Handheld Hair Removal Light Source Side Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair removal methods, such as epilation and shaving, often fail to detect fine hairs effectively, leading to incomplete removal procedures.
Innovation Solution
A handheld hair removal apparatus equipped with a light source positioned to provide a light beam with a main propagation axis at an angle of less than 30° relative to the skin contact portion, enhancing contrast between skin and hairs for improved visibility of fine hairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is mounted above an epilation arrangement to illuminate the skin, then visibility of skin is improved, but fine hair detection remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the illumination parameters by positioning the light source laterally at a 45° angle relative to the skin surface, rather than directly above. This angular parameter change creates side illumination that casts shadows, significantly improving the visibility of fine hairs against the skin background.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from top-down illumination (one dimension) to lateral illumination at an angle (adding spatial dimension). By positioning the light source at the side of the epilation arrangement rather than above it, the system creates a three-dimensional lighting scenario that enhances contrast and makes fine hair detection possible.
2Productivity
If traditional epilation devices are used, then hair removal is performed, but fine hairs remain undetected and unremoved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary illumination action before the hair removal operation. The light source is positioned to illuminate the skin area in advance, creating optimal viewing conditions that allow users to detect fine hairs before the epilation process begins, ensuring more complete hair removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source acts as an intermediary element between the user and the fine hairs. By introducing this optical mediator that creates contrast through side illumination and shadowing, the system enables the user to visually detect fine hairs that would otherwise be invisible, improving overall detection accuracy.
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 apparatus optimizes hair removal by illuminating hairs from the side, allowing users to detect and remove fine hairs more effectively, resulting in improved removal results.
Implementation Method 1
the light source provides a light beam with a main propagation axis enclosing an angle of incidence of less than 30° with an imaginary plane extending parallel to the main movement direction and the primary axis
Implementation Method 2
hair protruding from the skin is illuminated more strongly than the skin to improve light contrast
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to mechanical hair removal. In order to provide a handheld hair removal apparatus with improved detection of fine hair, a handheld hair removal apparatus (10) is provided that comprises a hair removal arrangement (12), a support structure (14) for supporting the hair removal arrangement, and a light source (16) attached to the support structure. During operation, a main movement direction (20) of the apparatus is provided. The hair removal arrangement comprises a skin contact portion (22) extending at least along a primary axis (24) extending perpendicularly to the main movement direction for contacting a user's skin during operation. Further, the light source can be arranged in an operational position (PO) at a side of the hair removal arrangement in front of the skin contact portion with respect to the main movement direction. Still further, in the operational position the light source provides a light beam (28) with a main propagation axis (30) enclosing an angle of incidence (32) of less than 30° with an imaginary plane (33) extending parallel to the main movement direction and the primary axis.