Electric shavers with mutually different hair cutting units

Abstract

An electric shaver (1) has a main body (3) and a shaving unit (5) coupled to the main body. The shaving unit has three hair cutting units (9a, 9b, 9c), each having an outer cutting member (11) having a skin contact surface (13) provided with a hair entry (15) and an inner cutting member (17) rotatable relative to the outer cutting member. Each hair cutting unit has at least one geometric parameter (w) influencing the hair cutting process of each individual hair cutting unit. The shaving unit is positionable in at least two different angular positions relative to the main body about a central axis (37) of the shaving unit. The value of the geometric parameter of at least one of the hair cutting units is different from the value of the geometric parameter of the other hair cutting units.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electric shaver, comprising a body and a shaving unit coupled to the body, wherein:

[0002] The shaving unit includes at least three hair cutting units and a support member supporting the at least three hair cutting units; and

[0003] Each hair cutting unit includes an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member, the outer cutting member having a skin contact surface with a hair inlet, and the inner cutting member rotating relative to the outer cutting member. Background Technology

[0004] Rotary electric shavers are well-known. Such shavers typically have two or three hair-cutting units. Each hair-cutting unit includes an outer cutting member with an annular hair-cutting track comprising multiple hair inlets, and an inner cutting member with multiple hair-cutting elements arranged in the annular structure for cooperation with the annular hair-cutting track of the outer cutting member. The hair-cutting unit is supported by a support member and, together with the support member, constitutes the shaving unit. The shaving unit is coupled to the body of the shaver, functioning as the handle of the shaver and housing a motor for rotating the inner cutting member of the shaving unit. The shaving unit can be manually decoupled from the body so that, for example, it can be replaced by different types of functional units, such as a hair-cutting unit or a facial grooming unit.

[0005] It is generally known that the hair-cutting process of such electric shavers is influenced by the values ​​of one or more geometric parameters of individual hair-cutting units, where each geometric parameter relates to a corresponding geometric property of the hair-cutting unit. This geometric property is, for example, the shape or size of the hair inlet of the outer cutting member, or the shape of the cutting edges provided on the inner and outer cutting members. A disadvantage of such electric shavers is that the geometric parameters of these hair-cutting units have predefined, fixed values. Therefore, electric shavers only provide optimal shaving results for a limited group of users, such as average-type users.

[0006] An important aspect of the shaving effect of an electric shaver is the proximity of the hair cutting process, i.e., the length of the remaining hair stubble after the hair cutting process, and the degree of skin irritation caused by the hair cutting process. Generally, skin irritation increases with increasing proximity. This is because different users will experience different levels of skin irritation under comparable shaver usage conditions, and different users will have different usage conditions, such as the pressure applied to the shaver during use. The shaving effect provided by known rotary electric shavers is far from optimal for a large group of users. To alleviate this problem, rotary electric shavers with mechanisms or systems configured to adjust specific operating parameters of the shaver unit that affect the hair cutting process of the hair cutting unit have been proposed. For example, EP3738730A1 discloses a rotary electric shaver in which each hair cutting unit has a skin support surface surrounding the outer cutting member. Such known shavers have a system configured to automatically adjust the cap exposure of the so-called hair-cutting unit. The cap exposure is the distance the skin-contact surface of the outer cutting member of the hair-cutting unit protrudes relative to the surrounding skin-supporting surface in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis of the inner cutting member. Generally, as the amount of cap exposure increases, the intimacy of the hair-cutting process increases, but the degree of skin irritation also increases, i.e., skin comfort may decrease. Therefore, by adjusting the cap exposure, the shaving effect of such known shavers can be better adapted to the needs of an individual user. However, such mechanisms or systems for adjusting the operating parameters of the shaving unit are quite complex and increase the manufacturing cost of the shaver.

