Personal care appliance and personal care assembly comprising the same

Abstract

Provided is a personal care appliance to which a personal care attachment is attachable. The personal care attachment comprises circuitry and an electrical connector assembly for connecting to the circuitry. The personal care appliance comprises appliance circuitry, and electrically conductive member(s) (116, 126) for connecting the appliance circuitry to the electrical connector assembly.

Description

[0001] PERSONAL CARE APPLIANCE AND PERSONAL CARE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING THE SAME

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to a personal care appliance to which a personal care attachment is attachable so that circuitry included in the personal care attachment is electrically connected to appliance circuitry included in the personal care appliance. In particular, the invention relates to a personal care appliance to which a personal care attachment is attachable, wherein the personal care attachment comprises circuitry and an electrical connector assembly for connecting to the circuitry, and wherein the personal care appliance comprises a handle portion comprising appliance circuitry, a pair of electrically conductive members for connecting the appliance circuitry to the electrical connector assembly, and an interface member for releasably attaching the personal care attachment to the handle portion, wherein the appliance circuitry is configured for power transmission to and data communication with the circuitry of the personal care attachment via the pair of electrically conductive members.

[0004] The invention further relates to a personal care assembly comprising the personal care appliance and the personal care attachment.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Various types of personal care appliances are known, such as hair removal appliances for removing hair, skin exfoliators, and so on.

[0007] A functional head, in other words a personal care attachment, may be detachable from a handle portion of the personal care appliance. Detachment of the functional head may facilitate cleaning of the functional head and / or the handle portion. The functional head may also be detachable in order to enable a different functional head to be attached to the handle portion.

[0008] In some cases, the functional head may include its own circuitry. This may necessitate electrically connecting the functional head to the handle portion.

[0009] WO 2023 / 110416 Al discloses a personal care appliance to which a personal care attachment is attachable as described in the section “field of the invention”. In this known personal care device, the pair of electrically conductive members of the handle portion is a pair of spring elements, and the electrical connector assembley of the personal care attachment comprises a pair of electrical contact elements provided on a pair of engagement surfaces of a coupling member of the personal care attachment. When the personal care attachment is attached to the handle, the pair of spring elements of the handle engages the pair of engagement surfaces of the coupling member of the personal care attachment. By said engagement, both a mechanical and an electrical connection are realized between the handle and the personal care attachment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Electrically connecting the functional head to the handle portion may be achieved using overmolded conductive components, e.g. wires, copper tracks, etc. However, this construction can present technical challenges, and in particular may limit possibilities for opening the handle portion in case repair and / or servicing of the handle portion is required.

[0011] Overmolded conductive components may also in some cases necessitate a pair of nonpermanent electrical connections: one exterior non-permanent connection for connecting with the functional head and another interior non-permanent connection within the handle portion that is disconnected when opening the handle portion for servicing and / or repair. This pair of non-permanent electrical connections can undesirably increase transition resistance.

[0012] One option may be to employ sealed connectors that are separate parts with respect to the handle portion and the functional head. However, this may increase complexity and cost for achieving the required functionality.

[0013] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0014] According to examples in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a personal care appliance to which a personal care attachment is attachable, the personal care attachment comprising circuitry and an electrical connector assembly for connecting to the circuitry, the personal care appliance comprising: a handle portion comprising: appliance circuitry; and a pair of electrically conductive members for connecting the appliance circuitry to the electrical connector assembly, wherein the appliance circuitry is configured for power transmission to and data communication with the circuitry of the personal care attachment via the pair of electrically conductive members; and an interface member for releasably attaching the personal care attachment to the handle portion, the interface member at least partly delimiting a first opening and at least partly delimiting a second opening, the pair of electrically conductive members being positioned so that one of the electrically conductive members protrudes through the first opening and the other of the electrically conductive members protrudes through the second opening so that each of the electrically conductive members is exposed for connection with the electrical connector assembly.

[0015] Since the pair of electrically conductive members enable both power supply to and data communication with, e.g. data receipt from and / or data transmission to, the personal care attachment’s circuitry, the number of electrical interfaces between the personal care appliance and the personal care attachment can be minimized.

[0016] Minimizing the number of electrical interfaces in this manner can facilitate servicing and / or repair of the personal care appliance and / or the personal care attachment.

[0017] By the pair of electrically conductive members being mounted in the handle portion but with each of the electrically conductive members being positioned to protrude through a respective opening defined by the interface member, the personal care appliance can be disassembled, e.g. for servicing and / or repair, by detaching the interface member while the electrically conductive members remain mounted in the handle portion. This may be achieved, for instance, by pulling the interface member over the electrically conductive members.

[0018] It is noted that the pair of electrically conductive members may each be mounted in the personal care appliance separately from the interface member.

[0019] In this way, the interface member can be detached, e.g. for servicing and / or repair, while the electrically conductive members remain mounted.

[0020] Data, e.g. sensory data, from the personal care attachment may be received by the appliance circuitry.

[0021] The appliance circuitry may control a personal care operation of the personal care appliance and / or personal care attachment based on the data.

[0022] In some embodiments, the personal care appliance comprises a motorized drive system for driving movement of at least part of the personal care attachment. The appliance circuitry may control the motorized drive system based on the data, e.g. sensory data, received from the circuitry of the personal care attachment via the electrically conductive members.

[0023] In some embodiments, the pair of electrically conductive members are spaced apart from each other by at least 1 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm, and most preferably at least 20 mm. Such a minimum spacing between the electrically conductive members may assist to enhance corrosion resistance by minimizing the risk of dielectric corrosion in the scenario that the personal care appliance is used in a wet environment.

[0024] In order to realize a spacing between the electrically conductive members of at least 1 mm, an insulation coating may, for example, be provided on one or both of the electrically conductive members.

