Segmented Trimmer Mechanism for Close Shave and Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric shavers are unsuitable for trimming longer hair as they require multiple passes and can be unsafe due to the risk of skin contact with moving blades, and they do not provide a close shave like foil or rotary shavers.
Innovation Solution
A trimmer mechanism with a coarse and fine blade arrangement, where the fine blade arrangement is configured to provide a closer trim than the coarse blade arrangement, and is biased to make contact with the skin after the coarse blade arrangement, reducing the need for multiple passes and minimizing the risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If foil shaver or rotary shaver is used, then close shave is achieved, but multiple passes are required and it is unsuitable for longer hair
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is segmented into multiple blades with different tooth configurations (fine teeth for close shave, coarse teeth for longer hair). This allows a single pass to perform multiple trimming functions that previously required multiple separate passes with different shaver types.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-blade assembly combines functions of both foil shavers (close shave) and traditional trimmers (longer hair cutting) into a single device. The fine-toothed blades provide close shaving while coarse-toothed blades handle longer hair, making the device universally applicable to various hair lengths and styling needs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If linear reciprocating shaver with thick blades is used, then safety is improved, but shave closeness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly segments the cutting function across multiple blades with varying tooth densities. The fine-toothed blades achieve close shaves while the overall robust multi-blade structure maintains safety by distributing the cutting action and preventing any single thin blade from contacting the skin directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly uses composite tooth structures with different tooth densities (fine and coarse) on the same assembly. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of close shave capability and safety through the combined action of differently configured blades.
3Adaptability or versatility
If foil mesh apertures are enlarged to trim longer hair, then versatility is improved, but safety deteriorates due to increased risk of skin contact with blade
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of enlarging single apertures, the system segments the cutting function across multiple blades with different tooth configurations. The coarse-toothed blades handle longer hair while fine-toothed blades maintain safety barriers, eliminating the need to enlarge protective mesh apertures.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-blade assembly acts as an intermediary between the skin and the cutting edges. The robust blade structure with multiple teeth provides a safe intermediate barrier that allows longer hair to be trimmed without requiring enlarged mesh apertures that would compromise skin protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A trimmer mechanism suitable for use in a hair trimmer and hair trimmer attachment is described. The trimmer mechanism allows for a linearly reciprocating motion to be used to obtain a close trim or shave. The trimmer mechanism includes two sets of blades that are moveable relative to each other to define a pair of cutting zones. One set of blades provides a coarse trim, while the following set of blades provides a finer trim. Also provides is a blade arrangement and a method of manufacture of a blade arrangement.