Patent Application
20170020276
This invention relates generally to hair brushes, including power hair brushes, and more particularly concerns such a power hair brush which is adapted for detangling hair.
Hair tangles can result from many factors or causes. They occur when hair strands do not lie neatly against each other, but rather are mixed up. Hair tangles can occur, for example, from a lack of consistent combing, by piling hair when it is being washed, from the effects of wind and from sleeping without a hairnet/protector. The extent and condition of hair tangles can also vary depending upon the texture and length of the hair, as well as the fullness of the hair. Whatever the cause and extent, however, it is important to detangle the hair to maintain its overall health and appearance. Detangling, however, can be a time-consuming and in some cases painful experience. Detangling hair products can help, but are typically not the complete or best solution for the many types of tangles.
Accordingly, an appliance which is adapted to conveniently and reliably detangle hair is desirable.
Accordingly, a brush appliance for detangling hair comprises: an appliance body; a brushhead mounted to the appliance body; a motor for oscillating the brushhead at a selected frequency and amplitude; a system for recognizing a hair tangle as the brushhead is moved through the hair; and a control system for changing the driving of the brushhead and/or providing a detangling solution to the brushhead so as to detangle hair as the brushhead encounters the tangle.
Further, a method for detangling hair using a power hair brush comprises the steps of: Oscillating a brushhead portion of the hair brush at a selected frequency and amplitude; recognizing a hair tangle as the brushhead is moved through the hair; and changing driving of the brushhead and/or providing a detangling solution to the brushhead so as to detangle the hair as the brushhead encounters the tangle.
The appliance is controlled by an on/off switch 22. In the embodiment shown, the brushhead moves at a frequency in the range of 70-115 Hz, although this can be varied. The preferred amplitude is 10-19° peak-to-peak, with a duty cycle of approximately 40%, although these values again can be varied. Prior to use of the appliance for detangling hair, the load applied to the motor by combing untangled hair is determined. This produces a learned baseline for the detangling operation. This load value, in terms of frequency and amplitude, is stored in the control unit processor.
Following this learning step, the detangling brush is now ready for use. The brush identifies a tangle as the brushes move through the hair by measuring a change in the load condition of the motor, relative to the baseline load. This change in load will typically modify the action/behavior of the system. The measurement can be done by various arrangements. One preferred arrangement to measure the change in amplitude of the armature portion or end effecter of the motor, as shown, at 24 in
While the optical encoder is one preferred arrangement, other motor amplitude sensors can be used, including a Hall effect sensor for determining the change of amplitude of the motor armature. Other possible arrangements include a magnetic switch which is actuated as the armature approaches the position of the switch. A physical contact switch could also be used.
In addition to armature amplitude change, other arrangements could be used to determine load change due to a tangle, including measurement of back EMF of the motor to determine amplitude or speed change. Still further, an audio pickup member could be used to measure the difference in audio tone produced by the appliance, depending on the particular loading condition. All of the above measurement devices/techniques are directed toward determining a change in motor operation or sound when the brushhead encounters a loading condition which indicates a tangle. It is important that a tangle be accurately identified, relative to a baseline (non-tangled) hair combing condition.
The information from amplitude sensor 24 is applied to the control unit (processor) 28 which is programmed to recognize a tangle, for instance when the motor armature amplitude decreases a preselected amount. This amount can vary, but should be sufficient to reliably indicate a tangle. For example, this could be a decrease in amplitude of 10-20%.
When a tangle has been recognized, the processor will then adjust the drive unit 18 to address the tangle. This can be done in various ways. One method would be to change the motor frequency. This change of frequency will continue until the hair is detangled, or alternatively the change in frequency could be for a burst of 5-10 cycles, sometimes referred to as a slew of frequency, either an increase or decrease. The change in frequency would be to correspond to the new system load and increase amplitude. For example the change in frequency could be a value in the range between ±50 Hz from the original frequency. Alternatively, the adjustment could be made by a change in duty cycle, in the range of a ±25% change in the original duty cycle. Still further, detangling lubricant could be released from a dispenser 36 to the brushhead 14. The change in duty cycle or frequency can be combined and also used in combination with the release of lubricant.
A functional flow chart is shown in
At this point, the user will continue to comb the hair as shown at block 36B. When the combing is done, the appliance is turned off, as shown at block 40.
The flow chart of
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the spirit from the invention, which is defined by the claims which follow.
