Shaving unit and electric shaver having the same

Abstract

A shaving unit comprises an assembly of at least two rotating hair-cutting units and a support member connected to the hair-cutting units. The assembly of hair-cutting units and the support member are capable of linear movement relative to a base portion between a first retracted position and a second extended position. A spring member is biased away from the base portion by the support member. Each hair-cutting unit has a separate hair collection chamber that is independently pivotable relative to the support member. The base portion includes a coupling structure by which the shaving unit can be removably coupled to a main housing of the shaving device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shaving unit, in particular to a shaving unit having at least two hair cutting units, each hair cutting unit having an outer cutting member with a plurality of hair inlets and a rotatable inner cutting member. Background Art

[0002] As is well known, a group of hair cutting units can be assembled into an assembly and the assembly of the hair cutting units can be mounted by an elastic suspension device. Such suspension provides control force on the skin during use to improve shaving performance and enhance user comfort.

[0003] For example, a linear guide system may be used to bias the assembly outwardly toward the skin. The suspension travel does not need to be long, for example, 3 mm is sufficient.

[0004] It is also well known to provide hair cutting units with a certain degree of independence, for example, with an independent hair collecting chamber, and each hair cutting unit independently pivoting around a respective local pivot axis. Each hair cutting unit can then be individually biased toward the skin so that the assembly of the hair cutting unit adapts to the facial contour of the user.

[0005] However, there remains a need for a shaving unit that improves shaving comfort and effectiveness. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention is defined by the claims.

[0007] According to an example of one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shaving unit for a shaving device, the shaving unit comprising:

[0008] a base portion comprising a coupling structure by which the shaving unit can be detachably coupled to a main housing of the shaving apparatus;

[0009] at least two hair cutting units; and

[0010] a support member, which is centrally arranged between the at least two hair cutting units and has a central axis,

[0011] Each hair cutting unit is connected to the support member and comprises:

[0012] an outer cutting member having a plurality of hair entry ports;

[0013] an inner cutting member rotatable relative to the outer cutting member;

[0014] a cutting unit housing for supporting an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member of the hair cutting unit and accommodating a separate hair collecting chamber of the hair cutting unit, the hair collecting chamber being separate from the hair collecting chambers of the other hair cutting units; and

[0015] a pivot axis about which the cutting unit housing can pivot relative to the support member, independently of the cutting unit housings of the other hair cutting units;

[0016] Characterized in that the shaving unit further comprises:

[0017] a linear guide structure for linearly moving the support member relative to the base portion between a first retracted position and a second extended position along a direction of movement parallel to a central axis of the support member; and

[0018] A spring member is provided for biasing the support member away from the base portion in a moving direction.

[0019] The shaving unit includes a support member connected to the hair-cutting unit, allowing the two units to function as a combined assembly, biased by the support member. A linear guide structure enables movement of the support member. In addition to the movement of the combined assembly, each hair-cutting unit independently pivots about a pivot axis, allowing the assembly to adapt to the user's facial contours. This allows for a close and comfortable shave by controlling the applied force.

[0020] The present invention integrates an elastic suspension system into the shaving unit, which can be selectively coupled to the main housing of the shaving device via a coupling structure. The elastic suspension system can therefore be designed and optimized specifically for the shaving unit, while other functional accessories that can be coupled to the main housing (rather than the shaving unit) can be designed without any elastic suspension system or with elastic suspension systems having different characteristics. The suspension system is integrated into the shaving unit in a practical manner via a linear guide structure (for linearly moving the support member relative to the base portion in the direction of movement) and a spring member (for biasing the support member so that it moves away from the base portion in the direction of movement).

[0021] The shaving unit further comprises a drive unit for driving the inner cutting member of the hair cutting unit in rotation, wherein for each hair cutting unit the drive unit comprises: a separate drive spindle, which is rotatably supported by the base portion and coupled to the inner cutting member of the corresponding hair cutting unit.

[0022] Therefore, the hair cutting unit also has independent drive spindles.For example, these drive spindles can extend and retract along with the movement of the supporting member.

[0023] The drive unit is preferably detachably coupleable to a drive actuator in a main housing of the shaving apparatus via a single driven coupling member housed in the coupling structure, and wherein the base portion comprises a transmission unit for coupling the single driven coupling member to each individual drive spindle.

[0024] Thus, although a single drive spindle is employed, a single driven coupling member is also employed, with the transmission unit providing the coupling to the single drive spindle.

