Abstract:
A dryer is provided that can prevent hair from being excessively dried, the dryer including: a casing having an inlet through which air is drawn from the outside, and an outlet through which air is blown to the outside; a blower, provided in the casing, for drawing air through the inlet and blowing the air toward the outlet; a heater, provided in the casing, for heating air blown toward the outlet; a steam generator, provided outside the casing, for generating steam; a steam-heating means, provided in the casing and connected to the steam generator through a connection pipe, for heating steam supplied through the connection pipe; and a steam duct through which steam heated by the steam-heating means is caused to flow toward the outlet.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a dryer used for drying the hair on a person&#39;s head. 
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002]    Dryers used for drying the hair on a person&#39;s head typically have a structure in which a blower and a heater are accommodated in a casing having an outlet, and the blower draws air through an inlet formed in the casing, and blows the air toward the outlet. The air blown toward the outlet is heated by the heater to generate hot air at the outlet, and a user applies the hot air to the hair for a certain time period, to dry the hair. 
       CITATION LIST  
     Patent Literature 
       [0003]    PTL 1: JP6-335407A 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
     Technical Problem 
       [0004]    However, when hair is dried by using the above-described dryer, a problem arises in that the hair near the outlet may be excessively dried and damaged. 
         [0005]    Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a dryer that can prevent hair from being excessively dried. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0006]    The dryer of the present invention has been developed to solve the aforementioned problem. The dryer of the present invention includes: a casing having an inlet through which air is drawn from the outside, and an outlet through which air is blown to the outside; a blower, provided in the casing, for drawing air through the inlet and blowing the air toward the outlet; a heater, provided in the casing, for heating air blown toward the outlet; a steam generator, provided outside the casing, for generating steam; a steam-heating means, provided in the casing and connected to the steam generator through a connection pipe, for heating steam supplied through the connection pipe; and a steam duct through which steam heated by the steam-heating means is caused to flow toward the outlet. 
         [0007]    The dryer is structured so that steam generated by the steam generator is discharged from the outlet through the steam duct together with hot air generated by the blower and the heater. Therefore, the hair can be dried while being moisturized, thereby preventing the hair from being excessively dried. Thus, damage to the hair can be prevented, and, furthermore, the generation of static electricity in the hair can be reduced. Also, in the dryer, the steam-heating means for heating steam supplied through the connection pipe is provided in the casing. Therefore, even when steam that has passed through the connection pipe contains water droplets, the droplets can be evaporated by the steam-heating means, thereby preventing droplets from being discharged through the outlet. 
         [0008]    Further, the steam dryer may further include a flow rate adjustment portion, provided in the connection pipe, for adjusting the flow rate of steam flowing through the connection pipe. “Provided in the connection pipe” can mean not only provided in the mid-portion of the connection pipe, but also provided at the end portion of the connection pipe, for example, in a portion between the steam generator and the connection pipe. 
         [0009]    Further, in the dryer, a steam path through which steam flows from the connection pipe toward the steam duct, is formed in the steam-heating means, and the steam path has a closed path portion extending along a steam flowing direction and having a dead end. In this structure, when water droplets are contained in steam passing through the connection pipe, the droplets enter the closed path portion, and can be stored in the steam-heating means for an increased time period. Therefore, the water droplets can be reliably evaporated. 
         [0010]    Further, in the dryer, the connection pipe may have an electrically heated wire wound around a connection pipe body. In this structure, steam generated by the steam generator can be supplied to the steam-heating means while being heated in the connection pipe. Therefore, a portion of the steam can be prevented from becoming water droplets due to the steam being cooled in the connection pipe. 
       ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION  
       [0011]    According to the present invention, hair can be prevented from being excessively dried. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a sectional side view of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a sectional side view of a steam-heating means according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a plan sectional view of the steam-heating means according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    Hereinafter, an embodiment of a dryer according to the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. 
