Hair removal device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a hair removal device capable of more efficiently irradiating the skin with light emitted from a light source. A hair removal device according to the present disclosure comprises a body part, a blade part provided to the body part, and a light-emitting member (50) capable of irradiating skin (S) with light (L1). The light-emitting member (50) includes a light source (52), and a light guide (51) that can guide the light (L1) emitted from the light source (52) into the light guide, and irradiate the skin (S) with the light (L1) guided thereinto. The light guide (51) includes a first surface (51a) that guides the light (L1) emitted from the light source (52) into the light guide, and a second surface (51b) that extends along a light guiding direction of the light (L1) guided from the first surface (51a). The second surface (51b) includes an optical treatment unit (51ba) capable of irradiating the skin (S) with the light (L1) guided from the first surface (51a) while in contact with the skin (S).

Description

Hair removal device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hair removal device.

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an electric shaver as a hair removal device has been proposed. In Patent Document 1, the electric shaver includes a shaving unit, and the shaving unit includes a hair cutting unit, a base member that supports the hair cutting unit, and a skin heating unit that includes an infrared light source or a near-infrared light source that emits infrared light or near-infrared light. Then, the skin is heated by irradiating the skin with the infrared light or near-infrared light emitted from the infrared light source or near-infrared light source.

[0003] Japanese Patent Translation of PCT No. 2023-543839

[0004] Thus, in a hair removal device having a light source capable of irradiating light on the skin, it is preferable to enable the light irradiated from the light source to be irradiated on the skin more efficiently.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to obtain a hair removal device capable of irradiating light from a light source on the skin more efficiently.

[0006] A hair removal device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a main body portion, a blade portion provided on the main body portion, and a light emitting member capable of irradiating light on the skin. The light emitting member includes a light source and a light guide that guides the light irradiated from the light source inside and is capable of irradiating the light guided inside on the skin. The light guide includes a first surface that guides the light irradiated from the light source inside, and a second surface that extends along the light guiding direction of the light guided from the first surface. The second surface includes a light application portion capable of irradiating the light guided from the first surface on the skin in a state of contacting the skin.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a hair removal device capable of irradiating light from a light source on the skin more efficiently can be obtained.

[0008] This is a perspective view showing an example of a hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This is a plan view showing an example of the head and blade portions of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This is a front view showing an example of the head and blade portions of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This is a side view showing an example of the head and blade portions of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This is a perspective view showing an example of a light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This is a diagram showing an example of a light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, illustrating the flow of light when the device is not in contact with the skin. This is a diagram showing an example of a light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, illustrating the flow of light when the device is in contact with the skin. This is a diagram showing the state in which the second surface of the light guide provided in an example of a light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1 is in contact with the skin at the same time as the blade portion. This is a diagram showing the state in which the second surface of the light guide provided in an example of a light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1 is in contact with the skin, and the blade portion is not in contact with the skin. This is a diagram showing the state in which an example of a light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1 is arranged between a plurality of blade blocks. This is a diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional shape of the light guide provided in an example of a light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This figure shows a first modified example of the cross-sectional shape of a light guide provided in an example of a light-emitting member of a hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This figure shows a second modified example of the cross-sectional shape of a light guide provided in an example of a light-emitting member of a hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This figure shows an example of a cassette blade of a hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, with the cassette blade attached to the head unit body. This figure shows an example of a cassette blade of a hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, with the cassette blade removed from the head unit body. This figure shows a first modified example of a cassette blade of a hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, with the cassette blade removed from the head unit body. This figure shows a second modified example of a cassette blade of a hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, with the cassette blade removed from the head unit body. This figure illustrates an example of a method for transferring heat generated by the light source of a hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This figure illustrates a first modified example of a method for transferring heat generated by the light source of a hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This figure illustrates a second modified example of a method for transferring heat generated by the light source of a hair removal device according to Embodiment 1.This figure illustrates a third modified example of the method for transferring heat generated by the light source of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This figure illustrates a fourth modified example of the method for transferring heat generated by the light source of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This figure shows a first modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, in which the light-emitting element is covered with a material having the same refractive index as the light guide. This figure shows a second modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, in which the reflector, as the first light-shielding part, is arranged to face the first surface of the light guide. This figure shows a third modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, in which the reflective film, as the first light-shielding part, is attached to the first surface of the light guide. This figure shows a fourth modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, in which the reflective film, as the first light-shielding part, is attached to the housing in a state facing the first surface of the light guide. This figure shows a fifth modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, in which the reflector, as the second light-shielding part, is arranged on the outer edge of the first surface of the light guide. This figure shows a sixth modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, illustrating the flow of light when it is in contact with the skin. This figure shows a seventh modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, illustrating the flow of light when it is in contact with the skin. This figure shows another example of the cassette blade of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, illustrating the state in which the cassette blade is attached to the head unit body. This figure shows another example of the cassette blade of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, illustrating the state in which the cassette blade has been removed from the head unit body. This figure shows a first modified example of another example of the cassette blade of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, illustrating the state in which the cassette blade has been removed from the head unit body. This figure shows a second modified example of another example of the cassette blade of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, illustrating the state in which the cassette blade has been removed from the head unit body. This figure shows an eighth modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1, illustrating the state in which the light-emitting element is covered with a material having the same refractive index as the light guide. This figure shows a ninth modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1.This figure shows an example of the cross-sectional shape of the light guide in the ninth modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This figure shows another example of the cross-sectional shape of the light guide in the ninth modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1. This figure shows the state in which the second surface of the light guide in the ninth modified example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 1 is in contact with the skin. This is a perspective view showing an example of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 2. This is a plan view showing an example of the head and blade parts of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 2. This is a front view showing an example of the head and blade parts of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 2. This is a side view showing an example of the head and blade parts of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 2. This figure shows the state in which the second surface of the light guide in an example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 2 is in contact with the skin at the same time as the blade part. This figure shows the state in which the second surface of the light guide in an example of the light-emitting member of the hair removal device according to Embodiment 2 is in contact with the skin, but the blade part is not in contact with the skin.

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted.

[0010] The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable a person skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, an electric razor that cuts the user's beard (i.e., an example of hair) is given as an example of a hair removal device.

[0012] Furthermore, in the following explanation, the direction in which multiple blade blocks are arranged side by side will be referred to as the X direction, and the direction in which each blade block extends will be referred to as the Y direction. The X direction is also called the front-to-back direction or the shaving direction. The Y direction is also called the one-way direction, the left-to-right direction, or the width direction.

[0013] Next, we will describe the vertical direction in the state where the head (i.e., an element of the electric razor) is positioned so that the skin contact surface of the blade faces upward, and define this as the Z direction. The Z direction is also called the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the skin contact surface of the blade is composed of the surfaces of the outer blades of multiple blade blocks (i.e., the outer surfaces), and as a whole, it can be approximated as a curved surface that is convex outward. Therefore, in the following embodiments and their modifications, the state in which the head (i.e., an element of the razor body) is positioned so that the skin contact surface of the blade faces upward is described as the state in which the head (i.e., an element of the razor body) is positioned so that the skin contact surface of the blade faces upward.

[0014] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the side of the electric razor body where the switch is located is defined as the front in the front-to-back direction for the explanation.

[0015] Furthermore, in the following explanation, electromagnetic waves including wavelengths such as ultraviolet and infrared (i.e., an example of light in a broad sense), not just visible light, will be described as light emitted from a light source.

[0016] Note that the following embodiments and their modifications include similar components. Therefore, in the following, these similar components will be given common reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0017] (Embodiment 1) First, the configuration of the electric razor 1 as a hair removal device will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1 (i.e., an example of a hair removal device). Figure 2 is a plan view showing an example of the head portion 12 and blade portion 20a of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a front view showing an example of the head portion 12 and blade portion 20a of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 4 is a side view showing an example of the head portion 12 and blade portion 20a of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the electric razor 1 according to this embodiment comprises a razor body 10 (i.e., a main body) and a blade unit 20 having a blade portion 20a that is held on the razor body 10 with its skin contact surface 20aa exposed. The skin contact surface 20aa is the surface of the outer blade of each blade block, which will be described later.

[0019] The razor body 10 comprises a grip portion 11 that can be held by hand, and a head portion 12 supported by the grip portion 11. In this embodiment, the head portion 12 is supported by the grip portion 11 in an upward and forward inclined position, with the extension direction of the grip portion 11 substantially coinciding with the Z direction (i.e., the vertical direction).

[0020] The head portion 12 can be made to pivot in the Y direction (i.e., the width direction) relative to the grip portion 11, using an unillustrated shaft portion extending in the X direction (i.e., the front-to-back direction) as its axis. Furthermore, the head portion 12 can also be made to pivot in the X direction relative to the grip portion 11, using an unillustrated shaft portion extending in the Y direction as its axis. Additionally, the head portion 12 can be made to float in the Z direction relative to the grip portion 11.

[0021] Furthermore, it is possible to combine these oscillations and floats as appropriate. For example, the head portion 12 can swing in the X and Y directions relative to the grip portion 11, while also being able to float in the Z direction relative to the grip portion 11.

[0022] It is also possible to configure the head portion 12 so that it neither swings nor floats relative to the grip portion 11. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the head portion 12 so that it is not inclined relative to the grip portion 11.

[0023] The grip portion 11 is equipped with a main body housing 111, and a cavity is formed inside this main body housing 111. Various electrical components, such as a rechargeable battery, are housed within this cavity formed inside the main body housing 111.

[0024] Furthermore, the main housing 111 has a push-type power switch 111a for operating the electric shaver 1. That is, the power switch 111a turns the power of the electric shaver 1 on and off. In this embodiment, a push-type switch is exemplified as the power switch 111a, but other types of switches, including slide switches, may be used as long as they can turn the power on and off.

[0025] In this embodiment, the power switch 111a is formed on the front surface of the main body housing 111, that is, on the front surface (i.e., the front) of the electric shaver 1. The front surface of the electric shaver 1 is the surface that faces the user when the user is holding the grip portion 11 of the electric shaver 1 during normal use.

[0026] It is also possible to provide a trimmer unit at the rear of the main housing 111 (i.e., at the rear of the electric shaver 1).

