electric razor

Abstract

To provide an electric razor that is improved in display of information to a user.SOLUTION: An electric razor comprises a driving unit for driving a cutter unit and a display device for displaying information. An under cutter and an upper cutter can move to each other. The cutter unit forms a portion of a razor head having an internal space in which cut hair or other narrow pieces or smudge is accumulated, and which is provided with a smudge measuring unit for measuring a parameter which is associated with the accumulated smudge. A micro controller is configured to calculate a smudge state in response to a signal received from the smudge measuring unit, and is provided with instructing means for instructing information concerning the smudge state to a user. A mode input element is configured to switch the driving unit into one of a plurality operation modes or switch the display device into one of a plurality of display modes, when the driving unit is in an operation state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric shaver comprising at least one cutter unit, a drive unit for driving the at least one cutter unit, and a display device for displaying information. The drive unit is operable in various operating modes when in an operating state, and a mode input element for switching the drive unit to different operating modes is provided. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling such an electric shaver. The present invention further relates to a multi-purpose personal care appliance to which various types of tool elements such as a long hair cutter, a short hair cutter, and a skin care unit can be attached.

Background Art

[0002] An electric shaver usually has one or more cutter elements driven by an electric drive unit in a vibration mode in which the cutter element reciprocates below a shear foil. Such a cutter element or an undercutter may have an elongated shape and may also reciprocate along its longitudinal axis. In other types of electric shavers, a rotary cutter element that can be driven in a vibration mode or a continuous mode is used. The electric drive unit may include an electric motor or an electric linear motor, and the drive unit may include a drive train having elements such as an elongated drive transmitter for transmitting the drive motion of the motor to the cutter element. The motor may be received within the handle portion of the shaver or, alternatively, within the shaver head.

[0003] Such a drive unit may sometimes operate in different operating modes, for example, in a rapid or high-speed mode the cutter speed or vibration frequency may be changed to improve shaving efficiency, while in a slow or low-speed mode power consumption may be reduced. Depending on the fit of the razor, other operating modes may be provided, and may include a long-hair cutting mode in which the drive unit can drive a long-hair cutter in addition to or instead of driving at least one cutter unit, or a fluid application mode in which a lubrication applicator such as a spray nozzle can be operated, or a ventilation mode in which a ventilator can be driven by the drive unit to generate airflow to achieve cooling or cleaning.

[0004] To give the user a choice between these different operating modes, the razor may be provided with mode input elements, such as touch buttons, toggle switches, or gesture sensors, allowing the user to input mode commands to switch the razor's drive unit and / or control unit to the desired operating mode. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0246454A describes an electric razor capable of operating in multiple operating modes, in which mode input elements are provided for switching the drive unit to different operating modes. Sometimes, switching between different modes may be achieved automatically; for example, the low-speed mode described above may be automatically selected when the battery charge level becomes low.

[0005] To provide user feedback on which operating mode is selected, such a razor may have a display device for displaying information about that operating mode. For example, the selected cutter speed may be indicated, or the operation of functional accessories such as the fluid applicator or airflow generator described above may be displayed.

[0006] In addition to or instead of displaying such information regarding the operating mode, other information may be displayed by such display device. For example, the charge status of the razor's battery or rechargeable battery may be indicated, or the shaving time may be displayed, and such additional information may also be displayed when the razor or its drive unit is in a non-operating state. For example, it has been proposed to extend the activity state of the display to a period of several seconds after the razor is switched off, thereby, for example, displaying the battery charge level for several seconds after the razor is switched off, and then fading out to an idle mode in which no information is displayed. In the document in International Publication No. 98 / 25736A, it has been proposed to display specific razor information on a razor charging / cleaning station, which is equipped with a display for displaying such data and communicates with the razor to receive user data from the razor. It has also been proposed that a dormant display may be activated when the razor's power button is touched for a short time.

