Patent Description:
When removing moisture from wet hair of a human body as much as desired or when styling the hair from a current shape to a desired shape, a hair dryer that discharges gas through a gas outlet may be used.

In one example, the hair dryer may provide gas characteristics desired by a user, such as a gas temperature, a gas speed, a gas flow area, and the like through a diffuser. The diffuser may be coupled to a main body of the hair dryer to change the gas characteristics and provide the changed gas characteristics to the user. Further, the diffuser may include care means such as a massage protrusion to manage a scalp health and the like of the user.

In connection, <CIT> and Chinese Application <CIT> disclose a diffuser disposed in a hair dryer. The diffuser disclosed in the Korean document discloses a massage protrusion that may perform user's scalp and hair care.

The diffuser may include various components to manage or care for scalp and hair in addition to the massage protrusion.

In one example, depending on conditions of the user's scalp and hair, uniform application of the means provided for the management of the user's scalp or hair may degrade efficiency or ease of use.

Therefore, it is an important task in the technical field to provide various means for the management and care of the user's scalp or hair, and further to provide appropriate care means based on the conditions of the user's scalp or hair.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to provide a diffuser and a hair dryer including the same capable of effectively managing scalp and hair of a user.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to provide a diffuser and a hair dryer capable of effectively identifying conditions of user's scalp and hair.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to provide a diffuser and a hair dryer capable of improving ease of use and efficiency by providing appropriate care means based on conditions of user's scalp and hair.

A diffuser and a hair dryer including the same according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include scalp and hair care means. The care means may include a massage protrusion, a light irradiator, and a controller that controls speed and temperature of gas.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may include moisture measurement means capable of measuring moisture amounts of scalp and hair of a user. The moisture measurement means may be disposed in a form of a massage protrusion disposed on a discharge cover of the diffuser.

That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, some of a plurality of massage protrusions may correspond to moisture measurement protrusions capable of measuring the moisture amounts of the scalp and the hair of the user. The moisture amount of the scalp may be measured through the moisture measurement protrusion to provide the appropriate care means.

There are limitations in using a common hygrometer or moisture sensor to measure the moisture of the user's scalp or hair. Accordingly, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a moisture measurement technology optimized for the moisture measurement of the scalp or the hair.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a voltage may be generated as the moisture measurement protrusion is connected to the light irradiator, so that the moisture measurement protrusion may measure the moisture. That is, the voltage may be generated of a measured value may be transmitted as the moisture measurement protrusion is connected to a circuit board of the light irradiator.

The moisture measurement protrusion may measure the moisture amount of the scalp or the like based on a principle of a bioelectric impedance that changes based on the moisture amount.

When sensing through the moisture measurement protrusion starts, a voltage is applied to the moisture measurement protrusion and an electric field is formed due to polarity occurrence resulted from the voltage generation. The electric field is scattered along the scalp.

As the moisture amount increases, the electric field is amplified and an electrical capacity increases at the scalp and the like on which the electric field is formed. The controller may calculate and determine the moisture amount based on measured values for the change as described above.

The controller may determine whether to operate the light irradiator, control a temperature of the gas, or control a speed of the gas based on the moisture amount.

The hair dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as described above may include a main body, a handle, and a diffuser. The main body includes a gas outlet for discharging gas therethrough, the handle extends from the main body, and the diffuser is removably coupled to the main body to introduce the gas discharged from the gas outlet therein and discharge the gas introduced therein to outside.

The diffuser includes a diffusing case and a discharge cover. The diffusing case has a rear side coupled to the main body, and the gas discharged from the gas outlet is introduced into the diffusing case through a gas inlet hole defined at the rear side. In addition, the discharge cover is disposed at a front side of the diffusing case, and the discharge cover includes a gas discharge hole for discharging the gas introduced into the diffusing case to outside.

The discharge cover includes a plurality of massage protrusions protruding forward to press a target located in front of the discharge cover, and the plurality of massage protrusions include a moisture measurement protrusion disposed to measure a moisture amount of the target.

The moisture measurement protrusion may include a protrusion base protruding forward to press the target, and a moisture measurement electrode disposed in the protrusion base, wherein at least a portion of the moisture measurement electrode is exposed out of the protrusion base, and wherein the moisture measurement electrode has an electrical polarity as a voltage is applied thereto.

The moisture measurement electrode may extend to penetrate the protrusion base along a longitudinal direction of the protrusion base and may be exposed to outside through an end of the protrusion base.

The moisture measurement protrusion may include a plurality of moisture measurement protrusions, the plurality of moisture measurement protrusions may include a first moisture measurement protrusion including a moisture measurement electrode having a first pole, and a second moisture measurement protrusion including a moisture measurement electrode having a second pole opposite to the first pole, and the first moisture measurement protrusion and the second moisture measurement protrusion may be arranged to be adjacent to each other.

The plurality of massage protrusions may include a plurality of pairs of moisture measurement protrusions, wherein each pair of moisture measurement protrusions includes the first moisture measurement protrusion and the second moisture measurement protrusion.

The hair dryer may further include a controller electrically connected to the plurality of moisture measurement protrusions, wherein the controller may determine the moisture amount based on an impedance measured between the first moisture measurement protrusion and the second moisture measurement protrusion.

The hair dryer may further include a temperature adjuster disposed on the main body to adjust a temperature of the gas discharged through the gas outlet, wherein the controller may control the temperature adjuster such that the temperature of the gas discharged through the gas outlet increases as the moisture amount increases.

The hair dryer may further include a fan disposed to adjust a speed of the gas discharged through the gas outlet, wherein the controller may control the fan such that the speed of the gas discharged through the gas outlet increases as the moisture amount increases.

The hair dryer may further include a light irradiator disposed inside the diffusing case to irradiate light toward the discharge cover, wherein the controller may control the light irradiator such that an amount of the light irradiated by the light irradiator increases as the moisture amount increases.

The light irradiator may include a circuit board and a light emitter disposed on the circuit board to emit light, and the moisture measurement electrode may be connected to the circuit board to receive the voltage.

The light irradiator may include a plurality of light emitters arranged to respectively face the plurality of massage protrusions.

In one example, a diffuser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a diffusing case having a rear side removably coupled to a main body of a hair dryer, wherein gas discharged from the main body is introduced into the diffusing case through a gas inlet hole defined at the rear side, and a discharge cover disposed at a front side of the diffusing case, wherein the discharge cover includes a gas discharge hole for discharging the gas introduced into the diffusing case to outside.

The discharge cover may include a plurality of massage protrusions protruding forward to press a target located in front of the discharge cover, and the plurality of massage protrusions may include a moisture measurement protrusion disposed to measure a moisture amount of the target.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide the diffuser and the hair dryer including the same capable of effectively managing the scalp and the hair of the user.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide the diffuser and the hair dryer capable of effectively identifying the conditions of the user's scalp and hair.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide the diffuser and the hair dryer capable of improving the ease of use and the efficiency by providing the appropriate care means based on the conditions of the user's scalp and hair.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to be easily implemented by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs.

However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to clearly describe the present disclosure, components irrelevant to the description are omitted, and like reference numerals are assigned to similar components throughout the specification.

In this specification, duplicate descriptions of the same components are omitted.

Further, in this specification, it will be understood that when a component is referred to as being "connected with" another component, the component may be directly connected with the other component or intervening components may also be present. In contrast, it will be understood that when a component is referred to as being "directly connected with" another component in this specification, there are no intervening components present.

Further, in this specification, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing a specific embodiment only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Further, in this specification, the singular forms "a" and "an" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Further, in this specification, it will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", and "including" specify the presence of the certain features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and parts or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and parts or combinations thereof.

Further, in this specification, the term 'and/or' includes a combination of a plurality of listed items or one of the plurality of listed items. In this specification, 'A or B' may include 'A', 'B', or 'both A and B'.

<FIG> is a view showing a hair dryer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a view showing a state in which a diffuser <NUM> is separated from the hair dryer <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Further, <FIG> is a view showing an internal cross-section of the hair dryer <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The hair dryer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a main body <NUM>, a handle <NUM>, and a diffuser <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> includes a gas outlet <NUM> through which gas introduced from outside is discharged.

As shown in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> may include a gas flow path <NUM> through which the gas flows may be defined therein and the gas outlet <NUM> through which internal gas is discharged to the outside. The main body <NUM> may have an extended shape along a front and rear direction and may have various cross-section shapes such as circular or polygonal shapes when viewed from the front.

In the present disclosure, front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom definitions may be made centering on the main body <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, the gas outlet <NUM> may be disposed at a front side of the main body <NUM>, and the handle <NUM> may have a shape extending substantially downward from the main body <NUM>.

The gas flowing inside the main body <NUM> may be introduced through a gas inlet, and the gas inlet may be disposed on the main body <NUM> or the handle <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the gas inlet is disposed on the handle <NUM>, the gas flow path <NUM> may extend from the handle <NUM> to the main body <NUM>, specifically, from the gas inlet to the gas outlet <NUM>.

