Razor Guard Structure with Segmented Protrusions for Skin Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing razor guard structures do not adequately provide improved shaving performance attributes such as skin management, comfort, and safety, as they fail to effectively engage and position the skin for optimal hair cutting.

Innovation Solution

A razor cartridge with a guard structure comprising a housing featuring elongated protrusions of varying heights and widths, arranged in specific patterns to stimulate, flatten, and engage the skin, enhancing skin management and comfort by providing a robust structure for skin contact before the blades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional guard structure with fins or protrusions is used, then the skin engagement function is provided, but the shaving performance attributes (skin management, comfort, efficiency, and safety) are not adequately improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaving performanceVSAvoidguard structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guard structure is segmented into multiple protrusions of varying heights arranged in a pattern, where each protrusion serves a specific function in skin engagement and positioning. This segmentation allows the structure to provide improved shaving performance through differentiated skin interaction zones while maintaining integration within the cartridge housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the guard structure have different protrusion heights and configurations tailored to specific functional requirements. The varying heights create localized zones for different skin engagement intensities, improving skin management and comfort in specific areas while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If protrusions of varying heights are used to improve skin positioning, then skin management and comfort are enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin positioningVSAvoidguard structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guard structure with varying height protrusions is merged with the cartridge housing as an integrated component. This combining approach allows the complex multi-height protrusion pattern to be manufactured as a single piece using injection molding or similar processes, reducing assembly steps while maintaining the sophisticated skin engagement geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the guard structure engages the skin more effectively, then hair cutting efficiency improves, but the risk of skin irritation or discomfort may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehair cutting efficiencyVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions are designed with specific parameter ranges including height variations, rounded tip geometries, and optimized spacing patterns. These parameter changes enable effective skin engagement for improved hair cutting efficiency while the rounded contours and gradual transitions prevent excessive skin stress and irritation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3846986B1Razor cartridge structure
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 THE GILLETTE CO
  • EP3846986B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3846986B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3846986B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A cartridge for a razor is provided. The cartridge may comprise a housing comprising first and second opposed end portions spaced apart in a lateral direction of the cartridge, which lateral direction is parallel to one or more blades provided in the housing; front and back portions spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge; and a structure defining at least one of the front portion or the back portion. The structure may comprise a plurality of first protrusions extending from a base of the structure. The structure may further comprise a plurality of second protrusions extending from the base of the structure. One or more of the first protrusions may be positioned between at least one set of adjacent ones of the second protrusions.