Combing device with push-out button displacement

Abstract

This invention provides a combing device. The combing device includes a handle having a housing portion having a proximal end and a distal end. A displacement sensor is positioned within the handle. A power source is positioned within the handle and provides power to the displacement sensor. A neck portion of the handle has a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end of the neck portion is connected to the proximal end of the housing portion. A tool connecting structure is positioned at the proximal end of the neck portion and includes a connecting element. An ejection element is movable within the handle, and a position element is connected to the ejection element. A combing tool is connected to the connecting element. When the ejection element moves to eject the combing tool from the connecting element, the displacement sensor detects the displacement of the position element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combing device, and more particularly to a combing device that can improve the user experience of the combing device by providing the user with information about the user experience related to the combing device. Background Technology

[0002] Consumers use numerous grooming devices daily. Proper use techniques and information on product consumption can enhance overall product effectiveness, providing users with a better experience than they would otherwise have. This positive experience is likely to lead to continued product use. However, providing users with information on proper use techniques for grooming devices, as well as information on usage and consumption, is limited.

[0003] Razors with sensors are already being used to provide users with information about shaving events. For example, razors with proximity sensors or cameras are providing information about blade wear, and razors with force sensors are providing users with information about the amount of force applied to the skin. Metrics for measuring blade dulling and predicting blade wear are provided by tracking the force applied during shaving. Razors with sensors that count shaving strokes are also being used to help predict blade wear. Cameras are being used to provide users with boundary indicators, such as distinguishing long hair areas, such as sideburns adjacent to areas with shorter hair length.

[0004] Razor blade holder consumption is a major value driver, and accurate blade holder consumption data is of interest to grooming device manufacturers and consumers alike. To accurately track blade holder usage, two data streams are needed: shaving event data and blade holder replacement data. If both data streams are available, it is possible to track consumer usage behavior and provide consumer-relevant characteristics such as blade holder life indicators. While grooming devices (such as razors) with sensors providing shaving event data are already available, there is still a need for grooming devices that can provide blade holder replacement data. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention relates to a combing device. The combing device includes a handle and a combing element. The handle includes a housing portion comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a displacement sensor positioned within the handle. A power source is positioned within the handle and provides power to the displacement sensor. A neck portion of the handle includes a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of which connects to the proximal end of the housing portion. A tool connection structure of the handle is positioned at the proximal end of the neck portion and includes a connecting element. An ejection element is movable within the handle, and a position element is connected to the ejection element. A combing tool is connected to the connecting element. When the ejection element moves to eject the combing tool from the connecting element, the displacement sensor detects the displacement of the position element.

[0006] The displacement sensor can be positioned inside the housing portion. Alternatively, the displacement sensor can be positioned inside the neck portion.

[0007] The power source can be located inside the outer casing of the handle.

[0008] Displacement sensors may include magnetic sensors, optical sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, resistive sensors, conductivity sensors, proximity sensors, electrical switches, mechanical switches, electromechanical switches, or electromagnetic switches.

[0009] Positioning elements may include magnets, visual markers, physical markers, or conductive materials.

[0010] The handle may also include a communication device.

[0011] Communication devices may include visual indicators, LEDs, vibration mechanisms, audio mechanisms, wired connections, Bluetooth connections, Wi-Fi connections, cellular connections, or infrared connections.

[0012] Data from the displacement sensor can be transmitted to the user or another device.

[0013] The handle may also include a shaving event sensor.

[0014] The shank can process accumulated shaving data from the shaving event sensor. Data from the displacement sensor is used to reset the accumulated shaving data.

[0015] The grooming device may include an electric razor, a shaving razor, and / or a hair removal device.

[0016] The algorithm can calculate the ejection event of the combing tool based on the displacement of the position element.

[0017] The ejector element can be slidably connected to the neck section or tool connection structure. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Although the specification concludes with claims that are particularly pointed out and clearly stated to form the subject matter of the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals are used to indicate substantially the same elements, and wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a front plan view of the combing device of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the outer casing of the handle of the combing device;

[0021] Figure 3A -B is Figure 1A partial cross-sectional view of the combing device, showing the ejector elements in different positions;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the combing device, in which displacement sensors are located in different positions;

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The front plan view of the combing device and its base; and

[0024] Figure 6 A planar diagram of the collected top-out event data and related algorithms. Detailed Implementation

[0025] refer to Figure 1-5 The figure shows a grooming device 10. As shown, the grooming device 10 is a razor, but it can also be an electric razor, epilator, and / or any other type of grooming device. The grooming device 10 typically includes a handle 100 and a grooming tool 200 removably attached to the handle 100. The grooming tool 200 shown is a razor blade holder that includes one or more blades 205 for cutting hair.

