U.S. patent application number 16/367885 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-18 for hand held appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dyson Technology Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is Dyson Technology Limited. Invention is credited to Patrick Joseph William MOLONEY, Samuel William SAUNDERS, Edward Sebert Maurice SHELTON.
Application Number | 20190216199 16/367885 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49553515 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190216199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHELTON; Edward Sebert Maurice ;
et al. |
July 18, 2019 |
HAND HELD APPLIANCE
Abstract
A hair care appliance and a dock for the appliance, the
appliance including a body having an outer wall extending between
front and rear ends of the body, a duct extending at least
partially along the body within the outer wall, an interior passage
extending about the duct for receiving a primary fluid flow, and a
primary fluid outlet for emitting the primary fluid flow from the
body, wherein the primary fluid outlet is defined by the duct and
an inner wall of the body, wherein the primary fluid outlet is in
the front end of the body, which comprises an end wall extending
radially inwards of the outer wall, the end wall comprising
magnetic material, wherein the dock comprises a base for attaching
to a surface and magnetic material extending around the base, and
wherein the appliance is configured to connect to the dock via
magnetic coupling.
Inventors: |
SHELTON; Edward Sebert Maurice;
(Swindon, GB) ; SAUNDERS; Samuel William;
(Swindon, GB) ; MOLONEY; Patrick Joseph William;
(Swindon, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dyson Technology Limited |
Wiltshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dyson Technology Limited
Wiltshire
GB
|
Family ID: |
49553515 |
Appl. No.: |
16/367885 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14495436 |
Sep 24, 2014 |
10278471 |
|
|
16367885 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 20/122 20130101;
A45D 20/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 20/12 20060101
A45D020/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 2013 |
GB |
1317171.5 |
Claims
1. A hair care appliance and a dock for the appliance, wherein the
appliance comprises a body having an outer wall extending between a
front end and a rear end of the body, a duct extending at least
partially along the body within the outer wall, an interior passage
extending about the duct for receiving a primary fluid flow, and a
primary fluid outlet for emitting the primary fluid flow from the
body, wherein the primary fluid outlet is defined by the duct and
an inner wall of the body, wherein the primary fluid outlet is in
the front end of the body and the front end of the body comprises
an end wall extending radially inwards of the outer wall and the
end wall comprises at least one magnet or a ring of magnetic
material, wherein the dock comprises a base for attaching to a
surface and a ring of magnetic or magnetised material extending
around the base, and wherein the appliance is configured to connect
to the dock via magnetic coupling.
2. The hair care appliance and dock for the appliance of claim 1,
wherein the appliance comprises a fluid flow path extending between
the rear end and the front end and within the duct.
3. The hair care appliance and dock for the appliance of claim 2,
wherein the appliance comprises a handle attached to the body and
the primary fluid flow path comprises a primary fluid inlet in the
handle and a fan unit for drawing fluid into the primary fluid
inlet wherein fluid in the fluid flow path is entrained into the
duct by fluid flowing through the primary fluid flow path.
4. A dock for a hair care apparatus, the dock comprising a base for
attaching to a surface and a ring of magnetic or magnetised
material extending around at least a portion of the base.
5. The dock of claim 4, wherein the base is configured for
attaching to a wall, a vanity unit or a wardrobe.
6. The dock of claim 4, wherein the base is configured for
attaching to a surface that extends along a vertical plane.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the appliance is a
hairdryer.
8. A hair care assembly comprising: a hair care apparatus that
comprises: a body comprising an outer wall extending between a
first end and a second end of the body and an end wall that extends
radially inwards of the outer wall at the first end of the body, an
inner wall extending at least partially along the body within the
outer wall, an interior fluid flow passage, wherein at least a
portion of the interior fluid flow passage extends about the inner
wall, and a fluid flow opening to the interior fluid flow passage,
wherein the fluid flow opening extends about the inner wall and is
at least partially defined by the inner wall, wherein the end wall
comprises at least one magnet or ring of magnetic or magnetised
material that extends around the fluid flow opening; and a dock for
the hair care apparatus, the dock comprising: a base configured for
attaching to a surface, and at least one magnet or ring of magnetic
or magnetised material extending around the base, wherein the hair
care apparatus and the dock are configured for docking the hair
care apparatus to the dock via magnetic coupling between the at
least one magnet or ring of magnetic or magnetised material of the
hair care apparatus and the at least one magnet or ring of magnetic
or magnetised material of the dock.
