FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a haircare appliance comprising a visual indicator device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A haircare appliance may incorporate one or more visual indicator devices to indicate information associated with the haircare appliance, such as an operational state of the haircare appliance. However, incorporating visual indicator devices into a haircare appliance can present challenges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a haircare appliance comprising: a body having a central bore and an annular outlet configured to expel an airflow; and a visual indicator device located within the bore and configured to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance.

The visual indicator device allows for a user to be provided with information associated with the haircare appliance, such as an operational state of the haircare appliance and/or a property sensed by the haircare appliance. The visual indicator device may therefore allow for an improved user-appliance interface. The visual indicator device being located within the bore may allow a visual indicator device to be incorporated into the haircare appliance (a) without requiring significant modification of the packaging of the body of the haircare appliance itself and/or increasing the overall size of the hair care appliance, which may be cost effective; and (b) without negatively affecting or impacting the expelled airflow. An improved haircare appliance may therefore be provided for. Alternatively or additionally, locating the visual indicator device within the bore may allow for visual indicator device to be relatively physically isolated from other components located in the body, such as a heater, which may reduce heat transfer and/or other interference from those components.

Optionally, the visual indicator device is configured to illuminate at least a portion of a surface defining the bore to visually indicate the information. Illuminating at least a portion of a surface defining the bore may allow for the visual indication to be provided across a large area of the appliance and/or for the visual indication to be visible from a large range of angles or perspectives. This may improve the effectiveness of the visual indication, and, in turn, the user-appliance interface.

Optionally, the at least a portion of the surface that the visual indicator device is configured to illuminate spans an internal perimeter of the surface.

The illuminated portion of the bore spanning an internal perimeter of the surface may allow to further increase the angles or perspectives from which the visual indication is visible. For example, this may produce a ring of illuminated surface, which ring may be visible from a wide variety of angles and perspectives. This may improve the effectiveness of the visual indication, and, in turn, the user-appliance interface.

Optionally, the visual indicator device comprises a light source and an optical element configured to direct light from the light source onto the at least a portion of the surface.

Using an optical element configured to direct light from the light source onto the surface may allow for the visual indication to be provided via the surface, for example spanning an internal perimeter of the surface, in an efficient manner. For example, this may be as compared to using multiple light sources each illuminating respective different parts of the surface. Efficient operation of the haircare appliance may therefore be provided for. In examples, the optical element may comprise one or more of a reflective element such as a mirrored surface, a diffusive element such as frosted transparent material such as frosted plastic, and a lensing element such as a lens, and a dispersive element such as a prism.

Optionally, the optical element comprises a diffusive element configured to diffuse light from the light source onto the at least a portion of the surface.

Using a diffuse optical element, for example a frosted transparent material such as frosted plastic, may allow for the light to be directed evenly over a relatively large area of the surface. This may allow the area of illumination to be maximised in an efficient way. Optionally, the visual indicator device comprises component configured to block or redirect a central portion of light emitted by the light source.

The central portion of the light emitted by the light source, such as light emitted along the optical axis of the light source such as an LED, may be particularly bright. This may be uncomfortable for a user to look at directly. Blocking or redirecting this central portion while directing light to the surface may allow for the visual indication to be provided that is comfortable for a user to look at from any angle. Alternatively or additionally, blocking or redirecting the central portion may allow for the visual indication to be provided by relatively even illumination, and hence for the visual indication to be provided consistently, over a wide range of viewing angles and perspectives. In some examples, the component may comprise an opaque component configured to block a central portion of light emitted by the light source. In some examples, the component may comprise a component, such as a reflective component, configured to redirect a central portion of light emitted by the light source. In some examples, the optical element configured to direct light from the light source onto the at least a portion of the surface may also be configured to redirect the central portion of light emitted by the light source. For example, the optical element, such as a reflective component, may redirect the central portion of light onto at least a portion of the surface.

Optionally, at least a portion of the surface that is illuminated is reflective.

At least a portion of the surface that is illuminated being reflective may further increase the perceived illumination of the surface, and hence the effectiveness of the visual indication. Alternatively or additionally, the surface being reflective may allow the intensity of the illumination (and hence the power consumed by the light source) to be decreased for a given effectiveness of visual indication. This may provide for an efficient haircare appliance. For example, the surface may be configured have specular or diffusive reflectivity. Diffusive reflectivity may provide for the visual indication to be visible from a wide range of angles or perspectives, and hence improve the appliance-user interface. For example, the reflective surface may comprise one or more of the part of the body comprising the surface being made from a reflective material; the surface being provided by a reflective coating on the body; and surface being treated to be reflective. For example, metal powders may be mixed into paints applied to the surface or into the material used to injection mould the body or a part thereof, thereby to provide a reflective surface.

Optionally, the visual indicator device is located on a central axis of the bore.

This may allow that the visual indicator device is viewable equally from any one of a wide range of angles or perspectives. This may also help provide an even illumination of a surface defining the bore, and hence for a more consistent visual indication. This may also provide that the visual indicator device is relatively physically isolated from other components of the haircare appliance such as a heater. This may help prevent the visual indicator device from overheating. This may also help reduce the likelihood of hotspots forming on particular parts of the visual indicator device, which may help the visual indicator device from overheating.

Optionally, the visual indicator device is configured to provide the visual indication in a direction opposite to the direction in which the airflow is expelled.

