Comb assembly and hair care appliance

Abstract

A comb assembly is described. The comb assembly includes a tooth structure for receiving hair within a channel through the tooth structure, and an actuator system operable to cause the tooth structure to expand and contract the channel. The comb assembly further comprises a sensor arrangement comprising a sensor for sensing a load on the tooth structure while the hair is held in the channel and outputting a sensor signal indicative of the sensed load on the tooth structure, the load indicating a tensile load exerted by the tooth structure on the hair held by the tooth structure in the channel.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Various hair care appliances are known to generate airflow to be directed onto a user's hair. An example is a hair dryer or hair styler, which supplies a stream of heated air for styling and / or drying the user's hair. The basic purpose of a hair dryer for drying a user's hair is to hold the dryer at a distance from the user's hair while directing the exhaust of hot air onto the hair.

[0002] Accessories for hair care appliances (such as hair dryers or hair stylers) are known to provide additional functionality to the appliances. For example, when attached to a hair care appliance, such an accessory can facilitate the application of a specific hairstyle to a user's hair and / or can increase the applicability of the hair care appliance to specific hair types.

[0003] One type of attachment used for hair care appliances, such as hair dryers, is a comb attachment. Typically, a comb attachment consists of a comb with a row of spaced-apart teeth. In use, the user's hair is received between the teeth of the comb, and the comb moves along the hair to style it. In some cases, comb attachments can be used in this way to smooth and straighten a user's hair (e.g., smoothing straight hair, or smoothing / straightening curly and / or wavy hair). This smoothing and straightening is provided at least in part by the teeth of the comb, which pull (i.e. apply tension) on the user's hair as the teeth move along it. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Comb attachments for hair care tools can be difficult for some users. In particular, users may find it difficult to achieve the desired tension in their hair, and therefore may struggle to achieve the desired hairstyle. Furthermore, these problems are also more generally applicable to other comb types, such as traditional combs not attached to hair care tools.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a comb assembly is provided, the comb assembly comprising: a tooth structure arranged to receive hair within a channel passing through the tooth structure; an actuator system operable to cause the tooth structure to expand and contract the channel; and a sensor device including a sensor configured to sense a load on the tooth structure when hair is held in the channel by the tooth structure, and to output a sensor signal indicating the sensed load on the tooth structure, the load indicating a tensile load exerted by the tooth structure on the hair held in the channel by the tooth structure.

[0006] The comb assembly may include a control module. The control module may be configured to control the actuator system in response to sensor signals to expand the tooth structure channels when the sensed load is greater than an upper threshold.

[0007] During use, the comb assembly's teeth grip the hair by contracting the channels. By configuring the control module to expand the channels when the sensed load exceeds an upper threshold, the gripping of the hair can be reduced, thereby reducing the tensile load on the hair. Therefore, excessive tensile load on the hair can be prevented.

[0008] If the sensed load is less than the lower threshold, the control module can control the actuator system to cause the tooth structure to contract the channel.

[0009] By configuring the control module to contract the channel when the sensed load is below a lower threshold, the grip on the hair can be increased, thereby increasing the tensile load on the hair. Therefore, a minimum tensile load on the hair can be provided. This minimum tensile load ensures that the hair is not easily detached from the comb assembly, for example, by being blown out of the comb assembly when it is attached to or integrated with a hair dryer.

[0010] The upper and lower thresholds can be different, thus defining the target tension range. Alternatively, the upper and lower thresholds can coincide, thus defining the target tension.

[0011] By controlling the actuator system to expand and contract the sensing load channels, the tensile load applied by the tooth structure can tend toward the target tension or target tension range during use.

[0012] The control module may include a closed-loop controller configured to control the actuator system based on sensor signals to achieve a target tension. For example, the closed-loop controller may be a PID controller (“proportional-integral-derivative” controller), a P controller, a PI controller, or a PD controller.

[0013] The sensor arrangement may include multiple sensors configured to sense loads on the tooth structure.

