electric razor

By housing the motor in the handle and using a four-joint linkage with upright link arms, the razor achieves balanced handling and efficient self-adjustment to skin contours, addressing weight distribution and kinematic limitations of prior razors.

JP7878940B2Inactive Publication Date: 2026-06-23BRAUN GMBH

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
BRAUN GMBH
Filing Date
2022-06-08
Publication Date
2026-06-23
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing electric razors face issues with unbalanced weight distribution and limited kinematic freedom due to the placement of the motor within the razor head, leading to compromised handling and efficiency, especially when shaving complex skin contours.

Method used

The electric motor is housed within the handle, and a drive transmitter extends from the handle to the razor head, allowing the razor head to pivot and tilt relative to the handle through a four-joint linkage with upright link arms, ensuring balanced handling and improved kinematics without restricting the drive train.

Benefits of technology

This configuration enables the razor head to self-adjust to skin contours with enhanced responsiveness and efficiency, reducing frictional resistance and improving shaving comfort and effectiveness.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Provide an electric razor. [Solution] The razor comprises a handle, a razor head including at least one cutter unit including a drivable cutter element and a shearing foil, and a motor connected to the cutter element via a drive transmitter, wherein the razor head is connected to the handle by a support structure providing a pivot axis and / or tilt axis about which the razor head pivots or tilts relative to the handle, the support structure including a pair of link arms forming a four-joint linkage, each link arm having a head joint connected to the razor head and a handle joint connected to the handle or a base portion connected to the handle, the link arms being mounted in an upright configuration with the head joint further away from the handle, the drive transmitter including a drive shaft, and the pivot axis of the four-joint linkage extending laterally relative to the drive shaft on its opposite side.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric shaver having a shaving head capable of self - adapting the angular position to the skin contour. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electric shaver comprising a handle and a shaving head including at least one drivable cutter element, the shaving head being connected to the handle by a support structure providing a pivot axis and / or a tilt axis, around which axes the shaving head can pivot or tilt relative to the handle, the support structure including a pair of link arms forming a four - joint linkage, each link arm having a head joint connected to the shaving head part and a handle joint connected to the handle or a base part connected to the handle.

Background Art

[0002] An electric shaver typically has one or more cutter elements driven by an electric drive unit in a vibrating mode in which the cutter elements reciprocate under a shearing foil. Such cutter elements or undercutters have an elongated shape and can reciprocate along a longitudinal axis. Other types of electric shavers use rotary cutter elements that can be driven in a vibrating or continuous mode. The electric drive unit can include an electric motor or a magnetic - type linear motor, and the drive unit can include a drive train having elements such as an elongated drive transmitter for transmitting the drive movement of the motor to the cutter elements. The motor may be received within the handle portion of the shaver or, alternatively, within its shaving head.

[0003] Regardless of the structure of the drive unit and drive train, the cutter element may be able to move in other directions to adapt to the contour of the skin being shaved, in addition to the cutting motion described above. For example, the cutter element may be part of a razor head that is pivotable about one or more axes relative to the handle of the razor, and the support structure connecting the razor head to the handle may allow the razor head to pivot about a pivot axis that extends substantially parallel to the elongated cutter element and / or its reciprocating axis. Furthermore, or alternatively, the support structure may allow the razor head to tilt about an inclination axis that extends laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle and laterally with respect to the elongated cutter element and / or its reciprocating axis. In addition to or instead of such movement of the razor head, the cutter element may be able to retract into the razor head to adjust its position relative to the contour of the skin being shaved.

[0004] The support structure connecting the razor head to the handle can have different configurations to enable the aforementioned pivoting and / or tilting movements and to avoid collisions with the drive train extending from the drive unit to the cutter element. For example, the support structure may include a so-called four-joint linkage formed by a pair of link arms, which are pivotably attached on one side to the handle and on the other side to a razor head portion such as a razor head frame, and the pivotable joints connecting the link arms to the handle and the razor head, respectively, may define pivot axes that are parallel to each other and parallel to the tilting or pivoting axis defined by such a four-joint linkage. Due to the pivoting or rotational movement of the link arms, the razor head can tilt or pivot to adjust its rotational position to better follow the contour of the skin.

[0005] For example, prior art document U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0175264(A1) describes such a four-joint linkage of a razor head to a handle, in which the link arms are arranged in a kind of pendulum or suspension configuration. The interposer portion attached to the handle includes two poles projecting upward into the razor head, and the link arms are pivotally attached to the upper ends of such poles and extend downward toward the handle or are suspended. The lower ends of such suspended link arms are pivotally connected to the razor head frame.

[0006] A similar four-joint linkage to the handle of a razor head using a link arm "suspended downward" toward the handle is known from European Patent No. 1621299(A1), in which the cutter element of such a razor head is driven by a motor housed within the razor head. Due to such a motor arrangement within the razor head, the entire razor is no longer balanced, but in terms of weight distribution, it is top-heavy. Furthermore, due to the space required for the motor within the razor head, it is quite difficult to arrange a second pivot axis, namely a tilt axis and a swivel axis, which would enable multi-axis movement of the razor head relative to the handle.

[0007] A similar support structure for movably connecting the razor head of an electric shaver to its handle is shown in the referenced Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-77464(A), which also shows a four-joint linkage including a pair of suspension link arms.

[0008] Another support structure that enables the rotation and tilting of the razor head of an electric razor around a pivot axis and a tilt axis is shown in European Patent No. 2435218(B1), which proposes a cardanic support structure that includes a razor head frame that is pivotably attached to a cradle-shaped handle portion and, on the other hand, pivotally supports a cutter frame on which the cutter element is supported.

[0009] Furthermore, Austrian Patent No. 409604(B) describes an electric razor having a cutter element that, in addition to vibrating cutting motion, can pivot around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the razor and the vibration axis of the cutter element, and can vibrate rotatably around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the razor housing, allowing adjustment of the position of the cutter element relative to the skin being shaved. The transmission train connecting the drive motor to the cutter element includes a coupling structure that vibrates rotatably around a pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the razor housing.

[0010] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0025229(A1) discloses a drive unit for a cutter element of an electric razor, the drive unit comprising a transmitter pin extending from the razor housing toward the razor head, the oscillating drive motion of the transmitter pin being transmitted to the cutter element via an oscillating bridge supported to oscillate reciprocating motion within the razor head, the oscillating bridge comprising a flexible coupling arm to allow adjustment of the movement of the cutter element. A similar transmission structure is known from U.S. Patent No. 7,841,090(B2).

