Shaving head for an electric shaver

Abstract

A shaving head (12) for an electric shaver (10) has at least two hair cutting units (13) each comprising an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member rotatable relative to the outer cutting member and each being supported by a support portion (26). The support portion is linearly movable relative to a base portion (20) of the shaving head between a first retracted position and a second extended position under biasing of a spring member (30). The shaving head has a locking mechanism (30, 32) for selectively locking the support portion relative to the base portion in a locked position. This allows the user to select different shaving modes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shaving head for an electric shaver, comprising: a base portion for connecting the shaving head to the main housing of the electric shaver; a support portion mounted to the base portion; a linear guide structure for enabling the support portion to move linearly in a movement direction relative to the base portion between a first retracted position and a second extended position; a spring member for biasing the support portion away from the base portion in a movement direction from the first position to the second position; and at least one hair cutting unit supported by the support portion.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an electric shaver comprising a shaving head as described above. Background Technology

[0003] WO 2015 / 025064 discloses a shaving head and an electric shaver as described above. The known shaver includes a main housing and a hair-cutting module, the hair-cutting module comprising three hair-cutting units, each hair-cutting unit including an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member rotatable relative to the outer cutting member. The hair-cutting module is capable of moving relative to the main housing in a direction parallel to the main axis against a spring force. The hair-cutting module is also capable of tilting relative to the main housing against a spring force about at least one tilting axis extending perpendicular to the main axis.

[0004] US 6,892,457 B2 discloses an electric shaver with a shaving head comprising two linear reciprocating hair-cutting units. Each hair-cutting unit includes an elongated, fixed foil with a hair entry opening and internal blades having multiple cutting elements driven to reciprocate in contact with the inner surface of the foil. The shaving head is mounted to the shaver's grip via a spring-loaded suspension device. This suspension device allows the shaving head to move toward and away from the grip in opposite directions, wherein the shaving head is biased away from the grip by a spring force. In use, this spring force provides controlled contact force between the foil of the hair-cutting unit and the skin to improve shaving performance and user comfort.

[0005] During shaving, the amount of contact force between the foil and the skin translates into a corresponding amount of skin bulging from the foil into the opening. The amount of skin bulging determines the tightness of the hair-cutting process and the amount of skin irritation caused by the contact between the skin and the moving internal blades. Therefore, the amount of skin bulging is a crucial parameter determining the balance between shaving tightness and any irritation or damage to the skin. For example, measures are known to be taken to reduce the applied contact force.

[0006] One method for limiting maximum contact force is to elastically suspend each hair-cutting unit relative to the surrounding skin support structure to prevent peak forces on the hair-cutting unit. This is known as the floating head method.

[0007] Another way to prevent peak force is to distribute the force over a larger area. This can be achieved by pivoting the individual hair-cutting units relative to each other and / or around the support structure so that they can adapt their orientation to the local contours of the face and provide maximum contact area.

[0008] As mentioned earlier, a drawback of the suspension mechanism used in known shaving heads is that it reduces the user's control over the shaving process. Some users find that the shaving head bends too much relative to the grip during shaving, preventing them from achieving the desired shave tightness. Conversely, other users may experience excessive contact force.

[0009] This is because the actual skin bulge effect of hair entering the opening of the hair cutting unit is different for all users. The user's age, skin type, and environmental conditions will lead to different skin bulge effects, which are not directly related to the characteristics of the hair cutting unit.

[0010] US 5,423,125 discloses an electric shaver having a short hair cutting system mounted on a housing and a slide-actuated switch mounted on the housing, the slide-actuated switch being configured to move the long hair cutting system from a cutting position to at least one operating position. In a first operating position or combined position, the long hair trimmer is floating and capable of retracting downwards due to pressure on the long hair trimmer. In a second operating position or trimming position, the long hair trimmer is locked in place.

[0011] It is necessary to prevent peak forces acting on the skin during shaving to avoid skin irritation and damage (due to excessive skin bulging), while also maintaining good control over the shaving process and outcome. Additionally, it needs to be adaptable to different users. For example, some users may be less sensitive to skin irritation (caused by pressure peaks) than others. Summary of the Invention

[0012] This invention is defined by the claims.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a shaving head for an electric shaver is provided, comprising:

[0014] The base section is used to connect the shaving head to the main housing of the electric shaver;

[0015] The support portion is installed onto the base portion;

[0016] A linear guide structure is provided to enable the support portion to move linearly relative to the base portion in a moving direction between a first retracted position and a second extended position.

[0017] A spring member for biasing the support portion away from the base portion in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position;

[0018] At least two hair cutting units, each supported by a support portion and each including an outer cutting member having a hair entry opening and an inner cutting member having multiple cutting elements, the inner cutting member being rotatable relative to the outer cutting member; and

[0019] For the corresponding drive spindle of each hair cutting unit (13),

[0020] The shaving head also includes:

[0021] A locking mechanism is provided for selectively setting the support portion in a locked state or an unlocked state. In the locked state, the support portion has a locked position relative to the base portion in the direction of movement, and in the unlocked state, the support portion is movable relative to the base portion in the direction of movement.