This may allow a user to view the visual indication without an expelled airflow being directed at the user. This may improve the comfort and ease with which the haircare appliance may be used. In examples, alternatively or additionally, the visual indication device may be configured to provide the visual indication in the same direction as the expelled airflow.

Optionally, the visual indication comprises one or more of a colour, intensity, and modulation of light emitted by the visual indication device.

This may allow for different combinations of different operational states and/or sensed properties to be visually indicated, but with a relatively simple visual indication device, such as a single light source. As an example, the visual indicator device may emit light when sensor-based control features are activated by the user (for example via a control interface). An intensity of the light may indicate a current flow level, and a colour of the light may indicate a current heat level. A colour and/or intensity of light emitted by the visual indicator device may change when the presence of hair is detected, which may also correspond to a change in operational state of the haircare appliance, such as a change to higher airflow and heat settings. A steady intensity may indicate that the haircare appliance is in a full performance mode, and a pulsed or modulated intensity may indicate that the haircare appliance is in an idle mode.

Optionally, the visual indicator device comprises a Light Emitting Diode to provide the visual indication.

A Light Emitting Diode (LED) may provide a relatively simple and relatively low power consuming means by which to provide the visual indication. For example, the LED may be a ‘Red-Green-Blue-White’ (RGBW) LED, which may be controllable to emit light in a wide range of colours, intensities, and modulations.

Optionally, the information associated with the haircare appliance comprises information associated with a sensor of the haircare appliance, and wherein the visual indicator device is provided in part of the haircare appliance including the sensor.

This may provide for an intuitive, and hence improved, user-appliance interface. For example, a sensor and the visual indicator device may be provided by a common part of the haircare appliance, such as a housing or capsule located in the bore. As such, the visual indicator may be visually associated with the sensor part. Accordingly, the information associated with the sensor may be intuitively associated with the sensor part. In examples, the information associated with the sensor may be one or more of an operational state of the sensor and a sensed property. In examples, the sensed property may be a property of hair to which the haircare appliance is being applied. Further, locating the sensor in a part located in the bore may allow for the sensor to be relatively physically isolated from the rest of the haircare appliance, which may in turn reduce heat transfer or other interference, which may improve sensor function.

Optionally, the information associated with the haircare appliance comprises an operational state of the haircare appliance. Indicating an operational state of the haircare appliance may allow a user to visually determine a current working state of the haircare appliance. This may, in turn, provide an improved user-appliance interface. For example, this may allow a user to visually confirm that the haircare device is in a particular state, for example the state that the user believes that they have controlled the haircare appliance to be in. As another example, being provided with the current working state of the haircare appliance, the user may be better placed to decide how to control the haircare appliance to be in a desired operational state. For example, if the visual indication conveys that the haircare appliance is in a Tow airflow level’ state, and the user desires the airflow level to increase, the user can readily appreciate that this can be achieved by controlling the haircare appliance to be in a ‘high airflow level’ state. Further, the operational state of the haircare appliance being provided by the visual indication device may reduce or remove the need for this information to be communicated in other ways (such as by other indicators or by dials). This may, in turn, provide for a more efficient interface and/or free up packaging volume within the haircare appliance that may otherwise have been taken up by such other indicators or dials. In examples, the operational state may comprise one or more of a ‘sensor activated’ state; a heater level or setting; an airflow level or setting; an active or performance state; an idle or sleep state; a ‘hair detected’ state; and an error or fault or maintenance state.

Optionally, the information associated with the haircare appliance comprises a property sensed by the haircare appliance.

Indicating a property sensed by the haircare appliance may allow a user to readily visually appreciate a property sensed by the haircare appliance. This may, for example, inform how the user should move or control the haircare appliance, for example in order to get a desired result. For example, the haircare appliance may comprise one or more sensors configured to sense a property of the haircare appliance itself. For example, the property of the haircare appliance may be its motion or orientation, for example as determined using an accelerometer. As another example, the haircare appliance may comprise one or more sensors configured to sense a property of hair (or another target) to which it is being applied. For example, the property may comprise one or more of the presence of hair; distance of hair from the haircare appliance; temperature of the hair; and moisture level of the hair. Optionally, the visual indication device is configured to change the visual indication in response to a change in the operational state and/or sensed property.

This may allow for multiple operational states and/or sensed properties to be visually indicated. This may improve the functionality of the user-appliance interface. In examples, the change in visual indication comprises one or more of a change in colour, intensity, and modulation of light emitted by the visual indication device.

Optionally, the visual indicator device is housed in a capsule connected to the body by a support member.

This arrangement may allow for minimal heat to be transferred from the body to the capsule and hence the visual indicator device. For example, the capsule may be connected to the main body by a single rib, which may minimise the heat transferred from the main body to the capsule and hence the visual indicator device. This may, in turn, help prevent the visual indicator from overheating, which may, in turn, improve the operational lifespan of the visual indicator device, such as an LED.

Optionally, the capsule also houses a sensor arrangement.

