Use of retaining member for guiding light in shaving unit

Abstract

In a shaving unit (3) for an electric shaver, this type of shaving unit comprises at least one hair cutting unit; a base member (6) having a hair collection chamber (61); a support member (5) releasably mounted on the base member (6) and configured to support the hair cutting unit; and a holding member (7) connected to the support member (5) and configured to hold the hair cutting unit in an operating position relative to the support member (5), the at least one light source being applied to illuminate the skin of the user via at least a portion of the skin contact surface (51) of the support member (5) during use of the shaving unit (3). A portion of the support member (5) and a portion of the holding member (7) including the portion of the skin contact surface (51) are both optically transparent, wherein the portion of the holding member is for guiding and propagating light generated by the light source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shaving unit for an electric shaver, comprising:

[0002] at least one hair cutting unit having an outer cutting member with a hair entry opening and an inner cutting member movable relative to the outer cutting member and covered by the outer cutting member;

[0003] a base member having a hair collecting chamber arranged to collect hair cut by the hair cutting unit;

[0004] a support member releasably mounted on the base member and configured to support the hair cutting unit, the support member having a skin contact surface arranged to contact the skin of a user during use of the shaving unit, the skin contact surface at least partially surrounding the hair cutting unit;

[0005] a retaining member connected to the support member and configured to retain the hair cutting unit in an operative position relative to the support member, the operative position being between a skin contacting surface of the support member and the retaining member; and

[0006] At least one light source is configured to generate light for illuminating the user's skin via at least a portion of the skin contact surface of the support member during use of the shaving unit, wherein a portion of the support member including said portion of the skin contact surface is optically transparent.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electric shaver comprising a main body and a shaving unit as described above, which is coupled to the main body. Background Art

[0008] A shaving unit as described above is known in the art, such as from WO2022 / 069324A1. In addition to at least one hair cutting unit and a support member supporting the at least one hair cutting unit, the shaving unit known from WO2022 / 069324A1 includes at least one skin heating unit, which includes at least one infrared light source or near infrared light source. The hair cutting unit is of a type comprising an external cutting member and an internal cutting member, the external cutting member having a hair entry opening in a cutting track surface, the internal cutting member having at least one hair cutting element and being movable relative to the external cutting member. The skin heating unit also includes a skin contact member having a skin contact surface, the skin contact surface being arranged adjacent to the at least one hair cutting unit to contact the skin during use of the shaving unit, wherein at least one infrared light source or near infrared light source is integrated in the skin contact member, is thermally coupled to the skin contact surface and is arranged to emit infrared light or near infrared light via the skin contact surface.

[0009] The reason for equipping the shaving unit with a skin heating unit is that exposing the hair to infrared or near-infrared light helps soften the hair. Generally speaking, exposing the hair to infrared or near-infrared light during the shaving action improves the comfort of the user experience. In addition, infrared or near-infrared light can have a beneficial effect on the skin, stimulating the skin and making the skin look radiant. The fact is that the function of the skin heating unit is to achieve an effect known as deep photothermal heating. Deep photothermal heating is different from conductive heating by a heat applicator including a thermal element in conductive thermal contact with the skin, because the penetration depth of the light into the skin is relatively high, generally reaching 1 mm when blue light is used and reaching several millimeters when infrared or red light is used. The skin is heated over the entire depth of light penetration without relying on the thermal conductivity of the heating unit and the skin. During operation using the shaving unit known from WO 2022 / 069324 A1 and the skin heating unit of the shaving unit, a combination of deep photothermal heating of the skin and conductive heating is obtained due to the application of infrared light or near-infrared light to the skin and the thermal coupling of the light source to the skin contact surface, respectively, the latter causing conductive heating of the skin by waste heat generated by the light source. In this regard, it should be noted that, in general, any light source has a limited efficiency in converting electrical power into optical power, and a portion of the electrical power supplied to the light source is converted into thermal energy, so that the light source generates not only light but also waste heat during operation.

[0010] A problem in the field of heating the skin by means of one or more light sources integrated in a shaving unit is the insufficient optical propagation of the light over the surface with which the skin is in contact during the combined action of removing hair from the skin and emitting light to the skin. This is a problem not only when the light is infrared light or near infrared light, but also when another type of light is applied, such as blue light, which is suitable for achieving an antibacterial effect and can be applied in various fields including the field of acne treatment, or red light, which is suitable for achieving an anti-inflammatory effect and can be applied in various fields including the field of wound healing. The fact is that an insufficient optical propagation of the light involves an associated risk of producing localized high-intensity light spots, which can cause the user to experience an uncomfortable sensation of pain and / or can reduce the effectiveness of the intended skin treatment or even cause skin damage. Moreover, insufficient optical propagation is undesirable with regard to photobiology and thermal eye safety.

