Razor Handle Rotatable Portion Retention System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current razors with multiple axes of rotation for improved shaving closeness are complex, costly, and prone to durability issues due to additional components that require tight tolerances, leading to manufacturing and assembly challenges.
Innovation Solution
A razor design featuring a handle with a rotatable portion that rotates about a second axis, utilizing a retention system with a cantilever tail and a frame, providing resistance torque and damping to maintain precise alignment and movement, thus simplifying manufacturing and assembly while ensuring effective skin contour following.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If additional components are implemented to provide multiple axes of rotation, then the closeness of shaving is improved, but the device complexity increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple rotational axes into a single integrated handle structure. The first axis (substantially parallel to blades) and second axis (substantially perpendicular to blades and handle) are integrated into one handle assembly, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each axis. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining multi-axis rotational capability for following skin contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is designed as a multi-functional component that provides both first-axis and second-axis rotation capabilities. A single handle structure performs multiple functions: it holds the cartridge, enables front-to-back pivoting (first axis), and enables side-to-side pivoting (second axis), making the handle a universal component that replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional components are implemented to provide multiple axes of rotation, then the closeness of shaving is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple rotational functions into a single handle assembly, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs associated with producing multiple separate components with tight tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional handle reduces manufacturing costs by serving multiple purposes with a single component. Instead of manufacturing separate mechanisms for first-axis and second-axis rotation, the universal handle provides both functions, reducing material costs, manufacturing overhead, and assembly costs.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional components are implemented to provide multiple axes of rotation, then the closeness of shaving is improved, but the reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple rotational axes into a single handle structure, reducing the number of separate components that can fail. By combining the first-axis and second-axis rotation mechanisms into one integrated assembly, the patent minimizes the number of potential failure points while maintaining the ability to follow complex skin contours.
4Adaptability or versatility
If tight tolerances are required for additional components, then the multiple axes of rotation function is achieved, but the assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal handle design achieves multiple axes of rotation with a single integrated component, eliminating the need for complex assemblies of multiple parts. This approach reduces assembly difficulty because there are fewer parts to align and fewer tolerances to maintain, while still providing the versatile multi-axis rotational function needed for following skin contours.
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 enhances the dynamic response during shaving, providing a closer shave by maintaining consistent torque and alignment, reducing complexity and cost, and improving durability.
Implementation Method 1
the retention system is configured to apply a resistance torque upon the rotatable portion when the rotatable portion is rotated from an at rest position
Implementation Method 2
the retention system has a static stiffness as determined by the Static Stiffness Method such that a ratio of the static stiffness to the moment arm is about 0.05 N/degree to about 1.2 N/degree
Data Source
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AI summary
A razor (10) comprises a cartridge (30) comprising a blade (32), the cartridge configured to rotate about a first axis (34), and a handle (20) coupled to the cartridge. The handle comprises a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a rotatable portion (24) coupled to the second end such that the rotatable portion is configured to rotate relative to the first end and about a second axis (26). The rotatable portion comprises a base (62) and a retention system (65). The retention system is configured to apply a resistance torque upon the rotatable portion when the rotatable portion is rotated from an at rest position.