For example, the sensor arrangement may be configured to sense a property, for example a property of hair proximate the haircare appliance and/or a property of the haircare appliance itself. Including the visual indicator device in a capsule that also houses a sensor arrangement may allow for both the sensor arrangement and the visual indicator device to be incorporated into the haircare appliance without requiring significant modification of the packaging of the haircare appliance and/or increasing the overall size of the hair care appliance, which may be cost effective. Further, this may allow that heat and/or other interference sensitive equipment can be included together in the capsule and hence be relatively physically isolated from the body of the haircare appliance. This may, in turn, reduce heat or other protection that may otherwise be needed for the sensor arrangement and visual indicator and/or allow for sensors or visual indicators that may be damaged or otherwise negatively affected by heat or other interference to nonetheless be used. Optionally, the capsule is elongate in a direction parallel to that of the expelled airflow.

This may allow the interference with a secondary airflow that may be drawn through the bore when air is expelled from the annular outlet to be reduced. This may allow for improved operation of the haircare appliance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a haircare appliance comprising: a body having a central bore and an annular outlet configured to expel an airflow; and a visual indicator device configured to illuminate at least a portion of a surface defining the bore to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance.

The visual indicator device allows for a user to be provided with information associated with the haircare appliance, such as an operational state of the haircare appliance and/or a property sensed by the haircare appliance. The visual indicator device may therefore allow for an improved user-appliance interface. Illuminating at least a portion of a surface defining the bore may allow for the visual indication to be provided across a large area of the appliance and/or for the visual indication to be visible from a large range of angles or perspectives. This may improve the effectiveness of the visual indication, and, in turn, the user-appliance interface. In some examples, the visual indicator device is located in the bore. For example, light may be directed from a light source onto the surface thereby to illuminate the surface. In other examples, a portion of the body having the at least a portion of the surface defining the bore may be transparent, and the visual indicator device may be located in the body. For example, the visual indicator device may back-illuminate the portion of the body, thereby to illuminate the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of a haircare appliance according to an example;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rear view of the example haircare appliance;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial front view of the example haircare appliance; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side cross sectional view of the example haircare appliance;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the example haircare appliance;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a detail of the side cross sectional view of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side cross sectional view of a visual indicator device according to another example; and

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of a haircare appliance according to yet another example.

As used herein, like reference signs denote like features. The axes x, y, z indicated in each Figure correspond amongst the Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, there is illustrated a haircare appliance according 102 to an example. In broad overview, the haircare appliance 102 comprises a body 104 having a central bore 334 and an annular outlet 108 configured to expel an airflow 109. The haircare appliance 102 also comprises a visual indicator device 367 located within the bore 334 and configured to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance 102.

Locating the visual indicator device 367 within the bore 334 may allow a visual indicator device 367 to be incorporated into the haircare appliance 102 without (a) requiring significant modification of the packaging of the body 104 of the haircare appliance 102 itself and/or increasing the overall size of the hair care appliance, which may be cost effective; and (b) without negatively affecting or impacting the expelled airflow 109. As is known per se in hairdryers, the expelled airflow 109 may be heated. Alternatively or additionally therefore, locating the visual indicator device 367 within the bore 334 may allow for the visual indicator device 367 to be located away from a heated airflow 109 or other components such as a heater 330 of the haircare appliance 102 which may otherwise interfere or degrade the visual indicator device 367. This may, in turn, reduce heat protection or other protection that may otherwise be needed for the visual indicator device 367 and/or allow for a visual indicator device 367 that may be damaged or otherwise negatively affected by heat or other interference to nonetheless be used.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the visual indicator device 367 comprises a light source 660, such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED). Light 668 emitted by the light source 660 is the means by which the information associated with the haircare appliance 102 is visually indicated, for example to a user (not shown). The visual indicator device 367 therefore allows for a user to be provided with information associated with the haircare appliance 102, such as an operational state of the haircare appliance 102 and/or a property sensed by the haircare appliance 102. For example, the visual indication may comprise one or more of a colour, intensity, and modulation of light 668 emitted by the visual indication device 367. This may allow for different combinations of different operational states and/or sensed properties to be visually indicated, but with a relatively simple visual indication device 367, such as a single light source 660.

In the specific example illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the haircare appliance 102 is a hairdryer. The main body or body 104 of the haircare appliance 102 comprises a handle section 110 and a barrel section 106. The handle section 110 is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a housing 337 that houses an airflow generator 332. The housing 337 comprises an inlet 112 through which an airflow is drawn into the handle section 110 by the airflow generator 332, and an outlet 350 through which the airflow is discharged into the barrel section 106. The airflow generator 332 may comprise, for example, a fan driven by an electric motor.

The barrel section 106 is likewise generally cylindrical in shape, but is shorter in length and wider in diameter than the handle section 112. The barrel section 106 is attached to an end of the handle section 110 and is oriented such that the longitudinal axes of the handle section 110 and the barrel section 106 are orthogonal. As a result, the shape of the body 104 resembles a gavel or mallet.

The barrel section 106 comprises a housing 301 that houses a heater 330 and a control module 315. The housing 301 comprises an outer wall 301a and an inner wall 301b that are generally concentric and define a chamber, specifically an annular chamber, within which the heater 330 and the control module 315 are housed. In this case the heater 330 is generally annular in shape. The housing 301 comprises an inlet 351 through which airflow from the handle section 110 enters the chamber, and the annular outlet 108 at an end of the barrel section 104 through which the airflow 109 is discharged. The heater 330 is located between the inlet 351 and the outlet 108 and, when powered, heats the airflow. The inner wall 301b defines the bore 334 that extends through the centre of the barrel section 106. In this example, the inner wall 301b is generally annular in shape, and the central bore 334 defined thereby is generally cylindrical in shape. In this example, the central bore 334 extends along the axis A of the barrel section 106 of the body 104. In this example, the bore 334 is an open bore in the sense that it passes all the way through the body 104 and is open at both ends. For example, the bore 334 is not covered at either end.

