U.S. patent application number 15/448859 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-14 for hair care device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hiromitsu MIYATA, Takeshi SHIBA.
Application Number | 20170258196 15/448859 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58213003 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170258196 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MIYATA; Hiromitsu ; et
al. |
September 14, 2017 |
HAIR CARE DEVICE
Abstract
A voltage supply unit in a hair care device includes a voltage
supply member which has an exposed surface exposed to the outside
and is attached to a housing, and a first conductive section that
is electrically connected to the voltage supply member.
Furthermore, the voltage supply member has a visible light
transmission section having visible light transparency, the visible
light transmission section having a second conductive section
electrically connected to the first conductive section. In
addition, the second conductive section has a contact surface
contacted by supply object U, and at least a portion of the exposed
surface serves as the contact surface. Furthermore, a shield
section that overlaps an entirety of the exposed surface and does
not transmit visible light is provided inward of the exposed
surface.
Inventors: |
MIYATA; Hiromitsu; (Shiga,
JP) ; SHIBA; Takeshi; (Shiga, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
58213003 |
Appl. No.: |
15/448859 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 15/0018 20130101;
A46B 15/0022 20130101; A45D 20/12 20130101; A46B 11/0072 20130101;
A45D 1/04 20130101; A46B 2200/104 20130101; A46B 9/023
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 20/12 20060101
A45D020/12; A46B 9/02 20060101 A46B009/02; A46B 15/00 20060101
A46B015/00; A45D 1/04 20060101 A45D001/04; A46B 11/00 20060101
A46B011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 11, 2016 |
JP |
2016-047990 |
Claims
1. A hair care device comprising: a housing that constitutes a
contour; and a voltage supply unit that supplies a voltage to a
supply object, wherein the voltage supply unit includes: a voltage
supply member which has an exposed surface exposed to the outside
and is attached to the housing; and a first conductive section
electrically connected to the voltage supply member, the voltage
supply member has a visible light transmission section having
visible light transparency, the visible light transmission section
has a second conductive section electrically connected to the first
conductive section, the second conductive section has a contact
surface contacted by the supply object, the contact surface is at
least a portion of the exposed surface, and a shield section that
overlaps an entirety of the exposed surface and does not transmit
visible light is provided inward of the exposed surface.
2. The hair care device according to claim 1, wherein the shield
section is located between the first conductive section and the
visible light transmission section.
3. The hair care device according to claim 1, wherein the shield
section has an insulating section, and the second conductive
section and the first conductive section are electrically connected
to each other without having the insulating section interposed
therebetween.
4. The hair care device according to claim 3, wherein the shield
section is an inner wall projecting from the housing.
5. The hair care device according to claim 4, wherein a conductive
path leading to the contact surface from the first conductive
section has a bypass path that bypasses the inner wall.
6. The hair care device according to claim 1, wherein the shield
section has a third conductive section.
7. The hair care device according to claim 6, wherein the second
conductive section and the first conductive section are
electrically connected to each other through the third conductive
section.
8. The hair care device according to claim 1, wherein the housing
has a grip section and a grip-side housing constituting a contour
of the grip section, and the voltage supply member is provided on
the grip-side housing.
9. The hair care device according to claim 8, wherein the voltage
supply member is pressed against the first conductive section when
the grip section is held.
10. The hair care device according to claim 1, further comprising a
charged particle supply unit that supplies charged particles to the
supply object.
11. The hair care device according to claim 10, wherein the charged
particle supply unit discharges charged fine water droplets
including the charged particles.
12. The hair care device according to claim 1, wherein the hair
care device is a dryer, a hair iron, or a hair brush.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a hair care device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Conventionally, a hair care device has been known which is
provided with a voltage supply unit for supplying a voltage to a
supply object such as a user and enhances a hair care effect by
bringing the supply object into a desired charged state, as
disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-275016
and Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-005149.
[0005] In Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-275016
and Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-005149, the
voltage supply unit has a voltage supply panel provided to a
housing that constitutes a contour of the hair care device, and a
voltage is supplied to the supply object when at least a portion of
the supply object is in contact with the voltage supply panel.
[0006] Meanwhile, in the case in which the voltage supply panel is
provided to the housing, it is general that the surface of the
voltage supply panel is subjected to a coating treatment and an
outermost layer is formed from an insulating material, because of
the reason of improvement in design or the like, as disclosed in
Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-005149. Therefore,
the supply object is in contact with the voltage supply panel
through the insulating material.
[0007] When the insulating material is interposed between the
supply object and the voltage supply panel as described above,
conductivity in supplying a voltage to the supply object is
lowered, and thus, it is hard to further enhance a hair care
effect.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present disclosure is accomplished to solve the
conventional problem, and aims to provide a hair care device that
further enhances a hair care effect while suppressing degradation
in design.
[0009] In order to solve the foregoing conventional problem, the
hair care device according to the present disclosure includes a
housing that constitutes a contour and a voltage supply unit that
supplies a voltage to a supply object.
[0010] In addition, the voltage supply unit includes: a voltage
supply member which has an exposed surface exposed to the outside
and is attached to the housing; and a first conductive section that
is electrically connected to the voltage supply member.
[0011] Furthermore, the voltage supply member has a visible light
transmission section having visible light transparency, the visible
light transmission section having a second conductive section
electrically connected to the first conductive section.
[0012] In addition, the second conductive section has a contact
surface contacted by the supply object, and at least a portion of
the exposed surface serves as the contact surface.
[0013] Furthermore, the hair care device is provided with a shield
section, which overlaps an entirety of the exposed surface and does
not transmit visible light, inward of the exposed surface.