[0027] The head portion 12 comprises a head body 121 that is attached to the grip portion 11, and a head cover 122 that is detachably attached to the head body 121.

[0028] Furthermore, a drive mechanism (not shown) is housed within the head unit body 121. This drive mechanism comprises multiple drive rods, which are housed within the head unit body 121 in such a manner that they protrude upward from the head unit body 121. Such a drive mechanism can be one of conventionally known types, such as a vibratory linear actuator or a drive mechanism composed of a rotary motor and a conversion mechanism that converts rotational motion into reciprocating linear motion.

[0029] The blade unit 20 comprises a plurality of blade blocks 21, which are arranged in the X direction with their longitudinal directions aligned with the Y direction.

[0030] As described above, in this embodiment, each blade block 21 has a predetermined length and width, and these blade blocks 21 are arranged such that their length direction substantially coincides with the Y direction of the electric shaver 1 (i.e., the one direction and the left-right direction), while their width direction substantially coincides with the X direction of the electric shaver 1 (i.e., the direction intersecting the one direction, specifically the front-back direction and the shaving direction). The blade portion 20a is composed of a plurality of blade blocks 21 arranged in line in the X direction.

[0031] Furthermore, each of the multiple blade blocks 21 is equipped with an outer blade piece 211 (i.e., an element of the outer blade) and an inner blade 212, and each outer blade piece 211 (i.e., an element of each outer blade) is formed in an inverted U-shape, curved so that it is convex upwards when viewed from the side (i.e., along the Y direction). Therefore, in this embodiment, the skin contact surface 20aa of the blade unit 20 is composed of the surfaces (more specifically, the outer surfaces) of the outer blades of the multiple blade blocks 21, and as a whole, it can be approximated as a curved surface that is convex outwards.

[0032] Furthermore, the outer blade piece 211 (i.e., one element of the outer blade) can be configured not to be curved so that it is convex upwards when viewed from the front (i.e., along the X direction). For example, when viewed from the front (i.e., along the X direction), the top of the outer blade piece 211 (i.e., one element of the outer blade) can be made to be a straight line extending in the Y direction (i.e., the left-right direction: the outer blade length direction). Alternatively, the outer blade piece 211 (i.e., one element of the outer blade) can be formed with a slight curve along the Y direction (i.e., the left-right direction, which is also the outer blade length direction) so that it is convex upwards when viewed from the front (i.e., along the X direction).

[0033] Furthermore, the multiple blade blocks 21 can be composed of net blade blocks and slit blade blocks. Here, the net blade block has many circular blade holes (not shown) and is mainly used to cut down beards (i.e., an example of body hair) and short, upright beards (i.e., an example of body hair). The slit blade block has many slit-shaped blade holes (not shown) and is mainly used to cut thin, long beards (i.e., an example of body hair).

[0034] On the other hand, each inner blade 212 is shaped like an inverted U, following the curved shape of the corresponding outer blade piece 211, and is positioned inside the corresponding outer blade piece 211. More specifically, each inner blade 212 is positioned on the underside of the outer blade piece 211, that is, on the side opposite to the side of the outer blade piece 211 that contacts the skin S (see, for example, Figure 7, described later). This inner blade 212 is detachably attached to one of the multiple drive rods. When the electric shaver 1 is turned on and the drive rod is driven with the inner blade 212 attached to the drive rod and positioned inside the outer blade piece 211, the inner blade 212 slides against the inner surface of the corresponding outer blade piece 211 and is displaced relative to the outer blade piece 211 (i.e., moves relative to it, more specifically reciprocating in the left-right direction).

[0035] Thus, the electric razor 1 according to this embodiment has the form of a reciprocating electric razor in which the inner blade 212 moves back and forth in one direction (i.e., in the Y direction) relative to the outer blade piece 211.

[0036] In this embodiment, the blade blocks 21 are configured to be held by the head cover 122, so that when the head cover 122 is removed from the head body 121, the blade blocks 21 are also removed from the head body 121 together with the head cover 122. In this way, in this embodiment, the cassette blade 30 (see, for example, Figure 14, which will be described later) is formed by detachably holding the blade blocks 21 to the head cover 122. At this time, it is also possible to remove all the inner blades 212 from the head body 121 together with the head cover 122, or it is also possible to remove some of the inner blades 212 while some of the other components (for example, the multiple outer blade pieces 211 and some of the inner blades 212 other than the inner blades 212) are removed from the head body 121 together with the head cover 122.

[0037] Furthermore, it is also possible to form a cassette blade by holding multiple blade blocks 21 in a roughly frame-shaped case, and then attach this cassette blade to the head cover 122. In this way, multiple blade blocks 21 can be attached to the head cover 122 at once, making it easier to attach and detach multiple blade blocks 21.

[0038] Then, the electric shaver 1 is turned on, and with each inner blade 212 displaced relative to the corresponding outer blade piece 211 (i.e., one element of the outer blade), the skin contact surface 20aa of the blade portion 20a, which is part of the blade unit 20, is placed against the user's skin S (i.e., the skin surface) and moved while sliding in the X direction (i.e., the front-back direction), so that the beard (i.e., an example of body hair) inserted into the blade hole of each outer blade piece 211 (i.e., one element of each outer blade) is cut by the outer blade piece 211 (i.e., one element of the outer blade) and the inner blade 212.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electric shaver 1 is equipped with a light-emitting member 50 having a light guide 51 (see Figure 5, described later), and is configured to irradiate the skin S with light L1 (see Figure 7, described later) emitted from the light guide 51. Thus, the electric shaver 1 according to this embodiment can not only cut beards (i.e., an example of body hair) but can also perform treatment by irradiating the skin S (more specifically, the skin S after the beard has been cut) with light L1.

[0040] In this embodiment, the light-emitting member 50 is positioned in front of a plurality of blade blocks 21 that are arranged in the X direction (i.e., the direction intersecting the Y direction, which is one direction). At this time, the light guide 51 is positioned between the plurality of blade blocks 21 and the front wall of the head cover 122. Thus, in this embodiment, by replacing one of the plurality of blade blocks 21 (more specifically, the foremost blade block 21) with the light-emitting member 50, the electric razor 1 is provided with a blade portion 20a and a light-emitting member 50.

[0041] In this embodiment, the outer blade pieces 211 of the five blade blocks 21 and the light guide 51 of the one light-emitting member 50 are exposed upward from the opening of the head cover 122. Therefore, in this embodiment, the electric shaver 1 has a configuration in which one of the six blades of an electric shaver (more specifically, one blade block 21) is replaced with a light-emitting member 50.

[0042] Thus, in this embodiment, the blade portion 20a is provided with a blade block 21 having an outer blade piece 211 (i.e., one element of the outer blade) and an inner blade 212 that is capable of reciprocating in the Y direction (i.e., one direction) relative to the outer blade piece 211 (i.e., one element of the outer blade). The blade block 21 and the light guide 51 are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the X direction (i.e., a direction intersecting the one direction).

[0043] By doing so, it becomes possible to perform the treatment by irradiating the hair-removed skin S with the light L1, and it becomes possible to further reduce the damage caused by the hair removal to the skin S. By doing so, it becomes possible to perform the hair removal operation while reducing the damage to the skin S, and an electric razor 1 that is more gentle to the skin S can be obtained.

[0044] Next, an example of the configuration of the light emitting member 50 will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the light emitting member 50 of the electric razor 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the light emitting member 50 of the electric razor 1 according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining the flow of light in a state where the skin S is not in contact. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the light emitting member 50 of the electric razor 1 according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining the flow of light in a state where the skin S is in contact.

[0045] The light emitting member 50 according to the present embodiment includes a light source 52 and a light guide 51 that guides the light L1 irradiated from the light source 52 inside and can irradiate the light L1 guided inside to the skin S.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the light guide 51 has an elongated rod shape (more specifically, a substantially cylindrical shape) in one direction (that is, the Y direction), and a pair of end faces 51a facing each other in one direction (that is, the Y direction), and a peripheral surface 51b that connects the peripheries of the pair of end faces 51a. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the central axis direction of the substantially cylindrical light guide 51 is one direction (that is, the Y direction), and the light guide 51 is formed such that the length Lx in the central axis direction (that is, the Y direction) of the peripheral surface 51b (that is, the horizontal length in the side view of the light guide 51) is longer than the diameter D1 of the end face 51a (that is, the vertical length in the side view).

[0047] And the light source 52 is attached to each of the pair of end faces 51a, and the light L1 irradiated from each light source 52 passes through the corresponding end face 51a and is guided into the light guide 51. At this time, the light L1 guided into the light guide 51 is guided in the light guide 51 along the central axis direction of the light guide 51.

[0048] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pair of end faces 51a serve as the first faces for guiding the light L1 irradiated from the light source 52 into the interior of the light guide 51, and the circumferential face 51b serves as the second face extending along the light guiding direction of the light L1 guided from the first face (more specifically, the end face 51a).

[0049] This light guide 51 can be formed using, for example, materials capable of guiding the light L1, such as glass used as an optical member, transparent acrylic, polycarbonate, silicone, polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter referred to as PET), resins such as polyvinyl chloride (hereinafter referred to as PVC), and transparent ceramics.

[0050] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 51 included in an example of the light emitting member 50 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a light guide 51 formed of one type of material and having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape is used.

[0051] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the circumferential face 51b, which is the second face, is provided with a light treatment portion 51ba. In a state where the light treatment portion 51ba is in contact with the skin S, the light L1 guided from the first face (that is, the end face 51a) passes through the light treatment portion 51ba and is radiated toward the skin S. Thus, in the present embodiment, the light L1 guided into the light guide 51 is radiated in a direction intersecting the light guiding direction, so that the treatment of the skin S is performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the light treatment portion 51ba formed on the circumferential face 51b becomes a light irradiation portion (more specifically, a skin contact surface) where the light L1 leaks from the light guide 51 to the skin S when the surface (that is, the side face, more specifically, the circumferential face 51b) extending in the longitudinal direction, which is the direction in which the light L1 is guided in the light guide 51, comes into contact with the skin S.

