CN114206156A

CN114206156A - Hair styling apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN114206156A
Application number: CN201980081559.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 彭骏宇; M·霍兹曼; Y·B·布拉达; P·J·布雷梅
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 2018-12-10
Filing date: 2019-12-09
Publication date: 2022-03-18
Also published as: KR20210099643A; CN210144047U; PL3893691T3; EP3893691A1; EP3893691B1; WO2020120348A1

Abstract

An apparatus for hair styling, comprising: a first arm; a second arm coupled to the first arm; a temperature sensor configured to: sensing a temperature of the hair and outputting a temperature signal indicative of the sensed hair temperature; a status sensor configured to: detecting whether the first arm and the second arm are open or closed, and outputting a state signal indicating an open/closed state of the first arm and the second arm; and a controller configured to: identifying a current styling operation in response to detecting a change in the open/closed state of the first and second arms; determining a change in hair temperature between a current styling operation and a previous styling operation; and determining a count of operations of the device on the same bundle of hair based on changes in the temperature of the hair, thereby controlling the styling of the hair.

Description

Hair styling apparatus

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to hair styling apparatus or appliances.

Background

In hair care applications, there is a need to analyze and assess hair condition and/or hair health. People often associate styling hair with hair damage using high temperatures. One way to assess the condition of the hair is to assess the actual strength of the hair. Currently, people roughly measure strength loss based on the amount of hair in a brush, bed, etc. However, this measure is very crude and often does not have a clear indication before the hair is severely damaged.

Tensile stress measures tensile strength properties and is used in the hair care and cosmetic industry to measure the effects of topical applications, chemical treatments, and the like. Tensile strength properties are related to cortical properties and are less related to the stratum corneum. Such measurements allow to know if the core is damaged by heat, chemicals etc. However, this requires special equipment to make the measurements.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved method for estimating hair condition.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for hair styling.

In a first aspect, a method of operating an apparatus for hair styling is provided. The method comprises the following steps: identifying a current styling operation in response to detecting a change in an open/closed state of an arm of the device; determining a change in temperature of the hair between a current styling operation and a previous styling operation; and determining a count of operations that have been performed by the device on the same bundle of hair based on the change in temperature of the hair, thereby controlling the styling of the hair.

The method may provide a count of the number of taps on the same bundle of hair during styling by recording the hair temperature and counting the number of times the device is opened and closed. In this way, the operator can learn the hair condition based on the count of taps.

In some embodiments, identifying the current build operation comprises: in response to detecting that the arm is opened, determining that a previous build operation is ended and a current build operation is started; and determining that the current styling operation is finished in response to detecting that the arm is subsequently opened. By defining the start and end times of the tap, the counter can determine the count more accurately and efficiently.

In some embodiments, determining the change in temperature comprises: determining a first average temperature of the hair during a previous styling operation; determining a second average temperature of the hair during the current styling operation; and determining a difference between the second average temperature and the first average temperature. The average temperature is a more stable measure of the hair temperature, but other characteristic temperatures may be used.

In some embodiments, determining the count comprises: incrementing a count in response to the change indicating an increase in temperature from a previous build operation to a current build operation; and resetting the count to one in response to the change not indicating an increase in temperature from the previous build operation to the current build operation. By designing a simple algorithm, the counter can determine the number of taps on the same bundle of hair without consuming too much computational resources.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: turning off at least one heater of the device in response to the count exceeding a predetermined threshold; and/or provide at least one of a visual or audible indication of the count.

In a second aspect, an apparatus for hair styling is provided. The apparatus comprises: a first arm; a second arm coupled to the first arm; a temperature sensor configured to: sensing a temperature of the hair and outputting a temperature signal indicative of the sensed hair temperature; a status sensor configured to: detecting whether the first arm and the second arm are open or closed, and outputting a state signal indicating an open/closed state of the first arm and the second arm; and a controller configured to: receiving a temperature signal from a temperature sensor and a status signal from a status sensor; identifying a current styling operation in response to detecting a change in the open/closed state of the first and second arms; determining a change in temperature of the hair between a current styling operation and a previous styling operation; and determining a count of operations of the device on the same bundle of hair based on the change in temperature of the hair, thereby controlling the hair styling.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to identify the current build operation by: in response to detecting that the first arm and the second arm are opened, determining that the previous modeling operation is ended and the current modeling operation is started; and determining that the current styling operation is finished in response to detecting that the first arm and the second arm are subsequently opened.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to determine the change in temperature of the hair by: determining a first average temperature of the hair during a previous styling operation; determining a second average temperature of the hair during the current styling operation; and determining a difference between the second average temperature and the first average temperature.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to determine the count by: incrementing a count in response to the change indicating an increase in temperature from a previous build operation to a current build operation; and resetting the count to one in response to the change not indicating an increase in temperature from the previous build operation to the current build operation.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to: turning off at least one heater of the device in response to the count exceeding a predetermined threshold; and/or provide at least one of a visual or audible indication of the count.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: a first heating plate disposed on a surface of the first arm; and a second heating plate disposed on a surface of the second arm opposite to the first heating plate.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor comprises: a first non-contact temperature sensor disposed on the second arm, having a field of view facing the first arm, and configured to measure a temperature of an object within the field of view; and/or a second contactless temperature sensor disposed on the first arm, having a field of view facing the second arm and configured to measure a temperature of an object within the field of view.