[0014] The hair care device according to the present disclosure can
further enhance a hair care effect while suppressing degradation in
design.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a hair care device according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of the hair care device according to
the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the hair care device according
to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a region where a metal
microparticle generator and a mist generator are provided in a main
body section of the hair care device according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a mounting state of
a voltage supply panel according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates a grip section according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from the voltage
supply panel side;
[0022] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the grip section
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating a voltage supply
circuit included in the voltage supply unit according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 10 is sectional view illustrating a modification of the
grip section according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 11 is sectional view illustrating another modification
of the grip section according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a side view of a hair care device according to a
modification of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
and
[0027] FIG. 13 is a side view of a hair care device according to
another modification of the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The hair care device according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure includes a housing that constitutes a
contour and a voltage supply unit that supplies a voltage to a
supply object.
[0029] In addition, the voltage supply unit includes: a voltage
supply member which has an exposed surface exposed to the outside
and is attached to the housing; and a first conductive section that
is electrically connected to the voltage supply member.
[0030] Furthermore, the voltage supply member has a visible light
transmission section having visible light transparency, the visible
light transmission section having a second conductive section
electrically connected to the first conductive section.
[0031] In addition, the second conductive section has a contact
surface contacted by the supply object, and at least a portion of
the exposed surface serves as the contact surface.
[0032] Furthermore, the hair care device is provided with a shield
section, which overlaps a entirety of the exposed surface and does
not transmit visible light, inward of the exposed surface.
[0033] Since the shield section that covers the region overlapping
the entire of the exposed surface and does not transmit visible
light is provided on the backside of the exposed surface of the
voltage supply member provided with the visible light transmission
section as described above, degradation in design can be
suppressed.
[0034] In addition, at least a portion of the exposed surface is
defined as the contact surface of the second conductive section,
which can allow the supply object to be in contact with the voltage
supply member without having the insulating section interposed
therebetween. Thus, reduction in conductivity in supplying a
voltage to the supply object can be suppressed.
[0035] Accordingly, the hair care device according to the present
exemplary embodiment can further enhance a hair care effect while
suppressing degradation in design.
[0036] The shield section is located between the region of the
first conductive section overlapping the exposed surface and the
visible light transmission section.
[0037] According to this configuration, degradation in design can
be suppressed while the region overlapping the exposed surface is
effectively utilized.
[0038] In addition, the shield section has an insulating section,
and the second conductive section and the first conductive section
are electrically connected to each other without having the
insulating section interposed therebetween.
[0039] According to this configuration, reduction in conductivity
in supplying a voltage to the supply object can more reliably be
suppressed.
[0040] In addition, the shield section is an inner wall projecting
from the housing.
[0041] According to this configuration, it is unnecessary to
separately provide the shield section, whereby more simple
configuration is implemented, and easier assembling is enabled.
[0042] In addition, a conductive path leading to the contact
surface from the first conductive section has a bypass path that
bypasses the inner wall.
[0043] This configuration can more reliably avoid the insulating
section from being interposed in the middle of the conductive path
leading to the contact surface from the first conductive section,
while enabling simplification of the configuration.
[0044] In addition, the shield section has a third conductive
section.
[0045] This configuration can more reliably avoid the insulating
section from being interposed in the middle of the conductive path
leading to the contact surface from the first conductive
section.
[0046] In addition, the second conductive section and the first
conductive section are electrically connected to each other through
the third conductive section.
[0047] According to this configuration, it is unnecessary to allow
the second conductive section and the first conductive section to
bypass the shield section when they are electrically connected to
each other, whereby the configuration can be much more
simplified.
[0048] In addition, the housing has a grip section and a grip-side
housing constituting the contour of the grip section, and the
voltage supply member is provided on the grip-side housing.
[0049] According to this configuration, a voltage can be supplied
to the supply object while in normal use, whereby usability of the
hair care device is enhanced.
[0050] In addition, the voltage supply member is pressed against
the first conductive section when the grip section is held.
[0051] According to this configuration, the electrical connection
between the voltage supply member and the first conductive section
while in use of the hair care device can more reliably be ensured,
whereby a voltage can more reliably be supplied to the supply
object.
[0052] Furthermore, the hair care device further includes a charged
particle supply unit that supplies charged particles to the supply
object.
[0053] According to this configuration, the hair care effect is
further enhanced.
[0054] In addition, the charged particle supply unit discharges
charged fine water droplets including charged particles.
[0055] This configuration can allow more water to adhere to hair,
thereby much more enhancing the hair care effect.
[0056] The configuration described above is applicable to a dryer,
a hair iron, or a hair brush serving as the hair care device.
[0057] Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note
that the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary
embodiment.
Exemplary Embodiment
[0058] Dryer 1 serving as the hair care device according to the
present exemplary embodiment includes grip section 1a gripped by a
user (supply object) U with his/her hand and main body section 1b
connected to grip section 1a in the direction intersecting grip
section 1a. Dryer 1 is configured to have substantially T-shaped or
substantially an L-shaped appearance (substantially T-shaped
appearance in the present exemplary embodiment) with grip section
1a and main body section 1b while in use, and to be foldable while
not in use.
[0059] Power supply cord 2 is extracted from the projecting end of
grip section 1a. In addition, grip section 1a is separated into
base part 1c close to main body section 1b and tip part 1d, and
base part 1c and tip part 1d are connected to each other through
connection part 1e so as to be rotatable. Tip part 1d can be folded
to a position along main body section 1b.
[0060] Housing 3 constituting the contour of dryer 1 is configured
by joining a plurality of split bodies. A hollow space is formed in
housing 3, and various electric components are stored in the hollow
space.