[0011] Further electric shavers that allow for the adaptation of the cutter element's motion are known from U.S. Patent No. 3,748,371(B), French Patent No. 1,391,957(A), British Patent No. 811,207(B), and U.S. Patent No. 5,704,126(B).

[0012] International Publication No. 2010 / 000352(A1) describes a razor having a razor head connected to a handle by a four-joint linkage with a pair of link arms. The razor's cutter element is driven by a motor via a rocker bar, which is rotated by the motor around an axis lateral to the rocker bar and lateral to the longitudinal axis of the razor, and this motor is located in the razor head or on the top of the handle in a pair of link arms. Due to such an arrangement of the drive unit, the entire razor is no longer balanced and the top is heavy, thus compromising the comfortable handling of the razor. Furthermore, when the motor is located in the head, the razor head becomes quite large, which can make it difficult to shave smaller areas of skin such as the facial area between the nose and lips, and furthermore, when the motor is located between the link arms on the top of the handle, the kinematics of the four-joint linkage are limited. In addition, the bending of the rocker arms limits the driving efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0175264(A1) [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 1621299(A1) [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-77464(A) [Patent Document 4] European Patent No. 2435218(B1) [Patent Document 5] Austrian Patent No. 409604(B) [Patent Document 6] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0025229(A1) [Patent Document 7] U.S. Patent No. 7,841,090(B2) [Patent Document 8] U.S. Patent No. 3,748,371(B) [Patent Document 9] French Patent No. 1391957(A) [Patent Document 10] British Patent No. 811,207(B) [Patent Document 11] U.S. Patent No. 5,704,126(B) [Patent Document 12] International Publication No. 2010 / 000352(A1) [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The fundamental objective of the present invention is to provide an improved electric razor that avoids at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art and / or further develops existing solutions. A more specific fundamental objective of the present invention is to enable the razor head to self-adjust its position relative to the handle without restricting the drive train and without restricting the kinematics of the support structure due to collision with the drive unit.

[0015] A further fundamental objective of the present invention is to enable easy and balanced handling of a razor having better self-adaptation of the angular position of the razor head to the contour of the skin being shaved, including better responsiveness of the self-adjusting rotational and tilting movements of the razor head to changing skin contours when the razor head is moved along the contour of the skin being shaved.

[0016] Another fundamental objective of the present invention is to achieve highly efficient driving of the razor's cutter element, as well as self-adjustment of the razor head to the skin contour being shaved, and / or faster readjustment of the razor head to its neutral position with less restorative force, thereby reducing the pressure on the functional razor head surface that contacts the skin contour.

[0017] To achieve at least one of the aforementioned objects, the electric motor is housed within a clipper housing forming a handle, and a drive transmitter connecting the motor to a cutter element extends from the handle into the clipper head and thus includes a drive shaft passing through a support structure that enables the clipper head to be tilted and / or swiveled relative to the handle. More specifically, the motor is received within the handle on the side opposite the clipper head of the handle joint, and the pivot axis of the four-joint linkage defined by the handle joint and the head joint of the link arm extends transversely to the drive shaft on the opposite side thereof.

[0018] More specifically, the pair of link arms can be arranged in a standing configuration such that the head joint of the link arm connecting to the clipper head portion is further away from the handle than the handle joint of the link arm connecting to the handle or the base portion. In combination with a motor disposed below the handle joint of the link arm inside the handle such that a four-point linkage is disposed between the clipper head, the motor, and the shaft extending from the handle into the clipper head, an improved kinematics of the clipper head can be achieved with fewer restrictions on the configuration and arrangement of the link arms, and a balanced handling of the clipper can be achieved. The shaft having a rotational axis extending substantially parallel to or slightly inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle is a fairly thin element that does not require much space transversely to its axis of rotation, and there is plenty of space for the four-joint linkage, specifically in the central region of the clipper body, thus enabling the desired kinematics of the movable support structure of the clipper head. Nevertheless, the clipper is well balanced because the weight of the motor is within the handle. Further, even when designed with small dimensions to save weight, the shaft is a fairly rigid transmitter that undergoes less bending than a rocker bar, so the drive efficiency can be improved.

[0019] Considering that the razor is in the upright position with the razor head on top of the handle, in contrast to the hanging arrangement of the link arm or the pendulum arrangement where the upper end of the link arm is connected to the handle and the hanging lower end of the link arm is connected to the razor head, such a standing configuration provides additional space that can be used for the drive train and better kinematics of the razor head support. Similar to the case of such a standing configuration, considering the aforementioned upright position of the razor, the lower part of the link arm is connected to the handle or the base part, and the upper part of the link arm is connected to the razor head part. The handle or the base part does not need to extend deeply into the razor head to reach the upper end of the link arm, saving a significant amount of space in the area of the razor head, and thus giving more freedom and space to the drive train extending through the razor head.

[0020] The support structure, specifically such a drive shaft passing through the aforementioned four-joint linkage, can extend within the central region of the handle and / or the razor head and can extend between the aforementioned link arms of the four-joint linkage. In other words, the link arms may be arranged on opposite sides of the drive train and may sandwich the aforementioned drive shaft or the elongated transmitter therebetween. Alternatively, the link arms may be provided on one side of the drive train or the transmitter. For example, the link arms may be offset in the direction of the axis of rotation defined by the link arms such that the drive arm passes through on one side of the link arm and through the support structure. Further or alternatively, the link arms can also be offset with respect to such a transmitter in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation defined by the link arms.

[0021] A crank arm may be attached to the shaft to convert the rotational vibration of the shaft as described above into a linear vibration of at least one cutter element, and such a crank arm may be located within the razor head and / or may support at least one drive pin for driving a cutter element. For example, such a drive pin may extend substantially parallel to the shaft and may be fixedly attached to the crank arm so as to extend eccentrically with respect to the shaft axis. If the crank arm extends substantially perpendicular to the desired linear vibration of the cutter element in its neutral position, such a drive pin will move along a path curved tangentially with respect to the vibration of the desired cutter element and thus perform a substantially linear vibration.

[0022] Due to the aforementioned upright arrangement of the link arms of the four-joint linkage, there is sufficient space in the razor head area for such a transmitter structure, where the rotating vibrating shaft can extend between the link arms.

