Automatic hair transplantation device

Abstract

To provide an automatic hair transplant device capable of eliminating static electricity accumulating on hair materials.SOLUTION: An automatic hair transplant device 120 comprises: a stocker 40 including a takeout slot 42 and in which a plurality of hair materials 100a are arranged across straddle the takeout slot 42, the stocker 40 from which partial hair materials 100a out of the plurality of hair materials 100a are taken out from the takeout slot 42 by a pullout crochet hook; and projecting parts 401 for applying force to the hair materials 100a, the force including a component in a direction away from the takeout slot 42. Portions in contact with the hair materials 100a out of the projecting parts 401 have ground potential, and the projecting parts 401 eliminate static electricity charged on the hair materials 100a by coming into contact with the hair materials 100a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic hair implantation device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an automatic hair implantation device that ties a hair material to a hair implantation net and implants the hair has been known. Such an automatic hair implantation device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] The automatic hair implantation device of Patent Document 1 includes a storage container for storing multiple hair materials, an eccentric on which a hair implantation net is deployed, a first hook, and a second hook. The second hook pulls out the hair material from the outlet of the storage container. The first hook then captures the pulled-out hair material and connects it to the hair implantation net deployed on the eccentric for implantation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6533350 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the automatic hair implantation device of Patent Document 1, the multiple hair materials rub against each other, causing static electricity to build up. This causes the hair materials to move unintentionally, resulting in poor implantation. Furthermore, if static electricity causes discharge, it may adversely affect the electronic devices inside the automatic hair implantation device.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an automatic hair implantation device that can remove static electricity that has accumulated on a hair material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the automatic hair transplantation device disclosed below comprises a hair transplantation mechanism unit that transplants hair material into a hair transplantation target object, and a static elimination unit that eliminates static electricity charged to the hair material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above configuration, even if the hair material is charged with static electricity, the static electricity charged on the hair material can be eliminated by the static eliminator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the automatic hair implantation device 120 as viewed from the depth direction. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the automatic hair implantation device 120 as seen from the rear. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the first to fourth operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120, and is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the automatic hair implantation device 120 as viewed from the depth direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the first to fourth operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120, and is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the automatic hair implantation device 120 as seen from behind. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the fifth operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the sixth and seventh operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the eighth and ninth operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the tenth operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the eleventh operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120. As shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the twelfth and thirteenth operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120. As shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the fourteenth operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the fifteenth operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the 16th to 18th operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120. [Figure 21A] FIG. 21A is a diagram showing the knot 100c as seen from the pull-out hook 30 side. [Figure 21B] FIG. 21B is a diagram showing the knot 100c as viewed from the side of the hair implantation hook 20. [Figure 22A] FIG. 22A is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 22B] FIG. 22B is a diagram showing the configuration of the first example of the first embodiment as viewed in the depth direction. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a second example of the first embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a second example of the first embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a modified example of the first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 29]FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a modified example of the first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a modified example of the first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a modified example of the first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement position of the ionizer 311 of the automatic hair implantation device 300 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is a diagram showing the arrangement position of an ionizer 312 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is a diagram showing the arrangement position of an ionizer 313 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 35] FIG. 35 is a diagram showing the arrangement position of an ionizer 314 according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and appropriate design modifications can be made within the scope of the configuration of the present invention. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used in different drawings for identical parts or parts having similar functions, and repeated description thereof will be omitted. The configurations described in the embodiment and modified examples may be combined or modified as appropriate. To facilitate understanding of the description, the drawings referred to below show simplified or schematic configurations, and some components may be omitted.

[0011] <<Configuration and operation example of automatic hair transplantation device>> First, the basic configuration and operation of an automatic hair implantation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, as a prerequisite for explaining the essential parts of the present invention, only one example of the basic configuration and operation of the automatic hair implantation device will be described. Naturally, it is possible to adopt a configuration and operation different from the configuration and operation of the automatic hair implantation device described here, as long as there is no contradiction with the configuration and operation of the essential parts of the present invention.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a side view showing the structure and initial position of the automatic hair implantation device. Fig. 2 is a front view of the automatic hair implantation device in the state shown in Fig. 1, viewed from the rear toward the front. As shown in Fig. 1, the automatic hair implantation device 120 includes an eccentric 10, a hair implantation hook 20, a pull-out hook 30, a stocker 40, a thread positioning bar 50, a thread drop bar 60, a thread retraction bar 70, a reversing roller 80, a magnet 90 shown in Fig. 11, a drive mechanism (not shown), and a control device 95. The control device 95 controls the drive mechanism, causing the eccentric 10, the hair implantation hook 20, the pull-out hook 30, the thread drop bar 60, and the thread retraction bar 70 to perform the first through eighteenth operations shown in Figs. 2 through 11, thereby capturing hair material 100a one by one from the stocker 40 and tying it to the weft yarn 202 of the hair implantation net 200 for implantation. In the side views and front views shown in FIGS. 1 to 21, the left-right direction in the drawings is the horizontal direction, and the up-down direction is the vertical direction.

