Rotatable Razor Cartridge Housing for Blade Alignment and Lubricant Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shaving razor cartridges face issues with lubrication benefits, retention of shaving components, and assembly complexity, leading to decreased comfort and increased costs due to distorted housings, erosion of lubricating materials, and the need for specialized trimmer blades.
Innovation Solution
A razor cartridge design featuring a rotatably attached second housing portion that adjusts between two positions, allowing for improved retention and assembly of shaving components, including a skin engaging member and trimmer blade, using a snap-fit mechanism and deformable hinges for secure positioning and easier assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional plastic shaving cartridge housing is used with injection molding, then the housing can be manufactured efficiently, but the housing becomes distorted and affects blade positioning precision
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate portions: a first housing portion that provides structural support and a second housing portion that holds the blades and trimmer. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured and assembled independently, preventing distortion from affecting blade positioning while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The second housing portion is made rotatable relative to the first housing portion, allowing dynamic adjustment of the blade assembly position. This rotational capability enables precise blade positioning to be achieved and maintained despite any housing distortion, as the housing can be adjusted to the correct orientation.
2Ease of operation
If a water leachable shaving aid with multi-layer structure is used, then lubrication benefits are provided, but the lubricating material erodes over time decreasing comfort
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane is introduced as an intermediate layer between the lubricating material and the housing. This membrane retains the water-soluble lubricating material during use while allowing it to be released when needed, preventing erosion and maintaining comfort throughout the product lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaving aid assembly combines multiple materials with different properties: a water-soluble lubricating material for comfort, a water-insoluble structural component for durability, and a flexible membrane for controlled release. This composite structure maintains both comfort and durability simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If a friction fit retention mechanism is used for the shaving aid, then the structure is simple, but the shaving aid becomes dislodged during use
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane acts as an intermediary between the shaving aid and the housing, providing a reliable retention mechanism. The membrane's flexibility allows it to conform to the housing while maintaining secure engagement, preventing dislodgement without requiring complex retention structures.
4Reliability
If specialized trimmer assemblies with metal construction are used, then trimmer blade retention is secure, but cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trimmer assembly is merged with the second housing portion, eliminating the need for separate metal trimmer assemblies. The trimmer blade is directly integrated into the plastic housing structure, maintaining secure retention while reducing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The trimmer assembly is designed as a disposable component integrated into the cartridge housing, replacing expensive metal constructions. This allows the trimmer to be securely retained for the duration of use and then disposed of with the cartridge, eliminating the need for durable metal components.
5Device complexity
If conventional rigid guards and caps are used, then the structure is simple, but skin stretching and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guard and cap are constructed from flexible materials that can conform to and stretch with the skin surface. This flexibility provides enhanced comfort and skin accommodation while maintaining the simple structural concept of guard and cap components.
Data Source
AI summary
A razor cartridge including a first housing portion having a first top surface positioned on a first plane; one or more razor blade members mounted in the first housing portion and each including a blade with a cutting edge; and a second housing portion rotatably attached to the first housing portion. The second housing portion has a second top surface positioned on a second plane, and the second top surface includes an engagement surface configured to receive a shaving razor component. The second housing portion has a first position in which the second plane is positioned at an angle of between negative 30 degrees and 30 degrees with respect to the first plane and a second position in which the second plane is positioned at an angle of between 70 degrees to 130 degrees with respect to the first plane.