[0014] By incorporating multiple sensors, the sensor coverage and sensing accuracy of a sensor device can be improved, and signal noise can be reduced. For example, sensors can be arranged in pairs as a Wheatstone bridge for temperature compensation and improved accuracy. Moreover, utilizing multiple sensors may be desirable for sensing specific load distributions or stress concentrations that may be difficult to sense accurately with a single sensor, such as uneven loads on tooth structures located far from a single sensor.

[0015] The tooth structure can be divided into multiple sections, each section forming a channel. The sensor device can include multiple sensors. Each sensor can be configured to sense the load on a corresponding section of the tooth structure. The sensor device can be configured to output sensor signals indicating the sensed load of the multiple sensors. The control module can be configured to control the actuator system to expand the channel of the tooth structure if the sensed load sensed by any sensor exceeds an upper threshold.

[0016] By dividing the tooth structure into multiple parts and providing a sensor for each part, sensing accuracy can be improved and sensing can be enhanced to detect uneven loads on the tooth structure.

[0017] An actuator system may include multiple actuators. Each part of the tooth structure may be actuated by a corresponding actuator of the actuator system to expand and contract one or more corresponding channels.

[0018] The upper threshold can have an adjustable value. The control module is operable to adjust the value of the upper threshold.

[0019] The lower threshold can have an adjustable value. The control module is operable to adjust the value of the lower threshold.

[0020] Adjustments to the upper / lower thresholds may be desired, for example, depending on hair type, desired hairstyle, or hair condition.

[0021] The comb component can be configured to communicate with an external user device, and can be configured to receive commands from the external user device instructing the control module to adjust the upper threshold, and can also be configured to receive commands from the external user device instructing the control module to adjust the lower threshold.

[0022] Using an external user device to adjust the upper threshold can be particularly convenient.

[0023] Commands instructing the control module to adjust the upper or lower threshold can be based on a user profile. The user profile may include information related to at least one of the user's hair type, hair condition, hair length, and desired hairstyle.

[0024] Using the user information provided to the user's device, it is particularly convenient to adjust the threshold by taking into account hair type, desired hairstyle, or hair condition.

[0025] The tooth structure may include a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth. A channel may be formed between the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth. An actuator system is operable to induce relative motion, such as relative displacement of the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth, or relative rotation of the teeth, to expand and contract the channel. A control module may be configured to control the actuator system in response to a sensor signal to induce relative motion between the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth to expand the channel when the sensed load is greater than an upper threshold.

[0026] The comb assembly can be configured to output user notifications based on sensor signals, for example, if the sensed load approaches an upper threshold. User notifications may include at least one of visual, auditory, or tactile notifications.

[0027] By notifying the user based on sensor signals, such as when the hair is approaching or exceeding an upper threshold, the comb assembly can prompt the user to carefully comb their hair. This can prevent damage to the hair or harm to the user during use, such as when the comb assembly encounters a tangle and the user may wish to apply force cautiously.

[0028] The control module can be configured to send commands to external user equipment to cause the external user equipment to output user notifications based on sensor signals, for example, if the sensed structural load is close to an upper threshold.

[0029] The control module can be configured specifically to output user notifications to external user devices, eliminating the need for the comb component to output user notifications in any other way.

[0030] The control module can be configured to transmit sensor signals to an external user device to output sensor signals, such as displaying the sensor signals to the user after optional processing of the sensor signals.

[0031] The actuator system can be operable to cause the tooth structure to expand the channel to a maximum expansion configuration. The control module can be configured to control the actuator system to induce vibration of the tooth structure if the channel is in the maximum expansion configuration and the sensed load is greater than an upper threshold.

[0032] When the tooth structure is in its maximum expansion configuration and the sensed load exceeds an upper threshold, the comb assembly cannot further expand the channels to reduce the structural load. Therefore, user intervention may be necessary, and the comb structure can indicate this to the user, for example, by inducing a reciprocating motion of the tooth structure to carefully guide the comb assembly through the user's hair. Furthermore, this situation may be caused by the presence of hair knots in the user's hair, and the reciprocating motion of the tooth structure can help the user untangle the knots.