[0023] These and other advantages will become more apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings and possible embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0024] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a self-adjusting razor head, showing the tilt axis and pivot axis of the razor head in addition to the reciprocating motion drive axis and recess axis of the cutter element of the razor head. [Figure 2a]These are cross-sectional views of the razor head and its support structure. Part (a) shows the razor head in a neutral or non-tilted position, where the link arm of the support structure is symmetrical and slightly tilted with respect to the central plane containing the longitudinal axis of the razor. Part (b) shows the razor head in a tilted position with the link arm pivoted and the left side of the razor head lowered toward the handle. Both parts show the instantaneous center of rotation of the razor head, the pole hord along which the instantaneous center of rotation moves, and the trajectories of the left and right ends of the cutter element, along which they move when the razor head is tilted. [Figure 2b] These are cross-sectional views of the razor head and its support structure. Part (a) shows the razor head in a neutral or non-tilted position, where the link arm of the support structure is symmetrical and slightly tilted with respect to the central plane containing the longitudinal axis of the razor. Part (b) shows the razor head in a tilted position with the link arm pivoted and the left side of the razor head lowered toward the handle. Both parts show the instantaneous center of rotation of the razor head, the pole hord along which the instantaneous center of rotation moves, and the trajectories of the left and right ends of the cutter element, along which they move when the razor head is tilted. [Figure 3] This is a more schematic diagram of the support structure for the razor head to illustrate its kinematics. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a support structure for a razor head according to an alternative embodiment, in which a four-joint linkage for enabling tilting of the razor head is supported on a swivel section that enables rotation of the razor head. [Figure 5a] This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the instantaneous center of rotation of the razor head relative to the already tilted position of the razor head, illustrating the lever arm for tilting force and contact pressure, and thus indicating the willingness of the razor head to tilt further. [Figure 5b]This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the instantaneous center of rotation of the razor head relative to the already tilted position of the razor head, illustrating the lever arm for tilting force and contact pressure, and thus indicating the willingness of the razor head to tilt further. [Figure 6] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of the razor head and its support structure, showing the link arms and drive train of a four-joint linkage extending from the handle through the support structure into the razor head to drive the reciprocating cutter element. [Figure 7] This is an exploded perspective view of the 4-point linkage support structure for the razor head. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] To achieve responsive self-adjustment of the angular position of the cutter element relative to the skin and to avoid collisions between the drive train and the support structure for driving the cutter element, the four-joint linkage may include a pair of link arms arranged in an upright configuration, where the head joint of the link arm connected to the razor head portion is further from the handle than the handle joint of the link arm connected to the handle or the base portion connected to such a handle. Such an upright link arm configuration not only gives greater space for the drive train to extend within the area of ​​the support structure, but also allows for angular adjustment of the razor head under less contact pressure from the skin being shaved, as the upright link arms tend to move away from their position rather than suspending the pendulum arm. Furthermore, such an upright link arm configuration allows for an improved arrangement of the pole hoad or path to which the instantaneous center of rotation moves when the razor head is rotatably displaced. At the same time, in order to achieve balanced handling and high driving efficiency of the razor with less vibration to the razor head and, consequently, less vibration to the skin being shaved, an electric motor is housed within the razor housing that forms the handle, and a drive transmitter connecting the motor to the cutter element includes a drive shaft extending from the handle into the razor head, thus allowing the razor head to tilt and / or pivot relative to the handle through a support structure. More specifically, the motor is received within the handle on the side of the handle joint opposite to the razor head, and the pivot axis of the four-joint linkage, defined by the handle joint and head joint of the link arm, extends laterally relative to the drive shaft on its opposite side.

[0026] The shaft, whose axis of rotation extends substantially parallel to or slightly inclined to the longitudinal axis of the handle, is a fairly thin element that does not require much space laterally relative to its axis of rotation. Specifically, there is ample space in the central region of the razor body for the four-joint linkage, thus enabling the desired kinematics of the movable support structure of the razor head. Nevertheless, the razor is well balanced due to the weight of the motor located in the handle. Furthermore, even when designed with small dimensions to save weight, the shaft is a fairly rigid transmitter that has undergone less bending than a rocker bar, thus improving drive efficiency.

[0027] The shaft can be rotated back and forth, i.e., around a limited angular range, by a motor in the handle in a rotational-vibration manner, i.e., by a crank-type connection between, for example, a motor shaft and a drive shaft. To convert the rotational vibration of such a drive shaft into a linear vibration of at least one cutter element, a crank arm can be attached to the shaft, such a crank arm can be located in the razor head and / or can support at least one drive pin for driving a cutter element. For example, such a drive pin can extend substantially parallel to the shaft and can be fixedly attached to the crank arm so as to extend eccentrically with respect to the shaft axis. If the crank arm extends substantially perpendicular to the desired linear vibration of the cutter element in its neutral position, such a drive pin moves along a path curved tangentially with respect to the vibration of the desired cutter element, and thus performs a substantially linear vibration.

[0028] To achieve high driving efficiency, the shaft may be supported by the handle so as to be rotatable but otherwise fixed, such that the longitudinal axis of the drive pin extends in a fixed orientation relative to the handle, and the longitudinal axis of the drive pin may extend laterally with respect to the reciprocating axis of the cutter element.

[0029] Due to the aforementioned upright arrangement of the link arms of the four-joint linkage, there is sufficient space in the razor head area for such a transmitter structure, and the rotating vibrating shaft can extend between the link arms.

[0030] Specifically, the link arms of a four-joint linkage can be configured to define an instantaneous center of rotation that moves along a path extending through and / or adjacent to the cutter element, and such a path may have a curved shape that is convex toward the functional surface of the razor head that comes into contact with the skin being shaved. The path along which the instantaneous center of rotation moves when the razor head rotates relative to the handle under the control of the four-joint linkage is called a pole horde or center trajectory. Theoretically, such a pole horde defined by the link arms of a four-joint linkage can define not only a convex curve but also a closed circle. However, considering the range of motion of the movement and rotation of the razor head relative to the handle, that range of motion is usually limited, and the path of the instantaneous center of rotation can form the aforementioned convex curve, the apex or peak of which may be located in the central region of the cutter unit.

[0031] Because the path of such an instantaneous center of rotation extends very close to the functional surface of the cutter element, the frictional force due to the razor's sliding along the skin being shaved does not cause undesirable angular motion of the razor head, as such frictional force has only a short lever arm relative to the instantaneous center of rotation. On the other hand, the pressure on the functional surface of the razor head acting mainly laterally or perpendicularly to such a functional surface causes the razor head to adjust its angular position to conform to the contour of the skin.

