Electric Shaver Skin-Sensing Auto Start Without Manual Switches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional electric shavers require users to press separate switches to start, making them inconvenient to use and unable to meet the increasing usage requirements of users.

Innovation Solution

An electric shaver with a machine body and a cutter head connected via a control chip and a driving component, where induction elements generate signals to control the driving component, allowing the shaver to automatically start when the user's skin is detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional light-touch key switch or mechanical push switch is used, then the shaver can be started, but the user must press the switch separately which is inconvenient to use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of starting the shaverVSAvoidpresence of separate switch mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shaver automatically detects when it is being held and starts operation without requiring the user to press a switch. The control chip monitors the state of the induction coil and automatically activates the motor when the user's hand is detected, making the device serve itself by eliminating the need for manual switch operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical push switch or light-touch key switch is replaced with an induction coil-based detection system. The induction coil generates a magnetic field that detects the presence of the user's hand through electromagnetic induction, substituting the mechanical switching mechanism with a non-contact electromagnetic detection and control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If automatic start function is implemented using induction coil, then the shaver can be started automatically without pressing switches, but the structure becomes more complex with additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic start capabilityVSAvoidaddition of induction coil and control chip
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The induction coil serves multiple functions: it acts as both the detection element for automatic start and potentially as part of the motor assembly. The control chip integrates multiple control functions including detecting the induction coil state, controlling the motor, and managing overall shaver operation, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the shaver is designed to start automatically when held, then user convenience is improved, but there is risk of accidental activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidfalse activation prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection through the induction coil before activating the motor. The control chip monitors the induction coil state and only activates the shaver when the detection meets predetermined criteria, preventing accidental activation while enabling automatic start when properly held.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 electric shaver can automatically start and stop without user intervention, enhancing convenience and user experience by eliminating the need to press switches.

Implementation Method 1

the induction element is configured to generate an induction signal when sensing the proximity of the skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4088896B1Electric shaver, handheld household electrical appliance, electric shaver system, and control method
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 SHANGHAI FLYCO ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE
  • EP4088896B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4088896B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4088896B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An electric shaver (10), comprising a machine body (100) and a cutting head (200) that are connected to one another; the machine body comprises an outer casing (110), a control chip (120) and a driving component (130) which are provided within the outer casing, and a handle sensing element (140) which is provided on the outer casing; the cutting head comprises a head portion sensing element (210); the control chip is simultaneously connected to the driving component, handle sensing element and head portion sensing element; and the driving component is also connected to the cutting head. The electric shaver will automatically start up when both the handle sensing element and the head portion sensing element sense the proximity of a human body (skin). Since a user is not required to press a switch when starting up the shaver, the shaver is convenient to use, and user experience is improved. The present invention also relates to a corresponding handheld household electrical appliance, an electric shaver system, and a control method.