JP7779466B2 - Automatic hair transplantation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic hair transplantation device.

Automatic hair implantation devices that tie hair material to a hair implantation net and implant the hair are known. Such an automatic hair implantation device is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

The automatic hair implantation device in Patent Document 1 comprises a stocker that stores multiple hair materials, an eccentric on which a hair implant net is deployed, a first hook, and a second hook. The second hook pulls the hair material out from the stocker's outlet. The first hook then captures the pulled hair material and ties it to the hair implant net deployed on the eccentric for implantation.

Patent No. 6533350

Here, it is desirable that the lengths of the implanted hair materials in a finished hair implantation product (e.g., a wig or toupee) implanted in a hair implantation net vary to some extent. However, there is a problem with the implanted hair products (e.g., a wig or toupee) manufactured using the automatic hair implantation device of Patent Document 1, in that the lengths of the implanted hair materials are almost uniform.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an automatic hair transplantation device that can change the length of the hair material to be transplanted into the hair transplantation target, or the length of the hair material already transplanted into the hair transplantation target.

To achieve the above objective, the automatic hair transplantation device disclosed below comprises a hair transplantation mechanism unit that transplants multiple hair materials into an object to be transplanted, and a cutting unit that cuts at least one of the multiple hair materials.

With the above configuration, at least one of the multiple hair materials can be cut, making it possible to change the length of the hair material to be implanted in the hair implantation object or the hair material already implanted in the hair implantation object.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic hair transplantation system 100 according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 111 of the information processing device 110. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 122 of the automatic hair implantation device 120. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hair transplant pattern input screen. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hair implantation pattern image P1 (before input). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hair implantation pattern image P1 (after input). FIG. 7A is a diagram for explaining the hair planting pattern data 113a. FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining the hair planting pattern data 113a. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of the hair planting pattern data 113a for display on the hair planting pattern input screen. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of the hair planting pattern data 113a when read by the sequence program 123a. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the automatic hair implantation device 120 as viewed from the depth direction. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the automatic hair implantation device 120 as seen from the rear. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the first to fourth operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120, and is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the automatic hair implantation device 120 as viewed from the depth direction. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the first to fourth operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120, and is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the automatic hair implantation device 120 as seen from the rear. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a fifth operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the sixth and seventh operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing eighth and ninth operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the tenth operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120. FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an eleventh operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the twelfth and thirteenth operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120. FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the fourteenth operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120. FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the fifteenth operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120. FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the 16th to 18th operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120. FIG. 29A is a diagram showing the knot 100c as viewed from the pull-out hook 30 side. FIG. 29B is a diagram showing the knot 100c as viewed from the hair implantation hook 20 side. FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the hair implantation pattern data 113a and the operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120, and shows the initial state of the automatic hair implantation device 120. FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the hair implantation pattern data 113a and the operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120, and shows the time when the fourth operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120 has been completed. FIG. 32 is a diagram (1) for explaining the operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120 based on the type of hair material 100a in the hair implantation pattern data 113a. FIG. 33 is a diagram (2) for explaining the operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120 based on the type of hair material 100a in the hair implantation pattern data 113a. FIG. 34 is a diagram (3) for explaining the operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120 based on the type of hair material 100a in the hair implantation pattern data 113a. FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the automatic hair implantation device 120 based on the number of hair materials 100a in the hair implantation pattern data 113a. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the automatic hair implantation device 120 in a state where the cutting unit 150 is located at the initial position. FIG. 37 is a view from the depth direction showing the cutting section 150 cutting the hair material 100a. FIG. 38 is a rear view of the cutting unit 150 and the cutting unit moving mechanism 160. FIG. 39 is a rear view showing the cutting section 150 cutting the hair material 100a. FIG. 40 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automatic hair transplantation system 300 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automatic hair implantation system 400 in a first example of the third embodiment. FIG. 42 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automatic hair transplantation system 500 in a second example of the third embodiment. FIG. 43 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automatic hair transplantation system 600 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 44 is a diagram (1) showing the configuration of the automatic hair implantation system 700 of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 45 is a diagram (2) showing the configuration of the automatic hair implantation system 700 of the fifth embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and appropriate design changes can be made within the scope of the configuration of the present invention. In the following description, the same parts or parts with similar functions will be designated by the same reference numerals in different drawings, and repeated explanations will be omitted. The configurations described in the embodiment and modified examples may be combined or modified as appropriate. To make the description easier to understand, the configurations are shown simplified or schematic, and some components are omitted in the drawings referenced below.

[Overall configuration of the automatic hair transplant system]
1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic hair implantation system 100 according to the first embodiment. The automatic hair implantation system 100 is a system for creating a wig or toupee by implanting a hair material 100a (see FIG. 9) into a hair implantation net 200 (see FIG. 9). The automatic hair implantation system 100 includes an information processing device 110 and an automatic hair implantation device 120.

The information processing device 110 is a device for creating hair implantation pattern data 113a for implanting hair materials 100a into the hair implant net 200. In this embodiment, the automatic hair implantation device 120 is configured to be able to create hair implantation pattern data 113a in the same way as the information processing device 110. The information processing device 110 is configured as, for example, a smartphone, personal computer, or tablet terminal. "Hair implantation pattern" refers to the hair implantation design, including information such as the shape and dimensions of the area where the hair materials 100a are to be formed on the hair implant net 200, the density of the hair materials 100a in that area, the parting, the hairline, the number of hair materials 100a, how the hair materials 100a are tied, and the type of hair material 100a.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 110 includes a control unit 111, a display unit 112, a memory unit 113, an operation unit 114, and a communication unit 115. The control unit 111 includes a processor that performs control processing by executing an operation program (not shown) and a pattern data generation program 113b. The display unit 112 includes an LCD display or an organic EL display that displays images in response to commands from the control unit 111. The memory unit 113 includes at least one of an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The memory unit 113 stores hair transplant pattern data 113a, a pattern data generation program 113b, and a conversion program 113c. The operation unit 114 is a user interface such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel. Furthermore, if the display unit 112 is configured as a touch panel, the touch panel may serve as both the operation unit 114 and the display unit 112. The communication unit 115 is a communication interface and is connected to the automatic hair implantation device 120 via a network. The network is, for example, the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The communication unit 115 may also be connected to the automatic hair implantation device 120 directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network. The pattern data generation program 113b and the conversion program 113c are application programs. Although the pattern data generation program 113b and the conversion program 113c are shown as separate programs in FIG. 1, they may also be integrated programs.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic hair implantation device 120 includes a hair implantation mechanism 121, a control unit 122, a memory unit 123, an operation unit 124, a communication unit 125, and a display unit 126. The configuration and operation of the hair implantation mechanism 121 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 to 28. The control unit 122 includes a processor that executes an operation program (not shown), a sequence program 123a, a pattern data generation program 113b, and a conversion program 113c to perform control processing. For example, the control unit 122 may be configured as a SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) system. The memory unit 123 includes at least one of an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The memory unit 123 stores the sequence program 123a, hair implantation pattern data 113a, the pattern data generation program 113b, and the conversion program 113c. The operation unit 124 is a user interface such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel. Furthermore, if the display unit 126 is configured as a touch panel, the touch panel may serve as both the operation unit 124 and the display unit 126. The communication unit 125 is a communication interface, and is connected to the information processing device 110 via a network. The network is the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). Note that the communication unit 125 may also be connected directly to the information processing device 110 via a wired or wireless connection, without going through a network.

Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 111 of the information processing device 110. Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 122 of the automatic hair implantation device 120. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 111 includes a pattern data generation unit 111a, a display control unit 111b, and a conversion control unit 111c. As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 122 includes a hair implantation control unit 122a, a display control unit 122b, a pattern data generation unit 111a, and a conversion control unit 111c. The pattern data generation unit 111a and the conversion control unit 111c of the control unit 122 have the same functions as the pattern data generation unit 111a and the conversion control unit 111c of the control unit 122, respectively, and therefore are assigned the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. Note that although Figures 2 and 3 show the configuration of the control units 111 and 122 as functional blocks, separate hardware may be configured for each function.

The pattern data generation unit 111a creates hair planting pattern data 113a based on input operations or selection operations by the user. The display control unit 111b generates an image to be displayed on the display unit 112 and controls the display unit 112 to display the image. For example, the display control unit 111b causes the display unit 112 to display the hair planting pattern input screen shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, the display control unit 122b causes the display unit 126 to display the hair planting pattern input screen shown in Figure 4.

(Hair transplant pattern input screen)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hair transplant pattern input screen displayed on the display unit 112 according to this embodiment. The hair transplant pattern input screen includes a hair transplant pattern image P1, an input field P2 for inputting the shape of the hair transplant pattern, an input field P3 for inputting the dimensions of the hair transplant pattern, an input field P4 for inputting the pitch, an input field P5 for inputting the type of hair, an input field P6 for inputting the number of hairs per coordinate, a field P7 for selecting the knotting method, an input field P8 for inputting the length of the hair material 100a, and a save button P9. When the automatic hair transplant device 120 generates hair transplant pattern data 113a, the hair transplant pattern input screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 126. When the control unit 111 or 122 executes the pattern data generation program 113b, the pattern data generation unit 111a performs control processing on the hair transplant pattern input screens shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

Figure 5 shows an example of an image showing the state before input of the hair implantation pattern image P1. The hair implantation pattern image P1 is an image in which the presence or absence of hair implantation at each of a plurality of coordinates is displayed in a manner that makes it possible to distinguish between them. For example, the hair implantation pattern image P1 is a two-dimensional map-like image in the X direction (depth direction) and Y direction (front-to-back direction), with each coordinate displayed as a grid. Each of the plurality of coordinates corresponds to the position of each knot 100c (see Figures 29A and 29B) where the plurality of hair materials 100a in the hair implantation net 200 are tied.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image showing the state after input of the hair implantation pattern image P1. As shown in Figure 6, for example, coordinates where hair will be implanted and coordinates where hair will not be implanted are displayed in a distinguishable manner by using different display methods such as different colors, marks (circles, crosses, or check marks), flashing, or lighting on/off within each square. For example, coordinates where hair will be implanted are displayed in black, and coordinates where hair will not be implanted are displayed in white.

When the user performs an input operation at any coordinate (for example, by touching the screen), if the coordinate is a "coordinate to be implanted," the display control unit 111b switches the display to a "coordinate not to be implanted," and if the coordinate is a "coordinate not to be implanted," the display control unit 111b switches the display to a "coordinate to be implanted." This allows the user to select whether or not to implant hair for each of multiple coordinates.

6, the display unit 112 (or the display unit 126) displays a parting setting area P10 and a hairline setting area P11 along with the hair transplant pattern image P1. For example, when the user selects the position of the parting setting area P10 (e.g., the position of the tip of the arrow), the pattern data generation unit 111a sets coordinates below the selected coordinates on the paper as coordinates where hair will not be transplanted, and sets some of the coordinates to the left and right of the coordinates where hair will not be transplanted as coordinates where hair will not be transplanted. As a result, when hair is transplanted into the hair transplant net 200, a wig or hairpiece with a part formed on the hair transplant net 200 is created. Furthermore, when the user selects the range of the hairline setting area P11, the pattern data generation unit 111a reduces the proportion of coordinates where hair will be transplanted within the selected range (e.g., sets the ratio of coordinates where hair will be transplanted to coordinates where hair will not be transplanted to approximately 1...1). The pattern data generation unit 111a then sets both ends of the selected range on the paper and areas near both ends as coordinates where hair will not be transplanted. As a result, when hair is implanted into the hair implant net 200, a wig or hairpiece is created with a hairline formed on the hair implant net 200.

The implantation pattern shape input field P2 shown in Figure 4 is a field for inputting the overall shape (outer shape) of the implantation pattern. Shapes such as "square," "rectangle," "diamond," "circle," and "oval" are input into the implantation pattern shape input field P2. Options such as "square," "rectangle," "diamond," "circle," and "oval" may be displayed on the implantation pattern input screen, and the user may select one shape from the options. The pattern data generation unit 111a changes the shape of the implantation pattern image P1 according to the input or selected shape. Figures 4 to 6 show an example where "square" is selected.

The implantation pattern dimension input field P3 shown in Figure 4 is a field for inputting the overall dimensions (vertical length and horizontal length) of the implantation pattern. For example, the user inputs numerical values into the implantation pattern dimension input field P3. Note that multiple dimension options may be displayed on the implantation pattern input screen, and the user may select one dimension from the options. The pattern data generation unit 111a changes the dimensions of the implantation pattern image P1 according to the input or selected dimensions.

The pitch input field P4 shown in Figure 4 is a field for inputting the spacing (vertical spacing and horizontal spacing) between hairs in the hair transplant pattern. For example, the user inputs a numerical value into the pitch input field P4. Note that multiple numerical value (pitch) options may be displayed on the hair transplant pattern input screen, and the user may select one numerical value (pitch) from the options. The pattern data generation unit 111a changes the pitch of the coordinates of the hair transplant pattern image P1 according to the input or selected numerical value (pitch).

The hair type input field P5 shown in FIG. 4 is a field for inputting the type of hair material 100a to be implanted. In this embodiment, as described below, the automatic hair implantation device 120 is equipped with multiple stockers 40. The multiple stockers 40 store different types of hair materials 100a. "Type" includes at least one of the length of the hair material 100a, the color of the hair material 100a, the material of the hair material 100a, and the shape of the hair material 100a (curly, straight, etc.). For example, the type of hair material 100a (stocker 40 number) is input by the user into the hair type input field P5. Note that options for the type (stocker 40) of hair material 100a may be displayed on the hair implantation pattern input screen, and the user may select one type (stocker 40) from the options. The pattern data generation unit 111a selects the stocker 40 to be used for implantation based on the input or selection.

The input field P6 for the number of hairs per coordinate shown in Figure 4 is a field for inputting the number of hairs (hair material 100a) per coordinate (one knot). For example, the user inputs a numerical value into the input field P6 for the number of hairs per coordinate. Alternatively, options for the number of hairs may be displayed on the hair transplant pattern input screen, and the user may select one number from the options. The pattern data generation unit 111a selects a pull-out hook 30, as described below, depending on the input or selected number.

The knotting method selection field P7 shown in Figure 4 is a field for selecting the knotting method for the hair material 100a relative to the hair implantation net 200. The knotting method selection field P7 displays the knotting method selected by the user. For example, knotting method options are displayed on the hair implantation pattern input screen, and the user selects one knotting method from the options. The "knotting method" includes the number of rotations and direction of the hair implantation hook 20. The pattern data generation unit 111a selects the operation method of the hair implantation hook 20 as described below, depending on the selected knotting method. Note that Figure 4 shows an example in which one knotting method is selected for the entire hair implantation pattern, but the pattern data generation unit 111a may also be configured to allow the knotting method to be selected for each coordinate.