As perhaps best seen in Figure 2, the body 104 further comprises user controls 222, 224, 226, 227, 228. The user controls 222, 224, 226, 227 228 are provided on both the handle section 110 and the barrel section 106, and comprise a first button 226 or slider to power on and off the appliance 102, a second button 228 to momentarily power off the heater 330 such that the appliance 102 delivers a cold shot of air, a third button 222 to control the flow rate of the airflow, a fourth button 224 to control the temperature of the airflow, and a fifth button 227 to activate and deactivate sensor functionality provided by the haircare appliance 102. The control module 315 may control electric components 332, 330, 361 in response to user controls. For example, in response to inputs from the user controls 222, 224, 226, 227, 228, the control module 315 may power on and off the airflow generator 332 and/or the heater 330. Additionally, the control module 315 may control the power or speed of the airflow generator 332 in order to vary the flow rate of the airflow. For example, repeatedly pressing the third button 228 may cause the control module 315 to cycle through different flow rates (e.g., low, medium and high). Similarly, the control module 315 may control the power of the heater 330 in order to vary the temperature of the airflow. For example, repeatedly pressing the fourth button 224 may cause the control module 315 to cycle through different temperature settings (e.g., cold, warm, hot). Activating the sensor functionally via the fifth button 227 may cause the control module 315 to receive sensor data from a sensor arrangement 220 and control, for example automatically control, the flow rate and/or temperature setting in accordance with the sensor data. For example, the sensor arrangement 220 may be configured to sense a proximity of hair to the haircare appliance 102. The control module 315 may be configured to, when the sensor data indicates that hair is within a given proximity to the haircare appliance, control the appliance 102 according to a ‘hair detected’ state. For example, this may comprise controlling the heater 330 to increase the heat setting and/or control the airflow generator 332 to increase the flow rate.

As mentioned, the outlet 108 is annular and is configured to expel the airflow 109. The airflow is expelled in the form of an annular column 109. The annular outlet 108 may be continuous or discontinuous. For example, as perhaps best seen in Figure 3, the haircare appliance 102 may comprise thin ribs 107 connecting the outer wall 301a and the inner wall 301b and which cross the annular outlet 108. In this case the annular outlet 108 may be described as discontinuous, but nonetheless is an annular outlet 108. In examples where there are no such thin ribs 107, the annular outlet 108 may be described as continuous. The annular column 109 of expelled airflow may take different forms. For example, in some examples, the annular column 109 may take the general form of a hollow cylinder. However, other forms may be used. For example, as perhaps best seen in Figure 4, the sides of the annular column 109 may be angled towards a central axis A of the barrel section 106 of the main body 104. In this case, the annular column 109 may be said to take the form of a hollow frustrum of a cone. In the illustrated example, the annular outlet 108 and accordingly the annular column 109 of expelled airflow are circular. This may provide, for example, for an even airflow and hence even drying. The inner wall 301b is circular and accordingly the bore 334 is cylindrical. However, in some examples (not illustrated) the annular outlet 108 and annular column 109 and/or the inner wall 301b need not necessarily be circular and for example may take the form of other shapes, such as any polygonal annular outlet (not shown) and/or any polygonal annular column (not shown) and/or any polygonal annular inner wall (not shown) defining a bore having any polygonal cross section (not shown). Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the outlet 108 may be annular in the sense that the outlet is in the form of a ring or loop (of some shape) with a central hole and/or part where the outlet 108 is not provided (in the illustrated example the central hole and/or part where the outlet 108 is not provided is formed of the inner wall 310b and the bore 334). Indeed, as per the illustrated example, the airflow generated by and within the haircare appliance 102 and which is to be expelled from the haircare appliance 102 may not be provided to or in this central hole or part 310b, 334. Similarly, the column of air 109 that is expelled may be annular in the sense that the column of expelled air 109 has a central hole where the expelled airflow 109 is not present. Indeed, as per the illustrated example, the airflow generated by and within the haircare appliance 102 and which is expelled from the haircare appliance 102 at the outlet 108 is not present in this central hole. In any case, the visual indicator device 367 located in the bore 334 is not in the path of the airflow 109 generated by and within the haircare appliance 102 and which is to be expelled from the haircare appliance from the annular outlet 108. Accordingly, the visual indicator device 367 does not interfere with the generated airflow, which may provide for efficient operation of the haircare appliance 102.

As mentioned, the visual indicator device 367 is located within the bore 334. In the illustrated example, the visual indicator device 367 is located on the central axis A of the annular outlet 108 (which in the illustrated example is the same as the central longitudinal axis A of the barrel section 106 of the main body 104). In other examples visual indicator device 367 may be placed anywhere within the bore 334.

