Adjusting the relative position of two pivotably arranged members of the shaving unit in the exposure direction

Abstract

A shaving unit comprising an outer cutting member (10) having a hair cutting surface (11) provided with hair entry openings and a skin support member (30) having a skin support surface (31) surrounding the outer cutting member (10). The shaving unit is further equipped with an adjustment mechanism (50) configured to adjust an exposure distance of the hair cutting surface (11) protruding in an exposure direction (E) relative to the skin support surface (31). The outer cutting member (10) and the skin support member (30) are jointly pivotable about a fixed pivot axis. The adjustment mechanism (50) is designed such that for each of the possible relative positions of the outer cutting member (10) and the skin support member (30) a fixed characteristic of the pivot axis can be maintained such that a good functional combination of the adjustment mechanism (50) and the pivoting means of the respective member (10, 30) is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shaving unit configured for use in an electric shaver, the shaving unit comprising a base member and at least one hair cutting unit supported by the base member, wherein the hair cutting unit comprises: an outer cutting member having a hair cutting surface equipped with a hair entry opening; an inner cutting member movable relative to the outer cutting member; a skin support member having a skin support surface surrounding the outer cutting member; and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust an exposure distance at which the hair cutting surface protrudes relative to the skin support surface in the exposure direction.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electric shaver comprising a shaving unit as described above and a body unit, the shaving unit being coupled to or being coupled to the body unit and having components of a drive system housed in the body unit, the drive system being configured to drive components of the shaving unit movably arranged in the shaving unit. Background Technology

[0003] Electric shavers and shaving units for electric shavers are well known. Electric shavers are generally used for shaving body hair (body hair may include facial hair) and are powered by a power source and / or an energy storage device (such as a battery).

[0004] In commonly known configurations, a hair-cutting unit includes a base member and at least one hair-cutting unit supported by the base member. Conventionally, a hair-cutting unit comprises a combination of an outer cutting member as a non-driven component, having a hair-cutting surface provided with a hair entry opening, and an inner cutting member as a driven component, wherein at least the inner cutting member has one or more cutting edges. In such cases, the use of a hair-cutting unit in an electric shaver involves an operational mode in which the hair-cutting unit is positioned, in which the inner cutting member of the hair-cutting unit actually moves, and the hair-cutting unit is moved on the skin such that the hair-cutting surface of the outer cutting member of the hair-cutting unit faces and contacts the skin. During this process, hairs protruding from the skin are captured in the space of the hair-cutting unit, where the hairs abut against the outer cutting member at the location of the hair entry opening and are cut when they are touched by the cutting edges of the inner cutting member.

[0005] To achieve good hair cutting results, hair needs to be cut as close to the skin as possible. A drawback of this general characteristic of hair cutting is that it can irritate the skin. EP 0 484795A1 discloses an electric shaver with a housing including a retainer for at least one combination of an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member. The electric shaver also includes an adjustment element by means of which the position of the combination of the outer and inner cutting members relative to the retainer can be changed. By having an adjustment element, the user can influence the shaving performance of the electric shaver and the degree of skin irritation resulting from the shaving action according to personal preference and the characteristics of the skin and hair. Specifically, the outer cutting member is fixed to the retainer plate, and the inner cutting member is held between the retainer plate and the outer cutting member. The degree to which the outer cutting member protrudes from the retainer can be changed by means of the adjustment element, which is arranged such that the position of the retainer plate in the retainer can be changed for this purpose. This is achieved by manually moving an elastic ring band located in a groove on the outside of the retainer and including a protrusion extending inward through a hole in the retainer and engaging with a retainer plate, wherein the retainer plate is pushed against the protrusion at a position on the stepped or continuously inclined contact surface of the retainer plate.

[0006] In the shaving units of various known electric shavers, besides those known from EP 0 484 795 A1, the outer cutting member and the skin support member are arranged to pivot to a certain extent relative to the base member so that the outer cutting member and the skin support member follow the contour of the skin area to be shaved. Details of a known electric shaver representative of this aspect are described in WO 2008 / 010139 A1 to refer to one example of various disclosed pivoting devices. One object of the present invention is to design a shaving unit such that it can have both of the aforementioned advantageous functions—the function of adjusting the degree of protrusion of the shaving surface of the outer cutting member relative to the skin support surface of the skin support member, and the function of contour following via the pivoting mechanism of both the outer cutting member and the skin support member—without one function being hindered by the other. It is the fact that, when considering combining these two functions, it is found that changing the relative position of the members involves inaccurate pivoting. This means that when the relative position of a component is set to a position other than the neutral position, the pivoting movement of the component involves a loss of alignment of the component's longitudinal axis, which is highly undesirable and may lead to adverse effects such as restricted pivoting movement, partial twisting and warping of the component, and gaps between parts of the component.

