the row(s) of air deflectors 28.

For the purpose of guiding the airflow F, it is advantageous to position the trailing edge of each of the air deflectors 28 of the (second) section of air duct 25 as close as possible to the air outlet 7A of the second air outlet 7. However, it is preferable for the trailing edge of each of the air deflectors 28 of the (second) section of air duct 25 to be positioned inside the (second) section of air duct 25, set back from the air outlet 7A. This ensures excellent spatial homogeneity of the airflow F in terms of temperature in the immediate vicinity of the second air outlet 7, when the supply airflow F is hot.

To further improve the effectiveness of the action of said air deflectors 28, each of the latter preferably extends continuously both (at least in part) in the first section 25A of said (second) portion of air duct 25 and (at least in part) in the second section 25B of said (second) portion of air duct 25. To further improve the effectiveness of the action of said air deflectors 28, each of the air deflectors 28 extends continuously, in a direction orthogonal to said average inlet direction of the air flow F, over a minimum length which is preferably between 40% and 100%, and more preferably between 60% and 95%, and for example between 80% and 85%, of said air guidance distance Dg. The term "minimum length" advantageously refers to the smallest distance between the leading edge and the opposite trailing edge of a given air deflector 28 along a direction orthogonal to the average inlet direction of the airflow F. Advantageously, this minimum length may be between 16 mm and 31 mm.

Advantageously, the air deflectors 28 of said (second) portion of air duct 25 can extend respectively according to a minimum length which differs from one of said air deflectors 28 to another of said air deflectors 28. This makes it possible in particular to further optimize the straightening and guidance of the air flow F, and to make the velocity profile of the air flow F as uniform as possible along the length of the air blowing orifice 18 of the second air blowing outlet 7, taking into account the conformation and configuration of the air direction member 18 and/or the air direction outlet 20 of the latter, in order to further improve the efficiency of the hair styling appliance 1 in terms of drying hair. In the preferred case where the air direction element 18 has a hollow inner shape and an outer shape that are generally convergent along the average longitudinal extension axis C-C' of the air direction element 18 as described previously, said air deflectors 28 can thus advantageously extend respectively over a minimum length that increases along a direction parallel to the average longitudinal extension axis C-C' of the air direction element 18 and along the direction of convergence of the hollow inner shape and the outer shape of the air direction element 18. Thus, the leading edges of said air deflectors 28 are advantageously arranged increasingly closer to the average longitudinal extension axis C-C' of the air direction element 18 (and therefore increasingly closer to an average extension axis of said hollow inner shape of the latter) along a direction parallel to the axis C-C' of average longitudinal extension of the air direction member 18 and according to the direction of convergence of the hollow inner shape and the outer shape of the air direction member 18. For example, said minimum length may be between 16 mm and 26 mm (and for example be equal to 19 mm) for a first of said air deflectors 28, and be between 21 mm and 31 mm (and for example be equal to 24 mm) for a last of said air deflectors 28.

Advantageously, the opposite faces of each of said air deflectors 28 of the (second) air duct section 25 are defined, from the leading edge to the opposite trailing edge of said air deflector 28, by straight generatrices oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal extension direction of the air outlet 7A of the second air outlet 7. Thus, each of the air deflectors 28 advantageously extends along a respective median extension plane Pm1, which is oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal extension direction of the air outlet 7A of the second air outlet 7 (and therefore orthogonally to the average inlet direction of the airflow F into the air direction member 18), and said air deflectors 28 are advantageously arranged with their median planes Pm1 arranged parallel to each other. Thus, said air deflectors 28 advantageously have a "straight" shape along the direction of guidance of the air flow F through said (second) portion of duct 25, which facilitates the design and manufacture of the blower head 5, in particular when the relevant parts of the latter are manufactured by injection-molding of plastic material(s).

As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, it is advantageous in terms of homogenizing the flow F of air blown through the second air blower outlet 7, and in particular in terms of homogenizing the orientation and length of the velocity vectors of said air flow F, to provide that one of said opposite faces of each of the air deflectors 28 of the (second) portion of air duct 25 forms a concave face which is oriented against the direction of the air flow F circulating in the air direction member 18 from the air inlet 19 of the latter. The said concave face is therefore oriented against the direction of the airflow F entering the air direction member 18 via the air inlet 19 of the latter, and is therefore advantageously oriented towards the air inlet 19. In particular, such a concave shape makes it possible to compensate at least in part for a loss of efficiency that could possibly be generated by a “straight” shape of the said air deflectors 28, as described above.