9. The hair care assembly of claim 8, wherein the dock comprises an
inner wall that can engage with the inner wall of the hair care
apparatus when the hair care apparatus is docked to the dock.
10. The hair care assembly of claim 8, wherein the base of the dock
is configured for attaching to a wall, a vanity unit, or a
wardrobe.
11. The hair care assembly of claim 8, wherein the base of the dock
is configured for attaching to a surface that extends along a
vertical plane.
12. The hair care assembly of claim 8, wherein the hair care
apparatus is a hair care appliance.
13. The hair care assembly of claim 12, wherein the hair care
appliance is a hair dryer.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/495,436, filed Sep. 24, 2014, which claims the priority of
United Kingdom Application No. 1317171.5, filed Sep. 27, 2013, the
entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a hand held appliance, in
particular a hair care appliance and a fluid outlet from such an
appliance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Blowers and in particular hot air blowers are used for a
variety of applications such as drying substances such as paint or
hair and cleaning or stripping surface layers. In addition, hot air
blowers such as hot styling brushes are used to style hair from a
wet or dry condition.
[0004] Generally, a motor and fan are provided which draw fluid
into a body; the fluid may be heated prior to exiting the body. The
motor is susceptible to damage from foreign objects such as dirt or
hair so conventionally a filter is provided at the fluid intake end
of the blower. Conventionally such appliances are provided with a
nozzle which can be attached and detached from the appliance and
changes the shape and velocity of fluid flow that exits the
appliance. Such nozzles can be used to focus the outflow of the
appliance or to diffuse the outflow depending on the requirements
of the user at that time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a hand
held appliance comprising a body having an outer wall, a duct
extending at least partially along the body within the outer wall,
an interior passage extending about the duct for receiving a
primary fluid flow, a primary fluid outlet for emitting the primary
fluid flow from the body, wherein the primary fluid outlet is
defined by the duct and an inner wall of the body.
[0006] Thus, fluid flowing through the interior passage is directed
towards the primary fluid outlet using internal walls of the
appliance. This means that the appearance of the outer wall is
unaffected by a change in shape and size of the interior passage so
the external features of the appliance can be clean and simple and
the internal workings of the appliance are kept hidden from the
user.
[0007] Preferably, the inner wall extends from the outer wall
towards the duct. The inner wall thus converges fluid flow towards
the duct.
[0008] It is preferred that the inner wall extends radially around
the duct.
[0009] Preferably, the inner wall extends from the outer wall
towards the fluid outlet.
[0010] It is preferred that at least one spacer is provided between
the inner wall and the duct. The spacer provides a support between
the inner wall and the duct and maintains the relative locations of
the inner wall with respect to the duct.
[0011] Preferably, the at least one spacer comprises a plurality of
spacers radially spaced from each other. It is preferred that at
least one spacer is a supporting rib.
[0012] Preferably, the duct is formed from two parts, a first part
which is fixed to the inner wall and a second part which connects
to the first part. It is preferred that the first part of the duct
is fixed to the inner wall by at least one supporting rib.
Preferably, the first part of the duct, the inner wall and the at
least one supporting rib are moulded as a single unit. This single
unit is an air exit for the appliance and moulding it as a single
unit means that tolerances between each feature of the air exit is
fixed both for a single air exit and for multiple copies of an air
exit. Thus, reliability of the appliance is improved.
[0013] Also disclosed is a hair care appliance comprising a body
having an outer wall, a duct extending at least partially along the
body within the outer wall, an interior passage extending about the
duct for receiving a primary fluid flow, a primary fluid outlet for
emitting the primary fluid flow from the body, wherein the primary
fluid outlet is defined by the duct and an inner wall of the body,
wherein the duct is formed from two parts, a first part which is
fixed to the inner wall and a second part which connects to the
first part.
[0014] It is preferred that the first part of the duct connects to
the second part of the duct in one orientation. This is useful for
construction of the appliance particularly when the first part of
the duct, supporting ribs and the inner wall are moulded as a
single unit (the air exit) as the duct and therefore the inner wall
have one single fixed orientation.
[0015] Preferably, the connection between the first part of the
duct and the second part of the duct includes a lap joint. It is
preferred that one of the first and second parts of the duct
includes a recess and the other one of the first and second parts
includes a projection adapted to cooperate with the at least two
recesses to provide the connection.