[0011] Furthermore, another problem with the shaving unit known from WO 2022 / 069324 A1 is that the light intensity that can be applied to the skin may be limited by the conductive heat of the skin. In particular, when using light of different colors for other skin benefits besides skin heating, relatively high light intensities may be required to obtain sufficient light treatment efficiency. Such higher light intensities may not be possible because relatively large amounts of waste heat of the light source are thermally conducted to the skin.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a shaving unit comprising at least one light source configured to generate light for irradiating the skin of a user and designed to avoid generating localized high-intensity light spots on the skin during use of the shaving unit, preferably without requiring significant modifications to the known arrangements of existing shaving units. Another object of the present invention is to significantly reduce the heat conduction of residual heat of the light source to the skin contacting surface of the support member, so that the amount of light that can be directed to the skin is not limited by an impermissible degree of heating of the skin by the residual heat of the light source. Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention provides a shaving unit for an electric shaver, comprising:

[0014] at least one hair cutting unit having an outer cutting member with a hair entry opening and an inner cutting member movable relative to the outer cutting member and covered by the outer cutting member;

[0015] a base member having a hair collection chamber for collecting hair cut by the hair cutting unit;

[0016] a support member releasably mounted on the base member and configured to support the hair cutting unit, the support member having a skin contact surface arranged to contact the skin of a user during use of the shaving unit, the skin contact surface at least partially surrounding the hair cutting unit;

[0017] a retaining member connected to the support member and configured to retain the hair cutting unit in an operative position relative to the support member, the operative position being between a skin contacting surface of the support member and the retaining member; and

[0018] at least one light source configured to generate light for illuminating the skin of a user via at least a portion of the skin contacting surface of the support member during use of the shaving unit;

[0019] in:

[0020] a portion of the support member including said portion of the skin contacting surface is optically transparent;

[0021] The retaining member has an optically transparent light guiding portion;

[0022] The light source is arranged such that light generated by the light source is optically coupled into the light guiding portion of the retaining member; and

[0023] The light guiding portion of the holding member has a light out-coupling surface and is configured to guide light received from the light source and out-couple the light in a direction toward the optically transparent portion of the support member via the light out-coupling surface.

[0024] As can be seen from the foregoing, a salient feature of the shaving unit according to the invention is the optical transparency of a portion of the support member comprising a portion of the skin contact surface and the optical transparency of a portion of the holding member, which portion of the holding member is referred to as the light-guiding portion of the holding member. The light source, the light-guiding portion of the holding member and the optically transparent portion of the support member are positioned relative to each other so that during operation, the light generated by the light source is optically coupled into the light-guiding portion of the holding member, passes through the light-guiding portion of the holding member and is coupled out towards the optically transparent portion of the support member. In this way, the light generated by the light source is able to reach the relevant portion of the skin contact surface of the support member.

[0025] As can be clearly seen from the above explanation, according to the present invention, the function of a part of the holding member is to guide and direct the light from the light source to the optically transparent part of the support member. Therefore, in order to ensure that the light can pass through the shaving unit, existing components of the conventional shaving unit, namely the holding member and the support member, are used. Putting the present invention into practice includes selecting an effective relative positioning of the light source, the light-guiding part of the holding member and the optically transparent part of the support member, and in addition, at least a part of the holding member and the support member is made of an optically transparent material. Examples of suitable optically transparent materials are polycarbonate and polymethyl methacrylate. It should be noted that the light-guiding part of the holding member and the optically transparent part of the support member can be made of the same optically transparent material, but this is not necessary in the context of the present invention. When the shaving unit is used in a shaving action, the spatial appearance of the holding member (based on which the holding member is used to support the hair cutting unit in the shaving unit) provides a practical basis for obtaining a uniform distribution of light applied to the skin of the user, in particular through the light-guiding part of the holding member. In this way, a high efficiency of skin treatment is achieved while preventing the generation of local high-intensity light spots that may be harmful to the skin and / or eyes. Furthermore, since the hair cutting unit is held in its operating position between the retaining member and the skin supporting surface of the support member, the arrangement of the retaining member at a distance from the support member allows the light source to be arranged at a distance from the skin supporting surface, i.e. without any relatively short direct heat conduction path between the light source and the skin contact surface.

