Shaver Cutting Head with Segmented Foil and Support Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric razors face challenges in achieving thorough hair removal while minimizing skin irritation, particularly when shaving hard hairs, as they require increased back pressure which can lead to skin penetration and irritation.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a cutting head with two cutting devices, one with larger holes and a support element with smaller holes, and a pivotable cutting head mechanism, where the cutting device with larger holes takes the initial contact pressure and the support element absorbs excess force, reducing skin penetration depth and irritation. Additionally, electronic sensors and actuators adjust contact pressure based on skin conditions and user force, optimizing shaving performance and skin protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the head frame is depressed deeply to increase contact pressure for shaving hard hairs, then hair removal effectiveness is improved, but back pressure on the skin increases causing skin irritation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehair removal effectivenessVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting head is divided into two independent cutting devices (first cutting device with larger holes and second cutting device with smaller holes) that can be depressed independently. This segmentation allows each device to handle different aspects of hair removal, enabling effective shaving of hard hairs while distributing pressure to reduce skin irritation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first cutting device is designed with larger holes in its outer cutter to facilitate easy hair threading and effective cutting of hard hairs, while the second cutting device has smaller holes optimized for different cutting conditions. This local differentiation in hole geometry allows each device to be optimized for specific shaving needs without compromising skin comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Force

If the outer cutters are depressed deeply to increase contact pressure, then hard hair shaving is achieved, but the skin penetrates too deeply into the holes causing irritation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact pressureVSAvoidskin penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the cutting function into two devices with different hole sizes and pressure characteristics. The first cutting device with larger holes handles the primary cutting of hard hairs with controlled pressure, while the second device provides additional cutting capability, thereby achieving high contact pressure where needed without excessive skin penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first cutting device acts as an intermediary that absorbs initial contact pressure and facilitates hair threading through its larger holes before the second cutting device engages. This intermediary role prevents direct transmission of excessive pressure to the skin while maintaining effective cutting force on the hairs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a single cutting device with large holes is used for hard hair removal, then cutting effectiveness is improved, but skin irritation increases due to excessive pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting effectivenessVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting function is segmented into two devices: the first cutting device with larger holes optimized for hard hair removal with reduced pressure, and the second cutting device with smaller holes that provides additional cutting capability. This segmentation maintains cutting effectiveness while distributing pressure to reduce skin irritation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of hole size between the two cutting devices. The first device has larger holes that reduce skin penetration and irritation, while the second device has smaller holes for different cutting conditions. This parameter variation allows the system to maintain cutting effectiveness across different hair types and skin sensitivity levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enables effective hair removal with reduced skin irritation by distributing contact forces effectively and adjusting pressure dynamically, ensuring thorough shaving without excessive skin penetration, thus improving both shaving performance and skin protection.

Implementation Method 1

The inner cutters are urged upwards with a biasing spring, creating contact pressure on the undersides of the shaving foils, urging the inner cutters against the outer cutters.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the cutting device with larger holes takes the initial contact pressure and the support element absorbs excess force, reducing skin penetration depth and irritation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP1979137B1Electrically operated shaver
Publication Date: 2012.03.14 BRAUN GMBH
  • EP1979137B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1979137B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrically driven shaver (1) having a shaver housing (2) and a cutting head (7) which is arranged on the shaver housing (2) and on which at least one cutting device (8) is formed which consists of a top blade (16), provided with holes (20), and of a bottom blade (12), said blades sliding along one another due to an electric drive (4), such that, when hairs enter the holes (20), said hairs are cut off by the cutting device (8). In addition to the cutting device (8), a supporting element (9) is formed on the cutting head (7), on which supporting element (9), in the same way as on the cutting device (8), the skin surface (29) of an operator comes to bear during the shaving operation. Both the cutting device (8) and the supporting element (9) are displaceably mounted in the cutting head (7) against the force of a spring (18 and/or 26; 19 and/or 27) after overcoming a preloading force. According to the invention, means (18 and/or 26; 19 and/or 27) are provided which permit a different distribution of the contact forces (F1, F2) to the cutting device (8) and the supporting element (9). As a result, the thoroughness with which hair is removed during a shaving operation is to be improved while protecting the skin to the greatest possible extent.