Elastomeric Oscillating Cleansing Head for Interstitial Skin Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handheld skin cleansing devices fail to effectively clean the interstitial spaces between skin cells and fine skin features, as their brushes only reach the surface and can cause skin roughening due to built-up debris and dead cells.
Innovation Solution
A cleansing device with an elastomeric cleansing head that oscillates at a frequency of 5 Hz to 30 Hz, featuring a plurality of elastomeric cleansing features with an aspect ratio of 1:5 to 10:1, designed to provide deep cleaning by stretching the skin and removing dead cells through a stick-slip mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional rotating or vibrating brush heads are used for skin cleansing, then surface cleaning action is provided, but the brushes fail to reach interstitial spaces between skin cells and can cause skin roughening due to built-up debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through a piezoelectric element that causes the cleansing head to oscillate at high frequency (e.g., 20,000 vibrations per minute). This vibration enables the cleansing features to effectively reach and clean interstitial spaces between skin cells that conventional rotating brushes cannot access, while the high-frequency oscillation prevents debris buildup that causes skin roughening
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an elastomeric material for the cleansing head and cleansing features, which provides flexibility to conform to skin contours and reach fine skin features. The elastomeric properties allow the cleansing head to adapt to the skin surface while maintaining effective contact for deep cleaning of interstitial spaces without causing irritation
2Productivity
If brushes are used for facial cleansing, then cleaning action is provided, but brushes tend to lift facial skin cells without removing them, causing skin roughening
Solution Approach 1:
The high-frequency oscillation (20,000 vibrations per minute) produced by the piezoelectric element creates a gentle yet effective cleaning action that removes dead skin cells without lifting or damaging viable skin cells. The rapid oscillation prevents the mechanical trauma and roughening associated with conventional brushes while maintaining productive cleansing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cleaning mechanism from low-frequency rotating motion to high-frequency oscillation, fundamentally altering how the cleansing head interacts with skin cells. This parameter change enables effective removal of dead cells while preventing the lifting and roughening effects caused by conventional brush rotation
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 achieves thorough skin cleansing and exfoliation, improving skin smoothness and appearance by effectively removing dead cells and promoting collagen production, while being gentle on the skin.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes a piezoelectric element that causes the at least one cleansing head to vibrate when a current is applied to the piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
designed to provide deep cleaning by stretching the skin and removing dead cells through a stick-slip mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E~1F
AI summary
A cleansing device for mammalian skin includes a cleansing head having a plurality of elastomeric cleansing features extending away from a first surface of the cleansing head. The cleansing head is attached to a handle. The cleansing device includes an actuator coupled to a rotating drive shaft and adapted to apply oscillating movement to one or more cleansing head sections of the cleansing head at a frequency of about 5 Hz to 30 Hz.