[0061] Wind tunnel (air blowing path) 4 which leads to exit opening
(discharge opening) 4b from entry opening (intake opening) 4a on
one side (right side) of main body section 1b in the longitudinal
direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 3) is formed inside main
body section 1b. Fan 5 stored in wind tunnel 4 rotates to form air
stream W1. Specifically, air stream W1 enters wind tunnel 4 through
entry opening 4a from the outside, and is discharged to the outside
from exit opening 4b through wind tunnel 4.
[0062] Entry opening 4a is covered with reticulate frame 10. Each
opening of frame 10 has a honeycomb shape, for example. According
to this configuration, the strength of crossbars partitioning the
openings is uniformly ensured, and the total opening area of entry
opening 4a becomes larger to increase air volume.
[0063] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, mesh body 11 having
an opening percentage of about 55% to 90% and a mesh width of about
300 nm to 650 nm is formed integrally with frame 10. Mesh body 11
is formed from a metal or flame-retardant resin such as polyester.
The configuration described above in which mesh body 11 having fine
meshes is molded integrally with frame 10 can more reliably prevent
fine dust and hair from entering an air path.
[0064] In addition, substantially cylindrical inner cylinder 6 is
provided inside outer cylinder 3a of housing 3 in main body section
1b. Air stream W1 flows in inner cylinder 6. Inside inner cylinder
6, fan 5 is disposed at the most upstream side, motor 7 for driving
fan 5 is disposed at the downstream side of fan 5, and heater 8
serving as a heating mechanism is disposed at the downstream side
of motor 7.
[0065] When heater 8 is activated, hot air is blown from exit
opening 4b. While heater 8 is configured such that a band-like and
corrugated electric resistor is wound along an inner circumference
of inner cylinder 6 in the present exemplary embodiment, it is not
limited to have this configuration.
[0066] In hollow space 9 formed between housing 3 and inner
cylinder 6 in main body section 1b, two (a plurality of) metal
microparticle generators (ion generators: charged particle supply
units) 30 and 40; mist generator (ion generator: charged particle
supply unit) 50; first voltage applying circuit 12 for applying a
voltage to mist generator 50, and the like are stored. In addition,
in hollow space 9, a second voltage applying circuit (not
illustrated) for applying a voltage to metal microparticle
generators 30 and 40 is stored at a location different from the
location where first voltage applying circuit 12 is stored.
[0067] It is preferable that first voltage applying circuit 12 and
the second voltage applying circuit are disposed in grip section 1a
or a region on an extension line of grip section 1a in main body
section 1b. According to this configuration, rotational moment
caused by masses of first voltage applying circuit 12 and the
second voltage applying circuit is decreased when user U holds grip
section 1a, and therefore, a load exerted on the hand of user U is
decreased.
[0068] It is also preferable that first voltage applying circuit 12
and the second voltage applying circuit are disposed on opposite
sides across inner cylinder 6. This configuration can prevent
troubles such as reduction, instability, or the like of a voltage
caused by mutual interference between first voltage applying
circuit 12 and the second voltage applying circuit.
[0069] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, a switch
unit (not illustrated) for switching between hot air and cold air
or for switching an operation mode is stored on the side face (the
region of hollow space 9 different from the region where first
voltage applying circuit 12 is stored) of hollow space 9.
[0070] Further, another switch unit 16 for turning on and off a
power supply is stored in a hollow space in tip part 1d of grip
section 1a. The electric components are connected to one another
with lead lines 17 formed by covering cores made of a metal
conductor or the like with insulating resin or the like (see FIG.
4).
[0071] Note that lead line 17 connected to metal microparticle
generator 30, lead line 17 connected to metal microparticle
generator 40, and lead line 17 connected to mist generator 50 are
preferably wired to be separated from one another as much as
possible without being mutually intersected. This is to prevent the
situation in which desired voltage cannot be obtained by metal
microparticle generators 30 and 40 and mist generator 50 and to
prevent the voltage from becoming unstable, due to the mutual
interference of current flowing through respective lead lines
17.
[0072] Switch unit 16 is configured such that an on-off state of an
internal contact is switched through an operation on operation
member 18 exposed on the surface of housing 3. Switch unit 16 is
configured such that the on-off state of the internal contact is
switched in stages by the vertical sliding movement of operation
member 18.
[0073] Specifically, switch unit 16 is switchable among four modes
which are off, low airflow, middle airflow, and high airflow. When
operation member 18 is located at the lowermost part, the power
supply is turned off. When the user slides up operation member 18
by one stage from the lowermost part, the power supply is turned
on, and air at a low flow rate is blown. When the user further
slides up operation member 18 by one more stage, air at a middle
flow rate is blown, and when the user slides up operation member 18
to the uppermost part, air at a high flow rate is blown.
[0074] On the other hand, the switch unit that switches between hot
air and cold air or switches an operation mode is configured such
that an on-off state of an internal contact is switched through an
operation (deformation) of operation member 19 formed on the
surface of housing 3. Display unit 14 that displays the currently
selected mode is formed above operation member 19.
[0075] The switch units, display unit 14, and the like are
electrically connected to a microcomputer on a control board not
illustrated.
[0076] Inner cylinder 6 has cylindrical part 6a, a plurality of
support ribs 6b (only one of them is illustrated in FIG. 3)
extending radially outward from cylindrical part 6a and
dispersively disposed in the circumferential direction, and flange
part 6c connected to cylindrical part 6a through support ribs 6b
and projecting in the direction substantially orthogonal to the
axial direction of cylindrical part 6a.
