Personal care device

Abstract

The present invention relates to personal care devices, particularly skin treatment devices such as electric shavers. The personal care device includes a working head attached to a handle for moving the working head along a skin surface. The working head includes at least one working tool defining a skin-contacting contour of the working head, the at least one working tool being movable relative to the handle under skin-contact pressure by a support structure that allows the skin-contacting contour of the working head to pivot relative to the handle, and a biasing device for biasing the working tool. The adjustment device, including an adjustment actuator, is controlled by an electronic control unit to adjust the pivot stiffness and / or the levitation stiffness of the working head in response to at least one skin-contacting pressure of the working head detected by at least one detector during operation of the personal care device to perform a personal care treatment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a personal care apparatus, in particular a hair removal apparatus such as an electric shaver, wherein the personal care apparatus comprises a working head attached to a handle for moving the working head along the skin surface. The working head comprises at least one working tool defining a skin contact contour of the working head, the at least one working tool is movable relative to the handle under skin contact pressure by a support structure that allows the skin contact contour of the working head to pivot relative to the handle, and a biasing device for biasing the working tool is provided. The invention also relates to a method of controlling such a personal care apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Hair removal devices such as epilators, beard trimmers and electric shavers usually have one or more cutter elements driven by an electric drive unit in an oscillating mode in which the cutter elements reciprocate under a shear foil, such cutter elements or undercutters may have an elongated shape and can reciprocate along their longitudinal axis. Other types of electric shavers use rotating cutter elements that can be driven in an oscillating or continuous mode. The electric drive unit may comprise an electric motor or an electric linear motor, the drive unit may comprise a drive train having elements such as an elongated drive transmitter for transmitting the driving motion of the motor to the cutter element, and the motor may be received within the handle portion of the shaver or alternatively in the shaver head.

[0003] While most users use such shavers daily, it can be difficult to fully operate and handle them. Due to the different preferences and habits of different users, shavers are often not operated within their optimal range. For example, even if the working head is pivotably supported to compensate for some angular displacement, the working head with the cutter element may be pressed too hard against the skin, or the shaver may be held in an orientation that prevents the shear foil of the working head from making full contact with the skin.

[0004] For example, it is well known in the field of shavers that the shaver head can be movably stopped, allowing the cutter elements to self-adjust their position and orientation to better conform to the skin contour. More specifically, the shaver head can be pivotably supported so as to pivot around one, two or more pivots extending across the longitudinal axis of the handle, so that the working surface of the shaver head can remain in full contact with the skin contour even when the handle is held in an "incorrect" orientation. Furthermore, the cutter elements can float or dive into the shaver head structure to compensate for or react to excessive force pressing the shaver head against the skin. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The fundamental objective of the present invention is to provide an improved personal care device, in particular a hair removal device such as a shaver or epilator, that avoids at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art and / or further develops existing solutions. A more specific fundamental objective of the present invention is to provide the user with an improved self-adjustment of the personal care device.

[0006] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a good sense of control when the work head is pressed against the skin to achieve thorough treatment, while enabling low-irritation treatment of the skin along with the wide range of easy self-adaptation of the work tool of the work head to the complex contours of the skin.

[0007] At least one of the above objectives is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are given by the features of the dependent claims.

[0008] To achieve at least one of the above objectives, it has been suggested to adjust the stiffness of the skin contact contour of the work head relative to the handle, and the adjustment actuator is configured to adjust the pivot stiffness and / or levitation stiffness of the suspension of the work head, and / or the resistance and / or failure of the work head to pivot and / or levitation movements, in accordance with the user's behavior, so as to give the personal care device a more aggressive and performance-oriented operation, while on the other hand giving it a more comfortable and smoother operation. In one embodiment, the adjustment device, including the adjustment actuator, is controlled by an electronic control unit to adjust the pivot stiffness and / or levitation stiffness of the work head in accordance with at least one characteristic processing parameter detected by at least one detector (described in more detail below) during handling of the personal care device when performing personal care processing.

[0009] More specifically, the adjustment mechanism can vary the torque and / or force required to pivot the skin contact contour of the work head relative to the handle and / or to achieve a specific pivot angle of the skin contact contour of the work head that deviates from its neutral position. Such adjustment of pivot stiffness can be automatically controlled by a control unit in response to at least one characteristic processing parameter detected by a detector during a processing session. The detector provides the control unit with a signal indicating such characteristic processing parameter. Specifically, the pivot stiffness and / or levitation stiffness of the work head may be adjusted in response to the skin pressure against which the skin contact contour of the work head is pressed against the user's skin, such skin pressure can be detected by a suitable skin pressure sensor. When a shaver user desires, for example, a particularly close shave, the user typically presses the shaver head more firmly against their skin. The user may then get the impression that the shaver head pivots too easily. For this reason, the adjustment mechanism can increase the pivot stiffness when it detects increased skin pressure.

