WO2018219457A1

WO2018219457A1 - Dryer with improved safety and improved drying performance

Info

Publication number: WO2018219457A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/063249
Authority: WO
Inventors: Murat Kantas; Nihat Kandemir; Ismet Arsan; Alper Yagci; Hakan ALTUNTAS
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2017-06-01
Filing date: 2017-06-01
Publication date: 2018-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-01
Also published as: TR201801635A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dryer (1 ) for drying hair, comprising: a housing (2); a heating unit inside the housing (2) for generating a hot air stream; an air inlet (3) for admitting the air from the outside towards the heating unit; an air outlet (4) for discharging the hot air stream towards the hair of the user; and an infrared sensor (5) which has a field of view (Ω) directed towards the hair to be dried by the hot air stream, and adapted to measure the temperature of the hair within the field of view (Ω).

Description

DRYER WITH IMPROVED SAFETY ANDIMPROVED DRYING PERFORMANCE

The present invention relates to dryers for drying wet hair, wet hands or other wet objects. The present invention relates more particularly to hair dryers.

Dryers such as hair dryers are commonly known in the art. A hair dryer generally comprises: a housing; a heating unit inside the housing for generating a hot air stream; an air inlet for admitting the air from the outside towards the heating unit; an air outlet for discharging the hot air stream towards the hair of the user; and an infrared sensor which has a field of view directed towards the hair to be dried by the hot air stream, and adapted to measure the temperature of the hair within the field of view. The hair of the user may be excessively heated during the operation of the dryer, and thus become damaged. Such damages occur when the hair is heated above 60 degrees Celsius. In order to take preventive measures against hair damages, the temperature of the hair is generally monitored by means of an infrared sensor. When the hair temperature exceeds a limiting value the dryer is turned off or regulated accordingly.

US4424437 discloses a prior art dryer as specified above.

Hair dryer are commonly provided with accessories such as air ducts for diffusing the hot air stream, combs, brushes and other styling tools which can be mounted to the air outlet on the housing. A problem with the prior art hair dryer is that these accessories are excessively heated during the operation of the dryer, and thus the radiation emitted from these accessory may adversely influence the measurements of the infrared sensor.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a dryer that solves the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost effective way and which enables an improved safety and an improved drying performance.

This objective has been achieved by the dryer as defined in claim 1. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

The dryer of the present invention comprises a mounting means for removably mounting an accessory to the air outlet for drying the hair; and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the field of view of the infrared sensor in accordance with the mounting state of the accessory so as to reduce the interference of the accessory with the field of view of the infrared sensor.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the adverse influence of accessory on the measurement of the infrared sensor can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible by virtue of the adjustment mechanism. Thereby, the temperature of the hair can always be correctly measured by the infrared sensor either when the accessory is mounted or when the accessory is unmounted and thus any preventive measures against hair damage can be more reliably and safely taken by the dryer. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the heating level of the dryer can be more reliably and safely regulated by virtue of the adjustment mechanism. Thereby, the drying performance of the dryer can be improved. Thereby, the drying process can be prevented from unnecessary prolongation, and thus the energy consumption can be reduced. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the the risk of hair damages, and scalp/skin burns can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible and thus the user can dry the hairs more comfortably. With the present invention the customer satisfaction can be increased.

In an embodiment, the infrared sensor has a thermopile. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the thermopile is cost effective and reliable. Other type of infrared sensors such as pyroelectric detectors may be alternatively used.

In an embodiment, the adjustment mechanism adjusts the field of view of the infrared sensor to a first field of view when the accessory is unmounted, and to a second field of view when the accessory is mounted. The second field of view is different than the first field of view. Herein, the accessory is outside the second field of view in the mounted state. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the infrared sensor is prevented from directly receiving the thermal radiation emitted from the accessory. Thereby, the temperature of the hair can be correctly measured.

In alternative embodiments, the first field of view and the second field of view may differ in size and/or shape and/or orientation. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the adverse influence of the accessory on the temperature measurements can be flexibly eliminated in accordance with the particular geometry of the accessory during the adjustment of the field of view of the infrared sensor.