The gas may be introduced from the outside through the gas inlet disposed on the main body <NUM> or the handle <NUM>, and the introduced gas may flow along the gas flow path <NUM> and be discharged to the outside through the gas outlet <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may extend from the main body <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the handle <NUM> extending substantially downward from the main body <NUM> is illustrated. The handle <NUM> may be integrally molded with the main body <NUM>, or separately manufactured from the main body <NUM> and coupled to the main body <NUM>.

When the handle <NUM> is manufactured separately from the main body <NUM> and coupled to the main body <NUM>, the handle <NUM> may be disposed such that a longitudinal direction thereof with respect to the main body <NUM> is fixed or variable.

For example, the handle <NUM> may have a hinge coupling portion, and may be coupled to the main body <NUM> such that the longitudinal direction of the handle <NUM> is changeable, that is, the handle <NUM> is foldable relative to the main body <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may be a portion grabbed by a hand of a user, and thus may have a shape for improving grip convenience. The extending direction of the handle <NUM> may vary. However, for convenience of description below, the direction in which the handle <NUM> extends from the main body <NUM> will be described as a downward direction.

Referring to <FIG>, the hair dryer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fan <NUM> capable of flowing the gas and adjusting a speed of the discharge gas discharged through the gas outlet <NUM>. The fan <NUM> may be disposed on the gas flow path <NUM> to flow the gas and may be disposed inside the main body <NUM> or inside the handle <NUM>.

For example, when the gas inlet is disposed on the handle <NUM>, the gas flow path <NUM> may extend from the gas inlet of the handle <NUM> to the gas outlet <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, and the fan <NUM> may be disposed on the gas flow path <NUM> located in the handle <NUM>.

In addition, a temperature adjuster <NUM> that may adjust a temperature of the discharge gas may be disposed inside the main body <NUM>. The temperature adjuster <NUM> may be disposed in various forms and may be disposed at various positions. In <FIG>, the temperature adjuster <NUM> disposed inside the main body <NUM> is schematically illustrated.

In addition, the temperature adjuster <NUM> may be disposed in various types. The temperature adjuster <NUM> may be in a scheme of heating the gas by providing current to a coil-shaped resistor to generate heat.

However, the resistor of the temperature adjuster <NUM> may not necessarily be in the shape of the coil, and may be disposed in various types, such as a thermoelement, capable of heating the gas or adjusting the temperature of the gas.

A method for operating the hair dryer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be schematically described with gas flow.

First, the user manipulates a power button disposed on the main body <NUM> or the handle <NUM>. When the power button is turned on, the gas is introduced into the hair dryer <NUM> through the gas inlet as the fan <NUM> is operated.

The gas introduced through the gas inlet flows along the gas flow path <NUM> by the fan <NUM> toward the gas outlet <NUM>, and the discharge gas is discharged from the gas outlet <NUM> to be provided to the user. In this process, a flowing speed of the gas on the gas flow path <NUM> may be adjusted by the fan <NUM> and a temperature of the gas on the gas flow path <NUM> may be adjusted by the temperature adjuster <NUM>.

In one example, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the hair dryer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be connected not only to the fan <NUM>, the temperature adjuster <NUM>, the power button, and a manipulator, but also to a light irradiator <NUM>, a proximity sensor <NUM>, a moisture measurement protrusion <NUM>, and the like of the diffuser <NUM> to be described later, and control the above described components.

The controller <NUM> may be disposed on one of the diffuser <NUM>, the main body <NUM>, and the handle <NUM>. Alternatively, the controllers <NUM> may be respectively arranged on all of the diffuser <NUM>, the main body <NUM>, and the handle <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may be disposed on the main body <NUM> to be signally connected to the diffuser <NUM>, or the plurality of controllers <NUM> may be respectively arranged on the diffuser <NUM> and the main body <NUM>.

Adjusting operating states of the fan <NUM> and the temperature adjuster <NUM> may be performed by manipulator manipulation by the user or may be automatically performed based on an operation mode preset in the controller <NUM>.

In addition, when a distance to a target located in front of the diffuser <NUM> is identified to be equal to or less than a reference distance through the proximity sensor <NUM> of the diffuser <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may control the light irradiator <NUM> of the diffuser <NUM> to irradiate light.

In addition, the controller <NUM> may identify an impedance of the target located in front of the diffuser <NUM> through the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> of the diffuser <NUM>, and determine a moisture amount of the target through the impedance. As the moisture amount increases, the controller <NUM> may control the fan <NUM> such that the gas speed at the gas outlet <NUM> increases, control the temperature adjuster <NUM> such that the gas temperature increases, or control the light irradiator <NUM> such that a light amount of the light irradiator <NUM> increases.

In one example, <FIG> shows the gas outlet <NUM> disposed on the main body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> or <FIG>, the main body <NUM> may have a cross-section in an approximately circular shape and may have a length. However, the cross-section shape of the main body <NUM> may be varied as needed.

The gas outlet <NUM> of the hair dryer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

At least a portion of the gas flow path <NUM> may be defined inside the main body <NUM>, and one side of the main body <NUM> is opened. For example, the main body <NUM> may extend in the front and rear direction and a front surface thereof may be opened.

Opened one side of the main body <NUM> may be in communication with the gas flow path <NUM>. In one example, the gas outlet <NUM> may be disposed on the main body <NUM> to shield the opened one side of the main body <NUM>.

The opened one side of the main body <NUM> may correspond to an end of the gas flow path <NUM>, and the end of the gas flow path <NUM> may correspond to the gas outlet <NUM>. For example, the gas outlet <NUM> may be composed of the gas flow path <NUM> exposed through the open front surface of the main body <NUM> and an outer wall front end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gas outlet <NUM> may include a center portion <NUM> and side portion <NUM> through which the gas is discharged. The gas flowing along the gas flow path <NUM> may be simultaneously delivered to the center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> to be discharged to the outside.

The center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> may correspond to discharge holes through which the gas is discharged from the gas outlet <NUM>. The center portion <NUM> may be defined at a central side on the cross-section of the gas outlet <NUM>, and a cross-section shape thereof may be circular. However, a shape of the center portion <NUM> may be a polygonal shape such as a square and the like as needed, and a size of a diameter thereof may also be varied as needed.

The side portion <NUM> may be defined to surround the center portion <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the center portion <NUM> may be defined in a substantially circular shape at the center of the gas outlet <NUM>, and the side portion <NUM> may be an opening in a shape of a ring in which the center portion <NUM> is defined at a center thereof.

In the present disclosure, the ring shape may have an extended shape of a closed curve shape. For example, <FIG> discloses the side portion <NUM> having a circular ring shape.

The ring shape may not necessarily be circular, and may be, for example, a polygonal ring shape such as a triangle, a square, or the like. That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the side portion <NUM> may be in the circular ring or the polygonal ring shape, and <FIG> shows the side portion <NUM> having a substantially circular ring shape.

Further, the center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> may be in communication with the same gas flow path <NUM> together. Referring to <FIG>, there is one gas flow path <NUM> extending from the handle <NUM> inside the main body <NUM>. The center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> of the gas outlet <NUM> are in communication with the gas flow path <NUM> together to discharge the gas at the same time.

The discharge gas discharged from the side portion <NUM> may form a sense of volume for an entirety of the discharge gas discharged through the gas outlet <NUM>. That is, a cross-sectional area of the entirety of the discharge gas may correspond to a size of a closed cross-section formed by the side portion <NUM>.

However, the discharge gas of the side portion <NUM> may be diffused while being flowed, and a portion of the gas flow may be distributed toward a center on the cross-section where the gas is not discharged by the side portion <NUM>, and thus, the cross-sectional area of the discharge gas may be reduced.

Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the center portion <NUM> is defined at a center of the side portion <NUM>, and the phenomenon in which the discharge gas of the side portion <NUM> is distributed toward the center on the cross-section is suppressed by discharge gas of the center portion <NUM>.

That is, the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> flows from the center on the cross-section of the entire discharge gas of the gas outlet <NUM>, and suppresses the discharge gas of the side portion <NUM> from being distributed toward the center during the flow process, so that it may be advantageous for the entire discharge gas to maintain an initial cross-sectional area thereof.

Accordingly, discharge gas having a large cross-sectional area may be provided to the user, and the user may perform dry using the bulky gas. For example, the entire discharge gas with the volume formed through the center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> may allow the user to perform the dry in a larger area.

Further, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, because the center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> are in communication with one gas flow path <NUM>, the gas flow paths <NUM> respectively for the center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> may not separately defined. Thus, it may be advantageous in terms of design and may be efficient in providing three-dimensional discharge gas to the user.

In one example, referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gas outlet <NUM> further includes a discharge base <NUM> disposed on the opened one side of the main body <NUM>. The center portion <NUM> may be defined at a center of the discharge base <NUM>, and the side portion <NUM> may be defined between an outer circumferential surface of the discharge base <NUM> and an outer wall of the main body <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the discharge base <NUM> coupled to the opened one side of the main body <NUM>. The discharge base <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to an opened cross-sectional shape of the one side of the main body <NUM>, but may not be limited thereto and may be formed in various shapes or materials.

