Method for determining quantitative condition of cleaning liquid in cleaning device of personal care device

Abstract

A computer-implemented method (201, 301) for determining a quantitative condition (QC1, QC2) of a cleaning liquid (19, 119) in a cleaning device (1, 101) of a personal care device (e.g., an electric shaving tool (3, 103)) is provided. The method involves controlling (203, 207, 303) a motor (23, 129) configured to drive a liquid displacement member (21, 121) of the cleaning device for successive operation at least at two different motor speeds (MS1, MS2), and receiving (205, 209, 303) from a sensor (65, 165) a sensor output (SIM1, SIM2) related to a current (IM1, IM2) in the motor (23, 129) for each of the at least two different motor speeds. The method further involves determining (213, 307), for at least two different motor speeds, a parameter value (PdI / dMS) associated with a degree to which the current in the motor varies according to the motor speed, based on the current in the motor; and determining (215, 309) a quantitative condition of the cleaning liquid based on the determined value of the parameter and based on a predetermined relationship between the quantitative condition and the parameter.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for determining a dosing condition of a cleaning liquid in a cleaning device for a personal care device, the dosing condition relating to an amount of cleaning liquid present in the cleaning device, the method comprising: receiving a sensor output relating to a current in an electric motor from a sensor, the electric motor being configured to drive a liquid displacement member of the cleaning device; determining the current in the electric motor from the received sensor output; and determining the dosing condition based on the determined current in the electric motor and based on a predetermined relationship between the dosing condition and the current in the electric motor.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a cleaning device for a personal care device, the cleaning device comprising: a housing; a receiving chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the personal care device to be cleaned in a cleaning position within the receiving chamber; a reservoir configured to hold a cleaning liquid; a liquid displacement member configured to displace the cleaning liquid from the reservoir to the receiving chamber for cleaning the portion of the personal care device; an electric motor configured to drive the liquid displacement member; a sensor configured to measure a current in the electric motor and to provide a sensor output relating to the measured current in the electric motor; and a processor configured to control the electric motor, to receive the sensor output from the sensor, and to determine a dosing condition of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning device based on the sensor output, the dosing condition relating to an amount of cleaning liquid present in the cleaning device.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a personal care system comprising a personal care device and a cleaning device for the personal care device, wherein the cleaning device comprises: a housing; a receiving chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the personal care device to be cleaned in a cleaning position within the receiving chamber; a reservoir configured to hold a cleaning liquid; a liquid displacement member configured to displace the cleaning liquid from the reservoir to the receiving chamber for cleaning the portion of the personal care device; and a drive coupling member connected to the liquid displacement member; wherein the personal care device comprises: an electric motor; a sensor configured to measure a current in the electric motor and to provide a sensor output relating to the measured current in the electric motor; the drive coupling member connected to the electric motor; and a processor configured to control the electric motor and to receive the sensor output from the sensor; and wherein the drive coupling member of the cleaning device and the drive coupling member of the personal care device are configured and arranged to be coupled to each other in the cleaning position of the portion of the personal care device, such that the liquid displacement member of the cleaning device is drivable by the electric motor of the personal care device. BACKGROUND

[0004] Personal care devices configured to provide a personal care treatment to a body part of a subject are well known. Examples are electric shaving tools for shaving beard hairs on a human face, hair trimming devices for cutting beard hairs on a human face or hairs on body parts other than the face, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) devices for removing hairs on a human leg or other body parts, facial cleansing brushing devices for cleaning a human face by rotating and / or vibrating a brush, skin rejuvenation devices for rejuvenating skin on a human body part by electromagnetic or radio frequency energy, and toothbrushes for cleaning human teeth.

[0005] A personal care device can be used with a cleaning device configured to clean at least a part of the personal care device. In particular, it can be desirable to clean a personal care treatment unit of the personal care device that provides the actual personal care treatment to a body part of a subject. When the personal care device is for example an electric shaving tool, the cleaning device can be configured to clean a shaving unit of the electric shaving tool comprising one or more hair cutting units. In such a cleaning device, a cleaning liquid is displaced from a reservoir to a receiving chamber by a liquid displacement member (e.g. a pump), in which receiving chamber the part of the personal care device to be cleaned is placed. This will result in a flow of cleaning liquid along and / or through the part of the personal care device, thereby cleaning the part. The cleaning device itself can have a motor driving the liquid displacement member and a processor controlling the motor speed according to a predefined cleaning program. In other systems, for example as disclosed in EP 3737 257 B1 in the name of the present applicant, the liquid displacement member is driven by the motor of the personal care device (in this example an electric shaving tool) when the electric shaving tool is placed in the cleaning device. In this example, the shaving tool motor is controlled by a processor of the electric shaving tool, and the processor can control the speed of the motor according to a predefined cleaning program when the electric shaving tool is placed in the cleaning device.

[0006] When using such a cleaning device, it is useful to inform the user about the amount of cleaning liquid present in the cleaning device. When the amount of cleaning liquid is insufficient, the liquid displacing member can not displace a sufficient amount of cleaning liquid or any cleaning liquid towards the receiving chamber, such that the cleaning of the personal care device is insufficient or not at all. For example, it is known to provide a cleaning device with a transparent viewing window to the housing through which the user can directly observe the level of cleaning liquid in the reservoir of the cleaning device. When the user observes that the level of cleaning liquid is too low, he can fill the reservoir with fresh cleaning liquid or replace the reservoir by a filled one. A disadvantage of such a viewing window is that the cleaning liquid can be difficult to see through the viewing window, especially when the ambient lighting conditions are poor. In other known examples, the level of cleaning liquid is automatically detected by a level sensor in the reservoir and the user is automatically informed that the level of cleaning liquid is too low by, for example, a display on the cleaning device or by an audible feedback signal. However, such a sensor-based automatic detection system is complex and expensive.

[0007] EP 3 051 975 B1, which is filed in the name of the present applicant, discloses a cleaning device for an electrically powered shaving tool, the cleaning device comprising a sensor for sensing an electric current in an electric motor driving a liquid displacing member, and a processor configured to detect an insufficient level of cleaning liquid in a reservoir based on the electric current in the electric motor sensed by the sensor. In this known cleaning device, the processor compares the sensed electric current value to a nominal value, which corresponds to the electric current occurring in the electric motor when the level of cleaning liquid is sufficient. When the level of cleaning liquid is sufficient, the liquid displacing member produces a nominal uninterrupted flow of cleaning liquid. When the level of cleaning liquid is insufficient, the flow of cleaning liquid produced by the liquid displacing member is interrupted. The processor detects such an interruption of the flow of cleaning liquid when the sensed electric current deviates from the nominal value of the sensed electric current by more than a predefined threshold value. When the processor detects such an interruption, the processor controls an indicator of the cleaning device to indicate a warning to the user that the level of cleaning liquid is insufficient. A disadvantage of this known cleaning device is that the electric current produced in the electric motor when the level of cleaning liquid is sufficient can differ between cleaning devices, i.e. even when the cleaning devices have the same design and construction. Furthermore, for a particular sample of a cleaning device, the electric current in the electric motor occurring when the level of cleaning liquid is sufficient can change during the lifetime of the cleaning device, for example due to wear or contamination. Therefore, when determining the level of cleaning liquid by comparing the absolute value of the electric current in the electric motor to a nominal value, the result can be inaccurate. SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-implemented method, a cleaning device, and a personal care system, each having the features as mentioned in the preceding “field of the invention” section, by means of which the problems associated with known cleaning devices as described in the preceding “background of the invention” section can at least be mitigated. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-implemented method, a cleaning device, and a personal care system, by means of which, in comparison to the cleaning device disclosed in EP 3 051 975 B1, the dosing condition of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning device can be determined in a more reliable manner based on the measured current in the motor driving the liquid displacement member and without using any sensor output that was generated or used in a previous determination of the dosing condition of the cleaning liquid.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a computer-implemented method has the features as mentioned in the preceding “field of the invention” section, characterized in that the method further comprises: controlling the motor so as to be operated successively at at least two different motor speeds; receiving, for each of the at least two different motor speeds, a sensor output; determining, for each of the at least two different motor speeds, the current in the motor from the respective received sensor output; determining, based on the currents in the motor determined for the at least two different motor speeds, a value of a parameter associated with the extent to which the current in the motor changes as a function of the motor speed; and determining, based on the determined parameter value and based on a predetermined relationship between the dosing condition and the parameter, the dosing condition of the cleaning liquid.

[0010] The term “dosing condition of the cleaning liquid” as used herein refers to a condition or state that characterizes the amount of cleaning liquid present in the cleaning device. Examples of “dosing condition” include, but are not limited to, sufficient amount, sufficient level, insufficient amount, insufficient level, full reservoir, or empty reservoir, in addition to the absolute value of the amount of cleaning liquid.