[0007] U.S. Patent 4688329 discloses an electric shaver mentioned in the "Technical Field" section of this invention, wherein the shaving unit is further configured to be positioned relative to the body at at least two different angular positions about the central axis of a support member extending laterally relative to the skin contact surface of the external cutting member. The shaving unit of this known shaver has three hair-cutting units arranged in a triangular configuration relative to each other. The shaving unit is mounted to the body so that it can be manually rotated relative to the body about its central axis. Thus, the shaving unit can be rotated relative to the body to various positions with different orientations about its central axis. In a first rotational position of the shaving unit, the shaver is in an upright position, with two of the three hair-cutting units positioned above the third hair-cutting unit. In the first rotational position of the shaving unit, the shaver is suitable for use on a relatively large surface area of ​​the face, such as the cheeks, where all three hair-cutting units are in contact with the skin. In a second rotational position of the shaving unit, the shaver is in an upright position, with one of the three hair-cutting units positioned above the other two hair-cutting units. In the second rotational position of the shaving unit, the shaving device is suitable for more precise use on relatively narrow surfaces of the face, such as the upper lip, where only one of the three shaving units is in contact with the skin. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of this invention is to improve an electric shaver of the type mentioned in the "Background Art" section, wherein each hair-cutting unit has at least one geometric parameter relating to the geometric properties corresponding to the hair-cutting unit, and wherein the hair-cutting process of each individual hair-cutting unit is affected by the value of at least one geometric parameter of the individual hair-cutting unit. In particular, the object of this invention is to improve such an electric shaver in a way that allows it to adapt the overall shaving effect of the shaver to the needs of an individual user without requiring complex mechanisms or systems for adjusting one or more operating parameters of the shaving units, and with relatively low additional manufacturing costs.

[0009] According to the present invention, in order to achieve this objective, in the electric shaver described above, the support member of the shaving unit has a central axis extending laterally relative to the skin contact surface of the external cutting member, wherein the shaving unit is configured to be positioned relative to the body at at least two different angles about the central axis and coupled to the body; wherein the value of at least one geometric parameter of the at least one hair cutting unit is different from the value of at least one geometric parameter of the other hair cutting units.

[0010] This invention is based on the understanding that in an electric shaver comprising a shaving unit having at least three rotary hair-cutting units, during shaving, when the body is held by the user's hand, the contribution of each individual hair-cutting unit to the overall shaving effect of the shaver depends on the position of the individual hair-cutting unit relative to the body and relative to other hair-cutting units. Generally, one or two hair-cutting units of the at least three hair-cutting units provide a more significant contribution to the overall shaving effect compared to the other shaving units, i.e., a larger contribution. Since, according to the invention, the value of at least one geometric parameter of at least one hair-cutting unit that affects the hair-cutting process of the shaver differs from the value of at least one geometric parameter of other hair-cutting units, the overall shaving effect of the shaver can be adjusted by adjusting the angular position of the shaver relative to the body about a central axis. In particular, by adjusting the angular position of the shaving unit, the position of at least one hair cutting unit whose value of at least one geometric parameter is different from that of other hair cutting units will change relative to the main body and relative to other hair cutting units, so that the contribution of the hair cutting unit to the overall shaving effect of the shaving unit will change, and the overall shaving effect of the shaving unit will change.

[0011] The term "geometric parameter" must be understood as a parameter relating to the corresponding geometric properties of a hair cutting unit, whereby these geometric properties are those that affect the hair cutting process of each individual hair cutting unit. Having "geometric properties" means any property relating to the geometry of a hair cutting unit, including any property related to size or shape. Having "corresponding geometric properties" generally refers to the geometric properties of a corresponding component of the hair cutting unit or a corresponding location on or within the hair cutting unit. For example, when individual hair cutting units have multiple components of a particular type, such as multiple hair inlets or cutting elements, the term "corresponding geometric properties" generally refers to the geometric properties of these components present at corresponding locations on or within the hair cutting unit. Thus, for example, when each hair cutting unit has an external cutting member having multiple hair inlets of mutually different shapes and / or mutually different sizes, the term "corresponding geometric properties," when used in relation to hair inlets, refers to the geometric properties of the hair inlets present at corresponding locations on the external cutting member. In other words, in a shaving unit having three identical hair cutting units not covered by this invention, the hair cutting units have identical corresponding geometric properties, even when the hair cutting unit individually has multiple parts of a particular type (e.g., hair inlets, cutting elements, or cutting edges) with mutually different geometric properties.

[0012] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the differences between the values ​​of the geometric parameters of the hair cutting units contemplated according to the present invention do not involve ordinary manufacturing tolerances. In this context, the value of at least one geometric parameter of at least one hair cutting unit can preferably be understood as differing from the value of at least one geometric parameter of other hair cutting units by at least 5%, preferably at least 10%. Similarly, according to the present invention, at least two different angular positions do not involve the ordinary mechanical action of the coupling structure through which the shaving unit can be coupled to the body, wherein the shaving unit can be positioned relative to the body at said at least two different angular positions. In this case, said two different angular positions can preferably be understood as forming an angle of at least 10° with each other about the central axis of the shaving unit, preferably at least 30°.