In an embodiment, the adjustment mechanism comprises a support and a cover. The support holds the infrared sensor. The cover has an aperture that admits the infrared radiation emitted from the hair towards the infrared sensor on the support. The cover and the support are disposed onto the housing relatively movably to an extended state whereat the infrared sensor has the second field of view and to a retracted state whereat the infrared sensor has the first field of view. In this embodiment, the support and the cover are relatively moved through a resilient means from the extended state to the retracted state when the accessory is unmounted. In this embodiment the support and the cover are relatively moved through an actuating means from the retracted state to the extended state when the accessory is mounted. The actuating means has a link for engaging with the accessory during the mounting thereof. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the field of view of the infrared sensor can be easily adjusted through the relative motion of the cover and the support when mounting the accessory.

In an embodiment, the cover and the support telescope into one another. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the field of view can be effectively adjusted through the telescopic movement.

In an embodiment, the cover and the support form a telescope-like channel which encloses the infrared sensor and which has inner surfaces that telescope into one another and that reflect the infrared radiation entering the aperture towards the infrared sensor. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the thermal radiation emitted from the hair can be effectively transmitted to the infrared sensor.

In an embodiment, the support is movable, and the cover is fixed. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the fixed cover is less vulnerable to mechanical disturbances from the outside.

In an embodiment, a compression spring between a fixed stopper and the movable support pushes from the backside the support towards the cover. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the support can be reliably and quickly retracted when the accessory is unmounted.

In an embodiment, a claw on the support is pushed by the accessory when mounting the same to the air outlet. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the support can be reliably and quickly moved away from the cover when the accessory is mounted.

In an embodiment, the accessory is provided in form of an air duct which has a tapering mouth that blows the hot air stream towards the hair of the user. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can comfortably and quickly dry the hair.

In alternative embodiments, the accessory is slidably or rotatably mounted onto the air outlet through a form-fitting connection. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the accessory can be easily mounted to the housing by the user.

In an embodiment, the infrared sensor is disposed onto the housing at a positon outside the hot air stream. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the infrared sensor can be shielded from the direct thermal radiation of the heating unit.

In an embodiment, the infrared sensor is disposed below the air outlet and in front of the housing. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the infrared sensor can be maintained as closes as possible to the hair during the drying process.

In an embodiment, the dryer has a warning unit which warns the user when the temperature of the hair measured by the infrared sensor exceeds a limiting temperature. Considering that thermal damage to the hair occurs at about 60 degrees Celsius or higher, the limiting temperature is set to a value sufficiently below 60 degrees Celsius so as to warn the user before any damage is caused. In alternative embodiments, the warning unit warns the user audibly by means of a speaker and/or visually by means of a light source. In an embodiment, the warning unit stops or interrupts the heating unit. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the hair can be effectively protected from thermal damages.

In an embodiment, the heating unit regulates the heating level for the hot air stream such that the temperature of the hair measured by the infrared sensor is kept at a target temperature which is equal to the limiting temperature or lower than the limiting temperature. In an embodiment, one or more different target temperatures can be selectively set by the user for the drying process. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the hair can be safely and comfortably dried.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the dryer according to the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic partial side view of a dryer which has an adjustment mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to mounting the accessory to the air outlet, wherein the dashed lines show the position of the accessory when the same is mounted to the air outlet;

Figure 2 – is a schematic partial side view of the dryer of Fig. 1, after the accessory has been mounted to the air outlet;

Figure 3 – is a schematic partial enlarged view of the dryer of Fig. 1, prior to mounting the accessory to the air outlet;

Figure 4 – is a schematic partial enlarged view of the dryer of Fig. 2, after the accessory has been mounted to the air outlet;

Figure 5 – is a schematic partial enlarged cutaway view of the dryer of Fig. 3, prior to mounting the accessory;

Figure 6 – is a schematic partial enlarged cutaway view of the dryer of Fig. 4, after the accessory has been mounted to the air outlet, wherein the arrow shows the telescopic movement in the adjustment mechanism when mounting the accessory.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Dryer
Housing
Air inlet
Air outlet
Infrared sensor
Mounting means
Accessory
Adjustment mechanism
Cover
Aperture
Support
Resilient means
Actuating means
Link
Inner surface
Stopper
Compression spring
Claw
Air duct
Tapering mouth
Form-fitting connection

Ω: Field of view of the infrared sensor (5)

Ω1: First field of view of the infrared sensor (5) when the accessory (7) is unmounted

Ω2: Second field of view of the infrared sensor (5) when the accessory (7) is mounted

The dryer (1) is suitable for drying hair. The dryer (1) comprises: a housing (2); a heating unit (not shown) inside the housing (2) for generating a hot air stream; an air inlet (3) for admitting the air from the outside towards the heating unit; an air outlet (4) for discharging the hot air stream towards the hair of the user; and an infrared sensor (5) which has a field of view (Ω) directed towards the hair to be dried by the hot air stream, and adapted to measure the temperature of the hair within the field of view (Ω) (Fig. 1).

