Hair Trimmer Feedback System for Uniform Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair cutting devices require significant user skill and accuracy to achieve uniform cutting, as they are difficult to position and maneuver effectively, often leading to missed areas or excessive treatment due to limited visibility and hand movement.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a feedback module providing visual, audible, and tactile feedback to guide the user, using a controller to track the path and angle of the cutting device relative to the body, comparing it to a reference profile to ensure complete and uniform treatment, and adjusting the cutting device's operation based on the direction of hair growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a manual trimmer is used to cut hair, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the user requires significant skill and the treatment accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidtreatment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a feedback module that provides real-time guidance to the user through visual, audible, or tactile signals. The controller receives position information from the position identifier and generates feedback indicating the desired path and orientation of the treating device, enabling users to achieve accurate treatment without requiring extensive skill.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary control system between the user and the treating device. The controller acts as a mediator that processes position data, compares it with reference profiles, and provides guidance signals to the user, thereby bridging the gap between simple manual operation and precise treatment delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the user manually positions and moves the treating device, then the device structure is simple, but the accuracy of treatment deteriorates due to difficulty in positioning and limited visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback module provides real-time guidance on the position and orientation of the treating device relative to the body part. This feedback loop enables users to accurately position and move the device despite limited visibility, as the system continuously monitors position via the position identifier and guides the user through feedback signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated guidance system. Instead of relying solely on user skill to position the device, the system uses the position identifier to detect location and the controller to calculate desired paths, substituting mechanical skill with electronic guidance and feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the user moves the treating device over the body part, then the treatment can be applied, but the uniformity of treatment deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining consistent path and angle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment applicationVSAvoidtreatment uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback module provides continuous guidance on the desired path and orientation of the treating device throughout the treatment process. This enables users to maintain consistent movement patterns and angles, ensuring uniform treatment delivery while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the guidance feedback based on the real-time position and orientation of the treating device. The controller continuously updates the desired path and orientation information, allowing the system to adapt to user movements while maintaining treatment uniformity throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If no feedback system is provided, then the device is simpler, but the user cannot identify treated and untreated areas, leading to missed areas or excessive treatment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback systemVSAvoidtreatment completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback module provides real-time information to the user about the treatment status. By comparing the actual path with the reference profile, the system generates feedback that helps users identify treated and untreated areas, ensuring complete and reliable treatment without requiring complex additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3065920B2A system for treating a part of a body
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3065920B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3065920B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to a system (10) for treating a part of a body to be treated. The system comprises a hand-held treating device(20),and a position identifier (30, 150) configured to generate information indicative of the position of the treating device (20) relative to the part of the body to be treated. A controller(40)is configured to determine a path and/or angle of orientation of the treating device (20) relative to the part of the body to be treated in dependence of the information generated by the position identifier (30, 150). The controller (40) is also configured to operate a feedback module (120, 130, 160) to provide feedback to a user based on the path and/or angle of orientation of the treating device (20) determined by the controller (40). The present application also relates to a treating device configured to be used in a system as described above and a method for treating a part of a body to be treated.