AIR FLOW GENERATOR CONCENTRATOR

Abstract

Embodiments of an air flow generator outlet concentrator are described. The air flow generator outlet concentrator may change the direction or pressure/velocity of air exiting an air flow generator, such has a hair dryer. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments described herein relate AFG outlet concentrators for AFGs outlets.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

It may be desirable to modify the air flow at the outlet of an air flow generator such as a hair dryer including direction or pressure, the present invention provides an AFG outlet concentrator for same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric diagram of an air flow generator (AFG) outlet concentrator according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a rear view of an AFG outlet concentrator according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1C is a right-side view of an AFG outlet concentrator according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1D is a top side view of an AFG outlet concentrator according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1E is a bottom side view of an AFG outlet concentrator according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1F is a front side view of an AFG outlet concentrator according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1G is an isometric right-side cross-sectional view along line A-A as shown in FIG. 1D of an AFG outlet concentrator according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1H is an isometric front cross-sectional view along line B-B as shown in FIG. 1D of an AFG outlet concentrator according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a simplified drawing of an AFG outlet concentrator coupled to an AFG outlet according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3A is an isometric diagram of another AFG outlet concentrator according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3B is a right-side cross-sectional view of the AFG outlet concentrator shown in FIG. 3A according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted, it may be desirable to modify the air flow of an AFG (30 of FIG. 2) including direction or pressure/velocity of the air flow at the AFG outlet 32 via an AFG outlet concentrator (10, 10A of FIGS. 1A-H, 2, and 3A-B). As shown in FIGS. 1A-H, 2, and 3A-B, an AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A according to various embodiments may redirect the pathway of air generated by a AFG 30 at its outlet 32 about 90 degrees. An AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A according to various embodiments may also change the pressure/velocity of air generated by an AFG 30 at its outlet 32 by coupling the AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A exit end 18 at the outlet 32.

In an embodiment, the AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A exit end 18 may have an outer diameter or envelope smaller than the AFG outlet's inner diameter or envelope to enable the AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A to be securely and removably fit therein. In an embodiment, the AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A exit end 18 may have an outer diameter or envelope greater than the AFG outlet's outer diameter or envelope to enable the AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A to be securely and removably fit thereover. In an embodiment, the AFG 30 may be a hair dryer.

The AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A according to various embodiments may include an AFG outlet interface 12, a distal cylindrical section 14, a first curved reduction section 16, and a second, final reduced volume modified cross-sectional shape section 17 leading to a proximal exit end 18 having a different cross-sectional shape and area than the AFG outlet concentrator's 10, 10A AFG outlet interface 12.

The AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A sections 12, 14, 16, 17, and 18 shapes and cross-sectional area(s) may be selected to gradually reduce air flow area, shape, and air flow direction from an AFG outlet cross-sectional area, shape, and air flow direction to a desired shape, cross-sectional area, and air flow direction (relative the AFG outlet air flow direction) 18. The AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A sections 14, 16, 17 shape and cross-sectional area(s) may be selected to gradually change the flow direction and concentration of air exiting a AFG 30 outlet 32 to a desired direction and concentration.

In an embodiment, an AFG outlet concentrator 10 may both change the direction and reduce the cross-sectional area of the air flow produced at a AFG 30 outlet 32 via its sections 12, 14, 16, 17, 18 shapes and cross-sectional area(s). In an embodiment, an AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A may reduce the air flow cross-sectional area of the AFG 30 outlet 32 from about 40 to 70% and about 66% in an embodiment. Further, an AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A may change the air flow direction of the AFG 30 outlet 32 about 30 to 120 degrees and about 90 degrees in an embodiment.

FIG. 1A is an isometric diagram of an AFG outlet concentrator 10 according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1A, the AFG outlet concentrator 10 may include an AFG outlet interface distal end (inlet for concentrator) 12, a first transition area 14, a second transition area 16, a third transition area 17, and a proximal air exit (outlet for concentrator) 18 in form of a flanged or elliptically shaped outlet 18 in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the AFG outlet concentrator 10 transition areas 12, 14, 16, 17, and 18 may be sized and shaped to gradually reduce the cross-sectional area and change the direction of air flow received at its inlet 12. Such a configuration may be required or necessary to prevent potential damage to an AFG 30 due to an abrupt change in pressure/velocity of air flow at its outlet 32.

In an embodiment, the air produced the outlet 32 of an AFG 30 may be elevated relative ambient air temperature and may be about 100 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. In an embodiment, an AFG outlet concentrator 10, 10A may be formed of various heat resistant materials including polymers, ceramics, or certain metal alloys based on the air temperatures it may process. FIG. 1B is a rear view and FIG. 1F is a front side view of an AFG outlet concentrator 10 according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1B, the distal air inlet 12 forming the AFG outlet interface 10 may be circular in an embodiment.