It should be noted here that the fact that the air deflectors 28 of the (second) air duct section 25 preferentially extend continuously in said first section 25A and in the second section 25B of said (second) air duct section 25, and therefore that their width generally decreases towards the air blower outlet 7A of the second air blower outlet 7, also advantageously contributes to compensating for a loss of efficiency that such a "straight" shape of the air deflectors 28 might possibly cause. Typically, the average difference between the width of a portion of the air deflectors 28 arranged in said first section 25A, and the width of a portion of the air deflectors 28 arranged in said second section 25B is advantageously between 3 mm and 8 mm, and even more advantageously equal to 5 mm.

Preferably, the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 is provided with a plurality of air deflectors 30 (or "air deflector elements"), to straighten (or at least contribute to straightening) the airflow F exiting the air direction member 18 through the air direction outlet 20. The air deflectors 30 of the air direction member 18, which are therefore distinct from the air deflectors 28 of the air duct portion 25, which are referred to as "secondary air deflectors", are called "primary air deflectors". It is understood that the terms "primary" and "secondary" advantageously refer, here and in what follows, to the order in which the air deflectors 28, 30 concerned are arranged in consideration of the direction of circulation of the air flow F in the hair styling device 1. Thus, in operation of the hair styling device 1, the air flow F initiated by the blower module 10 is first straightened and guided out of the air direction member 18 by the primary air deflectors 30, before being straightened and guided by the secondary air deflectors 28 arranged inside the (second) portion of air duct 25, and being blown out of the hair styling device 1 towards the hair. The implementation of such primary air deflectors 30 in association with said secondary air deflectors 28 contributes in particular to further improving the homogeneity of the orientation of the velocity vectors of the air flow F blown through the second air blower outlet 7. That being said, it remains conceivable, although less advantageous in terms of aerodynamic performance, that the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 be provided with air deflectors 30, but that said (second) portion of air duct 25 be on the other hand without air deflectors 28.

Advantageously, the primary air deflectors 30 are fixed and stationary relative to the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction device 18. Their position and spatial orientation are therefore fixed by design and cannot be changed. Arranged to be interposed in the airflow F circulating in the blower head 5 towards the outside of the hair styling appliance 1, each of the primary air deflectors 30 advantageously extends from a leading edge to an opposite trailing edge along a first average direction, and from a first lateral end to a second lateral end along a second average direction, which is intersecting said first average direction. Typically, each of the primary air deflectors 30 has two opposite faces, each connecting the leading edge to the opposite trailing edge of said primary air deflector 30. Advantageously, as illustrated in the figures, the primary air deflectors 30 are arranged in a single row extending along the longitudinal axis C-C' of the air direction member 18 (but not necessarily parallel to said mean longitudinal axis C-C'). As seen in the example in the FIG. 12 , each of the primary air deflectors 30 advantageously extends continuously through, or opposite, the air direction orifice 20A of the air direction member 18, from its first lateral end which is connected to a lateral peripheral edge of the air direction orifice 20A to its second lateral end which is connected to an opposite lateral peripheral edge of said air direction orifice 20A.

Advantageously, the said opposite faces of each of the primary air deflectors 30 are defined, from said leading edge to said opposite trailing edge, by straight generatrices which are oriented along a direction orthogonal to the average direction of entry of the air flow F into the air direction member 8, and therefore advantageously along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal extension axis C-C’ of the air direction member 18. Thus, each of the primary air deflectors 30 advantageously extends along a respective median extension plane Pm2, which is oriented orthogonally to said average direction of entry of the air flow F, and the primary air deflectors 30 are advantageously arranged with their median planes Pm2 arranged parallel to each other.