[0007] EP 3 486 047 A1 discloses a hair cutting unit of a hair cutting apparatus, comprising an outer cutting member with a hair cutting surface, an inner cutting member rotatable relative to the outer cutting member about a rotation axis, a support member having a skin contact surface surrounding the outer cutting member, and a retaining member releasably connected to the support member by means of a coupling structure. The retaining member is configured to hold the outer cutting member relative to the support member in an operational position in an assembled state of the hair cutting unit. In this assembled state, the circumferential flange of the outer cutting member is held in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis between two guide elements of the coupling structure and two support elements, the two guide elements being arranged at diametrically opposed positions on the retaining member, and the two support elements being arranged at diametrically opposed positions on the support member. The coupling structure further includes two abutment elements arranged at radially opposed positions on the support member and for engaging with the two guide elements of the retaining member. In the assembled state, each of the two abutment elements engages a first guide surface of the corresponding guide element extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Therefore, the flange of the outer cutting member is held in a fixed axial position relative to the support member, wherein the shaving surface protrudes an exposure distance in the axial direction relative to the skin contact surface. To disassemble the hair cutting unit, the user needs to rotate the holding member about the axis of rotation. Thus, each of the two adjacent elements engages a second guide surface of the corresponding guide element that extends obliquely in the axial direction. In this disassembled state, the flange of the outer cutting member can move axially between the two guide elements of the holding member and the two support elements on the support member. The oblique second guide surfaces are configured such that, in the disassembled state, the flange of the outer cutting member can move axially relative to the support member by a distance at least equal to the exposure distance. Therefore, the user can begin assembling the hair cutting unit from a state where the hair cutting surface of the outer cutting member is flush with the skin contact surface of the support member, particularly in an inverted position where the hair cutting unit is placed on a flat surface. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a shaving unit configured for use in an electric shaver, the shaving unit comprising a base member and at least one hair cutting unit supported by the base member, wherein the hair cutting unit comprises:

[0009] The outer cutting member has a shaving surface with an opening for hair entry;

[0010] The inner cutting component is movable relative to the outer cutting component;

[0011] Skin support member, having a skin support surface surrounding the outer cutting member; and

[0012] The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the exposure distance of the shaving surface relative to the skin support surface in the exposure direction during the assembly and operation of the shaving unit and the hair cutting unit of the shaving unit.

[0013] in:

[0014] The external cutting member and the skin support member pivot together about a pivot axis that has a fixed position relative to the base member;

[0015] The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member that can be displaced relative to the base member in a displacement direction perpendicular to the exposure direction in the imaginary surface to adjust the exposure distance;

[0016] The adjusting component includes a support surface that is inclined relative to the direction of displacement;

[0017] One of the components in the external cutting member and the skin support member is a bearing support member supported relative to the base member via a bearing that allows the bearing support member to rotate about a pivot axis; and

[0018] Another component among the external cutting component and the skin support component is an adjustable support component supported relative to the base component via the support surface of the adjusting component and a support element in support contact with the support surface of the adjusting component, wherein, in each position of the adjusting component relative to the base component in the displacement direction, the rotation of the adjustable support component about the pivot axis is defined by the mutual movement of the support surface of the adjusting component and the support element in support contact with each other.

[0019] The shaving unit according to the invention is designed such that the function of the adjustment mechanism and the pivoting device of the outer cutting member and the skin support member can be combined without introducing the aforementioned pivoting inaccuracies. In fact, the outer cutting member and the skin support member pivot together about a pivot axis having a fixed position relative to the base member. Further, the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member that can be displaced relative to the base member in a displacement direction in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the exposure direction to adjust the exposure distance, wherein the adjustment member includes a support surface inclined relative to the displacement direction. Based on the inclined orientation of the support surface, the adjustment of the exposure distance can be compensated as long as the result of the pivoting device of one of the outer cutting member and the skin support member being displaced in the process is taken into account, such that the member under consideration can be in another position in the exposure orientation and can still pivot about the same fixed pivot axis. Therefore, this configuration ensures that the pivot axis is not fixed to the relevant member, but, as indicated, fixed to the base member. As the exposure of a component increases, the pivot axis moves further downward relative to that component, while as the exposure of that component decreases, the pivot axis moves further upward relative to that component.

[0020] One of the external cutting member and the skin support member, which shifts during changes in exposure distance, is referred to as the adjustable support member, while the other, the member held in place, is referred to as the bearing support member. The bearing support member is supported relative to the base member via a bearing, thereby allowing rotation of the bearing support member about a pivot axis. According to a noteworthy aspect of the invention, the adjustablely supported member is supported relative to the base member via a support surface of the adjusting member and a support element that supports and contacts the support surface of the adjusting member, wherein, in the displacement direction at each position of the adjusting member relative to the base member, the rotation of the adjustablely supported member about the pivot axis is defined by the relative movement of the support surface of the adjusting member and the support element that support and contact each other. By supporting the adjustable support member on the support surface of the adjusting member, changes in the position of the adjustable support member in the exposure direction do not involve changes in the position of the pivot axis relative to the base member. By tilting the support surface, the relative position of the pivot axis and the adjustable support member can be changed. Specifically, at each possible position of the adjustable support member in the exposure direction, the adjustable support member can pivot about the same pivot axis, that is, a pivot axis with a fixed position relative to the base member.

[0021] In the context of this invention, the term "adjustment mechanism" should be understood as a mechanism configured to adjust the exposure distance of the hair-cutting surface of the outer cutting member relative to the skin-supporting surface of the skin-supporting member in the assembled and operational state of the hair-cutting unit and the hair-cutting unit of the hair-cutting unit. In embodiments of the shaving unit, wherein the outer cutting member is elastically supported relative to the skin-supporting member in the exposure direction and biased by an elastic force to a position where the exposure distance has a maximum value, the term "exposure distance" is understood as this maximum value of the exposure distance.

[0022] The first practical embodiment of the shaving unit has the following features:

[0023] Adjust the displacement direction of the component to be parallel to the pivot axis;

[0024] The adjusting component can be displaced relative to the adjustable support component;

[0025] The support element is mounted in a fixed position relative to the adjustable support member;

[0026] The supporting surface of the adjusting component is a conical surface with a centerline coinciding with the pivot axis; and

[0027] The rotation of the adjustable support member about the pivot axis is limited by the sliding movement of the support element along the support surface of the adjusting member that is in contact with the support of the adjusting member.