[0007] Sometimes, such razors may be equipped with additional personal care tools, such as a skin treatment unit, a long hair cutter unit, or a beard trimmer. Such skin treatment units may include tool elements, such as a peeling tool, a massage brush, or a vibrating element for improving blood circulation. Such skin care tools may be fixed or detachably mounted on the head portion of the device. For example, the document in International Publication No. 2009 / 027928A discloses a personal care device having a head equipped with coupling means for coupling various types of tools with a drive transmitter, such tools include a vibrating safety razor, a hair trimming device, and a comb attachment. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0246454A [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 98 / 25736A [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2009 / 027928A [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The fundamental objective of the present invention is to provide an improved electric shaver that avoids at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art and / or further develops existing solutions. A more specific fundamental objective of the present invention is to improve the display of information to the user.

[0010] A further fundamental objective of this invention is to improve the control of information displayed to the user without sacrificing the ease of handling the razor. More specifically, the information functions of the razor should be immediately clear and intuitive to use.

[0011] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an improved, multi-purpose personal care device that offers improved operation of various tool elements such as short hair cutters, long hair cutters, or skincare treatment units.

[0012] To achieve at least one of the aforementioned objectives, it is proposed to provide the user with the option to recognize different sets of information even when the razor is switched off and / or the razor's drive unit is inactive. More specifically, the electric razor is configured so that the user can select a particular one from several different sets of information. According to the first embodiment, various functions are assigned to the mode input element of the electric razor, depending on whether the electric razor is switched on or off. When the electric razor is switched on and / or the razor's drive unit is inactive, the mode input element is configured to switch the drive unit to a different operating mode, whereas when the electric razor is switched off and / or the razor's drive unit is inactive, the mode input element is configured to switch the display device to a different display mode to display a different set of information. A user who knows that the input element can be used to change the operating mode of the drive unit when the razor is switched on will naturally use such a mode input element to change the display mode of the display device when the razor is inactive or switched off. Thus, such dual functionality of the mode input element allows for natural and intuitive handling of the razor. In addition, such dual functionality of the mode input element eliminates the need for additional buttons or keys to switch display modes, thus saving space and maintaining a concise structure for the razor's input elements.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the razor's display device may be provided with an automatic switching mode in which different sets of information are automatically displayed one after another under the control of a timer. Such an automatic switching mode ensures that the user is always informed of all relevant information, and in addition, the user learns and becomes aware of the various information functions of the razor and the different sets of information.

[0014] Such an automatic switching mode of the display device may be activated in response to the presence of a parameter indicating that the user is in an attentive and understandable state, and / or in response to a parameter indicating a particular operating stage or state of the electric shaver. Specifically, the automatic switching mode may be activated when the electric shaver is switched off and / or the drive unit is inactive. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the automatic switching mode of the display device may be activated when the resting shaver is touched or when an object such as a finger or hand approaches the resting shaver.

[0015] These and other advantages will become apparent from the following description, which refers to the drawings and possible examples. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an electric shaver comprising a handle and a razor head connected to the handle, the razor's display device including a display on the handle. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the razor's display in different display modes, showing the transitions in the display when the razor is turned on. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the razor's display in several different display modes to further illustrate the automatic switching modes of the display device, showing the display transitions when the razor's drive unit is turned off. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the razor's display in additional display modes, further illustrating the automatic switching modes of the display device, and showing the transition between the two additional display modes after the razor's drive unit has been switched off. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the razor's display and mode input element, illustrating how such a mode input element is used when the razor is switched off, and showing the different display modes of the display selected by the mode input element. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram of the display of the electric razor in a further different display mode selected by the mode input element when the drive unit of the razor is in the non-operating state.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0017] This electric razor provides a comfortable way to notify the user of relevant information. According to one aspect, the user can actively select the relevant information from a plurality of sets of information provided for display. According to another aspect, this razor can automatically display different sets of information to the user at a convenient time when the user is in a careful state and can perceive such information.

[0018] More specifically, according to the first aspect, the mode input element configured to switch the operating razor to various operating modes is also configured to switch the display device to different display modes for displaying different sets of information when the drive unit is in the non-operating state and / or when the razor is at rest. Therefore, in addition to its original function of controlling the operating mode of the operating razor, the mode input element is given a second function.

