EP1549468A1

EP1549468A1 - Hair-removing device

Info

Publication number: EP1549468A1
Application number: EP03750660A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bernhard Kraus; Alexander KLÖS
Original assignee: Braun GmbH
Current assignee: Braun GmbH
Priority date: 2002-10-05
Filing date: 2003-09-30
Publication date: 2005-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-30
Also published as: JP2006501911A; EP1549468B1; AU2003270293A1; CN1688420A; DE10246519A1; ATE532611T1; WO2004033164A1; CN100431810C; JP4795687B2

Abstract

The razor actuator head (1) has cutters (2,3,4)) connected electrically to the bases of transistors (10,11,12) in the electronic circuit (9). If a cutter is in contact with the skin current flows through body resistance (18) turning on the appropriate transistor indicating that contact exists. Zero current indicates no contact and driver (17) energizes the motor drive (7) adjusting the position of the head until contact is made.

Description

Hair removal device

The invention relates to a hair removal device with a movable actuator head and / or at least one movable actuator carrier according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for positioning at least one actuator element of a hair removal device.

Movable actuator heads are used, for example, in the form of pivotable shaving heads in electric shavers. The mobility of the shaving head is intended to improve contact with the skin surface during shaving in order to achieve the best possible shaving result.

An electric shaver with a shaving head system is known from DE 36 10 736 A1, which is pivotably mounted relative to the housing of the shaver. The shaving head system is set into an oscillating oscillating movement by means of a drive pin by an electric motor arranged in the housing. During the shave, the shaving head system also performs a passive swivel movement, i.e. H. the shaving head system is forced into a swivel position by pressing against the skin surface, which is predetermined by the current geometric situation. The shaving head system is designed in such a way that the entire usable shaving surface is continuously in contact with the skin surface while shaving.

The known system has proven itself in practice, but is subject to some restrictions. For a perfect swivel function, it is necessary to strictly limit the weight of the shaving head system and the position of its center of gravity. This places narrow limits on the arrangement of additional elements in the shaving head system if no deterioration in the mode of operation is to be accepted. In addition, in order to pivot the shaving head system so that the entire usable shaving surface comes into contact with the skin surface, the razor must be pressed against the skin. Another limitation is that the shaving head system can only be driven with the drive pin within a limited swivel angle range.

The invention has for its object to provide a hair removal device with a movable actuator head and / or at least one movable actuator carrier as optimally as possible. This object is achieved by the combination of features of claim 1.

The hair removal device according to the invention has a movable actuator head and / or at least one movable actuator carrier with at least one actuator element for removing hair on a skin surface. The special feature of the hair removal device according to the invention is that a detection device is provided for detecting a size which is related to the position of the actuator element relative to the skin surface, and at least one actively actuated adjusting device for changing the position of the actuator head and / or the actuator carrier and a control device for Control of the actuating device depending on the detected size.

The invention has the advantage that an optimal skin contact of each actuator element can be continuously achieved. This has an effect in particular if the hair removal device has two or more actuator elements which are optimal for

Hair removal should be in skin contact at the same time. The invention is therefore particularly suitable for use in hair removal devices with a plurality of actuator elements. It is initially irrelevant for the applicability of the invention whether the actuator elements can be positioned individually or in groups or only all together. If there is only one actuator element overall, the user is generally able to make sufficient skin contact without additional aids. In certain applications and in particular when the actuator element is movable in several planes, use of the invention can also be advantageous in a hair removal device with a single actuator element. Another advantage of the invention is that there are no restrictions with regard to the weight and geometry of the actuator head and with regard to the accessible positioning range when the actuator head is positioned passively.

In the hair removal device according to the invention, preferably several actuator carriers are used which can be moved independently of one another. An electrical drive for the actuator element and / or the actuating device can be arranged in the actuator head. It is also possible to arrange the electric drive outside the actuator head and to provide a coupling device for coupling the electric drive to the actuator head. urbrassungseinrichtung can have means for detecting the contact pressure of the actuator element on the skin surface, means for performing a capacitive measuring method or means for performing an impedance measurement.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuator element is electrically conductively connected to the control device. Furthermore, in the preferred exemplary embodiment, a housing is provided which is at least partially electrically conductive and is electrically conductively connected to the control device.