[0026] The present invention covers any suitable position of the light source in the shaving unit. Practical options in this regard include the option that the light source is mounted to the light-guiding portion of the retaining member, the option that the light source is mounted to the support member, and the option that the light source is mounted in the bottom wall or side wall of the hair collection chamber of the base member. With regard to the latter two options, it should be noted that it is practical if the light-guiding portion of the retaining member includes a light coupling-in surface, which is configured to receive light generated by the light source under operating conditions of the shaving unit, i.e. under conditions of the shaving unit, wherein the retaining member is coupled to the support member and the support member is coupled to the base member. In particular, the option that the light source is mounted to the light-guiding portion of the retaining member and the option that the light source is mounted to the hair collection chamber of the base member provide for optimal reduction of thermal conduction of waste heat of the light source to the skin contacting surface of the support member.

[0027] In a practical embodiment of the shaving unit according to the invention, the holding member is releasably coupled to the supporting member such that the hair cutting unit can be removed from the shaving unit in an uncoupled condition of the holding member.

[0028] With regard to the light outcoupling surface of the light-guiding portion of the holding member, it should be noted that one of the various practical positions of the surface is a position where the surface extends parallel to the skin contact surface of the supporting member. This allows a design in which the light outcoupling surface of the light-guiding portion of the holding member extends parallel to a relatively large part of the skin contact surface, which will further improve the optical propagation of light on the skin contact surface. In addition, it should be noted that the present invention covers an option according to which the light-guiding portion of the holding member comprises a light outcoupling structure, which is arranged on one of the light outcoupling surface of the light-guiding portion and the main surface of the light-guiding portion opposite to the light outcoupling surface. In the context of this option, it may be practical if the other of the light outcoupling surface of the light-guiding portion and the main surface of the light-guiding portion opposite to the light outcoupling surface is free of structure, i.e. flat. In other words, the light coupling structure may be located at one side of the light-guiding portion that is light-coupled out, or at the opposite side, i.e. at the side where there is no light outcoupling. Another possible feature is that the main surface of the light-guiding portion opposite to the light outcoupling surface is provided with an optically reflective coating. In case such a coating is omitted, reflection of light in the light guiding part still occurs, namely based on total internal reflection.

[0029] In practical cases, such as when the light source is a light emitting diode (LED), the light source is configured to emit light in a main emission direction. It is advantageous if the design of the light source, the holding member and the support member and the positioning of these components of the shaving unit relative to each other are taken into account so as to appropriately select the orientation of the light source in the shaving unit. For example, the selection may be made based on whether the main emission direction of the light source is parallel or perpendicular to the light outcoupling surface of the light guiding portion of the holding member.

[0030] As described above, during use of the shaving unit according to the invention, the skin of the user is illuminated via at least a portion of the skin contact surface of the support member. If at least a portion of the hair cutting unit is also used to transmit light to the skin, an even larger illumination area is obtained, and in view of this, an advantageous option is included in the present invention, namely that the hair cutting unit is at least partially optically transparent and the light-guiding part of the holding member is configured to couple out light received from the light source via the light coupling-out surface also in a direction towards the hair cutting unit. For example, the hair entry opening of the external cutter member of the hair cutting unit can be used to transmit light to the skin. Additionally or alternatively, the external cutting member can be provided with a centrally arranged open channel, about which the internal cutting member can rotate, and which is covered by an optically transparent cap on the skin-facing side of the external cutting member.

[0031] In a practical embodiment, the shaving unit comprises more than one hair cutting unit, in particular three hair cutting units arranged in a triangular configuration about a central axis of the hair cutting unit. In such an embodiment, in order to achieve a useful propagation of light on the optically transparent part of the support member of the shaving unit as required, if:

[0032] a retaining member having a central portion and three light guiding portions mounted to the central portion in a triangular configuration about a central axis;

[0033] The shaving unit comprises at least one light source associated with each light guiding portion of the retaining member; and

[0034] Advantageously, each respective light guiding portion of the retaining member is configured to guide light received from at least one light source associated with the respective light guiding portion and to outcouple the light in a direction towards a respective one of the three sections of the optically transparent portion of the support member.

[0035] In order to further promote uniform propagation of light over the optically transparent portion of the support member and to limit or even prevent light losses to other parts of the shaving unit outside the optically transparent portion of the support member, it is advantageous if an inner surface of the shaving unit is provided with an optically reflective coating, said inner surface comprising at least one of the following:

[0036] an inner surface of the hair collection chamber of the base member;

[0037] the inner surface of the support member;

[0038] a surface of an internal cutting member of a hair cutting unit;

[0039] a surface of a drive member disposed in the base member for driving the internal cutting member; and

[0040] A surface of the light guiding portion of the holding member other than the light out-coupling surface and the light in-coupling surface, where light is received from the light source.

