EP1657485B1 - Electrical appliance of personal use - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical apparatus for personal use comprises a housing (2) with a switch (4), and a light source (5). The latter has a holder and/or lens (6), and has a contact element which supplies electricity. The light source is located between the holder and the lens.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical appliance of personal need, for example as known from the document US-A-2004/0 130 893 ,

Personal electrical appliances are, for example, electric toothbrushes or electric hair removal appliances, in particular electric shavers or electric epilators. In an electric toothbrush, a brush attachment is plugged onto a housing part and is driven by means of an electric motor, which is arranged in the housing. An electric shaver usually has a housing and one or more electrically driven shaving systems, with the help of which the hair is severed and thereby removed. An electric epilator is used to remove the hair as possible including its roots. For this purpose, the epilation device grasps the hair by means of at least one clamping device and tugs it by a movement of the clamping device relative to the skin.

In order to achieve a flat hair removal with a hair removal device, the hair removal device is guided over a desired skin area. The handling of the hair removal device can be made difficult by poor lighting conditions or shading effects. In this connection, it is already known to equip a razor with a lighting device. For example, it has been proposed to integrate a lamp in the shaving head of the shaver or to arrange in the vicinity of the shaving head. However, there has hitherto been the problem that in the region of the shaving head, the space is very limited and therefore there was no lamp could be arranged, which has sufficient performance. One solution to this problem is from the DE-OS 21 17 663 known. There, a shaver with a lighting device for illuminating the skin surface to be shaved is disclosed. The lighting device consists of a fixed or displaceable on or in the device housing electrical light source and at least one body of transparent material. One end of the body is facing the light source and the other is arranged on or in the shaving head. The body is designed as a light-conducting spatial structure whose length dimension exceeds its cross-section by a multiple.

For personal electrical appliances having light sources, the power supply to the light sources is usually made via solder joints to ensure reliable electrical contact for a long period of time. Indeed In particular, the assembly of a housing arranged on the light source is relatively expensive.

The invention has for its object to provide an electrical appliance of personal need with the least possible effort with a lighting device.

This object is achieved by the combination of features of claim 1.

The personal appliance according to the invention has a durable housing in the hand, a switch arranged on the housing in particular for switching on and off the electrical appliance and a light source. The light source is mechanically clamped by means of a holder and by means of a lens such that it is contacted by at least one contact element and can be supplied with power via the contact element.

The invention has the advantage that the light source can be mounted with very little effort. Another advantage is that the light source takes up little space and does not interfere with the handling of the electrical appliance.

The light source is clamped between the holder and the lens. The light source is pressed by the contact element against the lens. As a result, the light source is permanently mechanically fixed and, moreover, a reliable galvanic connection is formed between the light source and the contact element. The lens preferably has a recess for receiving the light source. This favors on the one hand an effective mechanical fixation of the light source and on the other reduces the height. To allow easy installation and to ensure a tight fit, the lens is preferably fixed in a form-fitting manner. Good optical and mechanical properties can be achieved when the lens is made of Plexiglas. The contact element is elastically yielding. As a result, a secure and gentle mechanical fixation and at the same time a reliable electrical contacting of the light source can be achieved without additional aids.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light source is arranged in the region of the switch and in particular a component of the switch. This reduces the additional expense for the light source. It is particularly advantageous if the power supply of the light source via the switch. A very compact design can be achieve that the light source is designed as an SMD component. In particular, the light source is designed as a light emitting diode. As a result, a high light output can be achieved with a low power consumption.

In a first variant of the invention, the light source illuminates a work area. This facilitates the handling of the electrical appliance according to the invention. In particular, the illuminated working area indicates a preferred direction for the operation of the electrical appliance, so that the risk of incorrect operation is reduced. In a second variant of the invention, the light source is designed as a signaling device.