[0028] In this embodiment, by designing an adjustment member with a conical support surface, a fixed position of the base member, which is rotatable relative to either the outer cutting member or the skin support member (which are both adjustable support members), is achieved. Based on the conical shape of the support surface, the radial position of the adjustable support member relative to the pivot axis is automatically adjusted in a similar manner when the exposure of the adjustable support member is adjusted to move further outward or inward relative to the bearing support member under the influence of the adjustment member's displacement.

[0029] In the context of this embodiment, either the skin support member is an adjustable support member and the outer cutting member is a bearing support member, or the outer cutting member is an adjustable support member and the skin support member is a bearing support member. In any case, the inner cutting member can rotate relative to the outer cutting member about a rotation axis extending parallel to the exposure direction, and the pivot axis and the displacement direction of the adjusting member extend radially relative to the rotation axis.

[0030] To ensure proper control of the position and displacement of the adjusting member, it may be advantageous if the adjusting mechanism includes a guide member configured to guide the adjusting member in its displacement direction, wherein the adjusting member is slidably arranged on the guide member. Regarding the design and positioning of the adjusting member, a first practical option is that the supporting surface of the adjusting member is a portion of the outer surface of the adjusting member, which has a generally solid appearance, wherein the supporting surface is located on the side of the adjusting member facing the adjustable support member. A second practical option is that the adjusting member is provided with an opening, and the supporting surface of the adjusting member is disposed on the surface of the adjusting member that partially defines the opening. In the latter case, it may be practical if the support element is shaped like a protrusion and arranged to extend through the opening in the adjusting member.

[0031] It may be practical if the adjusting member is arranged to interact with the support element at a more or less peripheral position on the adjustable support member. In such cases, to ensure proper displacement of the adjustable support member in the exposure direction under the influence of the displacement of the adjusting member in the displacement direction, it may be advantageous if the adjusting mechanism includes at least two adjusting members, wherein the support surfaces of the respective adjusting members are located in opposite or distributed positions relative to the overall peripheral profile of the adjustable support member with respect to the exposure direction.

[0032] The second practical embodiment of the shaving unit has the following features:

[0033] The inner cutting member can rotate relative to the outer cutting member about a rotation axis extending parallel to the exposure direction;

[0034] Adjust the displacement direction of the component to be tangent to the axis of rotation;

[0035] The adjusting component is installed in a fixed position relative to the adjustable support component;

[0036] The support element is mounted in a fixed position relative to the base member and has a cylindrical surface whose centerline coincides with the pivot axis; and

[0037] The rotation of the adjustable support member about the pivot axis is defined by the rolling movement of the support surface of the adjustable member along the cylindrical surface of the support element in contact with its support.

[0038] In this embodiment, the fixed position of one of the adjustable support members, the outer cutting member and the skin support member, relative to the pivot axis around which both the outer cutting member and the skin support member can rotate, is achieved by the fixed position of the base member relative to the support member. This automatically means that the pivotal movement of the adjustable support member is always around the same pivot axis. As in the background of the practical first embodiment, when the exposure of the adjustable support member is adjusted to be further outward or inward relative to the bearing support member under the influence of the displacement of the adjusting member, the radial position of the adjustable support member relative to the pivot axis is automatically adjusted in a similar manner due to the tilt of the support surface of the adjusting member.

[0039] In the context of the second practical embodiment, it is particularly possible to make the outer cutting member an adjustable support member and the skin support member a bearing support member. In this case, the following features can be further applied to the shaving unit:

[0040] The adjusting component is a ring-shaped component that supports the outer cutting component;

[0041] The supporting surface of the adjusting member is set on the inner surface of the groove provided in the annular member; and

[0042] The support element is the support pin of the mating groove.

[0043] In this regard, it should be noted that the annular adjustment component may have more than one slot and each slot has a support pin.

[0044] Generally, it is practical for the support surface of the adjustable member to have a stepped appearance in order to define discrete exposure locations and provide a simple way to hold the adjustable support member in one of these exposure locations. This does not change the fact that a continuous appearance of the support surface is also possible in the context of this invention.

[0045] An embodiment of the hair cutting unit according to the invention is feasible, wherein the hair cutting unit includes a guide mechanism configured to guide the adjustable support member when the adjustable support member rotates about a pivot axis, wherein the guide mechanism includes a first guide member and a sliding device that at least partially surrounds a second guide member of the first guide member, and wherein one of the first and second guide members is connected to the adjustable support member. In practice, when the hair cutting unit includes such a guide mechanism and the adjusting member is an annular member supporting the outer cutting member, it is possible to cause tangential displacement of the adjusting member at the position of the guide mechanism, i.e., by driving one of the first and second guide members that is not connected to the outer cutting member.

[0046] In the context of the first utility embodiment of the shaving unit described above, where the adjusting member is arranged with an opening and the support element is shaped like a protrusion and arranged to extend through the opening in the adjusting member, the opening protrusion assembly can also be used to perform the function of guiding the adjustable support member when the adjustable support member rotates about the pivot axis, so that an additional guiding mechanism can be omitted.

[0047] In cases where the hair cutting unit according to the invention comprises at least two hair cutting units, it is practical if the hair cutting unit also includes a driven mechanism configured to synchronously cause displacement of the adjusting member of the adjusting mechanism of the respective hair cutting unit. Alternatively, the hair cutting unit can be configured to allow individual, independent adjustment of the exposure distance of the respective hair cutting unit.