[0019] When the razor is in the operating state and / or the drive unit is switched on, the mode input element may control the drive unit so that it operates in either a low-speed mode in which the cutter unit is driven at a low speed and / or a low vibration frequency, or a high-speed mode in which the cutter unit is driven at a high speed and / or a high vibration frequency. Also, an intermediate-speed mode that provides a cutter speed and / or a cutter vibration frequency between the above-mentioned high speed and low speed may be provided and may be switched on by the mode input element.

[0020] In addition to such speed control functions, the input mode element may also be configured to control other grooming functions of the shaver. For example, the mode input element may operate a long hair cutter driven by a drive unit. In addition to or instead of such a long hair cutting mode, the mode input element may also switch the shaver to operate in a short hair shaving mode in which only at least one of the cutting units described above is operated, where the long hair cutter is switched to its non-operating state. Other grooming functions may be made available, such as applying a lubricating and / or cooling fluid onto the skin or blowing cooling / cleaning air onto the skin and / or the shaver head, where the mode input element may be configured to operate an applicator that provides such a function, such as a fluid applicator and / or an air flow generator.

[0021] In addition to such control of the operating mode, the mode input element may be configured to switch the display device of the shaver to different display modes to display different sets of information. Specifically, in order to enable providing different sets of information, the shaver may be provided with a plurality of detectors for detecting respective information and / or parameters indicating such information. For example, the display device may be connected to a charge level detector for detecting the charge level of the shaver's battery or accumulator. The corresponding charge level signal supplied by the charge level detector may be stored in a memory to which the display device has access and / or to which a direct connection to the display device is provided. When the mode input element is used to switch to the charge level display mode, the mode input element may interact with the display device and / or its display controller and / or the memory to cause the display device to display information regarding the charge level based on the charge level signal of the detector.

[0022] In addition to or instead of the above, a shaving time and / or shaving execution detector may be provided to detect the shaving time and / or the number of shaving executions performed since the last wash. The shaving time signal and / or shaving execution count signal supplied by the detector may be stored in memory accessible by the display device and / or supplied directly to the display device, where the mode input element may be configured to switch the display device to a shaving time and / or shaving execution count display mode, which enables the display of shaving time information and / or shaving execution count information on the display.

[0023] In addition to or instead of the above, a cleaning state detector may detect the cleaning state of the razor, where such a detector may detect, for example, the elapsed time since the last cleaning cycle and / or the amount of hair dust remaining in the razor head and / or any other parameters indicating the cleaning state. Here again, such cleaning signals supplied by the cleaning detector may be stored in memory accessible to the display device and / or supplied directly to the display device and / or its display controller when a mode input element switches the display device to cleaning state display mode so that the corresponding cleaning information is displayed.

[0024] In addition to or instead of the above, there may be wear detectors for detecting wear on the cutter unit, and such wear detectors may detect the number of shaving runs since the most recent replacement of the cutter unit and / or the frictional resistance of the cutter unit when it is vibrating, i.e., vibration resistance, and / or the drive power required to drive the cutter unit, and / or any other parameters indicating wear on the cutter unit. Wear signals from such wear detectors may be stored in a memory provided in the display device and / or its display controller, if the display device and / or its display controller are configured by an input mode element to display wear information based on such wear signals, and / or may be presented directly to the display device.

[0025] The mode input element may include a touch key or touch button, which can be implemented as a mechanical button or, for example, a touchscreen button, and thus the mode input element can be activated by pressing or touching the touch key. Such a touch key or touch button may be configured to provide forward and backward switching functions so that it is possible to switch from a first mode to a second mode and from a second mode to a first mode. For example, the touch key may be configured to distinguish between one click and two clicks, as is known with computer mice. Touching the key once may result in, for example, the forward switching described above, while touching the key twice within a given time may result in backward switching.