It is advantageous to plan, as seen in the example at the FIG. 12 Specifically, each of the primary air deflectors 30, arranged in such a single row, comprises at least one central portion having a concave face oriented (generally) against the direction of the airflow F circulating in the air direction member 18 from its air inlet 19. This concave face is therefore oriented against the direction of the airflow F entering the air direction member 18 via its air inlet 19, that is to say, advantageously oriented (generally) towards the second end 22 of the side wall 21 of the air direction member 18. Even more advantageously, each of the primary air deflectors 30 comprises
– at least one central portion that presents such a concave face, and
– at least two lateral portions, arranged on either side of said at least one central portion, and which each have a convex face oriented against the direction of the air flow F circulating in the air direction member 18 from said air inlet 19, that is to say therefore oriented (generally) towards the second end 22 of the lateral wall 21 of the air direction member 18.

In order to further improve the aerodynamic performance of the hair styling unit 1, it is particularly advantageous to provide that, as illustrated in the figures, at least a portion (if not all) of the primary air deflectors 30 are arranged inside the air direction member 18, within the hollow inner shape of the latter. Thus, at least a portion of the leading edges of the air deflectors 30 are arranged inside this hollow inner shape, so as to intercept at least a portion of the airflow F circulating within the air direction member 18 from the first end 22 to the second end 23 of the side wall 21 of the air direction member 18. Even more advantageously, as can be seen in the FIG. 13 In particular, the leading edges of the air deflectors 30 are arranged progressively offset from one another along the longitudinal extension axis C-C' of the air direction element 18 and towards the second end 23 of the latter's lateral wall 21, so that the leading edge of the primary air deflector(s) 30 positioned furthest from the air inlet 19 is arranged closer to an average extension axis of said hollow internal shape than is the respective leading edge of the primary air deflector(s) 30 positioned closest to the air inlet 19. This advantageously contributes to controlling the homogeneity of the airflow F in terms of the orientation and length of the velocity vectors of the airflow F, in particular by preventing the or The primary air deflector(s) 30 positioned closest to the air inlet 19 do not intercept too large a part of the air flow F, which could lead to a "blockage" of the flow F and an insufficient residual air flow F at the primary air deflector(s) 30 positioned furthest from the air inlet 19.

Preferably, the hair styling appliance 1 is designed and configured such that at least a portion of a plurality of the primary air deflectors 30 is arranged in alignment with a plurality of the air deflectors 28 of the (second) air duct portion 25, referred to as secondary air deflectors, when the air direction device 18 is in said second air configuration. In other words, a plurality of said secondary air deflectors 28 are arranged in continuity with at least a portion of at least some of the primary air deflectors 30, taking into account the direction of airflow F. In this case, said portion of primary air deflectors 30 is advantageously a central portion of said primary air deflectors 30. This particular technical feature, and its associated effects and advantages, will be explained below.

Preferably, the blower head 5 includes air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C (or “air deflector elements”) to guide the airflow F out of the hair styling appliance 1 through said first air blower outlet 6 when the air direction member 18 is in said first air configuration. Advantageously, the air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C may be referred to as “first air deflectors.” As can be understood, said first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C are distinct from the air deflectors 28 of the (second) air duct portion 25, which may in turn be referred to as “second air deflectors.” The said (first) air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C are arranged for example in the said first air blower outlet 6 or, as illustrated in the figures, inside the blower head 5 and upstream of the first air blower outlet 6. Thus, the said first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C are intended to guide the initiated airflow F directed towards the first air blower outlet 6 from the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18, when the said air direction member 18 is in the said first air configuration. Advantageously, said first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C are arranged inside, or at the air outlet end of, the (first) portion of air duct 24 which cooperates with the air direction member 18 when the latter is in the first air direction configuration to guide the air flow F from the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 19 to the first air blow outlet 6.

Typically, the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C form fins, flaps, or "blades." Arranged to be interposed in the airflow F circulating in the blower head 5 towards the outside of the hair styling appliance 1, each of the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C advantageously extends from a leading edge to an opposite trailing edge along a first average direction, and from a first lateral end to a second lateral end along a second average direction, which intersects said first average direction. Typically, each of the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C has two opposite faces, each of which connects said leading edge to said opposite trailing edge of said first air deflector 31A, 31B, 31C. The implementation of such first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C contributes to an effective straightening and guidance of the airflow F, preferably along an average direction orthogonal to said average direction of entry of the airflow F into the air direction member 18, as well as to a homogenization of the orientation and length of the velocity vectors of the airflow F blown out of the hairdressing device 1 via the first air blowing outlet 6. This thus enables a particularly effective treatment of the hair according to said first blowing mode.

