Detachable Hair Styling Appliance Torque Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair styling devices lack safety features to prevent motor damage and user injury due to improper torque handling, as they can operate in non-functional configurations, leading to risks for both the device and user.
Innovation Solution
A portable hair straightening device with a motorized roller and pressing mechanism that ensures a mechanical drive connection only when in a functional state, featuring a torque limiter and user-controlled complementary coupling parts to prevent untimely operation, and a clamping system with heating elements for efficient hair straightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the motor is designed to drive the chuck continuously, then productivity is improved, but the risk of motor damage and user injury increases when the device is in non-functional configurations
Solution Approach 1:
A safety coupling device is introduced as an intermediary between the motor and the chuck. This coupling includes friction discs that can slip under excessive torque conditions, acting as a mediator that allows continuous operation while preventing dangerous situations by disconnecting the power transmission when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction-based torque limiting mechanism provides automatic feedback control. When the torque exceeds a predetermined threshold (indicating non-functional configuration or malfunction), the friction discs slip, automatically disconnecting the motor from the chuck without requiring external monitoring or intervention.
2Reliability
If a torque-limiting device using friction discs is used, then safety against excessive torque is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction discs are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced if worn. This approach uses simple, low-cost elements to achieve the torque-limiting function without requiring complex or expensive mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction-based torque limiter is a passive device that automatically regulates torque without requiring external control systems, sensors, or active components. The system self-regulates based on the physical properties of friction, eliminating the need for additional control complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the motor can drive the chuck in any configuration, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful effects increase when hair gets caught or control device malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The friction discs are pre-configured to slip at a predetermined torque threshold, providing beforehand protection against harmful situations. This preventive measure is built into the mechanical structure, cushioning against potential injuries before they can occur by automatically disconnecting the power when abnormal conditions arise.
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
The device ensures safe and effective hair straightening by preventing motor overload and user injury through controlled torque management and user intervention, providing a reliable and efficient shaping experience.
Implementation Method 1
a torque-limiting device consisting of two discs mounted on the motor's output shaft and the mandrel, respectively. These two discs are pressed together so that they adhere by friction, thus ensuring mechanical transmission between the motor and the mandrel. If the motor is subjected to excessive load, exceeding a predetermined level, the discs will slip relative to each other instead of rotating together
Implementation Method 2
A portable hair straightening device with a motorized roller and pressing mechanism that ensures a mechanical drive connection only when in a functional state, featuring a torque limiter and user-controlled complementary coupling parts to prevent untimely operation, and a clamping system with heating elements for efficient hair straightening.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a hairstyling appliance (1) comprising a main body (2) that incorporates a motor (3) and a means (4) for entraining a lock of hair to be styled (C), set in motion by said motor (3), said hairstyling appliance (1) being characterized in that it comprises first and second complementary coupling parts (16, 17) that are attached to the motor (3) and to the entraining means (4), respectively, said first and second complementary coupling parts (16, 17) being movable relative to one another between a coupled configuration and an uncoupled configuration.