Use of a retaining member in a shaving unit for a light guide - Patents.com

Abstract

In a shaving unit 3 for an electric shaver of the type having at least one hair-cutting unit, a base member 6 having a hair collection chamber 61, a support member 5 releasably attached to the base member 6 and configured to support the hair-cutting unit, and a holding member 7 connected to the support member 5 and configured to hold the hair-cutting unit in an operative position relative to the support member 5, at least one light source is applied to illuminate the skin of a user through at least a part of a skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5 during use of the shaving unit 3. Both the part of the support member 5 having part of said skin contact surface 51 and the part of the holding member 7 are optically transparent, the latter part acting as a guide and diffuser of the light generated by the light source.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shaving unit for an electric shaver, which comprises: at least one hair-cutting unit having an external cutting member with a hair entry opening and an internal cutting member movable relative to and covered by the external cutting member; a base member having a hair collection chamber arranged to collect hairs cut by said hair-cutting unit; a support member releasably attached to the base member and configured to support the hair-cutting unit, the support member having a skin-contacting surface configured to contact a user's skin during use of the shaving unit, the skin-contacting surface at least partially surrounding the hair-cutting unit; a holding member connected to the support member and configured to hold the hair-cutting unit in an operative position relative to the support member, the operative position being between a skin contact surface of the support member and the holding member; and at least one light source configured to generate light for illuminating a user's skin through at least a portion of the skin contact surface of the support member during use of the shaving unit, wherein a portion of the support member including the portion of the skin contact surface is optically transparent.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to an electric shaver having a main body and a shaving unit as described above coupled to said main body. [Background technology]

[0003] Shaving units as mentioned above are known in the art, for example from WO2022 / 069324A1. Besides at least one hair-cutting unit and a support member supporting the at least one hair-cutting unit, the shaving unit known from WO2022 / 069324A1 comprises at least one skin heating unit including at least one infrared or near infrared light source. The hair-cutting unit is of the type having an external cutting member with a hair entry opening in the cutting track surface and an internal cutting member with at least one hair-cutting element and movable relative to the external cutting member. The skin heating unit comprises a skin contact member with a skin contact surface arranged adjacent to the at least one hair-cutting unit for contacting the skin during use of the shaving unit, wherein the at least one infrared or near infrared light source is integrated in the skin contact member, thermally coupled to the skin contact surface and configured to emit infrared or near infrared light via the skin contact surface.

[0004] The reason for equipping the shaving unit with a skin heating unit is found in the fact that exposure of the hair to infrared or near infrared radiation helps to soften the hair. Generally, exposing the hair to infrared or near infrared radiation during the shaving operation improves the comfort experienced by the user. Infrared or near infrared radiation also has a beneficial effect on the skin, stimulating the skin and inducing skin lightening. In fact, the skin heating unit functions to obtain an effect called deep photothermal heating. Deep photothermal heating differs from conductive thermal heating by a thermal applicator that includes a high-temperature element in conductive thermal contact with the skin, because the penetration depth of the light into the skin is relatively deep, typically up to 1 mm when blue light is used and a few millimeters when infrared or red light is used. The skin is heated throughout the penetration depth of the light without having to rely on the thermal conductivity of both the thermal applicator and the skin. During use of the shaving unit known from WO2022 / 069324A1 and during operation of the skin heating unit of the shaving unit, a combination of deep photothermal heating and conductive thermal heating of the skin is obtained as a result of the application of infrared or near infrared radiation to the skin and of the thermal coupling of the light source with the skin contact surface, respectively, the latter resulting in conductive heating of the skin due to residual heat generated by the light source. In this regard, it is noted that in general, any light source has a limited efficiency in converting electrical power into light power, and part of the electrical power supplied to the light source is converted into thermal energy, so that the light source generates not only light but also residual heat during operation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A problem in the field of heating the skin by one or more light sources integrated in a shaving unit is the insufficient optical diffusion of the light on the surface that the skin comes into contact with during the combined action of removing hair from the skin and emitting light to the skin. This is a problem not only when the light is infrared or near infrared, but also when other types of light are applied, such as blue light, suitable for obtaining an antibacterial effect and applicable in various fields, including the field of acne treatment, or red light, suitable for obtaining an anti-inflammatory effect and applicable in various fields, including the field of wound healing. In fact, insufficient optical diffusion of light includes the associated risk of localized high-intensity light spots being generated, which may cause the user to experience an unpleasant pain sensation and / or may even reduce the effectiveness of the intended skin treatment or damage the skin. Insufficient optical diffusion is also undesirable from the viewpoint of photobiological and thermal eye safety.