[0026] In addition to such key touches, or in alternative examples, the mode input element may include a gesture detector for detecting finger gestures, such as finger wiping, so that various display modes can be browsed by finger gestures. Such a gesture detector may also be configured to produce forward and backward switching, for example, the direction of finger wiping may be used to distinguish between backward and forward switching, for example, a left-to-right finger movement may be associated with forward switching, while a right-to-left movement may produce backward switching.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the mode input element may include a toggle switch button for toggling one operating mode of a drive unit to another operating mode, and for toggling one display mode of a display device to another display mode. If there are three or more operating modes or three or more display modes, the toggle can be implemented in a kind of circuit form, so that by activating the toggle switch button multiple times, a switch from mode 1 to mode 2, mode 3, and mode n can be achieved, and upon reaching the final mode n, the toggle switch button can be activated again to bring about a switch from mode n back to mode 1. In addition to or instead of this, such a toggle switch button may be configured to provide forward and backward switching, as previously described.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the mode input element may include a signal receiver and / or be configured to respond to a received signal in order to switch a display mode and / or a motor operating mode and / or other functional operating modes in response to the received signal. Such mode switching signals may originate from various electronic circuits and / or devices. Specifically, the mode switching element may respond to signals originating from an external device such as a razor charging and / or cleaning station, or an electronic communication device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, thereby enabling control of the display mode and / or motor operating mode and / or other functional operating modes by an external device.

[0029] The mode switching element may also receive signals from a configuration detector that detects the configuration of a razor and / or skincare device, such a configuration detector may detect the position and / or connection of skin treatment units, such as a long hair cutter, a beard trimmer, and / or a brush or peeling device. For example, when a peeling device is attached to the razor head and / or moved to the operating position, the mode switching element may switch the motor to the corresponding skin treatment mode and / or switch the display to a skin treatment display mode that shows relevant information about the skin treatment.

[0030] The aforementioned mode input element may include software modules and / or hardware modules that respond to and / or process such mode input signals and / or mode switching signals. More specifically, a microcontroller may be provided for receiving the aforementioned signals and controlling the motor and / or display device of the drive unit in such various modes in response to the received signals, and such a microcontroller may include the aforementioned software and / or hardware element.

[0031] The function associated with the mode input element may be determined in different ways or based on different parameters. For example, the operating state of the drive unit, such as the power consumption of the drive unit's motor, may be used as a parameter on which the function of the mode input element can be determined. For example, a detector may detect that the drive unit is operating and running, and based on the corresponding signal from such a detector, the mode input element may be configured to switch the aforementioned operating modes of the razor. On the other hand, if the detector does not supply such a signal, or supplies a non-operating signal indicating that the drive unit is not operating and / or that the razor has been switched off, the mode button may be configured to switch the display mode. Thus, the mode input element may respond to a detector signal indicating that the razor is operating or idle and / or that the drive unit has been switched on or off.

[0032] In addition to the mode input element responding to the operation / pause state of the drive unit or razor, or alternatively, a shift element may be provided to shift the function of the mode input element from one configured to switch operation modes to one configured to switch display modes. Such a shift element gives the user the option to actively change the function of the mode input element regardless of the operation / pause state of the razor, and may include, for example, a touch key or touch button. Furthermore, the shift element and / or shift function may be incorporated into the mode input element, for example, as a detector for detecting the operating time of the mode input element. For example, a short, normal touch or click of the mode input element may be interpreted as a command to switch operation modes or display modes depending on the operation / pause state of the razor, while touching the mode input element for a longer period, such as more than 3 seconds, may be interpreted as a command to shift the function of the mode input element. For example, when the razor is operating and the drive unit is running, pressing the mode input element for more than 3 seconds may be interpreted as a command to shift to a display mode function that shifts the display mode of the display device.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the display device is configured to operate in an automatic switching mode in which different sets of information are displayed successively under the control of a timer, so that each of the available sets of information or each of a predetermined subgroup of the available sets of information is displayed successively on the display over a predetermined period of time.

[0034] Such automatic switching modes of a display device can be operated in various ways, and may form a razor-sharp configuration that does not have or require the mode input elements described above, but may still have such mode input elements. In a further embodiment, the operation is realized when the user is in a state of attentiveness, under normal circumstances, and can perceive the information that is automatically displayed. For example, the actuator may activate the automatic switching mode in response to an off-switching signal indicating the off-switching of the drive unit and / or the transition of the drive unit from an operating state to an inoperable state, and / or in response to an on-switching signal indicating the on-switching of the drive unit and / or the transition of the drive unit from an inoperable state to an operating state.

