Slit blade block and electric razor

Abstract

To obtain a slit blade block capable of shaving hair efficiently while suppressing irritation to skin, and an electric razor.SOLUTION: A slit blade block 30 includes a slit outer blade 40 extending in a first direction and having a plurality of outer blade pieces 415 arranged with intervals along a second direction crossing the first direction. The slit blade block 30 is provided in the outside in the first direction further than the slit outer blade 40 and includes a plurality of combs 72 arranged with intervals along the second direction. The comb 72 is provided with a projection 74 projecting to the outside in the first direction. The projection 74 includes a first projection 741 extending across two or more combs 72 arrayed in the second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a slit blade block and an electric shaver.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a slit blade block is known that includes a slit outer blade having a plurality of outer blade pieces and a slit inner blade having a plurality of inner blade pieces, and is used for performing rough shaving to shorten a beard that is relatively long.

[0003] In this Patent Document 1, in order to improve the introduction property of the beard without changing the size of the intervals between the outer blade pieces of the slit outer blade, the slit blade block is provided with a comb provided outside the slit outer blade.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a slit blade block provided with such a comb, it is preferable not only to be able to shave body hair efficiently but also to suppress the stimulation given to the skin.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to obtain a slit blade block and an electric shaver that can shave body hair more efficiently while suppressing the stimulation given to the skin.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A slit blade block according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a slit outer blade having a plurality of outer blade pieces extending in a first direction and spaced apart along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a plurality of combs provided outside the slit outer blade in the first direction and spaced apart along the second direction, wherein a slit is formed between adjacent outer blade pieces in the second direction, a groove is formed between adjacent combs in the second direction communicating with the slit, the combs are provided with projections projecting outward in the first direction, and the projections have a first projection that extends across two or more combs aligned in the second direction.

[0008] Furthermore, an electric razor according to one aspect of this disclosure includes the slit blade block. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, a slit blade block and an electric razor can be obtained that can shave body hair more efficiently while suppressing irritation to the skin. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a partially disassembled electric razor according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view showing a slit blade block according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the outer slit blade and inner slit blade of the slit blade block according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the slit outer blade body according to the embodiment attached to the comb component. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing a comb component according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing a partially enlarged view of the slit outer blade body according to the embodiment attached to the comb component. [Figure 7]It is a plan view showing a partially enlarged state of the slit outer blade body according to the embodiment attached to the comb part. [Figure 8] It is a figure schematically showing a plurality of examples of the arrangement pattern of the slit of the slit outer blade and the groove part of the comb part. [Figure 9] It is a plan view showing the specific configuration of pattern B shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a plan view showing the specific configuration of pattern C shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view showing a first modification example of the comb part according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a plan view showing a first modification example of the comb part according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view showing a second modification example of the comb part according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a plan view showing a second modification example of the comb part according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view of the slit outer blade body and the comb part cut at a part corresponding to the groove part in a state where the slit outer blade body according to the embodiment is attached to the comb part. [Figure 16] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] It is a figure schematically showing a state where a beard is introduced into the groove part of the slit blade block according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a cross-sectional view showing a third modification example of the comb part according to the embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, a more detailed description than necessary may be omitted in some cases. For example, a detailed description of already well-known matters or a redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0012] Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] In the following embodiments and their modifications, the direction in which a plurality of blade blocks are arranged side by side is described as the X direction (first direction: front-rear direction: shaving direction), the direction in which each blade block extends is described as the Y direction (second direction: left-right direction), and the vertical direction in a state where the head portion (electric razor) is arranged such that the skin contact surface faces upward is described as the Z direction (third direction: vertical direction). Further, the side on which the power switch of the electric razor is provided is described as the front in the X direction.

[0014] Also, the direction of the slit blade block is also described using the above X direction, Y direction, and Z direction. That is, in a state where the slit blade block is attached to the razor body, the directions that coincide with the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction of the slit blade block are defined as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction of the slit blade block, respectively.

[0015] (Embodiment) First, referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the electric razor 1 will be described.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the electric razor 1 according to the present embodiment includes a razor body 10 and a blade unit 20 that is held by the razor body 10 in a state where a skin contact surface (the surface of the outer blade of each blade block described later) 20a is exposed.

[0017] The razor body 10 includes a grip portion 11 that can be held by hand and a head portion 12 supported by the grip portion 11. In the present embodiment, the head portion 12 is supported by the grip portion 11 in a state inclined upward and forward with the extending direction of the grip portion 11 substantially coinciding with the vertical direction.

[0018] The head portion 12 can be made to pivot in the Y direction relative to the grip portion 11, using a shaft portion (not shown) extending in the X direction as its axis. Furthermore, the head portion 12 can also be made to pivot in the X direction relative to the grip portion 11, using a shaft portion (not shown) extending in the Y direction as its axis. Additionally, the head portion 12 can be made to float in the Z direction relative to the grip portion 11.

[0019] Furthermore, it is possible to combine these oscillations and floats as appropriate. For example, the head portion 12 can swing in the X and Y directions relative to the grip portion 11, while also being able to float in the Z direction relative to the grip portion 11.

[0020] It is also possible to configure the head portion 12 so that it neither swings nor floats relative to the grip portion 11. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the head portion 12 so that it is not inclined relative to the grip portion 11.

[0021] The grip section 11 is equipped with a main body housing 111, and a cavity is formed inside this main body housing 111. Various electrical components, such as a rechargeable battery, are housed within this cavity formed inside the main body housing 111.

[0022] Furthermore, the main housing 111 has a push-type power switch 111a for operating the electric shaver 1 (turning the power on and off). In this embodiment, a push-type switch is exemplified as the power switch 111a, but any switch that can turn the power on and off may be a slide type or other type of switch.

[0023] In this embodiment, the power switch 111a is formed on the front of the main body housing 111, that is, on the front (front) of the electric shaver 1. The front of the electric shaver 1 is the side that faces the user when the user is holding the grip portion 11 of the electric shaver 1 during normal use.

[0024] It is also possible to install a trimmer unit at the rear of the main housing 111 (the rear of the electric shaver 1).

[0025] The head unit 12 comprises a head unit body 121 attached to the grip unit 11, and a head cover 122 that is detachably attached to the head unit body 121. In this embodiment, the head cover 122 and the head unit body 121 are released by retracting release buttons 121a, which are provided to be retractable from both the left and right ends of the head unit body 121, inward.

[0026] Furthermore, a drive mechanism is housed within the head body 121. This drive mechanism comprises multiple drive culms 13, which are housed within the head body 121 in such a manner that they protrude upward from the head body 121. Such a drive mechanism can be a conventionally known one, such as a vibratory linear actuator or a drive mechanism composed of a rotary motor and a conversion mechanism that converts rotational motion into reciprocating linear motion.

[0027] The blade unit 20 comprises two first blade blocks 21, two second blade blocks 22, one slit blade block 30, and an outer blade case 23, with the five blade blocks arranged in the X direction with their longitudinal directions aligned with the Y direction.

[0028] Thus, in this embodiment, each blade block has a predetermined length and width, and these blade blocks are arranged such that their length direction substantially coincides with the Y direction (second direction: left-right direction) of the electric shaver 1, while their width direction substantially coincides with the X direction (first direction: front-back direction: shaving direction) of the electric shaver 1.

[0029] The first blade block 21 is primarily used to remove beard (body hair) H that is lying flat, and the second blade block 22 is primarily used to remove short, upright beard (body hair) H. The slit blade block 30 is primarily used to remove thin, long beard (body hair) H.

[0030] In this embodiment, one slitting blade block 30 is positioned in the center in the X direction, and two first blade blocks 21 are positioned on either side of the slitting blade block 30. Two second blade blocks 22 are positioned on the opposite side of the slitting blade block 30 from the first blade blocks 21. That is, two second blade blocks 22 are positioned at both ends in the X direction.

[0031] The blade unit 20 only needs to have at least one slit blade block 30, and it is also possible to have a configuration with four or fewer blade blocks, or with six or more blade blocks. Furthermore, the order in which each blade block is arranged can be set as appropriate.

[0032] The first blade block 21 comprises a first net blade 211 and a first inner blade 212. In this embodiment, the first net blade 211 is formed in an inverted U-shape, curved so that it is convex upwards when viewed from the side (along the Y direction). Furthermore, the first net blade 211 is formed in a slight curve along the Y direction (outer blade length direction) so that it is convex upwards when viewed from the front (along the X direction). In addition, the first net blade 211 has, for example, numerous circular blade holes (not shown). It is also possible to configure the first net blade 211 not to be curved so that it is convex upwards when viewed from the front. For example, when the first net blade 211 is viewed from the front (along the X direction), the top of the first net blade 211 can be made to be a straight line extending in the Y direction (outer blade length direction).