[0006] Furthermore, another problem of the shaving unit known from WO2022 / 069324A1 is that the light intensity that can be applied to the skin may be limited by the amount of conductive thermal heating of the skin.In particular, when using light of different colors for other skin benefits than skin heating, a relatively high light intensity may be required to obtain a sufficient efficiency of the light treatment.Such a high light intensity may not be possible due to the relatively large amount of residual heat of the light source that is thermally conducted to the skin.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a shaving unit having at least one light source configured to generate light for illuminating the skin of a user, which is preferably designed to avoid the creation of localized high intensity light spots on the skin during use of the shaving unit, without the need for significant modifications to the commonly known set-up of existing shaving units. Another object of the present invention is to significantly reduce the thermal conduction of residual heat of the light source to the skin contacting surface of the support member, such that the amount of light that can be directed to the skin is not limited by an unacceptable degree of heating of the skin due to residual heat of the light source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a shaving unit for an electric shaver, comprising: at least one hair-cutting unit having an external cutting member with a hair entry opening and an internal cutting member movable relative to and covered by the external cutting member; a base member having a hair collection chamber arranged to collect hairs cut by said hair-cutting unit; a support member releasably attached to the base member and configured to support the hair-cutting unit, the support member having a skin-contacting surface configured to contact a user's skin during use of the shaving unit, the skin-contacting surface at least partially surrounding the hair-cutting unit; a holding member connected to the support member and configured to hold the hair-cutting unit in an operative position relative to the support member, the operative position being between a skin contact surface of the support member and the holding member; and at least one light source configured to generate light that illuminates the user's skin through at least a portion of the skin contact surface of the support member during use of the shaving unit; a portion of the support member including a portion of the skin-contacting surface is optically transparent; the holding member has an optically transparent light guiding portion; the light source is positioned such that light generated by the light source is optically coupled into the light guide of the holding member; The light guide portion of the holding member has a light exit surface and is configured to guide light received from the light source and exit the light via the light exit surface in a direction toward the optically transparent portion of the support member.

[0009] In view of the above, a notable feature of the shaving unit according to the invention is the optical transparency of a portion of the support member that includes a portion of the skin-contacting surface, and the optical transparency of a portion of the holding member, this portion of the holding member being referred to as the light guide of the holding member. The light source, the light guide of the holding member and the optically transparent portion of the support member are arranged relative to one another in such a way that, during operation, light generated by the light source is optically coupled into the light guide of the holding member, travels through the light guide of the holding member and is emitted towards the optically transparent portion of the support member. In this way, the light generated by the light source is allowed to reach the relevant portion of the skin-contacting surface of the support member.

[0010] From the above description, it is clear that according to the present invention, the part of the holding member serves to guide and direct the light from the light source to the optically transparent part of the support member. Thus, existing elements of conventional shaving units, namely the holding member and the support member, are utilized in order to ensure that the light is allowed to travel through the shaving unit. Implementing the present invention includes selecting an effective relative position of the light source, the light guide of the holding member, and the optically transparent part of the support member, in addition to making at least the holding member and the support member from an optically transparent material. Examples of suitable optically transparent materials are polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate. It should be noted that the light guide of the holding member and the optically transparent part of the support member may be made of the same optically transparent material, but this is not essential in the context of the present invention. The spatial appearance of the holding member, based on which the holding member serves as a support for the hair-cutting unit in the shaving unit, provides a practical basis for obtaining a homogenous diffusion of the light applied to the user's skin, particularly through the light guide of the holding member, when the shaving unit is used in a shaving operation. In this way, a high efficacy of skin treatment is obtained while preventing the creation of localized high brightness light spots that are harmful to the skin and / or eyes.Furthermore, the distance of the holding member from the support member as a result of the hair-cutting unit being held in the operating position between the holding member and the skin contact surface of the support member allows the light source to be placed at a distance from the skin contact surface without providing a relatively short direct heat conduction path between the light source and the skin contact surface.

