WO2005089493A2 - Hairdryer control logic and interface - Google Patents

Hairdryer control logic and interface Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005089493A2
WO2005089493A2 PCT/US2005/009173 US2005009173W WO2005089493A2 WO 2005089493 A2 WO2005089493 A2 WO 2005089493A2 US 2005009173 W US2005009173 W US 2005009173W WO 2005089493 A2 WO2005089493 A2 WO 2005089493A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
switch
hairdryer
display
settings
speed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2005/009173
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2005089493A3 (en
Inventor
Martin A. Cohen
Original Assignee
Conair Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Conair Corporation filed Critical Conair Corporation
Publication of WO2005089493A2 publication Critical patent/WO2005089493A2/en
Publication of WO2005089493A3 publication Critical patent/WO2005089493A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D20/00—Hair drying devices; Accessories therefor
    • A45D20/04—Hot-air producers
    • A45D20/08—Hot-air producers heated electrically
    • A45D20/10—Hand-held drying devices, e.g. air douches
    • A45D20/12—Details thereof or accessories therefor, e.g. nozzles, stands
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/18—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks

Definitions

  • a handheld hairdryer (not shown) of a conventional type has on a conventional switch panel surface (not shown) a fan speed switch (1), a heat setting switch (2), a "cool” switch (3) and a “turbo” switch (4).
  • the speed switch (1) and heat switch (2) are bi-directional and, preferably, membrane switches. Mechanical toggle switches could also be used.
  • the "cool” switch (3) and the “turbo” switch are also, preferably, membrane switches.
  • a visual selection indicator (5) is moved among a displayed array of speed setting selections, corresponding to predetermined fan or motor speeds. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, various hair characteristic settings like “fine”, “care”, “gentle”, “normal” and “turbo” correspond to increasing air flow speed settings.
  • the heat switch (2) is manipulated to move a visual selection indicator (6) among various heat settings such as “cool”, “delicate”, “damage”, “thin” and “thick”.
  • the "cool” switch (3) is activated, one or a variety of heat elements (not shown) in the dryer are momentarily switched off and the temperature of the air emitting from the dryer is momentarily reduced.

Abstract

A hairdryer control panel and switch system includes a fan speed switch (1), a heat setting switch (2), a 'cool' switch (3) and a 'turbo' switch (4). The speed switch (1) and heat switch (2) are bi-directional and, preferably, membrane switches. The 'cool' switch (3) and the 'turbo' switch are also, preferably, membrane switches. By advancing the speed switch (1) in either direction, a visual selection indicator (5) is moved among a displayed array of speed setting selections, corresponding to predetermined fan or motor speeds. Similarly, the heat switch (2) is manipulated to move a visual selection indicator (6) among various heat settings.

