Transmission system for a shaving head of an electric shaver

Abstract

A drive system (100) for an electric shaver includes: a first base portion (41), a second base portion (42), and a coupling device (50) connected to the respective base portions (41, 42) to convert rotation of the first base portion (41) about a first rotation axis (Ar1) into rotation of the second base portion (42) about a second rotation axis (A1). r2 The coupling device (50) includes N coupling parts (51), each of which rotates at least relative to a corresponding axis of rotation (Ar1, A). r2 The connecting parts (51) are connected to the corresponding base portions (41, 42) in the tangential direction of the connecting parts (51), where N is at least 2. These connecting parts (51) are interconnected such that they are connected only at the center point (B) extending through the corresponding base portions (41, 42). c1 B c2 The central axis (A) c The axial directions of the two are displaceable relative to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a transmission system, particularly a transmission system for a shaving head of an electric shaver. Furthermore, this invention relates to a shaving head of an electric shaver, and also to an electric shaver comprising a body unit and a shaving head connectable to or coupled to the body unit, wherein the body unit houses an actuator configured to actuate components of the transmission system when the shaving head is engaged. Background Technology

[0002] Electric shavers and shaving heads for electric shavers are well known. Electric shavers are typically used for shaving body hair, which may include facial hair, and are powered by a power cord and / or by an energy storage device such as a battery.

[0003] In commonly known devices, a shaving head includes an assembly of a support structure and a shaving unit, and further includes at least one hair-cutting unit supported by the shaving unit. Conventionally, the hair-cutting unit comprises a combination of an outer cutting member as a non-driven component having a shaving surface 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 blades. In this case, using a shaving head incorporated into an electric shaver involves an operating mode in which the shaving head is placed and the inner cutting member of the hair-cutting unit is actually moved, and the shaving head is moved on the skin such that the shaving surface of the outer cutting member of the hair-cutting unit faces and contacts the skin. During this process, hair protruding from the skin is captured in the space of the hair-cutting unit, where the hair abuts against the outer cutting member at the location of the hair entry opening, and is cut when the hair encounters the cutting blade of the inner cutting member.

[0004] In various known electric shaver heads, the shaving unit is arranged to be pivotable to some extent relative to a support structure about a pivot point, resulting in the shaving unit being able to follow the contour of the skin area to be shaved. Details of a known electric shaver representative of this respect are described in WO2014 / 184065 A1, referring to one example of various disclosed pivoting mechanisms of the shaving unit of the shaver head. The object of the present invention is to provide a transmission system suitable for use in the shaving head of an electric shaver without impeding the functionality of contour following, and in particular without impeding the pivoting movement of the shaving unit of the shaver head. In the context mentioned, such a transmission system can be used to realize the function of the shaver head involving setting the position of the output component by setting the position of the input component, which is not fixedly coupled to the output component. For example, it may be desirable to have the function of changing the relative position of an outer shearing member and a skin support member having a skin support surface surrounding the outer shearing member in the axial direction, in which case the user can influence the shaving performance of the electric shaver and the degree of skin irritation as a result of the shaving action according to personal preference and / or according to the characteristics of the skin and hair.

[0005] One challenge associated with designing the razor head to incorporate the drivetrain is the extremely limited space within it. Furthermore, the ideal usable space is already occupied by the drivetrain of the internal shearing unit. Another challenge lies in maintaining contour tracking functionality, as previously mentioned. For example, when considering the option of using a pin-groove guide structure in the drivetrain, it is found that pivoting motion causes the pin to press against the inner wall of the groove under force. This can be offset by introducing a gap in the pin-groove guide structure, but doing so reduces the accuracy of the drivetrain and is therefore impractical. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides a transmission system, comprising:

[0007] main housing;

[0008] - A first base portion, which is rotatable relative to the main housing about a first axis of rotation, which is stationary relative to the main housing;

[0009] - A second base portion, which is rotatable about a second axis of rotation and pivots about a pivot point that is stationary relative to the main housing, wherein the second axis of rotation remains stationary relative to the second base portion during the pivoting of the second base portion about the pivot point;

[0010] - A connecting device, which is connected to a first base portion and a second base portion, so as to convert the rotation of the first base portion about a first rotation axis into the rotation of the second base portion about a second rotation axis;

[0011] in:

[0012] - The connecting device includes N connecting parts, each of which is connected to the first base part at least in a tangential direction relative to the first rotation axis at a corresponding connecting position among N first connecting positions on the first base part, and each of which is connected to the second base part at least in a tangential direction relative to the second rotation axis at a corresponding connecting position among N second connecting positions on the second base part, wherein N is at least two;

[0013] - N first connection positions have equal axial positions in a direction parallel to the first rotation axis, and the first center point of the first base portion is located on the first rotation axis at a position corresponding to the axial positions of the N first connection positions.