         [0017]    A dryer  1  according to the present embodiment includes a casing  2 , and a blower  3  and a first heater  4  disposed in the casing  2 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Further, in the casing  2 , a steam-heating means  6  and a steam duct  7  are provided, and the steam-heating means  6  is connected through a connection pipe  8  to a steam generator  9  disposed outside the casing  2 . 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the casing  2  has an inlet  21 , through which air is drawn in, and an outlet  22 , through which air drawn through the inlet  21  is blown to the outside, formed therein. An outlet cover  221  is mounted to the outlet  22 , and an inlet filter  211  for preventing dust from entering the casing  2  is mounted to the inlet  21 . Further, the casing  2  may have a hood  23  for adjusting the diffusion of air blown through the outlet  22  mounted therein. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the casing  2  has the blower  3  and the first heater  4  mounted therein, and a grip portion  24  held by a user has a blower switch  25  for controlling and changing the flow rate of air from the blower  3 , and a heater switch  26  for switching the first heater  4  on or off. Further, in the casing  2 , a steaming switch  27  for generating steam is provided in the grip portion  24 , and a steam electromagnetic valve  11  described below is opened or closed by switching the steaming switch  27  on or off. The blower  3  is driven by a motor  31 , to draw air through the inlet  21  into the casing  2  and blow the air toward the outlet  22 . The blower switch  25  is set to “High,” “Low,” or “Off,” to adjust the flow rate of the air. The first heater  4  is disposed between the blower  3  and the outlet  22 , and heats air blown by the blower  3 , and the amount of heat is increased according to the flow rate of air from the blower  3 . 
         [0020]    The steam-heating means  6  heats steam flowing therethrough, and is disposed in the casing  2  and connected to the steam duct  7  extending toward the outlet  22 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the steam-heating means  6  has second heaters  61   a  and  61   b,  and a steam path  62  is formed between the second heaters  61   a  and  61   b.  The steam path  62  has an entrance  621  through which steam supplied through the connection pipe  8  is introduced, and an exit  622  through which steam is supplied to the steam duct  7 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Further, the steam path  62  has a plurality of diverging portions  623 , and closed path portions  624  having dead ends are formed so as to extend from the diverging portions  623  along steam flowing direction D. The steam-heating means  6  in the dryer  1  continues to operate when a steam generating portion  91  described below is turned on since a power supply for the dryer  1  is connected to the steam generating portion  91 . The material for the steam-heating means  6  is not limited to any specific material. For example, a material such as aluminium or a copper alloy, having excellent heat-conductivity, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance, may be used. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the steam generator  9  is connected to the steam-heating means  6  described above through the connection pipe  8 , and the steam electromagnetic valve  11  and a flow rate adjustment portion  10  for adjusting the flow rate of steam supplied into the connection pipe  8  are disposed at a portion connecting the steam generator  9  and the connection pipe  8 . The flow rate adjustment portion  10  has a needle valve  101  that has a conical valve body and enables fine adjustment of an aperture, and the aperture of the needle valve  101  can be adjusted by using a flow rate adjuster  102 . The connection pipe  8  is a heating hose that has an electrically heated wire wound around the connection pipe body, and that operates when the power supply of the steam generating portion  91  described below is turned on. Steam supplied from the steam generator  9  is heated in the connection pipe  8 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the steam generator  9  includes the steam generating portion  91 , and a water tank  93  connected through a supply tube  92  to the steam generating portion  91 . A cartridge water tank  94  is detachably attached to the water tank  93 , and water is supplied from the cartridge water tank  94 . The supply tube  92  is provided with an electromagnetic pump  921 , a water softener  922  filled with ion exchange resin, and a check valve  923 . Water in the water tank  93  is pumped by the electromagnetic pump  921 , and supplied to the steam generating portion  91 . 
         [0023]    The steam generating portion  91  can store water supplied from the water tank  93 , and is provided with a water level detector  911  for detecting the water level in the steam generating portion, and a pressure detector  912  for detecting the pressure in the steam generating portion, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The steam generating portion  91  further includes a third heater  913  for heating and evaporating water in the steam generating portion. The third heater  913  operates when the water level detector  911  determines that the water level in the steam generating portion  91  has reached a predetermined value. The third heater  913  stops when the pressure detector  912  determines that the pressure in the steam generating portion  91  has exceeded a predetermined value. If the pressure becomes abnormal due to some problem, a safety valve  914  disposed on the upper portion of the steam generating portion  91  is opened, to discharge steam inside the steam generating portion  91 . The steam generating portion  91  further includes a drain pipe  916  having an electric drain valve  915 , and a thermostat  917  for detecting the temperature in the steam generating portion. After use of the steam generating portion  91 , in the case where power is temporarily turned off and then power is turned on again, when the thermostat  917  determines that the temperature in the steam generating portion  91  has become sufficiently low, the electric drain valve  915  is opened to drain water from the steam generating portion  91  through the drain pipe  916 . 
         [0024]    Next, the usage and operation of the dryer  1  having the above structure will be described. 