The AFG outlet concentrator 10 interface 12 may have various shapes and sizes as a function of the AFG 30 outlet's 32 corresponding shape and size. In an embodiment, the AFG outlet concentrator 10 interface 12 may have an internal diameter CC forming an internal circumference ranging from 40 to 200 mm or about 120 mm where a corresponding AFG 30 outlet 32 outer circumference may be slightly less (1 to 3 mm) than the AFG outlet concentrator 10 interface 12 internal circumference so the AFG outlet concentrator 10 may be securely couplable to and removable to a AFG outlet 10 via friction. In addition, the AFG outlet concentrator 10 interface 12 material(s) may be selected to frictionally couple to the material(s) of the AFG outlet 10.

FIGS. 1B and 1F also show the size and shape of the third transition area 17 relative to the initial area formed by the outlet interface 12. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1F, the third transition area 17 may be partially triangular in cross section. FIG. 1C is a right-side view of an AFG outlet concentrator 10 according to various embodiments. FIG. 1C shows the AFG outlet concentrator 10 transition areas 12, 14, 16, 17, and 18. In an embodiment, the overall AFG outlet concentrator 10 length EE may extend about 90 to 150 mm and be about 120 mm in an embodiment. It is noted that all dimensions may vary linearly relative to the distal-outlet interface 12 internal circumference in an embodiment. Accordingly, the overall AFG outlet concentrator 10 length EE may be a percentage of the distal-outlet interface 12 internal circumference (IC), about 70 to 150 percent and about 100% of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC in an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the first transition area 14 length DD may extend about 10 to 50 mm and about 32 mm in an embodiment. The first transition area 14 length DD may be about 10 to 50 percent of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC and about 25% of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the AFG outlet concentrator 10 may have a substantially uniform wall thickness except at an area near the distal-outlet interface 12 where the wall thickness may be greater for a length II adjacent the outlet interface 12 distal end. In an embodiment, the wall thickness may be about 0.5 to 3 mm as a function of the AFG outlet concentrator 10 materials. The wall thickness at the outlet interface 12 distal end may be about 50 to 200% greater than the AFG outlet concentrator 10 thickness otherwise and about 100% greater in an embodiment. The increased wall thickness length II at the distal-outlet end 12 may be about 5 to 20 mm and about 10 mm in an embodiment. The increased wall thickness length II at the distal end 12 may be about 5 to 20 percent of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC and about 8% of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC in an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the height FF of the AFG outlet concentrator 10 after the first transition area 14 and at the start of the second transition area 16 may be about 40 to 90 mm and about 60 mm in an embodiment. The AFG outlet concentrator 10 height FF may be about 33 to 75 percent of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC and about 50% of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the height GG of the AFG outlet concentrator 10 at about the midpoint of the second transition area 16 may be about 36 to 86 mm and about 56 mm in an embodiment. The AFG outlet concentrator 10 height or width GG may be about 30 to 71 percent of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC and about 47% of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the height HH of the AFG outlet concentrator 10 at about the midpoint of the third transition area 17 may be about 25 to 75 mm and about 45 mm in an embodiment. The AFG outlet concentrator 10 height or width HH may be about 21 to 63 percent of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC and about 37.5% of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC in an embodiment.

FIG. 1D is a top side view and FIG. 1E is a bottom side view of an AFG outlet concentrator 10 according to various embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E, the AFG outlet concentrator 10 width may gradually decrease along the second and third transition areas 16, 17, forming a triangular shape in width when viewed from the top side. FIG. 1E is a bottom side view of an AFG outlet concentrator 10 according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1E, the AFG outlet concentrator 10 proximal air exit-outlet 18 may be rectangular with rounded edges, race-track shaped, or elliptical in an embodiment. The proximal air exit 18 length JJ may be about 40 to 88 mm and about 64 mm in an embodiment. The proximal air exit 18 length JJ may be about 33 to 73 percent of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC and about 53% of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC in an embodiment. The proximal air exit 18 width KK may be about 4 to 10 mm and about 6 mm in an embodiment. The proximal air exit 18 width KK may be about 3.3 to 8.3 percent of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC and about 5% of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC in an embodiment. As noted the proximal air exit 18 area may be less than the distal-outlet interface air entrance 12 area and about 25 to 75 percent of the distal-outlet interface 12 area and about 33 percent in an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the third transition area 17 may be arcuate with an approximately fixed diameter from the corner 11 until the start of the second transition area 16. The third transition area 17 fixed diameter may be about 40 to 88 mm and about 64 mm in an embodiment. The third transition area 17 fixed diameter may be about 33 to 73 percent of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC and about 53% of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC in an embodiment. Similarly, the second transition area 16 may also be arcuate with an approximately fixed diameter from the corner 11 between the third extension area 17 and the first transition area 14. The second transition area 16 fixed diameter may be about 30 to 78 mm and about 54 mm in an embodiment. The second transition area 16 fixed diameter may be about 25 to 65 percent of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC and about 45% of the distal-outlet interface 12 IC in an embodiment.

