Blade unit, and electric razor

Abstract

To provide a blade unit having both of reduction in damage on the skin when shaving a wide part and easiness in shaving when shaving a narrow part, and to provide an electric shaver.SOLUTION: A blade unit 200 includes four or more pieces of outer blades extending in a first direction and a slide member 220 extending in the first direction and is attached to an electric shaver 300. The blade unit 200 is provided with at least two outer blades disposed on each of both sides of the slide member 220. The blade unit is provided with different kinds of outer blades disposed on at least one side of the slide member, where one of the different kinds of outer blades is a comb-shaped outer blade, and the other is a net-like outer blade.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blade unit for shaving the body hair of animals such as humans, and an electric razor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an electric razor having four or more reciprocating blades that reciprocate an inner blade with respect to an outer blade to cut body hair. An electric razor having a plurality of reciprocating blades can cut a large amount of body hair at once, enabling quick shaving. Such an electric razor may include a sliding member such as a roller extending in the reciprocating direction in order to improve the shaving feeling and suppress skin damage caused by friction by reducing the friction generated by the contact between the blade unit and the skin (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a conventional electric razor provided with a sliding member, when shaving a wide area of the skin, the shaving feeling can be improved and damage to the skin can be reduced. However, when shaving a narrow area such as under the nose pinched by protrusions, it may be difficult to shave. Therefore, as a result of research and experiments, the inventor has found that the difficulty in shaving is caused by the positional relationship between the reciprocating blade and the sliding member.

[0005] The present invention has been made based on the above findings of the inventor, and an object thereof is to provide a blade unit and an electric razor that can achieve both reduction of damage to the skin when shaving a wide area and ease of shaving when shaving a narrow area.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, one of the blade units of the present invention includes four or more outer blades extending in a first direction and a sliding member extending in the first direction, and is a blade unit attached to an electric razor, wherein at least two outer blades are disposed on each side of the sliding member.

[0007] Also, to achieve the above object, another electric razor of the present invention includes four or more outer blades extending in a first direction and a sliding member extending in the first direction, and includes a blade unit in which at least two outer blades are disposed on each side of the sliding member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, damage to the skin when shaving a wide area can be reduced, and shaving in a narrow area can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the comb-shaped outer blade, blade unit, and electric razor according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical formulas, contents of each step in the method, the order of each step, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and may include contents not described below. In addition, geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, but these expressions do not indicate mathematical precision and include substantially allowable errors, deviations, etc. Also, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include a substantially allowable range.

[0011] Also, the drawings are schematic diagrams that have been appropriately emphasized, omitted, or adjusted in ratio for explaining the present invention, and are different from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and ratios.

[0012] Also, in the following, a plurality of inventions may be comprehensively described as one embodiment. In addition, a part of the content described below is described as an arbitrary component of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric razor. Note that the electric razor 300 has a rounded chamfered edge and a portion provided with unevenness for anti-slip, but these are not shown in the drawings.

[0014] The electric razor 300 is a device that cuts and removes body hair such as beards using an electric blade, and includes a grip portion 310 and a head portion 320.

[0015] The grip portion 310 is a portion that a user grips when using the electric razor 300. In the case of this embodiment, the grip portion 310 also functions as a housing that houses a control device for controlling the driving of the shaving blade, a battery, and the like. On the outer surface of the grip portion 310, a power switch 311 for turning the power on / off is provided. and the like.

[0016] The head portion 320 is a member to which a blade unit 200 having a blade for cutting body hair is detachably attached and is connected to one end of the grip portion 310. In the case of the present embodiment, the head portion 320 is connected to be operable relative to the grip portion 310. In the present embodiment, the Y-axis direction is the direction in which the outer blade and the sliding member extend, the X-axis direction is the direction in which the outer blades and the sliding members are arranged in parallel, and the Z-axis direction is the direction in which the outer blade can move relative to the unit base 230 when an external force is applied.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the blade unit. The blade unit 200 is a unit for replacement with respect to the head portion 320 when the blade or the like deteriorates due to the use of the electric shaver 300, and includes a comb-shaped outer blade 100, a net-shaped outer blade 210, a sliding member 220, and a unit base 230. Note that the comb-shaped outer blade 100 and the net-shaped outer blade 210 may be collectively referred to as the outer blade.