[0077] Gap g1 is formed between cylindrical part 6a and flange part
6c (see FIG. 3). A portion of air stream W1 is bifurcated and flows
into hollow space 9 through gap g1 to become branch stream W2. Note
that gap g1 which becomes an inlet of branch stream W2 into hollow
space 9 is formed at the downstream side with respect to fan 5 and
at the upstream side with respect to heater 8. Therefore, branch
stream W2 is relatively a cold air stream which has not yet been
heated by heater 8.
[0078] A portion of branch stream W2 is further bifurcated to
become branch stream W3 (see FIG. 3). Branch stream W3 is
relatively a cold air stream blown from an outer circumferential
portion of exit opening 4b through between inner cylinder 6 and
housing 3 without passing through later-described metal
microparticle outlet openings (ion discharge openings) 20a and 20b
and mist outlet opening (ion discharge opening) 20c.
[0079] Housing 3 is formed with oval through-hole (opening) 3b at
the position on hollow space 9 close to exit opening 4b, and this
through-hole 3b is covered with cover 20 formed from an insulating
synthetic resin material.
[0080] As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment,
cover 20 is attached to housing 3 so as to cover through-hole 3b
formed on housing 3. In addition, in the present exemplary
embodiment, cover 20 is attached to housing 3 in such a manner that
cover 20 is moved from the left side to the right side in FIG. 3
relative to housing 3. Therefore, in the present exemplary
embodiment, the direction from the downstream side to the upstream
side of wind tunnel 4 coincides with the direction of attaching
cover 20 to housing 3.
[0081] In addition, cover 20 is formed with metal microparticle
outlet openings 20a and 20b and mist outlet opening 20c, which are
independently formed (see FIG. 2).
[0082] Notably, ion path 4c through which ion flows is formed in
front of mist generator 50 and metal microparticle generators 30
and 40 (see FIG. 4), and metal microparticle outlet openings 20a
and 20b and mist outlet opening 20c are formed at the downstream
side of ion path 4c.
[0083] In addition, it is preferable that cover 20 is formed to
have conductivity lower than that of housing 3 in order to prevent
cover 20 from being charged by metal microparticles or mist. This
is because, if cover 20 is charged, charged metal microparticles,
negative ions, or mist are hard to be discharged from metal
microparticle generators 30 and 40 or mist generator 50, due to the
charges.
[0084] In order to prevent cover 20 from being charged, cover 20 is
preferably formed from a material which hardly causes electrical
charging, such as polycarbonate (PC) resin. Note that cover 20
constitutes the contour of dryer 1 in the present exemplary
embodiment.
[0085] In addition, static electricity can be removed from cover 20
by bringing cover 20 into contact with an electrode of mist
generator 50.
[0086] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the
diameter of each of metal microparticle outlet openings 20a and 20b
is smaller than the diameter of mist outlet opening 20c.
Specifically, accidental insertion of fingers, tools, or the like
into metal microparticle outlet openings 20a and 20b is inhibited,
while the maintenance, confirmation of the state, or the like of
mist generator 50 through mist outlet opening 20c are easy.
[0087] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, metal
microparticle outlet openings 20a and 20b are formed on surrounding
portion 20d around mist outlet opening 20c (see FIG. 2).
[0088] Specifically, metal microparticle outlet opening 20a and
metal microparticle outlet opening 20b are provided so as to be
symmetric with respect to mist outlet opening 20c.
[0089] That is, metal microparticle outlet openings 20a and 20b and
mist outlet opening 20c are formed on cover 20 in the order of
metal microparticle outlet opening 20a, mist outlet opening 20c,
and metal microparticle outlet opening 20b in the width direction
(horizontal direction in FIG. 2) of dryer 1.
[0090] According to this arrangement, negatively charged mist is
prevented from diffusing (dispersing) outward by negative ions
blown from metal microparticle outlet openings 20a and 20b formed
on surrounding portion 20d of mist outlet opening 20c.
[0091] This results in enhancing linearity of mist, which makes the
mist easier to reach hair. Thus, the hair care effect can further
be enhanced.
[0092] In addition, wall part 20e extending in the direction in
which mist blows is provided below and downstream of mist outlet
opening 20c (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The formation of wall part 20e can
prevent the mist blown from mist outlet opening 20c from diffusing
(dispersing) downward.
[0093] In addition, metal microparticle generators 30 and 40 and
mist generator 50 are arranged in parallel in hollow space 9 in the
order of metal microparticle generator 30, mist generator 50, and
metal microparticle generator 40 in the width direction (horizontal
direction in FIG. 2) of dryer 1.
[0094] Further, shield plates (partitioning sections) 6d are formed
between mist generator 50 and metal microparticle generators
(negative ion generators) 30 and 40 which are adjacent to mist
generator 50 (see FIG. 4).
[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 4, shield plates 6d are disposed to
extend in the vertical direction of dryer 1 and in the direction in
which the mist blows (horizontal direction in FIG. 4), and this
configuration prevents metal microparticles or mist from being
mixed before blowing from metal microparticle outlet openings 20a
and 20b and mist outlet opening 20c.
[0096] A known device can be used for metal microparticle
generators 30 and 40, such as a metal microparticle generation
device having a discharge electrode (first electrode) and a
discharge counter electrode (second electrode) which are formed
from a metal material having conductivity.
[0097] In addition, a known device can also be used for mist
generator 50. For example, an electrostatic atomizer can be used
which generates condensation water on a surface of a cooling plate
cooled by a Peltier element by condensing water in the air, and
atomizes the generated condensation water by a discharge action to
generate very fine mist (negatively charged mist including negative
ions) of a nanometer size.
[0098] In the present exemplary embodiment, mist generator (ion
generator) 50 is used as a charged particle supply unit that
discharges mist (charged fine water droplets including charged
particles).
