Shaving Blade Assembly with Movable Member for Geometry Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaving blade assemblies lack the ability to adjust blade geometry without tools and fail to restrict blade movement effectively, leading to inconsistent shaves and potential irritation.
Innovation Solution
A shaving blade assembly featuring a blade supported by a resilient element that can be adjusted by a movable member to control blade displacement, with a detent mechanism or frictional elements to secure the movable member in place, allowing users to adjust stiffness and deformation range without tools, and interchangeable stiffening members for varying shave types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the blade is supported by a resilient element to allow movement, then the shaving adaptability is improved, but the blade stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly incorporates a resilient element that allows the blade to dynamically adjust its position during shaving operations. The blade can move between a retracted position and an extended position, enabling adaptation to different shaving conditions while maintaining stability through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element changes its deformation parameter based on applied forces during shaving. When force is applied to the outer surface of the blade assembly, the resilient element deforms to allow blade movement, and when force is released, it returns to its original state, providing both adaptability and stability through parameter variation.
2Ease of operation
If the blade is allowed to move freely during shaving, then the shaving comfort is improved, but the cutting precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable member is configured to engage the resilient element and prevent excessive blade movement before it can compromise cutting precision. This preliminary restriction ensures that while the blade can move enough for comfort, it cannot move so much that cutting precision is lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows partial movement of the blade through the resilient element's deformation, providing enough movement for shaving comfort but restricting excessive movement that would harm cutting precision. The movable member ensures the movement stays within the optimal range.
3Ease of operation
If a tool-free adjustment mechanism is added, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable member is designed to be manually operable by the user without requiring additional tools. The user can directly engage and disengage the movable member from the resilient element to adjust blade movement, providing self-service adjustment that improves ease of operation while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment function is merged into the existing blade assembly structure. The movable member integrates with the resilient element and blade support structure, combining the adjustment mechanism with the existing components rather than adding a completely separate system, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the resilient element deformation is restricted, then the blade stability is improved, but the shaving adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic control of blade stability through the movable member. When the movable member engages the resilient element, it restricts deformation for stability. When disengaged, it allows full deformation for adaptability. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable member provides partial restriction of resilient element deformation, allowing just enough movement for stability while preventing excessive deformation that would compromise it. This partial action enables the system to achieve both stability and adaptability depending on the engagement state.
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
Enables users to adjust blade geometry for aggressive, precision, or moderate shaves without tools, reducing nicks and cuts, and providing consistent cuts by controlling blade retraction, thus enhancing shaving experience and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a first resilient element supporting the blade and arranged to urge the blade in a first direction substantially orthogonal to a cutting edge of the blade
Implementation Method 2
a first movable member configured to engage the first resilient element in the first direction to impede movement of the first resilient element
Data Source
AI summary
A shaving blade assembly and a method of using a shaving blade assembly may include a blade, a first resilient element, and a first movable member. The first resilient element may support the blade and be arranged to urge the blade in a first direction substantially orthogonal to a cutting edge of the blade. The first movable member may selectively engage the first resilient element, in the first direction in at least one position, to impede deformation of the first resilient element.