HAIRCARE APPLIANCE

Abstract

An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment having an air inlet, an air outlet, a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet, and a switching member for directing airflow exiting the air outlet. The switching member is switchable relative to the air outlet between a first switch position, in which airflow exiting the air outlet passes between a first side of the switching member and the curved surface and attaches to the curved surface, and a second switch position, in which airflow exiting the air outlet passes over a second, opposing side of the switching member and is directed away from the curved surface.

Claims

1. An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet, and a switching member for directing airflow exiting the air outlet, the switching member switchable relative to the air outlet between a first switch position, in which airflow exiting the air outlet passes between a first side of the switching member and the curved surface and attaches to the curved surface, and a second switch position, in which airflow exiting the air outlet passes over a second, opposing side of the switching member and is directed away from the curved surface.

2. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein, with the switching member in the first switch position, airflow exiting the air outlet generates a first force to attract hair toward the curved surface, and a second force to push hair away from the curved surface.

3. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first side of the switching member comprises an arced surface for turning airflow toward the curved surface.

4. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching member is switchable between the first and second switch positions about a pivot, and the switching member extends in a direction from the pivot substantially towards the air outlet.

5. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching member forms a seal with a first edge of the air outlet when the switching member is in the first switch position and forms a seal between with a second, opposing edge of the air outlet when the switching member is in the second switch position, the second edge of the air outlet being closer to the curved surface than the first edge.

6. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curved surface is movable relative to the air outlet between a first ramp position and a second ramp position, and movement of the curved surface from the first ramp position to the second ramp position causes the switching member to switch between the first and second switch positions.

7. The attachment as claimed in claim 6, wherein the curved surface is biased towards the first ramp position.

8. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, the curved surface is movable relative to the air outlet between a first ramp position and a second ramp position, and wherein movement of the curved surface from the second ramp position to the first ramp position does not cause the switching member to switch between the first and second switch positions.

9. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curved surface and the switching member are rigidly connected.

10. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in use, the switching member is biased toward the first and second switch positions by airflow exiting the air outlet.

11. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, comprising a retention mechanism for retaining the switching member in one of the first and second switch positions in the absence of an applied force to the switching member by a user of the haircare appliance.

12. The attachment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the retention mechanism is arranged to retain the switching member in the other of the first and second switch positions upon application of an applied force to the switching member by a user of the haircare appliance.

13. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, comprising a sensor for detecting a parameter of the attachment and outputting a signal indicative of the parameter, and a switching system for automatically switching the switching member between the first and second switch positions in response to a determination that the signal meets a predetermined criterion.

14. The attachment as claimed claim 1, comprising a user interface remote from the switching member and operable by a user to switch the switching member between the first switch position and the second switch position.

15. A haircare appliance comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet, a switching member for directing airflow exiting the air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, the switching member switchable relative to the air outlet between a first switch position, in which airflow exiting the air outlet passes between a first side of the switching member and the curved surface and attaches to the curved surface, and a second switch position, in which airflow exiting the air outlet passes over a second, opposing side of the switching member and is directed away from the curved surface.

16. The haircare appliance as claimed in claim 15, comprising a handle unit within which the airflow generator is housed, and an attachment releasably attachable to the handle unit, the attachment comprising the air outlet, the curved surface and the switching member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a haircare appliance according to the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a handle unit of the haircare appliance of FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating forces created by airflow through the attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1 in use;

[0054] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1, illustrating the attachment in a styling mode;

[0055] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the attachment of FIG. 5, illustrating the attachment in the styling mode;

[0056] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 5, illustrating the attachment in a drying mode;

[0057] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the attachment of FIG. 5, illustrating the attachment in the drying mode;

[0058] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of an attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1, illustrating the attachment in a drying mode;

[0059] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 9;

[0060] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the attachment of FIG. 9, illustrating the attachment in a styling mode;

[0061] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the attachment of FIG. 9, illustrating the attachment in the drying mode;

[0062] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the attachment of FIG. 9, illustrating the attachment in the styling mode; and

[0063] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an attachment for the haircare appliance of FIG. 1, illustrating the attachment in a drying mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] A haircare appliance according to the present invention, generally designated 10, is shown schematically in FIG. 1.