[0013] Examples of geometric parameters relating to the corresponding geometric properties of a hair cutting unit that influences the hair cutting process of each individual hair cutting unit include geometric parameters of the hair inlet at a corresponding position on the outer cutting member of the hair cutting unit, such as the length, width, or longitudinal direction of the hair inlet when the opening is slot-shaped; and the diameter or depth of the hair inlet when the opening is circular. Another example of such geometric parameters is the geometric parameters of the cutting edge at a corresponding position on the inner or outer cutting member of the hair cutting unit, such as the wedge angle surrounded by the cut surface of the cutting edge or the direction of the cutting edge. Another example of such geometric parameters is the geometric parameters of the cross-sectional profile of the wall segment of the outer cutting member at a corresponding position on the outer cutting member of the hair cutting unit, such as the average thickness or length of the profile. According to the invention, the values ​​of one or more of these geometric parameters of at least one hair cutting unit of the hair cutting unit differ from the values ​​of the one or more geometric parameters of other hair cutting units. Therefore, in an example of a shaving unit with three hair cutting units, two of the three hair cutting units can have exactly the same geometry, and the third hair cutting unit has a different geometry than the other two. Alternatively, all three hair cutting units can have different geometries from each other.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the electric shaver according to the invention, the shaving unit is manually decoupled from the body and manually coupled to the body at each of the at least two different angular positions about the central axis. This embodiment has a particularly simple structure because it does not require any additional adjustment mechanisms or systems. It can be easily implemented by providing a body and a shaving unit having a coupling mechanism that allows the shaving unit to be manually coupled to the body at each of the at least two different angular positions.

[0015] In another embodiment of the electric shaver according to the invention, the shaving unit is coupled to the body, thereby rotating relative to the body about a central axis to each of the at least two different angular positions. This embodiment has a simple structure because it does not require any additional adjustment mechanisms or systems. It can be easily achieved by connecting the shaving unit to the body, for example, by a rotary bearing that allows the shaving unit to rotate relative to the body to each of the at least two different angular positions. In a particularly simple embodiment, the shaving unit can be manually rotated by the user relative to the body. In another embodiment, the shaving unit rotates relative to the body by means of an actuator, for example by means of a motor arranged in the body. In this embodiment, a control component can be provided on the body for the user to activate the actuator.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the electric shaver according to the invention, the value of at least one geometric parameter of each hair cutting unit differs from the value of at least one geometric parameter of each of the other hair cutting units. This embodiment provides a relatively high number of different settings for shaving results. It allows any selected cutting unit among the hair cutting units, or in an embodiment with three shaving units, any selected combination of two shaving units, to be positioned in a more prominent position relative to the main body, such that the overall shaving effect of the shaving unit is influenced to a relatively large extent by the selected hair cutting unit or the selected combination of hair cutting units.

[0017] In another embodiment of the electric shaver according to the invention, the shaving unit comprises three hair-cutting units arranged in a triangular configuration relative to each other, and the shaving unit is configured to be positioned at at least three different angular locations relative to the body about a central axis. This embodiment provides a relatively high number of different settings for shaving effect. With the shaving unit having three hair-cutting units arranged in a triangular configuration relative to each other, it has been found that during shaving, when the body is held in an upright position by the user's hand, the hair-cutting units positioned at the top relative to the body have a more significant impact on the overall shaving effect of the shaving unit compared to the units positioned at lower positions. Therefore, the user can easily adjust the shaving effect to their personal needs by selecting one or a combination of two of the three hair-cutting units and arranging them at the top relative to the body. In this embodiment, the shaving unit is positioned relative to the body about a central axis in at least three different angular positions (preferably forming an angle of about 120° with each other), wherein in each of these three angular positions, a corresponding hair-cutting unit or a corresponding combination of two hair-cutting units is arranged at the uppermost position relative to the body. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the shaving unit is positioned relative to the body about a central axis in at least six different angular positions (preferably forming an angle of about 60° with each other), so that each individual hair-cutting unit of the three hair-cutting units and each combination of two hair-cutting units of the three hair-cutting units can be selectively arranged at the uppermost position relative to the body. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To better understand the invention and to more clearly illustrate how to implement it, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the electric shaver according to the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of the hair cutting unit of an electric shaver;

