EP3488981A1 - Shaving unit having a retaining structure - Google Patents
Shaving unit having a retaining structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3488981A1 EP3488981A1 EP17203036.3A EP17203036A EP3488981A1 EP 3488981 A1 EP3488981 A1 EP 3488981A1 EP 17203036 A EP17203036 A EP 17203036A EP 3488981 A1 EP3488981 A1 EP 3488981A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- unit
- shaving
- hair cutting
- cutting
- locking
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26B—HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B26B19/00—Clippers or shavers operating with a plurality of cutting edges, e.g. hair clippers, dry shavers
- B26B19/14—Clippers or shavers operating with a plurality of cutting edges, e.g. hair clippers, dry shavers of the rotary-cutter type; Cutting heads therefor; Cutters therefor
Definitions
- the invention relates to a shaving unit for use in a shaving device, said shaving unit comprising a supporting member and at least two hair cutting units supported by the supporting member, wherein each hair cutting unit comprises an external cutting member with hair-entry openings and an internal cutting member which is rotatable relative to the external cutting member about an axis of rotation and which has a plurality of hair-cutting elements, wherein the shaving unit further comprises a retaining structure which is releasably couplable to the supporting member and which is configured to retain the at least two hair cutting units in an operational position relative to the supporting member in an assembled condition of the shaving unit, and wherein the retaining structure comprises, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a locking member comprising at least one locking element which, in the assembled condition of the shaving unit, is biased by spring force towards the external cutting member of the respective hair cutting unit and engaged by an engagement element of the external cutting member to prevent rotation of the external cutting member about the axis of rotation.
- the invention further relates to a shaving head comprising a base structure including a coupling member configured to releasably couple the shaving head to a main body of a shaving device, and a shaving unit of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph which is releasably couplable to the base structure.
- the invention further relates to a shaving device comprising a main body accommodating an actuator and a shaving head of the type mentioned here before which is releasably couplable to the main body for being driven by the actuator.
- Shaving units having two or more hair cutting units, each comprising an external cutting member with hair entry openings and an internal cutting member which is rotatable relative to the external cutting member, are well known.
- the internal cutting member is usually urged into contact with the external cutting member, for example by a drive spindle driving the internal cutting member into rotation, to enable the cooperation of the external and internal cutting members to effectively cut hairs.
- known shaving units comprise a locking structure to prevent such rotation.
- Known locking structures comprise one or more protrusions provided on the supporting member that, in the operational position of the hair cutting unit relative to the supporting member, engage a corresponding number of indentations provided in a circumferential flange of the external cutting member.
- Such a locking structure causes difficulties for the user when assembling the shaving unit, for example after cleaning.
- the user has to precisely align said indentations relative to said protrusions before coupling the retaining structure to the supporting member.
- the shaving unit may be damaged during assembly or afterwards during use, or the shaving unit may not function optimally, as a result of an oblique position of the external cutting members relative to the supporting member.
- a shaving unit of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph which is known from US Patent 4,318,223 .
- This known shaving unit comprises three hair cutting units supported by a supporting member. Rotation of the external cutting members relative to the supporting member is prevented by locking elements which, in the operational position of the hair cutting units, are biased by spring force towards the external cutting members and engage indentations provided in the circumferential flanges of the external cutting members.
- the known shaving unit comprises a single common retaining member which is releasably couplable to the supporting member to retain all three hair cutting units in their operational positions relative to the supporting member.
- the locking elements are integrally formed on a single polygonal frame of a resilient sheet material which is fastened to the common retaining member for the hair cutting units.
- the user has to place each external cutting member, with the associated internal cutting member arranged therein, in a respective opening provided in the supporting member.
- the external cutting members can be placed in an arbitrary rotational position relative to the center lines of said openings, which is convenient for the user.
- the user has to couple the common retaining member to the supporting member.
- the locking elements are not aligned relative to the indentations of the external cutting members, the locking elements will be biased against the flanges of the external cutting members.
