KR101417175B1 - Vibrating hair brush - Google Patents

Abstract

And a head having a bristle-bearing pad, wherein the pad includes a motor and a vibrating actuator for creating a vibration motion of the pad and the pad is configured to substantially translate the longitudinal axis of the hairbrush A vibrating hair brush for improved detangling of hair which is pivotally attached to a substrate to pivot about a pivotal axis which intersects the surface of the substrate, and a method of detaching using said brush.

Vibrating hair brush, hair, detangling

Description

{VIBRATING HAIR BRUSH}

The present invention relates to a vibrating hair brush with improved detangling capability.

U.S. Patent 3,517,235 to Flowers et al. Discloses a reverse drive reciprocating hair brush unit that is intended to provide combing and massaging that allows the user to effectively unwound the twisted hair as it traverses the hair with the brush . The disclosed brushes provide improved work efficiency by counter-reciprocating a pair of bristle units that are intended to effectively pull the twisted hair when the reverse moving unit performs combing operations . Unfortunately, this reciprocating action has been found to be detrimental to the detangling operation due to the tendency to damage the hair due to the shear action of reciprocating bristle action.

U.S. Patent No. 2,465,250 discloses a vibrating hair brush including a horizontally mounted motor. The vibration generated by the motor is converted into a pulse at the bristle support portion of the apparatus. As a result, the bristles move in the direction toward the scalp and away from the scalp during use. Over time, beating movements on the scalp, which are primarily for massage purposes, may be unpleasant to the user and provide only a limited effect in the actual detangling of the hair.

Thus, a vibrating hair brush for improved detangling of curly, twisted, or tangled hair that is comfortable to the user while working in a selected plane for improved detangling efficacy and minimal hair damage is desired.

Accordingly, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a head comprising a substrate and a bristle-bearing pad or a bristle pad, said pad comprising a motor and a vibrating actuator for generating a vibration motion of the pad, Wherein the pad is pivotally attached to the substrate to pivot about a pivot axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the hair brush.

The rocking motion performed by the pads in the brush according to the present invention is advantageous for the advancement and retraction of the bristles sufficient to achieve detangling without significant movement towards and away from the user ' Provide exercise. Thus, the brush is effective and comfortable during use.

The general longitudinal axis of the brush is the axis perpendicular to the direction of combing during use, and will generally follow the long axis of the brush.

The transverse means that the pivot axis is perpendicular to the normal longitudinal axis of the brush and in the same plane.

Preferably, vibration motion is common to some of the bristles. Descanting is achieved by the vibrating bristles, but not all bristles are required to vibrate, so that a portion other than the portion that achieves detangling through vibration can be arranged to act in a conventional manner.

More preferably, the bristle pads include a single support for all bristles for common movement of the bristles. The inclusion of a single support for all bristles provides improved detangling since all bristles will vibrate together.

Preferably, the motor includes a drive shaft that rotates in a direction perpendicular to the general plane of the bristle pad. Preferably, the oscillating actuator includes an offset weight that rotates in a plane generally parallel to the bristle pad. Offset weights rotating in a plane generally parallel to the bristle pad provide optimal vibration for detangling of the hair without discomfort to the user.

The physics of how vibration is generated is as follows.

(여기서, 'm'은 회전하는 질량이고, 'r'은 질량 중심에서 회전축까지의 거리이고, 'w'는 각 속도 (회전 속도)임)로 기재된다. 본 발명에서, 각 속도 'w'는 최적의 디탱글링 빈도를 나타내는 한 세트의 실험 결과값에 의해 예정된 범위(window)로 비교적 제한된다.When a constant mass rotates around an axis that does not coincide with the center of mass, the oscillating force or shaking force

(Where 'm' is the rotating mass, 'r' is the distance from the center of mass to the rotational axis, and 'w' is the angular velocity). In the present invention, each rate 'w' is relatively limited to a predetermined window by a set of experimental results representing the optimal detangling frequency.

Through knowledge gained in experimental and computational models, the present inventors have taken into account the additional constraints of user comfort and packaging, and have determined the aggressiveness required by the inventors to achieve the desired performance. With regard to user comfort, the present inventors have found that excitatory forces in excess of a certain amount are undesirable to the user.

