Razor Blade Assembly Pre-Form with Disposable Tie
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaving razor cartridges become too rigid during manufacturing, leading to discomfort due to abrupt blade engagement with skin rather than hair, and existing flexible configurations fail to preserve desired blade geometry during attachment.
Innovation Solution
A shaving blade assembly pre-form method involving a blade frame with transverse connecting strips, welded blades, and a disposable tie that anchors the frame to maintain blade geometry by preventing buckling and splaying, ensuring the blades maintain their intended progressive geometry and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If blades are welded to a rigid blade frame during manufacturing, then manufacturing precision and blade alignment are improved, but the razor becomes too rigid causing abrupt blade engagement with skin leading to nicks and cuts
Solution Approach 1:
The blade frame is segmented into multiple rigid sections (blade supports, connecting strips) that are individually precise, while the overall assembly allows relative movement between these segments. This enables the frame to maintain manufacturing precision for blade alignment while accommodating flexibility for comfortable shaving through the compliant mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade frame transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamically compliant structure that can adapt during operation. The frame incorporates compliant mechanisms that allow controlled movement and deformation during shaving, enabling the blade to follow skin contours while maintaining precise alignment through the designed compliance paths.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible blade support structure is used to provide comfort, then shaving comfort is improved, but blade geometry and alignment cannot be preserved during attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The blade geometry is precisely established and secured during the welding attachment process before the compliant mechanism is activated. The blade is welded to the blade support in its exact desired position and orientation, preserving progressive blade geometry. Subsequently, the compliant mechanism allows movement that maintains this pre-established geometry while providing flexibility during shaving.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the blade frame have different properties: the blade support and connecting strips provide rigid, precise positioning for manufacturing accuracy, while other portions incorporate compliance for flexibility. The blade is locally secured with high precision at the welding interface, while the overall structure allows global movement for comfort.
3Productivity
If multiple blades are attached to the blade frame, then productivity is improved, but distortion of the blade frame occurs during attachment process
Solution Approach 1:
The blade frame is pre-configured with blade supports and connecting strips in their exact final positions before blade attachment. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when multiple blades are welded to the frame, the frame already has the correct geometry and alignment, preventing distortion during the attachment process and enabling efficient multi-blade assembly.
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
The method effectively prevents distortion of the blade frame and maintains the desired blade geometry during attachment, enhancing the shaving experience by ensuring a close shave without nicks, and facilitating the incorporation of the blade assembly into a cartridge with minimal distortion.
Implementation Method 1
a disposable tie disposed parallel to said plurality of blades and across said transverse connecting strips
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of blades welded to the blade frame that span the transverse connecting strips
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A shaving blade assembly pre-form (5) comprising a blade frame (10) comprising transverse connecting strips (15); a plurality of blades (35) welded to the blade frame that span the transverse connecting strips along a length of the frame; and a disposable tie (18) disposed parallel to the plurality of blades and across said transverse connecting strips.