[0032] The geometric shape of the link arm can be selected such that the path of the instantaneous center of rotation is only slightly curved and / or has a flat or shallow contour, so that the instantaneous center of rotation remains close to the cutter element, specifically the functional surface of such a cutter element, which keeps the lever arm from frictional forces as the razor head is moved along the skin. For example, the link arm can be configured such that the entire pole hose along which the instantaneous center of rotation moves can extend into the razor head when the razor head is rotated within its working range, i.e., between its widest end positions. More specifically, at least the central portion of the pole hose, e.g., ±1 / 3 of the length of the pole hose from its central portion, can extend into the upper half of the razor head, where such upper half means the half of the razor head further away from the handle.

[0033] In another embodiment, the path of the instantaneous center of rotation may be adapted to extend within or near the region of the connection or joint between the drive pin of the drive train and the cutter element. At least the central portion of the path corresponding to the position of the instantaneous center of rotation when the razor head is in its neutral position, or near it, or when it has rotated only slightly, may extend at essentially the same height as the connection joint of the drive train to the cutter element, or very close to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal handle axis through the connection joint. Because the path of the instantaneous center of rotation is located near the connection joint of the drive train to the cutter element, the razor head, and therefore the cutter element, remains at substantially the same height as the drive pin even when the razor head is tilted or swiveling. Thus, such a configuration of the path of the instantaneous center of rotation helps to provide an easy connection between the drive train and the cutter element.

[0034] To achieve greater stability of the razor head in the region around its neutral position, and / or to allow for easier further rotation after the initial rotation has occurred, the four-joint linkage can be configured to move the instantaneous center of rotation further away from the tuck-in side of the razor head, so that on that tuck-in side, the razor head tucks towards the handle as it rotates around the axis defined by the four-point linkage. For example, when the razor head is tilted or swiveled, the right end of the razor head moves towards the handle and the instantaneous center of rotation moves towards the left end of the razor head, when the razor head is viewed in the direction of the swivel axis or tilt axis. Due to such movement of the instantaneous center of rotation toward the non-tuck-in end, the tuck-in end of the razor head can tuck in more easily as the surface portion of the functional surface of the razor head that contacts the skin increases, with a lever arm relative to the instantaneous center of rotation. In other words, the lever arm of the tilting force increases with the movement of the instantaneous center of rotation. For example, when the instantaneous center of rotation moves toward the left end of the razor head, the entire portion of the contact surface located to the right of the instantaneous center of rotation has a lever arm that rotates the razor head further around the instantaneous center of rotation. In other words, a contact pressure acting substantially perpendicular to the functional surface produces a torque that increases with the degree of rotation of the razor head as the instantaneous center of rotation moving toward the non-submerged side increases the lever arm of such pressure.

[0035] In a further embodiment, the link arm, specifically its length and the distance between the head joint and handle joint of the link arm, can be configured such that when the razor head is rotated or tilted, the trajectory along which the virtual center point of the razor head moves has a double-pitch roof-like configuration with two trajectory branches branching toward the handle. The aforementioned virtual center point of the razor head can be considered a point fixed to the razor head portion, which is connected to the head joint of the link arm and located within the central region of the cutter unit. The virtual center point is not a point on the cutter element itself, as it performs additional reciprocating motion, but only performs rotational motion of the razor head frame, which is directly connected to the head joint of the link arm and therefore under the control of the four-joint linkage.

[0036] In other words, the four-joint linkage can be configured such that when the razor head rotates or tilts, the center of the cutter element moves toward the handle. Such a trajectory of the point of the razor head located at the center of the cutter element allows for a natural feel in handling the razor and further allows the razor head to be easily returned to its neutral position. More specifically, the double-pitch roof-like configuration of the aforementioned trajectory is such that, due to the configuration of the trajectory, the rotation of the razor head relative to the handle causes little to no movement of the cutter element relative to the shear foil, and as a result, the resistance to the rotation of the razor head caused by the frictional resistance of the cutter element relative to the shear foil is reduced, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the cutter element and the shear foil when the razor head leaves its neutral position.

[0037] The trajectory may have a fairly narrow configuration, with an extension limited to a central portion defined by the vicinity of the plane containing the longitudinal axis of the handle. More specifically, the two branches of the aforementioned trajectory may extend from the peak point of the trajectory in a direction that is fairly steep and / or slightly inclined with respect to the central plane containing the longitudinal handle axis. For example, the trajectory may be limited to the central portion of the razor, extending from the central plane containing the longitudinal handle axis in a direction perpendicular to the plane by less than ±25% or ±10% of the total length of the razor head. Such a narrow trajectory can improve the stability of the razor head against undesirable inclination due to frictional forces and give the user a well-set handling feel.

[0038] A four-point linkage can be provided to allow the razor head to be tilted around an inclination axis that extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle and substantially perpendicular to the principal axis of the razor head, the principal axis of such a razor head can extend parallel to the longer side of the razor head and / or parallel to the reciprocating axis of the cutter element and / or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cutter element itself. For example, if the razor head has a substantially, roughly rectangular block shape with a pair of large sides adjacent to the functional surface, and a pair of smaller sides adjacent to the functional surface and the large sides, the axis can extend parallel to the larger side and the functional surface. With the principal axis of the razor head defined in this way, the aforementioned inclination axis can be defined to extend substantially perpendicular or laterally to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the handle and the principal axis of the razor head.

[0039] Alternatively, the aforementioned four-joint linkage may also be provided to define a pivot axis for the razor head, which extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle and parallel to the aforementioned principal axis of the razor head.

[0040] Basically, there may be two four-joint linkages, one of which allows the razor head to tilt, and the other which allows the razor head to pivot around the aforementioned tilt axis and pivot axis. However, in one embodiment, the aforementioned type of four-joint linkage may be provided to allow the razor head to tilt around the aforementioned tilt axis, but the pivot of the razor head may be made possible by a pivot pivot support which may have a shaft-like axis rotatably received in a hole-like recess, thereby defining a fixed pivot axis.

[0041] The combination of the tilt support and the swivel support may be selected in different ways. In one embodiment, a four-joint linkage that enables the tilting of the razor head can support a razor head portion, such as a razor head frame, which can tilt relative to the handle about a tilt axis defined by the four-joint linkage and its pair of link arms, and such a tiltable razor head portion pivotably supports a further razor head portion, such as a cutter element support, which can swivel about a swivel axis defined by such a pivot bearing. In other words, the swivel support or swivel bearing is tiltably supported by the four-joint linkage.