[0033] The first inner blade 212 has an inverted U-shape that follows the curved shape of the first net blade 211 and is positioned inside the first net blade 211 (below the first net blade 211: on the opposite side from the side of the first net blade 211 that contacts the skin S). This first inner blade 212 is detachably attached to one of the multiple drive stalks 13. When the electric shaver 1 is turned on and the drive stalks 13 are driven with the first inner blade 212 attached to the drive stalk 13 and positioned inside the first net blade 211, the first inner blade 212 slides against the inner surface of the first net blade 211 and is displaced relative to the first net blade 211 (relative movement: reciprocating in the Y direction).

[0034] Similarly, the second blade block 22 includes a second net blade 221 and a second inner blade (not shown). In this embodiment, the second net blade 221 is also formed in an inverted U-shape, curved so that it is convex upwards when viewed from the side (along the Y direction). Furthermore, the second net blade 221 is also formed with a slight curve along the Y direction (outer blade length direction) so that it is convex upwards when viewed from the front (along the X direction). In addition, this second net blade 221 also has, for example, numerous circular blade holes (not shown). It is also possible to configure the second net blade 221 not to be curved so that it is convex upwards when viewed from the front. For example, when the second net blade 221 is viewed from the front (along the X direction), it is possible to make the top of the second net blade 221 a straight line extending in the Y direction (outer blade length direction).

[0035] The second inner blade, although not shown in the illustration, is shaped like the first inner blade 212, with an inverted U-shape that follows the curved shape of the second net blade 221, and is positioned inside the second net blade 221 (on the underside of the second net blade 221: opposite to the side of the second net blade 221 that contacts the skin S). This second inner blade is detachably mounted on one of the multiple drive stalks 13 (a drive stalk 13 different from the drive stalk to which the first inner blade 212 is mounted). When the electric shaver 1 is turned on and the drive stalk 13 is driven with the second inner blade mounted on the drive stalk 13 and positioned inside the second net blade 221, the second inner blade slides against the inner surface of the second net blade 221 and is displaced relative to the second net blade 221 (relative movement: reciprocating in the Y direction).

[0036] The slit blade block 30 comprises a slit outer blade 40 and a slit inner blade 50. In this embodiment, the slit outer blade 40 is formed by bending into an inverted U-shape so that the upper part is convex when viewed from the side (viewed along the Y direction). Furthermore, the slit outer blade 40 is formed by slightly curving along the Y direction (outer blade length direction) so that the upper part is convex when viewed from the front (viewed along the X direction). Numerous slit-shaped blade holes (slits 416) are formed in this slit outer blade 40. It is also possible to configure the slit outer blade 40 not to be curved so that the upper part is convex when viewed from the front. For example, when the slit outer blade 40 is viewed from the front (viewed along the X direction), it is possible to make the top of the slit outer blade 40 a straight line extending in the Y direction (outer blade length direction). That is, it is possible to form the slit outer blade 40 so that the upper surface (skin contact surface 4111) of the top wall 411, which will be described later, is a flat surface.

[0037] The inner slit blade 50 has an inverted U-shape that follows the curved shape of the outer slit blade 40 and is positioned inside the outer slit blade 40 (below the outer slit blade 40: on the opposite side from the side of the outer slit blade 40 that contacts the skin S). This inner slit blade 50 is detachably attached to one of the multiple drive stalks 13 (a drive stalk 13 other than the one to which the first inner blade 212 and the second inner blade are attached). When the electric shaver 1 is turned on and the drive stalks 13 are driven with the inner slit blade 50 attached to the drive stalk 13 and positioned inside the outer slit blade 40, the inner slit blade 50 slides against the inner surface 4112 of the outer slit blade 40 and is displaced relative to the outer slit blade 40 (relative movement: reciprocating in the Y direction).

[0038] Thus, the electric razor 1 according to this embodiment has the form of a reciprocating electric razor in which the first inner blade 212, the second inner blade, and the slit inner blade 50 are moved back and forth relative to the first net blade 211, the second net blade 221, and the slit outer blade 40.

[0039] In this embodiment, all components except for two first inner blades 212 out of the five blade blocks are mounted in a roughly frame-shaped outer blade case 23. At this time, each component may be mounted in the outer blade case 23 in a manner that prevents it from being detached, or it may be mounted in the outer blade case 23 in a manner that prevents it from being detached.

[0040] In this embodiment, two first net blades 211 are mounted in the outer blade case 23 without the first inner blade 212 positioned inside them, and two second net blades 221 are mounted in the outer blade case 23 with the second inner blade positioned inside them. One slit outer blade 40 is mounted in the outer blade case 23 with the slit inner blade 50 positioned inside it. At this time, it is preferable to mount at least one of the two first net blades 211, two second net blades 221, and one slit outer blade 40 in the outer blade case 23 in a state that allows it to float in the Z direction (vertical direction).

[0041] In this embodiment, the outer blade cassette 200 is formed by mounting two first net blades 211, two second blade blocks 22, and one slit blade block 30 onto the outer blade case 23. This outer blade cassette 200 is then detachably mounted onto the head cover 122.

[0042] Specifically, the head cover 122 has a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall portion 122c with an upper opening 122a and a lower opening 122b. The outer blade cassette 200, with each outer blade facing upward, is inserted into the head cover 122 from the lower opening 122b side, thereby mounting the outer blade cassette 200 to the head cover 122. At this time, the outer blade cassette 200 is mounted to the head cover 122 with the surface of each outer blade exposed from the upper opening 122a of the head cover 122. Therefore, in this embodiment, the portion of the surface of each outer blade that is exposed from the upper opening 122a of the head cover 122 becomes the skin contact surface 20a that comes into contact with the user's skin (skin surface) S.

[0043] Furthermore, release buttons 23a are provided on both the left and right ends of the outer blade case 23, and by operating these release buttons 23a, the attachment between the head cover 122 and the outer blade cassette 200 can be released.

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, with the two first inner blades 212 each mounted on the drive culm 13 that protrudes upward from the head unit body 121, the head cover 122 with the outer blade cassette 200 attached is mounted on the head unit body 121. When the head cover 122 with the outer blade cassette 200 attached is mounted on the head unit body 121 with the two first inner blades 212 each mounted on the drive culm 13, the two first inner blades 212 are positioned inside the corresponding first net blades 211.

[0045] This ensures that when the electric shaver 1 is turned on, each inner blade is displaced relative to the corresponding outer blade (relative movement: reciprocating motion in the Y direction).

[0046] Then, the electric shaver 1 is turned on, and with each inner blade displaced relative to the corresponding outer blade, the skin contact surface 20a of the blade unit 20 is placed against the user's skin (skin surface) S and moved while sliding in the X direction, so that the beard (body hair) H inserted into the blade holes of each outer blade is cut by the outer and inner blades. If the outer blade is mounted in the outer blade case 23 in a state where it can float in the Z direction (up and down direction), the outer blade will float relative to the razor body 10. As a result, the outer blade (skin contact surface 20a of the blade unit 20) can be more reliably aligned with the shape of the skin S, and the beard (body hair) H can be cut more reliably.

[0047] Next, the detailed configuration of the slit blade block 30 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 7.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2, the slit blade block 30 includes a slit outer blade 40 and a slit inner blade 50. Furthermore, the slit blade block 30 is equipped with a pair of coil springs 60, which connect the slit outer blade 40 and the slit inner blade 50 so that the slit inner blade 50 can reciprocate and slide relative to the slit outer blade 40 in the Y direction.

[0049] In this embodiment, the slit outer blade 40 comprises a slit outer blade body 410 having a plurality of outer blade pieces 415, and an outer blade joint 420 fixed to the slit outer blade body 410 and connected to a pair of coil springs 60.

[0050] Similarly, the slit inner blade 50 comprises a slit inner blade body 510 having a plurality of inner blade pieces 515, and an inner blade joint 520 fixed to the slit inner blade body 510 and connected to a pair of coil springs 60.

[0051] First, let's explain the slit outer blade body 410.

[0052] The slit outer blade body 410 can be formed using, for example, a metal material, and has a shape that is bent in an inverted U shape so that the upper part is convex when viewed from the side (viewed along the Y direction). That is, the slit outer blade body 410 comprises a roughly rectangular plate-shaped top wall (first wall portion) 411 that is elongated in the Y direction, and a pair of side walls (second wall portions) 412 that extend downward in the Z direction from both ends of the top wall 411 in the X direction. The upper surface of the top wall (first wall portion) 411 is a skin contact surface 4111 that can come into contact with the user's skin S when the electric razor 1 is in use.

[0053] Furthermore, each of the pair of side walls 412 has two first welded fixing portions 4121 and two second welded fixing portions 4122. In other words, the slit outer blade body 410 has four first welded fixing portions 4121 and four second welded fixing portions 4122.