[0022] The shaving head according to the invention has a resilient suspension device by which a support portion supporting at least two hair-cutting units is biased toward the skin during use. However, different users have different requirements, such as those related to their skin sensitivity. Therefore, the bias provided by the spring member for the resilient suspension may be uncomfortable for all users, or may absorb too much force for others. According to the invention, the support portion, together with the at least two hair-cutting units supported thereby, can be positioned in a locked state, wherein the support portion has a locked position relative to the base portion. In the locked state, the higher contact force between the at least two hair-cutting units and the skin is not prevented by the movement of the support portion toward the base portion overcoming the biasing force of the spring member. This locked state may be of interest to users with less sensitive skin. The shaving head may, for example, include three hair-cutting units.

[0023] The ability to customize the shaving head's characteristics provides an improved user experience. This means optimal shaving can be achieved for a wider range of users. Regular users can keep the shaving head unlocked, while some other users, less sensitive to skin irritation, can use the shaving head in the locked position and are therefore able to push harder during shaving because they won't experience skin irritation. This increases user control over the shaving process and its results.

[0024] The locking mechanism includes, for example:

[0025] A shaft and a collar, the shaft extending parallel to the direction of movement, the collar arranged around the shaft for interaction with the shaft, wherein one of the shaft and the collar is mounted at a fixed position relative to the support portion in the direction of movement, and the other of the shaft and the collar is mounted at a fixed position relative to the base portion in the direction of movement.

[0026] The shaft and the collar are rotatable relative to each other about a rotation axis extending parallel to the direction of movement, so as to set the support portion to a locked or unlocked state.

[0027] This provides a simple setting for locked and unlocked states via a rotating shaft or collar. The collar, for example, functions as a rotatable nut around the shaft, which acts as a main shaft. The shaft is, for example, rotatably fixed. The relative rotational position of the shaft and collar can change their relative position in the direction of movement, thereby allowing or preventing movement of the support portion in that direction.

[0028] The shaft has, for example, an external thread and the collar has, for example, an internal thread arranged to engage with the external thread, wherein the external thread and the internal thread have a predetermined mutual clearance in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation, thereby allowing the shaft to move relative to the collar in that axial direction.

[0029] Therefore, locking is equivalent to tightening a nut, causing the engaging threads to prevent relative movement in the axial direction. Mutual clearance, for example, means that the interval between adjacent windings of an internal thread is greater than the axial width of an external thread. This means that when the locking mechanism is not in the locked configuration, linear movement in the axial direction is possible because the threads are not tightly engaged. Conversely, one thread (e.g., an external thread) can move axially between a pair of adjacent threads (e.g., internal threads).

[0030] At the first position of the support portion, the mutual abutment of the first pair of adjacent elements can prevent the support portion from moving further toward the base portion in the direction of movement. The first pair of adjacent elements are respectively installed in fixed positions relative to the support portion and the base portion.

[0031] At the second position of the support portion, the mutual abutment of the second pair of adjacent elements prevents the support portion from moving further away from the base portion in the direction of movement. The second pair of adjacent elements are respectively installed in fixed positions relative to the support portion and the base portion.

[0032] The first and second positions are the endpoints of the movement of the support portion relative to the base portion. Therefore, the movement of the support portion can be limited in one direction by the range of movement of the support portion defined by the adjacent element, and in another direction by the adjacency between the internal and external threads.

[0033] Therefore, in this embodiment, the external structure of the component can define an adjacent element that restricts the movement of the support portion in one direction, and the threaded engagement can restrict the movement in another direction, thereby fixing the position of the support portion or setting the possible range of the position of the support portion.

[0034] The locking mechanism is configured, for example, to place the support portion in a first locked state, wherein the support portion is locked in a first position relative to the base portion by mutual abutment of a first pair of adjacent elements and by mutual abutment of internal and external threads. This is the retracted position.

[0035] The locking mechanism can be configured to place the support portion in a second locked state, wherein the support portion is locked in a second position relative to the base portion by mutual abutment of a second pair of adjacent elements and by mutual abutment of internal and external threads. This is the extended position.

[0036] The locking mechanism can be configured to place the support portion in a fully unlocked state, wherein the support portion is enabled to move a maximum distance relative to the base portion in the direction of movement, the maximum distance being the distance from the first position to the second position.

[0037] The locking mechanism can also be configured to place the support portion in a partially unlocked state, wherein the support portion is capable of moving a limited distance relative to the base portion in the direction of movement from the first position or the second position to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, the intermediate position being defined by the mutual adjacency of the internal and external threads.

[0038] Preferably, any of these different locking states can be selected.

[0039] The shaft is preferably mounted at a fixed position relative to the support portion, and the collar is preferably mounted at a fixed position relative to the base portion in the direction of movement and is rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the base portion.

[0040] The linear guide structure includes, for example, a guide shaft and a guide bushing. The guide shaft is mounted at a fixed position relative to the base portion and extends parallel to the direction of movement. The guide bushing is mounted at a fixed position relative to the support portion. The guide bushing is movably guided along the guide shaft parallel to the direction of movement. The shaft is arranged at the fixed position relative to the guide bushing and circumferentially surrounds the guide bushing. A collar is rotatable about the shaft and the guide bushing.

