Coupling assembly and personal care appliance

Abstract

The utility model relates to a connecting assembly and a personal care appliance. In the context of a personal care appliance comprising at least two appliance parts detachably coupled to each other, a coupling assembly (5) is provided comprising an active coupling element (6) and a retainer element (7). The holder element (7) is configured to be fixed in one of the appliance components and the active coupling element (6) is slidable relative to the holder element (7). The active coupling element (6) and the retainer element (7) are in contact with each other by at least one set of sliding surfaces (20, 21), the orientation of which is different from the orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L). This contributes to the achievement of a practically play-free coupling of the appliance parts, which can be achieved by the engagement of the active coupling element (6) on at least one coupling element (8) in another appliance part included in the appliance parts.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a coupling assembly configured to be used in a personal care appliance comprising at least two appliance parts which are detachably coupled to each other to form a functional whole in which the appliance parts are placed against each other in a longitudinal direction, wherein:

[0002] The coupling assembly comprises an active coupling element and a retainer element;

[0003] The retainer element is configured to be fixed in one of the appliance parts; and

[0004] The active coupling element is slidable relative to the retainer element.

[0005] The utility model further relates to a personal care appliance comprising at least two appliance parts which are detachably coupled to each other to form a functional whole in which the appliance parts are placed against each other in a longitudinal direction, and a coupling assembly as described before, wherein:

[0006] The coupling assembly is arranged in one of the appliance parts; and

[0007] The other one of the appliance parts comprises at least one passive coupling element configured to be brought into an engagement position relative to the active coupling element in which the active coupling element is able to engage on the passive coupling element. BACKGROUND

[0008] In the field of personal care appliances, the concept of a handle to which an accessory or tool in the form of an accessory can be detachably coupled is well known. A general requirement for the coupling between the handle and the accessory is that the coupling is free of play. In practice, this appears to be a challenge, in particular when there is not much space available for the elements involved in establishing the coupling.

[0009] A method of securing an accessory to a handle involves applying a displaceable biasing slide which is held in the handle, which slide is displaced from a default position in the handle when the accessory is placed on the handle, and which slide is biased back into a position against the accessory, whereby the accessory is locked on the handle. Typically, the accessory comprises at least one coupling element which is provided with a recess, and the slide engages on the coupling element at the position of the recess. In one practical example, the accessory comprises two coupling elements of similar design which are spaced apart. In such a case, it is also possible that the slide is provided with two apertures, and the coupling elements of the accessory are shaped in such a way that, in the course of placing the accessory in position on the handle by effecting a relative movement of the handle and the accessory in the longitudinal direction, the relative movement can be divided into two phases. In the first phase, the coupling elements of the accessory are inserted into the apertures of the slide, and are contacted by a front surface which is shaped in such a way that, as the coupling elements are advanced in the longitudinal direction towards the final position in the longitudinal direction, the slide is urged to move increasingly far against the bias. When the slide is allowed to move back under the influence of the bias, the second phase is obtained, which is when the coupling elements are provided with space for the slide at the position of the recess in the coupling elements by the disappearance of the contact of the slide by the front surface of the coupling elements. In the second phase, the coupling elements reach the final position in the longitudinal direction, in which the slide locks the coupling elements under the influence of the bias, thereby locking the accessory on the handle.

[0010] A disadvantage of the above-described combination of slide and coupling element is that, due to tolerances, the accessory cannot be locked on the handle in a play-free manner. This can be annoying for the person operating the personal care appliance, and such a person can experience a low quality of the personal care appliance. SUMMARY

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to achieve better results in coupling appliance parts of a personal care appliance to each other, in particular to provide a way of effecting the coupling between appliance parts with significantly less play, without actually increasing the complexity of the design, and without actually increasing the complexity of the coupling routine either. It is an object to still be able to achieve a simple coupling routine, in which all that the person operating the appliance parts needs to do in order to establish the coupling between the appliance parts is to bring the appliance parts together in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a coupling assembly configured to be used in a personal care appliance, the personal care appliance comprising at least two appliance parts which are detachably coupled to each other to form a functional whole in which the appliance parts are placed against each other in a longitudinal direction, wherein:

[0013] The coupling assembly comprises an active coupling element and a retainer element;

[0014] The retainer element is configured to be fixed in one of the appliance parts;

[0015] The active coupling element is slidable relative to the retainer element; and

[0016] The active coupling element and the retainer element are in contact with each other through at least one set of sliding surfaces having an orientation different from an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that when the active coupling element is slid relative to the retainer element, the active coupling element is displaced both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and in the longitudinal direction.