The formation of the detection device by optical means is also advantageous. These can be implemented in particular as light barrier systems.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for the detection device to be formed by at least one displacement, pressure and / or force sensor.

Within the scope of the invention, there is in particular the possibility of pivotably suspending the actuator head and / or the actuator carrier.

As an alternative or in addition, it is advantageous if a mounting of the actuator head and / or of the actuator carrier which is displaceable in at least one plane is provided.

The hair removal device according to the invention can be, for example, an electric shaver with at least one shaving foil. The shaver can in particular have a center cutter which is arranged between two shaving foils. It is advantageous if the shaving foils and the center cutter are each electrically conductively connected to the control device, since in this way information about the position of the shaving foils can be acquired with relatively little effort.

Furthermore, it is also possible to design the hair removal device according to the invention as an epilating device with at least one plucking unit, since good skin contact is also advantageous in this application.

In the method according to the invention for positioning at least one actuator element of a hair removal device for removing hair on a skin surface, a size is detected which is related to the actual position of the actuator element relative to the skin surface, and the actuator element is actively positively dependent on the detected size. ned. The actuator element can be positioned with the aid of an actuator head and / or with the aid of at least one actuator carrier which has at least one actuator element. Almost any positioning movement is possible.

If the measurement of the size is repeated continuously, the constantly changing conditions during the handling of the hair removal device can be taken into account optimally. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator element is positioned so that there is skin contact. In order to enable a certain dynamic, the speed of the positioning can depend on the detected size, so that gross incorrect positioning can be compensated for quickly. Furthermore, the speed of the positioning can be varied during the positioning process. In order to create a defined starting position in each case, it can be advantageous to bring the actuator element into a basic position with predeterminable values of the detected size. In a preferred embodiment, a current flow is detected which is caused by the actuator element coming into contact with the skin surface.

Another advantageous development of the method according to the invention provides that the relative position of the actuator element to the skin surface (5) is detected by optical means. This method is particularly stable and insensitive when used on wet skin or skin with care or cleaning agents.

A further advantageous development of the method according to the invention provides that the size of the pressure of the actuator element against the skin surface (5) is detected by force, pressure and / or displacement measurement; this is also a particularly reliable detection method under the conditions described above.

When the hair removal device is switched off, the actuator element can be brought into a rest position. This is particularly advantageous if the actuator head is brought into a position in which the actuator element is largely protected from external influences.

In the method according to the invention, at least one further function of the hair removal device can be controlled depending on the size detected, so that multiple use of this size is possible. In particular, the further function can be the control of a display device, the control of an automatic one Activate / deactivate and / or control the drive power of an electric drive for the actuator element.

The actuator element can be positioned by a swiveling movement, in particular swiveling movements with respect to different swiveling axes can also be carried out. The latter comes into play when both a pivotable actuator head and at least one pivotable actuator carrier or when there are several pivotable actuator carriers.

As an alternative or in addition to the pivotability, it is advantageous if the positioning of the actuator head or of the actuator carrier is carried out by a displacement in at least one plane.

The invention is explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawing.

Show it

1 is a functional sketch for an embodiment of an electric shaver designed according to the invention,

2 shows an embodiment of the electric shaver with a drive outside the shaving head schematically in a perspective view,

3 shows an embodiment of the electric shaver with multiple movable shear elements in a representation corresponding to FIG. 2,

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the electric shaver with a different type of shaving head system in a representation corresponding to Fig. 2 and

5 shows an embodiment of an epilator designed according to the invention in a representation corresponding to FIG. 2.