[0041] The above and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent and elaborated with reference to the following detailed description of multiple embodiments of a shaving unit, which includes three hair cutting units; a support member for supporting the hair cutting units; and a retaining member for retaining the hair cutting units in an operating position relative to the support member, wherein the shaving unit also includes at least one light source, which is configured to generate light for illuminating the user's skin via at least a portion of the skin contact surface of the support member during use of the shaving unit, and wherein the shaving unit is designed to provide a path for light from the light source through the retaining member to the said portion of the skin contact surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The present 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, and in which:

[0043] Figure 1 Schematically showing a perspective view of an electric shaver according to an embodiment of the present invention, the electric shaver comprising a shaving unit and a main body;

[0044] Figure 2 schematically shows one hair cutting unit of three hair cutting units of a shaving unit, wherein an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member of the hair cutting unit are shown in an exploded perspective view;

[0045] Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of a shaving unit without a hair cutting unit in an open state, wherein a hair collecting chamber provided in a base member of the shaving unit is accessible;

[0046] Figure 4 schematically shows a perspective view of a holding member of a shaving unit;

[0047] Figure 5 schematically shows a top view of a support member of a shaving unit, the support member being used to support a hair cutting unit;

[0048] Figures 6 to 9 Four options regarding the positioning of the LED on the holding member are illustrated;

[0049] Fig.10 The diagram shows that when the application Fig. 9 How light is reflected in the light-guiding portion of the holding member and coupled out from said light-guiding portion when the selection is shown;

[0050] Fig.11 illustrates options regarding positioning of LEDs on a support member;

[0051] Fig.12 and Fig.13 Two options regarding the positioning of the LEDs in the hair collecting chamber of the base member are illustrated;

[0052] Fig.14 illustrates how the light guide and the LED are positioned relative to each other in an operating condition of the shaving unit in case the LED is located in a side wall of the hair collecting chamber;

[0053] Fig.15 and Fig.16 Two options for light outcoupling structures with respect to the retaining member are illustrated; and

[0054] Fig.17An option of a hair cutting unit is illustrated, which is provided with a further opening for the light flux. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Figure 1 A rotary electric shaver is shown as a practical example of an electric shaver 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is suitable for shaving beards. The electric shaver 1 includes a main body 2 and a shaving unit 3, wherein the main body 2 is designed so that a user of the shaver 1 can hold the shaver 1 and operate the shaver 1, and wherein the shaving unit 3 is a part of the shaver 1, which is positioned on the skin and moves on the skin to remove hair. In this example, the shaving unit 3 includes three hair cutting units 4 and a support member 5 supporting the hair cutting units 4. The support member 5 has a skin contact surface 51, which is arranged to contact the user's skin during the use of the shaving unit 3. In this example, the skin contact surface 51 surrounds each hair cutting unit in the hair cutting unit 4.

[0056] When the electric shaver 1 is actually used for the purpose of performing a shaving action, the actual process of cutting the hair protruding from the skin occurs at the position of the hair cutting unit 4. In the context of the present invention, the number of the hair cutting unit 4 can be freely selected and does not have to be three. The main body 2 can have the function of accommodating at least one electric motor for driving the parts of the corresponding hair cutting unit 4. The main body 2 can also include a device for powering at least one electric motor, such as a rechargeable battery. If the shaving unit 3 and the main body 2 are releasably connected to each other, it is practical, as known per se in the electric shaver field.

[0057] In addition to the hair cutting unit 4 and the supporting member 5, the shaving unit 3 comprises a base member 6, wherein the supporting member 5 is releasably mounted on the base member 6. Figure 3 In FIG. 3 , an open state of the shaving unit 3 is shown, in which the support member 5 is hinged to a non-operating position relative to the base member 6. Figure 3 , it can be seen that the base member 6 has a hair collection chamber 61 for collecting hair cut by the hair cutting unit 4 during the shaving action. The shaving unit 3 further comprises a retaining member 7 which, in an operating condition of the shaving unit 3, is connected to the support member 5 and is used to retain the hair cutting unit 4 in an operating position relative to the support member 5, i.e. in a position between the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5 and the retaining member 7 when viewed in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the shaving unit 3. Advantageously, the retaining member 7 is releasably coupled to the support member 5 so that the hair cutting unit 4 can be removed from the shaving unit 3 in an uncoupled condition of the retaining member 7, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 shown.

