Resilient Skin Contacting Element for Razor Cartridge Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wet shaving razors with multiple blades and larger guard structures increase drag and discomfort, while larger cartridges complicate maneuverability and manufacturing, making it difficult to achieve a close shave in tight areas.
Innovation Solution
A shaving system with a resilient skin contacting element made of flexible polymer that interconnects the handle and housing, allowing for pivoting and skin stretching, reducing the need for mechanical systems and enhancing maneuverability and shaving performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple blades and larger guard structures are used, then shaving performance is improved, but drag and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible guard structure made of elastomeric material that can deform and conform to skin contours, reducing drag while maintaining skin stretching functionality. The flexible guard replaces rigid guard structures, allowing it to adapt to varying skin surfaces without increasing friction or discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes elastomeric materials with specific durometer values (e.g., 30-70 Shore A) to optimize the balance between skin stretching capability and drag reduction. By carefully selecting and controlling the material hardness parameter, the guard provides sufficient skin deformation for close shaves while minimizing resistance during cartridge movement.
2Ease of operation
If larger guard structures are used, then skin stretching is improved, but cartridge size and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the guard structure with the cartridge housing into a unified elastomeric component. This merging eliminates separate guard parts and simplifies manufacturing by allowing the guard to be molded as an integral part of the cartridge assembly, reducing part count and assembly steps while maintaining skin stretching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric guard structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stretches the skin, provides a sealing barrier, and acts as a structural element of the cartridge. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall cartridge complexity and size.
3Ease of operation
If larger cartridges are used, then skin stretching and lubrication are improved, but maneuverability and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric guard allows the cartridge to maintain a compact footprint while providing adequate skin stretching through material deformation rather than structural size. The thin elastomeric layer conforms to skin contours without requiring a large cartridge profile, enabling maneuverability in tight areas.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical pivoting systems are used, then housing pivoting is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pivoting systems with a flexible elastomeric connection between the cartridge and handle. The elastomeric material provides the necessary flexibility and movement accommodation through its inherent elastic properties, eliminating cams, springs, and other mechanical pivoting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric connection acts as a flexible linkage that allows housing pivoting and cartilage movement without rigid mechanical joints. The flexible material deforms to accommodate angular movements, providing adaptability while maintaining a simple, integrated structure.
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 provides a comfortable and effective shave by minimizing skin bulging and allowing precise control over the shaving motion, reducing manufacturing complexity and maintaining performance across multiple uses.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient skin contacting element made of flexible polymer that interconnects the handle and housing, allowing for pivoting and skin stretching
Implementation Method 2
allowing for pivoting and skin stretching, reducing the need for mechanical systems and enhancing maneuverability and shaving performance
Data Source
AI summary
A shaving system with a handle having an enlarged proximal end portion and a housing spaced apart from the enlarged proximal end portion of the handle. The housing has a front face, at least one blade and a cap behind the at least one blade. An elastomeric member is molded to the housing and the handle interconnecting the housing and the handle to form an integral unit. The elastomeric member includes a resilient skin contacting element that flexes to facilitate a pivotable movement of the housing relative to the handle between a biased neutral position and a flexed position and facilitates stretching of skin during a shaving stroke.