Mounting assembly and hair cutting appliance

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to mounting assemblies and hair cutting appliances. According to one aspect, there is provided a mounting assembly for a hair cutting appliance, the mounting assembly comprising a head for receiving a cutting unit and a main body. The head is mounted to the main body by a four-bar linkage having a coupler link associated with the head, a frame link associated with the main body and two arms extending therebetween. The frame link is connected to each arm at a respective joint and the coupler link is connected to each arm at a respective joint. Pivotal movement of the arms about a parallel linkage axis through the respective joints allows the coupler link to rotate about a virtual pivot relative to the frame link. One of the coupler link and the frame link is a first link coupled to the arms by a two degree of freedom joint, allowing the arms, and the frame link and the other of the coupler link to further pivot in unison about a rotation axis perpendicular to the linkage axis relative to the first link.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to mounting components for hair cutting instruments, hair cutting instruments, and complete sets of parts for manufacturing mounting components. Background Technology

[0002] Hair cutting instruments (such as manual or electric razors for shaving) typically consist of a body and a head with blades or cutting units. As described, for example, in WO2015 / 074882, the head is typically pivotable relative to the body about a single axis to allow the head to conform to the shape of the object being shaved.

[0003] In some devices, such as those described in US2013 / 0074344, the head is configured to swing relative to the body about two orthogonal axes. However, such devices are bulky and require multiple stacked mechanisms to allow this movement. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first specific aspect, a mounting assembly for a hair cutting instrument is provided, the mounting assembly comprising: a head and a body, the head for receiving a cutting unit. The head is mounted to the body via a four-bar linkage having a coupler link associated with the head, a frame link associated with the body, and two arms extending between the four-bar linkage and the frame link. The frame link is connected to each arm at a corresponding joint, and the coupler link is connected to each arm at a corresponding joint, wherein pivotal movement of the arm about a parallel linkage axis passing through the respective joint allows the coupler link to rotate about a virtual pivot relative to the frame link. One of the coupler link and the frame link is a first link, and the other of the coupler link and the frame link is a second connection, wherein the first link is coupled to the arm via a two-degree-of-freedom joint, thereby allowing the arm and the second connection to further pivot coherently relative to the first link about a rotation axis having a component in a direction perpendicular to the linkage axis.

[0005] The frame link can be the first link of the arm coupled to the arm via a two-degree-of-freedom joint, thereby allowing the arm and the coupler link to pivot in unison with respect to the frame link about the axis of rotation.

[0006] The coupler link can be coupled to the arm via a corresponding semi-annular support element mounted on the coupler link. Each arm may include a support recess configured to receive and cooperate with the corresponding support element to allow pivoting movement about the axis of the corresponding linkage between the coupler link and the arm.

[0007] At least one support element may include a support stop configured to abut against a corresponding arm to limit pivotal movement of the arm relative to the coupler link about the linkage axis, thereby limiting rotation of the head relative to the body about a virtual pivot.

[0008] The frame link can be coupled to the arm via a corresponding ball-and-socket bearing to allow the arm and the coupler link to pivot in unison relative to the frame link about the axis of rotation.

[0009] The balls of the ball bearing can be mounted onto the frame link. Each arm in the frame can include a seat for receiving the corresponding ball, allowing the arm and coupler link to pivot in unison relative to the frame link about the axis of rotation.

[0010] The four-bar linkage may include a main stop, wherein the main stop may be configured to abut against one of the main body, frame links, or at least one arm to restrict the consistent pivoting movement of the arm and coupler link about the axis of rotation.

[0011] Each arm may include at least two forked strands to form a T-shape, V-shape, U-shape, or Y-shape, such that each arm is coupled to the coupler link at two spaced points along an axis parallel to the linkage axis.

[0012] The mounting assembly may include a first biasing mechanism configured to bias the coupler link about a virtual pivot to a first equilibrium position. The first biasing mechanism may include a torsion spring mounted on the coupler link and an extension of the torsion spring connected to a corresponding arm.

[0013] The mounting assembly may include a second biasing mechanism configured to uniformly bias the arm and coupler link relative to the frame link about a rotation axis to a second equilibrium position.

[0014] The second biasing mechanism may include a pair of leaf springs mounted on both sides of a corresponding joint between the frame link and the corresponding arm, with each leaf spring received in the corresponding arm to bias the arm to a second equilibrium position.

