U.S. patent application number 09/774702 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-04 for hair dryer.
This patent application is currently assigned to MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC WORKS, LTD.. Invention is credited to Sakamoto, Toshihiro.
Application Number | 20010025430 09/774702 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18549890 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010025430 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sakamoto, Toshihiro |
October 4, 2001 |
Hair dryer
Abstract
A hair dryer including a main body, a heater, a fan, a handle
and a temperature control device. The main body has an air outlet
and an outer surface. The heater is encased in the main body and
configured to heat the air. The fan is provided in the main body
and configured to blow air toward the heater. The handle is
attached to the main body. The temperature control device is
configured to control the heater to adjust a temperature of the air
and has a temperature adjuster provided on the outer surface of the
main body between the air outlet and the fan. The temperature
adjuster is configured to rotate around the outer surface of the
main body to adjust the temperature of the air.
Inventors: |
Sakamoto, Toshihiro; (Hong
Kong, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON SPIVAK MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT PC
FOURTH FLOOR
1755 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Assignee: |
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC WORKS,
LTD.
1048 Oaza-Kadoma
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
18549890 |
Appl. No.: |
09/774702 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
34/96 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 20/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
34/96 |
International
Class: |
A45D 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 1, 2000 |
JP |
2000-23780 |
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by letters patent
of the united states is:
1. A hair dryer comprising: a main body having an air outlet and an
outer surface; a heater encased in said main body and configured to
heat the air; a fan provided in said main body and configured to
blow air toward the heater; a handle attached to said main body;
and a temperature control device configured to control said heater
to adjust a temperature of the air and having a temperature
adjuster provided on said outer surface of said main body between
the air outlet and the fan, said temperature adjuster being
configured to rotate around said outer surface of said main body to
adjust the temperature of the air.
2. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein said main body has
a substantially cylindrical shape.
3. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein: said temperature
control device comprises a variable unit configured to vary
electricity supply to said heater; and said variable unit is
coupled to said temperature adjuster.
4. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein said temperature
adjuster has a ring shape and is provided around said outer surface
of said main body.
5. The hair dryer according to claim 3, wherein said variable unit
comprises an adjustment controller and is configured to vary the
electricity supply to said heater by moving said adjustment
controller in said variable unit.
6. The hair dryer according to claim 5, wherein said adjustment
controller is configured to make a liner movement in said variable
unit when said temperature adjuster is rotated.
7. The hair dryer according to claim 5, wherein said adjustment
controller moves in said variable unit for a shorter distance than
said temperature adjuster when said temperature adjuster is
rotated.
8. The hair dryer according to claim 7, wherein said adjustment
controller moves in said variable unit for approximately one third
of a distance traveled by said temperature adjuster when said
temperature adjuster is rotated.
9. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein: said temperature
control device comprises a variable unit configured to vary
electricity supply to said heater; said variable unit has a lever
having a hook portion and an adjustment controller configured to
change the electricity supply to said heater by moving in said
variable unit; and said lever is slidably coupled to said
temperature adjuster.
10. The hair dryer according to claim 9, wherein: said temperature
adjuster has an inner circumference; and said inner circumference
of said temperature adjuster has a guide slidably accommodating
said hook portion of said lever.
11. The hair dryer according to claim 10, wherein the guide is a
helical groove.
12. The hair dryer according to claim 10, wherein said hook portion
travels a longer distance along said guide than said adjustment
controller in said variable unit when said temperature adjuster is
rotated.
13. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein said temperature
adjuster has an outer circumference and a plurality of gripping
elements provided on said outer circumference.
14. The hair dryer according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of
gripping elements on said outer circumference is provided at an
equal interval.
15. The hair dryer according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of
gripping elements on said outer circumference comprises a plurality
of projections provided on said outer circumference.
16. The hair dryer according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of
projections on said outer circumference each is a projection
elongated parallel to a longitudinal axis of said main body.