[0054] The first welded fixing portion 4121 is formed at both ends of the side wall 412 in the Y direction, projecting downward in the Z direction, and a substantially circular notch opening downward is formed in the center of the first welded fixing portion 4121. The second welded fixing portion 4122 is formed on the side wall 412, inward in the Y direction from the first welded fixing portion 4121, and projecting downward in the Z direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second welded fixing portion 4122 is formed to be located below the first welded fixing portion 4121 in the Z direction, and a substantially circular notch opening downward is also formed in the center of the second welded fixing portion 4122.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each pair of side walls 412 has four first claw pieces 4123, one second claw piece 4124, and four fitting holes 4125. That is, the slit outer blade body 410 has eight first claw pieces 4123, two second claw pieces 4124, and eight fitting holes 4125.

[0056] The first claw piece 4123 has a tapered shape, with its dimension in the Y direction decreasing as it moves downward in the Z direction, and is curved so that its tip (lower end) is convex downward when viewed from the front (viewed along the X direction). Four first claw pieces 4123 are formed at the lower end of one side wall 412, projecting downward at intervals in the Y direction. Specifically, two first claw pieces 4123 are formed so as to be located between adjacent first welded fixing parts 4121 and second welded fixing parts 4122 in the Y direction, and two first claw pieces 4123 are formed between a pair of adjacent second welded fixing parts 4122 in the Y direction.

[0057] Furthermore, the second claw piece 4124 also has a tapered shape, with its dimension in the Y direction decreasing as it moves downward in the Z direction, and is curved so that its tip (lower end) is convex downward when viewed from the front (viewed along the X direction). One second claw piece 4124 is formed to protrude downward from the lower end of one side wall 412. In this embodiment, one second claw piece 4124 is formed between two first claw pieces 4123 formed between a pair of second welded fixing parts 4122 adjacent in the Y direction, and is spaced apart from the first claw pieces 4123 in the Y direction. That is, one second claw piece 4124 is formed at the lower end of the central part in the Y direction of one side wall 412. The dimension of this second claw piece 4124 in the Z direction is smaller than the dimension of the first claw piece 4123 in the Z direction, and its lower end is formed to be located above the lower end of the first claw piece 4123 in the Z direction.

[0058] The fitting holes 4125 are elongated rectangles in the Y direction when viewed from the front (along the X direction) and are formed to penetrate in the X direction. Four fitting holes 4125 are formed at the lower end of one side wall 412, spaced apart in the Y direction.

[0059] Specifically, fitting holes 4125 are formed between the first claw piece 4123 adjacent to the first welded fixing portion 4121 in the Y direction, and the second welded fixing portion 4122 adjacent to the first claw piece 4123 in the Y direction. These fitting holes 4125 are two of the four fitting holes 4125, located at both ends in the Y direction. These two fitting holes 4125 located at both ends in the Y direction are formed on projections that are continuous with the outer side in the Y direction of the projection on which the second welded fixing portion 4122 is formed.

[0060] Furthermore, fitting holes 4125 are formed between the first claw piece 4123 and the second claw piece 4124, which are adjacent in the Y direction. These fitting holes 4125 are the two fitting holes 4125 that are located on the inside in the Y direction out of the four fitting holes 4125. These two fitting holes 4125 that are located on the inside in the Y direction protrude from the lower end of one side wall 412 and are formed as elongated rectangular projections in the Y direction when viewed from the front (along the X direction).

[0061] The slit outer blade body 410 comprises a slit outer blade section 413 having an outer blade piece 415 and a slit 416, and connecting sections 414 connected to both ends of the slit outer blade section 413 in the Y direction.

[0062] The slit outer blade portion 413 is formed with a plurality of outer blade pieces 415 that extend in the X direction and are spaced apart in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of outer blade pieces 415 are formed to be arranged at approximately equal intervals with a predetermined pitch (predetermined spacing) in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of outer blade pieces 415 extend from one side wall 412 through a substantially flat top wall 411 to the other side wall 412, and have a shape that is bent in an inverted U shape so that the upper part is convex when viewed from the side (viewed along the Y direction). That is, the outer blade piece 415 comprises an upper outer blade piece 4151 formed on the top wall 411 and a pair of side outer blade pieces 4152 formed on the side wall 412 and connected to the X-direction end of the upper outer blade piece 4151.

[0063] Furthermore, a slit 416 extending in the X direction is formed between adjacent outer blade pieces 415 in the Y direction, along the outer blade pieces 415. Thus, in this embodiment, the slit 416 comprises an upper slit (first slit) 4161 defined by adjacent upper outer blade pieces 4151 in the Y direction, and a pair of side slits (second slits) 4162 defined by adjacent side outer blade pieces 4152 in the Y direction. In this way, in this embodiment, both ends of the slit 416 in the X direction are formed in the side wall 412.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pair of side slits (second slits) 4162 are connected by an internal space 4163, and the slit 416 also includes the internal space 4163. In this way, the slit 416 opens not only upwards but also on both sides in the X direction, and a slit 416 is formed above the lower end 41621 of the side slit (second slit) 4162, allowing it to pass from one end to the other in the X direction. In other words, the slit 416 is formed without being interrupted midway from one end to the other in the X direction of the slit outer blade 40.

[0065] This makes it easier to introduce even relatively long beards (body hairs) H into the slit 416. Furthermore, it prevents the beards (body hairs) H from getting caught on the outer blade piece 415, thus reducing resistance (friction, etc.) caused by the beards (body hairs) H and preventing a deterioration in shaving comfort. Thus, the slit 416 has the function of introducing long beards (body hairs) H into the slit outer blade 40.

[0066] The slit outer blade body 410 can be formed by press-forming a single metal plate. Specifically, first, multiple elongated slits are drilled into the metal plate at predetermined intervals, so that the remaining portion of the metal plate between adjacent slits forms the outer blade portion. At this time, the metal plate is punched out so that through holes, notches, and protrusions are also formed.

[0067] Then, the metal plate material is bent in the same direction inward from both ends in the front-to-back direction (slit length direction) of the slit. In this way, a slit outer blade body 410 having a top wall 411 and a pair of side walls 412 is formed.

[0068] The shape of the slit outer blade body 410 may be such that the bending angle at the top of the bent portion is acute, or it may be such that the bending angle of the bent portion is approximately right angle (approximately 90°). In this embodiment, a slit outer blade body 410 in which the bending angle of the bent portion is approximately right angle (approximately 90°) is shown as an example.

[0069] Next, we will explain the outer blade joint 420.

[0070] The outer blade joint 420 can be formed, for example, by injection molding of a resin material. This outer blade joint 420 comprises a pair of joint bodies 421 of the same shape, and the pair of joint bodies 421 are spaced apart symmetrically in the Y direction.

[0071] In this embodiment, the joint body 421 is provided with a mounting portion 422 on which a comb component 70, described later, is mounted. This mounting portion 422 is substantially T-shaped in plan view and is formed on the upper outer end of the joint body 421 in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 422 has an outer portion 4221 and an inner portion 4222, and the outer portion 4221 is formed on the outside of the inner portion 4222 in the Y direction and continuous with the inner portion 4222. The outer portion 4221 is formed such that its dimension in the X direction is larger than the dimension of the inner portion 4222 in the X direction.

[0072] Furthermore, a projection 423 is formed on the outer portion 4221 that protrudes upward in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the projection 423, which is rectangular in shape when viewed from above, has a dimension in the X direction that is larger than the dimension in the Y direction, is formed in the central part of the outer portion 4221.

[0073] Furthermore, one first welded portion 424 and one second welded portion 425 are formed on each side of the joint body 421 in the X direction, protruding along the X direction. In other words, the outer blade joint 420 has four first welded portions 424 and four second welded portions 425 formed thereon. The two first welded portions 424 provided on one joint body 421 are substantially cylindrical in shape and are formed inward in the Y direction from the inner portion 4222 of the joint body 421. These two first welded portions 424 are formed on one joint body 421 so as to overlap when viewed from the front (viewed along the X direction).

[0074] Furthermore, the two second welding portions 425 provided on a single joint body 421 are substantially cylindrical in shape and are formed at the end opposite to the mounting portion 422 of the joint body 421 in the Y direction (the inner side of the outer blade joint 420 in the Y direction). These two second welding portions 425 are also formed on a single joint body 421 so as to overlap when viewed from the front (viewed along the X direction).

[0075] When fixing the outer blade joint 420 to the slit outer blade body 410, the first welding portion 424 is inserted into the substantially circular notch of the first welding fixing portion 4121, and the second welding portion 425 is inserted into the substantially circular notch of the second welding fixing portion 4122. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second welding portion 425 is formed to be located below the first welding portion 424 in the Z direction.