[0015] The axis of rotation can be perpendicular to the axis of the linkage device.

[0016] According to a second aspect, a hair cutting device is provided, including a mounting assembly according to the first aspect and a cutting unit mounted on the head.

[0017] According to a third aspect, a kit is provided for manufacturing an mounting assembly according to the first aspect, the kit comprising: a head and its associated coupler link, a body and its associated frame link; and an arm of a four-bar linkage. The arm, frame link, and coupler link are configured to couple the arm to the coupler link at a respective joint and to the frame link at a respective joint, allowing pivotal movement about a respective parallel linkage axis passing through the respective joints. One of the frame link and coupler link is a first link, wherein the first link and the arm are configured to be coupled together via a two-degree-of-freedom joint, thereby allowing the arm and the other link of the coupler link and frame link to further pivot uniformly relative to the first link about a rotation axis.

[0018] These and other aspects will become apparent and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Exemplary embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a hair-cutting instrument is shown.

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic partially exploded view of a hair-cutting instrument is shown.

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic side view of a hair-cutting instrument is shown.

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic first cross-sectional view of a hair-cutting instrument is shown; and

[0024] Figure 5 A second cross-sectional view of a hair-cutting instrument is shown schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figures 1 to 3 Different views of a hair-cutting appliance 10, including a mounting assembly 12 and a cutting unit 14, are shown. The cutting unit 14 is mounted to the mounting assembly 12 and configured to cut hair. In this example, the cutting unit 14 includes a fixed protective blade and a reciprocating cutting blade configured to cut hair together. In other examples, the cutting unit may simply include one or more blades fixed within a protective element.

[0026] Mounting assembly 12 includes a head 16 for receiving the cutting unit 14 and a body 18 for connecting to a handle (not shown) for gripping the mounting assembly 12. The head 16 is mounted to the body 18 via a four-bar linkage 20.

[0027] The four-bar linkage 20 includes a coupler link 22, a frame link 24, and two arms 26 extending between the coupler link 22 and the frame link 24. Figure 3 (Best shown in the diagram), where each arm 26 is a link of the four-bar linkage 20, the coupler link 22 is a link of the four-bar linkage 20, and the frame link 24 is a link of the four-bar linkage 20. The coupler link 22 is associated with the head 16, and the frame link 24 is associated with the body 18. In this example, the coupler link 22 is part of the head 16, and the frame link 24 is part of the body 18. In other examples, the coupler link may be detachable from the head but can be configured to be fixedly attached to the head, and the frame link may be detachable from the body but can be configured to be fixedly attached to the body.

[0028] Coupler link 22 connects to arm 26 at corresponding joint 28, and frame link 24 connects to arm 26 at corresponding joint 28 to form a four-bar linkage 20. Thus, each joint 28 provides a connection between two links of the four-bar linkage 20 and allows one link to pivot relative to the other about a linkage axis 30 passing through the corresponding joint 28. The linkage axes 30 passing through all joints 28 are parallel to each other to allow the links of the four-bar linkage to move in a plane perpendicular to the linkage axes 30.

[0029] Frame link 24 connects to each arm 26 at a corresponding frame joint 28a, and coupler link 22 connects to each arm 26 at a corresponding coupler joint 28b. Arm 26 includes two forked strands forming a U-shape, such that the two ends of each U-shaped arm 26 are connected to the coupler link 22 at two coupler joints 28b spaced apart along an axis parallel to the linkage axis 30. The center of each arm 26 located at the inflection point of the U-shaped arm 26 connects to the frame link 24 at a single frame joint 28a. Therefore, the coupler link 22 is supported by the arms 26 at a total of four coupler joints 28b.

[0030] In other examples, each arm may include a single strand to form an I-shape, such that the coupler link is supported by the arm at only two coupler joints in total, or the arm may include more than two forked strands, such that the coupler link is supported by the arm at more than two coupler joints in each arm. Each arm may have a different number of forked strands to support the coupler link at, for example, three or five coupler joints. In still other examples, the arm may include two forked strands in a T-shape, V-shape, or Y-shape, such that each arm supports the coupler link at two coupler joints.