[0017] The utility model further provides a kind of personal care appliance, the personal care appliance includes at least two appliance parts and the coupling assembly as described above, the at least two appliance parts are detachably coupled to each other to form functional whole, in the functional whole, appliance part is placed in longitudinal direction by each other abuttingly, wherein:

[0018] The coupling assembly is arranged in one of the appliance parts;

[0019] At least one sliding surface of the retainer element of the coupling assembly is positioned to face away from the side of one of the appliance parts at which one of the appliance parts is detachably coupled to the other of the appliance parts; and

[0020] The other of the appliance parts comprises at least one passive coupling element configured to be brought into an engagement position relative to the active coupling element in which the active coupling element can engage on the passive coupling element.

[0021] It can be seen from the above that a salient aspect of the utility model relates to the nature of the contact between the active coupling element and the retainer element of the coupling assembly. This is by sliding contact of at least one set of sliding surfaces having an orientation different from an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that when the active coupling element is slid relative to the retainer element, the active coupling element is displaced both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and in the longitudinal direction. In this way, it is achieved that when the active coupling element is pressed into a position of engagement on the other coupling element, the active coupling element can be locked in place under the combined influence of the contact with the other coupling element and the contact with the retainer element, wherein the latter contact provides a locking force in more directions than just a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, as would be the case if the respective sliding surfaces of the active coupling element and the retainer element would conventionally have an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The utility model encompasses any suitable way of subjecting the active coupling element to a pressure, such as by means of a biasing mechanism comprising a spring or the like.

[0022] In the context of a personal care appliance, the coupling assembly is arranged in one of the appliance parts of the personal care appliance, and the other one of the appliance parts comprises at least one passive coupling element. Establishing a coupling between the appliance parts comprises bringing the passive coupling element into an engagement position relative to the active coupling element, such that the active coupling element can engage on the passive coupling element. Thus, when the utility model is put into practice, the coupling play between the appliance parts is minimized or even practically eliminated.

[0023] In the personal care appliance, the holder element of the coupling assembly can be integrated in one of the appliance parts, or can be a separate part that has been inserted and fixed in one of the appliance parts. In any case, it is practical if the holder element is designed as some kind of housing for the active coupling element, wherein the active coupling element can be said to be clamped inside the holder element, and wherein the movement of the active coupling element in the longitudinal direction is delimited by the holder element. An example of a material for the respective sliding surfaces of the active coupling element and the holder element is polyoxymethylene (POM). This material can also be used in the passive coupling element that is comprised in the other one of the appliance parts. The utility model also encompasses other types of materials.

[0024] A practical example of an orientation of the respective sliding surfaces of the active coupling element and the holder element is an orientation that differs from an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by at least about 15° and at most about 25°. With such an orientation, an effective and practically play-free coupling between the active coupling element and the other coupling element can be achieved without leaving too much space in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, there is practically no risk of the active coupling element accidentally slipping out of the position of engagement on such other coupling element.

[0025] According to an advantageous option, the retainer element has an end surface which is connected to the sliding surface of the retainer element and which has an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In view of the intended use of the coupling assembly, in which the active coupling element engages on the other coupling element, thereby locking the other coupling element in place, the end surface of the retainer element serves to counteract the release of the engagement of the active coupling element on the other coupling element in the event of a release force on the other coupling element, which serves to move the other coupling element in the longitudinal direction and to retract the active coupling element from the engagement. In the initial state of the engagement of the active coupling element on the other coupling element, there is a wedge-shaped gap between the end surface of the retainer element and the sliding surface of the active coupling element. If, starting from this state, the other coupling element is subjected to a release force, the active coupling element tilts such that the wedge-shaped gap closes and a portion of the sliding surface of the active coupling element rests against the end surface of the retainer element. As a result of the contact of the active coupling element with the retainer element at the location of the end surface of the retainer element, a final state of the engagement of the active coupling element on the other coupling element is obtained. This final state of the engagement of the active coupling element on the other coupling element is very stable. Thus, by leaving space for the above-mentioned tilting movement of the active coupling element relative to the retainer element, i.e. by designing the retainer element with an end surface which has a different orientation than the sliding surface of the retainer element, an extremely tight coupling function of the coupling assembly is achieved. Furthermore, this advantageous effect of the presence of the end surface in the retainer element is achieved with a sufficient and practical distance in the longitudinal direction along which the active coupling element first moves in order to establish the engagement with the other coupling element.