[0010] Conversely, if the skin pressure sensor detects a decrease in the pressure of the work head against the skin, and / or if the user presses the shaver head only slightly against the skin, the control unit can reduce the stiffness of the work tool and / or work head suspension by activating an adjustment actuator in response to the sensor signal indicating such low skin contact pressure, thereby allowing for easier pivoting of the skin contact contour of the work head. As a result, the user will perceive the work head as more flexible and be able to adapt more easily to various skin contours and orientations of the skin surface when gently handling the skin, thereby avoiding skin irritation. In this specification and the preceding and following paragraphs, “stiffness” or “pivot stiffness” of the work tool or work head means and refers to the degree of resistance to which the work tool or work head can move, rotate, or pivot. If the working tool of an electric dry shaver is provided within the working head of the shaver device, having movable resistance or no resistance to the shaver handle and / or other cutting units, this rigidity may be adjusted to the device handle of the working head and / or other components (e.g., one hair cutting unit). Alternatively, this rigidity may be adjusted by the movable resistance or no resistance of, for example, the entire shaver working head, or the wings of several units / hair cutters of the working head, to the shaver handle, or to other wings of the working head with further cutting units / hair cutters.

[0011] To enable personal care devices to provide a rapid response to changes in user handling, the sensor signal indicating skin pressure can display real-time data and fluctuations in skin pressure that occurred during the current treatment session.

[0012] To change the stiffness of the work head and / or the work tool against pivoting and / or levitation motion as desired, the adjustment actuator can change the setting of the biasing device that provides biasing force and / or torque to adjust the mobility resistance of the movable work head. Preferably, though not necessarily, the biasing force of the biasing device also biases the movable elements of the work head and / or the entire work head to a neutral position where the skin contact contour of the work head is in a neutral position. More specifically, the adjustment actuator can adjust the biasing device to provide increased biasing force and / or increased biasing torque and / or resistance force / torque to achieve increased stiffness, or conversely, to decrease the biasing force and / or biasing torque and / or resistance force / torque to achieve decreased stiffness. This may include zero stiffness or maximum swivel or mobility of the work head, which can be achieved, for example, by starting or stopping the biasing device. Furthermore, the biasing device or pivot resistance controller may include, for example, a braking device, damper, or other device that generates resistance to the rotation / pivot / motion of the work tool and / or work head.

[0013] For example, the biasing device may include at least one spring element that applies a spring force to the work head and / or work tool, the work tool moving against this spring force and pivoting the skin contact contour, and the adjustment actuator can adjust the stiffness of the work head structure by increasing or decreasing the pre-tension of such spring.

[0014] In addition to, or instead of, such a spring mechanism, the work head may include at least one damper to dampen the movement of the work head relative to the handle and / or the movement of the work tool relative to the work head frame, and such damper may be adjusted by an adjustment actuator to provide a smaller or larger damping effect, thereby increasing or decreasing the rigidity of the work head.

[0015] In addition to, or instead of, such a spring device, the work head may include at least one braking device to dampen or brake the movement of the work head relative to the handle and / or the movement of the work tool relative to the work head frame, such braking device may be adjusted by an adjustment actuator to provide a smaller or larger braking force, thereby increasing or decreasing the rigidity of the work head.

[0016] Another objective is to provide an improved method for controlling personal care devices, specifically hair removal devices such as shavers or epilators.

[0017] This objective is achieved by the features of claim 17.

[0018] These and other advantages will become clearer from the following description, which refers to the drawings and possible examples. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a personal care device relating to an electric shaver, which includes a handle and a shaver head pivotably connected thereto, wherein the pivotal rigidity of the shaver head and the drive or lift resistance of the cutter element can be adjusted according to the user's behavior. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the shaver's working head, showing a pair of short-hair cutters and a trimmer between them. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the work head, showing the pair of short-hair cutters and the trimmer between them. [Figure 4] Figures 1 to 3 are schematic side views of the shaver, showing detectors for detecting the individual penetration of the cutter elements in order to determine the shaving pressure. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a schematic front view of a shaver according to a further embodiment, which has a detector for detecting the individual penetration of the cutter elements in order to determine the shaving pressure. [Figure 6]It is a schematic side view of a shaver similar to Figure 4, showing an adjustment mechanism for adjusting pivoting rigidity and a detector for detecting sinking or floating. [Figure 7] It is a schematic side view of a shaver similar to Figure 5, showing an adjustment mechanism for adjusting pivoting rigidity and a detector for detecting sinking or floating. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] In order to achieve low-irritation skin treatment along with extensive and easy self-adaptation of the working tool of the working head to complex skin contours, while providing a good sense of control when the working head is pressed against the skin area to achieve thorough treatment, it has been suggested to adjust the rigidity of the skin contact contour of the working head relative to the handle. The adjustment actuator is configured to adjust the pivoting rigidity and / or floating rigidity of the skin contact contour of the working head defined by at least one working tool, so as to provide the personal care device with more aggressive and performance-oriented handling according to the user's behavior, while providing more comfortable and smoother operation in other cases. According to one aspect, an adjustment device including an adjustment actuator is controlled by an electronic control unit to adjust the pivoting rigidity and / or floating rigidity of the working head in accordance with at least one characteristic processing parameter detected by at least one detector during operation of the personal care device when performing personal care processing.