- the one or more external cutting members When subsequently the shaving unit is activated, the one or more external cutting members, which are not properly aligned relative to the locking elements after coupling of the common retaining member to the supporting member, will be rotated by the friction and hair-cutting forces of the rotating internal cutting members until the locking elements are aligned with and biased into the corresponding indentations, thereby automatically locking the external cutting members against further rotation.
- a disadvantage of this known shaving unit is that the common retaining member and the single polygonal frame carrying the locking elements fastened to the common retaining member limit the design freedom for the shaving unit, in particular as regards the spatial arrangement of the hair cutting units. As a result, the known shaving unit has a mere planar arrangement of the hair cutting units.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a shaving unit of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph which does not have the disadvantage of the known shaving unit.
- the object of the present invention is to provide such a shaving unit with an increased design freedom as regards the spatial arrangement of the hair cutting units, while providing a similar or even an improved ease of use for the user during assembly of the shaving unit as compared with the known shaving unit.
- a shaving unit of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph is characterized in that the retaining structure comprises, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a separate retaining member which is releasably couplable to the supporting member and which is configured to separately retain the respective hair cutting unit in an operational position relative to the supporting member independently from any other of the at least two hair cutting units, wherein the locking member provided for the respective hair cutting unit is separately arranged from any other locking member, provided for any other of the at least two hair cutting units, and integrated with the separate retaining member provided for the respective hair cutting unit.
- each hair cutting unit is retained in its operational position relative to the supporting member by a separate retaining member which is individually and releasably coupled to the supporting member independently from the other hair cutting units.
- the locking member which comprises one or more locking elements biased by spring force towards the external cutting member and engaged by the external cutting member to prevent rotation thereof, is integrated with the separate retaining member and, as a consequence, separately arranged from the locking members provided for the other hair cutting units.
- said composition also provides a large design freedom as regards the shape of the supporting member and, consequently, the spatial arrangement of the hair cutting units supported by the supporting member.
- the supporting member may, for example, have a strongly curved shape, for example the shape of part of a sphere.
- the separate locking members provide at least a similar degree of user comfort as compared with the shaving unit of US Patent 4,318,223 during assembly of the shaving unit, in that the user can place the external cutting members in arbitrary rotational positions in the corresponding openings of the supporting members.
- the supporting member comprises a base member and, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a separate supporting element which is pivotally supported by the base member, wherein the separate retaining member provided for the respective hair cutting unit is releasably couplable to the supporting element provided for the respective hair cutting unit to retain the respective hair cutting unit in the operational position.
- the mutually separate arrangement of the locking members integrated into the separate retaining members allows the separate retaining members with the separate locking members integrated therein to be individually coupled to and pivotal with the separate supporting elements.
- the separate supporting elements allow the hair cutting units to individually and independently pivot relative to the base member of the supporting member, so that the orientations of the hair cutting units can be individually adapted to the local contours of the skin in contact with the hair cutting units.
- the engagement element comprises an indentation provided in a circumferential flange of the external cutting member.
- the indentation provides a simple and reliable interaction with the biased locking element.
- the supporting member comprises, for each respective one of the separate retaining members, a coupling structure configured to enable coupling of the respective separate retaining member to the supporting member by a rotational motion of the separate retaining member relative to the supporting member about the axis of rotation of the respective hair cutting unit.
- the separate retaining member for the hair cutting unit is coupled to the supporting member by a rotational motion about the axis of rotation of the hair cutting unit.
- the coupling structure may for example comprise a bayonet coupling.
- this embodiment may provide an automatic locking of the external cutting member against rotation already during assembly of the shaving unit by the user.
- the locking member comprises a spring member which is fastened to a base portion of the separate retaining member, and the at least one locking element is mounted to the spring member.
- the base portion is mainly annular and the spring member is semi annular having a central portion and two end portions, wherein the locking element is mounted to the central portion of the spring member, and wherein the two end portions of the spring member are mounted to the base portion of the separate retaining member.