[0031] Allows arm 26 to rotate around the linkage axis 30 passing through each joint 28 (in Figure 2 and Figure 3(best shown in the image) pivoting, such that the pivoting movement of arm 26 relative to frame link 24 causes coupler link 22 to move about virtual pivot 32 (in the image). Figure 3 (Best shown in the diagram) Rotation. The virtual pivot is defined by the intersection of a line drawn along arm 26 and passing through the respective frame joint 28a and the respective coupler joint 28b, and a line drawn along the other arm 26 and passing through its respective frame joint 28a and the respective coupler joint 28b. Allowing the coupler link 22 (and consequently the head 16) to rotate about the virtual pivot 32 via this four-bar linkage 20 means that the point of rotation of the head 16 (i.e., the virtual pivot 32) can be closer to the skin, thus providing a more comfortable conformity to the object being shaved.

[0032] In this example, each of the coupler joints 28b connecting the coupler link 22 to the arm 26 is a single-degree-of-freedom joint 28b, resulting in a total of four single-degree-of-freedom joints 28b. This allows the coupler link 22 to pivot relative to the corresponding arm 26 about the corresponding linkage axis 30. Each single-degree-of-freedom joint 28b allows rotation about at least one axis (i.e., rotation of one degree of freedom).

[0033] Coupler link 22 is coupled to arm 26 at coupler connector 28b via a semi-annular support element 36, including a semi-annular support surface bent around linkage axis 30 (in Figure 2 The support element 36 (best shown in the diagram) is mounted on the coupler link 22. In this example, there are four semi-annular support elements 36, and each arm 26 includes a support recess 38 at each U-shaped end (i.e., each coupler joint 28b), wherein each support recess 38 is configured to receive the corresponding support element 36. The support recess 38 cooperates with the corresponding support element 36 to allow pivotal movement between the coupler link 22 and the arm 26 about the corresponding linkage axis 30.

[0034] In this example, frame joint 28a is a two-degree-of-freedom joint 28a, which allows arm 26 to further pivot relative to frame link 24 about axis of rotation 34 (in Figure 2 (Best shown in the diagram). In this example, the rotation axis 34 is perpendicular to the linkage axis 30. In some examples, the rotation axis may have a component in the direction perpendicular to the linkage axis; in other words, the rotation axis is not parallel to the linkage axis 30. Therefore, the two-degree-of-freedom joint 28a allows two corresponding connecting rods to rotate relative to each other about at least two perpendicular axes (i.e., two rotational degrees of freedom in a single joint).

[0035] Since the coupler link 22 is connected to both arms 26, arms 26 and coupler link 22 can pivot together about the axis of rotation 34. In other words, coupler link 22 and arms 26 can pivot about the axis of rotation 34 without changing their orientation relative to each other.

[0036] In this example, the two-degree-of-freedom joint 28a is a ball-and-socket bearing 28a (in... Figure 2 (Best shown in the diagram). Therefore, the frame link 24 is coupled to the arm 26 via corresponding ball bearings 28a, each ball bearing 28a including a ball 42 and a seat 44 for receiving the ball 42. In this example, the balls 42 for each ball bearing 28a are mounted on the frame link 24, wherein the balls 42 are spaced along the axis of rotation 34, and each arm 26 includes a corresponding ball 44. In some examples, the ball may be mounted on the arm, and the frame link may include corresponding seats spaced along the axis of rotation. In other examples, a ball may be mounted on the frame, and the corresponding arm may include a seat, a seat may be disposed in the frame, and the corresponding arm may include the ball, such that the four-bar linkage can only be assembled in one manner.

[0037] Since arm 26 and coupler link 22 pivot in unison about rotation axis 34, the absolute direction of linkage axis 30 also rotates about rotation axis 34. Because ball bearings 28a are spaced along rotation axis 34, at any position, ball bearings 28a allow pivoting movement only about linkage axis 30 and rotation axis 34.

[0038] Figure 4 The first cross-sectional view shows a hair-cutting instrument 10 with one arm 26 removed.

[0039] The figure shows a first biasing mechanism 50, which is configured to bias the coupler link 22 about a virtual pivot 32 to a first equilibrium position. The first biasing mechanism includes a torsion spring 52 mounted on the coupler link 22, with an extension 54 connected to the arm 26. Therefore, during use, when the coupler link 22 is pushed by a force to rotate about the virtual pivot 32 away from the first equilibrium position, the torsion spring 52 pushes the coupler link 22 back to the first equilibrium position after the force pushing the coupler link 22 away from the first equilibrium position is removed.

