Hair dryer

[0002] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-23780, filed Feb. 1, 2000, entitled “Hair Dryer”. The contents of that application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a hair dryer.

[0005] 2. Discussion of the Background

[0006] Conventionally, hair dryers have a pistol-like shape, i.e., a blowing part equipped with a fan and a heating device and a handle attached to this blowing part at a certain angle. These hair dryers usually have a two- or three-leveled switch to change the temperature of their blowing air, and such a switch is provided at their handles. Also, some hair dryers have a temperature controlling device designed to adjust the temperature of the blowing air. However, like the former hair dryers, such a temperature controlling device is provided also on the handles of those hair dryers. A user of the former hair dryers can select only two or three predetermined temperatures set by their manufacturers. A user of the latter hair dryers can adjust the temperature of the blowing air. However, because the temperature controlling device is on the handle, it would be difficult for her to adjust the temperature. For example, it is quite likely that she needs to free the temperature controlling device from her grip and either regrip or put the hair dryer into the other hand in order to make a temperature adjustment, particularly a fine adjustment.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a hair dryer includes a main body, a heater, a fan, a handle and a temperature control device. The main body has an air outlet and an outer surface. The heater is encased in the main body and configured to heat the air. The fan is provided in the main body and configured to blow air toward the heater. The handle is attached to the main body. The temperature control device is configured to control the heater to adjust a temperature of the air and has a temperature adjuster provided on the outer surface of the main body between the air outlet and the fan. The temperature adjuster is configured to rotate around the outer surface of the main body to adjust the temperature of the air.

[0008] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a hair dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hair dryer shown in FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the adjustment device shown in FIG. 2;

[0012] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the temperature controller and the adjustment device shown in FIGS. 1-3 in one state; and

[0013] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the temperature controller and the adjustment device shown in FIG. 4A in a different state.

[0014] The preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or identical elements throughout the various drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a hair dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hair dryer shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a hair dryer 3 has a main body 1 which is, for example, generally cylindrical, a handle 2 extending from the main body 1 at angle and a detachable nozzle 13 attached on the front end of the main body 1. The nozzle 13 may be fixed to the main body 1 or integrally formed as a part of the main body 1. A temperature adjuster 5 is provided on the main body 1. On the outer surface of the temperature adjuster 5, a number of elongated projections 28 are provided to ensure better gripping for a user.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, the main body 1 accommodates a heater 6 and a blowing device 11. The blowing device 11 includes a motor 8, a ventilation fan 9 and fixed vanes 10 for streamlining air flow. At the front end of the main body 1, an air outlet 12 is provided to send the air heated by the heater 6 in the main body 1 to outside, and the detachable nozzle 13 can converge the heated air before sending it to outside. At the rear end of the main body 1, an air intake 14 is provided to intake outside air into the main body 1. The temperature adjuster 5 is provided between the air outlet 12 and the ventilation fan 9. Accordingly, the temperature adjuster 5 and the heater 6 may be easily electrically connected.

[0018] In the handle 2, a main switch 15 for turning the hair dryer on and off, a flow rate selector 16 for choosing a certain flow rate from various flow rates, a cool blow switch 17 for blowing cool air are provided. Also, an electric cord 18 extends out from the bottom end of the handle 2.

[0019] Inside the main body 1, a temperature detector 19, for example, a thermistor, is provided near the heater 6 and detects the temperature of the blowing air. A control block 20 is provided inside the handle 2. The control block 20 is designed to receive a signal from the temperature detector 19 and control the electricity consumption of the heater 6. Further, the control block 20 is electronically connected, for example, by lead, to a variable unit 21. In FIG. 2, the variable unit 21 is positioned where the handle 2 is connected to the main body 1. The variable unit 21 sets an amount of the electricity consumption by the heater 6. FIG. 3 is a side view of the variable unit 21.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, the variable unit 21 includes a circuit board 22, an adjustment contact 23 provided on the circuit board 22 and a lever 24. The lever 24 has an adjustment controller 25 which is in contact with the adjustment contact 23. By making the adjustment controller 25 slide along the adjustment contact 23, the adjustment controller 25 alters the electricity consumption of the heater 6. Consequently, the temperature of the air heated by the heater 6 is adjusted. In addition, by operating the adjustment controller 25 along the adjustment contact 23 through the lever 24, the variable unit 21 effectuates gradually progressive and regressive temperature control. Hence, the temperature of the air heated by the heater 6 can be finely adjusted.

[0021] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of a temperature control device 50 including the temperature adjuster 5 and the variable unit 21 shown in FIGS. 1-3 in two different states.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4A and 4B, the temperature adjuster 5 which has a ring-like shape is attached around the outer circumferential surface of the main body 1 and designed to rotate around the axis of the main body 1. On the inner surface of the temperature adjuster 5, a helical groove 26 winding with respect to the axis of the main body 1 is provided. A hook portion 24aon a tip of the lever 24 is slidably fitted in the helical groove 26. Thus, when the temperature adjuster 5 rotates around the axis of the main body 1, the hook portion 24aof the lever 24 slides along the helical groove 26 and the lever 24 slides in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the main body 1. As a result, the adjustment controller 25 (see FIG. 3) slides along the adjustment contact 23 and alters the electricity consumption of the heater 6. The temperature of the air heated by the heater 6 is therefore adjusted.

[0023] In the embodiment described above, the shift ratio of the adjustment controller 25 along the adjustment contact 23 to the hook portion 24aalong the helical groove 26 may be 1 to approximately 3. For example, the adjustment controller 25 slides 10 mm along the adjustment contact 23 as the hook portion 24aslides approximately 30 mm along the helical groove 26. By setting a shift ratio as such, the adjustment controller 25 and the adjustment contact 23 make a sufficiently fine alteration of the electricity consumption by the heater 6 to permit a fine temperature adjustment of the air heated by the heater 6. However, by making the helical groove 26 longer, it is possible to make the temperature adjustment finer.

[0024] As described above, a number of the elongated projections 28 are provided on the outer surface of the temperature adjuster 5. These elongated projections 28 provide better gripping and easier adjustment for a user. For instance, the elongated projections 28 may be provided at an equal interval and each of the elongated projections 28 may have elongation substantially parallel to the axis of the main body 1. Hence, she can easily get hold of the temperature controller, turn it and adjust the temperature of the air without losing her grip.

[0025] According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the temperature control device 50 is designed to control the heater 6 to adjust a temperature of the air and has the temperature adjuster 5 provided on the outer surface of the main body 1. A user can therefore adjust the temperature of the blowing air easily with one hand while holding on to the handle with the other hand. As a result, the user can continue to dry or style her hairs without awkwardly struggling or disrupting her drying or styling effort for the temperature adjustment. For example, according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the temperature adjuster 5 may have a ring-like shape and rotate with respect to the axis of the main body 1. Thus, the user can simply use her finger to operate the temperature control device 50 from any part of the temperature adjuster 5 and also easily reach and operate the temperature adjuster 5 from any positions or directions when she moves the hair dryer around her head.

[0026] In the embodiment, although the helical groove 26 is provided to guide the hook portion 24a, any guide may be provided to guide the hook portion 24a. For example, a step portion to guide the hook portion 24amay be provided.

[0027] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.