[0014] - The N second connection positions have equal axial positions in a direction parallel to the second rotation axis, and the second center point of the second base portion is located on the second rotation axis at a position corresponding to the axial positions of the N second connection positions;

[0015] –The central axis of the connecting device extends through the first and second center points; and

[0016] - The connecting parts are interconnected, so that the connecting parts can be displaced relative to each other only in the axial direction of the central axis.

[0017] Based on the aforementioned configuration of the connecting device, the connecting device is capable of converting rotation of the first base portion about the first rotation axis into rotation of the second base portion about the second rotation axis in all cases, including the pivoting position of the second base portion (i.e., a position different from the position where the second rotation axis has the same orientation as the first rotation axis). Each of these connecting portions is connected to both the first and second base portions at least in a tangential direction relative to their respective rotation axes, wherein the central axis of the connecting device always extends through the respective center points of these base portions. Considering the fact that the relative positions of the connecting portions in the axial direction of the central axis are adjustable, various choices regarding the orientation of the central axis are possible, and these choices are directly related to various choices regarding the position of the second base portion relative to the pivot point. Therefore, the connecting device freely follows the movement of the second base portion, while the position of the connecting device in the tangential direction about the central axis is determined by the position of the first base portion.

[0018] The coupling device is capable of transmitting force in the tangential direction around the central axis, based on which torque can be transferred from the first base portion to the second base portion. Transmission of force in the axial direction of the central axis cannot occur. These coupling portions can be designed and arranged to achieve an overall annular appearance of the coupling device, which offers the interesting possibility of incorporating the coupling device into existing designs involving one or more drivetrain components, such as drive shafts, as these coupling portions can be arranged around such drivetrain components.

[0019] As defined above, the pivot point around which the second base can pivot is stationary relative to the main housing of the transmission system. Furthermore, the first axis of rotation of the first base portion, which can rotate relative to the main housing, is stationary relative to the main housing. In an actual embodiment of the transmission system according to the invention, both the first and second axes of rotation extend through the pivot point. This means that when the second base portion is in an intermediate non-pivoting position and the second axis of rotation has the same orientation as the first axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation of the second base portion coincides with the first axis of rotation of the first base portion.

[0020] Regarding the pivot point, it should be noted that, specifically, the side of the second base portion of the pivot point can be positioned outside the transmission system, that is, the pivot point is arranged at a certain distance from an imaginary surface perpendicular to the second axis of rotation that extends through the second center point, wherein the imaginary surface is located between the pivot point and the first center point.

[0021] Regarding the number of connecting parts N, it should be noted that it is advantageous if N is at least 3. Generally, the higher the number N, the fewer adjacent connecting parts need to be displaced relative to each other in the axial direction of the central axis, and the smaller the displacement length required in the transmission system. Therefore, a transmission system with reduced length can be designed by selecting a larger number N of connecting parts. Considering the fact that each base part has three connecting positions in this case, selecting three N results in a stable construction, but this does not change the fact that it is also possible to select a higher value for N.

[0022] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the N connecting parts are arranged around the central axis at equal angular intervals of 360° / N, as this also contributes to the stability of the structure, considering the uniform distribution of forces among the connecting parts. For similar reasons, it may be practical if the N connecting parts are identical to each other.

[0023] Advantageously, in order to enable the connecting parts to shift collinearly in the axial direction of the central axis, the connecting parts of each pair of adjacent connecting parts are interconnected by a guide structure that allows the connecting parts of adjacent connecting parts to slide relative to each other in the axial direction of the central axis. For example, each side of each connecting part can be slidably engaged with the side of an adjacent connecting part. In this regard, it should be noted that one embodiment of the transmission system is feasible, wherein at the connection interface of two adjacent connecting parts, the side of one connecting part includes a thickened edge, while the side of the other connecting part includes a hollow edge that partially surrounds the thickened edge of one connecting part.

[0024] Typically, to achieve collinear displacement of the connecting parts in the axial direction of the central axis, it is practical if the connecting parts are each guided displaceably relative to the first base portion in a direction parallel to the central axis in a respective first connecting position, and / or if the connecting parts are each guided displaceably relative to the second base portion in a direction parallel to the central axis in a respective second connecting position. For example, it is possible that these connecting parts are each connected to the first base portion in a respective first connecting position by a pin-slot connector comprising a pin installed in the first base portion in the respective first connecting position and the pin engaging a slot in the respective connecting part extending parallel to the central axis, and / or if these connecting parts are each connected to the second base portion in a respective second connecting position by a pin-slot connector comprising a pin installed in the second base portion in the respective second connecting position and the pin engaging a slot in the respective connecting part extending parallel to the central axis. It is possible that, in the corresponding first connection position, the grooves of the pin-groove connectors through which the connecting parts pass are open on the side opposite to the second connection position, as seen in the axial direction of the central axis, because the axial displacement of each of these connecting parts is determined by the second base portion, and does not need to be limited to the axial displacement at the position of the first base portion.