[0018] In the case of the present embodiment, the blade unit 200 includes a first set 101 and a second set 102, which are sets of blades in which the net-shaped outer blades 210 are arranged on both sides of the comb-shaped outer blade 100 in the first direction (Y-axis direction in the figure), which is the direction in which the outer blade extends, the second direction (Z-axis direction in the figure), which is the direction in which the outer blade moves relative to the unit base 230, and the third direction (X-axis direction in the figure), which intersects the first and second directions. The first set 101 is composed of three outer blades having different functions, and along the third direction, a first net-shaped outer blade suitable for shaving short hair, a comb-shaped outer blade suitable for shaving long hair, and a second net-shaped outer blade suitable for shaving not only short hair but also mustaches are arranged in this order. The second set 102 also includes three outer blades having the same configuration as the first set 101. The first set 101 and the second set 102 are attached to the unit base 230 so as to face the surface including the first direction and the second direction, and constitute six outer blades. With such an arrangement, the comb-shaped outer blade 100 is arranged next to the net-shaped outer blade 210 in any direction of the moving direction (X-axis direction in the figure) of the electric shaver 300 during shaving, and even when shaving body hair in a narrow area such as under the nose, the comb-shaped outer blade 100 can contact the skin and lift and cut relatively long body hair.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a comb-shaped outer blade. FIG. 4 is a side view of the comb-shaped outer blade. The comb-shaped outer blade 100 is an outer blade attached to an electric razor 300, and includes a base portion 110, a mounting portion 120, an open blade portion 130, and a bent blade portion 140. In the case of the present embodiment, the comb-shaped outer blade 100 is formed by punching and bending a sheet metal, and the base portion 110, the mounting portion 120, the open blade portion 130, and the bent blade portion 140 are integrally formed. Note that the processing method of the comb-shaped outer blade 100 may be sintering, injection molding, etching, electroforming, or may be manufactured by welding two members.

[0020] The base portion 110 is a rod-shaped portion extending in the first direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure). At both ends of the base portion 110, long end portions 111 having the same bent shape as the bent blade portion 140 and longer in the first direction than the bent blade portion 140 are provided. In the case of the present embodiment, the base portion 110 is arcuately curved so that the central portion protrudes forward (the Z+ side in the figure) from both ends in the plane extending in the first direction and the second direction orthogonal to the first direction (in the YZ plane in the figure). Accordingly, the plurality of open blade portions 130 and the plurality of bent blade portions 140 are arranged along the curvature of the base portion 110. By curving the comb-shaped outer blade 100 convexly, the comb-shaped outer blade 100 can be fitted to a concave portion such as under a person's chin, and the shaving efficiency can be improved.

[0021] The mounting portion 120 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the first direction and the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the mounting portion 120 includes an outer blade engaging claw 121 that engages with an outer blade protruding portion 183 of a comb blade holding member 180 (described later).

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the open blade portion and the vicinity of the bent blade portion. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the open blade portion and the vicinity of the bent blade portion. The open blade portion 130 is a cantilevered rod-shaped portion that protrudes from the base portion 110 in a third direction (the X-axis direction in the figure) orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and scoops up so-called lying body hair at the open tip and guides it between adjacent blade portions, and cuts the body hair between it and the first inner blade 170 (details will be described later) that reciprocates relatively.

[0023] In the case of the present embodiment, the open blade portion 130 extends in the first direction and the third direction (the XY plane in the figure), has an open upper surface portion 131 flush with the base portion 110, and is a rectangular rod shape as a whole.

[0024] The tip of the open upper surface portion 131 in the third direction is provided with an open inclined surface portion 132 that approaches the attachment portion 120 as it moves away from the base portion 110. The open inclined surface portion 132 makes the thickness of the tip of the open blade portion 130 (the length in the Z-axis direction in the figure) thinner, and it is possible to effectively scoop up body hair that extends along the skin surface.

[0025] The corner between the open upper surface portion 131 and the open side surface portion 133 of the open blade portion 130 is gently connected by chamfering or the like. Also, the open side surface portion 133 and the open inclined surface portion 132, and the open inclined surface portion 132 and the tip surface are gently connected by chamfering or the like. This reduces damage to the skin when the comb-shaped outer blade 100 rubs against the skin surface.

[0026] The bent blade portion 140 is a portion that is arranged side by side with the open blade portion 130 in the first direction and is connected to the base portion 110 and the attachment portion 120. In the case of the present embodiment, the bent blade portion 140 and the open blade portion 130 are arranged alternately in parallel. The inventor has obtained through experiments the knowledge that even when the bent blade portion 140 and the open blade portion 130 are arranged alternately, the same degree of body hair scooping effect can be obtained as when a plurality of open blade portions 130 are arranged between the bent blade portions 140. Also, this can maintain the structural strength of the comb-shaped outer blade 100 high.