[0035] Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the automatic switching mode may be activated when an object, such as a finger or hand, touches and / or approaches the resting razor. To detect such approach, the razor, in particular the razor handle, may be provided with a detector or sensor device capable of detecting an object, such as a finger or hand, approaching the razor. Such detectors may include touch sensors and / or visual sensors or any other sensors capable of detecting a nearby finger.

[0036] The display device may include a display on the razor handle, and such a display may include, for example, an LED display device or other suitable display type.

[0037] To achieve a space-saving display arrangement, the display device may include at least one display field used to display information related to the operating mode, as well as information related to other aspects of the razor, such as the charge level, shaving time, cleaning status, or wear status. For example, such a display field may be configured to display a cascaded or row of display points or a pictogram such as an LED.

[0038] In addition to or instead of having a display on the electric shaver itself, a display may be provided on a cleaning and / or loading station configured to receive and / or connect to an electric shaver in order to charge the shaver's battery and / or clean the shaver, where a fluid may be applied to the shaver head for cleaning. Such a cleaning and / or charging station may include a display configured to communicate with the electric shaver when the shaver is docked to the station in order to display the information described above. The display on the cleaning and / or charging station may be controlled by a mode input element of the shaver and / or may automatically switch from one display mode to another in the automatic switching mode described above.

[0039] The display device of the washing and / or charging station may be controlled by an input element located on the razor and / or on the station itself. To enable control of the station's display from the razor, the razor and the station may be provided with a data communication interface, which may include physical connection elements that can come into contact with each other when the razor is docked to the station, and / or a Bluetooth or other short-range wireless communication interface.

[0040] In a further embodiment, an electric razor may provide an automatic indication of the soiling status of the razor head. Cut hair or other debris such as dust or dirt typically accumulates in the internal space of the razor head below the cutter unit. Sometimes, such internal space of the razor head needs to be cleaned. To remind the user to clean when necessary, or to automatically control and / or initiate such cleaning, the razor may be provided with a soiling measuring unit that measures at least one parameter associated with the soiling status and / or the amount of dirt accumulated in the razor head.

[0041] For example, the measuring unit may measure the shaving time of the cutter element and / or the shaving resistance and / or frictional resistance, and / or the power consumption of the drive unit during shaving, and / or the contact pressure (because users tend to increase the contact pressure when shaving performance deteriorates), and / or related parameters such as electrical signals from sensor elements such as electrical resistance sensors or optical sensors that respond to hair / dust coating, or other parameters indicating the fragments within the razor head.

[0042] A microcontroller may analyze such measurement parameters to determine the degree of soiling of the razor head, and an indicator may provide the user with an indicator signal or information regarding the degree of soiling, which may be displayed, for example, on the aforementioned display device. In addition to or instead of this, the microcontroller may supply a signal to the cleaning station to automatically start a cleaning cycle in response to the determined degree of soiling, and / or supply a signal to the smartphone to display the degree of soiling on the smartphone.

[0043] These and other features will become even clearer from the examples shown in the drawings. As can be seen in Figure 1, the razor 1 may have a razor housing that forms a handle 2 for holding the razor, and this handle may have various shapes, such as substantially cylindrical, box-shaped, or bone-shaped, that broadly speaking allow the razor to be held in a simple grip.

[0044] A razor head 3 is attached to a handle at one end of the razor 2, and the razor head 3 may be supported so as to be rotatable about one or more pivot axes.

[0045] The razor head 3 includes at least one cutter unit 4, which may include a cutter element or undercutter that reciprocates below the shear foil. The razor head 3 may also include a long-hair cutter 8, as shown in Figure 1.

[0046] To drive such a cutter unit 4 and long-hair cutter 8, the drive unit 5 may include a motor, which can be housed within the handle 2 and connected to the cutter unit and long-hair cutter 8 by a transmitter or drive train extending from the motor to the cutter unit 4.