In the illustrated example, the visual indicator device 367 is provided or housed in a capsule 338. The capsule 338 also houses the sensor arrangement 220. The capsule 338 is connected to the body 104, and specifically the inner wall 301b of the barrel section 106, by a support member 335. This arrangement may allow for minimal heat to be transferred from main body 104, such as the heater 330 thereof, to the capsule 338. For example, the capsule 338 may be connected to the main body 104 by a single rib 335, which may minimise the heat transferred from the main body 104 to the capsule 338. As illustrated, in some examples the capsule 338 may be elongate in a direction D parallel that of the expelled airflow 109. This may allow for reduced interference of the capsule 338 with a secondary airflow that may be drawn through haircare appliance 102, specifically through the bore 334 of the barrel section 106 of the main body 104 of the haircare appliance 102, when air is expelled from the annular outlet 108. The support member 335 also provides a conduit for electrical connections between the body 104 and the visual indicator device 367 and/or sensor arrangement 220. For example, the electrical connections may be used for communicating sensor data from the sensors of the sensor arrangement 220 to the control module 315, powering the sensor arrangement 220 and/or the visual indicator device 367, and/or controlling the sensor arrangement 220 and/or the visual indicator device 367. In some examples, the sensor arrangement 220 may be configured to sense in the same direction D as the expelled airflow 109, and the visual indicator device 367 may be configured to provide the visual indication in a direction opposite to the direction D of the expelled airflow, for example both along the same central axis A of the bore, but in opposite directions. This may help provide that the sensor is aligned with the expelled airflow 109 (and hence the target of the airflow), whilst also allowing that a visual indication may be provided to a user. This arrangement may also improve packaging of the capsule 338, and hence may allow for a capsule 338 with a relatively small diameter to be provided.

As perhaps best seen in Figure 6, in the illustrated example, the visual indicator device 367 comprises a light source 660. The light source 660 is configured to emit light 668, 664 to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance 102. In this example, the visual indicator device 367 is configured to provide the visual indication in a direction opposite to the direction D in which the airflow 109 is expelled. This may allow a user to view the visual indication without an expelled airflow 109 being directed at the user. In this example, the light source 660 is configured to emit light 668, 664 in the direction opposite to the direction D in which the airflow 109 is expelled.

The light source 660 may be, for example, an LED. An LED may provide a relatively simple and relatively low power consuming means by which to provide the visual indication. For example, the LED may be a ‘Red-Green-Blue-White’ (RGBW) LED, which may be controllable to emit light in a wide range of colours, intensities, and modulations. This may allow for different combinations of different operational states and/or sensed properties to be visually indicated, but with a relatively simple visual indication device, such as a single light source.

As perhaps best seen in Figures 5 and 6, in the illustrated example, the visual indicator device 367 is configured to illuminate at least a portion of a surface 370 defining the bore 340 to visually indicate the information. Accordingly, in this example, there is provided a haircare appliance 102 comprising a body 104 having a central bore 334 and an annular outlet 108 configured to expel an airflow 109; and a visual indicator device 367 configured to illuminate at least a portion of a surface 370 defining the bore 340 to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance 102. Specifically, in this example, the bore 334 is defined by the exterior surface 370 of the inner wall 301b of the body 104. Illuminating at least a portion of the surface 370 defining the bore 340 may allow for the visual indication to be provided across a relatively large area 370 of the appliance 102 and/or for the visual indication to be visible from a large range of angles or perspectives. This may improve the effectiveness of the visual indication, and, in turn, the user-appliance interface. For example, even from a perspective where the visual indicator device 367 is itself not visible to a user, the illuminated portion of the surface 370 may nonetheless be visible to the user. In the illustrated example, the portion of the surface 370 that the visual indicator device is configured to illuminate spans an internal perimeter of the surface 370. That is, in this example, light is directed all the way around the generally cylindrical surface 370 defining the bore 340, and accordingly a ring of illuminated surface 370 is provided. This ring may be visible from a wide variety of angles and perspectives.

As perhaps best seen in Figure 6, in this example the visual indicator device 367 comprises an optical element 574 configured to direct light 668 from the light source 660 onto the at least a portion of the surface 370. This may allow for the visual indication to be provided via the surface 370 in an efficient manner. For example, this may be as compared to using multiple light sources each illuminating respective different parts of the surface. In this example, the optical element 574 forms part of the protective housing provided by the capsule 228. The optical element 574 is positioned in front of the light source 660. In this example, the optical element 574 is annular (and generally circular) in shape and co-axial with the optical axis of the light source 660. Accordingly, light 668 is directed around an entire circumference of the surface 370 defining the bore 340. In this example, the optical element 574 comprises a diffusive element 574 configured to diffuse light 668 from the light source onto the surface 370. For example, the diffusive element 574 may be provided by frosted transparent material such as frosted plastic. Using a diffuse optical element 574 may allow for the light 668 to be directed evenly over a relatively large area of the surface 370. This may allow for the area of illumination to be maximised in an efficient way. For example, referring to Figure 6, light 668 emitted by the light source 660 is diffused by the diffusive element 574 into diffused light 670 which illuminates the surface 370. This diffused light in turn may reflect or otherwise be scattered from the surface 370 to provide scattered light 672 which exits the bore 334, and which may be visible to a user.

Any one of combination of optical elements that directs light 668 from the light source 660 onto the at least a portion of the surface 370 may be used. For example, the optical element 574 may comprise one or more of a reflective element such as a mirrored surface, a lensing element such as a lens, and a dispersive element such as a prism, for example.