[0011] According to the method of the present invention, the current in the motor driving the liquid displacement member of the cleaning device is measured at at least two different motor speeds of the motor. Based on these measurements, a value of a parameter associated with the extent to which the current in the motor changes as a function of the motor speed is determined. The expression “extent to which the current in the motor changes as a function of the motor speed” as used herein is intended to refer to the (average) change of the current in the motor associated with a predefined change of the motor speed, in other words, the extent to which the current changes with respect to the change of the motor speed. If the current can be represented as a mathematical function of the motor speed, the “extent to which the current in the motor changes as a function of the motor speed” can be the mathematical derivative function of said mathematical function. Examples of parameters associated with the extent to which the current changes as a function of the motor speed will be described below with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] Surprisingly, the inventors of the present application found that when the amount of cleaning liquid in the cleaning device is sufficient for the liquid displacement member to generate a continuous uninterrupted flow of cleaning liquid from the reservoir to the receiving chamber, the current in the electric motor increases significantly with increasing motor speed, whereas when the amount of cleaning liquid is insufficient for the liquid displacement member to generate a flow of cleaning liquid from the reservoir to the receiving chamber, the current in the electric motor increases less pronounced with increasing motor speed. In case of a sufficient amount of cleaning liquid, it was found that the current increases significantly with increasing motor speed occurs in a substantial sub-range of the motor speed range of the cleaning program for a conventional cleaning device. As a result, it was found possible to distinguish between at least two different quantification conditions of the cleaning liquid based on a value of said parameter, which is associated with the degree of change of the current in the electric motor as a function of the motor speed. In particular, it was found possible to distinguish between at least a first quantification condition enabling an uninterrupted flow of cleaning liquid by the liquid displacement member and a second quantification condition not enabling a flow of cleaning liquid by the liquid displacement member based on said parameter. In particular, it seems possible to pre-determine a relationship between the quantification condition and said parameter, such that in practical cases, the quantification condition of the cleaning liquid can be determined based on a determined value of said parameter and based on said pre-determined relationship. Examples of said pre-determined relationship will be described below with reference to preferred embodiments of the present application. The determination of the quantification condition by the method according to the present application appears to be robust and accurate over the lifetime of the cleaning device and provides uniform results for a plurality of different samples of cleaning devices having a particular design and structure. Since the determination of the quantification condition by the method according to the present application is based on actual measurements of the current in the electric motor only, the method does not need to rely on measurements of the current taken during previous cleaning sessions and stored in a memory of the processor.

[0013] In an embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the present application, the method further comprises providing a feedback signal to a feedback member related to the determined quantification condition of the cleaning liquid to inform a user of the cleaning device about the determined quantification condition. The feedback member can be for example a display of the cleaning device, a personal care device or a different device, for example a smartphone in data communication with the cleaning device and / or the personal care device.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the present application, the method comprises determining that the cleaning liquid has a first quantitative condition when the determined parameter value is above a predetermined threshold value, and determining that the cleaning liquid has a second quantitative condition different from the first quantitative condition when the determined parameter value is below the predetermined threshold value. In this preferred embodiment, the predetermined relationship between the quantitative condition and the parameter is relatively simple, i.e. for any parameter value above the predetermined threshold value, the quantitative condition of the cleaning liquid is the first quantitative condition, and for any parameter value below the predetermined threshold value, the quantitative condition of the cleaning liquid is the second quantitative condition. In particular, this preferred embodiment appears suitable for cases in which the first and second quantitative conditions each imply a different range of cleaning liquid quantity, e.g. "sufficient quantity" and "insufficient quantity", "quantity above a predetermined threshold value" and "quantity below a predetermined threshold value".

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the present application, the method comprises controlling the electric motor to run successively at a first motor speed and at a second motor speed different from the first motor speed, receiving sensor output for the first motor speed and for the second motor speed, and determining from the respective received sensor output a current in the electric motor for the first motor speed and for the second motor speed, wherein the parameter is a difference between the current in the electric motor determined for the first motor speed and for the second motor speed. The inventors of the present application have found that, in case of a sufficient quantity of cleaning liquid, in a range of motor rotational speeds in which the current increases significantly with increasing motor rotational speed, the increase of the current is close to linear with the increase of the motor rotational speed. Therefore, by measuring the current at only two different motor speeds in this range, the extent to which the current in the electric motor changes as a function of the motor speed can be represented quite accurately by a relatively simple parameter, i.e. the difference between the current in the electric motor determined for the two different motor speeds. In this embodiment, the cleaning liquid is determined to have a first quantitative condition when the determined difference value is above a predefined threshold value, and the cleaning liquid is determined to have a second quantitative condition when the determined difference is below the predetermined threshold value.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the present application, the method comprises: controlling the electric motor to be operated successively at a plurality of different electric motor speeds within the electric motor speed range; receiving a sensor output for each of the plurality of different electric motor speeds; and for each of the plurality of different electric motor speeds, determining the electric current in the electric motor from the respective received sensor output; wherein the parameter is a slope of a linear regression relationship between the plurality of different electric motor speeds and the determined electric current in the electric motor for each of the plurality of different electric motor speeds. By measuring the electric current at a plurality of different electric motor speeds, preferably three or more different electric motor speeds, the extent to which the electric current in the electric motor changes as a function of the electric motor speed can be very precisely represented by the slope value of a linear regression relationship between the plurality of different electric motor speeds and the determined electric current for the plurality of different electric motor speeds. In this embodiment, when the determined value of the slope is higher than a predefined threshold value, it is determined that the cleaning liquid has the first quantitative condition, and when the determined value of the slope is lower than a predefined threshold value, it is determined that the cleaning liquid has the second quantitative condition.

[0017] In another embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the present application, the method further comprises: determining a determination coefficient R2 associated with the linear regression relationship 2 ; and when the determined determination coefficient is lower than a predetermined threshold value, determining that the cleaning liquid has a third quantitative condition different from the first and second quantitative conditions. In embodiments in which the electric current in the electric motor is measured for a plurality of different electric motor speeds, the determination coefficient is a measure for the extent of variation in the measured relationship between the electric current and the electric motor speed. A relatively large extent of variation, i.e. a relatively small value of the determined determination coefficient, can be indicative of an unstable flow of the cleaning liquid, e.g. alternatingly stable and interrupted. This can be indicative of a transitional state of the amount of cleaning liquid from relatively large, i.e. sufficient for a stable flow of cleaning liquid, to relatively small, i.e. insufficient for any flow of cleaning liquid. Thus, when the determined determination coefficient is lower than a predefined threshold value, it can be determined that the cleaning liquid has a third quantitative condition different from the first and second quantitative conditions.

[0018] In yet another embodiment of the computer-implemented method according to the present application, the method comprises controlling the electric motor to gradually or linearly change the electric motor speed from a first end value of the electric motor speed range to a second end value of the electric motor speed range within a predefined time period. By gradually or linearly changing the electric motor speed within a predefined time period from the first end value to the second end value, the user can experience the change in electric motor speed required to measure the electric current in the electric motor at a plurality of different electric motor speeds without being disturbed or annoyed. During said gradual change in electric motor speed, the electric current in the electric motor can be measured and recorded by the processor when the electric motor speed reaches each respective value of the plurality of electric motor speeds for which the measurement is required.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured such that, on execution by a suitable computer or processor, the computer or processor is caused to perform the method according to the present application or any embodiment of the method as described herein before.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present application, for realizing the above mentioned object, a cleaning device having the features as mentioned before in the "field of the invention" section, characterized in that the processor of the cleaning device is configured to perform the method according to the present application or any embodiment thereof as described herein before, for determining a dosing condition of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning device.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present application, for realizing the above mentioned object, a personal care system having the features as mentioned before in the "field of the invention" section, characterized in that the processor of the personal care device of the personal care system is configured to perform the method according to the present application or any embodiment thereof as described herein before, for determining a dosing condition of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning device, said dosing condition relating to an amount of cleaning liquid present in the cleaning device.

[0022] In the personal care system according to the present application, the drive coupling member of the cleaning device and the drive coupling member of the personal care device are coupled to each other within the receiving chamber of the cleaning device in the cleaning position of the personal care device, such that the liquid displacing member of the cleaning device is drivable by the motor of the personal care device via said drive coupling members. As a result, the processor and the motor of the personal care device can control and drive the liquid displacing member of the cleaning device to perform a predetermined cleaning program for cleaning the personal care device. Thus, the cleaning device does not require any electrical or electronic components and can be a relatively simple design with only mechanical components. Since typically the personal care device already has a sensor for measuring the electrical current in the motor of the personal care device, the processor of the personal care device can use said sensor to perform the method according to the present application for determining a dosing condition of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning device. Thus, in the personal care system according to the present application, the processor of the personal care device can be configured to perform the method according to the present application without using any additional dedicated sensor.

