Capacitance Skin Contact Sensing for Burn-Safe Cosmetic RF Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Home-use cosmetic procedure devices risk applying excessive high-frequency stimulation and causing burns due to improper contact with the skin, necessitating a non-contact detection method to ensure safe operation.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic procedure device equipped with a non-contact detection sensor that measures capacitance changes to determine skin contact, using a sensor unit comprising first and second electrodes and a support portion with temperature sensing capabilities, to prevent excessive stimulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-frequency energy is applied to the skin for cosmetic procedures, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the risk of burns increases when contact area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidburn risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitance sensor detects skin contact before high-frequency energy is applied. The control unit receives the detection signal and only enables the high-frequency generator when proper contact is confirmed, preventing burns before they can occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor unit continuously monitors skin contact status and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the high-frequency energy application based on this feedback, maintaining safe operation while ensuring effective treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If non-contact detection sensor is added to detect skin contact, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit serves multiple functions: it detects skin contact presence, measures contact area through capacitance changes, and provides signals for control unit decision-making. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensors for each function

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the sensor unit and the high-frequency generator. It processes the capacitance detection signals and controls the energy application, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing the control logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures safe application of high-frequency stimulation by detecting proper skin contact, preventing burns and discomfort through precise temperature and capacitance measurement.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor unit sensing a state in which the user's skin is in contact with the stimulation application unit by detecting a change in capacitance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the procedure space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP4643938A1Cosmetic procedure device having non-contact detection sensor
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 APR CO LTD
  • EP4643938A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4643938A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4643938A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cosmetic procedure device is disclosed. A cosmetic procedure device, according to one aspect of the present invention, for performing a cosmetic procedure on the skin of a user may comprise: a main body; a procedure unit which is provided in the main body, and which has, therein, a procedure space in which the skin of the user undergoes a procedure; a stimulation application unit which is disposed in the procedure space, and which applies stimulation to the skin of the user; and a sensor unit which is disposed in the procedure unit, and which detects changes in capacitance so as to sense when the skin of the user is in contact with the stimulation application unit.