[0058] Each of the hair cutting units 4 comprises a combination of an outer cutting member 41 and an inner cutting member 42. Referring now to Figure 2 The details of the combination of the outer cutting member 41 and the inner cutting member 42 are described. The outer cutting member 41 is generally of cup-shaped design and is therefore suitable for at least partially accommodating the inner cutting member 42 inside it. The outer cutting member 41 has an annular shaving track 43, wherein the upper surface of the shaving track 43 is intended to face and contact the skin to be subjected to the shaving action. The shaving track 43 includes a thin sheet 44, which is provided along the width of the shaving track 43 relative to the central axis A of the hair cutting unit 4. c The inner cutting member 42 extends in a substantially radial direction, the central axis coinciding with the rotation axis about which the inner cutting member 42 can rotate relative to the outer cutting member 41. The holes present between the thin sheets 44 constitute the hair entry openings 45 of the shaving track 43. The sides of the thin sheets 44 constitute the hair cutting surfaces 46 suitable for cooperating with the hair cutting edges 47 of the hair cutting elements 48 of the inner cutting member 42 to cut off the hair. The present invention also relates to the case where the shaving track 43 does not include the thin sheets 44 or does not only include the thin sheets 44, such as the case where the entire shaving track 43 is provided with toothed elements and / or (circular) hole patterns instead of the thin sheets 44 or in addition to the thin sheets 44. In addition, the present invention relates to the case where there is more than one shaving track 43 in the outer cutting member 41.

[0059] When the inner cutting member 42 is activated to rotate and a portion of the skin is actually contacted by the outer cutting member 41 at the location of the shaving trajectory 43, a shaving action can be performed. c The direction of rotation is Figure 2 Activation of the internal cutting member 42 can take place in a known manner by means of a drive mechanism of the electric shaver 1. When the combination of the external cutting member 41 and the internal cutting member 42 is moved over the skin portion while the internal cutting member 42 is driven in rotation, it is achieved that hair protruding from the skin portion is caught in the hair entry opening 45 of the shaving track 43 of the external cutting member 41 and is cut off at this position due to the cooperation between the hair cutting surface 46 of the shaving track 43 of the external cutting member 41 and the hair cutting edge 47 of the hair cutting element 48 of the rotating internal cutting member 42.

[0060] The shaving unit 3 is not only configured to perform a shaving action on the user's skin, but also to emit light to the skin. To this end, the shaving unit 3 includes at least one light source configured to generate light for illuminating the skin via at least a portion of the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5 during use of the shaving unit 3. The shaving unit 3 is designed to enable the light to follow a path extending from the light source to the portion of the skin contact surface 51 and through the retaining member 7. In particular, the shaving unit 3 has the following features:

[0061] a portion of the support member 5 including said portion of the skin contacting surface 51 is optically transparent;

[0062] The holding member 7 has an optically transparent light-guiding portion;

[0063] The light source is arranged such that light generated by the light source is optically coupled into the light guiding portion of the holding member 7; and

[0064] The light guiding portion of the holding member 7 has a light out-coupling surface, and is configured to guide light received from the light source and out-couple the light in a direction toward the optically transparent portion of the supporting member 5 via the light out-coupling surface.

[0065] Figure 5 An example of the appearance of a support member 5 with an optically transparent portion 52 is shown in FIG. In the example shown, three sections 53 extending radially outward from a central area of ​​the support member 5 can be distinguished in the optically transparent portion 52. The holding member 7 can be completely optically transparent, in which case the optically transparent light-guiding portion 71 of the holding member 7 occupies the entire holding member 7, or the holding member 7 can be partially optically transparent. In either case, based on the features listed above, it is achieved that the mechanical mounting that holds the hair cutting unit 4 in place and largely covers the area behind the optically transparent portion 52 of the support member 5 acts as a light guide and light propagator, so that when providing a uniform light distribution in the area, the part of the skin contact surface 51 included in the optically transparent portion 52 of the support member 5 is used as a skin lighting area, thereby avoiding the occurrence of local high-intensity light spots in the area. Therefore, the holding member 7 has a combined mechanical function and an optical function. The holding member 7 is made entirely or partially of an optically transparent material, such as polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate. The optically transparent portion 52 of the support member 5 is also made of an optically transparent material, which is optionally diffuse, ie frosted. It is practical if the light outcoupling surface of the light guiding portion 71 of the retaining member 7 extends parallel to the skin contacting surface 51 of the support member 5.

[0066] The one or more light sources may be of any suitable type, selected depending on the desired effect of the light on the skin. In the following, it is assumed that the light source is an LED 81. There are various possibilities when placing the LED 81 in the shaving unit 3. In all possible cases, the positioning of the LED 81 and the positioning of the optically transparent material in the retaining member 7 and the support member 5 enable the light to reach the light-guiding portion 71 of the retaining member 7, be guided by the light-guiding portion 71 and in the process spread over the light-guiding portion 71, and from the light-guiding portion 71 reach the optically transparent portion 52 of the support member 5. The light is continuously coupled into the light-guiding portion 71, coupled out of the light-guiding portion 71, and coupled into the optically transparent portion 52 of the support member 5, so that the light can eventually be coupled out of the skin contact surface 51 and reach the skin with which the skin contact surface 51 actually contacts.

