Electric Razor Head Pivoting via Handle Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrically-driven razors are bulky and heavy due to the inclusion of multiple parts, such as oscillating bridges and motors within the shaving head, which hinders ergonomic comfort and adaptability to skin contours.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight electrically-driven razor design with a head that pivots in two or three dimensions, featuring a transmission system within the handle to translate rotary motion into reciprocating motion, eliminating the need for an oscillating bridge and minimizing parts in the head, while maintaining a narrow head-handle coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the head includes multiple parts such as oscillating bridge, bearings, and swivel groove to enable macro-movement and micro-movement, then the head achieves proper adaptation to skin contour, but the head becomes bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to skin contourVSAvoidhead weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the oscillating bridge from the head assembly and relocates it to the handle. This removes the need for complex internal head mechanics while preserving the macro-movement capability. The head now only contains the necessary cutting elements and housing, significantly reducing its weight and bulk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the shaver into distinct functional modules: the handle contains the motor, transmission, and oscillating bridge mechanisms, while the head contains only the cutting elements and housing. This segmentation allows the head to be lightweight while the handle houses the heavier mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the transmission translates rotary motion to reciprocating motion within the head, then the cutting units achieve linear oscillation, but the head requires more installation space and becomes heavier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting unit oscillationVSAvoidhead volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the transmission mechanism from the head and relocates it to the handle. The motor and transmission in the handle convert rotary motion to reciprocating motion of the driven shaft, which then transmits this motion to the cutting units in the head through the coupling. This eliminates the need for internal head transmission components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the head includes oscillating bridge and coupling mechanisms to facilitate head movement relative to handle, then the shaver allows proper head positioning, but the head-handle coupling becomes wider and the head heavier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehead positioningVSAvoidhead weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the oscillating bridge from the head and places it in the handle, where it facilitates the relative movement between head and handle. This allows the head to maintain a narrower coupling to the handle while the heavier mechanical components are located in the handle itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 achieves a lightweight head with low inertia, allowing for smooth adaptation to skin contours and reduced force required for angular adjustments, enhancing ergonomic comfort and shaving efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The transmission is constructed to translate rotary motion of the motor to reciprocating motion of the at least one driven shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotary to reciprocating motion conversion: Crankshaft

Implementation Method 2

The head is pivotable in at least two dimensions, relative to the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting motion: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3300850B1Electrically-driven razor
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 BRAUN GMBH
  • EP3300850B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3300850B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3300850B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electrically-driven razor 10 includes a handle 12 and a slim, lightweight head 16. The handle includes a housing 13, a motor 30, a transmission 32, at least one driven shaft 46, 48, and a coupling 70. The motor is contained substantially within the housing. The head includes a skin-engaging portion 20. The coupling links the head to the housing. The at least one driven shaft extends into the head. The transmission is constructed to translate rotary motion of the motor to reciprocating motion of the at least one driven shaft. The head is pivotable in at least two dimensions, relative to the housing.