RF Comb Attachment for Uniform Skin Warming During Hair Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair cutting devices, such as electric shavers and trimmers, often cause hot spots on the skin surface due to direct heating, with limited warming effect below the surface, and face challenges in providing uniform warmth within spatial constraints.

Innovation Solution

The device employs RF energy generation via electrodes to warm the skin using an RF generator unit, with electrodes on the device or a comb attachment, achieving a temperature increase of 38°C to 42°C through controlled RF energy transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional clippers are used with guard combs, then hair cutting is possible, but the guards can be lost, misplaced, or stolen and require frequent reordering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention of cutting attachmentsVSAvoidseparate storage and handling of guards
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting guards are integrated directly into the clipper head assembly, merging the comb and clipper into a single unit. This eliminates the need for separate guard components that can be lost or misplaced, while maintaining the full functionality of hair cutting with different guard lengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clipper head is designed with multiple cutting surfaces that can be selectively engaged, allowing a single device to perform multiple cutting functions. The head can switch between different guard configurations and direct cutting modes, reducing the need for multiple specialized attachments.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple detachable cutting attachments are used, then versatility in cutting styles is achieved, but the complexity of managing multiple attachments increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting style optionsVSAvoidnumber of attachments to manage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clipper head incorporates multiple cutting surfaces with different geometries within a single attachment, enabling various cutting styles including textured, blunt, and gradient cuts. This integrated design provides the versatility of multiple attachments while simplifying management to a single component.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The clipper head is divided into multiple functional zones with different cutting surfaces, each optimized for specific cutting styles. This segmentation allows diverse cutting capabilities within a unified attachment that remains simple to manage and store.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional clipper designs are used, then basic cutting function is provided, but precision and control over hair texture and length are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidcontrol difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different zones of the clipper head feature specially engineered cutting surfaces with varying tooth patterns, angles, and densities optimized for specific cutting tasks. This local differentiation provides precise control over hair texture and length while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive selection of cutting zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The clipper head incorporates movable or adjustable cutting surfaces that can be repositioned or reconfigured during operation. This dynamic capability allows real-time adjustment of cutting parameters for enhanced precision while maintaining user-friendly control through simple mechanical adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4543336B1A hair cutting device and an attachment therefore
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4543336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4543336B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP4543336B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

According to an aspect, there is provided an electric hair cutting device (100) comprising a body (102) comprising a radiofrequency, RF, generator unit (108) configured to generate RF energy; and a first plurality of electrodes (110) electrically coupled to the RF generator unit; and an attachment assembly (104) removably mountable to the body, the attachment assembly comprising a second plurality of electrodes (114) configured to contact the skin of a user during use; a cutting element (112); wherein the attachment assembly (104) is a comb attachment having teeth (106) that serve to separate and/or lift hairs to be cut during use; wherein the first plurality of electrodes are configured to be electrically coupled to the second plurality of electrodes of the attachment assembly when the attachment assembly is mounted to the body, such that RF energy generated by the RF generator unit is able to be transmitted to the skin of the user in order to increase the temperature of the skin of the user.