[0033] In the case where the comb assembly includes a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth, the vibration of the tooth structure can be caused by the reciprocating displacement of the multiple rows of teeth relative to each other.

[0034] The sensor device may include at least one strain gauge sensor configured to sense loads on the tooth structure, such as a micro-strain gauge.

[0035] The comb assembly may also include an elastic member connecting the tooth structure and the actuator system. The actuator system can be configured to displace the elastic member to cause relative displacement of the tooth structure.

[0036] By connecting the tooth structure and the actuator system via an elastic member, smoother operation can be provided during use. This connection via the elastic member, combined with the vibration of the tooth structure, may be particularly desirable.

[0037] According to a second aspect, a hair care appliance is provided, comprising a comb assembly as described above. The hair care appliance can be configured to supply heated airflow through the comb assembly.

[0038] The comb component can be detached from the main body of the hair care device.

[0039] According to a third aspect, a hair care system is provided, comprising a hair care appliance as described above, and further comprising an external user device. The external user device can be configured to send commands to the hair care appliance instructing the hair styling appliance to adjust an upper threshold.

[0040] According to a fourth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided that stores instructions for adjusting an upper threshold. The computer-readable medium may also store instructions for adjusting a lower threshold. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the comb assembly.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a schematic side view of the comb assembly in the first configuration.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic top view of the comb assembly in the first configuration.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a schematic side view of the comb assembly in the second configuration.

[0045] Figure 5 This is a schematic top view of the comb assembly in the second configuration.

[0046] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the comb assembly in the first configuration.

[0047] Figure 7 It is a graph showing the tensile load on the hair when tension control is disabled.

[0048] Figure 8 It is a graph showing the tensile load on the hair when tension control is enabled.

[0049] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a hair care system that includes hair care appliances and external user devices, the hair care appliances including a comb assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0050] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the comb assembly 10. The comb assembly 10 is for mounting to a hair care appliance, such as a hair dryer (not shown) that supplies airflow through the comb assembly 100. The following description of the comb assembly 10 also applies to other examples, such as a comb assembly 10 integrated with a hair dryer, or a comb assembly 10 provided as a conventional comb that may not be attached to a hair dryer.

[0051] The comb assembly 10 includes a tooth structure 100. In use, the user's hair is received in the tooth structure 100, and the comb assembly 10 is used to comb the hair. Suitablely, the comb assembly 10 forms a plurality of channels 110 and is arranged to receive hair within the channels 110 through the tooth structure 100.

[0052] The comb assembly 10 includes an actuator system 200. The actuator system 200 is operable to expand and contract the tooth structure 100 through channels 110. By contracting the channels 110, the gripping force of the tooth structure 100 on the user's hair increases. By expanding the channels 110, the gripping force on the user's hair is relaxed. The actuator system 200 may include any suitable motor configuration, such as a servo motor or a linear actuator. The actuator system 200 may include any suitable mechanism for actuation, such as a rack and pinion mechanism or an anti-rotation yoke mechanism.

[0053] The comb assembly 10 includes a sensor device 300. The sensor device 300 includes a plurality of sensors 310, 320 configured to sense loads (or “structural loads”) on the tooth structure 110. When hair is held within the channels 110 of the tooth structure 100, movement of the comb assembly 10 along the hair, with the channels 110 appropriately contracting, results in tensile loads on the hair and corresponding loads on the tooth structure 100. The sensors 310, 320 are configured to sense loads on the tooth structure 100 indicating tensile loads on the hair. The sensor device 300 is configured to output a sensor signal indicating the sensed loads on the tooth structure.

[0054] The comb assembly 10 includes a control module 400 (or “controller”). The control module 400 receives sensor signals and is configured to control the actuator system 200 based on the sensor signals. Specifically, the control module 400 is configured to control the actuator system 200 to expand the channel 110 of the tooth structure 100 when the sensed load is greater than an upper threshold.