[0026] The active coupling element can be of any suitable size and shape. In one practical example, the active coupling element is generally disc-shaped and is provided with at least one hole, wherein the hole serves to enable insertion of the other coupling element. In this case, the sliding surface of the active coupling element can be the surface directly adjacent to the hole. As previously mentioned, in the context of a personal care appliance, the other coupling element is a passive coupling element that is comprised in another appliance part than the appliance part in which the coupling assembly is located. The passive coupling element can also be of any suitable size and shape. In one example, the passive coupling element is generally hook-shaped. This is practical if the passive coupling element comprises a support surface that is configured to support the active coupling element in the engaged position. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the orientation of the support surface of the passive coupling element is different from an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the orientation of the support surface can be an ascending orientation as seen from the active coupling element sliding relative to the holder element towards the passive coupling element in the engaged position. With such an orientation of the support surface of the passive coupling element, it is achieved that when the active coupling element is pressed towards the passive coupling element, the active coupling element freely moves into position to engage on the passive coupling element and effectively locks the passive coupling element under the influence of the pressure experienced by the active coupling element. In the context of the present invention, it is possible that the orientation of the support surface of the passive coupling element is generally mirrored relative to the orientation of the respective sliding surfaces of the active coupling element and the holder element as seen from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, it is possible that the passive coupling element is provided with a recess and that the support surface of the passive coupling element is located in the recess.

[0027] The number of passive coupling elements comprised in another appliance part than the appliance part in which the coupling assembly is located is at least one. In practical cases, it can be advantageous to have two passive coupling elements that are positioned at a distance, as this is one way to achieve a high stability of the coupling while leaving space for other functions. It is possible that the two passive coupling elements have a similar design. Furthermore, it is possible that the two passive coupling elements are part of an integral coupling whole that is comprised in the respective appliance part.

[0028] As mentioned before, in order to engage the passive coupling element in the engaged position, a biasing mechanism can be used to exert the necessary pressure on the active coupling element. This means that in the context of a personal care appliance it is possible that a biasing mechanism configured to bias the active coupling element into a default position is arranged in one of the appliance parts. In this regard, it is also possible that one of the appliance parts is equipped with a user interface configured to enable a user of the personal care appliance to move the active coupling element away from the default position against the action of the biasing mechanism. For example, the user interface is comprised in a pressable button on one of the appliance parts, which button is connected to the active coupling element. In such a case, the coupling routine can involve a succession of user actions, i.e. holding both appliance parts, pressing the button on one of the appliance parts, placing the appliance parts against each other in the longitudinal direction, and releasing the button, thereby establishing and fixing the coupling between the holding appliance parts. On the other hand, it is possible that the pressable button is only required for the purpose of detaching the appliance parts, and that the coupling routine only involves the user actions of holding both appliance parts and placing the appliance parts against each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0029] In a practical embodiment of the personal care appliance according to the application, the appliance parts are respectively a handle configured to be held by a user of the personal care appliance, and an accessory configured to perform an action on the body of the user. The handle can be the appliance part which is arranged with the coupling assembly, and the accessory can be the appliance part which comprises the passive coupling element. The accessory can be of any suitable design, and can be configured to perform any suitable function. For example, the accessory is configured to perform one of a hair cutting action and a hair pulling action on the body of the user. In this case, the accessory can be configured to perform, for example, a shaving action, a beard trimming action, or an epilating action.