[0023] In embodiments of the cleaning apparatus and personal care system according to the present application, the processor is configured to control the motor speed of the motor as a function of time according to a predefined cleaning program and, after controlling the motor according to the predefined cleaning program, to control the motor so as to run at least said two different motor speeds successively in order to determine the dosing condition of the cleaning liquid. In these embodiments, the dosing condition of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning apparatus is determined after completion of the predefined cleaning program, so that the part of the personal care device to be cleaned will be clean. As a result, the influence of the presence of any debris within said part of the personal care device on the measurement of the current in the motor for determining the dosing condition will be limited. In particular, the dosing condition can be determined immediately after the cleaning program with sufficient accuracy, i.e. without the need to first remove the personal care device from the cleaning apparatus.

[0024] In embodiments of the cleaning apparatus and personal care system according to the present application, the personal care device is a power shaver comprising a main body and a shaving unit coupled to the main body, and the receiving chamber of the cleaning apparatus is configured to receive the shaving unit of the power shaver in the cleaning position within the cleaning chamber. However, the cleaning apparatus according to the present application can also be used to clean other types of personal care devices or parts thereof, and the personal care system according to the present application can comprise another type of personal care device, e.g. any of the types of personal care devices mentioned in the “BACKGROUND” section.

[0025] In further embodiments of the cleaning apparatus and personal care system according to the present application: the shaving unit comprises at least one hair cutting unit having an outer cutting member with a hair entry opening and an inner cutting member with a cutting element covered by the outer cutting member and movable relative to the outer cutting member; and for each hair cutting unit, the cleaning apparatus comprises at least one liquid jet nozzle configured and arranged in the receiving chamber to provide a jet of cleaning liquid that propagates into the respective hair cutting unit directly through at least one of the hair entry openings when the shaving unit is in the cleaning position. In these embodiments, each liquid jet nozzle creates a flow of cleaning liquid through the associated hair cutting unit of the shaving unit in the receiving chamber of the cleaning apparatus. This will provide a thorough cleaning of the hair cutting units of the shaving unit. It is additionally found that, due to the flow of cleaning liquid through the hair cutting units, the degree of increase of the current in the motor will be more pronounced with increasing motor speed when the amount of cleaning liquid in the cleaning apparatus is sufficient for the liquid displacement member to create a continuous uninterrupted flow of cleaning liquid from the reservoir to the receiving chamber.

[0026] The above and other aspects of the present application will become apparent and elucidated from the following detailed description of embodiments of the computer implemented method, cleaning device and personal care system according to the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] The present application will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, wherein identical or similar features are denoted by the same reference signs, and in which:

[0029] Figure 1 A cross-section of one embodiment of a cleaning device according to the present application is shown;

[0030] Figure 2 One embodiment of a personal care system according to the present application is schematically shown;

[0031] Figure 3 A cleaning device of the personal care system of Figure 2 is shown in a top view;

[0032] Figure 4 A shaving unit of an electric shaver of the personal care system of Figure 2 is shown in a top view;

[0033] Figure 5 A block diagram of a control system of the cleaning device of Figure 1 and the personal care system of Figure 2 is schematically shown;

[0034] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a computer implemented method for determining a dosing condition of a cleaning liquid in a cleaning device of Figure 1 and Figure 3 according to the present application;

[0035] Figure 7 shows for the personal care system of Figure 2 the current measured in the electric motor of an electric shaver of the personal care system as a function of the motor speed when driving the cleaning device of the personal care system as the method for Figure 6 ;

[0036] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a second embodiment of a computer implemented method for determining a dosing condition of a cleaning liquid in a cleaning device of Figure 1 and Figure 3 according to the present application;

[0037] Figure 9 shows for the personal care system of Figure 2a personal care system, when driving a cleaning device of the personal care system, the current measured in the motor of an electric shaving tool of the personal care system as a function of the motor speed, as used in Figure 8 a method for

[0038] Figure 10 a personal care system, as used in Figure 2 a personal care system, as used in Figure 6 a method for; and

[0039] Figure 11 a personal care system, as used in Figure 2 a personal care system, as used in Figure 8 a method for. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Figure 1 A cross-section of an embodiment of a cleaning device 1 according to the present application is shown. The cleaning device 1 is configured for cleaning a personal care device, in this embodiment an electric shaving tool 3. In particular, in this embodiment the cleaning device 1 is configured for cleaning a shaving unit 5 of the electric shaving tool 3. In this embodiment, the shaving unit 5 has three rotary type hair cutting units 7 and is coupled to a main body 9 of the electric shaving tool 3, which main body 9 is held by a user’s hand during use of the electric shaving tool 3. The hair cutting units 7 are partly visible in Figure 1 . Electric shaving tools with rotary hair cutting units are well known to the person skilled in the art. Therefore, the electric shaving tool 3, the shaving unit 5 and the hair cutting units 7 will not be described in further detail.

[0041] It is noted that the present application also encompasses embodiments of the cleaning device for cleaning personal care devices of different types than the electric shaving tool 3, such as linear reciprocating electric shaving tools or personal care devices of different types than the electric shaving tool, such as hair trimming devices, non-electric hair cutting devices (e.g. razors), Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) devices, brushing devices for facial cleansing, toothbrushes or skin rejuvenation devices based on light or radio frequency energy. All these types of personal care devices are well known to the person skilled in the art. Such personal care devices can have a main body and a personal care treatment unit arranged on the main body and configured to provide a personal care treatment to a body part of a user. The cleaning device according to the present application can be configured to clean at least a part of the personal care device, in particular at least a part of the personal care treatment unit.

[0042] AsFigure 1 As shown, the cleaning device 1 includes a housing 11. A receiving chamber 13 is provided within the housing 11. The receiving chamber 13 is configured to receive at least a portion of a shaving unit 5, particularly a portion of a shaving unit 5 including a hair-cutting unit 7. For this purpose, the cleaning device 1 includes a retainer 15 configured to grip and hold the body 9 of an electric shaving tool 3, such that the shaving unit 5 is held in a fixed cleaning position within the receiving chamber 13. The retainer 15 is attached to the housing 11 of the cleaning device 1 or a portion thereof. A user can easily place the electric shaving tool 3 into the cleaning device 1 by placing the body 9 into the retainer 15, and can easily remove the electric shaving tool 3 from the cleaning device 1 by removing the body 9 from the retainer 15. Typically, in the cleaning device according to the invention, the receiving chamber is configured to receive at least a portion of a personal care device to be cleaned in a cleaning position within the receiving chamber.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, a reservoir 17 is arranged within the housing 11. The reservoir 17 is configured to hold a cleaning liquid 19. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the reservoir 17 may be removed from the cleaning device 1, for example, when the remaining amount or level of cleaning liquid 19 in the reservoir 17 is too small or too low, or when the remaining cleaning liquid 19 is too contaminated, after repeated use of the cleaning device 1. For this purpose, the user can lift the housing 11, which includes all other components of the cleaning device 1, from the reservoir 17 and place the housing 11 on a replacement reservoir containing fresh cleaning liquid. In other embodiments, the reservoir may be integrally formed with the housing of the cleaning device, and the housing and / or the reservoir may, for example, be provided with a suitable closable opening through which the user can refill the reservoir with fresh cleaning liquid.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the cleaning device 1 also includes a liquid displacement member 21 and a motor 23, the motor 23 being configured and arranged to drive the liquid displacement member 21. The liquid displacement member 21 is configured to displace cleaning liquid 19 from the reservoir 17 to the receiving chamber 13 to clean the shaving unit 5. Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid displacer 21 comprises an impeller 25 mounted to a drive shaft 27 of a motor 23. The impeller 25 is arranged in a lower portion of a fluid passage 29 connecting the reservoir 17 with the receiving chamber 13. The motor 23 is arranged in a watertight motor compartment 31 within the housing 11. During use, the cleaning liquid 19 is moved from the reservoir 17 to the receiving chamber 13 via the fluid passage 29 by action of the impeller 25. The receiving chamber 13 comprises an overflow opening 33 defining a maximum liquid level of the cleaning liquid 19 in the receiving chamber 13. The cleaning liquid 19 can flow from the receiving chamber 13 back to the reservoir 17 via the overflow opening 33 and a return passage 35. Within the reservoir 17, a filter 37 is arranged to filter out any contaminants present in the cleaning liquid flow 19.

