Hair Cutting Appliance Blade Set with Plastic Lateral Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair cutting appliances are not well-suited for both shaving and trimming operations, as they either lack the necessary precision for shaving due to thick blades or are not designed for efficient hair capture, and combined devices are cumbersome and prone to skin irritation.
Innovation Solution
A blade set for a hair cutting appliance with a stationary blade and a movable blade, where the stationary blade has a thin skin-contacting surface and lateral protecting elements made of plastic to prevent skin irritation and enhance maneuverability, allowing for precise shaving and trimming while maintaining visibility for styling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the blade is made thick to provide structural strength, then the blade can withstand operational forces, but the precision for shaving is reduced and skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into two distinct parts: a thin cutting edge portion (0.02-0.05mm) for precise shaving and a thicker support portion for structural strength. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between overall blade strength and shaving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the blade have different thicknesses tailored to their specific functional requirements. The cutting edge has minimal thickness for precision, while the support structure has greater thickness for strength. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between uniform strength and localized precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the blade is made thin for precise shaving, then shaving precision is improved, but the blade becomes more fragile and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The blade structure separates the fragile cutting edge from the robust support portion, allowing the thin cutting edge to be manufactured with precision while the thicker support portion provides manufacturing stability and structural integrity during production and use.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is constructed as a composite structure combining a thin cutting edge material with a thicker support material, optimizing both the fragility issue and manufacturing ease while maintaining shaving precision.
3Ease of operation
If lateral ends of the blade are exposed for maneuverability, then the appliance is easier to handle, but skin irritation and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
A protective element is introduced as an intermediary component that covers the lateral ends of the blade. This protective element prevents direct skin contact with the potentially irritating blade edges while maintaining the maneuverability benefits of the exposed blade configuration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If combined shaving and trimming devices are used, then versatility is improved, but device complexity and skin irritation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blade design incorporates universal features that enable both shaving and trimming functions through a single blade structure. The thin cutting edge enables shaving while the overall blade geometry and support structure facilitate trimming, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hair cutting appliance (10) comprising a blade set (20), and to a blade set (20) of a hair cutting appliance (10). The blade set (20) is arranged to be moved through hair in an assumed moving direction (28) to cut hair. The blade set (20) comprises a stationary blade (22), a movable blade (24), and a lateral protecting element (56). The stationary blade (22) comprises at least one toothed cutting edge (32, 34), a lateral end (30), and a first surface (48) that is arranged, when in use for shaving purposes, as a skin-contacting surface. The movable blade (24) comprises a toothed cutting edge (32, 34). The stationary blade (22) and the movable blade (24) are arranged to be reciprocally moved with respect to each other in a cutting direction (Y) that is basically perpendicular to the assumed moving direction (28). The lateral protecting element (56) is associated with the lateral end (30), thereby defining a lateral end cap of the stationary blade (22), wherein the lateral protecting element (56) laterally shields a lateral edge (40) of the lateral end (30), such that, when in use, skin contact of the lateral edge (40) is prevented. The lateral protecting element (56) and the lateral end (30) cooperate so as to prevent hairs from being trapped therebetween. The stationary blade (22) and the movable blade (24) are at least partially made from steel, and the lateral protecting element (56) is made from plastic material. The blade set (20) configured to pivot or swivel with respect to a housing of the hair cutting appliance (10).