[0011] The present invention covers any suitable location of the light source in the shaving unit. Practical options in this regard include the option where the light source is attached to the light guide of the holding member, the option where the light source is attached to the support member, and the option where the light source is attached to the bottom wall or side wall of the hair collection chamber of the base member. It is noted that the latter two options are practical if the light guide of the holding member has a light entrance surface configured to receive the light generated by the light source in the operating state of the shaving unit, i.e. in the state of the shaving unit where the holding member is coupled to the support member and the support member is coupled to the base member. In particular, the option where the light source is attached to the light guide of the holding member and the option where the light source is attached to the hair collection chamber of the base member provide an optimal reduction in the thermal conduction of residual heat of the light source to the skin contact surface of the support member.

[0012] In a practical embodiment of the shaving unit according to the invention, the holding member is releasably coupled to the support member so as to enable removal of the hair-cutting unit from the shaving unit in an uncoupled state of the holding member.

[0013] It is noted that, with regard to the light exit surface of the light guide of the holding member, one of the various practical positions of said surface is a position where said surface extends parallel to the skin contact surface of the support member. This allows a design in which the light exit surface of the light guide of the holding member extends parallel to a relatively large part of the skin contact surface, so that the optical diffusion of light over the skin contact surface is further improved. It is further noted that the present invention covers the option in which the light guide of the holding member has a light exit structure provided on one of the light exit surface of the light guide and the main surface of the light guide opposite the light exit surface. In the context of this option, it may be practical if the other of the light exit surface of the light guide and the main surface of the light guide opposite the light exit surface is structure-free, i.e. even. In other words, the light coupling structure can be arranged on the side of the light guide where the light is coupled out, or on the opposite side, i.e. the side where the light is not coupled out. A further possible feature is that the main surface of the light guide opposite the light exit surface is provided with an optically reflective coating. In situations where such a coating is omitted, reflection of light in the light guide still occurs, ie based on total internal reflection.

[0014] In practical cases, such as when the light source is a light emitting diode (LED), the light source is configured to emit light in a main light emission direction. It is advantageous if the orientation of the light source in the shaving unit is selected to be appropriate in terms of the design of the light source, the holding member and the support member, and the arrangement of these elements of the shaving unit relative to one another. For example, a selection can be made based on whether the main light emission direction of the light source is parallel or perpendicular to the light exit surface of the light guide of the holding member.

[0015] During use of the shaving unit according to the invention, as mentioned above, the user's skin is illuminated through at least a part of the skin contact surface of the support member. If at least a part of the hair-cutting unit is also used to transmit light to the skin, an even larger illumination area is obtained, and in this respect the invention includes an advantageous option that the hair-cutting unit is at least partially optically transparent and the light guide of the holding member is configured to also emit the light received from the light source through the light exit surface in a direction towards the hair-cutting unit. For example, the hair entry opening of the external cutting member of the hair-cutting unit can be used to pass the light to the skin. Additionally or alternatively, the external cutting member comprises a centrally located open channel around which the internal cutting member is rotatable, and on the skin-facing side of the external cutting member, this channel is covered by an optically transparent cap.

[0016] In a practical embodiment, the shaving unit has a plurality of hair-cutting units, in particular three hair-cutting units arranged in a triangular configuration around the central axis of the hair-cutting unit. Such an embodiment is advantageous in that it advantageously diffuses light in a desired manner over the optically transparent portion of the support member of the shaving unit: Where the holding member has a central portion and three light guiding portions attached to the central portion in a triangular configuration around a central axis. the shaving unit has at least one light source associated with each light guide of the holding member; and Wherein each individual light guiding portion of the holding member is configured to guide light received from at least one light source associated with the individual light guiding portion and to emit the light in a direction towards a respective one of three sections of the optically transparent portion of the support member.

[0017] To further promote uniform diffusion of light across the optically transparent portion of the support member and limit or even prevent loss of light to other parts of the shaving unit other than the optically transparent portion of the support member, it is advantageous if the inner surface of the shaving unit is provided with an optically reflective coating, said inner surface comprising: an inner surface of the hair collection chamber of the base member; An inner surface of the support member; a surface of the internal cutting member of the hair-cutting unit; a surface of a drive member disposed on the base member for driving the internal cutting member; and The light guide portion of the holding member includes at least one surface other than the light exit surface, the surface being other than a light entrance surface that receives light from the light source.