Advantageously, the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C are arranged in a plurality of rows RA, RB, RC, substantially parallel to a first direction X-X’, and therefore substantially parallel to each other. As illustrated by example in Figures 16 and 17, the rows RA, RB, RC are preferably adjacent and offset from each other along the first direction X-X’ so that the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C of one of the rows RA, RB, RC are neither contiguous nor aligned along a second direction Y-Y’ substantially orthogonal to the first direction X-X’, with the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C of the other adjacent row RA, RB, RC. In other words, the blower head 5 comprises at least two rows RA, RB, RC of said first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C, which are adjacent and parallel to each other, and the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C of a row RA, RB, RC considered are not only distinct and distant from the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C of another row RA, RB, RC which is adjacent to said row RA, RB, RC considered, but they are further not aligned with first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C of said adjacent row RA, RB, RC along said second direction Y-Y’. There is therefore an asymmetry between two adjacent rows RA, RB, RC of first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C, and a discontinuity of said first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C between each other.

It has indeed been observed that, thanks to this very specific arrangement of the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C, it is possible to obtain excellent spatial homogeneity of the airflow F supplied by the first air outlet 6, in terms of flow rate and velocity, particularly when the latter is large, and this without resorting to a large number of first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C, and/or to very complex configurations of these deflectors. Advantageously, such a gain in homogeneity contributes significantly to the aerodynamic performance of the hair styling device 1 and to the effectiveness of the hair treatment performed with it. Furthermore, when the hair styling device 1 includes a heating element to heat the airflow F, as mentioned above, such a gain in homogeneity allows for better management of the temperature profile of the airflow F and of heat exchanges with the blower head 5. Indeed, a higher flow of hot air at one point than at another point in the airflow F leads to a less homogeneous temperature across the entire first air blower outlet 6. The improvement in the homogeneity of the airflow F brought about by the particular arrangement of the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C, described above, leads to an improvement in the spatial homogeneity of the airflow F in terms of temperature. This prevents excessive localized heating of certain parts or sections of the blower head 5, thereby improving both the safety of use of the hair styling appliance 1 and its robustness and reliability. Furthermore, this increased spatial homogeneity of the airflow F in terms of temperature contributes to the effectiveness of hair treatment and optimizes the user's perception of the temperature of the blown airflow F. This particular design of air deflectors proves especially advantageous when the first air outlet 6 is combined with a mechanical hair engagement element 17, as described above and as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures. Advantageously, said first direction X-X’ is arranged substantially parallel to the average direction of entry of the air flow F into the air direction member 18. Advantageously said first direction X-X’ is oriented substantially parallel to the axis B-B’ of average longitudinal extension of the blower head 5.

The aforementioned advantages are even greater when, preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, said rows RA, RB, RC are adjacent and offset from each other along said first direction X-X’ so that none of the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C of each of the rows RA, RB, RC are contiguous, nor aligned along said second direction Y-Y’ substantially orthogonal to said first direction X-X’, with a first air deflector 31A, 31B, 31C of another of said rows RA, RB, RC which is adjacent.

Preferably, the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C are fixed and therefore stationary relative to the first air outlet 6 of the blower head 5. Their position and spatial orientation are thus fixed by design and cannot be changed. Advantageously, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C of each of the rows RA, RB, RC are arranged equidistant from each other. Advantageously, the rows RA, RB, RC of the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C together have a plane of symmetry Ps that extends parallel to, or contains, the first direction X-X' and is orthogonal to the second direction Y-Y'. This allows in particular a simplified design and manufacture of the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C, and contributes to excellent spatial homogeneity of the blown air flow F.