By means of the contactless temperature sensor, the temperature of an object, such as hair, can be measured in a direct manner, which facilitates a more accurate assessment of the hair condition and control of the device.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed in an aperture in the second heating plate. In this way, the apparatus can make full use of its space, which is advantageous for miniaturization of the apparatus.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor comprises an infrared temperature sensor having an optical window for receiving infrared light and facing the first arm.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is disposed on a periphery of the first heated plate, and wherein the first heated plate comprises at least one slit between the temperature sensor and a central portion of the first heated plate to isolate the temperature sensor from the central portion of the first heated plate; and/or the temperature sensor is disposed on a periphery of the second heating plate, and wherein the second heating plate comprises at least one slit between the temperature sensor and a central portion of the second heating plate to isolate the temperature sensor from the central portion of the second heating plate. In this way, the sensor is not affected by the heat generated by the heater or the heating plate.

It should be understood that this summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hair styling appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a hair straightener, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the iron of FIG. 2;

fig. 4a and 4b are front and rear views of a heating plate in a hair straightener according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a hair styling appliance.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements.

Detailed Description

The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to a few exemplary embodiments. It is understood that these examples are described for illustrative purposes only and to aid those skilled in the art in understanding and practicing the present disclosure, and are not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in a variety of ways other than those described below.

As used herein, the term "include" and variations thereof should be understood to mean "including, but not limited to. The term "based on" should be understood as "based at least in part on". The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment". Other definitions, both explicit and implicit, may be included below.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hair styling apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the hair styling appliance may be a hair straightener, a hair crimper, a hair curling wand, or a hair curling iron.

As shown in fig. 1, hair styling apparatus 10 includes a first arm 30 and a second arm 32, the second arm 32 being coupleable to the first arm 30 at respective ends of the arms by hinges. The arms may also be referred to as jaws or gripping members. The first heater 12 may be disposed in the first arm 30 and the second heater 14 may be disposed in the second arm 32. It should be understood that the first and

second heaters

12 and 14 are provided for illustrative purposes only, and that more or fewer heaters may be present in the hair styling apparatus 10.

Hair styling apparatus 10 includes a temperature sensor 22 which can sense hair temperature and output a temperature signal indicative of the sensed hair temperature. The temperature sensor 22 may be disposed on either of the

arms

30 and 32. In addition, more than one temperature sensor 22 may be provided in hair styling apparatus 10.

Hair styling apparatus 10 includes a status sensor 28 that can detect whether

arms

30 and 32 are open or closed, and output a status signal indicative of the open/closed status of

arms

30 and 32. For example, the status sensor 28 may be a switch.

Hair styling apparatus 10 includes a controller 24 that receives a temperature signal from temperature sensor 22 and a status signal from a status sensor 28. If a change in the open/closed state of the arm is detected, the controller may identify the current styling operation. The styling operation may also be referred to as a kiss.

In some embodiments, if

arms

30 and 32 are opened, the previous build operation ends and the current build operation begins. Then, if the

arms

30 and 32 are closed and opened again, the current styling operation ends and a new subsequent styling operation may begin.

There may be some alternative methods to identify a tap based on the open/closed state of the

arms

30 and 32. For example, in an alternative embodiment, if the

arms

30 and 32 are closed, the previous build operation ends and the current build operation begins. Then, if the

arms

30 and 32 are opened and opened again, the current modeling operation ends and a new subsequent modeling operation may start.

