Patent Description:
Hair dryers provide a flow of air that a user can utilize to dry wet hair. In many instances, the hair dryer also heats and/or ionizes the air prior to the air exiting the hair dryer. Hair dryers generally include an outlet having an opening with fixed dimensions where the heated air is expelled from the device. The speed, direction, and type of airflow of the airflow exiting from the outlet can be altered by attaching a removable accessory to the hair dryer. It can be challenging to maintain desired operating parameters of a hair dryer when switching between different attachments since each attachment can affect the airflow leaving the outlet based on its configuration.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved hair dryers for detecting a type of accessory attached to the hair dryer and for controlling operational settings of the hair dryer based on the type of accessory detected. <CIT> teaches a hair drying wand with interchangeable accessories. <CIT> teaches a hair dryer having interchangeable attachments, a reservoir for an ionized solution, and an induction charging cradle. <CIT> teaches a hair dryer that supplies electric power to interchangeable attachments.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a hair drying as defined in claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claim. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments.

In addition, the terms "about" and "substantially" are defined as ranges based on manufacturing variations and variations over temperature and other parameters.

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for detecting a type of accessory attached to a hair dryer, and for automatically controlling operational settings of the hair dryer based on the type of accessory detected. In general, a hair dryer is provided having an output end configured to supply air and having an attachment assembly configured to mate to one of multiple accessories. Each accessory can have an attachment assembly that is configured to interact with the attachment assembly on the hair dryer so as to enable the hair dryer to detect the type of accessory attached thereto. The hair dryer includes a controller configured to modify the operational settings based on the type of accessory detected. In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment assembly on each accessory includes features that interact with an accessory detection assembly on the hair dryer to cause the accessory detection assembly to assume a predetermined structural configuration. The predetermined structural configuration enables the hair dryer to identify the type of accessory attached thereto. In certain exemplary embodiments, the accessory detection assembly on the hair dryer includes movable push rods that interact with an outer collar on the attachment assembly of each accessory. Each accessory can be configured to interact with the accessory to position the movable push rods in one of several unique configurations. For example, if two push rods are provided, the accessory can move both push rods, move only a first push rod, move only a second push rod, or move neither push rod, thus providing four unique structural configurations for the push rods. The push rods can be connected to switches that move between on and off positions. The type of accessory is determined based on the position of each switch, thus enabling the operational settings for the motor and/or heater to be altered for the particular type of accessory attached to the hair dryer. Additionally, in order to enable rotation of at least some of the accessories, while still enabling the accessory to interact with the accessory detection assembly to indicate the type of accessory, the attachment assembly on the hair dryer and/or on the accessory includes features to control alignment of the accessory to at least one predetermined rotational orientation relative to the hair dryer.

<FIG> illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a hair dryer system <NUM> that includes a hair dryer <NUM> and one embodiment of an accessory <NUM> in the form of a concentrator. As shown, the hair dryer <NUM> generally includes an elongate housing <NUM> having a handle <NUM> extending therefrom in a generally downward direction, transverse to the housing <NUM>. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the hair dryer <NUM> can have a variety of configurations and that the features disclosed herein for detecting the type of accessory mated to the hair dryer can be used with any hair dryer known in the art.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing <NUM> is in the form of a generally hollow body that is configured to contain multiple components for operation of the hair dryer, such as a motor, a heater, a processor, and a memory. The illustrated housing <NUM> has a circular cross-section, but other cross-sectional shapes can be utilized. In order to allow the motor and heater to supply air, the housing <NUM> includes an input end 104a and an output end 104b arranged on opposite ends of the housing <NUM>. The input end 104a can allow for air intake into the housing <NUM>, and the output end 104b can supply air after passing through the motor and/or heater. The accessory <NUM> can removably mate with the hair dryer <NUM> at the output end 104b, as discussed in detail below.

Since the process of hair drying can require directional control of the hair dryer, the handle <NUM> is included to allow for hand-held use of the hair dryer system <NUM>. The handle <NUM> can extend from the housing <NUM> in a fixed orientation, or it can be pivotally attached to the housing <NUM>. The handle <NUM> can include a power button <NUM>, which can be configured to activate the hair dryer <NUM>. While not shown, the handle <NUM> can include other control mechanisms for controlling speed and/or heat settings on the hair dryer. Additionally, a power cable <NUM> can extend from the handle <NUM> and can be electrically connected to the electrical components within the hair dryer <NUM>, such as the motor, heater, processor, and memory.

