HK40027188B - Hair dryer - Google Patents

Description

Hair drier

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to hair dryers (hair dryers), and more particularly to a hand held hair dryer comprising a ring shaped body.

Background

The blower is configured to generate an air flow directed toward the hair to dry the hair. At least some known hair dryers include a handle that allows a user to grasp the hair dryer and position the hair dryer relative to the hair. Most blowers include an air flow duct extending between an inlet and an outlet. Components such as heaters, fans, and motors are placed along the airflow conduit and are used to treat the airflow. However, the configuration of the air flow duct and the treatment components may increase the size of the blower. In addition, the blower may be difficult for the user to hold and position. Moreover, the configuration of the air flow duct may limit the operational efficiency of the blower.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a blower having a reduced size and improved operating efficiency.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, a hand held hair dryer includes a body extending about an axis. The body includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall and the outer wall define a cavity therebetween. The inner wall defines a central passageway. The hand held hair dryer also includes an inlet and an outlet. An inlet is defined by the inner wall and is in flow communication with the central passage to allow airflow in the central passage to be drawn into the cavity through the inlet. The blower is configured to direct an airflow through the cavity and toward the outlet. The hand held hair dryer also includes a handle connected to the main body.

In another aspect, an air moving appliance includes a body extending about an axis. The body includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner and outer walls extend along the central axis and define a cavity therebetween. The inner wall defines a central passageway. The air moving appliance also includes an inlet defined by an inner wall. The inlet is in flow communication with the central passage to allow air flow in the central passage to be drawn into the cavity through the inlet.

The air moving appliance also includes a fan positioned adjacent the inlet. The fan is configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the main body. The air moving appliance further comprises an outlet for the air flow to leave the cavity. The fan is configured to direct airflow through the cavity and toward the outlet. The air moving appliance further includes a handle connected to the main body.

In yet another aspect, a hand held hair dryer includes a body extending about an axis. The body includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall and the outer wall define a cavity therebetween. The inner wall defines a central passageway extending from the first end of the body to the second end of the body. The hand held blower also includes an inlet for the air flow into the chamber and an outlet for the air flow out of the chamber. The hand-held blower also includes a shroud coupled to the inner wall and configured to extend across the central passage. The hand held hair dryer also includes a handle connected to the main body.

Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a blower having an annular body;

fig. 2 is a right side view of the blower of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a front view of the blower of fig. 1;

fig. 4 is a rear view of the blower of fig. 1;

fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the blower of fig. 1, showing air flow through the blower;

fig. 6 is a rear cross-sectional view of the blower of fig. 1;

fig. 7 is a top cross-sectional view of the blower of fig. 1;

fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the blower of fig. 1;

fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a fan and motor of the blower of fig. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fan of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the fan of FIGS. 9 and 10;

figure 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a blower including an annular body and a central shield;

fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the blower of fig. 12; and

fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the blower of fig. 12 and 13.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1-7, a blower, broadly an air moving appliance, is generally indicated at 100. Blower 100 includes a body 102 and a handle 104. In general, the blower 100 is adapted to direct heated air to hair to remove moisture from the hair. In some embodiments, blower 100 may include a user interface to enable a user to control blower 100. Suitable user interfaces include, for example, but are not limited to, screens, buttons, knobs, levers, and/or switches. Blower 100 may have other suitable configurations without departing from the scope of the invention.

As shown in fig. 1-4, a handle 104 extends downwardly from the body 102 and is configured to be held by a user during operation of the blower 100. Thus, blower 100 is hand-held. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 102 and the handle 104 are connected together to form a single housing assembly. In other embodiments, blower 100 may include other handles without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring to fig. 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the body 102 includes a first end (or rear end) 106, a second end (or front end) 108, an inner wall 110, and an outer wall 112. The inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 extend about a central axis 114 from the first end 106 to the second end 108. In addition, the outer wall 112 is spaced radially outwardly relative to the inner wall 110 such that the outer wall 112 and the inner wall 110 collectively define a cavity 116 therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer wall 112 and the inner wall 110 are generally cylindrical, and the outer wall 112 surrounds the inner wall 110. Thus, the body 102 and the cavity 116 have an annular shape. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer wall 112 has a diameter that decreases between the first end 106 and the second end 108 such that the body 102 tapers between the first end 106 and the second end 108. In alternative embodiments, blower 100 may include any body 102 that enables blower 100 to function as described herein.

