Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling a haircare appliance including a heater. The method includes measuring a temperature of output air of the haircare appliance to obtain a measured output air temperature. The method includes comparing the measured output air temperature to a desired output air temperature. The method includes determining a desired heater temperature based on the comparison of the measured output air temperature to the desired output air temperature. The method includes predicting a predicted heater temperature. The method includes comparing the predicted heater temperature to the desired heater temperature. The method includes outputting a control signal based on the comparison of the predicted heater temperature to the desired heater temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a passenger cabin and an air conditioning system is disclosed. The air conditioning system comprises a Peltier device, a first blower for directing a first airflow over a first side of the Peltier device, and a second blower for directing a second airflow over a second side of the Peltier device. The second blower draws the second airflow from inside the passenger cabin, and the second airflow is discharged to outside the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A method comprising providing, on a substrate, a stack for an energy storage device, the stack comprising a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. A groove is formed at least through the second electrode layer and the electrolyte layer such that the groove is wider in the second electrode layer than in the electrolyte layer. An electrically insulating material is provided in the groove. An electrically conductive material is provided in the groove, on the electrically insulating material.

Abstract: A fan assembly including a base arranged to support the fan assembly on a surface, an air flow generator that is arranged to generate an air flow, and an air outlet that is arranged to emit at least a portion of the air flow from the fan assembly is provided. The air outlet is arranged to be oscillated relative to the base. The fan assembly further includes a controller that is arranged to control the oscillation of the air outlet relative to the base. The controller is arranged to vary an oscillation speed of the air outlet for each oscillation.

Abstract: A method is described for determining an initial position of a rotor of a brushless motor. The method includes determining a rise time difference for each of three different pairs of voltage vectors, and determining the initial position of the rotor based on the rise time differences. Determining the rise time difference for a pair of voltage vectors includes applying a first of the voltage vectors to phases of the motor, and measuring a first time period for current in the phases to rise to a current limit. A second of the voltage vectors is then applied to the phases, and a second time period is measured for current in the phases to reach the current limit. The rise time difference is then defined by a difference between the first time period and the second time period.

Abstract: An attachment for a hair styling apparatus, the attachment comprising an annular duct having an air inlet for receiving an airflow from a hair styling apparatus, and at least one vane located within the duct for directing the airflow from the air inlet towards an air outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a haircare appliance including: an air inlet; an air outlet; an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet; a heater for heating the airflow; and a hair treatment chamber for receiving hair, the hair treatment chamber in fluid communication with the air outlet. The hair treatment chamber includes a wall, an opening through which hair is insertable into the hair treatment chamber, and an aperture formed in the wall. The haircare appliance includes a first configuration in which airflow through the aperture is unrestricted and a second configuration in which airflow through the aperture is restricted.

Abstract: A cleaner head (20) for a vacuum cleaner (2), the cleaner head comprising: a housing (32) defining a suction chamber comprising an outlet (34); and an agitator element (22, 24) being mounted for rotation about an axis (R1, R2), wherein: the agitator element comprises a first, free end (26a, 26b) and a second end (28a, 28b), the agitator element has a shape which tapers towards the first end in a direction along the axis of rotation, the agitator element is cantilevered from a portion (30) of the cleaner head at the second end, and the housing comprises a side opening (36) in the housing, adjacent the first end of the agitator element.

Abstract: A fan assembly, including a fan body including an inlet surface defining an air inlet. A motor-driven impeller contained within the fan body generates an airflow. A filter assembly is arranged to removably engage with the fan body and to cover at least a portion of the inlet surface when engaged with the fan body. The filter assembly includes a filter and a housing for the filter, the housing being provided with a filter retention assembly for releasably retaining the filter in the housing, and a user interface for actuating the filter retention assembly to release the filter from the housing. Upon actuation of the filter retention assembly via the user interface, the filter is free to slide relative to the housing. Preferably, the user interface is positioned on the housing.

Abstract: A haircare appliance has an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air outlet is at least partially defined by movable member. Movement of the movable member varies a cross-sectional area of the air outlet, and the movable member is movable in a radial direction relative to a central axis of the haircare appliance.

Abstract: A system including a hand dryer appliance including an electronic control system and a filter. The electronic control system is configured to monitor a filter loading parameter that is indicative of a loading level of the filter; generate a plurality of filter loading messages over time based on the monitored filter loading parameter, indicating the progressive loading of the filter, initiate a communications module to connect to a telecommunications network, and transmit the generated filter loading messages from the communications module to the telecommunications network.

Abstract: An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment including an air inlet, an air outlet. The attachment has a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet. A radius of curvature of the curved is at least 16 mm. A haircare appliance having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. The haircare appliance has a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet. A radius of curvature of the curved surface is at least 16 mm.

Abstract: A brushless motor has a stator assembly, and a frame within which the stator assembly is housed. The stator assembly has a plurality of stator core sub-assemblies, each having a stator core, a bobbin attached to the stator core, and a winding wound about the bobbin. Each bobbin has a connection portion for connecting to an adjacent bobbin in the stator assembly, and the frame is overmoulded to the stator assembly.

Abstract: A brushless motor has a stator assembly, and a frame within which the stator assembly is housed. The stator assembly has a plurality of stator core sub-assemblies each including a stator core, a bobbin attached to the stator core, and a winding wound about the bobbin. Each stator core has a back and first and second arms extending from the back. The frame is overmoulded to the stator assembly such that at least a portion of the back and the first and second arms of each stator core is exposed through the frame.

Abstract: A brushless motor having a stator assembly, a rotor assembly rotatable relative to the stator assembly, and a frame within which the stator assembly and the rotor assembly are housed. The rotor assembly includes a shaft, first and second bearings attached to the shaft, and a permanent magnet attached to the shaft between the first and second bearings. The rotor assembly includes an impeller attached to the shaft, with the first bearing located further away from the impeller than the second bearing. The rotor assembly includes an o-ring mounted between the first bearing and the frame.

Abstract: A brushless motor has a stator assembly. and a frame within which the stator assembly is housed. The frame is overmoulded to the stator assembly; and the frame includes a plurality of turbulators.

Abstract: A hair styling appliance has first and second arms coupled together for reciprocal movement towards and away from each other, and arranged to receive hair within a region between each other. A plenum is disposed within at least one of the first arm and the second arm, the plenum including an air inlet for receiving airflow from a fan unit and an air outlet for emitting airflow towards hair within the region. An air deflector is disposed along at least one of the first arm and the second arm, the air deflector being configured to deflect at least some of the airflow out of the region.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner operable between ON and OFF states includes a cyclonic dust separation device operable, when the vacuum cleaner is in the ON state, to provide separation of dust from an airflow through the vacuum cleaner; a motor that generates airflow through the vacuum cleaner having a motor cover provided with at least one fluid opening which defines a part of a fluid flow path for fluid originating from a serviceable filter assembly; and a valve assembly operable to open and close, respectively, the at least one fluid opening in the motor cover. The valve assembly can be configured such that, when the vacuum cleaner is in the ON state, the valve assembly is in the closed position to prevent the airflow through the at least one fluid opening, and, when the vacuum cleaner is in the OFF state, the valve assembly is in the open position to open the fluid flow path through the at least one fluid opening.