The input field P8 for the length of the hair material 100a shown in Figure 4 is a field for inputting the length of the hair material 100a. For example, the user inputs a numerical value into the input field P8. Alternatively, length options may be displayed on the hair transplant pattern input screen, and the user may select a length from the options. The pattern data generation unit 111a selects the position of the cutting unit 150, as described below, depending on the input or selected length (numerical value). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the automatic hair transplant system 100 (hair transplant pattern input screen) may be configured to allow the length of the hair material 100a to be input for each coordinate, or may be configured to allow the length of the hair material 100a to be input for each region consisting of multiple coordinates.

The save button P9 shown in Figure 4 is an image used to store the above-mentioned hair planting pattern image, the contents of input fields P2 to P6, and the selection field P7 as hair planting pattern data 113a in the memory unit 113 or 123 when selected by the user.

7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the hair transplant pattern data 113a. The hair transplant pattern data 113a may include multiple hair transplant patterns, as shown by "Pattern 1" in FIG. 7A and "Pattern 2" in FIG. 7B. In the hair transplant pattern data 113a, each hair transplant pattern is stored in association with an identification number (pattern number). As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the hair transplant pattern data 113a includes data indicating whether or not hair is transplanted at each of multiple coordinates. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the data indicating whether or not hair is transplanted at each of multiple coordinates is expressed as a binary value, such as (1,1) = 1 (hair transplantation) or (2,1) = 0 (hair transplantation not performed) as a two-dimensional (X,Y) coordinate. The hair transplant pattern data 113a also includes data on the shape of the hair transplant pattern, data on the dimensions of the hair transplant pattern, data on the pitch, data on the type of hair, data on the number of hairs per coordinate, and data on the tying style. As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the hair planting pattern data 113a also includes data on the type of hair, the number of hairs per coordinate, and the tying style for each of a plurality of coordinates.

Figure 8A is a diagram showing an example of hair planting pattern data 113a for display on the hair planting pattern input screen. Figure 8B is a diagram showing an example of hair planting pattern data 113a when read by sequence program 123a. When the hair planting pattern data 113a is saved, the conversion control unit 111c executes the conversion program 113c to convert the hair planting pattern data 113a for display on the hair planting pattern input screen shown in Figure 8A or for use in processing within the control unit 122 into hair planting pattern data 113a for use in a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) shown in Figure 8B.

As shown in Figure 8A, the implantation pattern data 113a before conversion is, for example, table-format data (e.g., in CSV format cells) with values of 0/1 (implant/do not implant) entered according to the pattern described above. In the example shown in Figure 8A, the horizontal coordinate is the product of 48 needles (pulling hooks 30) in the horizontal direction and the number of horizontal pitches (e.g., 10) that the needles (pulling hooks 30) move in the depth direction, and the vertical coordinate is the same as the number of vertical pitches (e.g., 60) in the feed direction (MD) of the implanted net 200. That is, "Needle 1" to "Needle 48" each perform operations based on the data on whether or not hair is implanted at the vertical coordinate "1", in the order of horizontal coordinates "1", "2", ..., "9", and "10", and then perform operations based on the data on whether or not hair is implanted at the vertical coordinate "2", in the order of horizontal coordinates "1", "2", ..., "9", and "10", and continue to perform operations based on the data on whether or not hair is implanted until the vertical coordinate "60" and the horizontal coordinate "10" are reached.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the conversion control unit 111c converts the bit data of 0/1 (implant/do not implant) for each needle into a single set of data. For example, the conversion control unit 111c performs a process of dividing this into data for each needle as shown in FIG. 8B and converting it into rearranged data (e.g., data in doc or docx format) so that it can be read by the PLC. As a result, when the sequence program 123a is executed in the automatic hair implantation device 120, the hair implantation pattern data 113a shown in FIG. 8B is read, and the hair implantation net 200, pull-out hook 30, etc. are moved to positions corresponding to the coordinates. Then, as described below, if hair implantation is to be performed, the initial position of the pull-out hook 30 is moved to Q1 (see FIG. 31), and if hair implantation is not to be performed, the initial position is moved to Q2 (see FIG. 31). The hair implantation operation is then performed. The data for the next coordinate is then read. This allows for pattern hair implantation by repeatedly executing one sequence program 123a. As a result, by creating the hair planting pattern data 113a, it is possible to easily change the hair planting pattern without having to rewrite the sequence program 123a for each pattern.

<<Configuration and operation example of automatic hair transplantation device>>
First, the basic configuration and operation of an automatic hair implantation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, as a prerequisite for explaining the essential parts of the present invention, only one example of the basic configuration and operation of the automatic hair implantation device will be described. Naturally, it is possible to adopt a configuration and operation different from the configuration and operation of the automatic hair implantation device described here, as long as there is no contradiction with the configuration and operation of the essential parts of the present invention.

1 is a side view showing the structure and initial position of the automatic hair implantation device. FIG. 2 is a front view of the automatic hair implantation device in the state shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the rear toward the front. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic hair implantation device 120 includes an eccentric 10, hair implantation hooks 20, pull-out hooks 30, a stocker 40, a thread positioning bar 50, a thread drop bar 60, a thread retraction bar 70, a reversing roller 80, a magnet 90 shown in FIG. 11, a drive mechanism (not shown), a control device, etc. The control device controls the drive mechanism, causing the eccentric 10, hair implantation hooks 20, pull-out hooks 30, thread drop bar 60, and thread retraction bar 70 to perform operations 1 through 18 shown in FIGS. 2 through 11, thereby capturing hair material 100a one by one from the stocker 40 and tying it to the weft thread 202 of the hair implantation net 200 for implantation. In the side views and front views shown in Figures 1 to 21, the left-right direction in the figure is the horizontal direction, and the up-down direction is the vertical direction.

Hair material 100a includes artificial hair (fiber, synthetic fiber), human hair (hair taken from humans), animal hair (hair taken from animals other than humans), or a mixture of these, as well as any hair or hair-like material that can be implanted by the automatic hair implantation device 120. The hair implantation net 200 is formed in a mesh shape consisting of multiple warp threads 201 and multiple weft threads 202, and each of the warp threads 201 and weft threads 202 may be a single thread made by twisting together multiple raw threads, or may be a single raw thread.

First, we will explain the configuration of the automatic hair implantation device 120 and the initial position when the automatic hair implantation device 120 operates. As shown in Figure 1, a hair material bundle 100b consisting of multiple pre-cut hair materials 100a is placed in a stocker 40 located above the eccentric 10. A pull-out hook 30 is located below the outlet 42 of the stocker 40, and the eccentric 10 is located between the hair implantation hook 20 and the pull-out hook 30. Hereinafter, the direction in the horizontal plane toward the pull-out hook 30 as viewed from the eccentric 10 will be referred to as the rear, and the opposite direction as the front; these will collectively be referred to as the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction in the horizontal plane will be referred to as the depth direction, and the direction to the left when looking rearward will be referred to as the back side (the back side of the paper in Figure 1), and the direction to the right side will be referred to as the front side (the front side of the paper in Figure 1).