[0025] If a gear is connected to the second base on the side of the second base portion away from the connecting device, wherein the gear axis of the gear coincides with the second rotation axis, it may be practical because such a gear can be used to drive one or more components based on the rotation of the second base portion about the second rotation axis caused by the rotation of the first base portion about the first rotation axis, and in particular to determine the arrangement of one or more components.

[0026] The present invention also relates to a shaving head for an electric shaver, comprising:

[0027] - Supporting structure;

[0028] - A shaving unit supporting at least two hair-cutting units, each hair-cutting unit having an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member rotatable relative to the outer cutting member; and

[0029] The transmission system as described above;

[0030] in:

[0031] - The main housing of the transmission system is arranged in a static position relative to the supporting structure;

[0032] - The shaving unit, together with the hair cutting unit, is arranged to be allowed to pivot relative to the support structure around a pivot point corresponding to the pivot point of the transmission system;

[0033] - The first base portion of the transmission system is rotatably supported relative to the support structure of the shaving head; and

[0034] - The second base portion of the transmission system is rotatably supported relative to the shaving unit of the shaving head.

[0035] By applying a transmission system in the defined shaving head, it is achieved that the rotation of the first base portion about the first rotation axis can always be converted into the rotation of the second base portion about the second rotation axis, regardless of the position of the shaving unit relative to the pivot point.

[0036] As previously mentioned, it is possible that the connecting portion is designed and arranged to achieve a generally annular appearance of the connecting device. In view of this, one embodiment may have a shaving head that also includes a central drive shaft arranged in a support structure and a primary transmission system arranged in the shaving unit to convert rotation of the central drive shaft into rotation of the internal cutting members of the corresponding hair cutting unit, and has an arrangement of the connecting portion of the connecting device surrounding the transmission system of the central drive shaft. In this way, the transmission system can be integrated into the shaving head in a very compact manner.

[0037] The rotation of the second base portion about the second rotation axis, determined by the rotation of the first base portion about the first rotation axis, can be used in any manner as needed. For example, a shaving head according to the invention may include:

[0038] - Movable adjustable components for each hair cutting unit;

[0039] - A secondary gear transmission system is provided in the shaving unit to convert the rotation of the second base portion of the transmission system into the movement of the adjustment component of each hair cutting unit.

[0040] An example of a movable adjusting member in a hair cutting unit is a member that can be displaced to change the relative position of an outer cutting member and a skin support member in the axial direction, the skin support member having a skin support surface surrounding the outer cutting member. Typically, in each hair cutting unit, the movable adjusting member can be arranged to actuate a mechanism configured to adjust the operating parameters of the respective hair cutting unit. In the case where the transmission system includes a gear connected to the second base portion, the gear can be centrally located in the secondary gear transmission system.

[0041] The present invention also relates to an electric shaver comprising a body unit and a shaving head as described above, wherein the shaving head is connectable to or coupled to the body unit, and wherein the body unit houses an actuator configured to rotate a first base portion of a transmission system in the connected state of the shaving head.

[0042] The above and other aspects of the invention will become apparent and elucidated with reference to the following detailed description of several embodiments of a shaving head for an electric shaver. Attached Figure Description

[0043] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals, and in the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 A perspective view of an electric shaver according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically. The electric shaver includes a shaving head and a body unit.

[0045] Figure 2 A perspective view schematically illustrating the outer cutting member, decorative cap, and inner cutting member of a shaving head's hair-cutting unit is shown, with both the outer cutting member and the cap shown partially cut off.

[0046] Figure 3 A perspective view schematically illustrating a component of a shaving head according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, which includes a transmission system shaving head according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 4 A perspective view of the first base portion of the transmission system is schematically shown.

[0048] Figure 5 A perspective view of the second base portion of the transmission system is schematically shown when engaged with a gear transmission system comprising one gear for each hair-cutting unit including the shaving head.

[0049] Figure 6 A perspective view schematically showing the components of the connecting part of the coupling device of the transmission system is provided.

[0050] Figure 7 This demonstrates how the connecting parts are movable and how they are arranged around a central axis and relative to a first center point of the first base part and a second center point of the second base part.

[0051] Figure 8 A perspective view schematically illustrating components of a shaving head according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, including a transmission system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 9 A perspective view of a portion of the shaving head, including the second base section of the transmission system, is schematically shown.

[0053] Figure 10 A perspective view schematically showing a portion of the shaving head, including the first base portion of the transmission system, and...

