Automatic Hair Dryer Comb With Moisture Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair dryers risk damaging hair by applying excessive heat, causing dryness, pain, and scalp irritation, especially since they lack effective moisture sensing mechanisms for hand-held designs.
Innovation Solution
An automatic hair dryer with a comb incorporating a moisture sensor and a heating element control system, where the heating element is turned off when hair is dry, and the fan continues to blow cool air, using a 12V DC power source isolated from the 120/240V AC power for the heating and fan, with a delay circuit to maintain heating during brief comb removals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a moisture sensor is disposed in the circulating air in a hair drying hood, then the moisture content of the air can be measured, but this method is not applicable to hand held dryers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a comb as an intermediary carrier that holds the moisture sensor probes. The comb teeth provide a structure that allows probes to contact hair while keeping the sensor body away from the scalp, enabling moisture measurement in hand-held dryer applications where direct air sensing is not feasible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from measuring moisture in the air (three-dimensional space) to measuring moisture directly on the hair surface (two-dimensional contact). By placing probes between comb teeth that contact hair, the system measures moisture at the hair-surface level rather than in the surrounding air volume.
2Measurement precision
If electrodes are arranged on an accessory that comes into contact with the hair, then moisture can be measured through resistance or capacitance, but the accessory may cause scalp irritation or pain when hair is dry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the comb structure into multiple segments with teeth spaced apart. The moisture sensor probes are positioned between these teeth, allowing them to contact individual hair strands without the entire comb structure contacting the scalp. This segmentation isolates the sensing function from potential sources of irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the comb structure. The teeth are designed for hair engagement while the body between teeth houses the sensors. The probes make localized contact only with hair strands in the spaces between teeth, avoiding scalp contact while maintaining moisture measurement capability.
3Productivity
If the heating element is continuously operated to dry hair efficiently, then productivity is improved, but the hair may be made too dry and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where moisture sensor probes continuously monitor hair moisture content and provide signals to the control circuit. The control circuit adjusts the heating element operation based on real-time moisture levels, reducing heat when hair is sufficiently dry and preventing over-drying while maintaining efficient drying when moisture is high.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the heating element operation dynamic rather than static. The heating element is turned on or off based on real-time moisture detection, creating a dynamic drying process that adapts to the changing moisture content of the hair during the drying cycle, optimizing both efficiency and safety.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the heating element is turned off when hair is dry, then hair damage is prevented, but additional control systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating system where the moisture sensor probes automatically detect hair moisture levels and the control circuit autonomously adjusts heating element operation. The system serves itself by using the comb structure to position sensors and the electrical connection through the comb body to activate/deactivate heating, minimizing the need for external control inputs from the user.
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
This solution prevents over-drying and scalp irritation by dynamically controlling heat based on moisture content, ensuring safer and more efficient hair drying while maintaining durability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the moisture is measured on the basis of the resistance or capacitance of the hair between the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
the moisture is measured on the basis of the resistance or capacitance of the hair between the electrodes
Implementation Method 3
a heating element and fan disposed within the body and adapted to blow air across the heating element
Implementation Method 4
a heating element and fan disposed within the body and adapted to blow air across the heating element and into and/or through an individual's hair
Implementation Method 5
a detector which compares the amount of radiant energy in two absorption bands in the spectrum of light emitted by an infra red source and reflected by the hair. One of the absorption bands is caused by water in the hair
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic Hair dryer including a hand held body, a comb attached to the body, a 120/240 V.A.C. heating element and a fan adapted to move a mass of air across the heating element and through or across the comb and into an individual's hair. A moisture sensor is disposed between the teeth of the comb and is powered by a 12 volt D.C. power supply such as a step-down transformer. When the sensor senses moisture, the comb is passed through an individual's hair and the 120 -volt A.C. current is connected to the heating element. Then, when the moisture content of the hair is relatively low, the sensor activates a switch that turns off the power to the heating element while the power to the fan is maintained until a master switch is turned off.