[0027] The bent blade portion 140 includes a protruding portion 141 that protrudes from the base portion 110 along the third direction, a bent portion 142 that bends (curves) from the tip of the protruding portion 141 toward the mounting portion 120, and a connecting portion 143 that connects the bent portion 142 and the mounting portion 120 while being inclined so as to approach the base portion 110 in the third direction as it moves away from the bent portion 142 in the second direction. By making the bent blade portion 140 have such a shape, since the angle formed by the protruding portion 141 and the connecting portion 143 is an acute angle, the bent portion 142 disposed at the tip effectively scoops up the body hair while reducing the damage to the skin, and it becomes possible to guide the body hair between adjacent blade portions.

[0028] In the case of the present embodiment, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6, the end faces of the plurality of bent portions 142 are each located at the same distance from the base portion 110 in the third direction, and are disposed at a position farther from the base portion 110 than the tip face of the open blade portion 130. Thereby, since the tip of the bent blade portion 140 comes into contact with the skin before the tip of the open blade portion 130, it is possible to exhibit a high body hair scooping effect while reducing the damage to the skin for the entire comb-shaped outer blade 100.

[0029] Further, the bent blade portion 140 includes a bent inclined surface 144 disposed substantially in the same plane as the open inclined surface portion of the adjacent open blade portion 130, and the thickness of the bent portion 142 in the second direction is made thin to improve the body hair scooping effect. Similar to the open blade portion 130, the bent blade portion 140 has the corners of the bent upper surface portion 145 and the bent side surface portion 146 gently connected by chamfering or the like to reduce the damage to the skin. The tip of the protruding portion 141 of the bent blade portion 140 is narrower in width than the base end (the length in the first direction is shorter). Thereby, the effect of guiding the scooped-up body hair between adjacent blade portions can be enhanced.

[0030] Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the bent blade portion 140 and the open blade portion 130 are arranged in the first direction, the bent blade portion 140 is bent so that no part of the open blade portion 130 protrudes from the bent blade portion 140. Thereby, the damage to the skin of the comb-shaped outer blade 100 is suppressed.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a comb blade unit having a comb-shaped outer blade disassembled. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the assembled comb blade unit. As shown in these figures, the comb blade unit 103 includes a comb-shaped outer blade 100, a first inner blade 170, a comb blade holding member 180, a first biasing member 182, and a first joint member 171.

[0032] The first inner blade 170 is disposed inside the comb-shaped outer blade 100 (on the side opposite to the skin contact surface), and reciprocates in the first direction while rubbing against the comb-shaped outer blade 100, so as to cut the body hair inserted between the adjacent blade portions (the open side surface portion 133 and the bent side surface portion 146) of the comb-shaped outer blade 100. In the case of this embodiment, the first inner blade 170 has a shape in which slits are arranged in the first direction. The first inner blade 170 is fixedly attached to a resin-made first joint member 171. A drive connection portion (not shown) extending from the head portion 320 is inserted into a depression provided at the center of the first joint member 171, and a reciprocating driving force is applied thereto. The first joint member 171 is not defined by resin. The drive connection portion is not defined as long as it can perform the function of drive transmission, such as a metal pin, a molded product, a round or square shape.

[0033] The comb blade holding member 180 is a resin-made member fixedly attached to both ends of the comb-shaped outer blade 100 in the first direction. The comb blade holding member 180 integrally includes a first opposing portion 181 facing the first inner blade 170 in the second direction. A first biasing member 182 connected to the first joint member 171 is attached to the first opposing portion 181. The first biasing member 182 is a coil spring or the like, and allows the reciprocating movement of the first inner blade 170 while pressing the first inner blade 170 against the back surface of the comb-shaped outer blade 100 via the first joint member 171 based on the first opposing portion 181.

[0034] The method of joining the comb-shaped outer blade 100 and the comb blade holding member 180 is not particularly limited. In the case of this embodiment, the comb-shaped outer blade 100 and the comb blade holding member 180 are temporarily fixed by the engagement of the outer blade protrusion 183 of the comb blade holding member 180 and the outer blade engaging claw 121 of the mounting portion 120. Then, the tip of the outer blade protrusion 183 is melted and expanded to form a first melted and expanded portion 174, thereby fixing the comb-shaped outer blade 100 and the comb blade holding member 180. Further, the material of the comb blade holding member 180 is not limited to resin, and the fixing method with the comb-shaped outer blade 100 may also be one of caulking, hook engagement, welding, or a combination thereof.