[0021] Figure 3 It shows in detail Figure 2 Several hair inlets on the external cutting components of the hair cutting unit;

[0022] Figures 4a-4f Several different angular positions are schematically shown, among which Figure 1 The shaving unit of the electric shaver is positioned relative to the main body of the electric shaver;

[0023] Figure 5 schematically shown Figure 1 The actuator system of the electric shaver allows the shaving unit of the electric shaver to... Figures 4a-4f The different angular positions shown are located;

[0024] Figure 6a and Figure 6b A second embodiment of the electric shaver according to the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 7 It shows according to Figure 6a A schematic cross-section of the electric shaver along centerline VII-VII; and

[0026] Figure 8 It shows according to Figure 3 Lines VIII-VIII in the assembly condition Figure 2 A schematic cross-section of a hair cutting unit; Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1 A first embodiment of an electric shaver 1 according to the present invention is shown. The shaver 1 includes a body 3, designed to be held by a user's hand during use. The shaver 1 also includes a shaving unit 5 coupled to the body 3. The shaving unit 5 includes a support member 7 and three hair cutting units 9a, 9b, 9c, which are supported by the support member 7 in a triangular configuration. Figure 2 A component of one of the hair cutting units 9a is shown in an exploded view, with the orientation reversed. The other two hair cutting devices 9b and 9c have comparable components. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, each hair cutting unit 9a, 9b, 9c includes an outer cutting member 11 having an annular skin contact surface 13 and providing a plurality of hair inlets 15. Each hair cutting unit 9a, 9b, 9c also has an inner cutting member 17. In the assembled condition of the hair cutting units 9a, 9b, 9c, the inner cutting member 17 is arranged within and covered by the outer cutting member 11, and rotates relative to the outer cutting member 11 about a rotation axis 19. In this assembled condition, the inner cutting member 17 is held in position within the outer cutting member 11 by means of a holding member 21. The holding member 21 is releasably coupled to a support edge 23 of the hair cutting units 9a, 9b, 9c surrounding the outer cutting member 11 in the assembled condition. Each of the hair cutting units 9a, 9b, and 9c has its skin support edge 23 mounted on the support member 7, preferably in a pivotal manner, so that the hair cutting units 9a, 9b, and 9c can adjust their orientation relative to the support member 7 to follow the local contours of the user's face during use.

[0028] Only Figure 1 The electric motor 25, schematically shown, is housed within the main body 3. The electric motor 25 is arranged to drive the internal cutting member 17 to rotate relative to the external cutting member 11 during use, particularly via mechanical transmission, not shown in the figures for simplicity, and may be of any type known to those skilled in the art. Figure 2 As shown, the inner cutting member 17 is provided with a plurality of hair cutting elements 27 arranged in a ring configuration for cooperating with hair inlets 15 provided in the annular skin contact surface 13 of the outer cutting member 11. Each hair cutting element 27 is provided with a cutting edge 29, arranged to cooperate with the opposite cutting edge of the hair inlet 15 provided on the annular inner surface 33 of the outer cutting member 11. During use, due to the rotation of the inner cutting member 17, hair that has penetrated into the outer cutting member 11 through the hair inlet 15 is cut between the cutting edge 29 of the inner cutting member 17 and the opposite cutting edge 31 of the outer cutting member 11.

[0029] The hair cutting process of the hair cutting units 9a, 9b, and 9c and the overall shaving effect of the electric shaver 1 are influenced by several geometric parameters of the hair cutting units 9a, 9b, and 9c. An important aspect of the overall shaving effect is the proximity of the hair cutting process, i.e., the length of the remaining hair stubble after the hair cutting process, and the degree of skin irritation caused by the hair cutting process. Generally, skin irritation increases with increasing proximity. An example of a geometric parameter affecting the shaving effect is the width w of the hair inlet 15 provided in the external cutting member 11 of the hair cutting units 9a, 9b, and 9c. Figure 3As shown, in an embodiment of the electric shaver 1, the hair inlet 15 is in the shape of a groove, and its width is indicated by w. An increase in the width w of the hair inlet 15 will increase the degree to which the skin bulge enters the hair inlet 15. This will result in a closer hair cutting process, but also increase the degree of skin irritation. As Figure 3 As shown, another example of a geometric parameter affecting the shaving effect is the depth of the hair inlet 15, which corresponds to the thickness t of the strip-shaped wall portion 35 of the outer cutting member 11 arranged between the hair inlets 15. An increase in the depth of the hair inlet 15, that is, an increase in the thickness t of the wall portion 35, will reduce the degree to which the skin bulge enters the hair inlet 15. This will result in a reduced closeness of the hair cutting process, but also reduce the degree of skin irritation.