[0018] The above-mentioned and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from and be elucidated with reference to the detailed description of several embodiments of a shaving unit comprising three hair-cutting units, a support member for supporting said hair-cutting units, and a holding member for holding the hair-cutting units in an operative position relative to the support member, wherein the shaving unit further comprises at least one light source configured to generate light that illuminates the skin of a user through at least a portion of a skin-contacting surface of the support member during use of the shaving unit, said shaving unit being designed to provide a light path from said light source through said holding member to said portion of said skin-contacting surface. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a rotary electric shaver according to an embodiment of the present invention, the electric shaver having a shaving unit and a body. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one of the three hair-cutting units of the shaving unit, in which the external and internal cutting members of the hair-cutting unit are shown in exploded perspective view; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically a perspective representation of a shaving unit without a hair-cutting unit, in an accessible open state of a hair collection chamber provided in a base member of the shaving unit; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a holding member of the shaving unit; [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically a top view of a support member of the shaving unit, which serves as a support for the hair-cutting unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 shows four options for the location of the LED on the retaining member. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 shows four options for the location of the LED on the retaining member. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 shows four options for the location of the LED on the retaining member. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 shows four options for the location of the LED on the retaining member. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing how light is reflected by and exits from a light guiding portion of a holding member when the option shown in FIG. 9 is applied. [Figure 11] 11A-11C show options for the location of LEDs on the support member. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 shows two options for the location of the LED in the hair collection chamber of the base member. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows two options for the location of the LED in the hair collection chamber of the base member. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 shows how the light guide and LED are positioned relative to each other in the operating state of the shaving unit when the LED is positioned on the side wall of the hair collection chamber. [Figure 15] 13A-13C show two options for the light output structure of the holding member. [Figure 16] 13A-13C show two options for the light output structure of the holding member. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 shows an option where the hair-cutting unit is provided with an additional opening for light treatment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures, in which equivalent or similar parts are designated with the same reference numbers.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a rotary electric shaver suitable for use in shaving as a practical example of an electric shaver 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric shaver 1 comprises a main body 2 and a shaving unit 3, where the main body 2 is designed to enable a user of the shaver 1 to hold and handle the shaver 1, and the shaving head 3 is the part of the electric shaver 1 that is placed on the skin and moved over the skin for hair removal. In this example, the shaving unit 3 comprises three hair-cutting units 4 and a support member 5 that supports the hair-cutting units 4. The support member 5 has a skin contact surface 51 that is configured to contact the user's skin during use of the shaving unit 3. In this example, the skin contact surface 51 surrounds each hair-cutting unit 4.

[0022] When the electric shaver 1 is actually applied for the purpose of performing a shaving operation, the actual cutting process of the hairs protruding from the skin takes place at the location of the hair-cutting units 4. In the context of the present invention, the number of hair-cutting units 4 can be freely selected and does not necessarily have to be three. The main body 2 can have the function of housing at least one electric motor for driving the elements of the individual hair-cutting units 4. The main body 2 can further comprise means, such as a rechargeable battery, for powering the at least one electric motor. It is practical if the shaving unit 3 and the main body 2 are releasably connectable to each other, as known per se in the field of electric shavers.