For example, the discharge base <NUM> may be disposed to be partially different from the shape of the opened front surface of the main body <NUM> to determine the shape of the side portion <NUM>, and may be molded with a material the same as or different from a material of the outer wall of the main body <NUM>.

The discharge base <NUM> may constitute an entirety or a portion of one surface of the main body <NUM>, for example, the front surface of the main body <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, so that the center portion <NUM> may be defined at the center of the discharge base <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> may be defined between the outer circumferential surface of the discharge base <NUM> and the outer wall of the main body <NUM>.

The discharge base <NUM> may be coupled to an opening of the main body <NUM> in various schemes, such as a scheme using a plurality of coupling ribs, and may be integrally molded with the main body <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the discharge base <NUM> may have a shape of being indented toward an interior of the main body <NUM> from the side portion <NUM> toward the center portion <NUM>.

A center of a front surface of the discharge base <NUM> may be indented toward the interior of the main body <NUM>, so that the front surface of the discharge base <NUM> may form a curved surface. Accordingly, the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> on the flow path of the discharge gas discharged to the gas outlet <NUM> may be discharged upstream from the discharge gas of the side portion <NUM>.

When the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> on the flow path of the entire discharge gas starts to be diffused prior to the discharge gas of the side portion <NUM>, the cross-section of the discharge gas of the central portion <NUM> may be increased through the diffusion, and an effect in which the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> with an increased cross-sectional area suppresses the discharge gas of the side portion <NUM> from being flowed or discharged toward the center may be increased.

Further, the front surface of the discharge base <NUM> constituting a portion of a space in which the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> is diffused forms the curved surface, so that it may be advantageous in preventing formation of unnecessary turbulence. A curvature of the curved surface formed by the front surface of the base portion may be variously set as necessary.

In one example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a guide cone disposed at a center of the center portion <NUM> and guiding the flow of the gas discharged through the center portion <NUM>. The gas may be discharged between an inner surface of the center portion <NUM> and the guide cone.

<FIG> illustrates the guide cone disposed at the center of the center portion <NUM>. As the guide cone is disposed, the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> is discharged into a space between the inner surface of the center portion <NUM> and an outer surface of the guide cone.

When the guide cone is disposed at the center of the center portion <NUM>, the center portion <NUM> may correspond to a ring-shaped discharge hole. That is, the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> may have a ring-shaped cross-section and may be discharged from the center portion <NUM>.

As described above, the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> may contribute to suppressing the reduction of the cross-sectional area resulted from the discharge gas of the side portion <NUM> that flows toward the center in the flow process. In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure may increase a level at which the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> diffuses outward from the cross-section by disposing the guide cone at the center of the center portion <NUM>.

When the cross-sectional area of the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> is increased as the guide cone is disposed, the effect of suppressing the phenomenon in which the discharge gas of the side portion <NUM> flows inward of the cross-section may be increased.

In one example, in the guide cone, a rear end protruding toward the gas flow path <NUM> and a front end protruding in a discharge direction of the gas of the center portion <NUM> may respectively have conical shapes. The conical shape means a shape in which a cross-section has a circular shape and a diameter of the circle gradually decreases as a length increases.

However, in the conical shape, the circular shape may include a shape other than a definite circular shape such as an ellipse and the like, and the reduction in the diameter may not necessarily be constant, for example, a diameter reduction rate may gradually increase or gradually decrease.

Further, as the front end of the guide cone protrudes in the conical shape, an effect in which the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> is concentrated toward the rim of the center portion <NUM> increases. Thus, the effect of suppressing the discharge gas of the side portion <NUM> from flowing toward the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> may be further increased.

An outer circumferential surface of the guide cone may have a shape corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of the center portion <NUM>, and a separation distance between the outer circumferential surface of the guide cone and the inner circumferential surface of the center portion <NUM> may be varied as needed.

Further, the guide cone may be made of a material the same as or different from the material of the discharge base <NUM>, and a curvature of the outer surface thereof may be variously designed as needed.

In one example, the gas outlet <NUM> may further include a discharge guide ring. The discharge guide ring may be disposed on the inner surface of the center portion <NUM> and protrude in the discharge direction of the gas of the center portion <NUM> to guide the gas flow together with the guide cone. <FIG> illustrates that the guide cone and the discharge guide ring are arranged in the center portion <NUM>.

The discharge guide ring may have a ring shape extending along the rim of the center portion <NUM>, and may be integrally molded with the discharge base <NUM> or molded separately from the discharge base <NUM> to be coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the center portion <NUM>.

The discharge guide ring may protrude outward from the center portion <NUM> or the discharge base <NUM> based on the gas discharge direction. The flow of the discharge gas of the center portion <NUM> may be concentrated between the guide cone and the discharge guide ring by the guide cone and the discharge guide ring protruding from the center portion <NUM>.

A protruding end of the discharge guide ring may have a curved shape to facilitate the gas flow. A diameter of the discharge guide ring may be different for each portion, and the shape thereof may also be varied as needed.

In one example, <FIG> shows the diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The diffuser <NUM> is removably coupled to the main body <NUM>, so that the gas discharged from the gas outlet <NUM> is introduced into the diffuser <NUM> and the gas introduced into the diffuser <NUM> is discharged to the outside.

The hair dryer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the diffuser <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and the diffuser <NUM> may be removably coupled to the main body <NUM> of the hair dryer <NUM>.

The diffuser <NUM> may be disposed such that gas discharged from the gas outlet <NUM> of the main body <NUM> flows into the diffuser <NUM>. The diffuser <NUM> may be coupled to the main body <NUM> such that a rear side thereof covers the gas outlet <NUM>, and the gas discharged from the gas outlet <NUM> may flow into the diffuser <NUM> through a gas inlet hole <NUM> defined at a rear side of the diffuser <NUM>.

The user may selectively use the diffuser <NUM> for scalp or hair management. For example, the user may use the diffuser <NUM> including a massage protrusion <NUM> and a light irradiator <NUM>, which will be described later, for scalp care, or may use the diffuser <NUM> at which a flow cross-sectional area of the gas is increased as needed in a hair drying step,
The rear side of the diffuser <NUM> may be coupled to the front end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. A first coupling portion <NUM> may be disposed at the front end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, and a second coupling portion <NUM> coupled to the first coupling portion <NUM> may be disposed at the rear side of the diffuser <NUM>.

A coupling scheme between the diffuser <NUM> and the main body <NUM> may vary. The diffuser <NUM> may be coupled to the main body <NUM> in a scheme such as screw coupling, fitting coupling, magnetic coupling, sliding coupling, and the like to receive the gas from the main body <NUM>.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may improve ease of use of the user as the diffuser <NUM> is disposed to be removable from the main body <NUM>. For example, the user may use the hair dryer <NUM> by removing the diffuser <NUM> when the user is desired to use the gas discharged from the gas outlet <NUM> of the main body <NUM> as it is. Further, the user may use the hair dryer <NUM> coupled to the diffuser <NUM> when the user wants a more diffused flow cross-sectional area.

The diffuser <NUM> may include a diffusing case <NUM> and a discharge cover <NUM>, and the diffusing case <NUM> and a discharge cover <NUM> may form an exterior of the diffuser <NUM>.

An inner diameter of the diffuser <NUM> may increase the inner diameter in a forward direction. That is, the diffusing case <NUM> of the diffuser <NUM> may be disposed such that an internal cross-sectional area thereof viewed from the front increases from a rear side <NUM> to a front side <NUM>.

Accordingly, the gas delivered from the gas outlet <NUM> may be provided to the user in a state in which the flow cross-sectional area thereof is increased as the gas speed is reduced in the forward direction of the diffuser <NUM>. The user may use the diffuser <NUM> for natural drying, styling, and the like of the hair.

The front side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM> may be opened to define an open front surface. An entirety or a portion of the front surface of the diffuser <NUM>, that is, the diffusing case <NUM>, may define the open surface.

The gas present inside the diffuser <NUM> may be discharged to the outside through the open surface of the diffusing case <NUM>. That is, the gas inside the diffuser <NUM> may be provided to the user while being discharged forward through the front side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM>.

In the diffuser <NUM>, the open surface defined in the front side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM> may be exposed to the outside as it is, or the discharge cover <NUM> may be provided coupled to the open surface.

<FIG> shows a state in which the open surface is present in the front side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and the discharge cover <NUM> is coupled to the open surface.

The discharge cover <NUM> coupled to the open surface defined in the front side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM> may include a gas discharge hole <NUM> defined therein through which the gas may be discharged. The discharge cover <NUM> has a shape corresponding to the open surface of the diffusing case <NUM> and may be coupled to the diffusing case <NUM> to be located on the open surface.

A plurality of gas discharge holes <NUM> may be defined and may be spaced apart from each other in the front surface of the discharge cover <NUM>. <FIG> shows the discharge cover <NUM> in which the plurality of gas discharge holes <NUM> are uniformly distributed and arranged in the front surface.

Accordingly, in the diffuser, the gas may be discharged through the entirety of the front surface of the discharge cover <NUM> and the user may receive the gas that is discharged forward of the discharge cover <NUM> and uniformly dispersed.