[0016] It is preferred that three recesses and protrusions are
provided. Preferably, the three recesses and protrusions are
unequally angularly spaced. Alternatively or additionally, recesses
and projections are of different configuration. The different
configuration includes different size and/or shape of the recesses
and projection pairs. This again ensures that there is only one way
to connect the respective parts of the connection.
[0017] It is preferred that the inner wall comprises a sealing
portion and a flow directing portion. The sealing portion prevents
leakage of primary flow and the flow directing portion directs the
primary fluid flow towards the primary fluid outlet.
[0018] Preferably, the sealing portion seals between the outer wall
and the inner wall. It is preferred that the sealing portion is a
flexible gasket that extends about the inner wall.
[0019] It is preferred that the sealing portion is spaced from an
end of the inner wall. Preferably, a region defined between the
inner wall, sealing portion and the outer wall is a cooling
path.
[0020] It is preferred that the flow directing portion comprises a
surface of the inner wall that together with the duct defines a
part of the interior passage. Preferably, the surface of the inner
wall is smooth. This minimises turbulence created as the primary
flow is directed towards the primary fluid outlet as the interior
passage reduces in cross section.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the appliance comprises a heater
extending about the duct. Preferably, the heater is annular. This
provides more even heating of the primary fluid flowing through the
primary fluid flow path.
[0022] It is preferred that wherein the heater is housed within a
sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve extends longitudinally beyond the
heater at one end. It is preferred that the sleeve extension is
adapted to cooperate with the inner wall to locate the heater
longitudinally within the body. Preferably, the sleeve extension is
adapted to cooperate with the inner wall to locate the heater
radially within the body. This locates the position of the heater
with respect to the inner wall and the duct.
[0023] It is preferred that the inner wall includes a ledge and the
ledge supports the sleeve extension. Preferably, the one of the
inner wall and the sleeve extension includes a recess and the other
one of the inner wall and sleeve extension includes a projection
adapted to cooperate with the recess. Preferably, three recesses
and protrusions are provided. It is preferred that the three
recesses and protrusions are unequally angularly spaced.
Alternatively or additionally, the recesses and the projections are
of different configuration.
[0024] Thus, it is preferred that the heater can only connect in
one orientation to the inner wall and when this feature is used in
combination with other preferred features of the invention the
result is that there is only one way to assembly the different
components that are housed within the body of the appliance. As the
heater, for example requires connection to a power source, this
means that those connectors will always be radially located with
the body in the same place making assemble quicker, more efficient
and cost effective.
[0025] Preferably, the fluid outlet is at a downstream end of the
body. It is preferred that the inner wall has a downstream end and
an upstream end and the downstream end at least partially defines
the fluid outlet.
[0026] Preferably, the upstream end of the inner wall extends
towards the outer wall. Preferably, the inner wall includes a
sealing portion that extends to the outer wall. It is preferred
that the sealing portion is between the upstream end and downstream
end of the inner wall.
[0027] Preferably, the upstream end of the inner wall includes a
connector for connecting with a heater. It is preferred that the
connector extends radially around the inner wall. Preferably, the
connector includes a stop extending radially out from the inner
wall. It is preferred that the stop extends radially out towards
the outer wall.
[0028] Preferably, the heater includes a housing which extends
radially about the heater. It is preferred that the housing extends
longitudinally away from the heater at a downstream end of the
heater. Preferably, the extension of the heater housing is adapted
to engage with the connector and the stop to locate the heater with
respect to the inner wall, duct and outer wall of the
appliance.
[0029] It is preferred that the inner wall includes a flow
directing portion for directing flow from the heater towards the
fluid outlet.
[0030] Preferably, the interior passage reduces in diameter along
the inner wall from the upstream end of the inner wall to the fluid
outlet at the downstream end of the inner wall.
[0031] It is preferred that the flow directing portion is a smooth
curved surface of the inner wall.
[0032] According to a second aspect of the invention is a hair care
appliance comprising a body having an outer wall, a duct extending
at least partially along the body within the outer wall, an
interior passage extending about the duct for receiving a primary
fluid flow, a primary fluid outlet for emitting the primary fluid
flow from the body, wherein the primary fluid outlet is defined by
the duct and an inner wall of the body.