[0099] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, voltage
supply unit 70 that supplies a voltage to user U is provided,
whereby the reduction in an amount of the generated charged
particles adhered on hair is suppressed.
[0100] Specifically, voltage supply unit 70 includes voltage supply
circuit 71 including a plurality of electric elements, and voltage
supply panel (voltage supply member) 77 that supplies a voltage
output from voltage supply circuit 71 to user U.
[0101] Note that voltage supply circuit 71 is the circuit
illustrated in FIG. 9, for example. Specifically, voltage supply
circuit 71 includes switch 72 serving as a switching element
enabling to allow current supplied from commercial power supply 76
to flow bidirectionally, capacitor 73 connected in series with
switch 72, and a plurality of resistors.
[0102] Voltage supply circuit 71 includes a plurality of resistors
including first resistor 74 disposed between commercial power
supply 76 and switch 72 and second resistor 75 disposed between
capacitor 73 and voltage supply panel 77.
[0103] Note that switch 72 is composed of, for example, a photo
metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) relay, and turned on and off by a
controller not illustrated.
[0104] Meanwhile, voltage supply panel 77 is attached to grip-side
housing 60 (housing 3) constituting the contour of grip section 1a
(see FIG. 7). The surface of voltage supply panel 77 attached to
grip-side housing 60 is exposed to the outer surface of grip
section 1a. That is, voltage supply panel 77 has exposed surface
77a exposed to the outside when being attached to grip-side housing
60.
[0105] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, voltage
supply panel 77 is provided with visible light transmission section
80 having visible light transparency. Second conductive section
(visible light transmission section side conductive section) 85
having conductivity is formed on visible light transmission section
80 (see FIG. 6).
[0106] Second conductive section 85 is electrically connected to
first conductive section 78 which is a portion of voltage supply
circuit 71 described above. Second conductive section 85 is
provided with contact surface 85a directly contacted by user U
(without having an insulating section interposed therebetween).
Contact surface 85a is also at least a portion of exposed surface
77a.
[0107] According to this configuration, when user U holds grip
section 1a of dryer 1 while in normal use, the palm or the like of
user U is in directly contact with contact surface 85a. With this
state, a voltage output from voltage supply circuit 71 is supplied
to user U from second conductive section 85.
[0108] At that time, it is preferable that the voltage is supplied
to user U from voltage supply panel 77 so that user U is charged
with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the charges of ions
generated from mist generator 50. When user U is charged with a
polarity opposite to the polarity of the charged particles supplied
from charged particle supply unit as described above, the generated
charged particles can be attracted to the hair of user U, whereby
the reduction in the amount of the charged particles adhered to the
hair can be suppressed.
[0109] In the present exemplary embodiment, semi-transparent
voltage supply panel 77 is formed by using a material having
semi-transparency. Further, voltage supply panel 77 has
conductivity. Voltage supply panel 77 described above can be formed
by using a material obtained by mixing, for example,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, polycarbonate (PC)
resin, and an additive such as hydrophilic polymer. In addition,
voltage supply panel 77 having conductivity can also be formed by
using a material obtained by mixing an additive such as carbon
fibers or metal microparticles into resin such as ABS resin or PC
resin.
[0110] Meanwhile, if the resistance value of voltage supply panel
77 formed by using the above-mentioned materials is low, an
internal circuit (circuit such as voltage supply circuit 71) may be
broken due to static electricity from the outside.
[0111] To address such a problem, it is preferable that voltage
supply panel 77 is formed by using a material having volume
resistivity of 1.0.times.10.sup.6 .OMEGA.m or higher, for example,
to prevent the internal circuit from being broken due to static
electricity from the outside.
[0112] As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the
entire of voltage supply panel 77 serves as visible light
transmission section 80 and as second conductive section 85. In
addition, the entire of exposed surface 77a serves as contact
surface 85a.
[0113] Furthermore, grip-side housing 60 is configured by joining a
plurality of split bodies. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8,
grip-side housing 60 includes first split housing 61 and second
split housing 62.
[0114] Voltage supply panel 77 is held between first split housing
61 and second split housing 62 when first split housing 61 and
second split housing 62 are joined to each other. Thus, voltage
supply panel 77 is attached to grip-side housing 60.
[0115] Specifically, voltage supply panel 77 has main body part 81
having exposed surface 77a (contact surface 85a), and flange part
82 projecting outward from an end (inner side of main body part 81
in the thickness direction) of main body part 81 opposite to
exposed surface 77a (see FIGS. 6 and 8).
[0116] In addition, flange part 82 is provided with first
protrusion 83 and second protrusions 84 which protrude outward in
the width direction from the inner side of main body part 81 in the
thickness direction.
[0117] When first split housing 61 and second split housing 62 are
joined to each other, first protrusion 83 is engaged with
engagement part 61a formed on first split housing 61, and second
protrusions 84 are engaged with engagement part 62a formed on
second split housing 62. Thus, voltage supply panel 77 is attached
to grip-side housing 60 (see FIG. 6).
[0118] First protrusion 83 has first extension part 83a extending
inward in the thickness direction of main body part 81 from the
outer tip of flange part 82, and second extension part 83b
extending outward in the width direction of main body part 81 from
the inner tip of first extension part 83a.
[0119] When first protrusion 83 is engaged with engagement part 61a
on first split housing 61, back surface 83c of second extension
part 83b is in contact with surface (placement surface) 61c of
first conductive section placement rib 61b formed on first split
housing 61 (see FIG. 6).
[0120] Second protrusions 84 extend outward in the width direction
of main body part 81 from the inner side of main body part 81 in
the thickness direction, and three (a plurality of) second
protrusions 84 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of main
body part 81 (see FIG. 8).
