KR20090115948A - Vibrating hair brush - Google Patents

Abstract

A vibrating hair brush for enhanced detangling of hair, comprising a headwith a base and a bristle-bearing pad, the pad comprising a motor and a vibrating actuator for generating a vibration movement in the pad, the pad being pivotally attached to the base such that the pad pivots about a pivot axis which is substantially transverse the general longitudinal axis of the hair brushand a method for detangling using said brush.

Description

Vibrating Hair Brush {VIBRATING HAIR BRUSH}

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

Flowers et al., U. S. Patent No. 3,517, 235, discloses a reverse driven reciprocating hair brush unit intended to provide combing and massage action to effectively loosen twisted hair as the user traverses the hair with a brush. . The disclosed brush provides improved work efficiency by counter-reciprocation of a pair of bristle units intended to effectively pull the twisted hair when the inversely moving unit is combing. It is described. Unfortunately, this reciprocating action has been found to be detrimental to the detangling operation because of the tendency to damage the hair due to the shearing action of the simultaneously reciprocating bristle action.

U. S. Patent No. 2,465, 250 discloses a vibrating hair brush comprising a motor mounted horizontally. The vibration generated by the motor is converted into pulses at the bristle support of the device. Accordingly, the bristles move in the direction towards the scalp and away from the scalp during use. Over time, beating exercises on the scalp, primarily for massage purposes, can be unpleasant to the user and provide only a limited effect on the actual detangling of the hair.

Thus, there is a need for a vibrating hair brush for improved detangling of curled, twisted or bundled hair that is comfortable for the user while working in the plane selected for improved detangling efficacy and minimal hair damage.

Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a head with a substrate and bristle support pads, the pads comprising a motor and a vibrating actuator for generating a vibrating movement of the pads, the pads of the hair brush. A vibrating hair brush for improved detangling of hair is provided that is pivotally attached to a substrate to pivot about a pivot axis substantially transverse to the general longitudinal axis.

The rocking motion performed by the pad in the brush according to the invention is sufficient to advance and reverse the bristles sufficient to achieve detangling without significant movement towards and away from the scalp of the user during use, which is unpleasant during use. Provide exercise. Accordingly, 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.

Transverse means that the pivot axis is perpendicular to the general longitudinal axis of the brush and is in the same plane.

Preferably, vibratory motion is common for some bristles. Although detangling is achieved by vibrating bristles, not all bristles are required to vibrate, so that other portions other than those that achieve detangling through vibrations can be arranged to act in a conventional manner.

More preferably, the bristle pad includes a single support for all the bristles for normal movement of the bristles. Including a single support for all bristles provides improved detangling because all bristles will vibrate in concert.

Preferably, the motor comprises a drive shaft that rotates in a direction perpendicular to the normal plane of the bristle pad. Preferably, the vibrating actuator includes an offset weight that rotates in a plane generally parallel to the bristle pad. Offset weights that rotate in a plane generally parallel to the bristle pads provide optimal vibration for detangling hair without causing 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.If a mass rotates around an axis that does not coincide with the center of mass, the vibration or shaking force

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

Based on the knowledge gained from the experimental and computational models, the inventors have determined the shaking force necessary to achieve the desired performance by the inventors, taking into account the user comfort and additional limitations of the packaging. With regard to user comfort, the inventors have found that a certain amount of shaking force is undesirable for the user.

The shaking force at 40 Hz is preferably 3 N to 5 N, more preferably 3.5 N to 4.5 N, even more preferably 3.9 N to 4.1 N. The most preferred shaking force is about 4.03 N.

In addition, the isolator assembly should at least ensure that the head does not stretch too much when the brush is upright due to its weight, and that the brush head does not move too much to appear threatening or cause interference problems with the handle housing. It is required to have a stiffness of.

In addition, the off-center weight may also not be placed too far from the isolator, or the brush will be long with very long appliances.

The weight's dimensions are optimized for weight and also for battery efficiency. Preferably, the weight is cylindrical. The cylinder provides optimum vibration. Preferably, the cylinder has a diameter of 10 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 13 mm to 18 mm, most preferably about 16 mm. The final diameter of the cylindrical weight is preferably limited in upper limit such 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 fits into the motor housing.

Thus, the cylinder height is determined after the diameter is determined. The cylinder height is preferably 3 mm to 8 mm, more preferably 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 32 Hz to 47 Hz. Each of these rates provides the best detangling results as determined by consumer and experimental tests.