The dryer (1) of the present invention comprises: a mounting means (6) for removably mounting an accessory (7) to the air outlet (4) for drying the hair; and an adjustment mechanism (8) for adjusting the field of view (Ω) of the infrared sensor (5) in accordance with the mounting state of the accessory (7) so as to reduce the interference of the accessory (7) with the field of view (Ω) of the infrared sensor (5) (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

In an embodiment, the infrared sensor (5) comprises a thermopile.

In an embodiment, the adjustment mechanism (8) is further adapted to adjust the field of view (Ω) of the infrared sensor (5) to a first field of view (Ω1) when the accessory (7) is unmounted, and to a second field of view (Ω2) when the accessory (7) is mounted (Fig. 1 and Fig.2). In this embodiment, the second field of view (Ω2) is different than the first field of view (Ω1). In this embodiment, the accessory (7) is outside the second field of view (Ω2) in the mounted state (Fig. 2).

In an embodiment, the second field of view (Ω2) is narrower than the first field of view (Ω1) (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).

In an embodiment, the adjustment mechanism (8) comprises: a cover (9) into which an aperture (10) is formed for admitting the infrared radiation emitted from the hair towards the infrared sensor (5); a support (11) which holds the infrared sensor (5), wherein the cover (9) and the support (11) are disposed onto the housing (2) relatively movably to an extended state whereat the infrared sensor (5) has the second field of view (Ω2) and to a retracted state whereat the infrared sensor (5) has the first field of view (Ω1); a resilient means (12) for relatively moving the support (11) and the cover (9) from the extended state to the retracted state when the accessory (7) is unmounted; and an actuating means (13) which has a link (14) for engaging with the accessory (7) and which is adapted to relatively move the support (11) and the cover (9) from the retracted state to the extended state when the accessory (7) is mounted (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

In an embodiment, the cover (9) and the support (11) are adapted to telescope into one another (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

In an embodiment, the cover (9) and the support (11) have inner surfaces (15) which form a telescope-like channel and reflect the infrared radiation entering the aperture (10) towards the infrared sensor (5) (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

In an embodiment, the cover (9) is fixed to the housing (2). In this embodiment, the support (11) is movably disposed onto the housing (2) (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

In an embodiment, the resilient means (12) comprises: a stopper (16) which is fixed to the housing (2); and a compression spring (17) which is arranged between the stopper (16) and the support (11), and adapted to push the support (11) towards the cover (9) (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

In an embodiment, the link (14) comprises a claw (18) which is fixed onto the support (11), and adapted to be pushed by the accessory (7) when mounting the same to the air outlet (4) (Fig. 6).

In an embodiment, the accessory (7) comprises an air duct (19) which has a tapering mouth (20) for blowing the hot air stream towards the hair of the user (Fig. 6).

In an embodiment, the mounting means (6) comprises a form-fitting connection (21) for slidably connecting the accessory (7) onto the air outlet (4) of the housing (2) (Fig. 6).

In an embodiment, the infrared sensor (5) is disposed onto the housing (2) at a positon outside the hot air stream (Fig.1 and Fig. 2).

In an embodiment, the infrared sensor (5) is disposed below the air outlet (4) and in front of the housing (2) (Fig. 6).

In an embodiment, the dryer (1) further comprises: a warning unit (not shown) for warning the user when the temperature of the hair measured by the infrared sensor (5) exceeds a limiting temperature.