[0052] In this embodiment, any part of the circumferential surface 51b of the light guide 51 functions as the light treatment area 51ba. Therefore, when the circumferential surface 51b of the light guide 51 is applied to the skin S, the area that the skin S contacts functions as the light treatment area 51ba. In this case, if the light guide 51 is substantially cylindrical as in this embodiment, when the circumferential surface 51b of the light guide 51 is applied to the skin S, a long, narrow linear region on the circumferential surface 51b in the direction of the central axis will come into contact with the skin S. Therefore, this long, narrow linear region on the circumferential surface 51b in the direction of the central axis functions as the light treatment area 51ba. This long, narrow linear region on the circumferential surface 51b in the direction of the central axis changes depending on the pressure applied by the skin S to the light guide 51. For example, it may become a straight line parallel to the central axis, or an elliptical region where the direction perpendicular to the central axis in a plan view is the minor axis and the direction along the central axis is the major axis. Furthermore, the width of the elongated linear region on the circumferential surface 51b in the direction of the central axis (i.e., the length in the direction perpendicular to the central axis in a plan view) is at most up to the diameter D1 of the light guide 51. Note that if the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 51 is not circular, the maximum width of the elongated linear region on the circumferential surface 51b in the direction of the central axis (i.e., the region on the circumferential surface 51b that the skin S contacts) is the length in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the light guide 51 in a plan view.

[0053] By using a light-emitting member 50 with this configuration, light L1 can be emitted onto the skin S from an elongated region in the central axis direction on the circumferential surface 51b, allowing the skin S to be treated. This makes it possible to irradiate a wider area of ​​the skin S with light L1. Therefore, compared to irradiating the skin S with light L1 from a point light source, it becomes possible to irradiate a wider area of ​​the skin S with light L1 at once. As a result, it becomes possible to irradiate the skin S with light L1 emitted from the light source 52 more efficiently.

[0054] Furthermore, by making the light L1 emitted from the light source 52 more efficient in irradiating the skin S, the lengthening of the treatment time for the skin S using the light-emitting member 50 can be suppressed, and the efficiency of the skin S treatment can be further improved. Also, if the light guide body 51 is roughly cylindrical, the light L1 will be emitted onto the skin S from a long, narrow linear region in the direction of the central axis on the circumferential surface 51b, so that a relatively high density of light L1 (i.e., light with a large amount of radiation per unit area) can be emitted onto the skin S. As a result, even if the treatment time is shortened, it becomes possible to provide sufficient treatment effects to the skin S, and the skin S can be treated more efficiently. In addition, if the long, narrow linear region in the direction of the central axis (i.e., the Y direction) (more specifically, the light treatment part 51ba) is slid in a direction intersecting the central axis (i.e., the X direction) while in contact with the skin S, the skin S can be treated more evenly.

[0055] In this case, it is preferable that the light guide 51 be configured such that, when the skin S is not in contact with it, the radiation of light L1 guided into the light guide 51 from its peripheral surface 51b is suppressed. This prevents light L1 guided into the light guide 51 from leaking out from its peripheral surface 51b when the skin S is not in contact with it. Therefore, for example, when visible light such as red light is guided into the light guide 51 and radiated onto the skin S, the glare felt when the skin S directly looks at the light guide 51 through which the light L1 (more specifically, visible light) is guided can be reduced.

[0056] Such a configuration can be achieved, for example, by ensuring that the refractive index of the light guide 51 is greater than or equal to that of air.

[0057] In this way, by making the refractive index of the light guide 51 greater than or equal to that of air, it becomes possible to cause total internal reflection of the light L1 inside the light guide 51 at the boundary between the peripheral surface 51b (including the part that becomes the phototreatment area 51ba) and the air layer. As a result, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of light L1 guided into the light guide 51 that leaks from the peripheral surface 51b, and to suppress the radiation of light L1 guided into the light guide 51 from the peripheral surface 51b when the skin S is not in contact with it.

[0058] Furthermore, it is preferable that the light guide 51 be configured such that, when the skin S is in contact with it, the light L1 guided into the light guide 51 is radiated onto the skin S at the part of the peripheral surface 51b that is in contact with the skin S (more specifically, the phototreatment area 51ba). This way, when the skin S is not in contact with the peripheral surface 51b, leakage of light L1 can be suppressed, while when the skin S is in contact with the peripheral surface 51b, light L1 can be radiated onto the skin S from the part of the peripheral surface 51b that is in contact with the skin S (more specifically, the phototreatment area 51ba). In other words, only by bringing the skin S into contact with the peripheral surface 51b can sufficient light L1 (i.e., high-energy light) be radiated onto the skin S.

[0059] Such a configuration can be achieved, for example, by ensuring that the refractive index of the light guide 51 is less than or equal to the refractive index of the skin S.

[0060] Thus, by making the refractive index of the light guide 51 less than or equal to the refractive index of the skin S, there is no air layer in the region of the peripheral surface 51b that is in contact with the skin S (more specifically, the light treatment area 51ba), and it becomes a boundary with the skin S, which has a refractive index greater than or equal to that of the light guide 51. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, the light L1 guided into the interior of the light guide 51 passes to the skin S side without total internal reflection. Note that although Figure 7 shows the light L1 passing through the light treatment area 51ba as a straight line, in reality, it is refracted and radiated to the skin S. This is also true for figures other than Figure 7 that show the light L1 passing through the light treatment area 51ba.

[0061] Thus, in this embodiment, the refractive index of the light guide 51 is set to be 1.0003 or higher, which is the refractive index of air, and 1.54 or lower, which is the refractive index of skin S. Specifically, the refractive index of the light guide 51 is set to be between 1.4 and 1.5. However, since the refractive index of glass, resin, ceramics, etc., depends on the wavelength emitted from the light source, it is necessary to set the optimal material for the light guide 51 according to the wavelength.

[0062] In this way, by utilizing the refractive index difference between the light guide 51 (more specifically, the phototreatment section 51ba) and air, it becomes possible to suppress the emission of light L1 guided into the light guide 51 from the peripheral surface 51b (including the part that becomes the phototreatment section 51ba) when the skin S is not in contact with it. Furthermore, by utilizing the refractive index difference between the light guide 51 (more specifically, the phototreatment section 51ba) and the skin S, it becomes possible to ensure that when the skin S comes into contact with the light guide 51, the light L1 guided into the light guide 51 is emitted onto the skin S at the part in contact with the skin S (more specifically, the phototreatment section 51ba). In other words, by simply setting the refractive index of the light guide 51 (more specifically, the photo-treatment portion 51ba) to a predetermined range (more specifically, a range greater than or equal to the refractive index of air and less than or equal to the refractive index of skin S), it becomes possible to suppress the leakage of light L1 guided into the interior of the light guide 51 from the peripheral surface 51b (including the portion that becomes the photo-treatment portion 51ba) when the skin S is not in contact with it, while allowing light L1 to be emitted onto the skin S from the area that the skin S is in contact with (more specifically, the photo-treatment portion 51ba). As a result, the structure of the light-emitting member 50 can be simplified.

[0063] In this embodiment, the light guide 51 is shown as having an overall refractive index greater than or equal to that of air and less than or equal to that of skin S. However, it is sufficient that the refractive index of the light guide 51 is greater than or equal to that of air and less than or equal to that of skin S, at least in the portion that becomes the light treatment area 51ba.

[0064] Furthermore, the light source 52 may include a one-sided light source 52A capable of guiding light L1 into the interior of the light guide body 51 from a first surface (i.e., one end surface 51a) connected to one side of the second surface (i.e., the circumferential surface 51b), and a other-sided light source 52B capable of guiding light L1 into the interior of the light guide body 51 from a first surface (i.e., the other end surface 51a) connected to the other side of the second surface (i.e., the circumferential surface 51b).

[0065] In this embodiment, as described above, since a light source 52 is attached to each of the pair of end faces 51a, the light source 52 attached to the first surface (i.e., one end face 51a) connected to one side of the second surface (i.e., the circumferential surface 51b) is designated as the one-side light source 52A. The light source 52 attached to the first surface (i.e., the other end face 51a) connected to the other side of the second surface (i.e., the circumferential surface 51b) is designated as the other-side light source 52B.

[0066] In this embodiment, for convenience, the left side of Figures 6 and 7 is considered one side of the second surface (i.e., the circumferential surface 51b), and the right side of Figures 6 and 7 is considered the other side of the second surface (i.e., the circumferential surface 51b). However, it is also possible to consider the right side of Figures 6 and 7 as one side of the second surface (i.e., the circumferential surface 51b) and the left side of Figures 6 and 7 as the other side of the second surface (i.e., the circumferential surface 51b).

[0067] Furthermore, the light L1 guided from one light source 52A into the light guide body 51 is guided towards the other light source 52B along the central axis direction, and the light L1 guided from the other light source 52B into the light guide body 51 is guided towards the one light source 52A along the central axis direction.

[0068] However, as shown in Figure 7, when only one light source 52A is attached to the light guide 51, the intensity of the light emitted from the phototherapy section 51ba (i.e., the light irradiation intensity) gradually weakens as you move from the position of the end face 51a to which the one light source 52A is attached (more specifically, the origin L0) towards the position Lx of the end face 51a to which the other light source 52B is attached.

[0069] Similarly, if only the other-side light source 52B is attached to the light guide 51, the intensity of the light emitted from the phototherapy section 51ba (i.e., the light irradiation intensity) gradually weakens as you move from the position Lx of the end face 51a to which the other-side light source 52B is attached towards the position of the end face 51a to which the one-side light source 52A is attached (more specifically, towards the origin L0).

[0070] Thus, when the light source 52 is attached to only one side of the light guide 51, the irradiation intensity of the light L1 emitted from the phototreatment section 51ba will vary depending on the position of the phototreatment section 51ba.

[0071] However, as in this embodiment, by attaching the one-sided light source 52A and the other-sided light source 52B to the light guide 51, it becomes possible to make the intensity of light emitted from the light treatment section 51ba (i.e., light irradiation intensity) more uniform between the position of the end face 51a to which the one-sided light source 52A is attached (more specifically, the origin L0) and the position Lx of the end face 51a to which the other-sided light source 52B is attached. In other words, it becomes possible to reduce the difference between the irradiation intensity of light L1 at a position far from the light source 52 and the irradiation intensity of light L1 at a position close to the light source 52. As a result, it becomes possible to suppress variations in the irradiation intensity of light L1 depending on the position of the light treatment section 51ba, and to emit more uniform light L1 from the skin S in contact with the light treatment section 51ba. In this way, it becomes possible to perform skin treatment more uniformly and to further improve the efficiency of skin treatment.

