Heatable Hair Roller With Removable Heating Rod

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heated hair rollers are painful and uncomfortable to use, and curling irons can cause burns, while also producing curls that do not last as long as those from heated hair rollers.

Innovation Solution

A heatable hair roller system with a removable heatable rod and insulated grip, allowing the roller shell to be wound into hair before heating, and a heating unit with temperature control, enabling safe and comfortable curling with adjustable heat settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If heated hair rollers are used to create long-lasting curls, then curl duration is improved, but user comfort and safety deteriorate due to pain and burning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurl durationVSAvoidburning and pain

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two separate components: a non-heating roller shell that contacts the hair and an separate heating element (heater) that is insulated from the user. This segmentation allows the heating function to be separated from the user-contact portion, eliminating burns and pain while maintaining long-lasting curl creation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An insulated handle or protective layer acts as an intermediary between the hot heating element and the user's hand. This intermediary blocks thermal energy transfer to the user while allowing the heating element to effectively heat the roller shell, thus preventing burns while maintaining the curling function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If curling irons are used for comfortable handling, then user comfort is improved, but curl duration deteriorates and burn risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling comfortVSAvoidcurl duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the comfortable handling function into a separate insulated handle from the heating function. The roller shell provides the structural framework and hair contact surface, while the insulated handle provides comfortable grip without transferring heat, thus achieving both comfort and long-lasting curls simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insulated handle serves as an intermediary that provides comfortable handling while blocking heat transfer to the user. This allows users to comfortably hold and manipulate the device without experiencing burn risks, while the heating element continues to effectively heat the roller shell for long-lasting curls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If roller shell diameter is increased for larger curls, then curl size is improved, but heating efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurl sizeVSAvoidheating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is designed with non-uniform thermal properties or selective heating zones that concentrate heat in specific areas of the roller shell. This local quality approach ensures that heat is efficiently distributed to the portions of the roller shell that contact the hair, maintaining heating efficiency even as the overall roller shell diameter increases for larger curls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 system allows for comfortable and safe curling without burns, producing long-lasting curls by heating the roller shell after it is wound into the hair, and enabling re-heating for extended curl duration.

Implementation Method 1

The heating unit comprises a plurality of posts that heat the heatable rods

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a roller shell comprises a thermally conductive filler, which allows the outside diameter of the roller shell to be increased while the diameter of the roller shell cavity remains the same

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

An insulated grip on the heatable rod allows the user to safely and comfortably insert the heated heatable rod without burning the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS9113690B2Heatable hair rollers

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 STUBBS JUDITH KAY

AI summary

A heatable hair roller includes a roller shell and a removable heatable rod. The unheated roller shell is secured in the hair without risk of heating or burning the skin. The heatable rod is then inserted into the roller shell, and the heatable rod heats the hair by heating the roller shell. An optional roller strap secures the roller shell to the hair. An optional expansion sleeve increases the effective diameter of the heatable rod. An optional heating unit heats the heatable rod.