[0025] In embodiments in which no such insulation coating is employed, the pair of electrically conductive members may be spaced apart from each other by at least 5 mm, preferably at least 20 mm.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally to the minimum spacing between the electrically conductive members, the personal care appliance may comprise a water-resistant sleeve surrounding the exposed electrically conductive members. Such a water-resistant sleeve may assist to minimize the risk of water contacting the electrically conductive members, and thereby enhance corrosion resistance.

[0027] In some embodiments, the water-resistant sleeve is included in an electrical connector that comprises the pair of electrically conductive members surrounded by the water-resistant sleeve.

[0028] In some embodiments, the appliance circuitry is configured to adjust a rate of data transfer and / or an amount of data being transferred via the pair of electrically conductive members based on a power demand of the personal care attachment.

[0029] Lower power demand may thus lead to a higher rate and / or larger amount of data transfer, while a higher power demand may lead to a lower rate and / or lower amount of, or even zero, data transfer. In some embodiments, the appliance circuitry is configured such that the power transmission to and data communication with the circuitry of the personal care attachment via the pair of electrically conductive members is with or without signal modulation.

[0030] Conventionally there is a trade-off between a magnitude of power transmission to the circuitry of the personal care attachment and a rate and / or amount of data that can be transferred. By adding a signal containing the data to provide a modulated signal, data transmission, e.g. a rate and / or an amount of data being communicated, may be less or not contingent on how much power is being transmitted to the circuitry of the personal care attachment.

[0031] Such signal modulation may be frequency modulation or amplitude modulation. A first processor, e.g. included in the appliance circuitry, may be configured to add a signal containing the data to provide a modulated signal, and a second processor, e.g. in the circuitry of the personal care attachment, may be configured to obtain the data from the modulated signal.

[0032] In some embodiments, the personal care appliance comprises a seal member for providing a moisture barrier between the appliance circuitry and the personal care attachment. This may facilitate use of the personal care appliance in wet environments.

[0033] The seal member may be arranged between the interface member and the appliance circuitry, for instance by at least part of the seal member being arranged between the handle portion and the interface member.

[0034] In some embodiments, the seal member at least partly delimits a first seal opening and at least partly delimits a second seal opening, with each of the electrically conductive members being mounted in the personal care appliance separately from the seal member but positioned so that one of the electrically conductive members protrudes through the first seal opening and the other of the electrically conductive members protrudes through the second seal opening so that each of the electrically conductive members is exposed for connection with the electrical connector assembly.

[0035] The protrusion of the electrically conductive members through the first and second seal openings defined by the seal member may permit an electrical connection to be established between each of the electrically conductive members and the electrical connector assembly of the personal care attachment when the personal care attachment is attached to the personal care appliance.

[0036] By the electrically conductive members being mounted in the personal care appliance separately from the seal member, the personal care appliance can be disassembled, e.g. for servicing and / or repair, by detaching the seal member while the electrically conductive members remain mounted in the personal care appliance. This may be achieved, for instance, by pulling the seal member over the electrically conductive members.

[0037] This design may be superior to, for example, a design in which each electrically conductive member is fixed to the seal member, e.g. via overmolding a portion of the electrically conductive member with elastomeric material constituting the seal member. This is because more transition resistance may be caused by an additional non-permanent electrical connection within the personal care appliance being needed for allowing the respective electrically conductive member to be detached together with the seal member during disassembly.

[0038] In some embodiments, the seal member comprises a first protrusion that protrudes through the first opening of the interface member, with the first protrusion delimiting the first seal opening of the seal member.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the seal member may comprise a second protrusion that protrudes through the second opening of the interface member, with the second protrusion delimiting the second seal opening of the seal member.

[0040] The first and second protrusions may assist to guide moisture thereon away from the respective electrically conductive member.

[0041] The first protrusion and / or the second protrusion may, for example, comprise a tapering, e.g. a conical, shape that tapers away from the handle portion.

[0042] Such a tapering, e.g. conical, shape may assist with guiding moisture on the protrusion away from the respective electrically conductive member extending through a central opening defined in the protrusion.

[0043] In some embodiments, a first drainage channel is defined in the interface member, with the first drainage channel laterally extending away from the first opening to guide moisture collected in the first drainage channel away from the electrically conductive member protruding through the first opening.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, a second drainage channel may be defined in the interface member, with the second drainage channel laterally extending away from the second opening to guide moisture collected in the second drainage channel away from the electrically conductive member protruding through the second opening.

[0045] Such a drainage channel may assist to minimize or avoid moisture remaining attached to the respective electrically conductive member.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first protrusion and / or the second protrusion included in the seal member may assist to guide moisture thereon into a respective drainage channel defined in the interface member.

[0047] In some embodiments, one or both of the pair of electrically conductive members comprise(s) a pin that protrudes through the respective opening at least partly delimited by the interface member, with the pin being thereby exposed for connection within a socket included in the electrical connector assembly.

[0048] The interface member and, when present, the seal member can be relatively easily pulled from / over such a pin during disassembly of the personal care appliance, e.g. for servicing and / or repair.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first seal opening and / or the second seal opening defined in the seal member is or are respectively aligned with the first opening and / or the second opening defined in the interface member such that the respective electrically conductive member, e.g. pin, may extend linearly through the aligned opening and seal opening.

[0050] In some embodiments, the personal care appliance comprises a circuit board assembly to which the pair of electrically conductive members are mounted.

[0051] The electrically conductive members may each be mounted to the circuit board assembly, e.g. printed circuit board assembly, via a conductive attachment member, for instance via an electrically conductive clip.

[0052] The mounting of each of the electrically conductive members to the circuit board assembly may be independent of the interface member and the seal member, when present.

[0053] Thus, the personal care appliance can be disassembled, e.g. for servicing and / or repair, by detaching the interface member and, in some embodiments, the seal member while the electrically conductive members remain mounted to the circuit board assembly.

[0054] In some embodiments, the interface member comprises a first wall that extends at least partly around one of the exposed electrically conductive members, with the first wall being arranged and dimensioned to restrict access by a user’s finger to the electrically conductive member around which the first wall extends.