[0067] Figures 6 to 9 An example of how the LED 81 can be mounted to the three generally double-winged light guide portions 71 of the holding member 7 is illustrated in FIG. Figures 6 to 8 , the light emitted from the LED 81 is indicated by means of an arrow. The power supply of the LED 81 can take place, for example, by means of spring-loaded contacts, wherein under operating conditions of the shaving unit 3 an electrical contact of the LED 81 with the power supply is established, and wherein such electrical contact can be temporarily interrupted when the shaving unit 3 is placed in the open state and when the holding member 7 is removed from the supporting member 5 in this open state.

[0068] exist Figures 6 to 8 In the example shown, optical coupling of light into the light guiding portion 71 occurs in a direction parallel to the skin contacting surface 51 of the support member 5. Figure 6 In the example shown, six LEDs 81 are applied, each of which is placed at the tip of a wing of one light guide portion 71 of the holding member 7. In this case, in order to obtain optimal light propagation, it is practical if the LEDs 81 are of narrow viewing angle. Figure 7 In the example shown, six LEDs 81 are used, each of which is placed approximately halfway up the wing of one of the three light guides 71. In this case, for optimal light spread, it is practical if the LEDs 81 are batwing top emitters or side emitters. Figure 8In the example shown, three LEDs 81 are applied, each of which is placed at a central side position of one of the three light guide portions 71. In this case, in order to obtain optimal light propagation, it is practical if the LED 81 is a wide-viewing angle LED. Furthermore, in this case, the central portion 72 of the holding member 7 can be used as a heat sink. In a feasible alternative, a single (high-power) side-emitting LED is used at a position on the central portion 72, and the holding member 7 is configured to implement a light path from the central portion 72 to the corresponding light guide portion 71. The advantage of this type of alternative is the reduction in the number of LEDs 81, which involves a reduction in cost and an increase in sustainability, as well as the concentration of heat energy at the central position of the shaving unit 3.

[0069] exist Fig. 9 In the example shown, three LEDs 81 are applied, each of which is placed at a central front position of one of the three light guide portions 71. Light emission from the LEDs 81 occurs in a direction perpendicular to the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5, and the LEDs 81 can be batwing top emitters or side emitters. Also in this case, the central portion 72 of the holding member 7 can be used as a heat sink. Fig.10 An example of a batwing top emitter is illustrated in FIG, where it is indicated how light may pass from the LED 81 through the light guiding portion 71 by means of sets of arrows. Fig.10 Also shown in FIG. 8 is an optional optical reflective coating 82 of the light guide portion 71 at the side where the LED 81 is located.

[0070] Fig.11 , an example of how one or more LEDs 81 are mounted to the support member 5 is illustrated in FIG. In the example shown, three LEDs 81 are present on the central bracket-like member of the support member 5 in a position aligned with the light-guiding portion 71 of the retaining member 7, as shown at three points in the figure. Light emission from the LEDs 81 occurs in a direction perpendicular to the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5, and the LEDs 81 can be batwing top emitters or side emitters. In this example, the LEDs 81 can be powered by a transition inside the hinge 62, which exists between the base member 6 and the support member 5.

[0071] Fig.12 and Fig.13 An example of how one or more LEDs 81 can be mounted on the base member 6 is illustrated in FIG. The advantage of such positioning of the LED 81 is that the LED 81 is in a fixed position in the shaving unit 3, so that the power supply of the LED 81 may not require special measures for coupling and decoupling. Fig.12In the example shown, three LEDs 81 are applied, as indicated by means of three points in the figure, each of which is located in the bottom wall of the hair collection chamber 61. Fig.13 In the example shown, six LEDs 81 are applied, as indicated by means of six points in the figure, each of which is located in a side wall of the hair collecting chamber 61. Under operating conditions of the shaving unit 3, an optical coupling of the LEDs 81 and the light guide portion 71 of the holding member 7 is established, so that the light guide portion 71 can receive the light generated by the LEDs 81. Fig.14 An illustration of a selection of LEDs 81 positioned in the side walls of the hair collection chamber 61 is provided. Fig.14 81, it can be seen how the light guide 71 and the LED 81 are shown positioned relative to each other so that the light guide 71 is able to receive light from the LED 81 at the location of the light coupling-in surface 73. In this respect, it should be noted that the present invention covers the option of using an additional piece on the light guide 71, which additional piece is shaped to optimize the light coupling process without the need to modify the existing shape of the retaining member 7.