17. A hair dryer comprising: a main body configured to blow air and
having an outer surface; a heater encased in said main body and
configured to heat the air; a handle attached to said main body;
and temperature control means for controlling said heater to adjust
a temperature of the air and having adjustment effectuating means
for effectuating said temperature control means provided on said
outer surface of said main body.
18. The hair dryer according to claim 17, wherein said temperature
control means comprises variable means for varying electricity
supply to said heater.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-23780, filed Feb.
1, 2000, entitled "Hair Dryer". The contents of that application
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a hair dryer.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0005] Conventionally, hair dryers have a pistol-like shape, i.e.,
a blowing part equipped with a fan and a heating device and a
handle attached to this blowing part at a certain angle. These hair
dryers usually have a two- or three-leveled switch to change the
temperature of their blowing air, and such a switch is provided at
their handles. Also, some hair dryers have a temperature
controlling device designed to adjust the temperature of the
blowing air. However, like the former hair dryers, such a
temperature controlling device is provided also on the handles of
those hair dryers. A user of the former hair dryers can select only
two or three predetermined temperatures set by their manufacturers.
A user of the latter hair dryers can adjust the temperature of the
blowing air.
[0006] However, because the temperature controlling device is on
the handle, it would be difficult for her to adjust the
temperature. For example, it is quite likely that she needs to free
the temperature controlling device from her grip and either regrip
or put the hair dryer into the other hand in order to make a
temperature adjustment, particularly a fine adjustment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a hair
dryer includes a main body, a heater, a fan, a handle and a
temperature control device. The main body has an air outlet and an
outer surface. The heater is encased in the main body and
configured to heat the air. The fan is provided in the main body
and configured to blow air toward the heater. The handle is
attached to the main body. The temperature control device is
configured to control the heater to adjust a temperature of the air
and has a temperature adjuster provided on the outer surface of the
main body between the air outlet and the fan. The temperature
adjuster is configured to rotate around the outer surface of the
main body to adjust the temperature of the air.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of
the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the
same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a hair dryer according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hair dryer shown in
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the adjustment device
shown in FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the temperature controller
and the adjustment device shown in FIGS. 1-3 in one state; and
[0013] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the temperature controller
and the adjustment device shown in FIG. 4A in a different
state.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The preferred embodiments will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate corresponding or identical elements throughout
the various drawings.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a hair dryer according to an
embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional
view of the hair dryer shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a hair dryer 3 has a main body 1 which
is, for example, generally cylindrical, a handle 2 extending from
the main body 1 at angle and a detachable nozzle 13 attached on the
front end of the main body 1. The nozzle 13 may be fixed to the
main body 1 or integrally formed as a part of the main body 1. A
temperature adjuster 5 is provided on the main body 1. On the outer
surface of the temperature adjuster 5, a number of elongated
projections 28 are provided to ensure better gripping for a
user.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, the main body 1 accommodates a heater 6
and a blowing device 11. The blowing device 11 includes a motor 8,
a ventilation fan 9 and fixed vanes 10 for streamlining air flow.
At the front end of the main body 1, an air outlet 12 is provided
to send the air heated by the heater 6 in the main body 1 to
outside, and the detachable nozzle 13 can converge the heated air
before sending it to outside. At the rear end of the main body 1,
an air intake 14 is provided to intake outside air into the main
body 1. The temperature adjuster 5 is provided between the air
outlet 12 and the ventilation fan 9. Accordingly, the temperature
adjuster 5 and the heater 6 may be easily electrically
connected.
[0018] In the handle 2, a main switch 15 for turning the hair dryer
on and off, a flow rate selector 16 for choosing a certain flow
rate from various flow rates, a cool blow switch 17 for blowing
cool air are provided. Also, an electric cord 18 extends out from
the bottom end of the handle 2.