[0042] Alternatively, the link arms of the four-joint linkage can pivotally support the base portion, which is connected to the handle joint, relative to the handle, so that the base portion can pivot around a pivot axis defined by such a pivot bearing. In such a configuration, the four-joint linkage, which enables the tilting motion of the razor head, can pivot relative to the handle.

[0043] The axis of rotation defined by the four-joint linkage, specifically the aforementioned inclination axis, extends substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the link arm and its head / handle joint. Specifically, the head joint and handle joint of the link arm may be pivotably connected to the razor head and its handle or base, and all pivot axes defined by such head joint and handle joint may extend substantially parallel to each other and / or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated link arm.

[0044] As mentioned above, when a four-joint linkage defines an inclination axis, such an inclination axis does not necessarily extend exactly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, but may be slightly inclined at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle. For example, such an inclination axis can extend at an angle in the range of 75° to 89° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle, but it is also possible to have a precisely perpendicular arrangement with an inclination axis extending at an angle of 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

[0045] Regardless of the inclination of the inclination axis with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the link arms of the four-joint linkage providing such an inclination axis to the razor head may be positioned in different locations and / or orientations. For example, the link arms may be positioned in a plane offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle and / or the central plane containing such a longitudinal axis of the handle, and / or with respect to the drive train, and such offset from the longitudinal axis may be given in the direction of the inclination axis. In addition to or instead of such a linear offset, the link arms may be positioned to have an angular offset, and specifically, they may be positioned in a common plane slightly inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle, especially when the inclination axis is also inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

[0046] When a razor head is supported to pivot around a pivot axis and tilt around a tilt axis, the support structure can be configured to position the pivot axis and the tilt axis close to each other and / or close to the functional surface of the razor and / or close to the cutter element. Specifically, the pivot axis can be defined by the support structure and extend through the cutter element and / or adjacent to the functional surface of the cutter element, thereby having a friction surface laterally to the pivot axis that is absent, insignificant, or only a small lever arm relative to such a pivot axis, so that such friction force does not cause undesirable pivoting of the razor head when moving the functional surface of the cutter head along the skin being shaved. Such a pivot axis can be defined by a pivot bearing as described above, which holds the pivot axis in the desired position relative to the cutter element.

[0047] Furthermore, if the tilt axis is defined by a four-joint linkage as described above, the four-joint linkage can be configured such that the instantaneous center of rotation is kept close to the pivot axis. Specifically, a pole hord along which the instantaneous center of rotation can move can extend through and / or near the pivot axis. In one embodiment, such a pole hord can extend entirely within a hemisphere extending from the pivot axis of the razor head toward the handle, i.e., toward the handle side of the pivot axis. Considering a razor in an upright position with the razor head on the handle, the pole hord of the instantaneous tilt center can extend below the pivot axis, specifically with the upper portion of the pole hord positioned near and / or through the pivot axis.

[0048] For example, in a four-joint linkage, considering the razor head in the neutral, i.e., non-rotating position, each link arm can be arranged in a slightly inclined pitched roof or Λ shape, with each link arm slightly inclined toward the central plane containing the longitudinal axis of the handle and / or the central plane between the handle joints of the link arm, and extending parallel to the pivot axis passing through such handle joints of the link arm. For example, elongated link arms can extend at acute angles in the range of 5° to 45° or 10° to 25° with respect to such central planes, along with their longitudinal axes, but other configurations are possible.

[0049] In other embodiments, the distance between the handle joints of the link arms may be greater than the distance between the head joints of the link arms, and the difference in distance may be selected differently. For example, the distance between the handle joints may be in the range of 105% to 200% or 120% to 150% of the distance between the head joints, however such a difference in distance may vary with the length of the link arms.

[0050] Regardless of the difference in distance between the handle point and the head point of the link arm, the length of the link arm may be chosen to be considerably short to allow for a compact positioning of the razor head relative to the handle. Specifically, in order to combine a compact configuration with high stability of the support structure, each link arm may have a length shorter than the distance between the handle joints of the link arm and / or shorter than the distance between the head joints of the link arm.

[0051] These and other features will become clearer from the examples shown in the drawings. As can be seen from Figure 1, the razor 1 may have a razor housing that forms a handle 2 for holding the razor, and the handle may have different shapes such as substantially cylindrical, box-shaped or bone-shaped, which allow for ergonomic gripping and holding, and such a razor handle 2 has a longitudinal axis 20 due to the elongated shape of the handle (see Figure 1).

[0052] A razor head 3 is attached to one end of the handle 2, and the razor head 3 can be supported so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis 7 and a pivot axis 11, the pivot and tilt axes 7 and 11 can extend substantially perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal handle axis 20 mentioned above.

[0053] Considering the spindle 40 of the razor head 3, the pivot axis 7 can extend parallel to such spindle 40, while the inclined axis 11 can extend perpendicular to such spindle 40. Such a spindle 40 can be considered to extend parallel to the larger sides 55 and 57 of the razor head 3, and / or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cutter element 4, and / or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal handle axis 20. As can be seen from Figure 1, the razor head 3 can have a substantially rectangular box shape having a pair of larger sides 55 and 57 located opposite the functional surface 56 facing away from the handle 2. The razor head 3 further has two smaller sides 58, 59 adjacent to the aforementioned larger sides 55, 57 and the functional surface 56.

[0054] The razor head 3 may include a pair of elongated cutter units 100, each comprising an elongated cutter element 4 that can be driven in a reciprocating motion along a reciprocating motion axis 8 that can extend parallel to the aforementioned main spindle 40. The cutter element 4 can reciprocate beneath a shear foil 5 that covers the cutter element 4.

[0055] The cutter element 4 may be movably supported relative to the razor head 3, more specifically relative to the razor head frame 6, thereby allowing the cutter element 4 to pivot and tilt together with the razor head 3 around the pivot axis 7 and the tilt axis 11, and, on the other hand, to cut relative to the razor head frame 6 or vibrate along the reciprocating axis 8, the reciprocating axis 8 may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cutter element 4. In addition to these degrees of freedom, the cutter element 4 may be movable relative to the razor head frame 6 along and / or around additional axes. For example, the cutter element 4 may be displaced along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal handle axis 20, so as to tuck into the razor head 3 when the razor head 3 is in a position aligned with it.

[0056] The razor head 3 may include further functional elements, such as a long-hair cutter, which may be positioned between or along the sides of the aforementioned pair of cutter elements 4. In addition to or instead of the linearly vibrating elongated cutter elements 4, it may also be possible to provide a rotating type of cutter element that can rotate or vibrate in a rotatable manner.