- This embodiment provides a robust structure of the spring member of the locking member, a relatively large biasing force on the locking element, and a relatively large motion path for the locking element in the biasing direction.
- a shaving unit in the assembled condition of the shaving unit the spring member is arranged at a side of the base portion facing away from the external cutting member.
- the semi-annular spring member in the assembled condition of the shaving unit the semi-annular spring member may rest against said side of the base portion of the separate retaining member, so that the locking element mounted to the central portion of the spring member has a well-defined position in the biasing direction relative to the engagement element of the external cutting member.
- the arrangement of the semi-annular spring member at said side of the base portion further enables the spring member to deform to a sufficient degree when, during assembly of the shaving unit by the user, the locking element does not immediately engage the engagement element of the external cutting member.
- the base portion is mainly annular and the locking member comprises two semi-annular spring members and two locking elements, wherein each locking element is mounted to a central portion of a respective one of the two spring members, and wherein each spring member has two end portions mounted to the base portion of the separate retaining member.
- two locking elements are provided for preventing rotation of the external cutting member, whereby the locking function of the separate locking member is improved.
- the two semi-annular spring members may be provided in an annular configuration on a side of the annular base portion, thereby providing a robust structure of the separate locking member, a relatively large biasing force on the locking elements, and a relatively large motion path for the locking elements in the biasing direction.
- the two locking elements and the two semi-annular spring members of the locking member are integrally formed from a single metal blade.
- the separate locking member can be manufactured in a simple manner from a single metal blade, for example by means of a metal cutting and bending process, and can be mounted to the separate retaining member in a simple way, for example by further bending a portion of the metal blade around a mounting element integrally provided on the separate retaining member.
- the spring member is arranged in a recessed chamber provided in the base portion at a side of the base portion which faces the external cutting member in the assembled condition of the shaving unit.
- the recessed chamber enables the spring member to deform to a sufficient degree when, during assembly of the shaving unit, the locking element does not immediately engage the engagement element of the external cutting member.
- a shaving head of the type mentioned in the opening paragraphs is characterized in that the shaving unit used therein is a shaving unit according to the invention as described here before.
- a shaving device of the type mentioned in the opening paragraphs is characterized in that the shaving head used therein is a shaving head according to the invention as described here before.
- FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a shaving device 1 according to the invention.
- the shaving device 1 comprises a main body 3 and a shaving head 5 according to the invention.
- the main body 3 accommodates an actuator, not visible in FIG. 1 , for example an electric motor.
- the shaving head 5 is releasably couplable to the main body 3 and comprises three hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c. In a condition shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the shaving head 5 is coupled to the main body 3, the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c can be driven by the actuator when the shaving device 1 is activated by a user.
- the shaving head 5 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2 .
- the shaving head 5 comprises a base structure 9 and a shaving unit 11 according to the invention.
- the base structure 9 comprises a coupling member 13 configured to releasably couple the shaving head 5 to the main body 3 of the shaving device 1.
- the coupling member 13 is only schematically shown in FIG. 2 and may comprise a mechanical snap connector for engagement with a co-operating snap connector provided on the main body 3. Such a snap connector is well known to the skilled person.
- the shaving unit 11 is releasably couplable to the base structure 9 of the shaving head 5.
- FIG. 1 shows the shaving head 5 in an operational condition wherein the shaving unit 11 is coupled to the base structure 9.
- FIG. 1 shows the shaving head 5 in an operational condition wherein the shaving unit 11 is coupled to the base structure 9.
- FIG. 2 shows the shaving head 5 in a condition wherein the shaving unit 11 is separated from the base structure 9.
- the base structure 9 and the shaving unit 11 may be provided with any suitable co-operating coupling elements, not shown in FIG. 2 , for releasable coupling of the shaving unit 11 to the base structure 9, for example co-operating mechanical snap connectors which are well known to the skilled person.