[0025] For each hair cutting unit:

[0026] For example, the inner cutting member includes a plurality of cutting elements, each cutting element having a cutting edge;

[0027] When the inner cutting member rotates, the cutting edge extends along an annular cutting path about the axis of rotation of the inner cutting member; and

[0028] Viewed in an axial direction relative to the central axis, the pivot axis is located between the central axis and the annular cutting path.

[0029] Therefore, each hair cutting unit can be swung inwardly and outwardly around an axis close to the central axis.This enables the profile defined by the combination of hair cutting units to be significantly varied.

[0030] Linear guide structures include, for example:

[0031] a guide shaft mounted at a fixed position relative to the base portion and having a shaft axis extending parallel to a direction of movement of the support member;

[0032] a guide element assembly, wherein each guide element is mounted at a fixed position relative to the base portion and radially spaced from a shaft axis of the guide shaft;

[0033] a guide sleeve mounted at a fixed position relative to the support member for sliding on a guide shaft parallel to the shaft axis to linearly move the support member relative to the base portion in a moving direction; and

[0034] a guide member set, wherein each guide member is mounted at a fixed position relative to the support member for engaging a corresponding one of the guide elements of the guide element set to linearly move the support member relative to the base portion in a movement direction;

[0035] Wherein, viewed from the moving direction, the guide shaft and the guide sleeve are arranged at a certain distance from the guide element group and the guide member group.

[0036] The present invention provides a special design for a vertical elastic suspension device, by which the hair cutting unit is biased towards the skin. In order to allow the shaving unit to translate linearly and (limited to) rotate about an axis perpendicular to the central axis (i.e. in the xy plane), two guide devices are provided. The first guide device (guide shaft and guide sleeve) is a linear sliding device without rotation control. The second guide device (guide element and guide member) also allows linear sliding, but prevents rotation about the central axis. The second guide device is placed radially spaced from the central axis. In this way, although the diameter of the shaving unit can be large, the rotation effect it achieves is reduced. The combination of these two guide devices allows both shear forces and axial forces to be absorbed. The device is simple to manufacture, requires only a small number of components, and does not require complex bearing or spring designs.

[0037] For example, each guide member is configured to engage with a corresponding guide element in the guide element group to rotate the support member about an axis within a plane perpendicular to the central axis. Therefore, the first guide means (guide shaft and guide sleeve) need not be very long, as oscillation about the point at which the guide sleeve encircles the axis is permitted. This oscillation causes the aforementioned rotation about an axis perpendicular to the central axis.

[0038] Therefore, the guide sleeve and the guide shaft engage with each other to allow the guide sleeve to swing relative to the guide shaft and thereby allow the support member to rotate about the axis within a plane perpendicular to the central axis.

[0039] Each guide element may include a channel extending parallel to the direction of movement, and each guide member may include a curved protrusion located within the channel of a corresponding one of the guide elements in the guide element group, wherein each curved protrusion is arranged in the associated channel to prevent the curved protrusion from moving in a tangential direction relative to the central axis.

[0040] By using curved surfaces, the above-mentioned rocking motion as well as linear sliding without rocking motion is allowed while tangential movement (ie rotation about the central axis) is prevented. For example, each protrusion comprises a ball.

[0041] Each channel may be formed between opposing side surfaces of a pair of guide walls, at least one of the guide walls having a stop element, wherein the support member includes an abutment element that engages the stop element to define a second extended position of the support member relative to the base member.

[0042] Thus, the linear displacement of the support member is limited by the second guide means (guide element and guide member).

[0043] The guide element can be positioned at the bottom of the base portion, with the guide sleeve being positioned centrally between the two hair-cutting elements, at a distance from the bottom of the base portion in the direction of movement. The separation of the positions along the axis of movement allows the individual elements to be relatively compact, while creating an overall guide that exerts minimal force and is able to withstand the shear and axial forces generated during shaving.

[0044] A set of at least three guide elements may be provided, the at least three guide elements being arranged at regular angular intervals around the central axis.

[0045] There may also be at least three rotary hair cutting units and a transmission unit (as described above) may also be provided comprising at least three gears, each gear being associated with a drive spindle of a respective one of the rotary hair cutting units, and the gears being arranged around a central axis, wherein each guide element is located between a respective pair of gears of adjacent gear pairs.

[0046] This provides a compact arrangement in which the guide element takes up no additional space, since there is already space between the (circular) gears.