[0055] By expanding the channel 110 through the actuated tooth structure 100, the grip on the user's hair is relaxed. This reduces excessive stretching load on the user's hair during use. It should be noted that excessive stretching load can cause user discomfort, hair damage, or even physical injury. For example, it may cause traction alopecia. Because the comb assembly 10 is configured to expand the channel 110 if the sensed load exceeds an upper threshold, the comb assembly 10 can improve user comfort and reduce the risk of hair damage or user injury. Therefore, the comb assembly 10 can provide automatic tension control.

[0056] In use, automatic tension control can be manually triggered by the user, for example by pressing a button on the comb assembly 10, or by a suitable sensor (not shown) that detects hair in the channel 110.

[0057] The control module 400 is also configured to control the actuator system 200 to retract the channel 110 of the tooth structure 100 when the sensed load is less than a lower threshold. The lower load ensures that hair is not easily detached from the comb assembly, for example, by being blown out of the comb assembly when it is attached to or integrated with a hair dryer.

[0058] By causing the channels 110 to expand and contract in response to a sensed load, the comb assembly 10 can drive a tensile load on the user's hair to a target tension value or target tension range. The target tension range can be, for example, 0.2 to 4 Newtons on the hair in one of the channels 110. In some examples, the target tension range can be 0.5 to 3 Newtons. Similarly, for the hair in one of the channels 110, the target tension value can be any value in the range of 0.2 to 4 Newtons, or any value in the range of 0.5 to 3 Newtons.

[0059] In some examples, the upper and lower thresholds coincide, thus providing the target tension value. In some examples, the control module 400 can be configured to drive the tensile load toward the target tension value and additionally determine whether the load is greater than or less than the target tension range.

[0060] In use, the control module 400 is configured to control the actuator system 200 using closed-loop control. Appropriately, the control module 400 includes a PID controller (proportional-integral-derivative controller) for determining actuation and controlling the actuator system 200 to maintain target tension in the user's hair when using the comb assembly 10.

[0061] Figures 2 to 5 This is a schematic diagram of the comb assembly 10. Figure 2 This is a side view of the comb component 10. Figure 3 This is a plan view of the comb assembly 10, in which the channel 110 is shown in an expanded configuration. Figure 4and Figure 5 It is the corresponding view, but channel 110 is shown in a collapsed configuration.

[0062] The tooth structure 100 includes a first row of teeth 120 and a second row of teeth 130, with a channel 110 formed therebetween. The actuator system 200 is operable to cause relative displacement between the first row of teeth 120 and the second row of teeth 130 to expand and contract the channel 110. Figures 2 to 5 In the example shown, the second row of teeth 130 can be displaced by the actuator system 200, while the first row of teeth 120 remains stationary.

[0063] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the middle, the tooth structure 100 is in an expanded configuration, wherein the second row of teeth 130 is substantially aligned with the first row of teeth 120, and the channel 110 is in a maximum expanded configuration. In contrast, in Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the middle, the tooth structure 100 is in a contracted configuration, wherein the second row of teeth 130 is displaced relative to the first row of teeth 120. Thus, the channel 110 from... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The linear configuration shown is changed to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The nonlinear configuration is shown. When the hair bundle 20 is received in the channel 110 in a linear configuration, the hair bundle 20 can extend through the channel 110 in a substantially linear manner. When the channel 110 becomes a nonlinear configuration, the hair bundle 20 is pushed to extend through the channel 110 in a substantially nonlinear manner. Therefore, when the tooth structure 100 changes from an expanding configuration to a contracting configuration, the path length of the hair bundle 20 through the tooth structure 100 increases, resulting in an increased grip of the hair bundle 20 by the tooth structure 100.