[0021] Such adjustment of the pivoting rigidity can be automatically controlled by a control unit in accordance with at least one characteristic processing parameter detected by a detector during a processing session. Said detector provides real-time signals indicative of such characteristic processing parameters to said control unit. In particular, the pivoting rigidity of the working head may be adjusted in accordance with the skin pressure with which the working head and / or the processing tool thereof is pressed against the user's skin, and such skin pressure may be detected by a suitable skin pressure sensor. If, for example, a user of a shaver desires particularly close shaving, the user will typically press the shaver head more strongly against the skin. The user may then get the impression that the shaver head pivots too easily. For this reason, the adjustment mechanism can increase the pivoting rigidity when an increased skin pressure is detected.

[0022] In contrast, if the skin pressure sensor detects that the pressure of the working head against the skin is decreasing and / or the user presses the shaver head only slightly against the skin, the control unit can reduce the rigidity of the working tool and / or the working head suspension by activating the adjustment actuator in response to a sensor signal indicative of such a low skin contact pressure, thereby allowing easier pivoting of the skin contact contour of the working head. As a result, the user gets the impression that the working head is more flexible, and can more easily adapt to various skin contours and skin surface orientations when gently treating the skin, thereby avoiding skin layer irritation.

[0023] In order that the personal care device provides a rapid response to changes in the user's handling, the sensor signal indicative of skin pressure can display real-time data and skin pressure variations occurring during the current processing session.

[0024] Such skin pressure detectors may include capacitive or resistive touch sensors or other force measuring sensors, which may be used to detect the skin contact force between the skin surface and the cutting portion of the work head and / or shaver head, and / or the force applied to each cutting element and its distribution across different elements. In addition or alternatively, at least one detector, such as a force sensor which may consist of one, two, or three dimensions, may be able to detect the direction resulting from the user pressing the device against their skin. In addition or alternatively, at least one detector, such as a Hall sensor, may be able to detect the motion of the device's components relative to each other due to external forces. In addition or alternatively, at least one detector, such as a motor current-based detection system, may determine the skin contact force.

[0025] To change the stiffness of the work head and / or the work tool against pivoting and / or levitation motion as desired, the adjustment actuator can change the settings of the biasing device that provides biasing force and / or biasing torque and / or resistance force / torque to adjust the mobility resistance of the movable work head. Preferably, though not necessarily, the biasing force of the biasing device also biases the movable elements of the work head to a neutral or predetermined position where the skin contact contour of the work head is in a neutral or predetermined position. More specifically, the adjustment actuator can adjust the biasing device to provide increased biasing force and / or increased biasing torque and / or resistance force / torque to achieve increased stiffness, or conversely, to decrease the biasing force and / or biasing torque and / or resistance force / torque to achieve decreased stiffness. These adjustments can act on the entire work head, on only one work tool (or hair cutting unit) relative to other components provided on the work head, or on at least one work tool or hair cutting unit. Such a group of one or more working tools / hair cutters can be implemented, for example, by a wing structure having one or more hair cutters in one wing section and one or more hair cutters in another wing section, with each wing section being pivotably supported relative to the other and relative to the handle.

[0026] For example, the biasing device may include at least one spring element that applies a spring force to the work head and / or work tool, the work tool moving against this spring force and pivoting the skin contact contour, and the adjustment actuator can adjust the stiffness of the work head structure by increasing or decreasing the pre-tension of such spring.

[0027] In addition to, or instead of, such a spring mechanism, the work head may include at least one damper or braking device to dampen or brake the movement of the work head relative to the handle and / or the movement of the work tool relative to the work head frame, and such damper or braking device may be adjusted by an adjustment actuator to provide less damping / braking or greater damping / braking to increase or decrease the stiffness of the work head.

[0028] The kinematics of the support structure can have different configurations. For example, there may be only one pivot axis, around which the entire work head can pivot relative to the handle. Alternatively, the support structure may allow for multi-axis pivoting, in which case the swivel axis and tilt axis extend substantially perpendicular to each other and parallel to the enveloping plane with respect to the skin contact contour of the work head (assuming the work head is in a neutral position).