6-10 show further exemplary embodiments with different sensors for the measurement variable measurement. hig. 1 shows a functional sketch for an exemplary embodiment of an electric shaver designed according to the invention. The illustration relates to a situation during the execution of a shave, individual functional elements of the shaving apparatus being depicted in a highly schematic manner and possible wiring of electronic components which are used to carry out the positioning method according to the invention. The illustrated embodiment of the shaving apparatus has a pivotable shaving head 1 which is pivotably mounted about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The shaving head 1 has a first shaving foil 2, a second shaving foil 3 and a center cutter 4 arranged between the shaving foils 2 and 3. In the situation shown, the second shaving foil 3 is in touching contact with a skin surface 5 of a user 6. The shaving head 1 is pivoted by means of an actuating device 7 relative to a housing 8 which the user 6 holds in his hand. The two shaving foils 2 and 3 and the center cutter 4 are each electrically conductively connected to an electronic circuit 9, the first shaving foil 2 with the base of a first transistor 10, the second shaving foil 3 with the base of a second transistor 11 and the center cutter 4 with the base of a third transistor 12 are connected. The emitters of transistors 10, 11 and 12 are connected to ground. On the collector side, the first transistor 10 is connected to an input of control logic 13 denoted by F1 and to a first collector resistor 14. The second transistor 11 is connected to an input of the control logic 13 labeled F2 and to a second collector resistor 15, and the third transistor 12 is connected to an input of the control logic 13 labeled MS and to a third collector resistor 16. The control logic 13 has an output labeled Z, which is connected to the actuating device 7 via a driver stage 17. The collector resistors 14, 15 and 16 are still connected to one another and, like the housing 8 which the user 6 holds in his hand, are at an electrical potential Vdd. From the housing 8, there is an electrical connection to the second shaving foil 3 via the user 6, which has a body resistance 18. To make this possible, the housing 8 is at least partially electrically conductive. Depending on the position of the shaving head 1, corresponding electrical connections can also be made to the center cutter 4 and to the first shaving foil 2. The body resistance 18 represents the total electrical resistance effective between the skin surface 5 and the hand of the user 6.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the functional principle according to the invention is that the shaving head 1 is pivoted so that the two shaving foils 2 and 3 rest on the skin surface 5. On the one hand, information about this is Requires whether the two shaving foils 2 and 3 actually lie against the skin surface 5 and secondly a mechanism which swivels the shaving head 1 from a position in which at least one of the shaving foils 2 and 3 does not lie against the skin surface 5, in which both shaving foils 2 and 3 rest on the skin surface 5. The information as to which of the shaving foils 2 and 3 rests on the skin surface 5 is obtained by checking with the electronic circuit 9 shown in FIG. 1 for both shaving foils 2 and 3 whether a current is flowing. The current flow runs through the body resistance 18 and can therefore only be formed when the respective shaving foil 2 or 3 is applied to the skin surface 5. If, for example, in accordance with the situation shown in FIG. 1, the second shaving foil 3 bears against the skin surface 5 and thus a current flows through the body resistance 18 to the base of the second transistor 11, the second transistor 11 switches through and applies the input F2 to the control logic 13 , which is otherwise at the electrical potential Vdd, to ground. The same also applies to the first shaving foil 2 when it lies against the skin surface 5. Since only very low currents are required for the connection of the transistors 10, 11, 12, the current flow through the body resistance 18 is absolutely safe and imperceptible for the user 6.

The control logic 13 evaluates the signals present at its inputs and controls the driver stage 17 as a function thereof, which in turn controls the actuating device 7 in a corresponding manner, so that the shaving head 1 is pivoted in a desired manner. The evaluation by the control logic 13 takes place in accordance with a truth table shown as Table 1, which assigns a control command at the output Z of the control logic 13 to each combination of signals at the inputs F1, F2 and MS. A “0” appears in the truth table for an input of the control logic 13, which is connected to ground, and a “1” for an input at the electrical potential Vdd, ie there is skin contact with a “0” and with a “ 1 "there is no skin contact. The signal at the input MS of the control logic 13 indicates whether the center cutter 4 is in contact with the skin surface 5 and is determined in a manner corresponding to the signals at the inputs F1 and F2. The consideration of the signal at the input MS of the control logic 13 is not absolutely necessary, but enables better control of the shaving head 1, since intermediate positions can also be taken into account in this way.

Table: truth table

As can be seen from the truth table, the shaving head 1 remains in its position if either both the shaving foils 2 and 3 are in common or neither of the two shaving foils 2 and 3 are in contact with the skin surface 5. It is irrelevant in each case whether the center cutter 4 lies against the skin surface 5 or not. In a variant, it is also possible to slowly pivot the shaving head 1 into a basic position if neither of the two shaving foils 2 and 3 abuts the skin surface 5. If only the first shaving foil 2 is not in contact with the skin surface 5, the adjusting device 7 is slowly moved to the right in the geometry shown in FIG. H. clockwise, rotated and thus the shaving head 1 pivoted to the left. If, in addition, the center cutter 4 is not in contact with the skin surface 5, a stronger incorrect positioning of the shaving head 1 is assumed and the adjusting device 7 is therefore quickly turned to the right. Conversely, there is a slow left turn of the adjusting device 7 when only the second shaving foil 3 is not in contact with the skin surface 5 and a fast left turn when the center cutter 4 is not in contact with the skin surface 5.