- the base structure 9 comprises three rotatable drive spindles 15a, 15b, 15c, each for rotatably driving a respective one of the three hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c when the shaving unit 11 is coupled to the base structure 9.
- the drive spindles 15a, 15b, 15c can be driven by the actuator in the main body 3, via a suitable transmission mechanism arranged in the base structure 9 and not visible in FIG. 2 , when the shaving head 5 is coupled to the main body 3.
- the base structure 9 further comprises three hair collecting chambers 17a, 17b, 17c for collecting hairs cut by the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c when the shaving unit 11 is coupled to the base structure 9.
- the shaving unit 11 comprises a supporting member and further comprises the three hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c which are supported by the supporting member in an assembled condition of the shaving unit 11 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the shaving unit according to the invention may comprise a different number of hair cutting units, for example two hair cutting units or more than three hair cutting units.
- the supporting member of the shaving unit 11 comprises a base member 19 and, for each of the three hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c, a separate supporting element 21a, 21b, 21c.
- the base member 19 is a supporting frame provided with three openings wherein the supporting elements 21a, 21b, 21c are arranged.
- the base member 19 also comprises the coupling elements for releasable coupling of the shaving unit 11 to the base structure 9 of the shaving head 5.
- FIG. 3 shows one of the three supporting elements 21a of the shaving unit 11 together with the associated hair cutting unit 7a and an associated retaining member 23a in a mutually disassembled condition.
- the hair cutting unit 7a comprises an external cutting member 25a and an internal cutting member 27a.
- the external cutting member 25a is generally in the form of a cylindrical cap having an annular shaving track 29 wherein a plurality of hair-entry openings 31 is provided.
- the external cutting member 25a further comprises a circumferential flange 33 provided at a side of the cap remote from the shaving track 29.
- the internal cutting member 27a has a plurality of hair-cutting elements 35 which are provided in an annular configuration on a carrying member 37 of the internal cutting member 27a.
- the carrying member 37 has a central coupling cavity 39 for receiving the associated drive spindle 15a in the assembled condition of the shaving head 5.
- the internal cutting member 27a is rotatable relative to the external cutting member 25a about an axis of rotation 41 by means of the drive spindle 15a.
- hairs that penetrate through the hair-entry openings 31 of the external cutting member 25a are cut by interaction between cutting edges provided on the hair-cutting elements 35 of the internal cutting member 27a and counter cutting edges provided on side walls of the hair-entry openings 31 of the external cutting member 25a.
- the hair cutting units 7b and 7c each comprise an external cutting member and an internal cutting member similar to, respectively, the external cutting member 25a and the internal cutting member 27a.
- the retaining member 23a comprises a mainly annular base portion 43 which is releasably couplable to the supporting element 21a to retain the hair cutting unit 7a in an operational position relative to the supporting element 21a in the assembled condition of the shaving unit 11.
- the retaining member 23a comprises two bayonet-type coupling elements 45 which are provided in two diametrically opposite circumferential positions on the annular base portion 43. Only one of the two bayonet-type coupling elements 45 is visible in FIG. 3 .
- the bayonet-type coupling elements 45 are configured to co-operate with and engage two coupling protrusions 47 which are provided in two diametrically opposite positions on an inner wall of the supporting element 21a.
- the user has to place the internal cutting member 27a into the external cutting member 25a such that the hair-cutting elements 35 contact the annular shaving track 29. Subsequently the user has to place the shaving unit 7a into the supporting element 21a, whereby the circumferential flange 33 of the external cutting member 25a abuts an annular internal rim 49 provided on the inner wall of the supporting element 21a.
- the retaining member 23a comprises two aligning elements 51 provided in two diametrically opposite positions on the annuler base portion 43 for contacting an inner wall of the cap of the external cutting member 25a.
- the bayonet-type coupling elements 45 and the coupling protrusions 47 are brought into mutual engagement via a rotational motion of the retaining member 23a relative to the supporting member 21a about the axis of rotation 41.