Controller 24 may determine a change or change from tap to tap in the hair temperature sensed by temperature sensor 22. For example, controller 24 may determine a change in hair temperature from a previous light touch to a current light touch. Controller 24 may then determine a count of operations of hair styling apparatus 10 on the same bundle of hair based on changes in hair temperature, thereby controlling hair styling.

In some embodiments, the hair temperature may be an average temperature of the hair during a dabbing or styling operation. In this manner, changes in hair temperature are indicated by the change in average temperature from tap to tap. It should be understood that any other suitable characteristic temperature may be used, such as a maximum temperature during tapping.

For example, if the change indicates an increase in temperature from a previous tap to a current tap, controller 24 may increment the count. Otherwise, controller 24 may reset the count to one. In other words, if the temperature increases from one tap to another, the count of taps is incremented and the current tap is applied to the same strand as the previous tap. If the temperature has not increased from tap to tap, the count of taps is reset to 1 and the current tap is applied to a new strand of hair.

In some embodiments, the controller 24 may turn off the heaters 12 and/or 14 if the count exceeds a predetermined threshold. In this way, the hair bundle will not be damaged. Additionally or alternatively, controller 24 may provide a visual and/or audible indication of the count. In this way, the user can learn the actual tap count and hair condition. The user may then decide whether to continue with the same bundle of hair.

In hair styling appliances, a temperature sensor is mounted inside a heating plate, usually near the heater. During steady state, the temperature of the actual heater plate outer surface is unknown. The controller uses the internal temperature of the heater plate, along with the offset temperature, to approximate the heater plate surface temperature. This approach is prone to variations such as sensor to heater plate distance, tolerance of heating element output power, ambient temperature, tolerance of material density, quality of assembly, all of which affect the accuracy of the approximation, resulting in a mismatch of the heater plate outer surface and the user selected temperature target.

An example hair straightener according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to fig. 2 and 3. Directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "in front of," "behind," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the figures being described. Because components of embodiments described herein can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration only and is in no way limiting.

Fig. 2 and 3 show example configurations of a hair straightener 10 according to example embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the hair straightener 10 and fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the hair straightener 10. It should be understood that the configuration of the hair straightener 10 may also be suitable for any other suitable hair styling apparatus, such as a curling iron.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the hair straightener 10 comprises a first arm 30, the first arm 30 having a first heated plate 18 on its inner surface. Furthermore, the hair straightener 10 comprises a second arm 32 which is coupled to the first arm 30 by a hinge 26. In this manner, the first and

second arms

30, 32 may be opened and closed to allow a styling operation of the hair strands.

The hair straightener 10 can be operated in an open state (in which the

arms

30 and 32 are open) and a closed state (in which both the

arms

30 and 32 are closed). In the open state, it is desirable to stabilize the temperature of the outer surface of the heater plate 18 to a user-defined target temperature. In the closed state, it is desirable to raise the temperature of the hair to the desired styling temperature for the shortest amount of time without overheating the hair. For this purpose, the temperature of the heating plate 18 may be measured in the open state, and the temperature of the hair may be measured in the closed state.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the second arm 32 is provided with the noncontact temperature sensor 22. The non-contact temperature sensor 22 has a field of view facing the first heated plate 18 and measures the temperature of an object within the field of view. For example, an active surface of the noncontact temperature sensor 22 is exposed on a surface of the second arm 32. In the open state, there is no hair between the

arms

30 and 32, and the non-contact temperature sensor 22 can measure the temperature of the first heated plate 18. In the closed state, the hair bundle is sandwiched between the

arms

30 and 32, and the non-contact temperature sensor 22 can measure the temperature of the hair bundle. Since the temperature sensor 22 can directly sense the temperature of the surface of the heating plate and the temperature of the hair bundle, the accuracy of temperature measurement can be greatly improved.

In some embodiments, the non-contact temperature sensor 22 may be an infrared temperature sensor that includes an optical window for receiving infrared light, the optical window facing the first heated plate 18. Although the non-contact temperature sensor 22 is described herein in connection with an infrared optical sensor, it should be understood that any suitable temperature sensor currently known or developed in the future may be used, such as a non-contact temperature sensor, an optical sensor, or a thermistor.