[0030] The above and other aspects of the application will become apparent from the following detailed description of examples of elements for detachably coupling two appliance parts of a personal care appliance, and reference to the description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] The application will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which identical or similar parts are indicated with the same reference signs, and in which:

[0032] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The situation in which a personal care appliance comprising a handle and an accessory is schematically illustrated, wherein the handle and the accessory are detachably coupled to each other is illustrated in Figure 1 , and wherein the situation in which the handle and the accessory are decoupled from each other is illustrated in Figure 2 ;

[0033] Figure 3 and Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of one of the two passive coupling elements comprised in the accessory is schematically shown, as well as a coupling assembly comprised in the handle, which coupling assembly comprises a driving coupling element and a retainer element, wherein the situation in which the driving coupling element engages on the passive coupling element is illustrated in Figure 3 , and wherein the situation in which the driving coupling element does not contact the passive coupling element is illustrated in Figure 4 ;

[0034] Figure 5 a cross-sectional view of the driving coupling element located in the handle is shown, and also a biasing mechanism configured to bias the driving coupling element to a default position in the handle, and a user interface which can be operated by a user to cause movement of the driving coupling element away from the default position against the action of the biasing mechanism is shown;

[0035] Figure 6 and Figure 7 two different views of a part of the accessory comprising the two passive coupling elements are schematically shown; and

[0036] Figure 8 similar to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , and for illustrating an alternative design of the retainer element of the coupling assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A hand-held electric rotary shaver 1 comprising a handle 2 and an accessory 3 is schematically shown as an example of a personal care appliance covered by the present utility model. In the present example, the accessory 3 comprises a plurality of shaving units 4 configured to be moved over a person’s skin during use of the shaver 1, so that hairs protruding from the skin can be cut. In Figure 1 , the shaver 1 is shown in a state in which the handle 2 and the accessory 3 are detachably coupled to each other. In this state, the shaver 1 is ready for use. In Figure 2In the middle, the shaver 1 is shown in a state in which the handle 2 and the accessory 3 are separated from each other. This state of the shaver 1 can apply in situations where another type of accessory is intended to be placed on the handle 2, the accessory 3 is cleaned, one or more shaving units 4 are replaced, etc. In general, the present application applies to any type of personal care appliance 1 comprising at least two appliance parts 2, 3 which are detachably coupled to each other to form a functional whole in which the appliance parts 2, 3 are placed against each other in a longitudinal direction L. Especially in case the appliance parts 2, 3 are a handle 2 configured to be held by a user of the personal care appliance 1 and an accessory 3 configured to perform an action on the body of the user, there are many different possibilities with respect to the accessory 3. For example, the accessory 3 can be configured to perform one of a hair cutting action and a hair pulling action on the body of the user.

[0038] Reference is made to Figures 3 to 7 It should be noted that both the handle 2 and the accessory 3 are equipped with elements for establishing a detachable coupling between the handle 2 and the accessory 3. First, a coupling assembly 5 is used, which in the present example is arranged in the handle 2 and comprises an active coupling element 6 and a holder element 7. Second, at least one passive coupling element 8, 9 is used, which in the present example is comprised in the accessory 3. It should be noted that the shown embodiment of the accessory 3 is equipped with two passive coupling elements 8, 9 which are positioned at a distance, wherein the passive coupling elements 8, 9 have a similar design as can be seen in Figure 6 and Figure 7 wherein a part of the accessory 3 comprising the passive coupling elements 8, 9 is shown.

[0039] The holder element 7 of the coupling assembly 5 is fixed in the handle 2, and the active coupling element 6 of the coupling assembly 5 is slidable relative to the holder element 7. According to one practical possibility, the coupling assembly 5 is provided as a separate unit during the manufacturing process of the handle 2, in which case the coupling assembly 5 is placed in position in the handle 2 by inserting the coupling assembly 5 into the handle 2. The holder element 7 is fixed to the handle 2 in any suitable manner, such as by a snap connection. In any case, as shown in Figure 3 , the active coupling element 6 is intended to engage on the passive coupling elements 8, 9 in case the passive coupling elements 8, 9 are in an engaged position relative to the active coupling element 6.