The discharge cover <NUM> may be disposed such that an edge <NUM> located on the outermost side along a radial direction of the diffuser <NUM> is in close contact with the diffusing case <NUM>. That is, the diffusing case <NUM> may have a front circumferential portion <NUM> surrounding the open surface in the front side <NUM>, and the discharge cover <NUM> may be disposed such that the edge <NUM> has a shape corresponding to the front circumferential portion <NUM> and in contact with the front circumferential portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> on the front circumferential portion <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be arranged with different distances from the rear side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM>, for example, the gas inlet hole <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM>.

In addition, the discharge cover <NUM> may be disposed such that the edge <NUM> is molded to correspond to shapes of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> to be in close contact with the front circumferential portion <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front circumferential portion <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM> and the edge <NUM> of the discharge cover <NUM> may be designed to fit a head of the user with an arbitrary curved surface while respectively having curvatures and having different lengths protruding forward along an outer circumferential direction of the diffuser <NUM>. Accordingly, a rate of adhesion with the scalp or the hair of the user may be efficiently increased to minimize a space between the head of the user and the diffuser <NUM>.

Accordingly, an amount of the gas discharged forward of the discharge cover <NUM> or the light provided by the light irradiator <NUM> may be efficiently increased.

An ergonomic design is made through the front circumferential portion <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM> and the edge <NUM> of the discharge cover <NUM> respectively arranged to form curves when viewed from the side as described above. In this case, the curvatures and the like of the front circumferential portion <NUM> and the edge <NUM> may be designed based on a standard head that is statistically determined.

For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may define a R127 curvature design from a shape of the standard head, and design the shapes of the front circumferential portion <NUM> and the edge <NUM> to correspond thereto.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a proximity sensor <NUM> may be disposed inside the diffusing case <NUM> to improve ease of use and efficiency of the diffuser <NUM>, and an open region <NUM> may be defined in the discharge cover <NUM> such that a distance measurement accuracy of the proximity sensor <NUM> for the target in front of the diffuser <NUM>, for example, the hair or the scalp of the user may be improved.

That is, the proximity sensor <NUM> may be in various schemes such as pressure, ultrasound, infrared, and the like to measure the distance to the target in front of the proximity sensor <NUM>, and a region of the discharge cover <NUM> in front of the proximity sensor <NUM> may be opened to define the open region <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> shows the discharge cover <NUM> on which a plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> are arranged. The massage protrusion <NUM> may have a pillar shape protruding forward of the diffuser <NUM> and may press the scalp of the user to provide a massage effect.

A cross-section shape, a protruding length, an arrangement form, and the like of the massage protrusion <NUM> may be variously determined in terms of a design. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides the user with scalp massage through the massage protrusion <NUM> while providing the gas diffused through a front surface of the discharge cover <NUM> to the user, thereby providing the improved ease of use and the scalp and hair care effects.

<FIG> is a view showing an exploded view of the diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a view showing an internal cross-section of the diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the diffusing case <NUM>, a guide frame <NUM>, the light irradiator <NUM>, a light diffusion frame <NUM>, and the discharge cover <NUM>.

In the diffusing case <NUM>, the rear side <NUM> may be coupled with the main body <NUM>, and the open surface may be defined in the front side <NUM>. The inner diameter of the diffusing case <NUM> may increase from the rear side <NUM> to the front side <NUM>, so that the inside gas may be diffused and discharged to the outside.

That is, the gas discharged through the gas outlet <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may be provided to the user in a state in which the flow cross-sectional area thereof is increased as the gas is flowing in the diffusing case <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the diffusing case <NUM> in which the inner diameter thereof increases from the rear side <NUM> to the front side <NUM> and accordingly an outer diameter thereof increases in the same manner.

The gas inlet hole <NUM> may be defined in the rear side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM>. When the diffusing case <NUM> is coupled to the main body <NUM>, the gas inlet hole <NUM> is positioned to face the gas outlet <NUM>. Further, the gas discharged from the gas outlet <NUM> may be introduced into the diffusing case <NUM> through the gas inlet hole <NUM>.

The gas inlet hole <NUM> may be located at a center of the rear side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM> when viewed from the rear, and a cross-section shape of the gas inlet hole <NUM> may correspond to the gas outlet <NUM>. For example, the gas inlet hole <NUM> is defined to have an inner diameter larger than the side portion <NUM> of the gas outlet <NUM>, so that the gas discharged from the gas outlet <NUM> may be completely introduced into the diffusing case <NUM> through the gas inlet hole <NUM>.

The second coupling portion <NUM> coupled to the main body <NUM> may be disposed on the rear side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM>. The diffusing case <NUM> may include a rear circumferential portion <NUM> surrounding the gas inlet hole <NUM> in the rear side <NUM>, and the second coupling portion <NUM> may be disposed at the rear circumferential portion <NUM>.

The second coupling portion <NUM> may further include a coupling sleeve <NUM>. The coupling sleeve <NUM> may extend rearward from the rear circumferential portion <NUM>. The coupling sleeve <NUM> may be disposed to outwardly surround the front end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

The second coupling portion <NUM> may have a second magnetic fastening portion <NUM> embedded in the rear circumferential portion <NUM> or located inside the rear circumferential portion <NUM>, and may include a power receiver disposed on an inner surface and the like of the coupling sleeve <NUM>.

In addition, the first coupling portion <NUM> may be disposed at the front end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, may have a first magnetic fastening portion <NUM> embedded inside the outer wall of the front end <NUM> or located inside the outer wall, and may include a power transmitter disposed on an outer surface and the like of the outer wall of the front end <NUM>.

The first coupling portion <NUM> is coupled to the second coupling portion <NUM>. At least one of the first magnetic fastening portion <NUM> and the second magnetic fastening portion <NUM> may include a magnetic force generator, so that the first magnetic fastening portion <NUM> and the second magnetic fastening portion <NUM> may be magnetically coupled to each other. The magnetic coupling means a scheme of mutual coupling through a magnetic force generated from the magnetic force generator such as a magnet and an electromagnet.

The power transmitter may supply power to the power receiver in contact or connection with the power receiver. The power receiver may be connected to a component inside the diffuser <NUM>, for example, the light irradiator <NUM> and the like to supply power thereto.

The open surface surrounded by the front circumferential portion <NUM> may be defined in the front side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM>, and the gas inside the diffusing case <NUM> may be discharged forward of the diffuser <NUM> through the open surface in the front side <NUM>.

In one example, the guide frame <NUM> may be disposed inside the diffusing case <NUM>. The guide frame <NUM> is disposed to guide the flow of the gas introduced through the gas inlet hole <NUM>.

The guide frame <NUM> may be disposed to face the gas inlet hole <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM>. The guide frame <NUM> may have a diffusion portion <NUM> at a center thereof, a first guide <NUM> disposed radially outward of the diffusion portion <NUM>, and a second guide <NUM> disposed radially outward of the first guide <NUM>.

The guide frame <NUM> may include a guide connector <NUM> extending along the radial direction of the diffuser <NUM>, and the guide connector <NUM> may connect the diffusion portion <NUM>, the first guide <NUM>, and the second guide <NUM> to each other.

The diffusion portion <NUM> of the guide frame <NUM> is disposed to face the gas inlet hole <NUM> to diffuse the gas introduced through the gas inlet hole <NUM> outward in the radial direction. That is, the flow cross-sectional area of the gas introduced through the gas inlet hole <NUM> may be increased by the diffusion portion <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the gas outlet <NUM> having the center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM>, a flow direction of the gas discharged from the center portion <NUM> may be changed by the diffusion portion <NUM>. That is, the diffusion portion <NUM> may have a larger diameter than the center portion <NUM> and diffuse the gas provided from the center portion <NUM> outward in the radial direction.

The first guide <NUM> may have a ring shape, and the diffusion portion <NUM> may be located at a center of the first guide <NUM>. The diffusion portion <NUM> may have a circular cross-section, and may be outwardly spaced apart from the diffusion portion <NUM> while being concentric with the diffusion portion <NUM> of the first guide <NUM>.

A first flow path <NUM> may be located between the first guide <NUM> and the diffusion portion <NUM>. That is, the first guide <NUM> may be spaced apart from the diffusion portion <NUM> to define the first flow path <NUM> between the first guide <NUM> and the diffusion portion <NUM>. The gas diffused through the diffusion portion <NUM> may flow through the first flow path <NUM>.

The second guide <NUM> may have a ring shape corresponding to the first guide <NUM>, and the diffusion portion <NUM> and the first guide <NUM> may be located at a center of the second guide <NUM>. That is, the second guide <NUM> may be concentric with the diffusion portion <NUM> and the first guide <NUM> and may be spaced apart from the first guide <NUM>.

That is, an inner diameter of the first guide <NUM> may be larger than the diameter of the diffusion portion <NUM>, and an inner diameter of the second guide <NUM> may be larger than an outer diameter of the first guide <NUM>. Accordingly, the first flow path <NUM> may be defined between the diffusion portion <NUM> and the first guide <NUM>, and a second flow path <NUM> may be defined between the first guide <NUM> and the second guide <NUM>.

