Shaving unit and electric shaver comprising a main body and a shaving unit

Abstract

A shaving unit (20) for an electric shaver (1) comprises at least one hair cutting unit (21) comprising an outer cutting member (23) having hair entry openings (24) in a cutting track surface (25) and an inner cutting member having at least one hair cutting element and being movable relative to the outer cutting member (23), and a chassis member (22) supporting the at least one hair cutting unit (21). The shaving unit further comprises at least one skin heating unit (30) comprising a skin contact member (31) having a skin contact surface (32) arranged adjacent to the at least one hair cutting unit (21) to contact skin during use of the shaving unit (20), and at least one infrared or near-infrared light source (33) integrated in the skin contact member (31), thermally coupled to the skin contact surface (32), and arranged to emit infrared or near-infrared light via the skin contact surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shaving unit, comprising: at least one hair cutting unit, the at least one hair cutting unit including an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member, the cutting track surface of the outer cutting member having a hair entry opening, the inner cutting member having at least one hair cutting element and being movable relative to the outer cutting member; a base member supporting the at least one hair cutting unit; and at least one skin heating unit.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electric shaver, comprising a body and a shaving unit as described above. Background Technology

[0003] This invention belongs to the field of razors (particularly electric razors) designed to perform shaving actions, such as cutting hair close to the skin. Generally, an electric razor includes a shaving unit with one or more hair-cutting units located within it, wherein the shaving unit includes a base member for supporting the one or more hair-cutting units. A particularly common design for the shaving unit uses three hair-cutting units arranged in an equilateral triangle. In addition to the shaving unit, the electric razor also includes a body. The body is typically shaped to be comfortable for the user to hold and can accommodate various components of the razor, such as the electric motor.

[0004] Each hair-cutting unit of the shaving unit includes a combination of an inner cutting member and an outer cutting member, the outer cutting member being arranged to cover the inner cutting member. The outer cutting member has a series of hair entry openings to allow hair to reach and encounter the inner cutting member through the outer cutting member during shaving. In practical designs, the outer cutting member is typically cup-shaped with a generally circular outer periphery, wherein the shape of the hair entry openings may resemble an elongated slit extending generally radially relative to the central axis of the outer cutting member, forming one or more hair-cutting tracks in one or more annular regions. Such an outer cutting member is particularly suitable for rotary electric shavers, i.e., electric shavers including at least one hair-cutting unit, wherein the inner cutting member is arranged to rotate during operation.

[0005] The correct use of an electric shaver involves: placing the shaver in an active state, i.e., rotating the internal cutting member of at least one hair-cutting unit; and moving the shaving unit over a portion of the skin to be shaved. The outer cutting member has a hair-cutting track surface for contacting a portion of the skin at one or more locations of the hair-cutting track during the shaving action. A hair-cutting surface is present in the outer cutting member at the location defining the hair entry opening. In common designs, the inner cutting member comprises blades with hair-cutting edges. During the shaving action, hair entering the hair entry opening is cut between the hair-cutting surface and the hair-cutting edge, thereby being trimmed close to the skin.

[0006] CN 108714917 A discloses an electric shaver, including a shaving unit and a main body. The shaver is equipped with an infrared heating device, a battery, and a switch electrically connected to each other. The battery powers the infrared heating device, and the switch controls the infrared heating device to emit infrared light. The infrared heating device is positioned at the center of the shaving unit, and its output end is arranged to face the skin during shaving, wherein the output light is in the form of a cone-shaped diffused beam. The infrared heating device is mounted inwardly on the surface of the shaving unit to ensure that a certain gap exists between the infrared heating device and the skin when the shaving unit is in a predetermined position relative to the skin to perform the shaving action.

[0007] The reason for equipping electric shavers with infrared heating devices, such as those known from CN 108714917 A, is the fact that exposing hair to infrared light helps soften it. Generally speaking, exposing hair to infrared light during shaving increases the comfort experienced by the user. In addition, infrared light may have beneficial effects on the skin, thereby stimulating it and giving it a radiant glow.