[0065] The haircare appliance 10 comprises a handle unit 11, and an attachment 100 removably attachable to the handle unit 11. The handle unit 11 comprises a handle portion 12, a head portion 14, an airflow generator 16 and a heater 18.

[0066] The handle portion 12 is generally cylindrical and hollow in form and houses the airflow generator 16. The handle portion 12 has an air inlet 20 in the form of a plurality of perforations at a first end 22 of the handle portion 12.

[0067] The head portion 14 is generally cylindrical and hollow in form, and is disposed at a second end 24 of the handle portion 12, with a central axis of the head portion 14 orthogonal to a central axis of the handle portion 12 such that the handle unit 11 is generally T-shaped in form. The head portion 14 houses the heater 18. The head portion 14 comprises a bore 26 through which air is entrained, and an air outlet 28. The air outlet 28 is generally annular in form about a periphery of the bore 26.

[0068] The haircare appliance 10 comprises a control unit 30. The control unit 30 may be comprised in the attachment 100 or the handle unit 11. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 30 is comprised in the handle unit 11. The control unit 30 comprises electronic circuitry for a user interface 32 and a control module 34. The user interface 32 is provided on an outer surface of the handle unit 11, and is used to power on and off the haircare appliance 10, to select a flow rate (for example high, medium and low), and to select an airflow temperature (for example hot, medium or cold).

[0069] The user interface may comprise a plurality of sliding switches, but other forms of user interface 32, for example buttons, dials or touchscreens, are also envisaged.

[0070] The control module 34 is responsible for controlling the airflow generator 16, and a heater (not shown) in response to inputs from the user interface 32. For example, in response to inputs from the user interface 32, the control module 34 may control the power or the speed of the airflow generator 16 in order to adjust the airflow rate of the airflow, and the power of the heater in order to adjust the temperature of the airflow.

[0071] An embodiment of the attachment 100 is illustrated in FIG. 3. Other embodiments of the attachment will be described in more detail hereinafter and are shown, for example, in FIGS. 5-13. The attachment 100 comprises an air inlet 102, an air outlet 104 (more clearly shown as air outlet 204 in FIG. 6, for example), a curved surface 106 adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet 102, and a switching member 108 for directing airflow exiting the air outlet 104. The switching member 108 is switchable between a first switch position (for example, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 11 and 13) and a second switch position (for example, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 12). In the first switch position, airflow exiting the air outlet 104 passes between a first side (not shown in FIG. 3) of the switching member 108 (more clearly shown as first side 210 in FIG. 6, for example) and the curved surface 106 and attaches to the curved surface 106. In the second switch position, airflow exiting the air outlet 104 passes over a second, opposing side 112 of the switching member 108 and is directed away from the curved surface 106.

[0072] In use, the attachment 100 is attached to the handle unit 11. The airflow generator 16 generates an airflow from the air inlet 20 of the handle unit 11 to the air outlet 28 of the handle unit 11, such that airflow passes from the air outlet 28 of the handle unit 11 to the air inlet 102 of the attachment 100. Airflow flows from the air inlet 102 of the attachment toward the air outlet 104. Airflow exits the attachment 100 via the air outlet 104 and passes over the curved surface 106 when the switching member 108 is in the first switch position and is directed away from the curved surface 106 when the switching member 108 is in the second switch position.

[0073] Accordingly, the haircare appliance 10 is operable in different modes. In a first, styling mode, the switching member 108 is positioned in the first switch position. In a second, drying mode, the switching member 108 is positioned in the second switch position.