[0040] Back Figure 3In this example, a support element 36 includes a support stop 40 configured to abut against the arm 26 to limit pivoting movement of the arm 26 relative to the coupler link 22 about the corresponding linkage axis 30. In this example, the support stop 40 is configured to abut against the arm 26 at a distance of ±10 degrees from a first equilibrium position. It should be understood that in other examples, the support stop may be configured to abut against the arm at any suitable angle to limit pivoting movement of the arm relative to the coupler link about the corresponding linkage axis.

[0041] The pivoting movement of the limiting arm 26 also limits the rotation of the coupler link 22 relative to the frame link 24, thereby limiting the rotation of the head 16 relative to the body 18 about the virtual pivot 32. In some examples, there may be more than one support stop. In other examples, the support stop may be located on the head.

[0042] Figure 5 A second cross-sectional view is shown of the hair-cutting instrument 10 with one arm 26 removed.

[0043] The figure shows a second biasing mechanism 60, which is configured to bias the arm 26 and the coupler link 22 to a second equilibrium position about the rotation axis 34 and relative to the frame link 24.

[0044] The second biasing mechanism 60 includes a pair of leaf springs 62 mounted on the frame link 24 on either side of the corresponding frame joint 28a. The leaf springs 62 are spaced apart along an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis 34, located on either side of the rotation axis 34. An extension of each leaf spring 62 is received in an arm 26 to bias the arm 26 to a second equilibrium position. Since the coupler link 22 connects to the arm 26 that receives only the leaf spring 62, and the other arm 26 is connected to the coupler link 22, both the coupler link 22 and both arms 26 are biased to the second equilibrium position via the leaf springs 62.

[0045] In this example, arm 26 includes a pair of protrusions 64, each protrusion receiving an extension of a corresponding leaf spring 62 hooked between the frame link 24 and the protrusion 64. In some examples, the leaf spring extension may be fixed to the arm. In other examples, the leaf spring may be mounted to the arm, and the leaf spring extension may be received in the frame link to bias the arm to a second equilibrium position. In still other examples, each leaf spring may be received in a different arm or mounted to a different arm.

[0046] In this example, the four-bar linkage 20 includes a main stop 70 configured to abut against the frame link 24 to limit the co-pivotal movement of the arm 26 and the coupler link 22 about the rotation axis 34. In this example, the main stop 70 includes a protrusion 64 on the arm 26 configured to abut against the frame link 24 to limit pivotal movement. In this example, the protrusion 64 is configured to abut against the frame link 24 at a distance of ±10 degrees from the second equilibrium position. It should be understood that the protrusion can be configured to abut against the frame link at any suitable angle to limit pivotal movement about the rotation axis.

[0047] In some examples, the body stop can be configured to abut against the body to limit the uniform pivoting movement of the arm and coupler link about the axis of rotation. In other examples, the body stop can be located on the body or frame link and can be configured to abut against the arm.

[0048] Although the frame joint 28a between frame link 24 and arm 26 has been described in the above example as a two-degree-of-freedom joint and the coupler joint 28b between coupler link 22 and arm 26 as a single-degree-of-freedom joint, in other examples the orientation of the arms can be reversed, such that the frame joint can be a single-degree-of-freedom joint, and that only two coupler joints, which can be two-degree-of-freedom joints, can exist.

[0049] In practicing the principles and techniques described herein, variations of the disclosed embodiments will be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art through study of the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple. A single processor or other unit can satisfy multiple functions described in the claims. The fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to obtain an advantage. Computer programs can be stored or distributed on suitable media, such as optical storage media or solid-state media provided with or as part of other hardware, but can also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telematics systems. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly (12) for a hair cutting tool (10), said mounting assembly (12) comprising: Head (16) for receiving cutting unit (14). as well as Main body (18); The head (16) is mounted on the body (18) via a four-bar linkage (20) having a coupler link (22) associated with the head (16), a frame link (24) associated with the body (18), and two arms (26) extending between the four-bar linkage (20) and the frame link (24), the frame link (24) being connected to each arm (26) at a corresponding joint (28), the coupler link (22) being connected to each arm (26) at a corresponding joint (28), wherein pivotal movement of the arm (26) about a parallel linkage axis (30) passing through the respective joint (28) allows the coupler link (22) to rotate about a virtual pivot relative to the frame link (24); One of the coupler link (22) and the frame link (24) is a first link, and the other of the coupler link (22) and the frame link (24) is a second link. The first link is coupled to the arm (26) via a two-degree-of-freedom joint (28), thereby allowing the arm (26) and the second link to further pivot in unison relative to the first link about a rotation axis (34) having a component in a direction perpendicular to the linkage axis (30).