The inner wall 110 defines an inlet 120 for the air flow 124 to enter the cavity 116 at a location intermediate the first end 106 and the second end 108. In addition, the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 define an outlet 122 for the flow of gas 124 to exit the cavity 116. The outlet 122 is located at the second end 108. During operation, blower 100 draws airflow 124 into inlet 120, directs airflow 124 through cavity 116, and discharges airflow 124 through outlet 122. Blower 100 includes a grill 128 extending across outlet 122 to prevent objects from passing through outlet 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 120 is circular and the outlet 122 is annular. Blower 100 may include other inlets and/or outlets without departing from certain aspects of the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inner wall 110 defines a central passageway 130 extending along the central axis 114 from the first end 106 to the second end 108. The airflow 124 travels along the central axis 114 through the central passage 130. Inlet 120 is positioned intermediate first end 106 and second end 108 and is in flow communication with central passage 130. Thus, the inlet 120 allows the airflow 124 to be drawn into the cavity 116 through the central passage 130. In other embodiments, blower 100 may include other central passages 130 without departing from certain aspects of the invention. For example, in some embodiments, the central passage 130 may extend from the first end 106 to the inlet 120, and may not necessarily extend continuously to the second end 108.

The inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 are connected at the first end 106 such that the cavity 116 is sealed at the first end 106. The inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 may be connected in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 are integrally formed. In still other embodiments, the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 are formed separately and fastened together.

Blower 100 may receive energy (power) from any suitable energy source (power source). For example, in some embodiments, blower 100 may include a power cord connected to an external power source. In still other embodiments, the blower may be at least partially powered by an internal power source, such as a battery.

Referring to fig. 6-9, a fan 132 is located in the body 102 adjacent the inlet 120. The fan 132 is connected to a drive shaft 134, the drive shaft 134 being operatively connected to a motor 136. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 136 is located in the handle 104. The fan 132 is positioned in the body 102 above the handle 104 such that the fan 132 and motor 136 have a stacked configuration. Further, the motor 136 and the fan 132 are oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis 114. As a result, the motor 136 and fan 132 allow the blower 100 to have a reduced size. In particular, the size of the body 102 may be reduced because the motor 136 is located in the handle 104 and the fan 132 is offset from components in the body 102 such as a heating unit. In addition, blower 100 may be easier to locate by a user because motor 136 and fan 132 are aligned with handle 104. In other embodiments, the motor 136 and/or the fan 132 may be located at least partially within the handle 104 and/or the body 102.

During operation, the motor 136 is configured to rotate the fan 132 about the axis of rotation 138. The axis of rotation 138 is perpendicular to the central axis 114. As the motor 136 rotates the fan 132, the fan 132 is configured to draw the airflow 124 into the inlet 120 and direct the airflow 124 through the cavity 116. The inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 direct an airflow 124 through the cavity 116 and toward the outlet 122. In addition, the body 102 is configured such that the airflow 124 is uniformly distributed throughout the cavity 116 before exiting through the outlet 122. As shown in fig. 5, the airflow 124 is directed around the inner wall 110 and the entire annular cavity 116.

As shown in fig. 5, the inner wall 110 defines an inlet 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter or width of the inlet 120 is substantially equal to the width of the central passage 130 and facilitates drawing the airflow 124 from the central passage 130 into the cavity 116. Interface 142 extends across inlet 120. The interface 142 includes a plurality of openings and is configured to direct the airflow 124 into the cavity 116. In particular, the interface 142 directs the airflow 124 toward the center of the fan 132 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 138. In this embodiment, the interface 142 is formed separately from the inner wall 110 and is coupled to the inner wall 110. In other embodiments, the interface 142 may be integrally formed with the inner wall 110. In some embodiments, the interface 142 may include a mesh or screen to prevent objects entrained in the airflow 124 from entering the cavity 116 and possibly damaging the fan 132.

The bottom portion 144 of the outer wall 112 adjacent the handle 104 is substantially concave and provides a transition from the cylindrical shape of the handle 104 to the annular shape of the body 102. In addition, the interior of the bottom portion 144 generally directs the airflow 124 upward such that the airflow 124 is evenly distributed throughout the cavity 116 before exiting through the outlet 122.

