Hair Clipper Mounting Assembly Dual-Axis Pivot Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair cutting appliances require bulky spring arrangements to achieve sufficient stiffness in pivoting movements, compromising design elegance and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A mounting assembly for a hair cutting appliance featuring a head pivotably mounted to a base via a linkage system, with independent first and second biasing elements acting on the head or mount to stabilize pivoting movements about primary and secondary axes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If bulky spring arrangements are used to ensure sufficient stiffness in pivoting movement, then the stability of the head is improved, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of head pivoting movementVSAvoidcomplexity of spring arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing function is segmented into two independent biasing elements, each responsible for one axis of pivoting. This segmentation allows each element to be simpler and more focused, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability for both primary and secondary axis pivoting movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a geometric configuration where biasing points are positioned on opposing sides of a secondary plane that includes the secondary axis. This spatial arrangement in three-dimensional space allows the biasing elements to independently control pivoting about different axes, achieving stable multi-axis movement without bulky arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional spring arrangements are used for dual-axis pivoting, then the head stability is improved, but the design elegance and functionality are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehead stabilityVSAvoiddesign elegance and functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Each biasing element is positioned at specific locations (first biasing point and second biasing point) that are equidistant from their respective pivot axes. This localized geometric configuration ensures that each element provides the appropriate biasing force for its specific axis while maintaining overall design elegance and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If independent biasing elements are positioned on opposing sides of the secondary plane, then the balance of the head about the secondary axis is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebalance of head about secondary axisVSAvoidpositioning precision of biasing points
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing points are positioned asymmetrically relative to the primary axis but symmetrically relative to the secondary axis (equidistant from the secondary axis). This asymmetric-symmetric configuration achieves balance about the secondary axis while allowing for practical manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 provides stable and balanced pivoting movements of the hair cutting appliance head about both primary and secondary axes without the need for bulky spring arrangements, enhancing design and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first biasing element and a second biasing element... configured to act on the head or the mount at a respective first biasing point and second biasing point to bias the pivoting movement of the head with respect to the base to a stable position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4363176B1A mounting assembly
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4363176B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4363176B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4363176B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to an aspect, there is provided a mounting assembly (10) for a hair cutting appliance. The mounting assembly comprises: a head (12) for receiving a cutting unit; a base (14) and a mount. The head is mounted to the base via the mount such that the head is pivotably moveable relative to the base about a primary axis (15) and a secondary axis (30), wherein the primary axis and the secondary axis are not parallel. A first biasing element (34a) and a second biasing element (34b) act independently of one another, wherein the first biasing element and the second biasing element are mounted at a fixed point and configured to act on the head or the mount at a respective first biasing point (40a) and second biasing point (40b) to bias the pivoting movement of the head with respect to the base to a stable position. The first biasing point and the second biasing point are located on the same side of a primary plane (50) which comprises a biasing axis (24a), parallel to the primary axis, about which the first biasing point and the second biasing point are constrained to pivot relative to the fixed point, and a line parallel to a force direction (52) defined by a biasing force applied at one of the first biasing point or the second biasing point, to bias the head in one pivoting direction to the stable position with respect to the base about the primary axis. The first biasing point and the second biasing point are located on opposing sides of a secondary plane (60) which comprises the secondary axis and a line parallel to the force direction, to balance the head in the stable position with respect to the base about the secondary axis.