Scraping unit for electric shaver with hair cutting unit surrounded by separate separable cover member

Abstract

The invention relates to a shaving unit for an electric shaver having a hair cutting unit, surrounded by a separately separable cover member. The invention provides a shaving unit (5) for an electric shaver (1). The shaving unit (5) comprises two hair cutting units (7a, 7b) which are held in an operable position relative to the base member (19) by two holding members (21a, 21b). The base member comprises two receiving members (23a, 23b) configured to receive and accommodate the hair cutting unit and the holding member in an operable position. The shaving unit comprises a cover member (29a, 29b) for each receiving member, which cover member is individually coupleable and disengageable from the base member, independently of the cover members of the other receiving members, and is configured to surround and cover the respective receiving member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shaving unit for an electric shaver, comprising: a base member; at least two hair cutting units supported by the base member; and a holding member for each corresponding hair cutting unit in the hair cutting units, the holding member being associated with the corresponding hair cutting unit and being configured to hold the corresponding hair cutting unit in an operable position relative to the base member, wherein the base member comprises a receiving member for each hair cutting unit, the receiving member being associated with the corresponding hair cutting unit and being configured to receive and accommodate the corresponding hair cutting unit and its associated holding member in an operable position.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an electric shaver comprising a main body accommodating an electric motor and a shaving unit as described above, which is coupled to the main body so that each hair cutting unit of the shaving unit can be driven by the electric motor. Background Art

[0003] The shaving unit and electric shaver described in the "technical field" part are generally known.The hair cutting unit of the known shaving unit may include an outer cutting member with a hair entry opening, and an inner cutting member with a plurality of hair cutting elements covered by the outer cutting member.The outer cutting member may be supported in a fixed or floating position relative to the base member.The inner cutting member can move relative to the outer cutting member so that the hair that penetrates the hair entry opening of the outer cutting member can be cut by the hair cutting element moving in the inner cutting member.The inner cutting member can rotate or linearly reciprocate relative to the outer cutting member.

[0004] CN214924649U discloses a shaving unit as described in the "technical field" section, which includes two hair cutting units with rotating inner cutting members. This known shaving unit has a top cover, which is provided with two openings in its upper wall, and the two openings are configured to receive and accommodate two hair cutting units. The hair cutting units are connected to and supported by a retainer, which includes a separate retaining member for each hair cutting unit. The retainer can be releasably connected to the inner space of the top cover by means of a locking assembly, so that in the connected state of the retainer, the hair cutting units are supported by the top cover via the retainer and are maintained in an operable position relative to the top cover.

[0005] In the patent EP3107698B1 of the applicant, a shaving unit as described in the "Technical Field" section is disclosed, which includes three hair cutting units with a rotating inner cutting member. This known shaving unit has a lower base member and an upper base member, which is releasably connected to the lower base member. The three hair cutting units are arranged in the upper base member and supported by the upper base member. To this end, for each corresponding hair cutting unit in the three hair cutting units, the upper base member includes an annular skin support member, which is configured to receive and accommodate the corresponding hair cutting unit. Each corresponding hair cutting unit is retained in an annular skin support member associated with the corresponding hair cutting unit by a retainer, which is releasably connected to the associated skin support member. The retainer retains the corresponding hair cutting unit in an operable position relative to the upper base member. Each annular skin support member is pivotally mounted to the upper base member, so that during use, the orientation of the hair cutting unit can be adjusted according to the local contour of the user's skin to maintain the appropriate contact between the hair cutting unit and the user's skin.

[0006] A disadvantage of the known shaving unit as described above is that the overall appearance of the shaving unit is immutable. However, some users may wish to be able to change the overall appearance of the shaving unit to improve the user experience of the shaving unit and the electric shaver comprising the shaving unit. The change in the overall appearance may, for example, involve a change in the color or outer surface texture of a specific part of the shaving unit. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a shaving unit as described in the "Technical Field" section, which enables a user to change the overall appearance of the shaving unit in an easy and user-friendly manner. In particular, the user should be able to change the overall appearance of the shaving unit without having to disassemble the main parts of the shaving unit, in particular without having to disassemble or remove the hair cutting unit.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a shaving unit is provided, which has the features mentioned in the previous "Technical Field" section of this document, characterized in that the shaving unit comprises a covering member for each corresponding receiving member of the receiving members:

[0009] - the covering member(s) being individually connectable to and detachable from the base member independently of the other receiving member(s), in a case where the respective hair cutting unit associated with the respective receiving member is held in an operable position relative to the base member by a holding member associated with the respective hair cutting unit;

[0010] - configured and arranged to surround and cover the respective receiving member when the covering member is coupled to the base member; and

[0011] - having an opening through which a respective hair cutting unit in its operable position relative to the base member protrudes relative to the cover member when the cover member is coupled to the base member.

