Hair Styler Airflow Layout for Alternating Hot and Cold Styling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair stylers cause significant hair damage due to direct heat application, and alternating hot and cold air is difficult to achieve effectively for improved styling without separate tools, leading to reduced styling efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A hair styler with integrated thermoelectric modules for alternating hot and cold air, a dual airflow channel system, and a sensor-activated controller for easy operation, allowing seamless switching between hot and cold air modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a hair styler uses direct heat transfer from a hot plate, then hair styling effectiveness is improved, but hair damage becomes severe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehair styling effectivenessVSAvoidhair damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hair roll as an intermediary tool between the hot air source and the hair. The hair roll receives hot air from the air discharge port and transfers heat to the hair through its cylindrical structure, allowing indirect heat transfer that reduces direct thermal damage while maintaining styling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements alternating supply of hot air and cold air through periodic operation of the heater module and thermoelectric module. This periodic thermal action creates temperature differences that enhance styling effectiveness while preventing excessive heat accumulation that would cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If a hair dryer is used for styling, then hair drying function is achieved, but separate roll comb or hair roll is required which increases operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehair drying functionVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the hair dryer function and hair roll styling function into a single integrated device. The air discharge port is specifically designed to couple with the hair roll, merging the drying and rolling styling functions so that users no longer need separate tools, thereby reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If only hot air is supplied for styling, then heating effect is achieved, but styling fixing force is insufficient without cold air alternation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating effectVSAvoidstyling fixing force
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic alternation between hot air supply (via heater module) and cold air supply (via thermoelectric module). This periodic thermal cycling creates temperature differences that enhance the fixing force of the styling while maintaining effective heating during hot air phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes the temperature parameter of the supplied air by switching between heating and cooling modes. The controller adjusts the operational state of the heater module and thermoelectric module to create alternating temperature conditions, optimizing both the heating effect and styling fixing force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Minimizes hair damage by providing effective alternating hot and cold air styling with improved efficiency and ease of use, enhancing styling results.

Implementation Method 1

a thermoelectric module positioned in the first portion of the inner casing and including a heat absorber and a heat dissipator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoelectric effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 2

a heater module positioned in the second portion of the inner casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

a fan motor mounted in the handle casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4678057A1Hair styler
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4678057A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4678057A1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP4678057A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This hair styler comprises: a head case extending in the horizontal direction and comprising an air discharge portion on the front end thereof; a handle case coupled to a handle connector formed on the lower portion of the head case; a fan motor mounted in the handle case; an inner case positioned in the head case, the inner case comprising a first portion positioned on the rear side thereof and a first portion positioned on the front side thereof; a thermoelectric module positioned on the first portion of the inner case, the thermoelectric module comprising a heat-absorbing portion and a heat-radiating portion; a heater module positioned on the second portion of the inner case; and an air guide for supplying winds which are supplied from the handle case to the head case to the inner case entrance on the rear side of the inner case. The hair styler can provide cold winds at a temperature lower than the room temperature by using the thermoelectric module, thereby improving the styling effect.