The gas diffused by the diffusion portion <NUM> may flow through the first flow path <NUM> and the second flow path <NUM>. An outer diameter of the second flow path <NUM> may be larger than the diameter of the gas inlet hole <NUM>, so that the gas introduced through the gas inlet hole <NUM> may be diffused by the diffusion portion <NUM> and flow with a larger flow cross-section.

The light irradiator <NUM> may be located in front of the guide frame <NUM>. The light irradiator <NUM> may be installed on a front surface of the guide frame <NUM>. The light irradiator <NUM> may have a plurality of light emitters <NUM> arranged on a circuit board <NUM>. The circuit board <NUM> may include a plurality of circuit boards separated from each other, and the plurality of boards may be respectively arranged on the diffusion portion <NUM>, the first guide <NUM>, and the second guide <NUM> of the guide frame <NUM>.

The light irradiator <NUM> may include the plurality of circuit boards <NUM>, and the plurality of circuit boards <NUM> may respectively include a central board <NUM>, a first board <NUM>, and a second board <NUM>.

The central board <NUM> may have a cross-section shape corresponding to the diffusion portion <NUM>. For example, the diffusion portion <NUM> may have the circular cross-section, and the central board <NUM> may have a circular cross-section in the same manner as the diffusion portion <NUM>, may be disposed on a front surface of the diffusion portion <NUM>, and may include the plurality of light emitters <NUM>.

The first board <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the first guide <NUM>. For example, the first guide <NUM> may have the ring shape, and the first board <NUM> may have a ring shape in the same manner as the first guide <NUM>, may be disposed on a front surface of the first guide <NUM>, and may include the plurality of light emitters <NUM>.

The second board <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the second guide <NUM>. For example, the second guide <NUM> may have the ring shape, and the second board <NUM> may have a ring shape in the same manner as the second guide <NUM>, may be disposed on a front surface of the second guide <NUM>, and may include the plurality of light emitters <NUM>.

The central board <NUM>, the first board <NUM>, and the second board <NUM> may be arranged to be concentric like the guide frame <NUM>. The first board <NUM> may be outwardly spaced apart from the central board <NUM>, and the second board <NUM> may be outwardly spaced apart from the first board <NUM>.

That is, an inner diameter of the first board <NUM> may be larger than a diameter of the central board <NUM>, and an inner diameter of the second board <NUM> may be larger than an outer diameter of the first board <NUM>. Therefore, like the guide frame <NUM>, the first flow path <NUM> may be located between the central board <NUM> and the first board <NUM>, and the second flow path <NUM> may be located between the first board <NUM> and the second board <NUM>.

The light irradiator <NUM> may irradiate light toward the front side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM> through the plurality of light emitters <NUM>. The light irradiated from the light irradiator <NUM> may be provided to a location ahead of the diffuser <NUM> through the front side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM>.

For example, the light irradiated from the light irradiator <NUM> may be provided to the location ahead of the diffuser <NUM> by passing through the open surface of the diffusing case <NUM>, passing through the gas discharge hole <NUM> of the discharge cover <NUM>, passing through the discharge cover <NUM>, or passing through the massage protrusion <NUM> of the discharge cover <NUM>.

As the light is irradiated to the location ahead of the diffuser <NUM>, the diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may perform user's hair or scalp care. The light irradiated from the light irradiator <NUM> may contribute to improving scalp and hair health while drying the user's scalp or hair or providing heat to the user's scalp or hair.

The proximity sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the circuit board <NUM> of the light irradiator <NUM>. <FIG> shows a state in which the proximity sensor <NUM> is disposed on the central board <NUM> of the light irradiator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The proximity sensor <NUM> may be disposed at a center of the central board <NUM>. The proximity sensor <NUM> may be disposed to measure the separation distance from the target positioned in front of the proximity sensor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be disposed to control the light irradiator <NUM> based on the separation distance between the proximity sensor <NUM> and the front target measured by the proximity sensor <NUM>.

For example, when the separation distance from the target measured by the proximity sensor <NUM> is equal to or less than a reference distance, the controller <NUM> may control the light irradiator <NUM> such that the light irradiator <NUM> irradiates the light forward. The reference distance may be predetermined in terms of a design or control.

However, the light irradiator <NUM> may be operated through a physical switch that is operated when the separation distance measured by the proximity sensor <NUM> is equal to or less than the reference distance.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as the proximity sensor <NUM> is used, the light irradiator <NUM> is operated when the separation distance from the target in front of the diffuser <NUM>, for example, the scalp or the hair of the user is equal to or less than the reference distance, thereby improving ease of use and an operation efficiency.

The proximity sensor <NUM> may be disposed in various types. For example, the proximity sensor <NUM> may be a pressure sensor that detects whether a pressing force is applied from the user's scalp or hair, or a photosensitive sensor that measures a level at which an amount of sensed light decreases as the separation distance from the scalp or the hair decreases.

In addition, the proximity sensor <NUM> may be an IR sensor that measures an infrared ray transmitted from the front target, that is, the user's scalp or hair to measure the separation distance from the scalp or the hair. In this case, the proximity sensor <NUM> may be disposed to irradiate the infrared ray forward.

In one example, the light diffusion frame <NUM> may be located in front of the light irradiator <NUM>. The light diffusion frame <NUM> may be installed on a front surface of the light irradiator <NUM>. That is, the light diffusion frame <NUM> may be disposed to forwardly cover the light irradiator <NUM>.

The light diffusion frame <NUM> may include a central light diffusion portion <NUM>, a first light diffusion portion <NUM> and a second light diffusion portion <NUM>. The light diffusion frame <NUM> may further include a light diffusion connector <NUM> for connecting the central light diffusion portion <NUM>, the first light diffusion portion <NUM>, and the second light diffusion portion <NUM> to each other.

The central light diffusion portion <NUM> may have a cross-section shape corresponding to the central board <NUM>. For example, the central board <NUM> may have the circular cross-section, and the central light diffusion portion <NUM> may have a circular cross-section in the same manner as the central board <NUM> and may cover the front surface of the diffusion portion <NUM>.

The first light diffusion portion <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the first board <NUM>. For example, the first board <NUM> may have the ring shape, and the first light diffusion portion <NUM> may have a ring shape in the same manner as the first board <NUM> and may cover the front surface of the first board <NUM>.

The second light diffusion portion <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the second board <NUM>. For example, the second board <NUM> may have the ring shape, and the second light diffusion portion <NUM> may have a ring shape in the same manner as the second board <NUM> and may cover the front surface of the second board <NUM>.

The central light diffusion portion <NUM>, the first light diffusion portion <NUM>, and the second light diffusion portion <NUM> may be arranged to be concentric like the guide frame <NUM> and the light irradiator <NUM>. The first light diffusion portion <NUM> may be outwardly spaced apart from the central light diffusion portion <NUM>, and the second light diffusion portion <NUM> may be outwardly spaced apart from the first light diffusion portion <NUM>.

That is, an inner diameter of the first light diffusion portion <NUM> may be larger than a diameter of the central light diffusion portion <NUM>, and an inner diameter of the second light diffusion portion <NUM> may be larger than an outer diameter of the first light diffusion portion <NUM>. Accordingly, like the guide frame <NUM>, the first flow path <NUM> may be located between the central light diffusion portion <NUM> and the first light diffusion portion <NUM>, and the second flow path <NUM> may be located between the first light diffusion portion <NUM> and the second light diffusion portion <NUM>.

That is, the diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed in a shape in which the first flow path <NUM> and the second flow path <NUM> are extended in the front and rear direction through the guide frame <NUM>, the light irradiator <NUM>, and the light diffusion frame <NUM>.

The light diffusion connector <NUM> may be disposed in a shape corresponding to the guide connector <NUM>. For example, the guide connector <NUM> and the light diffusion connector <NUM> may have an extended shape along the radial direction of the diffuser <NUM>.

The light diffusion connector <NUM> may be located in front of the guide connector <NUM>. The light diffusion frame <NUM> may be fixed inside the diffusing case <NUM> as the light diffusion frame <NUM> is fastened to the guide connector <NUM>.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of a design and structurally stable in that, in a state in which the guide frame <NUM> is constituted by a plurality of components, the plurality of components are able to be handled as a single component through the guide connector <NUM>.

In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure is advantageous in terms of the design and structurally stable in that, in a state in which the light diffusion frame <NUM> is constituted by a plurality of components, the plurality of components are able to be handled as a single component through the light diffusion connector <NUM>.

Furthermore, the light diffusion connector <NUM> of the light diffusion frame <NUM> is coupled to the guide connector <NUM> of the guide frame <NUM>, so that all of the central light diffusion portion <NUM>, the first light diffusion portion <NUM>, and the second light diffusion portion <NUM> may be stably fixed, which is advantageous in terms of coupling.

The light diffusion frame <NUM> may be made of a material through which light is transmitted. For example, the light diffusion frame <NUM> may be made of a transparent or translucent material. The light irradiated from the light irradiator <NUM> may be scattered and diffused while passing through the light diffusion frame <NUM>.

In the diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light diffusion frame <NUM> is disposed in front of the light irradiator <NUM>, so that the light irradiated from the light irradiator <NUM> may be provided to the user while being scattered and diffused and being uniformly dispersed in a larger area.