[0026] The handle 100 has a preferably waterproof outer shell portion 105 and a neck portion 120 connected to the outer shell portion 105. The outer shell portion 105 has a proximal end 110 and an opposing distal end 115, the neck portion 120 has a proximal end 125 and an opposing distal end 130, and the distal end 130 of the neck portion 120 is connected to the proximal end 110 of the outer shell portion 105. A tool connection structure 135 is positioned at the proximal end 125 of the neck portion 120 and has a connecting element 140 configured to secure the combing tool 200 to the handle 100. An ejection element 145 (such as a push button) is movable within the handle 100, preferably slidable within the handle, and configured to eject the combing tool 200 from the handle 100. The ejection element 145 may be movably connected to either the neck portion 120 or the tool connection structure 135. Positioning element 150 (which may be a magnet, a visual marker, a conductive material, etc.) is connected to ejection element 145 and is preferably embedded or fixed within ejection element 145.

[0027] The displacement sensor 155 is positioned within the handle 100 and configured to sense the position of the position element 150. The displacement sensor is preferably a non-contact sensor and can be a magnetic sensor, optical sensor, capacitive sensor, inductive sensor, resistive sensor, conductive sensor, proximity sensor, electrical switch, mechanical switch, electromechanical switch, electromagnetic switch, etc. Figure 3AAs shown in Figure -B, the displacement sensor 155 can be positioned within the housing portion 105 of the handle 100, preferably at the proximal end 110 of the housing portion 105, adjacent to the neck portion 120. One advantage of positioning the displacement sensor 155 within the housing portion 105 is that the displacement sensor 155 is protected by the waterproof housing portion 105, and no additional electrical connection is required between the housing portion 105 and the neck portion 120. Alternatively, as... Figure 4 As shown, the displacement sensor 155 may also be positioned within the neck portion 120 of the handle 100, outside the housing portion 105. One advantage of positioning the displacement sensor 155 within the neck portion 120 is that the displacement sensor 155 and the position element 150 are positioned closer together, allowing the displacement sensor 155 to more easily detect the position element 150. A power source 160, such as a battery, is positioned within the handle 100, preferably within the housing portion 105 of the handle 100, and is operatively connected to the displacement sensor 155 to provide power to the displacement sensor 155 and any other sensors and devices within the handle 100 that require power. If the displacement sensor 155 is positioned within the neck portion 120, an electrical connection is also provided between the housing portion 105 and the neck portion 120 to operatively connect the displacement sensor 155 and the power source 160.

[0028] The combing tool 200 is connected to the connecting element 140 of the tool connection structure 135 of the handle 100, and can be ejected from the handle 100 by activating the ejector element 145. The ejector element 145 is biased to a first position by the spring 175 (e.g., ...). Figure 3A (as shown), and the position element 150 is positioned a first distance away from the displacement sensor 155. To eject the combing tool 200, the ejector element 145 moves from the first position to a second position (as shown). Figure 3B (As shown), this pushes the combing tool 200 away from the connecting element 140. When the ejector element 145 moves from a first position to a second position to eject the combing tool 200 from the connecting element 140, the position element 150 moves away from the displacement sensor 155, and the displacement sensor 155 can detect the change in position and displacement of the position element 150. The processor 185 within the housing portion 105 of the handle 100 can use an algorithm to calculate the ejection event of the combing tool 200 based on the displacement of the position element 150 detected by the displacement sensor 155.

[0029] The handle 100 may also include a shaving event sensor 170, preferably located in the housing portion 105, such as those discussed in U.S. Patent Application 16 / 251,535, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The handle 100 may, for example, use a processor 185 to process accumulated shaving data from the shaving event sensor 170, and data from the displacement sensor 155 regarding the ejection of the grooming tool 200 may be used to reset the accumulated shaving data.

