Razor Cartridge Pivot Axis Positioning for Modular Frame Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and inefficiency in producing diverse razor cartridge designs due to the need for separate molds and production equipment for each configuration, resulting from the integration of the pivot portion within the blade unit rather than the frame.
Innovation Solution
A razor cartridge design where the pivot axis is positioned within the frame, allowing for a standard blade unit with interchangeable frames of various configurations, reducing production costs and enabling flexibility in design without requiring new molds and equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pivot portion is integrated within the blade unit, then the blade unit structure is simplified, but the production cost increases and design flexibility decreases due to requiring separate molds and equipment for each cartridge configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The razor cartridge is divided into separate functional modules: a standard blade unit and a frame assembly. The pivot mechanism is relocated to the frame assembly rather than being integrated into the blade unit. This segmentation allows the blade unit to remain simple while the frame assembly handles the complexity of different configurations through interchangeable components.
Solution Approach 2:
A standard blade unit design is created that can be used across multiple cartridge configurations. By moving the pivot mechanism to the frame assembly, the same blade unit can be paired with different frame assemblies to create various cartridge designs, eliminating the need for separate molds and production equipment for each configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate molds and production equipment are used for each cartridge design, then design flexibility and consumer demand coverage improve, but production cost and manufacturing effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge design is segmented into a standardized blade unit and configurable frame assemblies. This allows manufacturers to produce a single standard blade unit using one set of molds and equipment, then create different cartridge configurations by assembling various frame assemblies, significantly reducing the number of molds and production lines needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cartridge configurations are achieved by changing parameters and features of the frame assembly rather than redesigning the entire cartridge. The standard blade unit remains unchanged while frame assemblies vary in pivot mechanism design, guard configurations, cap styles, and other features, allowing design variety without proportional increases in manufacturing complexity.
3Productivity
If the pivot mechanism is moved to the frame assembly, then production efficiency and cost-effectiveness improve, but the frame structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism is extracted from the blade unit and placed into the frame assembly. This extraction allows the blade unit to remain simple and standardized while the frame assembly assumes the complexity of the pivot mechanism. The frame structure is designed to accommodate this complexity through modular components that can be efficiently manufactured and assembled.
Data Source
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AI summary
A razor cartridge for connecting to a handle is provided. The razor cartridge includes a blade unit and a frame surrounding the blade unit. Shaving blades in the blade unit have sharpened edges defining a blade plane. The frame includes a perimeter, an upper surface and a pivoting structure defining a pivot axis for pivoting the razor cartridge with respect to the handle. The pivot axis is positioned within the frame such that a line drawn through the pivot axis perpendicular to the blade plane intersects the upper surface of the frame at a pivot frame intersection location where a tangent line drawn along the upper surface at the pivot frame intersection location is parallel to the blade plane. A first planar surface on the upper surface is located in front of pivot frame intersection location and a second planar surface is located behind pivot frame intersection location.