[0008] WO 2008 / 052151 A2 discloses a rotary shaver phototherapy device and a shaving blade shaver phototherapy device. The shaver includes an LED array disposed adjacent to the rotary shaver head and the shaving blade to provide phototherapy to the user during the shaving process. The LED array may be capable of transmitting light of various wavelengths for a variety of different treatments, such as blue, red, yellow, green, ultraviolet, infrared, and combinations thereof.

[0009] DE 296 11 519 U1 discloses a shaving device having a shaving head and a low-level laser radiation device for projecting a laser beam through the shaving head onto the skin surface. The laser radiation allows skin lesions caused by the shaving process to heal more quickly. In a first embodiment, the laser radiation device includes a laser diode disposed in the shaving head. In other embodiments, the laser radiation device includes a laser diode disposed in the grip portion of the shaving device, and the laser is guided via a light guide to one or more lenses in the shaving head, through which the laser exits the shaving head at its skin-facing side. Alternatively, the laser is fed into an optical channel extending circumferentially around the shaving head, thereby obtaining a more regular distribution of light exposed to the skin.

[0010] DE 91 00 850 U1 discloses an electric shaver comprising a shaving head with UV-A light sources arranged to increase the visibility of the beard during the shaving process. The UV-A light sources have an additional skin tanning effect and can treat acne.

[0011] WO 2009 / 090632 A2 discloses an applicator for hair removal, comprising a mechanical hair removal mechanism; one or more light sources configured to provide illumination having one or more wavelengths; and a direction sensor configured to activate at least one light source based on the direction of displacement of the applicator on the skin. Specifically, the light sources are arranged on two main sides of the hair removal mechanism and are activated such that when the applicator is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the main sides, the rear light source illuminates a segment of skin from which the hair removal mechanism removes hair to destroy or weaken any remaining hair follicles and provides a skin healing effect. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The object of this invention is to improve upon existing techniques in the application of infrared heating devices in electric shavers. Therefore, this invention aims to provide a practical method for exposing the skin and hair on the skin to infrared or near-infrared light during shaving, thereby producing favorable results when considering the efficiency of the skin heating unit, shaving comfort, and skin irritation.

[0013] In view of the above, the present invention provides a shaving unit comprising: at least one hair cutting unit, the at least one hair cutting unit including an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member, the outer cutting member having a hair entry opening on its cutting track surface, the inner cutting member having at least one hair cutting element and being movable relative to the outer cutting member; a base member supporting the at least one hair cutting unit; and at least one skin heating unit including a skin contact member having a skin contact surface arranged adjacent to the at least one hair cutting unit to contact the skin during use of the shaving unit; and at least one infrared light source or near-infrared light source integrated in the skin contact member, thermally coupled to the skin contact surface, and arranged to emit infrared or near-infrared light via the skin contact surface.

[0014] Following the above, the shaving unit according to the present invention includes: at least one hair cutting unit; a base member supporting the at least one hair cutting unit; and at least one skin heating unit including a skin contact member. The skin contact member of the at least one skin heating unit has a skin contact surface arranged adjacent to the at least one hair cutting unit to contact the skin during use of the shaving unit. Further, the skin heating unit includes at least one infrared or near-infrared light source integrated in the skin contact member, thermally coupled to the skin contact surface, and arranged to emit infrared or near-infrared light via the skin contact surface. Based on this configuration, when the at least one skin heating unit is activated during shaving, the skin is heated by both infrared or near-infrared light and heat generated by the at least one infrared or near-infrared light source. Generally, any light source has limited efficiency in converting electrical power into optical power. A portion of the electrical power supplied to the light source is converted into heat energy. According to the present invention, at least one infrared or near-infrared light source is integrated into the skin contact member in such a way that a major portion of the heat energy is conducted to the skin contact surface of the skin contact member due to thermal coupling between the at least one infrared or near-infrared light source and the skin contact surface. Therefore, infrared or near-infrared light is emitted to the skin from a suitable location adjacent to at least one hair-cutting unit, and the heat generated by the at least one infrared or near-infrared light source due to its limited electro-optical conversion efficiency is also optimally transferred to the skin from this suitable location, including direct contact with the skin. This results in an overall improvement in the efficiency of the at least one infrared or near-infrared light source in heating the skin. The present invention also enables the more efficient use of relatively low-power light sources such as LEDs to heat the skin.