Preferably, the offset weight is mounted on the shaft of the motor assembly to cause an eccentric bias to produce a vibrational motion.

Preferably, the offset weight and motor assembly are secured to the bristle pads.

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

Preferably, the separator comprises a plate. Preferably, the plate comprises a central portion fixed to the substrate and a flexible end portion (which is fixed to the pad) on the opposite surface of the central portion of the general longitudinal axis of the brush. The central portion preferably constitutes 20% to 50%, more preferably 25% to 35% of the total width of the isolate. This provides an optimal conversion from vibrations from the motor to the rocking of the pads sufficient to achieve detangling of the hair without damaging the scalp.

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

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

Preferably, the hair brush comprises a handle extending in the handle axial direction from the head portion. More preferably, it is in a plane generally parallel to the bristle pads.

Preferably, the bristle pad vibrational motion is an elliptical motion with a longer elliptical axis in the handle axial direction.

Preferably, the isolation assembly is configured to suppress vibrational movement in a direction perpendicular to the handle axial direction. The isolator is secured to the motor housing at the center and distal ends with respect to the handle of the brush, more preferably firmly secured.

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

More preferably, the isolator is clamped in positions above and below the isolator at the connection.

Preferably, the substrate comprises two opposing fastening members for clamping the isolator along the connection. In one such embodiment, at least one of the opposing fastening members will comprise a recess that fits in the cross section of the connection in the clamping portion.

Preferably, the isolation assembly has a first stiffness in the handle axial direction and a second stiffness perpendicular to the handle axial direction, the first stiffness being less than the second stiffness.

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

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

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

As used herein, the term “vibrating” should be interpreted to include oscillating and the term “brush” should be construed to include embodiments that may alternatively be described as combs. Should understand.

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

1 is a top view of one embodiment.

2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

3 is a front view thereof.

4 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

5 is a top view with the top cover plate removed.

6 is a side view of the fracture portion.

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

8 is a reference diagram of an elliptical plane.

9 is a flowchart of a method of operation of an embodiment.

10 is a side view of a preferred isolator.

11 is a perspective view of the same isolate.

Embodiments of the subject vibrating hair brush provide a solution to the need to improve detangling of hair with less effort and to reduce damage to the user's hair during detangling. A less painful combing operation for the detangling of the hair, which is more pleasant than the previous system, effectively provides the user with a positive experience.

Due to the lower frequency and gentler detangling operation using the object vibration detangling brush, the hair is not ripped out or damaged during brush detangling, but is gently detangled while being pulled less. . The brush releases the entanglement itself due to certain vibrational movements, so that the user does not substantially pull the hair while trying to achieve the desired detangling. In addition, hand fatigue during use is substantially reduced.

1, 2 and 3, it can be seen that the subject embodiments include a handle portion (A) and a brush head portion (B). As used herein, the term “brush” is to be understood to encompass embodiments that may alternatively be described as combs. The handle portion is ergonomically shaped for ease of use while held in the user's hand. The longitudinal axis of the handle A generally follows the line C-C in FIG. 1. The brush head portion B comprises a plurality of bristles 10 extending vertically from the bottom wall 12 of the head portion in such a manner as to run through the user's hair and pull the hair. While the illustrated embodiment shows a bottom wall 12 that is somewhat spherical in shape as an embodiment, it is intended that alternative embodiments may include other bottom wall shapes, such as flat or tubular. Bristle stiffness can vary from relatively rigid to ductile, but is preferably relatively rigid, with bristles typically having a cantilevered beam stiffness greater than about 100 N / m when attached to the bristle pad.

The head portion B, which will be discussed in more detail herein, is intended to be vibrated, and this vibrating movement is isolated from the handle portion A so that vibrations are transmitted to the handle and the user's hand. For clarity, the term “vibration movement” should be understood to include oscillating or reciprocating movements. Accordingly, the brush head upper housing including the upper wall 14 is spaced apart from the handle as the area 16 for accommodating the vibrating motion without a tapping contact with the handle portion A.

4, 5 and 6, the object brush comprises a motor 20 which actuates an actuator 22 comprising an offset or opposing weight relative to the motor shaft 24, so that the weight 22 when the motor rotates the shaft. ) Will cause a bias which is eccentric to the shaft leading to the vibratory movement of the motor and weight assembly. This motion will generally have a circular moment in the actuator plane that is essentially parallel to the plane defined by lines C-C and D-D in FIG. As used herein, the term “brush” is to be understood to encompass embodiments that may alternatively be described as combs.

