DE102009031628A1 - Undercutter for dry shaver - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lower blade assembly for a dry shaver, a dry shaver and a shaving method, wherein the lower blade assembly (10) having an apertured upper blade (12) and a lower blade assembly, which are driven by means of a motor oscillating to each other. The lower blade assembly (10) includes at least a first lower blade (14) and a second lower blade (22; 32; 34; 36; 38; 40; 42) leading to the first lower blade (14) in the direction of oscillation movement is for exerting a tensile force on a hair (18) projecting into the opening (20) of the upper blade (12) between the second lower blade (22; 32; 34; 36; 38; 40; 42) and the upper blade (12) ).

Description

The The present invention relates to a dry shaver and a associated lower blade assembly and a method for Shaving hair on the human skin.

electrical Razors, in particular so-called dry shavers for Cutting or shaving hair are known in the art such well-known. The variety of previously known shavers is designed to keep your hair close to the skin surface and preferably truncate below that level without neglecting the To pinch or injure the skin.

Of Further, systems designed to include one first to grasp the hair sprouting the skin, this a little further out of the skin and into the cutting system to pull it in, then sever the hair. By pulling The hair roots on the hair become closer to the skin surface used, which compared to a non-drawn state of the hair an overall longer section of the hair protruding from the skin, which of the shearing or cutting system of the Razor can be cut off.

To completed cutting process, the hair root moves back into their starting position, so that the shortened hair tip Total is located below the skin surface. The result is a more thorough shave over traditional systems, which an active pulling out of hair is not available put.

in the State of the art are different mechanisms and systems Known to keep human hair a little longer before cutting it to pull out of the skin.

Such is for example in the US 7,065,877 B2 described. There, it is provided that a hair projecting through an opening of the upper knife is clamped in an arresting manner by means of two lower knives displaceably mounted relative to one another, wherein the cooperating lower knives are designed to pull on the detected hair before it is cut off. The first and second lower blades provided for this purpose must cooperate in such a way that their knife blades move towards one another for the purpose of clamping or clamping hair.

there is in particular provided, a first of the two lower blade active from one drive while the other, as trailing trained undercutter via a spring element the first lower blade is coupled. As a result of a sideward movement of the first lower knife reach adjacent knife blades Both lower knife each other to the plant, as the knife blades the trailing lower blade due to their inertia and the envisaged resilient coupling lag the first lower blade. By reciprocating the first lower blade passes each knife blade this lower knife alternately with the right and left adjacent Knife blades of the trailing lower blade accordingly the direction of the float to the plant. It turns a forceps action on the openings in the upper knife threaded hair.

The from the US 7,065,877 B2 described coupling of two lower blades is due to the mutual striking of both lower blade in oscillation movement direction suitable only for those lower blade, which are provided with a so-called 90 ° cutting edge. More modern undercutter configurations with tapered, sharpened cutting edges, which have cutting edges with cutting edge angles well below 90 °, can not be coupled together to provide a pulling action on threaded hairs in the known manner. For a mutual striking of adjacent lower blade would lead to premature dulling of the sharpened edge and premature blade wear. In addition, with such a shaving system only in the area of the reversal points of the oscillation hair - so only a fraction of the existing hair - be clamped between the two lower blades, so that thoroughness of the shave should not be extremely improved and therefore it is expected that remain after the individual Rasierzügen different residual hair lengths. Furthermore, there is a risk of pulling hair out of the skin.

Of the The present invention is therefore based on the object, a lower blade assembly to provide which both a pull and a Cutting through from the human skin erupting Hair allows and a particularly gentle and at the same time ensure a close shave. In particular, can by the drawing and cutting system according to the invention to be achieved, that the hair tips of the cut hair after the shave lie below the skin surface.

there should the drawing and cutting concept of the invention also be applicable for such lower blade, which a Cutting angle of less than 90 °, thus acute-angled have sharpened cutting edges.

The invention underlying Aufga Be is achieved by means of a lower blade assembly according to claim 1 and a dry shaver according to claim 13 and a shaving method according to claim 14. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

The Inventive lower blade assembly is for a dry shaver is provided, which at least one with openings provided upper blade and a motor oscillating against each other, preferably translationally oscillating driving of upper blade and lower blade assembly. The upper knife, which is typically as a shaving foil or as a comb or shearbar-shaped Shear element can be designed in the manner of a hair trimmer and the lower blade, or the lower blade assembly are by means of electromotive drive reciprocable against each other, being threaded into the openings of the upper knife Hair due to a shearing or oscillation movement between the to the openings of the upper knife protruding Foliegengen and cut the cutting edges of blades of the lower blade or sheared off.

