Grooming Device Eject Sensor for Accurate Cartridge Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grooming devices, such as razors, face challenges in accurately tracking cartridge usage due to noise introduced by the rotation of the cartridge eject button relative to the handle during multi-axis movement, which affects the reliability of cartridge change data collection.
Innovation Solution
A grooming device with a handle and implement connecting structure that includes a displacement sensor and a power source, allowing the implement connecting structure to pivot about multiple axes while maintaining accurate cartridge change data collection through a stationary location element and a movable eject element, using sensors like magnetic, optical, or capacitive sensors to detect displacement and communicate data effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the eject button is directly attached to the connection structure to enable multi-axis rotation, then the grooming implement can rotate side to side and up and down, but the rotation causes the eject button to rotate relative to the handle which introduces noise into cartridge change data
Solution Approach 1:
The eject mechanism is segmented into two independent parts: the eject button attached to the connection structure (allowing multi-axis rotation) and the location element attached to the handle (remaining stationary). This segmentation allows the button to rotate with the connection structure while the location element stays fixed, eliminating rotational noise from displacement measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The location element acts as an intermediary between the eject button and the displacement sensor. By attaching the location element to the stationary handle rather than directly to the rotating eject button, it mediates the measurement process to exclude rotational movement from the displacement data, providing accurate cartridge change detection.
2Measurement precision
If the eject button is made stationary relative to the handle to eliminate rotation noise, then cartridge change data accuracy improves, but the connection structure cannot rotate side to side and up and down
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a rotating subsystem (eject button on connection structure) and a stationary subsystem (location element on handle). This allows independent optimization: the button side maintains full rotational freedom for grooming adaptability, while the measurement side remains stationary for data accuracy.
3Productivity
If a displacement sensor is used to detect eject element movement, then cartridge usage tracking is enabled, but the sensor detects noise from connection structure rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The location element serves as a mediator that decouples the measurement function from the rotating eject mechanism. It transfers the ejection movement signal to the stationary displacement sensor without introducing rotational noise, enabling reliable cartridge usage tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement function (location element) is extracted from the rotating eject button and attached to the stationary handle. This extracts the useful ejection movement signal while leaving the rotational noise source in the button, allowing clean data collection.
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
Enables precise tracking of cartridge usage and shave event data, improving user experience by providing accurate cartridge life indication and reducing noise in data collection, enhancing the overall functionality and user interaction with grooming devices.
Implementation Method 1
the displacement sensor detects displacement of the location element
Implementation Method 2
The displacement sensor may comprise a magnetic sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A grooming device. The grooming device includes a handle having proximal and distal ends, an implement connecting structure, grooming implement, displacement sensor, and power source providing power to the displacement sensor. The implement connecting structure is pivotably connected to the proximal end of the handle about a first handle axis and has a connection element and an eject element that is moveable within the implement connecting structure along a second handle axis. The implement connecting structure also has a location element pivotably connected to the eject element such that as the implement connecting structure moves about the first handle axis the location element remains stationary relative to the handle and as the eject element moves along the second handle axis the location element is displaced relative to the handle and the displacement sensor detects displacement of the location element. The grooming implement is connected to the implement connecting structure.