Handheld Epilator Angular Position Feedback via Light Spot Coincidence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld devices, such as epilators, often used suboptimally due to difficulty in maintaining the correct angular position and pressure, leading to inefficiencies and potential injuries, with existing feedback systems being cumbersome or requiring additional sensors.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device with two or more light sources arranged to provide coincident or non-coincident light spots based on the angular position, allowing users to intuitively adjust for optimal performance without additional sensors, focusing on visual guidance for optimal angular positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If feedback means are added to inform users about angular position, then treatment efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses its own existing light sources to provide feedback information about angular position. The light sources serve dual purposes: their primary function for treatment and a secondary function for providing visual feedback about device orientation, eliminating the need for separate feedback components.
Solution Approach 2:
The light sources are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide illumination for treatment and also serve as indicators for angular position feedback. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining improved treatment efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are added to detect angular position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses its own existing light sources to provide feedback information about angular position. The light sources serve dual purposes: their primary function for treatment and a secondary function for providing visual feedback about device orientation, eliminating the need for separate feedback components.
Solution Approach 2:
The light spots act as an intermediary visual indicator between the device's angular position and the user's perception. Instead of directly detecting and displaying angular position data, the system uses the natural interaction of light with the treatment surface to create visual feedback that intuitively indicates proper positioning.
3Productivity
If user attention is focused on monitoring angular position, then treatment efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses changes in light spot characteristics (position, coincidence, intensity) to communicate angular position information. When light spots from multiple sources coincide or overlap, it visually indicates optimal positioning, providing intuitive feedback without requiring user concentration on technical parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses its own existing light sources to provide feedback information about angular position. The light sources serve dual purposes: their primary function for treatment and a secondary function for providing visual feedback about device orientation, eliminating the need for separate feedback components.
4Ease of operation
If multiple light sources are added to provide visual feedback, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light sources are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide illumination for treatment and also serve as indicators for angular position feedback. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining improved ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback function is merged with the existing illumination system. Multiple light sources that would normally only provide treatment illumination are configured to also provide angular position feedback through their light spot patterns, combining two functions into one system.
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
Enhances user experience by providing intuitive visual feedback for optimal angular positioning, improving treatment efficiency and reducing user effort, while allowing customization and autonomy in device operation.
Implementation Method 1
two or more light sources arranged and adapted to each provide, during operation of the device, a delimited light spot on the treatment surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a handheld device (1) which is used for performing a treatment action while being moved along a treatment surface (4). The result of the treatment action is dependent on the angular position (α) in which the device (1) is being held relative to the treatment surface. An example of such a device is an epilator for removing hairs from a surface of the user's skin. The device comprises at least two light sources (5) arranged and adapted to each provide a delimited light spot (6) on the treatment surface or on an outer surface of the device when the device is in operation. The two or more light sources (5) are arranged so that the light spots (6) they provide are at least partially coincident when the device is held at an angular position relative to the treatment surface which is within a predetermined optimal range of angular positions for which the treatment action is optimal. The light spots are non-coincident when the device is held at an angular position outside said predetermined optimal range of angular positions. As a result, the user is provided with a visible indication of a correct angular position, which guides him or her towards an optimal use of the device.