[0030] The present invention is based on the recognition that in an electric shaver including a shaving unit having at least three rotary hair cutting units, during the shaving process when the main body is held by the user's hand, the degree of contribution of each individual hair cutting unit to the overall shaving effect of the shaving unit depends on the position of the individual hair cutting unit relative to the main body and relative to other hair cutting units. In particular, in an electric shaver 1 having three hair cutting units 9a, 9b, 9c arranged in a triangular configuration with respect to each other as Figure 1 shown, it has been found that during the shaving process, when the main body 3 is held by the user's hand in an upright position, the two hair cutting units 9a, 9b arranged in the uppermost position relative to the main body 3 have a more significant impact on the overall shaving effect of the shaving unit 5 compared to the hair cutting unit 9c arranged in the lowermost position. Based on this recognition, the electric shaver 1 enables the user to adapt the overall shaving effect of the shaving unit 5 to their individual needs, because the three hair cutting units 9a, 9b, 9c have mutually different values for at least one geometric parameter affecting the hair cutting process of each individual hair cutting unit 9a, 9b, 9c. And because the shaving unit 5 is configured to be positioned at at least three different angular positions about the central axis 37 of the support member 7 extending transversely to the skin contact surface 13 with respect to the outer cutting member 11.

[0031] In particular, as Figures 4a-4f shown, the hair cutting units 9a, 9b, 9c have mutually different values w1, w2, w3 for the width w of the hair inlet 15, where w1 < w2 < w3. The shaving unit 5 can be positioned at 6 different angular positions with respect to the main body 3 about the central axis 37, and these angles enclose an angle of approximately 60° with respect to each other. In Figure 4aIn the first angular position of the shaving unit 5 shown, the hair cutting unit 9a, with a minimum width w1 of the hair inlet 15, is in the uppermost main position relative to the main body 3, and the hair cutting units 9b and 9c are in the lowermost position relative to the main body 3. Because the hair cutting unit 9a, with a minimum width w1 of the hair inlet 15, is in the most prominent position relative to the main body 3 in the first angular position of the shaving unit 5, the overall shaving effect provided by the shaving unit 5 has relatively low intimacy and relatively low skin irritation, i.e., relatively high skin comfort. Figures 4b-4f In the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth angular positions of the shaving unit 5, as shown respectively, hair cutting units 9a and 9b, hair cutting unit 9b, hair cutting units 9b and 9c, hair cutting unit 9c, and hair cutting units 9a and 9c are respectively located in the uppermost main position relative to the main body 3. Therefore, the fourth and fifth angular positions of the shaving unit 5 provide an overall shaving effect with relatively high proximity but relatively low skin comfort. The second angular position of the shaving unit 5, like the first angular position, provides an overall shaving effect with relatively low proximity but relatively high skin comfort. Furthermore, the third and sixth angular positions of the shaving unit 5 provide a shaving effect with moderate proximity and moderate skin comfort.

[0032] like Figures 4a-4f As shown, the shaving unit 5 is achieved by means of Figure 5 The actuator system 39 is shown positioned in each of six different angular positions relative to the body 3. The shaving unit 5 is connected to the body 3 by means of a rotary bearing 41, allowing it to rotate relative to the body 3 about its central axis 37. The actuator system 39 includes a second motor 43 housed in the body 3, in addition to the electric motor 25. The second motor 43 can be transmitted via a transmission system, such as a gearbox 45 (only when...). Figure 5 (Schematally shown in the diagram) The shaving unit 5 is driven to rotate about a central axis 37 relative to the body 3. A user can select each of six different angular positions of the shaving unit 5 using a user interface 47 provided on the body 3, which may include a selection knob or another well-known type of user input component. The user interface 47 is electrically connected to a control unit 49 of an actuator system 39 housed in the body 3. The control unit 49 controls a second motor 43 in a manner known to those skilled in the art based on input from the user interface 47 and input from an angle position sensor 51 arranged on the body 3 to measure the angular position of the shaving unit 5 relative to the body 3.