[0047] The base portion may comprise a lower housing and a frame attached to the lower housing, wherein the frame comprises a receiving channel for receiving the guide shaft and further comprises the guide element set. Thus, only a few components are required, as some functions are implemented by separate components.

[0048] For example, a guide element group is provided at a foot of the frame, the frame is connected with the lower housing through the guide element group, and the guide shaft protrudes from the receiving channel beyond the top of the frame.

[0049] The present invention also provides an electric shaver, comprising:

[0050] a main housing housing the electric motor; and

[0051] The shaving unit is coupled to the main housing.

[0052] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] For a better understanding of the present invention and to more clearly illustrate how the present invention may be put into practice, reference is now made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0054] Figure 1 Shown is a conventional electric shaving device;

[0055] Figure 2 An example of a shaving unit according to the present invention is shown;

[0056] Figure 3 Shown by Figure 2 The cross section obtained by the example;

[0057] Figure 4 Shown is a view of the base portion and support member with the drive spindle removed;

[0058] Figure 5 Shown by Figure 4 The cross section obtained by the device shown;

[0059] Figure 6 Shown Figure 4 including means for driving the main shaft;

[0060] Figure 7 Shown by Figure 6 The cross section obtained by the device shown;

[0061] Figure 8 The frame of the base section is more clearly shown; and

[0062] Figure 9 The support members are shown more clearly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while setting forth exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods, are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should also be understood that the drawings are schematic diagrams only and are not drawn to scale. Furthermore, it should be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0065] The present invention provides a shaving unit comprising an assembly of at least two rotating hair-cutting units and a support member connected to the assembly of the hair-cutting units. The support member is linearly movable relative to a base portion between a first retracted position and a second extended position. A spring member biases the support member away from the base portion. Each hair-cutting unit has a separate hair collection chamber that is independently pivotable relative to the support member.

[0066] Figure 1A conventional electric shaving device 10 is shown, comprising a conventional shaving unit 12, which is removably connected to a main housing 151 via a coupling structure 44. In this example, the shaving unit 12 has a set of three rotating blades 13. A drive actuator 16, i.e., a motor, is disposed in the main housing to drive the rotating blades 13. Other functional units may be connected to the main housing rather than to the rotating shaving unit. The present invention particularly relates to the design of the shaving unit. A controller 18 drives the shaving unit.

[0067] The conventional functional operation of a shaver is well known and will not be described in detail in this application.

[0068] Figure 2 Shown is an example of a shaving unit according to the present invention. Figure 3 is through Figure 2 The image of the obtained cross section.

[0069] The shaving unit 12 has a base portion 20 comprising a coupling structure 44 by which the shaving unit 12 can be detachably coupled to a main housing 151 of the shaving device 10 .

[0070] Although there may be two hair cutting units or more than three hair cutting units in the present invention, only three hair cutting units are shown. A support member 26 is provided at a central position between the hair cutting units 13, and the support member 26 has a central axis 15.

[0071] Each hair cutting unit 13 is connected to a support member 26 to form an assembly. The support member is biased outwards (ie towards the skin).

[0072] Each independent hair cutting unit 13 has an outer cutting member 13a, and this outer cutting member 13a has a plurality of hair inlets.Be provided with the inner cutting member (not shown) that can rotate with respect to the outer cutting member below the outer cutting member 13a.It defines a traditional rotary blade together.

[0073] The inner cutting member comprises a plurality of cutting elements, each having a cutting edge. During rotation of the inner cutting member (and stationary outer cutting member), the cutting edges follow an annular cutting path 13c around the axis of rotation 13b of the respective inner cutting member. One such cutting path is shown in FIG. Figure 213a, but it protrudes from the outer cutting member 13a for the sake of clarity. The cutting path corresponds to the annular area in which the cutting edge moves. Thus, the inner diameter of the cutting path corresponds to the diameter of the circular path followed by the radially innermost end point of the cutting edge (or the diameter of the radially innermost cutting edge when the cutting edge has a different radial position), and the outer diameter of the cutting path corresponds to the diameter of the circular path followed by the radially outermost end point of the cutting edge (or the diameter of the radially outermost cutting edge when the cutting edge has a different radial position).