For example, the first arm 30 may be provided with a first heater 12 for heating the first heated plate 18, and the first heater 12 may be arranged within the first heated plate 18, for example around the first heated plate 18 to improve the heating effect. Alternatively, the first heater 12 may also be arranged on the surface of the first heated plate 18. The second arm 32 may be provided with a second heated plate 20 on its inner surface opposite the first heated plate 18. For example, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the non-contact temperature sensor 22 may be disposed in an aperture in the second heated plate 20. The aperture may also at least partially pass through the heater 14. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 22 may also be arranged at any other suitable position of the second arm 32. The second arm 32 may be provided with a second heater 14 for heating the second heated plate 20, and the second heater 14 may be disposed within the second heated plate 20. Alternatively or additionally, a temperature sensor (not shown) may similarly be arranged within the first heated plate 18.

The controller 24 may be configured to: receives a temperature signal from the non-contact temperature sensor 22 and adjusts at least the power and heating time of the first heater 12 and/or the second heater 14 based on the temperature signal. For example, the controller 24 may receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor 22, calculate an appropriate heater output, and generate output signals to control the power and heating time of the

heaters

12 and 14. The heat generated by the heater will affect the temperature of the hair in the closed state or the surface temperature of the heating plate in the open state. The temperature sensor 22 may periodically perform temperature measurements, and the controller 24 may generate a control signal based on the periodic temperature measurements. This duty cycle may continue until the iron 10 is turned off.

In the on state, the temperature sensor 22 may measure the temperature of the heating plates 18 and/or 20, and the controller 24 may adjust the power of the first heater 12 and/or the second heater 14 based on the measured temperature to control the temperature of the heating plates 18 and/or 20 to a predetermined temperature or a predetermined temperature range. In the closed state, the temperature sensor 22 measures the temperature of the hair, and the controller 24 may adjust the power of the first and/or

second heaters

12, 14 to control the temperature of the hair to a predetermined temperature. For example, in each light touch, the temperature sensor 22 measures a strand of hair. The controller 24 may use the temperature signal from the temperature sensor 22 to control the output of the heater to raise the temperature of the hair until the hair temperature reaches a predetermined temperature at which the hair is not permanently damaged.

In addition, the controller 24 may also control the heating time of the first heater 12 and/or the second heater 14. For example, in the on state, when the measured hair temperature exceeds a predetermined hair temperature limit, controller 24 may turn off the heater to prevent thermal damage to the hair. In some embodiments, if it is determined that the hair temperature will exceed the predetermined hair temperature limit, controller 24 may turn off the heater to reduce heat transfer to the hair and prevent thermal damage to the hair. For example, the temperature sensor 22 may periodically measure a temperature signal, and the controller 24 may predict a trend in hair temperature based on the temperature signal sensed by the temperature sensor 22 to determine whether the hair temperature will exceed a predetermined hair temperature limit.

In some embodiments, the status sensor 28 may be implemented by a switch configured to: it is detected whether the first arm 30 and the second arm 32 are in the closed/open state, and a state signal indicating the open/closed state of the

arms

30 and 32 is output. The controller 24 may receive the status signal from the status sensor 28 and adjust at least one of the power and heating time of the first heater 12 and/or the second heater 14 based on the status signal and the temperature signal from the temperature sensor 22. For example, the controller 24 may calculate an appropriate heater output based on the status signal and the temperature signal, and generate an output signal to control the power of the heater, etc.

Fig. 4a and 4b are front and rear views of a heating plate in a hair straightener according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The heating plate may be one or both of the heating plates of a hair straightener or other hair styling apparatus.

As shown in fig. 4a and 4b, the temperature sensor 22 is arranged at the periphery of the heating plate, and the heating plate includes a slit 42 between the temperature sensor 22 and the central portion of the heating plate. In this manner, heat generated by the heater may be isolated from the temperature sensor 22 to avoid thermal damage. The temperature sensor 22 may be a thermistor or a non-contact temperature sensor, such as an infrared temperature sensor.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 50 of operating a hair styling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that method 500 may be used in apparatus 10 or any other suitable hair styling apparatus.

At block 52, in response to detecting a change in the open/closed state of the arms of the apparatus, a current build operation is identified.

In some embodiments, identifying the current build operation comprises: in response to detecting that the arm is opened, determining that the previous modeling operation is ended and the current modeling operation is started; and determining that the current styling operation is finished in response to detecting that the arm is subsequently opened.

At block 54, a change in temperature of the hair between the current styling operation and the previous styling operation is determined.

In some embodiments, determining the change in temperature comprises: determining a first average temperature during a previous build operation; determining a second average temperature during the current build operation; and determining a difference between the second average temperature and the first average temperature.

At block 56, based on the change in temperature of the hair, a count of the number of operations of the device on the same bundle of hair is determined, thereby controlling the hair styling.