[0054] Figure 11 A perspective view of the connecting components of the connecting device of the transmission system is shown schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0055] 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 head 3, wherein the body unit 2 is designed to allow the user of the electric shaver 1 to hold and manipulate the electric shaver 1, and wherein the shaving head 3 is part of the electric shaver 1, which will be positioned on the skin and moved on the skin to remove hair. In the example shown, the shaving head 3 includes three hair-cutting units 4 supported on shaving units 5 of the shaving head 3. When the electric shaver 1 is actually used to perform the shaving action, the actual process of cutting the hair protruding from the skin occurs at the location of the hair-cutting units 4.

[0056] Each hair cutting unit 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 is generally cup-shaped, 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 within the outer cutting member 10, comprising a sheet 13 extending in a generally radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis 14 of the outer cutting member 10, which coincides with a rotation axis 21 about which the inner cutting member 20 can rotate relative to the outer cutting member 10. Gaps between the sheets 13 form hair entry openings 15 of the hair-cutting track 12. The sides of the sheets 13 form hair-cutting surfaces 16 adapted to cooperate with the hair-cutting blades 22 of the hair-cutting element 23 of the inner cutting member 20 to cut hair. The 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 a pattern of toothed elements and / or (circular) holes in place of the sheet 13 or as an addition to the sheet 13. Furthermore, the invention relates to cases in which more than one hair cutting track 12 exists in the outer cutting member 10.

[0057] When the inner cutting member 20 is actuated to rotate and a portion of the skin comes into actual contact with the outer cutting member 10 at the position of the hair cutting track 12, a hair cutting action can be performed. The actuation of the inner cutting element 20 can be performed in a known manner by the drive mechanism of the electric razor 1. When the combination of the outer cutting member 10 and the inner cutting member 20 moves over a portion of the skin while the inner cutting member 20 is driven to rotate, hair protruding from that portion of the skin 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 cooperation between the hair cutting surface 16 of the hair cutting track 12 of the outer cutting member 10 and the hair cutting blade 22 of the rotating hair cutting element 23 of the inner cutting member 20.

[0058] In addition to the hair-cutting track 12, the outer cutting member 10 also includes a central portion 17, which includes a central bearing portion designed to rotatably support the inner cutting member 20 in 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.

[0059] Each 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. The shaving unit 5 of the shaving head 3 is arranged to be pivotally oriented to a certain extent relative to the support structure 6 of the shaving head 3 about a pivot point. The support structure 6 of the shaving head 3 is the stationary part of the shaving head 3 relative to the body unit 2, and the shaving head 3 is connected to the body unit 2 through this part in the operating and assembled state of the electric shaver 1. As a result of the above-described pivoting arrangement, the shaving unit 5 has a contour-following function. For clarity, it is noted that most of the support structure 6 is located within the space of the body unit 2. Figure 1 It is not visible in the middle.

[0060] Figure 3 An assembly of components for a shaving head 3 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, including a transmission system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 Several components of the transmission system 100 are shown in the diagram. The transmission system 100 includes a first base portion 41, a second base portion 42, and a coupling device 50 connecting the first base portion 41 and the second base portion 42. The first base portion 41 is rotatable relative to the main housing of the transmission system 100, which is located in... Figure 3 The first base portion 41 is schematically shown in the figure through dashed lines and indicated by reference numeral 101, and is stationary relative to the support structure 6 of the shaving head 3. Specifically, the first base portion 41 is rotatable relative to the main housing 101 about a first axis of rotation A. r1 Rotation, the first axis of rotation A r1 The second base portion 42 is stationary relative to the main housing 101. It can rotate around the second axis of rotation A. r2 The second base portion 42 rotates and pivots about a pivot point P, which is stationary relative to the main housing 101 and is the same pivot point as the pivot point of the pivoting motion of the shaving unit 5 of the shaving head 3. During the pivoting of the second base portion 42 about the pivot point P, the second axis of rotation A r2 It remains stationary relative to the second base portion 42. Therefore, when the second base portion 42 is in a non-pivoting position, the second rotation axis A r2 Orientation and the first axis of rotation A r1 The orientations are the same, and only the second axis of rotation A r2 The orientation changes with the pivoting movement of the second base portion 42. Furthermore, in this embodiment of the transmission system 100, the first rotation axis A... r1 Second axis of rotation A r2Both extend through the pivot point P. The first base portion 41 serves as the input component of the transmission system 100, the second base portion 42 serves as the output component of the transmission system 100, and the connecting device 50 is used to connect the first base portion 41 around the first rotation axis A. r1 The rotation is converted into the second base part 42 around the second rotation axis A r2 The rotation.