Advantageously, the opposite faces of each of the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C are defined, from the leading edge to the opposite trailing edge, by straight generatrices oriented orthogonally to the average direction of the airflow F entering the air direction member 18, and thus advantageously orthogonally to the longitudinal extension axis C-C' of the air direction member 18. Therefore, each of the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C advantageously extends along a median plane Pm3A, Pm3B, Pm3C of respective extension, which is oriented orthogonally to the average direction of the airflow F entering the air direction member 18, and the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C are advantageously arranged with their median planes Pm3A, Pm3B, Pm3C arranged parallel to each other ( FIG. 16 ).

In terms of spatial homogenization of the airflow F blown out of the hair styling device 1 via the first air outlet 6, it is advantageous to ensure that the rows RA, RB, RC form, in particular:
– at least one central row RB, the first air deflectors 31B of which have a concave face (generally) oriented against the direction of the airflow F circulating in the air direction member 18 from the air inlet 19 of the latter, and
– at least two lateral rows RA, RC, arranged on either side of said at least one central row RB, and whose first air deflectors 31A, 31C have a concave face (generally) oriented against the direction of the air flow F circulating in the air direction member 18 from the air inlet 19 of the latter.

More advantageously, as illustrated in the figures, the rows RA, RB, RC of the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C are odd in number and, more specifically, form at least one central row RB and at least two lateral rows RA, RC as defined above. For example, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the said rows RA, RB, RC are three in number and form one central row RB and two lateral rows RA, RC as defined above.

Similarly, just as the air deflectors 28 arranged in the (second) portion of the air duct 25, one end of which defines the air outlet 7A of the second air outlet 7, can be described as "secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C," the first air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C can advantageously be called "secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C" when the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction device 18 includes primary air deflectors 30 as described above. It is understood that the secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C are then distinct from the primary air deflectors 30. Thus, when operating the hair styling device 1 according to the first blowing mode, the airflow F initiated by the blower module 10 is advantageously first guided and straightened at the outlet of the air direction member 18 by the primary air deflectors 30, before being guided and straightened by the (first) secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C and thus blown out of the hair styling device 1 towards the hair via the first air blowing outlet 6. The implementation of the first secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C in association with the primary air deflectors 30, advantageously contributes to further improving the spatial homogeneity of the airflow F blown via the first air blowing outlet 6.

Preferably, as already discussed above, the hair styling device 1 is designed and configured so that at least a portion of a plurality of said primary air deflectors 30 of the air direction member 18 is arranged aligned with a plurality of (second) secondary air deflectors 28 of the (second) portion of air duct 25, when the air direction member 18 is in said second air configuration (second blowing mode). Preferably, the hair styling appliance 1 is designed and configured such that at least a portion of a plurality of said primary air deflectors 30 of the air direction member 18 is arranged aligned with a plurality of the (first) secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C when the air direction member 18 is in said first air direction configuration (first blowing mode). Even more preferably, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, said hair styling appliance 1 is designed and configured such that:
– at least a portion of a plurality of said primary air deflectors 30 of the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 is arranged aligned with a plurality of said first secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C when the air direction member 18 is in said first air direction configuration (Figures 3, 5, 6, 9 and 18), and
– at least a portion of a plurality of said primary air deflectors 30 of the air direction outlet 20 of the air direction member 18 is respectively arranged aligned with a plurality of said secondary second air deflectors 28 when the air direction member 18 is in said second air direction configuration (Figures 4, 7, 8, 11 and 19 to 21).

A plurality of said (first) secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C is thus advantageously arranged in continuity with at least a portion of at least some of said primary air deflectors 30, taking into account the direction of airflow F. Advantageously, when said at least portion of primary air deflectors 30 is thus arranged aligned with said plurality of (first) secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C (first air direction configuration / first blowing mode), the trailing edges of the primary air deflectors 30 concerned are then arranged opposite the respective leading edges of the corresponding (first) secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C concerned (Figures 5, 6 and 17). Conversely, a plurality of said (second) secondary air deflectors 28 is thus advantageously arranged in continuity with at least a portion of at least some of said primary air deflectors 30, taking into account the direction of airflow F. Advantageously, when said at least portion of primary air deflectors 30 is arranged aligned with said plurality of (second) secondary air deflectors 28 (second air direction configuration / second blowing mode), the trailing edges of the primary air deflectors 30 concerned are then arranged opposite the respective leading edges of the corresponding (second) secondary air deflectors 28 concerned (Figures 7, 8 and 14).