[0033] In a modification of the first embodiment of the electric shaver 1 (not shown in the figure), the actuator system 39 can be omitted, and as... Figures 4a-4f As shown, the shaving unit 5 can be manually rotated by the user to each of six angular positions relative to the body 3 with respect to the central axis 37. In this embodiment, a known type of capture member can be provided to release the captured shaving unit 5 at each of the six angular positions relative to the body 3, and simultaneously provide tactile feedback to the user when reaching any of the six angular positions during manual rotation of the shaving unit 5 relative to the body 3. Such a capture member may, for example, include a spring-loaded ball provided on the body 3, which can releasably engage any six notches provided with a mutual angular spacing of 60° on an annular ring coaxially mounted relative to the central axis 37 on the shaving unit 5.

[0034] Figure 6a and Figure 6b A second embodiment of the electric shaver 1' according to the present invention is shown. The components of the electric shaver 1' are similar to the corresponding components of the electric shaver 1 according to the first embodiment described above. Figure 6a and 6b Similar reference numerals are used to indicate these features, and they will not be discussed in detail below. The electric shaver 1' is a simplified embodiment of the invention because it does not include an actuator system that rotates the shaving unit 5' relative to the body 3' to any of several different angular positions about the central axis 37' of the shaving unit 5'. Instead, the shaving unit 5' is manually decoupled from the body 3' and manually coupled to each of three different angular positions about the central axis 37' relative to the body 3', wherein the three different angular positions form an angle of approximately 120° with respect to each other. For this purpose, as... Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-section of the electric shaver 1', where the shaving unit 5' is releasably coupled to the body 3' by means of three releasable coupling members 53, which can be of any type known to those skilled in the art. The three coupling members 53 are arranged symmetrically about the central axis 37' at an included angle of 120° to each other, so that the shaving unit 5' can be coupled to the body 3' at each of three different angular positions relative to the body 3'. Figure 7In the cross-section, only two of the three coupling members 53 are visible, and they are schematically indicated as releasable snap-fit ​​connections. The user can manually decouple the shaving unit 5' from the body 3' and manually reposition and couple the shaving unit 5' to the body 3' at any of the three different angular positions relative to the body 3'. For this purpose, the central drive shaft 55 of the shaving unit 5' is releasably coupled to a drive shaft 57 housed in the body 3' and to a motor (not shown). The central drive shaft 55 is coupled to three drive spindles 59 by means of a transmission 61. Each drive spindle 59 is coupled to a corresponding hair cutting unit among the internal cutting members of the three hair cutting units 9a', 9b', and 9c' (in... Figure 7 (Not shown in the image). Of the three drive spindles 59, only two drive spindles are in... Figure 7 As can be seen in the text.

[0035] like Figure 6a As shown, in the first angular position of the shaving unit 5' relative to the main body 3', hair cutting units 9a' and 9b' are in the uppermost primary position relative to the main body 3', and hair cutting unit 9c' is in the lowermost position relative to the main body 3'. Because in the first angular position of the shaving unit 5', hair cutting unit 9a' with the minimum width w1 of the hair inlet and hair cutting unit 9b' with the medium width w2 of the hair inlet are in the most primary position relative to the main body 3', the shaving unit 5' provides an overall shaving effect with relatively low proximity and relatively low skin irritation, i.e., relatively high skin comfort. Figure 6bAs shown, in the second of the three different angular positions of the shaving unit 5' relative to the main body 3', hair cutting units 9b' and 9c' are in the uppermost main position relative to the main body 3', and hair cutting unit 9a' is in the lowermost main position relative to the main body 3'. Because in the second angular position of the shaving unit 5', hair cutting unit 9b' with a medium width w2 of hair inlet and hair cutting unit 9c' with a maximum width w3 of hair inlet are in the most important position relative to the main body 3', the shaving unit 5' provides an overall shaving effect with relatively high proximity and relatively high skin irritation, i.e., relatively low skin comfort. In the third of the three different angular positions of the shaving unit 5' relative to the main body 3' (not shown in the figure), hair cutting units 9a' and 9c' are in the uppermost main position relative to the main body 3', and hair cutting unit 9b' is in the lowermost position relative to the main body 3'. Since the hair cutting unit 9a' with the minimum width w1 of the hair inlet and the hair cutting unit 9c' with the maximum width w3 of the hair inlet are in the most prominent position relative to the main body 3' in the third angle position of the shaving unit 5', the shaving unit 5' provides an overall shaving effect with moderate proximity and moderate skin irritation, that is, with moderate skin comfort.

