Grooming Accessory Locking Lever for Stable Handle Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grooming devices face challenges in reaching hard-to-reach body areas due to limited visibility and reach, leading to impaired controllability and unsatisfactory grooming results, often causing discomfort and skin irritations.

Innovation Solution

An accessory component with a locking unit featuring a rocking lever mechanism that ensures reliable and stable coupling and decoupling with the grooming device, allowing for easy operation and secure attachment without design changes, and includes a handle extension to increase operational range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a handle extension is added to reach hard-to-reach body areas, then the operational range is improved, but the device stability and controllability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational rangeVSAvoiddevice stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into a main body and a separate handle extension that can be attached or detached. The handle extension includes its own locking mechanism with rocking lever and detent nose that independently secures to the main body, allowing the extension to be added for reachability while maintaining stability when attached through the locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental detachment, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the handle extension is inserted into the main body. The rocking lever is biased by a spring to move the detent nose into the locking position without requiring user action, and the mechanism self-latches to maintain the locked state without continuous power or intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism replaces complex electronic locking systems with a simple mechanical spring-loaded rocking lever and detent nose arrangement. This mechanical approach provides reliable locking through pure mechanical engagement of the detent nose with the locking surface, avoiding the need for motors, sensors, or electronic controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the rocking lever is designed to be pivotable for easy release, then the ease of operation is improved, but the locking stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease easeVSAvoidlocking stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rocking lever is designed to be stationary and stable in the locked position, providing firm engagement. To release, the user applies force to pivot the rocking lever against the spring bias, which moves the detent nose out of the locking position. Once released, the spring automatically returns the lever to its stable locked position, providing both ease of release and locking stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 user comfort and grooming accuracy by providing a secure, easy-to-use attachment that prevents accidental detachment, improving controllability and reducing skin irritations, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

Implementation Method 1

a rocking lever (62) having an engagement portion (84) and a release portion (86), wherein a detent nose (88) is formed in the engagement portion (84), wherein the rocking lever (62) is pivotable about a hinge axis (90) between an engagement position and a release position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical leverage: Lever

Implementation Method 2

the rocking lever (62) being movable into the release position by overcoming a biasing force that urges the rocking lever (62) into the engagement position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiasing force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4699755A1Accessory component and grooming arrangement
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4699755A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4699755A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4699755A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an accessory component (38) for a grooming device (12) and to a grooming arrangement (10) comprising a grooming device (12) and an accessory component (38). The accessory component (38) comprises an attachment section (42) that is arranged to be coupled to a grooming device (12), and a locking unit (60) formed in the attachment section (42). The locking unit (60) comprises at least one rocking lever (62) having an engagement portion (84) and a release portion (86). A detent nose (88) is formed in the engagement portion (84). The at least one rocking lever (62) is pivotable about a hinge axis (90) between an engagement position and a release position. The at least one rocking lever (62) is movable into the release position by overcoming a biasing force (138) that urges the at least one rocking lever (62) into the engagement position.