[0035] The method of joining the first inner blade 170 and the first joint member 171 is not particularly limited. In the case of this embodiment, the method of joining the first inner blade 170 and the first joint member 171 is the same as the method of joining the comb-shaped outer blade 100 and the comb blade holding member 180. The metal first inner blade 170 is provided with an inner blade engaging claw 172 and is temporarily fixed by hook-engaging with a cylindrical inner blade engaging protrusion 173 provided on the first joint member 171. Then, the tip of the inner blade engaging protrusion 173 is melted and expanded to form a second melted and expanded portion 175, thereby fixing the first inner blade and the first joint member 171. In FIG. 9, the first melted and expanded portion 174 and the second melted and expanded portion 175 are shown in a simplified manner, but the first melted and expanded portion 174 and the second melted and expanded portion 175 are portions where the resin is melted, expanded, and solidified, and actually have a complex shape.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a net blade unit having a net-shaped outer blade disassembled. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the assembled net blade unit. As shown in these figures, the net blade unit 104 includes a net-shaped outer blade 210, a second inner blade 211, a net blade fixing member 212, a net blade holding member 213, a second biasing member 216, and a second joint member 214.

[0037] The net-shaped outer blade 210 is an outer blade for an electric razor attached to the electric razor 300, extends in the first direction along the comb-shaped outer blade 100, and is curved in the in-plane (in the XZ plane in the figure) that spreads in the second and third directions. In the case of this embodiment, the net-shaped outer blade 210, similar to the base portion 110 of the comb-shaped outer blade 100, is arcuately curved in the in-plane (in the YZ plane in the figure) that spreads in the first and second directions so that the central portion protrudes forward (the Z+ side in the figure) from both end portions. And due to the convex curvature of the net-shaped outer blade 210, the comb-shaped outer blade 100 can also be fitted to a concave portion such as under a person's chin, and the effect of improving the shaving efficiency is the same as that of the comb-shaped outer blade 100. By the comb-shaped outer blade 100 and the net-shaped outer blade 210 both being curved, the effect can be further enhanced.

[0038] The net-shaped outer blade 210 is an outer blade having a semi-cylindrical shape and a plurality of through-holes in a mesh pattern, and is used for cutting relatively short body hair. In the case of this embodiment, the net-shaped outer blade 210 is formed by processing a large number of through-holes by pressing on a sheet metal thinner than the sheet metal constituting the comb-shaped outer blade 100, and is fixed to a resin net blade fixing member 212 so as to maintain the curved state. Note that the processing method of the net-shaped outer blade 210 may also be sintering, injection molding, etching processing, electroforming processing, etc. Also, the fixing method of the net-shaped outer blade 210 and the net blade fixing member 212 may be a processing method such as welding by two members, or other processing methods and fixing methods may also be used.

[0039] The second inner blade 211 is disposed inside the reticulated outer blade 210, and reciprocates while rubbing against the reticulated outer blade 210, thereby cutting relatively short body hairs inserted into the through holes of the reticulated outer blade 210. In the case of the present embodiment, the second inner blade 211 has a shape in which arch-shaped blades that curve on a surface extending in the second and third directions are arranged in the first direction with a slit therebetween. The second inner blade 211 is fixedly attached to a resin-made second joint member 214. The second inner blade 211 has a driving connection portion (not shown) extending from the head portion 320 inserted into a depression provided at the center of the second joint member 214, and a reciprocating driving force is applied thereto. Note that the driving connection portion may be a metal pin, a molded product, etc. as a material, and may have a round or square shape, etc., and is not particularly limited as long as it can perform the function of driving transmission.

[0040] The net blade holding member 213 is a resin-made member fixedly attached to both ends of the reticulated outer blade 210, respectively. The net blade holding member 213 integrally includes a second opposing portion 215 that opposes the second inner blade 211 in the second direction. A second biasing member 216 that connects to the second joint member 214 is attached to the second opposing portion 215. The second biasing member 216 is a coil spring or the like, and allows the reciprocating movement of the second inner blade 211 while pressing the second inner blade 211 against the back surface (opposite side of the skin contact surface) of the reticulated outer blade 210 via the second joint member 214 based on the second opposing portion 215. Also, the net blade holding member 213 is not limited to resin.

[0041] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the blade unit disassembled. The unit base 230 is a member that movably holds the comb-shaped outer blade 100 and the reticulated outer blade 210 in the second direction (Z-axis direction in the figure) and in a plane formed by the first and second directions, respectively. In the case of the present embodiment, the unit base 230 includes a first guide portion 233 that guides the comb-shaped outer blade 100 in the second direction via the comb blade holding member 180 of the comb blade unit 103.

[0042] The unit base 230 includes a second guide portion 234 that guides the mesh outer blade 210 in the second direction via the mesh blade holding member 213 of the mesh blade unit 104. In the case of the present embodiment, the first guide portion 233 and the second guide portion 234 are provided with grooves that penetrate in the first direction and extend in the second direction in the frame portion of the unit base 230. The first guide portion 233 engages with a pair of first ridge portions 184 provided on the comb blade holding member 180 to guide the movement of the comb blade unit 103 in the plane formed by the first direction and the second direction. The second guide portion 234 engages with a pair of second ridge portions 217 provided on the mesh blade holding member 213 to guide the movement of the mesh blade unit 104 in the second direction and the movement in the plane formed by the first direction and the second direction.