In an embodiment, the heating unit is adapted to regulate the heating level for the hot air stream such that the temperature of the hair measured by the infrared sensor (5) is kept at a target temperature which is equal to the limiting temperature or lower than the limiting temperature.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the adverse influence of accessory (7) on the measurement of the infrared sensor (5) can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible by virtue of the adjustment mechanism (8). Thereby, the temperature of the hair can always be correctly measured by the infrared sensor (5) either when the accessory (7) is mounted or when the accessory is unmounted (7) and thus any preventive measures against hair damage can be more reliably and safely taken by the dryer (1). Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the heating level of the dryer (1) can be more reliably and safely regulated by virtue of the adjustment mechanism (8). Thereby, the drying performance of the dryer (1) can be improved. Thereby, the drying process can be prevented from unnecessary prolongation, and thus the energy consumption can be reduced. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the the risk of hair damages, and scalp/skin burns can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible and thus the user can dry the hairs more comfortably. With the present invention the customer satisfaction can be increased. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the above-described embodiments.

Claims

A dryer (1) for drying hair, comprising: a housing (2); a heating unit inside the housing (2) for generating a hot air stream; an air inlet (3) for admitting the air from the outside towards the heating unit; an air outlet (4) for discharging the hot air stream towards the hair of the user; and an infrared sensor (5) which has a field of view (Ω) directed towards the hair to be dried by the hot air stream and adapted to measure the temperature of the hair within the field of view (Ω), characterized by comprising: a mounting means (6) for removably mounting an accessory (7) to the air outlet (4) for drying the hair; and an adjustment mechanism (8) for adjusting the field of view (Ω) of the infrared sensor (5) in accordance with the mounting state of the accessory (7) so as to reduce the interference of the accessory (7) with the field of view (Ω) of the infrared sensor (5).
The dryer (1) according claim 1, characterized in that the adjustment mechanism (8) is further adapted to adjust the field of view (Ω) of the infrared sensor (5) to a first field of view (Ω1) when the accessory (7) is unmounted, and to a second field of view (Ω2) when the accessory (7) is mounted, wherein the second field of view (Ω2) is different than the first field of view (Ω1), and wherein the accessory (7) is outside the second field of view (Ω2) in the mounted state.
The dryer (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second field of view (Ω2) is narrower than the first field of view (Ω1).
The dryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adjustment mechanism (8) comprises: a cover (9) into which an aperture (10) is formed for admitting the infrared radiation emitted from the hair towards the infrared sensor (5); a support (11) which holds the infrared sensor (5), wherein the cover (9) and the support (11) are disposed onto the housing (2) relatively movably to an extended state whereat the infrared sensor (5) has the second field of view (Ω2) and to a retracted state whereat the infrared sensor (5) has the first field of view (Ω1); a resilient means (12) for relatively moving the support (11) and the cover (9) from the extended state to the retracted state when the accessory (7) is unmounted; and an actuating means (13) which a has link (14) for engaging with the accessory (7) and adapted to relatively move the support (11) and the cover (9) from the retracted state to the extended state when the accessory (7) is mounted.
The dryer (1) according claim 4, characterized in that the cover (9) and the support (11) are adapted to telescope into one another.
The dryer (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover (9) and the support (11) have inner surfaces (15) which form a telescope-like channel and reflect the infrared radiation entering the aperture (10) towards the infrared sensor (5).
The dryer (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the cover (9) is fixed to the housing (2); and the support (11) is movably disposed onto the housing (2).
The dryer (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the resilient means (12) comprises: a stopper (16) which is fixed to the housing (2); and a compression spring (17) which is arranged between the stopper (16) and the support (11), and adapted to push the support (11) towards the cover (9).
The dryer (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the link (14) comprises a claw (18) which is fixed onto the support (11), and adapted to be pushed by the accessory (7) when mounting the same to the air outlet (4).
The dryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the accessory (7) comprises an air duct (19) which has a tapering mouth (20) for blowing the hot air stream towards the hair of the user.
The dryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the mounting means (6) comprises a form-fitting connection (21) for slidably connecting the accessory (7) onto the air outlet (4) of the housing (2).
The dryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the infrared sensor (5) is disposed onto the housing (2) at a positon outside the hot air stream.
The dryer (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the infrared sensor (5) is disposed below the air outlet (4) and in front of the housing (2).
The dryer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by further comprising: a warning unit for warning the user when the temperature of the hair measured by the infrared sensor (5) exceeds a limiting temperature.
The dryer (1) according any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the heating unit is adapted to regulate the heating level for the hot air stream such that the temperature of the hair measured by the infrared sensor (5) is kept at a target temperature which is equal to the limiting temperature or lower than the limiting temperature.