[0074] The inventors of the present application have found that, with the haircare appliance 10 in the styling mode, airflow attaches to the curved surface 106 via the Coanda effect. The interaction of forces is illustrated schematically in FIG. 4. When a tress of hair is brought into the vicinity of the attachment 100, long hairs of the tress are attracted to, and at least partially wrapped about, the curved surface 106 by a force F_PULL, as a result of a negative pressure region generated by the airflow over the curved surface 106. However, the pressure gradient across the tress also results in a force, F_PUSH, which causes some airflow to pass directly through the tress. Due to the location of this force relative to the curved surface 106 and the rest of the tress, shorter hairs are only held loosely at this point compared to longer hairs which are held in place on the curved surface 106. The shorter hairs are blown through the tress toward a user's head, whilst the longer hairs remain in place on the outside of the tress, i.e. the portion of the tress facing away from the user's head. This provides a smooth finish for hair following interaction with the haircare appliance 10 when the switching member 108 is in the first switch position.

[0075] This effect can be optimised by appropriate modification of the geometries and parameters described herein. One such parameter that may provide increased effectiveness is the velocity of airflow at the air outlet 104 of the attachment 100. In particular, too great a velocity may result in shorter hairs sticking to the curved surface 106 and hence not being pushed away through longer hairs, whilst too low a velocity may not be sufficient to attract longer hairs to the curved surface 106 in the first instance. The applicant has determined that a velocity in the region of 30 m/s to 45 m/s may be particularly effective in generating an airflow along the curved surface 106 that results in a first force that is sufficient to attract relatively long hair toward the curved surface 106 whilst also generating a second force to push relatively short hair away from the curved surface 102. In a presently preferred embodiment, the velocity of airflow at the air outlet 104 is in the region of 35 m/s.

[0076] Another parameter that may provide increased efficacy for smoothing hair in the manner described above is a ratio of the velocity of airflow at the air outlet 104 to a flow rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator 16. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 13, the ratio is in the region of 2.14 to 5.63, and in a particularly preferred embodiment the ratio is in the region of 2.89. The applicant has found that such a ratio may be particularly effective in generating an airflow along the curved surface 106 that results in a first force that is sufficient to attract relatively long hair toward the curved surface 106, whilst also generating a second force to push relatively short hair away from the curved surface 106.

[0077] Another parameter that may provide increased efficacy for smoothing hair in the manner described above is a ratio of flow rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator 16 to an open cross-sectional area of the air outlet 104. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 13, the ratio is in the region of 0.01 to 0.10, and in a particularly preferred embodiment the ratio is in the region of 0.04. The applicant has found that such a ratio may be particularly effective in generating an airflow along the curved surface 106 that results in a first force that is sufficient to attract relatively long hair toward the curved surface 106, whilst also generating a second force to push relatively short hair away from the curved surface 106.

[0078] A further parameter that may provide increased efficacy for smoothing hair in the manner described above is a ratio of a radius of curvature of the curved surface 106 to the velocity of airflow at the air outlet 104. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 13, the ratio is in the region of 0.33 to 2.00, and in a particularly preferred embodiment the ratio is in the region of 0.57. The applicant has found that such a ratio may be particularly effective in generating an airflow along the curved surface 106 that results in a first force that is sufficient to attract relatively long hair toward the curved surface 106, whilst also generating a second force to push relatively short hair away from the curved surface 106.

[0079] Another parameter that may provide increased efficacy for smoothing hair in the manner described above is a ratio of a radius of curvature of the curved surface 106 to an arc length of the curved surface 106. In the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 13, the ratio is in the region of 0.04 to 0.63, and in a particularly preferred embodiment the ratio is in the region of 0.18. The applicant has found that such a ratio may be particularly effective in generating an airflow along the curved surface 106 that results in a first force that is sufficient to attract relatively long hair toward the curved surface 106, whilst also generating a second force to push relatively short hair away from the curved surface 106.

[0080] A periphery of the air inlet 102 comprises attaching features (not shown) for releasably attaching the attachment 100 to the handle unit 11. The attaching features may take many forms, are not pertinent to the present invention, and so will not be described for the sake of brevity.

[0081] The switching member 108 is switchable between the first and second switch positions about a pivot 114 such that the switching member 108 rotates about the pivot 114. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the switching member 108 may move between the first and second switch positions in any suitable way, such as sliding of the switching member 108 relative to the air outlet 104.