[0015] Within the framework of this invention, there are various options regarding the shaping and positioning of the skin contact surface relative to at least one hair cutting unit. According to a first feasible option, the skin contact surface of the skin contact member of at least one skin heating unit is arranged to at least partially surround at least one hair cutting unit, wherein the at least one skin heating unit includes a plurality of infrared or near-infrared light sources, and wherein the infrared or near-infrared light sources are arranged to at least partially surround at least one hair cutting unit. In cases where the shaving unit includes at least two hair cutting units, it is particularly possible to configure the skin contact surface of the skin contact member of at least one skin heating unit to at least partially surround each of the at least two hair cutting units, wherein the at least one skin heating unit includes a plurality of infrared or near-infrared light sources, and wherein the infrared or near-infrared light sources are arranged to at least partially surround each of the at least two hair cutting units.

[0016] It is advantageous if infrared or near-infrared light is distributed across the entire skin side of the shaving unit. This can be achieved in various ways. Assuming at least one skin heating unit includes multiple infrared or near-infrared light sources, it may be advantageous if the infrared or near-infrared light sources are arranged to emit infrared or near-infrared light via at least two different segments of the skin contact surface of the skin contact member of at least one skin heating unit. In the case where the shaving unit includes three hair cutting units arranged in an equilateral triangle configuration, at least one skin heating unit may include multiple infrared or near-infrared light sources, and the infrared or near-infrared light sources are arranged to emit infrared or near-infrared light via a central segment of the skin contact surface arranged between the hair cutting units and via a peripheral segment arranged on the skin contact surface, the central segment being between the hair cutting units and the peripheral segment being between each of three different pairs of adjacent hair cutting units arranged in an equilateral triangle configuration.

[0017] Generally speaking, a shaving unit is likely to be practical if it includes at least two hair-cutting units and at least the same number of skin-heating units. This is because, in the context of a shaving unit with a skin-facing surface and a skin-contact area of ​​a certain size, an effective shaving process and an effective process of heating and stimulating the skin can be achieved.

[0018] In the shaving unit according to the invention, the skin contact member of at least one skin heating unit can be used for one or more other purposes besides emitting infrared or near-infrared light to the skin and heating the skin by contact. Specifically, taking into account the fact that the skin contact surface of the skin contact member is arranged adjacent to at least one hair cutting unit, the skin contact member of at least one heating unit can be configured to at least partially support at least one hair cutting unit.

[0019] This invention is applicable in the context of various options regarding the arrangement of at least one hair-cutting unit within a shaving unit. For example, the shaving unit may be configured such that at least one hair-cutting unit is mounted in a generally annular member pivotally arranged relative to a base member of the shaving unit and configured to contact the skin during use of the shaving unit, and at least one skin heating unit is arranged within the generally annular member. Such pivotally arranged generally annular members are commonly used in rotary electric shavers and allow at least one hair-cutting unit to follow the local contours of the skin by pivoting relative to the base member together with the generally annular member.

[0020] In a practical embodiment, at least one skin heating unit includes a molded part and a PCB (printed circuit board) carrying at least one infrared or near-infrared light source, wherein the PCB is disposed within the molded part, which is filled with potting material. In this embodiment, wires may also be connected to the PCB and extend through the potting material to enable electrical contact with the PCB. In any case, in this embodiment, the PCB and at least one infrared or near-infrared light source are protected from environmental influences. The molded part can form a skin contact member and therefore may include a skin contact surface. Alternatively, the molded part may be arranged to be in direct thermal contact with the skin contact member. The molded part and potting material effectively dissipate the heat generated by the at least one infrared or near-infrared light source carried by the PCB and effectively conduct the heat to the skin contact surface.

[0021] Humans cannot see infrared or near-infrared light. Visible light can be used to indicate the operating status of at least one skin heating unit to the user of the shaving unit. In this regard, the invention covers a shaving unit that further includes at least one indicator element configured to emit visible light via the skin contact surface of the skin contact member of at least one skin heating unit when at least one infrared or near-infrared light source emits infrared or near-infrared light. The at least one indicator element can be located in any suitable position within the shaving unit, such as adjacent to or between an infrared or near-infrared light source, and can have the function of indicating the on / off state of at least one skin heating unit, and may also have more complex functions, such as indicating the intensity of heat / light.

