One-Sided Actuator Head Mounting for Hair Removal Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair removal devices, such as clippers, face challenges with ergonomic accessibility, complex and expensive storage, and difficulty in switching between actuator systems, making it hard to reach problem areas like behind the ear or under the nose, and complicating cleaning and assembly.

Innovation Solution

A hair removal device design where the actuator head is mounted on one side of the housing, allowing easy access and adjustment, with a bearing arm that enables rotation and housing of multiple actuator systems, including a linear motor for oscillating movement, facilitating easy handling and cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the actuator head is mounted on one side of the housing, then accessibility to hard-to-reach areas and ease of cleaning are improved, but the bearing must be designed to withstand bending forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to hard-to-reach areasVSAvoidbearing load capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing arm is designed as a separate structural component that protrudes from the housing, separating the mounting function from the housing body. This segmentation allows the bearing arm to specifically handle bending forces while maintaining the one-sided mounting advantage for accessibility and cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing arm acts as an intermediary element between the housing and the actuator head. It transmits and withstands the bending forces that occur during operation, protecting the housing while enabling the actuator head to be mounted on one side for better accessibility to hard-to-reach areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the actuator head is mounted on one side of the housing, then assembly and cleaning are simplified, but the device structure becomes asymmetric requiring careful bearing design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidbearing design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing arm is segmented as a distinct component from the housing, which simplifies assembly by allowing the actuator head to be mounted separately. The bearing design complexity is managed by localizing it to the bearing arm rather than the entire housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The one-sided mounting creates an asymmetric device structure, which the patent embraces through the bearing arm design. The asymmetry simplifies assembly and cleaning by providing open access to the actuator head, while the bearing arm specifically addresses the structural requirements of this asymmetric configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple actuator systems are arranged on the actuator head, then versatility is improved, but the actuator head size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple actuator systemsVSAvoidactuator head size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator head is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different actuator systems (short-hair trimmer, long-hair trimmer, epilator). This multi-functionality allows a single actuator head structure to perform various hair removal functions by simply changing the actuator systems mounted on it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator head is designed with rotational capability around an axis, allowing dynamic repositioning of different actuator systems into the active working position. This dynamic arrangement enables multiple actuator systems to be positioned on the actuator head without permanently increasing the active working area, as only one system is active at a time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances accessibility to hard-to-reach areas, simplifies assembly and cleaning, and allows for efficient use of multiple actuator systems without hindrance, improving user experience and reducing operational complexity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one actuator system comprises a linear motor (44)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear motor: Linear Motor

Data Source

PatentEP1924411B1Hair removing device
Publication Date: 2010.09.29 BRAUN GMBH
  • EP1924411B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1924411B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1924411B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a hair removing device (1) which comprises a housing (2) and an actuator head (7) which can be displaced in the housing (2). An actuator system (10, 26) for removing hair is embodied in the actuator head (7) and is driven by an electric drive device (44) which is arranged in the hair removing device (1). The actuator system (10, 26) can be placed in at least one active position (22) relating to the hair. According to the invention, said actuator head (7) can be rotationally mounted only on one side of the housing (2), and as a result, access can be easily gained from the one side, such that also hair on problem areas on the surface of the skin can be removed.