[0012] In a shaving unit according to the present invention, a covering member is provided for each receiving member of a base member that receives and accommodates a hair cutting unit. In the case where the hair cutting unit is held in an operable position relative to the base member by a holding member, each covering member can be connected and separated from the base member independently of any other covering member. In other words, the user can separate each covering member individually and individually from the base member, while the hair cutting unit and (a plurality of) other covering members are held in an operable position within the shaving unit. Since the covering member is configured to surround and cover the corresponding receiving member when each covering member is respectively connected to the base member, the covering member determines the overall appearance of the shaving unit to a considerable extent. Assuming that each covering member has an opening respectively and the corresponding hair cutting unit protrudes relative to the covering member via the opening, i.e., in order to be able to contact the user's skin during use, the covering member can completely or substantially completely cover the receiving member in the remaining part, thereby keeping the receiving member out of the user's sight. Therefore, by replacing one or more covering members with one or more covering members having a different appearance compared to the replaced covering member, the user can easily change the overall appearance of the shaving unit. Since the main components of the shaving unit, in particular the hair cutting unit, remain in their operable position relative to the base member when the covering member is detached, replacement of the covering member does not require any further disassembly of the shaving unit and can therefore be performed by the user in an easy and user-friendly manner.

[0013] In order to enable the user to achieve the different overall appearance of the shaving unit, preferably, the shaving unit comprises at least two covering members for each respective receiving member, the at least two covering members being selectively coupled to the base member, respectively, to surround and cover the respective receiving member, wherein the at least two covering members have mutually different colors, shapes and / or outer surface textures. The shaving unit may be provided with a group of such mutually different covering members, from which the user may select those specific covering members to be coupled to the base member according to his or her personal wishes. Thus, in the example of a shaving unit with two hair cutting units, the user may, for example, equip the shaving unit with two covering members of mutually different colors, thereby providing a special user experience.

[0014] In one embodiment of the shaving unit according to the present invention, each receiving member is arranged on a common bracket of the base member, and when being connected to the base member to surround and cover the corresponding receiving member, each covering member extends from the common bracket toward the corresponding hair cutting unit associated with the corresponding receiving member. In this embodiment, since the covering members extend from the common bracket of the base member toward the corresponding hair cutting unit usually arranged at the uppermost position of the base member, the covering member can determine the overall appearance of the shaving unit to a relatively large extent. In particular, the common bracket can have a relatively small size in the main extension direction of the covering member, so that the common bracket determines the overall appearance of the shaving unit only to a relatively small extent. The common bracket can be, for example, plate-shaped, wherein the receiving member extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plate-shaped bracket. The common bracket can be releasably connected to the main body of the electric shaver, so that the shaving unit can be releasably connected to the main body of the electric shaver as a whole. Therefore, the user can remove the shaving unit from the main body of the electric shaver and connect different functional units to the main body, for example, a nose hair trimmer unit or a beard trimmer unit as known to those skilled in the art.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the shaving unit according to the invention, each covering member is coupleable to the base member by a snap-fit ​​connection.The snap-fit ​​connection allows a user to easily and effortlessly detach and couple the covering member to the base member.

[0016] In particular, each covering member may be coupled to a corresponding receiving member to surround and cover the corresponding receiving member. In this case, a snap-fit ​​connection may be provided between the covering member and the receiving member.

[0017] In the shaving unit according to the present invention, each hair cutting unit can be a rotary hair cutting unit, wherein the hair cutting unit includes an outer cutting member having an annular shaving area with a hair entry opening; and an inner cutting member, which is covered by the outer cutting member and can rotate around the central axis of the hair cutting unit relative to the outer cutting member. In the shaving unit with such a rotary hair cutting unit, each covering member can have a generally cylindrical shape and can extend coaxially relative to the central axis of the hair cutting unit associated with the corresponding receiving member when being coupled to the base member to surround and cover the corresponding receiving member. Such a generally cylindrical covering member generally completely surrounds and covers the corresponding receiving member associated with the covering member. The opening that makes the corresponding hair cutting unit protrude relative to the covering member can be arranged in the axial end of the cylindrical covering member.

[0018] It should be noted that the present invention also encompasses shaving units having different types of hair cutting units other than the aforementioned rotary hair cutting unit. The shaving unit according to the present invention may, for example, have at least two linear reciprocating hair cutting units, wherein the outer cutting member generally comprises an elongated foil having a hair entry opening, and the inner cutting member is configured and arranged to reciprocate linearly relative to the outer cutting member in two opposite directions parallel to the direction in which the foil extends. It should be clear to a person skilled in the art that in such a linear reciprocating shaving unit, the receiving member and the covering member surrounding and covering the receiving member may generally have a rectangular shape consistent with the circumferential shape of the foil of the outer cutting member.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the shaving unit according to the invention, each retaining member is releasably connected to the base member. This allows the user to separate the retaining member from the base member so that the user can remove the hair cutting unit held by the retaining member from the shaving unit, for example to clean the hair cutting unit or replace the hair cutting unit when it is worn out.

[0020] In a particularly practical embodiment of a shaving unit according to the present invention, the shaving unit comprises a common holding structure for a hair cutting unit, comprising a holding member associated with the hair cutting unit. In this embodiment, the common holding structure may comprise a central coupling portion releasably coupled to a base member, and a connecting element for each respective holding member, the connecting element being associated with the respective holding member and connecting the respective holding member to the central coupling portion. When the central coupling portion is coupled to the base member, the connecting element of each respective holding member may protrude from the central coupling portion into a receiving member associated with the respective holding member. In this embodiment, by separating the central coupling portion of the common holding structure from the base member and removing the common holding structure together with the hair cutting unit held by its holding member from the shaving unit, the user may simply remove the hair cutting unit together from the shaving unit. The connecting element of the common holding structure allows the operable position of the hair cutting unit to be spaced a certain distance from the central coupling portion. This is conducive to the user placing the hair cutting unit in an operable position, particularly when the user's finger is difficult to approach the receiving member of the base member. Preferably, in this embodiment, the central coupling portion is releasably coupled to the base member by means of a snap-fit ​​connection, thereby allowing a user to easily and effortlessly detach and couple the common retaining structure to the base member.

