Housing assembly for a combining device

Abstract

A housing assembly for a carding apparatus includes a fixed housing part and a movable housing part. The stationary housing member may be secured to the handle. The movable housing part is configured to receive the carding element and is pivotally connected to the fixed housing part to enable pivotal movement within a range of a pivotal position. The housing assembly also includes a light guide having a fixed light guide portion and a movable light guide portion. The fixed light guide portion is arranged to receive light from the light source and the movable light guide portion is arranged to direct light to a skin area to be combed. The housing assembly also includes an optical coupling interface between the fixed light guide portion and the movable light guide portion. The optical coupling interface is configured to maintain optical coupling in all pivot positions within range, thereby enhancing carding accuracy and visibility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing assembly for a combing device, a combing device including the housing assembly, and a light guide for the housing assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Shaving devices typically exhibit contour-following capabilities, meaning they include a housing component that can move relative to its handle. Shaving devices may also incorporate a light source to illuminate the area of ​​skin to be shaved, thereby improving visibility and shaving accuracy. To bring the light as close as possible to the area of ​​skin to be shaved, a light guide is used, which transmits light from the light source in the handle to the movable housing component. Naturally, the light exiting the light guide moves relative to the light source. Ensuring effective light transmission in contour-following shaving devices presents a challenge in maintaining effective optical coupling between the movable and stationary components. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention addresses the aforementioned challenges by providing a housing assembly for a combing device as defined in the appended claims, a combing device including the housing assembly, and a light guide for the housing assembly.

[0004] Housing assembly, including:

[0005] A fixed housing component and a movable housing component, wherein the fixed housing component is fixed to a handle, wherein the movable housing component is configured to accommodate a combing element, and wherein the movable housing component is pivotally connected to the fixed housing component to enable pivoting movement within a range of pivoting positions;

[0006] A light guide includes a fixed light guide portion and a movable light guide portion, wherein the fixed light guide portion is arranged to receive light from a light source, and wherein the movable light guide portion is arranged to guide the light to a skin area to be combed, wherein the fixed light guide portion is housed within a fixed housing member, and wherein the movable light guide portion is housed within a movable housing member, thereby restricting the movable light guide portion to follow the pivoting movement of the movable housing member relative to the fixed housing member within a pivoting position; and

[0007] An optical coupling interface between the fixed light guide portion and the movable light guide portion, wherein the optical coupling interface is configured to maintain optical coupling in all pivot positions within the range.

[0008] By maintaining effective optical coupling between the fixed and movable light guide sections, efficient light transmission can be ensured even in combing devices with pivoting capabilities.

[0009] The optical coupling interface can be configured to maintain optical coupling in all pivot positions within the range by virtue of its size and shape. In one example, the optical coupling interface comprises two windows arranged opposite to each other, forming a gap between the two windows. In the example, the optical coupling interface comprises an exit window on the superior side of the fixed light guide portion and an entry window on the inferior side of the movable light guide portion. Advantageously, at least one of the exit window and the entry window can be curved to accommodate the pivoting motion. In one example, where the axis of rotation (of the movable housing component relative to the fixed housing component, or of the movable light guide portion relative to the fixed light guide portion) is located in the movable housing component, on the superior side of the optical coupling interface, i) the exit window is concave, or ii) the entry window is convex, or iii) both i) and ii). In another example, where the axis of rotation (of the movable housing component relative to the fixed housing component, or of the movable light guide portion relative to the fixed light guide portion) is located in the handle or in the fixed housing component, on the inferior side of the optical coupling interface, i) the exit window is convex, or ii) the entry window is concave, or iii) both i) and ii). The center of curvature of the curved exit window and / or the curved entry window can spatially coincide with at least one of the axes of rotation to ensure proper curvature of the respective window. In one example, both the exit window and the entry window are curved and have the same center of curvature, such that they remain equidistant in all pivot positions within the range. Shaping the window curvature in any of these ways advantageously contributes to reducing light loss through the optical coupling interface.

[0010] In one example, the movable housing component is pivotable about a single axis of rotation relative to the fixed housing component, and the curved exit window and / or the curved entry window form a single-curved plane. In another example, the movable housing component is pivotable about two axes of rotation relative to the fixed housing component, and the curved exit window and / or the curved entry window form a double-curved plane. Thus, the curvature of the entry / exit window effectively adapts to the one or more axes of rotation.