- the circumferential flange 33 is locked in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 41 between the annular internal rim 49 of the supporting element 21a and an annular abutment surface 53 of the base portion 43 of the retaining member 23 a.
- the rotation of the retaining member 23 a by the user is facilitated by two finger-grip portions 55 which are provided on a side of the base portion 43 remote from the abutment surface 53.
- the internal cutting member 27a is held in position in the external cutting member 25a with some play in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation 41 by means of an internal annular flange 57 provided on the base portion 43 of the retaining member 23a.
- the shaving unit 11 is coupled to the base structure 9 of the shaving head 5
- the hair-cutting elements 35 of the internal cutting member 27a will be urged into operational contact with the shaving track 29 of the external cutting member 25a by the drive spindle 15a.
- the shaving unit 11 comprises a separate retaining member 23b, 23c, similar to the retaining member 23a, for each of the other hair cutting units 7b, 7c, which is releasably couplable to the respective supporting element 21b, 21c in a manner similar to the retaining member 23a.
- each of the three hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c is separately retained in its operational position relative to the respective supporting element 21a, 21b, 21c independently from any other of the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c.
- each retaining member 23a, 23b, 23c can be separately released from its associated supporting element 21a, 21b, 21c, so that each of the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c can be separately released from the associated supporting member 21a, 21b, 21c.
- the retaining members 23a, 23b, 23c together form a retaining structure of the shaving unit 11 which is releasably couplable to the supporting member of the shaving unit 11 to retain the three hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c in an operational position relative to the supporting member in the assembled condition of the shaving unit 11.
- the supporting element 21a comprises a skin contacting surface 59, visible in FIG. 1 , which surrounds the external cutting member 25a in the assembled condition of the shaving unit 11.
- the supporting element 21a further comprises a mainly cylindrical receiving member 61, visible in FIG. 3 , for receiving and accommodating the external cutting member 25a in the assembled condition of the shaving unit 11.
- the supporting element 21a is pivotally supported by the base member 19 of the shaving unit 11.
- the supporting element 21a comprises two pivot members 63 which are arranged in two diametrically opposite positions on the supporting element 21a.
- the two pivot members 63 engage two co-operating pivot members, not visible in the figures, which are provided near the opening in the base member 19 wherein the supporting element 21a is arranged.
- the supporting element 21a is pivotal relative to the base member 19, together with the hair cutting unit 7a, about a pivot axis 65 defined by the positions of the two co-operating pivot members provided on the base member 19.
- the other supporting elements 21b, 21c are similar to the supporting element 21a, so that each supporting element 21a, 21b, 21c is individually pivotal relative to the base member 19 independently of any other of the supporting elements 21a, 21b, 21c.
- the orientations of the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c relative to the base member 19 can be individually adapted to local skin contours, so that the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c will remain in optimum contact with the skin.
- the supporting elements 21a, 21b, 21c are omitted and the supporting member of the shaving unit merely comprises a common base member for supporting the hair cutting units.
- the retaining structure comprises a separate retaining member for each respective hair cutting unit.
- the retaining members however are each releasably couplable to the base member, so that in the assembled condition of the shaving unit the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c merely have a mainly static operational position relative to the base member.
- the base member comprises, for each retaining member, a coupling structure enabling releasable coupling of the respective retaining member to the base member.
- Said coupling structure may comprise two coupling protrusions, similar to the coupling protrusions 47, provided on the base member for co-operation with two bayonet-type coupling elements, similar to the bayonet-type coupling elements 45, provided on the respective retaining member.
- the rotating internal cutting member 27a exerts a friction force on the external cutting member 25a. Furthermore, as a result of the cooperation between the internal cutting member 27a and the external cutting member 25a in cutting hairs, the rotating internal cutting member 27a exerts hair-cutting related forces on the external cutting member 25a during operation of the shaving unit 11. These friction and hair-cutting related forces induce a mechanical torque about the axis of rotation 41 exerted on the external cutting member 25a.
- the retaining structure of the shaving unit 11 comprises, for each hair cutting unit 7a, 7b, 7c, a locking member 67.