[0021] In an embodiment of a shaving unit in which a retaining member according to the invention can be releasably coupled to a base member, preferably, each hair cutting unit can be releasably coupled to a corresponding retaining member associated with the hair cutting unit. This will enable a user to remove the retaining member from the shaving unit while the hair cutting unit is retained on the retaining member and subsequently remove the hair cutting unit from the retaining member. This can facilitate removal of the hair cutting unit from the shaving unit, particularly in the case where each hair cutting unit has two or more components (e.g., an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member).

[0022] In such embodiments in which each hair cutting unit can be releasably coupled to an associated holding member, in particular when each hair cutting unit is a rotary hair cutting unit, the hair cutting unit comprises an outer cutting member having an annular shaving area with a hair entry opening; and an inner cutting member, which is covered by the outer cutting member and can rotate relative to the outer cutting member around the central axis of the hair cutting unit, preferably, each holding member is configured to receive the corresponding hair cutting unit associated with the holding member into a coupled state by displacement of the corresponding hair cutting unit relative to the holding member in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the corresponding hair cutting unit. In this way, each hair cutting unit can be coupled and separated from the associated holding member in a practical manner. To this end, the outer cutting member of each hair cutting unit may include a circumferential flange, and each holding member may include at least one guide channel, in the coupled state of the corresponding hair cutting unit associated with the holding member, the at least one guide channel extends perpendicular to the central axis of the corresponding hair cutting unit to receive the flange of the outer cutting member of the corresponding hair cutting unit.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, an electric shaver is provided, which has the characteristics mentioned in the "Technical Field" section of the present invention, characterized in that the shaving unit of the electric shaver is a shaving unit according to the present invention as described above. Preferably, the shaving unit is releasably connected to the main body.

[0024] The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent and elucidated with reference to the following detailed description of embodiments of a shaving unit and an electric shaver according to the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar features are indicated by the same reference numerals, and in which:

[0026] 1a to 1c show an embodiment of an electric shaver according to the invention, comprising a shaving unit according to the invention, wherein shaving units with different sets of covering members are shown;

[0027] Figure 2 1a to 1c show exploded views of the electric shaver, wherein the main parts of the shaving unit are shown separated from each other;

[0028] Figure 3 1a to 1c, wherein a covering member of the shaving unit is separated from the shaving unit and the covering member is disposed along the shaving unit. Figure 2 The cross section along line III-III is shown in FIG.

[0029] Figure 4 The electric shaver of FIGS. 1a to 1c is shown, wherein the shaving unit is arranged along the Figure 2 Partially shown in a cross section along line IV-IV in FIG. 1 and separated from the main body of the electric shaver;

[0030] Figure 5 1a to 1c, wherein the common holding structure for the hair cutting unit of the shaving unit is separated from the base member of the shaving unit;

[0031] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 a common holding structure for the shaving units, wherein one of the hair cutting units is separated from the common holding structure;

[0032] Figure 7 The shaving unit of the electric shaver of FIG. 1a to FIG. 1c is shown along the Figure 2 A cross section along line VII-VII in FIG.

[0033] Figs. 8a to 8b show a coupling mechanism of the electric shaver of Figs. 1a to 1c by which the shaving unit can be releasably coupled to the body of the electric shaver; and

[0034] Fig. 9 The electric shaver of Figs. 1a to 1c is shown having a nose hair trimmer unit coupled to the body of the shaver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figures 1a to 1c show an embodiment of an electric shaver 1 according to the present invention. The electric shaver 1 includes a body 3, which is configured to be held by a user's hand. The body 3 accommodates a motor, a battery configured to supply power to the motor, and electronic components configured to control the motor. These components of the electric shaver 1 accommodated by the body 3 are well known to those skilled in the art, and are therefore not shown in the drawings and will not be described in further detail.