[0043] Further, the first guide portion 233 includes a first restricting portion 235 that restricts the amount of protrusion of the comb blade unit 103 with respect to the unit base 230, and the second guide portion 234 includes a second restricting portion 236 that restricts the amount of protrusion of the net blade unit 104 with respect to the unit base 230. The first restricting portion 235 and the second restricting portion 236 have fixed-side protrusions provided on the surface portion on the outer side in the second direction of the unit base 230. The fixed-side protrusions are formed in a shape protruding in the third direction so as to cover a part of the grooves provided as the first guide portion 233 and the second guide portion 234. Further, the comb blade holding member 180 of the comb blade unit 103 and the net blade holding member 213 of the net blade unit 104 are provided with blade unit-side protrusions protruding in the third direction at their second-direction ends, and the blade unit-side protrusions face the fixed-side protrusions in the second direction. By the first restricting portion 235 and the second restricting portion 236 having such a configuration, when the comb blade unit 103 and the net blade unit 104 are urged outward in the second direction by the comb blade biasing member 231 and the net blade biasing member 232 and move, when the blade unit-side protrusions reach the positions of the fixed-side protrusions, the blade unit-side protrusions abut against the fixed-side protrusions, thereby restricting the comb blade unit 103 and the net blade unit 104 from protruding further outward in the second direction. And the first restricting portion 235 and the second restricting portion 236 are arranged such that the comb-shaped outer blade 100 of the comb blade unit 103 restricted by the first restricting portion 235 does not protrude more than the net-shaped outer blade 210 of the net blade unit 104 restricted by the second restricting portion 236, as shown in FIG. 13(a).

[0044] The comb blade biasing member 231 is a member that biases the comb-shaped outer blade 100 outward in the second direction (in the Z+ direction in the figure) with respect to the unit base 230. In the case of the present embodiment, the comb blade biasing member 231 is a coil spring or the like, and is disposed between the unit base 230 and the comb blade holding member 180 of the comb blade unit 103, at both ends of the comb blade unit 103 in the first direction. In a state where the comb-shaped outer blade 100 is not pressed in the second direction, the biasing force of the comb blade biasing member 231 maintains the state in which the movement of the comb blade unit 103 is restricted by the first restricting portion 235 provided on the unit base 230.

[0045] The net blade biasing member 232 is a member that biases the net-shaped outer blade 210 outward in the second direction (the Z+ direction in the figure) with respect to the unit base 230. In the case of the present embodiment, the net blade biasing member 232 is a coil spring or the like, and is disposed between the unit base 230 and the net blade holding member 213 of the net blade unit 104, and at both ends of the net blade unit 104 in the first direction. In a state where the net-shaped outer blade 210 is not pressed in the second direction, the biasing force of the net blade biasing member 232 maintains a state in which the movement of the comb blade unit 103 is restricted by the first restricting portion 235 provided on the unit base 230, and the top portion of the net-shaped outer blade 210 is disposed at a position (the Z+ side in the figure) protruding more than the comb-shaped outer blade 100 at any location in the first direction.

[0046] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the operating state of the engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism 240 is a mechanism that moves the comb-shaped outer blade 100 in a state where the comb-shaped outer blade 100 does not protrude more than the net-shaped outer blade 210 with respect to the unit base 230 when moving the net-shaped outer blade 210 toward the unit base 230 against the biasing force of the net blade biasing member 232. The specific form of the engagement mechanism 240 is not particularly limited, but in the case of the present embodiment, the engagement mechanism 240 includes a first engagement portion 241 and a second engagement portion 242.

[0047] The first engagement portion 241 is a member that can restrict the movement of the comb-shaped outer blade 100 in the protruding direction (the Z+ direction in the figure) by engaging with the second engagement portion 242 in the second direction. The arrangement position and posture of the first engagement portion 241 are not particularly limited, but are respectively provided in a protruding shape toward the net blade unit 104 on a pair of comb blade holding members 180 provided in the comb blade unit 103.

[0048] The second engaging portion 242 is a member that transmits force to the comb blade unit 103 by engaging with the first engaging portion 241 when the net blade unit 104 is pressed toward the unit base 230 in the second direction, and can move the comb-shaped outer blade 100 toward the unit base 230 against the comb blade biasing member 231. The second engaging portion 242 is located outside (upper in the second direction) than the first engaging portion 241, and engages with the first engaging portion 241 to restrict movement of the comb-shaped outer blade 100 in the second direction so that the comb-shaped outer blade 100 does not protrude beyond the net outer blade 210. The second engaging portions 242 are provided at both ends in the first direction of the net blade holding member 213 provided in the net blade unit 104 in a protruding manner toward the comb blade unit 103.

