Hairstyling Appliance Movable Guide Element for Curling Regularity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hairdressing devices fail to produce satisfactory curls or waves due to inadequate automatic positioning and handling of hair, leading to irregular curling effects.

Innovation Solution

A hairdressing device with a movable guide element that automatically positions hair in a predetermined orientation relative to the mandrel, allowing for regular curls or waves by rotating the mandrel without moving the device, and includes a protective cover to prevent burns and ensure safe use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a winding element is used to wind hair around the mandrel, then automatic curling is achieved, but the curling effect is irregular and unsatisfactory

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic curlingVSAvoidcurling regularity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The movable guide element performs preliminary positioning of the hair lock in a predetermined orientation relative to the mandrel before the winding operation begins. This preliminary alignment ensures that the hair is correctly positioned for uniform winding, resolving the contradiction between automation and curling regularity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The movable guide element acts as an intermediary component between the hair lock and the winding element. It mediates the positioning process by guiding the hair into the correct orientation before the winding element engages, thereby ensuring regular curls while maintaining automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the winding element is moved to the close position to press hair against the mandrel, then curling effectiveness is improved, but hair insertion becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurling effectivenessVSAvoidhair insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. It moves to a standby position that facilitates easy hair insertion, then moves to an operating position that ensures effective curling when the winding element is in the close position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element performs preliminary positioning of the hair lock in a predetermined orientation relative to the mandrel before the winding operation begins. This preliminary alignment ensures that the hair is correctly positioned for uniform winding, resolving the contradiction between automation and curling regularity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the mandrel is heated to improve curling, then curling effectiveness increases, but the risk of burns to the user increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurling effectivenessVSAvoidburn risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable protective cover acts as a physical barrier and intermediary between the heated mandrel and the user's skin. It allows the mandrel to remain heated for effective curling while preventing direct contact that would cause burns, thus resolving the contradiction between curling effectiveness and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If the movable guide element is added to position hair, then curling regularity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurling regularityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. It moves to a standby position that facilitates easy hair insertion, then moves to an operating position that ensures effective curling when the winding element is in the close position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable guide element is integrated with the existing winding element assembly, combining multiple functions into a unified structure. This reduces the overall complexity compared to adding a completely separate positioning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3515236B1Hairstyling appliance comprising a movable guiding element
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 SEB SA
  • EP3515236B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3515236B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3515236B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a hairstyling appliance (2) comprising a barrel (6) mounted such that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis; a winding element (11) designed to wind a strand of hair around the barrel (6), the winding element (11) rotating as one with the barrel (6) and having a proximal end mounted such that it can pivot relative to the barrel (6) between a spaced-apart position and a near position; and a movable guiding element (27) designed to occupy a standby position and an operating position, said movable guiding element (27) being configured to be moved from the standby position into the operating position when the winding element (11) is moved from the spaced-apart position into the near position and also being configured to move a strand of hair placed across the barrel (6) such as to position the strand in a given orientation (Op) relative to the barrel (6) when the movable guiding element (27) is moved from the standby position into the operating position. Hairstyling appliances.