One aspect of the subject embodiments includes converting the motor and weight circulating vibrational motion in a particular plane of motion into a curved pattern, such as the elliptical motion of the bristle pad. The isolator elastic member 40 is secured to the motor 20 and also secured to the bristle pad assembly 10, 12, 14 so that vibrational motion induced by the motor can be transmitted to the bristle 10. The motor 20 is housed in the cavity 42 of the bristle pad head portion, which is sized to accommodate the rotational motion of the offset weight 22 and the motor 20 to cause the desired vibrational motion. Since the motor and weight assembly are connected to the brush head by hard rigid connections, vibrations generated by eccentric weights are transmitted to the brush head 14. The isolator ring lobe 50 is tightly received within the mating lobe cuts 52 and the lobe is clamped in the cuts 52 by sandwiching the lobe between the brush head 14 and the upper motor cap 56. Thus, by moving the head generally independent of the handle, the isolator 40 allows the movement to be present. The upper wall 14 and the cut 52 are finally fixed hard plastic pieces that support the bristles 10. The particular shape of the insulator 40 allows the lobe to be tightly received within the cut 52, and the webbing 60 is slot 62 for mating close reception of the cap cut 64 of the fastening cap 56. ). In addition, the distal ends of the elastic lobes 50 and the webbing 60 are also accommodated in the handle portion cutout 70 so that the separator 40 effectively isolates the vibrational movement of the head portion from the handle portion A. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the head part assembly accordingly can float in handle part A because the vibrating actuator and motor assembly comprising cap 56 is spaced apart from the inner wall 80 of the handle part. have. Except for the portion of the resilient ring received within the handle cut 70, the hook is secured in the cut 70 when the upper handle half 78 is fastened onto the lower handle half 76. Other items shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 include battery compartment 90 (but the device may also have a cord), wire passage 92 for the motor, on-off switch 94 and switch pad 96. There is this. The decorative cover 98 in the handle 78 covers the motor cap 56.

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

Another aspect of the elastic isolator 40 is that the circular oscillating motion of the eccentric weight 22 is configured to be converted into a planar elliptical motion generally parallel to the bristle pad. More particularly, it can be seen that the insulator 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 (the D-D line in FIG. 1). Accordingly, the elastic body has a first stiffness in the handle axial direction and a second stiffness perpendicular to the handle axial direction, and the first stiffness is less than the second stiffness. The effect of this mounting assembly is that the vibratory motion of the motor and weight is greater in the direction along the C-C line than in the direction along the D-D line (see Figures 1 and 8). When the user's hair (see FIG. 7) is generally aligned along the DD line (see FIGS. 1 and 8), the vibratory movement of the bristle 10 is along the direction of extension of the hair (ie parallel to the direction of extension of the hair). The degree of vibration perpendicular to the direction of extension of the hair will vibrate in a greater manner than the degree of vibration. It can be twisted by bristles that separate hair by slightly cutting the hair or even slightly pushing and pulling the hair in its extension direction for good detangling of the hair with less effort and less hair damage during the detangling process. Makes the bundled hair easier to loosen. A related advantage is that the friction between the bristles and the hair, in particular electrostatic friction, is reduced.

In FIG. 6, another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is a curve that is generally perpendicular to the scalp of the user such that the vibration of the bristles into the scalp observed that the vibratory movement of the head portion (B) is observed to be offensive to the user. The mold is in the plane. In the perspective view of FIG. 6, the eccentric weight 22 is clearly shown in relation to how the eccentric bias is imparted on the motor 20 and thus the isolator support member 40 upon rotation of the motor shaft. have. However, since the rotation of the weight 22 is only within the actuator plane generally defined by the fastening line 82 between the upper and lower half shells 12, 14 of the head portion B, the bristles 10 generated. The elliptical motion of is in a plane generally parallel to the actuator plane.