One or more heating units 145 may be located within the cavity 116. The heating unit 145 may be configured to increase the temperature of the airflow 124 before the airflow 124 exits through the outlet 122. In a suitable embodiment, the heating unit 145 may have a power rating of about 1,000 watts to about 2,600 watts.

In addition, the fan 132 and motor 136 are configured to exhaust the airflow 124 at a desired rate. For example, blower 100 may be configured to discharge air flow 124 at a rate of about 30 cubic feet per minute to about 75 cubic feet per minute.

Blower 100 may have any operational setting that enables the blower to operate as described herein. For example, the motor 136 may have two or more operating speeds. In addition, blower 100 may include different temperature settings. For example, in some embodiments, blower 100 may include a heating unit that includes two or more different temperature settings. In addition, blower 100 may be configured to deliver an air stream 124, i.e., a cold stream, at a temperature at or below the temperature of the surrounding environment.

Moreover, blower 100 may include accessories such as concentrators, diffusers, pickers, nozzles, ironing presses, and any other suitable accessory. The accessory may be configured to attach to the second end 108 of the body 102 adjacent the outlet 122. Thus, at least a portion of the accessory may be annular. The accessory may be connected to the body 102 in any manner that enables the blower 100 to function as described herein.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the fan 132. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the fan 132. Fan 132 includes a hub 146 and a plurality of blades 148. Blades 148 extend upwardly from hub 146 and radially outwardly from rotational axis 138. Accordingly, the fan 132 is configured to rotate or redirect the airflow 124 (shown in FIG. 5) in a direction different from the direction of the airflow 124 entering the fan 132. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the fan 132 is a radial flow fan and the airflow 124 is oriented in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation 138. The fan 132 may have other suitable configurations without departing from certain aspects of the invention.

Blades 148 extend radially from rotational axis 138 and are spaced apart at equal angular distances. Each vane 148 includes a curved edge 152 and is shaped to direct airflow 124 radially outward. Ring 150 is coupled to blade 148 and provides support for blade 148. In other embodiments, fan 132 may include other blades without departing from certain aspects of the invention.

Referring to fig. 5 and 7, the center of the hub 146 of the fan 132 is connected to the drive shaft 134 such that the rotational axis 138 of the fan 132 is substantially perpendicular to the central axis 114. During operation, fan 132 is configured to rotate about rotational axis 138 to draw airflow 124 into cavity 116 through inlet 120. The airflow 124 is drawn toward the center of the fan 132 in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 138. The vanes 148 direct the airflow 124 radially outward. A housing or bowl 140 extending around the fan 132 redirects the airflow 124 in a direction opposite to the direction of the airflow 124 entering the fan 132 such that the airflow 124 exits into the cavity 116 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 138 and radially spaced from the axis of rotation 138. Thus, the airflow 124 is directed into the cavity 116 around the exterior of the inlet 120. The fan 132 and bowl 140 facilitate the flow of the airflow 124 around the inlet 120 and distributed throughout the cavity 116.

Referring now to Figs. 12-14, a second embodiment of a blower is generally indicated at 200. Blower 200 is substantially similar to blower 100 except that blower 200 includes a shroud 202. Blower 200 includes a shroud 202, a body 204, a grill 206, a handle 208, a motor 209, and a fan 211. The body 204 includes an outer wall 210 and an inner wall 212. The inner wall 212 defines a central passageway 214. The inner wall 212 defines an inlet 216 and an outlet 218 is defined between the outer wall 210 and the inner wall 212. The grill 206 is attached to the outer wall 210 and extends across the outlet 218.

As shown in fig. 14, the shroud 202 is coupled to the inner wall 212 and extends across the central passage 214. The shroud 202 is positioned between the ends of the inner wall 212. Thus, the shroud 202 directs the airflow in the central passage 214 toward the inlet 216. In addition, shroud 202 reduces recirculation of the airflow exiting through outlet 218. As a result, the shroud 202 increases the operational efficiency of the blower 200. In some embodiments, the shield 202 may be at least partially transparent or translucent. In still other embodiments, the protective cover 202 may include a Logo (Logo) and/or a product identifier. Moreover, in some embodiments, shield 202 may facilitate coupling an accessory to second end 108. In other embodiments, blower 200 may include other shields without departing from certain aspects of the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, blower 200 includes a light 220 positioned below shroud 202 and attached to inner wall 212. For example, the light 220 may be mounted on a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) attached to the inner wall 212. The lamp 220 is configured to direct light into the central passage 214 and at least partially illuminate the shroud 202. In some embodiments, the light 220 is configured to change color based on the operational status of the blower 200. Accordingly, the light 220 may increase the aesthetic appeal of the blower 100 and allow a user to quickly ascertain information about the blower 200. For example, in some embodiments, the light 220 may change from a first color, such as red, when the blower 200 provides heated air to a second color, such as blue, when the blower 200 provides an airflow at or below ambient temperature.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims (18)

