Heated Razor Handle with Transverse Heater Bar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaving razors with heated blades have a minimal skin contact area, resulting in inefficient heating of the user's skin during shaving, which limits the comfort and effectiveness of the shaving experience.

Innovation Solution

A shaving razor system with a handle containing a heater bar connected to a power source, integrated into the handle and pivotably mounted to a connection base, which also houses a removable razor cartridge with a skin-engaging member and blades, allowing for efficient heat distribution across a larger surface area during shaving.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heated blades are used in a razor cartridge, then the blades can be heated during shaving, but the skin contact area is minimal resulting in inefficient heating of the user's skin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin heating temperatureVSAvoidskin contact area
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heater bar is positioned within the handle and joined to the connection base, extending generally transverse to the elongated gripping portion with lateral end portions that extend away from the gripping portion. This transverse positioning allows the heater bar to contact the skin across a wider area perpendicular to the shaving direction, effectively using another dimension to increase skin contact area without increasing the linear dimensions of the blade assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The heater bar serves as an intermediary heating element between the power source and the user's skin. Instead of relying solely on the blades for heat transfer, the heater bar directly contacts the skin and transfers thermal energy efficiently across a larger surface area, mediating the heating function separately from the cutting function of the blades.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the heater bar is positioned within the handle and joined to the connection base, then heat can be distributed across a larger surface area, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating surface areaVSAvoidhandle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection base serves multiple functions: it mechanically connects the razor cartridge to the handle, provides structural support for the heater bar positioning, and acts as a mounting point for the interconnect member. By making the connection base multi-functional, the patent increases heating surface area without adding separate components, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The heater bar is merged with the connection base structure rather than being a separate removable component. This integration allows the heating function to be combined with the structural connection function, distributing heat across a larger area while maintaining a unified, simple device architecture without additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the connection base is pivotably mounted to the handle, then the razor cartridge can be easily attached and removed, but the heating element positioning becomes less stable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecartridge attachment easeVSAvoidheater bar positioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The interconnect member is pre-configured with a handle mounting surface designed for releasable engagement with the connection base. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the cartridge is attached, the heater bar is automatically positioned in the correct stable location relative to the gripping portion, maintaining heating stability while enabling easy attachment and removal through the pivotable connection base.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system provides improved heating capability by distributing heat across a larger surface area, enhancing user comfort and shaving experience through efficient heat transfer to the skin, even during extended shaving strokes.

Implementation Method 1

A heater bar is operably connected to a power source positioned within the handle and joined to the connection base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The heater bar is positioned within the handle... providing efficient heat transfer to the skin across a larger surface area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3083166B1Heated shaving razor handle
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 THE GILLETTE CO
  • EP3083166B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3083166B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3083166B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A shaving razor system 10 with a handle 12 having an elongated gripping portion 14 with a proximal end portion 16 and a distal end portion 18. A connection base 20 is mounted to the proximal end portion of the handle. A heater bar 22 is operably connected to a power source 202 positioned within the handle. The heater bar is joined to the connection base. A removable razor cartridge 30 having a housing 32 with a guard 34, a cap 36 and at least one blade 38 mounted to the housing between the guard and the cap. An interconnect member 54 fixed to the housing and having a handle mounting surface 56 releasably engaged with a corresponding surface on the connection base.