As indicated above, various accessories can be used on a hair dryer in order to influence the output air from the hair dryer for a particular purpose. The accessory <NUM> shown in <FIG> is in the form of a concentrator that is removably mated to the output end 104b of the hair dryer <NUM> in order to concentrate the air flowing from the hair dryer <NUM>. The illustrated accessory <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having an air inlet 202a and an air outlet 202b arranged on opposite ends of the housing <NUM>. Similar to the hair dryer housing <NUM>, the accessory housing <NUM> is in the form of an elongate hollow body that allows air to pass there through. The air inlet 202a can have a shape that is complementary to the output end 104b of the hair dryer housing <NUM> in order to achieve a tight seal between the accessory <NUM> and the hair dryer <NUM> when mated. The air outlet 202b can have a reduced diameter, with a generally elongate ovular shape, to concentrate air. Although the accessory illustrated in <FIG> is a concentrator type accessory, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that various types of accessories can be removably mated to the hair dryer <NUM>. A number of additional accessory types are described in detail below.

In order to removably attach an accessory to the hair dryer <NUM>, the hair dryer <NUM> can include an attachment assembly <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate the hair dryer <NUM> with the accessory <NUM> removed from the hair dryer <NUM>. The illustrated attachment assembly <NUM> is arranged within the housing <NUM> at the output end 104b. The illustrated attachment assembly <NUM> generally includes a retaining mechanism for securely retaining an accessory in mating engagement with the hair dryer, an accessory detection assembly for detecting the type of accessory attached to the hair dryer, and an alignment mechanism for aligning an accessory in at least one predetermined rotational orientation relative to the hair dryer.

A variety of techniques can be used to securely retain an accessory in mating engagement with the hair dryer. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown, the retaining mechanism includes multiple biased retaining pins <NUM> that engage the accessory. While the retaining pins <NUM> can be positioned at various locations, and any numbers of retaining pins <NUM> can be utilized, in the illustrated embodiment the hair dryer <NUM> includes three retaining pins <NUM> located within a channel <NUM> formed between a center post <NUM> and a ring <NUM> positioned circumferentially around the center post <NUM>. The retaining pins <NUM> are configured to removably secure an accessory to the hair dryer <NUM> by interacting with a retaining groove formed on an inner collar of an accessory which can extend into the channel <NUM>, as will be discussed in detail below. In order to retain the inner collar, the retaining pins <NUM> can extend radially inward through apertures in the ring <NUM>. The pins <NUM> can be spring-loaded such that they are biased radially inward. The springs allow the pins to move radially outward as the inner collar on an accessory is inserted into the channel <NUM>, and allows the pins <NUM> to return to the radially inward position to engage the retaining groove on the inner collar. Additionally, the pins <NUM> can be tapered, such as being "cone-shaped," to aid in both insertion and removal of an accessory.

In addition to securing an accessory using the retaining mechanism, as indicated above the attachment assembly <NUM> also includes an accessory detection assembly for detecting the type of accessory attached to the hair dryer <NUM>. While various techniques can be used to detect the type of accessory attached to the hair dryer <NUM>, in the illustrated embodiment, the accessory detection assembly includes push rods <NUM>, <NUM>, which are each connected to corresponding switches within the housing <NUM>. The push rods <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to assume a predetermined configuration in response to a type of accessory attached thereto, thereby controlling the switches to indicate the type of accessory. As shown in <FIG>, the push rods <NUM>, <NUM> are spaced apart a circumferential distance and extend axially within a channel <NUM> formed between a securement plate <NUM> and an inner surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Each push rod <NUM>, <NUM> can be seated within a groove <NUM>, <NUM> formed in an internal cover <NUM>, and can be configured to axially slide within the groove <NUM>, <NUM> between an initial extended position and a retracted position, in which the rod <NUM>, <NUM> moves toward a switch to thereby move the switch between on and off positions, as discussed below. The switches are coupled to the controller of the motor and heater such that different types of accessories can interact with the push rods <NUM>, <NUM> to control the switches, thus enabling the operating parameters of the motor and heater to be controlled based on the position of the switches. As will also be described in more detail below, when an accessory is mated to the hair dryer <NUM>, an outer collar of the accessory can extend into the channel <NUM>. Depending on the configuration of the accessory, the accessory can remain spaced from the push rods <NUM>, <NUM>, can cause a particular one of the push rods to be axially displaced, or can cause both push rods <NUM>, <NUM> to be axially displaced.