[0076] Then, with the first welding portion 424 inserted into the roughly circular notch of the first welding and fixing portion 4121, and the second welding portion 425 inserted into the roughly circular notch of the second welding and fixing portion 4122, heat sealing is performed to weld the first welding portion 424 to the first welding and fixing portion 4121 and weld the second welding portion 425 to the second welding and fixing portion 4122. In this way, the outer blade joint 420 is fixed to the slit outer blade body 410, and the slit outer blade 40 is formed.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the joint body 421 is formed with a spring mounting portion 426 that protrudes upward in the Z direction, and by inserting this spring mounting portion 426 into the lower end of the coil spring 60, the slit outer blade 40 is connected to the coil spring 60.

[0078] The spring mounting portion 426 is substantially frustoconical in shape and is formed to be located between the first welded portion 424 and the second welded portion 425 in the Y direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spring mounting portion 426 is formed to be located below the second welded portion 425 in the Z direction.

[0079] Next, we will describe the slit inner blade body 510.

[0080] The slit inner blade body 510, like the slit outer blade body 410, can be formed using a metal material or the like, and has a shape that is bent in an inverted U shape so that the upper part is convex when viewed from the side (viewed along the Y direction). That is, the slit inner blade body 510 comprises a roughly rectangular plate-shaped top wall 511 that is elongated in the Y direction, and a pair of side walls 512 that extend downward in the Z direction from both ends of the top wall 511 in the X direction. As shown in Figure 3, the slit inner blade body 510 is positioned inside the slit outer blade body 410 so that the upper surface 5111 of the top wall 511 slides against the inner surface 4112 of the top wall 411.

[0081] Furthermore, each of the pair of side walls 512 has two positioning portions 5121 and two welded fixing portions 5122 formed thereon.

[0082] The positioning portion 5121 is formed on both sides of the side wall 512 in the Y direction, projecting downward in the Z direction, and a substantially concave notch opening downward is formed in the center of the positioning portion 5121. The welded fixing portion 5122 is formed on the side wall 512, inward in the Y direction from the positioning portion 5121, and projecting downward in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the welded fixing portion 5122 is formed to be located below the positioning portion 5121 in the Z direction, and a substantially circular notch opening downward is formed in the center of the welded fixing portion 5122.

[0083] The slit inner blade body 510 comprises a slit inner blade section 513 having an inner blade piece 515 and a slit 516, and connecting sections 514 connected to both ends of the slit inner blade section 513 in the Y direction.

[0084] The slit inner cutting edge portion 513 is formed with a plurality of inner cutting edges 515 that extend in the X direction and are spaced apart in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of inner cutting edges 515 are formed to be arranged at approximately equal intervals with a predetermined pitch (predetermined spacing) in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of inner cutting edges 515 extend from one side wall 512 through a substantially flat top wall 511 to the other side wall 512, and have a shape that is bent in an inverted U shape so that the upper part is convex when viewed from the side (viewed along the Y direction). That is, the inner cutting edge 515 comprises an upper inner cutting edge 5151 formed on the top wall 511 and a pair of side inner cutting edges 5152 formed on the side wall 512 and connected to the X-direction end of the upper inner cutting edge 5151.

[0085] Furthermore, a slit 516 extending in the X direction is formed between adjacent inner blade pieces 515 in the Y direction, along the inner blade pieces 515. In this embodiment, the slit 516 comprises an upper slit 5161 defined by adjacent upper inner blade pieces 5151 in the Y direction, and a pair of side slits 5162 defined by adjacent side inner blade pieces 5152 in the Y direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the pair of side slits 5162 are connected by an internal space 5163, so that the slit 516 also comprises the internal space 5163. In this way, the slit 516 opens not only upwards but also on both sides in the X direction, and a slit 516 is formed above the lower end of the side slits 5162, allowing passage from one end to the other in the X direction. In other words, the slit 516 is formed without being interrupted from one end to the other in the X direction of the slit inner blade 50.

[0086] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the whiskers (body hairs) H introduced from the side of the slit 416 from interfering with the side wall 512. In this way, the slit 516 has the function of introducing the portion of the long whiskers (body hairs) H to be cut into the inner blade 50 of the slit.

[0087] Such a slit inner blade body 510 can also be formed by press-forming a single metal plate. Specifically, first, multiple elongated slits are drilled into the metal plate at predetermined intervals so that the remaining portion of the metal plate between adjacent slits forms the portion that will become the inner blade. At this time, the metal plate is punched out so that through holes, notches, and protrusions are also formed.

[0088] Then, the metal plate material is bent in the same direction inward from both ends in the front-to-back direction (slit length direction) of the slit. In this way, a slit inner blade body 510 having a top wall 511 and a pair of side walls 512 is formed.

[0089] The shape of the slit inner blade body 510 may be such that the bending angle of the upper part of the bent portion is acute, or it may be such that the bending angle of the bent portion is approximately right angle (approximately 90°). In this embodiment, a slit inner blade body 510 in which the bending angle of the bent portion is approximately right angle (approximately 90°) is shown as an example.

[0090] Next, we will explain the internal blade joint 520.

[0091] The internal blade joint 520 can be formed, for example, by injection molding of a resin material, and comprises a joint body 521.

[0092] The joint body 521 has an elongated shape in the Y direction, and a fitting recess 522 into which the drive culm 13 is detachably fitted is formed in the center of the joint body 521 in the Y direction, opening downward in the Z direction.

[0093] Furthermore, on both sides of the joint body 521 in the X direction, there are two positioning portions 523 and two welding portions 524 that protrude along the X direction. In other words, the inner blade joint 520 has four positioning portions 523 and four welding portions 524.

[0094] Furthermore, on one side of the joint body 521 in the X direction, two positioning portions 523 are formed so as to protrude to the X direction between the Y-direction end of the joint body 521 and the fitting recess 522. Similarly, on the other side of the joint body 521 in the X direction, two positioning portions 523 are formed so as to protrude to the other side in the X direction between the Y-direction end of the joint body 521 and the fitting recess 522. In this embodiment, the four positioning portions 523 are substantially cylindrical in shape, and the two positioning portions 523 formed on one side of the joint body 521 in the X direction are formed so as to overlap with the two positioning portions 523 formed on the other side of the joint body 521 in the X direction when viewed from the front (along the X direction).

[0095] Similarly, on one side of the joint body 521 in the X direction, two welded portions 524 are formed so as to protrude to the X direction between the positioning portion 523 and the fitting recess 522. On the other side of the joint body 521 in the X direction, two welded portions 524 are also formed so as to protrude to the other side in the X direction between the positioning portion 523 and the fitting recess 522. In this embodiment, the four welded portions 524 are substantially cylindrical in shape, and the two welded portions 524 formed on one side of the joint body 521 in the X direction are formed so as to overlap with the two welded portions 524 formed on the other side of the joint body 521 in the X direction when viewed from the front (along the X direction).

[0096] When fixing the inner blade joint 520 to the slit inner blade body 510, the positioning portion 523 is inserted into the substantially concave notch of the positioning portion 5121, and the welding portion 524 is inserted into the substantially circular notch of the welding fixing portion 5122. Therefore, in this embodiment, the positioning portion 523 is formed to be located above the welding portion 524 in the Z direction.

[0097] Then, while inserting the positioning portion 523 into the roughly concave notch of the positioning portion 5121, and inserting the welding portion 524 into the roughly circular notch of the welding fixing portion 5122, heat sealing is performed so that the welding portion 524 is welded to the welding fixing portion 5122 while being positioned by the positioning portion 523 and the positioning portion 5121. In this way, the inner blade joint 520 is fixed to the slit inner blade body 510, and the slit inner blade 50 is formed.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the joint body 521 is formed to have a spring mounting portion 525 that protrudes downward in the Z direction, and by inserting this spring mounting portion 525 into the upper end of the coil spring 60, the slit inner blade 50 is connected to the coil spring 60.

[0099] The spring mounting portion 525 is roughly cylindrical in shape and is formed at both ends of the joint body 521 in the Y direction.

[0100] The slit blade block 30 is intended for rough shaving, specifically for shortening beard (body hair) H that is relatively long. In such a slit blade block 30, it is preferable to improve the ease with which beard (body hair) H can be introduced into the slit 416.

[0101] To improve the ease with which beard (body hair) H can be introduced into the slit 416, it is conceivable to increase the spacing between the outer blade pieces 415 of the slit outer blade 40. However, increasing the spacing between the outer blade pieces 415 of the slit outer blade 40 presents challenges such as increased irritation to the skin S and a decrease in the strength of the slit outer blade 40 due to the narrowing of the width of the outer blade pieces 415.

[0102] Therefore, in this embodiment, the slit blade block 30 is provided outside the slit outer blade 40 in the X direction and is equipped with a plurality of combs 72 spaced apart along the Y direction. A groove 75 communicating with the slit 416 is formed between adjacent combs 72 in the Y direction, and the combs 72 are provided with projections 74 that protrude outward in the X direction.

