Detangling hair brush

Abstract

The appliance includes a housing and an attached brushhead which oscillates at a selected frequency and amplitude by a motor and drive system. A system recognizes a hair tangle as the brushhead is drawn through the hair by a decrease in amplitude of movement of the brushhead. A control system changes the operation of the brushhead in response to the recognizing system in such a manner as to untangle the hair.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A brush appliance for detangling hair, comprising:
 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 the hair as the brushhead encounters the tangle.   
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the recognizing system includes a system for recognizing a change in amplitude of brushhead movement sufficient to indicate a tangle. 
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the change in amplitude is a decrease in amplitude. 
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the amplitude recognizing system is an optical encoder. 
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the amplitude recognizing system is a Hall effect assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the amplitude recognizing system is a magnetic switch. 
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the recognizing system includes a sensor assembly for recognizing back EMF in the motor sufficient to indicate a tangle. 
     
     
         8 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the recognizing system includes a sensor for determining a change in audio from the appliance. 
     
     
         9 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the recognizing system uses one to five cycles of brushhead operation to determine that a tangle has been encountered. 
     
     
         10 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the brushhead in operation oscillates at a frequency between 70-115 Hz, with an amplitude between 10-19°. 
     
     
         11 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the change in driving of the brushhead is a change in frequency of brushhead oscillation. 
     
     
         12 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the brushhead operation is returned to the selected frequency and amplitude following detangling of the hair. 
     
     
         13 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the change in driving of the brushhead is a change in duty cycle of the motor. 
     
     
         14 . The appliance of  claim 1 , including a reservoir containing a detangling solution, wherein the detangling solution is applied to the hair through the brushhead. 
     
     
         15 . A method for detangling hair using a power hair brush, comprising 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.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of recognizing change in amplitude of brushhead movement sufficient to indicate a tangle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of recognizing includes one to five cycles of brushhead operation to determine that a tangle has been encountered. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the brushhead in operation oscillates at a frequency between 70-115 Hz, with an amplitude between 10-19°. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the change in driving the brushhead is a change in frequency of brushhead oscillation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the brushhead is returned to the selected frequency and amplitude following detangling of the hair. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the change in driving of the brushhead is a change in duty cycle of the motor. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , including the step of applying a detangling solution to the hair through the brushhead.