[0074] Each hair cutting unit is also independently pivotable about a respective pivot axis 50 relative to the support member 26. Such a pivot axis may be Figure 2 As shown. The pivot axis 50, viewed from the axial direction relative to the central axis 15 (i.e., along the central axis 15 from Figure 2 and Figure 3 (See the top of the device, looking down), it is located between the central axis 15 and the annular cutting path 13c. Thus, each hair-cutting unit can swing inward and outward about a tangential axis near the central axis. This allows for significant variation in the profile defined by the combination of hair-cutting units. The support member 26 enables pivotal movement of the axis of rotation. This will be described in further detail below.

[0075] Each cutting unit has its own housing 11, which is used to support the inner cutting member and the outer cutting member of the hair cutting unit 13. The housing accommodates a separate hair collecting chamber of the hair cutting unit 13. Therefore, each hair cutting unit 13 has a separate hair collecting chamber.

[0076] The shaving unit includes a drive unit for rotating the inner cutting member of the hair cutting unit 13. For each hair cutting unit, the drive unit includes a separate drive spindle 40, which is rotatably supported by the base portion 20 and coupled to the inner cutting member of the respective hair cutting unit 13. Thus, the hair cutting units have independent drive spindles, and the housing 11 is located above these drive spindles. Each drive spindle has a head that protrudes into an opening in the bottom wall of the housing 11 and then engages with the rotating inner cutting member.

[0077] Each drive spindle has two retractable units which are spring loaded so that each hair cutting unit is independently biased outwards, while the entire assembly is biased outwards by the support member 26. A cross section of one of the drive spindles is shown in FIG. Figure 3 The drive spindle 40 also forces the hair cutting unit into a pivot end position about its respective axis of rotation 50 in which the outer portion of its peripheral edge projects outwardly relative to the inner portion of its periphery.

[0078] The drive unit is removably coupled to the drive actuator 16 (motor) located in the main housing 151 of the shaving device via a single driven coupling member 14 housed in a coupling structure 44. The base portion 20 includes a transmission unit for coupling the single driven coupling member 14 to each individual drive spindle 40. The transmission unit includes a gear arrangement 42. Thus, while individual drive spindles are employed, a single driven coupling member 14 is also employed, and the transmission unit provides coupling to the individual drive spindles.

[0079] The support member 26 is coupled to the base portion 20 by a linear guide structure that enables the support member 26 to move linearly relative to the base portion 20 in a direction of movement parallel to the central axis 15, as indicated by arrow 17. There is a first retracted position and a second extended position. The support member is biased by a spring member for biasing the support member 26 away from the base portion 20 in the direction of movement. Part of the linear guide structure is as shown Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the components will be described below with reference to their different views.

[0080] The shaving unit provides a support member connected to the hair-cutting unit, allowing the hair-cutting unit to be biased by the support member as a combined assembly. A linear guide structure enables movement of the support member. In addition to the movement of the combined assembly, each hair-cutting unit can independently pivot about a pivot axis, allowing the assembly to adapt to the user's facial contours. This ensures a close and comfortable shave.

[0081] The present invention provides a practical method for achieving elastic suspension of components of a hair cutting unit. The elastic suspension is integrated into a shaving unit (i.e., a unit that can be selectively coupled to a main housing and can be exchanged for different types of functional units, such as a beard trimmer or a facial brush) in a practical manner. Therefore, the elastic suspension is specifically designed for the shaving unit, although other functional accessories without a suspension function can also be used.

[0082] Now, the following will describe the linear guide structure (partially as Figure 2 and Figure 3 The special design of the PCB is described in more detail.

[0083] Implementing a suspension system in such a universal device is quite challenging. One common approach would be to mount the carrier of the hair-cutting unit assembly along a support, with a dry friction coupling between them. However, this then presents a problem: the coupling must overcome the forces exerted on the moving part. These forces are shear forces caused by the lateral sliding of the assembly on the skin and axial forces generated by the pressure applied to the skin during shaving. These forces can create a locking effect on the movement. To provide well-controlled linear sliding and prevent locking issues, a long coupling is required. However, in the above-mentioned device, a long coupling would take up unnecessary space.

[0084] Another problem is the action, especially the rotation action, when the diameter of the shaving unit is relatively large. The small action in the linear guide system will be multiplied in the shaving unit. The linear guide system also needs to have sufficient rigidity.

[0085] Figure 4 Shown is a view of the base portion 20 and support member 26 with the drive spindle removed. Figure 5 Shown by Figure 4 Cross-section obtained with the device shown.