[0082] The pivot 114 is positioned downstream from the air outlet 104 and the switching member 108 extends from the pivot 114 in a substantially upstream direction towards the air outlet 104.

[0083] With the switching member 108 in the first switch position, a seal is formed between the switching member 108 and a first edge (not shown in FIG. 3) of the air outlet 104 (more clearly shown as first edge 216 in FIG. 6, for example). The first edge is at a maximal distance of the air outlet 104 from the curved surface 106. As such, in use, airflow flows between the first side of the switching member 108 and the curved surface 106 for use in the styling mode. The first side of the switching member has an arced surface for turning airflow toward the curved surface (as best shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 11 and 12 with reference to sides 210 and 310).

[0084] With the switching member 108 in the second position, a seal is formed between the switching member 108 and a second edge (not shown in FIG. 3) of the air outlet 104 (more clearly shown as second edge 218 in FIG. 8, for example). The second edge is at a minimal distance of the air outlet 104 from the curved surface 106. As such, in use, airflow flows over the second side 112 of the switching member 108 and away from the curved surface 106 for use in the drying mode.

[0085] The switching member 108 is elongate, having a length at least as long as a length of the air outlet 104.

[0086] A pair of guide walls 134 are disposed on opposing edges of the curved surface 106 and extend downstream from the air outlet 104. The guide walls 134 are upstanding from the curved surface 106 and extend along the full arc length of the curved surface 106. The guide walls 134 have a height substantially corresponding to a height of the air outlet 104 and have a constant height along their length. The guide walls 134 effectively create an airflow channel, with the pair of guide walls 134 acting as walls of the channel, and the curved surface 106 acting as a bed of the channel. The guide walls 134 inhibit ambient air from interacting with airflow flowing along the curved surface 106 in use, which may maintain the negative pressure region created by airflow flowing along the curved surface 106.

[0087] Whilst depicted in FIG. 3 as having guide walls 134 of constant height along the curved surface 106, it has been found that the guide walls 134 may be most effective in the region of the air outlet 104. In alternative embodiments, the attachment 100 has guide walls that decrease in height in a direction away from the air outlet 104. Thus, less material may be required to form the guide walls than, for example, guide walls 134 of a constant height.

[0088] An end wall 136 is positioned at an edge of the curved surface 106 distal from the air outlet 104 and extends between the guide walls 134. The end wall 136 prevents airflow from travelling toward the handle portion 12 of the handle unit 11 when the attachment 100 is attached to the handle unit 11 in use.

[0089] In use, the switching member 108 is switchable between the first and second switch positions upon application of a force by a user to the switching member 108. The force may be applied by a user's hand. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the attachment 100 may comprise a user interface operable by a user, such as a handle, for switching the switching member 108 between the first and second switch positions. It will be appreciated that in still other embodiments, the attachment 100 may comprise a system for automatically switching the switching member 108 between the first and second switch positions, for example in response to a signal emitted from a sensor comprised in the attachment 100 or the handle unit 11.

[0090] In use, airflow exiting the air outlet 104 and passing over the switching member 108 asserts a force onto the first side or second side 112 of the switching member 108 to retain the switching member 108 in the first or second switch position. In will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the attachment 100 may comprise a retention mechanism for retaining the switching member in the first and/or second switch position. The retention mechanism may take many forms, for example may comprise magnetic elements or a bi-stable spring to retain the switching member in the first and/or second switch position.

[0091] Further embodiments of attachments 200, 300 for use with the haircare appliance 10 are shown in FIGS. 5 to 13. Features common to the attachment 100 share the same reference numeral, but increased by 100 or 200, respectively.

[0092] An embodiment of an attachment 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the attachment 200 is configured for use with the haircare appliance 10 in a styling mode. That is, the switching member 208 is in the first switch position. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the attachment 200 is configured for use with the haircare appliance 10 in a drying mode. That is, the switching member 208 is in the second switch position.

[0093] For this embodiment, the curved surface 206, the guide walls 234 and the end wall 236 will be collectively referred to as a ramp 205. The curved surface 206, the guide walls 234 and the end wall 236 form a single rigid body.