A treatment for the diffusion or the scattering of the light may be performed on a front surface or a rear surface of the light diffusion frame <NUM>. For example, etching may be performed or a pattern through laser processing and the like may be formed on a surface of the light diffusion frame <NUM>.

In one example, the central light diffusion portion <NUM> is disposed to shield the front surface of the central board <NUM>, and a portion of the central light diffusion portion <NUM> in front of the proximity sensor <NUM> may be opened such that the measurement of the separation distance from the target in front of the diffuser <NUM> by the proximity sensor <NUM> disposed on the central board <NUM> is easy.

<FIG> shows a state in which the proximity sensor <NUM> is disposed at the center of the central board <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and the central light diffusion portion <NUM> has a hole defined at a center thereof to expose the proximity sensor <NUM> forwardly.

The discharge cover <NUM> may be disposed to shield the open surface defined in the front side <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM> in which the guide frame <NUM>, the light irradiator <NUM>, and the light diffusion frame <NUM> are embedded. The plurality of gas discharge holes <NUM> are defined in the discharge cover <NUM>, so that the gas may be discharged and the light may be irradiated forward.

The discharge cover <NUM> may be disposed such that the edge <NUM> has a curvature to correspond to the front circumferential portion <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM> when viewed from the side and is indented rearwards centerwardly when viewed from the front.

That is, a front surface of the discharge cover <NUM> may form a curved surface that is indented rearwards centerwardly, so that the discharge cover <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the head of the user and may be optimized to provide the massage effect through the massage protrusion <NUM> while providing the gas and the light to the user.

The plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> protruding or extending forward on the front surface of the discharge cover <NUM> may be arranged, and a contact portion may be disposed on the surface of the discharge cover <NUM> such that a sense of touch with the scalp or the hair of the user may be improved and damage to the scalp and the hair may be minimized. The contact portion may be made of a material such as silicon and the like.

Some of the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> may correspond to the moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>. That is, in the diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> may include the moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>.

The moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be disposed to measure a moisture amount of the scalp or the hair of the user. A pair of the moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> may be arranged to measure an impedance, that is, bioelectrical impedance through an electric field formed therebetween.

The moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be connected to the controller <NUM>. Further, the controller <NUM> may determine the impedance using a voltage, a current, a resistance, and the like, which are identified through the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM>, determine the moisture amount of the scalp or the hair of the user based on the determined impedance, and control an operation of the fan <NUM>, the temperature adjuster <NUM>, or the light irradiator <NUM> based on the determined moisture amount.

For example, the controller <NUM> may control the fan <NUM> such that the gas speed increases as the moisture amount of the scalp or the hair of the user increases, control the temperature adjuster <NUM> such that the gas temperature increases, or control the light irradiator <NUM> such that the light amount increases.

The pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> may be arranged. The moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> may include a first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> electrically having a first pole and a second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> having a second pole opposite to the first pole.

The controller <NUM> may determine the impedance and the moisture amount through the electric field formed between the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM>.

A plurality of pairs of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>, each of which is constituted by the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM>, may be arranged. One pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from another pair of moisture measurement protrusions, and different massage protrusions <NUM> may be positioned therebetween.

In one example, the open region <NUM> may be defined at the center of the discharge cover <NUM>. The proximity sensor <NUM> may be exposed forward through the hole defined in the light diffusion frame <NUM> and the open region <NUM> of the discharge cover <NUM>, and may wholly measure the separation distance from the target in front of the diffuser <NUM>. A protection member that protects the proximity sensor <NUM> and allows the infrared ray or the like to pass straight therethrough may be disposed in front of the proximity sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an internal cross-section of the diffuser <NUM> and a state in which the diffuser <NUM> is coupled to the main body <NUM> to receive the gas from the gas outlet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first coupling portion <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include the first magnetic fastening portion <NUM> and the second coupling portion <NUM> of the diffuser <NUM> may include the second magnetic fastening portion <NUM>.

The diffuser <NUM> may be coupled to the front end <NUM> of the main body <NUM> through the magnetic coupling between the first magnetic fastening portion <NUM> and the second magnetic fastening portion <NUM>. The first coupling portion <NUM> may further include a hook fastener and the second coupling portion <NUM> may further include a hook fastened to the hook fastener, so that a coupling stability between the diffuser <NUM> and the main body <NUM> may be enhanced.

Hereinafter, the flow of the gas discharged from the gas outlet <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In the gas outlet <NUM>, the gas is discharged from the center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM>. The gas inlet hole <NUM> of the diffusing case <NUM> is defined to have a diameter equal to or larger than that of the side portion <NUM> and face the gas outlet <NUM>, so that the gas discharged from the center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> may be introduced into the inlet hole <NUM>.

The guide frame <NUM> may be disposed inside the diffusing case <NUM> to face the gas outlet <NUM>. Specifically, the diffusion portion <NUM> of the guide frame <NUM> may be positioned to face the center portion <NUM> of the gas outlet <NUM>.

The gas discharged from the center portion <NUM> flows toward the diffusion portion <NUM>. As the diffusion portion <NUM> has a diameter larger than that of the center portion <NUM>, the gas discharged from the center portion <NUM> may be diffused along the radial direction of the diffuser <NUM>.

The diffusion portion <NUM> may have a diffusion protrusion <NUM> on a rear surface thereof facing the center portion <NUM>, and the diffusion effect of the gas discharged from the center portion <NUM> may be improved by the diffusion protrusion <NUM>. The diffusion protrusion <NUM> may be disposed to increase in rearwardly protruding height toward a center on the cross-section when viewed from the rear.

At least a portion of the gas discharged from the center portion <NUM> may flow along the first flow path <NUM> defined between the diffusion portion <NUM> and the first guide <NUM> in the guide frame <NUM> by the diffusion portion <NUM> and the diffusion protrusion <NUM>.

In one example, the gas discharged from the side portion <NUM> may have a flow form outwardly surrounding the gas discharged from the center portion <NUM>, and the gas discharged from the side portion <NUM> may also diffuse outward along the radial direction of the diffuser <NUM> as the gas of the center portion <NUM> is diffused by the diffusion portion <NUM>.

Therefore, at least a portion of the gas discharged from the side portion <NUM> and at least a portion of the gas discharged from the center portion <NUM> may flow along the second flow path <NUM> defined between the first guide <NUM> and the second guide <NUM> in the guide frame <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, despite a design feature that the inner diameter of the diffuser <NUM> increases forwardly, the discharging of the gas discharged from the center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> in the forward direction while being maintained in a specific form may be effectively suppressed through the guide frame <NUM>.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the diffuser <NUM> allows the gas discharged from the center portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> to be effectively dispersed and diffused with a larger flow cross-sectional area while preventing the flow of the gas from being maintained in the specific form.

In one example, the light irradiator <NUM> and the light diffusion frame <NUM> may be arranged in front of the guide frame <NUM> inside the diffusing case <NUM>. The light irradiator <NUM> and the light diffusion frame <NUM> may be coupled with the guide frame <NUM> and thus may be handled as a single component, so that a structure that is excellent in a space utilization and is advantageous in design may be implemented.

In addition, the light irradiator <NUM> and the light diffusion frame <NUM> may define the first flow path <NUM> and the second flow path <NUM> together with the guide frame <NUM>. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as the structure in which the light irradiator <NUM> and the light diffusion frame <NUM> define the first flow path <NUM> and the second flow path <NUM> together with the guide frame <NUM> is achieved, the flow of the gas formed by the guide frame <NUM> may be effectively maintained and the gas may be discharged forwardly of the diffuser <NUM> through the light irradiator <NUM> and the light diffusion frame <NUM>.

In one example, in the light irradiator <NUM>, the first board <NUM> may be positioned forwardly of the central board <NUM>, and the second board <NUM> may be positioned forwardly of the first board <NUM>. Accordingly, the plurality of light emitters <NUM> arranged in the light irradiator <NUM> may be arranged to form a spherical surface that is substantially indented rearward.

Accordingly, the plurality of light emitters <NUM> may be arranged in a form in which a distance from a center of the light irradiator <NUM> along the radial direction increases forwardly. Such arrangement of the light emitters <NUM> may correspond to the shape of the front surface of the discharge cover <NUM> indented rearward.

That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of light emitters <NUM> arranged on the light irradiator <NUM> are arranged to form the curved surface to correspond to the user's head having the curvature, so that a uniform amount of light may be provided to the user's scalp and hair.

Like the light irradiator <NUM>, the guide frame <NUM> may be disposed such that the first guide <NUM> is positioned forwardly of the diffusion portion <NUM> and the second guide <NUM> is positioned forwardly of the first guide <NUM>.

Accordingly, the first board <NUM> disposed on the front surface of the first guide <NUM> may be positioned forwardly of the central board <NUM> disposed on the front surface of the diffusion portion <NUM>, and the second board <NUM> disposed on the front surface of the second guide <NUM> may be positioned forwardly of the first board <NUM>.