[0086] The linear guide structure includes a guide shaft 22 (for example only) mounted in a fixed position relative to the base portion 20 and having a shaft axis 22a. Figure 5 , the shaft axis 22a extends parallel to the direction of movement 17 of the support member and, therefore, parallel to the central axis 15. The support portion has a guide sleeve 27 that is disposed around the guide shaft 22 so that the guide sleeve 27 can slide over the guide shaft 22, thereby enabling linear movement of the support member 26 relative to the base portion in the direction of movement. The guide sleeve 27 is mounted in a fixed position relative to the support member 26.

[0087] Guide sleeve 27 and guide shaft 22 together form the first guide. This first guide is a very short linear bearing. It restricts freedom in the x- and y-directions (i.e., in a plane perpendicular to axis 22a), as well as rotation and translation about the z-axis (parallel to axis 22a). Because the bearing is sufficiently short, it allows rotation in the x- and y-directions.

[0088] Thus, the bearing allows the support member to rotate about an axis in a plane perpendicular to axis 22a. One of the axes of rotation is shown as 22b. In this way, oscillation of the point at which the guide sleeve encircles the axis is permitted.

[0089] Figure 4Also shown are three pairs of pins 50 a provided on the support member 26. Each pair of pins 50 a engages with a corresponding pair of recesses (not shown) provided in the cutting unit housing 11 of a corresponding one of the three hair cutting units 13. The hair cutting units 13 are connected to the support member 26 via the pins 50 a. Each pair of pins 50 a defines a pivot axis 50 about which the cutting unit housing 11 of the corresponding hair cutting unit 13 (independent of the cutting unit housings 11 of the other hair cutting units 13) and its associated inner and outer cutting members pivot relative to the support member 26.

[0090] There is also a second guide arrangement consisting of a set of guide elements 24 and a guide member 28. The guide elements 24 are each mounted in a fixed position relative to the base portion 20 and are each radially spaced from the shaft axis 22a of the guide shaft 22. In the example shown, three guide elements 24 are arranged around the axis 22a.

[0091] The guide members 28 are mounted at fixed positions relative to the support member 26 and are each arranged for engagement with a respective one of the set of guide elements 24 to linearly move the support member 26 relative to the base portion in a movement direction.

[0092] The coupling between the guide shaft 22 and the guide sleeve 27 is arranged at a distance from the set of guide elements 24 and guide members 28 .

[0093] Each guide element 24 includes a channel 25 extending parallel to the direction of movement, and each guide member 28 includes a curved protrusion, in particular a ball, located within the channel 25 of a corresponding guide element in the group of guide elements 24. Each ball is arranged in its associated channel to prevent the ball from moving tangentially relative to the axis 22a. However, the above-mentioned oscillation is allowed because different balls can be positioned at different positions along their respective channels. It should be noted that this oscillation (rotation about the x- and y-directions) is accompanied by a small amount of horizontal translation. Linear sliding without oscillation can also be used.

[0094] Each channel 25 is formed between opposing side surfaces of a pair of guide walls 32, 34, the guide walls (or one of them) having a stop element 36, and the support member 26 having a docking element 38 that engages the stop element 36 to define a second extended position of the support member relative to the base member.

[0095] The present invention provides a special design for a vertical elastic suspension device, by which the hair cutting unit is biased towards the skin. In order to allow the shaving unit to perform linear translation and (limited to) rotation about an axis perpendicular to the central axis (i.e. in the xy plane), two guide devices are provided. The first guide device (guide shaft and guide sleeve) is a linear sliding device without rotation control. The second guide device (guide element and guide member) can also slide linearly, but also prevents rotation about the central axis. The second guide device is positioned radially spaced from the central axis. In this way, although the diameter of the shaving unit can be large, the rotation it exerts is reduced. The combination of these two guide devices makes it possible to withstand both shear forces and axial forces. The device is simple to manufacture, requires only a small number of components, and does not require complex bearing or spring designs.

[0096] This combination of guide devices can therefore compensate for some deviations of the two guide systems (in the x-direction and in the y-direction), such as those caused by production errors or tolerances.

[0097] If the system is radially loaded, it will deform. This will result in misalignment between the two systems in the x-direction and / or y-direction, as well as misalignment between the z-axis of the guide sleeve 27 and the z-axis of the guide shaft 22. The two guides are designed to accommodate this deformation.

[0098] The first guide has two fixed degrees of freedom (no translation in the x and y directions). The second guide can tilt in a plane perpendicular to the axis 22a and can pivot about any axis. The center of the system (in the x and y directions) is determined by the three balls in its channel.

