Bi-stable Ribbon Spring Hair Curling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair curling methods do not effectively utilize bi-stable ribbon springs to create and set curls in hair, as they are typically used to wrap around objects rather than serving as a platform for hair styling.
Innovation Solution
A hair curling assembly employing a bi-stable ribbon spring that stores energy in a coiled configuration and automatically reverts to a coiled shape when deformed, wrapping around a lock of hair to form a curl, with optional casings for heat penetration and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If slap bands are used to wrap around objects (traditional use), then they provide stable wrapping, but they cannot effectively create and set curls in hair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional use of slap bands by not wrapping the band around an object, but rather using the band's coiled configuration as a platform to support hair. The band is manipulated into a linear configuration, hair is placed on it, and then the band recoils to its coiled shape, transferring the coil shape to the hair to create curls.
Solution Approach 2:
The slap band serves as an intermediary tool that transfers its coiled shape to the hair. The band acts as a temporary mold or template that imparts the desired curl shape to the hair when it recoils from linear to coiled configuration.
2Ease of operation
If the ribbon spring is held in linear configuration for hair placement, then hair can be positioned, but the spring loses stability and automatically coils
Solution Approach 1:
The user manually manipulates the ribbon spring into its linear configuration as a preliminary step before placing the hair. This preliminary action creates the unstable linear state that is necessary for hair placement, understanding that the spring will automatically recoil afterward to set the curl.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribbon spring automatically transitions from linear to coiled configuration without requiring additional manual intervention. Once the hair is placed on the linear spring, the spring self-activates and recoils, automatically transferring its shape to the hair to create the curl.
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 bi-stable ribbon spring effectively creates and sets curls in hair by storing energy and automatically coiling around the hair, allowing for efficient curl formation and setting, with various embodiments enhancing stability and applicability.
Implementation Method 1
The ribbon spring stores energy when unwound from the coiled configuration into a linear configuration. The ribbon spring is bi-stable because it has positional stability in both its coiled configuration and its linear configuration.
Implementation Method 2
The ribbon spring is bi-stable because it has positional stability in both its coiled configuration and its linear configuration. Once the ribbon spring loses its positional stability, it automatically winds into its coiled configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for curling a lock of hair. A hair curling assembly contains a bi-stable ribbon spring. The ribbon spring is biased into a coiled configuration. The ribbon spring has positional stability in both its coiled configuration and its linear configuration. The ribbon spring is manipulated into its linear configuration within the hair curling assembly. The hair curling assembly is then positioned proximate the lock of hair to be curled. The ribbon spring is triggered back to its coiled configuration. The lock of hair winds with the ribbon spring into its coiled configuration, therein forming a curl in the lock of hair.