The circuit 9 serves on the one hand as a detection device for detecting information relating to the position of the two shaving foils 2 and 3 and on the other hand as a control device for controlling the actuating device 7 depending on the detected information. The detection and the control are carried out again and again in that the test as to whether there is a current flow through the body resistance 18 and the evaluation according to the truth table are repeated continuously. The position of the shaving head 1 is changed until the desired skin contact of the two shaving foils 2 and 3 is present. The skin contact of the two shaving foils 2 and 3 is thus established by a kind of control loop. To further increase the dynamic and a strong mispositioning of the To compensate for the shaving head 1 as quickly as possible, it is also possible to increase the respective speed during the positioning of the shaving head 1.

If both shaving foils 2 and 3 are in contact with the skin, the difference between the two electrical resistances or the difference in impedances between each shaving foil and the housing 8 can be used for more precise positioning of the shaving head 1. Such a difference occurs when the skin contact of the two shaving foils is different, i.e. when one shaving foil is pressed closer to the skin than the other. Then the shaving head is pivoted until the two resistances or impedances are the same and both shaving foils are pressed onto the skin with exactly the same force. This is particularly advantageous for an optimal shave.

As an additional function to the above-described pivoting function for optimizing skin contact, a parking function can be implemented, according to which the shaving head 1 is pivoted into a parking position when the shaving apparatus is switched off. In the park position, the shaving foils 2 and 3 point towards the housing 8 and are therefore protected against damage from external influences. It is also possible to design the shaving head 1 in such a way that an alternative shaving system, for example a long hair cutter or a shaving system for problem areas, is brought into an application position by pivoting the shaving head 1 instead of the shaving foil system. Further additional functions can be that display elements are controlled or the shaving apparatus is switched on automatically depending on whether the housing 8 is touched or whether a component of the shaving head 1 is in skin contact. In particular, it is also possible to reduce the drive power of the shaving apparatus if none of the components of the shaving head 1 are in skin contact. The latter is particularly useful when the shaver is equipped with a linear motor.

A long hair trimmer function can be implemented as a further additional function. At the push of a button, the user can pivot the shaving head into a position in which a long-hair trimmer known per se, which is attached to the shaving head at a suitable point, can be used particularly advantageously. Such a long hair trimmer has, for example, a fixed comb, which works together with a blade having oscillating driven cutting webs.

In the shaving apparatus according to the invention, the entire drive system, ie both the oscillating drive of individual components of the shaving head 1 and the actuating direction 7 for pivoting the shaving head 1 can be integrated in the shaving head 1. This enables any pivoting angle of the shaving head 1. Likewise, it is also possible to arrange the respective drives outside the shaving head 1 in the housing 8 of the shaving apparatus. Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 2.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the shaver with a drive outside of the shaving head 1 schematically in perspective. In this embodiment, an electric motor 19 is arranged in the housing 8. The movement of the electric motor 19 is transmitted into the area of the shaving head 1 by means of a belt 20. Instead of the belt 20, gears, for example, can also be used to transmit the movement. In the shaving head 1, the belt 20 is coupled to a gear 21, which adapts the movement transmitted with the belt 20 to the requirements of the shaving head 1 and drives two shaving elements 22, which can consist, for example, of a shaving foil and a knife block, which are shown in FIG 2 are not shown separately. Furthermore, the transmission 21 has a coupling element, not shown, with the aid of which a pivoting movement of the shaving head 1 about a pivot axis 23 can be triggered. The coupling element is controlled electronically depending on the actual position of the shaving head 1, wherein the electronic circuit 9 shown in FIG. 1 and the control method described there can be used in a corresponding manner. Despite the arrangement of the electric motor 19 outside the shaving head 1, a large swiveling range of +/- 180 ° can be achieved with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 for the shaving head 1.