[0055] The interface member may further comprise a second wall that extends at least partly around the other of the exposed electrically conductive members, with the second wall being arranged and dimensioned to restrict access by a user’s finger to the electrically conductive member around which the second wall extends.

[0056] Inclusion of the first wall and / or the second wall can assist to enhance user safety.

[0057] In such embodiments, a diameter of a space at least partly delimited by the respective wall and a distance from the top of the respective exposed electrically conductive member, e.g. pin, to the top of the respective wall may be such that a mechanical test finger defined by EN60529 cannot reach the respective exposed electrically conductive member.

[0058] In some embodiments, a first non-conductive rib member is arranged between the first wall and the electrically conductive member around which the first wall extends. Alternatively or additionally, a second non-conductive rib member may be arranged between the second wall and the electrically conductive member around which the second wall extends.

[0059] Such a non-conductive rib member may assist to protect the respective electrically conductive member, e.g. pin, from interference by misplaced components. This is because of the non- conductive rib member assisting to prevent such components from entering the space delimited by the respective wall.

[0060] Such misplaced components may, for instance, comprise coupling member(s), e.g. hook member(s), included in the personal care attachment for coupling to the interface member, and therefore not intended to be inserted into the space delimited by the respective wall. Further examples of misplaced components are implements, such as tweezers or a pen, that a user may otherwise contemplate inserting into the space, e.g. in order to clean inside the space.

[0061] It is reiterated that the personal care appliance may comprise a motorized drive system for driving movement of at least part of the personal care attachment when attached to the personal care appliance. In such embodiments, the interface member may delimit an aperture through which a drive shaft of the motorized drive system extends.

[0062] According to another aspect there is provided a personal care assembly comprising: a personal care appliance according to any of the embodiments described herein; and a personal care attachment attachable to the personal care appliance, the personal care attachment comprising circuitry and an electrical connector assembly for connecting to the pair of exposed electrically conductive members to enable the circuitry and the appliance circuitry to be connected to each other when the personal care attachment is attached to the personal care appliance.

[0063] The personal care assembly can be of any suitable type. Particular mention is made of the personal care assembly comprising, e.g. being, a hair removal assembly, for instance an electric razor or an epilator.

[0064] In some embodiments, the electrical connector assembly comprises a pair of sockets, each of the sockets being arranged to receive one of the electrically conductive members, e.g. pins.

[0065] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

[0066] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0068] FIGs. 1A and IB provide views of a personal care appliance according to an example;

[0069] FIGs. 2A and 2B provide views of a personal care attachment according to an example;

[0070] FIG. 3 provides a cutaway view showing a personal care attachment attached to the personal care appliance shown in FIGs. 1A and IB;

[0071] FIG. 4 provides a view of the personal care appliance shown in FIGs. 1A and IB in a partially disassembled state in which an interface member and a seal member are elevated with respect to their positions when the personal care appliance is assembled;

[0072] FIG. 5 provides an enlarged perspective view of part of the personal care appliance shown in FIGs. 1A and IB;

[0073] FIGs. 6A and 6B provide views of a personal care appliance according to another example;

[0074] FIG. 7 provides a graph of data speed vs power demand;

[0075] FIG. 8 provides a graph of power vs data speed as a function of time; and FIG. 9 provides a similar graph to that shown in FIG. 8 but additionally shows a modulated signal for transmitting power and communicating data.

[0076] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0077] The invention will be described with reference to the Figures.

[0078] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0079] Provided is a personal care appliance to which a personal care attachment is attachable. The personal care attachment comprises circuitry and an electrical connector assembly for connecting to the circuitry. The personal care appliance comprises appliance circuitry, and electrically conductive member(s) for connecting the appliance circuitry to the electrical connector assembly.

[0080] FIGs. 1A and IB provide views of a personal care appliance according to an example. The personal care appliance comprises a handle portion 100 that can be grasped by a user during use of, e.g. personal care treatment with, the personal care appliance.

[0081] Whilst not visible in FIGs. 1A and IB the handle portion 100 may be an elongate handle portion 100, whose length is greater than its width and depth dimensions.

[0082] The handle portion 100 can be formed from any suitable material. In some embodiments, the handle portion 100 is formed from a plastic and / or elastomeric material.

[0083] It is noted that such an elastomeric material, e.g. overmolded on the plastic material, can assist the user to securely grasp the handle portion 100, particularly when the personal care appliance is being used in wet environments.

[0084] Referring to FIGs. 1A, IB, 2 and 3, the personal care appliance is configured to enable a personal care attachment 102 to be attached to the personal care appliance. FIG. 3 shows a personal care assembly 104 comprising the personal care appliance and the personal care attachment 102.

[0085] The personal care assembly 104 comprising the personal care appliance and the personal care attachment 102 may be supplied to the user. In other embodiments, the personal care appliance may be supplied to the user without the personal care attachment 102, with the personal care attachment 102 being already in the user’s possession or being sourced separately from the personal care appliance. The personal care assembly 104 may be assembled, e.g. by the user, by attachment of the personal care attachment 102 to the personal care appliance. The personal care assembly 104 can be of any suitable type. Particular mention is made of the personal care assembly comprising, e.g. being, a hair removal assembly, for instance an electric razor or an epilator.

[0086] In at least some embodiments, the personal care appliance comprises a motorized drive system for driving movement of at least part of the personal care attachment 102.

[0087] The personal care functionality of the personal care assembly 104 may be determinable, at least in part, by a treatment element 105 included in the personal care attachment 102. Hence in embodiments in which the personal care assembly 104 comprises a hair removal assembly, such as shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, the treatment element 105 may comprise, e.g. be defined by, a hair removal element whose movement, e.g. reciprocating or rotating movement, enables hair to be cut and / or plucked from a bodily area.

[0088] In embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, in which the hair removal element of the personal care attachment 102 comprises an epilator assembly, the epilator assembly may be rotated by the motorized drive system when the personal care attachment 102 is attached to the personal care appliance.

