Shaving Razor Cartridge Blade Retention and Geometry Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaving razor cartridges face challenges in maintaining optimal blade geometry and retention, leading to inconsistent shaving performance due to issues with blade exposure, span, and angle, which are influenced by the connection between the cartridge and handle.
Innovation Solution
The design features a housing with a guard, cap, and spaced interior walls, incorporating resilient blade retention members and clips to securely fix blades, allowing for adjustable blade slots and retention bumps to ensure proper blade positioning and retention, facilitating improved shaving geometry and reduced assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional blade retention methods are used, then assembly is simple, but blade geometry consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade retention mechanism is segmented into multiple independent elements: resilient blade retention members with retention bumps, clips, and spaced interior walls. Each element performs a specific function (retention, positioning, or geometry maintenance), allowing the complex system to achieve precise blade geometry through divided functional responsibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient blade retention members are pre-configured with specific bump geometries and positions before assembly. The blade slot dimensions and wall spacing are predetermined to automatically establish correct blade exposure, span, and angle when the blade is inserted, eliminating the need for post-assembly geometry adjustment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid blade fixation is used, then blade position stability is improved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade retention system transitions from a purely rigid fixation to a dynamic system where resilient retention members can deflect during assembly to accommodate blade insertion, then maintain stable blade positioning during use. The resilient members provide controlled compliance that facilitates assembly while ensuring operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient blade retention members change their physical state during assembly - deflecting from a first position to a second position. This parameter change (position and shape) allows the retention mechanism to adapt between assembly mode (compliant) and operational mode (stable), resolving the contradiction between assembly ease and position stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed blade slots are used, then blade positioning precision is improved, but blade replacement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade slots are formed by resilient retention members that can dynamically change their configuration. During blade replacement, the members deflect to release the blade; during normal operation, they maintain precise blade positioning. This dynamic behavior enables both precise positioning and easy replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient blade retention members act as flexible structural elements that provide precise geometric constraints for blade positioning while allowing controlled deformation for blade insertion and removal. The flexibility of these members enables the system to maintain precision without permanent rigid fixation.
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
This configuration enhances shaving performance by maintaining consistent blade exposure and angle, reducing assembly risks, and improving rinsing efficiency, while allowing for easier replacement and handling of blades.
Implementation Method 1
At least one resilient blade retention member extends laterally from one of the interior walls toward the other interior wall... The resilient blade retention member deflects from a first position to a second position to receive the blade
Data Source
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AI summary
A wet shaving cartridge 12 comprising with a housing 16 having a guard 20, a cap 22, and a pair of spaced apart interior walls 40,45 between the cap and the guard. A blade retention bump 51 is positioned on at least one of the spaced apart interior walls. At least one resilient blade retention member 44 extends laterally from one of the interior walls toward the other interior wall. At least one clip 24 is mounted to the housing. At least one blade 18 is positioned between the resilient blade retention member and at least one of the interior walls. The blade is rigidly fixed in a first direction between the clip and the blade retention bumps and retained in a second direction between the resilient blade retention members and at least one of the interior walls.