[0061] In this embodiment of the transmission system 100, the transmission system 100 drives the gear transmission system 60, which includes a gear 61 for each hair cutting unit 4 of the shaving head 3. A gear 43 is connected to the second base portion 42 on the side opposite to the coupling device 50, wherein the gear axis of the gear 43 is parallel to the second rotation axis A. r2 Overlap. It is through this gear 43 that the second base portion 42 engages with the corresponding gear 61 of the gear transmission system 60, as in Figure 5 As seen in more detail below. In this embodiment of the shaving head 3, each hair cutting unit 4 includes a movable adjustable member (…). Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 (Not shown in the image), and the gear transmission system 60 is a secondary gear transmission system arranged in the shaving unit 5 of the shaving head 3 to drive the corresponding adjustment member by converting the rotation of the second base portion 42 into the movement of the corresponding adjustment member. In each hair cutting unit 4, the movable adjustment member is used to actuate a mechanism configured to adjust the operating parameters of the corresponding hair cutting unit 4, such as a mechanism configured to adjust the relative position of the outer cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 in the axial direction. The advantage of having such a mechanism is that it allows the user to personalize the shaving experience in terms of the balance between closeness and comfort.

[0062] In addition to the secondary gear transmission system 60, the shaving head 3 also includes a primary gear transmission system 65, which includes a gear 66 configured to drive the internal cutting member 20 of the corresponding hair cutting unit 4, wherein the rotation of the gear 66 is caused by the rotation of the central drive shaft 67. All the second base portions 42 of the transmission system 100, the gear 61 of the secondary gear transmission system 60, and the gear 66 of the primary gear transmission system 65 are arranged to be pivotable together with the shaving unit 5 of the shaving head 3. The pivoting movement of the shaving unit 5 about the pivot point P is generally caused by the contact of the external cutting member 10 and the skin support member 30 of the corresponding hair cutting unit 4 with the area of ​​skin to be shave at the positions of the shaving surface 11 and the skin support surface 31, respectively, during actual use of the electric shaver 1. Figure 3The second base portion 42 and the corresponding gears 61, 66 are shown in a pivoted position of approximately 10° relative to the non-pivoted position.

[0063] As described above, the coupling device 50 of the transmission system 100 is connected to the first base portion 41 and the second base portion 42, thereby positioning the first base portion 41 around the first rotation axis A. r1 The rotation is converted into the second base part 42 around the second rotation axis A r2 The rotation. A special feature of the coupling device 50 is that it is designed to function in all cases, including the pivoting position of the second base portion 42. In fact, the coupling device 50 includes multiple coupling portions 51, which is three in this embodiment of the transmission system 100, and the configuration of the coupling portions 51 conforms to the following criteria:

[0064] - Each connecting portion 51 at its first connecting position C1 on the first base portion 41, at least relative to the first rotation axis A r1 It is connected to the first base portion 41 in the tangential direction;

[0065] - Each connecting portion 51 at its second connecting position C2 on the second base portion 42 is at least relative to the second rotation axis A r2 Connected to the second base portion 42 in the tangential direction;

[0066] - The corresponding first connection position C1 is parallel to the first rotation axis A r1 The first center point B of the first base portion 41 has equal axial position in the direction. c1 Located on the first axis of rotation A r1 In the position corresponding to the axial position of the corresponding first connection position C1;

[0067] - The corresponding second connection position C2 is parallel to the second rotation axis A r2 The second center point B of the second base portion 42 has equal axial position in the direction. c2 Located on the second axis of rotation A r2 In the position corresponding to the axial position of the corresponding second connection position C2;

[0068] - The central axis A of the connecting device 50 c Extending through the first and second center points B c1 B c2 ;as well as

[0069] - The connecting parts 51 are interconnected, such that the connecting parts 51 are only connected along the central axis A. c They are displaceable relative to each other in the axial direction.

[0070] First and second center points B c1 B c2 Two of the three first connection positions C1, two of the three second connection positions C2, and the central axis A c exist Figure 7 As shown in the diagram, two additional connecting portions 51 are schematically illustrated, and the central axis A is shown in the diagram. c The axial direction is indicated by a double-headed arrow. First and second center points B. c1 B c2 and central axis A c Also there Figure 3 As shown in the diagram. It can be clearly seen that the central axis A c First center point B c1 The position relative to the first axis of rotation A r1 Intersecting, and the central axis A c Second center point B c2 The position relative to the second axis of rotation A r2 Intersecting. The first center point B of the first base section 41. c1 Located on the first axis of rotation A r1 The aforementioned fact that the position corresponds to the axial position of the corresponding first connection position C1 can be determined by... Figure 4 As seen in the image, the second center point B of the second base section 42... c2 Located on the second axis of rotation A r2 The aforementioned fact that the position corresponds to the axial position of the corresponding second connection position C2 can be seen in Figure 5 I saw it in the middle.