[0072] Furthermore, if the light guide 51 has two or more end faces 51a and light sources 52 are placed on at least two of these end faces 51a, it is preferable that the light density of the light L1 incident from the end faces 51a on which the light sources 52 are placed (i.e., the amount of light at the entrance) be substantially the same at each end face 51a. For example, when one side light source 52A and the other side light source 52B are attached to the light guide 51, it is preferable that the intensity of the light L1 guided into the light guide 51 from the one side light source 52A is substantially the same as the intensity of the light L1 guided into the light guide 51 from the other side light source 52B.

[0073] This makes it possible to more reliably suppress variations in the irradiation intensity of light L1 depending on the position of the light treatment unit 51ba, and to emit more uniform light L1 to the skin S in contact with the light treatment unit 51ba. As a result, the treatment of the skin S can be performed more uniformly, and the treatment efficiency of the skin S can be further improved.

[0074] Furthermore, the light source 52 may also include an LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element). In this case, it is preferable that the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is positioned on the first surface (i.e., the end surface 51a) such that its principal optical axis direction is substantially aligned with the normal direction of the first surface (i.e., the end surface 51a). In other words, it is preferable that the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is positioned such that its emitting surface faces the end surface 51a of the light guide 51.

[0075] This minimizes the loss of light L1 introduced into the light guide 51 from the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element). As a result, the light output of the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) can be maximized as the irradiation intensity of light L1 emitted from the light treatment area 51ba that the skin S touches, thus shortening the treatment time. Consequently, the treatment efficiency of the skin S can be further improved.

[0076] Furthermore, by using a roughly cylindrical light guide 51 and aligning the principal optical axis direction of the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) to approximately coincide with the normal direction of the first surface (i.e., the end face 51a), the direction of emission of the peak intensity of the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) will be inclined (more specifically, perpendicular) with respect to the radial direction of the light guide 51 (i.e., the extending direction of the end face 51a). In other words, the direction of emission of the peak intensity in the radiation intensity distribution of the LED element 5211 (i.e., the light-emitting element) will intersect (more specifically, perpendicular) with respect to the normal direction of the light treatment section 51ba, which is the surface from which light L1 leaks out (i.e., the axis perpendicular to the skin contact surface that the skin S contacts). In this way, more light L1 will be guided through the inside of the light guide 51 along the central axis direction, thereby further reducing the glare when the light guide 51 is illuminated.

[0077] Furthermore, it is preferable that the entire LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) overlaps with the first surface (i.e., the end surface 51a) when viewed along the direction normal to the first surface (i.e., the end surface 51a).

[0078] In this embodiment, the size of the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is made smaller than the width of the light guide 51 (i.e., the length in the shorter direction). That is, the width W1 of the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is made shorter than the diameter D1 of the first surface (i.e., the end surface 51a). Furthermore, the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is positioned in the center of the end surface 51a. In this way, when viewed along the normal direction of the first surface (i.e., the end surface 51a) (i.e., the central axis direction of the light guide 51), the entire LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) overlaps with the first surface (i.e., the end surface 51a).

[0079] This makes it possible to increase the amount of light L1 emitted from the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) introduced into the light guide 51. As a result, it becomes possible to further improve the irradiation intensity of the light L1 emitted from the light treatment area 51ba that comes into contact with the skin S, thereby shortening the treatment time. As a result, it becomes possible to further improve the treatment efficiency of the skin S.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the principal optical axis of the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is made to substantially coincide with the central axis of the light guide 51.

[0081] This improves the efficiency of introducing the light L1 emitted from the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) into the light guide 51, while also reducing the glare when the light guide 51 is illuminated.

[0082] Furthermore, the light source 52 may also include an LED package 521 (i.e., an example of a packaged light source) which packages an LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element).

[0083] In this embodiment, the LED package 521 (i.e., an example of a packaged light source) comprises a housing 5212 having a roughly disc-shaped back wall 52121 and a roughly cylindrical peripheral wall 52122 connected to the periphery of the back wall 52121. The LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is packaged by mounting it in the center of the inner surface of the back wall 52121.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing 5212 is provided with a base 52123 formed to protrude downward from the lower ends of the back wall 52121 and the peripheral wall 52122, and the light-emitting member 50 is supported by the blade unit 20 by this base 52123.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the LED package 521 (i.e., an example of a package light source) is attached to the first surface (i.e., the end surface 51a) with the end surface of the peripheral wall 52122 in contact with the outer periphery of the first surface (i.e., the end surface 51a).

[0086] In this way, if the peripheral wall 52122 is absent, the light L1 that would be irradiated laterally from the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) and leak out to the outside without being irradiated to the first surface (i.e., the end surface 51a) can be retained inside the housing 5212. As a result, the efficiency of introducing the light L1 irradiated from the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) into the light guide 51 can be further improved, while the glare when the light guide 51 is illuminated can be further reduced.

[0087] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which one LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is attached to each of a pair of end faces 51a. However, it is also possible to attach multiple LED elements 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) to at least one of the end faces 51a. In this case, it is preferable to set the light emission intensity of each LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) so that the intensity of the light L1 guided into the interior of the light guide 51 from each end face 51a is substantially the same. For example, when one LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is attached to one end face 51a of a substantially cylindrical light guide 51, and two LED elements 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) are attached to the other end face 51a, it is preferable to set the light emission intensity of each LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) on the other end face 51a to be half the light emission intensity of the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) on the one end face 51a.

[0088] This makes it possible to more reliably suppress variations in the irradiation intensity of light L1 depending on the position of the light treatment unit 51ba, and to emit more uniform light L1 from the skin S in contact with the light treatment unit 51ba.

[0089] As described above, in this embodiment, the foremost blade of the six-blade electric razor (more specifically, the foremost blade block 21 of the electric razor) is replaced with a light-emitting member 50 configured in this way, so that the light-emitting member 50 is positioned in front of the five blade blocks 21 which are arranged in a line in the X direction.

[0090] With this configuration, as shown in Figure 8, the circumferential surface 51b (i.e., the second surface) of the light guide 51 can be brought into contact with the skin S at the same time as the blade 20a when using the electric shaver 1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, it is also possible to bring the circumferential surface (second surface) 51b of the light guide 51 into contact with the skin S without the blade 20a coming into contact with the skin S. Figure 8 shows a state in which the second surface of the light guide 51, which is part of an example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, is in contact with the skin S at the same time as the blade 20a. Figure 9 shows a state in which the second surface of the light guide 51, which is part of an example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, is in contact with the skin S, and the blade 20a is not in contact with the skin.

[0091] Thus, in this embodiment, the circumferential surface 51b (i.e., the second surface) of the light guide 51 has a surface 51bb (i.e., the first skin contact surface) that can be brought into contact with the skin S at the same time as the blade portion 20a, and a surface 51bc (i.e., the second skin contact surface) that can be brought into contact with the skin S without the blade portion 20a being in contact with the skin S.

[0092] This allows for simultaneous trimming of beard hairs (i.e., an example of hair removal) and treatment of the skin S by irradiation with light L1, and also allows for skin S treatment only without hair removal. This makes the electric razor 1 more user-friendly.

[0093] For example, when simultaneously performing beard trimming (i.e., an example of hair removal) and skin treatment with light L1, if the electric shaver 1 is moved backward while the peripheral surface 51b (i.e., the second surface) of the light guide 51 is in contact with the skin S at the same time as the blade portion 20a, it becomes possible to irradiate the skin S from which the beard has been trimmed (i.e., an example of skin S from which the hair has been removed) with light L1 and perform the treatment. In this way, it becomes possible to irradiate the skin S that has been damaged by beard trimming (i.e., an example of hair removal) with light L1 and perform the treatment, thereby reducing the damage that beard trimming (i.e., an example of hair removal) inflicts on the skin S. Furthermore, by irradiating the skin S from which the beard has been trimmed (i.e., an example of skin S from which the hair has been removed) with light L1, scattering of light L1 when it hits the beard (i.e., an example of hair) is suppressed, so that light L1 can be irradiated onto the skin S more efficiently.

[0094] Furthermore, if the treatment is to be performed by irradiating areas of skin S where no beard hairs are present, the treatment can be performed by bringing the surface 51bc (second skin contact surface) of the light guide 51 into contact with the skin S without bringing the blade portion 20a into contact with the skin S. This makes it possible to prevent the blade portion 20a from hitting the skin S and damaging it when simply performing treatment on the skin S.

[0095] At this time, by appropriately setting the wavelength of the light L1 irradiated onto the skin S, it becomes possible to impart beauty effects to the skin S corresponding to the wavelength of light L1.

[0096] For example, by irradiating the light source 52 with light L1 in the wavelength ranges shown in (1) to (4) below, the beauty effects shown in (1) to (4) below can be obtained. Note that the wavelengths shown in (1) to (4) below represent peak wavelengths, and some of the light L1 irradiated from the light source 52 may include wavelengths outside this range.

[0097] (1) 400nm to 550nm: Improvement of fine wrinkles, improvement of acne, improvement of redness, moisturizing, improvement of pores, anti-inflammatory effect, reduction of sebum, wound healing (2) 550nm to 620nm: Improvement of fine wrinkles, collagen production (improvement of sagging), promotion of cell turnover, improvement of age spots (3) 620nm to 750nm: Wound healing, improvement of wrinkles, improvement of age spots, promotion of cell turnover, collagen production (improvement of sagging), improvement of acne, anti-inflammatory effect (4) 750nm to 2000nm: Wound healing, collagen production (improvement of sagging), promotion of cell turnover Furthermore, by using an LED element with a wavelength spectrum of 550nm to 1000nm (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element), it is possible to obtain the effects of (1) to (4) above.