[0089] In such embodiments, rotation of the epilator assembly may enable epilating elements included in the epilator assembly to pluck hair from the bodily area.

[0090] In embodiments in which the hair removal element of the personal care attachment 102 comprises a razor element for cutting hair, the razor element may, for example, comprise a guard blade for contacting the skin and a cutting blade arranged to slide on the guard blade in a reciprocating manner so as to cut hairs between adjacent edges of the guard and cutting blades.

[0091] In such embodiments, sliding of the cutting blade on the guard blade may be driven by the motorized drive system when the personal care attachment 102 is attached to the personal care appliance.

[0092] Drive transfer from the motorized drive system to the personal care attachment, e.g. to the hair removal element, can be implemented in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1A, IB, 2A and 2B, the personal care appliance comprises a first coupling member 106A and the personal care attachment 102 comprises a second coupling member 106B arranged to engage with the first coupling member 106A in order to enable torque to be transferred from the motorized drive system to the personal care attachment 102, or part thereof, e.g. the hair removal element.

[0093] The engagement between the first coupling member 106A and the second coupling member 106B can be implemented in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1A, IB, 2A and 2B, the engagement is via a polygonal interface between the first coupling member 106A and the second coupling member 106B.

[0094] In some embodiments, the personal care attachment 102 includes a gear assembly arranged to convert rotation of the second coupling member 106B to a movement, for example reciprocating or rotational movement, of the treatment element 105, e.g. hair removal element, of the personal care attachment 102.

[0095] More generally, and irrespective of the type of treatment element 105 included in the personal care attachment 102, the personal care attachment 102 includes circuitry and an electrical connector assembly 107 for connecting to the personal care attachment’s 102 circuitry. Moreover, the personal care appliance includes appliance circuitry connectable to the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102 via the electrical connector assembly 107, as described in detail herein below with reference to various non-limiting examples.

[0096] Referring to FIGs. 1A, IB, 3 and 4, the personal care attachment 102 is attachable to the personal care appliance via an interface member 108 included in the personal care appliance. The interface member 108 may, for example, be in the form of an interface plate arranged, e.g. mounted, on the handle portion 100.

[0097] The interface member 108 can be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic material.

[0098] The interface member 108 may be mounted to the handle portion 100, for example via clip(s) and / or snap-fit fastener(s) 109A that engage with a corresponding portion, e.g. recess, of the handle portion 100.

[0099] In at least some embodiments, the interface member 108 is detachably mounted in the personal care appliance, e.g. to the handle portion 100, in order to facilitate servicing and / or repair of the personal care appliance.

[0100] The interface member 108 may be configured in any suitable manner to enable the personal care attachment 102 to be attached to the personal care appliance via the interface member 108. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1A, IB, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4, the personal care attachment 102 comprises first coupling member(s) 109B, 109C, e.g. hook member(s), and the interface member 108 includes second coupling member(s) 109D, 109E, e.g. hook member-engaging catch member(s), configured to engage with the first coupling member(s) 109B, 109C in order to couple the personal care attachment 102 to the interface member 108.

[0101] The interface member 108, e.g. the second coupling member(s) 109D, 109E thereof, may be configured to enable temporary attachment of the personal care attachment 102 to the personal care appliance via the interface member 108. The personal care attachment 102 may be detachable by the user, e.g. for cleaning and / or for attaching a different personal care attachment to the personal care appliance, during normal use.

[0102] The temporary nature of this attachment between the interface member 108 and the personal care attachment 102 may contrast with the detachable mounting of the interface member 108 in the personal care appliance, e.g. to the handle portion 100. The latter may enable detachment of the interface member 108 for servicing and / or repair purposes, whereas the temporary attachment between the interface member 108 and the personal care attachment 102 may enable detachment of the personal care attachment 102 from the interface member 108 during normal use by the user.

[0103] Accordingly, the mounting of the interface member 108 in the personal care appliance, e.g. to the handle portion 100, may be more secure than the attachment of the personal care attachment 102 to the personal care appliance via the interface member 108.

[0104] As shown in FIGs. 1A and 4, the interface member 108 at least partly delimits a first opening 110, whose purpose will be described in more detail herein below. The interface member 108 may also at least partly delimit an aperture 111A through which a drive shaft 11 IB of the motorized drive system extends. In such embodiments, the drive shaft 11 IB may extend from the handle portion 100 through the aperture 111A to reach the first coupling member 106A, with the interface member 108 being thus arranged between the handle portion 100 and the first coupling member 106A external to the handle portion 100.

[0105] In some embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 4, the personal care appliance comprises a seal member 112 for providing a moisture barrier between the appliance circuitry and the personal care attachment 102. This may facilitate use of the personal care appliance in wet environments.

[0106] The seal member 112 may be arranged between the interface member 108 and the appliance circuitry, for instance by at least part of the seal member 112 being arranged between the handle portion 100 and the interface member 108.

[0107] The seal member 112 may be regarded as a water-resistant bracket. The seal member can be formed from any suitable material capable of providing a moisture barrier. Particular mention is made of the seal member 112 being formed from an elastomeric material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0108] The seal member 112 may at least partly delimit a first seal opening 114. As shown in FIG. 4, the first seal opening 114 may be aligned with the first opening 110 defined in the interface member 108 to permit an electrically conductive member 116 to protrude through the first seal opening 114 and the first opening 110 in order to be exposed for connection with the electrical connector assembly 107 of the personal care attachment 102.

[0109] In this manner, the appliance circuitry can be connected to the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102 via an electrical connection between the electrically conductive member 116 and the electrical connector assembly 107 of the personal care attachment 102.

[0110] For example, the electrically conductive member 116 protrudes through the seal member 112, e.g. seal member 112 formed from a thermoplastic elastomer, allowing an electrical connection between watertight internals of the handle portion 100 and the personal care attachment 102, e.g. in the form of a non-watertight functional head.