Furthermore, the contact element may be formed flat piece. In particular, the contact element extends from the light source to a circuit arrangement which has at least one contact surface. In the area of the circuit arrangement, at least one sliding contact can be formed on the contact element. With the sliding contact can be easily form a galvanic connection to the contact surface of the circuit arrangement. In addition, the heat dissipation can be improved by the large area of the contact element, which impedes the operation of a high current LED, i. higher light output, allows. The contact element can be movable, in particular displaceable. Preferably, the contact element is movable into a position in which it rests touching the contact surface. As a result, a switching function can additionally be realized with the contact element. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the contact element is a part of the switch.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiment of an epilator shown in the drawing and further advantageous embodiments and developments.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Epilationsge- räts in Vorderansicht,

Fig. 2

das Epilationsgerät aus Fig. 1 in Schnittdarstellung,

Fig. 3

den Schalter in einer vergrößerten Schnittdarstellung,

Fig. 4

eine Aufsicht auf den Epilationskopf des Epilationsgeräts aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

einige Komponenten des Epilationsgeräts aus Fig. 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 6

einige Komponenten des Epilationsgeräts aus Fig. 1 in einer weiteren perspektivischen Darstellung und

Fig. 7

einen Schaltplan für ein Ausführungsbeispiel der elektronischen Schaltung inklusive der daran angeschlossenen Komponenten.

Show it:

Fig. 1

An embodiment of an inventively embodied Epilationsge- device in front view,

Fig. 2

the epilation device off Fig. 1 in section,

Fig. 3

the switch in an enlarged sectional view,

Fig. 4

a top view of the epilation head of the epilation device Fig. 1 .

Fig. 5

some components of the epilation device Fig. 1 in perspective,

Fig. 6

some components of the epilation device Fig. 1 in a further perspective view and

Fig. 7

a circuit diagram for an embodiment of the electronic circuit including the components connected thereto.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an inventively designed epilation device 1 in front view. The epilating device 1 has a housing 2 and an epilation head 3 removably attached to the housing 2. The housing 2 is shaped so that it can be comfortably held in the hand. On the housing 2, a switch 4 for switching on and off of the epilation device 1 is arranged. In the switch 4, a light-emitting diode 5 is integrated with an attached lens 6. Preferably, a light-emitting diode 5 is used, which emits white light. In the epilation head 3, a rotary cylinder 7 is rotatably suspended, having a plurality of clamping means 8 for plucking hair.

Fig. 2 shows the epilator 1 from Fig. 1 in section. An enlarged sectional view of the switch 4 shows Fig. 3 , The section is always along the in Fig. 1 marked line AA. To illustrate the conditions during epilation is in Fig. 2 a skin surface 9 is shown, over which the epilation device 1 is guided. The epilating device 1 has, in addition to the in Fig. 1 In particular, a connection socket 10 for power supply, an electronic circuit 11 and an electric motor 12 for driving the rotary cylinder 7 on. The switch 4 is designed as a slide switch and by means of an actuating element 13 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the epilating device 1 slidably. The actuating element 13 has three recesses 14 arranged next to one another. Through the recesses 14 and a locking element 15 which selectively engages in one of the three recesses 14 and thereby locks the switch 4, three switching positions are defined. These switching positions correspond to a switched-off state or a first or second operating state of the epilation device 1. In Fig. 2 a switching position is shown, which corresponds to the switched-off state of the epilation device 1.

As in particular from Fig. 3 As can be seen, the light-emitting diode 5 is designed as an SMD component and arranged on a holder 16. SMD stands for Surface Mounting Device and refers to electronic components that are usually very compact and can be soldered onto the track side of a printed circuit board. The holder 16 is fixed to a support plate 17. The light-emitting side of the light-emitting diode 5 is covered by the lens 6, which has a recess 18 for partially receiving the light-emitting diode 5. The lens 6 is positively fixed by means of projections 19 and 20, so that the light-emitting diode 5 is clamped between the lens 6 and the holder 16. On its opposite side to the light-emitting side of the light emitting diode 5 is partially electrically conductive and is there to an angled portion 21 and 22 of two contact plates 23 and 24, so that galvanic connections between the light emitting diode 5 and the contact plates 23 and 24 are formed ,

The contact plates 23 and 24 supply the LED 5 with power and extend for this purpose from the light emitting diode 5 to the electronic circuit 11. In this case, the contact plates 23 and 24 extend partially on the side facing away from the actuator 13 side of the support plate 17. The angled portions 21 and 22nd the contact plates 23 and 24 are elastically yielding and are by the light emitting diode 5, which is supported on the lens 6, in the in Fig. 3 illustrated manner elastically deformed. By the elastic deformation, a restoring force is generated, which presses the angled portions 21 and 22 of the contact plates 23 and 24 against the light emitting diode 5 and thus the light emitting diode 5 against the lens 6. In this way, a reliable galvanic connection between the light-emitting diode 5 and the contact plates 23 and 24 is formed without a soldering process and the light-emitting diode 5 mechanically fixed. For mounting, the light-emitting diode 5 is only to hang on the holder 16 and then to press by placing the lens 6 against the angled portions 21 and 22 of the contact plates 23 and 24 and thereby form the positive fixation of the lens 6. This allows a quick and easy installation of the LED 5.