[0048] The above and other aspects of the invention will become apparent and set forth with reference to the following detailed description of several embodiments of the shaving unit for an electric shaver. Attached Figure Description

[0049] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals, in which:

[0050] Figure 1 The diagram schematically shows a perspective view of an electric shaver according to an embodiment of the present invention, the electric shaver including a shaving unit and a body unit.

[0051] Figure 2 The diagram schematically illustrates a perspective view of the outer cutting member, decorative cap, and inner cutting member of a hair cutting unit, where both the outer cutting member and the cap are shown as partially cut off.

[0052] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the base component, outer cutting component, and skin support component of a conventional shaving unit is shown.

[0053] Figure 4 Illustrations of pivoting inaccuracies in the components of the external cutting member and the skin support member are provided.

[0054] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A portion of a hair cutting unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated, wherein different relative positions of the outer cutting member and the skin support member of the hair cutting unit are shown.

[0055] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The illustration schematically depicts another portion of the hair cutting unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention, further illustrating different positions of the adjustment mechanism of the hair cutting unit.

[0056] Figure 9 A perspective view of the adjusting component of the adjusting mechanism is schematically shown.

[0057] Figure 10 A perspective view of the skin support component is shown schematically.

[0058] Figure 11 A perspective view of the retainer for the outer cut member is schematically shown.

[0059] Figure 12 A perspective view schematically showing a portion of the base component of the shaving unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0060] Figure 13 A diagram illustrating the working principle of the relative positional changes of the external cutting component and the skin support component is provided.

[0061] Figure 14 A perspective view schematically illustrating the assembly of the components of a shaving unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0062] Figure 15 and Figure 16 A schematic perspective view of the assembly of components of a hair cutting unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, some of which are cut off. The different relative positions of the outer cutting component and the skin support component of the hair cutting unit are illustrated. Figure 16 The diagram illustrates the pivoting positions of the external cutting component and the skin support component.

[0063] Figure 17 and Figure 18 A portion of a hair cutting unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated, wherein different relative positions of the outer cutting member and the skin support member of the hair cutting unit are shown.

[0064] Figure 19 and Figure 20 A portion of the shaving unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention is also schematically illustrated, wherein different pivot positions of the outer cutting member and the skin support member are shown.

[0065] Figure 21 An exploded view of the components of a hair cutting unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown, including an outer cutting component, a skin support component, and an adjustment component of the hair cutting unit; and

[0066] Figure 22 A diagram illustrating the working principle of the relative positional changes of the external cutting component and the skin support component is provided. Detailed Implementation

[0067] Figure 1 A rotary electric shaver suitable for shaving is shown as a practical example of an electric shaver 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric shaver 1 includes a body unit 2 and a shaving unit 3, wherein the body unit 2 is designed so that a user of the electric shaver 1 can hold and operate the electric shaver 1, and wherein the shaving unit 3 is the part of the electric shaver 1 that will be positioned on and moved on the skin to remove hair. In the example shown, the shaving unit 3 has three hair-cutting units 4. When the electric shaver 1 is actually used to perform the hair-cutting action, the actual process of cutting the hair protruding from the skin occurs at the location of the hair-cutting units 4.

[0068] Each of the hair cutting units 4 includes a combination of an outer cutting member 10 and an inner cutting member 20, as will now be referred to. Figure 2Described in more detail. The outer cutting member 10 has a generally cup-shaped design and is thus adapted to at least partially accommodate the inner cutting member 20 within it. On its outer side, the outer cutting member 10 has a shaving surface 11 configured to face the skin to be shaved. Furthermore, an annular hair-cutting track 12 exists in the outer cutting member 10, the hair-cutting track 12 comprising a sheet 13 extending along the width of the hair-cutting track 12 in a substantially radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis 14 of the outer cutting member 10, the longitudinal axis coinciding with the axis of rotation 21 of the inner cutting member 20 about which it can rotate relative to the outer cutting member 10. Holes present between the sheets 13 form hair entry openings 15 for the hair-cutting track 12. The sides of the sheets 13 form hair-cutting surfaces 16 adapted to engage with the hair-cutting edges 22 of the hair-cutting elements 23 of the inner cutting member 20 to cut the hair. The present invention also relates to cases where the hair cutting track 12 does not include the sheet 13 or includes more than just the sheet 13, such as when the entire hair cutting track 12 is provided with toothed elements and / or (circular) hole patterns in place of the sheet 13 or in addition to the sheet 13. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to cases where there is more than one hair cutting track 12 in the outer cutting member 10.

[0069] When the inner cutting member 20 is activated and rotated, and a portion of the skin is actually contacted by the outer cutting member 10 at the position of the hair cutting track 12, a hair cutting action can be performed. Activation of the inner cutting member 20 can be performed in a known manner by means of a drive mechanism of the electric shaver 1, which is not shown in the figure. When the combination of the outer cutting member 10 and the inner cutting member 20 moves on a portion of the skin while the inner cutting member 20 is driven to rotate, hair protruding from the skin portion is captured in the hair entry opening 15 of the hair cutting track 12 of the outer cutting member 10 and cut off at that position due to the engagement between the hair cutting surface 16 of the hair cutting track 12 of the outer cutting member 10 and the hair cutting edge 22 of the hair cutting element 23 of the rotating inner cutting member 20.