As indicated above, the attachment assembly also includes features to align an accessory with the hair dryer. Certain accessories may need to be rotatable with respect to the hair dryer, either <NUM> degrees, or between certain predetermined positions. Rotational control may be necessary based on the configuration of the accessory and/or to control alignment between an actuation mechanism on the accessory and the accessory detection assembly on the hair dryer.

In order to allow rotation of an accessory, while still enabling the accessory to interact with the push rods so as to indicate the type of accessory, an alignment mechanism is provided for controlling a rotational orientation of the accessory relative to the accessory detection assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment mechanism is in the form of surface features formed on the center post <NUM>. In particular, the center post <NUM> includes alignment tabs <NUM> spaced radially about on an exterior surface thereof and extending axially along the center post <NUM>. The alignment tabs <NUM> can be integral with the center post <NUM>. The alignment tabs <NUM> project radially outward from the center post <NUM> into the channel <NUM> and are configured to interact with complimentary surface features of an accessory's rotational alignment mechanism, such as complementary alignment tabs on an inner collar of an accessory, as described in detail below. The alignment tabs <NUM> can be arranged such that, when an accessory is mated to the hair dryer <NUM>, the complimentary tabs of the inner collar are forced to slide between each of the alignment tabs <NUM>, maintaining the accessory in a predetermination rotational orientation relative the hair dryer <NUM>, thus ensuring that the correct push rod(s) <NUM>, <NUM> of the accessory detection assembly are retracted.

As indicated above, in order to control the operating parameters of the motor and heater using the push rods <NUM>, <NUM>, the push rods are positioned to interact with corresponding switches <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate the hair dryer <NUM> with a portion of the housing <NUM> removed to show the internal mechanics of the hair dryer <NUM>, and in particular to show the push rods <NUM>, <NUM> and switches <NUM>, <NUM> in different structural configurations. As illustrated, each switch <NUM>, <NUM> is arranged at an end of the push rod <NUM>, <NUM> that is opposite to an end that interacts with the outer collar of an accessory. In some embodiments, the switches <NUM>, <NUM> are light gate switches, where a light beam can be blocked by a depressed or retracted push rod, closing the circuit. Although the switches <NUM>, <NUM> can be light gate switches, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that any type of switch can be used to indicate if a push rod is depressed. As described in detail below, the switches <NUM>, <NUM> can either be in an on or off positon depending on the interaction between the outer collar of an accessory and the push rods <NUM>, <NUM>. The switches <NUM>, <NUM> are communicatively coupled to a controller containing a memory for storing predetermined operational settings for the motor and heater, and a processor for executing those operational settings.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the accessory detection assembly is in a first structural configuration, with both push rods <NUM>, <NUM> axially extended toward the output end 104b. With both push rods <NUM>, <NUM> extended, both switches <NUM>, <NUM> are in the same position, either on or off. For example, if a push rod is extended, then the corresponding switch would be in the off position. When both push rods <NUM>, <NUM> are extended, either no accessory has been attached to the attachment assembly <NUM>, or an accessory having an outer collar which does not contact the push rods <NUM>, <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>. The processor can determine that neither switch is in the on position, and can then reference the stored predetermined operational setting for the motor and the heater. The processor can then execute these operational settings when the hair dryer <NUM> is activated by the power button <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the accessory detection assembly is in a second structural configuration, with push rod <NUM> axially extended and push rod <NUM> axially retracted. With only push rods <NUM> retracted, switch <NUM> is in the off position, while switch <NUM> is in the on position. When only push rod <NUM> is retracted, the accessory attached to the hair dryer <NUM> includes an outer collar which interacts with only push rod <NUM>, and not push rod <NUM>. The structure of the outer collar will be described in detail below, where the rotational orientation of the accessory is controlled by the interaction between the alignment tabs <NUM> of the alignment mechanism and the complimentary alignment tabs of on the inner collar of the accessory. The processor can determine that only switch <NUM> is in the on position, and can then reference the stored predetermined operational setting for the motor and the heater. The processor can then execute these operational settings when the hair dryer <NUM> is activated by the power button <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the accessory detection assembly is in a third structural configuration, with push rod <NUM> axially extended and push rod <NUM> axially retracted. With only push rod <NUM> retracted, switch <NUM> is in the off position, while switch <NUM> is in the on position. When only push rod <NUM> retracted, the accessory attached to the hair dryer <NUM> includes an outer collar which can interact with only push rod <NUM>, and not push rod <NUM>. The structure of the outer collar will be described below in detail, where the rotational orientation of the accessory is controlled by the interaction between the alignment tabs <NUM> of the alignment mechanism and the complimentary alignment tabs of on the inner collar of the accessory. The processor can determine that only the switch <NUM> is in the on position, and can then reference the stored predetermined operational setting for the motor and the heater. The processor can then execute these operational settings when the hair dryer <NUM> is activated by the power button <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the accessory detection assembly is in a fourth structural configuration, with both push rods <NUM>, <NUM> axially retracted. With both push rods <NUM>, <NUM> retracted, both switches <NUM>, <NUM> are in the on position. When both push rods <NUM>, <NUM> are retracted, the accessory attached to the hair dryer <NUM> contacts both the push rods <NUM>, <NUM>. The processor can determine that both switches are in the on position, and can then reference the stored predetermined operational setting for the motor and the heater. The processor can then execute these operational settings when the hair dryer <NUM> is activated by the power button <NUM>.