When switched on, the light-emitting diode 5 illuminates a region 25 whose boundary surfaces extending perpendicular to the plane of the drawing enclose an angle α with one another. The illuminated area 25 is located in front of the epilating device 1 with respect to the intended direction of movement of the epilating device 1 shown by an arrow and is in fact not as sharply delimited as in the illustration of FIG Fig. 2 played. The geometry and the intensity distribution of the illuminated area 25 depend significantly on the design of the lens 6. The lens 6 is thus shaped so that gives the desired shape of the illuminated area 25. As the material for the lens 6 Plexiglas is preferably used. But it can also be a lens 6 made of a different material, for example polycarbonate, are used.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the epilation head 3 of the epilator 1 from Fig. 1 , In this case, the area 25 illuminated by the light-emitting diode 5 is shown schematically in the plane of the skin surface 9. On the skin surface 9, the illuminated area 25 has a substantially rectangular shape.

To carry out the epilation, the epilation appliance 1 is put into operation by displacing the actuating element 13 of the switch 4 and placed on the skin surface 9. The commissioning leads on the one hand to the fact that the rotary cylinder 7 is driven by the electric motor 12 and performs a rotational movement. On the other hand, the light-emitting diode 5 is supplied with power and illuminates the skin surface 9. This allows the user to control the epilation result even in low light conditions. During the epilation process, the epilation appliance 1 is guided over the skin surface 9 in the direction of the illuminated area 25. In view of the rotational movement of the rotary cylinder 7, it does not matter in which direction the epilating device 1 is guided over the skin surface 9. The light-emitting diode 5 thus facilitates the correct handling of the epilating device 1 for the user. The removal of the hair takes place in that the hair is picked up by the clamping devices 8 and plucked out by the movement of the clamping devices 8 resulting from the rotational movement of the rotary cylinder 7.

The invention allows for extremely compactness an unexpectedly high optical efficiency. In particular, when using an SMD LED, which is operated with excessive current - which is feasible due to the above-described cooling by the contact elements - can ensure a very strong luminosity. The SMD LED allows a precisely defined highly effective light coupling and the adjacent optics even at extremely low distance between the LED and the coupling surface of the optics. This in turn leads to a particularly uniform illumination without shadows and other light intensity jumps. In addition, a defined drop in light intensity at the boundaries of the illumination area 25 can be achieved, as can be seen in FIG Fig. 4 is shown schematically.

Here, I illustrates the intensity distribution along the direction of the arrow and ly the intensity distribution transverse to the direction of the arrow. By the continuous decrease of the light intensity towards the boundary of the illuminated area 25 towards a user's dazzling is prevented and allows a very effective intensive lighting. Namely, lighting contrast jumps would lead to glare and poorer perceptibility.

Fig. 5 and 6 each show some components of the epilator 1 from Fig. 1 in perspective view. The Fig. 5 and 6 differ in the perspective chosen and in that in Fig. 5 compared to Fig. 6 in addition, the lens 6 and the support plate 17 are shown. In the area of the electronic circuit 11, a sliding contact 26 is formed on the contact plate 23. At contact plate 24 there are two galvanically interconnected sliding contacts 27 and 28 are formed. The electronic circuit 11 has a contact surface 29 in the movement region of the sliding contact 26. In the movement region of the sliding contact 27, a contact surface 30 is arranged and in the movement region of the sliding contact 28, two contact surfaces 31 and 32 are arranged. The contact plates 23 and 24 are moved by means of the actuating element 13 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the epilating device 1, so that it depends on the switching position of the switch 4, whether it is in each case to a touching contact between the sliding contacts 26, 27, 28 and the contact surfaces 29, 30, 31, 32 is coming. For details, see Fig. 7 explained.

In the Fig. 5 and 6 Motor contacts 33 and 34, which extend from the electric motor 12 to the electronic circuit 11, are also shown. The motor contacts 33 and 34 are in contact with contact surfaces 35 and 36 of the electronic circuit 11 in their end regions, but do not have a switching function with which the contact of the contact surfaces 35 and 36 can be selectively canceled or formed.

