Shaving Razor Cartridge Handle Interface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaving razors have complex and expensive pivot mechanisms in their handle-to-cartridge connections, which are costly to manufacture and do not provide a simple, intuitive, or reliable attachment system.
Innovation Solution
A shaving razor cartridge design featuring a housing with a blade support portion and a handle interface portion, including a cap and guard that define a shaving plane, and a handle receptacle with a funnel-shaped cross-section to facilitate easy and secure attachment of the pivoting head, reducing manufacturing costs and improving user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex pivot mechanism is used to enable the cartridge to pivot relative to the handle, then the shaving performance is improved by following skin contours, but the manufacturing cost increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex pivot mechanism from the cartridge-handle connection, extracting only the essential function of allowing cartridge replacement while eliminating unnecessary mechanical complexity. The cartridge is designed to be replaceable without requiring sophisticated pivot mechanisms, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and device complexity while maintaining reliable shaving performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the shaving system into a reusable handle and a replaceable cartridge, allowing the cartridge to be independently replaced when blades become dull. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex pivot mechanisms by designing a simple attachment interface that enables easy cartridge replacement while maintaining secure connection during use.
2Strength
If a robust connection scheme is used to provide sufficient retention forces, then the attachment integrity is improved, but the ease of cartridge replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic connection scheme where the attachment interface allows for easy insertion and removal of cartridges through simple mechanical actions. The connection provides sufficient retention forces during shaving through proper geometric design of the interface, while enabling straightforward cartridge replacement by consumers without requiring excessive force or complex procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing pivot mechanisms are used in the handle-to-cartridge connection, then the cartridge can be attached to the handle, but the manufacturing cost increases and the reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a disposable cartridge design where the cartridge is intended to be replaced rather than permanently attached. This approach eliminates the need for complex, expensive pivot mechanisms while maintaining reliable functionality through simple attachment and replacement procedures. The cartridge serves its purpose effectively and is replaced when blades become dull, avoiding the need for durable but complex permanent connection mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A shaving razor cartridge includes a housing and at least one razor blade. The housing extends between front and rear ends. The housing includes a blade support portion and a handle interface portion. The blade support portion is positioned between the front and rear ends. The blade support portion includes a cap and a guard that is spaced from the cap and cooperates with the cap to define a shaving plane. The handle interface portion is positioned between the front and rear ends and includes a front and rear wall. The front and rear walls each include a lower surface and an interior surface. The at least one razor blade is disposed in the blade support portion between the cap and the guard. The lower surfaces cooperate to define a lower opening. The interior surfaces cooperate to at least partially define a handle receptacle that extends to the lower opening.