[0023] Besides the hair-cutting unit 4 and the support member 5, the shaving unit 3 comprises a base member 6 to which the support member 5 is releasably attached. In FIG. 3, the shaving unit 3 is shown in an open state, in which the support member 5 is hinged to the base member 6 in a non-operative position. Furthermore, in FIG. 3, it can be seen that the base member 6 has a hair collection chamber 61, which serves to collect the hairs cut by the hair-cutting unit 4 during the shaving operation. The shaving unit 3 also comprises a holding member 7, which is connected to the support member 5 in the operative state of the shaving unit 3 and serves to hold the hair-cutting unit 4 in an operative position relative to the support member 5, i.e. in a position between the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5 and the holding member 7 as viewed in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the shaving unit 3. Advantageously, the holding member 7 is releasably coupled to the support member 5 to allow removal of the hair-cutting unit 4 from the shaving unit 3 in the uncoupled state of the holding member 7, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0024] Each hair-cutting unit 4 comprises a combination of an external cutting member 41 and an internal cutting member 42. In the following, the combination of the external cutting member 41 and the internal cutting member 42 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. The external cutting member 41 is of a generally cup-shaped design, which is suitable for at least partially accommodating the internal cutting member 42 therein. The external cutting member 41 has an annular shaving track 43, in which the upper surface of the shaving track 43 faces and serves as a contact with the skin to be shaved. The shaving track 43 comprises lamellae 44 extending along the width of the shaving track 43 in a substantially radial direction with respect to the central axis Ac of the hair-cutting unit 4, which coincide with the axis of rotation around which the internal cutting member 42 is rotatable relative to the external cutting member 41. The openings present between the lamellae 44 constitute hair entry openings 45 of the shaving track 43. The side surfaces of the lamella 44 constitute a hair-cutting surface 46 suitable for cutting hair in cooperation with a hair-cutting edge 47 of a hair-cutting element 48 of the internal cutting member 42. The invention also relates to cases where the shaving track 43 does not comprise a lamella 44 or does not comprise only a lamella 44, for example where the entire shaving track 43 is provided with tooth-like elements and / or a (circular) hole pattern instead of or in addition to the lamella 44. The invention also relates to cases where multiple shaving tracks 43 are present on the external cutting member 41.

[0025] When the internal cutting member 42 is actuated to rotate and a portion of the skin is actually contacted by the external cutting member 41 at the location of the shaving orbit 43, a shaving action can be performed. In Fig. 2, the direction of rotation about the central axis Ac is indicated by an arrow. The actuation of the internal cutting member 42 can be performed in a known manner by the drive mechanism of the electric shaver 1. When the combination of the external cutting member 41 and the internal cutting member 42 is moved over the portion of the skin while the internal cutting member 42 is actuated to rotate, it is realized that, as a result of the cooperation between the hair-cutting surface 46 of the shaving orbit 43 of the external cutting member 41 and the hair-cutting edge 47 of the hair-cutting element 48 of the rotating internal cutting member 42, the hair protruding from the portion of the skin is captured in the hair entry opening 45 of the shaving orbit 43 of the external cutting member 41 and cut at that location.

[0026] The shaving unit 3 is not only configured to perform a shaving action on the skin of a user, but also configured to emit light towards the skin. To that end, the shaving unit 3 comprises at least one light source configured to generate light that illuminates the skin through at least a portion of the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5 during use of the shaving unit 3. The shaving unit 3 is designed to allow the light to follow a path that extends from the light source through the holding member 7 to said portion of the skin contact surface 51. In particular, the shaving unit 3 has the following features: A portion of the support member 5, including a portion of the skin contact surface 51, is optically transparent. The holding member 7 has an optically transparent light guiding portion. The light source is arranged such that the light generated by the light source is optically coupled into the light guide of the holding member 7. The light guiding portion of the holding member 7 has a light exit surface and is configured to guide the light received from the light source and emit the light via the light exit surface in a direction toward the optically transparent portion of the support member 5.

[0027] An example of the appearance of the support member 5 with the optically transparent portion 52 is shown in FIG. 5. In the illustrated example, three sections 53 can be distinguished in the optically transparent portion 52, which extend radially outward from the central region of the support member 5. The support member 7 can be entirely optically transparent, in which case the optically transparent light guiding portion 71 of the support member 7 occupies the entirety of the support member 7, or the support member 7 can be partially optically transparent. In either case, based on the above characteristics, it is achieved that the mechanical mount that holds the hair-cutting unit 4 in place and covers a large area behind the optically transparent portion 52 of the support member 5 functions as a light guide and light spreader. As a result, the part of the skin contact surface 51 included in the optically transparent portion 52 of the support member 5 functions as a skin illumination area, while a uniform light distribution is provided in said area and the occurrence of local high-brightness light spots in said area is avoided. The support member 7 thus has a combined mechanical and optical function. The holding member 7 is made, in whole or in part, of an optically transparent material such as polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate. The optically transparent portion 52 of the support member 5 is also made of an optically transparent material, which is optionally a scattering diffusive, i.e. matte material. It is practical if the light exit surface of the light guide 71 of the holding member 7 extends parallel to the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5.

