Flexure Comb Arrangement for Hair Cutting Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spacing comb arrangements for hair cutting appliances obstruct the cutting zone and impair visibility and reachability, especially when trimming close to the nose or processing sideburns, due to protruding teeth that block the blade set and increase the risk of hair jamming and skin irritation.

Innovation Solution

A spacing comb arrangement with a comb piece that integrates a flexure section to ensure a tight contact with the stationary blade, reducing the need for teeth protrusion and incorporating a biasing mechanism to prevent hair jamming, while maintaining adjustability and ease of manufacture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the comb teeth protrude beyond the blade set to maintain spacing function, then the hair cutting length control is improved, but the visibility and reachability of the cutting zone is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair cutting length controlVSAvoidvisibility and reachability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The comb piece is designed with a flexure section that enables it to pivot between a retracted position (improving visibility) and an extended position (improving hair length control). This dynamic positioning allows the comb to adapt to different operational needs without being permanently obstructive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The comb piece is divided into distinct functional sections: a frontal portion with comb teeth for hair length definition, a flexure section for movement, and a rear portion for attachment. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while reducing overall obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the comb teeth are positioned close to the blade set to improve visibility, then the visibility and reachability is improved, but the risk of hair jamming between the blade and comb increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility and reachabilityVSAvoidhair jamming risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexure section is pre-configured to exert a biasing force that automatically maintains optimal spacing between the comb teeth and blade set. This preliminary positioning prevents hair from entering the gap between comb and blade, eliminating the jamming risk before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The spacing distance between the comb piece and blade set is dynamically adjusted through the flexure mechanism. The system automatically maintains an optimal distance parameter that is close enough for visibility but far enough to prevent hair jamming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the comb piece is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to maintain tight contact with the blade set is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcontact stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The comb piece exhibits different mechanical properties in different regions: the frontal and rear portions are rigid for structural stability and easy manufacturing, while the flexure section is designed with flexible material or geometry to provide the necessary compliance and contact stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Stability of the object's composition

If the comb teeth protrude further to maintain spacing function during movement, then the hair length consistency is improved, but the obstruction of the cutting zone increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair length consistencyVSAvoidcutting zone obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The comb piece transitions from a static protruding structure to a dynamic element that can retract when not needed for spacing. During hair cutting operations requiring close access, the comb retracts to minimize obstruction while maintaining hair length consistency through the defined comb tooth geometry.

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

The solution enhances visibility and reachability by eliminating the obstruction of the blade set, reduces hair jamming and skin irritation, and allows for precise length adjustments without compromising hair catching capacity.

Implementation Method 1

a flexure section (72) that is arranged to urge the frontal portion (68) against the skin-facing side (26) of the stationary blade (22)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10702999B2Comb arrangement, cutting head, and hair cutting appliance

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A spacing comb arrangement for a hair cutting appliance includes a comb piece configured to be disposed at a skin-facing side of a stationary blade of a blade set. The comb piece has a plurality of comb teeth that define a cutting length of the blade set when the comb arrangement is mounted thereto. The comb piece further has a flexure section configured to urge a frontal portion of the comb piece against the skin-facing side of the stationary blade.