[0029] In addition or alternatively, at least one hair removal tool can pivot and submerge or float relative to the working head frame and / or other hair removal tools (if provided).

[0030] More specifically, at least one hair removal tool may be capable of pivoting at different levels. In a further embodiment, at least one hair removal tool is movably supported with respect to a work head frame or a portion of a work head frame, the work head frame being pivotably supported with respect to a handle, and the skin contact contour being pivotable with respect to the handle, the support structure and biasing device being configured to allow the work head frame to pivot with respect to one or more pivots, and the skin contact contour being configured to pivot with respect to the work head frame with respect to one or more pivots parallel to the pivots by moving at least one work tool with respect to the work head frame. Due to the multiple degrees of freedom of the work head and its work tool, different pivotal responses to forces applied to the work head and / or its work tool may exist.

[0031] The biasing device may include a separate biasing element for biasing the work tool relative to the work head frame, such biasing element attempts to prevent the work tool from sinking into and / or floating above the work head frame, and / or biases the work tool to a neutral position having its maximum height relative to the work head frame.

[0032] On the other hand, the biasing device may include a biasing element for biasing the work head frame to a neutral angular position relative to the handle.

[0033] The adjustment actuator can change the settings of one or both of the biasing elements to adjust the biasing force and biasing torque and / or resistance force / torque applied to the handle on the work head frame, and the biasing force and biasing torque and / or resistance force / torque applied to the work frame on the work tool, thereby increasing or decreasing the pivotal stiffness of the work head frame and the levitation stiffness of the work tool, and thereby adjusting the pivotal stiffness of the skin contact contour.

[0034] The pivot stiffness and / or levitation stiffness may be adjusted by an adjustment actuator during a treatment session, depending on one or more other characteristic treatment parameters selected from a group of parameters including the speed at which the personal care device is moved along the body part being treated, the stroke frequency, the angular direction of the personal care device relative to the gravitational field, the position of the fingers gripping the handles, and the position of the work head relative to the body being treated.

[0035] For example, when a user moves a personal care device at high speed and / or high stroke frequency across the body part being treated, the user needs to pivot the work head more quickly, so less pivot stiffness is required. Therefore, the adjustment mechanism may reduce the pivot stiffness in accordance with the speed and / or stroke frequency detected by the corresponding sensor.

[0036] In addition, or alternatively, the adjustment mechanism may increase pivotal stiffness when, for example, a change in the finger grip position on the handle is detected, and / or a change in the angular direction and / or angular rotation of the handle, indicating that the user is adapted to the device, such as when the user is shaving the neck area. Typically, when shaving the neck area, the user changes their finger grip position by rotating the shaver around the longitudinal axis of the handle so that the front of the shaver points away from the user. Furthermore, the user then rotates the shaver around an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the shaver head. Based on the detection of such grip positions, the adjustment mechanism can increase pivotal stiffness.

[0037] In addition, or alternatively, the pivot stiffness and / or levitation stiffness may be adjusted in accordance with other parameters, such as environmental parameters. For example, at least one environmental detector may detect humidity and temperature, and the pivot stiffness and / or levitation stiffness and / or cutter speed and / or cutter frequency may be adjusted in accordance with the detected humidity and / or temperature.

[0038] Alternatively, or in addition, pivot stiffness may be adjusted according to the user's physiological parameters, which can be detected by a suitable physiological detector. For example, the density and / or length of hair on the skin to be shaved may be detected by a visual or optical sensor such as a camera. Furthermore, skin moisture or skin oil may be detected to adjust one of the above working parameters.

[0039] Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism may be configured to adjust the angular pivot range of the work head to allow for larger or smaller maximum angular displacement. Such adjustment of the maximum angular displacement can be automatically changed during a processing session in accordance with any one or more of the above parameters, which can be adjusted by a corresponding detector or via user input (e.g., directly on the shaver or via an external device such as a smartphone). When the maximum available pivot angle is smaller, the personal care device gives the user a more aggressive, performance-oriented feel, while a more comfortable, smoother feeling is provided at a larger maximum pivot angle.

[0040] For example, a pivot range adjustment device may be provided, having a first setting in which the angle α is less than + / -35° and greater than + / -2°, and a second setting in which the angle α is less than + / -25° and greater than + / -2°, wherein the second setting is different from the first setting, in order to adjust the pivot angle in which the skin contact contour can pivot relative to the handle. In conventional shavers, it is known to lock the shaver head so that it cannot pivot relative to the handle. This is also possible for the working head of the hair removal device of the present invention. However, in addition to such locking, the above pivot range adjustment means can be set so that the maximum pivot angle has different values ​​(each value being different from 0). In other words, the maximum pivot angle can be set to take a large value and to have a smaller value that is not 0. For example, in the first setting, the angle α may be less than + / -30° and greater than + / -20°, and in the second setting, the angle α may be less than + / -20° and greater than + / -2.