[0070] In addition to the hair cutting track 12, the outer cutting member 10 also includes a central portion 17, which includes a central support portion designed to rotatably support the inner cutting member 20 within the hair cutting unit 4. The central portion 17 of the outer cutting member 10 also supports a decorative cap 25, which is configured to cover a portion of the outer surface of the outer cutting member 10. In the example shown, the central portion 17 includes a central recess, and the cap 25 includes a protrusion received within the recess.

[0071] Each hair cutting unit in the hair cutting unit 4 also includes a skin support member 30. The skin support member 30 has a skin support surface 31 surrounding the outer cutting member 10.

[0072] Figure 3 A base member 40, an outer cutting member 10, and a skin support member 30 of a conventional shaving unit are shown, wherein these members are fixedly arranged relative to each other. Therefore, in this conventional shaving unit, the exposure distance de of the shaving surface 11 protruding relative to the skin support surface 31 in the exposure direction E is fixed. On the other hand, the present invention provides a shaving unit in which the exposure distance de is variable, as will be explained in more detail later. A practical example of the range of the exposure distance de is 0.3 mm to 0.9 mm. The advantage of being able to adjust the exposure distance de is that it allows the user to personalize their shaving experience in terms of a balance between tightness and comfort.

[0073] When a configuration is desired in which the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 can pivot relative to the base member 40 to allow contour following during shaving, complex factors arise in the context of varying exposure. Simply changing the relative positions of these members 10, 30 by altering the position of one of them in the exposure direction E effectively results in a change in the exposure distance de, but will lead to inaccuracies during pivoting, such as... Figure 4 As shown. In Figure 4 At the top side, it is shown that when the exposure distance de is 0.0 mm and the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 are pivoted, the longitudinal axis 14 of the outer cutting member 10 is aligned with the longitudinal axis 32 of the skin support member 30. Figure 4 The bottom side shows that when the exposure distance de de deviates by 0.0 mm and the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 pivot, the longitudinal axis 14 of the outer cutting member 10 and the longitudinal axis 32 of the skin support member 30 are no longer aligned. This problem is alleviated by the present invention. The present invention provides a structural measure according to which the pivot axes of both the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 remain stationary in all cases, that is, when one of the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 shifts in the exposure direction E, as will become apparent from the following explanation of three embodiments of the shaving unit 3 according to the present invention.

[0074] See below for reference. Figures 5 to 13 The design aspects and functional aspects of the shaving unit 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention are described.

[0075] In addition to the outer cutting member 10, the inner cutting member 20, and the skin support member 30, each hair cutting unit 4 of the shaving unit 3 also includes an adjustment mechanism 50 configured to adjust the exposure distance de during the assembly and operation of the shaving unit 3 and the hair cutting unit 4 of the shaving unit 3. The adjustment mechanism 50 includes two sets of adjustment members 51 and guide members 52, wherein the two sets are positioned at radially opposite peripheral positions of the combination of the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30. The guide members 52 are fixedly arranged relative to the base member 40 by integration within the base member 40, and the adjustment members 51 are slidable on the guide members 52. Specifically, the adjustment members 51 are movable relative to the base member 40 in a displacement direction D perpendicular to the exposure direction E in an imaginary plane, the displacement direction D being a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis 14 of the outer cutting member 10 and the rotation axis 21 of the inner cutting member 20. Figure 9 Adjustment component 51 is shown separately.

[0076] In the shaving unit 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the skin support member 30 may be displaced in the exposure direction E for the purpose of changing the exposure distance de. Figure 10 The skin support member 30 is shown separately. It can be seen that the skin support member 30 has two pillars 33 with chamfered edges. The skin support member 30 is supported relative to the base member 40 via a corresponding inclined support surface 53 of the adjusting member 51 and the pillars 33 that are in support contact with the corresponding support surface 53 of the adjusting member 51. The corresponding inclined support surface 53 of the adjusting member 51 contacts the corresponding chamfered edge of the pillar 33 of the skin support member 30, and the pillar 33 with the chamfered edge serves as a support element for the skin support member 30 in support contact with the corresponding support surface 53 of the adjusting member 51. In this configuration, the skin support member 30 is raised when the adjusting member 51 moves radially inward and lowered when the adjusting member 51 moves radially outward.

[0077] The shaving unit 3 according to a first embodiment of the invention may include any suitable follower mechanism 60 for displacing the adjustment member 51 in the displacement direction D. In the illustrated example, the follower mechanism 60 includes an arm 61 that slides in contact with the adjustment member 51 and can be pulled inward toward the center of the shaving unit 3 and pushed outward away from the center, thereby enabling the adjustment member 51 to be pushed and pulled on the guide member 52. The follower mechanism 60 is configured to synchronously cause displacement of the adjustment member 51 of the adjustment mechanism 50 of the corresponding hair cutting unit 4 of the shaving unit 3. In the context of the electric shaver 1, it is intended that the setting of the mechanism 60 be determined based on user input reflecting the user's personal preference in terms of desired balance between tightness and comfort in order to achieve an appropriate setting of the exposure distance de.

