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
Engineering 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
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.
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.
2Reliability
If multiple distinct parts with precise tolerances are used, then proper operation is ensured, but manufacturing and assembly costs increase
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
4Reliability
If precise tolerances are observed across multiple parts, then proper operation is ensured, but assembly difficulty and time increase
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.
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
Data Source
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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).