[0040] In the present example, a biasing mechanism 10 configured to bias the active coupling element 6 to a default position is arranged in the handle 2. The biasing mechanism 10 is shown in Figure 5 . Furthermore, in Figure 5A user interface 11 is shown by means of which the user can move the active coupling element 6 away from the default position against the action of the biasing mechanism 10. The biasing mechanism 10 can be of any suitable design. Figure 5 A practical option for the biasing mechanism 10 is shown, which comprises springs 12, 13 connected on the one hand to a fixed region of the handle 2 and on the other hand to the active coupling element 6. Furthermore, the user interface 11 can be of any suitable design. Figure 5 A practical option for the user interface 11 is shown, comprising a depressible button 14 on the handle 2, which is connected to the active coupling element 6.

[0041] The process of coupling the handle 2 and the accessory 3 to one another involves no more user action than holding the handle 2 in one hand and the accessory 3 in the other hand and placing the handle 2 and the accessory 3 in relative positions to one another that are suitable for forming the desired functional whole. As a result of this process, a tight and practically play-free coupling between the handle 2 and the accessory 3 is obtained. In the following, it is explained what happens at the level of the coupling assembly 5 and the passive coupling elements 8, 9.

[0042] In the present example, the active coupling element 6 of the coupling assembly 5 is generally disc-shaped and is provided with two holes 15, 16, which are arranged such that the respective passive coupling element 8, 9 can be inserted through the active coupling element 6, while the passive coupling elements 8, 9 are generally hook-shaped and are provided with a recess 17. When the passive coupling elements 8, 9 are inserted in the holes 15, 16 and are moved in the longitudinal direction L towards the engagement position, the passive coupling elements 8, 9 come into contact with the active coupling element 6 at the location of a front surface 18, which is oriented to push the active coupling element 6 gradually away from the default position against the action of the biasing mechanism 10. At a certain point in the advancement of the passive coupling elements 8, 9 in the longitudinal direction L, the recess 17 in the passive coupling elements 8, 9 is in the position of the active coupling element 6, so that there is space for the active coupling element 6 to move back in the direction of the default position under the influence of the biasing mechanism 10. When the active coupling element 6 encounters and engages on the passive coupling elements 8, 9, the movement of the active coupling element 6 stops. At this point, the detachable coupling between the handle 2 and the accessory 3 is complete.

[0043] Each of the passive coupling elements 8, 9 comprises a support surface 19, which is configured to support the active coupling element 6 in the engagement position. The support surface 19 is located in the recess 17 in the passive coupling elements 8, 9 and is thus the surface that delimits the recess 17. Advantageously, the support surface 19 is oriented differently from the orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, wherein the orientation of the support surface 19 is oriented in the direction of the longitudinal direction L.Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the direction from right to left in

[0044] In Figures 3 to 5 , it can be seen that the active coupling element 6 and the holder element 7 are in contact with each other by two sets of sliding surfaces 20, 21 and that these sliding surfaces 20, 21 have an orientation that is different from perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. This means that when the active coupling element 6 is caused to slide relative to the holder element 7, a displacement of the active coupling element 6 is achieved that has both a directional component that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, i.e. in the Figure 3 and Figure 4 left-right direction in Figure 3 and Figure 4 up-down direction in Figure 3 . In comparison with the regular case where the active coupling element 6 is only movable in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, the engagement of the active coupling element 6 on the passive coupling elements 8, 9 can be tighter and virtually without play. In fact, due to the orientation of the respective sliding surfaces 20, 21 of the active coupling element 6 and the holder element 7, the influence of tolerances is less and the pressure is distributed in a favorable and effective manner, wherein the active coupling element 6 and the passive coupling elements 8, 9 can be fixed in place when the active coupling element 6 is engaged on the passive coupling elements 8, 9 on the one hand and in contact with the holder element 7 along the two particularly oriented sliding surfaces 20, 21 on the other hand. In this respect, it is favorable if the orientation of the respective sliding surfaces 20, 21 of the active coupling element 6 and the holder element 7 differs from an orientation that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L by at least about 15° and at most about 25°. In Figure 3 , the relevant angle is indicated as a. With the longitudinal direction L and a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L as basic directions, wherein the longitudinal direction L can also be denoted as a lateral direction, the orientation of the respective sliding surfaces 20, 21 of the active coupling element 6 and the holder element 7 can also be generally referred to as a tilted or skewed orientation. In the present example, this also applies to the support surfaces 19 of the passive coupling elements 8, 9, wherein the orientation of the support surfaces 19 is generally mirrored relative to the orientation of the respective sliding surfaces 20, 21 with respect to the lateral direction.