[0019] Inside the main body 1, a temperature detector 19, for
example, a thermistor, is provided near the heater 6 and detects
the temperature of the blowing air. A control block 20 is provided
inside the handle 2. The control block 20 is designed to receive a
signal from the temperature detector 19 and control the electricity
consumption of the heater 6. Further, the control block 20 is
electronically connected, for example, by lead, to a variable unit
21. In FIG. 2, the variable unit 21 is positioned where the handle
2 is connected to the main body 1. The variable unit 21 sets an
amount of the electricity consumption by the heater 6. FIG. 3 is a
side view of the variable unit 21.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, the variable unit 21 includes a circuit
board 22, an adjustment contact 23 provided on the circuit board 22
and a lever 24. The lever 24 has an adjustment controller 25 which
is in contact with the adjustment contact 23. By making the
adjustment controller 25 slide along the adjustment contact 23, the
adjustment controller 25 alters the electricity consumption of the
heater 6. Consequently, the temperature of the air heated by the
heater 6 is adjusted. In addition, by operating the adjustment
controller 25 along the adjustment contact 23 through the lever 24,
the variable unit 21 effectuates gradually progressive and
regressive temperature control. Hence, the temperature of the air
heated by the heater 6 can be finely adjusted.
[0021] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of a temperature
control device 50 including the temperature adjuster 5 and the
variable unit 21 shown in FIGS. 1-3 in two different states.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4A and 4B, the temperature adjuster 5
which has a ring-like shape is attached around the outer
circumferential surface of the main body 1 and designed to rotate
around the axis of the main body 1. On the inner surface of the
temperature adjuster 5, a helical groove 26 winding with respect to
the axis of the main body 1 is provided. A hook portion 24a on a
tip of the lever 24 is slidably fitted in the helical groove 26.
Thus, when the temperature adjuster 5 rotates around the axis of
the main body 1, the hook portion 24a of the lever 24 slides along
the helical groove 26 and the lever 24 slides in a direction
substantially parallel to the axis of the main body 1. As a result,
the adjustment controller 25 (see FIG. 3) slides along the
adjustment contact 23 and alters the electricity consumption of the
heater 6. The temperature of the air heated by the heater 6 is
therefore adjusted.
[0023] In the embodiment described above, the shift ratio of the
adjustment controller 25 along the adjustment contact 23 to the
hook portion 24a along the helical groove 26 may be 1 to
approximately 3. For example, the adjustment controller 25 slides
10 mm along the adjustment contact 23 as the hook portion 24a
slides approximately 30 mm along the helical groove 26. By setting
a shift ratio as such, the adjustment controller 25 and the
adjustment contact 23 make a sufficiently fine alteration of the
electricity consumption by the heater 6 to permit a fine
temperature adjustment of the air heated by the heater 6. However,
by making the helical groove 26 longer, it is possible to make the
temperature adjustment finer.
[0024] As described above, a number of the elongated projections 28
are provided on the outer surface of the temperature adjuster 5.
These elongated projections 28 provide better gripping and easier
adjustment for a user. For instance, the elongated projections 28
may be provided at an equal interval and each of the elongated
projections 28 may have elongation substantially parallel to the
axis of the main body 1. Hence, she can easily get hold of the
temperature controller, turn it and adjust the temperature of the
air without losing her grip.
[0025] According to the embodiment of the present invention
described above, the temperature control device 50 is designed to
control the heater 6 to adjust a temperature of the air and has the
temperature adjuster 5 provided on the outer surface of the main
body 1. A user can therefore adjust the temperature of the blowing
air easily with one hand while holding on to the handle with the
other hand. As a result, the user can continue to dry or style her
hairs without awkwardly struggling or disrupting her drying or
styling effort for the temperature adjustment. For example,
according to the embodiment of the present invention described
above, the temperature adjuster 5 may have a ring-like shape and
rotate with respect to the axis of the main body 1. Thus, the user
can simply use her finger to operate the temperature control device
50 from any part of the temperature adjuster 5 and also easily
reach and operate the temperature adjuster 5 from any positions or
directions when she moves the hair dryer around her head.
[0026] In the embodiment, although the helical groove 26 is
provided to guide the hook portion 24a, any guide may be provided
to guide the hook portion 24a. For example, a step portion to guide
the hook portion 24a may be provided.
[0027] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
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