Curved Recessed Comb for Grip Comfort and Hair Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional combs are difficult to grip effectively, especially when wet, and cause discomfort due to point contact between fingers and the comb, leading to reduced gripping power and potential skin damage, and they also make it hard to prevent hair bundles from sliding down during hairdressing tasks.

Innovation Solution

A comb design featuring curved recessed parts on both the edge comb parts and teeth, allowing for wider surface contact and distributing the gripping force, reducing finger load and preventing hair bundles from sliding, with through-holes in the edge comb parts to ease hair manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional combs with straight perimeter edges are used, then the comb structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the gripping power is insufficient and point contact causes discomfort and skin damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripping comfortVSAvoidcomb structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by forming arc-shaped recessed parts in the perimeter edges of both the edge comb part and comb teeth. This curvature transforms the straight edges into curved surfaces that match the natural contour of fingers, converting point contact into surface contact. The arc-shaped recessed parts specifically accommodate finger placement, distributing gripping force across a wider area and eliminating discomfort and skin damage associated with point contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If conventional combs with straight perimeter edges are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the gripping power is reduced especially when fingers are wet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripping powerVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The arc-shaped recessed parts with curved perimeter edges provide increased surface area for finger contact, which significantly improves gripping power when fingers are wet or slippery. The curved geometry maintains consistent contact pressure distribution regardless of moisture conditions, allowing professionals to maintain secure grip during hairdressing operations even when hands are wet from styling products or water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If conventional combs with tapered shapes and straight edges are used, then the comb design is simple, but hair bundles slide down easily during hairdressing work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehair bundle stabilityVSAvoidcomb tooth structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arc-shaped recessed parts formed in the perimeter edges of comb teeth create curved surfaces that interact with hair bundles during styling operations. These curved recesses help cradle and secure hair bundles, preventing them from sliding down the comb teeth. The curvature provides mechanical interlocking between the hair and comb surface, improving hair bundle stability during elevation and positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Ease of operation

If point contact between fingers and comb is maintained, then the comb structure remains simple, but the load on fingers is concentrated causing potential skin damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinger load distributionVSAvoidperimeter edge geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arc-shaped recessed parts in the perimeter edges transform the contact geometry from point contact to surface contact. When fingers are placed on the comb, the curved recesses accommodate the finger contours, distributing the mechanical load across a broader surface area of the finger. This load distribution prevents concentration of stress at single points, reducing the risk of skin damage and discomfort during prolonged use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3387945B1comb
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 PARK WAYKK
  • EP3387945B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3387945B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3387945B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The purpose is to reduce a load on fingers which grip a comb and to increase a gripping power to the fingers which grip the comb. In a comb (1), first and second recessed parts of a curved shape are formed in both perimeter edges of one-end edge comb part (3) and the other-end edge comb part (4) in width directions, respectively, and also first and second comb tooth recessed parts of a curved shape are formed in both perimeter edges of a plurality of comb teeth (6) in width directions. When one of the one-end edge comb part (3) and the other-end edge comb part (4) is mainly gripped by the fingers, the fingers are fitted into the first or second recessed part of the one-end edge comb part (3) or the other-end edge comb part (4) and also into the first or second comb tooth recessed parts of the comb teeth (6) located nearby. Since each of the recessed parts has the curved shape, it becomes in a surface contact to the fingers and, thus, the gripping power acting on the fingers is distributed and the load on the fingers is reduced, and also the gripping power increases due to the finger fitted into each of the recessed parts.