[0099] The balls may have any suitable curved surface to prevent the balls from locking in their channels. In practice, a curved surface is sufficient, but spherical balls may also be used.

[0100] The spacing between the first and second guide means (along axis 22a) is advantageous because it makes the guide less sensitive to deviations. The linear guide function is determined by an axis passing through the two centers of the first and second guide means. By making the distance between these points relatively large, errors in the linear guide function are smaller.

[0101] Separating the guides into separate units also makes it possible to accommodate torques about the x- and y-axes. The greater the distance, the smaller the forces.

[0102] As a result, the guide system will not lock and has little significant effect in any direction (except the intended z-direction). Furthermore, the only relatively high-precision parts are the three balls and their channels, as well as the guide bushings and guide shafts. Because of their small size, these parts are easy to manufacture with close tolerances and can be manufactured in one part of the mold.

[0103] In order to achieve the desired spatial separation discussed above, the guide element 24 is located at the bottom of the base portion 20, and the guide sleeve 27 (particularly the point of coupling with the guide shaft 22) is positioned centrally between the two hair cutting units, at a distance from the bottom of the base portion in the direction of movement.

[0104] Figure 5 The cross-section shown in FIG 2 more clearly illustrates guide shaft 22 and short guide sleeve 27. Also shown is base portion 20, which includes lower housing 21a and frame 21b attached to lower housing 21a. Frame 21b includes a receiving channel 23 for receiving guide shaft 22 and also includes a set of guide elements 24. Consequently, only a few components are required, as in some cases multiple functions can be performed by a single component.

[0105] Figure 5 Also shown is a spring member 30 for biasing the support member 26 away from the base portion 20 in a moving direction.

[0106] Figure 6 Shown Figure 4 The device includes a drive spindle 40. Each drive spindle has a drive head 40a. The transmission unit for driving the drive spindle includes the above-mentioned gears 42, each gear 42 being associated with the drive spindle of a corresponding hair cutting unit in the rotary hair cutting unit. The gears 42 are arranged around the central axis. Each guide element 24 is arranged between a corresponding pair of gears in adjacent pairs of gears 42.

[0107] This provides a compact arrangement in which the guide element does not take up additional space since there is already space between the (circular) gears 42 .

[0108] Figure 7 Shown by Figure 6 Cross-section obtained with the device shown.

[0109] Figure 8 The base portion of the frame 21b is more clearly shown. As shown, a set of guide elements 24 are provided at the foot of the frame 21b, connecting the frame to the lower housing via these guide elements. A guide shaft 22 extends from a receiving channel 23 and beyond the top of the frame 21b. The guide shaft can be a metal rod.

[0110] Figure 9 The support member 26 is shown more clearly and how the pin defines the pivot axis 50 .

[0111] Those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention by studying the drawings, the present disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0112] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0113] If the term "suitable for" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that "suitable for" should be equivalent to "configured to".

[0114] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A shaving unit (12) for a shaving device, the shaving unit (12) comprising: a base portion (20) comprising a coupling structure (44) by which the shaving unit can be detachably coupled to a main housing (151) of the shaving device; at least two hair cutting units (13); and a support member (26) arranged centrally between the at least two hair cutting units (13) and having a central axis (15), Each hair cutting unit (13) is connected to the support member (26) and comprises: an outer cutting member (13a) having a plurality of hair inlets; an inner cutting member rotatable relative to the outer cutting member; a cutting unit housing (11) for supporting the outer cutting member and the inner cutting member of the hair cutting unit (13) and accommodating a separate hair collecting chamber of the hair cutting unit, the hair collecting chamber being separated from the hair collecting chambers of other hair cutting units; and a pivot axis (50), about which the cutting unit housing is pivotable relative to the support member (26), said pivoting being independent of the cutting unit housings of the other hair cutting units; Characterized in that the shaving unit (12) further comprises: a linear guide structure (22, 24) for enabling the support member (26) to move linearly relative to the base portion (20) along a movement direction (17) parallel to a central axis (15) of the support member (26) between a first retracted position and a second extended position; and A spring member (30) is provided for biasing the support member (26) away from the base portion (20) in the moving direction.

2. The shaving unit according to claim 1 further comprises a drive unit for driving the inner cutting member of the hair cutting unit to rotate, wherein for each hair cutting unit, the drive unit comprises a separate drive spindle (40), the separate drive spindle being rotatably supported by the base portion (20) and coupled to the inner cutting member of the corresponding hair cutting unit (13).