[0041] The pivot range adjustment device may be configured to allow continuous adjustment of the maximum pivot angle over a specific range. For example, if the maximum pivot angle can be adjusted over a range of + / -2° to + / -20°, continuous adjustment means that any value between -2° and +20° can be set as the maximum allowable pivot angle. Such continuous adjustment allows for finer adjustment of the user's needs. In addition or alternatively, the pivot range adjustment device may be configured to allow stepwise adjustment of the maximum pivot angle, such stepwise adjustment may include, for example, at least three steps: + / -5° to + / -10° to + / -20°. Such stepwise adjustment allows for quicker setting and leads to quicker recognition of changes in the pivot range. The minimum adjustment range mentioned above as + / -2° (in this paragraph and the paragraph above it) may instead be + / -3°, + / -4°, or + / -5°.

[0042] These and other features will become clearer from the examples shown in the drawings. As can be seen from Figure 1, the personal care device can be configured as an electric shaver 1 including a handle 3, and the handle 3 may house a drive unit including an electric motor and an electronic control unit. Such a handle 3 may have an elongated, roughly bony shape extending along its longitudinal axis 3l.

[0043] An on / off switch or power switch may be located on the handle 3. Such a power switch can be used to start and then turn off the drive unit. The shaver 1 may further include a display which may be provided on the handle 3 (for example, on the front side). Such a display may be a touch display device on which individual setting preferences can be entered, in which case the shaver 1 may include further input elements, for example, such as touch buttons located near the power switch.

[0044] The work head 2 may be attached to the handle 3 at one end, and the work head 2 may be movably supported on the handle 3. For example, the support structure 11 that supports the work head 2 on the handle 3 may allow single-axis or multi-axis pivoting and / or swiveling motion of the entire work head 2 relative to the handle 3.

[0045] In addition to this basic mobility, the work head 2 can enable certain internal movements. More specifically, the work head 2 includes a plurality of hair removal tools 4, which may include a pair of short hair cutters 5 and 6 and a trimmer 7 that are movably supported relative to the base structure of the work head.

[0046] More specifically, the work head 2 may include a support frame or work head frame 12, which can be pivotably supported on the handle 3 around at least one pivot axis 8 that allows for pivotal movement of the entire work head 2, and thus the support frame 12 relative to the handle 3.

[0047] The pivot shaft 8 may extend parallel to a second plane that is parallel to a first plane separating the short-hair cutters 4 and 5 from each other, and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 3l of the handle 3.

[0048] As can be seen in Figure 3, the short-pile cutters 5 and 6, and the trimmer 7 described above, may have an elongated, substantially block-like shape and / or an elongated, substantially rectangular shape. The short-pile cutters 5 and 6 may include a curved, flexible mesh screen beneath which an undercutter and / or cutter blade block can reciprocate. The trimmer 7, on the other hand, may include a foil with a relatively large opening beneath which a pair of sickle-shaped finger bars and / or undercutters with cutting blades can reciprocate relative to each other.

[0049] Since the short hair cutter and trimmer have the elongated shape described above, the skin contact surface of the work head 2 formed by the upper surfaces of the short hair cutters 5 and 6 and the trimmer 7 can have a strip-like structure, and the overall structure can have a rectangular shape when viewed from above.

[0050] From the perspective of the short hair cutters 5 and 6 and the trimmer 7, the hair removal tool 4 can float relative to the work head frame 12 and, therefore, can retract into the work head tool along a direction substantially perpendicular to the skin contact contour 9, assuming that the skin contact contour 9 is in a neutral or initial position as shown in Figure 2. Since each hair removal tool 4 can float or retract individually, the skin contact contour 9 can pivot when one of the hair removal tools 4 is retracted and the other is not. Specifically, when subjected to asymmetrical skin pressure, one of the short hair cutters 5 retracts while the other does not, and the skin contact contour 9 pivots around an axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis 8.

[0051] As can be seen from Figure 3, multi-axis pivoting is possible, and the second pivot axis 14 may extend substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis 8. The pivoting around such second pivot axis 14 may also occur at different levels. That is, the support structure 11 may pivot the work head frame 12 around such second axis 14, and / or the hair removal tool 4 may float and / or submerge asymmetrically with respect to the work head frame 12 so that the hair removal tool 4 pivots with respect to the work head frame 12 around the second axis 14.

[0052] Due to the multiple degrees of freedom of the work head 2 and its hair removal tool 4, different pivotal responses to forces applied to the work head 2 and / or its hair removal tool 4 may exist.

[0053] The biasing device 10, more specifically, in response to the biasing force and / or biasing torque and / or resistance force / torque applied to the hair removal tool 4 and / or the work head frame 12, the force applied to one side of the hair removal tool 4 can drive the hair removal tool 4, thereby causing the work head frame 12 to pivot and / or the skin contact contour 9 to pivot.

