Drive Shaft Coupling with Biasing Member for Gear Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair coloring systems are inefficient in targeting and coloring the roots of hair, leading to uneven coverage, excessive mess, and unpredictable results, particularly when new hair segments grow with different natural colors from the rest of the hair.

Innovation Solution

A formula delivery device with a drive shaft coupling mechanism that aligns and engages gears to precisely apply hair coloring formulation to targeted areas, using a drive gear and driven gear with a biasing member for radial sliding, allowing axial alignment and engagement, enabling precise delivery and distribution of the formulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed gear coupling is used, then the structure is simple, but the gears cannot align when there are positional deviations, leading to failed engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear alignment capabilityVSAvoidcoupling structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling structure incorporates movable elements that allow radial and axial adjustments. The gears can dynamically adapt their positions through radial sliding and axial movement, enabling alignment even when initial positions are not perfectly matched. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling is divided into separate functional components: a radial adjustment mechanism and an axial engagement mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific alignment tasks independently, achieving comprehensive alignment capability while keeping individual components relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the gears are designed to move axially for alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear alignment precisionVSAvoidnumber of moving parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radial sliding mechanism and axial engagement mechanism are merged into a single integrated coupling structure. The biasing member simultaneously controls both radial position and axial engagement, reducing the number of independent moving parts while maintaining high alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The biasing member provides automatic axial positioning and engagement force without requiring external actuators. The spring-loaded mechanism self-adjusts to maintain optimal gear engagement, reducing complexity by eliminating the need for additional control systems or actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 precise application of hair coloring formulations to targeted areas, reducing mess and improving consistency, effectively blending colors at the hair roots, even as new hair grows, by using a drive shaft coupling mechanism for precise gear alignment and formulation distribution.

Implementation Method 1

the coupling is capable of alignment and coupling of the drive gear and driven gear upon the radial sliding of the coupling from a non-engagement position to an engagement position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial sliding:

Implementation Method 2

urging the at least one of the drive gear and the driven gear axially toward the other of the drive gear and the driven gear when the drive gear is in substantial axial alignment with the driven gear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAxial urging:

Data Source

PatentUS10598230B2Drive shaft coupling

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 LOREAL SA

AI summary

A drive shaft coupling is provided, such as a coupling used with a formula delivery appliance. The drive shaft coupling generally includes a drive gear and a driven gear, with one of the drive gear and driven gear having a biasing member to allow axial translation. The drive shaft coupling is generally configured to transfer rotation from the drive gear to the driven gear. In one aspect, the drive shaft coupling is capable of alignment and coupling of the drive gear and driven gear upon the radial sliding of the coupling from a non-engagement position to an engagement position.