The flocked net 200 is set so that it covers the net hooking portion 11 of the eccentric 10 from above, and its position is also regulated by contact with the reversing roller 80 below the pull-out hook 30. The tip of the flocked hook 20 faces backward and is located at approximately the same height as the rotation axis of the eccentric 10. The tip of the pull-out hook 30 faces upward and is located below the central axis of the eccentric 10. The thread positioning bar 50 is located below and forward of the outlet 42 located in the center of the front-to-rear direction on the bottom 41 of the stocker 40. The thread drop bar 60 and thread pull-in bar 70 are located below the thread positioning bar 50 and above the eccentric 10, and forward of the thread positioning bar 50.

The stocker 40 has a flat bottom 41 that is rectangular in plan view, and a pair of opposing side panels 43 that are provided along each of the two front-to-rear sides of the bottom 41. The bottom 41 and side panels 43 are perpendicular, creating a U-shaped cross section in the front-to-rear direction. The hair material 100a is trimmed to a length, for example, approximately twice the length of the hair of the finished wig, and placed on the bottom 41 of the stocker 40 so that it intersects the depth direction (for example, most of the hair material 100a that make up the hair material bundle 100b is roughly perpendicular to the depth direction). Note that the length of the hair material 100a may be longer than the front-to-rear length of the bottom 41 of the stocker 40, so that a portion of it protrudes outward from the stocker 40. However, if the portion of the hair material 100a protruding from the stocker 40 does not hang down below the bottom 41, this is preferable because it prevents the portion of the hair material 100a protruding from the stocker 40 from rubbing against the front-to-rear edges of the bottom 41 and becoming damaged when the pulling hook 30 captures the hair material 100a from the stocker 40 and pulls it downward, and it also prevents the hair material 100a from becoming entangled in other operating mechanisms.

As shown in Figure 2, there may be only one stocker 40, or multiple stockers. While Figure 2 illustrates an example in which multiple pull-out hooks 30 pull out hair material 100a from one stocker 40, multiple stockers may be configured so that one pull-out hook 30 corresponding to each stocker pulls out hair material 100a. The stocker 40 may be supplied with a mixture of different types of hair material 100a, such as hair materials 100a of different colors, hair materials 100a of the same color but different thicknesses, and hair materials 100a of the same color or thickness but different hardness (elasticity), and the color, thickness, or texture of the hair material 100a in the completed wig may be adjusted in advance. A single type of hair material 100a may also be supplied to the stocker 40.

The eccentric 10 is a component that ensures the implantation area of the flocked net 200, and comprises a cylindrical net hanging portion 11 with a centerline extending in the depth direction, a recess 12 recessed inward from the side surface of the net hanging portion 11 and having an opening that overlaps with the side surface, and shaft portions 13 provided at both ends of the net hanging portion 11 and having a centerline extending in the depth direction. The center line of the shaft portions 13 does not coincide with the center line of the net hanging portion 11, but is offset radially outward from the net hanging portion 11, and is located on the side surface of the net hanging portion 11 in the portion where the recess 12 is provided (and further in the circumferential center of that portion).

The shaft 13 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided on the device body, with its center line serving as the axis of rotation. As the shaft 13 rotates, the net hanging part 11 connected to the shaft 13 revolves around the center line of the shaft 13. In the initial position, the opening of the relief part 12 faces forward as shown in Figure 1. The center line of the shaft 13 may overlap with one weft thread 202-1 located at the circumferential center of the opening of the relief part 12.

The opening width (circumferential length) of the escape portion 12 may be determined based on the spacing between the weft threads 202 that make up the mesh of the flocked net 200, for example, when the flocked net 200 is wrapped around the outer surface of the net hanging portion 11 and one weft thread 202-1 is located at the circumferential center of the opening of the escape portion 12. Of the two weft threads 202-2 and 202-3 circumferentially adjacent to the central weft thread 202-1, one weft thread 202-2 is located near the lower end of the opening of the escape portion 12, and the other weft thread 202-3 is located near the upper end of the opening of the escape portion 12. Note that while Figure 1 illustrates a case where the opening width of the escape portion 12 is narrower than the width of the weft threads 202-2 and 202-3, the opening width of the escape portion 12 may be equal to or greater than the width of the weft threads 202-2 and 202-3.

The hair implant hook 20 is a component for implanting hair material 100a into the hair implant net 200, and includes a hook 21 at its tip and a latch 22 for opening and closing the needle opening of the hook 21. One end of the latch 22 is rotatably connected to the hair implant hook 20 via a shaft (not shown), and by rotating around this shaft, the latch 22 switches between a state in which the other end of the latch 22 is in contact with the hook 21, thereby closing the needle opening, and a state in which the other end of the latch 22 is separated from the hook 21, thereby opening the needle opening. In the initial position, as shown in Figure 1, the hair implant hook 20 is located forward of the eccentric 10 and facing the opening of the relief portion 12, and the latch 22 is in a state in which the needle opening is open.

The hair implant hooks 20 are driven by a drive mechanism controlled by the control device, and connect the hair material 100a to the hair implant net 200 for implantation. Furthermore, multiple hair implant hooks 20 are aligned in the depth direction so as to correspond one-to-one with the multiple pull-out hooks 30 shown in Figure 2. A group of multiple hair implant hooks 20 operate together with a drive mechanism controlled by the control device to implant the hair material 100a into the hair implant net 200. Note that there may be only one hair implant hook 20 and one pull-out hook 30.

The pull-out hook 30 is a component that captures hair material 100a from the stocker 40, and is provided with a hook 31 at its tip that can capture a single hair material 100a. In its initial position, as shown in Figure 1, the pull-out hook 30 is located below the eccentric 10 and above the reversing roller 80, with the needle port 32 of the hook 31 facing forward. As shown in Figure 2, multiple pull-out hooks 30 are provided and aligned in the depth direction. A group of multiple pull-out hooks 30 operate together by a drive mechanism controlled by a control device to capture the hair material 100a. The hook 31 may be capable of capturing two, three, or more hair materials 100a, and may be of any size or shape as long as it is capable of capturing the hair material 100a.

The thread positioning bar 50 is a component that guides the hair material 100a pulled out of the stocker 40 by the pulling hook 30 to a predetermined position. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the thread positioning bar 50 is generally cylindrical with a centerline extending in the depth direction, and multiple thread guides 51 are recessed from the outer surface toward the centerline and arranged around the outer surface. Note that the thread positioning bar 50 may be fixed at both ends in the depth direction to the device body, but if it is rotatably supported by the device body, the thread positioning bar 50 will be rotated by the hair material 100a pulled out of the stocker 40 by the pulling hook 30, preventing the hair material 100a from rubbing against the thread guides 51 and being damaged. The number of thread guides 51 is the same as the number of pulling hooks 30.

The thread drop bar 60 vibrates vertically using a drive mechanism controlled by the control device, and removes the hair material 100a pulled in by the thread retraction bar 70. The thread retraction bar 70 moves back and forth using a drive mechanism controlled by the control device, hooking the hair material 100a implanted in the hair implant net 200 and pulling it forward. The magnet 90 magnetically attracts and opens the closed latch 22 during the process of implanting the hair material 100a into the hair implant net 200 with the hair implant hook 20. Note that the magnet 90 can be either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. However, if it is an electromagnet, the electromagnet only needs to generate magnetic force when controlled by the control device to open the closed latch 22, and there is no need to change the relative positions of the hair implant hook 20 and the magnet 90. Therefore, the drive mechanism can be simplified by driving the hair implant hook 20 and the magnet 90 with a common drive mechanism. The reversing roller 80 is rotatably attached to the device body.

