Flexible Loop Razor Blade Unit for Skin Contour Conformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing razor blade designs struggle to conform effectively to highly contoured body surfaces, leading to inefficiencies and potential cuts or abrasions during shaving, and are limited in design diversity due to the requirement of separate flexible carriers.
Innovation Solution
A razor blade unit featuring a self-supporting and flexible loop structure with multiple loops connected via spacers, which are attached to a housing, allowing for improved conformity to skin contours without the need for a separate flexible carrier, enabling efficient and comfortable shaving on diverse body surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If rigid blades or cutting elements are used, then cutting performance is maintained, but conformity to skin contours deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is segmented into multiple discrete cutting elements (3-5 individual blades) arranged in a row, each capable of independent movement. This segmentation allows each blade to conform to local skin contours while maintaining structural integrity through the carrier structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible carrier structure (flexible base material) is used to mount the cutting elements, allowing the entire blade assembly to flex and conform to contoured skin surfaces. The flexible carrier replaces rigid mounting structures, enabling adaptive shaping during shaving.
2Shape
If separate flexible carriers are used to provide flexibility, then conformity to skin contours improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible carrier and mounting structure are merged into a single integrated component. The cutting elements are directly mounted on the flexible carrier, eliminating the need for separate resilient connecting means and complex assembly structures. This integration reduces the number of parts while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible carrier serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the mounting structure for cutting elements, provides the resilient connecting means, and enables the flexible adaptation to skin contours. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.
3Shape
If multiple individual blades connected by resilient means are used, then conformity to skin contours improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cutting elements are pre-mounted on the flexible carrier in the desired configuration before final assembly. The resilient connecting means are pre-formed as part of the carrier structure, eliminating the need for complex assembly operations during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible carrier's physical parameters (thickness, material properties, structural geometry) are optimized to provide the required flexibility and resilience. By adjusting these parameters, the carrier can be tuned to achieve optimal conformity without requiring complex structural designs.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A razor blade unit including a housing having a top surface, and a loop disposed on the top surface, the loop having two terminal ends and two exposed opposing edges between the two terminal ends. The loop intersects the top surface at the two terminal ends and the two terminal ends are spaced apart from each other on the top surface. At least a portion of at least one of the two exposed opposing edges has a cutting edge. The razor blade unit provides improved conformity to skin contours.