Mascara Applicator Metal Core Ball Joint Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mascara brushes with metal cores face challenges in orientability and assembly, leading to precision issues in application and increased complexity in manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A metal core applicator member with a integrally formed joint head, allowing for easy mounting and orientability on a gripping member, which can be produced by shaping the metal core to form a ball joint or pivot joint connection, enhancing mechanical integrity and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a joint is provided in the stem to enable brush orientation, then orientability is improved, but the distance from the brush to the hand changes, affecting application precision
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is divided into two independent parts: a fixed stem and a separately mountable applicator member. The joint is relocated from the stem to the applicator member itself, allowing the stem to remain a single rigid piece that maintains consistent brush-to-hand distance, while the applicator member provides the necessary orientability through its own joint mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
A ball joint mechanism acts as an intermediary between the stem and the applicator member, enabling independent rotation and orientation of the brush while maintaining a fixed mounting point on the stem. This intermediary joint allows the brush to be positioned at various angles without altering the stem's structural integrity or the distance from the brush to the user's hand
2Ease of operation
If a brush with metal core is assembled to a ball head to form a ball joint, then orientability is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint head is integrated directly into the metal core of the applicator member as a single unified component. The metal core is formed with a spherical end section that directly engages with the stem's receptacle, eliminating the need for separate ball heads and reducing the number of assembly steps. This merging of the joint mechanism into the core structure simplifies both manufacturing and assembly while maintaining mechanical integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The metal core's own material properties and geometry are utilized to create the joint mechanism. The spherical end of the metal core serves as both the structural element and the joint component, requiring no additional parts or complex assembly procedures. The core essentially creates its own joint interface through its shaped terminus
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 enables precise and easy orientation of the brush, improving application precision while reducing assembly complexity and allowing for interchangeable brush configurations, with the metal core's shapeability ensuring robustness and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the joint head can be produced easily by heating said metal material up to a temperature allowing it to be shaped
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an applicator member (1) for an applicator for applying cosmetic product, notably for applying mascara to the eyelashes, said applicator member comprising a metal core (2) having an end (2a) for connecting to a gripping member (5), characterized in that said connecting end is shaped so as to be able to form a joint head that is able to engage in a corresponding housing in the gripping member, and in that said connecting end is produced by moulding in one piece with the metal core.