Next, the operation of the automatic hair implantation device will be explained using Figures 2 to 21. First, as shown in Figure 2, the thread retraction bar 70 moves rearward and stops at a position beyond the outlet 42 of the stocker 40 and the retraction hook 30 to the right as shown in Figure 3 (first operation).

Next, the pull-out hook 30 rises, and its tip, including the hook 31, enters the stocker 40 through the outlet 42. After being inserted into the hair material bundle 100b, it descends and stops (second operation). At this time, after its tip is inserted into the outlet 42, the pull-out hook 30 moves slightly toward the front (toward the opening of the needle port 32 of the hook 31). This causes the hair material 100a to be hooked onto the hook 31 of the pull-out hook 30, and the hair material 100a is pulled out of the outlet 42 of the stocker 40 in a doubled state. At this time, as shown in Figure 3, both ends of the hair material 100a remain in the stocker 40, and as shown in Figure 5, the multiple hair materials 100a pulled out in a doubled state are accommodated one by one in each of the multiple thread guides 51 of the thread positioning bar 50. This restricts each of the pulled hair materials 100a to a predetermined position, allowing the hair implant hook 20 to properly capture the hair material 100a in subsequent operations.

Next, as shown in Figure 4, the hair implant hook 20 moves backward (third operation). At this time, the hook 21 passes under the weft thread 202-1, and the needle mouth of the hook 21 is housed within the escape section 12, reaching the position shown by the dashed line. Next, the hair implant hook 20 moves back from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line, and the hook 21 hooks the weft thread 202-1 (fourth operation).

Next, as shown in Figure 6, the shaft 13 of the eccentric 10 rotates 90 degrees so that the opening of the relief portion 12 faces upward, and the net hooking portion 11 rotates downward around the center line of the shaft 13 from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line and stops (fifth operation). This causes the eccentric 10 to move below the hair implantation hook 20 and weft 202-1. This movement of the eccentric 10 from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line allows the hair implantation hook 20 to pass above the eccentric 10 and reach the hair material 100a that has been folded in half between the stocker 40 and the pull-out hook 30. Note that the eccentric 10 may not have a shaft 13 and may rotate around the center line of the net hooking portion 11. In this case, if the hair implant hook 20 is configured to move upward and backward in parallel in response to the rotation of the net hooking part 11 while the weft thread 202-1 is still hooked, the hair implant hook 20 will be positioned above the eccentric 10, as described above.

Next, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, as the hair implantation hook 20 moves backward, the hook 21 approaches the hair material 100a that has been folded in half between the stocker 40 and the pull-out hook 30 (sixth operation). At this time, the weft thread 202-1 passes above the open latch 22 and eventually passes through the entire latch 22. Next, the hair implantation hook 20 rotates so that the needle tip of the hook 21 changes from facing upward to facing sideways (toward the back) (seventh operation). As a result, the needle tip of the hook 21 now faces the hair material 100a that has been pulled out by the pull-out hook 30.

Next, as shown in Figure 9, the hair implantation hook 20 continues to move rearward while the needle opening of the hook 21 is facing sideways, and stops when the needle opening of the hook 21 faces the front portion of the folded hair material 100a (hereinafter referred to as the "front portion" of the hair material 100a) pulled out by the pull-out hook 30 (8th action). Next, the pull-out hook 30 moves forward (9th action). As a result, the front portion of the hair material 100a approaches the hair implantation hook 20 and is introduced into the needle opening of the hook 21.

Next, as shown in Figure 10, the hair implantation hook 20 rotates so that the needle mouth of the hook 21 faces upward from a sideways position, and as shown in Figures 11 and 12, it moves forward, causing the latch 22 to come into contact with the weft yarn 202-1 and closing the needle mouth of the hook 21. As the hair implantation hook 20 moves further from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the dashed line, the latch 22 is attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 90, opening the needle mouth of the hair implantation hook 20 (operation 10). At this time, the hair implantation hook 20 moves away from the hair implantation net 200, causing the front portion of the hair material 100a to be pulled out slightly from the stocker 40. Additionally, the hair material 100a passes from the front side of the outlet 42 through the thread positioning bar 50, passes between weft threads 202-1 and 202-2, is folded back by the hook 21, passes from the hook 21 between weft threads 202-1 and 202-2, passes between weft threads 202-1 and 202-3, and is unfolded to reach the pull-out hook 30.

Next, as shown in Figure 13, the hair implant hook 20 moves backward from the position indicated by the dashed line in Figure 11 and then rises, rotating to tie the hair material 100a to the weft thread 202-1 (11th operation). As a result, the two portions of the hair material 100a between the hook 21 and the weft thread 202-1 are twisted together to form a loop portion 45. Note that in this 11th operation, the raising of the hair implant hook can be omitted, but by doing so, the hook 21 will be able to pass through the portion of the hair material 100a between the thread positioning bar 50 and the weft thread 202-1 reliably during the 12th operation described below.

Next, as shown in Figure 14, the hair implantation hook 20 moves toward the front while facing upward, then moves backward, stopping when the needle tip of the hook 21 is aligned in the depth direction with the rear portion of the folded hair material 100a pulled out by the pull-out hook 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "rear portion" of the hair material 100a). The hook 21 then rotates from facing upward to facing sideways (toward the rear) (12th operation). At this time, as shown in Figure 15, the hook 21 of the hair implantation hook 20 passes through the portion of the hair material 100a between the thread positioning bar 50 and the weft thread 202-1, and the loop portion 45 passes above the latch 22 of the hair implantation hook 20. Furthermore, as a result of the rotation of the hair implantation hook 20, the needle tip of the hook 21 is now facing the rear portion of the hair material 100a. The number of rotations of the hair implant hook 20 may be any number of rotations greater than or equal to one, such as one, two, or three or more rotations. The direction of rotation may be clockwise or counterclockwise.

Next, the pull-out hook 30 moves toward the front (operation 13). This brings the rear portion of the hair material 100a closer to the hair implant hook 20 and introduces it into the needle opening of the hook 21. Note that the hair implant hook 20 may move toward the rear, or both the pull-out hook 30 and the hair implant hook 20 may move toward each other.

Next, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the hair implantation hook 20 rotates so that the needle mouth of the hook 21 faces upward from a sideways position and moves forward, causing the latch 22 to come into contact with the loop portion 45 and close the needle mouth of the hook 21 (14th action). This completes the tying of the hair material 100a to the weft yarn 202-1, i.e., the hair implantation. Note that as the hook 21 of the hair implantation hook 20 retracts and passes through the loop portion 45, the withdrawal hook 30 may move up and down in small movements to release the hair material 100a from the hook 31. This prevents peeling, which is when the hair material 100a becomes frizzy due to friction.

Next, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the thread retraction bar 70 moves forward, retracting the front portion of the hair material 100a forward and stopping at the initial position (15th operation).

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20, operations 16 to 18 are performed. First, while the hair implantation hook 20 returns to its initial position and stops, the latch 22 is attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 90, opening the needle mouth of the hair implantation hook 20 (operation 16). The eccentric 10 rotates around the center line of the shaft 13 from the position shown by the solid line in Figure 6 back to the position shown by the dashed line in Figure 6 (operation 17). This returns the opening of the escape portion 12 to its initial position facing left. The thread drop bar 60 moves downward, then upward, and stops at its initial position (operation 18). This causes the hair material 100a, which has been completely implanted onto the weft thread 202-1, to be styled downward. Note that any of operations 16 to 18 may be performed first, or operations 16 to 18 may be performed simultaneously.