[0111] More generally, and irrespective of whether the personal care appliance includes the seal member 112, protrusion of the electrically conductive member 116 through the first opening 110 of the interface member 108 may permit the electrical connection to be established between the electrically conductive member 116 and the electrical connector assembly 107 of the personal care attachment 102 when the personal care attachment 102 is attached to the personal care appliance.

[0112] The electrically conductive member 116 may be mounted in the personal care appliance separately from the interface member 108, and separately from the seal member 112 when the seal member 112 is included in the personal care appliance.

[0113] Thus, the personal care appliance can be disassembled, e.g. for servicing and / or repair, by detaching the interface member 108 while the electrically conductive member 116 remains mounted. This may be achieved, for instance, by pulling the interface member 108, e.g. as well as the seal member 112 when present, over the electrically conductive member 116.

[0114] This design may be superior to, for example, a design in which the electrically conductive member 116 is fixed to the interface member 108 and / or the seal member 112, e.g. via overmolding a portion of the electrically conductive member 116 with the material, e.g. plastic material, constituting the interface member 108 and / or with the material, e.g. elastomeric material, constituting the seal member 112. This is because more transition resistance may be caused by an additional non-permanent electrical connection within the personal care appliance being needed for allowing the electrically conductive member 116 to be detached together with the interface member 108 and / or the seal member 112 during disassembly.

[0115] In at least some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1A, IB, 2, 3 and 4, the electrically conductive member 116 comprises, e.g. is in the form of, a pin.

[0116] Such a pin may protrude through the first opening 110 at least partly delimited by the interface member 108, with the pin being thereby exposed for connection within a socket included in the electrical connector assembly 107. Such a socket is shown in FIGs. 2A, 2B and 3.

[0117] The interface member 108 and, when present, the seal member 112 can be relatively easily pulled from / over such a pin during disassembly of the personal care appliance, e.g. for servicing and / or repair.

[0118] In some embodiments, the pin may extend linearly through the aligned first opening 110 and first seal opening 114.

[0119] More generally, the electrically conductive member 116, e.g. pin, can be formed from any suitable electrically conductive material, such as a metallic material. Particular mention is made of the electrically conductive member 116, e.g. pin, being formed from copper.

[0120] In some embodiments, and as best shown in FIG. 4, the seal member 112 comprises a first protrusion 117 that protrudes through the first opening 110 of the interface member 108, with the first protrusion 117 delimiting the first seal opening 114 of the seal member 112. The first protrusion 117 may assist to guide moisture thereon away from the electrically conductive member 116.

[0121] The first protrusion 117 may, for example, comprise a tapering, e.g. a conical, shape that tapers away from the handle portion 100. Such a tapering, e.g. conical, shape may assist with guiding moisture on the first protrusion 117 away from the electrically conductive member 116 extending through a central opening, in other words the first seal opening 114, defined in the first protrusion 117.

[0122] In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. IB, 3 and 4, the personal care appliance comprises a circuit board assembly 118, e.g. arranged in the handle portion 100, to which the electrically conductive member 116 is mounted.

[0123] The mounting of the electrically conductive member 116 to the circuit board assembly 118, e.g. printed circuit board assembly 118, may be independent of the interface member 108 and the seal member 112, when present. Thus, the personal care appliance can be disassembled, e.g. for servicing and / or repair, by detaching the interface member 108 and, in some embodiments, the seal member 112 while the electrically conductive member 116 remains mounted to the circuit board assembly 118.

[0124] Mounting of the electrically conductive member 116 to the circuit board assembly 118 can be implemented in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. IB, 3 and 4, the electrically conductive member 116 is mounted to the circuit board assembly 118 via a conductive attachment member 119, such as an electrically conductive clip.

[0125] The conductive attachment member 119, e.g. electrically conductive clip, may be connected to the appliance circuitry in any suitable manner, such as by soldering to the circuit board assembly 118.

[0126] The electrically conductive member 116, e.g. pin, may be connected to the conductive attachment member 119, e.g. electrically conductive clip, in various ways, such as by clamping, soldering or welding, e.g. laser welding, the electrically conductive member 116 to the conductive attachment member 119.

[0127] In some embodiments, and as best shown in FIG. 5, a first drainage channel 120 is defined in the interface member 108, e.g. in a personal care attachment-facing exterior surface of the interface member 108.

[0128] In such embodiments, the first drainage channel 120 may laterally extend away from the first opening 110 to guide moisture collected in the first drainage channel 120 away from the electrically conductive member 116 protruding through the first opening 110.

[0129] The first drainage channel 120 may assist to minimize or avoid moisture remaining attached to the electrically conductive member 116.

[0130] In some embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 5, the interface member 108 includes a raised annular portion 121 arranged around the first opening 110.

[0131] This raised annular portion 121 may assist to avoid water remaining attached to the electrically conductive member 116, e.g. pin, by providing a surface for water to run off, away from the electrically conductive member 116. To this end, the raised annular portion 121 preferably includes a peripheral sloping portion that slopes towards the exterior surface of the interface member 108 from which the raised annular portion 121 projects.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first protrusion 117 included in the seal member 112 may assist to guide moisture thereon into the first drainage channel 120 defined in the interface member 108.

[0133] As best shown in FIGs. IB, 3 and 5, the interface member 108 may comprise a first wall 124 that extends at least partly around the exposed electrically conductive member 116, with the first wall 124 being arranged and dimensioned to restrict access by a user’s finger to the electrically conductive member 116 around which the first wall 124 extends. Inclusion of the first wall 124 can assist to enhance user safety, noting that power may be transmitted to the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102 via the electrically conductive member 116.

[0134] In such embodiments, a diameter of a space SP1 at least partly delimited by the first wall 124 and a distance D from the top of the exposed electrically conductive member 116, e.g. pin, to the top of the first wall 124 may be such that a mechanical test finger defined by EN60529 cannot reach the exposed electrically conductive member 116.

[0135] A bottom of the space SP1 may be solid, e.g. solid plastic material, with the first opening 110 being sufficiently large to permit assembly, e.g. attachment, of the interface member 108, and disassembly, e.g. detachment, of the interface member 108.