3. A shaving unit according to claim 2, wherein the drive unit can be detachably coupled to the drive actuator (16) in the main housing of the shaving device by means of a single driven coupling member (14), the single driven coupling member being accommodated in a coupling structure (44), and wherein the base part (20) includes a transmission unit for coupling the single driven coupling member to each drive spindle of the individual drive spindles (40).

4. A shaving unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein for each hair cutting unit: The inner cutting member includes a plurality of cutting elements, each cutting element having a cutting edge; During rotation of the inner cutting member, the cutting edge follows an annular cutting path (13c) about the axis of rotation (13b) of the inner cutting member; and The pivot axis (50) is positioned between the central axis (15) and the annular cutting path (13c), viewed in an axial direction relative to the central axis (15).

5. The shaving unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the linear guide structure (22, 24) comprises: a guide shaft (22) mounted at a fixed position relative to the base portion and having a shaft axis (22a) extending parallel to the direction of movement (17) of the support member; a set of guide elements (24), each mounted at a fixed position relative to the base portion and each radially spaced from the shaft axis of the guide shaft (22); a guide sleeve (27) mounted at a fixed position relative to the support member (26) and arranged to slide over the guide shaft (22) parallel to the shaft axis for enabling linear movement of the support member (26) relative to the base portion in the movement direction (17); and a set of guide members (28), each mounted at a fixed position relative to the support member and each arranged to engage a respective one of the set of guide elements (24) to linearly move the support member (26) relative to the base portion in the movement direction (17); The guide shaft (22) and the guide sleeve (27) are arranged at a distance from the set of guide elements (24) and the set of guide members (28) when viewed from the moving direction (17).

6. A shaving unit according to claim 5, wherein each guide member of the set of guide members (28) is arranged to engage with a corresponding one of the set of guide elements (24) to also cause the support member to rotate about the axis (22b) in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (15).

7. A shaving unit according to claim 6, wherein the guide sleeve (27) and the guide shaft (22) engage with each other so as to allow the guide sleeve to swing relative to the guide shaft (22), and thereby allow the support member to rotate around the axis in a plane perpendicular to the central axis.

8. A shaving unit (12) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the guide elements (24) each include a channel (25) extending parallel to the movement direction (17), and the guide members (28) each include a curved protrusion, which is located in the channel (25) of a corresponding one of the guide elements (24), wherein each curved protrusion is arranged in the associated channel (25) so that the movement of the curved protrusion in a tangential direction relative to the central axis (15) is blocked.

9. The shaving unit (12) according to claim 8, wherein the curved protrusions each comprise a ball.

10. A shaving unit (12) according to claim 8, wherein each channel (25) is formed between opposing side surfaces of a pair of guide walls (32, 34), at least one of the guide walls having a stop element (36), and wherein the support member (26) includes an abutment element (38) for engaging with the stop element (36) to define the second extended position of the support member relative to the base portion (20).

11. A shaving unit (12) according to claim 5, wherein the guide element (24) is positioned at the bottom of the base part (20), and the guide sleeve (27) is positioned centrally between the hair cutting elements and at a distance from the bottom of the base part in the movement direction.

12. The shaving unit (12) according to claim 5, comprising a set of at least three guide elements (24) arranged at regular angular intervals around the central axis.

13. The shaving unit (12) according to claim 12, comprising at least three rotary hair cutting units (13) and comprising a transmission unit, the transmission unit comprising at least three gears (42), each gear (42) being associated with a drive spindle of a corresponding one of the rotary hair cutting units, and the gears (42) being arranged around the central axis (15), wherein each guide element is positioned between a corresponding pair of gears (42) of adjacent pairs of gears.

14. The shaving unit (12) according to claim 5, wherein the base portion comprises a lower shell (21a) and a frame (21b) attached to the lower shell (21a), wherein the frame comprises a receiving channel (23) for receiving the guide shaft (22) and further comprises the set of guide elements (24).

15. A shaving unit (12) according to claim 14, wherein the set of guide elements (24) is arranged at the foot of the frame (21b), the frame is connected to the lower shell (21a) through the set of guide elements, and the guide shaft (22) extends from the receiving channel (23) beyond the top of the frame (21b).

16. An electric shaver comprising: a main housing (151) housing an electric motor; and A shaving unit (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, coupled to the main housing (151).

Images