Resilient Skin Contacting Element Pivoting Mechanism
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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 facial hair contouring, leading to a need for improved skin stretching and pivoting mechanisms that reduce manufacturing costs and size.
Innovation Solution
A wet shaving assembly featuring a handle and housing with a resilient skin contacting element that pivots about protrusions, allowing for flexible movement and reduced mechanical complexity, enabling effective skin stretching and improved access to tight areas without increasing the cartridge's footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple blades and larger guard structures are used to improve skin stretching, 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. This flexible guard provides effective skin stretching without the increased drag associated with larger rigid guard structures, as it adapts to the skin surface rather than forcing contact across a large area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the guard structure by using elastomeric material with specific durometer values (Shore A 20-80) and designing it with varying thickness (0.5mm to 5mm). These parameter changes allow the guard to provide adequate skin stretching while maintaining a compact footprint that reduces drag.
2Reliability
If larger guard structures are used to improve skin stretching, then shaving performance is improved, but cartridge size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric guard achieves effective skin stretching with a smaller footprint compared to traditional rigid guards. The material flexibility allows it to stretch skin effectively over a more concentrated contact area, reducing the overall cartridge width and length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction with an elastomeric guard material combined with a rigid or semi-rigid backing structure. This composite approach allows the guard to provide skin stretching functionality while the compact overall structure reduces cartridge footprint and manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If larger cartridges are used to accommodate more blades and lubrication strips, then shaving performance is improved, but maneuverability and facial hair contouring become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric guard allows the cartridge to conform to contoured areas of the face (nose, chin, cheeks) by deforming under light pressure. This flexibility enables effective shaving in tight areas without requiring a larger cartridge design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the cartridge dimensions by using the flexible guard to provide adequate skin stretching in a more compact configuration. The reduced cartridge footprint (achieved through optimized guard thickness and material properties) improves maneuverability while maintaining shaving performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cam-follower mechanisms are used for pivoting, then housing pivoting is achieved, but mechanical complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical cam-follower pivoting mechanism with a simpler hinge joint. The hinge allows the housing to pivot relative to the handle through a single degree of freedom, eliminating the need for cams, followers, and associated springs, thereby reducing mechanical complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material is used to create a flexible connection between the handle and housing that provides pivoting motion. This flexible connection simplifies the mechanical structure by using material compliance rather than complex mechanical joints.
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 enhances shaving performance by minimizing skin bulging, reducing manufacturing complexity, and allowing for precise control over pivot motion, providing a comfortable and effective shave while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient skin contacting element pivotably joins the housing to the handle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A wet shaving system having a handle and a housing that is dimensioned to receive one or more blades. A resilient skin contacting element pivotably joins the housing to the handle. The resilient skin contacting element has a width, a bottom surface, and an opposing top surface with a plurality of protrusions, wherein the housing pivots about the plurality of protrusions.