[0036] The electric shaver 1 comprises an embodiment of a shaving unit 5 according to the invention, which is coupled to the body 3. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the electric shaver 1 is shown in an exploded view, wherein the main parts of the shaving unit 5 are shown separated from each other. In this embodiment, the shaving unit 5 comprises two rotary hair cutting units 7a, 7b, which is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be discussed in detail. Figure 2 As shown, each hair cutting unit 7a, 7b comprises an outer cutting member 9a, 9b, which has an annular shaving area 11a, 11b with a hair entry opening (not shown); and an inner cutting member 13a, 13b, which is covered by the outer cutting member 9a, 9b in the assembled state of the shaving unit 5 as shown in Figures 1a to 1c, and can rotate relative to the outer cutting member 9a, 9b around the central axis 15a, 15b of the hair cutting unit 7a, 7b. Figure 2 As shown, the main body 3 has two drive spindles 17a, 17b, which can be rotated by the motor in the main body 3. In the assembled state of the electric shaver 1, the shaving unit 5 is connected to the main body 3, and each of the two drive spindles 17a, 17b is respectively engaged with the corresponding inner cutting member 13a, 13b, so that the inner cutting members 13a, 13b can be rotated together by the motor.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the shaving unit 5 includes a base member 19, which is configured to support the hair cutting units 7a, 7b in the assembled state of the shaving unit 5. The shaving unit 5 also includes a retaining member 21a, 21b for each hair cutting unit 7a, 7b, the retaining member 21a, 21b is associated with the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b, and is configured to retain the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b in an operable position relative to the base member 19. The base member 19 includes a receiving member 23a, 23b for each hair cutting unit 7a, 7b, the receiving member 23a, 23b is associated with the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b, and is configured to receive and accommodate the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b and its associated retaining member 21a, 21b in an operable position in the assembled state of the shaving unit 5. Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment each receiving member 23a, 23b has a part-cylindrical wall 25 surrounding a receiving space 27 for receiving and accommodating the respective hair cutting unit 7a, 7b and its associated holding member 21a, 21b.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1a to 1c and Figure 2As shown, according to the present invention, the shaving unit 5 includes a covering member 29a, 29b for each corresponding receiving member 23a, 23b of the base member 19. In a case where the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b associated with the corresponding receiving member 23a, 23b is held in an operable position relative to the base member 19 by the retaining member 21a, 21b associated with the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b (as shown in FIG. 1a), the covering member 29a, 29b associated with the corresponding receiving member 23a, 23b can be connected to and separated from the base member 19 independently of the covering members 29a, 29b of other receiving members 23a, 23b. In addition, each covering member 29a, 29b is configured and arranged to surround and cover the corresponding receiving member 23a, 23b when the covering member 29a, 29b is connected to the base member 19. In addition, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, each covering member 29a, 29b has an opening 31. When the covering members 29a, 29b are connected to the base member 19, the corresponding hair cutting units 7a, 7b in an operable position relative to the base member 19 protrude relative to the covering member via the opening 31, as shown in Figures 1a to 1c.

[0039] Since the covering members 29a, 29b are configured to surround and cover the receiving members 23a, 23b when the covering members 29a, 29b are connected to the base member 19, the covering members 29a, 29b determine the overall appearance of the shaving unit 5 to a considerable extent, as shown in Figures 1a to 1c. The opening 31 that makes the hair cutting units 7a, 7b protrude relative to the covering members 29a, 29b enables proper contact of the hair cutting units 7a, 7b with the user's skin during use. In addition to the opening 31, the covering members 29a, 29b can completely or substantially completely cover the receiving members 23a, 23b, so that in the assembled state of the shaving unit 5, the receiving members 23a, 23b remain out of the user's sight. In Figures 1a to 1c and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, each covering member 29a, 29b has a generally cylindrical shape, and an opening 31 is arranged at the axial end of the covering member 29a, 29b. When the covering member 29a, 29b is connected to the base member 19 to surround and cover the receiving member 23a, 23b, each covering member 29a, 29b extends coaxially with respect to the central axis 15a, 15b of the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b associated with the corresponding receiving member 23a, 23b, as shown in Fig. 1a. Due to its cylindrical shape, the covering member 29a, 29b generally surrounds and covers the receiving member 23a, 23b completely.

[0040] In Figures 1a to 1c and Figure 2In the embodiment shown, the extent to which the covering members 29a, 29b determine the overall appearance of the shaving unit 5 is further enhanced because the base member 19 has a common bracket 33 (eg, Figure 2 1a to 1c ), the common bracket 33 is provided with receiving members 23a, 23b, and when connected to the base member 19 to surround and cover the receiving members 23a, 23b, each covering member 29a, 29b extends from the common bracket 33 towards the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b, respectively (as shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c ). In particular, when connected to the base member 19, the common bracket 33 has a small dimension in the axial direction in which the cylindrical covering members 29a, 29b extend, so that the common bracket 19 determines the overall appearance of the shaving unit 5 only to a relatively small extent, as can be seen in FIGS. 1a to 1c . In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the common bracket 33 is generally plate-shaped, and the receiving members 23a, 23b are integrally formed on the plate-shaped common bracket 33 and extend respectively in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plate-shaped common bracket 33.

[0041] Since, according to the present invention, a separate covering member 29a, 29b is provided for each respective receiving member 23a, 23b of the base member 19, which covering members can be individually coupled to and detached from the base member 19 of the shaving unit 5 independently of the covering members 29a, 29b of the other receiving members 23a, 23b, the user of the electric shaver 1 can individually and separately detach each covering member 29a, 29b from the base member 19, while the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, the other covering members 29a, 29b and the other components of the shaving unit 5 remain in the assembled position relative to the base member 19 within the shaving unit 5. In particular, the user can replace one or both of the covering members 29a, 29b with a covering member having a different appearance than the replaced covering member 29a, 29b. To this end, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, for each corresponding receiving member 23a, 23b, the shaving unit 5 is provided with at least two covering members 29a, 29a'; 29b, 29b', each of which can be selectively coupled to the base member 19 to surround and cover the corresponding receiving member 23a, 23b. In particular, the at least two covering members 29a, 29a'; 29b, 29b' have mutually different colors, shapes, outer surface textures and / or outer surface decorations. Preferably, the shaving unit 5 can be provided with a plurality of such mutually different covering members, and the user can select a specific covering member to be coupled to the base member 19 from the plurality of covering members according to his or her personal wishes. As an example, Figures 1a to 1c show three shaving units 5 of different structures, wherein the shaving units 5 are respectively provided with a first group of covering members 29a, 29b (Figure 1a), a second group of covering members 29a', 29b' (Figure 1b) and a third group of covering members 29a", 29b" (Figure 1c) having different outer surface textures. As shown in Figures 1a to 1c, due to the different appearances of the shaving units 5, different groups of covering members 29a, 29b; 29a', 29b'; 29a", 29b" provide a special user experience. Therefore, the user can easily change the overall appearance of the shaving unit 5 without disassembling any other components of the shaving unit 5, especially the hair cutting units 7a, 7b.