Advantageously, when at least a portion of said plurality of primary air deflectors 30 is thus arranged aligned with said plurality of first secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C, the median planes Pm2 of extension of the primary air deflectors 30 concerned are then arranged coplanar with the median planes Pm3A, Pm3B, Pm3C of respective extension of the corresponding first secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C concerned (figures 5 and 6). Advantageously, when at least a portion of said plurality of primary air deflectors 30 is arranged aligned with said plurality of secondary second air deflectors 28, the median planes Pm2 of extension of the primary air deflectors 30 concerned are then arranged coplanar with the respective median planes of extension Pm1 of the corresponding secondary second air deflectors 28 concerned (figures 7 and 8).

Thanks to each of the aforementioned alignment features, and even more so thanks to the combination of said features, the hair styling appliance 1 advantageously forms a multi-mode blowing device with a particularly simple and efficient aerodynamic design. The implementation of said primary air deflectors 30, said first secondary air deflectors 31A, 31B, 31C and second secondary air deflectors 28, and their relative alignment as described above, contributes in particular to homogenizing the blowing of the airflow F out of the hair styling appliance 1 towards the hair in a particularly effective manner, depending on the (first or second) air blowing outlet 6, 7 used.

Different kinematic arrangements of the air direction element 18 and the blower head 5 can be considered, depending in particular on the shape and configuration of the air direction element 18. Preferably, however, for the sake of simplicity in the design and use of the hair styling appliance 1, the blower head 5 is fixedly connected to the handle 2 of the hair styling appliance 1, and the air direction element 18 is mounted to move relative to the blower head 5 and the handle 2 between the first and second air direction configurations. In particular, to simplify the design of the hair styling appliance 1 and improve its compactness, the air direction element 18 and the blower head 5 are preferably mounted to rotate and pivot about an axis D-D' of rotation relative to each other between at least the first and second air direction configurations. Preferably, said axis D-D’ of rotation coincides with (collinear to), or at least parallel to, the axis C-C’ of longitudinal extension of the air direction member 18, which is itself advantageously coincides with (collinear to) the axis B-B’ of average longitudinal extension of the blower head 5. According to one variant (not illustrated), the air direction member 18 is fixed relative to the handle 2, and the blower head 5 is then mounted to rotate about said axis D-D’ of rotation relative to the air direction member 18 and the handle 2. According to another variant, implemented in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the blower head 5 is fixed to the handle 2, and the air direction member 18 is mounted to rotate about said axis D-D’ of rotation relative to the blower head 5 and the handle 2. In accordance In view of the foregoing, this second variant proves preferable insofar as it contributes to making the hairdressing appliance 1 simpler in design and use. In this case, the internal channeling device 26 mentioned above is itself advantageously fixedly connected to the handle 2 of the hairdressing appliance 1, the air direction member 18 being advantageously arranged to rotate freely, about said axis D-D’ of rotation, in the internal channeling device 26 between the first and second air direction configurations.

To make the use of the hair styling appliance 1 particularly practical and intuitive, the first and second air outlets 6, 7 are preferably arranged opposite each other, on either side of a plane P1 in which the axis B-B' of average longitudinal extension of the blower head 5 is inscribed. In this way, the first and second air outlets 6, 7 are advantageously not simultaneously visible to the user when they are looking at the first air outlet 6 and, respectively, the second air outlet 7 from the front. The user can easily switch between the first and second blower modes, typically by simply rotating the handle 2 of the hair styling appliance 1 by 180° to orient the corresponding first and second air outlets 6, 7 towards the hair to be treated, in the preferential case where the blowing head 5 is fixedly connected to the handle 2 and where the air direction member 18 is mounted to rotate freely relative to the blowing head 5 and the handle 2.