As perhaps best seen in Figure 6, in this example the visual indicator device comprises a blocking component 662 configured to block a central portion 664 of light emitted by the light source 660. In other words, the blocking component 662 masks or occludes a central portion of the field-of-illumination (FOI) of the light source 660. For example, the central portion 664 of the light emitted by the light source 660, such as light emitted along the optical axis an LED, may be particularly bright. This may be uncomfortable for a user to look at directly. Blocking this central portion 664 while directing light 668 to the surface 370 may allow for the visual indication to be provided that is comfortable for a user to look at from any angle. Alternatively or additionally, blocking the central portion 664 may allow for the visual indication to be provided by relatively even illumination, and hence for the visual indication to be provided consistently, over a wide range of viewing angles and perspectives.

In the illustrated example, the blocking component 662 comprises an opaque component 662, for example an opaque plastic element 662. The blocking component 662 is placed directly in front of the light source 660, and is coaxial with the optical axis of the light source 660. The blocking component 662 has the general shape of a cone, whose base faces towards the light source. In this example, the blocking component 662 is received into hole or bore within the annular optical element 574. However, the optical element 574 provides a conduit via which light 668 can escape the capsule 338 and be directed onto the surface 370 defining the bore 340. In the illustrated example, the optical element 574 is visible from a head on back view (such as that in Figure 2) as well as from some perspective views (such as that in Figure 5). Accordingly, in this example, the visual indication may also be provided by light scattered, e.g. diffused, directly from the optical element 574 to the user’s eye (e.g. without necessarily being reflected from the surface 370). This may have the appearance of an illuminated ring, and may provide for effective visual indication, for example even in situations with relatively bright ambient light levels.

In some examples, at least a portion of the surface 370 that is illuminated may be reflective. This may further increase the perceived illumination of the surface 370, and hence the effectiveness of the visual indication. Alternatively or additionally, the surface being reflective may allow for the intensity of the illumination (and hence the power consumed by the light source) to be decreased for a given effectiveness of visual indication. For example, the surface 370 may be configured have specular or diffusive reflectivity. Diffusive reflectivity may provide for the visual indication to be visible from a wide range of angles or perspectives, and hence improve the appliance-user interface. In some examples, the reflective surface 370 may be provided by the inner wall 331b (or an external surface 370 thereof) of the body 104 being made from a reflective material. In some examples, the reflectivity may be provided by providing a reflective coating the inner wall 331b of the body 104. In some examples, the reflectivity may be provided by treating the surface 370 to be reflective. As an example, metal powders may be mixed into paints or other coatings applied to the surface 370, or into the material used to injection mould the body 104 or a part 33 lb thereof, thereby to provide a reflective surface 370.

In the illustrated example, the visual indicator device 367 is located on the central axis A of the bore 334. This may allow that the visual indicator device 367 is viewable equally from any one of a wide range of angles or perspectives. This may also help provide an even illumination of the surface 370 defining the bore 334, and hence for a more consistent visual indication. This may also provide that the visual indicator device is relatively physically isolated from other components of the haircare appliance 102 such as the heater 330. This may help prevent the visual indicator device 367 from overheating. This may also help reduce the likelihood of hotspots forming on particular parts of the visual indicator device 367, which may help prevent the visual indicator device 367 from overheating. In the illustrated example, the visual indicator device 367 is configured to provide the visual indication in a direction opposite to the direction D in which the airflow 109 is expelled. This may allow a user to view the visual indication without an expelled airflow being directed at the user.

As mentioned, the information associated with the haircare appliance 102 that is visually indicated may comprise an operational state of the haircare appliance 102. Indicating an operational state of the haircare appliance may allow a user to visually determine a current working state of the haircare appliance. Further, the operational state of the haircare appliance being provided by the visual indication device 367 may reduce or remove the need for this information to be communicated in other ways (such as by other indicators or by dials). For example, referring to Figure 2, the haircare appliance 102 comprises indicators 221, 223. The first indicator 221 displays a present air flow level of the hair care appliance 102, and the second indicator 223 displays a present heater level of the haircare appliance 102. However, in some examples, these first and second indicators 221, 223 may be dispensed with, and the indication of flow and/or heater level may be indicated via the visual indication device 367. This may provide for a more efficient interface and/or free up packaging volume within the haircare appliance 102 that may otherwise be taken up by such other indicators or dials 221, 223. For example, providing the indications of the operational state of the appliance 102 via the visual indicator device 367 (which may comprise a single light source 660 such as a RGBW LED) as opposed to doing so via multiple indicators 221, 223 may reduce the footprint and part count associated with providing the indication.

In examples, the operational state of the haircare appliance 102 may be determined by the control module 315. The control module 315 may, in turn, control the visual indicator device 367 to visually indicate the operational state. In examples, the operational state may comprise one or more of a heater level or setting; an airflow level or setting; an active or performance state; an idle or sleep state; and an error or fault or maintenance state. For example, the colour of the light emitted by the visual indicator device 367 may correspond to the present heater level selected, the intensity of the light may correspond to the present air flow level selection, a steady light may correspond to the appliance 102 being in a full performance state, a pulsed or modulated light may correspond to the appliance 102 being in an idle state, and a differently modulated light (e.g. more rapid pulsed light) may correspond to an error state. In some examples, an idle state may be automatically detected by the control module 315 by detection, e.g. using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), that the appliance 102 has been put down.