[0078] The outer cutting member 10 is held in the annular retainer 35, in Figure 11 The retainer is shown separately. In addition to the pillars 33 with chamfered edges, the skin support member 30 includes four other pillars 34, each of which comprises two legs, and the retainer 35 is provided with two peripheral recesses 36 for receiving the two pillars 33 with chamfered edges and four holes 37 for receiving the other four pillars 34. As the skin support member 30 moves up and down to change the exposure distance de, the pillars 33, 34 move within the recesses 36 and holes 37 and are guided in the process. At the location of the recesses 36 for receiving the pillars 33 with chamfered edges, the retainer 35 is rotatably connected to the base member 40. Figure 12 As shown in the diagram, a portion of a base member 40 is depicted, having two opposing pin-shaped members 41 at the end position of the guide member 52 of the adjustment mechanism 50, wherein the centerline of the pin-shaped members 41 extends in the displacement direction D of the adjustment member 51, as defined by the guide member 52. During assembly of the hair cutting unit 4, those pin-shaped members 41 are received in a portion of a recess 36 defined by two legs configured to achieve a snap-fit ​​connection between the retainer 35 and the base member 40, wherein the retainer 35 is rotatable relative to the base member 40 about a pivot axis 42 defined by the centerline of the pin-shaped members 41.

[0079] As previously described, the skin support member 30 is also pivotally arranged, and to avoid inaccurate pivoting, structural measures are taken to ensure that the skin support member 30 can rotate about the same pivot axis 42 as the assembly of the outer cutting member 10 and the retainer 35, for all possible positions of the skin support member 30 in the exposure direction e. In the case of the shaving unit 3 according to the first embodiment of the invention, those structural measures involve adjusting the conical shape of the support surface 53 of each of the members 51 such that its centerline coincides with the pivot axis 42. This aspect of the shaving unit 3 is reflected in... Figure 13 middle, Figure 13 The diagram illustrates the interaction between the support surface 53 of the corresponding adjustment member 51 and the chamfered edge of the corresponding pillar 33 of the skin support member 30. As the adjustment member 51 is further removed, it's as if imagining... Figure 13 The configuration on the left transitions to Figure 13In the configuration on the right, the skin support member 30 is lowered, while the pivot axis 42 around which the skin support member 30 can rotate is fixed because the pivot axis 42 is defined by the center line of the conical shape of the support surface 53. Similarly, when the adjusting members 51 move toward each other and the skin support member 30 is raised, the pivot axis 42 remains stationary. Therefore, by applying adjusting members 51 having a support surface 53 in contact with the skin support member 30, and selecting a conical shape for the support surface 53 such that the center line of the conical shape coincides with the center line of the pin-shaped member 41 of the base member 40, it is possible to change the exposure distance de, and to ensure that the skin support member 30 can rotate about the same pivot axis 42 as the outer cutting member 10. In this way, having the option to change the exposure distance de does not in any way impair the contour-following function of the hair cutting unit 4, thereby avoiding pivot inaccuracy.

[0080] See below for reference. Figures 14 to 16 The design aspects and functional aspects of the shaving unit 3 according to a second embodiment of the present invention are described. It should be noted that the outer cutting member 10... Figures 14 to 16 The diagram is shown in a simplified manner, with no hair entering the opening 15.

[0081] In fact, the working principle of the shaving unit 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the shaving unit 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the shaving unit 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention further includes an adjustment mechanism 50 having two adjustment members 51 that are radially displaceable relative to the longitudinal axis 14 of the outer cutting member 10 and the rotation axis 21 of the inner cutting member 20. The adjustment members 51 also have a conical support surface 53, the centerline of which coincides with the pivot axis 42 of one of the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 on the base member 40. In the case of the shaving unit 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the outer cutting member 10 can be displaced in the exposure direction E, and the skin support member 30 is rotatably connected to the base member 40. The adjustment member 51 is provided with an opening 54, and the support surface 53 of the adjustment member 51 is provided on the surface of the adjustment member 51 that partially defines the opening 54. The annular retainer 35 holding the outer cutting member 10 is provided with an inclined protrusion 38 extending through the opening 54 of the corresponding adjustment member 51. In the case of the shaving unit 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, each of the protrusions 38 serves as a support element that makes support contact with the support surface 53 of the corresponding adjustment member 51.

[0082] Figure 15 and Figure 16 Two different relative positions of the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 are shown. Figure 15In the middle, the outer cutting component 10 is lower than the skin support component 30, while... Figure 16 In the middle section, the outer cutting member 10 is higher than the skin support member 30. In the first case, the shaving tightness is lower, while skin comfort is relatively higher; in the second case, the shaving tightness is increased, but skin comfort is decreased. Figure 15 and Figure 16 It can be concluded that, in the first case, the adjusting member 51 is in a more radially inward position and the inclined protrusion 38 of the retainer 35 of the outer cutting member 10 extends further through the opening 54 of the corresponding adjusting member 51. Furthermore, it should be noted that... Figure 15 The illustration shows the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 in a neutral, non-pivoting position, while Figure 16 The pivoting positions of the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 are illustrated. The shape of the opening 54 in the corresponding adjusting member 51 is such that, during pivoting movement, the inclined protrusion 38 of the retainer 35 has space for movement within the opening 54 and is guided in the process. Again, it is emphasized that the pivoting movement of the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 is always about a pivot axis 42 defined by the rotatable connection between the skin support member 30 and the base member 40, and in the case of the outer cutting member 10, this is related to the conical shape of the support surface 53 of the corresponding adjusting member 51.

[0083] See below for reference. Figures 17 to 22 The design aspects and functional aspects of the shaving unit 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention are described. It should be noted that the outer cutting member 10... Figures 17 to 21 The diagram is shown in a simplified manner, with no hair entering the opening 15.