The agitation force at 40 Hz is preferably 3 N to 5 N, more preferably 3.5 N to 4.5 N, still more preferably 3.9 N to 4.1 N. The most desirable agitation force is about 4.03 N.

In addition, isolators or isolator assemblies are not so much stretched when the head is upright due to its own weight, so that the brush head may appear intimidating or interfere with the handle housing It is required to have a minimum stiffness so as not to exercise too much.

The off-center weight of the eccentricity may also not be placed too far from the isolator, or the brush may become very long with an appliance.

The dimensions of the weights are optimized for weight and also for battery efficiency. Preferably, the weight is cylindrical. The cylinder provides optimal vibration. Preferably, the cylinder has a diameter of 10 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 13 mm to 18 mm, and most preferably about 16 mm. The final diameter of the cylindrical weight is preferably limited so that the cylinder does not exceed the maximum diameter of the selected electric motor. This allows the weight to be placed on the motor by the motor supplier during assembly and easily fit into the motor housing.

Accordingly, the cylinder height is determined after the diameter is determined. The cylinder height is preferably from 3 mm to 8 mm, more preferably from 5 mm to 6 mm, particularly preferably about 5.5 mm.

The distance from the motor drive shaft (rotation axis) to the center of the cylinder is preferably 5 mm to 9 mm, more preferably 6 mm to 8 mm, particularly preferably about 7 mm.

Preferably, the working angular velocity is between 32 Hz and 47 Hz. These velocities provide the best detangling results determined by consumer and laboratory tests.

Preferably, the offset weights are mounted on the shaft of the motor assembly to induce an eccentric bias to produce the oscillating motion.

Preferably, the offset weights and motor assembly are secured to the bristle pad.

Preferably, the base plate is attached to the bristle support pad by an isolator. Preferably, the isolator is configured so that the motion of the actuator is converted into a circular or elliptical bristle pad vibration motion, more preferably an elliptical motion. Preferably, the isolator includes an elastic material such as a styrene butadiene block copolymer or a silicone elastomer. Alternatively, it may comprise spring steel or other such resilient material.

Preferably, the isolator comprises a plate. Preferably, the plate includes a central portion secured to the substrate and a flexible distal end (which is secured to the pad) of the opposing face of the center of the general longitudinal axis of the brush. The core preferably comprises 20% to 50%, more preferably 25% to 35% of the total width of the isolator. This provides optimal translation into the oscillation of the pad sufficient to achieve detangle of the hair without damaging the scalp from vibrations from the motor.

Preferably, the pivotal axis is disposed centrally in the center of the isolator.

Preferably, the brush includes a power source at the handle. The power supply is connected to the motor by a wire. Preferably, the wire passes through the opposite face along the pivot axis to prevent damage to the wire during use of the brush from the handle to the substrate, and from the side into the pad and through vibration.

Preferably, the hair brush includes a handle which extends from the head portion in the handle axis direction. More preferably, it is in a plane generally parallel to the bristle pad.

Preferably, the bristle pad oscillation motion is a longer elliptical motion in the oval axis in the handle axis direction.

Preferably, the isolation assembly is configured to inhibit vibrational motion in a direction perpendicular to the handle axis direction. The isolator is fixed to the motor housing at the center and distal ends with respect to the handle of the brush, and more preferably is rigidly fixed.

Preferably, the isolator is fixed to the brush head by a connector in a plane generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the brush. Preferably, the connection is less resilient than the rest of the isolator. This reduction in elasticity can be influenced by an increase in dimensions or the use of different materials. More preferably, the connection extends along the face of the isolator by 10% to 70% of the total length of the isolator. More preferably, the connection has an average depth between 110% and 300% of the average depth of the isolator at the point of attachment to the bristle pad.

More preferably, the isolator is clamped within the isolator and in the lower position at the connection.

Preferably, the base includes two opposing fastening members for clamping the isolator along the connection. In one such embodiment, at least one of the opposing fastening members will include a recess in the clamping portion that is suitable for the cross-section of the connection.

Preferably, the isolation assembly has a first stiffness in the handle axis direction and a second stiffness perpendicular to the handle axis direction, wherein the first stiffness is less than the second stiffness.