In addition to the applications previously described for shavers with a pivotable, but otherwise rigidly designed shaving head 1, the invention can also be used with differently designed shavers. Such embodiments are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the electric shaver with multiple movable shear elements 22 in a representation corresponding to Fig. 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the shaving head 1 can be pivoted about the pivot axis 23 analogously to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2. In contrast to FIG. 2, however, this exemplary embodiment has a further pivoting possibility about a further pivot axis 24, which is oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis 23. The additional pivoting possibility is based on the fact that two pivotable supports 25 are provided, on each of which two shear elements 22 are arranged. Both the pivoting movement about the pivot axis 23 and the Pivoting movement about the further pivot axis 24 can take place in an active manner according to the principle according to the invention. In this case, use can in principle again be made of the electronic circuit 9 and the control method of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, although some adjustments in the form of additional adjusting devices 7 for independently pivoting the carrier 25 and correspondingly including the additional pivoting movement in the control method can be carried out are. Because of the relatively complex movement sequences, it is advisable in this exemplary embodiment to arrange the drive in the shaving head 1.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the shaving apparatus with a different type of shaving head system in a representation corresponding to FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the shaver does not have a pivotable shaving head 1, but a fixed shaving head 1 with three mutually independently movable supports 25, on each of which two shaving elements 22 are arranged. In contrast to FIG. 3, the carriers 25 are not arranged parallel to one another, but each form an angle of 120 ° with one another and are thus distributed uniformly over the shaving head 1. In spite of the differences in the geometry, the principle according to the invention of the active positioning of the shear elements 22 is also used in this exemplary embodiment, in that for each of the three carriers 25 it is determined to what extent the shear elements 22 are in skin contact and, depending on this, the position of the carriers 25 with the aid of actuating devices 7, which are not visible in the illustration in FIG. 4, is actively set. The positioning of the individual carriers 25 takes place independently of one another with the respective aim of producing the best possible skin contact for the shear elements 22 arranged thereon.

The invention not only relates to shavers, but can also be used, for example, in epilators.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an epilator designed according to the invention in a representation corresponding to FIG. 2. This embodiment is very similar in construction to the razor shown in FIG. 3. The epilator thus has an epilating head 26 which can be pivoted relative to the housing 8 about the pivot axis 23. The epilation head 26 has four rotating plucking units 27, each of which is fastened in side brackets 28 in such a way that a pivoting movement is possible. In the geometry shown in FIG. 5, this results in two further pivot axes 29 and 30, which are arranged parallel to one another and perpendicular to the pivot axis 23 of the epilation head 26. are not. Analogously to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, the entire epilation head 26 and the individual plucking units 27 can each be pivoted in such a way that the individual plucking units 27 have the best possible skin contact.

As an alternative to the described determination of skin contact by registering a current flow, in all of the exemplary embodiments other procedures can also be used to record information regarding the position of the hair-removing elements relative to the skin surface 5. For example, force, displacement or pressure sensors can be used and inductive, capacitive or optical / electronic methods can also be used.

Further embodiments of sensor systems according to the invention for detecting the position of the actuator element relative to the skin surface are shown in FIGS. 6 to 10.

6 shows schematically a front and side view of a shaving head 1, on the lateral boundaries of which at least one light transmitter 31 and at least one light receiver 32 are arranged on the opposite side. In the present example, two light transmitters 31 and two light receivers 32 are arranged, which are each positioned at the level of the shaving foils 2, 3. This can be seen in particular from the side view in FIG. 6. The light transmitters 31 and the light receivers 32 act as transmission light barriers which enclose the shaving field formed by the shaving foils 2, 3. They detect the position of the skin surface 5 relative to the shaving foil 2, 3 and transmit the measurement signals to an assigned signal processing device, which then controls the shaving head control.

7 shows an arrangement of light transmitters 31 and light receivers 32, which act as reflective light barriers. For this purpose, a light transmitter 31 and a light receiver 32 are arranged at a lateral distance on the one hand on the front side 33 of the shaving head 1 and the same arrangement is also on the rear side 34.