Like the light irradiator <NUM>, in the light diffusion frame <NUM>, the first light diffusion portion <NUM> may be positioned forwardly of the central light diffusion portion <NUM> and the second light diffusion portion <NUM> may be positioned forwardly of the first light diffusion portion <NUM>. Accordingly, a distance between the light diffusion frame <NUM> and the light irradiator <NUM> may be kept constant, and uniform dispersion and scattering of the light may be induced.

In addition, in the guide frame <NUM>, as the second guide <NUM> is positioned forwardly of the first guide <NUM> and the first guide <NUM> is positioned forwardly of the diffusion portion <NUM>, a space in which the gas introduced from the gas inlet hole <NUM> is diffused in the radial direction may be secured and the gas may be smoothly introduced into the first flow path <NUM> and the second flow path <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the guide frame <NUM>, the light irradiator <NUM>, and the light diffusion frame <NUM> protruding forward in a direction away from centers thereof, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In one example, <FIG> shows a light blocking portion <NUM> surrounding the proximity sensor <NUM>. The light blocking portion <NUM> may be disposed to surround the proximity sensor <NUM> along the circumferential direction of the diffuser <NUM>, thereby preventing a situation in which the light emitter <NUM> around the proximity sensor <NUM> affects the proximity sensor <NUM>.

In addition, the light blocking portion <NUM> may be opened forward to prevent structural interference from occurring in a measurement of the separation distance between the diffuser <NUM> and the front target by the proximity sensor <NUM>. For example, when the proximity sensor <NUM> measures the infrared ray transmitted from the target, the light blocking portion <NUM> is opened forward to allow the infrared ray transmitted from the target to be completely provided to the proximity sensor <NUM>.

The light blocking portion <NUM> may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. The proximity sensor <NUM> may be located inside the light blocking portion <NUM>. The light blocking portion <NUM> may have a shape extending from the central board <NUM> to the discharge cover <NUM>.

The light blocking portion <NUM> may be disposed to extend rearward from the discharge cover <NUM>, or may be formed integrally with the discharge cover <NUM> or integrally with the central board <NUM>. The light blocking portion <NUM> may be manufactured separately from the discharge cover <NUM> and the central board <NUM>, and may be coupled or connected to the discharge cover <NUM> and/or the central board <NUM>.

In one example, as described above, the hair dryer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the main body <NUM>, the handle <NUM>, and the diffuser <NUM>, and the diffuser <NUM> includes the diffusing case <NUM> and the discharge cover <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a view of the diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure viewed from the front. Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the discharge cover <NUM> may include the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM>.

The plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> may protrude forward to press the target located in front of the discharge cover <NUM>. In addition, the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> may include the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM>. The moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be disposed to measure the moisture amount of the target.

Specifically, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the massage protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on the discharge cover <NUM>, and may include the plurality of massage protrusions to press the front target, for example, the scalp, the hair, or the like of the user.

The massage protrusion <NUM> may have a shape of a protrusion protruding forward from the discharge cover <NUM>, and a shape of a cross-section thereof may be various, such as circular or polygonal. A protrusion length of the massage protrusion <NUM> may vary in design.

For example, the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> arranged on the discharge cover <NUM> may have the same protrusion length in an entire range of the discharge cover <NUM>. Alternatively, a massage protrusion <NUM> disposed in a specific region may have a larger protrusion length than a massage protrusion <NUM> disposed in a remaining region.

The massage protrusion <NUM> may further include a contact cover forming a surface of the massage protrusion <NUM> to minimize damage to the user's scalp and hair. The contact cover may be made of a material, such as silicone, that may minimize the damage to the scalp and hair due to friction and the like.

<FIG> shows the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> that are uniformly distributed throughout the front surface of the discharge cover <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In one example, some of the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> may correspond to the moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>. That is, the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> may include the moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>. The moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be disposed to measure the moisture amount of the target.

The moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> corresponding to some of the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> are arranged to press the user's scalp and the like in the same manner as the others of the massage protrusions <NUM>. Furthermore, the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be disposed to measure the amount of moisture present in the scalp or the like.

A moisture measurement scheme of the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be various. For example, the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be disposed to form the electric field to measure the bioelectrical impedance. A measurement scheme of the bioelectrical impedance in the present disclosure is as follows.

When the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> measures the moisture amount of the scalp, a voltage may be formed at the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and an electric field may be formed by electrical polarity generation resulted from the voltage.

The electric field is changed by the amount of moisture present in the scalp. For example, as the moisture amount of the scalp increases, the electric field is amplified. Accordingly, an impedance value determined from the electric field may be reduced.

Conversely, when the moisture amount of the scalp is small, the electric field formed by the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> is reduced, and thus the impedance value on the scalp may be measured as a large value.

As described above, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be disposed to measure the moisture amount of the scalp based on the change in the bioelectrical impedance, that is, the impedance defined in the present disclosure.

However, the moisture amount measurement scheme of the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may not be necessarily limited as described above, and may include various schemes such as an electro-osmosis scheme, an electronic sensor scheme, or the like.

The diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may efficiently measure the moisture amount of the user's scalp or hair as some of the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> are arranged as the moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>.

Furthermore, the hair dryer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is advantageous because a result of the moisture amount measurement of the diffuser <NUM> may be used in the care of the user's scalp and hair.

In one example, <FIG> shows the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> connected to the light irradiator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may include a protrusion base <NUM> and a moisture measurement electrode <NUM>.

The protrusion base <NUM> may be disposed to protrude forward to press the target. The moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be disposed in the protrusion base <NUM>, at least a portion of the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be exposed to the outside from the protrusion base <NUM>, and the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may have an electrical polarity by the voltage.

Specifically, the protrusion base <NUM> may have a shape of an protrusion protruding forward from the front surface of the discharge cover <NUM>, and the protrusion base <NUM> may be included not only in the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM>, but also in the others of massage protrusions <NUM>.

For example, the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be structurally the same as or similar to the others of the massage protrusions <NUM> except for the moisture measurement electrode <NUM>.

The protrusion base <NUM> may protrude forward of the discharge cover <NUM> such that a front end thereof may press the user's scalp. The user may massage the scalp using the protrusion base <NUM> of the massage protrusion <NUM>.

In one example, the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may contain a conductive material such as copper and the like. Because the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> is made of the conductive material, the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be electrically, for example, positively or negatively charged when the voltage is provided.

The moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be disposed in the protrusion base <NUM>. At least the portion of the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be exposed to the outside from the protrusion base <NUM>, and may be adjacent to or in contact with the scalp and the like of the user.

A portion of the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be located inside the protrusion base <NUM> or an entirety of the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be located on a surface of the protrusion base <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> having the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> exposed forward of the protrusion base <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

At the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM>, the electrical polarity is generated at a portion of the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> exposed to the outside to generate the electric field on the scalp of the user. The electrical polarity may be either positive or negative.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may extend to penetrate the protrusion base <NUM> and be exposed to the outside through an end of the protrusion base <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> penetrating the protrusion base <NUM> along a longitudinal direction of the protrusion base <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be made of the conductive material such as the copper and the like, and damage of the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> resulted from external contact and the like may easily occur. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be disposed inside the protrusion base <NUM>.

The moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be extend along the longitudinal direction of the protrusion base <NUM> to penetrate the interior of the protrusion base <NUM>. The moisture measurement electrode <NUM> penetrating the protrusion base <NUM> may be exposed to the outside through a protruding end of the protrusion base <NUM>.

As the protruding end of the protrusion base <NUM> is able to be in contact with the user's scalp or the like and the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> is exposed from the end of the protrusion base <NUM> to the outside, the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be in contact with or located adjacent to the user's scalp, which may be advantageous to form the electric field.

In addition, as the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> is disposed inside the protrusion base <NUM>, damage or cutting of the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> due to contact may be effectively prevented.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may include the plurality of moisture measurement protrusions. In addition, the plurality of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> may include a first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and a second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM>.

The first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may include a moisture measurement electrode <NUM> having a first pole, and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may include a moisture measurement electrode <NUM> having a second pole opposite to the first pole. In the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM>, the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be arranged adjacent to each other.

<FIG> shows the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> arranged to be adjacent to each other among the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM>. The first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be difficult to be distinguished from each other in terms of the exterior, but may be distinguished from each other with a difference in the electrical polarity.

For example, the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may include the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> charged to have the first pole. The first pole may be an anode or a cathode.

The second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may include the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> charged to have the second pole. The second pole corresponds to the polarity opposite to the first pole. For example, when the first pole is the anode, the second pole may be the cathode, and when the first pole is the cathode, the second pole may be the anode.

As described above, the first moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> having the opposite electrical polarities may form an electric field by interaction. That is, the electric field may be formed between the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> having the different polarities are separated from each other, so that the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> of the first pole and the moisture measurement electrode of the second pole <NUM> of the second pole may be effectively and stably separated from each other.

In addition, because the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> are arranged to be adjacent to each other, the electric field by the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be easily generated.

In one example, <FIG> shows a state in which a plurality of pairs of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> are arranged, wherein each pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> is constituted by the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> are arranged.

Referring to <FIG>, in the diffuser <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM> may include the plurality of pairs of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>, wherein each pair is constituted by the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM>.

