Razor Guard Segmented Elastomeric Fins for Skin Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety razor cartridges fail to provide optimal shaving comfort and closeness due to limitations in guard design, particularly in the arrangement and material properties of elastomeric fins, which do not effectively complement lubrication systems for enhanced skin flow and friction reduction.
Innovation Solution
A razor cartridge with a guard featuring two groups of elongated elastomeric fins, where the tips of the first group define a surface tangential to the second group, creating a step that enhances skin engagement and comfort, and can be made from different materials with varying hardness for improved skin preparation and lubrication compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single array of closely spaced projections is used on the guard surface, then tactile sensation is improved, but skin flow and lubrication compatibility are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The guard surface is segmented into two distinct groups of elastomeric fins: a first group with fins extending generally perpendicular to the cutting edges, and a second group with fins extending generally parallel to the cutting edges. This segmentation allows each group to perform different functions - the first group provides tactile sensation while the second group enhances skin flow and lubrication compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the guard are given different local qualities through the two groups of fins. The first group of fins (perpendicular orientation) is optimized for tactile feedback, while the second group of fins (parallel orientation) is optimized for skin flow and lubrication. Additionally, the fins may have different heights, with the second group having taller fins that extend beyond the plane of the first group's fins.
2Ease of manufacture
If fins are arranged in a single orientation on the guard, then manufacturing is simplified, but shaving comfort and closeness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fin structure is segmented into two groups with different orientations. The first group has fins extending perpendicular to the cutting edges, while the second group has fins extending parallel to the cutting edges. This segmentation provides complementary benefits: the perpendicular fins are easier to manufacture while the parallel fins enhance skin flow, together improving overall shaving comfort without significantly complicating manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard structure is designed to perform multiple functions through its two groups of fins. The first group of fins provides tactile feedback and basic skin engagement, while the second group enhances skin flow and lubrication distribution. This multi-functionality allows a single guard design to address multiple shaving comfort requirements simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If the guard surface is made uniform, then manufacturing precision is improved, but skin engagement and friction reduction are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The guard surface features local quality variations through two groups of fins with different orientations and heights. The first group of fins extends perpendicular to the cutting edges with a first height, while the second group extends parallel to the cutting edges with a second height that extends beyond the plane of the first group's fins. These localized variations enhance skin engagement and friction reduction while maintaining overall manufacturing precision through standardized fin geometries.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design provides enhanced shaving comfort and closeness by creating a dislocation in the guard's surface topography, allowing for improved skin flow and complementing lubrication systems, resulting in a more effective shaving experience.
Implementation Method 1
The guard includes a first and a second group of rows of elongated, elastomeric fins, each group being arranged generally parallel to the cutting edges and positioned to engage a user's skin
Implementation Method 2
the frictional and sensory properties of the present guard complement the enhanced lubrication provided by this lubrication box
Data Source
AI summary
A razor cartridge (10) has a housing (12) having a guard (16) and a cap (18) and a plurality of parallel blades (14) supported by the housing between the guard and the cap, each blade having a respective cutting edge (15). The guard includes a first and a second group (32, 34) of rows of elongated, elastomeric fins, each group being arranged generally parallel to the cutting edges and positioned to engage a user's skin, the second group being closer to the blades than the first group. The tips of the fins of the first group define a surface (40) and an extension (42) of the surface intersects the outer surface of the outermost fin (46) of the second group to define a step (48) between this intersection and a plane parallel to a plane (36) through the cutting edges and tangential to the tip of outermost fin in a direction away from the guard.