[0022] The present invention also relates to an electric shaver comprising a body and a shaving unit as defined above, i.e., a shaving unit that includes at least one skin heating unit in addition to at least one hair cutting unit and a base member.

[0023] According to one practical option, at least one skin heating unit of the shaving unit is supported by a base member of the shaving unit. In an electric shaver, the base member can be moved relative to the body from an operating position to a non-operating position and vice versa, by being detachably or hingedly coupled to the body. In this case, assuming the shaving unit includes an electrical system configured to transmit electrical power to at least one infrared or near-infrared light source of at least one skin heating unit, it is practical if the electrical system includes at least one connection / disconnection area configured to: establish an electrical connection between the electrical system and a power supply system included in the body when the base member of the shaving unit moves from the non-operating position to the operating position, and allow the electrical system to be electrically disconnected from the power supply system when the base member of the shaving unit moves from the operating position to the non-operating position. The at least one connection / disconnection area of ​​the electrical system of the shaving unit can adopt any suitable design. For example, the at least one connection / disconnection area of ​​the electrical system of the shaving unit may include hinged and / or resilient members, and / or members configured to engage and disengage with hinged and / or resilient members.

[0024] Similarly, assuming the shaving unit includes a data supply system configured to supply data about one or more parameters measured at the location of the shaving unit, which may be provided by one or more sensors within the shaving unit, it is practical for the data supply system to include at least one connection / disconnection area configured to: establish a data connection between the data supply system and a controller included in the body when the base member of the shaving unit moves from a non-operating position to an operating position, and allow the data supply system to disconnect from the controller when the base member of the shaving unit moves from the operating position to a non-operating position. The at least one connection / disconnection area of ​​the shaving unit's data supply system can employ any suitable design. For example, the at least one connection / disconnection area of ​​the shaving unit's data supply system may include a hinged and / or resilient member, and / or a member configured to engage and disengage with the hinged and / or resilient member. The at least one connection / disconnection area of ​​the data supply system may be combined with at least one connection / disconnection area of ​​the aforementioned electrical system.

[0025] This invention covers embodiments of an electric shaver in which at least one skin heating unit of a shaving unit is mounted to a base member of the shaving unit. Further, the electric shaver may have a base member of the shaving unit that is detachably or hingedly coupled to a body and is movable relative to the body from an operating position to a non-operating position and vice versa, as suggested above, and wherein at least one skin heating unit of the shaving unit is mounted on the body, and wherein the base member of the shaving unit has at least one recess through which at least one skin heating unit extends when the base member is in the operating position.

[0026] This invention covers various methods in which the operation of at least one skin heating unit can be controlled. For example, at least one skin heating unit can be manually controlled, allowing the user to turn at least one skin heating unit on and off and / or control the light intensity as needed. At least one skin heating unit can also be automatically controlled, wherein at least one skin heating unit can be turned on and off, for example, together with at least one hair cutting unit. It may be practical if the body of the electric shaver according to the invention is equipped with a user interface, such as a button or touchscreen, that allows the user to control the on / off state of at least one skin heating unit and / or set the light intensity and / or select an automatic operation mode, etc.

[0027] The above and other aspects of the invention become apparent and are elucidated by referring to a specific embodiment of an electric shaver equipped with at least one skin heating unit having an infrared or near-infrared light source. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals, and wherein...

[0029] Figure 1 An electric shaver according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in schematic form;

[0030] Figure 2 The shaving unit of an electric shaver according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically;

[0031] Figure 3 A portion of the shaving unit and body of an electric shaver according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically;

[0032] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A portion of the shaving unit and body of an electric shaver according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, wherein the non-operating position of the base member of the shaving unit is in... Figure 5 The diagram in the middle;

[0033] Figure 6 Options for removably or hingedly coupled base components of the shaving unit to the body are provided, and cross-sections of various parts of the shaving unit and the body are schematically shown; and