[0072] In order to promote the propagation of light, the inner surface of the hair collecting chamber 61 is preferably provided with an optically reflective coating 82. In this regard, it should be noted that other surfaces in the shaving unit 3 may also be provided with such a coating, such as the inner surface of the supporting member 5, the surface of the internal cutting member 42 of the hair cutting unit 4, the surface of a driving member arranged in the base member 6 for driving the internal cutting member 42, and the surface of the holding member 7 outside the region of the holding member 7 where light is coupled into and out of the light guiding portion 71. The reflective properties of the coating 82 help to obtain the desired effect of emitting light to the skin in a uniformly distributed manner.

[0073] Fig.15 and Fig.16 Two options for the light outcoupling structure 74 with respect to the light guiding portion 71 of the holding member 7 are illustrated. In the figures, the LED 81 is shown at a position where the LED 81 is mounted to the light guiding portion 71. Furthermore, in the figures, the possibility is illustrated that the main surface 75 opposite to the light outcoupling surface 76 is provided with an optically reflective coating 82. Fig.15 , it is shown how the light outcoupling structure 74 can be present at the light outcoupling surface 76 when the main surface 75 has a flat appearance, while Fig.16, it is shown how the light outcoupling structure 74 can be present at the main surface 75 when the light outcoupling surface 76 has a flat appearance. In both figures, an indication of what the associated path of light through the light guiding portion looks like is provided by means of multiple sets of arrows. In general, the structure of the main surface 75 and the light outcoupling surface 76 can be selected so as to facilitate the outcoupling of light from the light guiding portion 71 based on the local orientation of the respective surfaces 75, 76.

[0074] Fig.17 An option is shown which aims to have a larger skin illumination area than just the area at the location of a part of the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5, i.e. by delivering light to the skin over the area involved at the location of the hair cutting unit 4. The hair entry opening 45 of the outer cutting member 41 can be used, but it is also possible to provide the outer cutting member 41 with at least one further opening 49 of a larger configuration, such as Fig.17 In this respect, it is practical if the outer cutting member 41 is provided with a centrally arranged open channel 49 and if the inner cutting member 42 has a corresponding opening. The central part of the outer cutting member 41 in the area of ​​the shaving track 43 is preferably covered by a cover, which, in fact, in the case of the presence of a centrally arranged open channel 49 in the outer cutting member 41, is preferably optically transparent.

[0075] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed above, and that various modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The present invention is intended to be interpreted as including all such modifications and variations as long as they fall within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail in the drawings and the specification, such illustrations and descriptions are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The accompanying drawings are schematic, in which details not necessary for understanding the present invention may be omitted, and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0076] Variations to the disclosed embodiments may be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention based on a study of the drawings, the specification, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0077] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, elements and aspects discussed for or in relation to a particular embodiment may suitably be combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments. Thus, the fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0078] 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 term "comprising" or "including" may mean "consisting of" in one embodiment, but may mean "containing / having / being provided with at least the defined substances and optionally one or more other substances" in another embodiment.

[0079] Generally known options, such as the option of equipping the shaving unit 3 with one or more sensors for detecting characteristics such as skin temperature, skin color and movement, are applicable to the shaving unit 3 according to the present invention. As explained, at least one light source included in the shaving unit 3 can be an LED, and the wavelength or wavelength range of the light emitted by the LED can be freely selected according to the desired effect of the light on the skin. The present invention covers all kinds of desired effects, such as antibacterial effects, anti-inflammatory effects, skin gloss enhancement effects, skin regeneration effects and the effects mentioned previously in this article.

[0080] The salient aspects of the invention are summarized as follows. In a shaving unit 3 for an electric shaver 1, a shaving unit 3 of the type comprising at least one hair cutting unit 4; a base member 6 having a hair collecting chamber 61; a support member 5 releasably mounted on the base member 6 and configured to support the hair cutting unit 4; and a retaining member 7 connected to the support member 5 and configured to retain the hair cutting unit 4 in an operating position relative to the support member 5, at least one light source 81 is applied to illuminate the user's skin via at least a portion of a skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5 during use of the shaving unit 3. The portion 52 of the support member 5 including said portion of the skin contact surface 51 and the portion 71 of the retaining member 7 are both optically transparent, wherein the portion 71 of the retaining member 7 is used to guide and spread the light generated by the light source 81.