[0045] The cleaning device 1 further comprises a processor 61 configured to control the motor 23. In embodiments of the cleaning device 1, the processor 61 is housed in the housing 11 of the cleaning device 1, as Figure 1 schematically illustrated. In particular, the processor 61 is configured, e.g. programmed, to control the motor speed of the motor 23 as a function of time according to a predefined cleaning program. As known to the skilled person, the cleaning program can comprise a plurality of sequential cleaning phases separated by interrupt phases. During each cleaning phase, the motor 23 can be driven at a predefined motor speed for a predefined time period, wherein the predefined time period and / or the predefined motor speed can be different for different cleaning phases. During the interrupt phases, the motor 23 is not driven. The user can initiate the cleaning program through a user interface (not shown in the figures) provided on the housing 11. Alternatively, the user can initiate the cleaning program through a remote device (e.g. a smartphone) in data communication (e.g. wirelessly) with the cleaning device 1. The progress of the cleaning program can be notified to the user via the same user interface or the remote device. Figure 1

[0046] Figure 2 An embodiment of a personal care system 100 according to the present application is schematically illustrated. The personal care system 100 comprises a personal care device, in this embodiment an electric shaver 103, and a cleaning device 101 for the electric shaver 103. In particular, in this embodiment, the cleaning device 101 is configured for cleaning a shaving unit 105 of the electric shaver 103. In this embodiment, the shaving unit 105 has three rotary type hair cutting units 107 and is connected to a main body 109 of the electric shaver 103 which is held by a hand of a user during use of the electric shaver 103. The hair cutting units 107 are arranged in a row along a longitudinal axis of the shaving unit 105. The cleaning device 101 comprises a housing 11, a reservoir 17 for storing a cleaning liquid 19, and a liquid displacer 21 for displacing the cleaning liquid 19 from the reservoir 17 to the shaving unit 105. The liquid displacer 21 is arranged in the housing 11 and is configured to be driven by a motor 23. The motor 23 is arranged in a watertight motor compartment 31 within the housing 11. In this embodiment, the motor 23 is configured to be driven by a battery 23a. The battery 23a is arranged in the housing 11 and is configured to be charged by a charging station 23b. The charging station 23b is configured to be connected to an electrical power supply. The cleaning device 101 further comprises a processor 61 configured to control the motor 23. In this embodiment, the processor 61 is housed in the housing 11 of the cleaning device 101, as schematically illustrated. In particular, the processor 61 is configured, e.g. programmed, to control the motor speed of the motor 23 as a function of time according to a predefined cleaning program. As known to the skilled person, the cleaning program can comprise a plurality of sequential cleaning phases separated by interrupt phases. During each cleaning phase, the motor 23 can be driven at a predefined motor speed for a predefined time period, wherein the predefined time period and / or the predefined motor speed can be different for different cleaning phases. During the interrupt phases, the motor 23 is not driven. The user can initiate the cleaning program through a user interface (not shown in the figures) provided on the housing 11. Alternatively, the user can initiate the cleaning program through a remote device (e.g. a smartphone) in data communication (e.g. wirelessly) with the cleaning device 101. The progress of the cleaning program can be notified to the user via the same user interface or the remote device. Figure 2 ​The present application also encompasses embodiments of a personal care system having a cleaning device and a personal care device of a type different from the electric shaving tool 103, as described above with respect to embodiments of the cleaning device 1 according to the present application.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2 , the cleaning device 101 of the personal care system 100 comprises a housing 111. Within the housing 111 a receiving chamber 113 is provided. The receiving chamber 113 is configured to receive at least a portion of the shaving unit 105 of the electric shaving tool 103, in particular a portion of the shaving unit 105 comprising the hair-cutting unit 107. For this purpose, the cleaning device 101 can comprise a holder (not shown in Figure 2 ) similar to the holder 15 of the cleaning device 1 as described above, and the holder is configured to grip and hold the main body 109 of the electric shaving tool 103 such that the shaving unit 105 is held in a fixed cleaning position within the receiving chamber 113. The user can easily place the electric shaving tool 103 in the cleaning device 101 to clean the shaving unit 105, and can easily remove the electric shaving tool 103 from the cleaning device 101 after the cleaning process.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2 , a reservoir 117 is arranged within the housing 111 of the cleaning device 101. The reservoir 117 is configured to hold a cleaning liquid 119. Similar to the reservoir 17 of the cleaning device 1 as described above, the reservoir 117 can be detachably arranged in the housing 111 or integrally formed with the housing 111.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2 , the cleaning device 101 of the personal care system 100 further comprises a liquid displacing member 121 configured to displace the cleaning liquid 119 from the reservoir 117 to the receiving chamber 113 to clean the shaving unit 105. In Figure 2 the embodiment shown, the liquid displacing member 121 comprises an impeller 123 mounted to a drive shaft 125. The impeller 123 is arranged in a lower portion of a fluid passage 127 connecting the reservoir 117 with the receiving chamber 113.

[0050] The personal care system 100 is of the type disclosed in the applicant’s EP 3 737 257 B1 and EP 3 924 153 B1, wherein the liquid displacing member 121 of the cleaning device 101 is drivable by the electric motor 129 of the electric shaving tool 103 when the shaving unit 105 of the electric shaving tool 103 is in the cleaning position within the receiving chamber 113 of the cleaning device 101, as Figure 2The cleaning device 101 comprises a drive coupling member 131 which is connected to the impeller 123 of the liquid displacement member 121 via a drive shaft 125. The shaving unit 105 of the electric shaving tool 103 comprises a drive coupling member 133 which is connected to the electric motor 129 of the electric shaving tool 103. Figure 2 The electric motor 129 is only schematically shown to be arranged in the main body 109 of the electric shaving tool 103 and the drive coupling member 133 is connected to the electric motor 129 via a drive shaft 135 in the electric shaving tool 103. Further details of the connection of the drive coupling member 133 to the electric motor 129 are described in EP 3 737 257 B1.

[0051] The drive coupling member 131 of the cleaning device 101 and the drive coupling member 133 of the shaving unit 105 are only schematically shown in Figure 2 Fig. 1. As shown in Figure 4 Fig. 1, the drive coupling member 133 is arranged in a central position 137 between the three hair cutting units 107 of the shaving unit 105. As shown in Figure 3 Fig. 1, the drive coupling member 131 is arranged in a central position in a bottom wall 139 of the receiving chamber 113 of the cleaning device 101. In this way, when the shaving unit 105 is in the cleaning position within the receiving chamber 113, the drive coupling member 131 of the cleaning device 101 and the drive coupling member 133 of the electric shaving tool 103 are arranged to be coupled to each other such that the liquid displacement member 121 of the cleaning device 101 is drivable by the electric motor 129 of the electric shaving tool 103.

[0052] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 4 Fig. 1, each hair cutting unit 107 comprises an outer cutting member 141 having a hair entry opening 143 and an inner cutting member 145 having a cutting element 147 which is covered by the outer cutting member 141 in a manner known to the person skilled in the art. The inner cutting member 145 of each hair cutting unit 107 is movable, in particular rotatable, relative to the outer cutting member 141 by the electric motor 129 of the electric shaving tool 103 via the drive shaft 135 and a transmission unit 149 which is arranged in the shaving unit 105 and is coupled to the drive shaft 135 and the inner cutting member 145.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 Fig. 1, the fluid channel 127 is connected to a plenum chamber 151 which is integrally formed with the bottom wall 139 of the receiving chamber 113. For each of the three hair cutting units 107 of the shaving unit 105, the cleaning device 101 comprises at least one liquid jet nozzle 153 which is arranged in the bottom wall 139 in fluid communication with the plenum chamber 151. As shown in Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, a single liquid ejection nozzle 153 (only schematically shown) is provided for each of the three hair cutting units 107. Each liquid ejection nozzle 153 is configured and arranged in the bottom wall 139 of the receiving chamber 113 to provide a jet of cleaning liquid 119 that propagates through at least one hair entry opening 143 of the outer cutting member 141 into the hair cutting unit 107 associated with the liquid ejection nozzle 153 directly when the shaving unit 105 is in the cleaning position within the receiving chamber 113 and the liquid displacement member 121 is driven by the electric motor 129. After flowing through the hair cutting unit 107, the cleaning liquid 119 will exit the hair cutting unit 107 again via some of the hair entry openings 143 of the outer cutting member 141 and will be able to flow back to the reservoir 117 via a return opening 155 provided in the bottom wall 139 of the receiving chamber 113, as Figure 2 is shown.

[0054] The electric shaver tool 103 of the personal care system 100 further comprises a processor 161 configured to control the electric motor 129. In embodiments of the personal care system 100, the processor 161 is housed in the main body 109 of the electric shaver tool 103, as Figure 2 schematically shown. During a shaving process, i.e. when the electric shaver tool 103 is not arranged in the cleaning device 101, the processor 161 can control the electric motor 129 to operate at a predetermined motor speed that is optimal for the shaving process, as is well known to the skilled person. When the electric shaver tool 103 is arranged in the cleaning device 101, the processor 161 will receive a position signal from a position sensor 163 arranged in the main body 109 of the electric shaver tool 103, as Figure 2 schematically shown in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the position sensor 163 is an orientation sensor configured to detect a characteristic orientation of the main body 109 of the electric shaver tool 103 relative to the earth’s gravitational field when the shaving unit 105 of the electric shaver tool 103 is in the cleaning position within the cleaning chamber 113 of the cleaning device 101. Further details of the position sensor 163 and its use for detecting the presence of the electric shaver tool 103 in the cleaning device 101 are described in EP 3 771 528 A1 in the name of the present applicant.