[0041] The locking mechanism is integrated into the structure of the linear guide in this way. For example, the shaft and guide bushing can be integrally formed, for instance, by a single molded part.

[0042] In the first set of examples, the collar is able to rotate using an electric motor.

[0043] In the second set of examples, the collar is rotatable via a manually actuated operating component.

[0044] In the third set of examples, the collar can be rotated by a manually actuated slider.

[0045] Therefore, there are various options for controlling the locking mechanism.

[0046] The base portion of the shaving head may include a connection structure through which the shaving head is releasably coupled to the main housing of the electric shaver.

[0047] Each drive spindle includes, for example, a coupling joint for engaging with the inner cutting member of a corresponding hair cutting unit in the hair cutting unit, wherein a support portion is centrally arranged between the hair cutting units, and wherein each hair cutting unit is pivotable relative to the support portion about an axis that extends tangentially relative to the central axis of the hair cutting unit.

[0048] This provides a compact design.

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

[0050] Main housing, which houses the electric motor; and

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

[0052] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0053] To better understand the invention and to more clearly illustrate how to implement it, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only, wherein:

[0054] Figure 1 A known electric shaver is shown;

[0055] Figure 2 An example of a type of shaving head involved in this invention is shown;

[0056] Figure 3 The shaft of this locking arrangement is shown;

[0057] Figure 4 The locking arrangement of the collar is shown;

[0058] Figure 5 A detailed example of a shaving head is shown in cross-section, wherein the locking mechanism is locked in the retracted position of the support portion;

[0059] Figure 6 The relative positions of the shaft and collar in the locked retracted position of the support section are shown;

[0060] Figure 7 It shows the unlocked state. Figure 5 The shaving head has a support section that can move freely up and down;

[0061] Figure 8 The relative positions of the shaft and collar are shown in the unlocked state of the support section;

[0062] Figure 9 It shows Figure 5 The shaving head, wherein the locking mechanism is locked in the extended position of the support portion;

[0063] Figure 10 The relative positions of the shaft and collar at the locked extended position of the support section are shown;

[0064] Figure 11 An external manual operating lever is shown;

[0065] Figure 12 Another embodiment of the locking mechanism with an external manual lever is shown;

[0066] Figure 13 An implementation using a motor to control the locking mechanism is shown;

[0067] Figure 14 It shows Figure 13 In one embodiment, the hair-cutting unit is removed to more clearly show the rotating portion of the locking mechanism;

[0068] Figure 15 It shows Figures 5 to 10 Perspective view of the design;

[0069] Figure 16 It shows Figure 15The design removes the hair-cutting unit to more clearly show the rotating part of the locking mechanism;

[0070] Figure 17 It shows the Figures 5 to 10 A modified perspective view of the design, in which a slider is used to control the locking mechanism; and

[0071] Figure 18 It shows Figure 17 The arrangement of hair cutting units has been removed. Detailed Implementation

[0072] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0073] It should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples indicate exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method, they are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used in all the drawings to denote the same or similar parts.

[0074] This invention provides a shaving head for an electric shaver, wherein at least two hair-cutting units are supported by a support portion. The support portion is linearly movable relative to a base portion between a first retracted position and a second extended position under the bias of a spring member. A locking mechanism is provided for selectively locking the support portion relative to the base portion in a locked position. This allows the user to select different shaving modes.

[0075] Figure 1 A known electric shaver 10 is shown, comprising a shaving head 12 releasably connected to a main housing 15 via a connection interface 14. The shaving head has a set of three rotating hair-cutting units 13. A drive actuator 16 (i.e., a motor) is arranged in the main housing to enable rotation of the hair-cutting units 13. Other functional units may be connected to the main housing instead of the rotating shaver head. The invention particularly relates to the design of the shaver head. A controller 18 drives the shaver head.

[0076] The general functions of a razor are well known and will not be described in detail in this application.

[0077] Figure 2 An example of a shaving head type involved in this invention is shown.

[0078] The shaving head 12 has a base portion 20 including a coupling structure 44 through which the shaving head is releasably coupled to the main housing 15 of the electric shaver 10.

[0079] In this example, the shaving head includes three hair-cutting units 13; alternatively, the shaving head may include only two or more hair-cutting units. The hair-cutting units are of the rotary type. A support portion 26 is centrally arranged between the hair-cutting units 13 and has a central axis 15.

[0080] Each hair cutting unit 13 is connected to a support portion 26, such that they form an assembly supported by the support portion 26. The support portion is offset outward relative to the base portion 20, i.e., away from the base portion 20 and towards the skin.

[0081] Each individual hair cutting unit 13 has an outer cutting member 13a with a plurality of hair entry openings. Inside the outer cutting member 13a is an inner cutting member (not shown) that is rotatable relative to the outer cutting member. Together they define a conventional rotary cutter.