As stated above, various accessories can be removably attached to the hair dryer <NUM> in order to change the air flow from the hair dryer <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate the concentrator type accessory <NUM> in more detail. As shown, the accessory <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having an air inlet 202a and an air outlet 202b. Similar to the hair dryer, the air inlet 202a includes attachment assembly that can include a retaining mechanism to facilitate engagement with the hair dryer, an actuation mechanism to actuate the accessory detection assembly, and a rotational alignment mechanism to control the rotational orientation of the accessory relative to the hair dryer.

As shown in <FIG>, the attachment assembly generally includes an outer collar <NUM> and an inner collar <NUM> for interacting with the attachment assembly on the hair dryer <NUM>. The outer collar <NUM> is arranged radially outward of the inner collar <NUM>, with both the outer collar <NUM> and the inner collar <NUM> projecting axially from the air inlet 202a. A shoulder <NUM> can be arranged on an exterior of the housing <NUM> at the air inlet 202a so that the hair dryer <NUM> can extend around the housing <NUM> and abut the shoulder <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>.

When mated to the hair dryer <NUM>, the outer collar <NUM> can extend within the channel <NUM> formed between the housing <NUM> and the securement plate <NUM>, and the inner collar <NUM> can extend within the channel <NUM> formed between the center post <NUM> and the ring <NUM>. In order to facilitate secure attachment of the accessory <NUM> to the hair dryer <NUM>, the inner collar <NUM> can include a retaining groove <NUM> arranged on the exterior surface thereof and extending circumferentially around the inner collar <NUM>. As stated previously, the retaining pins <NUM> on the hair dryer attachment mechanism can extend into and engage the retaining groove <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM>. As the inner collar <NUM> is inserted into the channel <NUM>, the pins <NUM> are radially displaced by the inner collar <NUM>. Once the retaining groove <NUM> and the pins <NUM> are axially aligned with the housing <NUM> abutting the shoulder <NUM>, the pins <NUM> will extend radially into the retaining groove <NUM> to secure the accessory <NUM> to the hair dryer <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the retaining groove <NUM> can be contoured in order to aid in attachment and removal of the accessory <NUM> from the hair dryer <NUM>.

As previously indicated, the accessory <NUM> can include an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the accessory detection assembly on the hair dryer <NUM> to position the accessory detection assembly in one of the plurality of predetermined structural configurations, thus enabling detection of the type of accessory attached thereto. In this embodiment, the actuation mechanism is a planar surface <NUM> formed on the attached side of the outer collar <NUM>, such that the collar <NUM> is in the form of a solid ring without additional protrusions. This configuration allows both push rods <NUM>, <NUM> to remain in an initial extended position when the accessory <NUM> is connected to the hair dryer <NUM>, with the outer collar <NUM> arranged within the channel <NUM> between the housing <NUM> and the securement plate <NUM>. Therefore, the outer collar <NUM> does not interact with either of the push rods <NUM>, <NUM>.

Since the outer collar <NUM> does not interact with the push rods <NUM>, <NUM>, it is not necessary to rotationally align the accessory <NUM> with the accessory detection assembly on the hair dryer <NUM>. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the concentrator accessory <NUM> is freely rotatable. The inner collar <NUM> can have a smooth inner surface <NUM>. The smooth inner surface <NUM> does not engage with the alignment tabs <NUM> of the alignment mechanism, but instead rests on top of the alignment tabs <NUM>. This arrangement of the inner collar <NUM> allows the accessory <NUM> to rotate freely relative to the hair dryer <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>.