[0071] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 51 includes an axially elongated groove 52. The first base portion 41 includes a pin 44 that extends inwardly through the groove 52 in a radial direction relative to the axial direction. Similarly, the second base portion 42 includes a pin 45 that extends inwardly through the groove 52 in a radial direction. Thus, the pin-groove connection is realized at corresponding first connection positions C1 and second connection positions C2, wherein the movement of the corresponding pins 44, 45 in the corresponding grooves 52 is limited only to the central axis A. c It is possible in the axial direction. The transmission system 100 guides the first base portion 41 around the first rotation axis A. r1 The rotation is converted into the second base part 42 around the second rotation axis A r2 The rotational function is achieved based on the fact that each pin 44 of the first base portion 41 is directly associated with a pin 45 of the second base portion 42, and the pin 45 extends through the same connecting portion 51 at the location of the groove 52 of the connecting portion 51. The interconnection of the connecting portions 51 ensures that the connecting portions 51 are only connected along the central axis A.c The fact that the two parts are displaceable relative to each other in the axial direction enables the transmission system 100 to perform its function not only when the second base portion 42 is in a non-pivotible position but also when the second base portion 42 is in a pivoted position. Specifically, in this embodiment, the connecting portions 51 in each pair of adjacent connecting portions 51 are interconnected by a guide structure 53, which allows the connecting portions 51 of the pair of adjacent connecting portions to be aligned with the central axis A. c They slide against each other in the axial direction.

[0072] By controlling the first base portion 41 about the first rotation axis A r1 The position is ultimately determined by setting the second base portion 42 about the second rotation axis A. r2 The position of the secondary gear transmission system 60 is thus determined, as previously described, so that the configuration of the mechanism driven by the secondary gear transmission system 60 is the desired final result. Consistent with what is known in the prior art, the electric shaver 1 may be equipped with a controller and a user interface for receiving user input. According to the invention, the user input includes input to determine the configuration of the mechanism driven by the secondary gear transmission system 60. If at some point the configuration of the mechanism deviates from the user's desired configuration, the controller is used to move the first base portion 41 until the latter configuration is achieved through the associated movement of the second base portion 42 and the gear 61 of the secondary gear transmission system 60. This is done independently of the position of the second base portion 42 about the pivot point P, and this is done without affecting the manner in which the internal cutting member 20 of the corresponding hair cutting unit 4 is driven, wherein it should be noted that the connecting portion 51 of the connecting device 50 extending between the first base portion 41 and the second base portion 42 is arranged around the central drive shaft 67. The body unit 2 of the electric shaver 1 can accommodate a suitable actuator configured to realize the first base portion 41 about a first rotation axis A when the body unit 2 and the shaving head 3 are connected to each other. r1 The movement of the actuator. For example, such an actuator may include one or more gears.

[0073] Regarding the user interface, it should be noted that this could be a button, touchscreen, etc. on the main body unit 2 of the electric shaver 1. However, the present invention also covers other possibilities, including: the possibility that, in the case that the electric shaver 1 has such an additional device, the button, touchscreen, etc. are located on the charging stand or cleaning station of the electric shaver 1, and the possibility that the user can use a smartphone with the appropriate application installed on it to exchange data with the controller of the electric shaver 1 remotely and wirelessly.

[0074] Figure 8 An assembly of components for a shaving head 3 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, including a transmission system 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9, Figure 10 and Figure 11 The diagram shows various components of the transmission system 100. The basic configuration of the transmission system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is equivalent to that of the transmission system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The transmission system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention further includes a first base portion 41, a second base portion 42, and a connecting device 50. The connecting device 50 includes a connecting portion 51, which is accessible along the central axis A of the connecting device 50. c They slide relative to each other in the axial direction. Figure 9 The image shows a portion of the shaving head 3 including the second base portion 42, while... Figure 10 The image shows a portion of the shaving head 3 including a first base portion 41. The portion of the shaving head 3 including a second base portion 42 is part of the shaving unit 5 of the shaving head 3 and includes a frame 70 with three openings 71, which provide space for connecting internal cutting members 20 to corresponding gears 66 of a primary gear transmission system 65 to drive the internal cutting members 20 in each hair cutting unit 4. The second base portion 42 is held in the frame 70 in a suitable manner, for example, based on a snap-fit ​​connection. The portion of the shaving head 3 including the first base portion 41 is part of the support structure 6 of the shaving head 3, wherein the first base portion 41 is rotatably rotatable about a first rotation axis A. r1 Arranged in this section.

[0075] exist Figure 8 and Figure 11 As can be seen from the diagram, in the transmission system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the design of the connecting portion 51 of the connecting device 50 differs from the design of the connecting portion 51 in the transmission system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Instead of providing a single elongated slot 52, each connecting portion 51 includes an intermediate closure 54, a U-shaped connecting member 55, and an eye-shaped connecting member 57. The U-shaped connecting member 55 defines an opening slot 56 for interacting with a corresponding pin 44 of the first base portion member 41, and the eye-shaped connecting member 57 defines a closed slot 58 for interacting with a corresponding pin 45 of the second base portion member 42. Figure 11 As can be clearly seen, the guide structure 53 is a structure in which, at the connection interface of two adjacent connection portions 51, the side of one connection portion 51 includes a thickened edge 53a, while the side of the other connection portion 51 includes a hollow edge 53b, which partially surrounds the thickened edge 53a of one connection portion 51.