[0098] Furthermore, as the wavelength of the light L1 introduced into the light guide 51 becomes shorter, the refractive index of the light guide 51 increases. Therefore, when using a single light guide 51 as shown in the above embodiment, depending on the wavelength of the light L1 introduced, the refractive index of the light guide 51 may become greater than the refractive index of the skin S. In this case, by interposing an intermediate layer 513 (see Figure 13, described later), it is possible to ensure that the refractive index at least in the area that becomes the light treatment area 51ba is less than or equal to the refractive index of the skin S, thereby enabling more efficient irradiation of the light L1 onto the skin S. It is also possible to select a material for the light guide 51 that is suitable for the wavelength used.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example was given in which the foremost blade block 21 of the multiple blade blocks 21 arranged in the front-to-back direction is replaced with a light-emitting member 50. However, as shown in Figure 10, it is also possible to arrange the light-emitting member 50 between the multiple blade blocks 21. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1, arranged between the multiple blade blocks 21. That is, by replacing the central blade of the six-blade electric razor (more specifically, one central blade block 21 of the six-blade electric razor) with a light-emitting member 50, the light-emitting member 50 may be arranged between five blade blocks 21 arranged in the X direction.

[0100] Even in this case, it is possible to bring the circumferential surface 51b (i.e., the second surface) of the light guide 51 into contact with the skin S at the same time as the blade portion 20a. Furthermore, if the blade blocks 21 are located on both the front and rear sides of the light-emitting member 50, the treatment can be performed by irradiating the skin S from which the beard has been cut (i.e., an example of skin S from which hair has been removed) with light L1, regardless of whether the electric shaver 1 is moved forward or backward. In addition, if the light-emitting member 50 is positioned in the center in the front-to-back direction, the circumferential surface 51b (i.e., the second surface) of the light guide 51 can be brought into contact with the skin S more reliably. As a result, the light L1 can be irradiated more reliably even to curved skin S such as the chin, making it easier and more reliable to treat the skin S.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a light guide 51 formed using one type of material so as to have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape is exemplified, but the configuration of the light guide 51 is not limited to this configuration and can be configured in various ways. Figure 12 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 51 provided in an example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0102] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the light guide 51 can be made to have a roughly circular cross-sectional shape, while comprising a core 511 and a cladding 512 having a lower refractive index than the core 511 and arranged around the core 511. In this case, the light guide 51 is formed such that the central axis of the core 511 is offset from the central axis of the cladding 512, and the core 511 has an exposed surface 511a. This exposed surface 511a of the core 511 becomes the photo-treatment portion 51ba. With such a light guide 51, it is possible to suppress the leakage of light L1 from inside the core 511 from the circumferential surface other than the photo-treatment portion 51ba. In this case, it is also possible to make the corners of the boundary between the exposed surface 511a of the core 511 and the circumferential surface of the cladding 512 have a rounded curved portion (i.e., have curvature).

[0103] Figure 13 shows a second modified example of the cross-sectional shape of a light guide 51 provided in an example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 13, it is possible to make the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 51 substantially circular, while the light guide 51 comprises a core 511 and an intermediate layer 513 having a lower refractive index than the core 511 and being arranged to surround the entire circumference of the core 511.

[0104] By providing such an intermediate layer 513 and setting the refractive index of the intermediate layer 513 to an appropriate range (for example, greater than or equal to the refractive index of air and less than or equal to the refractive index of skin S), even if the refractive index of the core 511 is higher than the refractive index of skin S, light L1 can be emitted from the intermediate layer 513 to the skin S in contact with the intermediate layer 513.

[0105] Furthermore, it is not necessary to place the intermediate layer 513 around the entire circumference of the core 511; it is also possible to interpose the intermediate member such as the intermediate layer 513 only in the region that will become the light treatment area 51ba.

[0106] Furthermore, the light guide 51 can also be provided with multiple intermediate layers 513.

[0107] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, if one of the multiple blade blocks 21 (more specifically, the frontmost blade block 21) is replaced with a light-emitting member 50, the cassette blade 30 can be made into a cassette blade 40 with a light guide. Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the cassette blade 40 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, and shows the cassette blade 40 attached to the head body 121. Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the cassette blade 40 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, and shows the cassette blade 40 removed from the head body 121.

[0108] For example, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the entire light-emitting member 50 is integrated with the cassette blade 30 to form a cassette blade 40 with a light guide, and as shown in Figure 15, when the blade unit 20 is removed from the head body 121, the light-emitting member 50 is also removed from the head body 121.

[0109] Figure 16 shows a first modified example of the cassette blade 40 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, and shows the cassette blade 40 in a state where it has been removed from the head body 121. As shown in Figure 16, the cassette blade 40 with a light guide is formed by integrating only the light guide 51 with the cassette blade 30, and when the blade unit 20 is removed from the head body 121, the light guide 51 is removed from the head body 121, but the light source 52 can remain attached to the head body 121.

[0110] Figure 17 shows a second modified example of the cassette blade 40 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, and shows the cassette blade 40 in a state where it has been removed from the head body 121. As shown in Figure 17, it is also possible to remove only the cassette blade 30 from the head body 121 while the light-emitting member 50 remains attached to the head body 121, without integrating the light-emitting member 50 with the cassette blade 30.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the heat generated by the light source 52 is transferred to the skin S, thereby enabling the application of a warming sensation to the skin S using the heat generated by the light source 52.

[0112] In other words, a portion of the heat emitted by the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is transferred to the part that touches the user's skin S, making it possible to use it to provide a warming sensation to the user.

[0113] Such a configuration can be achieved, for example, as shown in Figure 18, by thermally connecting the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) and each outer blade piece 211 (i.e., an element of the outer blade), thereby transferring the heat emitted by the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) to each outer blade piece 211 (i.e., an element of the outer blade), and bringing the warmed skin contact surface 20aa into contact with the skin S. Here, Figure 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for transferring heat generated by the light source 52 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0114] Figure 19 illustrates a first modified example of a method for transferring heat generated by the light source 52 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 19, it is also possible to arrange a heat transfer plate 60 between a plurality of blade blocks 21 and thermally connect the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) and the heat transfer plate 60, thereby transferring the heat emitted by the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) to the heat transfer plate 60 and bringing the heated heat transfer plate 60 into contact with the skin S.

[0115] Figure 20 illustrates a second modified example of the method for transferring heat generated by the light source 52 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 20, by thermally connecting the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) and the light guide 51, the heat emitted by the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is transferred to the light guide 51, and the heated light guide 51 is brought into contact with the skin S.

[0116] Figure 21 illustrates a third modified example of the method for transferring heat generated by the light source 52 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 21, it is also possible to provide a warming sensation to the skin S by combining the three configurations shown in Figures 18 to 20. It is not necessary to combine all three configurations; it is also possible to combine any two of the three configurations shown in Figures 18 to 20.

[0117] Figure 22 illustrates a fourth modified example of the method for transferring heat generated by the light source 52 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 22, it is also possible to configure the device to transfer a portion of the heat emitted by the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) to the part that touches the user's skin S, while also transferring (more specifically, dissipating) a portion of the heat emitted by the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) to the head body 121 and the grip part 11. In other words, it is also possible to configure the device to transfer (more specifically, dissipate) a portion of the heat emitted by the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) to the head body 121 and the grip part 11, while using any of the configurations shown in Figures 18 to 20.

[0118] In this way, by using the heat generated by the light source 52 to provide a warming sensation to the skin S, it becomes unnecessary to provide a separate heater to provide the warming sensation to the skin S, and a simpler configuration can be used to provide the warming sensation to the skin S.

[0119] Figure 23 shows a first modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, in which the light-emitting element (for example, an LED element 5211) is covered with a material having the same refractive index as the light guide 51. As shown in Figure 23, the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) may be covered with a material 55 having the same refractive index as the light guide 51. In this case, it is preferable to bring the material 55 having the same refractive index as the light guide 51 into contact with the end face 51a of the light guide 51. This makes it possible to guide the light L1 irradiated from the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) into the light guide 51 more smoothly.

[0120] Furthermore, the light-emitting member 50 may be provided with a light-shielding portion 53 (see Figure 24, described later) that is positioned near the end face 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) of the light guide 51 and capable of blocking the leakage of light L1. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the leakage of light L1 from the light source 52 to the outside without being guided into the light guide 51. Therefore, when visible light L1 is guided into the light guide 51 and radiated onto the skin S, the glare felt when the skin S directly looks at the light guide 51 through which the light L1 (for example, visible light) is guided can be further reduced.

[0121] This configuration can be achieved by arranging the first light-shielding portion 531 (see Figure 24, described later) to face the end face 51a of the light guide 51 (i.e., an example of the first surface). This prevents light L1 from leaking out of the end face 51a of the light guide 51 to the outside of the light guide 51, thereby improving the efficiency of introducing light L1 into the light guide 51.

[0122] Specifically, as shown in Figure 24, this can be achieved by arranging the reflector, which serves as the first light-shielding portion 531, so as to face the end face 51a of the light guide 51 (i.e., an example of the first surface). Figure 24 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, in which the reflector, which serves as the first light-shielding portion 531, is arranged so as to face the first surface of the light guide 51 (for example, the end face 51a, see Figure 6). In this case, it is preferable to make the reflector contact all areas of the end face 51a of the light guide 51 (i.e., an example of the first surface) other than the area facing the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element). This makes it possible to more reliably suppress light L1 from passing through the end face 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) and leaking out to the outside of the light guide 51.

[0123] Figure 25 shows a third modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, in which the reflective film as the first light-shielding portion 531 is attached to the first surface (for example, the end surface 51a) of the light guide 51. As shown in Figure 25, the reflective film as the first light-shielding portion 531 can also be obtained by attaching it to the end surface 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) of the light guide 51 and facing the end surface 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) of the light guide 51. In this case, it is preferable that the reflective film be attached to all areas of the end surface 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) of the light guide 51 except for the area facing the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element). This makes it possible to more reliably suppress light L1 from passing through the end surface 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) and leaking out to the outside of the light guide 51.

[0124] Figure 26 shows a fourth modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, in which the reflective film as the first light-shielding portion 531 is attached to the housing in a state where it faces the first surface (for example, the end surface 51a) of the light guide 51. As shown in Figure 26, the reflective film as the first light-shielding portion 531 can also be obtained by attaching it to the inner surface of the back wall 52121 of the housing 5212 so that it faces the end surface 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) of the light guide 51. In this case, it is preferable to attach the reflective film so that it faces all areas of the end surface 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) of the light guide 51 except for the area facing the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element). This makes it possible to more reliably suppress light L1 from passing through the end surface 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) and leaking out to the outside of the light guide 51.