In addition to controlling the operational settings of the motor and heater, some accessories can also include air flow controls on the accessories themselves. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the concentrator accessory <NUM> includes a lever <NUM> arranged within a slot <NUM> formed in the housing <NUM>. The lever <NUM> can slide within the slot <NUM>, and can be connected to an internal baffle system which can reduce the size of the air outlet 202b. The reduction of the size of the air outlet 202b can further control the speed of the air flow from the accessory <NUM>.

Another exemplary accessory is illustrated in <FIG>, which depict a diffuser type accessory. The accessory <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having an air inlet 302a and an air outlet 302b. The air inlet 302a includes an attachment assembly for interacting with the attachment assembly on the hair dryer. Similar to the hair dryer, the attachment assembly on the accessory <NUM> can include a retaining mechanism to facilitate engagement with the hair dryer, an actuation mechanism to actuate the accessory detection assembly, and a rotational alignment mechanism to control the rotational orientation of the accessory relative to the hair dryer.

As shown in <FIG>, the attachment assembly generally includes an outer collar <NUM> and an inner collar <NUM>. The outer collar <NUM> is arranged radially outward of the inner collar <NUM>, with both the outer collar <NUM> and the inner collar <NUM> projecting axially from the air inlet 302a. A shoulder <NUM> can be arranged on the housing <NUM> at the air inlet 302a so that the hair dryer <NUM> can abut the shoulder <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>.

As with the concentrator accessory <NUM>, when the diffuser accessory <NUM> is mated to the hair dryer <NUM>, the outer collar <NUM> can extend within the channel <NUM> formed between the housing <NUM> and the securement plate <NUM>, and the inner collar <NUM> can extend within the channel <NUM> formed between the center post <NUM> and the ring <NUM>. In order to facilitate secure attachment of the accessory <NUM> to the hair dryer <NUM>, the inner collar <NUM> can include a retaining groove <NUM> arranged on the exterior surface of the inner collar <NUM>, with the retaining groove <NUM> extending circumferentially around the inner collar <NUM>. As stated previously, the pins <NUM> of the retaining mechanism can engage the retaining groove <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM>, identical to how the pins <NUM> interact with the retaining groove <NUM> on the inner collar <NUM> of the concentrator accessory <NUM>.

The diffuser accessory <NUM> can also include an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the accessory detection assembly on the hair dryer. In this embodiment, the outer collar <NUM> includes protrusions <NUM> formed on and projecting axially from an end surface of the outer collar <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> can be circumferentially arranged about the outer collar <NUM>, and can be sized and positioned to actuate only one of the push rods <NUM>, <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is mated to the hair dryer <NUM>. In this embodiment, the protrusions <NUM> are in the form of curved peaks with curved valleys located therebetween. The peaks and valleys are spaced such that one protrusion aligns with one of the push rods while a valley aligns with the other push rod. As a result, the one push rod aligned with a protrusion will be moved to the retracted position, thereby causing the corresponding switch to switch from off to on. The other push rod will remain in the extended position, with the corresponding switch remaining off.

In order to properly align the actuation mechanism on the accessory <NUM> with the hair dryer so as to actuate a predetermine one of the push rods <NUM>, <NUM>, the inner collar <NUM> can include alignment tabs <NUM> arranged on the inner surface <NUM> thereof. The alignment tabs <NUM> can be in the form of protruding surface features having a shape that is complimentary to the shape of alignment tabs <NUM> on the hair dryer <NUM>. This arrangement of the inner collar <NUM> controls the rotational orientation of the accessory <NUM> relative to the hair dryer <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>. As the inner collar <NUM> is inserted into the channel <NUM> on the hair dryer <NUM>, the alignment tabs <NUM> and <NUM> mesh, causing the protrusions <NUM> to align with a predetermined one of the push rods <NUM>, <NUM>. The accessory <NUM> is prevented from rotating on the hair dryer <NUM>. However, the rotational alignment mechanism allows the accessory <NUM> to be attached to the hair dryer <NUM> at various rotational positions, rather than requiring a user to align the accessory <NUM> in one specific orientation relative to the hair dryer. In other words, the accessory <NUM> can be attached to the hair dryer in any rotational orientation, and the tabs <NUM>, <NUM> will interact to properly align the protrusions <NUM> with the rods <NUM>, <NUM> of the accessory detection member. In order to ensure that the protrusions <NUM> of the outer collar only contact the correct push rod <NUM>, <NUM> when attaching the accessory <NUM> at any of the various available rotational positions, the rotational position of both the outer collar <NUM> and the inner collar <NUM> can be fixed with respect to one another.