[0011] Advantageously, the gap between the fixed light guide portion and the movable light guide portion can be located within the movable housing component to contain any light leakage from the optical coupling interface.

[0012] To ensure effective optical coupling in all pivot positions, the entry window can be larger than the exit window in at least one dimension. More specifically, the entry window can be so wide that it covers the exit window in all pivot positions within the range. Additionally, the depth of the entry window can be greater than the depth of the exit window.

[0013] In another aspect, there is provided a grooming device comprising a housing assembly as described or claimed herein. In one example, the grooming device comprises a shaving device, the grooming element comprising a cutting element. In another example, the grooming device comprises one of an epilator, a massager, an exfoliator or a trimmer.

[0014] In one example, the pivotal movement is used to provide skin contour following capability, i.e. continuous pivoting during use. In this case, the pivotal position can be considered to be a contour following position. In another example, the pivotal movement is used to enable the user to modify or set the angle of the grooming element, e.g. the angle of the cutting element in the case of a trimmer, the angle of the grooming element can be fixed until re-adjusted.

[0015] In yet another aspect, there is provided a light guide for a housing assembly of a grooming device. The light guide comprises:

[0016] a fixed light guide portion and a movable light guide portion, wherein the fixed light guide portion is arranged for receiving light from a light source, and wherein the movable light guide portion is arranged for guiding the light to a skin area to be groomed, wherein the fixed light guide portion is configured for being accommodated within a fixed housing part of the housing assembly, and wherein the movable light guide portion is configured for being accommodated within a movable housing part of the housing assembly, thereby limiting the movable light guide portion to follow a pivotal movement of the movable housing part relative to the fixed housing part within a range of pivotal positions;

[0017] an optical coupling interface between the fixed light guide portion and the movable light guide portion, wherein the optical coupling interface is configured to maintain optical coupling in all pivotal positions within the range.

[0018] The above aspects will become apparent and elucidated from the detailed description provided hereinafter, reference being made to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The detailed description will now be made with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a perspective view of a housing assembly for a shaving device;

[0021] Figure 2A - Figure 2C illustrates a light guide of the housing assembly; and

[0022] Figure 3A and Figure 3B schematically depicts the light guide in use, showing the optical coupling between the fixed portion and the movable portion of the light guide. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1A A housing assembly 100 for a shaving device is shown. The housing assembly 100 comprises a fixed housing part 102 and a movable housing part 104. The movable housing part 104 is configured to house a cutting element 106 in which hairs are housed when the shaving device is in use. In a non-limiting example, the cutting element 106 is an SFS cutting element having two straight (S) linear cutters and one foil (F) trimmer in the middle. The movable housing part 104 is pivotably connected to the fixed housing part 102, allowing it to pivot about a rotation axis 108. The pivoting of the movable housing part 104 relative to the fixed housing part 102 allows the cutting element 106 to follow the contours of the skin during shaving, which is useful to achieve a satisfactory cutting length. A gap 110 separates the fixed housing part 102 from the movable housing part 104. The housing assembly 100 further comprises a light guide 200 for guiding light received from a light source towards the skin area to be shaved for better shaving performance. In order to have the light as close as possible to the skin, the light guide 200 protrudes through the movable housing part 104 to reach its outside. The fixed housing part 102 can be connected to a handle (not shown) by an elastically deformable clip 114. The light source can be held in the handle for access to its power supply and / or for containment in a watertight environment. “Fixed” means in this document that the part in question remains stationary relative to the handle, while “movable” is used to denote a part that moves relative to the handle.

[0024] Figure 1B is a partially exploded view showing the housing assembly 100, which is partially exploded to show the light guide 200 in situ. As further described below, the light guide 200 comprises a fixed part 202 and a movable part 204, which can be integrated within the fixed housing part 102 and the movable housing part 104, respectively.

[0025] Figure 2AThis is a perspective view of the individual light guide 200. The fixed light guide portion 202 is mounted within the fixed housing member 102 via a support 214. The fixed light guide portion 202 is designed to receive light from a light source (not shown) located in the handle through an incident window 228 located on its lower side. The light source may be an LED or a similar light-emitting element. A movable light guide portion 204 will be housed within the movable housing member 104 and thereby restricted to follow the pivoting movement of the movable housing member 104. The movable light guide portion 204 is configured to guide the light received from the fixed light guide portion 202 toward the area of ​​skin to be shaving, and for this purpose includes an exit window 230 on its upper side. Specifically, the exit window 230 is located on the movable light guide portion 124, which is movable relative to the light source. "Upper side, superior" herein refers to the side facing or towards the head or upper part of the shaving device (the part where the cutting element is located), while "lower side, inferior" refers to the lower part away from the head or towards the shaving device. The surface of the light guide 200 can be polished to promote total internal reflection. To distribute light more gently at the exit of the light guide 200, the exit window 230 may include a textured surface.

