Shaver Cartridge Ejection Mechanism for Safe Blade Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaver designs with interchangeable cartridges require users to manually push or pull the cartridge for removal, increasing the risk of injury and necessitating the replacement of the entire shaver head when blades become worn, which is costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A shaver design featuring a handle with a mounting portion and a shaver head equipped with a spring-based ejection mechanism that allows for easy removal of the cartridge without manual pushing or pulling, enabling only the blades to be replaced while keeping the handle and shaver head intact, thus reducing costs and environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual pushing or pulling is used to remove the cartridge, then the cartridge can be removed, but the risk of user injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge removalVSAvoiduser injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism automatically ejects the cartridge from the shaver head when the attaching element is released, eliminating the need for manual pushing or pulling by the user. The system serves itself by using stored elastic energy to perform the ejection action, thereby removing the harmful factor of user injury while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The spring acts as an intermediary mechanism between the attaching element and the cartridge. When the attaching element releases the cartridge, the spring mediates the ejection process by converting stored elastic energy into kinetic energy to propel the cartridge away, preventing direct manual contact with the cartridge and thus reducing injury risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the entire shaver head is replaced when blades become worn, then cutting performance is restored, but costs increase and environmental impact worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting performanceVSAvoidmaterial disposal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The shaver system is segmented into replaceable and non-replaceable components. Only the cartridge containing the blades is designed to be replaced, while the shaver head with its lubricating strip, rubber guard bar, and other features remains in use. This segmentation allows restoration of cutting performance by replacing only the necessary component (cartridge) rather than the entire shaver head, thereby reducing material disposal and environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design enables discarding only the worn cartridge while recovering and reusing the shaver head assembly. The spring mechanism and attaching element remain functional after cartridge replacement, allowing the main body to be recovered and continue serving its function, thus minimizing waste and environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If the entire shaver head is replaced when blades become worn, then cutting performance is restored, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the shaver into modular components (cartridge, shaver head, handle), the design simplifies manufacturing. Each component can be manufactured independently using optimized processes, and only the simple cartridge needs to be produced in high volume. The complex shaver head with its multiple features is manufactured once and reused, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost compared to producing entire shaver heads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces user injury risk and lowers costs by allowing only the cartridge to be replaced, simplifying manufacturing and enhancing sustainability by minimizing material replacement and disposal, while maintaining the functionality of extra features like lubricating strips and rubber guard bars.

Implementation Method 1

a spring provided on the shaver head, wherein the spring provides an ejection force which urges the cartridge away from the shaver head when the cartridge is removed from the shaver head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2934828B1Shaver with interchangeable cartridge and head and handle assembly for such shaver

Publication Date: 2019.02.06 BIC VIOLEX SA

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2a
Figure 2b~3

AI summary

A shaver is provided, the shaver comprises a handle (20) with an elongated handgrip portion and a mounting portion (22), a shaver head 40), the shaver head being attached to the mounting portion, the shaver head having a bottom wall (46). A removable cartridge (60) is attached to the shaver head through an attaching element (45A) provided on the shaver head. An ejection spring (45C) provides an ejection force which urges the cartridge away from the shaver head when the cartridge is removed from the shaver head.