[0136] The seal member 112 with its first protrusion 117, e.g. conical first protrusion 117, holding the electrically conductive member 116 may be protected by this solid bottom against damage during cleaning activities and piercing by sharp objects.

[0137] In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 6A and 6B, a first non-conductive rib member 125 is arranged between the first wall 124 and the electrically conductive member 116 around which the first wall 124 extends.

[0138] Such a first non-conductive rib member 125 may assist to protect the electrically conductive member 116, e.g. pin, from interference by misplaced components. This is because the first non-conductive rib member 125 may assist to prevent such components from entering the space SP1 delimited by the first wall 124.

[0139] Such misplaced components may, for instance, comprise the first coupling member(s) 109B, 109C, e.g. hook member(s), included in the personal care attachment 102 for coupling to the interface member 108, and therefore not intended to be inserted into the space SP1 delimited by the first wall 124. Further examples of misplaced components are implements, such as tweezers or a pen, that a user may otherwise contemplate inserting into the space SP 1 , e .g . in order to clean inside the space SP 1.

[0140] The first non-conductive rib member 125 may be formed from any suitable non- conductive, in other words non-electrically conductive, material. In some embodiments, the first non- conductive rib member 125 is formed from a plastic material. Alternatively or additionally, the first non- conductive rib member 125 may be an integral component of the interface member 108. More generally, data, e.g. sensory data, from the personal care attachment 102 may be received by the appliance circuitry via the electrically conductive member 116.

[0141] In such embodiments, the appliance circuitry may control a personal care operation of the personal care appliance and / or personal care attachment 102 based on the data.

[0142] In some embodiments, the appliance circuitry controls the motorized drive system based on the data, e.g. sensory data, received from the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102 via the electrically conductive member 116.

[0143] Referring to FIGs. 1A, 6 A and 6B, the personal care appliance includes a further electrically conductive member 126, such that the personal care appliance comprises a pair of electrically conductive members 116, 126. This enables the appliance circuitry to transmit power to, as well as being in data communication with, the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102. Similarly to the electrically conductive member 116, the further electrically conductive member 126 shown in FIGs. 1A, 6A and 6B is included in the handle portion 100 of the personal care appliance.

[0144] Since the pair of electrically conductive members 116, 126 enable both power supply to and data communication with, e.g. data receipt from and / or data transmission to, the personal care attachment’s 102 circuitry, the number of electrical interfaces between the personal care appliance and the personal care attachment 102 can be minimized. Minimizing the number of electrical interfaces in this manner can facilitate servicing and / or repair of the personal care appliance and / or the personal care attachment 102.

[0145] In at least some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1A, 6A and 6B, the further electrically conductive member 126 comprises, e.g. is in the form of, a pin receivable in a (further) socket included in the electrical connector assembly 107 of the personal care attachment 102.

[0146] In such embodiments, each of the electrically conductive member 116 and the further electrically conductive member 126 may comprise, e.g. be in the form of, a pin.

[0147] As described above in relation to the electrically conductive member 116, the further electrically conductive member 126, e.g. pin, can be formed from any suitable electrically conductive material, such as a metallic material. Particular mention is made of the further electrically conductive member 126, e.g. pin, being formed from copper.

[0148] It is noted that in such embodiments a conventional power pin and socket arrangement in which the socket provides power to the pin is reversed, since the pair of electrically conductive members 116, 126 in the form of pins may provide power to the sockets of the electrical connector assembly 107 of the personal care attachment 102.

[0149] An advantage of this is that should the personal care appliance require repair, e.g. entailing opening of the handle portion 100, the interface member 108 and / or the seal member 112 can be removed by pulling over the pins and returned after the repair.

[0150] In some embodiments, the pair of electrically conductive members 116, 126 are spaced apart from each other by at least 1 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm, and most preferably at least 20 mm. Such a minimum spacing between the electrically conductive members 116, 126 may assist to enhance corrosion resistance by minimizing the risk of dielectric corrosion in the scenario that the personal care appliance is used in a wet environment.

[0151] The minimum spacing between the electrically conductive members 116, 126 may be a minimum center-to-center distance between the electrically conductive members 116, 126, in other words measured from a center of the electrically conductive member 116 when viewed from directly above the electrically conductive member 116 (referring to the view provided, for instance, in FIG. 6B), to a center of the further electrically conductive member 126 when viewed from directly above the further electrically conductive member 126.

[0152] In order to realize a spacing between the electrically conductive members 116, 126 of at least 1 mm, an insulation coating may, for example, be provided on one or both of the electrically conductive members 116, 126.

[0153] In embodiments in which no such insulation coating is employed, the pair of electrically conductive members 116, 126 may be spaced apart from each other by at least 5 mm, preferably at least 20 mm.

[0154] Alternatively or additionally, the personal care appliance may comprise a water-resistant sleeve (not visible) surrounding the exposed electrically conductive members 116, 126. Such a water- resistant sleeve may assist to minimize the risk of water contacting the electrically conductive members 116, 126, and thereby enhance corrosion resistance.

[0155] In some embodiments, the water-resistant sleeve is included in an electrical connector that comprises the pair of electrically conductive members 116, 126 surrounded by the water-resistant sleeve.

[0156] The water-resistant sleeve can be formed of any suitable water-resistant material, such as a plastic or elastomeric material.

[0157] The interface member 108 may be designed to accommodate the further electrically conductive member 126 in a similar manner as described above in relation to the electrically conductive member 116. Thus, and still referring to FIGs. 1A, 6A and 6B, the further electrically conductive member 126, e.g. pin, protrudes through a second opening 130 of the interface member 108 so as to permit an electrical connection to be established between the further electrically conductive member 126 and the electrical connector assembly 107 of the personal care attachment 102 when the personal care attachment 102 is attached to the personal care appliance.

