Abstract
The invention relates to a hairstyling applicance having a housing (111) comprising a liquid transporting device and/or a liquid storage device and at least one electrical or electronic component, the housing (111) comprises a liquid evacuation device (114) designed to evacuate the liquid out of the housing (111) in the event of a leak of liquid from the liquid transporting device and/or liquid storage device, and in that said evacuation device is designed such that the liquid cannot come into contact with said at least one electrical or electronic component.
Claims
1. A hairstyling appliance comprising: a housing comprising a liquid transporting system and/or a liquid storage system and at least one electrical or electronic component, wherein the housing comprises a liquid evacuation system configured to evacuate the liquid out of the housing in an event of liquid leakage from the liquid transporting system and/or the liquid storage system, and wherein said evacuation system is configured such that the liquid cannot come into contact with said at least one electrical or electronic component.
2. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the liquid evacuation system comprises at least one opening passing through the housing.
3. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 2, wherein said at least one opening is a hole with a diameter between 0.5 mm and 4 mm.
4. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a first branch and a second branch articulated between each other by a hinge to form a styling iron.
5. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 4, wherein the housing is formed by the first branch.
6. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 5, wherein the first branch comprises the liquid storage system and a first surface for treating the hair by contact, wherein the liquid evacuation system is located between the liquid storage system and the first treatment surface.
7. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 6, wherein the liquid evacuation system is located at a distance between 10 mm and 50 mm from the edge of the first treatment surface.
8. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 1, wherein the liquid transporting system comprises a peristaltic pump which comprises a pump body defining a chamber in which there is a deformable hose configured to contain a liquid to be moved, as well as a liquid draining system configured, in case of rupture of the pump's deformable hose, to drain the liquid from the chamber to outside of the pump according to a controlled trajectory, and wherein said draining system is configured to communicate with said evacuation system.
9. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 8, characterized the liquid draining system passes through the pump body.
10. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 8, wherein the peristaltic pump comprises a lid cooperating with the pump body and wherein the liquid draining system passes through the lid.
11. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 8, wherein the liquid evacuation system comprises at least one opening passing through the housing, and wherein the liquid draining system comprises at least one hole, wherein said at least one opening and at least one hole face each other.
12. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 8, wherein the liquid draining system comprises a sealing element arranged between said draining and evacuation systems.
13. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 12, wherein the sealing element comprises an O-ring.
14. The hairstyling appliance according to claim 8, wherein said peristaltic pump comprises a sealing system configured to contain the liquid inside the chamber in an event of rupture of the deformable hose.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] The following description of a preferential and non-limiting embodiment of the hairstyling appliance highlights the characteristics that are the subject-matter of the present invention. This description is based on illustrations, including:
[0051] FIG. 1 illustrating a hairstyling appliance as described by the invention from a perspective view,
[0052] FIG. 2 illustrating the appliance in FIG. 1 from another angle,
[0053] FIG. 3 illustrating a perspective view of the first branch of the appliance in FIG. 1,
[0054] FIG. 4 showing a detailed perspective view of area A in FIG. 3
[0055] FIG. 5 showing the same detail A as FIG. 4 but with certain parts that have been masked in order to see the inner components of the branch,
[0056] FIG. 6 showing a perspective view of a peristaltic pump as defined by the invention,
[0057] FIG. 7 showing an exploded view of the pump components in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the household appliance 1 as defined by the invention is a hairstyling appliance and more specifically a straightener equipped with a liquid consumption system 4. More specifically, the liquid consumption system 4 comprises a vaporization means 41, in this case a vaporization chamber, and a diffusion means 42 of the steam thus produced, toward a lock of hair. The diffusion means 42 can in particular be formed by a series of openings, as illustrated, or even by a slot or a diffusion groove. Such elements are well known to the person skilled in the art, and are detailed in the applicant's patent EP 2 449 909, for example.
[0059] The household appliance 1 comprises a first branch 11 and a second branch 12 connected to each other by a hinge 13 disposed substantially at the end of each of said first branch 11 and second branch 12. The branches can therefore be moved with respect to each other in a rotating movement and more precisely in a clamping movement.