[0055] The processor 161 is configured, e.g. programmed, to control the motor speed of the electric motor 129 as a function of time according to a predefined cleaning program when the position sensor 163 detects the presence of the electric shaver tool 103 in the cleaning device 101, as described above. The cleaning program can be of the type as described above for the cleaning device 1. The user can select the cleaning program via a user interface (not shown) provided on the main body 109 of the electric shaver tool 103, as is well known to the skilled person. Figure 2The cleaning program can be initiated by a user (not shown in the image). Alternatively, the user can initiate the cleaning program via a remote device (e.g., a smartphone) that communicates data (e.g., wirelessly) with the electric shaver 103. Still alternatively, the processor 161 can automatically initiate the cleaning program when the position sensor 163 detects the presence of the electric shaver 103 in the cleaning device 101. The user can be notified of the progress of the cleaning program via the same user interface or remote device.

[0056] According to the present invention, as referenced above Figure 1 The processor 61 of the cleaning device 1 and as referenced above Figures 2 to 4 The processors 161 of the electric shaving tool 103 of the personal care system 100 are all configured (e.g., programmed) to execute (i.e., execute) a computer-implemented method according to the invention to determine the quantitative conditions of cleaning fluids 19, 119 in the cleaning devices 1, 101. Specifically, according to the method, the quantitative conditions of cleaning fluids 19, 119 in the cleaning devices 1, 101 are determined based on the current in the motors 23, 129 (i.e., when the motors 23, 129 are driving the fluid displacement members 21, 121 of the cleaning devices 1, 101) and based on a predetermined relationship between the quantitative conditions of the cleaning fluids 19, 119 and the current in the motors 23, 129. For this purpose, both the cleaning device 1 and the electric shaving tool 103 include sensors 65, 165, which are configured to measure the current in the motors 23, 129 and provide sensor outputs S related to the measured current in the motors 23, 129. IM .exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 Sensors 65 and 165 are schematically shown in the diagram.

[0057] Figure 5 The block diagram schematically illustrates that in the control system for the motors 23, 129 of the cleaning device 1 and the electric shaving tool 103 of the personal care system 100, processors 61, 161 are configured to receive sensor outputs S from sensors 65, 165. IM Processors 61 and 161 are configured to operate based on sensor output S IM Determine the quantitative conditions for cleaning liquids 19 and 119 in cleaning equipment 1 and 101. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, processors 61 and 161 are also configured to provide feedback signals SQC, respectively, to feedback members 67 and 167 of the cleaning device 1 and the electric shaving tool 103, in relation to the determined quantitative conditions of the cleaning liquids 19 and 119, to notify the user of the determined quantitative conditions of the cleaning liquids 19 and 119. Figure 1 and Figure 2The feedback means 67, 167 not shown in the figures can comprise a display. Alternatively, the feedback means can be part of a remote device, e.g. a smartphone, in data communication with the cleaning device 1 or the electric shaver 103.

[0058] Figure 5 It is further shown that the processor 61, 161 is configured to provide an output signal S MS to the motor driver 69, 169, the motor driver 69, 169 being configured to provide a current I MS to the motor 23, 129 based on the output signal S M . In the shown embodiment, the output signal S MS is representative of a desired motor speed MS of the motor 23, 129. The motor driver 69, 169 is configured to control the current I M in a manner known to the skilled person such that the motor 23, 129 is operated at the motor speed MS represented by the output signal S MS .

[0059] Figure 6 The flowchart shows a first embodiment of a computer-implemented method 201 for determining a dosing condition of the cleaning liquid 19, 119 in the cleaning device 1, 101 according to the present application performed by the processor 61, 161. In a first step 203 of the method 201, the motor 23, 129 is controlled to be operated at a first motor speed MS1, in particular by providing an output signal S MS1 to the motor driver 69, 169 representative of the first motor speed MS1. In a second step 205 of the method 201, a sensor output S IM1 is received from the sensor 65, 165, the sensor output being representative of the current I M1 in the motor 23, 129 measured at the first motor speed MS1. In a third step 207 of the method 201, the motor 23, 129 is controlled to be operated at a second motor speed MS2 different from the first motor speed MS1, in particular by providing an output signal S MS2 to the motor driver 69, 169 representative of the second motor speed MS2. In a fourth step 209 of the method 201, a sensor output S IM2 is received from the sensor 65, 165, the sensor output being representative of the current I M2 in the motor 23, 129 measured at the second motor speed MS2. In Figure 6 the first embodiment of the method 201 shown, the second motor speed MS2 is greater than the first motor speed MS1. In a fifth step 211 of the method 201, the received sensor outputs S IM1 and S IM2determining the current I in the electric motor 23, 129 M1 and I M2 .

[0060] In a sixth step 213 of the method 201, a value of a parameter P M1 and I M2 determined on the basis of the currents I dI / dMS determined for the first and second motor speeds MS1 and MS2 is determined, said parameter P dI / dMS being associated with a degree of variation of the current I M in the electric motor 23, 129 as a function of the motor speed. In the first embodiment of the method 201 illustrated in Figure 6 , said parameter P dI / dMS is the difference I M1 -I M2 between the currents I M2 and I M1 determined for the first and second motor speeds MS1 and MS2. In a seventh step 215 of the method 201, a quantification condition of the cleaning liquid 19, 119 in the cleaning liquid 1, 101 is determined on the basis of the value of the parameter P dI / dMS determined (i.e. on the basis of the difference I M2 -I M1 determined) and on the basis of a predetermined relationship between the quantification condition of the cleaning liquid 19, 119 and the parameter P dI / dMS . In the first embodiment of the method 201 illustrated in Figure 6 , said predetermined relationship defines that the cleaning liquid 19, 119 has a first quantification condition QC1 when the value of the parameter P dI / dMS determined (in this embodiment, the difference I M2 -I M1 ) is higher than a first predetermined threshold P TH1 , and defines that the cleaning liquid 19, 119 has the first quantification condition QC1 when the value of the parameter P dI / dMS determined (in this embodiment, the difference I M2 -I M1 ) is lower than the first predetermined threshold P TH1At the same time, the cleaning liquids 19 and 119 are limited to a second quantitative condition QC2, which is different from the first quantitative condition QC1. Specifically, in the first embodiment of method 201, the first quantitative condition QC1 corresponds to the amount of cleaning liquids 19 and 119, which enables an uninterrupted flow of cleaning liquids 19 and 119 to be generated by the liquid replacement members 21 and 121, so as to indicate to the user that it is "sufficient". The second quantitative condition QC2 corresponds to the amount of cleaning liquids 19 and 119, which is not such that the flow of cleaning liquids 19 and 119 generated by the liquid replacement members 21 and 121 is indicated to the user as "insufficient".

[0061] In the eighth step 217 of method 201, a feedback signal SQC, as described above and associated with the determined quantitative conditions (i.e., the first or second quantitative conditions QC1, QC2) of the cleaning liquids 19, 119, is provided to the feedback members 67, 167 to inform the user of the determined quantitative conditions of the cleaning equipment 1, 101.

[0062] Figure 7 It shows that for such Figure 2 In the embodiment of the personal care system 100 shown, when the electric motor 129 drives the liquid replacement component 121 of the cleaning device 101, that is, in the case of... Figure 2 When the electric shaver 103 is in the cleaning position shown, the measured current I in the motor 129 of the electric shaver 103 is... M As a function of the motor speed MS. Specifically, Figure 7 The current I measured for the first quantitative condition QC1 and the second quantitative condition QC2 for the cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101 as described above are shown. M The first quantitative condition QC1 corresponds to the amount of cleaning liquid 119, which is sufficient to enable a continuous and uninterrupted flow of cleaning liquid 119 from the reservoir 117 to the receiving chamber 113 via the liquid replacement member 121. The second quantitative condition QC2 corresponds to the amount of cleaning liquid 119, which is insufficient to enable the flow of cleaning liquid 119 from the reservoir 117 to the receiving chamber 113 via the liquid replacement member 121. Figure 7 As shown, for the first quantitative condition QC1, the measured current I M It increases significantly with the increase of motor speed MS. For the second quantitative condition QC2, the measured current I M The increase with increasing motor speed MS is not very significant.

[0063] like Figure 7As shown, for an embodiment of the personal care system 100, for the first quantitative condition QC1, i.e., for a nominal, uninterrupted flow of sufficient cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101, the current I... M The P value increases significantly with increasing motor speed MS, occurring in the main subrange of the motor speed MS range. RMS It should be noted that the motor speed MS applied during the cleaning process of cleaning equipment 101 is typically within the subrange P. RMS Inside. Furthermore, Figure 7 It is shown that in this subrange P RMS Internal current I M The increase is almost linearly related to the increase in motor speed MS. Therefore, by following the first embodiment of the method 201 described above, in this sub-range P... RMS The current I was measured only at two different motor speeds, MS1 and MS2. M The current I in motor 129 M The degree to which the motor speed MS changes can be determined by a relatively simple parameter P, as used in the first embodiment of method 201. dI / dMS To be precise, that is, the current I determined for two different motor speeds MS1 and MS2 as described above. M1 and I M2 The difference between I M2 -I M1 .exist Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, the first motor speed MS1 is approximately 5600 rpm, and the second motor speed MS2 is approximately 7300 rpm. Figure 7 As shown, the difference I of the first quantitative condition QC1 M2 -I M1 The difference I is significantly higher than that of the second quantitative condition QC2. M2 -I M1 As a result, in the first embodiment of method 201, by determining the measured difference I M2 -I M1 Is it higher or lower than the first predetermined threshold P? TH1 The first quantitative condition QC1 can be easily and robustly distinguished from the second quantitative condition QC2, as described above. Note that those skilled in the art will be able to determine the first threshold P based on simple and direct experiments. TH1 The appropriate value.