[0054] The biasing device 10 may include a separate biasing element 10a for biasing the hair removal tool 4 against the work head frame 12, such biasing element 10a attempts to prevent the hair removal tool 4 from sinking into and / or floating above the work head frame 12, and / or biases the hair removal tool 4 to a neutral position where it has maximum height relative to the work head frame 12. On the other hand, the biasing device 10 may include a biasing element 10b for biasing the work head frame 12 to a neutral angular position relative to the handle 3.

[0055] The adjustment device can change the pivot stiffness of the shaver head 2, as detailed below. Such an adjustment device may include one or more adjustment actuators AA, such as an electric motor or electric body, or other types of bodies that use other forms of energy, such as a magnetic body. Such adjustment actuators may be controlled by a control unit 80, which may include an electronic control unit, in particular a microcontroller that operates based on software stored in memory. The device may be adjusted in different ways based on detected parameters. More specifically, the control algorithm of the control unit 80 may set control output signals to control the adjustment actuators AA according to calculation rules and / or based on curves and / or maps implemented within the electronic control unit 80, for example, in a memory device accessed by the microcontroller.

[0056] Such an adjustment actuator AA can adjust the settings of the biasing device 10 to increase and / or decrease the biasing force and / or biasing torque and / or resistance force / torque of the biasing device, in which case the actuator AA can adjust only one of the biasing elements 10a and 10b, or both of the biasing elements 10a and 10b, to adjust the biasing of the work tool to the work head frame and the biasing of the work head frame to the handle 3.

[0057] The adjustment actuator AA can be controlled by the control unit 80 in response to the detection of skin contact pressure as real-time data during the shaving session.

[0058] More specifically, the shaver 1, having a working head 2, is equipped with a pressure sensor 41 and a sensor 43 for detecting the direction and speed of motion. One or more cutting elements 4 are spring-loaded and carry small magnets 103 (see Figures 4 and 5). The higher the shaving pressure, the more the cutting elements 4 are pressed down. This motion is tracked via Hall sensors 104 beneath each cutting element. The Hall sensors are connected to an electronic control unit 80 on the shaver's internal PCB. Accelerometers may be mounted on the PCB, preferably to detect acceleration in all three axes or at least one or more axes of the device.

[0059] The electronic control unit 80 receives signals from the Hall sensor 104 and the accelerometer. A mathematical function converts the signals into pressure and motion data. For example, if the consumer begins to apply higher shaving pressure than typical, the cutting element 4 moves deeper into the shaving head 3. Or, the movement is faster and shorter. The electronic control unit 80 receives these signals from the Hall sensor 104 and the accelerometer and converts them into pressure and motion values. These values ​​are compared in real time within the control unit 80 with a given matrix of values ​​and evaluated to generate an assigned signal for actuator AA.

[0060] Essentially, when asymmetrical shaving pressure is applied to the shaving system (meaning the pressure F1 on one side of the short-hair cutter 5 is greater than F2 on the other side), torque is generated, causing the shaving head 2 to oscillate around its axis (8) to align with the contours of the face. The reaction force of the working head 2 is minimized to ensure good fit of the shaving system, even when low pressure is applied. The biasing device 10 described above may include a tension spring 112 mounted between the lower end of the head 2 and the shaver body 3 (see Figures 6 and 7). The spring 112 sets the force that causes the head 2 to oscillate. The stronger the spring is set, the more violently the head can oscillate.

[0061] Actuator AA is attached to the shaver body and holds the end of the spring. It can set the preload of spring 112 by changing the length of the spring. In the neutral actuator position, the spring has the minimum preload, and the oscillating head can oscillate very easily. In maximum operation, the spring is pulled taut, and the shaving head requires more shaving pressure to move. The consumer will feel a more rigid and firm system. The actuator can steplessly set the spring load between the minimum and maximum operating positions.

[0062] In further embodiments, the user may be required to input data to the algorithm, for example, via a smartphone or another device, or directly into the shaver, in order to provide additional data. This may be a one-time input after purchase, or it may be requested periodically, and such input may be performed, for example, by voice and voice recognition. This input can then be used to adjust the settings of the biasing means and set the desired stiffness of the work head.

[0063] In a further embodiment, high humidity leads to sticky skin, meaning increased friction between the skin and the shaving foil / trimmer. This leads to a phenomenon called the “stick-slip effect,” where the shaver tends to slide alternately over the skin and stick to it. This makes shaving more difficult and unpleasant. Users can react to this in various ways, typically by adjusting their behavior to the product environment by reducing the shaving pressure used. However, a general reduction in shaving pressure can have multiple causes, in which case an additional humidity sensor may be used so that the control unit 80 can identify a shaver adjustment appropriate for this particular situation (such as increasing the pivotal stiffness of the work head 2 to reduce uncontrolled rotation of the head due to stick-slip). In other words, actuator AA can increase the biasing force of spring 112 when high humidity is detected by the humidity sensor.