[0013] The hair material 100a includes artificial hair (fiber, synthetic fiber), human hair (hair taken from humans), animal hair (hair taken from animals other than humans), or a mixture of these, and includes all hair or hair-like materials that can be implanted by the automatic hair implantation device 120. The hair implantation net 200 is formed in a mesh shape consisting of a plurality of warp threads 201 and a plurality of weft threads 202, and each of the warp threads 201 and the weft threads 202 may be a single thread made by twisting together a plurality of raw threads, or may be a single raw thread.

[0014] First, the configuration of the automatic hair implantation device 120 and the initial position when the automatic hair implantation device 120 operates will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a hair material bundle 100b consisting of a plurality of pre-cut hair materials 100a is placed in a stocker 40 located above the eccentric 10. A pull-out hook 30 is located below an outlet 42 of the stocker 40, and the eccentric 10 is located between the hair implantation hook 20 and the pull-out hook 30. Hereinafter, the direction in the horizontal plane toward the pull-out hook 30 as viewed from the eccentric 10 will be referred to as the rear, and the opposite direction as the front, and these directions will be collectively referred to as the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction in the horizontal plane will be referred to as the depth direction, and the direction to the left when looking back will be referred to as the back side (the back side of the paper in FIG. 1), and the direction to the right side will be referred to as the front side (the front side of the paper in FIG. 1).

[0015] The flocked net 200 is set so as to cover the net hooking portion 11 of the eccentric 10 from above, and its position is also regulated by contact with a reversing roller 80 below the pull-out hook 30. The tip of the flocked net 20 faces backward and is located at approximately the same height as the rotation axis of the eccentric 10. The tip of the pull-out hook 30 faces upward and is located below the central axis of the eccentric 10. The thread positioning bar 50 is located below and forward of the take-out opening 42 provided in the center of the bottom 41 of the stocker 40 in the front-to-rear direction. The thread drop bar 60 and the thread pull-in bar 70 are located below the thread positioning bar 50 and above the eccentric 10, and forward of the thread positioning bar 50.

[0016] The stocker 40 has a flat bottom 41 that is rectangular in plan view, and a pair of opposing side plates 43 that are provided along each of the two front-to-rear sides of the bottom 41. The bottom 41 and side plates 43 are perpendicular, and the cross section in the front-to-rear direction is U-shaped. The hair material 100a is cut to a length, for example, approximately twice the length of the hair of the completed wig, and placed on the bottom 41 of the stocker 40 so that it intersects with the depth direction (for example, most of the hair material 100a that make up the hair material bundle 100b is generally perpendicular to the depth direction). Note that the length of the hair material 100a may be longer than the length of the bottom 41 of the stocker 40 in the front-to-rear direction, so that a portion of the hair material 100a protrudes outward from the stocker 40. However, it is preferable that the part of the hair material 100a protruding from the stocker 40 does not hang down below the bottom 41, because this prevents the part of the hair material 100a protruding from the stocker 40 from rubbing against the front-to-rear ends of the bottom 41 and becoming damaged when the withdrawal hook 30 captures the hair material 100a from the stocker 40 and pulls it out downward, and also prevents the hair material 100a from getting caught in other operating mechanisms.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, only one stocker 40 may be provided, or multiple stockers may be provided. While FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which multiple pull-out hooks 30 pull out hair materials 100a from one stocker 40, multiple stockers may be configured so that one pull-out hook 30 pulls out hair materials 100a from each stocker. Different types of hair materials 100a, such as hair materials 100a of different colors, hair materials 100a of the same color but different thicknesses, and hair materials 100a of the same color or thickness but different hardness (elasticity), may be mixed and supplied to the stocker 40, and the color, thickness, or texture of the hair materials 100a in the completed wig may be adjusted in advance. A single type of hair material 100a may be supplied to the stocker 40.

[0018] The eccentric 10 is a member that ensures the implantation area of ​​the flocked net 200, and comprises a cylindrical net hanging portion 11 having a center line extending in the depth direction, a relief portion 12 that is recessed inward from the side peripheral surface of the net hanging portion 11 and has an opening that overlaps with the side peripheral surface, and a shaft portion 13 that is provided at both ends of the net hanging portion 11 and has a center line extending in the depth direction. The center line of the shaft portion 13 does not coincide with the center line of the net hanging portion 11, but is offset radially outward from the net hanging portion 11, and is located on the side peripheral surface of the net hanging portion 11 in the portion where the relief portion 12 is provided (and further in the circumferential center of that portion).

[0019] The shaft 13 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided on the device body, with the center line serving as the axis of rotation, and as the shaft 13 rotates, the net hanging part 11 connected to the shaft 13 revolves around the center line of the shaft 13. In the initial position, the opening of the relief part 12 faces forward as shown in Figure 1. The center line of the shaft 13 may overlap with one weft thread 202-1 located at the circumferential center of the opening of the relief part 12.

[0020] The opening width (circumferential length) of the relief portion 12 may be determined based on the spacing between the weft threads 202 that form the mesh of the hair-implanted net 200, for example, when the flocked net 200 is wrapped around the outer surface of the net hanging portion 11 and one weft thread 202-1 is located at the circumferential center of the opening of the relief portion 12, so that one weft thread 202-2 of two weft threads 202-2 and 202-3 that are circumferentially adjacent to the centrally located weft thread 202-1 is located near the lower end of the opening of the relief portion 12, and the other weft thread 202-3 is located near the upper end of the opening of the relief portion 12. Note that while Fig. 1 illustrates a case where the opening width of the relief portion 12 is narrower than the width of the weft threads 202-2 and 202-3, the opening width of the relief portion 12 may be equal to or greater than the width of the weft threads 202-2 and 202-3.

