Adjustable Spacing Comb With Three-Component Indexing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable combs for hair cutting appliances are complex, requiring multiple parts that increase manufacturing and assembly costs and require precise tolerances, making them difficult to operate and assemble.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable spacing comb comprising a comb frame, a movable comb piece, and a movable control element that form a slot and pin mechanism with a snap connection, providing self-locking and tactile/acoustic feedback without additional parts, using a disk-shaped control element as a spring to convert rotary input into linear output for precise length adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple distinct parts are used to create an adjustable comb, then the functional scope (adjustment, self-locking, feedback) is ensured, but the device complexity and manufacturing/assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional scopeVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (adjustment, self-locking, and feedback) into a single integrated comb piece with fewer distinct parts. The comb includes a comb body with teeth and an integrated adjustment mechanism where portions of the comb body can move relative to each other, eliminating the need for separate adjustment screws, springs, and locking mechanisms found in prior art.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The comb piece serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides hairs during cutting, provides adjustable spacing from the skin, enables length adjustment through relative movement of comb portions, and provides self-locking and tactile feedback without requiring separate specialized components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple distinct parts with precise tolerances are used, then proper operation is ensured, but manufacturing and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper operationVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple components into fewer integrated parts, the patent reduces the number of interfaces and contact points between components, thereby reducing the cumulative tolerance requirements while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The comb is segmented into movable portions that can shift relative to each other, allowing for adjustment while maintaining simple manufacturing. The segmentation creates natural adjustment positions without requiring complex tolerance control across multiple separate parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple design with fewer parts is used, then manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced, but the functional scope (adjustment, self-locking, feedback) may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing and assembly costsVSAvoidfunctional scope
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The comb piece is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides hair guidance, adjustable spacing, length adjustment, self-locking, and tactile feedback, ensuring all necessary functions are maintained despite using fewer parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The comb provides self-locking and self-feedback mechanisms through its own structure without requiring external springs, detents, or separate feedback components. The movable portions naturally provide tactile feedback during adjustment and self-lock at adjustment positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If precise tolerances are observed across multiple parts, then proper operation is ensured, but assembly difficulty and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper operationVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple parts into fewer integrated components, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps and interfaces, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining proper operation through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution reduces manufacturing and assembly costs while enabling easy operation, precise length adjustment, and reliable repeatable positioning with tactile and acoustic feedback, using a simple design of three components.

Implementation Method 1

the control element has a contact portion that rests on a support portion of the comb frame, wherein the contact portion and the support portion form a toothed indexing contour including latching recesses and opposite latching teeth, and wherein the control element and the comb frame together urge the contact portion and the support portion against each other to engage the latching teeth with the latching recesses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4600002A1Adjustable spacing comb and hair cutting appliance
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4600002A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4600002A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4600002A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an adjustable spacing comb (40) for a hair cutting appliance (10) and to a hair cutting appliance (10). The adjustable spacing comb (40) comprises a comb frame (42), a movable comb piece (44) and a movable control element (46). The movable comb piece (44) is arranged to be moved with respect to the comb frame (42) in an adjustment direction (56). The movable control element (46) is mounted on the comb frame (42). The comb frame (42) and the control element (46) together form a slot and pin mechanism (76) that converts an input movement (50) of the control element (46) into an adjustment movement of the movable comb piece (44) with respect to the comb frame (42) in the adjustment direction (56). The movable comb piece (44) and the control element (46) together form a snap connection (66). The control element (46) has a contact portion (110) that rests on a support portion (98) of the comb frame (42). The contact portion (110) and the support portion (98) form a toothed indexing contour (60) including latching recesses (116) and opposite latching teeth (114). The control element (46) and the comb frame (42) together urge the contact portion (110) and the support portion (98) against each other to engage the latching teeth (114) with the latching recesses (116).