FIG. 1G is a right-side cross-sectional view along line A-A as shown in FIG. 1D and FIG. 1H is an isometric front cross-sectional view along line B-B as shown in FIG. 1D of an AFG outlet concentrator 10 according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1G and 1H, the transition areas 14, 16, and 17 may all have arcuate side walls along their height. FIG. 2 is a simplified drawing of an AFG outlet concentrator 10 coupled to a AFG 30 according to various embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 2, a AFC 30 may be an electric based hair dryer 32 with a handle/controller 36, an electrical energy interface (cable with mating plug) 38, an internal motor 34, and an air exit nozzle or outlet 32. As noted in an embodiment the AFG outlet concentrator 10 interface 12 may be sized and shaped to securely couple over the hair dryer 30 air exit nozzle 32. As further noted an AFG outlet concentrator 10 according to an embodiment may change the air flow pressure/velocity and direction while not placing undue and unacceptable stress on the hair dryer 30 motor 34. The shape and size of the transition regions 14, 16, 17 may reduce the hair dryer 30 motor 34 stress while enabling a user to modify the air flow direction and pressure/velocity (by reducing air flow cross-sectional area at its exit 18).

FIG. 3A is an isometric diagram of another AFG outlet concentrator 10A according to various embodiments. FIG. 3B is a right-side cross-sectional view of the AFG outlet concentrator 10A according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3A, the AFG outlet concentrator 10A is similar to the AFG outlet concentrator 10. The AFG outlet concentrator 10A includes a first transition area 14A, a second transition area 16A, a third transition area 17A, and an exit nozzle or outlet 18A. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the AFG outlet concentrator 10A may include one or more curved internal fins extending from a portion of the second transition area 16A to about the distal air exit end 18A. There may be four fins in an embodiment that are evenly spaced to form four similarly sized vents in the outlet 18A as shown in the figures.

The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted to require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may be found in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. An air flow generator (AFG) outlet concentrator, including:

an AFG outlet interface having a first cross-sectional area and one of an inner envelope or outer envelope and securely and removably couplable to a hand-held AFG outlet, the AFG outlet having a primary air flow direction and one of a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area and an outer envelope smaller than the interface inner envelope and a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area and an inner envelope greater than the interface outer envelope;

a distal outlet, the outlet having substantially rectangular shape with its long side substantially parallel to AFG outlet primary air flow direction; and

at least one transition area between the AFG outlet inlet and the distal outlet, the transition area reducing the first cross-sectional area by at least 40% and changing the direction of primary air flow by at least 30 degrees at the distal outlet.

2. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 1, wherein the AFG is an electric hair dryer.

3. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 1, wherein the AFG outlet interface has an inner envelope and is securely and removably couplable to a hand-held AFG outlet second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area and an outer envelope smaller than the interface inner envelope.

4. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 3, wherein the AFG outlet outer envelope is substantially circular and the AFG outlet interface inner envelope is substantially circular.

5. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 4, wherein the AFG outlet concentrator overall length is at least 70% of the circumference of the AFG outlet interface inner envelope.

6. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 4, wherein the distal outlet long side length is at least 33% of the circumference of the AFG outlet interface inner envelope.

7. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 6, wherein the distal outlet short side length is less than 8.3% of the circumference of the AFG outlet interface inner envelope.

8. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 4, wherein the distal outlet long side length is about 50% of the circumference of the AFG outlet interface inner envelope.

9. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 8, wherein the distal outlet short side length is about 5% of the circumference of the AFG outlet interface inner envelope.

10. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 9, wherein the transition area reduces the first cross-sectional area by at least 66% and changes the direction of primary air flow by at about 90 degrees at the distal outlet.

11. An air flow generator (AFG) outlet concentrator, including:

an AFG outlet interface having a first cross-sectional area and one of an inner envelope or outer envelope and securely and removably couplable to a hand-held AFG outlet, the AFG outlet having a primary air flow direction and one of a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area and an outer envelope smaller than the interface inner envelope and a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area and an inner envelope greater than the interface outer envelope;

a distal outlet, the outlet having substantially rectangular shape with its long side substantially parallel to AFG outlet primary air flow direction; and

a plurality of transition areas between the AFG outlet inlet and the distal outlet, the combination of the plurality of transition areas reducing the first cross-sectional area by at least 40% and changing the direction of primary air flow by at least 30 degrees at the distal outlet.

12. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 11, wherein the AFG is an electric hair dryer.

13. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 11, wherein the AFG outlet interface has an inner envelope and is securely and removably couplable to a hand-held AFG outlet second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area and an outer envelope smaller than the interface inner envelope.

14. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 13, wherein the AFG outlet outer envelope is substantially circular and the AFG outlet interface inner envelope is substantially circular.

15. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 14, wherein the AFG outlet concentrator overall length is at least 70% of the circumference of the AFG outlet interface inner envelope.

16. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 14, wherein the distal outlet long side length is at least 33% of the circumference of the AFG outlet interface inner envelope.

17. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 16, wherein the distal outlet short side length is less than 8.3% of the circumference of the AFG outlet interface inner envelope.

18. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 14, wherein the distal outlet long side length is about 50% of the circumference of the AFG outlet interface inner envelope.

19. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 18, wherein the distal outlet short side length is about 5% of the circumference of the AFG outlet interface inner envelope.

20. The AFG outlet concentrator of claim 19, wherein the combination of the plurality of transition areas reduces the first cross-sectional area by at least 66% and changes the direction of primary air flow by at about 90 degrees at the distal outlet.