Epi Disc Clamping Portion Hardness Gradient

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Solution Overview

Problem

Discs in epilating apparatuses made from hard synthetic materials face wear issues, leading to accuracy loss and increased power consumption due to relative motion between parts.

Innovation Solution

The discs feature a clamping portion with radially outward regions made of a harder material for grip and radially inward regions made of a softer material with good gliding properties, manufactured using 2K molding to reduce wear and maintain system accuracy, along with pivot motion delaying and torque transmitting means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If hard synthetic material is used for the disc to provide sufficient hair grip, then hair grip is improved, but wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair gripVSAvoidwear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping portion is designed with non-uniform hardness distribution: the radially outward region (contact area with hair) is made harder for effective gripping, while the radially inward region (gliding surface) is made softer to reduce wear during relative motion between discs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The disc employs a composite structure where the clamping portion combines hard and soft material regions within the same component, achieving both strong hair grip and reduced wear through the differentiated material properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If hard material is used for the clamping portion, then hair grip is improved, but system accuracy deteriorates due to wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair gripVSAvoidsystem accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hardness gradient in the clamping portion ensures that only the necessary gripping area is hard, while the motion interface remains soft to minimize wear-induced accuracy degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If hard material is used for the clamping portion, then hair grip is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair gripVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The softer radially inward region reduces friction and resistance during relative motion between discs, thereby lowering the power required to operate the epilating apparatus while the harder outward region maintains effective hair gripping capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8608756B2Disc for an epilating apparatus disc assembly

Publication Date: 2013.12.17 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A disc for an epilating apparatus disc assembly includes at least one clamping portion intended to interact with a further clamping portion of a neighboring disc when the disc and the epilating apparatus are arranged as the epilating apparatus-disc assembly, with a radially outward region of the clamping portion. The radially outward region and a radially inward region are harder than a radially intermediate region of the clamping portion.