[0103] This improves the ease with which beards (body hairs) H can be introduced into the slit 416 without changing the size of the gap between the outer blade pieces 415 of the slit outer blade 40. Specifically, when using the electric razor 1, the top of the projection 74 provided on the comb 72 is inserted between the long beards (body hairs) H, which are in a bent position relative to the skin S, and the skin S. The long beards (body hairs) H are then made to ride up on the top of the projection 74, and as the comb 72 moves, the long beards (body hairs) H are moved along the surface of the projection 74, causing the beards (body hairs) H to stand up, and in this upright position, they are introduced into the slit 416 from the groove 75.

[0104] In this embodiment, the comb component 70 on which the combs 72 are formed is formed separately from the slit outer blade 40. As shown in Figure 4, by attaching this comb component 70 to the slit outer blade 40, multiple combs 72 are arranged spaced apart along the Y direction, outside the slit outer blade 40 in the X direction.

[0105] The comb component 70 can be formed, for example, by injection molding of a resin material, and has lower rigidity than the slit outer blade 40. This comb component 70 has a roughly frame-like shape that penetrates in the Z direction, and is formed to be slightly curved along the Y direction (outer blade length direction) so that the top is convex when viewed from the front (viewed along the X direction). It is also possible to configure the comb component 70 not to be curved so that the top is convex when viewed from the front. For example, when the comb component 70 is viewed from the front (viewed along the X direction), it is possible to make the top of the comb component 70 (the upper end of the comb support wall 71, which will be described later) a straight line extending in the Y direction (outer blade length direction).

[0106] As shown in Figure 5, the comb component 70 includes a pair of comb support walls 71 that extend along the Y and Z directions and face each other in the X direction. The comb component 70 also includes a pair of end walls 77 that extend along the X and Z directions and face each other in the Y direction, with the pair of end walls 77 connected to the Y-direction ends of the pair of comb support walls 71, respectively.

[0107] Each pair of comb support walls 71 is equipped with a support wall body 710, and at the upper end of each support wall body 710, a plurality of combs 72 are formed to protrude upward at intervals in the Y direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, there are two rows of combs 72 spaced apart in the Y direction, arranged side by side in the X direction.

[0108] Furthermore, on the inner side of each support wall body 710 in the X direction (the sides facing each other), there are four first through holes 711 penetrating in the Z direction, one second through hole 712 penetrating in the Z direction, and four fitting protrusions 713 protruding inward in the X direction. In other words, the comb component 70 has eight first through holes 711, two second through holes 712, and eight fitting protrusions 713.

[0109] In this embodiment, the eight first through holes 711 are formed at positions corresponding to the eight first claw pieces 4123 formed on the slit outer blade body 410. When the slit outer blade body 410 is inserted into the substantially frame-shaped comb component 70 from above, the eight first claw pieces 4123 are inserted into the eight first through holes 711, respectively.

[0110] Furthermore, the two second through holes 712 are formed at positions corresponding to the two second claw pieces 4124 formed in the slit outer blade body 410. When the slit outer blade body 410 is inserted into the roughly frame-shaped comb component 70 from above, the two second claw pieces 4124 are inserted into the two second through holes 712, respectively.

[0111] Furthermore, the eight fitting protrusions 713 are formed at positions corresponding to the eight fitting holes 4125 formed in the slit outer blade body 410. When the slit outer blade body 410 is inserted into the roughly frame-shaped comb component 70 from above, the eight fitting protrusions 713 are fitted into the eight fitting holes 4125, respectively.

[0112] Thus, in this embodiment, the slit outer blade body 410 can be attached to the comb component 70 by fitting the eight fitting protrusions 713 into the eight fitting holes 4125, respectively.

[0113] The comb end wall 77 includes an end wall body 771 that contacts the upper surface of the mounting portion 422 of the outer blade joint 420 when the slit blade block 30 is assembled. In this embodiment, the end wall body 771 has a curved shape that, when viewed from the front (along the X direction), is positioned downward as it moves outward in the Y direction, and the lower end of the end wall body 771 is a flat surface that extends substantially horizontally. The lower end of the end wall body 771 has a housing portion (not shown) that accommodates the projection 423 formed on the mounting portion 422 when the slit blade block 30 is assembled.

[0114] Furthermore, the comb end wall 77 has a projection 772 that protrudes inward in the Y direction from the inner surface of the end wall body 771 in the Y direction and contacts the upper surface of the mounting portion 422 of the outer blade joint 420 when the slit blade block 30 is assembled. In this embodiment, the projection 772 has a roughly rectangular shape in plan view (viewed along the Z direction) and its upper surface is a flat surface that extends roughly horizontally. When the slit outer blade body 410 is attached to the comb component 70, the connecting portion 414 of the slit outer blade body 410 (the outer end of the top wall 411 in the Y direction) is placed on the upper surface of the projection 772.

[0115] Thus, in this embodiment, when the slit blade block 30 is assembled, the projection 772 of the comb component 70 is sandwiched between the slit outer blade body 410 and the outer blade joint 420.

[0116] Therefore, when the slit blade block 30 is assembled, the comb component 70 is attached to the slit outer blade 40 with respect to the slit outer blade body 410 and the outer blade joint 420 restricted in the Z and Y directions.

[0117] Furthermore, the comb 72 is provided with a support portion 73 formed to protrude upward from the upper end of the support wall body 710. A projection 74 is provided at the upper end of this support portion 73 to protrude outward in the X direction. Thus, in this embodiment, the comb 72 has a support portion 73 formed to protrude upward from the upper end of the support wall body 710, and a projection 74 formed at the upper end of this support portion 73 to protrude outward in the X direction.

[0118] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the projection 74 is formed in such a curved shape that it is convex outward in the X direction (first direction) when viewed along the Y direction (second direction). This allows the curved portion of the projection 74 to be applied to the user's skin S when shaving the beard (body hair) H, thereby further reducing irritation to the skin S.

[0119] In this embodiment, the arrangement pitch of the combs 72 is made to be approximately the same as the arrangement pitch of the outer blade pieces 415, and when the slit outer blade body 410 is attached to the comb component 70, each comb 72 is adjacent to the outer blade piece 415 in the X direction. In this way, the grooves 75 formed between adjacent combs 72 in the Y direction are connected to the slits 416, and the grooves 75 have the function of introducing long whiskers (body hairs) H into the slits 416 formed in the slit outer blade body 410.

[0120] The slit blade block 30 is formed by assembling and integrating the slit outer blade body 410, outer blade joint 420, slit inner blade body 510, inner blade joint 520, coil spring 60, and comb component 70, all of which have this shape.

[0121] The following describes an example of how to assemble the slit blade block 30.

[0122] First, the slit inner blade body 510 is fixed to the inner blade joint 520 to form the slit inner blade 50. Specifically, the positioning part 523 is inserted into the roughly concave notch of the positioning part 5121, and the welding part 524 is inserted into the roughly circular notch of the welding fixing part 5122. With the positioning part 523 and positioning part 5121 in place, the welding part 524 is welded to the welding fixing part 5122. In this way, the inner blade joint 520 is fixed to the slit inner blade body 510 to form the slit inner blade 50.

[0123] Next, the spring mounting portions 426 of the pair of joint bodies 421 provided on the outer blade joint 420 are inserted into the corresponding lower ends of the coil springs 60, thereby connecting the outer blade joint 420 to the coil springs 60. This step may be performed before the process of forming the inner slit blades 50, or it may be performed simultaneously with the process of forming the inner slit blades 50.

[0124] Next, the pair of spring mounting portions 525 provided on the inner slit blade 50 are inserted into the upper ends of the corresponding coil springs 60, thereby connecting the inner slit blade 50 to the coil springs 60.

[0125] Next, the slit outer blade body 410 is inserted into the comb part 70 from above, and the slit outer blade body 410 is attached to the comb part 70. This step can be performed simultaneously with at least one of the steps described above, or it can be performed before at least one of the steps described above.

[0126] Then, while attaching the slit outer blade body 410 to the comb component 70, and with the outer blade joint 420 and the slit inner blade 50 connected to the coil spring 60, the slit outer blade body 410 is fixed to the outer blade joint 420 to form the slit outer blade 40. Specifically, while inserting the first welding portion 424 into the roughly circular notch of the first welding fixing portion 4121, and inserting the second welding portion 425 into the roughly circular notch of the second welding fixing portion 4122, heat sealing is performed to weld the first welding portion 424 to the first welding fixing portion 4121 and the second welding portion 425 to the second welding fixing portion 4122. In this way, the outer blade joint 420 is fixed to the slit outer blade body 410 to form the slit outer blade 40.

[0127] By performing this process, the slit blade block 30 can be formed by assembling the slit outer blade body 410, the outer blade joint 420, the slit inner blade body 510, the inner blade joint 520, the coil spring 60, and the comb component 70 so that the slit inner blade body 510 is mounted on the slit outer blade body 410 in a reciprocating manner.

