Electric Shaver Skin-Contact Heating for Efficient Infrared Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric shavers with infrared heating devices are inefficient in converting electric power into optical and thermal energy for effective skin heating and shaving comfort during use.

Innovation Solution

Integration of infrared or near-infrared light sources in a skin-contacting member of the shaving unit, thermally coupled to the skin, to emit light and transfer heat directly to the skin, enhancing skin heating efficiency and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If infrared heating device is installed at central position in shaving unit with gap from skin, then device structure is simple, but skin heating efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidskin heating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heat-conducting member as an intermediary between the infrared heating device and the skin. This mediator has high thermal conductivity and is in direct contact with the skin, efficiently transferring heat from the heating device to the skin surface, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional infrared radiation-based heating system with a direct thermal conduction system. Instead of relying on infrared radiation to heat the skin through air gap, the system uses a heat-conducting member that directly contacts the skin to transfer thermal energy, significantly improving heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If infrared heating device emits light in conical diffusion form, then device structure is simple, but energy distribution is uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidenergy distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-conducting member acts as a mediator that redistributes the conically diffused infrared energy across the skin surface. Its high thermal conductivity and contact area with the skin ensure uniform energy distribution, maintaining simple device structure while achieving uniform heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If high-power light sources are used for effective skin heating, then skin heating efficiency is high, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin heating efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the inefficient infrared radiation heating mechanism with an efficient direct thermal conduction mechanism. The heat-conducting member in direct contact with the skin transfers heat more efficiently, allowing lower power consumption to achieve the same heating effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-conducting member with high thermal conductivity serves as an efficient thermal bridge, minimizing energy loss and improving the overall energy conversion efficiency from electrical power to useful skin heating, thereby reducing required power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Improves skin heating efficiency and shaving comfort by effectively converting electric power into thermal energy for skin heating, allowing for low-power light sources like LEDs to be more effective.

Implementation Method 1

at least one infrared or near-infrared light source integrated in the skin-contacting member, thermally coupled to the skin-contacting surface and arranged to emit infrared or near-infrared light via the skin-contacting surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

thermally coupled to the skin-contacting surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12491648B2Shaving unit and electric shaver comprising a main body and a shaving unit

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A shaving unit (20) for use in an electric shaver (1) comprises at least one hair-cuffing unit (21) comprising an external cutting member (23) having hair-entry openings (24) in a cutting track surface (25) and an internal cutting member having at least one hair-cutting element and being movable relative to the external cutting member (23), and a base member (22) supporting the at least one hair-cutting unit (21). The shaving unit (20) further comprises at least one skin-heating unit (30) comprising a skin-contacting member (31) having a skin-contacting surface (32) arranged adjacent to the at least one hair-cutting unit (21) to contact the skin during use of the shaving unit (20), and at least one infrared or near-infrared light source (33) integrated in the skin-contacting member (31), thermally coupled to the skin-contacting surface (32) and arranged to emit infrared or near-infrared light via the skin-contacting surface (32).