[0084] In the shaving unit 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the outer cutting member 10 can be displaced in the exposure direction E for the purpose of changing the exposure distance de. The adjusting member 51 of the adjusting mechanism 50 is an annular member supporting the outer cutting member 10, and the displacement direction D of the adjusting member 51 is tangent to the longitudinal axis 14 of the outer cutting member 10 and the rotation axis 21 of the inner cutting member 20. In other words, the annular adjusting member 51 is arranged to be rotatable about its central longitudinal axis. Further, the annular adjusting member 51 is provided with two grooves 55 at radially opposite positions on the adjusting member 51, wherein the inner surface of each of the grooves 55 serves as a support surface 53 of the adjusting member 51. The support elements interacting with the support surface 53 are two oppositely arranged support pins 43, which are part of the base member 40 and also serve to rotatably support the skin support member 30.

[0085] In the above configuration, the centerline of the support pin 43 defines the pivot axis 42 of the skin support member 30 and the outer cutting member 10 at any possible position of the support pin 43 in the corresponding slot 55 of the adjusting member 51. The hair cutting unit 4 includes a guide mechanism 70 configured to guide the outer cutting member 10 when it rotates about the pivot axis 42, wherein the guide mechanism 70 includes a first guide member 71 sliding in a second guide member 72, wherein the first guide member 71 is arranged on the adjusting member 51. The displacement of the adjusting member 51 in the tangential displacement direction D is achieved by causing tangential movement of the second guide member 72, which is slidably arranged on a guide rib 73 provided on the base member 40. In the example shown, the driven gear 62 engages with the second guide member 72, which does not change the fact that the mechanism 60 for moving the second guide member 72 can be designed in another manner. Furthermore, it is not necessary to apply the same components to perform the functions of guiding the outer cutting component 10 and moving the adjustment element 51 during pivoting movements, although doing so may be practical to reduce configuration complexity.

[0086] Figure 17 and Figure 18 Accordingly, two extreme positions of the adjusting member 51 are shown, with the support pin 43 at one end of the groove 55 and the support pin 43 at the other end of the groove 55. Figure 17 The position shown indicates that the lowest position of the outer cutting member 10 relative to the skin support member 30 is set, while... Figure 18 The position shown indicates the highest position of the outer cutting member 10 relative to the skin support member 30. Figure 19 and Figure 20 The different pivot positions of the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 are shown. The difference in the relative positions of the first guide member 71 and the second guide member 72 can be clearly seen in the figure.

[0087] Figure 22 To illustrate, when the adjusting member 51 shifts in the tangential displacement direction D, the interaction between the supporting surface 53 and the fixed support pin 43 automatically causes the position of the adjusting member 51 relative to the skin support member 30 in the exposure direction E to adjust, and thereby causes the position of the outer cutting member 10 relative to the skin support member 30 to adjust. During this process, the pivot axis 42 of the outer cutting member 10 remains fixed because it is defined by the fixed support pin 43, ensuring that the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 can rotate about the same pivot axis 42, while avoiding inaccurate pivoting.

[0088] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of this invention is not limited to the examples discussed above, but that various modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. This invention is intended to be construed as encompassing all such modifications and variations, provided they fall within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. Although the invention has been detailed and described in the accompanying drawings and specification, such descriptions are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, in which details not necessary for understanding the invention may have been omitted, and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0089] Based on a study of the accompanying drawings, description, and appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0090] Unless otherwise expressly stated, elements and aspects discussed with respect to a particular embodiment or with respect to a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments. Therefore, the fact that certain measures are referenced in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

[0091] The terms “comprising” and “including” as used herein will be understood by those skilled in the art to encompass the term “consisting of”. Thus, the terms “comprising” or “including” may mean “consisting of” in one embodiment, but may mean “containing / having / equipped with at least the defined substance and optionally one or more other substances” in another embodiment.

[0092] In this document, the act of removing hair from the skin is generally referred to as a shaving action, and this is the basis for the use of terms such as "shaving unit" and "electric shaver." It should be noted that the current choice of shaving terminology should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way. Therefore, the invention also covers hair removal units and devices that can generally be referred to by other terms in the relevant art.

[0093] Notable aspects of the present invention are summarized below. The hair cutting unit 4 includes an outer cutting member 10, an inner cutting member 20, and a skin support member 30. The outer cutting member 10 has a hair cutting surface 11 with a hair entry opening 15, and the skin support member 30 has a skin support surface 31 surrounding the outer cutting member 10. The hair cutting unit 4 is further equipped with an adjustment mechanism 50 configured to adjust the exposure distance de of the hair cutting surface 11 relative to the skin support surface 31 in the exposure direction E, thereby allowing the user to choose a balance between the tightness of the hair cutting and skin comfort. The outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 pivot together about a fixed pivot axis 42. The adjustment mechanism 50 is designed such that for each possible relative position of the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30, the fixed feature of the pivot axis 42 can be maintained, so that having the adjustment mechanism 50 does not involve introducing pivot inaccuracies in the form of misalignment of the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30. In view of this, it is true that when the present invention is put into practice, a good functional combination of the adjustment mechanism 50 and the pivoting device of the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 is achieved.

