Shaving Razor Heating Element Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heated shaving razors lack a simple and intuitive user interface, often resulting in inexperienced users not experiencing the beneficial warmth during shaving or risking burns due to complex temperature control.

Innovation Solution

A shaving razor system with a handle-mounted heating element, a microcontroller, and an electrical switch that allows for pre-determined temperature settings and toggle times, providing a safe and effective warming sensation by eliminating guesswork in temperature selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a heating element is added to the shaving razor to provide warmth, then the comfort during shaving is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaving comfortVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is integrated into the shaving razor cartridge, merging the heating function with the existing shaving structure. The heating element is positioned within the cartridge housing, combining multiple functions (shaving and heating) into a single integrated device, thereby improving comfort without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shaving razor is designed to perform multiple functions: cutting hair and providing thermal comfort. The heating element enables the razor to deliver warmth to the skin during shaving, making the device universal for both mechanical shaving and thermal therapy, thus improving ease of operation through multi-functionality.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple temperature settings are provided, then the adaptability to different user preferences is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element provides localized heating at the skin-contacting surface of the razor cartridge. By concentrating the thermal effect at the specific location where it is needed (the shaving surface), the system achieves temperature adaptability without requiring complex global temperature control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element is designed to provide predetermined temperature settings that are activated before or during the shaving process. This preliminary heating action prepares the skin surface for shaving, and the pre-set temperature options simplify user interaction while maintaining adaptability to different preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Temperature

If the heating element is positioned to contact skin directly, then the warming sensation is improved, but the risk of burns increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarming sensationVSAvoidburn risk
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is positioned within the cartridge housing structure, which acts as an intermediary between the heat source and the skin. The housing and surrounding components serve as thermal mediators that distribute and moderate the heat, providing a comfortable warming sensation while preventing direct concentrated heat contact that could cause burns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge housing and structural components are positioned between the heating element and the skin to provide thermal cushioning before the heat reaches the user. This pre-cushioning approach ensures that even though the heating element operates at elevated temperatures, the actual skin contact surface maintains a safe temperature range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 offers a safe and intuitive way to deliver heat during shaving, allowing users to easily choose a comfortable temperature without risk of burns, as most users can differentiate between a two to five degree Celsius temperature variance.

Implementation Method 1

A heating element is in electrical communication with the electrical switch... The heating element having a skin contacting surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3774231B1Shaving razor system
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 THE GILLETTE CO
  • EP3774231B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3774231B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3774231B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A shaving razor system 10 with a handle 14 and a shaving cartridge 12 mounted to the handle. A circuit board 42 having an electrical switch 46 in communication with a power source 40 is positioned within the handle. A heating element 16 is in electrical communication with the electrical switch. The heating element having a skin contacting surface 18. The heating element has a first pre-determined temperature and a second pre-determined temperature. The second predetermined temperature is at least two degrees Celsius different from the first pre-determined temperature.