[0094] The ramp 205 and the switching member 208 are not movable relative to one another. That is, the ramp 205 and the switching member 208 are rigidly connected. The ramp 205 is movable relative to the air outlet 204 between a first ramp position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and a second ramp position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The ramp 205 and the switching member 208 are movable relative to the air outlet 204 about a pivot 214.

[0095] With the switching member 208 in the first switch position, the second side 212 of the switching member 208 contacts and forms a seal with the first edge 216 of the air outlet 204 such that, in use, airflow exiting the air outlet 204 passes between the switching member 208 and the curved surface 206 and attaches to the curved surface 206, as denoted by the dashed arrows in FIG. 6. With the switching member 208 in the first switch position, the ramp 205 is positioned relative to the air outlet 204 so that airflow exiting the air outlet 204 and directed by the switching member 208 attaches to the curved surface 206 so that a user can perform a styling operation as described above.

[0096] With the switching member 208 in the second switch position, the first side 210 of the switching member 208 contacts and forms a seal with the second edge 218 of the air outlet 204 such that, in use, airflow exiting the air outlet 204 passes over the first side 210 of the switching member 208 and is directed away from the curved surface 206, as denoted by the dashed arrows in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0097] In use, the switching member 208 is moveable between the first and second switch positions upon application of a force by a user to the ramp 205. The force may be applied by a user's hand or, for example, by pressing the attachment 200 against a user's head. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the attachment 200 may comprise a user interface operable by a user, such as a handle, for switching the switching member 208 between the first and second switch positions. It will be appreciated that in still other embodiments, the attachment 200 may comprise a system for automatically switching the switching member 208 and ramp 205 between the first and second switch positions and first and second ramp positions, respectively, for example in response to a signal emitted from a sensor comprised in the attachment 200 or the handle unit 11.

[0098] In use, airflow exiting the air outlet 204 and passing over the switching member 208 asserts a force onto the first or second side 210, 212 of the switching member 208 to retain the switching member in the first or second switch position and thus retain the ramp 205 in the corresponding first or second ramp position. In will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the attachment 200 may comprise a retention mechanism for retaining the switching member in the first and/or second switch position. The retention mechanism may take many forms, for example may comprise magnetic elements or a bi-stable spring to retain the switching member in the first and/or second switch position.

[0099] An embodiment of an attachment 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 13. In FIGS. 11 and 13, the attachment 300 is configured for use with the haircare appliance 10 in a styling mode. That is, the switching member 308 is in the first switch position. In FIGS. 9 and 12, the attachment 300 is configured for use with the haircare appliance 10 in a drying mode. That is, the switching member 308 is in the second switch position.

[0100] For this embodiment, the curved surface 306, the guide walls 334 and the end wall 336 will be collectively referred to as a ramp 305. The curved surface 306, the guide walls 334 and the end wall 336 form a single rigid body.

[0101] The ramp 305 is movable relative to the air outlet 304 between a first ramp position, as shown in FIGS. 9, 11, 12 and 13, and a second ramp position, as shown in FIG. 10. The ramp 305 and the switching member 308 are movable relative to the air outlet 304 about a pivot 314. The ramp 305 and the switching member 308 are movable relative to one another.

[0102] The ramp 305 and the switching member 308 are connected such that movement of the ramp 305 from the first ramp position to the second ramp position causes the switching member 308 to switch from the second switch position to the first switch position, but movement of the ramp 305 from the second ramp position to the first ramp position does not cause the switching member 308 to switch from the first switch position to the second switch position.

[0103] With the switching member 308 in the second switch position, the first side 310 of the switching member 308 contacts and forms a seal with the second edge 318 of the air outlet 304 such that, in use, airflow exiting the air outlet 304 passes over the first side 310 of the switching member 308 and is directed away from the curved surface 306, as denoted by the dashed arrows in FIGS. 9 and 12.