[0026] Figure 2B This is a top view showing the optical coupling interface between the fixed light guide portion 202 and the movable light guide portion 204 of the light guide 200. The optical coupling interface is designed to facilitate maximum light transmission efficiency regardless of the pivoting position of the movable light guide portion 204. As described herein, in use, the movable housing component 104 pivots about its axis 108 to follow the contour of the skin, and the movable light guide portion 204 housed within the movable housing component 104 pivots accordingly. The pivoting range of the movable housing component 104 is mechanically limited to define the range of operating positions of the movable light guide portion 204, which are referred to herein as contour-following positions. The optical coupling interface is configured to maintain optical coupling in all contour-following positions within this range, as will now be explained, based on its size and shape.

[0027] Regarding shape, the optical coupling interface includes an exit window 242 located on the upper side of the fixed light guide portion 202 and an entrance window 244 located on the lower side of the movable light guide portion 204. The two windows 242 and 244 are arranged opposite to each other, forming a narrow gap 210 between them. Figure 2BIn the non-limiting example shown, the exit window 242 is concave, while the entrance window 244 is convex. The concave exit window 242 and the convex entrance window 244 form parallel monoclinic surfaces. The concave exit window 242 and the convex entrance window 244 have the same center of curvature, which spatially coincides with the axis of rotation 108. With this arrangement, during the pivoting movement of the movable light guide portion 204 relative to the fixed light guide portion 202, the complementary concave surface 242 and the convex surface 244 remain equidistant in all contour-tracking positions for unobstructed optical coupling. For free movement between the portions, the gap 210 can be greater than or equal to 0.3 mm. To minimize light escape, the gap 210 can be less than or equal to 1 mm. Furthermore, the gap between the fixed light guide portion 202 and the movable light guide portion 204 is located within the movable housing component 104 to contain the unavoidable leakage of light from the optical coupling interface.

[0028] Furthermore, regarding size, the incident window 244 is larger than the exit window 242 in at least one dimension. In particular, the incident window 244 is wider than the exit window 242. More specifically, the incident window 244 is so wide that it covers the exit window 242 at all contour tracking locations. Figure 2C This is a side cross-sectional view of the optical guide 200. Figure 2C It is also shown that the depth of the incident window 244 is greater than the depth of the exit window 242. The two windows 242 and 244 may optionally have the same depth. Therefore, by ensuring that the incident window 244 completely covers the exit window 242 at all contour-tracking positions, the optical coupling interface is configured to maintain alignment and minimize light loss during movement.

[0029] The term "length" used here refers to the direction in which light propagates through the light guide 200, i.e., perpendicular to the incident window 228, while "width" refers to the maximum dimension describing the incident window 228, and "depth" relates to the remaining directions. Figure 2A As shown, "length" is related to the X dimension, "width" is related to the Y dimension, and "depth" is related to the Z dimension.

[0030] Figure 3A and Figure 3B The light guide 200 in operation is schematically shown. In use, a light source (not shown) in the handle (not shown) emits light L into the fixed light guide portion 202. Light L propagates through the interior of the light guide 200 via total internal reflection, passes through the optical coupling interface, and enters the movable light guide portion 204, which guides the light to the area of ​​skin S being shaved. Figure 3AIn this configuration, the movable light guide portion 204 pivots clockwise around axis 108 to its full range of motion; however, the optical coupling interface will be optically coupled to the movable light guide portion 204 in the same amount as when it is in the centered position. Therefore, even when the movable light guide portion 204 pivots to follow the contours of the skin S, the configuration of the light guide 204 as described herein ensures effective light transmission, thereby providing consistent illumination to improve shaving visibility and accuracy.

[0031] In a variation of the above arrangement, the movable housing component 104 is pivotable relative to the fixed housing component 102 about two rotational axes, and the concave surface 242 and the convex surface 244 follow the hyperboloid. In this case, a universal joint can be used to achieve biaxial pivoting motion, wherein the outer shaft facilitates pivoting in a first direction and the inner shaft facilitates pivoting motion in a second direction.