[0021] The hair implant hook 20 is a component for implanting the hair material 100a into the hair implant net 200, and includes a hook 21 at its tip and a latch 22 for opening and closing the needle opening of the hook 21. One end of the latch 22 is rotatably connected to the hair implant hook 20 by a shaft (not shown), and by rotating around the shaft, the latch 22 switches between a state in which the other end of the latch 22 is in contact with the hook 21 and the needle opening is closed, and a state in which the other end of the latch 22 is separated from the hook 21 and the needle opening is open. In the initial position, as shown in Figure 1, the hair implant hook 20 is located in front of the eccentric 10 and in a position facing the opening of the relief portion 12, and the latch 22 is in a state in which the needle opening is open.

[0022] The hair implantation hooks 20 are driven by a drive mechanism controlled by the control device 95, and connect the hair material 100a to the hair implant net 200 for implantation. The hair implantation hooks 20 are aligned in the depth direction so as to correspond one-to-one with the pull-out hooks 30 shown in Figure 2. A group of the hair implantation hooks 20 are operated together by the drive mechanism controlled by the control device 95 to implant the hair material 100a into the hair implant net 200. Note that there may be only one hair implantation hook 20 and one pull-out hook 30.

[0023] The pull-out hook 30 is a member that captures the hair material 100a from the stocker 40, and is provided with a hook 31 at its tip that can capture one hair material 100a. In its initial position, as shown in FIG. 1, the pull-out hook 30 is located below the eccentric 10 and above the reversing roller 80, with the needle port 32 of the hook 31 facing forward. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of pull-out hooks 30 are provided and aligned in the depth direction. A group of the plurality of pull-out hooks 30 operates together by a drive mechanism controlled by the control device 95 to capture the hair material 100a. The hook 31 may be capable of capturing two or more hair materials 100a, and may be of any size or shape as long as it can capture the hair material 100a.

[0024] The thread positioning bar 50 is a member that guides the hair material 100a pulled out from the stocker 40 by the pulling hook 30 to a predetermined position. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the thread positioning bar 50 is generally cylindrical with a centerline extending in the depth direction, and multiple thread guides 51 recessed from the outer periphery toward the centerline are provided around the outer periphery. The thread positioning bar 50 may be provided with both ends in the depth direction fixed to the device body, but if it is rotatably supported by the device body, the thread positioning bar 50 will be rotated by the hair material 100a pulled out from the stocker 40 by the pulling hook 30, preventing the hair material 100a from rubbing against the thread guides 51 and being damaged. The number of thread guides 51 is the same as the number of pulling hooks 30.

[0025] The thread drop bar 60 is vibrated vertically by a drive mechanism controlled by the control device 95, and shakes off the hair material 100a pulled in by the thread retraction bar 70. The thread retraction bar 70 is moved back and forth by a drive mechanism controlled by the control device 95, and hooks the hair material 100a implanted in the hair implant net 200 and pulls it forward. The magnet 90 uses magnetic force to attract and open the latch 22 that is closed during the process of implanting the hair material 100a into the hair implant net 200 with the hair implantation hook 20. Note that either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet can be used as the magnet 90. However, if the magnet 90 is an electromagnet, it only needs to generate magnetic force when the electromagnet is controlled by the control device 95 to open the closed latch 22, and there is no need to change the relative positions of the hair implantation hook 20 and the magnet 90. Therefore, the drive mechanism can be simplified by using a configuration in which the hair implantation hook 20 and the magnet 90 are driven by a common drive mechanism. The reversing roller 80 is rotatably attached to the device body.

[0026] Next, the operation of the automatic hair implantation device will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 21. First, as shown in Figure 2, the thread retraction bar 70 moves rearward and stops at a position beyond the outlet 42 of the stocker 40 and the retraction hook 30 on the right side in Figure 3 (first operation).

[0027] Next, the pulling hook 30 rises, and the tip including the hook 31 enters the stocker 40 through the outlet 42, and after being inserted into the hair material bundle 100b, it descends and stops (second operation). At this time, after the tip of the pulling hook 30 is inserted into the outlet 42, it moves slightly toward the front (toward the side where the needle port 32 of the hook 31 is open). As a result, the hair material 100a is hooked on the hook 31 of the pulling hook 30, and the hair material 100a is pulled out in a doubled state from the outlet 42 of the stocker 40. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, both ends of the hair material 100a remain in the stocker 40, and as shown in FIG. 5, the multiple hair materials 100a pulled out in a doubled state are accommodated one by one in the multiple thread guides 51 of the thread positioning bar 50. This restricts each of the pulled out hair materials 100a to a predetermined position, so that the hair implantation hook 20 can properly catch the hair material 100a in the subsequent operation.