[0034] Figure 7 An embodiment of a skin heating unit included in an electric shaver according to the invention is shown schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Figure 1 An electric shaver 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. In the illustrated example, the electric shaver 1 is rotary and includes: a body 10 intended to be held by a user of the shaver 1; and a shaving unit 20 intended to contact a portion of the skin for shaving action. The body 10 of the shaver 1 is generally also referred to as the handle, and the shaving unit 20 of the shaver 1 is also generally referred to as the head. For various reasons, such as the need for maintenance and / or cleaning of the shaving unit 20, or the need to replace the shaving unit 20 with another type of unit, it is practical if the shaving unit 20 is detachable or hingedly mounted to the body 10. The shaving unit 20 includes a plurality of hair-cutting units 21, the number of which is three in the illustrated example. When the electric shaver 1 is used to perform a shaving action on a portion of the skin, the actual process of cutting off the hair protruding from the portion of the skin occurs at the location of the hair-cutting units 21. To support the hair-cutting units 21, the shaving unit 20 includes a base member 22.

[0036] Each hair cutting unit 21 in the hair cutting unit 21 includes a combination of an outer cutting member 23 and an inner cutting member (not shown), the outer cutting member 23 typically having a cup-shaped design, and the inner cutting member having at least one hair cutting element and being at least partially housed within the outer cutting member 23. The annular cutting track surface 25 of the outer cutting member 23 has a hair entry opening 24. During the shaving action, hair extending through the hair entry opening 24 and protruding into the interior of the outer cutting member 23 is cut once it encounters the hair cutting element of the inner cutting member. The shaving action, as mentioned, can be performed when the inner cutting member is activated to rotate and a portion of the skin actually contacts the outer cutting member 23 at a position on the cutting track surface 25. The inner cutting member can be activated in a known manner by means of the drive mechanism of the razor 1. When the combination of the outer cutting member 23 and the inner cutting member moves on a portion of the skin while the inner cutting member is driven to rotate, hair protruding from the skin portion is caught in the hair entry opening 24 of the outer cutting member 23 and cut in that position.

[0037] It should be noted that the above general information regarding the electric shaver 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to electric shavers 2, 3, and 4 according to other embodiments, as further described below.

[0038] In the electric shaver 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the shaving unit 20 includes a skin heating unit 30 for emitting infrared or near-infrared light to the skin and heating the skin. The skin heating unit 30 includes a skin contact member 31 having a skin contact surface 32, which is arranged adjacent to the hair cutting unit 21 to contact the skin during shaving. Further, the skin heating unit 30 includes an infrared or near-infrared light source 33, hereinafter simply referred to as light source 33 for clarity, and may include, for example, an LED. The light source 33 is integrated into the skin contact member 31, wherein the light source 33 is both thermally coupled to the skin contact surface 32 and arranged to emit infrared or near-infrared light via the skin contact surface 32. For example, the skin contact member 32 may include a material transparent to infrared or near-infrared light, and the light source 33 may be embedded in this material. When the skin heating unit 30 is activated during the shaving motion, the skin is subjected to more actions than the shaving motion, especially actions that stimulate and heat the skin, thereby improving the condition / appearance of the skin and improving shaving comfort.

[0039] It should be noted that the skin heating unit 30 is configured to actually transfer heat to the skin based on both conduction and radiation. Regarding conduction, it is advantageous to select a design for the skin heating unit 30 (or a collection of skin heating units 30) that allows it to contact the skin over a relatively large area, enabling heat dissipation and avoiding hot spots. This suggests that having multiple light sources 33 in the shaving unit 20 is generally advantageous. Regarding radiation, it is advantageous to select a wavelength of light emitted by the light source 33 that allows the light to penetrate deeply into the skin, thereby truly heating the skin from the inside out.

[0040] In the example shown, the skin contact member 31 is provided in the form of a bracket arranged to extend between and partially support the three hair cutting units 21. According to an advantageous option, the skin contact member 31, including a light source 33, is detachably or hingedly arranged in the shaving unit 20. To achieve an actual distribution of infrared or near-infrared light, the light source 33 is arranged to reflect infrared or near-infrared light via a central segment 34 and peripheral segments 35a, 35b, 35c of the skin contact surface 32, the central segment 34 being arranged between the hair cutting units 21, and the peripheral segments 35a, 35b, 35c being arranged between each of three different pairs of adjacent hair cutting units 21 arranged in an equilateral triangular configuration.