[0064] The tooth structure 100 includes a housing 140 (or “shell”) from which rows of teeth 120, 130 extend. In this example, the first row of teeth 120 is integrally formed with the housing 140. Sensors 310, 320 of the sensor device 300 are disposed on the housing 140 and configured to sense the load on the tooth structure 100 when a tensile load is applied to the user’s hair during use. In some examples, at least one or all sensors may be located on an inner body 150 (e.g., to which the second row of teeth 120 is attached) or an inner shell (not shown).

[0065] In this example, sensors 310 and 320 are microstrain gauge sensors configured to sense the deformation of the tooth structure 100 (particularly the housing 140) caused by loads acting on the tooth structure 100 during use.

[0066] The tooth structure 100 is divided into multiple portions 102 and 104, each portion forming at least one channel 110. In this example, the tooth structure 100 is divided into a first portion 102 and a second portion 104 at a dividing line 105. The first portion 102 includes a first part of a first row of teeth 120 and a first part of a housing 140, and similarly, the second portion 104 includes a second part of the first row of teeth 120 and a second part of a housing 140.

[0067] Sensors 310 and 320 of sensor device 300 are distributed on portions 102 and 104 of tooth structure 100 to sense the load on each portion 102 and 104. That is, a first sensor 310 is disposed on a first portion 102 of tooth structure 100, and a second sensor 320 is disposed on a second portion 104 of tooth structure 100. Sensor device 300 is configured to output sensor signals indicating the sensed load of sensors 310 and 320, and control module 400 is configured to control actuator system 200 to expand channel 110 of tooth structure 100 when the sensed load sensed by any sensor 310 or 320 is greater than an upper threshold, and similarly to contract channel 110 when the sensed load sensed by any sensor 310 or 320 is less than a lower threshold. In this example, actuator system 200 includes a single actuator acting on the entire second row of teeth 130. More generally, multiple actuators can be provided to act on individual portions of the second row of teeth 130, for example, in response to sensor signals from corresponding sensors 310, 320.

[0068] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the comb assembly 10, showing how the second row of teeth 130 and the actuator system 200 are connected in this example.

[0069] The comb assembly 10 includes an elastic member connecting the second row of teeth 130 and the actuator system 200. The actuator system 200 is configured to move the elastic member 210 to cause relative displacement of the tooth structure 100 by moving the second row of teeth 130. By connecting the tooth structure 100 and the actuator system 200 via the elastic member 210, smoother operation can be achieved.

[0070] In this example, the second row of teeth 130 is coupled to the inner body 150, and the inner body 150 is coupled to the elastic member 210. In some examples, the elastic member 210 directly couples the second row of teeth 130 to the actuator system 200. In other examples, the elastic member 210 indirectly couples the second row of teeth 130 to the actuator system 200.

[0071] The elastic member 210 can be made of any suitable material or construction. For example, the elastic member 210 can be configured as, for example, a rubber body, a spring, or an elastic plastic body.

[0072] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a graph showing the tensile load on the hair when the comb assembly 10 is used over a period of time. For Figure 7 and Figure 8 Both, the comb assembly 10 has been configured to grip the hair via the contraction channel 110, but for Figure 8 For example, tension control also targets an upper threshold. That is, for Figure 7 For example, tension control does not include expanding channel 110 when the sensed load exceeds a threshold.

[0073] A straight horizontal line 771 indicates Figure 7 and Figure 8 The target tension within. From Figure 7 As can be seen, once the comb component 10 engages with the user's hair, the tensile load significantly exceeds the target tension. In contrast, in Figure 8 In this design, the comb assembly 10 drives the tooth structure 100 to maintain the target tension more tightly during the duration that the comb assembly 10 engages with the user's hair, and in particular, avoids excessive stretching load over a relatively long period of time.