[0057] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the razor head 3 is supported on the handle 2 by a support structure 30 which may include a four-joint linkage 33 that can have a pair of link arms 31 and 32 that can pivot around a parallel axis. Such link arms 31 and 32 may have a rod-shaped or frame-like structure including a U-shaped cross-section, as shown in Figure 7.

[0058] The link arms 31 and 32 are arranged in an upright configuration, where the ends of the link arms 31 and 32 connected to the razor head 3 are further away from the handle 2 than the opposite ends of the link arms 31 and 32 connected to the handle 2 or the base portion 45 connected to such a handle 2. In other words, if we consider the razor 1 to be in an upright position with the razor head 3 on the handle 2, the upper ends of the link arms 31 and 32 are connected to the razor head, while the lower ends of the link arms 31 and 32 are connected to the handle 2 or the base portion mounted thereon.

[0059] In the neutral or non-inclined position of the razor head 3, where the main shaft 40 of the razor head 3 extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal handle shaft 20, the link arms 31 and 32 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to a central plane that includes the longitudinal handle shaft 20 and extends laterally with respect to the cutter vibration axis 8 (see Figure 2(a)). More specifically, the link arms 31 and 32 may be inclined at an acute angle with respect to such a central plane.

[0060] As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the handle joints 31b and 32b, to which the link arms 31 and 32 are pivotably connected to the handle 2 or base portion 45, are spaced apart from each other by a distance L1 greater than the distance between the head joints 31a and 32a, where the link arms 31 and 32 are pivotally connected to the razor head portion. The ratio between distance L1 and distance L2 may be varied to achieve the desired kinematics as described above, and / or may be adapted to the lengths of the link arms 31 and 32.

[0061] More specifically, the link arms 31 and 32 may be positioned fairly close to the central plane described above. For example, the distance L1 between the handle joints 31b and 32b can be less than 50% or 40% of the length L3 of the razor head 3 measured in the direction of the reciprocating axis 8 of the cutter element (see Figure 2(a)).

[0062] Furthermore, the length l of the link arms 31 and 32 may be selected to be considerably shorter, allowing for a compact arrangement that saves space and enables easily controllable kinematics of the razor head 3. More specifically, the length l of the link arms 31 and 32 may be less than the distance L2 between the head joints 31a of link arm 31 and 32a of link arm 32 and / or less than 30%, 25%, or 20% of the length L3 of the razor head 3 measured in the direction of the reciprocating axis 8 of the cutter element (see Figure 2(b)). The length l of the link arms corresponds to the distance between the head joints 31a of link arm 31 or 32a of link arm 32 and the handle joints 31b of link arm 31 or 32b of link arm 32, and both link arms 31 and 32 may have the same length l.

[0063] As can be seen in Figure 2, the razor head frame 6 may be connected to link arms 31 and 32 at its head joints 31a and 32a, which define pivot axes parallel to the inclination axis 11. As a result, the razor head frame 6 can be tilted relative to the handle 2 around the inclination axis 11.

[0064] Furthermore, the razor head frame 6 can pivotally support another razor head section, such as a cutter support frame 46, allowing such a cutter support frame 46 to pivot around a pivot axis 7 defined between the razor head frame 6 and the cutter support frame 46 by a pivot bearing 34. Such a pivot bearing 34 may include a shaft or balls received in a hole or recess or ball socket, and the pivot axis 7 can be fixed relative to the razor head frame 6.

[0065] The aforementioned cutter element 4 may be supported by a cutter support frame 46, and the cutter element 4 may be enabled to perform the aforementioned reciprocating motion drive movement along the reciprocating motion axis 8 relative to the cutter support frame 46. Furthermore, the cutter element 4 may be recessed toward the handle 2 relative to such a cutter support frame 46.

[0066] Due to the aforementioned upright configuration of the 4-joint linkage 33, the razor head 3 can be returned to a neutral or non-tilted position after tilting by a biasing means 70 that forces the razor head 3 away from the handle 2 and / or away from the base portion 45. As can be seen from Figure 6, such a biasing means 70 may include a spring device that forces the cutter unit away from the handle 2, and such a spring may be placed between the aforementioned cutter unit 100 and the drive train element for driving the cutter element 4 in a reciprocating motion. Thus, the biasing means 70 can perform a dual or multi-function, including biasing the link arms 31 and 32, and therefore the razor head 3, to their / their neutral non-tilted positions, and allowing the cutter unit 4 to retract and / or float.

[0067] In addition to, or instead of, such recession of the cutter element 4 into the razor head structure, it may also be possible to allow recession of the entire razor head 3, including the cutter element 4. For example, the aforementioned link arms 31 and 32 do not need to be directly connected to the handle 2, but they can be linked to a base portion 45 that can be movably supported on the handle 2, which moves along the longitudinal axis 20 of the handle 2. In other words, the link arms 31 and 32, and thus the base portion 45 that pivotally supports the entire razor head 3, may recess toward the handle 2, and a biasing device or spring device can be provided between the handle 2 and the base portion 45 to bias or force the base portion 45 away from the handle 2 and / or toward the razor head 3 so that the razor head 3 can recess against the biasing or spring force. However, alternatively, such a base portion 45 can also be firmly attached to the handle 2.

[0068] As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the four-joint linkage 33, which enables tilting motion, is positioned between the handle 2 and the swivel support structure 34, so that the swivel support structure can perform tilting motion around the tilt axis 11. However, as shown in Figure 4, such an order or structure may be reversed so that the four-joint linkage 33 enables swivel motion. More specifically, the base portion 45 may be pivotably supported on the handle 2 so that it can swivel around the swivel axis 7 relative to the handle 2, and the link arms 31 and 32 of the four-joint linkage 33 may be connected to such a swivel base portion 45 together with their handle joints 31b and 32b (see Figure 4).

[0069] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the swivel shaft 7 may extend through or near the cutter element 4, or, if a pair of cutter elements is provided, the swivel shaft 7 may extend between the cutter elements 4. For example, the swivel shaft 7 may extend into the upper half of the razor head 3, i.e., the half of the razor head 3 further away from the handle 2, or it may extend into the uppermost quarter of the razor head 3 or through the upper portion of the razor head 3 that houses the block-shaped cutter element 4.

[0070] The inclination axis 11 defined by the four-joint linkage 33 may be located near the pivot axis 7. More specifically, the inclination axis 11 can move by the movement of the four-joint linkage 33 and the link arms 31 and 32. As can be seen in Figure 2, the intersection of two straight lines—one passing through the head joint 31a and handle joint 31b of one link arm 31 and another passing through the head joint 32a and handle joint 32b of the other link arm 32—defines the instantaneous center of rotation 61 corresponding to the inclination axis 11 that can move along the path or pole horde 60.