The The lower blade assembly according to the invention has at least a first lower blade and a first lower blade in the oscillation moving direction or in the cutting or shearing advance leading second lower blade on. This second anticipatory lower blade is designed to a tensile force on a projecting into the opening of the upper knife To exercise hair. For this purpose, the hair is provided between clamp the second lower blade and the upper blade, or in the Area between the second lower blade and upper blade a tensile force or exercise a driving movement on the threaded hair.

there is especially provided, the threaded hair between the underside of the upper knife facing away from a skin area and one of the skin part facing side of the translationally oscillating clamped second lower knife. By the oscillation movement of upper blade and second lower blade relative to each other can thus a driving movement exercised on the pinched hair which is due to this traction or entrainment his hair root a little further from the appropriate area of the skin is pulled out before it completely by means of the trailing first undercutter can be severed.

there In particular, it is provided that this is substantially oblique or perpendicular to the cutting plane between the lower blade assembly and upper blade extending hair bent by means of the second lower blade or is kinked, so that despite a substantially parallel to the skin surface oscillating relative movement between upper blade and lower blade assembly a direction perpendicular to the skin surface on the hair acting tensile force can be provided.

To a first advantageous embodiment of the invention is provided that the first bottom knife has a sharpened edge for Having severed a hair. In that regard, are for the lower blade assembly two different types of blades or blades provided, the blades of the first lower blade sharpened and while they are designed to cleanse the hair the blades of the second lower blade as so-called scraper blades formed with a rather blunt edge or outer contour are.

A tensile force acting on the hair may occur immediately after detection a hair threaded into the foil by means of the second lower knife be made available. As soon as the threaded hair between a foil web and the anticipatory second lower knife is trapped, can by another movement the lower knife bent hair and between the foil and the second lower blade or its scraper clamped become. By the further movement of a scraper opposite The upper knife is the captured and pinched hair continues in the cutting system pulled in, with the scraper trailing sharp blade of the first lower knife cuts the hair.

Of the Drawing can be done in two successive phases expire. In a first phase, the so-called Umbiege phase, the second bottom blade detects a threaded through the top blade Hair and push this up to the opening of the upper knife adjacent foil web and presses it against this. The between the second lower blade and the foil web as a result of relative oscillation movement of both components acting forces cause a gap between the upper knife and the second lower blade, so that the threaded Hair bent in Oszillationsrichtung and subsequently between the second lower blade and the upper blade can be clamped.

The gap required to pinch the hair can be created either by a local deformation of the upper blade or by taking place with respect to the upper blade immersion of the second lower blade. In particular, such configurations are advantageous in which the second lower blade relative to the upper blade can dive, so that the trailing first lower blade together with the film web edges in the intended cutting plane remains.

to Exercise a traction and to bend the hair come basically two different mechanisms into consideration. Once it can be provided that the second lower blade on the hair glides along, this bends and due to an inherent existing sliding or static friction coefficients between the bent hair facing outer contour of the second lower blade a pulling force applied to the hair and a driving movement transmitted from the second lower blade to the hair.

Besides can be provided that the second lower blade in the umzubiegende or hooked on already bent hair, with this almost form-fitting combines.

To A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is in particular provided that the upper knife adjacent to its openings has a rounded edge contour, and / or that the second Lower blade facing away from the first lower blade and in Oscillation movement direction leading end portion of the upper knife facing, having a rounded outer contour. Thereby, that at least one of the edge coming into contact with a hair, either the edge of an opening to the upper knife protruding film web and / or underlying it in the cutting system formed leading edge of the second lower blade rounded are, the inventively provided effect a hair bender instead of a shearing off or cutting off of the hair.

there can be provided in particular that both sides with the threaded hair on opposite sides rounded edges of upper blade and second lower blade coming to rest are formed. In this way can be effectively avoided be that the anticipatory, preferably trained as a so-called drawknife second lower blade already has a cutting action on the hair. Also, by the rounded edge design a cutting of the hair by means of the second, primarily for extracting the Hair provided lower knife counteracted.

To Another particularly advantageous aspect of the invention the first lower blade and the second lower blade with respect to the oscillation movement direction substantially rigid with each other coupled. Unlike what is common in the art, is Consequently, a relative movement between the two lower blades in Direction of the relative to the upper knife oscillation movement direction not provided.

On this way can be effectively avoided, that's about it dull trained second lower knife on the sharpened Cutting edge of a provided for severing the hair first lower knife strikes.

To The invention is particularly provided that in the direction of oscillation considered between the first lower blade and the second lower blade or between the individual trained on the respective lower blades Blades a clear distance is formed. This distance between the first and second lower blade as well as extending in the direction of oscillation Width of the second lower blade define the length around which a threaded hair by means of the previously described Clamping action can be further pulled out of the skin.

Of the For example, between the first and second lower blade to be formed gap 50 microns and above. The distance between the first and the second bottom knife should be smaller than the one to expected hair diameter to be threading hair excluded. One for an optimal shave result aspired maximum drawing length to which the hair out the skin is between 200 and 400 microns, she is preferably about 300 microns.