[0030] The handle 100 may also include a communication device 165, such as a visual indicator, a light-emitting diode (LED), a vibration mechanism, an audio mechanism, a wired connection, a Bluetooth connection, a Wi-Fi connection, an infrared connection, a cellular connection, etc. This communication device can be used to transmit data from the displacement sensor 155 to the user of the combing device 10 and / or another device, such as another combing device 10, a base 300, a mobile phone, a computer application, a computer, an electronic device, etc.

[0031] In use, the combing tool 200 is connected to the connecting element 140, and the ejector element 145 is held in a first position or a stationary position by the force provided by the spring 175. Figure 3A In the first position, displacement sensor 155 will detect the constant position of fixed position element 150. When ejector element 145 moves from the first position to the second position... Figure 3B When the combing tool 200 is ejected, the ejector element 145 slides forward and the distance between the displacement sensor 155 and the position element 150 increases. This increased distance results in a decrease in the signal strength from the position element 150 to the displacement sensor 155. Once the combing tool 200 has been removed and any user force has been removed from the ejector element 145, the spring 175 biases the ejector element 145 back to a first position, which again increases the signal strength from the position element 150 to the displacement sensor 155. Data from the displacement sensor 155 can then be analyzed to identify ejection events, characterized by instantaneous negative peaks or a decrease in signal strength when the position element 150 moves away from the displacement sensor 155 and returns.

[0032] like Figure 5 As shown, when not in use, the combing device 10 can be held in a base 300, which can be used as a charging station for the power source 160. The base 300 may also include a communication device 305 that can communicate with a communication device 165 in the handle 100 of the combing device 10 and / or may be mounted in the base 300 so that it is visible to the user for direct communication. The base 300 may also include a processor 310 and a memory 315 that can store data received from the combing device 10 and to be processed by the processor 310.

[0033] Now for reference Figure 6 and Figure 1-5 A plan view 400 shows the collected data and the algorithm used by the grooming device 10. At 405, with the power source 160 on, raw data is collected from the displacement sensor 155 and from the shaving event sensor 170 (if used). The raw data is then converted into measurement results at 410. The measurement results can be made by the processor 185 in the handle 100. Alternatively, the raw data can be transmitted from the communication device 165 to an external device, such as a mobile phone, computer application, computer, or other electronic device that converts the raw data into measurement results.

[0034] At 415, an algorithm is used to detect ejection events, including the ejection of the combing tool 200 from the handle 100, from the raw data of the displacement sensor 155. This algorithm may include monitoring the displacement of the position element 150 via the displacement sensor 155 to detect movement of the ejection element 145, and calculating the ejection event of the combing tool 200 based on the displacement of the position element 150. The algorithm may also include monitoring the intensity of activity recorded by the displacement sensor 155.

[0035] At 420, grooming tool ejection information can be generated from the measurement results based on data from displacement sensor 155. Furthermore, if shaving event sensor 170 is used and the handle 100 processes accumulated shaving data, the data from displacement sensor 155 can be used to reset the accumulated shaving data based on the grooming tool ejection information and / or trigger a notification to the user, asking them to confirm or cancel the reset of the accumulated shaving data based on the grooming tool ejection information.

[0036] Example as follows:

[0037] A. A combing device, comprising:

[0038] a. A handle, the handle comprising:

[0039] i. A housing portion, the housing portion including a proximal end and a distal end;

[0040] ii. A displacement sensor located within the handle;

[0041] iii. A power source positioned within the handle, the power source providing power to the displacement sensor;

[0042] iv. A neck portion, the neck portion including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the neck portion being connected to the proximal end of the housing portion;

[0043] v. A tool connection structure, said tool connection structure being positioned at the proximal end of the neck portion and including a connecting element; and

[0044] vi. An ejector element movable within the handle, and a positioning element connected to the ejector element; and

[0045] b. A combing tool connected to the connecting element, wherein the displacement sensor detects the displacement of the position element when the ejector element moves to eject the combing tool from the connecting element.

[0046] B. The combing device according to paragraph A, wherein the displacement sensor is located within the housing portion.

[0047] C. The combing device according to paragraph A, wherein the displacement sensor is located within the neck portion.

[0048] D. The combing device according to any one of paragraphs A to C, wherein the power source is located within the housing portion of the handle.

[0049] E. The combing device according to any one of paragraphs A to D, wherein the displacement sensor includes a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a resistive sensor, a conductivity sensor, a proximity sensor, an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, an electromechanical switch, or an electromagnetic switch.