[0060] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the first branch 11 comprises a first surface 112 for treating the hair by contact, in this case a heating plate. The second branch 12 comprises a second surface 122 for treating the hair by contact, which can be seen in FIG. 2, that is complementary to the first treatment surface 112. Preferably, the second surface 122 for contact treatment is also heated.
[0061] In a manner that is well known as such, the hinge 13 allows the user to open the straightening iron in order to place a lock of hair between the treatment surfaces 112, 122, then to close the iron on the lock of hair to shape, generally to straighten.
[0062] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the household appliance 1 also comprises a liquid storage system, in this case a reservoir 3. Preferentially, the reservoir is intended to store water. However, it could be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention that the reservoir can also store a cosmetic product, optionally diluted in water.
[0063] According to the illustrated invention, the reservoir is built into the first branch 11. However, it is altogether possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, for the reservoir to be separate from the first branch 11 and the second branch 12. The reservoir can in fact be positioned at a distance from the first branch 11, and the second branch 12, and be in a remote base, for example (i.e. located at a distance from the iron) connected to one of the branches by a hose that can convey the liquid. Such an arrangement is described in the applicant's patent EP 2 449 912, for example.
[0064] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the household appliance 1 comprises a housing 111 formed by the first branch 11. However, although this is not illustrated, it is altogether possible without departing from the scope of the invention that the housing is formed by the previously-mentioned remote base.
[0065] The housing 111 thus forms a shell, for example made of plastic material, containing at least one electrical or electronic component, such as a heating element (PTC for example), an electric motor 5, a temperature sensor, a capacitor, an electronic card, etc. These elements are usually very sensitive to any contact with a liquid, and particularly water; such contact may result in their damage, even their destruction, and even lead to a risk of electrocution.
[0066] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the housing 111 comprises a liquid evacuation system 114 designed to evacuate the liquid out of the housing 111 in the event of liquid leakage from the liquid transporting system 32, 6, 33, in this case a peristaltic pump 6 or a hose 32, 33, and/or from the liquid storage system, in this case a reservoir 3. The evacuation system 114 is arranged such that the liquid cannot come into contact with the electrical or electronic component. More specifically, the liquid evacuation system 114 comprises two openings 1141 arranged next to each other. Each of the openings 1141 passes through the housing 111, so as to connect the inside of the housing 111 to the outside. Using two separate openings ensures sufficient evacuation flow and guarantees minimum flow if one of the openings 1141 became clogged. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each opening 1141 is a hole with a diameter substantially equal to 1.2 mm. Thus, the possible evacuation section is approximately 2.26 mm.sup.2 The holes are separated by approximately 2.5 mm.
[0067] The liquid evacuation system 114 is located at a distance of approximately 25 mm from the edge of the first treatment surface 112, which ensures a safe distance when water flows through the evacuation system 114 and prevents the evacuated liquid from coming into contact with the first treatment surface 112. The liquid evacuation system 114 is located opposite the second branch 12, which makes it possible to mask it when the straightener is closed, thus improving overall aesthetics.
[0068] In order to supply liquid to the liquid consumption system 4, and preferentially with water, the household appliance 1 comprises a liquid transporting system, in this case a peristaltic pump 6. According to the illustrated invention, the peristaltic pump 6 is built into the first branch as can be seen in FIG. 5, but it is also possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the peristaltic pump 6 is built into the remote base mentioned above.