[0076] In a manner similar to that in the transmission system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first base portion 41 is positioned around the first rotation axis A. r1The rotation is converted into the second base part 42 around the second rotation axis A r2 The rotational function is retained for all possible positions of the second base portion 42, that is, for the non-pivoting position and all possible pivoting positions of the second base portion 42. The mechanism driven by the secondary gear transmission system 60 of the shaving head 3 can be appropriately implemented according to the user's needs in all cases without interfering with the primary gear transmission system 65 for driving the internal cutting member 20 of the corresponding hair cutting unit 4 of the shaving head 3. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the gear 61 of the secondary gear transmission system 60 does not need to be designed as a whole wheel, but can be designed as a wheel part.

[0077] Those skilled in the art will understand that the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples discussed above, and that various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The invention is intended to be construed as including all such modifications and variations falling within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. While the invention has been detailed and described in the accompanying drawings and specification, such description and illustration are to be considered merely illustrative or exemplary, 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 be omitted, and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0078] By studying the accompanying drawings, specification, 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.

[0079] Unless otherwise expressly stated, elements and aspects discussed in connection with a particular embodiment or in relation to a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments. Therefore, the mere fact that certain measures are referenced in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be advantageously used.

[0080] 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” in one embodiment may mean “consisting of”, but in another embodiment may mean “containing / having / equipped with at least the defined kinds and optionally one or more other kinds”.

[0081] In this document, the act of removing hair from the skin is generally referred to as a shaving action, and this is based on the use of terms such as "shaving head" and "electric razor." It should be noted that the current choice of the term "shaving" should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way. Therefore, the invention also includes hair removal units and apparatuses, which are generally referred to by other terms in the relevant art.

[0082] The significant aspects of the invention are summarized below. The transmission system 100 is adapted for an electric shaver 1 and includes a first base portion 41, a second base portion 42, and a coupling device 50 connected to the respective base portions 41, 42, so as to move the first base portion 41 about a first rotation axis A. r1 The rotation is converted into the second base part 42 around the second rotation axis A r2 The rotation. The connecting device 50 includes N connecting parts 51, each connecting part being at least relative to a corresponding rotation axis A. r1 A r2 The connecting parts 51 are connected to the corresponding base parts 41 and 42 in the tangential direction, where N is at least 2. The connecting parts 51 are interconnected, such that the connecting parts 51 are only connected along the central axis A. c The central axis A is displaceable relative to each other in the axial direction. c Extending through the center point B of the corresponding base sections 41 and 42 c1 B c2 .

Claims

1. A transmission system (100), comprising: - Main housing (101); - First base portion (41), the first base portion (41) is capable of rotating around a first axis of rotation (A) r1 ) rotates relative to the main housing (101), the first rotation axis (A) r1 It is stationary relative to the main housing (101); - Second base portion (42), the second base portion (42) is capable of rotating around the second axis of rotation (A) r2 The second base portion (42) rotates and is capable of pivoting about a pivot point (P), which is stationary relative to the main housing (101), during which the second axis of rotation (A) rotates about the pivot point (P). r2 (42) Maintains a static orientation relative to the second base portion; - A connecting device (50) is connected to the first base portion (41) and the second base portion (42) to allow the first base portion (41) to rotate around the first axis of rotation (A). r1 The rotation of the second base portion (42) is converted into the second rotation axis (A) around the second rotation axis. r2 The rotation of ); where: - The connecting device (50) includes N connecting portions (51), each of the N connecting portions having at least one of N first connecting positions (C1) on the first base portion (41) relative to the first rotation axis (A) r1 The N connecting portions are connected to the first base portion (41) in the tangential direction of the second base portion (42), and each of the N connecting portions is at least in one of the N second connecting positions (C2) on the second base portion (42) at a position relative to the second rotation axis (A). r2 ) is connected to the second base portion (42) in the tangential direction, wherein N is at least two; - The N first connection positions (C1) are parallel to the first rotation axis (A) r1 The first center point (B) of the first base portion (41) has an equal axial position in the direction of the first base portion (41). c1 ) located on the first rotation axis (A) r1 The positions on the N first connection positions (C1) that correspond to the axial positions of the N first connection positions (C1); - The N second connection positions (C2) are parallel to the second rotation axis (A) r2 The second base portion (42) has equal axial positions in the direction of the second base portion (42), and the second center point (B) of the second base portion (42) has equal axial positions in the direction of the second base portion (42). c2 ) is located on the second rotation axis (A) r2 The positions on the N second connection positions (C2) that correspond to the axial positions of the N second connection positions (C2); - The central axis (A) of the connecting device (50) c ) extends through the first center point and the second center point (B) c1 B c2 );and - The connecting parts (51) are interconnected, such that the connecting parts (51) are only connected along the central axis (A). c They can be displaced relative to each other in the axial direction.