Advantageously, the hair styling appliance 1 also includes a control system 32 for controlling each transition of the hair styling appliance 1 from one of the first and second air direction configurations to the other. The control system 32 is therefore designed to allow the user to alternately select one or the other of the blowing modes, that is, to control the transition of the hair styling appliance 1 from one blowing mode to another, and for example, from the first blowing mode to the second blowing mode and vice versa. In this respect, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the control system 32 is advantageously connected to the air direction element 18 to control each transition of the air direction element 18 from one of the aforementioned first and second air direction configurations to the other. By operating the control system 32, the user can therefore alternately select one or the other of the aforementioned blowing modes of the hair styling appliance 1. The user can thus advantageously choose through which of the first and second air blowing outlets 6, 7 the airflow F will be blown out of the hair styling appliance 1, and thus choose the operating mode of the hair styling appliance 1. The control system 32 is advantageously distinct from the manual control and/or adjustment means 16 of the electrical operation of the hair styling appliance 1 and of the hot/cold air switch, as described above, which the hair styling appliance 1 may optionally include. This allows the user to select one of the blowing modes while another blowing mode is selected, prior to switching on the blower module 10 of the hair styling appliance 1. The control system 32 is advantageously integrated into the blower head 5 and is preferably positioned along the average longitudinal extension axis B-B' of the latter. Preferably, at least a portion of an element of the control system 32 forms, or at least contributes to forming, the upper (free) end of the blower head 5. This allows for easy and intuitive activation of the control system by the user.

Advantageously, the control system 32 for changing the blowing mode of the hair styling appliance 1 includes a manual control element 33, for example a button or a dial, to allow the user to act on said control system and thus manually select one or the other of said blowing modes. Advantageously, the manual control element 33 is movable, that is to say, it is capable of moving between at least two advantageously predefined positions and/or spatial orientations (relative to the rest of the hair styling appliance 1), typically by translation, rotation, and/or tilting under the effect of a manual mechanical action exerted on it by the user. Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the manual control element 33 is arranged at the level of the blower head 5, that is to say, it is carried by (or belongs to) the blower head 5, and not at the level of the handle 2. This limits the risk of unintentional manipulation of the manual control element 33 by the hand of the user holding the handle 2. Even more preferably, the manual control element 33 is arranged at such a distance from the handle 2 that it cannot be reached by a finger of the hand of the user holding the handle 2. Inaccessible by a finger of the hand of the user holding the handle 2, the manual control element 33 remains, however, advantageously accessible by a finger of the other hand of the user. Even more preferably, as illustrated by example in the figures, said manual control organ 33 is arranged substantially along an axis parallel to, or coinciding with, the axis B-B’ of average longitudinal extension of the blowing head 5, so that it is therefore accessible to the user from the top of the blowing head 5.

Advantageously, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the control system 32 of the hair styling appliance 1 is a push-push button control mechanism (or "push-push kinematic control mechanism," or "push-push button control mechanism"), thus controlling each transition of the hair styling appliance 1 from one blowing mode to another. Intended to be operated by the user, for example manually, the control system 32 is therefore designed and configured to transform each push exerted by the user (typically with a finger) on the button of the control system 32 into a transition of the hair styling appliance 1 from one blowing mode to another blowing mode or, at the very least, from one blowing mode to another blowing mode. The button of the control system 32 then advantageously forms the aforementioned manual control element 33. As in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the push-push button control mechanism is thus advantageously connected to the air direction member 18 to control each passage of the air direction member 18 from one to the other of the first and second air direction configurations. Thanks to such a push-push control mechanism, the use of the hair styling device 1 is particularly simple and intuitive, since the reproduction of a simple pushing action by the user against the control mechanism button, each time in the same direction of push, controls each change of blowing mode of the hair styling device 1. Each push exerted by the user on the control mechanism button thus controls a cyclical passage of the hair styling device 1 from a given initial blowing mode to a next blowing mode, and so on, until returning to said initial blowing mode after the control mechanism has been successively activated as many times as the hair styling device 1 has different blowing modes.

As can be understood from the foregoing, note that the terms "first" and "second" used above are not intended, as such, to introduce any technical limitation, but solely to facilitate understanding of the invention. Therefore, these terms may be omitted where there is no possibility of confusion.

