Pressure Sensing Electric Shaver with Anti-Tilting Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shavers face challenges in accurately measuring shaving pressure without interfering with the tilting of cutting units to accommodate skin curvature, leading to reduced displacement range and increased complexity and cost in manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an anti-tilting guide to stabilize the sensor unit carrier, allowing for accurate measurement of shaving pressure with minimal influence from tilting, using a single sensor to measure distance between units in the z-axis direction, and providing flexibility to accommodate sensor placement in a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hair-cutting units are allowed to tilt to accommodate skin curvature, then adaptability to skin shape is improved, but measurement precision of shaving pressure deteriorates due to tilting influence on sensor readings
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the tilting function (accommodating skin curvature) from the pressure measurement function. The sensor unit carrier is divided into a stationary part (attached to main body) and a movable part (attached to shaving unit), allowing independent optimization of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit carrier acts as an intermediary between the main body and the shaving unit. It carries the sensor units and maintains a stable reference frame for measurement while allowing the shaving unit to tilt independently through the mechanical coupling between carrier and unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If displacement range of sensor unit carrier is increased to accommodate both tilting and pressure measurement, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The degrees of freedom are segmented and assigned to different components: the sensor unit carrier handles tilting motion (x-axis rotation), while the resilient member handles pressure displacement (z-axis motion). This separation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function with minimal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic elements (resilient member, anti-tilting guide) that allow controlled motion in specific directions while constraining motion in other directions. The anti-tilting guide dynamically prevents tilting of the sensor units during pressure measurement while allowing the carrier to tilt as a whole.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to compensate for tilting effects, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical compensation mechanisms with a straightforward mechanical design: the sensor unit carrier is positioned and oriented such that tilting motion does not affect the z-axis distance measurement. The anti-tilting guide mechanically prevents tilting of the sensor units, eliminating the need for software or mechanical compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting function is extracted from the pressure measurement system. By separating the tilting accommodation (handled by carrier rotation about x-axis) from the pressure measurement (handled by z-axis distance measurement between sensor units), the system achieves accurate pressure measurement with minimal sensors.
4Volume of moving object
If sensor units are positioned close to the cutting units for compact design, then device size is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to increased tilting influence
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor units are positioned asymmetrically relative to the cutting units, with the sensor unit carrier offset from the cutting unit carrier. This asymmetric arrangement, combined with the anti-tilting guide, creates a geometry where tilting motion does not affect the z-axis distance measurement between sensor units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic constraints through the anti-tilting guide that actively prevents tilting of the sensor units during operation. This allows the sensor units to be positioned in a compact arrangement while maintaining measurement precision through active constraint rather than passive geometric compensation.
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 enables precise pressure measurement, reducing tilting effects and allowing for a simpler, more cost-effective shaver construction while maintaining accurate pressure indication, thus preventing skin irritation from excessive force.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member (14) suspending a sensor unit carrier (22) for displacement from a rest position to a pushed-in position in response to a force applied to the shaving unit (3)
Implementation Method 2
an anti-tilting guide (25, 27) for guiding at least the sensor unit carrier (22) with respect to the main body (2) against tilting about at least the y-axis
Implementation Method 3
a first sensor unit (16) mounted in a fixed position to the main body (2) and a second sensor unit (17) mounted in a fixed position to the sensor unit carrier (22)... configured for measuring a distance between the first sensor unit (16) and the second sensor unit (17) in a direction of the z-axis
Data Source
AI summary
An electric shaver having a shaving unit and a sensor with a first sensor unit fixed to a main body and a second sensor unit fixed to a sensor unit carrier, for indicating a distance between the sensor units. The shaving unit and the sensor unit carrier are suspended to the main body for displacement along a z-axis between a rest position and a pushed-in position in response to a pushing force exerted onto a shaving face of the shaver. The first and second sensor units are located in positions offset from the z-axis over a distance (d) in an x-direction. An anti-tilting guide is provided for guiding the sensor unit carrier against tilting about a y-axis.