[0158] The further electrically conductive member 126 may be mounted in the personal care appliance separately from the interface member 108, and separately from the seal member 112 when the seal member 112 is included in the personal care appliance.

[0159] Thus, the personal care appliance can be disassembled, e.g. for servicing and / or repair, by detaching the interface member 108 while the further electrically conductive member 126 remains mounted. This may be achieved, for instance, by pulling the interface member 108, e.g. as well as the seal member 112 when present, over the further electrically conductive member 126.

[0160] The mounting of the further electrically conductive member 126 may, for example, be to a circuit board assembly, for instance the circuit board assembly 118 to which the electrically conductive member 116 is mounted.

[0161] The mounting of the further electrically conductive member 126 to the circuit board assembly 118 may be implemented in a similar manner as described above in respect of the electrically conductive member 116, for example by connecting, e.g. soldering, a (further) conductive attachment member to the circuit board assembly 118, and connecting, e.g. by clamping, soldering or welding, the further electrically conductive member 126 to the (further) conductive attachment member.

[0162] In embodiments in which the personal care appliance includes the seal member 112, the seal member 112 may at least partly delimit a second seal opening through which the further electrically conductive member 126 may protrude in order to be exposed for connection with the electrical connector assembly 107 of the personal care attachment 102.

[0163] In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 6B, the seal member 112 comprises a second protrusion 137 that protrudes through the second opening 130 of the interface member 108, with the second protrusion 137 delimiting the second seal opening of the seal member 112. The second protrusion 137 may assist to guide moisture thereon away from the further electrically conductive member 126. The second protrusion 137 may, for example, comprise a tapering, e.g. a conical, shape that tapers away from the handle portion 100, as described above in relation to the first protrusion 117.

[0164] In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1A, 6A and 6B, a second drainage channel 140 is defined in the interface member 108, with the second drainage channel 140 laterally extending away from the second opening 130 to guide moisture collected in the second drainage channel 140 away from the further electrically conductive member 126 protruding through the second opening 130. The second drainage channel 140 may assist to minimize or avoid moisture remaining attached to the further electrically conductive member 126.

[0165] In such embodiments, the second protrusion 137 included in the seal member 112 may assist to guide moisture thereon into the second drainage channel 140 defined in the interface member 108.

[0166] In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 6A and 6B, the interface member 108 includes a (further) raised annular portion 141 arranged around the second opening 130.

[0167] This (further) raised annular portion 141 may assist to avoid water remaining attached to the further electrically conductive member 126, e.g. pin, by providing a surface for water to run off, away from the further electrically conductive member 126. The (further) raised annular portion 141 preferably includes a peripheral sloping portion that slopes towards the exterior surface of the interface member 108 from which the (further) raised annular portion 141 projects. In some embodiments, and still referring to FIGs. 1A, 6A and 6B, the interface member 108 comprises a second wall 144 that extends at least partly around the exposed further electrically conductive member 126, with the second wall 144 being arranged and dimensioned to restrict access by a user’s finger to the further electrically conductive member 126 around which the second wall 144 extends. Inclusion of the second wall 144 can assist to enhance user safety, noting that power may be transmitted to the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102 via the further electrically conductive member 126.

[0168] In such embodiments, a diameter of a space SP2 at least partly delimited by the second wall 144 and a distance from the top of the exposed further electrically conductive member 126, e.g. pin, to the top of the second wall 144 may be such that a mechanical test finger defined by EN60529 cannot reach the exposed further electrically conductive member 126.

[0169] A bottom of the space SP2 may be solid, e.g. solid plastic material, with the second opening 130 being sufficiently large to permit assembly, e.g. attachment, of the interface member 108, and disassembly, e.g. detachment, of the interface member 108.

[0170] The seal member 112 with its second protrusion 137, e.g. conical second protrusion 137, holding the further electrically conductive member 126 may be protected by this solid bottom against damage during cleaning activities and piercing by sharp objects.

[0171] Alternatively or additionally, and referring to FIGs. 6A and 6B, a second non-conductive rib member 145 may be arranged between the second wall 144 and the further electrically conductive member 126 around which the second wall 144 extends.

[0172] Similarly to the description provided above in relation to the first non-conductive rib member 125, the second non-conductive rib member 145 may assist to protect the further electrically conductive member 126, e.g. pin, from interference by misplaced components. This is because the second non-conductive rib member 145 may assist to prevent such components from entering the space SP2 delimited by the second wall 144.

[0173] The second non-conductive rib member 145 may be formed from any suitable non- conductive, in other words non-electrically conductive, material. In some embodiments, the second non- conductive rib member 145 is formed from a plastic material. Alternatively or additionally, the second non-conductive rib member 145 may be an integral component, e.g. along with the first non-conductive rib member 125, of the interface member 108.

[0174] In some embodiments, the appliance circuitry is configured to adjust a rate of data transfer and / or an amount of data being transferred via the pair of electrically conductive members 116, 126 based on a power demand of the personal care attachment 102.

[0175] Referring to FIGs. 7 and 8, due to data being transmitted through the same electrically conductive members 116, 126, e.g. pins, as being used for power supply to the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102, data transfer may be dependent on the power demand. In other words, since the power transmission and the data communication share the same lines, data transfer may depend on the power demand.

[0176] In the non-limiting illustrative example shown in FIG. 7, the data speed, in other words the rate at which data is communicated, decreases from a maximum data speed of 16 kbits s1when the power demand is 0.5 mW to a minimum data speed of 36 bits s1at a maximum power demand of 5 W.

[0177] Thus, more generally, a lower power demand may lead to a higher rate and / or larger amount of data transfer, while a higher power demand may lead to a lower rate and / or lower amount of, or even zero, data transfer.

[0178] The area above the graph shown in FIG. 8 denoted by 150 corresponds to data speed available, whereas the area below the graph denoted by 152 corresponds to requested power. The doubleheaded arrow 154 denotes the data speed available at low power demand 156, while the double-headed arrow 158 denotes the data speed available at high power demand 160. The data speed available at high power demand 158 is less than the data speed available at low power demand 154.

