Razor Connecting Member Chamfer Design for Pivot Jamming

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Solution Overview

Problem

The pivoting mechanism in current razor cartridges often becomes jammed or compromised due to debris buildup or physical stress, leading to suboptimal performance and operational issues.

Innovation Solution

A connecting member with fingers featuring multiple chamfers, specifically a first chamfer angle of 15-45 degrees and a second chamfer angle of 45-80 degrees, providing a bearing length of 1.50mm to 2.50mm, which enhances clearance and attachment to the razor cartridge housing, allowing for improved pivot dynamics and ease of assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional connecting member arms are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the pivot mechanism becomes jammed or compromised due to debris buildup or physical stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepivot mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidconnecting member structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by modifying only the critical finger regions of the connecting member arms with specific chamfer geometries, rather than redesigning the entire structure. The chamfers are strategically positioned at the interfaces where fingers contact the cartridge housing, providing enhanced debris resistance and pivot control precisely where needed, while maintaining the overall simplicity of the connecting member design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The chamfer structures perform preliminary action by pre-establishing controlled clearance paths and debris ejection channels before debris accumulation can cause jamming. The angled surfaces proactively guide debris away from the pivot interface during normal operation, preventing the pivot mechanism from becoming compromised in the first place

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the pivot mechanism allows blade unit movement, then the razor provides operational flexibility, but debris buildup interferes with the connecting member and housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade unit pivoting flexibilityVSAvoiddebris interference with connecting member
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of debris accumulation into a beneficial outcome by designing chamfered surfaces that actively utilize debris as a tool for self-cleaning. As debris accumulates during use, the angled chamfer surfaces guide and eject the debris away from the pivot interface, transforming what would be a harmful jamming force into a beneficial clearing mechanism that maintains operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The chamfer structures introduce dynamic characteristics to the previously static finger-housing interface. The angled surfaces create variable clearance that changes during pivot motion, allowing the mechanism to adapt its debris resistance properties dynamically as the blade unit moves through its range of motion, thereby maintaining ease of operation while resisting debris interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3094453B1Connecting member for a razor
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 THE GILLETTE CO
  • EP3094453B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3094453B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3094453B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

A connecting member (30) of a razor is shown to have a plurality of chamfers (42, 44) on at least one finger (36, 38) disposed at an end of an arm (34, 35). Desirably, both arms have two chamfers on each finger. Each chamfer is disposed having an angle to a top surface of the finger. Though any angles are contemplated in the present invention, the angle of the first chamfer is desirably smaller than the angle of the second chamfer. The bearing length of the finger and the first chamfer angle are together desirably balanced to provide an optimal clearance for the fingers into openings on either end of the back of the housing and improve the pivot operation and control for the user.