[0128] At this time, the inner blade joint 520 and the outer blade joint 420 maintain the coil spring 60 in a compressed state. In this way, the upper surface 5111 of the top wall 511 of the slit inner blade body 510 elastically contacts the inner surface 4112 of the top wall 411 of the slit outer blade body 410 by the coil spring 60.

[0129] As described above, in the slit blade block 30 according to this embodiment, the slit inner blade 50 is housed inside the slit outer blade body 410 in such a state that it can slide in the Y direction while the upper surface 5111 of the slit inner blade body 510 elastically contacts the inner surface 4112 of the slit outer blade body 410. This ensures that the sliding surfaces (inner surface 4112 and upper surface 5111) of the slit outer blade 40 and the slit inner blade 50 cut the whiskers (body hairs) H with good cutting performance.

[0130] In this embodiment, the irritation to the skin S when using the electric razor 1 can be suppressed more reliably.

[0131] Specifically, the projection 74 formed to protrude outward in the X direction from the upper end of the support portion 73 has a first projection 741 that extends across two or more support portions 73 (combs 72) arranged in the Y direction (second direction). In other words, the support portion 73 (comb 72) is provided with a first projection 741 that is wide in the Y direction (second direction).

[0132] This allows the wide first projection 741 to be applied to the user's skin S in the Y direction (second direction) when shaving the beard (body hair) H, thereby further reducing irritation to the skin S.

[0133] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a single elongated first projection 741 is formed on both sides of the comb component 70 in the X direction, extending from a comb 72 located at one end in the Y direction (second direction) to a comb 72 located at the other end in the Y direction (second direction). That is, the first projection 741 is formed to extend from a comb 72 located at one end in the Y direction (second direction) to a comb 72 located at the other end in the Y direction (second direction).

[0134] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the skin S from coming into contact with the outer blade piece 415 when shaving the beard (body hair) H, thereby further reducing irritation to the skin S.

[0135] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the positions of the mutually communicating groove 75 and slit 416 in the Y direction (second direction) are the same. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the beard (body hair) H introduced into the groove 75 from being stepped on by the outer blade piece 415 of the slit outer blade 40 and becoming unable to be cut when shaving the beard (body hair) H.

[0136] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the groove 75 is formed such that the width W2 in the Y direction (second direction) is approximately constant, and the slit 416 is formed such that the width W1 in the Y direction (second direction) is approximately constant. The width W2 of the groove 75 in the Y direction (second direction) is made to be the same as the width W1 of the slit 416 in the Y direction (second direction).

[0137] Therefore, in this embodiment, the width W2a in the Y direction (second direction) of the groove 75 on the slit 416 side is the same as the width W1a in the Y direction (second direction) of the slit 416 on the groove 75 side.

[0138] Furthermore, when viewed from the front (along the X direction), the groove 75 and the slit 416 are connected to each other in such a way that one end in the Y direction (second direction) is in the same position, while the other end in the Y direction (second direction) is in the same position.

[0139] This allows the whiskers (body hairs) H introduced into the groove 75 to be introduced into the slit 416 more efficiently.

[0140] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper outer blade piece 4151 comprises a first piece portion 41511 positioned on one side in the X direction and extending in the X direction, and a second piece portion 41512 positioned on the other side in the X direction, offset in the Y direction from the first piece portion 41511, and extending in the X direction. The upper outer blade piece 4151 also comprises a connecting piece portion 41513 that extends in an oblique direction intersecting the X direction and connects the first piece portion 41511 and the second piece portion 41512.

[0141] In other words, the outer blade piece 415 is shaped such that one end 415a in the X direction (first direction) and the other end 415b are offset in the Y direction (second direction). Thus, in this embodiment, the outer blade piece 415 at one end in the X direction (first direction) and the outer blade piece 415 at the other end are offset in the Y direction (second direction).

[0142] Therefore, in this embodiment, the slit 416 defined by the adjacent outer blade pieces 415 in the Y direction also has a shape in which one end in the X direction (first direction) and the other end are offset in the Y direction (second direction).

[0143] This allows the shaving blade to shave more efficiently when moving back and forth in the X direction (first direction) while removing beard (body hair) H. Specifically, it allows the shaving blade to remove beard (body hair) H that was stepped on by the outer blade piece 415 during movement in one direction and could not be introduced into the slit 416 during movement in the other direction. In other words, it allows the shaving blade to remove beard (body hair) H more efficiently when moving back and forth in the X direction (first direction).

[0144] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one comb 72 in the X direction (first direction) is formed such that its position in the Y direction (second direction) is the same as one end 415a of the outer blade piece 415 in the X direction (first direction). The other comb 72 in the X direction (first direction) is formed such that its position in the Y direction (second direction) is the same as the other end 415b of the outer blade piece 415 in the X direction (first direction).

[0145] Therefore, in this embodiment, the groove 75 communicating with one slit 416 is also formed at positions offset in the Y direction (second direction) between one end in the X direction (first direction) and the other end. This allows the whiskers (body hairs) H introduced into the groove 75 to be introduced into the slit 416 more efficiently.

[0146] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, possible arrangements for connecting the groove 75 to the slit 416 include, for example, the methods of patterns A, B, C, D, and E. In Figure 8, the solid lines in the upper row of each pattern represent the comb 72, the dashed lines in the upper row represent the groove 75, the solid lines in the lower row represent the outer blade piece 415, and the dashed lines in the lower row represent the slit 416.

[0147] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, an arrangement using pattern A is illustrated. However, the method of arranging the groove 75 to communicate with the slit 416 does not have to be the method of pattern A; as shown in Figure 9, it is also possible to arrange them using pattern B.

[0148] In method B, as shown in Figure 9, a groove 75 is formed such that the width W2 in the Y direction (second direction) is approximately constant, and a slit 416 is formed such that the width W1 in the Y direction (second direction) is approximately constant. Furthermore, the width W2 of the groove 75 in the Y direction (second direction) is made smaller than the width W1 of the slit 416 in the Y direction (second direction). In addition, the groove 75 and the slit 416 are connected to each other in such a way that, when viewed from the front (along the X direction), both ends of the groove 75 in the Y direction are positioned between one end and the other end of the slit 416 in the Y direction.

[0149] This also makes it possible to more reliably introduce the whiskers (body hairs) H introduced into the groove 75 into the slit 416.

[0150] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, it is also possible to arrange them using the method of pattern C.

[0151] In method C, as shown in Figure 10, the groove 75 is formed such that the width W2 in the Y direction (second direction) differs between one end and the other end in the X direction. Specifically, the width W2b in the Y direction (second direction) on the side of the groove 75 opposite to the slit 416 is made larger than the width W2a in the Y direction (second direction) on the side of the groove 75 opposite to the slit 416.

[0152] Furthermore, the slit 416 is formed such that the width W1 in the Y direction (second direction) is approximately constant. The width W2a in the Y direction (second direction) on the slit 416 side of the groove 75 is the same as the width W1a in the Y direction (second direction) on the groove 75 side of the slit 416.

[0153] Furthermore, in a front view (viewed along the X direction), the groove 75 and the slit 416 are connected to each other in such a state that one end of the groove 75 on the slit 416 side in the Y direction (second direction) is in the same position as one end of the slit 416 on the groove 75 side in the Y direction (second direction), and the other end of the groove 75 on the slit 416 side in the Y direction (second direction) is in the same position as the other end of the slit 416 on the groove 75 side in the Y direction (second direction), while the groove 75 and the slit 416 are connected to each other.

[0154] This also improves the efficiency of introducing whiskers (body hairs) H into the groove 75, and allows the whiskers (body hairs) H introduced into the groove 75 to be introduced into the slit 416 more efficiently.

[0155] It is also possible to arrange them using the method shown in Pattern D.

[0156] In the method of Pattern D, the groove 75 is formed such that the width W2 in the Y direction (second direction) is approximately constant, and the slit 416 is formed such that the width W1 in the Y direction (second direction) is approximately constant. Furthermore, the width W2 of the groove 75 in the Y direction (second direction) is made larger than the width W1 of the slit 416 in the Y direction (second direction). In addition, the groove 75 and the slit 416 are connected to each other in such a way that, when viewed from the front (viewed along the X direction), both ends of the slit 416 in the Y direction are positioned between one end and the other end of the groove 75 in the Y direction.

[0157] It is also possible to arrange them using the method of Pattern E.

[0158] In the method of pattern E, the groove 75 is formed such that the width W2 in the Y direction (second direction) is approximately constant, and the slit 416 is formed such that the width W1 in the Y direction (second direction) is approximately constant. Furthermore, the width W2 of the groove 75 in the Y direction (second direction) is made to be the same as the width W1 of the slit 416 in the Y direction (second direction). In addition, the groove 75 and the slit 416 are connected to each other in such a way that a part of the slit 416 overlaps with a part of the groove 75 when viewed from the front (viewed along the X direction).

[0159] It is also possible to arrange the groove 75 in communication with the slit 416 using methods other than those described in patterns A to E.

