Pivoting Mascara Brush Head for Precision Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mascara applicator systems are inefficient when used by non-dominant hands, leading to compromised angles and precision issues, and the manual bending of hinged applicator wands often results in mascara contamination during insertion and removal from the container.
Innovation Solution
A mascara applicator system with an articulable mount that allows the brush head to automatically tilt relative to the wand shaft, enabling easy access to both eyes without manual bending and minimizing mascara contact with the container neck, using a hinge joint that allows the brush head to rotate between two angles for easy insertion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hinged applicator wand is used to enable bidirectional use, then the applicator can be used with either hand, but the brush head must be manually bent multiple times causing mascara contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge joint enables the brush head to dynamically change its angle relative to the wand shaft. The brush head can automatically tilt to a first angle for application and a second angle for insertion/removal, adapting its configuration based on operational needs without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The articulable mount with hinge joint allows the brush head to self-adjust its angle automatically during insertion and removal from the container. The system performs the bending action itself through the hinge mechanism rather than requiring the user to manually bend the brush head, preventing contamination
2Measurement precision
If the dominant hand is used to apply mascara to the non-dominant eye, then precision is maintained, but the applicator wand must be held at a compromised angle reducing accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge joint allows the brush head to dynamically adjust its angle to optimize accessibility. When applying to the non-dominant eye, the brush head can tilt to an angle that improves access to lashes near the bridge of the nose while maintaining the precision of dominant hand control
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
Enables precise application of mascara to both eyes with the dominant hand while maintaining cleanliness, as the brush head can be easily inserted and removed from the container without manual bending, reducing contamination and improving application accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The articulable mount orients the brush in a position where the central axis of the handle intersects the center line of the brush at a point between the first end and the second end of the brush
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the application of mascara. The system has a container and an applicator wand. The applicator wand has a handle that extends along a central axis. A wand shaft extends from the handle and hold a brush head. The brush head includes a brush held in an articulable mount. The articulable mount orients the brush in a position where the central axis of the handle intersects the center line of the brush at a point between the ends of the brush. The brush is biased to a first angle of inclination. The articulable mount provides a hinge joint between the brush and the wand shaft. The hinge joint enables the brush to temporarily rotate about the hinge joint away from its first angle of inclination and into a second angle of inclination to pass into or out of the access opening of the container.