[0033] Preferably, the primary fluid outlet is in a front end of
the body and the front end of the body comprises an end wall
extending radially inwards of the body and the end wall comprises
at least one magnet. It is preferred that the end wall abuts a
plurality of magnets or a ring of magnetic material. The plurality
of magnets or ring of magnetic material preferably extends around
the end wall. Preferably, the end wall comprises an outer face and
an inner face, the outer face being an external surface of the
appliance, wherein the plurality of magnets are adjacent the inner
face. The plurality of magnets is preferably received in an inner
wall of the body. Preferably the inner wall forms part of an air
exit as previously described herein. Preferably, the inner wall
includes an inner facing surface which is a flow directing surface
which together with the duct defines part of the interior passage.
In addition the inner wall preferably includes a plurality of
receiving units disposed around an outer facing surface for
receiving the plurality of magnets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The invention will now be described by example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an appliance according to
the invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the appliance of FIG.
1;
[0037] FIG. 3 shows an exploded side view of the appliance of FIGS.
1 and 2;
[0038] FIG. 4a shows a cross section through a body of an appliance
according to the invention;
[0039] FIG. 4b shows an isometric cross section through a part of
the body of FIG. 4a;
[0040] FIG. 5 shows an air exit according to the invention;
[0041] FIG. 6 shows a cross section through the air exit of FIG.
5;
[0042] FIG. 7 shows region B of FIG. 6 in more detail;
[0043] FIG. 8 shows a rear perspective view of the air exit of FIG.
5;
[0044] FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of the air exit of
FIG. 5;
[0045] FIG. 10 shows region C of FIG. 9 in more detail;
[0046] FIG. 11 shows a front perspective view of a duct;
[0047] FIG. 12 shows a front perspective view of a heater;
[0048] FIG. 13 shows an exploded isometric view through a head of
FIG. 4;
[0049] FIG. 14a shows an exploded side view of components of a body
of a further appliance;
[0050] FIG. 14b shows part of the gasket of FIG. 14a in more
detail;
[0051] FIG. 15 shows a cross section through the body of the
appliance of FIG. 14;
[0052] FIG. 16 shows an example of an attachment for a
hairdryer;
[0053] FIG. 17 shows a rear perspective explosion of the attachment
shown in FIG. 16;
[0054] FIG. 18 shows a front perspective explosion of the
attachment shown in FIG. 16; and
[0055] FIG. 19 shows an isometric view of a hairdryer with the
attachment of FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0056] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a hairdryer 10 which is
suitable for use with the invention. The hairdryer 10 has a handle
20 and a body 30. The handle has a first end 22 which is connected
to the body 30 and a second end 24 distal from the body 30 and
which includes a primary inlet 40. Power is supplied to the
hairdryer 10 via a cable 50.
[0057] The body 30 has a first end 32 and a second end 34 and can
be considered to have two parts. A first part 36 which extends from
the first end 32 which is generally tubular and a second part 38
which extends from the second end 34 to join the first part 36. The
second part 38 is cone shaped and varies in diameter along its
length from the diameter of the first part 36 of the body 30 to a
smaller diameter at the second end 34 of the body. In this example,
the second part 38 has a constant gradient and the angle .alpha.
subtended from the outer wall 360 of the first part 36 of the body
30 is around 40.degree..
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 2 in particular the handle 20 has an
outer wall 200 which extends from the body 30 to a distal end 24 of
the handle. At the distal end 24 of the handle an end wall 210
extends across the outer wall 200. The cable 50 enters the
hairdryer through this end wall 210. The primary inlet 40 in the
handle 20 includes first apertures that extend around and along 42
the outer wall 200 of the handle and second apertures that extend
across 46 and through the end wall 210 of the handle 20. The cable
50 is located approximately in the middle of the end wall 210 so
extends from the centre of the handle 20. The end wall 210 is
orthogonal to the outer wall 200 and inner wall 220 of the
handle.
[0059] It is preferred that the cable 50 extends centrally from the
handle 20 as this means the hairdryer is balanced regardless of the
orientation of the handle 20 in a users' hand. Also, if the user
moves the position of their hand on the handle 20 there will be no
tugging from the cable 50 as it does not change position with
respect to the hand when the hand is moved. If the cable were
offset and nearer one side of the handle then the weight
distribution of the hairdryer would change with orientation which
is distracting for the user.
[0060] Upstream of the primary inlet 40, a fan unit 70 is provided.