[0028] Next, as shown in Figure 4, the hair implantation hook 20 moves backward (third operation). At this time, the hook 21 passes under the weft yarn 202-1, and the needle opening of the hook 21 is housed in the escape portion 12 and reaches the position shown by the dashed line. Next, the hair implantation hook 20 moves back from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line, and the hook 21 hooks the weft yarn 202-1 (fourth operation).

[0029] Next, as shown in Figure 6, the shaft 13 of the eccentric 10 rotates 90 degrees so that the opening of the relief portion 12 faces upward, and the net hooking portion 11 rotates downward about the center line of the shaft 13 from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line and stops (fifth operation). This causes the eccentric 10 to move below the hair implantation hook 20 and the weft 202-1. This movement of the eccentric 10 from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line enables the hair implantation hook 20 to pass above the eccentric 10 and reach the hair material 100a that has been folded in half between the stocker 40 and the pull-out hook 30. Note that the eccentric 10 may not have a shaft 13 and may rotate about the center line of the net hooking portion 11. In this case, if the hair implant hook 20 is configured to move parallel upward and backward in accordance with the rotation of the net hooking part 11 while keeping the weft thread 202-1 hooked, the hair implant hook 20 will be positioned above the eccentric 10 as described above.

[0030] 7 and 8, as the hair implantation hook 20 moves backward, the hook 21 approaches the hair material 100a folded in half between the stocker 40 and the pull-out hook 30 (sixth operation). At this time, the weft yarn 202-1 passes above the open latch 22 and eventually passes through the entire latch 22. Next, the hair implantation hook 20 rotates so that the needle opening of the hook 21 changes from facing upward to facing sideways (toward the back) (seventh operation). As a result, the needle opening of the hook 21 faces the hair material 100a pulled out by the pull-out hook 30.

[0031] Next, as shown in Figure 9, the hair implantation hook 20 moves further backward while keeping the needle port of the hook 21 facing sideways, and stops when the needle port of the hook 21 faces the front part of the folded hair material 100a pulled out by the pull-out hook 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "front part" of the hair material 100a) (eighth operation). Next, the pull-out hook 30 moves forward (ninth operation). As a result, the front part of the hair material 100a approaches the hair implantation hook 20 and is introduced into the needle port of the hook 21.

[0032] 10, the hair implantation hook 20 rotates so that the needle mouth of the hook 21 faces upward from a state in which it faces sideways, and moves forward as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, causing the latch 22 to come into contact with the weft yarn 202-1 and closing the needle mouth of the hook 21. When the hair implantation hook 20 moves further from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the dashed line, the latch 22 is attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 90, and the needle mouth of the hair implantation hook 20 opens (tenth operation). At this time, the hair implantation hook 20 moves away from the hair implantation net 200, and the front portion of the hair material 100a is pulled out slightly from the stocker 40. In addition, the hair material 100a passes from the front side of the outlet 42 through the thread positioning bar 50, passes between the weft threads 202-1 and 202-2, is folded back at the hook 21, and is unfolded so that it passes from the hook 21 between the weft threads 202-1 and 202-2, passes between the weft threads 202-1 and 202-3, and reaches the withdrawal hook 30.

[0033] Next, as shown in Figure 13, the hair implantation hook 20 moves backward from the position indicated by the dashed line in Figure 11 and rises, and rotates to tie the hair material 100a to the weft 202-1 (11th operation). As a result, the two portions of the hair material 100a between the hook 21 and the weft 202-1 are twisted together to form a loop portion 45. Note that in this 11th operation, the raising of the hair implantation hook can be omitted, but by raising it, the hook 21 can be sure to pass through the portion of the hair material 100a between the thread positioning bar 50 and the weft 202-1 in the 12th operation described below.

[0034] Next, as shown in Figure 14, the hair implantation hook 20 moves toward the front while facing upward, then moves backward, stopping when the needle point of the hook 21 is aligned in the depth direction with the rear portion of the folded hair material 100a pulled out by the pull-out hook 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "rear portion" of the hair material 100a), and rotates so that the needle point of the hook 21 faces sideways (facing the back side) from the upward position (twelfth operation). At this time, as shown in Figure 15, the hook 21 of the hair implantation hook 20 passes through the portion of the hair material 100a between the thread positioning bar 50 and the weft thread 202-1, and the loop portion 45 passes above the latch 22 of the hair implantation hook 20. Furthermore, as a result of the rotation of the hair implantation hook 20, the needle point of the hook 21 faces the rear portion of the hair material 100a. The number of rotations of the hair implantation hook 20 may be any number of rotations, such as one, two, or three or more rotations, as long as it is one or more rotations. The direction of rotation may be clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0035] Next, the pull-out hook 30 moves forward (13th operation). As a result, the rear portion of the hair material 100a approaches the hair implantation hook 20 and is introduced into the needle opening of the hook 21. The hair implantation hook 20 may move toward the rear, or both the pull-out hook 30 and the hair implantation hook 20 may move toward each other.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the hair implantation hook 20 rotates so that the needle mouth of the hook 21 faces upward from a state in which it faces sideways, and moves forward, causing the latch 22 to come into contact with the loop portion 45 and close the needle mouth of the hook 21 (14th operation). This completes the tying of the hair material 100a to the weft yarn 202-1, i.e., the hair implantation. Note that when the hook 21 of the hair implantation hook 20 moves back and passes through the loop portion 45, the withdrawal hook 30 may move up and down in small movements to release the hair material 100a from the hook 31. This prevents peeling, which is frizz caused by friction of the hair material 100a.

