Hair Care Appliance Attachment Airflow Separator

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair care appliances with airflow attachments often experience inconsistent and turbulent airflow due to uncontrolled separation of airflow from the outer surface, leading to undesirable styling results.

Innovation Solution

The attachment features an airflow separator, which is configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface in a controlled manner, ensuring consistent and uniform airflow. This is achieved through a recess or projection in the main body that creates a rapid change in surface profile, preventing airflow re-attachment and optimizing airflow separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If no airflow separator is provided, then the attachment structure is simpler, but airflow separation from the outer surface becomes uncontrolled and turbulent

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An airflow separator is introduced as an intermediary component between the airflow outlet and the outer surface. This separator mediates the interaction between airflow and the outer surface, controlling where and how airflow separates to prevent turbulence and improve styling consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the airflow separator is positioned closer to the airflow outlet, then airflow separation control is improved, but the region where dirt could become trapped increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The distance between the airflow separator and airflow outlet is optimized to specific parameter ranges (7-10mm) to balance airflow control performance with ease of cleaning. This parameter optimization ensures that the separator is positioned far enough to minimize dirt trapping while maintaining effective airflow separation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the recess depth is increased to prevent airflow re-attachment, then airflow control improves, but the overall size of the attachment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The recess depth is optimized to specific parameter ranges (at least 0.1mm, preferably 0.3-0.5mm) to achieve effective airflow separation control while minimizing the overall attachment size. This parameter optimization prevents airflow re-attachment without creating excessive bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the ratio between width and depth of recess is increased, then airflow separation point control is improved, but the surface area exposed to potential dirt accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ratio between width and depth of the recess is optimized to specific ranges (at least 1:1, preferably 1.5:1 to 3:1, or at least 2:1) to control the airflow separation point effectively while minimizing the surface area where dirt could accumulate. This ensures both aerodynamic performance and ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 controlled separation of airflow results in improved styling of the user's hair by providing consistent and uniform airflow, reducing turbulence and enhancing the quality of hair treatment and styling.

Implementation Method 1

an airflow separator downstream of the airflow outlet, the airflow separator configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface in use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 2

airflow from the airflow outlet is configured to attach to the outer surface; an airflow separator downstream of the airflow outlet, the airflow separator configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoanda effect: Coanda Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250040680A1Attachment for a hair care appliance

Publication Date: 2025.02.06

AI summary

An attachment for a hair care appliance, the attachment including a main body having an outer surface, a hair engaging member, an airflow inlet for receiving airflow from the hair care appliance, and an airflow outlet between the main body and the hair engaging member. The airflow from the airflow outlet is configured to attach to the outer surface. The attachment further includes an airflow separator downstream of the airflow outlet. The airflow separator is configured to cause airflow to separate from the outer surface in use.