Hair Care Device Selective Cortex Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair styling devices cause damage to hair due to excessive heat application, which damages the cuticle layer and exposes the cortex to external conditions, leading to loss of natural moisture and shine.
Innovation Solution
A hair care device that uses a combination of a heat source to heat hair fibers to a temperature below the cuticle damage threshold and a radiation source, specifically a laser emitting wavelengths between 400 and 600 nm, to selectively heat the cortex, preventing cuticle damage and maintaining moisture and shine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high temperature heating is applied to achieve hair styling, then styling effect is improved, but cuticle damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different heating methods to different parts of the hair structure: infrared radiation selectively heats the cortex (inner layer) while the heat source maintains the cuticle (outer layer) temperature below damage threshold. This local differentiation allows styling without cuticle damage by targeting the heating effect to specific regions within the hair fiber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional direct contact heating with infrared radiation heating. Instead of relying solely on thermal conduction from hot plates that heat from outside-in, infrared radiation penetrates and heats the cortex directly through photothermal conversion, substituting a radiative heating mechanism for traditional conductive heating.
2Productivity
If conventional heating is used to style hair, then styling is achieved, but hair damage and moisture loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
By selectively heating the cortex while preserving the cuticle integrity, the patent prevents moisture loss from the hair interior. The cuticle acts as a protective barrier that retains natural moisture when not damaged, while the cortex receives sufficient heat for styling through infrared penetration and photothermal conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful effect of infrared radiation (which can cause overheating) into a beneficial selective heating mechanism. By controlling the infrared parameters and combining with moderate heat source temperature, the radiation that could potentially damage hair is instead used to selectively heat only the cortex, protecting the cuticle and preventing moisture loss.
3Shape
If high temperature contact heating is applied, then styling effect is improved, but heat damage to hair structure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves reliable hair structure integrity by differentiating the heating treatment between cuticle and cortex. The cuticle is maintained below damage temperature while the cortex reaches styling temperature through infrared radiation, ensuring the protective outer layer remains intact and reliable while the inner layer achieves desired shape change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite heating approach combining two different heating mechanisms: conventional heat source (for cuticle heating to below-damage temperatures) and infrared radiation (for selective cortex heating). This composite heating system allows simultaneous protection of the cuticle and effective styling of the cortex, maintaining overall hair structure reliability.
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 device achieves hair styling without damaging the cuticle, as the cortex is heated sufficiently for styling while the cuticle remains below the damage temperature, retaining natural moisture and achieving smooth, shiny hair.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source for in combination with heat from the heat source—selectively heating a hair cortex to a second temperature exceeding the first temperature and sufficiently high for hair styling
Implementation Method 2
For selectively heating the hair cortex, a wavelength range between 400 and 600 nm, and preferably between 450 and 550 nm is optimal where absorption coefficient is maximum
Implementation Method 3
a heat source for heating hair up till a first temperature that is no more than 150° C. (and thus lower than a critical temperature at which hair cuticle damage will occur)
Data Source
AI summary
A hair care device (100) comprises a heat source (103) for heating hair up till a first temperature that is no more than 150° C. (and thus lower than a critical temperature at which hair cuticle damage will occur), and a radiation source (102) for—in combination with heat from the heat source (103)—selectively heating a hair cortex to a second temperature exceeding the first temperature and sufficiently high for hair styling.