Apparatus and method for drying and styling hair

Abstract

A device for drying and/or styling hair is disclosed. The device uses conduction and convection to heat the user's hair either to dry wet or damp hair or to style the user's hair. The device has a body portion having a fan and a heater for generating a heated air stream. The heated air stream flows into a head portion that has a base portion and a heat exchanger. Heat from the air heats up the heat exchanger which in turn heats up the base portion. During use, the user's hair contacts an outer surface of the base portion and is heated by conduction. Vent holes are also provided in the base portion so that the heated air can also heat the user's hair by convection.

1 . Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising
 a body portion;   a head portion coupled to the body portion, the head portion comprising a base portion having a hair contacting surface for engaging with a length of hair;   a fan for drawing air into the apparatus and for blowing air towards the head portion; and   at least one heater for providing heat energy to cause the base portion and the air drawn into or output from the fan to be heated;   wherein the base portion is configured to store heat for subsequent transfer of heat by conduction to hair that engages the hair contacting surface of the base portion.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to control the heating of the air by the at least one heater in response to a change in temperature of the base portion. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus is configured to increase the heat output of the at least one heater when a temperature of the base portion falls below a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the base portion comprises at least one vent hole for flow of the heated air out of the base portion for transfer of heat from the heated air to the hair. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the head portion comprises a plenum chamber; and   the device is configured for flow of the heated air from the plenum chamber to the at least one vent hole.   
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the base portion comprises a plurality of thermally conductive elements on an outer surface of the base portion, wherein the thermally conductive elements are configured to be heated by the heated airstream and to store heat from the heated air stream for subsequent transfer of heat by conduction to hair that engages the hair contacting surface of the base portion. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  or  6 , the apparatus further comprising a heat exchanger configured to receive the heated air from the plenum chamber and to guide the heated air to the plurality of vent holes. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein heat is transferred from the heated air to the base portion via the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of radial fins. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 7  to  9 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises
 one or more air-inlet channels for receiving the heated air from the plenum chamber; and 
 one or more air-outlet channels for guiding the heated air to the vent holes. 
 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the heat exchanger is configured to guide the heated air through one of the one more air-inlet channels before the heated air flows through one of the one more air-outlet channels. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 10  or  11 , further comprising at least one mixing chamber, wherein the at least one mixing chamber is configured to receive the heated air from the one or more air-inlet channels, and the one or more air-outlet channels are configured to receive the heated air from the at least one mixing chamber. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus comprises first and second mixing chambers, wherein the first mixing chamber is provided at an end of the head portion that is proximal to the main body and the second mixing chamber is provided at an end of the head portion that is distal to the main body. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 10  to  13 , wherein heated air flows towards the body portion along the one or more air-inlet channels, before flowing away from the body portion in the one or more air-inlet channels. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 10  to  14 , wherein heated air flows away from the body portion along the one or more air-inlet channels, before flowing towards the body portion in the one or more air-inlet channels. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 10  to  15 , wherein the base portion comprises a row of thermally conductive elements that is aligned with a corresponding air-inlet channel, for transfer of heat to the row of thermally conductive elements from the corresponding air-inlet channel. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein heat is transferred from the heated air to the thermally conductive elements via a thermally conducting member of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the thermally conducting member forms a wall of the air-inlet channel. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 16  to  18 , wherein the total surface area of the thermally conductive elements is between 40% and 70% of the total external surface area of the base portion. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the head portion is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality thermally insulated bristles for guiding the hair extend from the hair contacting surface. 
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the specific heat capacity of the base portion is between 800 to 1000 J/kg ° C. 
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermal conductivity of the base is between 90 and 200 W/mk. 
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein heat is transferred directly to the base portion from heated air inside the head portion. 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, where the fan and the at least one heater are provided in the body portion. 
     
     
         26 . Apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the fan is configured to generate a generally longitudinal flow of air from the body portion into a plenum chamber in the head portion. 
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein heat is transferred from the base portion to the hair by conduction, and from the heated air to the hair by convection. 
     
     
         28 . Apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein at least a majority of the heat transferred to the hair by the apparatus is transferred by conduction. 
     
     
         29 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  or any claim dependent thereon, further comprising at least one sensor for sensing a temperature of the base portion;
 a first heater for heating the air drawn into or output from the fan to provide the heated air stream; and 
 a second heater configured to provide a boost function to provide addition heat to the air stream; 
 wherein the apparatus is configured to control the second heater in response to a detected decrease in the temperature of the base portion. 
 
     
     
         30 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of base portions, each configured to be heated by the heated airstream and to store heat from the heated air stream for subsequent transfer of heat by conduction to hair that engages the hair contacting surface of the base portion. 
     