[0045] With the aid of the above-described configuration, coupling of the handle 2 and the accessory 3 requires only minimal action by the user. Furthermore, a very stable coupling is achieved, in which the user does not actually notice any play. Detaching the handle 2 and the accessory 3 can be accomplished simply by pushing the button 14 on the handle 2 when the handle 2 and the accessory 3 are pulled apart. The position of the active coupling element 6 that is achieved when the button 14 is pushed is a position in which the passive coupling elements 8, 9 can retract freely, as is shown in Figure 4 Alternative embodiments are possible in which there is no need to have a user interface 11 for implementing the detaching process.

[0046] It can be seen from the above that all coupling and detaching functions are achieved using relatively simple elements that do not require much space. In order to achieve the practically play-free nature of the coupling, there is no need for measures such as increased manufacturing precision, enlargement of one or more elements, and / or addition of one or more elements, which would have disadvantages such as increased costs and / or increased bulkiness of the design of the handle 2 and / or the accessory 3. Rather, according to the invention, a relatively simple solution is found in the design of the coupling assembly 5, namely the specific orientation of the respective sliding surfaces 20, 21, with which the active coupling element 6 and the retainer element 7 come into contact with one another.

[0047] Figure 8 Alternative designs for the retainer element 7 of the coupling assembly 5 are shown. In fact, when the retainer element 7 is equipped with an end surface 22 as shown, which connects to the sliding surface 21 of the retainer element 7 and has an orientation that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, an advantageous embodiment of the coupling assembly 5 is achieved. Figure 8 The active coupling element 6 is shown in an engaged position on the passive coupling elements 8, 9. In the shown configuration of the coupling assembly 5, a wedge-shaped gap 23 exists between the end surface 22 of the retainer element 7 and the sliding surface 20 of the active coupling element 6. When the passive coupling elements 8, 9 are pulled up in the longitudinal direction L, the active coupling element 6 therefore tilts automatically. In particular, the active coupling element 6 is tilted in the direction indicated by the curved arrow in Figure 8 , which is a direction in which the sliding surface 20 of the active coupling element 6 moves closer to the end surface 22 of the retainer element 7, so that the wedge-shaped gap 23 is closed. As soon as the sliding surface 20 of the active coupling element 6 comes to rest against the end surface 22 of the retainer element 7, the tilting movement of the active coupling element 6 stops. At this point, a very stable new engaged state of the active coupling element 6 on the passive coupling elements 8, 9 is achieved, which includes a tight coupling between the handle 2 and the accessory 3.

[0048] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present application is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing description, but rather that modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the application as defined in the appended claims. The present application is intended to be construed as including all such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims or the equivalents thereof. While the present application has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The present application is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic in nature and details not necessary to the understanding of the present application can have been omitted, and the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

[0049] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the present application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements not mentioned in the claims. The indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the application.

[0050] Unless specifically stated otherwise, aspects and features of specific embodiments that are identified throughout this specification can be combined in any combination. Thus, the mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0051] The terms "comprising" and "including" as used herein are to be construed as open-ended terms, that is, the terms "comprising" and "including" are to be interpreted to mean that the recited steps, features, elements, components, or integers are not exhaustive. Thus, these terms in no way exclude additional steps, features, elements, components, or integers. The terms "comprising" and "including" therefore are to be interpreted synonymously with the phrases "comprising at least one of", "including at least one of", and "comprising / including one or more of".

[0052] The utility model discloses a significant aspect is summarized as follows. In the background of personal care appliance 1 including at least two mutually detachably coupled appliance components 2, 3, a coupling assembly 5 including a positive coupling element 6 and a retainer element 7 is provided. The retainer element 7 is configured to be fixed in one of the appliance components 2, 3, and the positive coupling element 6 is slidable relative to the retainer element 7. The positive coupling element 6 and the retainer element 7 are in contact with each other by at least one set of sliding surfaces 20, 21, which are oriented differently from an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, such that when the positive coupling element 6 is slid relative to the retainer element 7, the positive coupling element 6 is displaced both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and in the longitudinal direction L. This facilitates an essentially play-free coupling of the appliance components 2, 3, which can be achieved by engagement of the positive coupling element 6 on at least one coupling element 8, 9 comprised in the other appliance component of the appliance components 2, 3.

