Multi-Edge Razor Cutting Members for Rinsability and Skin Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Safety razors with multiple blades face challenges in balancing the reduction of nicks and cuts while providing a close shave, maintaining rinsability, and being resource-efficient.
Innovation Solution
A razor cartridge design featuring a base portion supporting two cutting edge portions extending at different angles, allowing for dual shaving directions and improved skin support, while reducing the need for separate support elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the inter-blade span is increased to improve rinsability, then debris can be rinsed away more easily, but skin bulge forms more between two blades reducing cutting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension by extending cutting edges in multiple directions from a single base portion. Instead of arranging blades only in one dimension (side-by-side), the cutting edges extend in different angular directions, creating a three-dimensional arrangement that provides both skin support and adequate spacing for rinsability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single base portion is segmented to support multiple cutting edges extending in different directions. Each cutting edge portion is independently positioned and angled, allowing them to function as separate cutting elements while maintaining structural integration through the common base portion.
2Reliability
If multiple separate base portions are used to support cutting edges, then each cutting edge has dedicated support, but the device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple base portions that would traditionally be used to support different cutting edges are merged into a single integrated base portion. This unified structure provides support for all cutting edges while reducing the number of components, simplifying manufacturing, and decreasing material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The single base portion is designed with multi-functionality, serving as the support structure for multiple cutting edges extending in different directions. This universal base portion performs the support function for all cutting edges simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate dedicated support structures.
3Loss of substance
If a single base portion supports multiple cutting edges, then resource efficiency is improved, but the design complexity of the base portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base portion design is segmented into distinct regions or zones that correspond to different cutting edge positions and orientations. This segmentation allows for optimized local structures supporting each cutting edge while maintaining overall integration, balancing complexity reduction with functional requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting member may include a base portion that couples the cutting member to a razor cartridge being formed of a single sheet of material or multiple fixedly connected sheets of material. The base portion may define two opposite broad surfaces and edges connecting the broad surfaces, a first cutting edge portion connected to one edge of the base portion and extending at an angle in a first direction, and a second cutting edge portion connected to the one edge of the base portion and extending at an angle in a second direction different from the first direction.