[0037] Next, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the thread retracting bar 70 moves forward, retracting the front portion of the hair material 100a forward and stopping at the initial position (fifteenth operation).

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 20, operations 16 to 18 are performed. First, while the hair implantation hook 20 returns to its initial position and stops, the latch 22 is attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 90, opening the needle mouth of the hair implantation hook 20 (operation 16). The eccentric 10 rotates around the center line of the shaft 13 from the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6 back to the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 6 (operation 17). This returns the opening of the escape portion 12 to its initial position facing left. The thread drop bar 60 moves downward and then upward and stops at its initial position (operation 18). This allows the hair material 100a, which has been completely implanted on the weft yarn 202-1, to be styled downward. Note that any of operations 16 to 18 may be performed first, or operations 16 to 18 may be performed simultaneously.

[0039] The above operation completes one cycle of the operation of implanting the hair material 100a onto the weft thread 202-1 in the automatic hair implantation device 120, and the knot shown in Figure 21 is created. Note that Figure 21 illustrates the state in the eleventh operation where the hair implantation hook 20 rotates three times and the hair material 100a is twisted three times and tied to the hair implantation net 200.

[0040] In the above-described example of the operation, the hook 21 of the hair implant hook 20 grabs the front portion of the hair material 100a in the eighth and ninth operations, and grabs the rear portion of the hair material 100a in the twelfth and thirteenth operations, but whether the front or rear portion is grabbed in each operation, the hair material 100a can be tied to the weft by rotating the hair implant hook 20 one or more times in the twelfth operation. Also, even if the hair implant hook 20 only rotates half a turn in the twelfth operation, the hair material 100a can be tied to the weft by using the hook 21 of the hair implant hook 20 to grab the lower portion of the hair material 100a that has been rotated half a turn in the twelfth and thirteenth operations.

[0041] <<Configuration for eliminating static electricity charged to hair material>> The following describes a configuration for removing static electricity from the hair material 100a.

[0042] First Embodiment In the first embodiment, the automatic hair implantation device 120 includes a protrusion 401, a first reciprocating mechanism 401a, and a second reciprocating mechanism 401b, which serve as both a biasing unit and a static eliminator. Figures 22A to 25 are perspective views showing the configuration of a first example of the first embodiment. Note that Figures 22A to 25 show the movement of the protrusion 401, which serves as a biasing unit, in chronological order, with the protrusion 401 moving in the order of Figures 22A, 23, 24, and 25.

[0043] The protrusions 401 illustrated in FIG. 22A have a comb-teeth shape, and a plurality of protrusions 401 (three in this example) are connected to one another. The protrusions 401 are inclined so that the farther they are from the bottom 41, the farther they are from the outlet 42. In this example, the protrusions 401 are provided so as to face each other across the outlet 42. At least the portion of the protrusions 401 that comes into contact with the hair material 100a is made of a conductor. For example, the protrusions 401 are made of a metal material. The protrusions 401 are attached to a first reciprocating motion mechanism 401a. The first reciprocating motion mechanism 401a is attached to a second reciprocating motion mechanism 401b. The protrusions 401 are electrically connected to the first reciprocating motion mechanism 401a and the second reciprocating motion mechanism 401b. The second reciprocating motion mechanism 401b is grounded (connected to ground (GND)) via an earth wire 110. The stocker 40 is made of a conductor (for example, a metal material). Furthermore, the stocker 40 is grounded via the ground wire 110. As a result, the protrusion 401, the first reciprocating mechanism 401a, the second reciprocating mechanism 401b, and the stocker 40 have the ground potential.

[0044] 22B, at least the surface of each of the eccentric 10, the hair implantation hook 20, the pull-out hook 30, the thread positioning bar 50, the thread drop bar 60, the thread retraction bar 70, and the reversing roller 80 is made of a conductor (e.g., a metal material), and the conductor is grounded. As a result, when the hair material 100a is transported by the eccentric 10, the hair implantation hook 20, the pull-out hook 30, the thread positioning bar 50, the thread drop bar 60, the thread retraction bar 70, and the reversing roller 80, these components come into contact with the hair material 100a. As a result, static electricity charged to the hair material 100a is removed via any of the eccentric 10, the hair implantation hook 20, the pull-out hook 30, the thread positioning bar 50, the thread drop bar 60, the thread retraction bar 70, and the reversing roller 80.

[0045] Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the protrusion 401 moves straight along the inclined direction, and its tip is inserted into the hair material bundle. At this time, the protrusion 401 moves straight by being driven by a first reciprocating mechanism 401a, such as an air cylinder. Furthermore, since the protrusion 401 moves straight along the inclined direction, the inclination does not change before and after moving straight. The operation of the first reciprocating mechanism 401a is controlled by, for example, the control device 95. At this time, when the protrusion 401 comes into contact with the hair material 100a, even if the hair material 100a is charged with static electricity, the protrusion 401 will neutralize the static electricity. Furthermore, static electricity on the hair material 100a that comes into contact with the stocker 40 will be neutralized by the stocker 40. In this case, the stocker 40 functions as a neutralizing unit.