Claims

1. A coupling assembly comprising: The coupling assembly is configured to be used in a personal care appliance (1) comprising at least two appliance parts (2, 3) that are detachably couplable to each other to form a functional whole in which the appliance parts (2, 3) are placed against each other in a longitudinal direction (L), wherein: The coupling assembly (5) comprises an active coupling element (6) and a holder element (7); The holder element (7) is configured to be fixed in one of the appliance parts (2, 3); The active coupling element (6) is slidable relative to the holder element (7); and The active coupling element (6) and the holder element (7) are in contact with each other by respective sliding surfaces (20, 21) that are oriented differently from an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) such that when the active coupling element (6) slides relative to the holder element (7), the active coupling element (6) is displaced both perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and in the longitudinal direction (L).

2. The coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein, The orientations of the respective sliding surfaces (20, 21) of the active coupling element (6) and the holder element (7) differ from an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) by at least about 15° and at most about 25°.

3. A coupling assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, The holder element (7) has an end surface (22) that is connected to the sliding surface (21) of the holder element (7) and that is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L).

4. The coupling assembly of any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The active coupling element (6) is generally disc-shaped and is provided with at least one hole (15, 16).

5. A personal care appliance comprising at least two appliance parts (2, 3) that are detachably couplable to each other to form a functional whole in which the appliance parts (2, 3) are placed against each other in a longitudinal direction (L), and a coupling assembly (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The coupling assembly (5) is arranged in one of the appliance parts (2, 3); The sliding surface (21) of the holder element (7) of the coupling assembly (5) is positioned facing away from a side of one of the appliance parts (2, 3) at which one of the appliance parts (2, 3) is detachably couplable to the other of the appliance parts (2, 3); and The other of the appliance parts (2, 3) comprises at least one passive coupling element (8, 9) that is configured to be brought into an engagement position relative to the active coupling element (6) in which the active coupling element (6) is engageable on the passive coupling element (8, 9).

6. The personal care appliance of claim 5, wherein, The passive coupling element (8, 9) is generally hook-shaped.

7. A personal care appliance according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The passive coupling element (8, 9) comprises a support surface (19) configured to support the active coupling element (6) in the engaged position, and wherein optionally the orientation of the support surface (19) of the passive coupling element (8, 9) is different from an orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L).

8. A personal care appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that The orientation of the support surface (19) of the passive coupling element (8, 9) is an ascending orientation, seen from the active coupling element (6) sliding relative to the holder element (7) towards the passive coupling element (8, 9) in the engaged position.

9. The personal care appliance of claim 8, wherein, The orientation of the support surface (19) of the passive coupling element (8, 9) is substantially mirrored relative to the orientation of the respective sliding surfaces (20, 21) of the active coupling element (6) and the holder element (7), seen from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L).

10. The personal care appliance of claim 7, wherein, The passive coupling element (8, 9) is provided with a recess (17), and wherein the support surface (19) of the passive coupling element (8, 9) is located in the recess (17).

11. A personal care appliance according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein, The other one of the implement parts (2, 3) comprises two passive coupling elements (8, 9) positioned at a distance.

12. The personal care appliance of any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein, A biasing mechanism (10) configured to bias the active coupling element (6) into a default position is arranged in one of the implement parts (2, 3).

13. The personal care appliance of claim 12, wherein, One of the implement parts (2, 3) is equipped with a user interface (11) configured to enable a user of the personal care appliance (1) to move the active coupling element (6) away from the default position against the action of the biasing mechanism (10).

14. The personal care appliance of any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein, The implement parts (2, 3) are a handle (2) and an accessory (3), respectively, the handle being configured to be held by a user of the personal care appliance (1), the accessory being configured to perform an action on the body of the user, and wherein the handle (2) is the implement part in which the coupling assembly (5) is arranged, and the accessory (3) is the implement part comprising the passive coupling elements (8, 9).

15. The personal care appliance of claim 14, wherein, The accessory (3) is configured to perform one of a hair cutting action and a hair pulling action on the body of the user.

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