To a development of the invention, it is provided that the first Lower blade and the second lower blade vertical or oblique mechanically decoupled from each other to the oscillation movement direction are.

there is provided in particular that the first lower blade and the second lower blade perpendicular or oblique to the oscillation direction of movement independently of each other with respect to the upper blade are biased. Such a bias can each by means of intended for the first and for the second lower blade and specially adapted spring elements provided become. The mechanical decoupling of the first and second lower blade at least in the direction of movement perpendicular to the for the Shear function provided oscillation direction allows the first and the second lower blade each with different force or different bias against the skin area facing away Bottom of a top knife can be pressed.

Since the second lower blade is provided in particular for forming a hair clamping gap between itself and the upper blade, whose spring element is to be designed such that the second lower blade relatively easy can dive the cutting plane. Such Abtauchbewegung for pinching a hair has no effect on the other, provided for severing the hair first lower blade. Its cutting edge remains in the cutting or cutting plane in order to cut through the hair drawn into the cutting system by means of the second lower knife, as before, in the cutting plane.

From Therefore, it is provided, the first lower blade and the second lower blade by means of at least one spring element against the upper blade to bias, with the second lower knife towards the Upper blade acting biasing force is chosen smaller as the one acting on the first lower blade toward the upper blade Force. It is provided in particular, on the two lower blade perpendicular to their oscillation movement direction acting spring forces such that, even under extreme conditions, for instance when several cuts occur at the same time, the hair of a user is still severed from the first lower knife can be without this leaves the cutting plane.

The can be provided for the second lower blade preload force taking into account the immersion behavior of the second Lower knife and the one with a threaded hair in investment position reaching Edge contour of the second lower blade and / or the edge design be matched to the upper knife. For example, at a given Edge contour of the second lower blade the intended preload force too small, then the second bottom knife may be not enough strength to apply a threaded hair to fold. In such a case, the second bottom knife would or his blade only on a threaded hair bounce and under the action of the hair far below the cutting plane dive.

From Therefore, a certain minimum contact pressure or a minimum prestressing force provided for the second lower blade. This power is preferably to be dimensioned so that as a result of the oscillatory motion between the upper blade and the lower blade assembly a driving movement on a sandwiched between the second lower blade and the upper blade and bent hair results.

Becomes For example, the force acting on the second lower blade biasing force further increased, the second lower knife with an anticipatory Edge at least partially under a breakthrough of the cuticle hook a hair into the bent or to be bent hair, or and this as a result of the oscillatory motion to a certain Lead the way. However, reach the for the second lower blade provided biasing force one of the sharpness the second lower knife dependent value, so that can Hair can also be severed by the second lower knife.

Independently from the acting on the two lower blades in the direction of Upper knife directed preload can be the second lower knife or can individual arranged on the second lower blade At an end section facing the upper blade, a or friction-enhancing surface texture exhibit. By this measure, a deadweight effect and / or a clamping action for the hair in an advantageous Be increased.

By Increasing the friction between the second lower blade and the hair relative to the friction between the upper knife and the hair can increase the drawability of the lower blade assembly become. Simple measures for this example the roughening of a sliding surface facing the upper blade the second lower blade and / or a smoothing or polishing the surface of the upper blade facing the lower blade.

Of Furthermore, it can be provided that the second lower blade or individual arranged on the second lower blade blades on at least a side facing the hair to be clamped or grasped an adhesion or sliding friction increasing surface contour with at least one projection and / or a bevelled and / or have a gradually deposited surface contour. By means of a roughened or with projections Surface contour is the second lower blade in particular suitable and designed, at least partially in a threaded Invade hair and create a kind of hooking effect, so after hooking in from second lower knife and jammed Hair a further movement of the lower knife relative to the upper knife transferred almost one to one to a pulling motion of the hair can be.

In order to a particularly effective and easy hooking of the lower knife into a pinched hair can be done on the surface the second lower blade to be provided projections or Surface contours at least something, but preferably significantly smaller than the hair diameter form, so not already by the trained as pulling knife second lower blade a complete severing of a hair done.

According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, it is provided that between be adjacently disposed in oscillation movement direction blades of the first lower blade at least a second lower blade or a blade of the second lower blade comes to lie and is arranged there.

there may be provided in particular, all blades both of the first and the second lower blade each on a common Carrier nested to arrange each other. There are various configurations of relative arrangements of blades of the Both lower knife conceivable. For configurations in which disposed adjacent to each other in oscillation direction of movement Blades of the first lower blade only one blade or a Drawing element of the second lower knife is arranged, can be a central Arrangement of the drawing element between the adjacent blades of the be provided first lower blade. However, this results in design a relatively large one Gap or distance between the blades of the first and the second Under the knife.

One better pulling result for hair to be threaded can then arise when blades or pulling elements of the second Lower blade immediately upstream of the blades of the first lower blade, so that the gap between elements of the first and second lower blade for example, only a few 10 microns.

Further is conceivable, the individual blades of the first lower blade, based to design symmetrically in the oscillation direction of movement and each of the opposite blades of a blade of the first lower blade each a pulling or blade element of the assigned to the second lower knife. In this way can in each direction of movement of the lower blade assembly sufficient and satisfactory pulling effect for threaded Hair will be provided.