Preferably, the bristles extend from the bristle pad in a direction generally perpendicular to the bristle pad for bristle movement corresponding to bristle pad movement.

The oscillation motion has a frequency range of preferably 20 Hz to 100 Hz, more preferably 30 Hz to 65 Hz. In a hair brush according to the present invention, this frequency range provides the best detangling without discomfort to the user.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for detaching a hair comprising combing the hair with a brush according to the first aspect of the present invention.

As used herein, the term "vibrating" should be interpreted to include oscillating, and the term "brush" should be interpreted to include embodiments that may alternatively be described as combs. .

Certain embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following non-limiting drawings.

1 is a top view of one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

3 is a front view thereof.

4 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG.

Figure 5 is a top view with the top lid plate removed.

6 is a side view of the rupture part.

Figure 7 is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of combing of a user's hair.

8 is a reference view of an elliptical plane.

Figure 9 is a flow chart of the method of operation of the embodiment.

Figure 10 is a side view of a preferred isolator.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the same isolator.

Embodiments of object vibrating hair brushes provide a solution to the need to improve detatting of hair with little effort and to reduce damage to the user's hair during detangling. A less painful combing action for detangling hair that is more pleasant than the old system, effectively providing a positive experience to the user.

Due to the lower frequency and the milder detangling operation using the object vibration detangling brush, the hair is detached "gently" while being "ripped out" or not damaged during brush detaching . The brush solves the tangling itself due to the specific vibration movement, so that the user does not pull the hair substantially while trying to achieve the desired detangling. Also, the fatigue of the hands is substantially reduced during use.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, it can be seen that the object embodiment comprises the handle portion A and the brush head portion B. As used herein, the term "brush" should be understood to encompass embodiments that may alternatively be described as a comb. The handle portion is ergonomically shaped for ease of use while being retained in the user's hand. The longitudinal axis of the handle A generally follows the line C-C in Fig. The brush head portion B includes a plurality of bristles 10 extending vertically from the bottom wall 12 of the head portion in such a manner as to move through the user's hair and pull the hair. Although the illustrated embodiment represents a bottom wall 12 that is somewhat spherical in shape as an embodiment, it is contemplated that other bottom wall shapes such as a flat or tubular shape may be included as an alternative embodiment. The bristle stiffness can vary from relatively rigid to flexible, but is preferably relatively rigid, and bristles typically have a cantilevered beam stiffness of greater than about 100 N / m measured with a cantilever when attached to a bristle pad.

The head portion B, which will be discussed in greater detail herein, is intended to be oscillated, and such oscillating motion is isolated from the handle portion A such that the oscillation is reduced to the hand and to the user's hand. For clarity, the term "oscillatory motion" should be understood to include oscillating or reciprocating motion. Thus, the brush head upper housing including the top wall 14 is spaced from the handle, such as the area 16 for receiving vibratory motion without tapping contact with the handle portion A.

4, 5 and 6, the object brush includes a motor 20 that actuates an actuator 22, including an offset or counterweight, relative to the motor shaft 24 such that when the motor rotates the shaft, Will cause a bias eccentric to the shaft leading to the oscillating motion of the motor and the weight assembly. This motion will generally have a circular moment in the plane of the actuator that is essentially parallel to the plane defined by lines C-C and D-D in Figure 1. [ As used herein, the term "brush" should be understood to encompass embodiments that may alternatively be described as a comb.

