Electric Shaver Head Portion Edge Trimmer Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric shavers with edge-trimmer-blade units positioned on the back-side surface of the gripper portion make it difficult for users to accurately place the edge-trimmer-blade unit on the shaving area due to its blade edge being away from the shaving-blade unit.

Innovation Solution

The electric shaver design integrates the edge-trimmer-blade unit into the head portion, which is swingable in predetermined directions, allowing it to be easily switched between a ready-for-use and stored state using a single operation element, ensuring the edge-trimmer-blade unit is closer to the shaving-blade unit for improved accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the edge-trimmer-blade unit is provided in the upper-side portion on the back-side surface of the gripper portion, then the structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the blade edge is away from the shaving-blade unit making it difficult for users to place it on the exact point to be shaved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The edge-trimmer-blade unit is merged with the head portion, integrating two previously separate components (edge-trimmer-blade unit and head portion) into a single assembly. This allows the edge-trimmer-blade to be positioned closer to the shaving-blade unit while maintaining structural simplicity, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the edge-trimmer-blade unit is integrated into the head portion, then the blade edge is closer to the shaving-blade unit improving accessibility, but the head portion size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidhead portion size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The edge-trimmer-blade unit is nested within the head portion structure, with the edge-trimmer-blade housed in a dedicated space within the head portion. This nesting approach allows integration of multiple functions in a compact arrangement, improving accessibility while minimizing the increase in head portion size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the edge-trimmer-blade unit is positioned closer to the shaving-blade unit, then user convenience is improved, but the head portion structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidhead portion structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The edge-trimmer-blade unit and shaving-blade unit are merged into a single head portion assembly with a unified support structure. This merging approach positions the edge-trimmer-blade closer to the shaving-blade unit for improved user convenience while avoiding the need for separate mounting mechanisms, thus limiting the increase in structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2208588B1Electric shaver
Publication Date: 2014.07.02 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2208588B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2208588B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2208588B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric shaver (1) including: a gripper portion (2) to be held by the user's hand; and a head portion (6) configured to hold a shaving-blade unit (10) and supported to be swingable in predetermined directions with respect to the gripper portion, wherein the head portion is provided with an edge-trimmer-blade unit (20).