[0064] Figure 8The flowchart illustrates a second embodiment of a computer-implemented method 301 according to the present invention, executed by processors 61 and 161, for determining the quantitative conditions of cleaning liquids 19 and 119 in cleaning devices 1 and 101. In the first embodiment of method 201, motors 23 and 129 are controlled to operate only at two different motor speeds MS1 and MS2, and sensor outputs S are received from sensors 65 and 165 only for these two different motor speeds MS1 and MS2. IM1 S IM2 In the second embodiment of method 301, motors 23 and 129 are controlled to operate within the motor speed range P. MS The internal motors are connected in succession at N different speeds: MS1, MS2, ..., MS1. N Operation is achieved, specifically by successively providing output signals SMS1, SMS2, ..., SMSN representing N different motor speeds to motor drivers 69 and 169. Therefore, for each of the N different motor speeds, sensors 65 and 165 successively receive current I in motors 23 and 129, representing measurements for the N different motor speeds. M1 I M2 , ..., I MN Sensor output S IM1 S IM2 S IMN For the sake of simplicity, in Figure 8 In the flowchart, motors 23 and 129 are controlled to run at N different motor speeds and receive sensor outputs S for each of the N different motor speeds. IM These steps are indicated as a single first step 303 of method 301.

[0065] Preferably, during the first step 303 of method 301, motors 23 and 129 are controlled to reduce the motor speed MS from the motor speed range P within a predefined time period. MS The first terminal value MS1 is gradually or linearly changed to the motor speed range P. MS The second end value MS N As a result, the user may experience a range of motor speeds, P... MS N different motor speeds MS1, MS2, ..., MS N The change in motor speed MS required to measure the current IM in motors 23 and 129 is achieved without interference or disturbance. During the gradual change of motor speed MS, when motor speed MS reaches N different motor speeds MS1, MS2, ..., MS N At each time, the current I in motors 23 and 129 M1 I M2 , ..., I MNEach of them can be measured and registered in the first step 303 of method 301.

[0066] In the second step 305 of method 301, S is output from the received sensor respectively. IM1 S IM2 S IMN Determine the motors 23 and 129 for N different motor speeds MS1, MS2, ..., MS1. N Current I M1 I M2 , ..., I MN .

[0067] In the third step 307 of method 301, based on N different motor speeds MS1, MS2, ..., MS N A defined current I M1 I M2 , ..., I MN Determine parameter P dI / dMS The value of. In Figure 8 In the second embodiment of method 301 shown, the parameter P dI / dMS The N different motor speeds MS1, MS2, ..., MS N The current I determined for each of the N different motor speeds M1 I M2 , ..., I MN The slope dI / dMS of the linear regression relationship between them.

[0068] In the fourth step 309 of method 301, based on the determined parameter P dI / dMS The value, that is, the determined value based on the slope dI / dMS, and based on the quantitative conditions and parameter P of cleaning liquids 19 and 119. dI / dMS The predetermined relationship between them determines the quantitative conditions of cleaning liquids 19 and 119 in cleaning liquids 1 and 101. Figure 8 In the second embodiment of method 301 shown, when the determined parameter P dI / dMS The value, in this embodiment, is the slope dI / dMS, which is higher than the predetermined second threshold P. TH2 At that time, the predetermined relationship defines cleaning liquids 19 and 119 as having a first quantitative condition QC1. When the determined parameter P dI / dMS The value (in this embodiment, the value of the slope dI / dMS) is lower than a predetermined second threshold P. TH2At this time, the predetermined relationship defines a second quantitative condition QC2 for cleaning liquids 19 and 119, which is different from the first quantitative condition QC1. Similar to the first embodiment of method 201 described above, in the second embodiment of method 301, the first quantitative condition QC1 corresponds to the amount of cleaning liquids 19 and 119, which enables an uninterrupted flow of cleaning liquids 19 and 119 to be generated by the liquid replacement members 21 and 121, indicating to the user that it is “sufficient.” The second quantitative condition QC2 corresponds to the amount of cleaning liquids 19 and 119, which is not such that the flow of cleaning liquids 19 and 119 generated by the liquid replacement members 21 and 121 is indicated to the user as “insufficient.”

[0069] Optionally, in the fifth step 311 of method 301, N different motor speeds MS1, MS2, ..., MS2 are determined, which are the same as those determined in the third step 307 of method 301. N and a defined current I for each of N different motor speeds M1 I M2 , ..., I MN The coefficient of determination R of the linear regression relationship between them 2 In the optional sixth step 313 of method 301, when the determined coefficient of determination R 2 Below the predefined third threshold P TH3 At that time, it is determined that the cleaning liquids 19 and 119 in cleaning devices 1 and 101 have a third quantitative condition QC3, which is different from the first and second quantitative conditions QC1 and QC2 described with respect to the fourth step 309 of method 301. Instead of the determination coefficient R... 2 Different correlation coefficients, such as the Pearson coefficient, can be determined. In these optional fifth and sixth steps 311, 313 of the second embodiment of method 301, the third quantitative condition QC3 corresponds to the transition state of the amount of cleaning liquid 19, 119 in cleaning devices 1, 101 from the first quantitative condition QC1 (i.e., sufficient to allow the cleaning liquid 19, 119 in cleaning devices 1, 101 to flow continuously and uninterruptedly) to the second quantitative condition QC2 (i.e., insufficient to allow any flow of cleaning liquid 19, 119 in cleaning devices 1, 101).

[0070] In the seventh step 315 of method 301, as described above and related to the determined quantitative conditions of cleaning liquids 19, 119 (i.e., the first or second quantitative condition QC1, QC2, or optionally, the third quantitative condition QC3), the feedback signal S... QC Feedback components 67 and 167 are provided to notify the users of cleaning equipment 1 and 101 of the determined quantitative conditions.

[0071] Similar toFigure 7 , Figure 9 shows that, for an embodiment of the personal care system 100 as shown in Figure 2 , and for the first and second metering conditions QC1 and QC2 of the cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101 as described above, when the motor 129 drives the liquid displacement member 121 of the cleaning device 101, i.e., at the cleaning position of the electric shaving tool 103 as shown in Figure 2 , the measured current I in the motor 129 of the electric shaving tool 103 M is a function of the motor speed MS. In particular, Figure 9 shows the measured current I within a sub-range P of the range of the motor speed MS RMS , as shown in and M mentioned above. For simplicity, Figure 7 only the first motor speed MS1 (about 5200 rpm in this example), the Nth motor speed MS Figure 9 are indicated from N different motor speeds MS1, MS2,..., MS within the range of the motor speed P MS , where the motor 129 of the electric shaving tool 103 is controlled to run successively according to the first step 303 of the second embodiment of the method 301 as described above. N N (about 7300 rpm in this example), and any intermediate motor speed MSi (1 < i < N), N where the motor 129 of the electric shaving tool 103 is controlled to run successively according to the first step 303 of the second embodiment of the method 301 as described above.

[0072] Figure 9 It is also shown that, for the first and second metering conditions QC1 and QC2 of the cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101, the linear regression relationships, represented as LRR1 and LRR2 respectively, between N different motor speeds MS1, MS2,..., MS N and the current I in the motor 129 M1 , I M2 ,..., I MN are determined according to the third step 307 of the method 301 as described above for N different motor speeds. Figure 9 It is further pointed out that, for the first and second metering conditions QC1 and QC2, the slopes (dI / dMS)1 and (dI / dMS)2 of the linear regression relationships LRR1 and LRR2 are determined as in the fourth step 309 of the method 301 described above. By measuring the current I in the motor 129 at a plurality of different motor speeds MS, preferably three or more different motor speeds M , the degree to which the current I in the motor 129 changes according to the motor speed MS can be determined by the parameter P used in the second embodiment of the method 301 M as dI / dMS That is, the plurality of different motor speeds MS and the current I determined for the plurality of different motor speeds. M The slope dI / dMS of the linear regression relationship between them can be used to express it very precisely. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the slope (dI / dMS)1 of the first quantitative condition QC1 is significantly higher than the slope (dI / dMS)2 of the second quantitative condition QC2. Consequently, in the second embodiment of method 301, as described above, by determining whether the determined value of the slope dI / dMS is higher or lower than the second predetermined threshold P... TH2 The first quantitative condition QC1 can be easily and robustly distinguished from the second quantitative condition QC2. Note that those skilled in the art will be able to determine the second threshold P based on simple and direct experiments. TH2 The appropriate value.