To In a further advantageous aspect, it is provided that the second Lower blade or directly connected to the second lower blade components after a haircut made by the first lower knife under the effect of the provided spring preload, audible with a stop limiting the movement of the second lower knife or with the underside of the upper knife comes to the plant. On This way can be audible to the user perceptible control will be provided the user in an intuitive way, whether all from a certain and just treated skin spewing forth Hair has been cut sufficiently.

Are located For example, hardly any hair remains in a well-shaven area, which can be detected by the second lower blade, so Consequently, this is done for lack of non-existent and to be clamped Hair also no more Abtauchbewegung, which is an acoustically perceptible Repeating would follow.

in the Result thus arises when passing a razor along already sufficiently shaved skin a relatively proportionate quiet shaving sound while the shaver while Treat hairline areas that are cut short produces a clearly perceptible noise.

To Another independent aspect relates to the invention a dry shaver with a shaving head, wherein the shaving head at least one upper blade and a lower blade assembly according to present invention.

In order to Hair should always be cut to such a small length Can the hair tips after shaving below the Skin surface must come to rest inventive drawing and cutting system offered Hair is long enough. Too long hair is more of a hindrance, because they are generally worse in the inventive Thread cutting system and additionally from the cutting system would have to be pre-cut until a Cutting process can take place, cut under the skin Hair supplies. Therefore, it makes sense to shorten the hair before entering the inventive drawing and cutting system Thread. That's why an embodiment sees The invention provides that the shaving head comprises a pre-cutting system. Particularly advantageous pre-cutters are open pre-cutters. These possess a top knife with comb structure, which makes especially long Hair can be detected well.

Farther it is conceivable to use the drawing and blending cutting system with open pre-cutters. For example could be the top knife of the drawing and cutting system at the same time take over the function of the upper knife for the pre-cutters. The lower blades of the two pre-cutters are then on the drawing and cutting system attached and can move relative to this.

It is also conceivable that undercutter with pulling and cutting function / mechanism can be installed directly in open pre-cutters. In this way can also change the threading rate of the hair into the and cutting system can be increased.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a shaving method for use in a dry shaver, wherein the dry shaver a Untermes ser-assembly having a first and a second lower blade. In this case, the second lower blade is upstream of the first lower blade with respect to a relative oscillatory movement between the upper blade and lower blade assembly, so that this occurs laterally in front of the downstream first lower blade threaded with hair in investment position.

The Shaving method according to the invention provides that Upper blade and the lower blade assembly oscillating relative to each other, preferably to move in an oscillatory translatory manner. While This oscillation movement is hair through openings an upper knife, which preferably as a perforated foil is trained to thread. By means of the second lower blade These are projecting into the cutting system hair between the second lower blade and the upper blade clamped or from the second lower blade detected. After that are trapped or captured Hair along the movement or oscillation direction of the second Bottom knife bent and pulled accordingly, so hereafter by means of the first, the second lower knife lagging, preferably sharpened lower knife the extended or out the hair pulled out of the skin is severed.

Further Objectives, features and advantageous applications The present invention will become apparent from the following description to exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. Make up all figuratively and literally described features both alone and in their meaningful combination among themselves the subject of the present Invention; also independent of the patent claims or their remittances.

It demonstrate:

1 a schematic sectional view of a threaded and threaded between the upper blade and the second lower blade hair,

2 a threaded hair immediately before being grasped by the second lower blade,

3 a configuration of the cutting system in the lateral bending of the threaded hair and

4 the severing of the hair by means of the first lower knife,

5 shows a further, enlarged view of the lower blade assembly, wherein the second lower blade hooks with the threaded hair,

6 the embodiment according to 5 with a partially submerged second lower blade,

7 the lower blade assembly with fully lowered second lower blade and

8th a configuration immediately before the cutting of the pinched hair by means of the sharpened first lower blade,

9 an alternative embodiment of the second lower blade with beveled edge,

10 a further second lower blade with a step-like offset, facing the hair outer contour,

11 a further embodiment of a second lower blade with a projection,

12 an embodiment of the second lower blade with two lateral projections,

13 a laterally projecting, provided for detecting and hooking a hair projection on the second lower blade,

14 a further embodiment of the second lower blade in combination with the first lower blade and upper blade,

15 a plurality of blades or drawing elements of first and second lower blades, each arranged on a carrier,

16 the embodiment according to 15 with asymmetrically offset second lower blade,

17 on both sides of the sharpened blades of the first lower blade upstream scrapers,

18 a schematic representation of a resilient coupling of cutting and drawing components,

19 an alternative embodiment of a spring coupling with mutual stops between blades of the first and second lower blade,

20 a lower knife assembly prestressed by means of different compression springs,

21 a lower blade assembly according to 20 with a movement-limiting stop,

22 a schematic representation individually spring-loaded puller knife suspended from the cutting blades,

23 a further embodiment according to 22 with end stops for the pull knife components,

24 a detailed design of a prestressed by two spring elements lower blade assembly,

25 the lower blade assembly according to 24 in perspective view obliquely from above,

26 a combination of the drawing and cutting system according to the invention with a pre-cutting device,

27 a combination of the drawing and cutting system according to the invention with two Vorschneideinrichtungen and

28 a further combination of the drawing and cutting system according to the invention with two Vorschneideinrichtungen.