[0046] Next, as shown in Fig. 24, the protrusion 401 advances in a direction away from the outlet 42 while maintaining the same inclination as in Figs. 22A and 23. As a result, the tip of the protrusion 401 advances along the hair material 100a, and a force in a direction away from the outlet 42 (a force that relieves deflection of the hair material 100a) can be applied to the hair material 100a. At this time, the protrusion 401 advances in a direction away from the outlet 42 by being driven by a second reciprocating motion mechanism 401b such as a rack and pinion. The second reciprocating motion mechanism 401b drives not only the protrusion 401 but also the first reciprocating motion mechanism 401a. The operation of the second reciprocating motion mechanism 401b is controlled by, for example, the above-mentioned control device 95.

[0047] Next, as shown in Figure 25, the protrusion 401, while maintaining the same inclination as in Figures 22A to 24, retreats along the inclination direction and is removed from the hair material bundle 100b. At this time, the protrusion 401 retreats by being driven by the first reciprocating mechanism 401a. As described above, in the first embodiment, static electricity on the hair material 100a is eliminated, so that poor implantation can be prevented and adverse effects on the electronic devices in the automatic hair implantation device 120 caused by static electricity can be prevented.

[0048] A second example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 26 and 27 are perspective views showing the configuration of the second example of the first embodiment. In Figure 26, the direction of rotation of the roller 402, which is the urging part, is shown by a broken line, and in Figure 27, the hair material 100a is also shown in addition to the roller 402.

[0049] As shown in Figures 26 and 27, in this example, a roller 402 is provided as the biasing section. The roller 402 rotates in a direction away from the outlet 42, so that the rotation of the roller 402 applies a force to the hair material 100a in a direction away from the outlet 42 (a force that reduces the deflection of the hair material). The roller 402 is electrically connected to the stocker 40, which is grounded. This gives the roller 402 a ground potential. This neutralizes static electricity from the hair material 100a that comes into contact with the roller 402.

[0050] The rollers 402 are driven by, for example, a motor, and the operation of the motor is controlled by the control device 95. In this example, the rollers 402 are provided so as to face each other across the outlet 42, and these rollers 402 rotate simultaneously. Note that although Figures 26 and 27 illustrate the case where the rollers 402 are provided on the bottom 41 of the stocker 40, the rollers 402 may be provided on the side plate 43, or may be provided at a position facing the bottom 41 (above the hair material 100a).

[0051] As described above, when the biasing portion (projection portion 401, roller 402) that applies a force including a component in the direction away from the outlet to the hair material 100a is provided, the hair material 100a is pulled in the direction away from the outlet. This stretches and relaxes the deflection of the hair material 100a near the outlet 42. This allows the pulling hook 30 to stably capture the hair material at the outlet 42, thereby enabling stable hair implantation.

[0052] In the above example, the protrusions 401 and the rollers 402 are provided so as to face each other across the outlet 42, but they may be provided on only one side of the outlet 42. In this case, the entire hair material bundle 100b may move, but it is possible to alleviate the deflection of the hair material 100a. Furthermore, the deflection of the hair material 100a near the outlet 42 is eliminated by moving the entire hair material bundle 100b to a position shifted from the outlet 42, which also eliminates the deflection. Even when the protrusions 401 and the rollers 402 are provided so as to face each other across the outlet 42, driving only one side can achieve the same effect as when they are provided on only one side, and by alternately driving one side and the other side, the hair material bundle 100b moves back and forth across the outlet 42, thereby preventing the position of the hair material bundle 100b from fluctuating significantly.

[0053] On the other hand, as in the above example, when the protrusions 401 and the rollers 402 are provided so as to face each other across the outlet 42 and are driven simultaneously, the hair material 100a is pulled toward both ends, thereby effectively reducing the deflection of the hair material 100a. It is not necessary to always drive the protrusions 401 and the rollers 402 in synchronization, and this effect can be obtained as long as there is a timing for driving them simultaneously.

[0054] Furthermore, the mechanisms provided to face each other across the outlet 42 may be different. For example, as shown in Figures 28 to 31, a protrusion 401 may be provided on one side of the outlet 42, and a stopper 403 may be provided on the other side, which presses the hair material bundle 100b against the bottom 41 to restrict its movement. The stopper 403 presses the hair material bundle 100b against the bottom 41 to restrict its movement when the tip of the protrusion 401 is inserted into the hair material bundle 100b, that is, when the protrusion 401 is able to apply a force to the hair material bundle 100b that includes a component in a direction away from the outlet 42. The stopper 403 is driven by a reciprocating mechanism 403a such as an air cylinder, and the operation of the reciprocating mechanism 403a is controlled by the control device 95, for example. 28 to 31 show an example in which the protrusion 401 and the stopping part 403 are combined, but it is also possible to combine the roller 402 and the stopping part 403. The stopping part 403 and the reciprocating mechanism 403a are grounded. This eliminates static electricity from the hair material 100a that comes into contact with the stopping part 403.