Description

HAIRDRYER CONTROL LOGIC AND INTERFACE RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional application 60/554,669 (filed 19 March 2004). TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates electrical hairdryers and, more particularly, to an improved hairdryer having an array of switches controlling functions and settings and an associated display panel corresponding to the functions and settings and their selections. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known in the art to provide an electric hairdryer having separate heat and speed controls. It is also known to have separate switches associated with functions known as "cool shot" and "turbo" functions which, respectively, provide a blast of cooled air (as opposed to heated air) and a sudden increase in airflow. Typically, such switches are activated by spring-loaded buttons that, in the case of "cool shot" de-activate specific heater coils; and in the case of "turbo" de-activate some of the electrical resistance so that motor speed is increased. It is also known in the art to provide visual display indicators of switch settings with LED or LCD displays. Such displays are useful when coupled with touch-pad switches and associated logic systems. Conventional, mechanical switches on hairdryers are limited by space in that multi-position switches occupy enough space to accommodate each position. In addition, certain mechanical switches are cumbersome and prone to mechanical wear over time and are subject to moisture and heat damage. Known LED and LCD displays are typically limited to single function or condition status signals. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of conventional switches and controls on known hairdryers to provide convenient, durable control switches that facilitate multiple options and settings in a limited environment. It is a further object to utilize LCD technology to facilitate a multi-option menu that is operated and displayed on a space-limited surface. These and other objects are achieved by the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a control panel according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an LCD display according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Fig.l, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention a handheld hairdryer (not shown) of a conventional type has on a conventional switch panel surface (not shown) a fan speed switch (1), a heat setting switch (2), a "cool" switch (3) and a "turbo" switch (4). The speed switch (1) and heat switch (2) are bi-directional and, preferably, membrane switches. Mechanical toggle switches could also be used. The "cool" switch (3) and the "turbo" switch are also, preferably, membrane switches. By advancing the speed switch (1) in either direction, a visual selection indicator (5) is moved among a displayed array of speed setting selections, corresponding to predetermined fan or motor speeds. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, various hair characteristic settings like "fine", "care", "gentle", "normal" and "turbo" correspond to increasing air flow speed settings. Similarly, the heat switch (2) is manipulated to move a visual selection indicator (6) among various heat settings such as "cool", "delicate", "damage", "thin" and "thick". When the "cool" switch (3) is activated, one or a variety of heat elements (not shown) in the dryer are momentarily switched off and the temperature of the air emitting from the dryer is momentarily reduced. When the "turbo" switch (4) is activated, resistance is dropped so that the electrical motor speed increases, thereby increased fan speed and airflow speed. While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosed and described, it is understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A control panel and display system for a hairdryer, said system comprising a switch for controlling a multi-setting function of said hairdryer; a display panel for displaying various settings relating to said function; and a visual indicator signal that is selectively movable among said settings on said display in response to manipulation of said switch to select a function setting of said hairdryer.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said switch is a membrane switch.
3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said display panel is an LCD display.
4. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling switch that, when activated, causes at least one heat element in said hairdryer to de-activate, thereby reducing the temperature of air flowing out of said hairdryer.
5. A system according to claim 1, further comprising an airspeed boost switch that, when activated, causes the speed of air flowing out of said hairdryer to increase.
6. A control panel and display system for a hairdryer, said system comprising a first switch for controlling a first multi-setting function of said hairdryer; a second switch for controlling a second multi-setting function of said hairdryer; a display panel for displaying various settings relating to said first and second functions; and a plurality of visual indicator signals that are selectively movable among said settings on said display in response to manipulation of said switch to select various function settings of said hairdryer
PCT/US2005/009173 2004-03-19 2005-03-18 Hairdryer control logic and interface WO2005089493A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US55466904P 2004-03-19 2004-03-19
US60/554,669 2004-03-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005089493A2 true WO2005089493A2 (en) 2005-09-29
WO2005089493A3 WO2005089493A3 (en) 2007-02-01

Family

ID=34994388

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2005/009173 WO2005089493A2 (en) 2004-03-19 2005-03-18 Hairdryer control logic and interface

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20050204576A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005089493A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN202218686U (en) * 2011-08-31 2012-05-16 深圳市奋达电器有限公司 Touch type blow dryer
US10856637B2 (en) 2015-11-19 2020-12-08 Farouk Systems, Inc. Touch device usable for hairdressing apparatus
EP3827696B1 (en) * 2018-09-19 2022-06-29 LG Electronics Inc. Dryer

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5053758A (en) * 1988-02-01 1991-10-01 Sperry Marine Inc. Touchscreen control panel with sliding touch control
US20030234100A1 (en) * 2002-06-20 2003-12-25 Sherry Ross Personal dryer

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6792692B1 (en) * 2003-06-17 2004-09-21 Manica-Thai Corp., Ltd Control method of input power and airflow rate of hair dryer

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5053758A (en) * 1988-02-01 1991-10-01 Sperry Marine Inc. Touchscreen control panel with sliding touch control
US20030234100A1 (en) * 2002-06-20 2003-12-25 Sherry Ross Personal dryer
US6718650B2 (en) * 2002-06-20 2004-04-13 Sherry Ross Personal dryer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20050204576A1 (en) 2005-09-22
WO2005089493A3 (en) 2007-02-01

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