Ergonomic Electrophoresis Device with Modular Refill

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for treating human keratin materials, such as skin, face challenges in easy refill placement and removal, as well as user-metered dispensing of products, particularly when combined with electric current application.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing for a refill that is easily accessible, incorporating a user-actuated pump for product dispensing, and an ergonomic design allowing axial movement of the refill for ergonomic handling, along with an electrophoresis treatment head for electric current application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the refill is integrated into the device housing, then the device structure is compact, but the refill becomes difficult to access for replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefill accessibilityVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into modular components: the housing (11) containing the electrophoresis system, and the refill (20) as a separate replaceable unit. This segmentation allows the refill to be easily accessed and replaced while maintaining a compact overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The refill (20) is extracted as a separate removable component from the housing (11). The refill can be taken out and replaced independently without disassembling the entire device, improving accessibility while keeping the housing structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the pump is integrated into the device, then the device can dispense product, but the device complexity increases and pump malfunctions can render the device unusable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct dispensingVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump mechanism is extracted from the device housing and integrated into the refill unit itself. This allows the pump to function as part of the replaceable refill rather than the permanent device structure, reducing device complexity and allowing easy replacement if the pump malfunctions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The refill with its integrated pump is designed as a consumable item that can be easily replaced. If the pump malfunctions or the product is depleted, the entire refill unit is discarded and replaced, avoiding the need to repair complex device-integrated pump systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If the refill is fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but the user cannot operate the pump by pressing on the refill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump operationVSAvoidrefill mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The refill mounting system is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The refill can move axially within the housing along the X-axis, allowing the user to press on the refill base to activate the pump mechanism while maintaining proper fluidic connection during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Facilitates easy refill installation and removal, ensures user-metered product dispensing, and reduces the risk of pump malfunctions by allowing refill replacement, while enhancing ergonomic handling and effective product application with electric current treatment.

Implementation Method 1

The treatment head can be arranged to subject the skin, in the treated area, to an electric current, the device preferably being an electrophoresis device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP3389436B1Vorrichtung zur behandlung von menschlichen keratinsubstanzen
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 SEB SA
  • EP3389436B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to an appliance for treating human keratin materials, comprising a treatment head (13) and a handle (12) for holding the appliance in one hand in order to apply the head (13) to the human keratin materials, notably the skin, the appliance having a housing (30) for holding a refill (20) containing a product to be applied, the handle and the treatment head forming an elbow, the housing (30) being oriented substantially in line with the treatment head and open in an opposite direction to the treatment head, the refill being arranged so as to be actuated by the user in order to dispense a metered quantity of product.