Self-Leveling Shaving Implement with Multi-Axis Pivoting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shaving implements with self-leveling mechanisms often cause razor blades to lose contact with the skin surface over sharply-defined contours, leading to suboptimal shaves and skin irritation due to limited pivotal movement.

Innovation Solution

A shaving implement with a self-leveling mechanism that allows the razor cartridge and shaving aid body to move in generally linear and pivotal motions relative to the handle, utilizing a ball joint mechanism for universal pivotal movement, ensuring the razor blades maintain contact with the skin over difficult contours.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a self-leveling mechanism with limited pivotal movement is used, then the shaving aid body and razor cartridge can remain coplanar during normal shaving, but the razor blades lose contact with the skin surface over sharply-defined contours

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoplanar relationship between shaving aid body and razor cartridgeVSAvoidability to maintain contact over difficult contours
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-axis pivoting mechanism that transforms the static coplanar relationship into a dynamic system. The razor cartridge can pivot about a first axis (parallel to cutting edge) and a second axis (perpendicular to cutting edge), allowing the blades to adapt their orientation to difficult contours while the self-leveling mechanism maintains coplanarity during normal shaving movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds rotational degrees of freedom in multiple dimensions. By introducing pivoting about two perpendicular axes, the system moves from a single-plane constraint to a three-dimensional adaptive structure, enabling the razor blades to contact skin surfaces that vary in curvature and orientation.

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

2Reliability

If limited pivotal movement is permitted, then the self-leveling mechanism can function properly, but the razor blades must engage and re-engage the same surface multiple times causing skin irritation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-leveling mechanism functionalityVSAvoidskin irritation from repeated engagement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The enhanced multi-axis pivoting capability allows the razor blades to dynamically adjust their position and orientation to maintain continuous contact with the skin surface over difficult contours, eliminating the need for repeated engagement and disengagement that causes irritation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters by introducing additional rotational degrees of freedom. This allows the razor cartridge to achieve greater angular displacement and positional adjustment range while maintaining the self-leveling function, thereby preventing skin irritation through continuous blade contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If increased pivotal motion is allowed, then the razor blades can maintain contact over difficult contours, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to shave difficult contoursVSAvoidpivoting arrangements and axes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a multi-axis pivoting mechanism that provides enhanced adaptability through controlled dynamic movement. The first pivot axis (parallel to cutting edge) and second pivot axis (perpendicular to cutting edge) work together to enable the razor blades to conform to difficult contours while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhanced pivotal motion of the razor cartridge and shaving aid body keeps the razor blades consistently in contact with the skin, reducing the need for repeated shaving and minimizing skin irritation.

Implementation Method 1

The second pivoting arrangement is attached between a platform of a carriage attached to the shaving aid body and the handle. The second pivoting arrangement permits pivotal movement of the razor cartridge and the shaving aid body, together, relative to the handle about at least one of a second axis and a third axis.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBall joint mechanism: Ball

Data Source

PatentEP2176042B1Shaving implement
Publication Date: 2011.06.08 EVEREADY BATTERY CO INC
  • EP2176042B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2176042B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2176042B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A shaving implement (10) is provided that includes a replacement cartridge (20) mounted to a handle (12). The replacement cartridge includes a shaving aid body (14) and a razor cartridge (16). The shaving aid body can be erodible and the handle is provided with a self -leveling mechanism (60) to relatively maintain a generally coplanar relation between the top surface of the shaving aid body and the shave plane of the razor cartridge during a normal shaving operation as the shaving aid body erodes during use. The shaving implement is provided with limited pivotal motion of the replacement cartridge relative to the handle about three generally mutually perpendicular axes and combinations of ' the three axes. Biasing force is provided to urge the replacement cartridge to a neutral position relative to the three axes.