- FIG. 4A shows the retaining member 23a provided for the hair cutting unit 7a as shown in FIG. 3 , wherein the base portion 43 and the locking member 67 are separately shown.
- FIG. 4B shows the retaining member 23a with the locking member 67 integrated therein.
- the retaining members 23b and 23c provided for, respectively, the hair cutting unit 7b and the hair cutting unit 7c each have a similar locking member 67 integrally arranged therein.
- the locking member 67 provided for each respective one of the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c is separately arranged from any other locking member 67 provided for any other of the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c and integrated with the associated separate retaining member 23a, 23b, 23c provided for the respective one of the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c.
- the locking member 67 comprises two semi-annular spring members 71a, 71b.
- Each spring member 71a, 71b has a central portion 73a, 73b and two end portions 75a, 77a; 75b, 77b.
- the locking member 67 further comprises two locking elements 79a, 79b.
- the locking element 79a is mounted to the central portion 73a of the spring member 71a and the locking element 79b is mounted to the central portion 73b of the spring member 71b.
- the two locking elements 79a, 79b and the two semi-annular spring members 71a, 71b are integrally formed from a single metal blade by suitable metal cutting and bending processes.
- the end portion 75a of the spring member 71a and the end portion 75b of the spring member 71b are mutually connected via a first mounting portion 81a.
- the end portion 77a of the spring member 71a and the end portion 77b of the spring member 71b are mutually connected via a second mounting portion 81b.
- the first and second mounting portions 81a, 81b are also integrally formed on the locking member 67 from said single metal blade.
- the first and second mounting portions 81a, 81b are each connected to a respective one of two mounting elements 83 a, 83b which are integrally provided in two diametrically opposite positions on the annular base portion 43.
- connection of the first and second mounting portions 81a, 81b to the mounting elements 83a, 83b may be established by a suitable metal bending process.
- the two end portions 75a, 77a; 75b, 77b of the spring members 71a, 71b are mounted to the base portion 43 via the first and second mounting portions 81a, 81b, while the central portions 73a, 73b of the spring members 71a, 71b are free to move away from the base portion 43 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 41 by elastic deformation of the spring members 71a, 71b.
- the spring members 71a, 71b are arranged at a side of the base portion 43 opposite to the annular abutment surface 53.
- the spring members 71a, 71b are arranged at the side of the base portion 43 facing away from the external cutting member 25a.
- the locking elements 79a, 79b each extend through a respective one of two openings 85 provided through the base portion 43.
- the locking elements 79a, 79b each protrude relative to the abutment surface 53 in two diametrically opposite positions. It is noted that in FIG. 4B only the locking element 79a is visible, while the locking element 79b is hidden behind the aligning element 51 diametrically opposite to the locking element 79a.
- the locking elements 79a, 79b are in their protruding positions as shown in FIG. 4B . In these positions the locking elements 79a, 79b are biased by spring force of the spring members 71a, 71b towards the external cutting member 25a and into engagement with a respective one of two engagement elements provided on the external cutting member 25a.
- FIG. 4B In the embodiment shown in FIG.
- the two engagement elements are two indentations 87a, 87b which are provided in two diametrically opposite positions in the circumferential flange 33 of the external cutting member 25a.
- the locking members 67 comprising the resiliently biased locking elements 79a, 79b integrated in the separate retaining members 23a, 23b, 23c enable a convenient assembly of the shaving unit 11 by the user, for example when the user has removed the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c from the supporting elements 21a, 21b, 21c for cleaning.
- the user when bringing and retaining the hair cutting unit 7a in its operational position relative to the supporting element 21a starting from the disassembled condition shown in FIG. 3 as described here before, the user is allowed to place the external cutting member 25a, with the internal cutting member 27a placed therein, in an arbitrary angular position relative to the axis of rotation 41 in the supporting element 21a before coupling the retaining member 23a to the supporting element 21a.
