Interchangeable Head Base for Multi-Function Grooming Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrically-driven devices for hair grooming and skin treatment are limited by their single-function design, requiring multiple devices for different tasks, which increases costs, inconvenience, and storage needs, and lacks adaptability to various skin contours and facial positions.

Innovation Solution

A single electrically-driven device with a handle and a head base that is movable in multiple dimensions, featuring interchangeable head attachments for various functions, including shaving, trimming, and skin treatment, with a transmission system that translates rotary motor motion to linear reciprocating motion, allowing for flexible use and improved adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate electrically-driven devices are used for different hair grooming and skin treatment functions, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the consumer incurs additional expenses, experiences inconvenience, and requires additional storage and charging space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidfunctional versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal electrically-driven device with a common handle and motor assembly that accepts multiple interchangeable head attachments. Each attachment is designed for a specific function (shaving, trimming, exfoliating, etc.), allowing a single device to replace multiple specialized devices. The standardized interface and mounting mechanism enable quick swapping between attachments while maintaining optimized performance for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single electrically-driven device is designed to receive multiple types of head attachments for different functions, then convenience and cost are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into a permanent handle assembly containing the motor, battery, and control electronics, and interchangeable head attachments containing the functional elements. This segmentation allows the complex motorized portion to remain unchanged while only the simpler attachment heads need to be swapped for different functions, reducing the overall complexity management burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The head attachment mounting system incorporates dynamic elements such as spring-loaded locking mechanisms and flexible positioning features that automatically adjust to ensure proper engagement. The head base is designed to be movable in multiple dimensions relative to the handle, allowing automatic alignment and secure attachment without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the head attachment is designed to be fixed relative to the handle, then maximum performance is achieved for specific functions requiring fixed positioning, but adaptability to different skin contours and facial positions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveperformanceVSAvoidadaptability to skin contours

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The head base is designed with movable joints allowing it to tilt and swivel relative to the handle in multiple dimensions. This dynamic positioning capability enables the head attachment to adapt to different skin contours, facial angles, and body surfaces while maintaining secure attachment. The movement is constrained within specific ranges to ensure proper alignment and performance for each attachment type.

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

Enables a single device to perform multiple hair grooming and skin treatment functions effectively, reducing the need for multiple devices, enhancing convenience, and improving adaptability to different skin contours and facial positions.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission, the transmission being constructed to translate rotary motion of the motor to linear, reciprocating motion of the at least one driven shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical motion translation:

Data Source

PatentUS11548176B2Electrically-driven device constructed to receive a plurality of attachments

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 BRAUN GMBH

AI summary

An electrically-driven device includes a handle and a head, wherein the head includes a head base coupled to the handle and movable in at least two dimensions relative to the handle and a first head attachment and a second head attachment, wherein each one of the first and second head attachments are releasably engageable, one at a time, with the head base, each one of the first and second head attachments includes a skin treatment implement constructed to treat skin or a cutting unit constructed to cut hair, and the first head attachment is different from the second head attachment.