6, when the skin surface 5 is immersed between the light barrier defined by the light transmitter 31 and the light receiver 32, the amount of light is reduced in accordance with the immersion depth, in the embodiment according to FIG. 7 it is characteristic that the light emitted by the light transmitters 31 reflected from the skin surface 5 and reflected depending on the relative position of the skin surface 5 to the shaving head 1 and supplied to the light receivers 32. Corresponding to the distance between the shaving foil 2, 3 and the skin surface 5, that on the front side 33 and on the rear side 34 attached light receivers 32 are supplied with a corresponding light intensity, which they then forward as a corresponding electrical signal to the associated control device for adjusting the shaving head 1. The corresponding beam path is shown in the two representations according to FIG. 7 by arrows or double arrows (side view).

The light receivers can be designed as a photodiode and the light transmitters, for example, as LED or infrared transmitters.

A significant advantage of the position detection between the shaving head 1 and the skin surface 5 by means of the light barrier sensor technology is that not only can these sensors provide information about existing skin contact, but also the determination of the distance between the shaving head 1 and the skin surface 5 can be made before the shaving head 1 rests on the skin. As a result, when the shaving head 1 approaches the skin surface 5, the relative position of the shaving head 1 to the skin surface 5 can be determined and the shaving head 1 can be positioned accordingly. As soon as the shaving foils 2, 3 lie against the skin, the immersion depth of the respective shaving foils 2, 3 into the skin surface 5 can be detected by the sensors, whereby the corresponding adjusting mechanism can be controlled so that both shaving foils 2, 3 are immersed to the same depth or create the same skin pressure.

8, 9 and 10 each show embodiments of the invention in which displacement, pressure or force sensors of different types are used to sense the pressure conditions between the actuator head and the skin surface. In addition, shear systems 37 are shown in these figures, which can not only be adjusted to the required position by pivoting, but which are particularly suitable for being brought into the required position by a corresponding linear displacement. A combination of linear displacement and pivoting can of course also be carried out. For the sake of clarity, the actuators to be able to carry out this linear displacement are not shown in the drawing.

8 shows two shaving systems 37 with shaving foils 2, 3, which are prestressed in the direction of the skin surface by at least one spring 35. In addition to these springs, the shear systems are also supported on the housing via force, pressure and / or displacement sensors 36. The measured variable determined by the displacement, pressure or force sensor and converted into an electrical signal then serves to control the associated actuator. Fig. 9 shows a force or displacement measuring device which always measures the relative position between the two shear systems. This differential measurement can also be used in addition to an absolute measurement. The structure shown diagrammatically in the figure provides for this that the two shear systems 37 are supported on the housing by means of springs 35 and, like in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. One of the two shear systems carries a first sensor element 38, while the other shear system is provided with a second sensor element 39. These sensor elements 38, 39 are able to detect their relative movement and / or their relative distance from one another. For example, the first sensor element 38 can be designed as an LED or other light source, while the associated second sensor element 39 is implemented by a photosensor. However, the first sensor element 38 can also be a magnet, to which a Hall sensor is assigned as the second sensor element 39. As a further example, the first sensor element 38 can also be a metal element, the position of which can be detected by a current-carrying coil as the second sensor element 39.

Finally, FIG. 10 also shows a measuring arrangement for determining the position, in which both the relative and the absolute position of individual shear systems 37 can be detected. For this purpose, a transmitter element 40 is provided which is fixed to the housing and which corresponds to a further stationary receiver element 41. The two displaceably mounted shear systems 37 each carry an intermediate element for influencing the signal transferred from the transmitter element 40 to the receiver element 41. Depending on the position in which each of the two shear systems 37 is shifted relative to a normal position, the signal of the transmitter element is received by the receiver element 41 in a correspondingly influenced manner. The receiver element 41 then generates a corresponding electrical signal, which is then fed to the associated evaluation device for controlling the actuating mechanism. A wide variety of physical effects can be used for this. For example, the transmission element 40 can be designed as a light source which emits light rays to the receiver element 41 designed as a photosensor. The intermediate elements 42 can be designed as suitable optical diaphragms, which influence the beam path between the elements 40 and 41. Further conceivable versions of this measuring system can be realized by a magnet as the transmission element 40 with an associated Hall sensor as the receiver element 41. It is also possible to design the receiver element 41 as an electrical coil, to which a corresponding metal core is assigned.