1. A hand-held hair dryer comprising:

a body extending about an axis, the body comprising an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outwardly relative to the inner wall, the inner and outer walls defining a cavity therebetween, wherein the inner wall defines a central passageway;

an inlet defined by the inner wall, wherein the inlet is in flow communication with the central passage to allow a flow of gas in the central passage through the inlet to be drawn into the cavity;

a fan positioned adjacent the inlet, wherein the fan is configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the body;

an outlet for the air flow to leave the cavity, wherein the fan is configured to direct the air flow through the cavity and towards the outlet;

a handle connected to the body; and

a motor positioned at least partially within the handle and coupled to the fan.

2. The hand-held hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the fan comprises a hub and a plurality of blades extending from the hub, and wherein the blades are configured to direct air in a radial direction relative to an axis of rotation of the fan.

3. The hand-held blower of claim 2, wherein the fan is located above the handle and is configured to direct an airflow toward the cavity.

4. The hand-held hair dryer of claim 1, wherein said outer wall and said inner wall extend from a first end of said body to a second end of said body, said inlet being defined by said inner wall intermediate said first end and said second end.

5. The hand held hair dryer of claim 4, wherein said central passage extends from said first end to said inlet, and said blower is configured to draw air flow from said central passage into said inlet.

6. An air moving appliance comprising:

a body extending about an axis, the body comprising an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outwardly relative to the inner wall, the inner and outer walls extending along a central axis and defining a cavity therebetween, wherein the inner wall defines a central passageway;

an inlet defined by the inner wall, wherein the inlet is in flow communication with the central passage to allow a flow of gas in the central passage through the inlet to be drawn into the cavity;

a fan positioned adjacent the inlet, wherein the fan is configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the body;

an outlet for the airflow to exit the cavity, wherein the fan is configured to direct the airflow through the cavity and toward the outlet; and

a handle connected to the body.

7. The air moving appliance of claim 6, wherein the fan includes a hub and a plurality of blades extending from the hub, and wherein the blades are configured to direct air in a radial direction relative to a rotational axis of the blades.

8. The air moving appliance of claim 6, wherein the fan is located above the handle.

9. The air moving appliance of claim 8, wherein the fan is coupled to a motor within the handle.

10. The air moving appliance of claim 6, wherein the outer wall and the inner wall extend from a first end of the body to a second end of the body, the inlet being defined by the inner wall between the first and second ends.

11. The air moving appliance of claim 10, wherein the central passage extends from the first end to the inlet, and wherein the air moving device is configured to draw an air flow from the central passage into the inlet.

12. A hand-held hair dryer comprising:

a body extending about an axis, the body comprising an inner wall and an outer wall defining a cavity therebetween, wherein the inner wall defines a central passageway extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body;

an inlet defined by the inner wall for a flow of gas into the cavity;

an outlet for the flow of gas to leave the cavity;

a shroud coupled to the inner wall at a location between the outlet and the inlet and configured to extend axially across the central passage and direct airflow toward the inlet; and

a handle connected to the body.

13. The hand-held hair dryer of claim 12, wherein said outer wall and said inner wall extend from said first end to said second end.

14. The hand held hair dryer of claim 12, wherein said shroud comprises a transparent material.

15. The hand-held hair dryer of claim 14, further comprising a light configured to illuminate said hood.

16. The hand-held hair dryer of claim 15, wherein the light is configured to change color based on an operational state of the hair dryer.

17. The hand-held hair dryer of claim 12, wherein said shroud comprises a logo.

18. The hand-held hair dryer of claim 12, further comprising a fan positioned adjacent the inlet, wherein the fan is configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the body.