In addition to controlling the operational settings of the motor and heater, the accessory <NUM> can also include an air flow control, similar to the accessory <NUM>. The accessory <NUM> can include a lever <NUM> arranged within a slot <NUM> formed in the housing <NUM>. The lever <NUM> can slide within the slot <NUM>, and is connected to the prongs on the end of the diffuser, which allow the prongs to be retracted into the diffuser.

<FIG> illustrate another embodiment of an accessory in the form of a brush type accessory <NUM>. The accessory <NUM> is substantially similar to accessory <NUM>, and includes a housing <NUM> having an air inlet 402a and an air outlet 402b. The air outlet 402b includes an attachment assembly for interacting with the attachment assembly on the hair dryer. Similar to the hair dryer, the attachment assembly on the brush accessory <NUM> can include a retaining mechanism to facilitate engagement with the hair dryer, an actuation mechanism to actuate the accessory detection assembly, and a rotational alignment mechanism to control the rotational orientation of the accessory relative to the hair dryer.

As shown in <FIG>, the attachment assembly generally includes an outer collar <NUM> arranged radially outward of an inner collar <NUM>, with both the outer collar <NUM> and the inner collar <NUM> projecting axially from the air inlet 402a. The illustrated accessory <NUM> further includes a support collar <NUM> positioned radially outward of and around the outer collar <NUM>. The support collar <NUM> is configured to extend around the housing <NUM> of the hair dryer to provide further support. Such a collar can be utilized with heavier accessories or with accessories that receive a significant force during use.

Similar to the diffuser accessory <NUM>, the inner collar <NUM> of the brush accessory <NUM> can include a retaining groove <NUM> arranged on the exterior surface of the inner collar <NUM>. As previously stated, the pins <NUM> of the attachment assembly <NUM> can be configured to extend into and engage the retaining groove <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM>, identical to how pins <NUM> interact with retaining groove <NUM> of inner collar <NUM>.

Furthermore, similar to accessory <NUM>, the outer collar <NUM> can include protrusions <NUM> formed on an end surface thereof and extending axially from the outer collar <NUM>. The illustrated protrusions <NUM> have a configuration similar to protrusions <NUM> and are configured to contact only one of the push rods <NUM>, <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>. Thus, when the accessory <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>, the outer collar <NUM> will extend into the channel <NUM> between the housing <NUM> and the securement plate <NUM> and one of the protrusions <NUM> will contact and move one of the push rods to the extended position, while the other protrusion extends into a valley between adjacent protrusions <NUM>.

Similar to the diffuser accessory <NUM>, the brush accessory <NUM> can also include alignment tabs <NUM> arranged on the inner surface <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM>. The alignment tabs <NUM> are complimentary to and engage with the alignment tabs <NUM> of the alignment mechanism when the inner collar <NUM> is inserted into the channel <NUM>. This arrangement of the inner collar <NUM> controls the rotational orientation of the accessory <NUM> relative to the hair dryer <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>.

In order to enable the hair dryer <NUM> to distinguish between the diffuser accessory <NUM> and the brush accessory <NUM>, the alignment tabs <NUM> on the brush accessory <NUM> can be configured to align the protrusions <NUM> to cause a different one of the push rods <NUM>, <NUM> to move to the retracted position as compared to the brush accessory <NUM>. This can be achieved by forming the alignment tabs <NUM> and the protrusions <NUM> at a position relative to one another that results in the desired alignment. Since the inner collar <NUM> and outer collar <NUM> are non-rotatably connected to the housing <NUM>, the rotational position of both the inner collar <NUM> and the outer collar <NUM> are fixed with respect to one another, thus ensuring that the protrusions <NUM> of the outer collar <NUM> only contact the correct push rod <NUM>, <NUM> when attaching the accessory <NUM> at any of the various available rotational positions. For example, when the diffuser accessory <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>, the protrusions <NUM> can only contact push rod <NUM>. In comparison, when the brush accessory <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>, the protrusions <NUM> can only contact push rod <NUM>. Because of this arrangement, the hair dryer system <NUM> can detect and utilize different operating parameters for the diffuser accessory <NUM> and the brush accessory <NUM> without requiring user input.

Another exemplary accessory is illustrated in <FIG>, which depict a curler type accessory. The accessory <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having an air inlet 502a and an air outlet 502b. The air outlet 502b includes an attachment assembly for interacting with the attachment assembly on the hair dryer. Similar to the hair dryer, the attachment assembly on the curler accessory <NUM> can include a retaining mechanism to facilitate engagement with the hair dryer, an actuation mechanism to actuate the accessory detection assembly, and a rotational alignment mechanism to control the rotational orientation of the accessory relative to the hair dryer.