[0071] The link arms 31 and 32, specifically their lengths and the arrangement of the head joint and handle joint, can be configured such that the pole hoad 60 has a curved contour that is convex toward the functional surface 56, allowing the tilt axis 11 to move along it with respect to the instantaneous center of rotation 61, taking into account the limited working range of tilting the razor head relative to the handle during razor operation. Such a convex curvature of the pole hoad 60 can have a fairly shallow contour that keeps the instantaneous center of rotation 61 close to the pivot axis 7, even when the razor head 3 is tilted around the tilt axis 11.

[0072] As can be seen in Figure 2, the link arms 31 and 32 can be configured such that the pole hose 60 for tilting the axis 11 extends as a whole into the razor head 3, and the majority of such a pole hose 60 can extend to the upper half of the razor head 3, i.e., the half of the razor head 3 further away from the handle 2. For example, as shown in Figure 2a, considering the center point of the pole hose 60 with respect to the neutral or tilted razor head position, at least one-third of the pole hose 60 can extend to the left and one-third of the pole hose 60 can extend to the upper half of the razor head 3 to the right.

[0073] The configuration of the link arms 31 and 32 can be selected such that when the razor head 3 is tilted around the tilt axis 11, the virtual center point 41 of the razor head 3 within the region of the cutter element 4 moves along the trajectory 62, and the trajectory 61 may have a pitched roof-like configuration including two trajectory branches that branch toward each other toward the handle 2. The aforementioned center point 41 can be considered a fixed point of the razor head portion attached to the head joints 31a and 32a of the link arms 31 and 32 in the region near the intersection of the longitudinal handle axis 20 and the pivot axis 7 in the non-tilted position of the razor head 3. During operation, the center point 41, as the razor head 3 is tilted, moves along its trajectory 62, and its contour is defined by the configuration of the four-point linkage 33.

[0074] As shown in Figure 2, the trajectory 62 can have a convex contour when viewed from the functional side of the razor head 3, with the trajectory 62 having a central peak from which two trajectory branches descend toward the handle 2. Due to such a convex trajectory, when the razor head 3 is tilted, the center point 41 also sinks in slightly.

[0075] The kinematics of the razor head 3 with respect to its tilt can provide better control of contour conformance and improved handling of the razor. Specifically, when the razor head 3 is in its neutral or non-tilted position, or only slightly tilted, it exhibits greater stability with respect to tilt, but when the razor head is already tilted at a certain angle, it tilts more easily further. In other words, the willingness of the razor head to tilt increases as the tilt angle increases.

[0076] This can be understood from Figure 5, and can be achieved or at least supported by an instantaneous center of rotation that defines a tilt axis 11 that moves away from the end side of the razor head 3 as it tucks towards the handle when tilted. For example, Figure 5 shows the right side of the head 3 tucked in by a clockwise tilt. The configuration of the 4-joint linkage 33 moves the tilt axis 11, more specifically the instantaneous center of rotation, along the pole hose 60 toward the left end side of the razor head 3, and a lever arm of contact force that forces the razor head 3 to tilt further, resulting in a lever arm 80 that increases with increasing tilt angle. If the razor head 3 tilts further to the right, the instantaneous center of rotation moves further to the left, which increases the portion of the functional surface 56 where the contact pressure becomes the lever arm and tilts the shaver head 3 further (see partial figure (b) of Figure 5).

[0077] As can be seen in Figure 6, each cutter element 4 can be driven oscillatingly by an elongated drive transmitter 9 extending from the razor housing forming the handle 2 to the cutter element 4 inside the razor head 3. Such an elongated drive transmitter 9 may include a rigid shaft 90 extending from inside the razor housing forming the handle 2 to the outside of the handle 2, meaning it extends through the shell of the razor housing to the razor head 3, where the drive unit may include a motor 93 housed within the razor housing forming the handle 2 to oscillatingly rotate the shaft 90. Such a motor 93 may be a rotary electric motor connected to the shaft 90 in a suitable manner, for example, via a crank mechanism that converts the rotation of the motor shaft into rotational vibrations of the shaft 90.

[0078] The shaft 90, which has a longitudinal or rotational axis 190, is held in a fixed orientation relative to the razor housing forming the handle 2, specifically substantially parallel to the longitudinal razor housing axis 20, or slightly inclined thereto at an acute angle, for example, 2° to 20° or 5° to 15°.

[0079] As can be seen in Figure 6, the pivot axes of the four joint linkages defined by the handle joints 31b, 32b and the head joints 31a, 32b extend laterally to the opposite side of the drive shaft 90. The link arms 31, 32 can be positioned on the opposite side of the drive shaft 90, and the aforementioned drive shaft 90 can be sandwiched between them.

[0080] Although Figure 2 shows only one drive pin 91, it is clear from Figure 6 that there may be two drive pins 91 when there are two cutter elements 4. Such elongated drive pins 91 may extend parallel to each other (see Figure 6), or there may be three or more drive pins 91 when there are three or more cutter elements 4.

[0081] Each drive pin 91 is driven by the aforementioned shaft 90 and vibrates uniaxially with respect to the razor head 3 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the elongated cutter element 4 (see Figures 4 and 5). More specifically, the rotational vibration of the shaft 90 and crank arm 92 causes the drive pins 91 to vibrate along a circular path. However, when the crank shaft 92 extends substantially perpendicular to the vibration axis 8 of the cutter element 4, at least considering the neutral or intermediate position of the shaft 90 and crank arm 92 from which the crank arm 92 vibrates rotatably in opposite directions, the segment of the circular path along which the drive pins 91 vibrate is oriented tangentially with respect to the vibration axis 8. Since the amplitude of the rotational vibration is limited, the segment of the circular path can be considered substantially parallel to the vibration axis 8 and / or substantially linearly parallel to the vibration axis 8.

[0082] The entire drive transmitter 9, including the shaft 90 and the drive pin 91, can extend from the handle 2 to the cutter element 4 such that the elongated projection end of the drive transmitter 9 with respect to the drive pin 91 extends into the internal space provided within the cutter element 4.

