Flexible Electrical Bridge Loop for Razor Cartridge Pivoting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wet shaving razors face challenges in providing a reliable and flexible electrical connection between the handle and the cartridge, which is essential for efficient pivoting and safe heat delivery to the skin.

Innovation Solution

A flexible electrical bridge with a loop configuration is positioned between the handle and the shaving razor cartridge, allowing for efficient pivoting while maintaining a reliable electrical connection. The flexible electrical bridge has specific bends and a loop design to accommodate the pivoting motion of the cartridge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flexible electrical bridge with a loop configuration is used, then the cartridge can pivot thousands of cycles without damaging electrical connections, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical bridge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical bridge is pre-formed with a loop configuration and bends positioned to anticipate the pivoting motion. The loop is pre-shaped with a concave top surface and the bends have concave bottom surfaces in the neutral position, allowing the cartridge to pivot thousands of cycles without damaging the electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical bridge incorporates curved features including a loop with a concave top surface and bends with concave bottom surfaces. These curved geometries allow the electrical bridge to flex and accommodate the pivoting motion of the cartridge relative to the handle without creating stress concentration points that would lead to failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Volume of moving object

If electronic components are made small to fit within the razor, then the appliance size is reduced, but the electrical components become more delicate and prone to breaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronic component sizeVSAvoidelectrical component durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical bridge is constructed as a flexible, thin-film structure that can bend and flex to accommodate the pivoting motion. This flexible design allows the electrical connection to remain durable despite the small size and delicate nature of the components within the compact razor appliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the electrical connection is made rigid to ensure stability, then the electrical connection is more reliable, but the cartridge pivoting motion is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidcartridge pivoting freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical bridge transitions from a rigid connection to a dynamic, flexible structure that can adapt its shape during operation. The loop configuration and bends allow the electrical connection to maintain stability when not in use while freely accommodating the pivoting motion of the cartridge during shaving operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12280513B2Shaving razor system

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 THE GILLETTE CO

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a shaving razor. A circuit board is positioned within a handle. A first end of a flexible electrical bridge is connected to the circuit board. A second end of the flexible electrical bridge is connected to an energy emitting device. A loop is formed in the flexible electrical bridge by bending the flexible electrical bridge.