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the shaving unit 20 of an electric shaver 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. In the example shown, hair-cutting units 21 are mounted in generally annular members 26, which are pivotally arranged relative to a base member 22 and configured to contact the skin during shaving. The generally annular members 26 are also commonly referred to as floats and have the function of allowing the hair-cutting units 21 to follow the local contours of the skin by pivoting relative to the base member 22 together with the generally annular members 26. The hair cutting unit 21 of the electric shaver 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the same number of skin heating units 30 as the hair cutting unit 21 and the generally annular member 26, wherein the skin heating unit 30 is arranged in each of the generally annular members 26, wherein the skin contact surface 32 of the skin contact member 31 of each skin heating unit 30 is configured to partially surround the corresponding hair cutting unit 21, wherein each skin heating unit 30 includes a plurality of light sources 33, and wherein the light sources 33 are arranged to partially surround the corresponding hair cutting unit 21.

[0042] Figure 3 A portion of the shaving unit 20 and body 10 of an electric shaver 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Similar to the shaving unit 20 of an electric shaver 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, a hair-cutting unit 21 is mounted in a generally annular member 26, which is pivotally arranged relative to a base member 22 and configured to contact the skin during shaving. Furthermore, three skin-heating units 30 are present, but these units are not arranged in the generally annular member 26. Instead, the skin-heating units 30 are arranged in the base member 22 at the outer periphery of each of three different pairs of adjacent hair-cutting units 21 arranged in an equilateral triangle configuration.

[0043] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A portion of the shaving unit 20 and body 10 of an electric shaver 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. In the electric shaver 4 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the skin heating unit 30 of the shaving unit 20 is mounted on the body 10. The base member 22 of the shaving unit 20 has a recess 22a through which the skin heating unit 30 extends when the base member 20 is in place on the body 10. In the example shown, the base member 22 can be hingedly coupled to the body 10, while relative to the body 10, from such... Figure 4 The indicated operating position is moved to the non-operating position, and vice versa. It should be noted that... Figure 5This relates to a scenario where the base member 22, including the hair cutting unit 21, is hinged to a non-operating position. Alternatively, the base member 22 may be removably coupled to the body 10.

[0044] In the above-described case of the electric shaver 4 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the skin heating unit 30 is fixed to the body 10. Assuming that the power required to operate the light source 33 of the skin heating unit 30 is taken from a power supply system included in the body 10, in that particular case, it would be simple to directly electrically connect the light source 33 to that power supply system. However, in the case where the skin heating unit 30 is supported by the base member 22 of the shaving unit 20 and the base member 22 can be moved relative to the body 10 from an operating position to a non-operating position due to removable or hinged ground coupling to the body 10 (and vice versa), direct electrical connection is unlikely. Reference Figure 6 It should be noted that in those cases, the shaving unit 20 may include an electrical system configured to supply power to the light source 33, wherein the electrical system includes at least one connection / disconnection area 36 configured to establish an electrical connection between the electrical system and the power supply system included in the body 10 when the base member 22 of the shaving unit 20 moves from the non-operating position to the operating position, and to allow the electrical system to be electrically disconnected from the power supply system when the base member 22 of the shaving unit 20 moves from the operating position to the non-operating position.

[0045] The components arranged on the main body 10 and the shaving unit 20 respectively and configured to participate in establishing electrical connections in the manner described above and to allow for electrical disconnection can be of any suitable design. Figure 6 The illustration shows an option in which the connection / disconnection area 36 of the electrical system of the shaving unit 20 includes a fixed metal contact 37 configured to engage and disengage with a leaf spring 38 located within the body 10 and at the end of the power supply system included in the body 10. Generally, it is advantageous if the aforementioned components are in a movable / hinged arrangement or have elastic properties.

[0046] In a manner similar to that described for the electrical system, the shaving unit 20 may include a data supply system configured to supply data about one or more parameters measured at a location on the shaving unit 20. This data may be provided by one or more sensors within the shaving unit 20. The data supply system includes at least one connection / disconnection area configured to establish a data connection between the data supply system and a controller included in the body 10 when the base member 22 of the shaving unit 20 moves from an inactive position to an operational position, and to allow the data supply system to disconnect from the controller when the base member 22 of the shaving unit 20 moves from the operational position to an inactive position. For example, it may be useful to have the capability to determine the temperature at one or more locations on the shaving unit 20 during shaving and to process the temperature information to control the operation of the light source 33 of the skin heating unit 30. It may also be practical if the at least one connection / disconnection area of ​​the data supply system is combined with at least one connection / disconnection area 36 of the electrical system.