[0069] As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the peristaltic pump 6 comprises in particular a pump body 60. An inlet connector 61 is arranged on the pump body 60 in order to connect the peristaltic pump 6 to a suction duct 32, itself connected to the reservoir 3. An outlet connector 62 is arranged on the pump body 60 in order to connect the peristaltic pump to the liquid consumption system 4, by means of a discharge duct 33. More specifically, each of the inlet connector 61 and outlet connector 62 pass through the pump body 60. Thus, a portion of the inlet connector 61 and of the outlet connector 62 protrudes outside of the pump, and a portion of the inlet connector 61 and of the outlet connector 62 protrudes into the pump, i.e., in a chamber 68. The portions of the inlet connector 61 and the outlet connector 62 that protrude outside of the pump are then connected respectively to the suction duct 32 and to the discharge duct 33, as can be seen in FIG. 5. The portions of the inlet connector 61 and the outlet connector 62 that protrude into the chamber 68 are then connected to a deformable hose 63.
[0070] Advantageously, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inlet connector 61 and outlet connector 62 each comprises a bend, preferentially with a 90° angle. Preferably, the bend is outside the peristaltic pump 6, in contact with the pump body 60. Advantageously, the bend is rigid, as are the connectors, which ensures good strength and avoids the phenomenon of inadvertent folding. The inlet connector 61 and outlet connector 62 can thus be positioned on the same side of the pump body 60, even if said side is limited in size. Indeed, the inlet connector 61 and outlet connector 62 can be positioned next to each other, as shown, or even be in contact with each other, which makes it possible to limit the size of the peristaltic pump 6 and to simplify the routing of the suction pipes 32 and discharge pipes 33. In fact, the inlet connector 61 and the outlet connector 62 can, due to their 90° bend, be turned in diametrically opposite directions while being next each other, which makes it possible to have a fluid circuit outside the pump that is particularly simple and compact. Indeed, the suction duct 32 and the discharge duct 33 are practically aligned with each other, i.e., in the same plane and practically along the same line. In addition, each of these ducts enters and exits the peristaltic pump 6 through the same pump face, i.e., through only one side. It is thus possible to position the peristaltic pump 6 in a particularly small and difficult-to-access place since it is sufficient that only one side of the pump is accessible to connect the suction pipes 32 and the discharge pipes 33.
[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the pump also comprises a lid 64 that cooperates with the pump body 60. More specifically, the lid 64 is mounted on the pump body 60, which makes it possible to have a pump that is easy to assemble. In particular, the assembly of the various internal components, for example the components of a rotor 65, is facilitated. In addition, the peristaltic pump 6 can be disassembled and reassembled whenever desired, with no deterioration, for example to work on the internal components. The peristaltic pump 6 is also connected to an electric motor 5 intended to move the various moving parts of the peristaltic pump 6 and thus to move the liquid from the reservoir 3 to the liquid consumption system 4.
[0072] FIG. 7 shows the various components of the peristaltic pump 6. Thus, the pump body 60 forms a chamber 68, i.e. a space, a recess or a housing in which various elements are found. In this case, the chamber 68 is defined by the pump body 60 and is closed by the lid 64. The chamber thus contains a deformable hose 63, a rotor 65 comprising one or more pressure elements 651 connected to the rotor by a mount 653 and one or more springs 652. The deformable hose 63 is fixed and is connected, on the one hand, to the inlet connector 61 and on the other hand to the outlet connector 62 so as to form a loop. The rotor 65 is located in the center of the loop and is rotated by a drive shaft 51 that passes through the pump body 60 and is connected to the motor shaft of the electric motor 5. The rotor is guided in rotation by a 645 bearing housed in the lid. When the drive shaft rotates, the pressure elements 651, for example rollers, then regularly crush the deformable hose 63, and under the effect of their displacement consecutive to the rotation of the rotor 65, this creates a suction phenomenon but also a displacement of the liquid inside the deformable hose 63. Thus, the liquid is sucked in on one side of the pump and ejected on the other. This operation is quite classic and characteristic of the peristaltic pumps known to the person skilled in the art, so it is not further detailed here. The peristaltic pump 6 and the electric motor are both connected to a mounting plate 52, for example by means of screws 53.
[0073] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the peristaltic pump 6 comprises a sealing system 661, 662, 663. The latter constitutes a safety device that is an integral part of the pump described in detail below.
