Hair Styling Appliance Motion Sensor Auto Shutoff

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric hair styling/care devices consume unnecessary energy and pose safety risks when left unattended, as they continue to heat even after being switched on, leading to increased ecological concerns due to prolonged energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a motion sensor connected to a control device that reduces or switches off the heating element after a predefined period of inactivity, allowing for automatic power reduction and prevention of unwanted energy consumption, while ensuring safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the heating element continues to operate when the device is put down, then the device is ready for immediate use, but energy is consumed unnecessarily and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadiness for useVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element operates periodically rather than continuously - it is activated when the device is picked up and deactivated when put down, creating a on-demand heating cycle that eliminates unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining readiness when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The motion sensor provides feedback about the device's movement state to the control device, which automatically adjusts the heating element's operation accordingly - detecting when the device is picked up or put down and responding by activating or deactivating heating, thus preventing energy waste while ensuring immediate availability when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the heating element operates continuously, then the device is always ready for styling, but safety risks increase due to unnoticed operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability for stylingVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The motion sensor continuously monitors the device's state and provides feedback to the control device, enabling automatic detection when the device is placed down and triggering immediate deactivation of the heating element, thus eliminating safety risks from unnoticed operation while maintaining styling availability when the device is in use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically monitors its own operational state through the motion sensor and self-regulates the heating element's activation and deactivation based on whether it is being held or placed down, eliminating the need for manual switching and ensuring safety without user intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If a motion sensor is used to completely switch off the device, then energy consumption is minimized, but the device may switch off during brief pauses in styling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidstyling continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element operates in periodic cycles rather than being completely switched off - it remains active during styling pauses and only deactivates when the device is deliberately placed down for an extended period, creating a smart on-demand operation pattern that balances energy savings with styling continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a static on/off state to a dynamic operational state - the heating element's power level is continuously adjusted based on real-time motion detection, allowing it to maintain full power during active styling, reduce power during brief pauses, and completely deactivate only when deliberately abandoned, thus adapting to user needs moment by moment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution effectively reduces energy consumption and minimizes safety risks by automatically switching off or reducing heating output when the device is not in use, promoting ecological efficiency and user safety.

Implementation Method 1

at least one motion sensor (2) which is connected to a control device (3) in a communicating manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMotion detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

heating element (6) of the same

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2359711B1Hair styling or care appliance
Publication Date: 2014.06.04 BOSCH SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2359711B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrically operated hair styling/care device (1) for styling and/or caring for hair. A key feature of the invention is that the hair styling/care device (1) has at least one motion sensor (2) which is communicatively connected to a control unit (3), wherein the control unit (3) is configured to switch off the hair styling/care device (1) or at least reduce the heating power of a heating element (6) if the device remains stationary for a predefined period of time. This reduces, in particular, the risk of fire and energy consumption.