[0125] Furthermore, by arranging the second light-shielding portion 532 (see Figure 27, described later) on the outer edge of the end face 51a of the light guide 51 (i.e., an example of the first surface), it becomes possible to more reliably suppress the leakage of light L1 irradiated from the light source 52 to the outside of the light guide 51.

[0126] Figure 27 shows a fifth modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1, in which a reflector as the second light-shielding portion 532 is arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the first surface (for example, the end surface 51a) of the light guide 51. For example, as shown in Figure 27, if the reflector as the second light-shielding portion 532 is arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the end surface 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) of the light guide 51, the gap formed between the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) and the end surface 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) of the light guide 51 can be sealed radially. In this way, it is possible to suppress light L1 directed in a direction intersecting the light-guiding direction of light L1 (i.e., the central axis direction of the light guide 51) (i.e., the radial direction of the light guide 51) from leaking out to the outside from the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the end surface 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface), and it is possible to further improve the efficiency of introducing light L1 into the light guide 51. Furthermore, when visible light L1 is guided into the light guide 51 and emitted onto the skin S, the glare felt when the skin S directly looks at the light guide 51, which is guiding the light L1 (for example, visible light), while it is not in contact with the skin S can be further reduced.

[0127] It is preferable that the reflector, which serves as the second light-shielding portion 532, is positioned to cover at least the end of the peripheral surface 51b on the side that becomes the light treatment portion 51ba.

[0128] Furthermore, it is preferable that the second light-shielding portion 532 is configured to suppress the transmission of light L1 guided from the end face 51a (i.e., an example of the first surface) through the circumferential surface 51b (i.e., an example of the second surface) when the skin S is not in contact with it. Specifically, it is preferable that the entire region on the side of the circumferential surface 51b that becomes the light treatment area 51ba is covered by the second light-shielding portion 532, where the incident angle of light L1 is greater than the critical angle of total internal reflection. The length in the longitudinal direction of the second light-shielding portion 532 covering the light guide 51 can be determined by the material constituting the light guide 51 and the incident angle of light L1 from the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) onto the light guide 51. In this case, it is preferable that the length in the short direction of the second light-shielding portion 532 covering the light guide 51 be at least the width of the light guide 51 (i.e., the diameter D1 of the end face 51a of the light guide 51).

[0129] This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the leakage of light L1 guided into the light guide 51 from the second surface (more specifically, the peripheral surface 51b) when the skin S is not in contact with it. Therefore, when visible light is guided into the light guide 51 and emitted onto the skin S, the glare felt when directly looking at the light guide 51 through which light L1 (for example, visible light) is guided, when the skin S is not in contact with it, can be further reduced.

[0130] Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a scattering section on the lower surface of the second light-shielding section 532 to scatter the light L1. By scattering the light L1 in this way, the reflection angle of the light L1 incident on the lower surface of the second light-shielding section 532 can be changed, making it possible to cause total internal reflection of the light L1 incident on the lower surface of the second light-shielding section 532 within the light guide 51. As a result, the amount of light L1 that undergoes total internal reflection within the light guide 51 increases, making it possible to further improve the irradiation intensity of the light L1 emitted from the light treatment section 51ba that comes into contact with the skin S.

[0131] Furthermore, it is also possible to reflect the light L1 with the housing 5212, or to have the housing 5212 absorb the light L1. Doing so will more reliably suppress the leakage of light L1 emitted from the light source 52 to the outside of the light guide 51.

[0132] Furthermore, the light-emitting member 50 can also be configured as shown in Figure 28. Figure 28 is a diagram showing a sixth modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1, and is a diagram illustrating the flow of light when it is in contact with the skin S.

[0133] The light-emitting member 50 shown in Figure 28 also comprises a light source 52 and a light guide 51 that guides the light L1 emitted from the light source 52 into its interior and irradiates the guided light L1 onto the skin S.

[0134] In the light-emitting member 50 shown in Figure 28, the light guide 51 has a shape in which both ends of an elongated cylindrical rod are bent in the same direction (in this case, the lower side of Figure 28). Specifically, in the light-emitting member 50 shown in Figure 28, the light guide 51 has a pair of end faces 51a whose normal direction is toward the light treatment section 51ba side (i.e., the upper side of Figure 28), and a circumferential surface 51b that connects the periphery of the pair of end faces 51a. Therefore, in the light-emitting member 50 shown in Figure 28, the light-guiding direction of the light guide 51 is along the central axis from which both ends are bent in the same direction (i.e., the lower side of Figure 28).

[0135] Furthermore, the portion that becomes the light treatment area 51ba is located on the opposite side of the direction in which both ends of the circumferential surface 51b are bent (i.e., the upper side of Figure 28).

[0136] Furthermore, an LED package 521 (i.e., an example of a package light source) is attached to each of the pair of end faces 51a, and the light L1 emitted from each LED package 521 (i.e., an example of a package light source) is guided through the corresponding end face 51a into the interior of the light guide 51. At this time, the light L1 guided into the interior of the light guide 51 is guided along the central axis direction of the light guide 51. In addition, the light emission intensity of each LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is set so as to suppress variations in the irradiation intensity of light L1 depending on the position of the phototreatment section 51ba.

[0137] Furthermore, in the light-emitting member 50 shown in Figure 28, the refractive index of the light guide 51 (more specifically, the photo-treatment portion 51ba) is set to a predetermined range (for example, a range greater than or equal to the refractive index of air and less than or equal to the refractive index of skin S), thereby suppressing leakage of light L1 guided into the interior of the light guide 51 from the peripheral surface 51b (including the portion that becomes the photo-treatment portion 51ba) when the skin S is not in contact with it, while allowing light L1 to be emitted onto the skin S from the region that the skin S is in contact with (more specifically, the photo-treatment portion 51ba).

[0138] In the light-emitting member 50 shown in Figure 28, the light L1 emitted from each LED package 521 (i.e., an example of a package light source) is directed toward the skin S. In other words, since the light L1 with high emission intensity is directed toward the skin S, a large amount of light L1 is transmitted through the second surface (more specifically, the peripheral surface 51b) even when the skin S is not in contact with it.

[0139] Therefore, the light-emitting member 50 shown in Figure 28 is also equipped with a light-shielding portion 53 that prevents light L1 guided from the first surface (more specifically, the end surface 51a) from passing through the second surface (more specifically, the peripheral surface 51b) when the light-emitting member 50 is not in contact with the skin S.

[0140] In Figure 28, a light-shielding plate is used as the light-shielding portion 53, and this light-shielding plate is positioned to face at least the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element). In this embodiment, when the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is positioned perpendicular to the skin contact surface (more specifically, the light treatment portion 51ba), or when the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is positioned so that high radiation intensity is radiated toward the skin contact surface (more specifically, the light treatment portion 51ba), it is preferable to position the light-shielding plate in the region where the radiation intensity of the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) is high. This makes it possible to more efficiently reduce the amount of light L1 guided from the first surface (more specifically, the end surface 51a) when the skin S is not in contact with the LED element, from the second surface (more specifically, the peripheral surface 51b).

[0141] In addition, in Figure 28, the lower surface of the light-shielding portion 53 may be made a mirror to reflect light L1, or a scattering portion may be provided on the lower surface of the light-shielding portion 53 to scatter light L1.

[0142] Furthermore, it is also possible to form a light-shielding portion 53 by attaching a reflective film to the circumferential surface 51b of the light guide 51.

[0143] Furthermore, in Figure 28, a light-shielding plate, which serves as a light-shielding portion 53, is positioned on the curved portion of the light guide 51, and a space (for example, an air layer) is formed between this light-shielding portion 53 and the light guide 51. Figure 29 is a diagram showing a seventh modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric razor 1 according to Embodiment 1, and is a diagram illustrating the flow of light when it is in contact with the skin S.

[0144] As shown in Figure 29, a light-transmitting fixing jig 54 can be interposed in this space. In this case, by appropriately setting the refractive index of the fixing jig 54 so that the refraction angle of the light L1 incident on the fixing jig 54 becomes a predetermined angle, it is also possible to change the angle of incidence to the lower surface of the light-shielding part 53 and cause total internal reflection inside the light guide 51.

[0145] Furthermore, the contact surface of the fixing jig 54 with the light guide 51 can be made a reflective surface or a scattering surface, so that the fixing jig 54 reflects or scatters light.

[0146] Furthermore, even if one of the multiple blade blocks 21 (for example, the frontmost blade block 21) is replaced with the light-emitting member 50 shown in Figure 28, the cassette blade 30 can still be a cassette blade 40 with a light guide. Figure 30 shows another example of the cassette blade 40 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, and shows the cassette blade 40 mounted on the head body 121. Figure 31 shows another example of the cassette blade 40 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, and shows the cassette blade 40 removed from the head body 121.

[0147] For example, as shown in Figure 31, the entire light-emitting member 50 can be integrated with the cassette blade 30 to form a cassette blade 40 with a light guide, so that when the blade unit 20 is removed from the head body 121, the light-emitting member 50 can also be removed from the head body 121.

[0148] Figure 32 shows a first modification of another example of the cassette blade 40 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, and shows the cassette blade 40 in a state where it has been removed from the head unit body 121. As shown in Figure 32, the cassette blade 40 with a light guide is formed by integrating only the light guide 51 with the cassette blade 30, and when the blade unit 20 is removed from the head unit body 121, the light guide 51 is removed from the head unit body 121, but the light source 52 can remain attached to the head unit body 121.

[0149] Figure 33 shows a second modification of the cassette blade 40 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, in which the cassette blade 40 is removed from the head body 121. As shown in Figure 33, it is also possible to remove only the cassette blade 30 from the head body 121 while the light-emitting member 50 remains attached to the head body 121, without integrating the light-emitting member 50 with the cassette blade 30.