[0121] Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, back surface
82a of flange part 82 and back surface 81a of main body part 81 are
flush with each other, and back surfaces 84a of second protrusions
84 are flush with back surface 82a of flange part 82 and back
surface 81a of main body part 81 (see FIG. 6).
[0122] As described above, first conductive section placement rib
61b projecting toward second split housing 62 is formed inside of
first split housing 61, and first conductive section 78 is placed
on surface 61c of first conductive section placement rib 61b (see
FIGS. 6 and 8).
[0123] In the present exemplary embodiment, first conductive
section 78 includes lead line 78a and aluminum foil 78b. The core,
at the tip of lead line 78a, which is exposed by removing a coating
member is covered with aluminum foil 78b, and with this state,
aluminum foil 78b is attached on surface 61c of first conductive
section placement rib 61b. With this, first conductive section 78
is placed on surface 61c of first conductive section placement rib
61b (see FIGS. 6 and 8).
[0124] When first protrusion 83 is engaged with engagement part 61a
on first split housing 61, back surface 83c of second extension
part 83b is in contact with aluminum foil 78b placed on surface 61c
of first conductive section placement rib 61b (see FIG. 6).
[0125] Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, back
surface 83c of second extension part 83b serves as contact section
85b in contact with first conductive section 78 on second
conductive section 85. The direction (the direction in which
contact section 85b faces first conductive section 78) in which
back surface 83c of second extension part 83b is in contact with
first conductive section 78 substantially coincides with the
thickness direction of main body part 81. According to this
configuration, when user U holds grip section 1a, voltage supply
panel 77 is pressed inward in the thickness direction of main body
part 81, so that grip-side voltage supply member 77 is pressed
against first conductive section 78 by the pressing force.
[0126] Notably, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a plurality of ribs 61d
is formed on surface 61c of first conductive section placement rib
61b, and when lead line 78a is held between these ribs 61d, the
movement of lead line 78a is restricted. In addition, recess 61e is
formed on first conductive section placement rib 61b. One end of
lead line 78a is routed to the inner side of first conductive
section placement rib 61b by way of inserting lead line 78a into
recess 61e. This one end of lead line 78a is electrically connected
to electrical elements composing voltage supply circuit 71.
[0127] In the present exemplary embodiment, second extension part
83b is located inward from back surface 81a of main body part 81 in
the thickness direction as illustrated in FIG. 6. Therefore, in the
state in which first protrusion 83 is engaged with engagement part
61a of first split housing 61, space S1 is formed between back
surface 81a of main body part 81 and surface 61c of first
conductive section placement rib 61b.
[0128] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment,
semi-transparent voltage supply panel 77 is used, whereby space S1
can be visually recognized from outside.
[0129] A portion of first conductive section 78 is present in space
S1. Therefore, with this state, a portion of first conductive
section 78 (a portion of first conductive section 78 overlapping
exposed surface 77a) is visible from outside, which might degrade
design.
[0130] In view of this, in the present exemplary embodiment, shield
section 90 which overlaps the entire of exposed surface 77a in the
thickness direction of main body part 81 and does not transmit
visible light is provided inside of exposed surface 77a to prevent
degradation in design (see FIG. 6).
[0131] Specifically, rib (inner wall) 62b projecting toward first
split housing 61 is formed inside of second split housing 62, and
this rib 62b functions as shield section 90 to prevent a portion of
first conductive section 78 from being visually recognized from the
outside.
[0132] In the present exemplary embodiment, rib 62b is configured
such that surface 62c of rib 62b faces the entire of back surfaces
84a of second protrusions 84, the entire of back surface 81a of
main body part 81, and the entire of back surface 82a of flange
part 82.
[0133] In addition, rib 62b is configured to be located above
(exposed surface 77a side: outer side) first conductive section
placement rib 61b, when first split housing 61 and second split
housing 62 are joined to each other. Also, rib 62b is located
between the region of first conductive section 78 overlapping
exposed surface 77a and main body part 81 (visible light
transmission section 80).
[0134] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, rib 62b is
formed from an insulating material, so that the entire of rib 62b
(entire of shield section 90) serves as insulating section 91.
[0135] Second conductive section 85 and first conductive section 78
are electrically connected to each other without having insulating
section 91 interposed therebetween.
[0136] In the present exemplary embodiment, contact section 85b of
second conductive section 85 is brought into direct contact with
first conductive section 78 on the region of first conductive
section 78 not overlapping exposed surface 77a in the thickness
direction of main body part 81. Thus, insulating section 91 is not
interposed in the middle of conductive path 86 leading to contact
surface 85a from first conductive section 78.
[0137] Note that conductive path 86 has bypass path 86a that
bypasses rib 62b.
[0138] As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment,
contact section 85b of second conductive section 85 and first
conductive section 78 are brought into contact with each other in a
region outside of rib 62b as viewed from the thickness direction of
main body part 81. According to this configuration, even when
insulating section 91 is present between first conductive section
78 and main body part 81, conductive path 86 having no insulating
section 91 interposed in the middle thereof is formed.
[0139] In this case, if a creepage distance between exposed surface
77a and first conductive section 78 is short, the internal circuit
might be broken due to static electricity from the outside.
[0140] To address this problem, voltage supply panel 77 and first
conductive section 78 are disposed such that the shortest creepage
distance from exposed surface 77a to first conductive section 78 is
set to 5 mm or more, for example. It is preferable to prevent the
internal circuit from being broken due to static electricity from
the outside by applying such configuration.
[0141] Grip section 1a having the configuration described above is
assembled in the manner described below, for example.