[0028] The light source or sources may be of any suitable type, selected based on the intended effect of the light on the skin. In the following, it is assumed that the light source is an LED 81. There are various possibilities when arranging the LED 81 in the shaving unit 3. In all possible cases, the positioning of the LED 81 and the positioning of the optically transparent material in the holding member 7 and the support member 5 are configured so that the light can reach the light guide 71 of the holding member 7, be guided by the light guide 71, be diffused throughout the light guide 71 in the process, and reach the optically transparent portion 52 of the support member 5 from the light guide 71. The light is sequentially coupled into the light guide 71, out of the light guide 71, and coupled into the optically transparent portion 52 of the support member 5. As a result, the light can finally exit the skin contact surface 51 and reach the skin that is actually contacted by the skin contact surface 51.

[0029] An example of how the LEDs 81 can be attached to the three generally double-winged light guides 71 of the holding member 7 is shown in Figures 6 to 9. In Figures 6 to 8, the light emitted from the LEDs 81 is indicated by arrows. The power supply to the LEDs 81 can be made, for example, via spring-loaded contacts, whereby the electrical contact of the LEDs 81 to the power supply is established in the operating state of the shaving unit 3 and can be temporarily interrupted when the shaving unit 3 is brought into the open state and when the holding member 7 is removed from the support member 5 in that state.

[0030] In the example shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the optical coupling of light to the light guide 71 is performed in a direction parallel to the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5. In the example shown in FIG. 6, six LEDs 81 are applied, and each LED 81 is disposed at the tip of one wing of the light guide 71 of the holding member 7. In that case, it is practical if the LED 81 is a narrow viewing angle LED to obtain optimal light spread. In the example shown in FIG. 7, six LEDs 81 are applied, and each LED 81 is disposed at a position approximately in the middle of one wing of the three light guides 71. In that case, it is practical if the LED 81 is a bat wing upper emitter or a side emitter to obtain optimal light spread. In the example shown in FIG. 8, three LEDs 81 are applied, and each LED 81 is disposed at a position on the center side of one of the three light guides 71. In that case, it is practical if the LED 81 is a wide viewing angle LED to obtain optimal light spread. Furthermore, in that case, the central portion 72 of the holding member 7 can be used as a heat sink. A possible alternative is to use a single (high power) side-emitting LED at the central portion 72 and the holding member 7 is configured to provide a light path from the central portion 72 to the individual light guides 71. The advantages of such an alternative are the reduced number of LEDs 81, which includes reduced costs, improved sustainability, and concentrated thermal power at a central location of the shaving unit 3.

[0031] In the example shown in Fig. 9, three LEDs 81 are applied, each LED 81 is placed at the central front position of one of the three light guides 71. The light emission from the LEDs 81 is in a direction perpendicular to the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5, and the LEDs 81 can be batwing top emitters or side emitters, and in that case the central portion 72 of the holding member 7 can act as a heat sink. An example of a batwing top emitter is shown in Fig. 10, where a set of arrows indicate how the light travels from the LEDs 81 through the light guides 71. An optional optically reflective coating 82 of the light guide 71 on the side where the LEDs 81 are located is also shown in Fig. 10.

[0032] An example of how one or more LEDs 81 can be attached to the support member 5 is shown in FIG. 11. In the illustrated example, three LEDs 81 are present in the central bracket-like portion of the support member 5, as indicated by three dots in the figure, in positions aligned with the light guides 71 of the holding member 7. Light is emitted from the LEDs 81 in a direction perpendicular to the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5, and the LEDs 81 can be batwing top emitters or side emitters. The LEDs 81 can be powered through a transit inside the hinge 62, as present between the base member 6 and the support member 5 in this example.

[0033] Examples of how one or more LEDs 81 can be attached to the base member 6 are shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. The advantage of such positioning of the LEDs 81 is that the LEDs 81 are in a stationary position of the shaving unit 3. As a result, the power supply of the LEDs 81 can be performed without special means for enabling coupling and decoupling. In the example shown in Fig. 12, three LEDs 81 are applied, each LED 81 being arranged on the bottom wall of the hair collecting chamber 61, as shown by three dots in the figure. In the example shown in Fig. 13, six LEDs 81 are applied, each LED 81 being arranged on the side wall of the hair collecting chamber 61, as shown by six dots in the figure. In the operating state of the shaving unit 3, an optical coupling between the LEDs 81 and the light guiding part 71 of the holding member 7 is established, so that the light guiding part 71 is enabled to receive the light generated by the LEDs 81. A related view of the option of the LEDs 81 being arranged on the side wall of the hair collecting chamber 61 is provided by Fig. 14. In Fig. 14 it can be seen how the illustrated light guide 71 and LED 81 are positioned relative to each other in such a way that the light guide 71 is enabled to receive light from the LED 81 at the light entrance surface 73. In this respect it is noted that the invention covers the option of using add-ons to the light guide 71 shaped to optimise the light coupling process without the need to modify the existing shape of the holding member 7.