One aspect of the object embodiment includes the motor and weight cyclic oscillatory motion in a particular plane of motion being transformed into a curved pattern such as an elliptical motion of the bristle pad. The isolator 40, which may be an elastic member, is secured to the motor 20 and is also secured to the bristle pad assembly (or bristle support pads) 10,12, 14 such that the vibration movement induced by the motor 10). The motor 20 is accommodated in the cavity portion 42 of the bristle pad head portion which is of a size large enough to accommodate the rotational movement of the offset weight 22 and the motor 20 to cause the desired oscillatory motion. Since the motor and the weight assembly are connected to the brush head by a rigid rigid connection, the vibration generated by the weight of the eccentricity is transmitted to the brush head B. [ The isolator 40 includes a lobe 50 of the isolator in close contact with the lobe cutout 52 matched thereto and a lobe between the upper wall 14 and the motor cap 56, Clms Page number 12 > within the handle 52, thereby causing the head to move generally independently of the handle, thereby causing the movement to be present. The top wall 14 and cuts 52 are rigid plastic pieces that ultimately support the bristles 10. The specific shape of the isolator 40 is such that the lobe is closely received within the cutout 52 and the webbing 60 is received in the slot 62). The distal ends of the lobes 50 and the webbing 60, which are elastic members, are also accommodated in the handle portion cutout 70 so that the isolator 40 effectively isolates the vibratory motion of the head portion from the grip portion A . As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the resulting head subassembly includes a vibration actuator including a motor cap 56, and a motor assembly, which is floating within the handle portion A because the motor assembly is spaced from the inner wall 80 of the handle portion. . The isolator ring is secured within the cutout 70 when the upper handle half 78 is fastened on the lower handle half 76, except for the portion of the elastic isolator ring that is received within the handle cutout 70. [ Other items shown in Figures 4 and 5 include a battery compartment 90 (but the device may also have a cord), a wire passage 92 for the motor, an on-off switch 94, and a switch pad 96, . The ornamental lid 98 within the handle 78 covers the motor cap 56.

In an exemplary embodiment, the isolator 40 is an elastic material, but the alternative may include an assembly of any spring structure, such as a metal spring, plastic gasket, or other resilient member, which may produce similar results.

Another embodiment of the isolator 40, which may be resilient, is that the circular oscillating motion of the eccentric weight 22 is configured to translate into an elliptical motion in a plane generally parallel to the bristle pad. More specifically, it can be seen that the isolator 40 is not supported along the direction of the C-C axis (FIG. 1) but is supported along a line perpendicular to the axial direction (line D-D in FIG. Thus, the elastic body has a first stiffness in the handle axis direction and a second stiffness perpendicular to the handle axis direction, and the first stiffness is smaller than the second stiffness. The effect of this mounting assembly is that the vibrations of the motor and the weight are greater in the direction along the line C-C than in the direction along the D-D line (see FIGS. 1 and 8). When the user's hair (see Fig. 7) is aligned along the DD line (see Figs. 1 and 8), the vibrational motion of the bristles 10 occurs along the extension direction of the hair (i.e., parallel to the extending direction of the hair) The degree of vibration perpendicular to the direction of extension of the hair will oscillate more effectively than the degree of vibration. This may be achieved by twisting the hair slightly or even by the bristles separating the hair by slightly pushing and pulling the hair in the direction of extension thereof, for less deterioration of the good hair with little effort and little hair damage during the detangling process Allows tied hair to loosen easily. A related advantage is that the friction between the bristles and the hair, particularly the electrostatic friction, is reduced.

In Figure 6, another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is that the vibration of the head portion (B) is applied to a curved surface that is generally perpendicular to the user ' s scalp so as to avoid vibration of the bristles into the scalp, Plane. The perspective view of Figure 6 clearly shows the eccentric weight 22 in relation to how the eccentric bias is imparted on the motor 20 and thus on the isolator 40 during rotation of the motor shaft. However, since the rotation of the weight 22 is only in the actuator plane defined by the fastening line 82 between the upper and lower half shells 12, 14 of the head portion B, Is in plane generally parallel to the actuator plane.

Another aspect of the object embodiment is that the vibrational motion is intended to operate in a generally lower frequency range than most prior art vibration brushes. In the user effort required to pull the brush through the hair, the hair is detached very effectively when the vibrating bristles are operated in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 100 Hz, more preferably 30 Hz to 65 Hz, Has been experimentally demonstrated to operate in the frequency range of 42 Hz to 62 Hz. Thus, the improved detangling method of hair operates in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 100 Hz, and for a flat, possibly longer hair (FIG. 7) generally parallel to the user's scalp And brushing the hair with a brush having a vibrating bristle arranged to operate in a curved direction within the plane of extension of the user's hair as it extends from the scalp. Combing may be accomplished by operating the bristles in an elliptical pattern having a first long axis motion in a direction perpendicular to the elongated or extended direction of the user's hair and a second uniaxial motion parallel to the elongated or elongated direction of the user's hair .