As shown in <FIG>, the attachment assembly generally includes an outer collar <NUM> arranged radially outward of an inner collar <NUM>. The illustrated accessory <NUM> further includes a support collar <NUM> positioned radially outward of and around the outer collar <NUM>. The support collar <NUM> is configured to extend around the housing <NUM> of the hair dryer to provide further support. Such a collar can be utilized with heavier accessories or with accessories that receive a significant force during use.

Similar to the other accessories, the inner collar <NUM> of the curler accessory <NUM> can include a retaining groove <NUM> arranged on the exterior surface of the inner collar <NUM>. As stated previously, the pins <NUM> of the retaining mechanism can be configured to extend into and engage the retaining groove <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM>, identical to how the pins <NUM> interact with the retaining groove <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM>.

As with the other accessories, the attachment assembly on the curler accessory <NUM> can also include an actuation mechanism for actuating the accessory detection assembly on the hair dryer to enable the hair dryer to detect the type of accessory attached thereto. In this embodiment, similar to the accessory <NUM>, the outer collar <NUM> is a solid ring without additional protrusions. However, the outer collar <NUM> can be configured to interact with both push rods <NUM>. In particular, when the accessory <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>, the outer collar <NUM> can extend into the channel <NUM> between the housing <NUM> and the securement plate <NUM> by a distance that causes the push rods <NUM>, <NUM> to move from the extended position to the retracted position.

While the outer collar <NUM> has a planar configuration and can be mated in any rotational orientation relative to the hair dryer <NUM>, the inner collar <NUM> can still include alignment features so as to align the accessory relative to the hair dryer. The design of the accessory <NUM> could cause a lever moment due to the design and weight of the accessory <NUM>. The alignment tabs <NUM> can thus prevent unintentional rotation of the accessory <NUM> while in use. Accordingly, the inner collar <NUM> can include a rotational alignment mechanism, such as alignment tabs <NUM> arranged on the inner surface <NUM> thereof. The alignment tabs <NUM>, similar to the alignment tabs <NUM> on the inner collar <NUM> of the diffuser accessory <NUM>, are complimentary to and engage with the alignment tabs <NUM> of the alignment mechanism when the inner collar <NUM> is inserted into the channel <NUM> on the hair dryer <NUM>. This arrangement of the inner collar <NUM> controls the rotational orientation of the accessory <NUM> relative to the hair dryer <NUM> when the accessory <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the alignment tabs on any of the accessories disclosed herein can be configured to position the accessory in a predetermined number of fixed rotational orientations relative to the hair dryer. By way of example, a first accessory, such as the curler accessory <NUM>, can include a single alignment tab that only allows the accessory to attach with the hair dryer <NUM> in a single orientation, whereas a second accessory, such as the brush accessory <NUM>, can include two alignment tabs which allow the accessory <NUM> to attach to the hair dryer <NUM> in two separate orientations. Other accessories can include three alignment tabs which would allow the accessory to attach to the hair dryer <NUM> in three separate orientations, four alignment tabs which would allow the accessory to attach to the hair dryer in four separate orientations, etc. The particular number of alignments tabs can vary depending on the particular type of accessory and the desired rotational orientation thereof. Moreover, as previously indicated with respect to the diffuser accessory <NUM>, the accessory can lack alignment tabs altogether to enable the accessory to rotate freely relative to the hair dryer.

While the rotational alignment mechanism on each accessory can vary as desired depending on the type of accessory, the actuation mechanism on each accessory and its interaction with the accessory detection assembly on the hair dryer can likewise vary. However, the rotational alignment mechanism may be limited by the actuation mechanism. For example, a rotational alignment mechanism that allows for free rotation of the accessory can be utilized in combination with an actuation mechanism that either allows the push rods <NUM>, <NUM> to remain in the extended position or that causes both push rods <NUM>, <NUM> to move to the retracted position. On the contrary, where a particular one of the push rods <NUM>, <NUM> is moved to the retracted position, the rotational alignment mechanism may need to have a configuration that aligns the actuation mechanism with the push rods <NUM>, <NUM> so as to effect actuation of the particular one of the push rods <NUM>, <NUM>. Accordingly, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that each accessory can have an actuation mechanism and a rotational alignment mechanism that work in coordination to provide the desired rotation, while still allowing the hair dryer to detect the type of accessory.