The fan unit 70 includes a fan and a motor. The fan unit 70 draws
fluid through the primary inlet 40 towards the body 30 through a
primary fluid flow path 400 that extends from the primary inlet 40
and into the body 30 where the handle 20 and the body 30 are joined
90. The primary fluid flow path 400 continues through the body 30
towards the second end 34 of the body, around a heater 80 and to a
primary fluid outlet 440 where fluid that is drawn in by the fan
unit exits the primary fluid flow path 400. The primary fluid flow
path 400 is non-linear and flows through the handle 20 in a first
direction and through the body 30 in a second direction which is
orthogonal to the first direction.
[0061] The body 30 includes an outer wall 360 and an inner duct
310. The primary fluid flow path 400 extends along the body from
the junction 90 of the handle 20 and the body 30 between the outer
wall 360 and the duct 310 towards the primary fluid outlet 440 at
the second end of the body 34.
[0062] Another fluid flow path is provided within the body; this
flow is not directly processed by the fan unit or the heater but is
drawn into the hairdryer by the action of the fan unit producing
the primary flow through the hairdryer. This fluid flow is
entrained into the hairdryer by the fluid flowing through the
primary fluid flow path 400.
[0063] The first end 32 of the body includes a fluid inlet 320 and
the second end 34 of the body includes a fluid outlet 340. Both the
fluid inlet 320 and the fluid outlet 340 are at least partially
defined by the duct 310 which is an inner wall of the body 30 and
extends within and along the body. A fluid flow path 300 extends
within the duct from the fluid inlet 320 to the fluid outlet 340.
At the first end 32 of the body 30, a side wall 350 extends between
the outer wall 360 and the duct 310. This side wall 350 at least
partially defines the fluid inlet 320. At the second end 34 of the
body a gap is provided between the outer wall 360 and the duct,
this gap defines the primary fluid outlet 440. The primary fluid
outlet 440 is annular and surrounds the fluid flow path 300. The
primary fluid outlet 440 may be internal so the primary fluid flow
path 400 merges with the fluid flow path 300 within the body 30.
Alternatively, the primary fluid outlet 440 is external and exits
from the body 30 separately to the fluid from the fluid flow path
300 at the fluid outlet 340.
[0064] The outer wall 360 of the body converges towards the duct
310 and a centre line A-A of the body 30. Having an outer wall 360
that converges towards the duct 310 has the advantage that the
primary flow exiting the primary fluid outlet 440 is directed
towards the centre line A-A of the body 30. The fluid exiting the
primary fluid outlet 440 will cause some external entrainment of
fluid 490 from outside the hairdryer due to the movement of the
fluid from the primary outlet 440. This effect is increased by the
outer wall 360 converging towards the duct 310. Partly this is
because the primary flow is focused rather than divergent and
partly this is because of the slope of the outer wall 360 of the
body 30 towards the second end 34 of the hairdryer.
[0065] The duct 310 is an internal wall of the hairdryer that can
be accessed from outside the hairdryer. Thus, the duct 310 is an
external wall of the hairdryer. The duct 310 is recessed within the
body 30 so the side wall 350 that connects between the outer wall
360 and the duct 310 is angled with respect to the outer wall 360.
The angle .beta. is around 115.degree. from a line subtended by the
outer wall 360 of the body 30 (FIG. 2).
[0066] A printed circuit board (PCB) 75 including the control
electronics for the hairdryer is located in the body 30 near the
side wall 350 and fluid inlet 320. The PCB 75 is ring shaped and
extends round the duct 310 between the duct 310 and the outer wall
360. The PCB 75 is in fluid communication with the primary fluid
flow path 400. The PCB 75 extends about the fluid flow path 300 and
is isolated from the fluid flow path 300 by the duct 310.
[0067] The PCB 75 controls such parameters as the temperature of
the heater 80 and the speed of rotation of the fan unit 70.
Internal wiring (not shown) electrically connects the PCB 75 to the
heater 80 and the fan unit 70 and the cable 50. Control buttons 62,
64 are provided and connected to the PCB 75 to enable a user to
select from a range of temperature settings and flow rates for
example.
[0068] In use, fluid is drawn into the primary fluid flow path 400
by the action of the fan unit 70, is optionally heated by the
heater 80 and exits from the primary fluid outlet 440. This
processed flow causes fluid to be entrained into the fluid flow
path 300 at the fluid inlet 320. The fluid combines with the
processed flow at the second end 34 of the body. In the example
shown, the processed flow exits the primary fluid outlet 440 and
the hairdryer as an annular flow which surrounds the entrained flow
that exits from the hairdryer via the fluid outlet 340. Thus fluid
that is processed by the fan unit and heater is augmented by the
entrained flow.