[0073] As those skilled in the art will know, the determination coefficients R2 or Pearson coefficients that can be determined in the fifth optional step 311 of method 301 as described above are each as follows: Figure 9 The current I shown M A measure of the degree of change within the measurement relationship between the motor speed MS and the speed MS. A relatively small value of the determined coefficient of determination R2 typically corresponds to a relatively large degree of change within the relationship. Because a relatively large degree of change within the relationship indicates that the flow of the cleaning fluid 119 generated by the fluid displacement member 121 is unstable, a relatively small value of the determined coefficient of determination R2 indicates that the flow of the cleaning fluid 119 is unstable, for example, alternating between stable and interrupted flow. Therefore, the determined coefficient of determination R2 is determined in the optional sixth step 313 of method 301. 2 Is it below the predetermined third threshold P? TH3 It can be determined that the third quantitative condition QC3 of the cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101 is related to the transition state of the amount of cleaning liquid 119 from the first quantitative condition QC1 to the second quantitative condition QC2. Technicians will be able to determine the third threshold P based on simple and direct experiments. TH3 The appropriate value. Note that in Figure 9 For simplicity, the measured current I is not shown for the third quantitative condition QC3. M The relationship between the speed of the motor and the speed MS.

[0074] The inventor discovered that, in such cases Figures 2 to 4 In the embodiment of the personal care system 100 shown, such as Figure 9As shown, in the first dosing condition QC1 of the cleaning liquid 119, the relative large value of the flow slope (dl / dMS)1 of the hair cutting unit 107 provided by the liquid injection nozzle 153 in the receiving chamber 113 of the cleaning device 101 contributes significantly to the slope (dl / dMS)1. However, experiments have shown that in other embodiments of the cleaning device and personal care system, e.g. Figure 1 As shown in the embodiment of the cleaning device 1, the difference between the values of the slopes (dl / dMS)1 and (dl / dMS)2 for the first and second dosing conditions QC1 and QC2 is large enough to be accurately and robustly distinguished by the second embodiment of the method 301 according to the present application.

[0075] For Figure 2 As shown in the embodiment of the personal care system 100, Figure 10 and Figure 11 both show the measured current I M as a function of time, in which the motor 129 drives the liquid displacement member 121 of the cleaning device 101 to perform the cleaning program CP. In both figures, the measured current I M is shown for the first and second dosing conditions QC1 and QC2 of the cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101. Figure 10 and Figure 11 In the embodiment shown, the cleaning program CP comprises a plurality of sequential cleaning phases 321-i separated by an interruption phase 323. In particular, in this embodiment, the cleaning program CP comprises 7 cleaning phases 321-1, 321-2,..., 321-7. During the first, second and third cleaning phases 321-1, 321-2, 321-3, the motor 129 is driven at a first predefined motor speed, in this example approximately 6400 rpm, for predefined time periods ti, t2, t3, respectively. As Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the time periods ti, t2, t3 differ from each other and each lasts from a few seconds to approximately 5 seconds. During the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh cleaning phases 321-4, 321-5, 321-6, 321-7, the motor 129 is driven at a second predefined motor speed, in this example approximately 7300 rpm, for predefined time periods t4, t5, t6, t7, respectively. As Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, time periods t4, t5, t6, and t7 are different from each other, and each lasts from a few seconds to approximately 10 seconds. Interruption phases 323 occur between cleaning phases 321-i, during which motor 129 is not driven, and each lasts for a few seconds. Clearly, the cleaning program CP can contain a different number of cleaning phases, which have different time periods and / or motor speeds than those described above.

[0076] exist Figure 10 and Figure 11 In one embodiment, the quantitative conditions of the cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101 are determined immediately after the cleaning procedure CP during the measurement phase MP, according to the method of the invention. Specifically, after controlling the motor 129 according to the cleaning procedure CP as described above, the motor 129 is controlled to operate sequentially at at least two different motor speeds during the measurement phase MP in order to determine the quantitative conditions of the cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101.

[0077] exist Figure 10 In the embodiments described above, the quantitative conditions of the cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101 are determined by referring to the above-mentioned reference. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The method 201 is defined in a first embodiment, although in a slightly modified manner. The invention is that during the first stage 325-1 of the measurement phase MP, the motor 129 is controlled to operate at a second motor speed MS2 (approximately 7300 rpm in this example), and the current I in the motor 129 is measured. M2 At t=t C At this time, the motor speed changes from the second motor speed MS2 to the first motor speed MS1, which in this example is approximately 5600 rpm. Subsequently, during the second stage 325-2 of the measurement phase MP, the current I in motor 129 is measured. M1 Subsequently, based on the measured current I of the first and second motor speeds MS1 and MS2... M1 and I M2 The quantitative conditions of cleaning liquid 119 are determined and fed back to the user through the sixth, seventh and eighth steps 213, 215 and 217 of the method 201 as described above.

[0078] exist Figure 11 In the embodiments described above, the quantitative conditions of the cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101 are as described in the reference above. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The second embodiment of the described method 301 is determined, albeit in a slightly modified manner. The invention summarizes that, during the measurement phase MP, according to a preferred embodiment of the first step 303 of method 301 as described above, the motor 129 is controlled to operate within a predefined time period t. MP The motor speed will be reduced from the motor speed range P.MS a second end value MS N is gradually changed linearly to a motor speed range P MS a first end value MS1. During said gradual change of the motor speed MS, when the motor speed MS reaches each of N different motor speeds MS1, MS2,..., MS N in the motor 129, the current I M1 , I M2 ,..., I MN is measured and recorded. Subsequently, based on the measured currents I N , I M1 ,..., I M2 for the N different motor speeds MS1, MS2,..., MS MN , the quantitative condition of the cleaning liquid 119 is determined and fed back to the user by means of the third, fourth and seventh steps 307, 309, 315 of the method 301 as described above.

[0079] Since in the embodiments of Figure 10 and Figure 11 the quantitative condition of the cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101 is determined after completion of the cleaning program CP, the shaving unit 105 of the electric shaving tool 103 will be clean. As a result, the influence of the presence of any debris on or in the shaving unit 105 on the measurement of the current I M in the motor 129 will be limited as much as possible. In this way, the quantitative condition of the cleaning liquid 119 in the cleaning device 101 can be determined immediately after the cleaning program CP with sufficient accuracy, i.e. without first removing the electric shaving tool 103 from the cleaning device 101. It should be noted, however, that alternatively the quantitative condition of the cleaning liquid 119 can be measured during the cleaning program CP, preferably during the second half of the cleaning program CP when most of the debris has been removed from the shaving unit 105. For embodiments of the cleaning device having a motor driving the liquid displacement member, e.g. the cleaning device 1 of Figure 1 , the quantitative condition of the cleaning liquid can be determined when the personal care device is not present in the receiving chamber of the cleaning device.

[0080] The processors 61 and 161 described above can be implemented in various ways, using software and / or hardware, to perform the various functions described above. Processors 61 and 161 may include one or more microprocessors or digital signal processors (DSPs) that can be programmed using software or computer program code to perform desired functions and / or control components of processors 61 and 161 to achieve desired functions. Processors 61 and 161 may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware performing certain functions (e.g., amplifiers, preamplifiers, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and / or digital-to-analog converters (DACs)) and processing components performing other functions (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors, controllers, DSPs, and associated circuitry). Examples of components that can be used in various embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, DSPs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0081] This invention also relates to computer program products suitable for practicing the invention, particularly computer programs on or within a carrier. The computer program can be in the form of source code, object code, intermediate source code, and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the methods according to embodiments of the invention. It should also be understood that such computer programs can have many different architectural designs. For example, program code implementing the functions of a device or system according to the methods of the invention can be subdivided into one or more subroutines. Different ways of distributing functionality among these subroutines will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Subroutines can be stored together in an executable file to form a self-contained computer program. Such an executable file can include computer-executable instructions, such as processor instructions and / or interpreter instructions (e.g., Java interpreter instructions). Alternatively, one or more subroutines, or all subroutines, can be stored in at least one external library file and linked to the main program, for example, statically or dynamically at runtime. The main computer program contains at least one call to at least one subroutine. Subroutines can also include function calls to each other. Embodiments relating to computer program products include computer-executable instructions corresponding to each processing stage of at least one method set forth herein. These instructions may be subdivided into subroutines and / or stored in one or more files that can be statically or dynamically linked. Another embodiment relating to a computer program product includes computer-executable instructions for each device corresponding to at least one system and / or product set forth herein. These instructions may be subdivided into subroutines and / or stored in one or more files that can be statically or dynamically linked.

