Razor Handle Rotatable Portion Merging Axes
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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 handle design featuring a rotatable portion with a thermoplastic polymer base and a metal cantilever tail that flexes to generate return torque, allowing for multiple axes of rotation without the need for complex additional components, using a combination of materials to simplify manufacturing and enhance durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are implemented to provide multiple axes of rotation, then shaving closeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple rotational axes into a single integrated handle structure. The handle incorporates both the first axis of rotation (substantially parallel to the blades) and the second axis of rotation (substantially perpendicular to the blades and perpendicular to the handle) within one continuous component, eliminating the need for separate mechanical assemblies for each axis and thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining multi-directional adaptability for improved shaving closeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, enables rotation about the first axis, and enables rotation about the second axis. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate parts, reducing the number of components needed and simplifying the overall device structure while achieving improved shaving adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are implemented to provide multiple axes of rotation, then shaving closeness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple rotational functions into a single handle component, which can be manufactured as one integrated piece using additive manufacturing or other single-step processes. This eliminates the need to manufacture, finish, and assemble multiple separate components with tight tolerances, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while still providing the multiple axes of rotation necessary for improved shaving closeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing approach from traditional subtractive or assembly-based methods to additive manufacturing or monolithic fabrication. This parameter change in the manufacturing process allows complex multi-axis rotational geometry to be created in a single operation, reducing the number of manufacturing steps, tooling requirements, and quality control measures needed, thereby lowering overall manufacturing cost while achieving the desired adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are implemented to provide multiple axes of rotation, then shaving closeness is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple rotational axes into a single integrated handle structure, eliminating the interfaces and connection points between separate components. By removing these potential failure points where fatigue, deformation, stress relaxation, or creep could occur, the design improves reliability while maintaining the multiple axes of rotation needed for improved shaving closeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic additional components that were previously needed to achieve multiple axes of rotation. By removing these separate parts and their associated assembly requirements, the patent eliminates the sources of reliability issues such as component fatigue, deformation, and assembly errors, while still providing the necessary multi-directional movement for improved shaving performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If tight tolerances are required for additional components, then multiple axes of rotation are achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple rotational axes into a single handle component, eliminating the need for precise assembly of multiple separate parts. By creating one integrated structure, the invention removes the cumulative tolerance stacking problem and the need for tight tolerances on multiple interfaces, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while still achieving accurate multiple axes of rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing approach to additive manufacturing or monolithic fabrication, which allows complex multi-axis geometry to be created with inherent precision without requiring tight tolerances on individual features or assembly steps. This parameter change in the manufacturing process reduces the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to traditional multi-component assembly methods.
5Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are implemented, then multiple axes of rotation are achieved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple rotational axes into a single integrated handle component, reducing the number of parts that need to be assembled. This merging of functions into one component eliminates multiple assembly steps, alignment operations, and fastening procedures, thereby reducing assembly time and improving productivity while still providing the multiple axes of rotation necessary for improved shaving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is designed as a universal multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support and enables rotation about both the first axis and the second axis. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components that need to be assembled, thereby reducing assembly time and improving manufacturing productivity while achieving the desired multiple axes of rotation.
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 handle design provides a cost-effective, reliable, and durable solution for razors with multiple axes of rotation, improving shaving performance by maintaining precision and reducing manufacturing complexities.
Implementation Method 1
The elongate stem can be flexible such that the elongate stem flexes upon rotation of the rotatable portion relative to the first end and such that flexing of the elongate stem generates a return torque to return the rotatable portion to an at rest position
Data Source
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AI summary
A handle for a razor, the handle having a fixed portion including a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a rotatable portion coupled to the second end. The rotatable portion is configured to rotate relative to the fixed portion. The rotatable portion includes a first material and a second material such that the first material is different from the second material.