[0082] The inner cutting member comprises multiple cutting elements, each having a cutting edge. During rotation of the inner cutting member (while the outer cutting member remains stationary), the cutting edges follow an annular cutting path about the rotation axis 13b of the respective inner cutting member. The cutting path corresponds to the annular region on which the cutting edge moves. Therefore, the inner diameter of the cutting path corresponds to the diameter of the circular path followed by the radially innermost endpoint of the cutting edge (or, in the case of different radial positions of the cutting edges, the diameter of the radially innermost cutting edge), and thus, the outer diameter of the cutting path corresponds to the diameter of the circular path followed by the radially outermost endpoint of the cutting edge (or, in the case of different radial positions of the cutting edges, the diameter of the radially outermost cutting edge).

[0083] In the example shown, each hair cutting unit is also capable of pivoting independently relative to the support portion 26 about the corresponding pivot axis 50. Figure 2 Such a pivot axis is shown. As seen in the axial direction relative to the central axis 15 (i.e., along the central axis 15 from...). Figure 2 (Viewed from the top down), the pivot axis 50 is located between the central axis 15 and the annular cutting path 13c. Therefore, each hair cutting unit can swing inward and outward about a tangential axis close to the central axis. This allows for significant alteration of the profile defined by the combination of hair cutting units. The support portion 26 provides the rotation axis for this pivoting movement.

[0084] In the example shown, each hair cutting unit has its own housing 11, which supports the outer and inner cutting members of the hair cutting unit 13. The housing houses a single hair collection chamber of the hair cutting unit 13. Therefore, each hair cutting unit 13 has a separate hair collection chamber.

[0085] The shaving head has 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 corresponding hair cutting unit 13. Thus, the hair cutting unit has an independent drive spindle, and the housing 11 is located on the drive spindle. Each drive spindle has a head that extends into an opening in the bottom wall of the housing 11 and then engages with the rotatable inner cutting member.

[0086] Each drive spindle 40 has two telescopic sections 40a, 40b (e.g., ... Figure 5 As shown), they are spring-loaded such that each hair-cutting unit is independently biased outward, and the entire assembly is biased outward by support member 26. The drive spindle 40 also pushes the hair-cutting units into an end position pivoted about their respective axis of rotation 50, where the outer edge of their peripheral edge is raised outward relative to the inner edge of their peripheral edge.

[0087] The drive unit can be housed in Figure 2 In the coupling structure 44 shown, a single driven coupling member 14 is releasably coupled to a drive actuator 16 (motor) in the main housing 15 of the shaving device. The base portion 20 includes a transmission unit (not shown) for coupling the single driven coupling member 14 to each individual drive spindle 40. This transmission unit includes a gear mechanism. Thus, although individual drive spindles 40 are used, a single driven coupling member 14 is employed, and the transmission unit provides coupling from the single driven coupling member 14 to the individual drive spindle 40.

[0088] The support portion 26 is mounted to the base portion 20 via a linear guide structure that allows the support portion 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. The support portion 26 can move linearly relative to the base portion 20 between a first retracted position and a second extended position. The support portion 26 is biased by a spring member 30 that biases the support portion 26 away from the base portion 20 in the direction of movement 17 from the first position to the second position.

[0089] The shaving head provides a support portion connecting the hair-cutting units, allowing the hair-cutting units to be biased by the support member as an assembly. A linear guide structure enables movement of the support portion relative to the base portion. In addition to the movement of the assembly, as previously described, each hair-cutting unit has independent pivoting about a pivot axis relative to the support portion, allowing the components of the hair-cutting unit to adapt to the contours of the user's face. This enables a comfortable and close shave.

[0090] In the example shown, the linear guide structure includes a guide shaft and a guide bushing that is movably guided along the guide shaft, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0091] The present invention provides a locking mechanism for locking an elastic suspension system. Specifically, the locking mechanism is configured to selectively place the support portion 26 in a locked state, in which the support portion has a locked position relative to the base portion 20 in the movement direction 17, or to place it in an unlocked state, in which the support portion 26 is movable relative to the base portion 20 in the movement direction 27.

[0092] An example of a locking mechanism includes a shaft and a collar arranged around the shaft to interact with the shaft, wherein one of the shaft and the collar extends from a support portion 26, while the other of the shaft and the collar extends from a base portion 20.

[0093] Figure 3 Shaft 30 is shown. Figure 4 The collar 32 is shown.

[0094] Shaft 30 extends parallel to the direction of movement 17 and is mounted in the direction of movement at a fixed position relative to the support portion 26, and has external threads 34 along its length. Shaft 30 has an inner bore 38, which serves as the aforementioned guide bushing. The thread 34 is helical, but the interval between adjacent pitches of the thread 34 is much larger than the width W of the thread 34 in the axial direction.

[0095] The collar 32 is mounted in a fixed position relative to the base portion 20 along the direction of movement 17 and has an internal thread 36 in the hole 33. The interval between adjacent pitches of the thread 36 is much larger than the width of the thread in the axial direction. The collar 32 is rotatable relative to the base portion 20 and relative to the shaft 30 about a rotation axis 33a extending parallel to the direction of movement 17 to set the support portion 26 in a locked or unlocked state, as described in detail below. The shaft 30 is axially sliding but not rotating. The collar has a transmission tooth 37 for controlling the rotation of the collar. Of course, other configurations are also possible, such as the shaft being mounted on the base portion and rotating, and the collar being mounted on the support portion and axially translating.