[0064] The adjustment device can be, at will, - Touch detector for detecting contact between the work head and the user's body. - Velocity and / or acceleration detectors for detecting the speed and / or acceleration of personal care devices, - Rotation detector for detecting the rotation and / or orientation of personal care devices in 3D, 1D, or 2D, - Stroke speed and / or stroke length detector for detecting stroke speed and / or stroke length, - A stroke density detector for detecting the number of strokes over a predetermined area of ​​the body part being processed. - Distance detector for detecting the distance of the personal care device and / or user from the mirror, - Detector for detecting a pause in personal care processing, - Angle sensors for detecting changes in the angle of the work head relative to the user's face, and / or changes in the angle of the handle relative to the user's face, and / or changes in the angle of the handle relative to the user's hand or arm. - A grip detector for detecting changes in the type of grip, such as fingers on the handlebars. - Contact detector for detecting the contact area between the shaver head and the user's face, and / or changes in the contact area. - Hair detector for detecting hair density and / or hair length, - Environmental detectors for detecting humidity and / or temperature, - Displacement detector for detecting linear and / or rotational displacement of the work head relative to the handle, - A cutting action detector for detecting the cutting action of the personal care device, - Trimmer position detector for detecting the position of medium and / or long hair trimmers, - Skin moisture detector for detecting skin moisture, - Skin oil detector for detecting skin oil, - A skin contact force detector for detecting a skin contact force indicating a force applied between the personal care device and the skin, is configured to adjust the pivot stiffness and / or tuck stiffness of the work head and / or work tool in response to at least one of the signals.

[0065] Optionally, a sensitivity controller is provided for adjusting the sensitivity, and along with the adjustment of the sensitivity using this sensitivity controller, the degree of pivot stiffness and / or levitation stiffness of at least a portion of the work head 2 is adjusted in accordance with at least one characteristic processing parameter detected by at least one detector 41 during operation of the personal care device when performing personal care processing. The sensitivity is adjusted in accordance with the measured skin contact force to which the device is pressed against the skin, and / or the sensitivity is adjusted in accordance with a predetermined skin contact force and / or a threshold to which the pivot stiffness changes. The sensitivity adjustment may be automatic or by user input in the shaver or in an external device (e.g., a smartphone) to which the shaver is wirelessly connected.

[0066] It should be noted that the features of hair cutters, short hair cutters, trimmers, cutting units, etc., may be considered interchangeable as described above. Furthermore, everything described herein in relation to linear vibration work tools is also applicable to rotary motion work tools.

[0067] In the above, the + / - value in degrees for a specific angle value is given when the complete angle range is 2 * It means the value is in degrees, and therefore, for example, + / -20° is 2 * Please note that this refers to an angular range of 20° = 40°. Furthermore, the + / - value in degrees does not necessarily relate to the midpoint of the range; the midpoint or neutral / predetermined position of the work head can also be any position outside or inside the range, as long as the work head or work tool pivots within the range.

Claims

1. A personal care device, wherein the personal care device is A work head comprising a work head attached to a handle for moving the work head along a skin surface, the work head including at least one work tool for defining the skin contact contour of the work head, The at least one work tool is movable relative to the handle under skin contact pressure by a support structure that allows the skin contact contour of the work head to pivot relative to the handle, and a biasing device is provided for biasing the work tool and / or the work head, and / or for increasing the pivoting resistance of the work tool and / or the work head, and an adjustment device including an adjustment actuator (AA) controlled by an electronic control unit (80) is provided for adjusting the pivoting stiffness of the work head (2), A sensitivity controller is provided for adjusting the sensitivity, and along with the adjustment of the sensitivity using this sensitivity controller, the degree of pivotal stiffness of the work head (2) is adjusted according to at least one characteristic processing parameter detected by at least one detector (41) during the operation of the personal care device when performing personal care processing. A personal care device characterized in that at least one work tool (4) is movably supported with respect to a work head frame (12), the work head frame (12) is pivotably supported with respect to the handle (3) around at least one pivot axis (8), and the biasing device (10) includes at least one biasing element (10a) for biasing the work tool (4) with respect to the work head frame (12), and / or at least one further biasing element (10b) for biasing the work head frame (12) with respect to the handle (3) around the at least one pivot axis (8).

2. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detector includes a skin pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the work head (2) on the skin, and the electronic control unit (80) is configured to control the regulating actuator (AA) in response to a signal from the skin pressure sensor indicating skin contact pressure.