[0042] It should be noted that the present invention also covers embodiments in which the shaving unit is provided with three or more rotary hair cutting units. In such alternative embodiments, a receiving member of each hair cutting unit is generally provided with a separately removable covering member as described in detail above. Based on the description of the embodiment of the shaving unit 5 with two hair cutting units 7a, 7b in the above text, a person skilled in the art will be able to easily implement a shaving unit with three or more rotary hair cutting units and with three or more corresponding covering members.

[0043] In order to enable the user to separate and couple the covering members 29a, 29b to the base member 19 in an easy and effortless manner, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, each covering member 29a, 29b can be coupled to the base member 19 by a snap-fit ​​connection. In particular, in this embodiment, a snap-fit ​​connection is provided between the covering members 29a, 29b and the receiving members 23a, 23b of the base member 19, so that each covering member 29a, 29b can be directly coupled to the corresponding receiving member 23a, 23b to surround and cover the corresponding receiving member 23a, 23b. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Components of the snap-fit ​​connection between the covering members 29a, 29b and the receiving members 23a, 23b can be seen in FIG. Figure 3 The electric shaver 1 is shown in an assembled state but with one cover member 29b separated from the shaving unit 5 and along Figure 2 The cover members 29a, 29b are shown in a cross section along line III-III in FIG. Each snap-fit ​​connection comprises a pair of balls 35 and a pair of elastically deformable grooves 37, respectively, which are configured to receive and retain the pair of balls 35. Figure 2 As shown, the grooves 37 are provided at diametrically opposed positions on the cylindrical wall 25 of each receiving member 23a, 23b. Figure 3 As shown, the balls 35 are arranged at diametrically opposite positions on the inner wall of each cover member 29a, 29b. Figure 3 In the drawings, only one ball 35 of the pair of balls 35 can be seen on each cover member 29a, 29b. Figure 3 The covering member 29a is shown in a state of being coupled to the receiving member 23a, wherein the balls 35 of the covering member 29a engage with corresponding grooves 37 in the receiving member 23a. Figure 3 The covering member 29b is shown in a state of being separated from the receiving member 23b alone. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the covering members 29a, 29b may be releasably coupled to other parts of the base member 19, such as the common bracket 33, and that other types of connection structures, such as a bayonet connection or a similar releasable connection structure, may be applied between the covering members 29a, 29b and the base member 19 instead of a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0044] Figure 4The electric shaver 1 is shown with the shaving unit 5 separated from the main body 3. In this separated state of the shaving unit 5, the user can remove the hair cutting units 7a, 7b from the shaving unit 5, for example to clean the hair cutting units 7a, 7b or replace the hair cutting units 7a, 7b when they are worn out. In order to enable the user to remove the hair cutting units 7a, 7b from the shaving unit 5, each retaining member 21a, 21b can be releasably coupled to the base member 19 of the shaving unit 5. Figure 5 A shaving unit 5 having holding members 21a, 21b and hair cutting units 7a, 7b held thereby is shown in a state separated from a base member 19. As shown, in this embodiment, the holding members 21a, 21b are part of and integrally formed on a common holding structure 39 for the hair cutting units 7a, 7b. This allows a user to simply remove the hair cutting units 7a, 7b together from the shaving unit 5 by separating the common holding structure 39 (wherein the hair cutting units 7a, 7b are held by the common holding structure) from the base member 19 and removing the common holding structure 39 from the base member 19. However, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments, the holding members 21a, 21b may be embodied as separate parts of the shaving unit 5 and configured to hold the hair cutting units 7a, 7b in an operable position relative to the base member 19 and the receiving members 23a, 23b, respectively.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown, the common holding structure 39 of the shaving unit 5 comprises a central coupling portion 41 and, for each holding member 21a, 21b, a connecting element 43a, 43b which is associated with and connects the respective holding member 21a, 21b to the central coupling portion 41.