[0032] In another variation, only one of the exit window 242 and the entrance window 244 is concave or convex. In this arrangement, the other window may follow a plane exhibiting infinite curvature.

[0033] In yet another variation, the exit window 242 is convex and / or the entrance window 244 is concave, wherein the rotation axis 108 is located in the fixed housing component 102 or the handle rather than in the movable housing component 104.

[0034] The following embodiments further constitute a part of this disclosure.

[0035] Example 1. A housing assembly for a combing device, the housing assembly comprising:

[0036] A fixed housing component and a movable housing component, wherein the fixed housing component is fixed to a handle, wherein the movable housing component is configured to accommodate a combing element, and wherein the movable housing component is pivotally connected to the fixed housing component to enable pivoting movement within a range of pivoting positions;

[0037] A light guide includes a fixed light guide portion and a movable light guide portion, wherein the fixed light guide portion is arranged to receive light from a light source, and wherein the movable light guide portion is arranged to guide the light to a skin area to be combed, wherein the fixed light guide portion is housed within a fixed housing member, and wherein the movable light guide portion is housed within a movable housing member, thereby restricting the movable light guide portion to follow the pivoting movement of the movable housing member relative to the fixed housing member within a pivoting position; and

[0038] An optical coupling interface between the fixed light guide portion and the movable light guide portion, wherein the optical coupling interface is configured to maintain optical coupling in all pivot positions within the range.

[0039] By maintaining effective optical coupling between the fixed and movable light guide sections, efficient light transmission can be ensured even in combing devices with pivoting capabilities.

[0040] Example 2. The housing assembly as described in Example 1, wherein the optical coupling interface is configured to maintain optical coupling in all pivoting positions within the range based on its size and shape.

[0041] Example 3. The housing assembly as described in Example 1 or 2, wherein the optical coupling interface comprises two windows disposed opposite each other with a gap between them.

[0042] Example 4. The housing assembly as described in Embodiment 3, wherein the optical coupling interface includes an exit window on the upper side of the fixed light guide portion and an entrance window on the lower side of the movable light guide portion, and wherein at least one of the exit window and the entrance window is curved. This facilitates adaptation to pivoting movements.

[0043] Example 5. A housing assembly as described in Example 4, wherein the movable housing component is pivotable relative to the fixed housing component about at least one axis of rotation, and the center of curvature of the curved exit window and / or the curved entrance window spatially coincides with the at least one axis of rotation. This ensures proper curvature of the respective windows.

[0044] Example 6. A housing assembly as described in Example 5, wherein both the exit window and the entrance window are curved and have the same center of curvature, such that they remain equidistant in all pivoting positions within the range. Properly shaping the window curvature in any of these ways helps to reduce light loss through the optical coupling interface.

[0045] Example 7. A housing assembly as described in any one of Examples 4-6, wherein the movable housing component is pivotable relative to the fixed housing component about a single axis of rotation, and wherein the curved exit window and / or the curved entrance window forms a single curved surface.

[0046] Example 8. A housing assembly as described in any one of Examples 4-6, wherein the movable housing component is pivotable relative to the fixed housing component about two rotation axes, and wherein the curved exit window and / or the curved entrance window forms a hyperboloid. Therefore, the curvature of the entrance / exit window is effectively adapted to one or more rotation axes.

[0047] Example 9. A housing assembly as described in any one of Examples 3-8, wherein the gap between the fixed light guide portion and the movable light guide portion is located within the movable housing component to accommodate light leakage from the optical coupling interface.

[0048] Example 10. A housing assembly as described in any one of Examples 3-9, wherein the incident window is larger than the exit window in at least one dimension.

[0049] Example 11. A housing assembly as described in Example 10, wherein the entrance window is so wide that it covers the exit window at all pivot positions within the range.

[0050] Example 12. A housing assembly as described in Example 10 or 11, wherein the depth of the entrance window is greater than the depth of the exit window.

[0051] Example 13. A combing device comprising the housing assembly described in any one of Examples 1-12.

[0052] Example 14. A light guide for a housing assembly of a combing device, the light guide comprising:

[0053] A fixed light guide portion and a movable light guide portion, wherein the fixed light guide portion is arranged to receive light from a light source, and wherein the movable light guide portion is arranged to guide the light to a skin area to be combed, wherein the fixed light guide portion is configured to be housed within a fixed housing member of the housing assembly, and wherein the movable light guide portion is configured to be housed within a movable housing member of the housing assembly, thereby limiting the movable light guide portion to pivoting within a range of pivot positions relative to the movable housing member.

