Shaving Razor Heat Delivery Element with Intermediary Face Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heated razors for wet shaving have inefficiencies in heat delivery to the skin due to minimal skin contact area, leading to discomfort and safety concerns like burning.

Innovation Solution

A heat delivery element for shaving razors featuring a face plate with a heater track positioned between dielectric layers, a heat dispersion layer for even heat distribution, and a compressible thermal insulation layer to maximize heat transfer to the skin while minimizing heat loss and safety risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heated blades are used in shaving razors, then the blades can deliver heat to the skin, but the minimal surface area in contact with the skin results in inefficient heating and generates safety concerns such as burning or discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat delivery to skinVSAvoidskin contact area
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from linear heat delivery (blade edge) to areal heat delivery (face plate surface). The face plate is heated across its entire surface area, transforming the heating mechanism from a one-dimensional line contact to a two-dimensional surface contact, thereby significantly increasing the effective skin contact area for heat transfer.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a face plate as an intermediary between the heating element and the skin. The face plate acts as a thermal mediator that distributes heat evenly across a larger surface area before contact with the skin, preventing concentrated heat points that could cause burning while maintaining effective heat delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If more heat is delivered to the skin to improve heating efficiency, then the heating effectiveness increases, but safety concerns such as burning or discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidburning or discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different thermal properties to different regions of the face plate. The heating elements are strategically positioned and sized to create appropriate temperature gradients across the face plate surface, ensuring that high heat delivery occurs where needed while maintaining safety in other areas through controlled heat distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The face plate serves as a thermal buffer and distributor, mediating between the heating elements and the skin. It spreads the thermal energy uniformly across its surface, preventing localized overheating and ensuring safe, comfortable heat delivery to the skin while maintaining high overall heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If a heater is positioned close to the skin for efficient heat transfer, then heat delivery improves, but the risk of overheating and burning increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat lossVSAvoidburning risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The face plate acts as a thermal intermediary layer between the heater and the skin. It is positioned close to the skin for efficient heat transfer but incorporates thermal management features that prevent overheating, distributing the heat uniformly and safely across the contact surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention controls the thermal parameters of the face plate, including its thickness, material properties, and surface characteristics, to optimize heat transfer efficiency while maintaining safe operating temperatures. The face plate's thermal conductivity and heat capacity are selected to ensure rapid heat delivery without overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a safer and more efficient heat delivery mechanism that enhances the shaving experience by ensuring consistent and controlled heat distribution across the skin, reducing discomfort and safety hazards.

Implementation Method 1

a heater having a heater track

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

A heat dispersion layer having a lower surface directly contacts the inner surface of the face plate. An upper surface of the heat dispersion layer directly contacts the lower dielectric layer of the heater.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3351359B1Heating member for a shaving razor
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 THE GILLETTE CO
  • EP3351359B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3351359B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3351359B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heat delivery element 16 for a shaving razor with a heater 34 having a heater track 48 positioned between an upper dielectric layer 110 and a lower dielectric layer 50. The heater track is secured between the upper dielectric layer and the lower dielectric layer by an adhesive layer 104 bonded to the upper dielectric layer and the lower dielectric layer.