     
         31 . Apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein each base portion takes the form of a thermally conductive element that extends from an outer surface of the head portion. 
     
     
         32 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a first heater and a second heater;
 wherein the first heater is arranged to heat air that flows into a first part of the head portion;   wherein the second heater is arranged to heat air that flows into a second part of the head portion;   and wherein the first part of the head portion is separate from the second part of the head portion.   
     
     
         33 . Apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the first heater and the second heater are independently controllable. 
     
     
         34 . Apparatus according to  claim 32  or  33 , wherein the first heater is aligned with a first opening into head portion for flow of heated air from the first heater into the first part of the head portion; and
 wherein the second heater is aligned with a second opening into head portion for flow of heated air from the second heater into the second part of the head portion. 
 
     
     
         35 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a first fuse and a second fuse;
 wherein the first fuse is configured to prevent the heater from operating when a temperature at the heater exceeds a first predetermined threshold temperature; and   wherein the second fuse is configured to prevent the heater from operating when a temperature in the head portion exceeds a second predetermined threshold temperature.   
     
     
         36 . Apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein the heater is provided in the body portion of the device, the first fuse is located adjacent to the heater in the body portion of the device, and the second fuse is located in the head portion. 
     
     
         37 . Apparatus according to  claim 35  or  36 , wherein the second predetermined threshold temperature is lower than the first predetermined threshold temperature. 
     
     
         38 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 7  to  37 , wherein the base portion comprises two base portion parts coupled at a first thermal interface;
 wherein the heat exchanger comprises two heater exchanger parts coupled at a second thermal interface; and 
 wherein the first thermal interface is offset from the second thermal interface. 
 
     
     
         39 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of temperature sensors provided in the head portion. 
     
     
         40 . Apparatus according to  claim 39 , wherein the temperature sensors are arranged for measuring a non-uniform heat distribution of the head portion. 
     
     
         41 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus further comprising a motion sensor;
 wherein the apparatus is configured to enter an idle mode based on measurements from the motion sensor;   wherein in the idle mode a temperature of the base portion is maintained at an idle temperature; and   wherein the idle temperature is lower than an operating temperature of the base portion for drying and/or styling hair.   
     
     
         42 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the motion sensor comprises a gyroscope or an accelerometer. 
     
     
         43 . Apparatus according to  claim 41  or  42 , wherein the apparatus is configured to enter the idle mode when measurements from the motion sensor indicate that the apparatus has not been moved for a predetermined duration of time. 
     
     
         44 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the heater is configured to heat the air drawn into or output from the fan to provide a heated air stream,
 wherein the head portion is configured to receive the heated air stream,   and wherein the base portion is configured to be heated by the heated airstream for subsequent transfer of heat by conduction to hair that engages the hair contacting surface of the base portion.   
     
     
         45 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  43 , wherein the heater is configured to heat the air drawn into or output from the fan to provide a heated air stream,
 wherein the head portion is configured to receive the heated air stream, 
 and wherein a heat exchanger in the head portion is configured to be heated by the heated airstream for transfer of heat from the heat exchanger to the base portion, and for subsequent transfer of heat by conduction to hair that engages the hair contacting surface of the base portion. 
 
     
     
         46 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the heater is configured to heat the base portion via radiative heating, or the heater is configured to heat a heater exchanger in the head portion via radiative heating for subsequent transfer of heat to the base portion. 
     
     
         47 . Apparatus according to  claim 46 , wherein the air output from the fan is heated by transfer of heat from the base portion to the air, or by transfer of heat from the heat exchanger to the air. 
     
     
         48 . Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising
 a body portion;   a head portion coupled to the body portion, the head portion comprising a base portion having a hair contacting surface for engaging with a length of hair and a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the base portion, wherein the head portion has a proximal end and a distal end and is coupled to the body portion at the proximal end;   a fan for drawing air into the apparatus and for blowing air towards the proximal end of the head portion;   at least one heater for heating the air drawn into or output from the fan to provide a heated air stream;   wherein the proximal end of the head portion is configured to receive the heated air stream, wherein the heat exchanger extends between the proximal and distal ends of the head portion and wherein the head portion further comprises a baffle positioned at the proximal end of the head portion and configured to cause the heated air stream to enter a central portion of the heat exchanger located between said proximal and distal ends.   
     