[0047] The skin heating unit 30 can be designed in any suitable manner. Figure 7 A schematic representation of an actual embodiment of the skin heating unit 30 is shown, wherein it should be noted that the skin heating unit 30 is depicted with the skin contact surface 32 facing downwards. In this embodiment, the skin heating unit 30 includes a PCB 41, two connector plates 42, and two wires 43 connecting the connector plates 42 to the PCB 41, wherein the light source 33 is arranged on the PCB 41 on one side of the skin contact surface 32, i.e., the other side of the PCB 41, not the side visible in the figure. The assembly of the PCB 41 carrying the light source 33, the connector plates 42, and the wires 43 is placed on a molding compound 44, which may be, for example, a polycarbonate / polyester molding compound. The molding compound 44 is filled with a potting material 45 such as silicone / PU, such that the PCB 41 and the light source 33 are completely embedded in the potting material 45, thereby being protected from environmental influences. The wires 43 extend through the potting material 45 and the connector plates 42 are located outside the potting material 45, so that the PCB 41 carrying the light source 33 can be electrically accessed from the outside. The use of potting material 45 is advantageous when considering factors such as the transmittance of infrared or near-infrared light, the impact resistance of the skin heating unit 30, the damping of vibrations that may occur during the shaving process, and the dissipation of heat from the light source 33.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will understand that the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples discussed above, but that various modifications and alterations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The invention is intended to be construed as including all such modifications and alterations, provided they fall within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specification, such description and illustration are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, in which details not necessary for understanding the invention may be omitted, and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0049] By studying the accompanying drawings, specification, and appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0050] Unless otherwise expressly stated, elements and aspects discussed or related to a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments. Therefore, the fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be advantageously used.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will understand the terms “comprising” and “including” as used herein to encompass the term “consisting of”. Thus, the terms “comprising” or “including” in one embodiment may mean “consisting of”, but in another embodiment may mean “containing / having / being provided with at least the defined species and optional one or more other species”.

[0052] The significant aspects of the present invention are summarized below. A shaving unit 20 for electric shavers 1, 2, 3, and 4 includes: at least one hair cutting unit 21, the at least one hair cutting unit 21 including an outer cutting member 23 and an inner cutting member, the outer cutting member 23 having a cutting track surface 25 having a hair entry opening 24, the inner cutting member having at least one hair cutting element and being movable relative to the outer cutting member 23; and a base member 22 supporting the at least one hair cutting unit 21. The shaving unit 20 also includes at least one skin heating unit 30, the at least one skin heating unit 30 including a skin contact member 31 having a skin contact surface 32 arranged adjacent to the at least one hair cutting unit 21 to contact the skin during use of the shaving unit 20; and at least one infrared or near-infrared light source 33 integrated in the skin contact member 31, thermally coupled to the skin contact surface 32 and arranged to emit infrared or near-infrared light via the skin contact surface 32. A key advantage of configuring at least one skin heating unit 30 (specifically, the fact that at least one skin heating unit includes a skin contact member 31 configured to contact the skin) is that the heat generated by at least one light source 33 is effectively transferred to the skin, and the infrared or near-infrared light emitted by at least one light source directly reaches and penetrates the skin. In this regard, it should be noted that it is practical if the skin contact surface 32 of the skin contact member 31 of at least one skin heating unit 30 is at a substantially similar level to the cutting track surface 25 of the outer cutting member 23 of at least one hair cutting unit 21.

