Epilator Two-Axis Pivot Mechanism for Skin Contour Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing epilators lack optimal two-dimensional adaptability and user comfort due to the positioning of pivoting axes, either being too close to the skin or too far, affecting the handling and efficiency of hair removal.
Innovation Solution
An epilator design with a skin contacting unit pivotable around a first axis and a head housing pivotable around a second axis, both axes being perpendicular and spaced apart, allowing for adjustable positioning and a resilient element to maintain a rest position, enhancing user comfort and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pivoting axis is positioned close to the skin, then the adaptability to skin contours is improved, but the handling comfort and user control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The epilator head is divided into two independently pivotable segments: the skin contacting unit that can pivot around a first axis relative to the head housing, and the head housing that can pivot around a second axis relative to the handle. This segmentation allows each segment to independently adapt to different aspects of skin contour variations while maintaining user control through the handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-axis pivoting system where the first axis allows pivoting parallel to the skin surface for contour adaptation, and the second axis allows pivoting perpendicular to the skin surface for angle adjustment. This dimensional approach enables simultaneous optimization of skin contact adaptability and user handling comfort.
2Ease of operation
If the pivoting axis is positioned far from the skin, then the user control and handling are improved, but the adaptability to skin contours deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The epilator head is divided into two independently pivotable segments: the skin contacting unit that can pivot around a first axis relative to the head housing, and the head housing that can pivot around a second axis relative to the handle. This segmentation allows each segment to independently adapt to different aspects of skin contour variations while maintaining user control through the handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-axis pivoting system where the first axis allows pivoting parallel to the skin surface for contour adaptation, and the second axis allows pivoting perpendicular to the skin surface for angle adjustment. This dimensional approach enables simultaneous optimization of skin contact adaptability and user handling comfort.
3Device complexity
If a single pivoting axis is used, then the device structure is simplified, but the two-dimensional adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The epilator head is divided into two independently pivotable segments: the skin contacting unit that can pivot around a first axis relative to the head housing, and the head housing that can pivot around a second axis relative to the handle. This segmentation allows each segment to independently adapt to different aspects of skin contour variations while maintaining user control through the handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-axis pivoting system where the first axis allows pivoting parallel to the skin surface for contour adaptation, and the second axis allows pivoting perpendicular to the skin surface for angle adjustment. This dimensional approach enables simultaneous optimization of skin contact adaptability and user handling comfort.
4Device complexity
If the pivoting axes are positioned close to each other, then the mechanical structure is simplified, but the friction and force requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cylindrically or spherically shaped neck walls that immerse into hollows defined by the neck portion, creating curved pivot paths that reduce friction during pivoting motion. The spherical geometry distributes contact forces more evenly, reducing the peak force requirements for pivoting the head housing around the second axis.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is concerned with epilator having an epilator head that has a head housing and a skin contacting unit arranged for being pivotable with respect to the head housing around a first axis and a handle arranged for being held by a user's hand, wherein the epilator head is pivotably connected with the handle and is arranged for being pivotable with respect to the handle around a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being essentially perpendicular to each other and the first axis and the second axis have a distance to each other and wherein the epilator head comprises a neck portion that is connected with the handle to establish a separable but otherwise fixed connection and the head housing comprises a cylindrically or spherically shaped neck wall, which neck wall is arranged to immerse into a hollow defined by the neck portion when the head housing pivots around the second axis.