     
         49 . Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising
 a body portion;   a head portion coupled to the body portion, the head portion comprising a base portion having a hair contacting surface for engaging with a length of hair and a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the base portion, wherein the head portion has a proximal end and a distal end and is coupled to the body portion at the proximal end;   a fan for drawing air into the apparatus and for blowing air towards the proximal end of the head portion;   at least one heater for heating the air drawn into or output from the fan to provide a heated air stream;   wherein the proximal end of the head portion is configured to receive the heated air stream, wherein the heat exchanger has a proximal end adjacent the proximal end of the head portion that has a lower heat exchanging efficiency than the rest of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         50 . Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising
 a body portion;   a head portion coupled to the body portion, the head portion comprising a base portion having a hair contacting surface for engaging with a length of hair and having one or more vent holes;   a fan for drawing air into the apparatus and for blowing air towards the head portion;   at least one heater for heating the air drawn into or output from the fan to provide a heated air stream; and   a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heated air stream and the base portion, and wherein the heat exchanger forms a convoluted path for the heated air stream to follow to reach said one or more vent holes.   
     
     
         51 . Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising
 a body portion;   a head portion coupled to the body portion, the head portion comprising a base portion having a hair contacting surface for engaging with a length of hair; and   a fan for drawing air into the apparatus and for blowing air towards the head portion; and   at least one heater for heating the air drawn into or output from the fan to provide a heated air stream;   wherein the base portion comprises:
 a plurality of vent holes for venting the heated air from the apparatus; 
 a plurality of bristles extending from the hair contacting surface of the base portion; and 
 a plurality of thermally conductive elements extending from the hair contacting surface of the base portion; 
   wherein the bristles and conductive elements are arranged to guide the hair around the vent holes to prevent, during use, the hair from blocking the vent holes.   
     
     
         52 . Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising
 a body portion;   a head portion coupled to the body portion, the head portion comprising a base portion defining an inner space and having an outer hair contacting surface for engaging with a length of hair; and   a fan for drawing air into the apparatus and for blowing air towards the head portion; and   at least one heater for heating the air drawn into or output from the fan to provide a heated air stream;   wherein the base portion has a plurality of thermally conductive elements extending from the outer hair contacting surface and wherein each of the thermally conductive elements is coupled to a heat exchanger mounted within the head portion and which is configured to transfer heat from the heated air stream to the thermally conductive elements.   
     
     
         53 . A hair styling device comprising:
 a housing having an air inlet through which air can be drawn and one or more air outlets through which air can be output; and   a fan mounted within the housing and configured to draw air into the housing through the air inlet and to blow the air towards the one or more air outlets;   wherein the housing comprises a shroud for shrouding at least part of the air inlet and a spigot that protrudes through the air inlet beyond a distal end of the shroud.   
     
     
         54 . The device according to  claim 53 , wherein the housing is elongate having a central axis, wherein the shroud surrounds the central axis of the housing and wherein the distal end of the shroud is oblique to the central axis. 
     
     
         55 . The device according to  claim 53  or  54 , wherein the spigot has a central opening through which a power cord can pass to provide power to the hair styling device. 
     
     
         56 . The device according to any one of  claims 53  to  55 , wherein the air inlet is formed by a gap between the shroud and the spigot and wherein a filter is provided in the air inlet. 
     
     
         57 . The device according to any one of  claims 53  to  56 , wherein the housing further comprises a heater for heating air before it is output from the one or more air outlets. 
     
     
         58 . The device according to any one of  claims 53  to  57 , wherein the shroud is integrally formed with the housing or is a separate part that connects to the housing. 
     
     
         59 . Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising
 a base portion having a hair contacting surface for engaging with a length of hair; and   at least one radiative heater for heating the base portion via radiative heating;   wherein the base portion is configured store the heat from the radiative heater for subsequent transfer of heat by conduction to hair that engages the hair contacting surface.   
     
     
         60 . Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising:
 a base portion having a hair contacting surface for engaging with a length of hair;   a heat exchanger; and   at least one radiative heater for heating the heat exchanger via radiative heating;   wherein the heat exchanger is configured for transferring heat to the base portion; and   wherein the base portion is configured store the heat from the heat exchanger for subsequent transfer of heat by conduction to hair that engages the hair contacting surface.   
     
     
         61 . Apparatus for drying or styling hair, the apparatus comprising
 a body portion;   a head portion coupled to the body portion, the head portion comprising a base portion having a hair contacting surface for engaging with a length of hair;   a fan for drawing air into the apparatus and for blowing air towards the head portion; and   at least one heater for heating the air drawn into or output from the fan to provide a heated air stream;   wherein the head portion is configured to receive the heated air stream and the base portion is configured to be heated by the heated airstream and to store heat from the heated air stream for subsequent transfer of heat by conduction to hair that engages the hair contacting surface of the base portion.