1 shows a schematic sectional view through a lower blade assembly 10 , which is a first lower knife 14 and a second lower blade 22 which are both opposite to a type of perforated shear foil 12 trained upper blade in the horizontal direction translationally movable back and forth.

As in the time sequence according to the 2 to 4 indicated, is the second lower blade 22 trained, along with a threaded hair 18 and with the bottom of a foil web 12 cooperate in such a way that through an opening 20 of the upper knife 12 protruding hair 18 due to the sideways movement of the two lower blades 14 . 22 is bent to the right in just this direction and pulled to a certain extent, as can be seen from the comparison of the hair position according to the 3 and 4 evident.

The second, designed as a so-called drawknife or scraper lower blade 22 is therefore designed to, at most in the hair 18 hook, but not to cut, but only a pulling force in the lateral direction on the bent hair, as in 3 shown to exercise. Due to the rounded outer contour 28 of the film web 12 as this is clearer in the 5 to 10 Shown is a threaded hair 18 due to the spring-mounted in the vertical direction second lower blade 22 bent over and pulled by this in the horizontal direction to a certain extent. Before the hair 18 , as in 4 shown from the sharpened edge 24 of the first lower knife 14 completely at the level of the cutting plane 26 is severed.

It is particularly provided that the second opposite the cutting edge 24 the first lower blade dull-shaped lower blade 22 at least a hair's width vertically down, increasing its distance from the upper knife 12 can submerge; For this purpose, it is spring-loaded to a clamping action and pinching the hair between the second lower blade 22 and the bottom of a foil web 12 to enable.

The outer contour or the geometry of the second lower blade 22 and for the second lower knife 22 provided spring tension are coordinated so that the lower blade 22 , as in 3 shown, either with its top on the bent hair 18 slides along with the achievement of a deadweight, or that the second lower blade 22 as in the sequence of 5 to 8th shown, at least to some extent with a leading edge to form a notch 30 in the hair 18 penetrates, and so to speak hooked with this, so that in the end the sideways movement of the lower blade 22 unadulterated to a pull-out movement of the hair 18 can be transferred from the skin.

In the 9 to 14 various diverse geometric configurations of a designed as a puller knife or scraper second lower blade are shown. This is how the drawknife points 32 according to 9 a slope 33 on, which is a bending of the hair 18 facilitated. Similar to this, the in 10 shown draw or lower knife element 34 a staircase-like contour 35 on, by means of which an at least partially hooking the pull knife 34 in the hair 18 can be done.

11 shows one at the top of a pull knife component or scraper blade 36 arranged projection 37 , the subsequent depression ensures that the scraper blade can not be levered out of the bent hair. By the said depression of the displacement effect, which occurs by the penetration of the pulling edge into the hair, compensated and the scraper remains hooked in the hair.

In 12 is also a pulling element 38 shown which two such protruding projections 39 between which there is also a depression serving the same purpose as described above.

The design of the Ziehelements 40 according to 13 shows a laterally arranged Vor Leap 41 , which is the remainder of the drawing element 40 leading into a right of the drawing element 40 lying hair 18 Hook and this, bringing about a clamping effect with the above the Ziehelements 40 to lie coming upper knife 12 can pull along.

14 shows a preferred embodiment in which the drawing element 42 or the second lower blade 42 a threaded hair 18 facing at least partially staircase-like or staircase-like stepped outer contour 35 having. At the top or at the upwardly facing end face of the pulling element 42 however, are two projections 39 formed, whose free end portions in the in 14 shown starting position in one between the first lower blade 14 or the lower blade assembly and the upper blade 12 formed cut line 26 to come to rest.

Between the two extensions 39 a recess is formed, which is suitable for receiving a downwardly bending hair portion. The one with 44 indicated distance of a forward in the direction of movement edge of the left extension 39 of the pulling element 42 and the cutting edge in the direction of movement 24 of the first lower knife 14 determines a distance to which the hair 18 is maximally pulled out of the skin before it by means of the sharpened cutting edge 24 of the first lower blade is completely severed.

This distance 44 is preferably on the order of a few 100 microns, preferably between 200 and 400 .mu.m, most preferably to choose 300 microns. Furthermore, between the first 14 and the second lower blade 42 A gap 45 formed, which is at least about 50 microns or more.

In the 15 to 25 Different concepts for the relative arrangement of the two lower blades to each other and their individual blades are shown.

