Non-Parallel Jaw Hair Straightener with Segmented Heating Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair straightening devices either require multiple passes due to a small contact area with the hair, leading to inefficient smoothing, or have bulky structures that are difficult to use and do not achieve flat smoothing effectively.

Innovation Solution

A hair straightening appliance that pinches hair between two non-parallel planes, increasing the contact surface area and efficiency, with a main smoothing zone and a complementary smoothing zone that can be thermally independent or dependent, allowing for adjustable temperature control and a removable complementary zone for adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional hair straightener with two pivoting jaws is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the contact area with hair is small requiring multiple passes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoothing efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The smoothing device is divided into multiple independent smoothing zones (first smoothing zone with first treatment surfaces, second smoothing zone with second treatment surfaces) that can operate simultaneously. Each zone can be thermally independent or dependent, allowing parallel processing of hair sections to increase productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment surfaces are arranged in non-parallel planes (first plane and second plane not parallel to each other) to create multi-dimensional contact with hair. This dimensional arrangement increases the effective contact area and allows the device to smooth hair more efficiently in a single pass compared to traditional single-plane designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If elastic blades are arranged side by side to increase contact area, then the number of passes is reduced, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of passesVSAvoiddevice usability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple smoothing zones are merged into a single integrated device body with unified handling. The first and second smoothing zones are combined in one device that can be operated with a single hand, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools or complex multi-component assemblies that would reduce usability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment surfaces are designed to be movable relative to each other within their respective zones, allowing dynamic adjustment during operation. This dynamic capability enables the device to adapt to different hair types and smoothing requirements while maintaining a compact, user-friendly form factor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Shape

If hot breath is used for smoothing, then the hairstyle has greater volume effect, but flat smoothing is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehairstyle volumeVSAvoidsmoothing flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces airflow-based smoothing (hot breath) with direct mechanical and thermal contact through treatment surfaces. The heating elements in contact with the treatment surfaces provide controlled thermal energy transfer that achieves flat smoothing, while the mechanical pinching action between non-parallel planes provides the structural shaping needed for volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If multiple passes are performed to treat wavy or frizzy hair, then the smoothing result is improved, but the treatment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoothing qualityVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple smoothing zones operate simultaneously and continuously on different sections of hair during a single pass. The first and second smoothing zones work in parallel without interruption, maintaining continuous useful action on the hair throughout the treatment process, thereby achieving high smoothing quality without the time penalty of sequential multiple passes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This design reduces the number of passes needed for smoothing, achieves effective and fast straightening, and is compact and easy to use, while allowing for precise temperature control and adaptability to different hair types.

Implementation Method 1

each said smoothing zone being provided with a heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2378915B1Hairstyling device

Publication Date: 2018.08.01 SEB SA

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Figure 3~4
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AI summary

The invention relates to a hairdressing appliance (1; 101) comprising two treatment surface assemblies for gripping a lock of hair, the two treatment surface assemblies being respectively carried by jaws (2, 3; 102, 103) arranged facing one another. In accordance with the invention, the treatment surface assemblies have at least a main smoothing region (10, 11; 110, 111) which heats up and is used to grip the lock of hair in a first plane and a complementary smoothing region (20; 120; 220) which heats up and is used to grip the lock of hair in a second plane which is not parallel to the first plane.