The massage protrusions <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other over an entire area of the discharge cover <NUM>, and the scalp or the hair of the user may have a different moisture amount for each portion thereof. For example, even when the moisture amount is relatively high in a specific region, the moisture amount may be low overall in the remaining regions other than the specific region.

That is, the scalp and the hair of the user may have the different moisture amount for each portion thereof. Accordingly, even when the moisture amount measured by the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> in the specific region is high, the user's scalp or hair may be relatively dry overall.

When the moisture amount measured by the pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> constituted by the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> is different from the overall moisture amount of the scalp and hair of the user as described above, a control result by the controller <NUM> capable of controlling multiple components based on the moisture amount may be different from a result required by the user.

Therefore, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of pairs of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> are arranged to measure the moisture amounts in different portions. That is, the plurality of pairs of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

That is, at least one general massage protrusion <NUM> other than the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> may be disposed between one pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> and another pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>.

<FIG> shows that a front surface region of the discharge cover <NUM> is divided into three regions, and the pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> are disposed in each region. That is, in <FIG>, three pairs of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> are arranged. The three pairs of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other to measure moisture amounts in different regions.

The number of pairs of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> may be varied as necessary. In some cases, the moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> may be densely arranged in a specific region, or may be evenly distributed at equal spacings.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may utilize an average value of the moisture amounts respectively measured by the pairs of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>, or differently set importance of the regions to determine a comprehensive moisture amount and utilize the comprehensive moisture amount.

That is, the controller <NUM> may control the light irradiator <NUM> or the like using the average value of the moisture amounts respectively measured by the pairs of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>, or may control the light irradiator <NUM> or the like using a value reflecting moisture amounts of the remaining moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> in a predetermined manner to a moisture amount of a pair of measurement protrusions <NUM> whose importance is set high.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller <NUM> may be electrically connected to the plurality of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>, and the moisture amount may be determined based on the impedance measured between the first moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> and the second moisture measurement protrusion <NUM>.

The impedance may be defined as the bioelectrical impedance measured at the user's scalp and the like as described above. <FIG> schematically shows a state in which the impedance is measured at the user's scalp and the like through the pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As described above, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM> may form the electric field on the scalp of the user by the mutual electric action.

The electric field may be amplified as the moisture amount of the scalp increases and may decrease as the moisture amount decreases. That is, when the electric field is formed by the pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>, the greater the moisture amount on the scalp, the lower the measured impedance, that is, the bioelectrical impedance, and the smaller the moisture amount, the higher the measured impedance.

The impedance measurement as described above may be performed by a current value, a voltage value, or the like generated between the pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>. For example, increase or decrease of the current value, the voltage value, or the like may be measured by increase or decrease of the impedance.

As described above, the change in the current value or the voltage value may correspond to the impedance formed in the electric field, that is, the bioelectrical impedance. The controller <NUM> may calculate or determine the moisture amount using the impedance measured through the change in the current value or the voltage value measured by the pair of moisture measurement protrusions <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may derive a moisture amount corresponding to a current impedance based on a pre-stored data map, or derive the moisture amount corresponding to the current impedance based on a pre-stored derivation equation.

The controller <NUM> may be disposed at one of the diffuser <NUM> and the main body <NUM> as described above, or may be disposed at each of the diffuser <NUM> and the main body <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may utilize the moisture amount determined in the above manner variously to control the hair dryer <NUM>.

For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the temperature adjuster <NUM> disposed on the main body <NUM> to adjust the temperature of the gas discharged through the gas outlet <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control the temperature adjuster <NUM> such that the temperature of the gas discharged through the gas outlet <NUM> increases as the moisture amount increases.

That is, when the moisture amount of the user's scalp or hair is high, it may be a situation in which the user requires scalp or hair drying. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may control the temperature adjuster <NUM> to increase the gas temperature, thereby creating favorable conditions for drying the scalp or the hair.

On the other hand, when the moisture amount of the user's scalp or hair is small, it may be a situation in which the user does not require drying of the scalp or the hair, but rather is unpleasant with the discharge of the gas of the high temperature. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may control the temperature adjuster <NUM> so as not to increase the gas temperature or so as to rather decrease the gas temperature.

In one example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the fan <NUM> disposed to adjust the speed of the gas discharged through the gas outlet <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may control the fan <NUM> such that the speed of the gas discharged through the gas discharge unit <NUM> increases as the moisture amount increases.

When the moisture amount of the user's scalp or hair is high, it may be the situation in which the user requires the scalp or hair drying. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may control the fan <NUM> to increase the speed of the gas discharged from the gas outlet <NUM>, thereby creating the favorable conditions for drying the scalp or the hair.

On the other hand, when the moisture amount of the user's scalp or hair is small, it may be the situation in which the user does not require the drying of the scalp or the hair, but rather is unpleasant with the discharge of the gas of the high temperature. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may control the fan <NUM> such that the speed of the gas discharged from the gas outlet <NUM> corresponds to a low speed.

In one example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the light irradiator <NUM> disposed inside the diffusing case <NUM> to irradiate the light toward the discharge cover <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control the light irradiator <NUM> such that the amount of light irradiated by the light irradiator <NUM> increases as the moisture amount increases.

When the moisture amount of the user's scalp or hair is high, it may be the situation in which the user requires the scalp or hair drying. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may control the light irradiator <NUM> to irradiate the light forwardly of the diffuser <NUM> or to provide the light of an amount increased than before, thereby creating the favorable conditions for drying the scalp or the hair.

On the other hand, when the moisture amount of the user's scalp or hair is small, it may be a situation in which the user does not require the drying of the scalp or the hair, but rather is unpleasant with temperature increase due to the light irradiation. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may control the light irradiator <NUM> so as not to irradiate the light forwardly of the diffuser <NUM> or so as to provide the light of an amount reduced than before.

However, the control of the temperature adjuster <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, the light irradiator <NUM>, and the like base on the moisture amount may not be necessarily limited as described above, and may be variously determined in a control strategic aspect for reflecting another request of the user or improving ease of use.

In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light irradiator <NUM> may include the circuit board <NUM> and the light emitters <NUM> arranged on the circuit board <NUM> to irradiate the light, and the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be connected to the circuit board <NUM> to generate the voltage.

<FIG> shows the moisture measurement electrode <NUM> connected to the circuit board <NUM> of the light irradiator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The moisture measurement electrode <NUM> may be disposed such that one end thereof may be electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM> and the other end thereof may penetrate the protrusion base <NUM> and is exposed to the outside from the front end of the protrusion base <NUM>.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the present disclosure is advantageous in design because there is no need to construct a separate circuit for utilization of the moisture measurement protrusion <NUM> or the moisture measurement electrode <NUM>, and is able to efficiently generate the voltage on the moisture measurement electrode <NUM>.

In one example, <FIG> shows a state in which the light emitter <NUM> of the light irradiator <NUM> is disposed rearward of the massage protrusion <NUM> of the discharge cover <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of light emitters <NUM> may be arranged inside the diffusing case <NUM> to respectively face the plurality of massage protrusions <NUM>.

The light irradiated from the light emitter <NUM> may be transmitted to the massage protrusion <NUM> through the gas discharge hole <NUM>, or may be transmitted to the massage protrusion <NUM> by passing through the discharge cover <NUM> as the discharge cover <NUM> is made of a light transmissive material.

Accordingly, the light irradiated from the light emitter <NUM> may be transmitted to the scalp and the hair of the user through the massage protrusion <NUM>, so that direct light transmission may be possible and the care effect of the scalp and the hair may be improved.

However, an embodiment of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, some of the plurality of light emitters <NUM> may be respectively arranged rearward of the massage protrusions <NUM> and the others may be arranged rearward of the gas discharge hole <NUM> to irradiate the light.

Further, the plurality of light emitters <NUM> may be evenly distributed such that separation distances therebetween are uniform, or may be concentrated in some regions, regardless of the arrangement of the massage protrusions <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A hair dryer comprising:
a main body (<NUM>) including a gas outlet (<NUM>) for discharging gas therethrough;
a handle (<NUM>) extending from the main body (<NUM>); and
a diffuser (<NUM>) removably coupled to the main body (<NUM>) to introduce the gas discharged from the gas outlet (<NUM>) therein and discharge the gas introduced therein to outside,
wherein the diffuser (<NUM>) includes:
a diffusing case (<NUM>) having a rear side (<NUM>) coupled to the main body (<NUM>), wherein the gas discharged from the gas outlet (<NUM>) is introduced into the diffusing case (<NUM>) through a gas inlet hole (<NUM>) defined at the rear side (<NUM>),
a discharge cover (<NUM>) disposed at a front side (<NUM>) of the diffusing case (<NUM>), wherein the discharge cover (<NUM>) includes a gas discharge hole (<NUM>) for discharging the gas introduced into the diffusing case (<NUM>) to outside,
wherein the discharge cover (<NUM>) includes a plurality of massage protrusions (<NUM>) protruding forward to press a target located in front of the discharge cover (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the plurality of massage protrusions (<NUM>) include a moisture measurement protrusion (<NUM>) disposed to measure a moisture amount of the target.