Beard Trimmer Cutting Unit with Aligned Tilting Axis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beard trimmers struggle with maintaining a consistent cutting length and precision due to the misalignment of the tilting axis, cutting line, and fulcrum, especially around the curves of the face, requiring constant angle adjustments and resulting in uncertain trimming results.

Innovation Solution

A motorized beard trimmer with a cutting unit that features a tilting axis, cutting line, and fulcrum aligned or superimposed, allowing automatic adaptation to facial curves, with a pivot axis located close to the skin and an adjustable cutting length mechanism that can be adjusted without interrupting shaving, ensuring consistent cutting length across varying angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the cutting unit is made light and mobile with a tilting axis close to the skin, then the automatic positioning capability is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic positioning capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting unit is designed with a tilting axis that allows dynamic movement and automatic positioning. The cutting unit can tilt and adapt its angle automatically according to the contours of the face, transforming from a static structure to a dynamic one that self-adjusts during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The beard trimmer is divided into distinct functional segments: a handle, a comb with teeth, and a cutting unit with blades. The cutting unit is further segmented to allow independent tilting movement around the tilting axis, enabling automatic positioning while keeping each component relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the tilting axis, cutting line, and fulcrum are aligned, then the cutting precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidalignment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tilting axis, cutting line, and fulcrum are merged into a single aligned structure. The fulcrum of the comb is positioned at the tilting axis, and the cutting line is aligned with this axis, creating a unified geometric relationship that ensures precise cutting while avoiding the need for separate alignment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment creates an asymmetric geometric configuration where the fulcrum, tilting axis, and cutting line are positioned in a specific non-symmetric arrangement. This asymmetric design optimizes the cutting geometry for precision while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cutting unit can tilt freely to adapt to facial curves, then the adaptability is improved, but the cutting length consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to facial curvesVSAvoidcutting length consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The comb acts as a feedback mechanism that guides the cutting unit's movement. As the comb engages with the skin and follows facial contours, it provides geometric constraints that ensure the cutting line maintains a consistent distance from the skin surface, automatically compensating for tilting movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The comb is designed with curved surfaces and rounded edges that match the natural curvature of facial contours. This allows the cutting unit to follow facial curves smoothly while maintaining consistent cutting geometry through the aligned fulcrum-axis-line configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Ease of operation

If the cutting unit is made mobile with a return spring, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The return spring enables the cutting unit to automatically return to its initial position after being tilted during use. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual resetting by the user, improving ease of operation while adding only a simple elastic component to the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enables precise and consistent beard trimming by allowing the cutting unit to automatically align with facial curves, maintaining a constant angle and cutting length, even in curved areas, ensuring reliable and efficient trimming.

Implementation Method 1

a return spring (13) which returns said unit to its initial position before shaving

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2401121B1Beard trimmer with automatic positioning of the cutting unit
Publication Date: 2013.01.16 BABYLISS FACO SA
  • EP2401121B1 patent drawingFigure 0
  • EP2401121B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2401121B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a motor-driven beard trimmer (1) comprising a cutting unit (2) having a cutting mechanism (9) defining a cutting line (5) and a comb (4) defining a bearing point (11), said cutting unit being tiltably mounted on a handle (3), characterized in that the tilt axes (8) of the cutting unit, the cutting line and the comb bearing point are substantially aligned or vertically adjacent such that said cutting unit can be automatically positioned so as to be tangential to the shape of the face when trimming a beard.