[0055] Furthermore, in the first example, the protrusion 401 may not be inclined, but may be perpendicular to the bottom 41. However, if the protrusion 401 is inclined as described above, the protrusion 401 can apply a force to the hair material 100a that has not only a component in the direction away from the outlet 42 but also a component in the downward direction, thereby effectively reducing upward deflection of the hair material 100a near the outlet 42. Furthermore, if the inclination of the protrusion 401 is not changed, a simple mechanism including only the first reciprocating mechanism 401a and the second reciprocating mechanism 401b can cause the protrusion 401 to perform the series of operations shown in Figures 22A to 25.

[0056] Furthermore, in the first example, when the tip of the protrusion 401 is inserted into the hair material bundle 100b, then the protrusion 401 moves in a direction away from the outlet 42, and then the tip of the protrusion 401 is removed from the hair material bundle 100b, only a force to reduce the deflection can be applied to the hair material 100a without applying a force to restore the deflection (a force having a component in the direction toward the outlet 42).

[0057] Second Embodiment The configuration of the automatic hair transplantation device 300 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 32 to 34. In the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, a static eliminator 310 including ionizers 311, 312, 313, and 314 is provided. Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement position of the ionizer 311 of the automatic hair transplantation device 300 according to the second embodiment. Figure 33 is a diagram showing the arrangement position of the ionizer 312. Figure 34 is a diagram showing the arrangement position of the ionizer 313. Figure 35 is a diagram showing the arrangement position of the ionizer 314. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 32, the automatic hair implantation device 300 includes a static eliminator 310. As shown in Figs. 32 to 35, the static eliminator 310 includes ionizers 311 to 314. A plurality of ionizers 311 to 314 are provided. Although Figs. 33 to 35 illustrate one ionizer each, a plurality of ionizers 312, 313, and 314 are provided at equal intervals in the depth direction. The ionizers 311 to 314 generate corona discharge therein to generate positive ions and negative ions, and radiate the positive ions and negative ions to the hair material 100a. That is, in the second embodiment, the ionizers 311 to 314 are AC ionizers. When the hair material 100a is negatively charged, positive ions are attracted to and adsorbed onto the hair material 100a, thereby neutralizing (removing) the static electricity of the hair material 100a. When the hair material 100a is positively charged, negative ions are attracted to and adsorbed onto the hair material 100a, thereby neutralizing (removing) the static electricity of the hair material 100a.

[0059] 32, the plurality of ionizers 311 are arranged at equal intervals on the lower surface of a rod-shaped support member 311a arranged above the stocker 40. The ionizers 311 emit positive ions and negative ions from above onto the plurality of hair materials 100a arranged in the stocker 40. This removes static electricity from the plurality of hair materials 100a stored in the stocker 40.

[0060] 33, the ionizer 312 is disposed at a height between the stocker 40 and the withdrawal hook 30 and behind the withdrawal hook 30. The ionizer 312 emits positive ions and negative ions from behind the hair material 100a extracted by the withdrawal hook 30 onto the hair material 100a. This eliminates static electricity charged on the hair material 100a extracted by the withdrawal hook 30. The ionizer 312 emits positive ions and negative ions while the hair material 100a is placed between the stocker 40 and the withdrawal hook 30, for example, and stops emitting positive ions and negative ions while the hair material 100a is not placed between the stocker 40 and the withdrawal hook 30.

[0061] 34, the ionizer 313 is disposed above the eccentric 10. The ionizer 313 emits positive ions and negative ions from above onto the hair material 100a being implanted by the implantation hook 20. This eliminates static electricity that has been charged onto the hair material 100a being implanted by the implantation hook 20.

[0062] As shown in Figure 35, the ionizer 314 is disposed below the hair implantation hook 20. The ionizer 314 emits positive ions and negative ions from the front toward the hair material 100a implanted in the hair implant net 200. This eliminates static electricity that has accumulated on the hair material 100a implanted in the hair implant net 200. In the second embodiment, the ionizers 311 to 314 can eliminate static electricity that has accumulated on the hair material 100a without directly contacting the hair material 100a. Other configurations and effects of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0063] [Variations] The above-described embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the above-described embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] (1) In the above first and second embodiments, the eccentric 10, the hair implantation hook 20, the pull-out hook 30, the stocker 40, the thread positioning bar 50, the thread drop bar 60, the thread retraction bar 70, and the reversing roller 80 are shown as being grounded, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, in the above first embodiment, if the protrusion 401 can sufficiently remove static electricity from the hair material 100a, at least some of the eccentric 10, the hair implantation hook 20, the pull-out hook 30, the stocker 40, the thread positioning bar 50, the thread drop bar 60, the thread retraction bar 70, and the reversing roller 80 do not need to be grounded. In addition, in the second embodiment, if the ionizers 311 to 314 can sufficiently remove static electricity from the hair material 100a, at least a part of the eccentric 10, the hair implantation hook 20, the pull-out hook 30, the stocker 40, the thread positioning bar 50, the thread drop bar 60, the thread pull-in bar 70, and the reversing roller 80 do not need to be grounded.

[0065] (2) In the second embodiment, the ionizers 311 to 314 are provided, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, at least some of the ionizers 311 to 314 may be disposed in the automatic hair implantation device 300.