[0034] To facilitate diffusion of light, the inner surface of the hair collection chamber 61 is preferably provided with an optically reflective coating 82. In this regard, it is noted that other surfaces in the shaving unit 3 may be provided with such coatings as well, such as the inner surface of the support member 5, the surface of the internal cutting member 42 of the hair-cutting unit 4, the surface of a drive member disposed on the base member 6 for driving the internal cutting member 42, and the surface of the holding member 7 outside the area on the holding member 7 where the light enters and leaves the light guide 71. The reflective properties of the coating 82 contribute to achieving the desired effect of emitting light to the skin in an evenly distributed manner.

[0035] Figures 15 and 16 show two options for the light exit structures 74 of the light guide 71 of the holding member 7. In the figures, LEDs 81 are shown in the position where they are attached to the light guide 71. Furthermore, the figures show the possibility that the main surface 75 opposite the light exit surface 76 is provided with an optically reflective coating 82. In Figure 15 it is shown how the light exit structures 74 can be present on the light exit surface 76 while the main surface 75 has a uniform appearance, and in Figure 16 it is shown how the light exit structures 74 can be present on the main surface 75 while the light exit surface 76 has a uniform appearance. In both figures, an indication of how the relative path of light through the light guide looks is provided by a set of arrows. Generally speaking, the structure of the main surface 75 and the light exit surface 76 can be selected such that the exit of light from the light guide 71 is promoted based on the local orientation of the respective surfaces 75, 76.

[0036] Fig. 17 shows an option aimed at having a wider skin irradiation area by including not only the area at the location of a part of the skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5, i.e. the area at the location of the hair-cutting unit 4 when transmitting light to the skin. The hair entry opening 45 of the external cutting member 41 can also be utilized, but it is also possible to provide the external cutting member 41 with at least one further opening 49 of a larger configuration, as shown in Fig. 17. In this respect, it is practical if the external cutting member 41 comprises a centrally located open channel 49 and the internal cutting member 42 has a corresponding opening. The central part of the external cutting member 41 in the area of ​​the shaving orbit 43 is preferably covered by a cap, which is preferably optically transparent if, in fact, a centrally located open channel 49 is present in the external cutting member 41.

[0037] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that some modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims. It is intended that the present invention be construed as including all such modifications and changes insofar as they are within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and description, such illustrations and descriptions are merely explanatory or exemplary and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, in which details that are not necessary for understanding the present invention may be omitted and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0038] 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 figures, the description, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0039] Elements and aspects discussed for or in connection with a particular embodiment can be combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments as appropriate, unless otherwise expressly stated. 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.

[0040] The terms "having" and "including" as used herein will be understood by those skilled in the art to cover the term "consisting of." Thus, the terms "having" or "including" may mean "consisting of" in one embodiment, but may mean "including / having / comprising at least the specified species and, optionally, one or more other species" in another embodiment.

[0041] Commonly known options are applicable to the shaving unit 3 according to the invention, such as the option of equipping the shaving unit 3 with one or more sensors for detecting properties such as skin temperature, skin tone, movement, etc. As explained, at least one light source included in the shaving unit 3 may be an LED, and the wavelength or wavelength range of the light emitted by the LED can be freely selected based on the desired effect of the light on the skin. The invention covers all kinds of desired effects, such as antibacterial effect, anti-inflammatory effect, skin radiance enhancing effect, skin rejuvenating effect, and the effects mentioned earlier in the text.