[0104] Upon application of a force to the ramp 305, for example in the direction denoted by arrow A in FIG. 10, the ramp 305 is moved from the first ramp position to the second ramp position, causing the switching member 308 to switch from the second switch position to the first switch position, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11. Upon withdrawal of the force, the ramp 305 is returned to the first ramp position and the switching member 308 remains in the first switch position, as illustrated in FIG. 11. In use, the haircare appliance 10 is therefore switched from the drying mode to the styling mode by application of the force to the ramp 305.

[0105] With the switching member 308 in the first switch position, the second side 312 of the switching member 308 contacts and forms a seal with the first edge 316 of the air outlet 304 such that, in use, airflow exiting the air outlet 304 passes between the switching member 308 and the curved surface 306 and attaches to the curved surface 306, as denoted by the dashed arrows in FIGS. 11 and 13. With the switching member 308 in the first switch position, the ramp 305 is in the first ramp position and is positioned relative to the air outlet 304 so that airflow exiting the air outlet 304 and directed by the switching member 308 attaches to the curved surface 306 so that a user can perform a styling operation as described above.

[0106] The ramp 305 is biased to the first ramp position. Any suitable means for biasing the ramp 305 to the first ramp position may be employed and are not pertinent to the present invention, and so will not be described for the sake of brevity.

[0107] In use, the switching member 308 is switched from the second switch position to the first switch position upon application of a force by a user to the ramp 305. The force may be applied by a user's hand or, for example, by pressing the attachment 200 against a user's head. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the attachment 300 may comprise a user interface operable by a user, such as a handle, for moving the ramp 205 from the first ramp position to the second ramp position. It will be appreciated that in still other embodiments, the attachment 300 may comprise a system for automatically moving the ramp 205 from the first ramp position to the second ramp position, for example in response to a signal emitted from a sensor comprised in the attachment 300 or the handle unit 11.

[0108] In use, airflow exiting the air outlet 304 and passing over the switching member 308 asserts a force onto the first or second side 310, 312 of the switching member 308 to retain the switching member in the first or second switch position. In will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the attachment 300 may comprise a retention mechanism for retaining the switching member in the first and/or second switch position. The retention mechanism may take many forms, for example may comprise magnetic elements or a bi-stable spring to retain the switching member in the first and/or second switch position.

[0109] An embodiment of an attachment 400 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, the attachment 400 is configured for use with the haircare appliance 10 in a drying mode. That is, the switching member 408 is in the second switch position. The attachment 400 is substantially the same to the attachment 300 described above with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. Common features are shown with corresponding reference numerals, albeit increased by 100.

[0110] The attachment 400 comprises a system 420 for automatically switching the switching member 408 between the first and second switch positions and a proximity sensor 430 for detecting a distance between the attachment 400 and a user's head. The proximity sensor 430 is arranged to output a signal indicative of a distance between the attachment 400 and the user's head. The proximity sensor 430 in this example is a Time or Flight sensor and is positioned on the curved surface 406.

[0111] The system 420 comprises a servomotor 422 for applying a switching force to the switching member 408 via the pivot 414, and a controller 424 for controlling the servomotor 422. The controller 424 is arranged to receive the signal from the proximity sensor 430, determine a desired position of the switching member 408 based on the received signal, and to cause the servomotor 422 to switch the switching member 408 between the first and second switch positions if the switching member 408 is not in the desired position. In an example, the servomotor 422 may be arranged to turn a rod or handle protruding from the pivot 414, the rod or handle being connected to the switching member 408.

[0112] It will be appreciated that the attachments 100, 200 may also be suitable for use with the system 420.

[0113] The haircare appliance 10 may also comprise an alert module 36. The alert module is arranged to alert a user that the switching member 108, 208, 308 is in the first switch position or the second switch position. The alert module 36 comprises one or more of a haptic feedback module, an audible indicium or a visual indicium. In this embodiment the alert module 36 is shown as being in the handle unit 11, but it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the alert module 36 may be comprised in the attachment 100, 200, 300.

[0114] Although described herein as embodiments with releasable attachments, embodiments are also envisaged where, rather than the haircare appliance comprising a handle unit and an attachment the haircare appliance is a single-piece unit, for example taking the form of the combined handle unit and attachment previously described.