Pivoting Working Head Control With Directional Slider Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal care devices, such as electric shavers and hair cutters, suffer from unintentional switching between configurations and lack a robust mechanism for holding the working head in a desired angular position with defined resistance, leading to poor handling and interference from supplementary tools.
Innovation Solution
A sliding controller with a directional latching mechanism and restrictor system controls the slider's movement, allowing it to hold an intermediate position only when approaching from a specific direction, and activates/deactivates the holding brake based on slider position, ensuring precise angular positioning of the working head without tool obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a holding brake is provided to hold the working head in a specific angular position, then the stability of the working head position is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the slider mechanism (for supplementary tool positioning) with the holding brake actuation into a single integrated system. The slider's position directly controls both the supplementary tool's extension and the holding brake's engagement state, eliminating the need for separate switching mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider serves multiple functions simultaneously: it positions the supplementary working tool (extending/retracting it) and acts as the actuating mechanism for the holding brake. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall control system while achieving stable working head positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the slider has a long sliding way to allow supplementary tool extension, then the accessibility of the supplementary tool is improved, but the risk of unintentional switching between configurations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a directional latching mechanism that prevents the slider from moving backward (toward the retracted position) once it has been extended. The restrictor element blocks reverse movement unless specific conditions are met, thereby preventing unintentional configuration switching while allowing full extension for supplementary tool accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The restrictor element acts as an intermediary mechanical barrier that controls slider movement direction. It physically blocks reverse movement during normal operation, serving as a mediator between the user's intended action and the slider's potential unintended movement, thereby ensuring reliable configuration switching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the slider can be held in intermediate positions, then the adaptability of the device is improved, but the handling becomes more difficult due to potential unintentional positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The directional latching mechanism with restrictor element prevents unintentional slider movement by blocking reverse motion. This allows the slider to be held in intermediate positions (improving adaptability) while preventing unwanted positioning changes that would complicate handling, as the restrictor ensures only intentional forward movements are possible.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a personal care device such as a hair cutter or electric shaver, comprising a handle, a working head pivotably attached to said handle, a slider which is provided with a supplementary working tool such as a longhair trimmer and slidably attached to said handle to slide between an inactive parking position and an active working position for working with the supplementary working tool, and sliding controller for holding said slider in said inactive parking position and/or in said active working position and/or in at least one intermediate position. The sliding controller is configured to hold the slider in said at least one intermediate position only when approaching said at least one intermediate position from a first side and/or in a first sliding direction and to not hold the slider in said at least one intermediate position when approaching said at least one intermediate position from a second side opposite to said first side and/or in a second sliding direction opposite to said first sliding direction.