So shows 15 a fixed coupling of a total of three drawers or scrapers 22 a lower blade, which via a horizontally extending support 56 the actual lower knife assembly 50 with a variety of individual blades 22 form. The individual scrapers 22 come in the middle between individual blades 14 of the first lower knife 52 to lie, with its blades 14 via another horizontally extending support 58 are rigidly connected. In such an embodiment of the invention, it is possible that hair threaded through the upper knife first of the cutting blade 24 and not from the scraper blade 22 be recorded. These are then cut directly without having been previously drawn, which is disadvantageous in terms of achievable greenness.

However, it can with an arrangement according to 16 in which the second lower blade 50 with his individual blades 22 as close as possible to the blades 14 of the lagging first lower blade 52 a better shave result is achieved by increasing the proportion of hair pulled before the cut. In this configuration, namely, the distance, or the gap between adjacent adjacent blades 22 . 14 correspondingly small, so that a hooked or pinched hair possibly through the scraper blade 22 still under tensile stress standing by the trailing sharpened lower blade 14 can be severed while in the configuration according to 15 due to the relatively large distance of the pull knife components 22 and the cutting blade components 14 possibly an intermediate relaxation and retraction of the hair can be done before this from the lagging sharpened blade 14 is detected.

In the configuration according to 16 can be provided that the second lower blade 50 also in the horizontal direction, so in oscillation movement direction is not rigid with the first lower blade 52 is coupled, but that the drawknife 50 from the cutting blade 52 is also pushed in the lateral direction, while ensuring that the cutting 24 the individual cutting knife blades 14 not with the scrapers 22 of the puller knife 50 get into contact position.

At a direction reversal of the knife movement remains the drawknife 50 stand for a short while and then gets off the cutting knife 52 pushed in the opposite direction. In this way, the detection probability of hair 18 be significantly increased, since the distance of the leading or trailing Untermesserkomponenten 14 . 22 can be reduced in an advantageous manner.

In the configuration according to 17 is provided with respect to the oscillation direction on both sides of each cutting blade 14 of the first lower knife 52 one scraper blade each 22 of the second lower blade 50 to arrange. In such a configuration, the detection probability of threaded hair may be inferior to that in FIG 16 shown configuration can be increased again. In this way, almost every hair can be detected. However, the expenditure on equipment is comparatively high here, since it requires twice as many scraper blades 22 like cutting blades 14 to provide.

While in the representations according to the 15 to 17 only the relative positioning of individual blades or components of the two lower blades without their spring coupling is shown, give the others 18 to 25 different solution concepts for spring loading of drawing and cutting blade components again. In the 18 to 23 is the upper knife or the foil web 12 for clarity, not shown, but only defined by upper and lower blade cutting plane 26 shown.

The relative positioning of scrapers 22 and cutting blades 14 according to the 18 to 23 is the configuration according to 17 ajar. Nevertheless, these are in the 18 to 23 shown concepts for spring suspension also on the configurations according to the 15 and 16 equally applicable.

In 18 are each cutting blade 24 two scrapers each 22 assigned, which means of dedicated guides 54 opposite the respective cutting blade 14 are stored only vertically movable. Every single scraper 22 is by means of a separately provided spring element 60 in the vertical direction, that is perpendicular to the actual cutting movement on the first lower blade 52 stored. The entire first lower knife 52 is about a further spring element 62 at a base 64 resiliently supported, said base element 64 Part of a support structure of either the razor itself or its shaving head can represent.

By means of the compression spring 63 will that be in 18 exemplarily three blades 14 having first, for cutting hair 18 provided lower blade 52 with a defined preload force against the underside, which in 18 not explicitly shown shear foil 12 pressed. Typical configurations of such sharpened blade lower blades 52 can total to the 30 or more blades 14 exhibit. The lower knife 52 itself can be formed as a molded sheet metal part with a running in the direction of oscillation U-profile-like cross-section.

Unlike the configuration according to 18 has the embodiment according to 19 mutually assigned attacks 66 . 68 at the individual knife components 14 . 22 on. So are the cutting knife 14 flange-shaped projections 66 provided as a motion-limiting end stop for the drawing components 22 serve, which with a corresponding counter-attack 68 are equipped. In this way it can be achieved that the scraper blades 22 only relatively low to bias against the inside of the shaving foil.

So in this way the otherwise of the individual drawing elements 22 caused friction between the components of the second lower blade and the shear foil can be reduced. By means of coordinated stops 66 . 68 can for the scraper blades 22 a relatively non-linear force-displacement characteristic can be provided. For example, the spring element 60 be made relatively strong, even at a slight descent of a scraper blade 22 a relatively large contact or frictional force between the front end portion of the scraper blade 22 and a hair to be pinched 18 to make available.

