Single-Point Support for Shaver Vibration Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reciprocating electric shavers have limited vibration freedom of vibration plates due to double-point support, restricting the generation of a comfortable shaving sound and leading to beard waste accumulation.

Innovation Solution

A single-point support structure for vibration plates at the inner edge joint, allowing increased vibration freedom and sound quality while minimizing beard waste accumulation through a center or one-sided single-point support configuration and forming spaces below the support portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If double-point support structure is used for vibration plates, then support stability is improved, but vibration freedom is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidvibration freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented from the traditional double-point support to a single-point support configuration. The support portion is divided into multiple independent support points, each supporting individual vibration plates, allowing each plate to vibrate independently with greater freedom while maintaining overall structural stability through the distributed support arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure transitions from a rigid double-point constraint to a more dynamic single-point support system. This allows the vibration plates to have dynamic movement capabilities with enhanced vibration amplitude and freedom, while the support portion maintains stability through its structural design and positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If double-point support structure is used for vibration plates, then support coverage is improved, but vibration amplitude is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport coverageVSAvoidvibration amplitude
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support coverage is maintained through multiple distributed support points across the inner edge joint structure, while each individual vibration plate is supported at a single point. This segmentation allows each plate to achieve larger vibration amplitudes without compromising overall support coverage, as the support function is distributed across multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support system transitions from constraining vibration in limited dimensions (double-point restriction) to enabling vibration with greater amplitude in the vertical dimension. The single-point support allows vibration plates to move more freely in the vibration direction, increasing vibration amplitude while the horizontal support coverage is maintained through the arrangement of multiple support portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If support portion is made thick to improve stability, then support strength is improved, but beard waste accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport strengthVSAvoidbeard waste accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support portion is segmented into a thin structure with multiple support points rather than a single thick support. This segmentation maintains overall support strength through the distributed support system while reducing beard waste accumulation, as the thin structure with gaps allows waste to fall through rather than accumulating on a large flat surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support portion is designed with a porous or gap-containing structure that allows beard waste to pass through. The thin support portion with openings functions similarly to porous material, enabling waste removal while maintaining structural strength through the distributed support point configuration and material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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

Enhances vibration freedom and sound quality, reducing beard waste accumulation by stabilizing support and allowing larger vibrations, and preventing waste from accumulating under the vibration plates.

Implementation Method 1

the vibration plates 40 vibrate at the time of shaving, whereby a comfortable vibration sound (shaving sound) is adapted to be generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2168729B1Inner edge of reciprocating electric shaver
Publication Date: 2012.01.25 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2168729B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2168729B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2168729B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

An inner edge of a reciprocating electric shaver includes an inner edge body (3), and an inner edge joint (4) that supports the inner edge body (3), the inner edge body (3) having a plurality of edge pieces (30) which have an inverse U shape, slide along an inner surface of an outer edge (1), and cut beard. Then, in the inner edge joint (4), there are provided: a plurality of vibration plates (40) which is connected to any of the plurality of edge pieces (3), and generates a shaving sound at a time of cutting the beard; and a support portion (41) that supports the respective vibration plates (40), and the support portion (41) is adapted to support a single point of each of the vibration plates (41).