The above operation completes one cycle of the automatic hair implantation device 120 implanting the hair material 100a onto the weft thread 202-1, creating the knot shown in Figure 21. Note that Figure 21 illustrates the state in the 11th operation, in which the hair implantation hook 20 rotates three times and the hair material 100a is twisted three times and tied to the hair implantation net 200.

In the above-mentioned example of operations, the hook 21 of the hair implant hook 20 grabs the front portion of the hair material 100a in the eighth and ninth operations, and grabs the rear portion of the hair material 100a in the twelfth and thirteenth operations. However, regardless of whether the front or rear portion is grabbed in each operation, the hair material 100a can be tied to the weft by rotating the hair implant hook 20 one or more times in the twelfth operation. Also, even if the hair implant hook 20 only rotates half a turn in the twelfth operation, the hair material 100a can be tied to the weft by using the hook 21 of the hair implant hook 20 to grab the lower portion of the hair material 100a that results from this half turn in the twelfth and thirteenth operations.

(Relationship between hair implantation pattern data and basic operation of automatic hair implantation device)
Next, we will explain the relationship between the hair implantation pattern data 113a and the basic operations of the automatic hair implantation device 120. The automatic hair implantation device 120 performs the following operations by executing the sequence program 123a by the control unit 122.

As shown in FIG. 30, the hair implantation control unit 122a (see FIG. 3) determines the initial position of the pull-out hook 30 based on the shape and dimensions of the hair implantation pattern in the hair implantation pattern data 113a, and whether or not hair is implanted. For example, as shown in FIG. 30, the initial position of the pull-out hook 30 that is within the hair implantation area based on the shape and dimensions of the hair implantation pattern and that matches the coordinates where hair implantation will be performed is determined to be position Q1, which is close to the stocker 40. Furthermore, the initial position of the pull-out hook 30 that matches the coordinates outside the hair implantation area or that matches the coordinates within the hair implantation area where hair implantation will not be performed is determined to be position Q2, which is far from the stocker 40. For example, position Q2 is lower than position Q1. As a result, when multiple pull-out hooks 30 simultaneously rise toward the stocker 40, the pull-out hook 30 whose initial position is position Q2 will not reach the stocker 40. As a result, as shown in Figure 31, the withdrawal hook 30, whose initial position is position Q2, returns to position Q2 without capturing the hair material 100a, and hair implantation at the coordinates where the withdrawal hook 30 is placed is not performed.

28 is completed, the hair implantation control unit 122a causes the drive unit to move the pull-out hooks 30 and the hair implantation hooks 20 in the depth direction relative to the hair implantation net 200 by a width that matches the hair implantation interval (horizontal pitch) set in the hair implantation pattern data 113a. For example, the pull-out hooks 30 and the hair implantation hooks 20 move to the position of the warp yarn 201 adjacent to the warp yarn 201 implanted by the first to eighteenth operations described above. The automatic hair implantation device 120 then repeats the first to eighteenth operations described above and the movement of the pull-out hooks 30 and the hair implantation hooks 20 in the depth direction relative to the hair implantation net 200 a predetermined number of times. The hair implantation control unit 122a then rotates the reversing roller 80 by an angle corresponding to the implantation interval (vertical pitch) in the hair implantation pattern data 113a, and advances the hair implanted net 200. In other words, the hair implanted net 200 is advanced once the width of the vertical pitch set in the hair implantation pattern data 113a. Then, hair implantation is performed on the weft yarn 202-3.

As shown in Figures 32 to 34, the hair implantation control unit 122a determines which stocker 40 to use from multiple stockers 40 depending on the type of hair material 100a to be implanted in the hair implantation pattern data 113a, and causes the withdrawal hook 30 to capture at least one of the multiple hair materials 100a from that stocker 40. For example, as shown in Figure 32, three stockers 40 (S1, S2, and S3) containing different types of hair materials 100a are arranged in the automatic hair implantation device 120. When the stocker 40 to be used is S1, the hair implantation control unit 122a positions the stocker 40 of S1 at a position where the withdrawal hook 30 will pull out the hair material 100a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 33, when the stocker 40 being used is changed from S1 to S3, the hair implantation control unit 122a, for example, moves three stockers 40 in the direction of arrow A1, and positions the stocker 40 of S3 at a position where the withdrawal hook 30 will withdraw the hair material 100a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 34, when the stocker 40 being used is changed from S3 to S2, the hair implantation control unit 122a, for example, moves three stockers 40 in the direction of arrow A2, and positions the stocker 40 of S3 at a position where the withdrawal hook 30 will withdraw the hair material 100a. As a result, when the above-mentioned first to eighteenth operations are performed, the type of hair material 100a corresponding to the hair implantation pattern data 113a is implanted into the hair implantation net 200.

As shown in Figure 35, the hair implantation control unit 122a selects one of the multiple pull-out hooks 30 to be used for implantation in accordance with the number of hair materials per coordinate to be implanted in the hair implantation pattern data 113a, and causes the selected pull-out hook 30 to capture the hair material 100a from the stocker 40. As shown in Figure 35, for example, three pull-out hooks 30 (N1, N2, and N3), each capable of capturing a different number of hair materials 100a, are arranged in the automatic hair implantation device 120. When the selected pull-out hook 30 is N1, the hair implantation control unit 122a positions the pull-out hook 30 of N1 vertically below the outlet 42. Furthermore, when the extraction hook 30 being used is changed from N1 to N2, the hair implantation control unit 122a moves the three extraction hooks 30 in the direction of arrow B1, and positions the extraction hook 30 of N2 vertically below the outlet 42. Furthermore, when the extraction hook 30 being used is changed from N2 to N3, the hair implantation control unit 122a moves the three extraction hooks 30 in the direction of arrow B2, and positions the extraction hook 30 of N3 vertically below the outlet 42. As a result, when the above-mentioned first to eighteenth operations are performed, the extraction hooks 30 positioned vertically below the outlet 42 pull out the number of hair materials 100a according to the hair implantation pattern data 113a.

The hair implantation control unit 122a also determines the movement path, rotation direction, and number of rotations of the hair implantation hook 20 depending on the knotting method of the hair material 100a relative to the hair implantation net 200 in the hair implantation pattern data 113a. For example, if the knotting method of the hair material 100a is "three times in the forward direction," the hair implantation control unit 122a rotates the hair implantation hook 20 three times counterclockwise as viewed from the front in the eleventh operation shown in Figure 21. As a result, the knot 100c shown in Figures 29A and 29B is formed. Furthermore, if the knotting method of the hair material 100a is "one time in the forward direction," the hair implantation control unit 122a rotates the hair implantation hook 20 one time counterclockwise as viewed from the front in the eleventh operation. Furthermore, if the knotting method for the hair material 100a is "one turn in the reverse direction," the hair implantation control unit 122a rotates the hair implantation hook 20 one full turn clockwise as viewed from the front in the eleventh operation. If the knotting method for the hair material 100a is "half turn in the forward direction," the hair implantation control unit 122a rotates the hair implantation hook 20 one half turn counterclockwise as viewed from the front in the eleventh operation. Then, in the twelfth and thirteenth operations, a movement path is set so that the portion of the hair material 100a that has become lower due to this half turn is captured by the hook 21 of the hair implantation hook 20, and the hair material 100a is tied to the hair implant net 200.