[0049] The operation of the engagement mechanism will be described. In a state where the mesh outer cutter 210 and the comb-shaped outer cutter 100 are not pressed (FIG. 13(a)), the comb-shaped outer cutter 100 and the mesh outer cutter 210 protrude outward to the maximum. In this state, the mesh outer cutter 210 protrudes further than the comb-shaped outer cutter 100. Note that in FIG. 13, the protruding position of the comb-shaped outer cutter 100 is indicated by a dashed line at position 199. In this state, the comb-shaped outer cutter 100 and the mesh outer cutter 210 can move independently in a sinking direction.

[0050] Next, by lightly pressing the electric shaver 300 against the skin, the mesh outer blade 210, which generally protrudes further than the comb-shaped outer blade 100, is pressed first, and the mesh outer blade 210 begins to sink against the mesh blade biasing member 232. Then, when the mesh outer blade 210 sinks until the first engagement portion 241 and the second engagement portion 242 of the engagement mechanism 240 engage, a pressing force is applied from the second engagement portion 242 to the first engagement portion 241, and the comb outer blade 100 begins to sink in conjunction with it. Even in this state, the mesh outer blade 210 protrudes slightly further than the comb-shaped outer blade 100.

[0051] Furthermore, when the electric razor 300 is pressed against the skin, the engaged state of the first engaging portion 241 and the second engaging portion 242 is maintained, and the net-shaped outer blade 210 and the comb-shaped outer blade 100 sink until they are restricted by the unit base 230 while maintaining a state where the net-shaped outer blade 210 protrudes slightly more than the comb-shaped outer blade 100. In this state, the comb-shaped outer blade 100 can move independently in the sinking direction, but all of the net-shaped outer blades 210 move in the sinking direction along with the comb-shaped outer blade 100. That is, the engaging mechanism 240 restricts the engagement of the first engaging portion 241 and the second engaging portion 242 in the direction in which the comb-shaped outer blade 100 protrudes, so that the comb-shaped outer blade 100 does not protrude more than the net-shaped outer blade 210, but in the sinking direction, the engaging mechanism 240 does not restrict the movement of the comb-shaped outer blade 100. Therefore, depending on the shape of the skin, the comb-shaped outer blade 100 may be pressed and sink.

[0052] FIG. 14 is a side view showing the blade unit with the comb blade holding member and the net blade holding member in a transparent state. The sliding member 220 is a member that comes into contact with the skin surface when pressing the entire blade unit 200 against a wide skin surface, etc., and improves the smoothness of the skin when sliding the blade unit 200 against the skin surface. The structure of the sliding member 220 is not particularly limited, but in the case of this embodiment, the sliding member 220 is a roller having a rotation axis extending in the first direction (Y-axis direction in the figure). In the case of this embodiment, the sliding member 220 has a shape that bulges so that the diameter of the central portion is thicker than both end portions so as to correspond to the curved shape of the net-shaped outer blade 210 on the surface extending in the first and second directions. Also, in a state where the blade unit 200 is not pressed, the sliding member 220 is arranged so as to protrude more than the net-shaped outer blade 210 at any position in the first direction.

[0053] The sliding member 220 is attached to a holding member that holds the outer blade arranged in the vicinity. In the case of this embodiment, the sliding member 220 is rotatably attached to a bearing portion 221 that protrudes obliquely upward from one of the net blade holding members 213 arranged closest to the adjacent net-shaped outer blade 210. Thereby, the sliding member 220 can sink in the second direction together with the net-shaped outer blade 210 and can maintain a state of protruding slightly more than the net-shaped outer blade 210. Note that the sliding In the present embodiment, the sliding member 220 is attached to the bearing portion 221. However, although it can also be attached to, for example, the unit base 230, attaching it to the bearing portion 221 as in the present embodiment is more preferable because the protruding state of the sliding member 220 is more stable.

[0054] At least two outer blades are arranged on each side of the sliding member 220. In the case of the present embodiment, three outer blades are arranged on each side of the sliding member 220, and the same number of outer blades are arranged. That is, the blade unit 200 includes an even number of outer blades, and the sliding member 220 is arranged at its center. That is, it is sufficient that two or more are arranged on both sides, and the number of blades on both sides is not particularly limited.