[0046] The central coupling portion 41 of the common holding structure 39 can be releasably coupled to the base member 19 of the shaving unit 5. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the central coupling portion 41 can be releasably coupled to the common bracket 33 of the base member 19 by means of a snap-fit ​​connection. Figure 4 In the partial cross-section of the shaving unit 5 shown, the components of the snap-fit ​​connection between the central coupling portion 41 of the common holding structure 39 and the common bracket 33 of the base member 19 can be partially seen. Figure 4 Also shown is a common holding structure 39 holding the hair cutting units 7a, 7b in a state coupled to the base member 19 of the shaving unit 5. Figure 4The components of the snap-fit ​​connection are further shown in detail in the enlarged view A of FIG. As shown, the snap-fit ​​connection includes a boss 45, which is integrally formed on the bottom side of the common bracket 33 of the base member 19 in a central position between the receiving members 23a, 23b. The snap-fit ​​connection also includes two bosses 47a, 47b, which are respectively integrally formed on the central coupling portion 41 of the common retaining structure 39 in a position facing each other. Figure 4 The boss 45 formed on the base member 19 is shown snap-fitted with the bosses 47a, 47b formed on the common holding structure 39, so that the hair cutting units 7a, 7b are held in an operable position relative to the base member 19 by the holding members 21a, 21b of the common holding structure 39. The snap-fit ​​connection between the base member 19 and the common holding structure 39 will allow the user to easily and effortlessly separate and couple the common holding structure 39 (together with the hair cutting units 7a, 7b held therein) to the base member 19. However, it should be noted that alternative releasable coupling structures known to those skilled in the art may be used to releasably couple the common holding structure 39 to the base member 19 of the shaving unit 5.

[0047] When the central connecting portion 41 of the common holding structure 39 is Figure 4 When shown being connected to the base member 19 of the shaving unit 5, the connecting elements 43a, 43b of the common holding structure 39 protrude from the central coupling portion 41 into the corresponding receiving members 23a, 23b of the base member 19, respectively. The connecting elements 43a, 43b therefore allow the operable position of the hair cutting units 7a, 7b to be spaced a certain distance from the central coupling portion 41. This facilitates the user to place the hair cutting units 7a, 7b in the operable position, especially when the user's fingers are difficult to access the receiving members 23a, 23b of the base member 19. In particular, the connecting elements 43a, 43b allow the receiving members 23a, 23b and the covering members 29a, 29b covering and surrounding the receiving members 23a, 23b to extend and protrude a relatively long distance from the common bracket 33 of the base member 19 without hindering the user from easily placing and removing the hair cutting units 7a, 7b when necessary. As a result, the covering members 29a, 29b can largely determine the appearance of the shaving unit 5.

[0048] Figure 7 1 shows a cross section of a shaving unit 5 in an assembled state and separated from the main body 3 of the electric shaver 1. In particular, Figure 7 The common bracket 33 of the base member 19 is shown, wherein the receiving members 23 a , 23 b are integrally formed on and extend from the common bracket 33 , and the boss 45 is integrally formed on the bottom side of the common bracket 33 . Figure 7Further shown are a central coupling portion 41, retaining members 21a, 21b and connecting elements 43a, 43b of a common retaining structure 39, wherein the hair cutting units 7a, 7b are retained in an operable position relative to the base member 19 by the retaining members 21a, 21b, and two bosses 47a, 47b are integrally formed on the central coupling portion 41 and engage with a boss 45 formed on the common bracket 33. Figure 7 Also shown are covering members 29a, 29b surrounding and covering the receiving members 23a, 23b, wherein the hair cutting units 7a, 7b protrude relative to the covering members 29a, 29b via openings 31 and balls 35 provided on the covering members 29a, 29b engage with grooves 37 provided in the receiving members 23a, 23b.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, each hair cutting unit 7a, 7b of the shaving unit 5 can be releasably connected to the corresponding holding member 21a, 21b associated with the hair cutting unit 7a, 7b in a manner described in detail below. As a result, the user can easily remove the hair cutting unit 7a, 7b from the shaving unit 5 in the following manner: first remove the common holding structure 39 from the shaving unit 5, and the hair cutting unit 7a, 7b held by the holding member 21a, 21b, and then remove the hair cutting unit 7a, 7b from the holding member 21a, 21b. However, it should be noted that the present invention also covers embodiments in which the hair cutting unit cannot be connected to the holding member. In such alternative embodiments, the holding member can be releasably connected to the base member in the following manner: when the holding member is connected to the base member, the hair cutting unit is only enclosed between the holding member and the part of the base member connected to the holding member, rather than being connected to the holding member.

[0050] exist Figure 5 In the shown state, the shaving unit 5 is separated from the main body 3 of the electric shaver 1, and the common retaining structure 39 is separated from the base member 19 of the shaving unit 5. At this time, the user can remove the hair cutting units 7a, 7b from the common retaining structure 39 by separating the hair cutting units 7a, 7b from the retaining members 21a, 21b. Figure 6 A common holding structure 39 is shown, wherein one of the hair cutting units 7a is coupled to the associated holding member 21a and the other hair cutting unit 7b is separated from the associated holding member 21b. Figure 6 As shown, for the holding member 21b, each holding member 21a, 21b is configured to be displaced by the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b relative to the holding member 21a, 21b in a direction perpendicular to the central axis 15a, 15b of the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b (as shown in FIG. Figure 6), receiving the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b associated with the corresponding holding member 21a, 21b into the connected state. To this end, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, each holding member 21a, 21b includes two guide channels 49, which are arranged in diametrically opposite positions on the corresponding holding member 21a, 21b, such as Figure 6 When the respective hair cutting units 7a, 7b are coupled to the respective retaining members 21a, 21b, the guide channel 49 extends perpendicularly to the central axis 15a, 15b of the respective hair cutting units 7a, 7b. The guide channel 49 is configured and arranged to receive and retain the circumferential flange 51 provided on the outer cutting members 9a, 9b of the respective hair cutting units 7a, 7b.