Another aspect of the subject embodiments is that the vibratory motion is intended to operate in a generally lower frequency range than most prior art vibrating brushes. In the user effort required to pull the brush through the hair, it is very effective to detangle the hair when the vibrating bristles are operated in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 100 Hz, more preferably 30 Hz to 65 Hz, and the most efficient hair It has been experimentally proved that the detangling of is when operating in the frequency range of 42 Hz to 62 Hz. Accordingly, the improved detangling method of hair operates in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 100 Hz, and can be applied to a flat, generally parallel to the user's scalp, possibly for longer hair (FIG. 7). Combing the hair with a brush with vibrating bristles arranged to operate in a curved direction within the extension plane of the user's hair as it extends from the scalp. Combing is characterized by operating the bristles in an elliptical pattern having a first major axis motion in a direction perpendicular to the sag or extended direction of the user's hair and a second short axis motion parallel to the sag or extended direction of the user's hair. Include.

7-9, the method of operation of the brush embodiment of the present invention for improved detangling of the hair turns on the brush to vibrate the bristles in the desired elliptical plane parallel to the bristle pad plane 82 (FIG. 6). Step 120 is included. Subsequently, the brush is aligned in a position relative to the hair of the user whose elliptical major axis is perpendicular to the hair direction such that the direction of extension of the hair is generally aligned along the axial direction D-D of the brush head. Thus combing the hair in the direction of extension of the hair will provide a more efficient detangling effect when detangling hair with less effort to untangle and minimal fatigue of the user's hands.

For non-vertically straight hair, ie very curly hair, as shown in FIG. 7, which may extend outwardly from the user's scalp, combing the user's hair pulls or loosens it along the length of the hair ( A similar principle applies except that it involves directing the extension of the hair out of the scalp instead of dropping it from the scalp. The present invention is useful for such hair and long hair (ie, hair under the cheeks) and dry or damaged hair.

FIG. 10 shows the isolator 40 attached to the bristle support pad 14 to cause movement of the isolator 40 to move the bristle support pad 14 when fixed inside the head of the hair brush. Since the motor in the pad (not shown) is fixed along the connection 60, it vibrates the isolator and moves the end B sufficiently (arrow B ') to detangle the hair without damaging the scalp. Sufficient fluctuations (arrow C) are achieved. Detangling of hair is achieved by movement in the D direction, and scalp discomfort is caused by movement in the E direction.

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

In addition, while subject embodiments have been described in connection with combing human hair, subject brushes can also be used to loosen other items, such as entangled laces of animal or pet hair or even non-hair material.

Exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Clearly, other people will read and understand the above description and variations and changes will be made. Exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as long as they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (15)

A head having a substrate and a bristle-bearing pad, the pad comprising a motor and a vibrating actuator for generating a vibrating movement of the pad, the pad substantially extending the general longitudinal axis of the hair brush. A vibrating hair brush for improved detangling of hair, wherein the hair is pivotally attached to the substrate to pivot around a pivot axis that traverses. The vibrating hair brush of claim 1, wherein the actuator is disposed to vibrate the pad such that the pad rockes about the pivot axis. The vibrating hair brush of claim 1, wherein the bristle pad comprises a single support for all bristles for normal movement of the bristles. The vibrating hair brush of claim 1, wherein the vibrating actuator comprises an offset weight that rotates in a plane generally parallel to the bristle pad. 5. The vibratory hairbrush of claim 4, wherein the offset weights are mounted on the shaft of the motor assembly to cause eccentric bias to produce vibratory motion. The vibrating hair brush of claim 5, wherein the offset weight and motor assembly are secured to the bristle pad. The vibrating hair brush of claim 1, wherein the bristle pad is connected to the substrate plate by an isolator assembly configured to convert the movement of the actuator into an elliptical bristle pad vibrational movement. 8. The vibrating hair brush of claim 1, wherein the handle extends from the head in the direction of the handle axially in a plane generally parallel to the bristle pad. The vibrating hair brush of claim 8, wherein the bristle pad vibrational motion is an elliptical motion with a longer elliptical axis in the handle axial direction. 10. The vibrating hair brush according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the isolation assembly is configured to suppress vibrational movement in a direction perpendicular to the handle axis direction. The method of claim 8, wherein the isolation assembly has a first stiffness in the handle axial direction and a second stiffness perpendicular to the handle axial direction, the first stiffness being less than the second stiffness. Hair brush. The vibrating hair brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bristles extend from the bristle pads in a direction generally perpendicular thereto. The vibrating hair brush according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the frequency range of the vibrating motion is 20 Hz to 100 Hz. The vibrating hair brush of claim 13, wherein the frequency range is from 30 Hz to 65 Hz. A detangling method of hair comprising combing the hair with a brush according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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