[0042] Notable aspects of the present invention can be summarized as follows: In a shaving unit 3 for an electric shaver 1 of the type having at least one hair-cutting unit 4, a base member 6 having a hair collecting chamber 61, a support member 5 releasably attached to the base member 6 and configured to support the hair-cutting unit 4, and a holding member 7 connected to the support member 5 and configured to hold the hair-cutting unit 4 in an operative position relative to the support member 5, at least one light source 81 is applied to illuminate the skin of a user through at least a part of a skin contact surface 51 of the support member 5 during use of the shaving unit 3. Both a portion 52 of the support member 5 having a part of said skin contact surface 51 and a portion 71 of the holding member 7 are optically transparent, where the latter portion 71 serves to guide and spread the light generated by the light source 81.

Claims

1. A shaving unit for an electric shaver, comprising: at least one hair-cutting unit having an external cutting member with a hair entry opening and an internal cutting member movable relative to and covered by said external cutting member; a base member having a hair collection chamber arranged to collect hairs cut by said hair-cutting unit; a support member releasably attached to the base member and supporting the hair-cutting unit, the support member having a skin-contacting surface that contacts a user's skin during use of the shaving unit, the skin-contacting surface at least partially surrounding the hair-cutting unit; a retaining member connected to the support member and for holding the hair-cutting unit in an operative position relative to the support member, the operative position being between a skin contact surface of the support member and the retaining member; a light source that generates light that illuminates the user's skin through at least a portion of the skin contact surface of the support member during use of the shaving unit; a portion of the support member including a portion of the skin-contacting surface is optically transparent; the holding member has an optically transparent light guiding portion; a light source is positioned such that light generated by the light source is optically coupled into a light guide of the holding member; A shaving unit, wherein the light guide portion of the holding member has a light exit surface, guides light received from the light source, and emits the light through the light exit surface in a direction toward an optically transparent portion of the support member.

2. The shaving unit of claim 1 , wherein the light source is attached to a light guide portion of the holding member.

3. The shaving unit of claim 1 , wherein the light source is attached to the support member.

4. 2. The shaving unit of claim 1, wherein the light source is mounted to a bottom or side wall of a hair collection chamber of the base member.

5. 5. The shaving unit according to claim 3, wherein the light guide portion of the holding member has a light incident surface that receives the light generated by the light source when the shaving unit is in an operating state.

6. 6. A shaving unit according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is releasably coupled to the support member, allowing the hair-cutting unit to be removed from the shaving unit in an uncoupled state of the holding member.

7. 7. The shaving unit according to claim 1, wherein a light exit surface of the light guide of the holding member extends parallel to a skin contact surface of the support member.

8. 8. A shaving unit according to claim 1, wherein the light guide portion of the holding member has a light exit structure, the light exit structure being provided on a light exit surface of the light guide portion or on a main surface of the light guide portion opposite to the light exit surface.

9. 9. A shaving unit according to claim 8, wherein a major surface of the light guide opposite the light exit surface is provided with an optically reflective coating.

10. 10. A shaving unit according to claim 1, wherein a main light emission direction of said light source is parallel or perpendicular to a light exit surface of said light guide of said holding member.

11. 11. The shaving unit according to claim 1, wherein the hair-cutting unit is at least partially optically transparent, and the light-guiding portion of the holding member also emits light received from the light source in a direction toward the hair-cutting unit via the light-emitting surface.

12. 12. The shaving unit of claim 11, wherein the outer cutting member of the hair-cutting unit comprises a centrally disposed open channel around which the inner cutting member is rotatable, and the open channel is covered by an optically transparent cap on a skin-facing side of the outer cutting member.

13. having three hair-cutting units arranged in a triangular configuration around a central axis of the hair-cutting unit; the retaining member having a central portion and three light guiding portions attached to the central portion in a triangular configuration about the central axis; the shaving unit having at least one light source associated with each light guide of the holding member; 13. A shaving unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each individual light guiding portion of the holding member guides light received from at least one light source associated with the individual light guiding portion and emits light in a direction towards a respective one of three sections of the optically transparent portion of the support member.

14. An inner surface of the shaving unit is provided with an optically reflective coating, the inner surface comprising: an inner surface of the hair collection chamber of the base member; An inner surface of the support member; a surface of an internal cutting member of said hair-cutting unit; a surface of a drive member disposed on the base member for driving the internal cutting member; and 14. A shaving unit according to claim 1, comprising at least one surface of the light guiding portion of the holding member other than the light exit surface, the surface being other than a light entrance surface through which light from the light source is received.

15. An electric shaver comprising a main body and a shaving unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14 coupled to the main body.

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