Fig. 7 shows a circuit diagram for an embodiment of the electronic circuit 11 including the components connected thereto. The electronic circuit 11 is supplied via the socket 10 with power having a negative terminal 37 and a positive terminal 38 for this purpose. The negative terminal 37 of the connector 10 is connected to the contact surface 36 and via a resistor 39 to the contact surface 29. The positive terminal 38 of the connector 10 is connected to the contact surface 30. The contact surface 35 is connected to the contact surface 32 and via a series circuit of a first diode 40 and a second diode 41 to the contact surface 31. Externally, the motor contact 33 is connected to the contact surface 35 and the motor contact 34 is connected to the contact surface 36. Depending on the switching position of the switch 4, the Contact surface 29 are contacted by the sliding contact 26 touching. The contact surface 30 is permanently contacted by the sliding contact 27 touching. The contact surfaces 31 and 32 may alternatively be contacted by the sliding contact 28 touching.

In a first switching position of the switch 4, in which the epilation device 1 is turned off, only the sliding contact 27 is touching against the contact surface 30. This first switching position, in which neither the electric motor 12 nor the light-emitting diode 5 is supplied with power, is in Fig. 6 shown.

In a second switching position of the switch 4, the sliding contact 26 is in contact with the contact surface 29, the sliding contact 27 against the contact surface 30 and the sliding contact 28 against the contact surface 31. This means that the electric motor 12 is supplied with power via the two upstream diodes 40 and 41 and is thereby operated at reduced power. In this case, the circuit between the contact surfaces 30 and 31 via the two sliding contacts 27 and 28 is closed, which are both formed on the contact plate 24 and thus electrically connected to each other. Furthermore, in the second switching position of the switch 4, the light-emitting diode 5 is supplied via the upstream resistor 39 with power.

In a third switching position of the switch 4, the sliding contact 26 is in contact with the contact surface 29, the sliding contact 27 against the contact surface 30 and the sliding contact 28 against the contact surface 32. Thereby, the electric motor 12 is directly, d. H. without the upstream diodes 40 and 41, powered and operated at full power. The circuit is closed in accordance with the second switching position via the two sliding contacts 27 and 28 of the contact plate 24.

The invention relates not only to epilation equipment 1, but also to other hair removal devices, such as razors and other personal electrical appliances, such as electric toothbrushes.

In the embodiment described above, the light emitting diode 5 is used to illuminate the working area. Likewise, it is also possible to use the invention in connection with a light-emitting diode 5 or another light source, which serves as an optical signal source. This application option is particularly relevant for electric toothbrushes, but can also be used for other personal electrical appliances For example, for charging lights, timer functions, etc. are used. As optical signal sources, LEDs 5 are preferably used which emit colored light.

Claims (17)

1. An electrical device for personal use having a housing (2) that can be held in the hand, a switch arranged on the housing (2) and a light source (5), characterized in that the light source (5) is mechanically clamped between a holder (16) and a lens (6) in such a way that it tangentially contacts at least one elastic contact element (23, 24) and is pressed against the lens (6) and can be powered via the contact element (23, 24).
2. The electrical device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lens (6) has a recess in it to support the light source (5).
3. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lens (6) is positively fixed.
4. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lens (6) is made out of Plexiglas.
5. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (5) is arranged in the area of the switch (4) and is a component of the switch (4).
6. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power to the light source (5) is supplied by means of the switch (4).
7. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (5) is designed as an SMD part.
8. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (5) is designed as a light emitting diode.
9. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (5) illuminates work area (25).
10. The electrical device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the illuminated work area (25) characterizes a preferred direction for operating the electrical device (1).
11. The electrical device according to any of Claims 1 through 8, characterized in that the light source (5) is designed as a signaling device.
12. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (23, 24) is designed as a flat piece.
13. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (23, 24) extends from the light source (5) to a circuit arrangement (11) that has at least one contact surface (29, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36).
14. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sliding contact (26, 27, 28) is designed in the area of the circuit arrangement (11) on the contact element (23, 24).
15. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (23, 24) is mobile and, in particular, slidable.
16. The electrical device according to Claim 15, characterized in that the contact element (23, 24) is mobile in a position in which it tangentially lies on the contact surface (29, 30, 31, 32).
17. The electrical device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (23, 24) is a component of the switch (4).

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