3. The personal care device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic control unit (80) is configured to operate the adjustment actuator (AA) such that it increases the pivot stiffness of the work head (2) when the signal from the detector indicates an increase in skin contact pressure, and / or decreases the pivot stiffness when the signal from the detector indicates a decrease in skin contact pressure.

4. The personal care device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the electronic control unit (80) is configured to continuously operate the adjustment actuator (AA) in order to continuously adjust the pivot stiffness of the work head (2) in response to skin contact pressure detected in real time during a personal care session.

5. The personal care device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the electronic control unit (80) is configured to sequentially operate the adjustment actuator (AA) in order to sequentially adjust the pivot stiffness of the work head (2) in response to skin contact pressure detected in real time during a personal care session.

6. The personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment actuator (AA) is connected to the biasing device (10) to adjust the biasing force and / or biasing torque and / or resistance force / torque provided by at least one of the biasing elements (10a, 10b).

7. The personal care device according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the at least one detector (41) includes a displacement sensor for detecting the displacement of the at least one work tool relative to the work head frame (12) against the biasing force and / or resisting force / torque of the biasing element (10a), and the electronic control unit (80) is configured to actuate the adjustment actuator (AA) in response to the signal from the displacement sensor to bias the work head frame (12) and / or the other part of the work head relative to the handle (3) and / or the other part of the work head, thereby adjusting the biasing force and / or biasing torque and / or resisting force / torque of the other biasing element (10b).

8. The personal care device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electronic control unit (80) is configured to increase the pivotal rigidity of the work head frame (12) with respect to the handle (3) and / or other parts of the work head when the depth of the work tool (4) in relation to the work head frame (12) increases, and / or to decrease the pivotal rigidity of the work head frame (12) with respect to the handle (3) and / or other parts of the work head when the depth of the work tool (4) in relation to the work head frame (12) decreases.

9. Personal care device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, in addition to the adjustment actuator (AA) for adjusting the pivot stiffness of the work head (2), a locking device is provided for locking the at least portion of the work head (2) against the handle (3) and / or the other portion of the work head to completely prevent the work head (2) from pivoting against the handle (3) and / or the other portion of the work head.

10. The adjustment device is - A touch detector for detecting contact between the work head and the user's body, - A speed and / or acceleration detector for detecting the speed and / or acceleration of the personal care device, - Rotation detector for detecting the rotation and / or orientation of the personal care device in three dimensions, two dimensions, or one dimension. - Stroke speed and / or stroke length detector for detecting stroke speed and / or stroke length, - A stroke density detector for detecting the number of strokes over a predetermined area of ​​the body part being processed. - A distance detector for detecting the distance of the personal care device and / or the user from the mirror, - A detector for detecting the temporary suspension of the personal care processing, - Angle sensors for detecting changes in the angle of the work head relative to the user's face, and / or changes in the angle of the handle relative to the user's face, and / or changes in the angle of the handle relative to the user's hand or arm. - A grip detector for detecting changes in the type of grip, such as fingers, on the handle. - Contact area between the work head and the user's face, and / or contact detector for detecting changes in the contact area, - Hair detector for detecting hair density and / or hair length, - Environmental detectors for detecting humidity and / or temperature, - Displacement detector for detecting linear and / or rotational displacement of the work head relative to the handle, - A cutting action detector for detecting the cutting action of the personal care device, - Trimmer position detector for detecting the position of medium and / or long hair trimmers, - Skin moisture detector for detecting the moisture content of the skin, - Skin oil detector for detecting the oil content of the skin, - A personal care device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, configured to adjust the pivot stiffness and / or burrowing stiffness of the work head and / or the work tool in response to at least one signal from a skin contact pressure detector for detecting the skin contact pressure indicating the force applied between the personal care device and the skin, in order to perform the personal care processing.

11. A personal care device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an environmental detector is provided for detecting environmental parameters selected from the group of temperature, humidity, skin oil content, and skin moisture content, and the electronic control unit (80) is configured to adjust the pivot stiffness of the work head (2) in accordance with the detected environmental parameters.

12. The personal care device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the biasing device is further provided for biasing the work tool to a neutral position in the absence of skin contact pressure.

13. The personal care device according to claim 12, wherein the adjustment device, which includes the adjustment actuator (AA) controlled by the electronic control unit (80), is also provided for adjusting the levitation stiffness.

14. A method for controlling a personal care device, - The process includes a step of detecting the skin contact pressure of the work head (2) against the user's skin using a skin contact pressure sensor (41) during operation of the personal care device while applying personal care treatment to the body surface, A method characterized in that, during the personal care processing, the pivotal stiffness of the work head (2) relative to the handle of the personal care device is adjusted by an adjustment actuator AA controlled by an electronic control unit (80) in accordance with the detected skin contact pressure.

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