In the embodiment according to 20 are the individual scraper blades 22 of the second lower blade 50 like the blades 14 of the first lower knife 52 although with each other over a transversely extending support 56 . 58 rigidly connected with each other. However, the spring-loaded suspension of the first lower blade takes place 52 and the second lower blade 50 completely independent of each other by means of specially designed spring elements 72 . 70 opposite to a vertical fixed base 64 , This base 64 participates in the oscillation movement of the lower knife assembly. The cutting knife can do this 52 relatively strong compared to the foil 12 be biased so that it can not or hardly submerge under load.

The bias of the second lower blade 50 is preferably such that it is in contact with hair 18 in the manner described above with entrapment of the respective hair 18 can dive. The drawing knife 50 can be independent of the cutting blade, at least in the vertical direction 52 move. By applying the of the spring elements 70 provided bias on the puller blade 50 may have a minimum contact force between the puller blade 22 , the straightened hair 18 and the inside of the foil 12 be set specifically, causing a slipping of the hair between scraper blade 22 and shear foil can be prevented or reduced.

In the in 20 shown configuration is particularly provided for the cutting blade 52 provided compression springs 72 significantly stronger than those for the drawing knife 50 provided compression springs 70 ,

In 21 an alternative embodiment is shown, wherein the drawing knife 50 and the base part 64 in analogy to the in 19 dargestell ten wegbegrenzenden coupling alternately with attacks 74 . 76 are provided to limit an adjustment. In this embodiment, as already to 19 illustrates a non-linear force-displacement behavior of the puller blade and its individual blades 22 to provide.

In the 22 and 23 two further versions are exemplified, in which the individual scrapers 22 not only among each other, but each individually and unlike the configuration according to 18 and 19 also in the vertical direction of the cutting blade 52 are decoupled. In this embodiment, the base part 86 formed laterally widened and has a plurality of individual, each for a single scraper blade 22 provided compression spring 78 on while the cutting blades 14 about their common carrier 58 over the compression springs 80 elsewhere on a flange-widened portion of the base part 86 are coupled.

The embodiment according to 23 is different from the one in 22 shown in that on each individual drawing element 22 a laterally projecting stop 84 is formed, with specially provided counter-attacks 82 , which in turn at the base 86 are arranged to limit the movement of the individual scraper blades 22 interact.

The advantage in the configuration according to 22 and 23 is that the first blade has the cutting blades 52 by any pulling, as by the individual scrapers 22 be made available, is hardly affected. Furthermore, the scrapers are decoupled from each other and can not interfere with each other when multiple drawing operations occur simultaneously. Through the counter-attacks 82 the bias against the upper blade is limited, so that the friction between the scraper blades and the upper blade can be kept low regardless of the bias between the upper blade and cutting blades. Furthermore, this makes it possible to realize a nonlinear Abtauchkennlinie.

The mutually formed rigid coupling of individual scraper blades 22 over a common carrier 56 like this in the 20 and 21 is shown, although can be realized with relatively few parts to be assembled and with a reasonable assembly cost. However, such an embodiment has compared to one in the 18 . 19 and 22 and 23 shown individual suspension of scrapers 22 the disadvantage of having a pinch of a hair 18 conditional descent of a single drawing element 22 also other scrapers arranged laterally therefrom 22 in one opposite the cutting planes 26 lowered position are transferred, in which they only conditionally for pinching further hair 18 are suitable.

In the 24 and 25 is a perspective, detailed design of another lower blade assembly 100 shown for an open cutting system. This is the case with single sharpened cutting blades 114 provided first lower blade 102 in engagement with the drawing knife 104 and the individual scrapers disposed thereon 122 , where the scraper blades 122 or the entire drawing knife 104 over two lateral spring elements 110 towards a carrier 106 is biased while the cutting blade 102 via a separate spring element 108 opposite the carrier element 106 is biased.

The 26 to 28 represent very simplified and schematically combinations of a drawing-cutting system according to the invention with one or two Vorschneideinrichtungen.

According to 26 is a bottom knife 131 a drawing-cutting system, such as the in 25 shown corresponds to a comb-shaped upper blade 130 assigned to which it translationally oscillating transverse to the course of the comb teeth 132 - So perpendicular to the plane - is driven by a not shown. The tooth tips 133 the comb teeth 132 , which are separated by each lying between them and laterally limiting Einfädelschlitze of each other, surmount the lower blade 131 by a certain amount in the horizontal direction, which optimizes the feeding of hair. At the bottom knife 131 facing underside of the comb teeth 132 are cutting edges 134 trained with the bottom knife 131 work together. The at the bottom knife 131 provided arm 135 serves both the guidance and the coupling of a drive of the drawing-cutting system. The thigh 136 serves to fix the upper knife 130 within the overall shear system.

27 shows a symmetrical arrangement of two systems according to 26 , each consisting of a lower blade 131 a drawing-cutting system and a comb-shaped upper knife 130 where the tooth tips 133 the upper knife 130 pointing in opposite directions. Such a shear system can then be applied in both directions - back and forth - with equal effectiveness.