[0074] When the comb assembly 10 encounters a hair knot, the expansion of the channels 110 may not reduce the sensed load, for example, because tangled hair may be spread across multiple channels 110. Therefore, even though the channels 110 are in their maximum expansion configuration, the sensed load may approach or exceed an upper threshold during use. In this case, i.e., despite being in the maximum expansion configuration but approaching / exceeding the upper threshold, the control module 400 is configured to operate in a detangling mode. In detangling mode, the control module 400 controls the actuator system 200 to vibrate the tooth structure 100. The vibration of the tooth structure 100 can be achieved, for example, by repeatedly contracting and expanding the channels 110, or by using a separate vibration module (not shown).

[0075] The detangling mode allows users to avoid having to work hard along the length of their hair to untangle knots, as the comb component 10 helps users untangle knots and ensures comfort.

[0076] Figure 9 A hair care system 1000 is shown, which includes a hair care appliance 30 and an external user device 40. The hair care appliance 30 includes a comb assembly 10. The hair care appliance 30 can be any hair care appliance, such as a hair dryer.

[0077] like Figure 9 As shown, the comb assembly 10 is configured as an accessory to the body 32 of the hair care appliance 30. (See reference...) Figure 9In the described example, the entire comb assembly 10 is detachable from the body 32. In some examples, the comb assembly 10 may be partially integrated with the body 32 and partially detachable from it. For example, a control module 400 may be integrated with the body 32, while sensor devices 300 and actuator systems 200 may be located on a detachable portion of the comb assembly 100.

[0078] In some examples, the comb assembly 10 is powered by the body 32 of the hair care appliance 30, for example, via a wired connection or inductive coupling. In some examples, the comb assembly 10 includes a power source, such as a battery.

[0079] User device 40 can be any user device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, used for communicating with hair care appliance 30 and the user. Hair care appliance 30 is configured to communicate with user device 40, for example, via a wired or wireless connection, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Suitablely, hair care appliance 30 includes a communication module 34 for communicating with user device 40.

[0080] The target tension value and target tension range are adjustable. For example, the target tension can be locally adjustable, i.e., adjusted directly via the hair care appliance 30 using a suitable input such as a dial, or remotely adjusted via the user device 40. In this example, the hair care appliance 30 is configured to receive a command from the user device 40 instructing the hair care appliance 30 to adjust the threshold, thereby adjusting the target tension range. In some instances, the command instructing the adjustment of the threshold is based on a user profile stored by the user device 40 or an external server (not shown). The user profile may include information related to at least one of the user's hair type, hair condition, hair length, and desired hairstyle. This allows the threshold to be adjusted without requiring the user to specify the adjustment. In some examples, the command instructing the adjustment of the threshold is issued by the user who directly specifies the adjustment of the threshold.

[0081] Using the user information provided to the user's device, it is particularly convenient to adjust the threshold by taking into account hair type, desired hairstyle, or hair condition.

[0082] The hair care system 100 is configured to output user notifications based on sensed load to provide user feedback. Such user notifications may include at least one of visual, auditory, or tactile notifications. User notifications may be output from the comb assembly 10, the hair care appliance 30, the user device 40, and any combination thereof.

[0083] according to Figure 9The hair care system 100 is configured to control the actuator system and output a user notification in response to sensor signals. In some examples, the hair care system 100 or the comb assembly 10 is configured to control the actuator system in response to sensor signals without outputting a user notification. In some examples, the hair care system 100 or the comb assembly 10 is configured to output a user notification in response to sensor signals without controlling the actuator system.

[0084] Hair care appliance 30 is configured to output a user notification based on sensed load. Specifically, hair care appliance 30 is configured to output a user notification in response to a sensed load approaching an upper threshold. Suitablely, hair care appliance 30 includes a notification module 36. Notification module 36 may be configured to output a visual notification, an auditory notification, or a tactile notification, such as vibration. In this example, notification module 36 is provided as a speaker configured to output an auditory notification to the user to warn the user of approaching or exceeding the upper threshold. In some examples, an actuator system 200 is used to output an auditory notification, for example, by driving a motor of actuator system 200 at a frequency that causes the motor to produce audible noise (such as a whirring sound).

