Cutting element for use in hair cutting device, and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

There is provided a method of manufacturing a cutting element for use in a hair cutting device, the cutting element comprising an optical waveguide, the method comprising providing a preform for an optical waveguide, the preform comprising a core and an outer layer, wherein the outer layer is arranged around the core along the length of the core; forming a shaped preform by removing a portion of the outer layer along the length of the core to expose part of the core, wherein a remaining portion of the outer layer is a support structure for the core; heating the shaped preform; and pulling theshaped preform in the direction of the axis of the core to reduce the cross-section of the shaped preform and form the optical waveguide. Also provided is a cutting element manufactured according to the above method and a cutting element for use in a hair cutting device, the cutting element comprising an optical waveguide comprising a core and a support structure, wherein the support structure contacts the core along the length of the core to support the core, and wherein part of the core is exposed along the length of the core to form a cutting face for contacting hair. The thickness of the support structure tapers linearly or non-linearly from a thin side at which the support structure contacts the core to a thick side.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a cutting element for a hair cutting device and a method of manufacturing the same, and in particular to a cutting element comprising an optical waveguide. Background technique [0002] Shaving devices for cutting or shaving hair on a subject's body typically use one or more blades that cut hair as the blades move over the subject's skin. The blades may be static within the device, such as in a wet razor, while in other types of devices, such as electric shavers, one or more blade elements may be actuated (e.g., rotated or oscillated) in order to produce cutting action. [0003] However, an alternative type of shaving device has been proposed in WO 2014 / 143670 which utilizes laser light. In particular, a laser light source configured to generate laser light having a wavelength selected to target a predetermined chromophore to efficiently cut hair shafts is provided. The optical fiber is located on the shaving portion...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Fiber optics may therefore break or otherwise be damaged during use and need to be replaced

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