Beard Trimmer Comb Adjustment Wheel With Variable Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hair cutters face challenges with adjustment mechanisms for distance combs that are cumbersome to handle and control, often requiring two hands and interfering with the support structure, limiting precision and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

An adjustment mechanism with an adjustment wheel having a rotation axis perpendicular to the adjusting direction, featuring different transmission ratios for precise and fine control, allowing one-handed operation and minimizing interference with the support structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an adjustment wheel with rotation axis parallel to the adjusting direction is used, then the adjustment mechanism provides straightforward control, but it interferes with the support structure and requires two hands for operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveone-handed operationVSAvoidadjustment mechanism design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation axis of the adjustment wheel is oriented perpendicular to the adjusting direction (vertical orientation) instead of parallel to it. This dimensional change in the rotation axis orientation allows the adjustment wheel to be positioned on the lateral surface of the handle, away from the support structure, enabling one-handed operation without interference

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

2Measurement precision

If a single transmission ratio is used in the adjustment mechanism, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide both precise fine control and quick adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment precisionVSAvoidadjustment speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism dynamically switches between two transmission ratios based on the rotation position of the adjustment wheel. The first transmission ratio (smaller) provides fine control for precise adjustments, while the second transmission ratio (larger) enables quick adjustments. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between precision and speed during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission ratio parameter is changed at different rotation positions of the adjustment wheel. When the wheel rotates within a first angular range, the first transmission ratio is engaged for fine control. When it rotates within a second angular range, the second transmission ratio is engaged for quick adjustment. This parameter change allows the system to provide both precision and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the adjustment wheel is positioned on the handle surface, then it is easily accessible, but it interferes with the support structure for the distance comb

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of adjustment wheelVSAvoidspace for support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment wheel is positioned on the lateral surface of the handle rather than on the top surface where the support structure is located. This spatial repositioning in a different dimension (lateral vs. top surface) allows both the adjustment wheel and the support structure to coexist without interference, maintaining ease of operation while preserving the necessary space for the distance comb support

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

Data Source

PatentEP4699753A1Electric beard trimmer
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 BRAUN GMBH
  • EP4699753A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4699753A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP4699753A1 patent drawingFigure 8

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hair cutter such as a trimmer, comprising an elongated handle, a cutter head attached to an end portion of said handle and including at least one cutting element, and a comb support structure for supporting a distance comb, wherein an adjustment wheel is provided for adjusting a position of said distance comb relative to said at least one cutting element, said adjustment wheel being rotatably supported about a rotation axis extending transverse to a direction of adjusting the comb position, wherein a transmitter is provided for translating rotatory movement of said adjustment wheel into adjusting movements, wherein said adjustment wheel and/or said transmitter are configured to provide for different transmission ratios for different rotatory positions of the adjustment wheel.