[0096] Shaft 30 is received in bore 33 of collar 32 such that the external thread 34 of shaft 30 engages with the internal thread 36 of collar 32. However, the large pitch of the internal thread 34 and the external thread 36 means that the internal thread 34 and the external thread 36 have a predetermined mutual clearance in the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation 33a, so that the two parts do not axially interlock. Instead, the external thread 34 of shaft 30 is allowed to move axially relative to collar 32 within bore 33 as the external thread 34 of shaft 30 moves between adjacent opposing internal threads 36 of collar 32. The maximum range of movement corresponds to the pitch (less than the width of the thread). Therefore, movement along axis of rotation 33a is limited by the engagement between the external and internal threads of shaft 30 and collar 32.

[0097] The locking state of the support portion 26 can be achieved in a first retracted position and a second extended position relative to the base portion 20. In either of these positions, the support portion 26 has reached a stop, preventing further movement in one direction due to external features. These external features (i.e., outside the collar 32) include a first pair of abutment elements ( Figure 5 66a and 66b) and the second pair of adjacent elements ( Figure 7 and Figure 9 In the first retracted position of the support portion 26 (67a and 67b), the first pair of adjacent elements prevents the support portion 26 from moving further toward the base portion 20, and in the second retracted position of the support portion 26, the second pair of adjacent elements prevents the support portion 26 from moving further away from the base portion 20 in the direction of movement.

[0098] The first pair includes a downward-facing abutment surface 66a and an upward-facing abutment surface 66b. The downward-facing abutment surface 66a is disposed on a first hook-shaped element, which is mounted at a fixed position relative to the support portion 26. The upward-facing abutment surface 66b is disposed at a fixed position on the base portion 20. The second pair includes an upward-facing abutment surface 67b disposed on a hook-shaped element and a downward-facing abutment surface 67a disposed on a second hook-shaped element, which is mounted at a fixed position on the base portion 20.

[0099] In each of these two locked states, the abutment of the external threads 34 and internal threads 36 of the shaft 30 and the collar 32 subsequently prevents the support portion 26 from moving in the corresponding direction opposite to the first direction, which will be described in detail below.

[0100] This provides a simple adjustment method via a rotating collar (in this particular example). The collar serves, for example, as a rotatable nut around the shaft, which acts as the main shaft.

[0101] The locking mechanism is configured to set the support portion 26 as follows:

[0102] In the first locking state, the support portion is locked relative to the base portion in the first, lowest, or retracted position by the mutual abutment of the first pair of adjacent elements and by the mutual abutment of the internal thread and the external thread.

[0103] In the second locking state, the support portion is locked relative to the base portion in the second, highest, or extended position by the mutual abutment of the second pair of adjacent elements and by the mutual abutment of the internal thread and the external thread.

[0104] In the fully unlocked state, the support portion is capable of moving a maximum distance relative to the base portion in the direction of movement, the maximum distance being the distance from the first position to the second position; and

[0105] In a partially unlocked state, the support portion is capable of moving relative to the base portion in the direction of movement over a limited distance from the first position or the second position to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, the intermediate position being defined by the mutual adjacency of the internal thread and the external thread.

[0106] The locking mechanism has at least a fully unlocked position and one of two locked positions.

[0107] The first locked position, as the fully retracted position, provides a higher spring thrust generated by the compression of the spring in the drive spindle 40. This reduces the risk of hair pulling due to undesirable jumping of the inner cutting member relative to the outer cutting member and increases the pivot stiffness of the hair cutting unit 13 about the pivot axis 50.

[0108] The second locked position, which is in the fully extended position, provides a lower spring thrust generated by the compression of the spring in the drive spindle 40. This reduces wear on the inner and outer cutting members of the hair cutting unit 13 and lowers the pivot stiffness of the hair cutting unit 13 about the pivot axis 50.

[0109] Figure 5 A detailed example of a shaving head is shown in cross-section. It shows the locking mechanism in a first locked state, with the support portion 26 in a first retracted position.

[0110] Figure 5 A telescopic design for a drive spindle 40 is also shown, the drive spindle 40 having concentric inner sleeves 40a and outer sleeves 40b, each sleeve having an inner spring 60, and a spring member 39 for biasing the support portion 26 away from the base portion 20 in the direction of movement is also shown.

[0111] Spindle 40 includes a drive head 41 for engaging with the inner cutting member of a corresponding rotary hair cutting unit in the rotary hair cutting unit 13. Region 62 shows the support portion 26 engaging radially inward with each rotary hair cutting unit 13. This engagement defines a pivot axis 50 of the hair cutting unit. A spring 60 of each drive spindle 40 biases each hair cutting unit to a default position (as shown). Since the pivot axis is located between the drive spindle 40 and the central axis 26a of the support portion 26, this bias upward urges the radially outer portion of the hair cutting unit.