[0051] Furthermore, the circumferential flange 51 of the outer cutting member 9a, 9b of each hair cutting unit 7a, 7b is provided with two recesses 53, which are arranged in diametrically opposite positions with respect to the central axis 15a, 15b. Figure 6 , only one of the two recesses 53 on the flange 51 of the outer cutting member 9b of the hair cutting unit 7b can be seen. Each receiving member 21a, 21b comprises a stop element 55, respectively, which is configured and arranged to engage with one of the two recesses 53 on the flange 51 of the outer cutting member 9a, 9b when the respective hair cutting unit 7a, 7b is coupled to the respective receiving member 21a, 21b. The engagement of the stop element 55 with the recess 53 on the flange 51 of the outer cutting member 9a, 9b can prevent the outer cutting member 9a, 9b from rotating around the central axis 15a, 15b under the influence of contact with the rotating inner cutting member 13a, 13b during operation of the electric shaver 1.

[0052] Furthermore, the retaining members 21a, 21b each comprise a pair of elastically deformable arms 57, each arm having an end portion on which an abutment element 59 is provided. Figure 6 In the figure, only the arm 57 and the abutment element 59 of the holding member 21b can be seen. When the user places the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b in the corresponding receiving member 21a, 21b, the abutment element 59 will engage the lower side of the flange 51 of the outer cutting member 9a, 9b of the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b. As a result, the arm 57 will be slightly deflected downwards, so that the arm 57 exerts a biasing force on the flange 51 of the outer cutting member 9a, 9b of the corresponding hair cutting unit 7a, 7b via the abutment element 59. The biasing force helps to keep the hair cutting unit 7a, 7b in its operable position in the receiving member 21a, 21b.

[0053] As described above, the shaving unit 5 can be releasably coupled to the main body 3 of the electric shaver 1. In the embodiment shown in the figures, in particular, the common bracket 33 of the base member 19 of the shaving unit 5 can be releasably coupled to the main body 3. Figures 8a to 8b show a coupling mechanism, which is provided on the main body 3 and is configured to cooperate with the common bracket 33 of the base member 19 of the shaving unit 5 so that the user can couple and separate the shaving unit 5 from the main body 3. The coupling mechanism includes a sliding plate 61, which is provided with a button 63 that can be operated by the user. The sliding plate 61 is provided on the upper wall 65 of the main body 3 and is guided relative to the upper wall 65 by a guide structure not shown in the figures, so that it can be displaced in two opposite directions shown by arrows S and S' in Figures 8a to 8b. The sliding plate 61 has two openings 67a, 67b, through which the drive spindles 17a, 17b extend. The drive spindles 17a, 17b are not shown in Figures 8a to 8b. The coupling mechanism also has a spring (not shown in the figures) which is arranged to bias the sliding plate 61 into a rest position as shown in FIG. 8 a, wherein the button 63 protrudes from the body 3. The sliding plate 61 is provided with four latching elements 69a, 69b, 69c, 69d which are arranged on the circumferential edge of the sliding plate 61. FIGS. 8a-8b further show in cross section a circumferential flange 71 provided on the bottom side of the common bracket 33 of the base member 19. The circumferential flange 71 is also Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 In the rest position of the sliding plate 61 as shown in FIG8a , the latching elements 69a-69d respectively engage corresponding recesses in four latching recesses 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d, which are arranged on the inner side of the circumferential flange 71 of the common bracket 33, so that the shaving unit 5 is firmly connected to the body 3. The latching recesses 73a and 73d are Figure 7 8a to 8b. In order to separate the shaving unit 5 from the main body 3, the user needs to overcome the biasing force applied to the sliding plate 61 to press the button 63, so that the sliding plate 61 is displaced from the static position shown in FIG. 8a to the unlocked position shown in FIG. 8b along the direction S. In the unlocked position of the sliding plate 61, as shown in FIG. 8b, the latch elements 69a-69d are released from the corresponding latch recesses 73a-73d, respectively, so that the user can remove the shaving unit 5 from the main body 3. It should be noted that the button 63 is only shown in FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b, and is not shown in other figures. It should be clear to those skilled in the art that, for example, in the views of the electric shaver 1 as shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c, the button 63 can be centrally arranged on the main body 3, in a position directly below the common bracket 33 of the base member 19 of the shaving unit 5.

[0054] By separating the shaving unit 5 from the main body 3, the user can remove the common holding structure 39 carrying the hair cutting units 7a, 7b from the shaving unit 5, as described in detail above. Alternatively, the user can separate the shaving unit 5 from the main body 3, thereby being able to connect different functional units to the main body 3, such as a nose hair trimmer unit 75. Fig. 9 The main body 3 is shown with a nose hair trimmer unit 75 coupled thereto. Since such nose hair trimmer units are well known to those skilled in the art, the nose hair trimmer unit 75 will not be described in detail herein. However, it should be noted that the main body 3 may have a separate drive shaft 77 for driving the nose hair trimmer unit 75 when coupled to the main body 3. The separate drive shaft 77 is Figure 2 and Figure 4 The drive spindles 17a, 17b are partially visible in the middle and are arranged in a more central position on the upper wall 65 of the body 3 than the drive spindles 17a, 17b.