- the user doesn't need to align the angular position of the external cutting member 25a about the axis of rotation 41 when placing the external cutting member 25a in the supporting element 21a.
- the protruding locking elements 79a, 79b may casually engage the indentations 87a, 87b.
- the external cutting member 25a is immediately locked against rotation relative to the retaining member 23a and, consequently, will rotate together with the retaining member 23a, when the user subsequently rotates the retaining member 23a, until the retaining member 23a is fully coupled to the supporting element 21a.
- the most frequent case however i.e.
- the locking elements 79a, 79b when during initial placement of the retaining member 23a on the flange 33 of the external cutting member 25a the locking elements 79a, 79b will not directly engage the indentations 87a, 87b, the locking elements 79a, 79b will abut against the flange 33 of the external cutting member 25a. As a result, the locking elements 79a, 79b will be forced into a recessed position in the openings 85 provided in the base portion 43 under elastic deformation of the central portions 73 a, 73b of the spring members 71a, 71b away from the base portion 43.
- the locking elements 79a, 79b may in some cases engage and be urged into the indentations 87a, 87b by the spring members 71a, 71b during said rotation of the retaining member 23 a, as a result of which the external cutting member 25a will be locked against rotation relative to the retaining member 23a.
- the external cutting member 25a will initially rotate about the axis of rotation 41 relative to the coupled retaining member 23a under the influence of the friction and hair-cutting related forces exerted by the rotating internal cutting member 27a until the locking elements 79a, 79b as yet engage the indentations 87a, 87b.
- the assembly of the other hair cutting units 7b, 7c into the shaving unit 11 will proceed in a similar manner and will provide an automatic locking of the external cutting members thereof against rotation in a similar convenient way.
- said assembly including said automatic locking against rotation may be performed by the user for each hair cutting unit 7a, 7b, 7c separately and independently from any other of the hair cutting units 7a, 7b, 7c.
- the locking member may comprise only a single locking element.
- the single locking element may be mounted to a single semi-annular spring member similar to the spring member 71a described here before.
- the single semi-annular spring member may have two end portions mounted to the annular base portion of the retaining member and a central portion carrying the single locking element.
- the spring member of the locking member carrying the locking element may have a different shape and may be fastened to the base portion in a different way and in a different position as compared to the spring member 71a described here before.
- the spring member and the locking element may be integrally formed with the base portion from a single plastic material, for example by means of an injection molding process. The number of locking elements provided on the locking member may be greater than two.
- FIG. 5 shows in detail an alternative retaining member 123 that may be used in the shaving unit 11 instead of the retaining member 23a, 23b, 23c.
- the retaining member 123 is shown in an operational position on the circumferential flange 33 of the external cutting member 25a.
- the supporting element and the internal cutting member are not shown in FIG. 5 .
- the retaining member 123 comprises a mainly annular base portion 143 which is substantially similar to the base portion 43 of the retaining member 23a, 23b, 23c.
- the retaining member 123 comprises a locking member 167 having two blade spring members 171 which are each arranged in a recessed chamber 173 provided in the base portion 143 at a side of the base portion 143 which faces the external cutting member 25a in the assembled condition of the shaving unit.
- a locking member 167 having two blade spring members 171 which are each arranged in a recessed chamber 173 provided in the base portion 143 at a side of the base portion 143 which faces the external cutting member 25a in the assembled condition of the shaving unit.
- FIG. 5 only one of the blade spring members 171 and only one of the recessed chambers 173 is visible.
- the other blade spring member and the other recessed chamber are arranged in a diametrically opposite position in the base portion 143.
- a locking element 179 is formed by a bent end portion of the blade spring member 171.
- the blade spring member 171 is integrally formed with a metal carrier plate 175 which is mounted in a position substantially flush with the annular abutment surface 153 of the base
- the locking element 179 engages the indentation 87a in the flange 33 of the external cutting member 25a.