[0050] F. The combing device according to any of paragraphs A through E, wherein the position element includes a magnet, a visual marker, a physical marker, or a conductive material.

[0051] G. The combing device according to any one of paragraphs A to F, wherein the handle includes a communication device.

[0052] H. The combing device according to paragraph G, wherein the communication device includes a visual indicator, an LED, a vibration mechanism, an audio mechanism, a wired connection, a Bluetooth connection, a Wi-Fi connection, a cellular connection, or an infrared connection.

[0053] I. The combing device according to paragraph G, wherein data from the displacement sensor is transmitted to the user or another device.

[0054] J. The combing device according to any one of paragraphs A to I, wherein the handle further includes a shaving event sensor.

[0055] K. The combing device according to paragraph J, wherein the shank processes accumulated shaving data from the shaving event sensor.

[0056] L. According to the combing device described in paragraph K, data from the displacement sensor is used to reset the accumulated shaving data.

[0057] M. The grooming device according to any one of claims A to L, wherein the grooming device comprises an electric razor, a shaving razor, and / or a hair removal device.

[0058] N. The combing apparatus according to any one of claims A to M, wherein the algorithm calculates the ejection event of the combing tool based on the displacement of the position element.

[0059] O. The combing device according to any one of claims A to N, wherein the push-out element is movably connected to the neck portion.

[0060] P. The combing apparatus according to any one of claims A to O, wherein the ejector element is movably connected to the tool connection structure.

[0061] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be construed as strictly limited to the precise numerical values ​​cited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to represent the stated value and a range around which it is functionally equivalent. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to represent “approximately 40 mm”.

[0062] Unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited, every reference cited herein, including any cross-references or related patents or patent applications, and any patent application or patent claiming priority to or benefiting from it, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Reference to any reference is not an endorsement of it as prior art to any disclosed or protected art herein, nor is it an endorsement of any such invention, either on its own or in combination with any one or more references. Furthermore, where any meaning or definition of a term in this invention conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in referenced documents, the meaning or definition given to that term in this invention shall prevail.

[0063] While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications falling within the scope of the invention be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combing device, the combing device comprising: a. A handle, the handle comprising: i. A housing portion, the housing portion including a proximal end and a distal end; ii. A displacement sensor, wherein the displacement sensor is positioned within the handle; iii. A power source, located within the handle, which provides power to the displacement sensor; iv. A neck portion, the neck portion including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the neck portion being connected to the proximal end of the housing portion; and v. A tool connection structure, the tool connection structure being positioned at the proximal end of the neck portion and including a connecting element; vi. An ejector element and a positioning element, the ejector element being movable within the handle, the positioning element being connected to the ejector element; and b. A combing tool connected to the connecting element, wherein the displacement sensor detects the displacement of the position element when the ejector element moves to eject the combing tool from the connecting element.

2. The combing device according to claim 1, wherein the displacement sensor is positioned within the housing portion.

3. The combing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the displacement sensor is positioned within the neck portion.

4. The combing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power source is located within the housing portion of the handle.

5. The combing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the displacement sensor includes a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a resistive sensor, a conductivity sensor, a proximity sensor, an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, an electromechanical switch, or an electromagnetic switch.

6. The combing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position element comprises a magnet, a visual marker, a physical marker, or a conductive material.

7. The combing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the handle includes a communication device.

8. The combing device according to claim 7, wherein the communication device includes a visual indicator, a vibration mechanism, an audio mechanism, a wired connection, a Bluetooth connection, a Wi-Fi connection, a cellular connection, or an infrared connection.

9. The combing device of claim 7, wherein data from the displacement sensor is transmitted to a user or another device.

10. The combing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the handle further includes a shaving event sensor.

11. The combing device of claim 10, wherein the shank processes accumulated shaving data from the shaving event sensor.

12. The combing apparatus of claim 11, wherein data from the displacement sensor is used to reset the accumulated shaving data.

13. The combing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the algorithm calculates the ejection event of the combing tool based on the displacement of the position element.

14. The grooming device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grooming device comprises an electric razor, a shaving razor, and / or a hair removal device.

15. The combing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ejector element is movably connected to the neck portion.

16. The combing device according to claim 8, wherein the visual indicator is an LED.

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