Movable Tooth Comb for Hair Tension and Styling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing comb attachments for hair care appliances require users to manually apply tension to hair, making it difficult to style effectively, especially for varying hair types, and often necessitates multiple passes to achieve desired results.
Innovation Solution
A comb attachment with a housing that includes first and second rows of outer protrusions and a row of inner protrusions, where the inner protrusions can move from a retracted to an extended position, increasing tension on the hair by forcing it to pass along a C- or U-shaped path, enhancing the styling effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional comb attachment is used with spaced teeth, then the structure is simple, but the user must manually apply tension to hair with one hand while operating the comb with the other hand, increasing operation difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The comb attachment automatically applies tension to the hair through its mechanical design. The teeth structure and housing configuration enable the comb to grip and pull hair through without requiring manual tension application by the user, making the device serve itself in applying the necessary styling force
Solution Approach 2:
The comb incorporates movable teeth that can shift position dynamically as hair passes through. This dynamic adjustment allows the teeth to adapt to different hair types and automatically maintain optimal tension, eliminating the need for manual intervention while handling various hair textures effectively
2Productivity
If a traditional comb attachment requires manual tension application, then the device structure remains simple, but multiple passes are needed to achieve desired styling results, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The comb automatically applies consistent tension and styling force through its engineered tooth configuration and housing design, enabling effective hair styling in a single pass without requiring the user to repeatedly manipulate the hair or make multiple passes through the comb
Solution Approach 2:
The comb's teeth are pre-configured to automatically grip and tension hair as it enters the comb structure. This preliminary automatic tensioning action prepares the hair for styling before the heated airflow is applied, eliminating the need for multiple passes to achieve the desired straightening or smoothing effect
3Adaptability or versatility
If a comb attachment uses fixed tooth spacing, then the device is simple to manufacture, but it may be more effective for some hair types than others, reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The comb features movable teeth that can adjust their position dynamically based on the hair being processed. This dynamic capability allows the same comb structure to adapt to different hair types, lengths, and textures, providing effective styling across diverse hair characteristics without requiring multiple specialized combs
Solution Approach 2:
The comb's tooth spacing and configuration can change parameters such as tension force and grip strength according to the specific hair type being styled. This parameter adjustment capability, achieved through movable tooth mechanisms, allows the device to optimize its performance for different hair conditions while maintaining a single unified structure
Data Source
AI summary
A comb for a hair-care appliance that is configured to supply a heated airflow. The comb includes a housing defining an inlet for receiving an airflow from the hair care appliance, and first and second longitudinally extending and transversely spaced-apart outlets that are in fluid communication with the inlet. The comb further includes a tooth structure mounted to the housing, the tooth structure comprising a row of comb teeth spaced along a longitudinal axis, the row of comb teeth interposed between the first and second longitudinally extending outlets. The comb further includes a flow director movably mounted to the housing so as to be moveable between a first position in which the flow director directs airflow from the inlet to the first outlet, and a second position in which the flow director directs airflow from the inlet to the second outlet.