[0069] FIG. 3 shows an exploded side view of a hairdryer 100 using
an air exit 110 according to the invention. FIGS. 4a and 4b show a
cross section through a hairdryer 100 showing the air exit 110 in
situ with the heater 80 and FIGS. 5 to 9 show various views and
cross sections through the air exit 110. For features that are
common between Figures, the same reference numerals will be
used.
[0070] The air exit 110 has been designed so that it can provide
positive locking of various features within the appliance. In
addition, it is preferred that the positive locking can only be
achieved in one orientation so for every product manufactured it is
guaranteed that connections between different features such as an
electrical connection from the heater 80 to the PCB 75 will be in
the same place and are repeatable.
[0071] Referring in particular to FIGS. 4a to 12, the air exit 110
has a first duct 310a and an inner wall 120 which are connected
together by supporting ribs 130. The inner wall 120 channels fluid
flowing in the primary fluid flow path 400 towards the primary
fluid outlet 440. The inner wall 120 includes a flow directing
portion 132 which channels or directs flow exiting the heater 80
towards the primary fluid outlet 440 as the diameter of the body 30
decreases towards the second end 34 of the body 30. The first duct
310a is adapted to connect with a second duct 310b to form a whole
duct 310 which extends from the side wall 350 to the downstream end
34 of the body 30 where the fluid outlets 340 and 440 are located.
The connection 322 is formed from two cooperating parts which form
a lap joint between the first duct 310a and the second duct 310b
(FIG. 4).
[0072] Referring now to FIGS. 4a, 4b, 8 and 11 in particular, the
air exit 110 includes a first part 322a of the connection 322 which
has an outer lip 328 of the lap joint having with three spaced
apart recesses 324, 326, 328. The second duct 310b includes a
second part 322b of the connection 322 which has an inner lip 330
with three spaced apart projections 332, 334, 336. A first pair of
recess and projection 324,336 respectively is smaller than the
other two pairs of recess and projection 326,334 and 236,332
respectively so the first duct 310a can only be inserted into the
second duct 310b in one orientation.
[0073] Referring in particular to FIGS. 4a, 4b, 8 and 12, the air
exit 110 has a second connection 140 to the heater 80. This second
connection 140 is formed from two cooperating parts which form a
lap joint between the inner wall 120 and the heater 80. The inner
wall 120 includes a first part 140a of the second connection 140
which has an inner lip 122 of the lap joint having three spaced
apart pips 124, 126, 128 which protruded radially outwardly from
the inner lip 122. The heater 80 includes a second part 140b of the
connection 140. The heater element 82 is surrounded by an outer
sleeve 84 which is a ring of insulating material, such as Mica.
This outer sleeve 84 extends along the length of the heater element
82 (which is for example, a coiled wire) and extends downstream of
the heater element 82 towards the fluid outlets 340, 440 of the
body 30. Part of the extension downstream of the heater element 82
forms a second part 140b of the second connection 140. The second
part 140b of the connection 140 includes three holes 88, 92, 94 or
recesses in the sleeve 84.
[0074] In the embodiment shown the three holes 88, 92, 94 are `L`
shaped so the connection 140 is properly made by a push and twist
motion. This is a preferred feature and it provides a more secure
connection than simply pushing the pips 124, 126, 128 into each
hole 88, 92, 94.
[0075] Each pip 124, 126, 128 and holes 88, 92, 94 are the same
diameter; however they are not equally angularly spaced around the
lap joint. Thus, the heater 80 can only be connected to the air
exit 110 by the second connection 140 in one orientation. This
means that the heater 80, air exit 110, the duct 310 and the side
wall 350 are all connectable together in one predetermined
orientation. This is extremely useful. In the hairdryer shown in
FIG. 2, the side wall 350 includes control buttons 64 which extend
from the PCB and the heater will have wires (not shown) connecting
to the PCB. In the arrangement described, that the heater 80 will
always be in the same orientation with respect to the PCB making
assembly and electrical connection of the heater to the PCB
simpler.