[0142] Firstly, the core, at the tip of lead line 78a, which is
exposed by removing the coating member is covered with aluminum
foil 78b, and with this state, aluminum foil 78b is attached on
surface 61c of first conductive section placement rib 61b. With
this, first conductive section 78 is placed on surface 61c of first
conductive section placement rib 61b. In this case, lead line 78a
is inserted between ribs 61d on surface 61c of first conductive
section placement rib 61b to be held therebetween, and also
inserted into recess 61e so that one end of lead line 78a is routed
to the inside of first conductive section placement rib 61b.
[0143] Then, with first protrusion 83 being engaged with engagement
part 61a on first split housing 61, voltage supply panel 77 is
attached to first split housing 61 while contact section 85b (back
surface 83c of second extension part 83b) of second conductive
section 85 is brought into contact with aluminum foil 78b.
[0144] Thereafter, rib 62b of second split housing 62 is inserted
into space S1 on the side closer to exposed surface 77a than to
first conductive section 78, and second protrusions 84 are engaged
with engagement part 62a on second split housing 62. Thus, first
split housing 61 and second split housing 62 are joined to each
other. Notably, in the present exemplary embodiment, positioning
rib 62d is formed on second split housing 62, and when first split
housing 61 and second split housing 62 are joined to each other,
the tip of first conductive section placement rib 61b is engaged
with the tip of positioning rib 62d.
[0145] In this way, grip section 1a on which exposed surface 77a
(contact surface 85a) of voltage supply panel 77 is exposed to the
outside is formed.
[0146] Note that the connection between voltage supply panel 77 and
first conductive section 78 is not limited to the above
configuration, and various modifications are possible.
[0147] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, rib 62b of second
split housing 62 may be configured not to extend to first extension
part 83a.
[0148] In FIG. 10, back surface 82a of flange part 82, back surface
81a of main body part 81, and back surfaces 84a of second
protrusions 84 are subjected to a coating treatment or the like to
form non-transparent coating film 100 having insulating property,
and this coating film 100 functions as shield section 90 in place
of rib 62b. That is, in FIG. 10, the entire of coating film 100
serves as insulating section 91.
[0149] Similarly in FIG. 10, the entire of voltage supply panel 77
serves as semi-transparent visible light transmission section 80
and also as second conductive section 85. Contact surface 85a
formed on second conductive section 85 constitutes the entire (at
least a portion) of exposed surface 77a.
[0150] In addition, similarly in FIG. 10, conductive path 86
leading to contact surface 85a from first conductive section 78 has
bypass path 86a that bypasses coating film 100 (insulating section
91), so that insulating section 91 is not interposed in the middle
of conductive path 86.
[0151] Note that coating film 100 may only be provided in a region,
on the back surface of voltage supply panel 77, which overlaps the
entire of exposed surface 77a in the thickness direction of main
body part 81. Accordingly, it is also possible that coating film
100 is not provided on back surface 82a of flange part 82 and back
surfaces 84a of second protrusions 84.
[0152] Note that, in the present exemplary embodiment and in FIG.
10, it is unnecessary to make the entire of voltage supply panel 77
serve as semi-transparent visible light transmission section
80.
[0153] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, visible light
transmission section 80 and shield section 90 can be formed on
voltage supply panel 77.
[0154] In FIG. 11, the outer side (exposed surface 77a side) of
voltage supply panel 77 serves as visible light transmission
section 80 having conductivity, and the inner side (first
conductive section 78 side) of voltage supply panel 77 serves as
shield section 90 having conductivity.
[0155] That is, the entire of visible light transmission section 80
serves as second conductive section 85, and the entire of shield
section 90 serves as third conductive section (shield-side
conductive section) 92.
[0156] Such voltage supply panel 77 can be formed integrally by
two-color molding using different materials, for example.
[0157] First conductive section 78 is electrically connected to the
back surface (back surface 92a of third conductive section 92) of
voltage supply panel 77 through plate spring 110.
[0158] As described above, in FIG. 11, shield section 90 has third
conductive section 92, and second conductive section 85 and first
conductive section 78 are electrically connected to each other
through third conductive section 92.
[0159] With this configuration, it is possible to avoid insulating
section 91 from being interposed in the middle of conductive path
86 leading to contact surface 85a from first conductive section 78
without allowing conductive path 86 to make a detour.
[0160] Notably, similarly in FIG. 11, shield section 90 may only be
provided in a region, on the back surface of voltage supply panel
77, which overlaps the entire of exposed surface 77a in the
thickness direction of main body part 81.
[0161] As described above, dryer (hair care device) 1 according to
the present exemplary embodiment includes housing 3 constituting
the contour and voltage supply unit 70 that supplies a voltage to
user U.
[0162] In addition, voltage supply unit 70 has voltage supply panel
77 which has exposed surface 77a exposed to the outside and is
attached to housing 3, and first conductive section 78 electrically
connected to voltage supply panel 77.
[0163] Furthermore, voltage supply panel 77 has visible light
transmission section 80 having visible light transparency, visible
light transmission section 80 having second conductive section 85
electrically connected to first conductive section 78.
[0164] In addition, second conductive section 85 has contact
surface 85a contacted by user U, and at least a portion of exposed
surface 77a serves as contact surface 85a.
[0165] Dryer (hair care device) 1 also includes, inside of exposed
surface 77a, shield section 90 that overlaps the entire of exposed
surface 77a and does not transmit visible light.
[0166] Since shield section 90 that overlaps the entire of exposed
surface 77a and does not transmit visible light is provided on the
backside of exposed surface 77a of voltage supply panel 77 provided
with visible light transmission section 80 as described above,
degradation in design can be suppressed.