[0112] Figure 5 A guide shaft 22 of a linear guide structure is also shown, which is mounted at a fixed position on the base portion 22 and extends parallel to the direction of movement 17. Figure 5 A guide bushing 38 of a linear guide structure is also shown, which is integrally formed with the shaft 30 and is therefore mounted in a fixed position relative to the support portion 26. The shaft 30 is arranged circumferentially about the guide bushing 38. A collar 32 is rotatable about the shaft 30 and the guide bushing 38. The guide bushing 38 is movably guided along a guide shaft 22 parallel to the direction of movement 17.

[0113] In this example, there is a mechanical transmission gear 64 that can be manually operated by the user. The transmission gear 64 meshes with another transmission gear 38 mounted around the collar 32. Figure 5 The diagram shows the locking mechanism integrated into the linear guide structure. The shaft 30 with external thread 34 and the guide bushing 38 are single molded parts.

[0114] In such Figure 5 In the first locked state of the support portion 26 shown, the support portion 26 has reached its first retracted position relative to the base portion 20, i.e., the lower limit of its possible linear range of motion. As previously described, this lower limit is defined by the mutual abutment of the first pair of adjacent elements 66a, 66b. In this first locked state, upward movement of the shaft 30 and the support portion 26 away from the base portion 20 is prevented by the mutual abutment of the external threads 34 and internal threads 36 of the shaft 30 and the collar 32. For this purpose, the collar 32 rotates to its maximum position in the first of its two rotational directions, such that it has pushed the shaft 30 and the support portion 26 downward until they reach their lowest position, i.e., the first retracted position.

[0115] Figure 6 The shaft 30 and collar 32 are shown in the figure. Figure 5 The relative position of the support portion 26 in the first locked state.

[0116] Figure 7 The support portion 26 is shown in the fully unlocked state. Figure 5 The shaving head, wherein the support portion 26 is capable of moving up and down along the direction of movement 17 over a maximum distance from the first retracted position to the second extended position. Figure 7 The support portion 26 is shown in a second extended position, defined by the mutual abutment of the second pair of adjacent elements 67a, 67b. The support portion 26 is pushed upward to the extended position by the spring member 39, but can be pushed downward toward the base portion 20 against the spring bias of the spring member 39 until a second retracted position, such as when the user holds the razor against their face. This is the fully unlocked state of the support portion 26, where the hair-cutting unit assembly is in the fully extended position, but freely retracts completely until a second retracted position.

[0117] Figure 8 The shaft 30 and collar 32 are shown in the figure. Figure 7 The relative positions of the support portion 26 in the fully unlocked state are shown in the figure. In this figure, the possible range of motion is indicated by arrow 70 and is defined by the mutual clearance between the external thread 34 and the internal thread 36 of the shaft 30 and the collar 32. The external thread 34 can slide between positions of the internal thread 36 on its adjacent side. In the fully unlocked state, the collar rotates to an intermediate position between its maximum position in the first of its two rotational directions and its maximum position in the second of its two rotational directions, as shown... Figure 6 As shown, due to the gap between the threads 34 and 36 of the shaft 30 and the collar 32, the support member 26 can move completely between the first retracted position and the second extended position.

[0118] Figure 9 The second locked state of the support portion 26 is shown. Figure 5 and Figure 7 The shaving head. In this second locked state, the support portion 26 has reached its second extended position relative to the base portion 20, i.e., the upper limit of its possible linear range of motion. As previously described, this upper limit is defined by the mutual abutment of the second pair of abutment elements 67a, 67b. In this second locked state, downward movement of the shaft 30 and the support portion 26 toward the base portion 20 is prevented by the mutual abutment of the external threads 34 and internal threads 36 of the shaft 30 and the collar 32. For this purpose, the collar 32 rotates to its maximum position in the second of its two opposite rotational directions, such that it pushes the shaft 30 and the support portion 26 upward until they reach their highest position, i.e., the second extended position.

[0119] Figure 10 The shaft 30 and collar 32 are shown in the figure. Figure 9 The relative position of the support portion 26 in the second locked state.

[0120] Based on previous references Figures 5 to 10The description of the first and second locked states and the fully unlocked state of the support portion 26 will make it clear to those skilled in the art that the collar 32 can also be rotated to its maximum position in the first of its two opposite rotational directions (e.g., Figure 6 (as shown) and its middle position (as shown) Figure 8 Any intermediate position between (as shown). In this intermediate position of the collar 32, the locking mechanism positions the support portion 26 in a partially unlocked state, wherein the support portion 26 is capable of moving a limited distance relative to the base component 20 in the movement direction 17 from the first retracted position to an intermediate position between the first retracted position and the second extended position, wherein the intermediate position is defined by the abutment of the external threads 34 and the internal threads 36 of the shaft 30 and the collar 32. Furthermore, the collar 32 can also be rotated to its maximum position in the second of its two opposite rotational directions (as shown). Figure 10 (as shown) and its middle position (as shown) Figure 8 Any intermediate position between (as shown). In such an intermediate position of the collar 32, the locking mechanism positions the support portion 26 in a partially unlocked state, wherein the support portion 26 is capable of moving a limited distance relative to the base component 20 in the movement direction 17 from the second extended position to an intermediate position between the first retracted position and the second extended position, wherein the intermediate position is defined by the mutual adjacency of the external threads 34 and the internal threads 36 of the shaft 30 and the collar 32.

