Shaving Unit Retaining Structure for Flexible Spatial Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaving units with multiple hair cutting units face difficulties in assembly due to the need for precise alignment of locking structures, which can lead to damage or suboptimal performance if not correctly aligned, and have limited design freedom in spatial arrangement of hair cutting units.
Innovation Solution
A shaving unit design featuring separate retaining members for each hair cutting unit, with individually arranged locking members biased by spring force, allowing for independent retention and easy assembly, enabling a more flexible spatial arrangement and user-friendly assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a common retaining member with a single polygonal frame is used to retain multiple hair cutting units, then the structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the spatial arrangement of hair cutting units is limited to planar configurations only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single common retaining member into multiple separate retaining members, each corresponding to a specific hair cutting unit. This segmentation allows each retaining member to be independently positioned in three-dimensional space, enabling non-planar spatial arrangements of hair cutting units while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized modular components.
2Device complexity
If locking elements are integrally formed on a single polygonal frame, then the structure is more compact and easier to manufacture, but the locking elements cannot be separately aligned with engagement elements during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the locking elements from the single integral polygonal frame structure, assigning each locking element to its corresponding retaining member. This allows locking elements to be independently aligned with engagement elements during assembly through rotational movement of individual retaining members, significantly improving assembly ease while maintaining acceptable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rotational freedom to the retaining members, allowing them to rotate about the axis of rotation of the hair cutting unit. This dynamic capability enables automatic alignment of locking elements with engagement elements during the assembly process, eliminating the need for precise pre-alignment and making assembly much easier for the user.
3Device complexity
If a single common retaining member is used for all hair cutting units, then the number of parts is reduced and assembly is simpler, but misalignment of locking elements with indentations can cause damage or suboptimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single common retaining member into multiple separate retaining members, each with its own locking element. This segmentation isolates the alignment requirement to each individual retaining member rather than requiring simultaneous alignment of all locking elements with a single common frame, significantly improving assembly reliability while the modular nature keeps the overall number of parts manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows each retaining member to rotate independently about the axis of rotation of its associated hair cutting unit. This rotational freedom enables automatic alignment of each locking element with its corresponding engagement element during assembly, eliminating misalignment issues and improving reliability without requiring excessive precision from the user.
4Ease of operation
If locking elements are biased against flanges without precise alignment, then assembly is easier, but the external cutting members will rotate during operation until locking elements engage indentations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rotational freedom to the retaining members, allowing them to rotate about the axis of rotation of the hair cutting unit. This enables the locking elements to automatically align with and engage the engagement elements during the assembly process itself, achieving proper locking immediately upon assembly rather than requiring additional rotation time during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the alignment action preliminarily during the assembly process by allowing rotational movement of the retaining member. This preliminary alignment ensures that locking elements are properly engaged with engagement elements before the shaving device begins operation, eliminating the need for post-assembly rotation and reducing the time to achieve proper locking.
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 design provides increased design freedom for the spatial arrangement of hair cutting units while maintaining ease of use, allowing for automatic locking and improved user comfort during assembly and operation, with the ability to adapt to various skin contours.
Implementation Method 1
the locking member comprises a spring member and a locking element mounted to the spring member, wherein, in the assembled condition of the shaving unit, the locking element is biased by spring force of the spring member towards the external cutting member
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a shaving unit (11) for use in a shaving device (1). The shaving unit comprises a supporting member (19, 21a, 21b, 21c) and at least two hair cutting units (7a, 7b, 7c) supported by the supporting member. Each hair cutting unit comprises an external cutting member (25a) with hair-entry openings (31) and an internal cutting member (27a) which is rotatable relative to the external cutting member about an axis of rotation (41) and which has a plurality of hair-cutting elements (35). The shaving unit further comprises a retaining structure (23a, 23b, 23c) which is releasably couplable to the supporting member and which is configured to retain the at least two hair cutting units in an operational position relative to the supporting member in an assembled condition of the shaving unit. The retaining structure comprises, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a separate retaining member (23a, 23b, 23c) which is releasably couplable to the supporting member and which is configured to separately retain the respective hair cutting unit in an operational position relative to the supporting member independently from any other of the at least two hair cutting units. The retaining structure further comprises, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a locking member (67) comprising at least one locking element (79a, 79b) which, in the assembled condition of the shaving unit, is biased by spring force towards the external cutting member of the respective hair cutting unit and engaged by an engagement element (87a, 87b) of the external cutting member to prevent rotation of the external cutting member about the axis of rotation. The locking member provided for the respective hair cutting unit is separately arranged from any other locking member, provided for any other of the at least two hair cutting units, and integrated with the separate retaining member provided for the respective hair cutting unit.