[0054] An optical coupling interface between the fixed light guide portion and the movable light guide portion, wherein the optical coupling interface is configured to maintain optical coupling in all pivot positions within the range.

[0055] The indefinite articles “one” or “a” do not exclude multiples. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified or clearly indicated from the context that it is in the singular form, the articles “one” and “a” as used herein should generally be interpreted as meaning “one or more”.

[0056] Unless otherwise stated, or clearly apparent from the context, the phrases “one or more of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, and / or C” as used herein are intended to represent all possible permutations of one or more of the listed items. That is, the phrase “A and / or B” refers to (A), (B), or (A and B), while the phrase “A, B, and / or C” refers to (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0057] The term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps. Furthermore, the terms "including," "comprises," "having," etc., are used interchangeably herein.

[0058] This invention may include one or more aspects, examples, or features, either individually or in combination, whether specifically disclosed in the combination or individually. Any optional feature or sub-aspect of one of the foregoing aspects may suitably be applied to any other aspect.

[0059] The applicant discloses, in isolation, each individual feature described herein, and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations can be implemented as a whole based on the description as a whole, according to common general knowledge of those skilled in the art, regardless of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problem disclosed herein, and not to limit the scope of the claims. The applicant notes that aspects of the invention may include any such individual feature or combination of features.

[0060] It should be noted that embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to different categories. In particular, some examples are described with reference to methods, while other examples are described with reference to devices. However, those skilled in the art will conclude from the specification that, unless otherwise stated, any combination of features relating to features from different categories, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one category, is also considered to be disclosed in this application. However, all features can be combined to provide more synergistic effects than a simple summation of features.

[0061] While the invention has been detailed and described in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, such description is to be considered exemplary rather than limiting. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments will be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art through study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0062] The fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

[0063] Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A housing assembly for a grooming device, the housing assembly comprising: a fixed housing part and a movable housing part, wherein the fixed housing part is fixable to a handle, wherein the movable housing part is configured to house a grooming element, wherein the movable housing part is pivotably connected to the fixed housing part for enabling a pivoting motion over a range of pivoting positions, wherein the movable housing part is pivotable relative to the fixed housing part about at least one axis of rotation; a light guide comprising a fixed light guide portion and a movable light guide portion, wherein the fixed light guide portion is arranged to receive light from a light source, and wherein the movable light guide portion is arranged to guide the light to a skin area to be groomed, wherein the fixed light guide portion is housed within the fixed housing part, and wherein the movable light guide portion is housed within the movable housing part, whereby the movable light guide portion is constrained to follow the pivoting motion of the movable housing part relative to the fixed housing part over a range of pivoting positions; and an optical coupling interface between the fixed light guide portion and the movable light guide portion, wherein the optical coupling interface is configured to maintain optical coupling in all pivoting positions within the range by virtue of its size and shape, wherein the optical coupling interface comprises two windows arranged opposite to each other with a gap formed therebetween, wherein the optical coupling interface comprises an exit window on an upper side of the fixed light guide portion and an entrance window on a lower side of the movable light guide portion, and wherein at least one of the exit window and the entrance window is curved, and wherein a center of curvature of the curved exit window and / or the curved entrance window coincides spatially with the at least one axis of rotation.

2. The housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein both the exit window and the entrance window are curved and have the same center of curvature, such that they remain equidistant in all pivoting positions within the range.

3. The housing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable housing part is pivotable relative to the fixed housing part about a single axis of rotation, and wherein the curved exit window and / or the curved entrance window defines a single surface.

4. The housing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable housing part is pivotable relative to the fixed housing part about two axes of rotation, and wherein the curved exit window and / or the curved entrance window defines a double surface.

5. The housing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gap between the fixed light guide portion and the movable light guide portion is located within the movable housing part to contain light leakage from the optical coupling interface.

6. The housing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the entrance window is larger than the exit window in at least one dimension.

7. A housing assembly according to claim 6, wherein the width of the entrance window is such that the entrance window covers the exit window in all pivoted positions of the range.

8. A housing assembly according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the depth of the entrance window is greater than the depth of the exit window.

9. A carding apparatus comprising a housing assembly according to any preceding claim.

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