[0179] Thus, conventionally there is a trade-off between a magnitude of power transmission to the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102 and a rate and / or amount of data that can be transferred. In some embodiments, and referring now to FIG. 9, the appliance circuitry is configured such that the power transmission to and data communication with the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102 via the pair of electrically conductive members 116, 126 is with signal modulation. By adding a signal containing the data to provide a modulated signal 162, data transmission, e.g. a rate and / or an amount of data being communicated, may be less or not contingent on how much power is being transmitted to the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102.

[0180] In other words, the data signal may be independent of power demand when signal modulation is employed.

[0181] Such signal modulation may be frequency modulation or amplitude modulation. A first processor, e.g. included in the appliance circuitry, may be configured to add a signal containing the data to provide a modulated signal, and a second processor, e.g. in the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102, may be configured to obtain the data from the modulated signal.

[0182] In other embodiments, the power transmission to and data communication with the circuitry of the personal care attachment 102 via the pair of electrically conductive members 116, 126 is implemented without signal modulation.

[0183] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0184] 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. If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". If the term "arrangement" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "arrangement" is intended to be equivalent to the term "system", and vice versa. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:Claim 1. A personal care appliance to which a personal care attachment (102) is attachable, the personal care attachment comprising circuitry and an electrical connector assembly (107) for connecting to the circuitry, the personal care appliance comprising: a handle portion (100) comprising: appliance circuitry; and a pair of electrically conductive members (116, 126) for connecting the appliance circuitry to the electrical connector assembly, wherein the appliance circuitry is configured for power transmission to and data communication with the circuitry of the personal care attachment via the pair of electrically conductive members; and an interface member (108) for releasably attaching the personal care attachment to the handle portion, characterized in that the interface member at least partly delimits a first opening (110) and at least partly delimits a second opening (130), the pair of electrically conductive members being positioned so that one of the electrically conductive members (116) protrudes through the first opening and the other of the electrically conductive members (126) protrudes through the second opening so that each of the electrically conductive members is exposed for connection with the electrical connector assembly.Claim 2. The personal care appliance according to claim 1, wherein the pair of electrically conductive members (116, 126) are spaced apart from each other by at least 1 mm; and / or wherein the personal care appliance comprises a water-resistant sleeve surrounding the exposed electrically conductive members.Claim 3. The personal care appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the appliance circuitry is configured such that the power transmission to and data communication with the circuitry of the personal care attachment (102) via the pair of electrically conductive members (116, 126) is with or without signal modulation.Claim 4. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the appliance circuitry is configured to adjust a rate of data transfer and / or an amount of data being transferred via the pair of electrically conductive members (116, 126) based on a power demand of the personal care attachment (102).Claim 5. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a seal member (112) for providing a moisture barrier between the appliance circuitry and the personal care attachment (102).Claim 6. The personal care appliance according to claim 5, wherein the seal member (112) at least partly delimits a first seal opening (114) and at least partly delimits a second seal opening, each of the electrically conductive members (116, 126) being mounted in the personal care appliance separately from the seal member but positioned so that one of the electrically conductive members (116) protrudes through the first seal opening and the other of the electrically conductive members (126) protrudes through the second seal opening so that each of the electrically conductive members is exposed for connection with the electrical connector assembly (107).Claim 7. The personal care appliance according to claim 6, wherein the seal member (112) comprises a first protrusion (117) that protrudes through the first opening (110) of the interface member (108), the first protrusion delimiting the first seal opening (114) of the seal member; and / or wherein the seal member comprises a second protrusion (137) that protrudes through the second opening (130) of the interface member, the second protrusion delimiting the second seal opening of the seal member.Claim 8. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a first drainage channel (120) is defined in the interface member (108), the first drainage channel laterally extending away from the first opening (110) to guide moisture collected in the first drainage channel away from the electrically conductive member (116) protruding through the first opening; and / or wherein a second drainage channel (140) is defined in the interface member, the second drainage channel laterally extending away from the second opening (130) to guide moisture collected in the second drainage channel away from the electrically conductive member (126) protruding through the second opening.Claim 9. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one or both of the pair of electrically conductive members (116) comprise(s) a pin that protrudes through the respective opening (110; 130) at least partly delimited by the interface member (108), the pin being thereby exposed for connection within a socket included in the electrical connector assembly (107).Claim 10. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a circuit board assembly (118) to which the pair of electrically conductive members (116) are mounted.Claim 11. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the interface member (108) comprises a first wall (124) that extends at least partly around one of the exposed electrically conductive members (116), the first wall being arranged and dimensioned to restrict access bya user’s finger to the electrically conductive member around which the first wall extends; optionally wherein the interface member further comprises a second wall (144) that extends at least partly around the other of the exposed electrically conductive members (126), the second wall being arranged and dimensioned to restrict access by a user’s finger to the electrically conductive member around which the second wall extends.Claim 12. The personal care appliance according to claim 11, wherein a first non-conductive rib member (125) is arranged between the first wall (124) and the electrically conductive member (116) around which the first wall extends; and / or wherein a second non-conductive rib member (145) is arranged between the second wall (144) and the electrically conductive member (126) around which the second wall extends.Claim 13. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a motorized drive system for driving movement of at least part of the personal care attachment (102) when attached to the personal care appliance; optionally wherein the interface member delimits an aperture (111A) through which a drive shaft (11 IB) of the motorized drive system extends.Claim 14. A personal care assembly (104) comprising: a personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 13; and a personal care attachment (102) attachable to the personal care appliance, the personal care attachment comprising circuitry and an electrical connector assembly (107) for connecting to the pair of exposed electrically conductive members (116, 126) to enable the circuitry and the appliance circuitry to be connected to each other when the personal care attachment is attached to the personal care appliance.Claim 15. The personal care assembly (104) according to claim 14, wherein the electrical connector assembly (107) comprises a pair of sockets, each of the sockets being arranged to receive one of the electrically conductive members (116, 126).

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