[0121] Therefore, these settings of the locking mechanism cater to the different needs of various users, such as those with sensitive skin. The ability to adjust the elastic suspension provides an improved user experience. This means that optimal shaving can be achieved for a wider range of users. Regular users can keep the system in unlocked mode, while some other users who are less sensitive to skin irritation can use locked mode and are therefore able to push harder during shaving because they will not experience skin irritation.

[0122] There are multiple ways to achieve the rotational adjustment of the collar 30.

[0123] Figures 5 to 10 An outwardly projecting tooth 64, as previously described, is shown for manual rotation by the user.

[0124] Figure 11 An external manual lever 110 is shown. For example, it can be used to rotate the drive gear 64, which is then fully inside the base portion 20.

[0125] However, Figure 12 A rotatable manual lever 110 is shown as an alternative to directly actuating the locking mechanism.

[0126] For example, the range of motion of the support portion 26 can be limited by the interaction between the tab 112 at the end of the rod 110 and the inclined guide surface 114 provided on the support portion 26. This is an alternative to the aforementioned shaft and collar design.

[0127] In this example, when the tab 112 is in the position as Figure 12 In the position shown, the support portion 26 can have a full range of motion. This range gradually narrows as the tab 112 rotates along the inclined guide surface 114. This rotation pushes the support portion 26 downward toward the base portion 20, and thus limits the highest permissible position of the support portion 26 relative to the base portion. At the inner end 114a of the inclined guide surface 114, which defines the rotation limit of the rod 110, the support portion 26 is locked in its second retracted position. Therefore, the range of movement of the support portion 26 is limited by the rotational position of the rod 110, as the support portion 26 can only move upward until the inclined guide surface 114 abuts the tab 112.

[0128] Instead of manually actuated operating components, the locking mechanism can be actuated by means of an electric motor or other type of actuator located in the main housing of the shaving head or electric shaver. Figure 13 A gearbox 130 for speed reduction is shown. An output shaft 132 drives transmission gears 64. The gearbox 130 is located inside the main housing 15 and is driven by an electric motor.

[0129] Figure 14 It shows Figure 13 The design removes the hair-cutting unit to more clearly show the rotating components, namely the drive gear 64 and the collar 32.

[0130] Figure 15 It shows Figures 5 to 10 The perspective view of the design, and Figure 16 It shows Figure 15 The design removes the hair-cutting unit to more clearly show the rotating components, namely the drive gear 64 and the collar 32.

[0131] Figure 17 It shows the Figures 5 to 10 A modified perspective view of the design, in which a manually operable slider 170 is used. The slider has a linear tooth surface that engages with the drive gear teeth 64. This allows for... Figure 18 It is clearer in the middle that Figure 18 It shows Figure 17 The design removes the hair-cutting unit to more clearly show the rotating parts, namely the drive gear 64 and the collar 32.

[0132] The examples above provide manual control of the locking mechanism settings for the flex suspension, or control using an electric motor or other types of electric actuators.

[0133] The electric motor or actuator can be used simply in response to user commands provided to the user interface of the shaver. For example, a selection button can be provided on the main housing of the shaver, or it can be controlled wirelessly from a remote device (such as a mobile phone with an application).

[0134] However, an alternative is to use feedback related to the scraping performance during use to control the elastomeric suspension.

[0135] A possible cost-effective feedback loop mechanism could be based on utilizing a motor gearbox (e.g.) Figure 13 The motor gearbox (130) is electrically actuated and can be driven between two mechanical end stops. Feedback can then be based on an electric motor current monitoring system. If the motor runs clockwise and the motor current exceeds a maximum threshold for a time exceeding the threshold (e.g., 0.5 seconds), it reaches the mechanical end stop. If the motor runs counterclockwise, a certain current threshold can be detected again.

[0136] The drive for these end stops can be based on presets related to shaving performance.

[0137] Conditions that have been set (manually or electrically) can be provided to the user as output information, for example, using an output interface such as a display or LED arrangement. This can be detected based on a mechanical or optical encoder. Conversely, a motor drive algorithm can be based on performing pulse counting between modes and then using a "reset" algorithm to match the mechanical "zero" and electrical "zero". This reset can involve running the combination of the motor and gearbox until the mechanical end stops. Once the motor's stall current is reached, the encoder stops reading pulses. This sets a reference. Therefore, no feedback is needed, and the motor driver is used to derive position information.

[0138] The shaving head, for example, has a default setting that allows the support portion to move its full range of motion, and a spring member that biases the hair-cutting unit components to the extended position (i.e., fully unlocked). This setting can then be overridden if the user wishes.

[0139] By studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the 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 elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0140] The fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

[0141] If the term “suitable” is used in the claims or specification, it should be noted that the term “suitable” is intended to be equivalent to the term “configured as”.