[0074] More specifically, the sealing system on the peristaltic pump 6 comprises a first sealing element 661 arranged between the drive shaft 51 and the pump body 60 (or, alternatively, the lid 64). More specifically, the first sealing element 661 is a lip seal and preferentially a double-lip seal. Such a seal is in fact highly effective to ensure complete watertightness between a rotating part, in this case the drive shaft 51, and a fixed part, in this case the pump body 60 (or optionally the lid 64). Thus, thanks to the presence of this first sealing element 661, the liquid that might possibly be inside the chamber 68, for example, in the event of rupture of the deformable hose 63 (or accidental disconnection of the inlet and/or outlet connector), could not leak out of the chamber, i.e. outside the peristaltic pump 6, through the gap, i.e., the functional clearance between the drive shaft 51 (rotating part) and the pump body 60 (fixed part). The first sealing element 661 guarantees both the effective rotation of the drive shaft 51 relative to the pump body 60 (or possibly the lid) while guaranteeing the sealing between these two parts.
[0075] According to the illustrated embodiment, the peristaltic pump 6 also comprises a second sealing element 662 arranged between the pump body 60 and the lid 64, as can be seen in FIG. 7. This second sealing element 662 is advantageously formed by a circular cross-section seal. The second sealing element 662 is then arranged around the chamber 68, near the rim, i.e., the edge of the pump body 60 and of the lid. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the second sealing element 662 follows the contour of the pump body 60 and the lid 64, and therefore assumes its shape. The second sealing element 662 nearly forms a loop in itself; however, this element has two ends, i.e., it is not a closed ring. Thus, once installed between the pump body and the lid, the second sealing element 662 takes the form of a horseshoe or even the Greek capital letter
[0076] Omega. The presence of this second sealing element 662 thus makes it possible to ensure the sealing between the pump body 60 and the lid 64, while allowing for dismantling and reassembly of the lid 64. However, it can be seen that this second sealing element 662 does not fit completely around the pump body 60. In other words, the second sealing element is not positioned around the entire rim of the chamber 68 but on at least 60% and preferentially 80% of the rim of the chamber 68. The remaining portion of the rim is then sealed by a third sealing element 663, as will more specifically be described below, which makes it possible to ensure a complete seal between the pump body 60 and the lid 64, and thus the watertightness of the chamber 68.
[0077] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the peristaltic pump also comprises a third sealing element 663. The latter comprises a plate through which the inlet connector 61 and the outlet connector 62 pass. Preferably, the plate is made of silicone, or of any other material that can ensure a seal. The plate then comprises two openings allowing the inlet connector 61 and the outlet connector 62 to be passed through it. The plate is made of a material that is sufficiently flexible to ensure the sealing around said inlet connector 61 and outlet connector 62. The plate is thus in contact with the inlet connector 61 and the outlet connector 62, with the pump body 60, and also with the lid 64 as can be seen in FIG. 7. This plate makes it possible, in a significant manner, in combination with the second sealing element 662 described above, to complete the watertightness of the chamber 68, i.e. to complete the seal between the lid 64 and the pump body 60, by closing the rim of the chamber.
[0078] Thus, due to the combined presence of the sealing elements described above, namely the first sealing element 661, the second sealing element 662, and the third sealing element 663, the chamber 68 is completely watertight. Consequently, if liquid were accidentally to escape from the deformable hose 63 (rupture or disconnection of the deformable hose 63) and get into the chamber 68, the liquid, which is usually water, would be confined to the chamber 68 without being able to escape. This makes it possible to obtain a peristaltic pump that is particularly safe because it is completely watertight, i.e., it cannot allow liquid to escape, even if its deformable hose were to rupture. It is then possible to use the peristaltic pump of the invention in certain places where the presence of liquid is prohibited, for example in the immediate vicinity of electrical or electronic components.
[0079] However, the invention as illustrated comprises another safety device, which may moreover constitute an invention as such. Indeed, the pump illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 comprises a draining system 67 designed, in case of rupture of the deformable hose 63 on the peristaltic pump 6, to drain the liquid from the chamber 68 to the outside of the peristaltic pump 6 according to a controlled trajectory. This safety device is particularly effective when used on a household appliance 1 comprising a liquid evacuation system 114, as detailed below.