[0160] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a first projection 741 extending from one end to the other in the Y direction of the slit outer blade portion 413 is provided on the comb 72 as an example. However, the method of providing the first projection 741 on the comb 72 is not limited to this method, and the first projection 741 can be provided on the comb 72 in various ways.

[0161] For example, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, a projection 74 formed to protrude outward in the X direction from the upper end of the support portion 73 may have a plurality of first projections 741 that extend across two support portions 73 (combs 72) aligned in the Y direction (second direction).

[0162] This also helps to further reduce irritation to the skin.

[0163] Furthermore, while Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a case where a partition wall 76 is formed between adjacent first protrusions 741 in the Y direction (second direction), defining the outer side of the groove 75 in the X direction (first direction), it is also possible, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, to avoid forming a partition wall 76 between adjacent first protrusions 741 in the Y direction (second direction) that defines the outer side of the groove 75 in the X direction (first direction).

[0164] The configuration shown in Figures 13 and 14 makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of introducing whiskers (body hairs) H into the groove 75.

[0165] Furthermore, it is possible to provide multiple types of first projections 741 with different lengths in the Y direction on the support portion 73 (comb 72), and it is also possible to make the shape and position of the first projections 741 different on one side and the other side in the X direction.

[0166] Next, the specific configuration of the groove 75 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0167] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 15, a partition wall 76 is formed between adjacent combs 72 in the Y direction (second direction). This increases the rigidity of the combs 72. Furthermore, the inner surface 761 on the inner side of the partition wall 76 in the X direction (first direction) defines the outer side of the groove 75 in the X direction (first direction). The inner surface 761 is inclined such that the depth of the groove 75 increases as it approaches the slit outer blade 40 side.

[0168] Thus, in this embodiment, the groove 75 is formed such that, when viewed from the side (along the Y direction), it forms a roughly right-angled triangle with the outer side in the X direction (first direction) being the hypotenuse.

[0169] This ensures that the area of ​​the opening 751 of the groove 75 is maintained while reducing the volume of the groove 75. This improves the ease with which the whiskers (body hairs) H are introduced into the groove 75, while more reliably preventing a decrease in the rigidity of the comb 72.

[0170] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when viewed along the Y direction (second direction), the end portion 7611 of the groove portion 75 on the opening 751 side of the inner surface 761 of the partition wall 76 is curved in an R shape.

[0171] This prevents the formation of an edge at the end 7611 on the opening 751 side of the inner surface 761, which is a part that is likely to come into contact with the skin S when introducing beard (body hair) H into the groove 75, thereby further reducing irritation to the skin S.

[0172] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the groove 75 is formed such that its lower end 752 is located below the lower end 41621 of the side slit (second slit) 4162. In other words, with the opening 751 facing upwards, the groove 75 is formed to a depth less than or equal to the lower end 41621 of the side slit (second slit) 4162.

[0173] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 16, the lower end 752 of the groove 75 is made to be less than or equal to the lower end 41621 of the side slit (second slit) 4162 from one end to the other in the Y direction.

[0174] Furthermore, in a front view (viewed along the X direction), the comb 72 is not exposed to the side slit (second slit) 4162.

[0175] This allows for the effective use of the space in the lateral slit (second slit) 4162 when introducing the whiskers (body hairs) H introduced into the groove 75 into the slit 416, thereby enabling more efficient introduction of the whiskers (body hairs) H introduced into the groove 75 into the slit 416.

[0176] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the comb 72 has a curved surface 722 that is convex outward in the X direction (first direction) when viewed along the Y direction (second direction) with the opening 751 side of the groove 75 facing upward, and a flat surface 721 that is connected to the upper end of the curved surface 722 and extends horizontally.

[0177] Then, with the opening 751 side of the groove 75 facing upwards and viewed along the Y direction (second direction), the groove 75 is formed such that the outer end 753 in the X direction (first direction) on the opening 751 side of the groove 75 is located on the flat surface 721.

[0178] Such a groove 75 can be obtained, for example, by forming the inner surface 761 so that it is included in the plane that intersects with the flat surface 721.

[0179] This allows for the formation of grooves 75 while maintaining a large surface area of ​​the curved surface 722, which comes into contact with the user's skin S when shaving beards (body hair) H. This minimizes the decrease in the ability to introduce beards (body hair) H into the grooves 75, while further reducing irritation to the skin S.

[0180] As shown in Figure 18, the groove 75 may be formed such that, when viewed along the Y direction (second direction) with the opening 751 side of the groove 75 facing upward, the outer end 753 in the X direction (first direction) on the opening 751 side of the groove 75 is located on the curved surface 722 above the top 7221.

[0181] Such a groove 75 can be obtained, for example, by forming the inner surface 761 so that it is included in a plane that intersects with the curved surface 722 above the top portion 7221.

[0182] This allows for an increased opening area of ​​the groove 75 while ensuring the presence of a curved surface 722 that comes into contact with the user's skin S when shaving the beard (body hair) H. This minimizes irritation to the skin S while improving the ability to introduce the beard (body hair) H into the groove 75.

[0183] [Effects / Effects] The following describes the characteristic configurations of the slit blade block and electric razor shown in the above embodiment and its modified form, and the effects obtained therefrom.

[0184] The slit blade block 30 shown in the above embodiment and its modified form comprises a slit outer blade 40 having a plurality of outer blade pieces 415 that extend in the X direction (first direction) and are spaced apart along the Y direction (second direction) intersecting the X direction (first direction). The slit blade block 30 also comprises a plurality of combs 72 that are provided outside the slit outer blade 40 in the X direction (first direction) and are spaced apart along the Y direction (second direction).

[0185] Here, a slit 416 is formed between adjacent outer blade pieces 415 in the Y direction (second direction), and a groove 75 communicating with the slit 416 is formed between adjacent combs 72 in the Y direction (second direction).

[0186] Furthermore, the comb 72 is provided with a projection 74 that protrudes outward in the X direction (first direction), and the projection 74 has a first projection 741 that extends across two or more combs 72 arranged in the Y direction (second direction).

[0187] Furthermore, the electric razor 1 shown in the above embodiment and its modified form is equipped with a slit blade block 30.

[0188] In this way, by using the slit blade block 30 having the comb 72 to shave the beard (body hair) H, it becomes possible to improve the introduction of the beard (body hair) H without changing the size of the gap between the outer blade pieces 415 of the slit outer blade 40.

[0189] Furthermore, if the comb 72 is provided with a wide first projection 741 in the Y direction (second direction), the wide first projection 741 can be applied to the user's skin S when shaving the beard (body hair) H, thereby further reducing irritation to the skin S.

[0190] As described above, by using the slit blade block 30 and electric razor 1 shown in the embodiment and its modified form, it becomes possible to shave the beard (body hair) H more efficiently while suppressing irritation to the skin S.

[0191] Furthermore, the position of the groove 75 in the Y direction (second direction) and the position of the slit 416 in the Y direction (second direction) may be the same.

[0192] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the beard (body hair) H introduced into the groove 75 from being stepped on by the outer blade piece 415 of the slit outer blade 40 and becoming unable to be cut when shaving the beard (body hair) H. As a result, the beard (body hair) H introduced into the groove 75 can be cut as is, making it possible to shave the beard (body hair) H more efficiently.

[0193] Furthermore, the width W2a in the Y direction (second direction) of the groove portion 75 on the slit 416 side may be the same as the width W1a in the Y direction (second direction) of the slit 416 on the groove portion 75 side.

[0194] This allows the beard (body hair) H introduced into the groove 75 to be introduced into the slit 416 more efficiently, resulting in more efficient shaving of the beard (body hair) H.

[0195] Furthermore, the width W2b in the Y direction (second direction) of the groove 75 on the side opposite to the slit 416 may be greater than the width W2a in the Y direction (second direction) of the groove 75 on the slit 416 side.

[0196] This method improves the efficiency of introducing beard (body hair) H into the groove 75, and allows the beard (body hair) H introduced into the groove 75 to be introduced into the slit 416 more efficiently. As a result, beard (body hair) H can be shaved more efficiently.

[0197] Furthermore, the outer blade piece 415 at one end in the X direction (first direction) and the outer blade piece 415 at the other end may be offset in the Y direction (second direction).

[0198] This allows the shaving blade to be more efficient when shaving beards (body hairs) H by moving it back and forth in the X direction (first direction). This enables the shaving blade to be able to introduce any beards (body hairs) H that were stepped on by the outer blade piece 415 and could not be introduced into the slit 416 during movement in one direction into the slit 416 during movement in the other direction.

[0199] Furthermore, the combs 72 are provided on both sides in the X direction (first direction), and the comb 72 on one side in the X direction (first direction) may be formed such that its position in the Y direction (second direction) is the same as one end 415a of the outer blade piece 415 in the X direction (first direction). The comb 72 on the other side in the X direction (first direction) may be formed such that its position in the Y direction (second direction) is the same as the other end 415b of the outer blade piece 415 in the X direction (first direction).

