Hinged Cosmetic Applicator With Elastic Guiding Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cosmetic product applicators are difficult to produce, prone to wear and tear, and sensitive to friction, leading to reduced service life and perceived quality issues due to gaps and instability during use.
Innovation Solution
The applicator features first and second guiding elements that maintain sliding contact under radial elastic stress, offsetting manufacturing tolerances and wear-induced gaps, with stable configurations allowing for easy handling and adjustable torque through calibrated elastic stress, enabling reliable and sustainable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a slot with a hard spot is used to guide the application member, then the application member can be maintained in predetermined positions, but the slot is sensitive to wear and tear due to substantial friction, decreasing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the interaction mechanism from friction-based hard spot engagement to elastic stress-based guiding element engagement. The guiding elements are designed to work under controlled elastic stress parameters, transforming the fundamental physical principle from dry friction to elastic deformation, thereby reducing wear while maintaining position stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures in the guiding elements that can withstand repeated elastic deformation cycles. The materials are selected to provide both the necessary elasticity for stress-based engagement and sufficient durability to resist wear over the product's service life, combining properties that neither单一 material could provide alone
2Manufacturing precision
If a slot with a hard spot is used to guide the application member, then position control is achieved, but the substantial friction generates wear and tear, creating gaps that affect perceived quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the position control mechanism from friction-dependent hard spot engagement to elastic stress-dependent guiding element engagement. This parameter change eliminates the wear and tear problem while maintaining precise position control through calibrated elastic stress that keeps guiding elements in constant sliding contact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates elastic stress as a cushioning mechanism that compensates for manufacturing tolerances and prevents gap formation. The pre-applied elastic stress acts as a buffer that maintains continuous contact between guiding elements, preventing the development of harmful gaps before they can affect quality
3Ease of manufacture
If the guiding elements are designed for sliding contact under elastic stress, then manufacturing is simplified and wear is reduced, but the applicator requires calibrated elastic stress to maintain stable configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the precision requirement from mechanical tolerance control to elastic stress calibration. By designing guiding elements that work under controlled elastic stress, the system tolerates broader manufacturing variations while maintaining functional precision through stress-based engagement, simplifying production
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic stress mechanism is designed to self-regulate within acceptable ranges, providing stable configurations without requiring precise manual calibration during assembly. The system uses the elastic properties of the materials themselves to achieve and maintain proper engagement, reducing the need for complex calibration procedures
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 results in a simpler, more reliable, and durable applicator with improved user experience by maintaining sliding contact and adjusting elastic stress to prevent untimely position changes, thus enhancing the quality and longevity of the product.
Implementation Method 1
said first and second guiding elements being configured to slide against one another during a rotation of the gripping member with respect to the application member, with each one of the first and second stable configurations corresponding to a minimum of elastic stress between said first and second guiding elements, said elastic stress being considered in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation
Implementation Method 2
the first and second guiding elements are maintained in sliding contact against one another under the effect of an elastic stress exerted in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of these members makes it possible to offset any existing gaps within the applicator
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator, including: an application member (30) comprising an application element (42); and a gripping member (32) hinged to the application member, with the gripping member being mobile with respect to the application member around an axis of rotation (38), between a first and a second stable configurations. The application member and the gripping member respectively comprise first and second (75) guiding elements, configured to slide against one another during a rotation of the gripping member with respect to the application member, with each one of the first and second stable configurations corresponding to a minimum of elastic stress between said first and second guiding elements, said elastic stress being considered in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation (38).