[0083] The entire drive transmitter 9, including the shaft 90, crank element 92, and drive pins 91, forms a rigid structure that is rotatably but otherwise rigidly supported, such that the longitudinal axis 13 defined by each drive pin 91 extends in a fixed direction relative to the handle 2 (see Figures 2 and 6). Such a longitudinal axis 13 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 20 of the handle, or inclined thereto at an acute angle.

[0084] As can be seen in Figure 6, the drive pins 91 of the elongated drive transmitter 9 are connected to the cutter element 4 by a joint that engages with the cutter element 4.

[0085] The aforementioned pivot axis 7 and tilt axis 11 can extend within or in the vicinity of a virtual plane that includes the connection point 200 connecting the cutter element 4 to the drive transmitter 9 (see Figure 6), and the virtual plane extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 190 of the drive shaft 90.

[0086] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​stated. Rather, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the stated value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm".

Claims

1. The razor head (3) includes a handle (2), a cutter unit (100) including a drivable cutter element (4) and a shear foil (5), and a motor (93) connected to the cutter element (4) via a drive transmitter (9), wherein the razor head (3) is connected to the handle (2) by a support structure (30) that provides a pivot axis (7) and / or tilt axis (11), and the razor head (3) can pivot or tilt relative to the handle (2) around the axis, and the support structure (30) includes a pair of link arms (31, 32) that form a four-joint linkage, each of the pair of link arms (31, 32) having a head joint (31a, 32a) connected to the razor head portion, and a handle joint (31b) connected to the handle (2) or a base portion connected to the handle (2). An electric razor having, respectively, the pair of link arms (31, 32), wherein the head joints (31a, 32a) of the pair of link arms (31, 32) are mounted in an upright configuration, further away from the handle (2) than the handle joints (31b, 32b) of the pair of link arms (31, 32), the motor (93) is received in the handle (2) on the side of the handle joints (31b, 32b) opposite to the razor head, the drive transmitter (9) includes a drive shaft (90) extending from the handle (2) into the razor head (3) and passing between the pair of link arms (31, 32), and the pivot axis of the four-joint linkage is defined by the handle joints (31b, 32b) and the head joints (31a, 32b).

2. The electric razor according to claim 1, wherein the pair of link arms (31, 32) provide an inclined axis (11) that extends laterally with respect to the rotation axis (190) of the drive shaft (90) and laterally with respect to the reciprocating motion axis (8) of the cutter element (4).

3. The electric razor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive transmitter (9) further includes a crank element (92) firmly connected to the drive shaft (90), and a drive pin (91) firmly connected to the crank element (92) and engaging with the cutter element (4), the drive shaft (90) is rotatable but otherwise fixed and supported by the handle (2) such that the longitudinal axis (13) of the drive pin (91) extends in a direction fixed to the handle (2), and the longitudinal axis (13) of the drive pin (91) extends laterally with respect to the reciprocating axis / reciprocating axis (8) of the cutter element.

4. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drive shaft (90) extends together with its rotation axis (190) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle, or at an acute angle of less than 30°, less than 20°, or less than 10° with respect to the longitudinal axis (20) of the handle.

5. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pair of link arms (31, 32) are arranged in a roof-like configuration at an intermediate or non-inclined position of the razor head (3), the distance (L1) between the handle joints (31b, 32b) of the pair of link arms (31, 32) is greater than the distance (L2) between the head joints (31a, 32a) of the pair of link arms (31, 32), and the distance (L1) between the handle joints (31b, 32b) is less than 50% of the length (L3) of the razor head (3) measured in the direction of the reciprocating motion axis (8) of the cutter element.

6. The electric razor according to claim 5, wherein the length (l) of each of the pair of link arms (31, 32) is smaller than the distance (L2) between the head joints (31a, 32a) of the pair of link arms (31, 32).

7. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pair of link arms (31, 32) are configured to define an instantaneous center of rotation that moves along a path (60) that penetrates and / or extends adjacent to the cutter element (4), the path (60) having a curved shape that is convex toward the functional surface (56) of the razor head (3) so as to contact the skin being shaved, considering the range of motion of the rotation of the razor head (3), the instantaneous center of rotation (61) of the razor head (3) moves away from the burrowing side (58, 59) of the razor head (3), and the razor head (3) burrows toward the handle (2) as it rotates around the inclined axis defined by the pair of link arms (31, 32) in order to burrow toward the burrowing side (58, 59).

8. The electric razor according to claim 7, wherein the path (60) extends entirely within a hemisphere extending from the pivot axis (7) of the razor head (3) toward the handle (2), and the pivot axis (7) extends laterally with respect to the inclination axis (11) and laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis (20) of the handle (2).

9. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pair of link arms (31, 32) are configured to define a trajectory (62) having a roof path with two branches branching toward the handle (2) with respect to a virtual center point (41) of the razor head (3), the virtual center point (41) is a point connected to the head joints (31a, 32a) of the pair of link arms (31, 32) and fixed together with the razor head portion, which is located in the region of the cutter element (4) at the center of the razor head portion.

10. The electric razor according to claim 9, wherein the two branches of the track (62) extend at an acute angle from the peak point of the track (62), through the peak point, to a central plane parallel to the drive shaft (90), and the track (62) extends from the central plane by less than ±15% of the total length of the razor head (3) in a direction perpendicular to the central plane.

11. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the support structure (30) provides the pivot axis (7) which extends through and / or adjacent to the functional surface of the cutter element (4), and the pivot axis (7) extends laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis (20) of the handle (2) and substantially parallel to the reciprocating axis (8) of the cutter element (4).

12. The electric razor according to claim 11, wherein the pivot axis (7) allows the cutter element (4) to pivot relative to a razor head frame (6) which is tiltable about an inclination axis (11) relative to the handle (2), and the pivot axis (7) is formed by a pivot bearing (34) that provides a fixed pivot axis.

13. An electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a biasing means (70) for biasing the razor head (3) away from the handle (2) and / or away from the base portion (45), thereby biasing the razor head (3) to the neutral or non-inclined position of the pair of link arms (31, 32) and enabling the floating of the cutter unit (100).

14. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the pair of link arms (31, 32), together with their handle joints (31b, 32b), are connected to the base portion (45) which is movably supported on the handle (2), allowing the entire support structure (30) to slide into the handle (2) along the longitudinal axis (20) of the handle (2), and a biasing device or spring device is provided to bias or force the base portion (45) away from the handle (2).

15. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the pivot axis (7) and the tilt axis (11) extend in or near a virtual plane including a connection point (200) that connects the cutter element (4) to the drive transmitter (9) in order to drive the cutter element (4), and the virtual plane extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (190) of the drive shaft (90).