[0200] This allows the beard (body hair) H introduced into the groove 75 to be introduced into the slit 416 more efficiently, resulting in more efficient shaving of the beard (body hair) H.

[0201] Furthermore, the first projection 741 may be formed to extend from a comb 72 located at one end in the Y direction (second direction) to a comb 72 located at the other end in the Y direction (second direction).

[0202] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the skin S from coming into contact with the outer blade piece 415 when shaving the beard (body hair) H, thereby reducing irritation to the skin S.

[0203] Furthermore, a partition wall 76 may be formed between adjacent combs 72 in the Y direction (second direction), and the inner surface 761 on the X direction (first direction) side of the partition wall 76 may define the outer surface of the groove 75 in the X direction (first direction). The inner surface 761 may also be inclined such that the depth of the groove 75 increases as it approaches the slit outer blade 40 side.

[0204] This allows for securing the opening area of ​​the groove 75, improving the ease of introducing whiskers (body hairs) H, while reducing the volume of the groove 75. As a result, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress a decrease in the rigidity of the comb 72.

[0205] Furthermore, when viewed along the Y direction (second direction), the inner surface 761 may have an R-shaped curve at the end 7611 on the opening 751 side of the groove 75.

[0206] This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the formation of an edge at the end 7611 on the opening 751 side of the inner surface 761, which is the part that is likely to come into contact with the skin S when introducing beard (body hair) H into the groove 75. As a result, the irritation to the skin S can be further reduced.

[0207] Furthermore, the slit outer blade 40 may include a top wall (first wall portion) 411 having a skin contact surface 4111 that can contact the skin S, and a side wall (second wall portion) 412 connected to the top wall (first wall portion) 411. In addition, the slit 416 may have an upper slit (first slit) 4161 formed in the top wall (first wall portion) 411, and a side slit (second slit) 4162 formed in the side wall (second wall portion) 412 so as to communicate with the upper slit (first slit) 4161. The groove portion 75 may be formed such that, with the opening 751 side facing upward, its depth is less than or equal to the lower end 41621 of the side slit (second slit) 4162.

[0208] This allows for more efficient use of the space in the lateral slit (second slit) 4162 when introducing the whiskers (body hairs) H introduced into the groove 75 into the slit 416, thus enabling more efficient introduction of the whiskers (body hairs) H introduced into the groove 75 into the slit 416.

[0209] Furthermore, the projection 74 may have a curved shape that, when viewed along the Y direction (second direction), is convex outward in the X direction (first direction).

[0210] This way, when shaving the beard (body hair) H, the curved part of the projection 74 comes into contact with the user's skin S, thus further reducing irritation to the skin S.

[0211] Furthermore, the comb 72 may have a curved surface 722 that is convex outward in the X direction (first direction) when viewed along the Y direction (second direction) with the opening 751 side of the groove 75 facing upward, and a flat surface 721 that is connected to the upper end of the curved surface 722 and extends horizontally. And, when viewed along the Y direction (second direction) with the opening 751 side of the groove 75 facing upward, the outer end 753 in the X direction (first direction) on the opening 751 side of the groove 75 may be located on the flat surface 721.

[0212] This allows for the formation of grooves 75 while maintaining a large surface area of ​​the curved surface 722, which comes into contact with the user's skin S when shaving beards (body hair) H. As a result, it becomes possible to minimize the decrease in the ability to introduce beards (body hair) H into the grooves 75 while further reducing irritation to the skin S.

[0213] Furthermore, the comb 72 may have a curved surface 722 that is convex outward in the X direction (first direction) when viewed along the Y direction (second direction) with the opening 751 side of the groove 75 facing upward, and a flat surface 721 that is connected to the upper end of the curved surface 722 and extends horizontally. Also, when viewed along the Y direction (second direction) with the opening 751 side of the groove 75 facing upward, the outer end 753 in the X direction (first direction) on the opening 751 side of the groove 75 may be located on the curved surface 722 above the top 7221.

[0214] This allows for a larger opening area of ​​the groove 75 while maintaining the curved surface 722 that comes into contact with the user's skin S when shaving the beard (body hair) H. As a result, it becomes possible to improve the performance of introducing the beard (body hair) H into the groove 75 while minimizing irritation to the skin S.

[0215] [others] The contents of the slit blade block and electric razor described herein have been explained above, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements are possible, and that the invention is not limited to these descriptions.

[0216] For example, this disclosure can be applied to embodiments in which the configurations shown in the above embodiments and their variations are modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments and their variations to create new embodiments.

[0217] Furthermore, although the above embodiments and their modifications illustrate an electric razor 1 having a grip portion 11 and a head portion 12, it is also possible to apply this disclosure to an electric razor that does not have a head portion.

[0218] Furthermore, the specifications of the outer blade, inner blade, and other details (shape, size, layout, etc.) can be changed as needed. [Industrial applicability]

[0219] As described above, the slit blade block and electric razor according to this disclosure can shave body hair more efficiently while suppressing irritation to the skin, and can therefore be applied not only to beards but also to the removal of various other types of body hair. [Explanation of symbols]

[0220] 1. Electric razor 30 Slit blade block 40 Slit Outer Blade 411 Top Wall (First Wall Section) 4111 Skin contact surface 412 Side wall (second wall section) 415 Outer blade piece 416 Slit 4161 Upper slit (first slit) 4162 Side slit (second slit) 41621 Bottom end 72 Combs 721 Flat surface 722 Curved surface 7221 Top 74 Protrusion 741 1st protrusion 75 groove 751 Aperture 753 End 76 Bulkhead 761 Inner self 7611 End S skin H Beard (body hair) W1a Width in the second direction on the groove side of the slit W2a Width in the second direction on the slit side of the groove W2b Width in the second direction on the opposite side of the groove from the slit side X 1st direction Y Second direction

Claims

1. A slit outer blade having a plurality of outer blade pieces extending in a first direction and spaced apart along a second direction intersecting the first direction, A plurality of combs are provided outside the slit outer blade in the first direction and spaced apart along the second direction, Equipped with, A slit is formed between adjacent outer blade pieces in the second direction. Between adjacent combs in the second direction, a groove is formed that communicates with the slit. The comb is provided with a projection that protrudes outward in the first direction, The projection has a first projection that extends so as to straddle two or more combs arranged in the second direction. Slit blade block.

2. The position of the groove in the second direction and the position of the slit in the second direction are the same. The slit blade block according to claim 1.

3. The width of the groove portion in the second direction on the slit side is the same as the width of the slit in the second direction on the groove portion side. A slit blade block according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The width of the groove in the second direction on the side opposite to the slit is greater than the width of the groove in the second direction on the slit side. The slit blade block according to claim 3.

5. The outer blade piece at one end and the outer blade piece at the other end in the first direction are offset in the second direction. A slitting blade block according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The comb is provided on both sides in the first direction, The comb on one side in the first direction is formed such that its position in the second direction is the same as one end of the outer blade piece in the first direction, and the comb on the other side in the first direction is formed such that its position in the second direction is the same as the other end of the outer blade piece in the first direction. The slit blade block according to claim 5.

7. The first projection is formed to extend from the comb located at one end in the second direction to the comb located at the other end in the second direction. A slit blade block according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A partition wall is formed between adjacent combs in the second direction. The inner surface of the partition wall in the first direction defines the outer surface of the groove in the first direction. The inner surface is inclined such that the depth of the groove increases as it approaches the outer blade side of the slit. A slit blade block according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. When viewed along the second direction, the inner surface has an R-shaped curve at the end of the groove on the opening side. The slit blade block according to claim 8.

10. The slit outer blade comprises a first wall portion having a skin contact surface that can come into contact with the skin, and a second wall portion connected to the first wall portion. The slit comprises a first slit formed in the first wall and a second slit formed in the second wall so as to communicate with the first slit. The groove is formed such that its depth is less than or equal to the lower end of the second slit, with the opening facing upward. A slitting blade block according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The projection has a curved shape that, when viewed along the second direction, is convex outward in the first direction. A slitting blade block according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The comb, when viewed along the second direction with the opening side of the groove facing upward, has a curved surface that is convex outward in the first direction, and a flat surface that is connected to the upper end of the curved surface and extends horizontally. When viewed along the second direction with the opening side of the groove facing upward, the outer end of the groove in the first direction on the opening side is located on the flat surface. A slitting blade block according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The comb, when viewed along the second direction with the opening side of the groove facing upward, has a curved surface that is convex outward in the first direction, and a flat surface that is connected to the upper end of the curved surface and extends horizontally. When viewed along the second direction with the opening side of the groove facing upward, the outer end of the groove on the opening side in the first direction is located on the curved surface above the top. A slitting blade block according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. An electric razor comprising a slit blade block according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images