[0036] As described above, in the first and second embodiments of the electric shavers 1, 1' according to the present invention, the hair cutting units 9, 9' have different values ​​for the width of the hair inlet 15. Alternatively or otherwise, the hair cutting units 9, 9' may have different values ​​for another geometric parameter of the hair inlet 15 that affects the hair cutting process of a single hair cutting unit 9, 9'. An example of such a geometric parameter is the depth of the hair inlet 15, which corresponds to the thickness t of the strip wall portion 35 of the outer cutting member 11 arranged between the hair inlets 15, as previously mentioned and... Figure 3 As shown in the diagram. Another example of this geometric parameter is the longitudinal direction of the groove-shaped hair inlet 15, as shown in the diagram. Figure 3 As shown, particularly the angle α relative to the radial direction R. Angle α significantly affects the maximum length of hair that can optimally enter the hair inlet 15 during shaving. Therefore, by providing three hair cutting units 9, 9' with mutually different angles α, the user can select the optimal shaving effect for different hair lengths in the longitudinal direction of the hair inlet 15. In embodiments where the hair cutting units have circular or annular hair inlets (not shown in the figures), the hair cutting units may have different diameter values ​​for the hair inlets. The diameter of the hair inlet affects proximity and skin comfort in a manner similar to the width w of the grooved hair inlet 15 of the hair cutting units 9, 9'.

[0037] In addition to one or more geometric parameters of the hair inlet 15, or other than one or more geometric parameters of the hair inlet 15, the hair cutting units 9, 9' may have mutually different values ​​for another type of geometric parameter affecting the hair cutting process of each individual hair cutting unit 9, 9'. Examples include the geometric parameters of the cutting edge 29 provided on the cutting element 27 of the inner cutting member 17, or the geometric parameters of the opposite cutting edge 31 provided on the hair inlet 15 of the outer cutting member 11. Figure 8 As schematically shown, the example is a wedge angle β surrounded by the cut surfaces 63 and 65 of the cutting edge 29, which represents a schematic cross-section of the hair cutting units 9 and 9'. Figure 8 As shown, other examples include the wedge angle γ at the hair cutting position surrounded by the facets 67, 69 of the opposite cutting edges 31, the direction of the cutting edges 29 and / or the opposite cutting edges 31 relative to the radial direction (not shown), and the shear angle (not shown) surrounded by the cutting edges 29 and the opposite cutting edges 31. All these geometric parameters of the cutting edges 29 and the opposite cutting edges 31 have a particular effect on hair cutting efficiency and skin irritation, such that the differences in these geometric parameters allow the user to adapt the shaving units 5, 5' to their individual needs by positioning the shaving units 5, 5' at a suitable angular position relative to the bodies 3, 3'.

[0038] like Figure 8 As shown, another geometric parameter of the hair cutting units 9, 9' that affects the hair cutting process of each individual hair cutting unit 9, 9' is the geometric parameter of the cross-sectional profile of the strip wall portion 35 of the outer cutting member 11 arranged between the hair inlets 15. An example of such geometric parameter is the average thickness t of the profile. AV Either the length L, or the wedge angle δ at the edge 71 of the wall portion 35 opposite to the opposite cutting edge 31. All such operating parameters affect at least the extent to which the skin protrusion enters the hair inlet 15, and thus at least the skin comfort.

[0039] As will be understood, the present invention covers embodiments in which the hair cutting units 9, 9' have mutually different values ​​for only one geometric parameter affecting the hair cutting process of each individual hair cutting unit 9, 9', and embodiments in which the hair cutting units 9, 9' have mutually different values ​​for two or more geometric parameters affecting the hair cutting process of each individual hair cutting unit 9, 9'. Examples of suitable geometric parameters have already been described above. Although it may be possible to a lesser extent, the object of the invention can also be achieved by embodiments in which two hair cutting units 9, 9' are identical to each other and only one of the hair cutting units 9, 9' has a different value for a particular geometric parameter compared to the two identical hair cutting units 9, 9'.