[0047] As can be seen in Figure 1, an on-off switch or power switch 17 may be installed on the handle 2, for example, on the front side of the handle 2. Such a power switch 17 can start the drive unit 5 and switch it off again.

[0048] As can be seen from Figures 2-6, the razor 1 further includes a display 18, which may be mounted on the handle, for example, on the front side of the handle 2. Such a display 18 may be part of a display device 6, which further includes additional electronic components or other elements such as a display controller 11, memory, and power supply components.

[0049] The display 18 may include a first display field 18a having an LED cascade and a second or further display field 18b where symbols and / or pictograms indicating the type of information to be displayed may be presented and shown (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0050] As can be seen from Figure 5, the razor 1 may further include a mode input element 7, for example, as a touch button 16 located near the power switch 17.

[0051] As shown in the figure, the display device 6 can operate in automatic mode and, in addition, in manual control mode. For example, when the razor 1 is started by touching the power switch 17, the display 18 may show a cascade of light signals to indicate that the razor is running. For example, after starting with the flashing or illumination of only one light, the number of illuminated LEDs may increase one by one until all LEDs in the cascade are illuminated.

[0052] After such an initialization procedure, or in an alternative procedure, the display 18 may display the battery level, where the number of illuminated cascade bars may correspond to the battery level (see Figure 2).

[0053] As can be seen in Figure 3, the display 18 may continue to display the battery level for a predetermined period after the razor is switched off. For example, the battery status may be automatically displayed for 3 seconds (see the right side of Figure 3).

[0054] In one embodiment, after the razor is switched off, the display 18 not only indicates the charge level but also automatically switches to another display mode to display another set of information. Such an automatic switching mode of the display device 6 may be activated by the actuator 10 in response to a parameter that instructs to switch the razor off. Such an actuator may respond to a detector signal or parameter that instructs to switch the razor off.

[0055] In addition to or instead of the above, the automatic switching mode of the display device 6 may also be activated by the actuator 10 in response to a parameter indicating that an object or subject is approaching the razor 1, particularly if a finger or part of a hand is approaching or in contact with the razor 1. Thus, the actuator 10 may be configured to respond to a detector signal from the proximity detector or contact sensor 19 when the razor is idle.

[0056] As can be seen in Figure 4, such an automatic switching mode may cause the display 18 to display the charge level, then the cleaning status (see left side of Figure 4), and then the status of the cutter unit (see right side of Figure 4). Such automatic switching of the display mode may be implemented under the time control of the timer 9.

[0057] As can be seen from Figures 3-4, the display 18 may indicate the type of information to be displayed in its second display field 18b, where a symbol or other pictogram of the applicable information type, such as a battery, a drop of cleaning fluid, or a foil cassette, may be shown.

[0058] As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the display mode of the display device 6 can also be manually switched using the mode input element 7 described above, which, as its primary function, can be used to switch the operating mode of the razor while it is in operation, such as cutting speed or vibration frequency. When the razor is idle and / or switched off, the display may also enter idle mode (see left side of Figure 5). When the mode input element 7 is activated or touched, the display may activate and initially show the battery charge level (see right side of Figure 5).

[0059] By touching or activating the mode input element 7 again or more times, the display device 6 will switch to another display mode to display another set of information, such as the cleaning status (see left side of Figure 6) and the cutter unit status (see right side of Figure 6).

[0060] As can be seen from Figure 3, the razor 1 may further be provided with a dirt measuring unit 20 for measuring parameters related to the state of dirt, and such measuring unit 20 may include, for example, a voltage and / or current detector for detecting the power consumption of the drive unit during shaving, and / or a time measuring means for measuring the shaving time.

[0061] The microcontroller 21 may receive signals indicating such parameters, and may analyze such signals to determine the soiling state, and the indicator means 22, such as the display device 6 described here, may be controlled by the microcontroller 21 to indicate the soiling state to the user. In addition to or instead of this, such soiling state information may be communicated to the charging and / or cleaning station so that a cleaning cycle is automatically started in response to the soiling state.