[0066] (3) In the second embodiment, the ionizers 311-314 are configured to emit both positive ions and negative ions, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, if the hair material 100a is made of a material that is easily charged positively, the ionizers 311-314 may emit only negative ions, and if the hair material 100a is made of a material that is easily charged negatively, the ionizers 311-314 may emit only positive ions. That is, the ionizers 311-314 may be configured to generate ions by an AC method as shown in the second embodiment, or may be configured to generate ions by a DC method.

[0067] (4) In the second embodiment, the ionizers 311 to 314 are configured to generate ions by corona discharge, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, an ionizer that removes static electricity by ionizing the air in a specific area using soft X-ray irradiation may be used, or an ionizer that generates ions by using a discharge other than corona discharge (such as a glow discharge or plasma discharge) may be used.

[0068] (5) In the second embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 32, an example was shown in which a bar-type ionizer 311 having a plurality of ion generating sources (ionizers 311) attached to a rod-shaped support member 311a was employed as the ionizer 311, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, in the present disclosure, any type of ionizer other than the bar-type may be employed, such as a fan-type ionizer that uses a fan to spray positive ions and negative ions onto the hair material 100a, or a nozzle-type ionizer that sprays positive ions and negative ions from a nozzle tip onto the hair material 100a.

[0069] The automatic hair transplantation device can be explained as follows.

[0070] The automatic hair implantation device according to the first configuration includes a hair implantation mechanism unit that implants hair materials into a hair implantation target object, and a static eliminator unit that eliminates static electricity charged on the hair materials (first configuration).

[0071] According to the first configuration, even if the hair material is charged with static electricity, the static eliminator can eliminate the static electricity from the hair material. As a result, poor hair implantation can be prevented, and adverse effects on the electronic devices in the automatic hair implantation device due to static electricity can be prevented.

[0072] In the first configuration, a storage container for storing the hair material may be further provided, and the static eliminator may be configured to eliminate static electricity charged to the hair material stored in the storage container (second configuration).

[0073] Here, since static electricity is likely to be generated inside the storage unit due to friction between hair materials and other hair materials, the second configuration described above makes it possible to remove static electricity from hair materials inside the storage unit, which are prone to static electricity generation.

[0074] In the second configuration, the stocker may be configured to have a ground potential (third configuration).

[0075] According to the third configuration, static electricity on the hair materials placed in the stocker can be easily removed.

[0076] In the second or third configuration, the stocker may have an outlet at the bottom, and the hair material may be placed on the bottom straddling the outlet, and the static eliminator may include a biasing part that applies a force to the hair material placed on the bottom of the stocker that includes a component in a direction away from the outlet, and at least the part of the biasing part that contacts the hair material may include a conductor having a ground potential (fourth configuration).

[0077] According to the fourth configuration, the biasing part pulls the hair material in a direction away from the outlet, thereby eliminating the deflection of the hair material. Furthermore, since the biasing part in contact with the hair material has a ground potential, the biasing part can neutralize the electricity in the hair material.

[0078] In any one of the first to fourth configurations, the static eliminator may include an ionizer that radiates at least one of positive ions and negative ions to the hair material (fifth configuration).

[0079] According to the fifth configuration, the static electricity charged on the hair material can be removed without the static eliminator coming into contact with the hair material.

[0080] In any one of the first to fifth configurations, the static eliminator may be configured to eliminate static electricity charged on the hair material implanted in the hair implantation object (sixth configuration).

[0081] According to the sixth configuration, static electricity generated when the hair material is implanted can be removed after implantation.

[0082] In any one of the first to sixth configurations, the static eliminator may include a conveying member that moves the hair material to be implanted in the hair implantation object, and the conveying member may be configured to include a conductor having a ground potential (seventh configuration).

[0083] According to the seventh configuration, when the hair material is moved, static electricity charged on the hair material can be removed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10...eccentric, 20...hair implantation hook, 30...pulling hook, 40...stocker, 41...bottom, 42...take-out port, 50...thread positioning bar, 51...thread guide, 60...thread drop bar, 70...thread pulling bar, 80...reversing roller, 100a...hair material, 100b...hair material bundle, 110...earth wire, 120, 300...automatic hair implantation device, 200...hair implantation net, 310...static elimination unit, 311-314...ionizer, 401...projection, 401a...first reciprocating motion mechanism, 401b...second reciprocating motion mechanism, 402...roller, 403...restraint unit, 403a...reciprocating motion mechanism

Claims

1. a hair implantation mechanism for implanting hair material onto an object to be implanted; a static elimination unit that eliminates static electricity charged on the hair material; a stocker in which the hair material is stored, The stocker has an outlet at the bottom, The hair material is disposed on the bottom across the outlet, the static eliminator includes a biasing unit that applies a force including a component in a direction away from the outlet to the hair material placed on the bottom of the stocker, An automatic hair implantation device, wherein at least a portion of the biasing portion that contacts the hair material includes a conductor having a ground potential.

2. 2. The automatic hair implantation device according to claim 1, wherein the stocker has a ground potential.

3. The automatic hair implantation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the static eliminator includes an ionizer that radiates at least one of positive ions and negative ions to the hair material.

4. The automatic hair implantation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the static eliminator eliminates static electricity charged on the hair material implanted on the hair implantation object.

5. The static eliminator includes a conveying member that moves the hair material to be implanted in the hair implantation object, The automatic hair implantation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conveying member includes a conductor having a ground potential.

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