[0142] Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A shaving head (12) for an electric shaver (10), comprising: The base portion (20) is used to connect the shaving head to the main housing (15) of the electric shaver (10). The support portion (26) is installed onto the base portion (20); Linear guide structures (22, 23) are used to enable the support portion (26) to move linearly relative to the base portion (20) in the direction of movement between a retracted first position and an extended second position; A spring member (30) is used to bias the support portion (26) away from the base portion (20) in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position; At least two hair cutting units (13) are supported by the support portion (26) and each includes an outer cutting member having a hair entry opening and an inner cutting member having a plurality of cutting elements, the inner cutting member being rotatable relative to the outer cutting member; as well as The corresponding drive spindle (40) for each hair cutting unit (13). The shaving head (12) is characterized in that it further includes: Locking mechanisms (30, 32) are used to selectively set the support portion to a locked state or an unlocked state. In the locked state, the support portion has a locked position relative to the base portion in the direction of movement. In the unlocked state, the support portion is enabled to move relative to the base portion in the direction of movement.

2. The shaving head according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: A shaft (30) and a collar (32) are provided, the shaft extending parallel to the direction of movement, the collar being arranged around the shaft to interact with the shaft, wherein one of the shaft and the collar is mounted at a fixed position relative to the support portion (26) in the direction of movement, and the other of the shaft and the collar is mounted at a fixed position relative to the base portion (20) in the direction of movement. The shaft (30) and the collar (32) are rotatable relative to each other about a rotation axis extending parallel to the direction of movement, so as to set the support portion to the locked state or the unlocked state.

3. The shaving head according to claim 2, wherein the shaft (30) has an external thread (34) and the collar (32) has an internal thread (36) arranged to engage with the external thread, wherein the external thread and the internal thread have a predetermined mutual clearance in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation to allow the shaft to move relative to the collar in the axial direction.

4. The shaving head according to claim 3, wherein: At the first position of the support portion, further movement of the support portion toward the base portion in the direction of movement is prevented by the mutual abutment of a first pair of adjacent elements, the first pair of adjacent elements being mounted in fixed positions relative to the support portion and the base portion respectively; and At the second position of the support portion, the movement of the support portion further away from the base portion in the direction of movement is prevented by the mutual abutment of a second pair of adjacent elements, the second pair of adjacent elements being mounted in fixed positions relative to the support portion and the base portion respectively.

5. The shaving head according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism (30, 32) is configured to place the support portion in a first locked state, wherein the support portion is locked relative to the base portion at the first position by mutual abutment of the first pair of abutment elements and by mutual abutment of the internal thread and the external thread.

6. The shaving head according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism (30, 32) is configured to place the support portion in a second locked state, wherein the support portion is locked in the second position relative to the base portion by mutual abutment of the second pair of abutment elements and by mutual abutment of the internal thread and the external thread.

7. The shaving head according to claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism (30, 32) is configured to place the support portion in a second locked state, wherein the support portion is locked in the second position relative to the base portion by mutual abutment of the second pair of abutment elements and by mutual abutment of the internal thread and the external thread.

8. The shaving head according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to place the support portion in a fully unlocked state, wherein the support portion is enabled to move a maximum distance relative to the base portion in the movement direction, the maximum distance being the distance from the first position to the second position.

9. The shaving head according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to place the support portion in a partially unlocked state, wherein the support portion is movable relative to the base portion in the direction of movement from the first position or the second position a finite distance to an intermediate position, the intermediate position being between the first position and the second position, the intermediate position being defined by the mutual adjacency of the internal thread and the external thread.

10. The shaving head according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the shaft is mounted at a fixed position relative to the support portion, and wherein the collar is mounted at a fixed position relative to the base portion in the direction of movement and is rotatable relative to the base portion about the axis of rotation.

11. The shaving head according to claim 10, wherein the linear guide structure comprises: A guide shaft (22) is mounted at a fixed position relative to the base portion and extends parallel to the direction of movement; And a guide bushing (23), which is mounted at a fixed position relative to the support portion (26), wherein the guide bushing (23) is movably guided along the guide shaft (22) parallel to the direction of movement, wherein the shaft (30) is arranged at a fixed position relative to the guide bushing (38) and circumferentially around the guide bushing (38), and wherein the collar (32) is rotatable about the shaft and the guide bushing.

12. The shaving head of claim 11, wherein the shaft and the guide bushing are integrally formed.

13. The shaving head according to any one of claims 2 to 7 and 11 to 12, wherein the collar (32) is rotatable by means of an electric motor or by means of a manually actuating operating member.

14. The shaving head (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and 11 to 12, wherein the base portion (20) includes a coupling structure (44) through which the shaving head (12) is releasably coupled to the main housing (15) of the electric shaver (10).

15. The shaving head (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and 11 to 12, wherein each drive spindle (40) comprises: A coupling connector for engaging with the inner cutting member of a corresponding hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units (13), wherein the support portion is centrally arranged between the hair cutting units, and wherein each hair cutting unit (13) is pivotable about an axis (50) relative to the support portion.

16. An electric shaver, comprising: Main housing (15), which houses an electric motor; as well as The shaving head (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is coupled to the main housing (15).

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