[0055] Different types of outer blades are arranged on one side of the sliding member 220. In the case of the present embodiment, one of the outer blades is the comb-shaped outer blade 100, and the other is the net-shaped outer blade 210. The blade unit 200 includes a first group 101 and a second group 102 in which the net-shaped outer blades 210 are arranged on both sides of the comb-shaped outer blade 100, and the sliding member 220 is arranged between the first group 101 and the second group 102. That is, the net-shaped outer blades 210 are arranged on both immediate adjacent sides of the sliding member 220. Thereby, the sliding member 220 can be arranged in the valley space formed by the densely arranged net-shaped outer blades 210, and the entire blade unit 200 can be made compact. Further, when the blade unit 200 is pressed against the skin, the sliding member 220 can prevent the skin from biting into the valley space, and damage to the skin can be reduced.

[0056] According to the electric razor 300 and the blade unit 200 according to the above embodiment, when shaving a wide area of the skin, since the sliding member 220 that protrudes slightly more than all the outer blades is in contact with the skin, the smoothness when moving the blade unit 200 in the third direction (X-axis direction in the figure) can be improved. When shaving a narrow area of the skin, shaving can be performed by pressing a blade on one side of the sliding member 220 against the skin, and the shaving process can be performed smoothly without the sliding member 220 getting in the way.

[0057] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, another embodiment realized by arbitrarily combining the components described in this specification and excluding some of the components may also be an embodiment of the present invention. Further, various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention, that is, the meaning indicated by the language described in the claims with respect to the above-described embodiments, are also included in the present invention.

[0058] For example, the sliding member 220 is not limited to a rotating roller. For example, the sliding member 220 may be a non-rotating rod-shaped member having a smooth surface extending in the first and third directions, and the smooth surface that contacts the skin may prevent the skin from biting between the outer blades and improve the smoothness of the skin.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, the case of six blades has been described, but the number of outer blades of the blade unit 200 may be any number as long as it is four or more.

[0060] Also, although the case of providing different types of outer blades has been described, the outer blades may be of the same type.

[0061] Also, as the comb-shaped outer blade 100, the case where the open blade portions 130 and the bent blade portions 140 are alternately arranged with a slit extending in the third direction therebetween has been described, but the shape of the comb-shaped outer blade 100 is not limited thereto.

[0062] For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the comb-shaped outer blade 100 may be formed entirely of the bent blade portions 140 without including the open blade portions 130. As a result, since the base portion 110 does not exist and the slit penetrates in the third direction, long hairs facing in the opposite direction can also be shaved.

[0063] Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the bent blade portions 140 may be bent at about 90° instead of being acute angles. Thereby, long hairs can be cut with good skin contact.

[0064] Also, as shown in FIG. 17, a separate member 147 (e.g., a comb member) adjacent to the bent blade portion 140 in the third direction may be provided. Thereby, the shaving performance for long hair can be improved.

[0065] Also, as shown in FIG. 18, the comb-shaped outer blade 100 may be formed entirely of the open blade portions 130 without including the bent blade portion 140. Thereby, the shaving performance for long hair can be improved.

[0066] Also, as shown in FIG. 19, a recess 112 extending in the first direction and being recessed in the second direction may be provided in a part of the base portion 110. Thereby, the possibility of raising long hair that could not be gathered at once again and introducing it into the slit is increased, and the shaving performance for long hair can be improved.

[0067] Also, as shown in FIG. 20, both ends of the bent blade portion 140 in the third direction may protrude outward in the second direction. Thereby, the shaving performance for long hair can be improved.

[0068] Also, as shown in FIG. 21, the thickness of the portion of the comb-shaped outer blade 100 that contacts the first inner blade 170 may be made thinner. Thereby, long hair can be shaved shorter by the comb-shaped outer blade 100, and shaving can be performed to a hair length that is easily inserted by the mesh-shaped outer blade 210.

[0069] Also, a plurality of bent blade portions 140 may be arranged between adjacent open blade portions 130, and a plurality of open blade portions 130 may be arranged between adjacent bent blade portions 140.

[0070] Also, the comb-shaped outer blade 100 and the mesh-shaped outer blade 210 may be formed not only by integral molding from sheet metal, but also by joining a plurality of members by welding or the like. Specifically, for example, at least one of the base portion 110, the open blade portion 130, and the bent blade portion 140 may be integrally formed, and the separately formed long end portion 111 and the attachment portion 120 may be joined to the other of the base portion 110, the open blade portion 130, and the bent blade portion 140 by welding or the like to form the comb-shaped outer blade 100.

[0071] Also, although the open blade portion 130 and the bent blade portion 140 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the base portion 110, the open blade portion 130 and the bent blade portion 140 may be arranged side by side in the third direction.

[0072] Also, the width (length in the first direction) of the tip portion of the open blade portion 130 may be made narrower than the width of the base end portion, like the bent blade portion 140.

[0073] Also, although the case where the blade unit 200 can be detached from the head portion 320 together with the unit base 230 has been described, the head portion 320 may include a portion having the same function as the unit base 230.