[0055] In the process of practicing the principles and techniques described herein, variations of the disclosed embodiments will be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art by studying the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. 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. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A shaving unit (5) for an electric shaver (1), comprising a base member (19), at least two hair cutting units (7a, 7b) supported by the base member, and a holding member (21a, 21b) for each respective one of the hair cutting units, the holding member being associated with the respective hair cutting unit and being configured to hold the respective hair cutting unit in an operable position relative to the base member, wherein: the base member comprising a receiving member (23a, 23b) for each respective one of the hair cutting units, the receiving member being associated with the respective hair cutting unit and being configured to receive and accommodate the respective hair cutting unit and its associated retaining member in the operable position; Characterized in that the shaving unit (5) comprises a covering member (29a, 29b) for each respective one of the receiving members (23a, 23b), the covering member: - in a case where the respective hair cutting unit (7a, 7b) associated with the respective receiving member is held in the operable position relative to the base member (19) by the holding member (21a, 21b) associated with the respective hair cutting unit, the covering member, independently of the other receiving members, can be individually coupled to and decoupled from the base member; - configured and arranged to surround and cover the respective receiving member when the covering member is coupled to the base member; and - having an opening (31) through which the respective hair cutting unit in its operable position relative to the base member protrudes relative to the cover member when the cover member is coupled to the base member.

2. The shaving unit (5) according to claim 1, comprising at least two covering members (29a, 29a', 29a", 29b, 29b', 29b") for each respective one of the receiving members (23a, 23b), each of the at least two covering members being selectively connectable to the base member (19) so as to surround and cover the respective receiving member, wherein The at least two covering members have mutually different colors, shapes and / or outer surface textures.

3. The shaving unit (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: - each receiving member (23a, 23b) is arranged on a common bracket (33) of said base member (19); and - Each covering member (29a, 29b) extends from the common bracket towards the respective hair cutting unit (7a, 7b) associated with the respective receiving member when coupled to the base member to surround and cover a respective one of the receiving members.

4. The shaving unit (5) according to claim 3, wherein: The common bracket (33) is releasably connectable to the body (3) of the electric shaver (1).

5. The shaving unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Each cover member (29a, 29b) is coupleable to the base member (19) by a snap-fit ​​connection (35, 37).

6. The shaving unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: Each covering member (29a, 29b) is coupleable to the corresponding receiving member (23a, 23b) to surround and cover the corresponding receiving member.

7. The shaving unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: Each hair cutting unit (7a, 7b) comprises: - an outer cutting member (9a, 9b) having an annular shaving area (11a, 11b) with hair entry openings; and - an inner cutting member (13a, 13b) which is covered by the outer cutting member and is rotatable relative to the outer cutting member about a central axis (15a, 15b) of the hair cutting unit; And wherein each covering member (29a, 29b) has a generally cylindrical shape and, when coupled to the base member (19) to surround and cover a corresponding one of the receiving members (23a, 23b), extends coaxially with respect to a central axis of the hair cutting unit associated with the corresponding receiving member.

8. The shaving unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: Each retaining member (21a, 21b) is releasably coupleable to the base member (19).

9. The shaving unit (5) according to claim 8, wherein: The shaving unit (5) comprises a common holding structure (39) for the hair cutting units (7a, 7b), the common holding structure comprising the holding members (21a, 21b) associated with the hair cutting units, and wherein the common holding structure comprises: - a central coupling portion (41) releasably coupleable to said base member (19); and - a connecting element (43a, 43b) for each respective one of the retaining members, the connecting element being associated with the respective retaining member and connecting the respective retaining member to the central coupling portion; wherein the connecting element of each respective retaining member protrudes from the central coupling portion into the receiving member (23a, 23b) associated with the respective retaining member when the central coupling portion is coupled to the base member.

10. The shaving unit (5) according to claim 9, wherein The central coupling portion (41) is releasably coupleable to the base member (19) by means of a snap-fit ​​connection (45, 47a, 47b).

11. The shaving unit (5) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: Each hair cutting unit (7a, 7b) is releasably coupleable to the respective holding member (21a, 21b) associated with the hair cutting unit.

12. The shaving unit (5) according to claim 11, wherein Each hair cutting unit (7a, 7b) comprises: - an outer cutting member (9a, 9b) having an annular shaving area (11a, 11b) with hair entry openings; and - an inner cutting member (13a, 13b) which is covered by the outer cutting member and is rotatable relative to the outer cutting member about a central axis (15a, 15b) of the hair cutting unit; And each retaining member (21a, 21b) is configured to receive the corresponding hair cutting unit associated with the retaining member into a connected state by displacement of the corresponding hair cutting unit relative to the retaining member in a direction (D) perpendicular to the center axis of the corresponding hair cutting unit.

13. The shaving unit (5) according to claim 12, wherein: The outer cutting member (9a, 9b) of each hair cutting unit (7a, 7b) comprises a circumferential flange (51), and each retaining member (21a, 21b) comprises at least one guide channel (49), which, in the connected state of the corresponding hair cutting unit associated with the retaining member, extends perpendicularly to the central axis (15a, 15b) of the corresponding hair cutting unit to receive the flange of the outer cutting member of the corresponding hair cutting unit.

14. An electric shaver (1), comprising: - a body (3) for housing the electric motor; as well as - A shaving unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which is coupled to the body such that each hair cutting unit (7a, 7b) of the shaving unit can be driven by the electric motor.

15. The electric shaver (1) according to claim 14, wherein: The shaving unit (5) is releasably coupled to the body (3).

Images