Claims

1. An electric shaver, comprising a body (10) and a shaving unit (20), said shaving unit (20) comprising: - At least one hair cutting unit (21) includes an outer cutting member (23) and an inner cutting member, the outer cutting member (23) having a hair entry opening (24) in a cutting track surface (25), and the inner cutting member having at least one hair cutting element and being movable relative to the outer cutting member (23); - Base component (22) supports the at least one hair cutting unit (21); as well as - At least one skin heating unit (30) includes at least one infrared light source (33), said at least one infrared light source being arranged to emit infrared light; Its features are, The at least one skin heating unit (30) includes a skin contact member (31) having a skin contact surface (32) arranged adjacent to the at least one hair cutting unit (21) to contact the skin during use of the shaving unit (20); The at least one infrared light source (33) is integrated in the skin contact member (31), thermally coupled to the skin contact surface (32), and arranged to emit the infrared light via the skin contact surface (32); and The base member (22) can be detachably or hingedly coupled to the body (10) and move relative to the body (10) from an operating position to a non-operating position, and vice versa. in: - The at least one skin heating unit (30) of the shaving unit (20) is supported by the base member (22) of the shaving unit (20). The shaving unit (20) includes an electrical system configured to deliver electrical power to the at least one infrared light source (33) of the at least one skin heating unit (30). The electrical system includes at least one connection / disconnection area (36) configured to: establish an electrical connection between the electrical system and a power supply system included in the body (10) when the base member (22) of the shaving unit (20) moves from the non-operating position to the operating position, and allow the electrical system to be electrically disconnected from the power supply system when the base member (22) of the shaving unit (20) moves from the operating position to the non-operating position; or - The at least one skin heating unit (30) of the shaving unit (20) is mounted on the body (10), and the base member (22) of the shaving unit (20) has at least one recess (22a) when the base member (22) is in the operating position, the at least one skin heating unit (30) extends through the at least one recess (22a).

2. The electric shaver according to claim 1, wherein the skin contact surface (32) of the skin contact member (31) of the at least one skin heating unit (30) is arranged to at least partially surround the at least one hair cutting unit (21), wherein the at least one skin heating unit (30) includes a plurality of infrared light sources (33), and wherein the infrared light sources (33) are arranged to at least partially surround the at least one hair cutting unit (21).

3. The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least two hair cutting units (21), wherein the skin contact surface (32) of the skin contact member (31) of the at least one skin heating unit (30) is configured to at least partially surround each of the at least two hair cutting units (21), wherein the at least one skin heating unit (30) comprises a plurality of infrared light sources (33), and wherein the infrared light sources (33) are arranged to at least partially surround each of the at least two hair cutting units (21).

4. The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one skin heating unit (30) includes a plurality of infrared light sources (33), and wherein the infrared light sources (33) are arranged to emit the infrared light via at least two different segments of the skin contact surface (32) of the skin contact member (31) of the at least one skin heating unit (30).

5. The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2, comprising three hair cutting units (21) arranged in an equilateral triangle configuration, wherein at least one skin heating unit (30) comprises a plurality of infrared light sources (33), and wherein the infrared light sources (33) are arranged to emit infrared light via a central segment (34) and a peripheral segment (35a, 35b, 35c) of the skin contact surface (32), the central segment (34) being arranged between the hair cutting units (21), and the peripheral segments (35a, 35b, 35c) being arranged between each of three different pairs of adjacent hair cutting units (21) arranged in the equilateral triangle configuration.

6. The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least two hair cutting units (21) and at least the same number of skin heating units (30).

7. The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the skin contact member (31) of the at least one skin heating unit (30) is configured to at least partially support the at least one hair cutting unit (21).

8. The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one hair cutting unit (21) is mounted in a generally annular member (26), the generally annular member (26) being pivotally arranged relative to the base member (22) of the shaving unit (20) and configured to contact the skin during use of the shaving unit (20), and the at least one skin heating unit (30) is arranged in the generally annular member (26).

9. The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one skin heating unit (30) comprises a molding part (44) and a PCB (41) carrying the at least one infrared light source (33), wherein the PCB (41) is disposed in the molding part (44) and the molding part (44) is filled with potting material (45).

10. The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2 further includes at least one indicator element, the at least one indicator element being configured to emit visible light via the skin contact surface (32) of the skin contact member (31) of the at least one skin heating unit (30) when the at least one infrared light source (33) emits the infrared light.

11. The electric shaver of claim 10, wherein the at least one connection / disconnection region (36) of the electrical system of the shaving unit (20) comprises a hinged or resilient member, or a member configured to engage and disengage with a hinged or resilient member.

12. The electric shaver according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one infrared light source (33) comprises a near-infrared light source arranged to emit near-infrared light. The at least one infrared light source (33) is arranged to emit the near-infrared light via the skin contact surface (32).

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