28 shows a complete drawing and cutting system 140 according to the invention whose upper blade 141 additional laterally arranged and horizontally extending separator combs 142 having. These are part of an open pre-cutting system tems, whose active elements are the oscillating driven also comb-shaped shear elements 143 are. These shearing elements 143 form the lower blade of the roughing system and, in particular, together with the lower blade assembly, not shown in the drawing of the drawing cutting system according to the invention 140 are driven.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Undercutter assembly

12

Upper blade / foil web

14

Lower blade / cutting blade

16

of skin

18

hair

20

opening

22

Lower blade / scraper

24

cutting edge

26

cutting plane

28

edge

30

notch

32

scraper

33

slope

34

scraper

35

stairs contour

36

scraper

37

extension

38

scraper

39

extension

40

scraper

41

extension

42

scraper

44

distance

45

gap

50

drawknife

52

cutting blade

54

guide

56

carrier

58

carrier

60

spring element

62

spring element

64

suspension

66

attack

68

attack

70

spring element

72

spring element

74

attack

76

attack

78

spring element

80

spring element

82

attack

84

attack

86

suspension

100

module

102

Lower knife / cutting knife

104

Lower blade / Drawknife

106

carrier

108

spring element

110

spring element

114

cutting blade

122

scraper

130

upper blade

131

lower blade

132

comb teeth

133

tooth tips

134

cutting edge

135

poor

136

leg

140

Pull cutting system

141

upper blade

142

Vorschneiderkamm

143

shear element

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 7065877 B2 [0006, 0008]

Claims (15)

Lower blade assembly for a dry shaver with an apertured top blade ( 12 ) and a motor for oscillating driving of upper blade ( 12 ) and lower blade assembly, wherein the lower blade assembly at least a first lower blade ( 14 ) and a first lower blade ( 14 ) in Oszillations-movement direction leading second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ), which is adapted to exert a tensile force on a in the opening ( 20 ) of the upper knife ( 12 ) protruding hair ( 18 ), this between the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) and the upper knife ( 12 ). The lower blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the first lower blade ( 14 ) a sharpened cutting edge ( 24 ) for cutting a hair ( 18 ) having. Undercutter assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper blade ( 12 ) adjacent to its openings ( 20 ) has a rounded edge contour and / or the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) at its first lower blade ( 14 ) facing away from and in Oszillations-movement direction end portion of the upper blade ( 12 ) facing a rounded outer contour. Undercutter assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first lower blade ( 14 ) and the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) are rigidly coupled with respect to the oscillation direction of movement. Undercutter assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first lower blade ( 14 ) and the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) are decoupled from each other perpendicular to the oscillation direction of movement. Undercutter assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first lower blade ( 14 ) and the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) perpendicular to the direction of oscillation movement independently of each other with respect to the upper blade ( 12 ) are biased. Undercutter assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first lower blade ( 14 ) and the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) is biased by at least one respective spring element against the upper blade, wherein on the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) towards the upper knife ( 12 ) acting force is smaller than that on the first lower blade ( 14 ) towards the upper knife ( 12 ) acting force. Undercutter assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) on one of the upper blades ( 12 ) facing end portion has an adhesion or sliding friction increasing surface. Undercutter assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second lower blade ( 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) on at least one hair to be clamped or grasped ( 18 ) facing side of an adhesion or sliding friction increasing surface contour with at least one projection ( 37 ; 39 ; 41 ) and / or a bevelled and / or a stepped surface contour ( 35 ) having. The undercutter assembly according to claim 9, wherein the extension of the protrusion ( 37 ; 39 ; 41 ) less than the average thickness of a hair ( 18 ). A lower blade assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein blades (8) disposed adjacent to each other in the direction of oscillation movement ( 14 ) of the first lower blade ( 52 ) at least one second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) is arranged. Undercutter assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) according to a section of a hair made by the first lower knife ( 18 ) audible under the action of a spring force with a movement of the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) limiting stop ( 12 ; 66 ; 76 ; 82 ) arrives at the plant. Dry shaver with a shaving head, which at least one upper blade ( 12 ) and a lower blade assembly according to any one of the preceding claims. A dry shaver according to claim 13, wherein the shaving head is a pre-cutting system ( 132 . 131 ; 142 . 143 ). Shaving method for use in a dry shaver having a first ( 14 ) and a second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) having a lower blade assembly ( 10 ), the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) the first lower blade ( 14 ) with respect to a relative oscillation movement between upper blades ( 12 ) and lower knife assembly ( 10 ), wherein the method comprises the following steps: - oscillating movement of upper blade ( 12 ) and lower knife assembly ( 10 ) relative to each other, Threading at least one hair ( 18 ) in one of the upper blades ( 12 ) formed opening ( 20 ), - pinching or grasping the threaded hair ( 18 ) between the second lower blade ( 22 ; 32 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 40 ; 42 ) and the upper knife ( 12 ), - bending and / or pulling the hair ( 18 ) in oscillation direction of movement, - severing the hair ( 18 ) by means of the first trailing lower blade ( 14 ).

Images