Hair Styling Comb With Dual-Sided Steam Projection Teeth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hairdressing appliances using steam treatment for shaping hair often limit vaporization to one side of the hair, which can reduce the effectiveness of the steam treatment process.

Innovation Solution

The integration of steam projection holes on adjacent teeth of a hairdressing device, allowing vaporization on both sides of the hair during styling, combined with heating surfaces and a comb for separation and detangling, enhances the steam treatment by ensuring thorough vaporization and heating of the hair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If steam projection holes are positioned on single-side teeth, then the device structure is simple, but the steam treatment effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam treatment effectivenessVSAvoidteeth configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The teeth are divided into a first row and a second row, with steam projection holes positioned on teeth in one row while the other row has no holes. This segmentation allows steam to be projected alternately on both sides of the hair as the comb moves, improving treatment effectiveness without requiring every tooth to have holes on all sides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding holes on all sides of all teeth (increasing complexity in one dimension), the invention uses the longitudinal dimension of the comb by alternating rows of teeth with and without holes. This creates a temporal-spatial pattern where steam is delivered to both sides of the hair through sequential positioning rather than simultaneous multi-directional holes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If steam projection holes are positioned on all sides of all teeth, then vaporization occurs on both sides of hair, but the device structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevaporization coverageVSAvoidoverall device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tooth structure is segmented into functional groups: teeth with steam projection holes on one side, teeth without holes, and heated surfaces. This segmentation creates an alternating pattern that achieves comprehensive vaporization coverage through coordinated action of different tooth types rather than uniform multi-sided holes in all teeth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges multiple functions into the comb structure: steam projection, heating, and mechanical combing actions are integrated into a single device. The first and second rows of teeth work together with heated surfaces to provide both vaporization and heating functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate treatment devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If heating is applied only during pinching, then the device structure is simple, but the steam treatment efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam treatment efficiencyVSAvoidheating system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heated surfaces are positioned to contact the hair before the steam projection phase. This preliminary heating action prepares the hair for more effective steam absorption and treatment, improving overall treatment efficiency without requiring complex multi-stage heating controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating action continues throughout the styling process, operating both during the initial pinching phase and continuing through the steam projection phase. This continuous heating maintains optimal temperature for steam treatment throughout the entire operation, improving efficiency without requiring intermittent heating cycles or complex timing mechanisms.

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 configuration improves the hair shaping process by ensuring even vaporization and heating on both sides of the hair, optimizing the treatment for straightening, curling, crimping, and combing, while maintaining the ability to perform various styling functions like brushing.

Implementation Method 1

the pump injects water into the vaporization chamber; this water vaporizes under the action of the heating device and then the steam is projected onto the hair

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

At least one of these two surfaces comprises a heating device allowing the treatment by heating of the hair during their pinching between the two surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The base includes a water tank and a pump which, when activated, pumps water into the tank to supply the gripper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP2789256B1Hair-styling apparatus with steam-spraying teeth
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 SEB SA
  • EP2789256B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2789256B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hair styling device comprising a portable treatment unit that includes vaporization means (11) and at least one arm (5) equipped with teeth (12) configured to project steam onto the hair (14) and arranged longitudinally. The teeth (12) are arranged side by side and each includes two steam projection holes (15, 16) oriented in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis, the adjacent steam projection holes of two adjacent teeth being arranged opposite each other. The present invention allows for vaporization on two sides of the hair, thus optimizing the steam treatment of the hair. In various design embodiments of the hair styling device of the invention, said device is configured to allow for straightening, curling, and/or crimping the hair.