[0167] In addition, at least a portion of exposed surface 77a is
defined as contact surface 85a of second conductive section 85,
which can allow user U to be in contact with voltage supply panel
77 without having insulating section 91 interposed therebetween.
Thus, reduction in conductivity in supplying a voltage to user U
can be suppressed.
[0168] Accordingly, dryer (hair care device) 1 according to the
present exemplary embodiment can further enhance a hair care effect
while suppressing degradation in design.
[0169] Also, shield section 90 may be located between the region of
first conductive section 78 overlapping exposed surface 77a and
visible light transmission section 80.
[0170] According to this configuration, degradation in design can
be suppressed while the region overlapping exposed surface 77a is
effectively utilized (as the location where first conductive
section 78 is disposed).
[0171] In addition, shield section 90 may have insulating section
91, and second conductive section 85 and first conductive section
78 may be electrically connected to each other without having
insulating section 91 interposed therebetween.
[0172] According to this configuration, reduction in conductivity
in supplying a voltage to user U can more reliably be
suppressed.
[0173] Furthermore, shield section 90 can be constituted by rib 62b
projecting from housing 3.
[0174] According to this configuration, it is unnecessary to
separately provide shield section 90, whereby more simple
configuration is implemented. Moreover, shield section 90 is
provided by the assembly of housing 3, whereby easier assembling is
implemented.
[0175] In addition, conductive path 86 leading to contact surface
85a from first conductive section 78 may have bypass path 86a that
bypasses rib 62b.
[0176] This can more reliably avoid insulating section 91 from
being interposed in the middle of conductive path 86 leading to
contact surface 85a from first conductive section 78, while
enabling simplification of the configuration.
[0177] In addition, shield section 90 may have third conductive
section 92.
[0178] This configuration can more reliably avoid insulating
section 91 from being interposed in the middle of conductive path
86 leading to contact surface 85a from first conductive section
78.
[0179] Furthermore, second conductive section 85 and first
conductive section 78 can be electrically connected to each other
through third conductive section 92.
[0180] According to this configuration, it is unnecessary to allow
second conductive section 85 and first conductive section 78 to
bypass shield section 90 when they are electrically connected to
each other, whereby the configuration can be much more
simplified.
[0181] In addition, voltage supply panel 77 can be formed on
grip-side housing 60 serving as housing 3 and constituting the
contour of grip section 1a.
[0182] According to this configuration, a voltage can be supplied
to user U while in normal use, whereby usability of dryer (hair
care device) 1 is enhanced.
[0183] Moreover, it can be configured such that, when grip section
1a is held, voltage supply panel 77 is pressed by first conductive
section 78.
[0184] According to this configuration, the electrical connection
between voltage supply panel 77 and first conductive section 78
while in use of dryer (hair care device) 1 can more reliably be
ensured, whereby a voltage can more reliably be supplied to user
U.
[0185] Moreover, dryer (hair care device) 1 can be configured to
further include a charged particle supply unit (metal microparticle
generators 30 and 40 and mist generator 50) that supplies charged
particles to user U.
[0186] According to this configuration, the hair care effect is
further enhanced.
[0187] In addition, dryer (hair care device) 1 can be configured
such that the charged particle supply unit has mist generator 50
that discharges charged fine water droplets (mist) including
charged particles.
[0188] This configuration can allow more water to be adhered to
hair, thereby much more enhancing the hair care effect.
[0189] While the preferable exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not
limited to the exemplary embodiment described above, and various
modifications are possible.
[0190] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the present
disclosure is applicable to hair iron 1A as a hair care device.
Hair iron 1A includes at least charged particle supply unit (metal
microparticle generators 30 and 40 and mist generator 50), voltage
supply unit 70, and a controller (not illustrated), and voltage
supply panel 77 is formed on grip section 1aA.
[0191] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the present
disclosure is applicable to hair brush 1B as a hair care device.
Hair brush 1B includes at least charged particle supply unit (metal
microparticle generators 30 and 40 and mist generator 50), voltage
supply unit 70, and a controller (not illustrated), and voltage
supply panel 77 is formed on grip section 1aB.
[0192] In addition, while the metal microparticle generator that
generates metal microparticles and negative ions is disclosed as
the ion generator in the exemplary embodiment described above, one
that generates only negative ions without generating metal
microparticles may be used.
[0193] Further, the present disclosure is also applicable to an ion
generation device that generates positive ions. The generation of
positive ions as described above is effective for hair having
artificial hair such as a wig thereon. The artificial hair such as
a wig is likely to be negatively charged. In view of this, positive
ions are supplied thereto to prevent electrostatic generation.
[0194] In addition, while the exemplary embodiment describes the
configuration in which the entire of exposed surface 77a serves as
contact surface 85a, contact surface 85a may be formed on a portion
of exposed surface 77a. For example, patterns or characters may be
printed on a portion of contact surface 85a to form an insulating
section on a portion of exposed surface 77a.
[0195] Alternatively, insulating section 91 can be formed on a
portion of voltage supply panel 77.
[0196] Alternatively, shield section 90 having conductivity can be
disposed inside of voltage supply panel 77.
[0197] In the exemplary embodiment described above, two metal
microparticle outlet openings (ion discharge openings) are formed.
However, three or more metal microparticle openings (ion discharge
openings) can be formed.
[0198] While the above exemplary embodiment describes the
configuration in which metal microparticles and mist are blown
through a branch stream, the metal microparticles and mist can be
blown from corresponding outlet openings even if the branch stream
is not formed.
[0199] In addition, the specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.)
of covers, housings, and the other details can be modified.
[0200] The present disclosure provides a hair care device that can
further enhance a hair care effect while suppressing degradation in
design.
* * * * *