[0076] It is also advantageous, but not essential that the air exit
110 includes the inner lip of one of the first or second
connections and the outer lip of the other connection as this
constrains the heater 80, the air exit 110 and the duct 310
radially with respect to each other. The lap joints 322, 140 can be
reversed i.e. the inner and outer lips can be formed on the
opposite parts of each respect lap joint 322, 140 as can the
location of the protrusions and recesses. Indeed each of the first
and second connections can use unequal angular spacing and/or a
different configuration of protrusions and recesses. The
configuration includes the shape or profile and the sizes of each
pair of protrusion and recess.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 4a, 4b and 13 in particular, towards the
downstream end 110a of the air exit 110 a sealing gasket 116 is
provided between the inner wall 120 of the air exit 110 and the
outer wall 360 of the body 30. This has a number of functions
including sealing against fluid flowing along the primary fluid
flow path 400 and then between the inner wall 120 and the outer
wall 360 to the second end 34 of the body 30 and bypassing the
primary fluid outlet 440. A second function of the gasket 116 is to
retain the position of the inner wall 120 with respect to the outer
wall 360 and hence retains the air exit 110 in position with
respect to the outer wall 360.
[0078] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7 in particular, the inner wall 120
has two sections; a first section 136 includes the first part 140a
of the second connection 140 and is generally parallel to one or
more of the outer wall 360, the first duct 310a and the heater 80.
A second section 138 includes the flow directing portion 132. This
second section 138 has a curved profile and in the flow direction
through the primary fluid flow path 400 the second section curves
towards the centre line A-A of the duct and the fluid outlet 320.
The flow directing portion 132 is curved and has a smooth surface
which is in contact with fluid flowing through the primary fluid
flow path 400.
[0079] Constraining the relative radial locations of the inner
components of the body 36 of the hairdryer is useful as it allows
each component to be concentric within the body 36. Referring to
FIGS. 13 and 14 in particular, the body 36 extends lengthwise from
a first end 32 to a second end 34 and within the body a number of
different components are housed each of which extend along the
length of the body. Firstly, there is the inner duct 310; this is
surrounded by the heater 80 for at least a part of the length of
the inner duct 310 and the heater 80 is surrounded by the outer
wall 360 of the body 36. It is important that the heater 80 does
not touch either of the inner duct 310 or the outer wall 360 as
this will create a hot spot where heat from the heater 80 can
transfer directly to an external surface of the appliance, it could
also reduce the life of the heater 80. There is very little space
between each of the components within the body 36, so a loss of
concentricity could cause the heater to touch the inner duct 310 or
the outer body 360.
[0080] The primary fluid flow path 400 that extends along the body
36 is annular and should have generally consistent inner and outer
diameter along the length of the body 36 otherwise there will be
uneven flow around the primary fluid flow path 400 and this would
result in the heater 80 having thermal fluctuations radially around
the heater 80. The outer wall 360 and the duct 310 are generally
parallel along the length of the body. If the heater 80 did contact
one of the inner duct 310 and outer body 360 that define the space
in which the heater 80 resides there would be a thermal fluctuation
along the length of the heater 80. Both of these outcomes would
compromise the efficiency of the appliance and possible cause
damage to some of the components.
[0081] The inner duct 310 is connected to the body 36 at the first
end 32 of the body 36 via a side wall and by fixing the inner duct
310 to the air exit 110 and the heater 80 near the second end 34 of
the body 36, the spacing and concentricity of these components is
ensured along with the cross sectional profile of the primary fluid
flow path 400.
[0082] Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, a first gap 112 is provided
between the heater 80 and the outer wall 360 and a second gap 114
is provided between the heater 80 and the inner duct 310. The first
gap 112 and the second gap 114 provide cool walls between the
heater 80 and a respective externally accessible surface. Some
fluid flowing through the primary fluid flow path 400 flows along
these gaps 112, 114 providing a fluid insulator along the length of
the heater 80 to reduce the temperature of the outer wall 360 and
the inner duct 310. The fluid that flows through the second gap 114
rejoins the main primary fluid flow path (that flows directly
through the heater 80) at the air exit 110. The first gap 112
continues beyond the heater 80 towards the second end 34 of the
body 30 and the sealing gasket 116 that seals between the inner
wall 120 of the air exit 110 and the outer wall 360 of the body 36
providing a fluid insulator between the inner wall and the outer
wall 360.
