A personal care device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal care devices with interchangeable treatment heads face challenges in accurately identifying and adapting to different treatment heads due to varying operational requirements, leading to potential inefficiencies and user intervention in setting parameters.
Innovation Solution
A handheld personal care device with a motor-driven shaft and a sensor system that measures current drawn by the treatment head, using predefined current thresholds to identify the attached head and automatically retrieve and apply specific working parameters, ensuring efficient operation without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If selection buttons or wireless communication (RFID/NFC) are used to identify treatment heads, then the device can adapt to different treatment heads, but the device complexity increases and user intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment head automatically identifies itself to the device through electrical connection. The motor current sensor detects the electrical characteristics of the connected treatment head without requiring user input or complex communication protocols, enabling self-service identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical identification systems (selection buttons, RFID tags, NFC devices) with an electrical measurement system. By measuring motor current characteristics, the system substitutes complex mechanical or wireless identification mechanisms with a simpler electrical sensing approach.
2Adaptability or versatility
If selection buttons are provided for user activation, then the device can control driving parameters for different treatment heads, but user intervention is required which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects treatment head electrical characteristics and configures appropriate driving parameters without user intervention. The motor current sensor and control unit work together to self-adjust operational settings based on the connected treatment head's properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from motor current measurements to automatically adjust driving parameters. The sensor continuously monitors current draw, and the control unit modifies operational settings based on this feedback, eliminating the need for manual parameter selection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If RFID tags and NFC devices are used for communication, then treatment head identification is enabled, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless communication components (RFID tags, NFC devices) with an electrical measurement system using existing motor current sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for additional communication hardware, simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor current sensor serves dual purposes: it both drives the motor and identifies the treatment head through electrical characteristic analysis. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate identification hardware, reducing manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device reliably identifies and adapts to different treatment heads, ensuring optimal performance for various personal care operations by accurately determining the attached head and applying tailored parameters, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Treatment heads which are designated to be used with the device are configured to draw different levels of current from the motor when they are fitted on the driving unit and when they are in idle condition
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
This invention relates to a device (1) for performing personal care operations on a subject. The device (1) comprises a handheld base body (3), a driving unit (400) to receive and drive an interchangeable treatment head (2) to perform the personal care operation, a sensor (7) for measuring the amount of current drawn from a motor arrangement (5, 6) while the driving unit (400) is being operated. The device (1) further comprises a control unit (8) operably connected to the sensor (7) and the driving unit (400) and configured to control the driving unit (400). The control unit (8) is configured to identify the individual treatment head (2) fitted on the driving unit (400) by comparing the measured motor current at the predefined measuring time (t1) with at least one predefined current threshold (C).