[0062] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​listed. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, such dimensions are intended to mean both the listed value and the functionally equivalent range encompassing that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" means "approximately 40 mm."

Claims

1. An electric razor comprising at least one cutter unit (4), a drive unit (5) for driving the at least one cutter unit (4), a display device (6) for displaying razor information, a power on / off button (17) configured to change the on / off state of the drive unit (5), and a mode input element (7), wherein the drive unit (5) is capable of operating in multiple operating modes when in operation, and the mode input element (7) is provided to switch the drive unit (5) to different operating modes so that the operation of the at least one cutter unit (4) can be switched, The at least one cutter unit (4) includes an undercutter and an upper cutter, the undercutter and the upper cutter being movable relative to each other to cut hair between the undercutter and the upper cutter, The cutter unit (4) forms part of the razor head (3) which has an internal space into which such cut hair or other fragments or dirt accumulates. A dirt measurement unit (20) is provided for measuring parameters associated with the accumulated dirt, a microcontroller (21) is configured to receive signals from the dirt measurement unit (20) and to calculate the dirt status of the razor head (3) in response to the received signals, and an instruction means (22) is provided for instructing the user on information related to the dirt status of the razor head. When the drive unit (5) is operating, the mode input element (7) is configured to switch the drive unit (5) to one of the multiple operating modes, or to switch the display device (6) to one of the multiple display modes. An electric razor characterized in that, when the drive unit (5) is in a non-operating state, the mode input element (7) is activated or touched, causing the display device (6) to display the battery charge level.

2. The electric razor according to claim 1, wherein the microcontroller supplies a signal to the razor cleaning station to automatically start a cleaning cycle in response to a determined soiling state, and / or supplies a signal to the smartphone to display the soiling state on the smartphone.

3. The electric razor according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit (20) includes a voltage and / or current detector for detecting the power consumption of the drive unit during shaving, and / or a time measuring means for measuring the shaving time.

4. The operation mode of the drive unit (5) is - In a low-speed mode in which the cutter unit (4) is driven at a low speed, - In a high-speed mode in which the cutter unit (4) is driven at high speed, - Long hair cutting mode in which the long hair cutter (8) is driven by the drive unit (5), and - Short hair shaving mode in which only at least one cutter unit (4) is driven by the drive unit (5), - A brush attachment mode in which a skin treatment unit that can be attached to the electric razor is driven by the drive unit (5), The electric razor according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following modes: - a beard trimmer mounting mode in which the beard trimmer unit is driven by the drive unit (5).

5. The aforementioned display mode is - Charging information mode that displays the battery charge status. - A shaving time and / or shaving execution count information mode that displays the shaving time and / or the number of shaving executions performed since the last wash. - A cleaning information mode that displays the cleaning status of the razor, and The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one of the following: - A cutter unit wear information mode that displays wear of the cutter unit (4).

6. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display device (6) is configured to operate in an automatic switching mode in which different sets of information are displayed one after another under the control of a timer (9).

7. The electric razor according to claim 6, further comprising an actuator (10) for activating the automatic switching mode.

8. The electric razor according to claim 7, wherein the actuator (10) responds to an off-switching signal that instructs the off-switching of the drive unit and / or the transition of the drive unit (5) from an operating state to a non-operating state, and / or an on-switching signal that instructs the on-switching of the drive unit and / or the transition of the drive unit (5) from a non-operating state to an operating state.

9. An electric razor according to claim 7, further comprising: a detector (19) for detecting when an object or target is in contact with and / or approaching the razor (1); an actuator (10) for activating the automatic switching mode, wherein the actuator (10) is configured to activate the automatic switching mode when an object or target is in contact with and / or approaching the razor (1) in response to a contact / approach signal from the detector (19) while the razor is idle.

10. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the display device (6) is under the control of an electronic controller (11), the electronic controller being connected to at least one detector (12, 13, 14, 15) for supplying at least one detector signal indicating information to be displayed, and the controller (11) responds to a signal from the mode input element (7) to display the information based on the received detector signal indicating the information when the mode input element (7) is activated to request the display of the information.

