Dual-Function Lice Removal Apparatus with Integrated Suction and Heat
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head lice removal apparatuses fail to effectively eliminate both lice and nits from hair, requiring additional combing to remove dead parasites, and lack energy efficiency in their operation.
Innovation Solution
An electrical apparatus combining a drier with a suction device, featuring a dismountable pronged applicator and a nit-removing comb, which uses a reusable metal filter to collect lice and nits, and an electronic circuit to optimize energy use by leveraging the heat from the suction device motor to dehydrate lice without activating the drier resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drier with hot air is used to dehydrate and kill lice, then lice elimination is achieved, but nits remain attached to hair requiring additional combing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines a drier applicator and a suction comb applicator into a single dual-function device. The drier component delivers hot air to dehydrate and kill lice, while the suction comb component with fine teeth and attached vacuum nozzle simultaneously combes through hair to remove dead lice and nits. This merging of two separate tools into one integrated apparatus eliminates the need for sequential treatment steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed as a multi-functional device that performs both lice dehydration/killing and nit removal functions. The single handle unit accommodates two different applicators (drier and suction comb) that can be used in sequence or combination, making the device universally capable of completing the entire lice treatment process without requiring additional specialized tools.
2Reliability
If separate drier and combing tools are used, then lice and nits can be removed, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both drier and suction comb functionalities into one apparatus, the invention enables simultaneous or immediate sequential use of both functions during a single treatment session. The unified design eliminates the time required to switch between separate tools and allows the user to perform both dehydration and removal operations in one continuous process.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction comb applicator is pre-equipped with a vacuum system and fine comb teeth specifically designed for immediate nit and debris removal. The pre-attached filter and vacuum mechanism are ready to capture particles as soon as the drier component completes its dehydration function, eliminating delays between treatment stages.
3Temperature
If a drier resistance is activated to generate heat, then lice dehydration is effective, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction motor in the apparatus generates heat as a byproduct of its operation. The invention utilizes this waste heat from the motor to contribute to the overall heating requirement for lice dehydration, reducing the burden on the dedicated drier resistance and thereby lowering total energy consumption. The system essentially uses its own operational byproducts to assist in its primary function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful waste heat generated by the suction motor into a beneficial contribution toward lice dehydration. Instead of dissipating the motor heat unused, the design captures and utilizes it to supplement the drier heating function, transforming an energy waste product into a useful thermal resource that reduces overall power consumption.
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 apparatus simultaneously dehydrates and removes lice and nits, reducing implementation time and energy consumption while ensuring complete parasite elimination without the need for additional combing.
Implementation Method 1
a drier, formed by a blower or turbine equipped with a resistance that expels air
Implementation Method 2
a suction device formed by a second turbine, which in this case aspirates air
Implementation Method 3
the tube that connects the turbine on the base to the applicator nozzle contains a metal filter which retains the head lice and the nits
Implementation Method 4
the drier may utilize the heat generated by the suction device motor and use it for the blower
Data Source
AI summary
APPARATUS FOR REMOVING HEAD LICE, designed on the basis of a base casing (2) comprising a drier (3) formed from a first electric motor (4) with an air-blowing turbine and a resistance (5), coupled to a first flexible tube (6) which comprises, on the distal end thereof, a detachable applicator head (7) with prongs (8) via which hot air is expelled. It also comprises a suction device (9) formed by a second electric motor (10) with an air suction turbine coupled to a second flexible tube (11) with a detachable suction nozzle (12), a dismountable filter (13), a very fine “nit-removing”-type comb (14), an electronic circuit (18), and at least one temperature sensor (17) which is connected to the electronic circuit (18) and determines the automatic actuation of the power-saving system on the basis of pre-established temperature parameters.