         [0025]    When the dryer  1  is used, the cartridge water tank  94  containing water is mounted, in advance, to the water tank  93  of the steam generator  9 , to supply water to the water tank  93 , and the aperture of the needle valve  101  is adjusted by using the flow rate adjuster  102  to set the flow rate of steam to be supplied from the steam generator  9  to the connection pipe  8 . Next, the steam generating portion  91  is turned on, and the steam generator  91 , the steam-heating means  6 , and the connection pipe  8  are operated. In this state, in the casing  2 , the blower switch  25  is set to “High” or “Low,” the heater switch  26  is set to “On,” and the steaming switch  27  is simultaneously set to “On” ( FIG. 1 ). The flow rate of steam to be supplied from the steam generator  9  to the connection pipe  8  can be adjusted as appropriate by using the flow rate adjuster  102 . 
         [0026]    Thus, when the blower switch  25  is set to “High” or “Low,” and the heater switch  26  in the casing  2  is turned on, the blower  3  is driven by the motor  31 , air is drawn through the inlet  21  into the casing  2 , and the air is blown toward the outlet  22  by the blower  3 . The air blown toward the outlet  22  is heated by the first heater  4  to obtain hot air, and the hot air is blown through the outlet  22 . 
         [0027]    Further, turning on the steaming switch  27  opens the steam electromagnetic valve  11 , and supplies steam through the connection pipe  8 , the inside of which is heated to 120° C. to 150° C., from the steam generator  9  to the steam-heating means  6 . The steam that has reached the steam-heating means  6  enters the steam path  62  through the entrance  621 , and flows toward the exit  622  while being heated by the second heaters  61   a  and  61   b,  which have been heated to 150° C. to 180° C. A portion of the steam generated in the steam generator  9  is condensed before reaching the steam-heating means  6 , and steam supplied through the connection pipe  8  may contain water droplets W. The water droplets W contained in the steam reach the diverging portions  623  of the steam path  62 , and thereafter flow into the closed path portions  624 , and are heated and evaporated in the closed path portions  624  ( FIG. 3 ). As described above, even when steam supplied through the connection pipe  8  contains water droplets, the droplets are evaporated into steam while flowing through the steam path  62 . Therefore, only steam is blown through the exit  622  of the steam-heating means  6 . The steam flows through the steam duct  7  and is blown through the outlet  22  together with hot air. 
         [0028]    Thus, hot air and steam blown through the outlet  22  are applied to the hair, and the hair is dried while being appropriately moisturized. When the hair is sufficiently dried, the blower switch  25  and the heater switch  26  are each turned off, to stop operating the blower  3  and the first heater  4  ( FIG. 1 ). Further, the steaming switch  27  is turned off to close the steam electromagnetic valve  11  and stop the ejection of steam. 
         [0029]    During use with the heater switch  26  turned on as described above, hot air is blown through the outlet  22 . When the heater switch  26  is turned off and the blower switch  25  is set to “High” or “Low,” air blown toward the outlet  22  by the blower  3  is not heated, and cool air is blown through the outlet  22 . 
         [0030]    As described above, the dryer  1  of the present embodiment allows steam generated by the steam generator  9  to be blown through the outlet  22  together with hot air generated by the blower  3  and the first heater  4 . Thus, excessive drying and damage of the hair can be prevented. Further, the generation of static electricity in the hair can be reduced. Further yet, in the dryer  1 , even when steam supplied through the connection pipe  8  contains water droplets, the droplets can be reliably evaporated by the steam-heating means  6 , and droplets can be prevented from falling onto the hair. 
         [0031]    While the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, in the embodiment described above, in the steam-heating means  6 , the steam path  62  having closed path portions  624  is formed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto as long as water droplets contained in steam can be evaporated by the steam-heating means  6 , and the steam path  62  may not have the closed path portions  624  formed therein. 
         [0032]    Further, in the embodiment described above, the connection pipe  8  is a heating hose having an electrically heated wire wound around the connection pipe body. However, when steam generated by the steam generator  9  can be supplied to the steam-heating means  6 , a member having no electrically heated wire, such as a TEFLON (registered trademark) hose, a member formed by silicone, or a member that can be freely bent and has excellent heat resistance, steam resistance, and pressure resistance, can be used as the connection pipe  8 . 
         [0033]    Further yet, in the dryer  1  of the embodiment described above, the first heater  4  can be turned on or off by using the heater switch  26  so that cool air can be generated. However, for example, the first heater  4  may be operated in conjunction with the blower  3  to generate only hot air. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  dryer 
           2  casing 
           21  inlet 
           22  outlet 
           3  blower 
           4  heater 
           6  steam-heating means 
           62  steam path 
           624  closed path portion 
           7  steam duct 
           8  connection pipe 
           9  steam generator 
           10  flow rate adjustment portion