11. The mode input element (7) is - A toggle switch button for toggling the drive unit (5) from one operating mode to another, and for toggling the display device (6) from one display mode to another, and / or - Touchscreen input elements, and / or - An electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a gesture detector for detecting finger gestures.

12. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the display device (6) includes a first display field (18a) for indicating a value and / or amount of information and a second display field (18b) for indicating the type of information, and the display device (6) is configured to activate and / or operate the first display field in combination with various types of information displayed by the second display field.

13. The electric razor according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the display device (6) includes a display (18) mounted on the handle (2) of the razor (1) and / or is configured to control and communicate with an external display separate from the handle (2).

14. The dirt measurement unit (20) measures the following parameters: shaving time, shaving resistance, The electric razor according to claim 13, configured to measure at least one of the following: the power consumption of the drive unit (5) during shaving time, the cleaning time, and the cleaning solution or moisture inside the razor head.

15. The electric razor according to claim 14, wherein the indicating means (22) includes at least one of the display device (6), a sound wave generator, and a signal generator for generating a communication signal to be communicated to an external electronic device.

16. The device comprises a handle (2), a head (3) including at least one personal care tool for performing a personal care treatment, a drive unit (5) for driving the at least one personal care tool, a display device (6) for displaying personal care information, a power on / off button (17) configured to change the on / off state of the drive unit (5), and a mode input element (7), The drive unit (5) is capable of operating in multiple operating modes when in operation, and the personal care device is provided with a mode input element (7) for switching the drive unit (5) to different operating modes so that the operation of at least one personal care tool can be switched, The at least one personal care tool has at least one cutter unit (4), the at least one cutter unit (4) includes an undercutter and an upper cutter, the undercutter and the upper cutter are movable relative to each other to cut the hair between the undercutter and the upper cutter. The cutter unit (4) forms part of the razor head (3) which has an internal space into which such cut hair or other fragments or dirt accumulates. A dirt measurement unit (20) is provided for measuring parameters associated with the accumulated dirt, a microcontroller (21) is configured to receive signals from the dirt measurement unit (20) and to calculate the dirt status of the razor head (3) in response to the received signals, and an instruction means (22) is provided for instructing the user on information related to the dirt status of the razor head. When the drive unit (5) is operating, the mode input element (7) is configured to switch the drive unit (5) to one of the plurality of operating modes, or to switch the display device (6) to one of the plurality of display modes. A personal care device characterized in that, when the drive unit (5) is in a non-operating state, the mode input element (7) is activated or touched, causing the display device (6) to display the battery charge level.

17. A method for controlling an electric shaver and / or an electronic device connected to the electric shaver, wherein the shaver (1) comprises at least one cutter unit (4), a drive unit (5) for driving the at least one cutter unit (4), a display device (6) for displaying shaver information, a power on / off button (17) configured to change the on / off state of the drive unit (5), and a mode input element (7), wherein the drive unit (5) is capable of operating in multiple operating modes when in operation, and the method is - When the razor (1) and the drive unit (5) are in operation, the drive unit (5) is switched to a different operating mode by activating the mode input element (7) in order to switch the operation of the at least one cutter unit (4), - When the drive unit (5) is in operation, activating the mode input element (7) switches the drive unit (5) to one of the plurality of operating modes, or switches the display device (6) to one of the plurality of display modes; when the drive unit (5) is in non-operational state, activating or touching the mode input element (7) causes the display device (6) to display the battery charge level; Includes, The at least one cutter unit (4) includes an undercutter and an upper cutter, the undercutter and the upper cutter being movable relative to each other to cut hair between the undercutter and the upper cutter, The cutter unit (4) forms part of the razor head (3) which has an internal space into which such cut hair or other fragments or dirt accumulates. A method characterized by providing a dirt measuring unit (20) for measuring parameters associated with the accumulated dirt, a microcontroller (21) configured to receive a signal from the dirt measuring unit (20) and to calculate the dirt status of the razor head (3) in response to the received signal, and providing an instruction means (22) for instructing the user on information related to the dirt status of the razor head.

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