[0083] At the front or second end 34 of the body 30 a plurality of
magnets 150 are disposed radially spaced around the primary fluid
outlet 440. These magnets 150 comprise one part of a magnetic
coupling to an attachment (not shown) such as a concentrator or
diffuser which includes corresponding magnets or magnetic material
which are attracted to the magnets 150 to connect the attachment to
the body 30 of the hairdryer 10. The outer wall 360 of the body 30
has an end wall 362 which extends radially inwards of the outer
wall 360 towards the centre line A-A of the body 30. In this
example, the magnets 150 are housed within the air exit 110 and
abut or are adjacent the end wall 362 of the body 30. The magnets
150 are cylinders which are push or interference fit into receiving
units 152 located radially spaced around a front face of the air
exit 110. The inner wall 120 thus has a first inner facing surface
which is a flow directing surface 132 and a second outer facing
surface 134 which includes the receiving units 152 for the magnets
150.
[0084] Each receiving unit 152 includes a pair or arms 154, 156
between which a magnet 150 is pushed until the magnet 150 is flush
with the front face 118 of the air exit. By having a flush surface,
the air exit 110 is able to abut the end wall 362 of the body 30
maximising magnetic attraction produced by the array of magnets
150. In addition, having a flush front face 118 to the air exit 110
helps to position the air exit 110 with respect to the outer wall
360 of the body 30.
[0085] The gasket 116 is located somewhere along the inner wall 120
of the air exit 110. The exact positioning is not critical as long
as the gasket 116 does not interfere with the lap joint 140 or the
function of the magnets 150.
[0086] An alternative gasket 316 is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. In
this embodiment, the magnets 150 are radially spaced around the
fluid outlet 440 as before, however the magnets 150 are housed
within the gasket 316 rather than the air exit 410. The gasket 316
comprises a plurality of receiving units 352 each one designed to
receive one of the cylindrical magnets 150. Each receiving unit 352
comprises a pair of arms 354, 356 between which a magnet 150 is
pushed until the magnet 150 is flush with the front face 318 of the
gasket 318. Having a flush surface means the magnets 150 can abut
the end wall 362 of the outer body 360 of the body 30 maximising
magnetic attraction between the body and an attachment.
[0087] The gaskets 116, 316 both have a sealing surface 116a, 316a
respectively which, when the gasket 116, 316 is positioned with
respect to the air exit 110, 410 and the outer wall 360 of the body
30 seals against the outer wall 360 preventing fluid from the
primary fluid flow path 400 exiting the appliance anywhere other
than the primary fluid outlet 440.
[0088] FIGS. 16 to 19 show various views of an attachment to which
a hairdryer 10 may be removably attached via the magnets 150. In
this example, the attachment is a docking port 450 for the
hairdryer 10 when not in use. The docking port 450 is conveniently
attached to a surface 460 such as a wall, vanity unit, or wardrobe
for example.
[0089] The docking unit 450 has three parts, a base 452 for
attachment to a surface 460, a ring 454 of magnetic material or
magnetised material and a cone 456 for engaging with the duct 310
of a hairdryer 10. The base 452 includes a screw thread 458 onto
which the cone 456 is screwed when the ring 454 is in position. The
ring 454 of magnetic material or magnetised material can be made
from one of iron, a steel, or flakes of magnetic material moulded
into a resin such as epoxy, other examples will be apparent to the
skilled person.
[0090] The inner duct 310 is generally tubular and it is preferred
that the wall 312 that defines first duct 310a tapers radially
outwardly towards the downstream end or the fluid outlet 340 (FIG.
4). Thus, the wall 312 thins towards the outlet 340 increasing the
diameter of the fluid flow path 300 slightly at the outlet 340.
Fluid that flows through the fluid flow path 300 is thus angled
towards the outer wall 360 and the primary fluid outlet 440.
[0091] The gasket 116, 316 seal the inner wall 110, 410
respectively against the outer wall 360. The seal need not be a
perfect seal as in some circumstances it may be desirable to allow
some controlled leakage through the gasket 116, 316 to provide a
cooling flow of the outer wall 360 downstream of the gasket 116,
316. The gasket 116, 316 could comprise a number of radially
disposed bleeds or recesses to achieve this.
[0092] The invention has been described in detail with respect to a
hairdryer however, it is applicable to any appliance that draws in
a fluid and directs the outflow of that fluid from the
appliance.
[0093] The appliance can be used with or without a heater; the
action of the outflow of fluid at high velocity has a drying
effect.
[0094] The fluid that flows through the appliance is generally air,
but may be a different combination of gases or gas and can include
additives to improve performance of the appliance or the impact the
appliance has on an object the output is directed at for example,
hair and the styling of that hair.
[0095] The invention is not limited to the detailed description
given above. Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in
the art.
* * * * *