Modular Electric Shaver Universal Connector Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric shavers with motors in the handle offer balanced handling and compact design but struggle with customizable kinematics, leading to increased manufacturing costs and difficulty in cleaning due to complex support structures that can trap hair and debris.
Innovation Solution
A modular electric shaver design with a standardized handpiece housing and interchangeable shaver heads, featuring a simple drive train that supports various kinematic configurations through different support structures, allowing for easy cleaning and reduced part complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different drive train structures are designed for different shaver head types to accommodate various kinematics, then adaptability to user preferences is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal connector element design on the housing that can interface with multiple types of support structures (first, second, and third support structures with different kinematic properties). This single standardized connector replaces the need for multiple specialized drive train structures, allowing the same housing to accommodate shaver heads with different degrees of freedom while maintaining efficient power transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex support structures are used to provide different kinematic configurations, then adaptability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to increased manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shaver system into a standardized housing unit and interchangeable shaver head units with different support structures. The housing contains a universal connector that interfaces with various support structure types (first support structure with multiple degrees of freedom, second support structure with limited freedom, third rigid support structure). This segmentation allows mass production of the standardized housing while enabling customization through different shaver head attachments, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex support structures with multiple components are used, then adaptability to different kinematics is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in cleaning hair and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex support structures from the housing and relocates them to the shaver head units. The housing is simplified to contain only the motor and a universal connector element. The support structures (first, second, or third types with different kinematic properties) are integrated into the shaver heads themselves, which can be easily detached and removed by the user for cleaning. This extraction eliminates the cleaning problem associated with complex internal support structures while preserving kinematic flexibility through interchangeable heads.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to electric shavers, handpieces of such shavers and a method of manufacturing such electric shavers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a shaver set comprising a plurality of electric shavers.