Claims

1. A shaving unit (3) configured for use in an electric shaver (1), the shaving unit (3) comprising a base member (40) and at least one hair cutting unit (4) supported by the base member (40), wherein the hair cutting unit (4) comprises: - The outer cutting member (10) has a shaving surface (11) provided with a hair entry opening (15); - The inner cutting member (20) is movable relative to the outer cutting member (10); - Skin support member (30) having a skin support surface (31) surrounding the outer cutting member (10); as well as - Adjustment mechanism (50) is configured to adjust the exposure distance (de) of the shaving surface (11) relative to the skin support surface (31) in the exposure direction (E) during the assembly and operation of the shaving unit and the hair cutting unit of the shaving unit. Its features are: - The external cutting member (10) and the skin support member (30) pivot together about a pivot axis (42), which has a fixed position relative to the base member (40); The adjustment mechanism (50) includes an adjustment member (51) that is capable of shifting relative to the base member (40) in a displacement direction (D) perpendicular to the exposure direction (E) in the imaginary plane to adjust the exposure distance (de); The adjusting member (51) includes a support surface (53) that is inclined relative to the displacement direction (D); One of the outer cutting member (10) and the skin support member (30) is a bearing support member supported relative to the base member (40) via a bearing, thereby allowing the bearing support member to rotate about the pivot axis (42); and Another component of the external cutting member (10) and the skin support member (30) is an adjustable support member supported relative to the base member (40) via the support surface (53) and support elements (33, 38, 43) of the adjusting member (51), the support elements being in support contact with the support surface (53) of the adjusting member (51), wherein in each position of the adjusting member (51) relative to the base member (40) in the displacement direction (D), the rotation of the adjustable support member about the pivot axis (42) is defined by the mutual movement of the support surface (53) of the adjusting member (51) and the support elements (33, 38, 43) in support contact with each other.

2. The shaving unit (3) according to claim 1, wherein: The displacement direction (D) of the adjusting member (51) is parallel to the pivot axis (42); The adjusting member (51) is movable relative to the adjustable support member (10, 30); The support elements (33, 38) are installed in a fixed position relative to the adjustable support members (10, 30); The supporting surface (53) of the adjusting member (51) is a conical surface having a centerline that coincides with the pivot axis (42); as well as The rotation of the adjustable support member (10, 30) about the pivot axis (42) is defined by the sliding movement of the support element (33, 38) along the support surface (53) of the adjustable member (51) which is in support contact with the support element.

3. The shaving unit (3) according to claim 2, wherein the skin support member (30) is an adjustable support member, and wherein the outer cutting member (10) is the bearing support member.

4. The shaving unit (3) according to claim 2, wherein the outer cutting member (10) is the adjustable support member, and wherein the skin support member (30) is the bearing support member.

5. The shaving unit (3) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the inner cutting member (20) is rotatable relative to the outer cutting member (10) about a rotation axis (21) extending parallel to the exposure direction (E), wherein the displacement direction (D) of the pivot axis (42) and the adjustment member (51) extends radially relative to the rotation axis (21).

6. The shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the adjustment mechanism (50) includes a guide member (52) configured to guide the adjustment member (51) in the displacement direction (D) of the adjustment member (51), and wherein the adjustment member (51) is slidably disposed on the guide member (52).

7. The shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the support surface (53) of the adjusting member (51) is an outer surface of a portion of the adjusting member (51) having a generally solid appearance, wherein the support surface (53) is located on one side of the portion of the adjusting member (51) facing the adjustable support member (10, 30), or the adjusting member (51) is provided with an opening (54) and the support surface (53) of the adjusting member (51) is provided on the surface of the portion of the adjusting member (51) defining the opening (54).

8. The shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the adjustment mechanism (50) comprises at least two adjustment members (51), and wherein the support surface (53) of the corresponding adjustment member (51) is positioned relative to, or relative to, the overall peripheral contour of the adjustable support member (10, 30) around the exposure direction (E).

9. The shaving unit (3) according to claim 1, wherein: The inner cutting member (20) is rotatable relative to the outer cutting member (10) about a rotation axis (21) extending parallel to the exposure direction (E); The displacement direction (D) of the adjusting member (51) is tangent to the rotation axis (21); The adjusting member (51) is installed in a fixed position relative to the adjustable support member (10, 30); The support element (43) is mounted in a fixed position relative to the base member (40) and has a cylindrical surface with a center line coinciding with the pivot axis (42); and The rotation of the adjustable support member (10, 30) about the pivot axis (42) is defined by the rolling movement of the support surface (53) of the adjustment member (51) along the cylindrical surface of the support element (43) that is in support contact with the support surface (53).

10. The shaving unit (3) according to claim 9, wherein the outer cutting member (10) is the adjustable support member, and wherein the skin support member (30) is the bearing support member.

11. The shaving unit (3) according to claim 10, wherein: The adjusting member (51) is an annular member that supports the outer cutting member (10); The supporting surface (53) of the adjusting member (51) is disposed on the inner surface of the groove (55), the groove being disposed in the annular member; and The support element (43) is a support pin that engages with the groove (55).

12. The shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the support surface (53) of the adjustment member (51) has a stepped appearance.

13. The shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the hair cutting unit (4) includes a guide mechanism (70) configured to guide the adjustable support member (10, 30) when the adjustable support member (10, 30) rotates about the pivot axis (42), wherein the guide mechanism (70) includes a first guide member (71) and a sliding means for a second guide member (72) that at least partially surrounds the first guide member (71), and wherein one of the first guide member (71) and the second guide member (72) is connected to the adjustable support member (10, 30).

14. The shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising at least two hair cutting units (4) and a driven mechanism (60) configured to synchronously cause displacement of the adjustment member (51) of the adjustment mechanism (50) of the corresponding hair cutting unit (4).

15. An electric shaver (1) comprising a shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and a body unit (2), the shaving unit (3) being coupled to or being coupled to the body unit, and the body unit (2) housing components of a drive system configured to drive components of the shaving unit (3) movably arranged in the shaving unit (3).

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