Interchangeable Depilation Head with Integrated Massaging Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing depilatory devices cause significant pain during hair removal and lack a compact, efficient, and easy-to-clean design that combines effective hair removal and pain relief functions.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional depilatory device with a rotating cylinder and integrated massaging element, driven by a cam mechanism, that provides simultaneous hair removal and pain relief, featuring interchangeable treatment blocks and a compact design for improved ergonomics and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a movable pad element with displacement in the plane of the skin is used for pain relief, then the painkiller effect is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and constructionally complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepain during depilationVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the depilation function and pain relief function into a single integrated head assembly. The oscillating element is integrated within the same head housing as the depilation rollers, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective pain relief through skin friction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the oscillation frequency of the massaging element is increased for better pain relief, then the painkiller effect is enhanced, but the device requires more complex drive mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepain relief effectivenessVSAvoiddrive mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cam mechanism as an intermediary element that converts the rotational motion of a single motor into high-frequency oscillations of the massaging element. The cam profile is designed to generate the required oscillation frequency without requiring complex direct-drive mechanisms, simplifying the overall drive system while achieving effective pain relief.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the depilation head is designed with integrated pain relief means, then the device becomes compact and robust, but the massaging element may be difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the head assembly as a separable component that can be easily removed from the main device body. The oscillating massaging element is positioned and constructed to allow access for cleaning, with surfaces that can be reached and maintained even when integrated within the compact head structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If the depilation roller pulls hairs close to the skin for better results, then the depilation effectiveness is improved, but the pain sensation is intensified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepilation effectivenessVSAvoidpain sensation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the oscillating massaging element to act on the skin before and during the depilation process. By pre-massaging the treatment area and continuously frictioning the skin during hair removal, the device prepares the skin to tolerate close-to-skin depilation while reducing pain perception, enabling effective hair removal without excessive discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively reduces pain during hair removal by massaging the skin, enhances blood microcirculation, and is easy to clean and maintain, with a compact and robust design that supports various skin treatments.

Implementation Method 1

A further object of the invention is a body care appliance provided with a cam and a rod secured to the movable shutter, the cam being mounted on a rod and intended to drive said massaging element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

This movement in the plane of the skin produces in particular a massaging action by friction performed just next to the zone of action of the depilation roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2671465B1Pain-free depilation head
Publication Date: 2018.04.18 SEB SA
  • EP2671465B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2671465B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2671465B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The apparatus (1) has a housing (2) that contains an electric motor and a gear train that is driven by the motor. An epilation cylinder (4) is rotatable about a depilation axis (Delta) that is provided parallel to a plane of a skin to be treated. A massaging element (7) i.e. bar, is in contact with the skin. A drive wheel is driven by the gear train. A bi-processing block (8) incorporates the messaging element and the epilation cylinder. The bi-processing block is interchangeably mounted on the housing of the apparatus.