Razor Cartridge Fluid Conduit Alignment for Backflow Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid spray razors experience backflow and inefficient discharge of shaving aid due to misalignment of the fluid supply conduit during pivoting of the razor cartridge, leading to reduced application of shaving aid on the skin.

Innovation Solution

A razor assembly with a receiving member and aid supplying member, where the discharge end of the aid supplying member is inserted into a receiving hole between the receiving valve and the blade housing, preventing backflow and ensuring consistent shaving aid delivery regardless of the pivot angle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the razor cartridge pivots on the razor handle, then the angle of the fluid supply conduit to the razor cartridge changes, but this causes misalignment between the ejection direction of the shaving aid and the inflow region of the razor cartridge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepivot angle adaptabilityVSAvoidshaving aid delivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid supply conduit is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adjust its angle and position as the razor cartridge pivots. This flexible connection maintains reliable alignment between the ejection direction and the inflow region across various pivot angles, resolving the contradiction between pivot adaptability and delivery reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state or configuration of the fluid supply conduit from a fixed rigid structure to a flexible adaptable structure. This parameter change allows the conduit to maintain proper alignment and ejection direction regardless of the pivot angle, simultaneously achieving both adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the ejection from the fluid supply conduit is misaligned with the inflow region of the razor cartridge, then the shaving aid may not be introduced into the inflow region, but this causes backflow of the shaving aid in a direction opposite to the ejection direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaving aid ejectionVSAvoidshaving aid backflow
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (such as a flow guide or aligned conduit structure) between the fluid supply conduit and the inflow region. This intermediary ensures that the shaving aid flows smoothly from the ejection point into the inflow region without misalignment, preventing backflow while maintaining ease of ejection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If the shaving aid accumulates in the surrounding region of the inflow region, then it may cause backflow, but this reduces the amount of shaving aid discharged from the discharge region to block sufficient application to the skin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaving aid discharge amountVSAvoidshaving aid accumulation and backflow
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes the problematic accumulation zone by redesigning the flow path. The fluid supply conduit and inflow region are configured to ensure continuous smooth flow without dead zones where shaving aid could accumulate, thereby eliminating backflow while maintaining sufficient discharge amount for effective skin application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3792019B1Razor cartridge and razor assembly using the same
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 DORCO CO LTD
  • EP3792019B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3792019B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3792019B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a razor assembly 10 including at least one shaving blade 120 having a cutting edge, a blade housing 110, a receiving member 150, and an aid supplying member 160. The blade housing is configured to accommodate at least one shaving blade such that a width direction of the blade housing is in parallel with a longitudinal direction of the cutting edge and includes an inlet portion 112 and a discharge portion 114 configured to discharge a shaving aid delivered from the inlet portion. The receiving member is disposed on a rear surface of the blade housing and includes a receiving valve 154 and a receiving hole 156 formed on one side of the receiving valve. The aid supplying member includes a discharge end 164 configured to discharge the shaving aid to the inlet portion. At least a portion 1642 of the discharge end, which is inserted into the receiving hole, is accommodated between the receiving valve and the blade housing.