2. The mounting assembly (12) according to claim 1, wherein the frame link (24) is coupled to the first link of the arm (26) via a two-degree-of-freedom joint (28), thereby allowing the arm (26) and the coupler link (22) to pivot in unison with respect to the frame link (24) about the axis of rotation (34).

3. The mounting assembly (12) according to claim 2, wherein the coupler link (22) is coupled to the arm (26) by a corresponding semi-annular support element (36) mounted on the coupler link (22), wherein each of the arms (26) includes a support recess (38) configured to receive and cooperate with the corresponding support element to allow pivotal movement between the coupler link (22) and the arm (26) about the corresponding linkage axis (30).

4. The mounting assembly (12) according to claim 3, wherein at least one support element includes a support stop (40) configured to abut against a corresponding arm (26) to restrict pivoting movement of the arm (26) relative to the coupler link (22) about the linkage axis (30), thereby restricting rotation of the head (16) relative to the body (18) about the virtual pivot.

5. The mounting assembly (12) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the frame link (24) is coupled to the arm (26) by a corresponding ball bearing (28a) to allow the arm (26) and the coupler link (22) to pivot in unison about the axis of rotation (34) relative to the frame link (24).

6. The mounting assembly (12) of claim 5, wherein the ball (42) of the ball bearing (28a) is mounted on the frame link (24), wherein each of the arms (26) includes a seat to receive the corresponding ball (42) to allow the arm (26) and the coupler link (22) to pivot in unison relative to the frame link (24) about the axis of rotation (34).

7. The mounting assembly (12) according to claim 6, wherein the four-bar linkage (20) includes a main stop (70), wherein the main stop (70) is configured to abut against one of the following: the main body (18), the frame link (24) or at least one arm (26) to restrict the pivotal movement of the arm (26) and the coupler link (22) about the rotation axis (34).

8. The mounting assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 7, wherein each arm (26) comprises at least two forked strands to form a T-shape, V-shape, U-shape or Y-shape, such that each arm (26) is coupled to the coupler link (22) at two spaced points on an axis parallel to the linkage axis (30).

9. The mounting assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 7, comprising a first biasing mechanism configured to bias the coupler link (22) about the virtual pivot to a first equilibrium position.

10. The mounting assembly (12) according to claim 9, wherein the first biasing mechanism includes a torsion spring (52) and an extension of the torsion spring (52), the torsion spring (52) being mounted on the coupler link (22), the extension of the torsion spring being connected to a corresponding arm (26).

11. The mounting assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 to 7 and 10, comprising a second biasing mechanism (60) configured to uniformly bias the arm (26) and the coupler link (22) relative to the frame link (24) about the axis of rotation (34) to a second equilibrium position.

12. The mounting assembly (12) according to claim 11, wherein the second biasing mechanism comprises a pair of leaf springs (62) mounted on either side of a corresponding joint (28) between the frame link (24) and the corresponding arm (26), each leaf spring (62) being received in the corresponding arm (26) to bias the arm (26) to the second equilibrium position.

13. The mounting assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 to 7, 10 and 12, wherein the rotation axis (34) is perpendicular to the linkage axis (30).

14. A hair cutting device (10) comprising a cutting unit (14) and a mounting assembly (12) according to any of the preceding claims, the cutting unit (14) being mounted on the head (16).

15. A complete set of components for manufacturing an installation assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, said complete set of components comprising: The head (16) and the associated coupler link (22). The main body (18) and the associated frame link (24); and The arm (26) of the four-bar linkage (20), wherein the arm (26), the frame link (24), and the coupler link (22) are configured to couple the arm (26) to the coupler link (22) at a corresponding joint (28) and to the frame link (24) at a corresponding joint (28), to allow pivoting movement about a corresponding parallel linkage axis (30) passing through each joint (28); and One of the frame link (24) and the coupler link (22) is a first link, wherein the first link and the arm (26) are configured to be coupled together via a two-degree-of-freedom joint (28), thereby allowing the arm (26) and the other link of the coupler link (22) and the frame link (24) to pivot coherently about the axis of rotation (34) relative to the first link.

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