[0150] Figure 34 shows an eighth modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1, in which the light-emitting element (for example, an LED element 5211) is covered with a material 55 having the same refractive index as the light guide 51. As shown in Figure 34, the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) may be covered with a material 55 having the same refractive index as the light guide 51. In this case, it is preferable to bring the material 55 having the same refractive index as the light guide 51 into contact with the end face 51a of the light guide 51. This makes it possible to guide the light L1 irradiated from the LED element 5211 (i.e., an example of a light-emitting element) into the light guide 51 more smoothly.

[0151] Furthermore, the light-emitting member 50 can also have the configuration shown in Figure 35. Figure 35 is a diagram showing a ninth modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 36 is a diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 51 provided in the ninth modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 37 is a diagram showing another example of the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 51 provided in the ninth modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 38 is a diagram showing the state in which the second surface of the light guide 51 provided in the ninth modified example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 1 is in contact with the skin S.

[0152] The light-emitting member 50 shown in Figure 35 also comprises a light source 52 and a light guide 51 that guides the light L1 emitted from the light source 52 into its interior and irradiates the guided light L1 onto the skin S.

[0153] In Figure 35, an example of a light-emitting member 50 is shown, in which two light sources 52 are arranged facing the end face 51a of a light guide 51, which has a roughly rectangular planar shape and a rectangular side profile.

[0154] In this case, as shown in Figure 36, it is possible to use a light guide 51 that is formed using one type of material so that its cross-sectional shape is a vertically elongated rectangle.

[0155] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 37, it is also possible to make the light guide 51 comprise a core 511 and a cladding 512 that has a lower refractive index than the core 511 and is arranged around the core 511, while also making the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 51 a vertically elongated rectangle.

[0156] Thus, when the cross-sectional shape is a vertically elongated rectangle, it is also possible to make the corners of the outline of the roughly rectangular cross-section have rounded curves (i.e., have curvature).

[0157] Furthermore, it is also possible to make the light guide 51 comprise a core 511 and an intermediate layer 513 having a lower refractive index than the core 511 and positioned to surround the entire circumference of the core 511, while also making the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 51 a vertically elongated rectangle.

[0158] Furthermore, by replacing the foremost blade of the six-blade electric shaver (more specifically, the foremost blade block 21 of the electric shaver) with a light-emitting member 50 having a light guide 51 with a vertically elongated rectangular cross-section, it becomes possible to bring the circumferential surface 51b of the light guide 51 (i.e., an example of the second surface) into contact with the skin S at the same time as the blade portion 20a when using the electric shaver 1. Moreover, as shown in Figure 38, it also becomes possible to bring the circumferential surface 51b of the light guide 51 (i.e., an example of the second surface) into contact with the skin S without bringing the blade portion 20a into contact with the skin S.

[0159] Thus, by using a light-emitting member 50 having a light guide 51 with a vertically elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape, it is possible to have a surface 51bb (more specifically, the upper surface of the light guide 51, hereinafter referred to as the "first skin contact surface") on the circumferential surface 51b of the light guide 51 (i.e., an example of the second surface) that can come into contact with the skin S at the same time as the blade portion 20a, and a surface 51bc (more specifically, the front surface of the light guide 51, hereinafter referred to as the "second skin contact surface") that can come into contact with the skin S without the blade portion 20a coming into contact with the skin S.

[0160] Furthermore, by making the cross-sectional shape of the light guide 51 a vertically elongated rectangle, it becomes possible to irradiate the skin S with light L1 from a surface light source. Compared to irradiating the skin S with light from a point light source, it becomes possible to irradiate a wider area of ​​the skin S with light L1 at once. As a result, it becomes possible to irradiate the skin S with light L1 emitted from the light source 52 more efficiently.

[0161] (Embodiment 2) The electric shaver 1 according to this embodiment has basically the same configuration as the electric shaver 1 shown in Embodiment 1. Figure 39 is a perspective view showing the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 2 (i.e., an example of the hair removal device 1). Figure 40 is a plan view showing an example of the head portion 12 and blade portion 20a of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 41 is a front view showing an example of the head portion 12 and blade portion 20a of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 42 is a side view showing an example of the head portion 12 and blade portion 20a of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 2.

[0162] In other words, the electric razor 1 according to this embodiment also comprises a razor body 10 (i.e., an example of the main body) and a blade unit 20 having a blade portion 20a that is held on the razor body 10 with its skin contact surface 20aa exposed.

[0163] In this embodiment as well, the razor body 10 comprises a grip portion 11 that can be held by hand and a head portion 12 supported by the grip portion 11. The head portion 12 is supported by the grip portion 11 in an upward and forward inclined position, with the extension direction of the grip portion 11 substantially coinciding with the Z direction (i.e., the vertical direction).

[0164] The head portion 12 comprises a head body 121 that is attached to the grip portion 11, and a head cover 122 that is detachably attached to the head body 121.

[0165] Furthermore, the blade unit 20 is equipped with six blade blocks 21, which are arranged in the X direction with their longitudinal directions aligned with the Y direction.

[0166] In this embodiment as well, the six blade blocks 21 are configured to be held by the head cover 122, so that when the head cover 122 is removed from the head body 121, the six blade blocks 21 are also removed from the head body 121 together with the head cover 122.

[0167] Furthermore, the electric shaver 1 is equipped with a light-emitting member 50 having a light guide 51, and is configured to irradiate the skin S (see Figure 43, described later) with light L1 emitted from the light guide 51. In this embodiment as well, the light-emitting member 50 is equipped with a light source 52 and a light guide 51 that guides the light L1 emitted from the light source 52 into its interior and irradiates the skin S with the light L1 guided into its interior. The light guide 51 is formed to have a vertically elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0168] In this embodiment, the light-emitting member 50 is provided on the head cover 122. Specifically, as shown in Figures 43 and 44, the light-emitting member 50 is attached to the front wall of the head cover 122 with the top and side surfaces (more specifically, the front surface) of the light guide 51 exposed. Figure 43 shows a state in which the second surface of the light guide 51, which is part of an example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 2, is in contact with the skin S at the same time as the blade portion 20a. Figure 44 shows a state in which the second surface of the light guide 51, which is part of an example of the light-emitting member 50 of the electric shaver 1 according to Embodiment 2, is in contact with the skin S, but the blade portion 20a is not in contact with the skin S.

[0169] Furthermore, with this configuration, as shown in Figure 43, when using the electric razor 1, the circumferential surface 51b of the light guide 51 (i.e., an example of the second surface) can be brought into contact with the skin S at the same time as the blade portion 20a. In addition, as shown in Figure 44, it is also possible to bring the circumferential surface 51b of the light guide 51 (i.e., an example of the second surface) into contact with the skin S without bringing the blade portion 20a into contact with the skin S.

[0170] Thus, in this embodiment, the circumferential surface 51b of the light guide 51 (i.e., an example of the second surface) has a surface 51bb (more specifically, the upper surface of the light guide 51, i.e., the first skin contact surface) that can be brought into contact with the skin S at the same time as the blade portion 20a, and a surface 51bc (more specifically, the front surface of the light guide 51, i.e., the second skin contact surface) that can be brought into contact with the skin S without the blade portion 20a being in contact with the skin S.

[0171] This allows for simultaneous trimming of beard hairs (i.e., an example of hair removal) and treatment of the skin S by irradiation with light L1, and also makes it possible to perform only the treatment of the skin S without hair removal, resulting in a more user-friendly electric shaver 1.

[0172] Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the device so that only the front surface of the light guide 51 is exposed, and the treatment is performed on the skin S by bringing the peripheral surface 51b of the light guide 51 (i.e., an example of the second surface) into contact with the skin S without the blade portion 20a coming into contact with the skin S, thereby enabling treatment of the skin S with light L1.

[0173] (Note) The above description of embodiments discloses the following technology.

[0174] (Technical 1) A hair removal device comprising a main body, a blade provided on the main body, and a light-emitting member capable of irradiating light onto the skin, wherein the light-emitting member comprises a light source and a light guide capable of guiding light emitted from the light source inward and irradiating the light guided inward onto the skin, wherein the light guide comprises a first surface that guides light emitted from the light source inward and a second surface that extends along the direction of light guidance of the light guided from the first surface, and the second surface comprises a light treatment section that is in contact with the skin and capable of irradiating the skin with the light guided from the first surface.

[0175] Using a hair removal device with this configuration, it becomes possible not only to remove hair but also to perform skin treatments using light irradiation.

[0176] In this case, if the hair removal device is equipped with a light-emitting member having the above configuration, it becomes possible to perform the treatment by irradiating the skin with light guided from the first surface and emitted from the light treatment area while the skin is in contact with the light treatment area on the second surface.

[0177] In Technology 1, the second surface is formed to extend along the direction of light guidance from the first surface, allowing light from a line light source or a surface light source to be irradiated onto the skin. Therefore, compared to irradiating the skin with light from a point light source, it becomes possible to irradiate a wider area of ​​the skin at once. As a result, it becomes possible to irradiate the skin with light from the light source more efficiently.

[0178] Furthermore, by making the light emitted from the light source more efficiently directed onto the skin, the need for longer treatment times using light-emitting materials can be suppressed, thereby improving the efficiency of skin treatments.

[0179] (Technology 2) The hair removal device according to Technology 1, wherein when the light treatment unit is not in contact with the skin, the emission of light guided into the light guide unit from the light treatment unit is suppressed, and when the skin is in contact, the light guided into the light guide unit is emitted onto the skin at the site of contact with the skin.

[0180] This method prevents light guided into the light guide from being emitted from the treatment area when the skin is not in contact with it. Therefore, when guiding visible light into the light guide and emitting visible light to the skin, it becomes possible to reduce the glare felt when directly looking at the light guide into which the light (for example, visible light) is guided, when the skin is not in contact with it.

[0181] (Technology 3) The hair removal device according to Technology 2, wherein the light treatment section has a refractive index greater than or equal to that of air and less than or equal to that of skin.

[0182] This approach utilizes the refractive index difference between the light treatment area and air, making it possible to suppress the emission of light from the light treatment area even when the skin is not in contact with it. Furthermore, by utilizing the refractive index difference between the light treatment area and the skin, it becomes possible to ensure that when the skin is in contact, the light guided into the light guide is emitted onto the skin at the point of contact. In other words, simply by setting the refractive index of the light treatment area to a predetermined range (more specifically, a range greater than or equal to the refractive index of air and less than or equal to the refractive index of skin S), it becomes possible to suppress the leakage of light from the light treatment area even when the skin is not in contact with it, while simultaneously allowing light to be emitted onto the skin from the area in contact with it. This allows for a simplification of the light-emitting component's structure.