(Configuration for cutting hair material)
Fig. 36 is a diagram showing the automatic hair implantation device 120 with the cutting unit 150 positioned at the initial position. Fig. 37 is a diagram showing the cutting unit 150 cutting the hair material 100a as viewed from the depth direction.

As shown in Figures 36 and 37, the automatic hair implantation device 120 further includes a cutting unit 150 and a cutting unit movement mechanism 160. The cutting unit 150 cuts at least one of the multiple hair materials 100a. The cutting unit movement mechanism 160 includes an air cylinder or rack and pinion that moves the cutting unit 150.

The cutting unit 150 is positioned, for example, below the hair implantation hook 20. After the hair material 100a is captured by the hair implantation hook 20, the cutting unit 150 rises and cuts the hair material 100a, as shown in Figure 37. As shown in Figures 36 and 37, the cutting unit movement mechanism 160 moves the cutting unit 150 up and down. After cutting the hair material 100a, the cutting unit 150 descends and returns to the initial position shown in Figure 36. The hair implantation control unit 122a functions as a cutting control unit that controls the operation of the cutting unit 150 and the cutting unit movement mechanism 160. With this configuration, the hair material 100a captured by the hair implantation hook 20 is cut, so the length of the hair material 100a can be adjusted for each hair material 100a captured by the hair implantation hook 20. Furthermore, because the hair material 100a is pulled out from the stocker 40 by the pull-out hook 30, the length of the hair material 100a placed in the stocker 40 needs to be at least twice the distance between the stocker 40 and the pull-out hook 30. In contrast, with the above configuration, even if the length of the hair material 100a placed in the stocker 40 is more than twice the distance between the stocker 40 and the pull-out hook 30, the hair material captured by the hair implantation hook 20 is cut, so the length of the hair material 100a can be adjusted to less than twice the distance between the stocker 40 and the pull-out hook 30.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 36, the cutting unit movement mechanism 160 moves the cutting unit 150 in the direction in which the hair material 100a extends (direction E1 or E2 in Figure 36). This changes the position at which the hair material 100a is cut by the cutting unit 150, and changes the length of the hair material 100a after cutting.

Furthermore, after the above-mentioned eleventh operation, the cutting unit 150 cuts the hair material 100a. Note that the example shown in Figure 37 illustrates an example in which the cutting unit 150 cuts the hair material 100a when the above-mentioned eleventh operation is performed by the automatic hair implantation device 120.

Figure 38 is a rear view of the cutting unit 150 and the cutting unit movement mechanism 160. Figure 39 is a rear view of the cutting unit 150 cutting the hair material 100a. As shown in Figure 38, the cutting unit 150 includes a plurality of blades 151 that cut at least one of the plurality of hair materials 100a. Two blades 151 (pairs) are provided for each hair implantation hook 20. The pair of blades 151 are arranged side by side in the depth direction, and as shown in Figure 39, they clamp and cut at least one of the plurality of hair materials 100a.

The cutting unit 150 includes two bases 152 arranged one on top of the other in the front-to-rear direction. One of the pair of blades 151 extends upward from one of the two bases 152, and the other of the pair of blades 151 extends upward from the other of the two bases 152. As shown in Figures 38 and 39, the two bases 152 move in the A1 direction or the A2 direction to open and close the pair of blades 151. As a result, with the pair of blades 151 open, as shown in Figure 38, the hair material 100a is placed between the pair of blades 151, and by closing the pair of blades 151 as shown in Figure 39, the hair material 100a is cut by the pair of blades 151.

The cutting unit movement mechanism 160 includes an opening/closing mechanism 161, a support member 162, and a vertical movement mechanism 163. The opening/closing mechanism 161 moves the two bases 152 relative to one another. The support member 162 supports the opening/closing mechanism 161 from below. The support member 162 is held by the vertical movement mechanism 163. As shown in Figures 36 and 37, the vertical movement mechanism 163 moves the support member 162, opening/closing mechanism 161, and cutting unit 150 in the vertical direction.

(Relationship between hair implantation pattern data and hair material cutting operation)
Next, we will explain the relationship between the hair implantation pattern data 113a and the operation of cutting the hair material 100a by the automatic hair implantation device 120. The automatic hair implantation device 120 performs the following operations by executing the sequence program 123a by the control unit 122.

As shown in Figure 36, the hair implantation control unit 122a moves the cutting unit 150 in the E1 direction or the E2 direction depending on the length of the hair material 100a in the hair implantation pattern data 113a. For example, if the length of the hair material 100a is L, the cutting unit 150 is positioned at a distance L from the hair implant net 200. As a result, when the hair material 100a is cut by the cutting unit 150, the length of the hair material 100a from the hair implant net 200 becomes L.

[Configuration of the second embodiment]
FIG. 40 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automatic hair implantation system 300 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 40, the automatic hair implantation system 300 according to the second embodiment includes an automatic hair implantation device 320. The automatic hair implantation device 420 includes multiple stockers 340. A stocker 340 is provided for each pull-out hook 30, and its initial position can be changed by a drive mechanism (not shown). The automatic hair implantation system 300 determines the initial position of the stocker 340 depending on whether or not hair is to be implanted according to the hair implantation pattern data. For example, the automatic hair implantation system 300 determines the initial position of the stocker 340 corresponding to the coordinates where hair is not to be implanted to Q12, which is higher than the initial position Q11 of the stocker 340 corresponding to the coordinates where hair is to be implanted. As a result, even if the pull-out hook 30 rises, the pull-out hook 30 will not reach the stocker 340 located at the initial position Q12, and the hair material 100a will not be pulled out from the stocker 340. The other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Configuration of the first example of the third embodiment]
FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automatic hair implantation system 400 in a first example of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 41, the automatic hair implantation system 400 in the first example of the third embodiment includes a heating unit 450 and a moving mechanism unit 460. The heating unit 450 includes a laser light source. The heating unit 450 irradiates at least one of the hair materials 100a with a laser to melt and cut the at least one of the hair materials 100a. The moving mechanism unit 460 changes at least one of the position and angle of the heating unit 450 to change the laser irradiation position of the heating unit 450. The automatic hair implantation system 400 changes the laser irradiation position based on the hair implantation pattern data, and causes the heating unit 450 to cut the hair material 100a to the length based on the hair implantation pattern data. This allows at least one of the multiple hair materials 100a to be cut while the heating unit 450 is separated from at least one of the multiple hair materials 100a. The other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Configuration of the second example of the third embodiment]
Fig. 42 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automatic hair implantation system 500 in a second example of the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 42, the automatic hair implantation system 500 in the second example of the third embodiment includes a heating unit 550. The heating unit 550 includes a heating element. The heating unit 550 comes into contact with at least one of the hair materials 100a to melt and cut the at least one of the hair materials. The other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Configuration of Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 43 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automatic hair implantation system 600 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 43, the automatic hair implantation system 600 according to the fourth embodiment includes a cutting unit 650 and a moving mechanism 660. The cutting unit 650 cuts the hair material 100a after it has been implanted in the hair implantation net 200. For example, the cutting unit 650 cuts the hair material 100a hanging down from the knot while the eccentric 10 is tilted forward. The moving mechanism 660 moves the cutting unit 650 in the direction E11 or E12 to change the height position of the cutting unit 650. The automatic hair implantation system 600 determines the height position of the cutting unit 650 based on the hair implantation pattern data. Other configurations, operations, and effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[Configuration of Fifth Embodiment]
Figures 44 and 45 are diagrams showing the configuration of an automatic hair implantation system 700 according to a fifth embodiment. As shown in Figures 44 and 45, the automatic hair implantation system 700 according to the fifth embodiment includes a stocker 740 and a cutting unit 750. The cutting unit 750 is disposed in the stocker 740 and cuts the hair material 100a disposed in the stocker 740. The cutting unit 750 includes multiple blades. The multiple blades of the cutting unit 750 move along the longitudinal direction of the hair material 100a by a drive mechanism (not shown). The stocker 740 is also provided with a fixing member 760 that fixes the hair material 100a (hair material bundle 100b). The fixing member 760 presses the hair material bundle 100b toward the bottom 41 to prevent the hair material bundle 100b from moving in the longitudinal direction of the hair material 100a. As a result, the hair material 100a that comes into contact with the multiple blades of the cutting unit 750 is cut. Furthermore, pieces 100d of the cut hair material remain in the stocker 740. Furthermore, the multiple blades of the cutting unit 750 are arranged in a mottled pattern like a pin holder in a plan view. Therefore, the multiple hair materials 100a are cut to different lengths. This makes it possible to manufacture finished hair implanted products made of hair materials 100a of various lengths. The other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Modification]
The above-described embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the above-described embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure.