Claims (14)

Hair styling appliance (1) comprising a blower head (5) which has first and second air blower outlets (6, 7), separate from each other, for blowing a flow (F) of air out of the appliance (1) in the direction of hair to be treated, a blower module (10) for initiating said flow (F) of air and an air direction member (18) comprising an air inlet (19) connected to the blower module (10) and an air direction outlet (20), said air direction outlet (20) of the air direction member (18) defining an air direction orifice (20A) designed and configured to direct the flow of air (F) out of the air direction member (18) in an average outlet direction which is inclined with respect to an average inlet direction of the flow (F) of air into the air direction member (18), the air direction member (18) and the blower head (5) being mounted movable relative to each other between a first air direction configuration in which the air direction member (18) directs the airflow (F) towards the first air blower outlet (6), and a second air direction configuration in which the air direction member (18) directs the airflow (F) towards the second air blower outlet (7), the second air blower outlet (7) defining an air blower orifice (7A) of generally elongated shape in a direction substantially parallel to said average inlet direction of the airflow (F), said apparatus (1) being characterized in that

• said air direction orifice (20A) of the air direction member (18) has, along a direction orthogonal to said average direction of inlet of the air flow (F), a maximum width (L1max) of at least 20 mm;
• said air blowing orifice (7A) of the second air blowing outlet (7) having a maximum length (L2max) between 50 mm and 60 mm and a maximum width (L3max) between 5 mm and 10 mm,
• the blower head (5) comprising a portion of air duct (25) one end of which defines said air blower orifice (7A), and which cooperates with said air direction member (18) when the latter is in said second air direction configuration to guide the air flow (F) from said air direction outlet (20) to said air blower orifice (7A) in an average direction orthogonal to said average inlet direction of the air flow (F) over an air guidance distance (Dg) of at least 20 mm.

Device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the air guidance distance (Dg) is between 20 mm and 30 mm. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blower module (10) comprises at least one propeller (12) and an electric motor (13), which is preferably a brushless DC electric motor, for driving the propeller (12) in rotation at a speed between 80,000 rpm and 120,000 rpm, and more preferably between 90,000 rpm and 110,000 rpm. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said portion of air duct (25) comprises

• a first section (25A) in which internal side walls of said portion of air duct (25) generally converge towards each other in the direction of said air blower orifice (7A), and
• a second section (25B), which extends said first section (25A), and in which said lateral walls of said portion of air duct (25) are substantially parallel to each other, a free end of said second section (25B) defining said air blowing orifice (7A).

Apparatus (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said internal side walls of said portion of air duct (25) generally converge towards each other, in said first section (25A), at an average angle of convergence which varies along a direction parallel to said average direction of inlet of the air flow (F). Apparatus (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said first section (25A) extends in a direction orthogonal to said average direction of inlet of the airflow (F) over a length (L4) which is strictly greater, and preferably at least 3 times greater, than a length along which said second section (25B) extends in a direction orthogonal to said average direction of inlet of the airflow (F). Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blower head (5) includes air deflectors (28), which are arranged inside said portion of air duct (25). Apparatus (1) according to the preceding claim and any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein each of said air deflectors (28) extends continuously in said first section (25A) and in said second section (25B) of said portion of air duct (25). Apparatus (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each of said air deflectors (28) extends continuously in a direction orthogonal to said average direction of inlet of the airflow (F) over a minimum length which is between 40% and 100%, and preferably between 60% and 95%, of said air guidance distance (Dg). Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein each of said air deflectors (28) extends from a leading edge to an opposite trailing edge and has two opposite faces which each connect said leading edge to said opposite trailing edge, said opposite faces of each of said air deflectors (28) being defined, from the leading edge to the opposite trailing edge, by straight generatrices which are oriented along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal extension direction of the air blowing orifice (7A) of the second air blowing outlet (7). Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein one of said opposite faces of each of said air deflectors (28) forms a concave face oriented against the direction of the airflow (F) circulating in the air direction member (18) from said air inlet (19). Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the air direction outlet (20) of the air direction member (18) is provided with a plurality of air deflectors (30), referred to as primary air deflectors. Apparatus according to the preceding claim and any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein at least a portion of a plurality of the primary air deflectors (30) is arranged aligned with a plurality of the air deflectors (28) of said portion of air duct (25), referred to as secondary air deflectors, when the air direction member (18) is in said second air direction configuration. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blowing head (5) has a first face (8) which carries said first air blowing outlet (6) and a mechanical hair engagement element (17) which is intended to come into contact with hair to help shape said hair.