[0085] User notifications can be output via user device 40. According to such an example, hair care appliance 30 communicates with user device 40 using communication module 34. The user notifications output via user device 40 can be, for example, visual or auditory notifications, or both. For example, a message can be displayed by user device 40, and an sound can be output by user device 40 to warn the user. In some examples, the user is notified that a threshold has been exceeded. In some examples, the user is instructed to reduce the tension on the hair using comb assembly 10.

[0086] In some examples, a user notification is output when the comb assembly 10 is operating in detangling mode. That is, the user notification may inform the user that the hair care appliance 30 is operating in a specific operating mode associated with detangling, thus reminding the user to handle the hair carefully with the hair care appliance 10. In some examples, detangling mode may include using the actuator system 200 to generate audible noise indicating operation in detangling mode.

Claims

1. A comb assembly, comprising: A toothed structure, the toothed structure being arranged to receive hair within a channel passing through the toothed structure; An actuator system operable to cause the tooth structure to expand and contract the channel; A sensor device includes a sensor configured to sense a load on the tooth structure when a hair is held in a channel by the tooth structure, and to output a sensor signal indicating the sensed load on the tooth structure, the load indicating the tensile load exerted by the tooth structure on the hair held in the channel by the tooth structure.

2. The comb assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: A control module configured to control the actuator system in response to the sensor signal to cause the tooth structure to expand the channel when the sensed load is greater than an upper threshold.

3. The comb assembly according to claim 2, in, The control module is also configured to control the actuator system to cause the tooth structure to contract the channel if the sensed load is less than a lower threshold.

4. The comb assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The control module includes a PID controller configured to control the actuator system based on the sensor signals to approach the target tension range.

5. The comb assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, The sensor device includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense loads on the tooth structure; The tooth structure is divided into multiple parts, each part forming a channel; The sensor device includes a plurality of sensors, each configured to sense a load on a corresponding portion of the tooth structure, and the sensor device is configured to output a sensor signal indicating the load sensed by the plurality of sensors. The control module is configured to control the actuator system to expand the channel by the tooth structure if the sensed load sensed by any sensor is greater than the upper threshold.

6. The comb assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The upper threshold has an adjustable value, and The control module is operable to adjust the value of the upper threshold.

7. The comb assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The comb assembly is configured to communicate with an external user device and is configured to receive a command from the external user device instructing the control module to adjust the upper threshold. and The command instructing the control module to adjust the upper threshold is based on a user profile, and the user profile includes information related to at least one of the user's hair type, hair condition, hair length, and desired hairstyle.

8. The comb assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein, The tooth structure includes a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth; The channel is formed between the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth; The actuator system is operable to cause relative displacement between the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth to expand and contract the channel; and The control module is configured to control the actuator system in response to sensor signals to cause relative displacement of the first and second rows of teeth to widen the channel when the sensed load is greater than an upper threshold.

9. The comb assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The actuator system is operable to cause the tooth structure to expand the channel to its maximum expansion configuration; and The control module is configured to control the actuator system to induce vibration of the tooth structure if the channel is in the maximum expansion configuration and the sensed load is greater than the upper threshold.

10. The comb assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The comb assembly is configured to output user notifications based on the sensor signals; and The user notification includes at least one of visual notification, auditory notification, or tactile notification.

11. The comb assembly of claim 10, wherein, The control module is configured to send commands to external user equipment to cause the external user equipment to output user notifications based on sensor signals.

12. The comb assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The sensor device includes at least one strain gauge sensor configured to sense loads on the tooth structure.

13. The comb assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, It also includes an elastic member that connects the tooth structure and the actuator system; and The actuator system is configured to displace the elastic member in order to cause relative displacement of the tooth structure.

14. A hair care appliance comprising a comb assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The hair care device is configured to supply heated airflow through the comb assembly.

15. The hair care appliance according to claim 14, wherein, The comb assembly is detachable from the main body of the hair care device.

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