Claims

claims:

1. Hair removal device with a movable actuator head (1) and / or at least one movable actuator carrier (25, 28) which have at least one actuator element (22, 27) for removing hair on a skin surface (5), characterized in that a detection device (9) is provided for detecting a size which is related to the position of the actuator element (22, 27) relative to the skin surface (5) and at least one actively actuated adjusting device (7) for changing the position of the actuator head (1) and / or the Actuator carrier (25, 28) and a control device (9) for controlling the actuating device (7) depending on the detected size.

2. Hair removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of actuator carriers (25, 28) are provided which can be moved independently of one another.

3. Hair removal device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that an electric drive (19) for the actuator element (22, 27) and / or the actuating device (7) is arranged in the actuator head (1).

4. Hair removal device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the electric drive (19) for the actuator element (22, 27) and / or the actuating device (7) outside the actuator head (1) is arranged in the hair removal device and a coupling device (20) for coupling the electric drive (19) to the actuator head (1) is provided.

5. Hair removal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (9) has means for detecting the contact pressure of the actuator element (22, 27) on the skin surface (5), means for carrying out a capacitive measuring method or means for carrying out an impedance measurement ,

6. Hair removal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator elements (22, 27) is electrically conductively connected to the control device (9).

7. Hair removal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing (8) is provided which is at least partially electrically conductive and is electrically conductively connected to the control device (9).

8. Hair removal device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the detection device is formed by optical means.

9. Hair removal device according to claim 8, characterized in that the optical means are designed as light barriers (31, 32, 40, 41).

10. Hair removal device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the detection device is formed by at least one displacement, pressure and / or force sensor.

11. Hair removal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pivotable suspension of the actuator head (1) and / or the actuator carrier (25, 28) is provided.

12. Hair removal device, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a displaceable mounting of the actuator head (1) and / or the actuator carrier (25, 26) is provided in at least one plane.

13. Hair removal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as an electric shaver with at least one shaving foil (2, 3).

14. Hair removal device according to claim 13, characterized in that a center cutter (4) is provided which is arranged between two shaving foils (2, 3).

15. Hair removal device according to claim 14, characterized in that the shaving foils (2, 3) and the center cutter (4) are each electrically conductively connected to the control device (9).

16. Hair removal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a long hair cutter, in particular with a comb and a blade, is arranged on the actuator head.

17. Hair removal device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it is designed as an epilator with at least one plucking unit (27).

18. A method for positioning at least one actuator element (22, 27) of a hair removal device for removing hair on a skin surface (5), characterized in that a size is detected which is related to the actual position of the actuator element (22, 27) relative to the skin surface (5) and the actuator element (22, 27) is actively positioned depending on the detected size.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the positioning of the actuator element (22, 27) with the aid of an actuator head (1) and / or with the aid of at least one actuator carrier (25, 28), which at least one actuator element (22, 27th ) exhibit.

20. The method according to any one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that the detection of the size is repeated continuously.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the actuator element (22, 27) is positioned so that there is skin contact.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the speed of the positioning depends on the detected size.

23. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that the speed of positioning is varied during the positioning process.

24. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, characterized in that the actuator element (22, 27) is brought into a basic position at predeterminable values of the detected size.

25. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 24, characterized in that a current flow is detected, which comes about by touching the actuator element (22, 27) with the skin surface (5).

26. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 25, characterized in that the relative position of the actuator element to the skin surface (5) is detected by optical means.

27. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 26, characterized in that the size of the pressure of the Aktuatorsele- elementes on the skin surface (5) is detected by force and / or displacement measurement.

28. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 27, characterized in that the actuator element (22, 27) is brought into a rest position when the hair removal device is switched off.

29. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 28, characterized in that at least one further function of the hair removal device is controlled depending on the detected size.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that it is the further function of the control of a display device, the control of an automatic on / off switch and / or the control of the drive power of an electric drive (19) for the actuator element (22, 27th ) acts.

31. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 30, characterized in that the positioning of the actuator head (1) and / or the actuator carrier (25, 28) is carried out by a pivoting movement.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that pivoting movements with respect to different pivot axes (23, 24, 29, 30) are carried out.

33. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 32, characterized in that the positioning of the actuator head (1) or the actuator carrier (25, 28) is carried out by a displacement in at least one plane.

34. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 33, characterized in that the actuator element is positioned so that there is skin contact with even pressure.