Claims

1. A shaving unit (3) for an electric shaver (1), comprising: at least one hair cutting unit (4), the at least one hair cutting unit having an outer cutting member (41) with a hair entry opening (45) and an inner cutting member (42), the outer cutting member being movable relative to the outer cutting member (41) and being covered by the outer cutting member (41); a base member (6) having a hair collecting chamber (61) arranged to collect hair cut by the hair cutting unit (4); a support member (5) releasably mounted on the base member (5) and configured to support the hair cutting unit (4), the support member (5) having a skin contact surface (51) arranged to contact the skin of a user during use of the shaving unit (3), the skin contact surface (51) at least partially surrounding the hair cutting unit (4); a holding member (7) connected to the support member (5) and configured to hold the hair cutting unit (4) in an operating position relative to the support member (5), the operating position being between the skin contact surface (51) of the support member (5) and the holding member (7); as well as at least one light source (81) configured to generate light for illuminating the skin of the user via at least a portion of the skin contact surface (51) of the support member (5) during use of the shaving unit (3); in: a portion (52) of the support member (5) including the portion of the skin contacting surface (51) being optically transparent; The holding member (7) has an optically transparent light-guiding portion (71); The light source (81) is arranged so that light generated by the light source (81) is optically coupled into the light guiding portion (71) of the holding member (7); as well as The light-guiding portion (71) of the retaining member (7) has a light-outcoupling surface (76) and is configured to guide light received from the light source (81) and outcouple the light in a direction toward the optically transparent portion (52) of the supporting member (5) via the light-outcoupling surface (76).

2. The shaving unit (3) according to claim 1, wherein the light source (81) is mounted to the light guiding portion (71) of the holding member (7).

3. The shaving unit (3) according to claim 1, wherein the light source (81) is mounted to the supporting member (5).

4. The shaving unit (3) according to claim 1, wherein the light source (81) is mounted in a bottom wall or a side wall of the hair collecting chamber (61) of the base member (6).

5. A shaving unit (3) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the light guiding portion (71) of the retaining member (7) comprises a light coupling-in surface (73), which is configured to receive light generated by the light source (81) under operating conditions of the shaving unit (3).

6. The shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the retaining member (7) is releasably coupled to the supporting member (5) so that the hair cutting unit (4) can be removed from the shaving unit (3) in an uncoupled condition of the retaining member (7).

7. The shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light outcoupling surface (76) of the light guiding portion (71) of the holding member (7) extends parallel to the skin contact surface (51) of the supporting member (5).

8. A shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light-guiding portion (71) of the retaining member (7) comprises a light outcoupling structure (74), and the light outcoupling structure is arranged on the light outcoupling surface (76) of the light-guiding portion (71) or on a main surface (75) of the light-guiding portion (71) opposite to the light outcoupling surface (76).

9. The shaving unit (3) according to claim 8, wherein the main surface (75) of the light guiding portion (71) opposite to the light outcoupling surface (76) is provided with an optically reflective coating (82).

10. The shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a main light emission direction of the light source (81) is parallel to or perpendicular to the light outcoupling surface (76) of the light guiding portion (71) of the holding member (7).

11. A shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hair cutting unit (4) is at least partially optically transparent, and wherein the light guiding portion (71) of the retaining member (7) is configured to couple out light received from the light source (81) also in a direction towards the hair cutting unit (4) via the light coupling-out surface (76).

12. A shaving unit (3) according to claim 11, wherein the external cutting member (41) of the hair cutting unit (4) is provided with a centrally arranged open channel (49), the internal cutting member (42) is rotatable about the open channel, and the open channel is covered by an optically transparent cap at the skin-facing side of the external cutting member (41).

13. The shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising three hair cutting units (4), the three hair cutting units being arranged about a central axis (A) of the hair cutting unit (4). c ) are arranged in a triangular configuration, and wherein: The holding member (7) has a central portion (72) and three light guide portions (71) which are arranged about the central axis (A c ) are mounted to said central portion (72) in a triangular configuration; The shaving unit (3) comprises at least one light source (81) associated with each of the light guide portions (71) of the holding member (7); and Each corresponding light-guiding portion (71) of the retaining member (7) is configured to guide light received from the at least one light source (81) associated with the corresponding light-guiding portion (71), and to couple out the light in a direction toward a corresponding one of the three segments (53) of the optically transparent portion (52) of the supporting member (5).

14. The shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein an inner surface of the shaving unit (3) is provided with an optically reflective coating (82), the inner surface comprising at least one of the following: an inner surface of the hair collection chamber (61) of the base member (6); the inner surface of the supporting member (5); a surface of the inner cutting member (42) of the hair cutting unit (4); a surface of a drive member, the surface of the drive member being arranged in the base member (6) for driving the internal cutting member (42); as well as A surface of the light guiding portion (71) of the holding member (7) other than the light outcoupling surface (76) and the light incoupling surface (73) where light is received from the light source (81).

15. An electric shaver (1) comprising a body (2) and a shaving unit (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the shaving unit being coupled to the body (2).

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