2. The transmission system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first rotating axis (A) r1 ) and the second axis of rotation (A) r2 All of them extend through the pivot point (P).

3. The transmission system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the pivot point (P) is arranged perpendicular to the second axis of rotation (A). r2 ) extending through the second center point (B) c2 The imaginary surfaces are spaced a certain distance apart, and the imaginary surfaces are located at the pivot point (P) and the first center point (B). c1 )between.

4. The transmission system (100) according to claim 1, wherein N is at least 3, and wherein the N connecting portions (51) surround the central axis (A). c Arranged at 360° / N intervals of the same angle.

5. The transmission system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the N connecting parts (51) are identical to each other.

6. The transmission system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portions (51) in each pair of adjacent connecting portions (51) are interconnected by a guide structure (53), the guide structure (53) allowing the connecting portions (51) of the pair to be aligned on the central axis (A). c They slide relative to each other in the axial direction.

7. The transmission system (100) according to claim 1, wherein each of the connecting portions (51) is in a corresponding first connecting position (C1) parallel to the central axis (A). c The connecting portion (51) is displaceably guided relative to the first base portion (41) in the direction of the connecting portion (51), and / or wherein each of the connecting portions (51) is in the corresponding second connecting position (C2) parallel to the central axis (A). c The direction of the second base portion (42) is movable relative to the second base portion (42).

8. The transmission system (100) according to claim 7, wherein each of the connecting portions (51) is connected to the first base portion (41) in a corresponding first connecting position (C1) by a pin-slot connector, the pin-slot connector comprising a pin (44) which is mounted to the first base portion (41) in the corresponding first connecting position (C1) and engages with slots (52, 56) which are provided in the corresponding connecting portion (51) and parallel to the central axis (A). c The connecting portion (51) extends and / or is respectively connected to the second base portion (42) in the corresponding second connecting position (C2) by a pin-slot connector, the pin-slot connector comprising a pin (45) which is mounted to the second base portion (42) in the corresponding second connecting position (C2) and engages with grooves (52, 58) which are provided in the corresponding connecting portion (51) and parallel to the central axis (A). c )extend.

9. The transmission system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the gear (43) is connected to the second base portion (42) on the side of the second base portion (42) opposite to the connecting device (50), and wherein the gear axis of the gear (43) is parallel to the second rotation axis (A). r2 )coincide.

10. A shaving head (3) of an electric shaver (1), comprising: - Supporting structure (6); - A shaving unit (5) supporting at least two hair cutting units (4), each hair cutting unit (4) having an outer cutting member (10) and an inner cutting member (20) rotatable relative to the outer cutting member (10); and The transmission system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; in: - The main housing (101) of the transmission system (100) is arranged in a static position relative to the support structure (6); - The shaving unit (5) together with the hair cutting unit (4) is arranged to be allowed to be in a pivot position relative to the support structure (6) around the pivot point (P) corresponding to the pivot point (P) of the transmission system (100). - The first base portion (41) of the transmission system (100) is rotatably supported relative to the support structure (6) of the shaving head (3); and - The second base portion (42) of the transmission system (100) is rotatably supported relative to the shaving unit (5) of the shaving head (3).

11. The shaving head (3) according to claim 10, further comprising a central drive shaft (67) arranged in the support structure (6) and a primary gear transmission system (65) arranged in the shaving unit (5) to convert rotation of the central drive shaft (67) into rotation of the internal cutting member (20) of the corresponding hair cutting unit (4), wherein the connecting portion of the connecting device (50) of the transmission system (100) is arranged around the central drive shaft (67).

12. The shaving head (3) according to claim 10, comprising: - A movable adjustment member for each of the hair cutting units (4) in the hair cutting unit (4), wherein in each of the hair cutting units (4), the movable adjustment member is arranged to actuate a mechanism configured to adjust the operating parameters of the corresponding hair cutting unit (4). - A secondary gear transmission system (60) is arranged in the shaving unit (5) to convert the rotation of the second base portion (42) of the transmission system (100) into the movement of the adjustment member of each hair cutting unit (4) in the hair cutting unit (4).

13. The shaving head (3) according to claim 12, wherein the transmission system (100) is the transmission system (100) according to claim 9, and wherein the gear (43) connected to the second base portion (42) of the transmission system (100) has a central position in the secondary gear transmission system (60).

14. An electric shaver (1) comprising a body unit (2) and a shaving head (3) according to claim 10, wherein the shaving head (3) is capable of being coupled to or connected to the body unit (2), and wherein the body unit (2) houses an actuator configured to rotate the first base portion (41) of the transmission system (100) in the coupled state of the shaving head (3).

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