Blade-Protecting Cap with Ventilation Opening for Efficient Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blade protection caps for electric razors inefficiently dry the blade portion due to water accumulation between the cap's brim edge and mounting surface, preventing effective drainage and drying.

Innovation Solution

A blade protecting cap with a design featuring a first opening that communicates with the outer space when mounted on a surface, a second opening to prevent closed spaces, and inclined surfaces to facilitate water runoff, ensuring ventilation and efficient drying by allowing water to drain through dewatering holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the brim edge is designed to abut against the mounting surface to support the electric razor, then the electric razor can be stably mounted in an inverted state, but water accumulates in the space between the brim edge and mounting surface, preventing efficient drying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of mounted stateVSAvoiddrying efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The brim edge is segmented into multiple regions: a first region that abuts against the mounting surface to provide stability, and a second region that is elevated to prevent water accumulation. This segmentation allows the brim edge to simultaneously achieve stable mounting and efficient water drainage functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brim edge is designed with vertical elevation in the second region, creating a stepped three-dimensional structure. This dimensional change allows water to drain away from the mounting surface contact area, preventing water accumulation while maintaining stable support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If dewatering holes are formed in the cap to drain water, then water can be removed from the blade portion, but water still accumulates in the space between the brim edge and mounting surface, reducing drying efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater accumulationVSAvoiddrying speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Dewatering holes are formed in the blade protecting cap main body to extract and remove water from the internal space where the blade portion is located. This extraction mechanism actively drains water away from the blade area, preventing water accumulation and accelerating the drying process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the entire circumference of the brim edge abuts against the mounting surface, then the mounted state is stable, but a closed space is formed that traps water, preventing ventilation and drying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidmoisture retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The brim edge contact perimeter is segmented such that the first region contacts the mounting surface for stability while the elevated second region creates an open, non-closed configuration. This segmentation prevents the formation of a closed space, allowing ventilation and moisture evaporation while maintaining stable mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances ventilation and drainage between the blade and outer space, enabling more efficient drying of the blade portion and reducing moisture retention, thereby improving hygiene and preventing microorganism growth.

Implementation Method 1

a first opening is formed in the blade protecting cap main body, and in a state where the support portion is allowed to abut against a mounting surface... the first opening communicates with an outer space of the blade protecting cap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

dewatering holes are formed, and a brim edge that protrudes from the upper surface... enabling to drain moisture that is collected in a blade portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDrainage through dewatering holes: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 3

guide elements thereof are formed with inclined surfaces for trimming hair

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2737981B1Blade-protecting cap and electric razor to which said blade-protecting cap is installed
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2737981B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2737981B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2737981B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A blade protecting cap (50) includes: a blade protecting cap main body (51) that protects a blade portion (14) in an event where the blade protecting cap (50) is installed to an electric razor (11); and a support portion (52) capable of mounting the electric razor (11), to which the blade protecting cap (50) is installed, in a predetermined state on a mounting surface in an event where the blade protecting cap (50) is allowed to abut against a mounting surface (100a). Then, a first opening (53) is formed in the blade protecting cap main body (51), and in a state where the support portion (52) is allowed to abut against the mounting surface (100a), and where the electric razor (11) to which the blade protecting cap (50) is installed is mounted in the predetermined state on the mounting surface (100a), the first opening (53) communicates with an outer space (S3) of the blade protecting cap (50).