(1) In the above first to fifth embodiments, examples have been given in which the programs that control the operation of the control unit are stored in a storage unit. However, the embodiments also include any computer-readable storage medium (program storage medium) that stores a program for the hair transplant system, and a program (program product) that is transmitted via a wireless or wired communication line.

(2) In the above first to fifth embodiments, an example was shown in which the automatic hair implantation device was configured so that the position of the cutting unit could be changed, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In other words, the position of the cutting unit may be fixed, and the length of the hair material may be changed by simply changing whether or not cutting occurs.

(3) In the first embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the hair material was clamped between a pair of blades and cut, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In other words, the hair material may be cut with a single blade (razor).

Furthermore, the above-mentioned automatic hair transplantation device can be explained as follows:

The automatic hair transplantation device according to the first configuration includes: a hair transplantation mechanism that transplants a plurality of hair materials into a hair transplantation target;
and a cutting section that cuts at least one of the plurality of hair materials (first configuration).

The first configuration allows at least one of the multiple hair materials to be cut, making it possible to change the length of the hair material to be implanted in the hair implantation object or the length of the hair material already implanted in the hair implantation object.

In the first configuration, the hair implantation mechanism may include a stocker having an outlet and in which multiple hair materials are arranged across the outlet, a pull-out hook that pulls out some of the multiple hair materials from the outlet, and a hair implantation hook that captures the hair material pulled out from the pull-out hook and implants it into the hair implantation target, and the cutting unit may be configured to cut the hair material captured by the hair implantation hook (second configuration).

According to the second configuration, the hair material captured by the hair implantation hook is cut, allowing the length of each hair material captured by the hair implantation hook to be adjusted. Furthermore, because the hair material is pulled out from the stocker by the pull-out hook, the length of the hair material placed in the stocker needs to be at least twice the distance between the stocker and the pull-out hook. In contrast, according to the second configuration, even if the length of the hair material placed in the stocker is more than twice the distance between the stocker and the pull-out hook, the hair material captured by the hair implantation hook is cut, allowing the length of the hair material to be adjusted to less than twice the distance between the stocker and the pull-out hook.

In the first or second configuration, the cutting unit may include a blade that cuts at least one of the multiple hair materials (third configuration).

According to the third configuration, by bringing the blade portion into contact with at least one of the multiple hair materials, it is possible to cut at least one of the multiple hair materials.

In the third configuration, the blade portion may include a pair of blades that clamp and cut at least one of the multiple hair materials (fourth configuration).

With the fourth configuration, the pair of blades can clamp and hold at least one of the multiple hair materials while cutting. As a result, the cutting position of the hair material can be prevented from shifting.

In the first or second configuration, the cutting unit may include a heating unit that heats and melts at least one of the multiple hair materials (fifth configuration).

The fifth configuration allows for cutting at least one of the multiple hair materials.

In the fifth configuration, the heating unit may be configured to melt and cut at least one of the multiple hair materials by bringing a heated member into contact with the multiple hair materials (sixth configuration).

According to the sixth configuration, by bringing the heating unit into contact with at least one of the multiple hair materials, it is possible to cut at least one of the multiple hair materials.

In the fifth configuration, the heating unit may be configured to irradiate at least one of the multiple hair materials with a laser to melt and cut at least one of the multiple hair materials (seventh configuration).

According to the seventh configuration, at least one of the multiple hair materials can be cut while the heating unit is separated from at least one of the multiple hair materials.

In any one of the first to seventh configurations, the automatic hair implantation device may further include a cutting unit movement mechanism that moves the cutting unit, and a cutting control unit that moves the cutting unit using the cutting unit movement mechanism to control the length of the hair material after cutting (eighth configuration).

The eighth configuration allows the length to be changed for each hair material being cut.

In the eighth configuration, the cutting control unit controls the cutting unit movement mechanism based on hair material length data including the length of the implanted hair material at each of multiple coordinates or the length of the implanted hair material in multiple regions (ninth configuration).

According to the ninth configuration, by creating hair material length data, the length of each hair material in the finished hair transplanted product can be set as desired.

20...Hair transplant hook, 30...Pulling hook, 40, 340, 740...Stocker, 41...Bottom, 42...Extraction port, 100, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700...Automatic hair transplant system, 100a...Hair material, 100b...Hair material bundle, 111...Control unit, 111a...Pattern data generation unit, 111b...Display control unit, 113a...Hair transplant pattern data, 113b ...Pattern data generation program, 120, 320, 420...Automatic hair implantation device, 121...Hair implantation mechanism unit, 122...Control unit, 122a...Hair implantation control unit, 123...Memory unit, 150, 650, 750...Cutting unit, 151...Blade, 160...Cutting unit movement mechanism unit, 200...Hair implantation net, 450, 550...Heating unit, 460, 660...Movement mechanism unit, 760...Fixing member

Claims (3)

a hair implantation mechanism for implanting a plurality of hair materials onto an object to be implanted;
a cutting unit that cuts at least one of the plurality of hair materials;
a cutting unit moving mechanism that moves the cutting unit ,
The hair implantation mechanism includes:
a stocker having an outlet and in which a plurality of hair materials are arranged so as to straddle the outlet;
a plurality of pulling hooks for pulling out some of the plurality of hair materials from the outlet;
a plurality of hair implantation hooks for capturing the hair material pulled out from the pulling hooks and implanting it into the hair implantation target;
the cutting unit includes a blade group consisting of a first blade and a second blade provided for each of the plurality of hair implantation hooks,
the cutting unit movement mechanism includes a first base connected to the plurality of first blades in the blade group and a second base connected to the plurality of second blades in the blade group,
The cutting unit moving mechanism of the automatic hair implantation device cuts the multiple hair materials captured by the multiple hair implantation hooks with the blade group by moving the first base and the second base relative to each other . The automatic hair implantation device according to claim 1 , further comprising a cutting control unit that controls the length of the hair material after cutting by moving the cutting unit using the cutting unit movement mechanism. The automatic hair implantation device according to claim 2, wherein the cutting control unit controls the cutting unit movement mechanism based on hair material length data including the length of the implanted hair material at each of a plurality of coordinates or the length of the implanted hair material in a plurality of regions.