In some embodiments, determining the count comprises: incrementing a count in response to the change indicating an increase in temperature from a previous build operation to a current build operation; and resetting the count to one in response to the change not indicating an increase in temperature from the previous build operation to the current build operation.

In some embodiments, the method 50 further comprises: turning off a heater of the device in response to the count exceeding a predetermined threshold; and/or provide at least one of a visual or audible indication of the count.

Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A method (50) of operating an apparatus for hair styling, comprising:

identifying (52) a current styling operation in response to detecting a change in the open/closed state of an arm of the apparatus;

determining (54) a change in temperature of the hair between the current styling operation and a previous styling operation; and

determining (56) a count of operations that the device has performed on the same bundle of hair based on the change in temperature of hair, thereby controlling the hair styling.

2. The method (50) according to claim 1, wherein identifying (52) the current build operation includes:

in response to detecting that the arm is opened, determining that the previous build operation is ended and the current build operation is started; and

in response to detecting that the arm is subsequently opened, determining that the current styling operation is finished.

3. The method (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein determining (54) the change in temperature comprises:

determining a first average temperature of the hair during said previous styling operation;

determining a second average temperature of the hair during the current styling operation; and

determining a difference between the second average temperature and the first average temperature.

4. The method (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein determining (56) the count includes:

incrementing the count in response to the change indicating an increase from the previous build operation to the current build operation temperature; and

resetting the count to one in response to the change not indicating an increase in temperature from the previous build operation to the current build operation.

5. The method (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

turning off at least one heater of the device in response to the count exceeding a predetermined threshold; and/or

Providing at least one of a visual or audible indication of the count.

6. An apparatus (10) for hair styling, comprising:

a first arm (30);

a second arm (32) coupled to the first arm (30);

a temperature sensor (22) configured to sense a temperature of the hair and output a temperature signal indicative of the sensed temperature of the hair;

a state sensor (28) configured to detect whether the first arm (30) and the second arm (32) are open or closed, and output a state signal indicating an open/closed state of the first arm (30) and the second arm (32); and

a controller (24) configured to:

receiving the temperature signal from the temperature sensor (22) and the status signal from the status sensor (28);

in response to detecting a change in the open/closed state of the first and second arms (30, 32), identifying a current styling operation;

determining a change in said temperature of hair between said current styling operation and a previous styling operation; and

determining a count of operations that the device (10) has performed on the same bundle of hair based on the change in the temperature of hair, thereby controlling the hair styling.

7. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (24) is configured to identify the current build operation by:

in response to detecting that the first arm (30) and the second arm (32) are opened, determining that the previous styling operation is ended and the current styling operation is started; and

in response to detecting that the first arm (30) and the second arm (32) are subsequently opened, determining that the current styling operation is finished.

8. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (24) is configured to determine the change in the temperature of hair by:

9. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (24) is configured to determine the count by:

10. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (24) is further configured to:

turning off at least one heater of the apparatus (10) in response to the count exceeding a predetermined threshold; and/or

Providing at least one of a visual or audible indication of the count.

11. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

a first heating plate (18) arranged on a surface of the first arm (30); and

a second heated plate (20) disposed on a surface of the second arm (32) opposite the first heated plate (18).

12. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature sensor (22) comprises:

a first contactless temperature sensor arranged on the second arm (32), having a field of view facing the first arm (30), and configured to measure a temperature of an object within the field of view; and/or

A second contactless temperature sensor arranged on the first arm (30), having a field of view facing the second arm (32) and configured to measure a temperature of an object within the field of view.

13. Device (10) according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 11, wherein the temperature sensor (22) is arranged in an aperture in the second heating plate (20).

14. Device (10) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the temperature sensor (22) comprises an infrared temperature sensor having an optical window for receiving infrared light and facing the first arm (30).

15. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the temperature sensor (22) is arranged on a periphery of the first heated plate (18), and wherein the first heated plate (18) comprises at least one slit (42), the at least one slit (42) being between the temperature sensor and a central portion of the first heated plate (18) to isolate the temperature sensor (22) from the central portion of the first heated plate (18); and/or

Wherein the temperature sensor (22) is arranged on a periphery of the second heating plate (20), and wherein the second heating plate (20) comprises at least one slit (42), the at least one slit (42) being between the temperature sensor and a central portion of the second heating plate (20) to isolate the temperature sensor (22) from the central portion of the second heating plate (18).