The modulation of the light may be a change in intensity or brightness for example an idle mode may be indicated by a reduction in intensity or brightness that may last until the product is powered off or re-activated in which case the light could be turned off or fully on respectively. The modulation may be a pulsing of the light which may change in frequency over time and the pulsing may be between and on and off state for the visual indicator or between two other intensities.

Alternatively or additionally, the information associated with the haircare appliance 102 may comprise a property sensed by the haircare appliance 102. For example, the property may be sensed by the sensor arrangement 220. This may, for example, inform how the user should move or control the haircare appliance 102, for example in order to get a desired result. For example, the haircare appliance 102 (e.g. the sensor arrangement 220 thereof) may comprise one or more sensors configured to sense a property of the haircare appliance 102 itself. For example, the property may be the motion or orientation of the haircare appliance 102, for example as determined using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). For example, the IMU may be part of the sensor arrangement 220 located in the capsule 338. As another example, the property may be which type of attachment (not shown) is attached to the body 104 of the haircare appliance 102. As another example, the haircare appliance 102 (e.g. the sensor arrangement 220 thereof) may comprise one or more sensors configured to sense a property of hair 404 (or another target) to which the haircare appliance 102 is being applied. For example, the property may comprise one or more of the presence of hair 404; distance of hair from the haircare appliance 102; temperature of the hair 404; and moisture level of the hair 404. The presence of hair 404 (or another target object) and/or the distance of hair from the haircare appliance 102 may be determined, for example, using a Time-Of- Flight sensor. The temperature of the hair 404 (or another target) may be determined, for example, using a remote temperature measurement device such as an infrared thermometer. The moisture level of the hair 404 (or another target proximate to the haircare appliance) may be determined, for example, using a moisture level measurement device such as a relative humidity sensor. Other properties and other sensors may be used. Locating the sensor arrangement on the axis A may help ensure that the sensors thereof may be well aligned with the expelled airflow 109 and hence with the target of that airflow 109 such as a user’s hair 404.

In the illustrated example, the sensor arrangement 220 comprises a sensor 361 configured to sense a property of hair proximate the haircare appliance 102. Specifically, in this example, the sensor 361 is a proximity sensor 361, and specifically a Time-Of-Flight sensor 361, configured to sense a proximity of hair 404 to the haircare appliance 102. The TOF sensor 361 emits emissions 440 (e.g. photons of electromagnetic radiation or acoustic pulses) and receives reflected emissions 440, which have been reflected and returned to the TOF sensor 361. A processor then determines time differences between emitting and receiving the emissions and from this calculates a distance between the TOF sensor 361 and a target responsible for the reflected emissions. The processor then outputs this distance data to the control module 315. The TOF sensor 361 may be used to sense the proximity of a user’s head or other object to the haircare appliance 102.

As an example of visual indications provided by the visual indication device 367 during an example operation of the haircare appliance 102, the control module 315 may be configured to turn the light source 660 on when a user presses the fifth button 227 to activate the sensor functionality of the appliance 102. A proximity sensor (e.g. the TOF sensor 361) of the sensor arrangement 220 may thereby be activated to measure a proximity of the appliance 102 to the user’s hair (or other target). The control module 315 may be configured to, when the sensor data indicates that hair is within a given proximity to the haircare appliance 102, control the light source 660 of the visual indicator device 367 to increase the intensity of the light emitted by the light source 660 to indicate to the user that it has been sensed that hair is proximate to the haircare appliance 102. This may also correspond to the control module 315 causing the appliance to operate in a ‘hair detected’ state, which may, for example, comprise controlling the heater 330 to increase the heat setting and/or control the airflow generator 332 to increase the flow rate.

In some examples, the information associated with the haircare appliance 102 comprises information associated with a sensor of the sensor arrangement 220, and the visual indicator device 367 is provided in a part of the haircare appliance 102 including sensor arrangement 202 (in these examples, the capsule 338). This may provide for an intuitive user-appliance interface, as the visual indication may be visually associated with the sensor arrangement 220. Accordingly, the information associated with the sensor may be intuitively associated with the sensor arrangement 220. In examples, the information associated with the sensor may be one or more of an operational state of the sensor and a sensed property. For example, the operational state may be “sensor activated” where the functionally provided by the sensor arrangement 220 is provided or “sensor deactivated” where it is not. In examples, the sensed property may be a property of hair 404 to which the haircare appliance 102 is being applied. In examples, the visual indicator device 367 may provide feedback to the user on a property (e.g. the proximity of the haircare appliance to a target) as sensed by the sensor arrangement 220. Mounting of this feedback source 367 proximal to the sensor arrangement 220 may create an intuitive association between the output of the visual indicator device 367 and the related sensing functionality. This may in turn improve user experience and ease of effective use of the appliance 102. Locating the sensor arrangement 220 in the capsule 338 in the bore 334 may allow for the sensor(s) thereof to be relatively physically isolated from the rest of the haircare appliance 102 (including e.g. the heater 330), which may in turn reduce heat transfer or other interference, which may improve sensor function.

In examples, the visual indication device 367 (and/or the control module 315) may be configured to change the visual indication in response to a change in the operational state and/or sensed property. For example, as mentioned above, a change in operational state and/or a change in sensed property may be indicated by a change in one or more of a colour, intensity, and modulation of light emitted by the light source 660.