[0082] The carrier of a computer program can be any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program. For example, the carrier can include data storage, such as ROM, like a CD-ROM or semiconductor ROM, or magnetic recording media, such as a hard disk. Furthermore, the carrier can be a transmissible carrier, such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be transmitted via cable or optical fiber or by radio or other means. When a computer program is contained in such a signal, the carrier can be constituted by such a cable or other device or apparatus. Alternatively, the carrier can be an integrated circuit in which a computer program is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform the relevant method or to be used in the performance of the relevant method.

[0083] Those skilled in the art, upon practicing the principles and techniques described herein, will understand and implement modifications to the disclosed embodiments by studying the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple. A single processor or other unit can implement the functions of several items as described in the claims. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be advantageously used. Computer programs may be stored or distributed on suitable media, such as optical storage media or solid-state media provided with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method (201, 301) for determining quantitative conditions (QC1, QC2) of a cleaning liquid (19, 119) in a cleaning device (1, 101) of a personal care device, said quantitative conditions being related to the amount of the cleaning liquid present in the cleaning device, the method comprising: - Receive (205, 209; 303) Current (I) from sensors (65, 165) and motors (23, 129) M Related sensor output (S) IM The motor (23, 129) is configured to drive the liquid displacement component (21, 121) of the cleaning device. - The current in the motor is determined by the received sensor output (211, 305); as well as - Based on the determined current in the motor and based on the predetermined relationship between the quantitative condition and the current in the motor (213, 215); The quantitative conditions described in 307, 309); The method (201, 301) is characterized in that it further includes: - Control (203, 207; 303) the motor (23, 129) to operate successively at at least two different motor speeds (MS1, MS2); - For each of the at least two different motor speeds, receive the sensor output (S) at (205, 209; 303). IM1 S IM2 ); - For each of the at least two different motor speeds, determine the current (I) in the motor (211, 305) based on the corresponding received sensor output. M1 I M2 ); - Determine the (213, 307) parameter (P) based on the current in the motor determined for the at least two different motor speeds. dI / dMS The value of ), the parameter being related to the degree to which the current in the motor changes according to the motor speed; and - The quantitative conditions (QC1, QC2) of the cleaning liquid (19, 119) are determined based on the determined values ​​of the parameters and based on the predetermined relationship between the quantitative conditions and the parameters (215, 309).

2. The computer-implemented method (201, 301) according to claim 1, further comprising a feedback signal (S) related to the determined quantitative conditions (QC1, QC2) of the cleaning liquid (19, 119). QC (217, 315) is provided to the feedback component (67, 167) to inform the user of the cleaning device (1, 101) of the determined quantitative conditions.

3. The computer-implemented method (201, 301) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: - When the determined parameter (P) dI / dMS The value is higher than a predetermined threshold (P). TH1 P TH2 When (215, 309) is present, it is determined that the cleaning liquid (19, 119) has a first quantitative condition (QC1); and - When the value of the determined parameter is lower than the predetermined threshold, it is determined (215, 309) that the cleaning liquid has a second quantitative condition (QC2) different from the first quantitative condition.

4. The computer-implemented method (201) according to claim 3, comprising: - Control (203, 207) the motor (23) to make the motor run successively at a first motor speed (MS1) and a second motor speed (MS2) different from the first motor speed; - Receive (205, 209) the sensor outputs (S) for the first motor speed and for the second motor speed. IM1 S IM2 ); - Determine (211) the current (I) in the motor for the first motor speed and for the second motor speed based on the corresponding received sensor output. M1 I M2 ); wherein the parameter (P) dI / dMS ) is the difference (I) between the current in the motor determined with respect to the speed of the first motor and the speed of the second motor. M2 -I M1 ).

5. The computer-implemented method (301) according to claim 3, comprising: - Control (303) the motor (129) to operate within the motor speed range (P MS Within ) multiple (N) different motor speeds (MS1, MS2, ..., MS) N They operate sequentially; - Receive (303) the sensor output (S) for each of the plurality of different motor speeds. IM1 S IM2 S IMN );as well as - The current (IC) in the motor for each of the plurality of different motor speeds is determined (305) by the corresponding received sensor output. M1 I M2 , ..., I MN ); wherein the parameter (P) dI / dMS ) is the slope (dI / dMS) of the linear regression relationship (LRR1, LRR2) between the plurality of different motor speeds and the current in the motor determined for each of the plurality of different motor speeds.

6. The computer-implemented method (301) according to claim 5, further comprising: - Determine the coefficient of determination R associated with the linear regression relationship (LRR1, LRR2) (311). 2 ; as well as - When the determined coefficient is lower than a predetermined threshold (P) TH3 When (313) the cleaning liquid (19, 119) is determined to have a third quantitative condition (SQ3) that is different from the first quantitative condition SQ1 and the second quantitative condition SQ2.

7. The computer-implemented method (301) according to claim 5 or 6, comprising controlling (303) the motor (129) to operate within a predefined time period (t). MP Within the range of motor speeds (P), the motor speed (MS) will be adjusted from the motor speed range (P). MS The first terminal value (MS1) is gradually or linearly changed to the second terminal value (MS) of the motor speed range. N ).

8. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein, the computer-readable code being configured to cause, when executed by a suitable computer or processor (61, 161), the computer or processor to perform the method (201, 301) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A cleaning device (1) for personal care equipment, comprising: - Casing (11); - Reception room (13) is configured to receive at least a portion of the personal care device to be cleaned in a clean location within the reception room; - A reservoir (17) is configured to hold a cleaning liquid (19); - A liquid displacement component (21) is configured to displace the cleaning liquid from the reservoir into the receiving chamber for cleaning the portion of the personal care device; - Motor (23), configured to drive the liquid displacement member; - Sensor (65) is configured to measure the current (I) in the motor. M And provides a sensor output (S) related to the measured current in the motor. IM ); as well as - A processor (61) is configured to control the motor, receive the sensor output from the sensor, and determine, based on the sensor output, quantitative conditions (QC1, QC2) of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning device, the quantitative conditions being related to the amount of the cleaning liquid present in the cleaning device. The processor (61) is characterized in that it is configured to perform the method (201, 301) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 to determine the quantitative conditions (QC1, QC2) of the cleaning liquid (19) in the cleaning device (1).

10. A personal care system (100) comprising a personal care device and a cleaning device (101) for said personal care device, wherein said cleaning device comprises: - Casing (111); - A receiving room (113) is configured to receive at least a portion of the personal care device to be cleaned in a clean location within the receiving room; - A reservoir (117) is configured to hold a cleaning liquid (119); - A liquid displacement member (121) is configured to displace the cleaning liquid from the reservoir to the receiving chamber to clean the portion of the personal care device; as well as - A drive coupling member (131) connected to the liquid displacement member. The personal care device mentioned above includes: - Motor (129); - Sensor (165) is configured to measure the current (I) in the motor. M And provides a sensor output (S) related to the measured current in the motor. IM ); - A drive coupling member (133) connected to the motor; and - Processor (161) is configured to control the motor and receive sensor output from the sensor; And among them: - The drive coupling member of the cleaning device and the drive coupling member of the personal care device are configured and arranged to be coupled to each other in the cleaning position of the portion of the personal care device, such that the liquid replacement member of the cleaning device can be driven by the motor of the personal care device; The personal care device is characterized in that the processor (161) is configured to perform the method (201, 301) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 to determine the quantitative conditions (QC1, QC2) of the cleaning liquid (119) in the cleaning device (101), the quantitative conditions being related to the amount of the cleaning liquid present in the cleaning device.

11. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 9, or the personal care system (100) according to claim 10, wherein the processor (61, 161) is configured to: - The motor speed (MS) of the motors (23, 129) is controlled as a function of time according to a predefined cleaning procedure (CP); and - After controlling the motor according to the predefined cleaning procedure, the motor is controlled to run at at least the two different motor speeds (MS1, MS2) in succession to determine the quantitative conditions (QC1, QC2) of the cleaning liquid (19, 119).

12. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 9 or 11, or the personal care system (100) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the personal care device is an electric shaving tool (3, 103), the electric shaving tool (3, 103) comprising a body (9, 109) and a shaving unit (5, 105) coupled to the body, and wherein the receiving chamber (13, 113) of the cleaning device (1, 101) is configured to receive the shaving unit of the electric shaving tool in the cleaning position within the cleaning chamber.

13. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 12, or the personal care system (100) according to claim 12, wherein: - The shaving unit (105) includes at least one hair cutting unit (107), the hair cutting unit (107) having an outer cutting member (141) with a hair entry opening (143) and an inner cutting member (145) with a cutting element (147), the cutting element (147) being covered by the outer cutting member and movable relative to the outer cutting member; and - For each hair cutting unit, the cleaning device (101) includes at least one liquid jet nozzle (153) configured and arranged in the receiving chamber (13, 113) to provide a jet of cleaning liquid (119) when the shaving unit is in the cleaning position, the jet of cleaning liquid (119) being propagated directly into the corresponding hair cutting unit through at least one opening in the hair entry opening.

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