[0080] As can be seen in FIGS. 5 to 7, the peristaltic pump 6 comprises two holes 671 which then form a draining system 67 connecting the chamber 68 to the outside of the pump at a specific place judiciously selected by the designers. Each hole has a diameter of approximately 1.2 mm, which corresponds to an evacuation section of 2.26 mm.sup.2 The holes are 2.5 mm apart. Thus, if liquid accidentally (due to the causes mentioned above) gets into the chamber 68, it is possible to control the flow trajectory of the liquid to a specific place, considered and selected in advance by the designers. For example, it is then possible to keep the liquid flow away from any electrical or electronic component, due to the position of the draining system.
[0081] By combining the draining system 67 with the sealing elements 661, 662, 663 defined above, as illustrated, the controlled draining of the chamber 68, after a rupture of the deformable hose 63, solely by the draining system 67, is guaranteed regardless of the spatial orientation of the pump. Indeed, if the pump is oriented according to FIG. 6, then the liquid will naturally flow, by gravity, through the draining system 67 which is then positioned at a lower point on the pump body. In this case, the first sealing element 661 and the third sealing element 663 are not required for adequate flow solely by the draining system since these elements are then positioned above the draining system 67. On the other hand, if the pump is oriented differently, for example with the inlet connector 61 and outlet connector 62 at the bottom, the draining system 67 is then positioned at a high point on the pump. If there is no third sealing element 663, the liquid could then leak through the gap between the pump body 60 and the inlet connector 61 and outlet connector 62. If there is no second sealing element 662, the liquid could also escape through the gap between the drive shaft 51 and the pump body 60, before it even got to the draining system 67. The liquid leak would then be uncontrolled, as is the case with the pumps of the prior art when the deformable hose breaks. Due to the previously-described sealing elements 661, 662, 663, the water cannot leak through these gaps and is therefore forced to flow through the draining system 67 and only through the draining system 67. In addition, the presence of said sealing elements 661, 662, 663 makes it possible to avoid any unwanted flow of liquid, i.e., elsewhere than through the draining system, if the latter were to clog or fail to ensure a sufficient flow rate to empty the chamber quickly enough.
[0082] According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the draining system 67 on the peristaltic pump 6 communicates with the evacuation system 114 on the housing 111. In this case, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, draining system 67 is positioned facing the evacuation system 114. In other words, the draining system 67 is positioned opposite the evacuation system 114. More specifically, the draining system 67 comprises two holes 671 and the evacuation system 114 also comprises two openings 1141, each of the holes 671 belonging to the draining system 67 being arranged facing, i.e. opposite, one of the openings 1141 in the evacuation system 114.
[0083] Advantageously and significantly, the draining section of the draining system 67 and that of the evacuation system 114 are substantially identical and about 2.26 mm.sup.2 in size, which guarantees the complete drainage of any liquid that might be in the chamber 68 with no funnel phenomenon.
[0084] The draining system 67 and evacuation system 114 are thus separated by a sealing element 664 ensuring the sealing, in this case an O-ring, between the draining system and the evacuation system 114. The sealing element 664 is held in a slot around the draining system 67 and is thus in contact with the housing 111 and the peristaltic pump 6, and in particular the pump body 60. By means of this embodiment of the invention, if the deformable hose 63 in the peristaltic pump 6 of the household appliance 1 were to rupture, the liquid would then be evacuated in a controlled manner, defined by design, in other words, in a well-considered manner, solely by the evacuation system 114 and via the draining system 67 on the peristaltic pump 6, such that the liquid cannot come into contact with any electrical or electronic component located inside the housing 111. In other words, the interior of the housing 111 is protected from any liquid, even in the event of failure of the peristaltic pump 6, which considerably improves the safety of the household appliance 1, be it for the appliance itself (its electrical or electronic components) or for the user (risk of electrocution).
