Hair Straightener Comb Locking System for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair straightening devices with sliding comb connections face difficulties in comb attachment and detachment due to high friction, leading to ergonomic challenges and wear, causing play in the slide connection and poor maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A hair straightening device with a retractable locking system that allows easy positioning and removal of combs without relying on friction, featuring a button-operated mechanism with stop fingers that can be actuated to block or allow sliding, ensuring proper retention and ergonomic assembly/disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction between rail and groove is increased to maintain comb position, then comb retention is improved, but comb attachment and detachment become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the friction-based retention mechanism and replaces it with a locking system that uses a stop finger and button to secure the comb. The stop finger engages with a corresponding feature on the comb to prevent removal, while the button mechanism allows controlled attachment and detachment without relying on friction between sliding surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system transitions between dynamic states: the stop finger moves between engaged and disengaged positions based on button actuation. This dynamic locking mechanism allows the comb to be securely held when locked, but easily removed when the button is pressed to release the stop finger, resolving the contradiction between secure retention and ease of attachment/detachment.
2Reliability
If friction is increased to maintain comb position during use, then comb retention is improved, but wear of rail and groove increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the friction-dependent retention system and replaces it with a mechanical locking system using a stop finger. This eliminates continuous friction between the rail and groove during comb attachment/detachment operations, significantly reducing wear on these components while maintaining reliable comb retention through the locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If tight assembly between rail and groove is provided to prevent play, then comb retention is improved, but assembly and disassembly become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the friction-based tight assembly requirement and replaces it with a positive locking mechanism. The stop finger provides definite retention when engaged, eliminating the need for tight friction-based assembly between sliding components. This allows for easier assembly and disassembly operations while maintaining reliable comb retention during use.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The apparatus (1) has arms (2, 3) equipped with flat heating surfaces and configured to form a grip to allow the heating surfaces to thermally treat hair in a concomitant manner. A comb (9) is assembled in a slide connection (11) with one of the arms in a direction of longitudinal axis (X) of the arm. The arm includes a locking system (15) configured to be actuated in a stop position in which the locking system blocks the comb on the arm in an assembled position or to be actuated in a retracted position in which the locking system authorizes the sliding motion of the comb on the arm.