Shaver Handle Voronoi Cell Structure Material Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaver handles are inefficient in terms of material consumption and economy, as they are typically made of compact solid materials, which do not optimize mechanical properties and do not effectively reduce raw material usage.

Innovation Solution

A shaver handle with a cell structure formed by juxtaposed hollow cells, where the ratio of empty volume to envelope volume ranges between 33% and 90%, and is designed using a Voronoi diagram, allowing for a more efficient mechanical structure that saves material while maintaining similar mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If compact solid material is used for shaver handle, then mechanical strength is sufficient, but material consumption is high and economy is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial consumptionVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies porous materials by introducing a cell structure with hollow cells into the handle body. This structure reduces material consumption while maintaining mechanical strength through the optimized spatial arrangement of solid walls and hollow spaces, directly resolving the contradiction between material efficiency and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The handle body is segmented into multiple hollow cells separated by solid walls, forming a Voronoi diagram structure. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain strength through distributed load paths while reducing overall material usage, addressing both the strength requirement and material consumption concern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of substance

If hollow cell structure is introduced to reduce material, then material consumption decreases, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial consumptionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the structural framework and aesthetic surface into a single integrated Voronoi diagram design. This combination simplifies manufacturing by treating the complex-looking structure as a unified geometric pattern that can be produced through conventional molding techniques, reducing the actual manufacturing complexity despite the visually complex appearance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3372359B1Shaver handle, shaver including such a handle and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 BIC VIOLEX SA
  • EP3372359B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3372359B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3372359B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A handle (2) for a wet shaver, having a handle body (7) adapted to be held by a user and a head supporting portion (8) adapted to support a shaver head (3). The handle body has a cell structure formed by juxtaposed hollow cells (16) separated by solid walls (15).