[0074] Also, although the first regulating portion 235 and the second regulating portion 236 that regulate the protruding amounts of the comb blade unit 103 and the net blade unit 104 with respect to the unit base 230 have been described, the structure that regulates the protruding amounts of the comb-shaped outer blade 100 and the net-shaped outer blade 210 is not limited to this. For example, the unit base 230 may be provided with a groove that extends in the second direction and both end portions in the extending direction are blocked, and either the comb blade unit 103 or the net blade unit 104 may be provided with a protrusion that is inserted into the groove of the unit base 230 and moves along the groove. In this case, the protruding amount is regulated when the protrusion abuts against the end portion of the groove. Further, contrary to the above structure for the groove and the protrusion, the unit base 230 may be provided with a protrusion, and the comb The blade unit 103 and the net blade unit 104 may be provided with grooves.

[0075] Also, the regulating portion that regulates the protruding amounts of the comb blade unit 103 and the net blade unit 104 with respect to the unit base 230 is not limited to the unit base 230, the comb blade unit 103, and the net blade unit 104, and a regulating portion may be provided at other positions according to the protruding amount.

Industrial Applicability

[0076] The present invention can be applied to an electric razor that shaves the body hair of animals including humans, such as a so-called electric shaver that shaves the beard.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0077] 100 Comb-shaped outer blade 101 First group 102 Second group 103 Comb blade unit 104 Mesh blade unit 110 Base part 111 Long end part 120 Mounting part 121 Outer blade engaging claw 130 Open blade part 131 Open upper surface part 132 Open inclined surface part 133 Open side surface part 140 Bent blade part 141 Protrusion part 142 Bending part 143 Connecting part 144 Bending inclined surface 145 Bending upper surface part 146 Bending side surface part 170 First inner blade 171 First joint member 172 Inner blade engaging claw 173 Inner blade engaging protrusion 174 First melting and expanding part 175 Second melting and expanding part 180 Comb blade holding member 181 First opposing part 182 First biasing member 183 Outer blade protrusion part 184 First rib part 199 Position 200 Blade unit 210 Mesh-shaped outer blade 211 Second inner blade 212 Mesh blade fixing member 213 Mesh blade holding member 214 Second joint member 215 Second opposing part 216 Second biasing member 217 Second rib part 220 Sliding member 221 Bearing part 230 Unit base 231 Comb Blade Biasing Member 232 Mesh Blade Biasing Member 233 First Case Interior 234 Second Case Interior 235 First Regulation Part 236 Second Regulation Part 240 Engagement Mechanism 241 First Engagement Part 242 Second Engagement Part 300 Electric Razor 310 Grip Part 311 Power Switch 320 Head Part

Claims

1. A blade unit that is attached to an electric razor and includes four or more outer blades extending in a first direction and a sliding member extending in the first direction, wherein the sliding member is formed as a roller and has a rotating shaft extending in the first direction and a rotating body that rotates in contact with the skin surface to improve skin smoothness, at least two outer blades are disposed on each of both sides of the sliding member, the sliding member is arranged to protrude beyond the outer blades at any position in the first direction in a state where the blade unit is not pressed. Blade unit.

2. The sliding member has a bulged shape in which the diameter of the central portion is thicker than that of both end portions, the outer blade is arcuately curved such that a central portion protrudes beyond both end portions in a plane extending in the first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The blade unit according to claim 1.

3. The sliding member can sink together with the outer blade. The blade unit according to claim 1.

4. Blades of different types are disposed on at least one side of the sliding member. The blade unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. One of the outer blades of different types is a comb-shaped outer blade and the other is a net-shaped outer blade. The blade unit according to claim 4.

6. The net-shaped outer blade is disposed on both sides adjacent to the sliding member. The blade unit according to claim 5.

7. The number of outer blades disposed on both sides of the sliding member is the same. The blade unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The comb-shaped outer blade includes a rod-shaped base portion extending in the first direction, and a cantilever rod-shaped open blade portion protruding from the base portion in a direction intersecting the first direction. The blade unit according to claim 5.

9. The comb-shaped outer blade includes a rod-shaped base portion extending in the first direction, a plate-shaped attachment portion extending in the first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a bent blade portion connecting the base portion and the attachment portion, and the bent blade portion includes a protruding portion protruding along a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction from the base portion, a bent portion connected to the tip of the protruding portion, and a connecting portion connecting the bent portion and the attachment portion. The blade unit according to claim 5 or 8.

10. The connecting portion is inclined such that it approaches the base portion in the third direction as it moves away from the bent portion in the second direction. The blade unit according to claim 9.

11. An electric razor comprising the blade unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10. ​

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