In the example described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6, the optical component 574 comprised a diffusive component. However, it will be appreciated that this need not necessarily be the case, and that in other examples, other optical components may be used. For example, referring now to Figure 7, there is illustrated a visual indicator device 367’ according to another example. The visual indicator device 367’ may be the same as or similar to the visual indicator device 367 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6, and it may be used in the same way as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6, however in the example of Figure 7, the optical component 574’ of the visual indicator device 367’ comprises a reflective component 574’. In this example, the reflective component 574’ is configured to direct light 668, 664 emitted from the light source 660 to illuminate the surface defining the bore (not shown in Figure 7). Specifically, in this example, the reflective component 574’ comprises a reflective surface 575 that is included with respect to the optical axis of the light source 660. For example, the reflective component 574’ may be conical in shape, with the point of the cone pointing towards the light source 660 along the optical axis of the light source 660. This reflects light 664, 668 emitted by the light source 660 onto the surface defining the bore (not shown in Figure 7). In this example, the reflective component 574’ also acts as a blocking component 662’, as it is configured to redirect a central portion 664 of light emitted by the light source 660. For example, depending on the shape towards the point of the cone 574’, the central portion 664 of light may be redirected to the surface 370 defining the bore, and/or back within the capsule 338. As such, in some examples, the optical element 574’ 662’ configured to direct light from the light source 660 onto the at least a portion of the surface may also be configured to redirect the central portion 664 of light emitted by the light source 660.

It will be appreciated that in examples, the visual indication device 367 could be arranged in different ways to provide the visual indication to the user only via the illumination of the surface 370, only via light provided directly (e.g. without reflecting from the surface 370), or some combination of these (as per the illustrated example).

In the above examples, the visual indication device 367 comprises a light source 660, which in the above examples is in the form of a single LED. However, in other examples, other light sources 660 may be used. For example, the light source 660 may be provided by an array of LEDs. For example, the visual indicator device 367 may comprise a plurality of LEDs or other lights configured to illuminate at least a portion of the surface 370 defining the bore 340 and/or emit light out of the bore 334. As another example, the visual indicator device 367 may comprise a display screen, such as a colour display screen, configured to visually indicate the information. For example, the display screen may be configured to display information, for example in the form of alphanumeric symbols. In some examples, the light source 660 need not necessarily illuminate the surface 370 defining the bore 334, and may, for example, only emit light directly out of the bore 340.

In the above examples, the visual indication device 367 is configured to provide the visual indication in a general direction opposite the direction D of the expelled airflow 109. However, in other examples the visual indication device may be configured to provide the visual indication alternatively or additionally in the general direction D of the expelled airflow 109. For example, the visual indicator device may comprise a light source configured to emit light in a general direction D of the expelled airflow 109. In some examples, the visual indication device may be configured to emit light out of the bore 334 in the direction of the expelled airflow D so as to illuminate at least a portion of a target (such as a person’s hair). In this case, for example, the visual indication may be provided to a user via the illumination of the target.

In the examples described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7, the visual indicator device 367, 367’ was located within the bore 334 of the body 104 of the haircare appliance 102. However, in other examples, this may not necessarily be the case. Referring now to Figure 8, there is illustrated a haircare appliance 102” according to another example. The functions and features of the haircare device 102 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7 may be the same or similar to those of the haircare device 102” of Figure 8. For example, similar to as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7, in this example there is provided a haircare appliance 102” comprising a body 104 having a central bore 334 and an annular outlet 108 configured to expel an airflow 109; and a visual indicator device 367” configured to illuminate at least a portion of a surface 370 defining the bore 340 to visually indicate information associated with the haircare appliance 102. However, in the example if Figure 8, a portion 301b” of the body 104 having the at least a portion of the surface 370 defining the bore 334 is transparent, and the visual indicator device 367” is located in the body 104. Accordingly, in this example, the visual indicator device 367” back-illuminates the portion 301b” of the body 104, thereby to illuminate the surface 370. Specifically, in the example if Figure 8, the visual indicator device 367” comprises an array (as illustrated six) of light sources 660”, such as LEDs, distributed around the perimeter of the inner wall 301b” in a circular pattern. The light sources 660” are each configured to emit light through the transparent (which may include partially transparent, such as frosted) inner wall 301b” so as to illuminate the surface 370 defining the bore. This may allow for information associated with the haircare appliance 102”, such as an operational state of the haircare appliance 102 and/or a property sensed by the haircare appliance 102, to be visually indicated to the user. Similarly to as described above, illuminating at least a portion of the surface 370 defining the bore 334 may allow for the visual indication to be provided across a large area of the appliance 102 and/or for the visual indication to be visible from a large range of angles or perspectives. This may improve the effectiveness of the visual indication, and, in turn, the user-appliance interface. The transparent portion of the inner wall 301b” may be made from transparent (including frosted) injection moulded plastic, for example. The light sources 660’ ’ may be provided, for example, by RGBW LEDs, which may be controlled by a control module 315 to each provide different colours, intensities, and modulations, in order to visually indicate the information a user. Although six light sources 660” are shown, in other examples any number of light sources 660” may be used.

Whilst particular examples have been described, it should be understood that these are illustrative examples only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.