Individually Actuated Hair Styling Device for Scalp Product Dispensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current dry shampoo formulations are imprecise and inconvenient, often leading to unwanted application on the face, scalp damage, and lack of scalp cleaning, while traditional wet shampoos are being used less frequently due to concerns over hair loss and time-saving.

Innovation Solution

A portable device with individually controlled massaging tips and dispensing mechanisms that use actuator-controlled XYZ motions, dielectric skin contact sensors, and swappable cartridges for precise scalp and hair product application, including a camera for diagnosis and LEDs for treatment, allowing for controlled dispensation of dry shampoo or color tint as a mist.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional spray bottles are used for dry shampoo, then product can be applied quickly, but imprecision leads to unwanted application on face and scalp damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication speedVSAvoidapplication precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The brush head is divided into multiple independently controllable bristle segments, each capable of individual activation and product dispensing. This segmentation enables precise control over which areas receive product, eliminating unwanted application on face while maintaining quick application through parallel operation of multiple bristles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each bristle segment has differentiated functionality with independent actuators and product delivery mechanisms. The local quality variation allows specific bristles to be activated based on contact detection, providing precise application only where needed while maintaining overall rapid coverage through selective activation of multiple segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If spray bottles are used for dry shampoo, then application is fast, but lack of scalp cleaning and excessive product waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication speedVSAvoidproduct waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Contact sensors integrated into the brush head detect scalp contact and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism activates product dispensing only when scalp contact is detected, preventing product waste from unwanted application while maintaining fast application through immediate response to contact signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically detects scalp contact through integrated sensors and self-regulates product dispensing accordingly. The system serves itself by using contact feedback to control product delivery, eliminating the need for manual control and preventing both waste and missed application areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If wet shampoo is used frequently, then scalp cleaning is effective, but concerns over hair loss and time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescalp cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidtime for hair washing

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces the mechanical water-based washing process with a targeted product delivery system using controlled bristle actuators and contact sensors. This substitution maintains effective scalp cleaning through precise product application while eliminating the time-consuming water rinsing and drying steps associated with traditional wet shampoo.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides precise and controlled application of scalp and hair products, reducing waste and improving hygiene, while diagnosing scalp and hair conditions, and facilitating gentle treatment, thus addressing the imprecision and inconvenience of existing dry shampoo methods.

Implementation Method 1

massaging tips individually controlled in XYZ motions by a actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical actuation:

Implementation Method 2

through use of open/short or dielectric skin contact sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric sensing: Dielectric

Implementation Method 3

Individually activated tips spray hair product (dry shampoo or color tint)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerosolization: Aerosol

Implementation Method 4

The addition of LEDs can further treat hair, facilitate camera imaging, and be used for formula curing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS20220087406A1Portable hair styling device with massaging bristles and formulation dispenser

Publication Date: 2022.03.24 LOREAL SA

AI summary

A hair and scalp treatment device that comprises a dispenser connected to a cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises a formulation; a plurality of tips on the device, wherein the tips have at least one opening to dispense the formulation; and a controller configured to control the dispensing of the formulation through one or more tips individually.