Hair Styling Device With Movable Heating Panel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair styling devices have a narrow primary opening that restricts the size of the device and requires users to apply curls in small sections, potentially causing unintentional tension on the hair, especially when styling thicker sections, and may lead to loss of curl shape during removal.

Innovation Solution

A hair styling device with a wider primary opening that allows closer placement of hair to the elongate member, reducing the device's size and eliminating the need for high temperatures, while incorporating a movable panel with heating elements to maximize heat transfer and prevent hair tension, and a secondary opening that allows easy curl removal without deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the primary opening is made wider, then the device size can be reduced and hair placement accuracy improved, but the heated wall area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidheated wall area

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The movable panel is merged with heating means, transforming from a simple closure component to an active heating element. This allows the panel itself to contribute to heat transfer when closed, compensating for the reduced wall area caused by the wider opening. The heating means integrated in the panel can apply direct heat to the hair during the styling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable panel serves multiple functions: it acts as a closure for the primary opening, provides a heating surface for direct heat application to hair, and can be positioned to cover different areas of the chamber. This multi-functionality allows the device to maintain effective heated area despite the wider opening design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If the primary opening is made narrower, then more heated wall area is available, but the device size increases and hair placement becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheated wall areaVSAvoidhair placement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating heating means into the movable panel, the system compensates for the larger opening area that makes hair placement easier. The panel's heating capability ensures sufficient heat transfer occurs even with increased opening size, maintaining styling effectiveness while improving user operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If high temperatures are used for heating, then styling effectiveness is improved, but hair damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestyling effectivenessVSAvoidhair damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Heating means are distributed across multiple surfaces including the movable panel and chamber walls, creating localized heating zones rather than concentrating high temperature in one area. This allows effective heat transfer to the hair while avoiding excessive temperatures that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heating means in the movable panel enable continuous heat application throughout the styling cycle, from when the panel is closed during styling to when it remains closed during cooling. This continuous low-level heating is more effective and less damaging than intermittent high-temperature heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 wider primary opening reduces the force required to insert hair, allows for more accurate placement, and minimizes curl deformation during removal, maintaining the style's integrity and reducing the risk of hair damage.

Implementation Method 1

the movable panel has heating means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Heating at least part of the panel which covers the primary opening maximises the heat which can be applied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP2915446B1Hair styling device

Publication Date: 2019.03.06 TF3

Figure 1~5
Figure 6~11
Figure 12~15

AI summary

This invention relates to a hair styling device (110). According to the invention the hair styling device comprises a body (112) defining a chamber (116) adapted to accommodate a length of hair (126), the chamber having a primary opening (124) through which the length of hair may pass into the chamber; a rotatable element (134) adapted to engage the length of hair adjacent to the primary opening; an elongate member (120) around which, in use, the length of hair is wound by the rotatable element; a movable panel (156) having an open position in which the primary opening is open to receive the length of hair, and a closed position in which the primary opening is covered, the movable panel having heating means (158).