[0040] This invention is not limited to embodiments in which the values ​​of one or more geometric parameters differ between the hair cutting units, and are constant at each position on each individual hair cutting unit. This will be explained in more detail in the example where the geometric parameter is the width of the hair inlet 15, but the same applies to other types of geometric parameters, such as those described above. In other words, in the embodiments covered by this invention, the values ​​of the geometric parameters, i.e., the width of the hair inlet in this case, are different for different positions on each individual hair cutting unit 9, 9'. In this embodiment, it should be clear that the width of the hair inlet 15 should be different for the corresponding hair inlets 15 of the three hair cutting units 9a, 9b, 9c. Generally, the corresponding hair inlets 15 should be understood as hair inlets present at corresponding positions on the three hair cutting units 9a, 9b, 9c, when preferably considering the exact same position of the hair cutting units 9a, 9b, 9c relative to the body 3. Thus, as Figures 4a-4f As shown, the corresponding positions on the three hair cutting units 9a, 9b, and 9c, such as positions Pa, Pb, and Pc indicated in Figure 4, are exactly the same as the corresponding positions of the hair cutting units 9a, 9b, and 9c relative to the main body 3.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to embodiments in which the shaving unit can be positioned relative to the body at at least three different angular positions about the central axis of the shaving unit, as in the first and second embodiments 1, 1' of the electric shaving device described above. It should be understood that the object of the invention can also be achieved through embodiments, albeit to a lesser extent, in which the shaving unit can be positioned relative to the body at only two different angular positions about the central axis of the shaving unit.

[0042] Finally, it should be noted that the present invention also covers embodiments in which the shaving unit has three or more individual hair-cutting units. It should be understood that, similarly in such embodiments with four or more hair-cutting units, the individual hair-cutting unit will contribute more or less to the overall shaving effect of the shaving unit depending on its position relative to the body and on the relative positions of the hair-cutting units. Therefore, also in these embodiments, the user can adjust the overall shaving effect of the electric shaver by repositioning the shaving unit relative to the body in the manner described in the foregoing first and second embodiments of the electric shaver 1, 1'.

Claims

1. An electric shaver (1) comprising a body (3) and a shaving unit (5) coupled to said body, wherein: The shaving unit includes at least three hair cutting units (9a, 9b, 9c) and a support member (7) supporting the at least three hair cutting units. Each of the hair cutting units includes an outer cutting member (11) and an inner cutting member (17), the outer cutting member (11) having a skin contact surface (13) provided with a hair inlet (15), and the inner cutting member (17) being rotatable relative to the outer cutting member; Each hair cutting unit has at least one geometric parameter (w) relating to the corresponding geometric properties of the hair cutting unit, wherein the hair cutting process of each individual hair cutting unit is affected by the value of the at least one geometric parameter of the individual hair cutting unit. The support member has a central axis (37) extending laterally relative to the skin contact surface of the external cutting member; and The shaving unit is configured to be positioned at at least two different angular positions relative to the body about the central axis, and the shaving unit is coupled to the body; The feature is that the value of at least one geometric parameter (w) of at least one hair cutting unit (9a, 9b, 9c) is different from the value of at least one geometric parameter of the other hair cutting units.

2. The electric shaver of claim 1, wherein the shaving unit is manually decoupled from the body and is manually coupled to the body to each of the at least two different angular positions about the central axis.

3. The electric shaver of claim 1, wherein the shaving unit is coupled to the body so as to be able to rotate relative to the body about the central axis to each of the at least two different angular positions.

4. The electric shaver according to claim 3, wherein the shaving unit (5) is rotatable relative to the body (3) by means of an actuator (39).

5. The electric shaver (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the value of the at least one geometric parameter (w) of each hair cutting unit (9a, 9b, 9c) is different from the value of the at least one geometric parameter of each of the other hair cutting units.

6. The electric shaver (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shaving unit (5) comprises three hair cutting units (9a, 9b, 9c) arranged in a triangular configuration with respect to each other, and wherein the shaving unit is configured to be positioned at at least three different angular positions relative to the body (3) about the central axis (37).

7. The electric shaver (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one geometric parameter is at least one of the following: The geometric parameters (w) of the hair entry (15) at the corresponding positions (Pa, Pb, Pc) on the external cutting member (11) of the hair cutting unit (9a, 9b, 9c); The geometric parameters (β, γ) of the cutting edges (29, 31) at the corresponding positions on the inner cutting member (17) or the outer cutting member (11) of the hair cutting unit. The geometric parameters (t) of the cross-sectional profile of the wall section (35) of the external cutting member (11) AV The wall section (35) exists between adjacent hair inlets (15), which are located in corresponding positions on the outer cutting members of the hair cutting units (9a, 9b, 9c).

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