[0183] (Technology 4) A hair removal device according to any one of the technologies 1 to 3, wherein the first surface is connected to one side and the other side of the second surface, and the light source comprises a one-side light source capable of guiding light from the first surface connected to one side of the second surface into the interior of the light guide, and a other-side light source capable of guiding light from the first surface connected to the other side of the second surface into the interior of the light guide.

[0184] This makes it possible to reduce the difference in light intensity between positions far from the light source and positions close to the light source. As a result, it becomes possible to suppress variations in light intensity depending on the position of the light treatment area, and to emit more uniform light to the skin in contact with the light treatment area. Therefore, if the configuration of the light-emitting member is as disclosed in Technology 4, it becomes possible to perform skin treatments more uniformly and to further improve the efficiency of skin treatments.

[0185] (Technical 5) The hair removal device according to Technical 4, wherein the intensity of the light guided into the light guide from the one-side light source is substantially the same as the intensity of the light guided into the light guide from the other-side light source.

[0186] This method more effectively suppresses variations in light intensity depending on the position of the light treatment area, allowing for more uniform light emission to the skin in contact with the treatment area. As a result, skin treatments can be performed more uniformly, leading to improved treatment efficiency.

[0187] (Technical 6) The hair removal device according to any one of the technologies 1 to 5, wherein the light source is equipped with a light-emitting element, and when viewed along the direction normal to the first surface, the entire light-emitting element overlaps with the first surface.

[0188] This increases the amount of light introduced into the light guide from the light-emitting element. As a result, the intensity of light emitted from the light-treated area in contact with the skin can be improved, thus shortening the treatment time. Consequently, the efficiency of the skin treatment can be further improved.

[0189] (Technology 7) The hair removal device according to any one of the technologies 1 to 6, wherein the light-emitting member is provided with a light-shielding portion that is arranged near the first surface and can block light leakage.

[0190] This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the leakage of light from the light source to the outside without being guided into the light guide. Therefore, when guiding visible light into the light guide to radiate visible light onto the skin, it becomes possible to further reduce the glare felt when directly looking at the light guide, which is guiding light (for example, visible light), without skin contact.

[0191] (Technical 8) The hair removal device according to Technical 7, wherein the light-shielding portion comprises a first light-shielding portion arranged to face the first surface.

[0192] This method makes it possible to suppress light leakage from the first surface of the light guide to the outside of the light guide, thereby improving the efficiency of introducing light into the inside of the light guide.

[0193] (Technical 9) The hair removal device according to Technical 7 or Technical 8, wherein the light-shielding portion comprises a second light-shielding portion arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the first surface.

[0194] This prevents light traveling in a direction intersecting the light guidance direction from leaking out from near the outer edge of the first surface, thereby improving the efficiency of introducing light into the light guide. Furthermore, when guiding visible light into the light guide to radiate visible light onto the skin, it becomes possible to further reduce the glare felt when directly looking at the light guide, which is guiding light (for example, visible light), without skin contact.

[0195] (Technical 10) The hair removal device according to Technical 9, wherein the second light-shielding portion is configured to suppress the transmission of light guided from the first surface through the second surface when the skin is not in contact with it.

[0196] This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the leakage of light guided into the light guide from the second surface when the skin is not in contact with it. Therefore, when guiding visible light into the light guide and radiating it onto the skin, it becomes possible to further reduce the glare felt when directly looking at the light guide into which light (for example, visible light) is guided when the skin is not in contact with it.

[0197] (Technology 11) A hair removal device according to any one of the technologies 1 to 10, wherein the heat generated by the light source is transferred to the skin.

[0198] This allows the heat generated by the light source to be used to provide a warming sensation to the skin, eliminating the need for a separate heater to provide the warming sensation to the skin. As a result, a simpler configuration can be used to provide the warming sensation to the skin.

[0199] (Technology 12) A hair removal device according to any one of the technologies 1 to 11, wherein the blade portion comprises a blade block having an outer blade and an inner blade capable of reciprocating in one direction relative to the outer blade, and the blade block and the light guide are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction intersecting the one direction.

[0200] This allows the treatment to be performed by irradiating the skin with light after hair removal, thus reducing the damage that hair removal inflicts on the skin. By enabling hair removal while minimizing damage to the skin in this way, it becomes possible to create a hair removal device that is gentler on the skin.

[0201] (Technology 13) A hair removal device according to any one of the technologies 1 to 12, wherein the second surface has a surface that can be brought into contact with the skin at the same time as the blade, and a surface that can be brought into contact with the skin without the blade being brought into contact with the skin.

[0202] This approach allows for simultaneous hair removal and skin treatment using light irradiation, and also enables skin treatment without hair removal, resulting in a more user-friendly hair removal device.

[0203] [Other] The contents of the hair removal device described herein have been explained above, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the device is not limited to these descriptions and that various modifications and improvements are possible.

[0204] For example, this disclosure can be applied to embodiments in which the configuration shown in the above embodiments has been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0205] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modifications, the hair removal device is exemplified in which the inner blade 212 reciprocates linearly with respect to the outer blade piece 211 (i.e., one element of the outer blade). However, it is also possible to apply the present disclosure to a hair removal device in which the inner blade rotates relative to the outer blade.

[0206] Furthermore, while the above embodiments and their modifications illustrate an electric razor 1 with five or six blades (i.e., an example of a hair removal device), the number of blades is not limited to five or six; it may be one to four blades, or seven or more blades.

[0207] Furthermore, the above embodiment and its modifications illustrate an example in which an electric shaver 1 (i.e., an example of a hair removal device) having a plurality of blade blocks 21 is configured such that one blade block 21 is replaced with a light-emitting member 50. However, if the electric shaver 1 (i.e., an example of a hair removal device) has three or more blade blocks 21, it is also possible to configure it so that two or more blade blocks 21 are replaced with light-emitting members 50. That is, when configuring it so that the blade blocks 21 are replaced with light-emitting members 50, it is possible to include at least one blade block 21 and at least one light-emitting member 50.

[0208] Furthermore, while the above embodiments and their modifications illustrate an electric razor 1 for cutting beards as a hair removal device, the present disclosure can be applied to various types of hair removal devices, not limited to the electric razor 1. For example, the present disclosure can be applied to a trimmer for cutting human or animal body hair (i.e., an example of an electric hair cutting device), or to a hair removal device for removing human or animal hair (i.e., an example of hair removal).

[0209] Furthermore, the specifications of the main body, blade, and other details (for example, shape, size, layout, etc.) can be changed as appropriate.

[0210] As described above, the hair removal device according to this disclosure is capable of more efficiently irradiating the skin with light emitted from a light source, and can therefore be applied to professional and home-use hair removal devices.

[0211] 1 Electric razor 10 Razor body 11 Grip part 111 Body housing 111a Power switch 12 Head part 121 Head body 122 Head cover 20 Blade unit 20a Blade part 20aa Skin contact surface 21 Blade block 211 Outer blade piece 212 Inner blade 30 Cassette blade 40 Cassette blade 50 Light-emitting element 51 Light guide 51a End face 51b Peripheral surface 51ba Light treatment area 51bb Surface 51bc Surface 511 Core 511a Exposed surface 512 Cladding 513 Intermediate layer 52 Light source 521 LED package 5211 LED element 5212 Housing 52121 Back wall 52122 Peripheral wall 52123 Base 52A One-sided light source 52B Other-sided light source 53 Light-shielding part 531 First light-shielding part 532 Second light-shielding part 54 Fixing jig 55 Material 60 Heat transfer plate D1 Diameter L0 Origin L1 Light S Skin

Claims

1. A hair removal device comprising: a main body; a blade provided on the main body; and a light-emitting member capable of irradiating light onto the skin, wherein the light-emitting member comprises: a light source; and a light guide capable of guiding light emitted from the light source inward and irradiating the light guided inward onto the skin, wherein the light guide comprises: a first surface that guides light emitted from the light source inward; and a second surface that extends along the direction of light guidance of the light guided from the first surface, and the second surface has a light treatment section that is in contact with the skin and capable of irradiating the skin with the light guided from the first surface.

2. The hair removal device according to claim 1, wherein the light treatment unit is configured such that when the skin is not in contact with it, the emission of light guided into the light guide unit is suppressed, and when the skin is in contact with it, the light guided into the light guide unit is emitted onto the skin at the site of contact with the skin.

3. The hair removal device according to claim 2, wherein the light treatment section has a refractive index greater than or equal to that of air and less than or equal to that of skin.

4. The hair removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first surface is connected to one side and the other side of the second surface, and the light source comprises: a one-side light source capable of guiding light from the first surface connected to one side of the second surface into the interior of the light guide; and a other-side light source capable of guiding light from the first surface connected to the other side of the second surface into the interior of the light guide.

5. The hair removal device according to claim 4, wherein the intensity of the light guided into the interior of the light guide from the one-side light source is substantially the same as the intensity of the light guided into the interior of the light guide from the other-side light source.

6. The hair removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting element, and when viewed along the direction normal to the first surface, the entire light-emitting element overlaps with the first surface.

7. The hair removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light-emitting member is provided with a light-shielding portion that is positioned near the first surface and capable of blocking light leakage.

8. The hair removal device according to claim 7, wherein the light-shielding portion comprises a first light-shielding portion arranged to face the first surface.

9. The hair removal device according to claim 7, wherein the light-shielding portion comprises a second light-shielding portion disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the first surface.

10. The hair removal device according to claim 9, wherein the second light-shielding portion is configured to suppress the transmission of light guided from the first surface through the second surface when the skin is not in contact with it.

11. A hair removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat generated by the light source is transferred to the skin.

12. The hair removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the blade portion comprises a blade block having an outer blade and an inner blade capable of reciprocating in one direction relative to the outer blade, and the blade block and the light guide are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction intersecting the one direction.

13. The hair removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second surface has a surface that can be brought into contact with the skin at the same time as the blade, and a surface that can be brought into contact with the skin without the blade being in contact with the skin.

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