In Figures 7-9, a method of operation of the brush embodiment of the present invention for improved detangling of hair involves turning the brush on and vibrating the bristles in a desired elliptical plane parallel to the bristle pad plane 82 (Figure 6) (Step 120). Next, the brush is aligned 122 with the position of the user's hair where the elliptical major axis is perpendicular to the hair direction so that the extending direction of the hair is generally aligned along the axial direction D-D of the brush head. Combing the hair in the direction of the hair extension will thus provide less detrimental effort and a more efficient detangling effect in hair detangling with minimal fatigue of the user's hand.

For non-vertically-elongated hair, that is, highly curled hair, as shown in Figure 7, which may extend significantly outward from the user's scalp, combing the user's hair pulls or loosens the hair according to the length of the hair a similar principle is applied, except that it involves directing the direction of hair extension from the scalp to the outside instead of dropping it from the scalp. The present invention is useful for such hair and long hair (i.e., hair under cheek length) and dry or damaged hair.

Figure 10 shows the isolator 40 attached to the top wall 14 so that movement of the isolator 40 when fixed within the head of the hairbrush will cause the entire bristle support pad 10, 12, 14 to move . Since the motor (not shown) in the pad is fixed along the connection portion 60, the isolator is vibrated and the distal end B is sufficiently moved (arrow B ') to detangle the hair without damaging the scalp Sufficient oscillation (arrow C) is achieved. De-tingling of the hair is achieved by movement in the direction D, and scalp discomfort is caused by movement in the direction E.

Figure 11 shows a preferred isolate in the present invention. The isolator comprises a central portion (A) and a flexible distal portion (B). The distal end is attached to a pad (not shown) at point 123, and the center is attached to the substrate at point 124. Thus, the central portion does not oscillate fixedly while the flexible end can oscillate when the motor vibrates.

In addition, although the object embodiment has been described in relation to combing human hair, the object brush can also be used to solve other such as tangled straps made of animal or pet hair or even non-hair material.

Exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, when others read and understand the above description, variations and changes will be made. It is intended that the exemplary embodiments cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (15)

A pad, comprising: a base having a base and a bristle-bearing pad, the pad being a vibrating hair brush comprising a motor and a vibrating actuator for generating a vibration motion of the pad, Wherein the vortex brush is detachably attached to the substrate so as to pivot about a pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vibrating hair brush. 2. The vibrating hair brush of claim 1, wherein the actuator is arranged to create a vibrational motion of the pad causing the pad to rock about the pivot axis. 3. A vibrating hair brush as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bristle pads comprise a single support for all bristles for common movement of the bristles. 3. A vibrating hair brush as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibrating actuator comprises an offset weight which rotates in a plane parallel to the bristle pad. 5. The vibrating hair brush of claim 4, wherein the offset weights are mounted on a shaft of the motor assembly to cause an eccentric bias thereto to produce a vibration motion. 6. The vibrating hair brush of claim 5, wherein the offset weights and motor assembly are secured to the bristle pad. 3. The vibrating hair brush of claim 1 or 2, wherein the bristle pad is connected to the substrate plate by an isolator assembly configured to convert the motion of the actuator into an elliptical bristle pad vibration motion. 8. The vibrating hair brush of claim 7, further comprising: a handle extending from the head in a handle axis direction within a plane parallel to the bristle pad. The vibrating hair brush of claim 8, wherein the bristle pad vibration motion is a longer elliptical motion in an oval axis in the handle axis direction. 9. The vibrating hair brush of claim 8, wherein the isolation assembly is configured to suppress oscillating motion in a direction perpendicular to the handle axis direction. The vibrating hair brush of claim 8, wherein the isolation assembly has a first stiffness in the handle axis direction and a second stiffness perpendicular to the handle axis direction, wherein the first stiffness is less than the second stiffness. The vibrating hair brush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bristles extend in a direction perpendicular to the bristle pad. 3. A vibrating hair brush as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the frequency range of the oscillating motion is 20 Hz to 100 Hz. 14. The vibrating hair brush of claim 13, wherein the frequency range is from 30 Hz to 65 Hz. A method for detaching hair comprising combing hair with a vibrating hair brush according to any of the preceding claims.

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