As previously discussed, when any one of the accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is attached to the hair dryer, the resulting structural configuration of the accessory detection mechanism will enable the hair dryer <NUM> to detect the type of accessory attached thereto. The hair dryer can <NUM> thus automatically control the operational settings based on the type of accessory detected. In general, operational settings for the motor and heater can have multiple levels, such as low, medium, and high. For example, a low speed setting for the motor can be in the range of <NUM> - <NUM> cubic metres per minute (<NUM>-<NUM> cubic feet per minute (CFM)). A medium speed setting for the motor can be in the range of <NUM> - <NUM> cubic metres per minute (<NUM>-<NUM> CFM). A high speed setting for the motor can be in the range of <NUM> - <NUM> cubic metres per minute (<NUM>-<NUM> CFM). Additionally, a low heat setting for the heater can be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>. A medium heat setting for the heater can be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>. A high heat setting for the heater can be in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>.

Each of the accessories can have different operational settings. For example, the operational settings for a concentrator type accessory <NUM> can be a high motor speed setting and a high heat setting. The operational settings for a diffuser type accessory <NUM> can be a medium motor speed setting and a low heat setting. The operational settings for a brush type accessory <NUM> can be a low motor speed setting and a medium heat setting. However, a person skilled in the art will understand that the listed operational settings for each type of accessory can be altered depending on the operating requirements of the hair dryer.

As discussed previously, the hair dryer <NUM> includes a controller having a processor and a memory storing predetermined operational settings. A method <NUM> by which the controller operates the hair dryer <NUM> is depicted in <FIG>. The switches <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to the controller in order to send an electrical signal from the switch to the controller. At step <NUM>, the hair dryer <NUM> is activated by a user pressing the power button <NUM> on the hair dryer <NUM>. Once activated, the controller needs to determine which structural configuration the attachment assembly <NUM> is in by determining position of the switches <NUM>, <NUM>. At step <NUM>, a signal is sent from the switches <NUM>, <NUM> when the hair dryer <NUM> is in operation in order for the hair dryer <NUM> to determine which operational settings to execute from the memory. As the switches <NUM>, <NUM> are actuated by the pushrods <NUM>, <NUM> during attachment and removal of the various accessories, the signals being sent to the controller will alternate and correspond with the new position of the switches <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, since there are two switches, there can be four predetermined operational settings, namely both switches off, both switch on, a first switch on and a second switch off, and a first switch off and a second switch on. At step <NUM>, each operational setting can have unique motor and/or heat settings stored in the memory and can be retrieved from the memory based on the signals from the switches <NUM>, <NUM>. At step <NUM>, once the corresponding operational settings are retrieved from the memory, the processor can execute the operational settings for the heater and/or motor. For example, with just switch <NUM> actuated, a predetermined operational setting for the heater and motor is executed by the processor from the memory which corresponds to having only the switch <NUM> actuated. When switch <NUM> is no longer actuated, the processor can use the stored operational settings to change the operating settings for the motor and heater which correspond to the new structural configuration of the switches <NUM>, <NUM> by repeating steps <NUM>-<NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, there are four accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described, with each accessory having its own unique operational settings for the motor and heater. However, while four accessories are described, any number of accessories can be provided and used with the hair dryer <NUM>. Multiple accessories can be provided which can operate at the same operational settings as one of the accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, causing the accessory detection assembly to move to the same structural configuration to operate at the same operational settings. Additionally, while only two push rods and switches are disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, the hair dryer can include any number of push rods and switches to allow for more than four combinations, and thus more than four predetermined stored operational settings.

Claim 1:
A hair dryer (<NUM>), comprising:
a hand-held housing (<NUM>) having an air inlet and an air outlet configured to supply heated air;
an attachment assembly (<NUM>) adjacent the outlet end (104b) configured to mate with a plurality of different types of accessories (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the attachment assembly (<NUM>) being configured to align an accessory (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) attached thereto in a predetermined rotational orientation relative to the housing (<NUM>); and
a motor arranged within the housing (<NUM>) and configured to supply air through the air outlet based on a plurality of predetermined stored settings;
characterised in that
the attachment assembly (<NUM>) includes a plurality of push rods (<NUM>, <NUM>) movable between a plurality of predetermined positions based on the type of accessory (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) attached thereto, and
the hair dryer (<NUM>) further comprises:
a memory in the housing (<NUM>) storing the plurality of predetermined stored settings; and
a processor configured to cause the hair dryer (<NUM>) to automatically operate at one of the plurality of predetermined stored settings based on the predetermined position of the attachment assembly (<NUM>),
wherein the predetermined stored settings correspond to the type of accessory (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) attached to the attachment assembly (<NUM>).