- the locking element 179 does not immediately engage the indentation 87a, the locking element 179 will abut the flange 33 and the blade spring member 171 will elastically deform into the recessed chamber 173 allowing a recessed position of the locking element 179 in the recessed chamber 173.
- the operation of the locking member 167 and the locking elements 179 thereof is similar to the operation of the locking member 67 and the locking elements 79a, 79b as described here before.
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- Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a shaving unit (11) for use in a shaving device (1). The shaving unit comprises a supporting member (19, 21a, 21b, 21c) and at least two hair cutting units (7a, 7b, 7c) supported by the supporting member. Each hair cutting unit comprises an external cutting member (25a) with hair-entry openings (31) and an internal cutting member (27a) which is rotatable relative to the external cutting member about an axis of rotation (41) and which has a plurality of hair-cutting elements (35). The shaving unit further comprises a retaining structure (23a, 23b, 23c) which is releasably couplable to the supporting member and which is configured to retain the at least two hair cutting units in an operational position relative to the supporting member in an assembled condition of the shaving unit. The retaining structure comprises, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a separate retaining member (23a, 23b, 23c) which is releasably couplable to the supporting member and which is configured to separately retain the respective hair cutting unit in an operational position relative to the supporting member independently from any other of the at least two hair cutting units. The retaining structure further comprises, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a locking member (67) comprising at least one locking element (79a, 79b) which, in the assembled condition of the shaving unit, is biased by spring force towards the external cutting member of the respective hair cutting unit and engaged by an engagement element (87a, 87b) of the external cutting member to prevent rotation of the external cutting member about the axis of rotation. The locking member provided for the respective hair cutting unit is separately arranged from any other locking member, provided for any other of the at least two hair cutting units, and integrated with the separate retaining member provided for the respective hair cutting unit.
Description
- The invention relates to a shaving unit for use in a shaving device, said shaving unit comprising a supporting member and at least two hair cutting units supported by the supporting member, wherein each hair cutting unit comprises an external cutting member with hair-entry openings and an internal cutting member which is rotatable relative to the external cutting member about an axis of rotation and which has a plurality of hair-cutting elements, wherein the shaving unit further comprises a retaining structure which is releasably couplable to the supporting member and which is configured to retain the at least two hair cutting units in an operational position relative to the supporting member in an assembled condition of the shaving unit, and wherein the retaining structure comprises, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a locking member comprising at least one locking element which, in the assembled condition of the shaving unit, is biased by spring force towards the external cutting member of the respective hair cutting unit and engaged by an engagement element of the external cutting member to prevent rotation of the external cutting member about the axis of rotation.
- The invention further relates to a shaving head comprising a base structure including a coupling member configured to releasably couple the shaving head to a main body of a shaving device, and a shaving unit of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph which is releasably couplable to the base structure.
- The invention further relates to a shaving device comprising a main body accommodating an actuator and a shaving head of the type mentioned here before which is releasably couplable to the main body for being driven by the actuator.
- Shaving units having two or more hair cutting units, each comprising an external cutting member with hair entry openings and an internal cutting member which is rotatable relative to the external cutting member, are well known. In such shaving units the internal cutting member is usually urged into contact with the external cutting member, for example by a drive spindle driving the internal cutting member into rotation, to enable the cooperation of the external and internal cutting members to effectively cut hairs. To prevent rotation of the external cutting member relative to the supporting member for the hair cutting units under the influence of friction and hair-cutting forces exerted by the rotating internal cutting member, known shaving units comprise a locking structure to prevent such rotation. Known locking structures comprise one or more protrusions provided on the supporting member that, in the operational position of the hair cutting unit relative to the supporting member, engage a corresponding number of indentations provided in a circumferential flange of the external cutting member. Such a locking structure causes difficulties for the user when assembling the shaving unit, for example after cleaning. When assembling the shaving unit, the user has to precisely align said indentations relative to said protrusions before coupling the retaining structure to the supporting member. When the user fails to do so, the shaving unit may be damaged during assembly or afterwards during use, or the shaving unit may not function optimally, as a result of an oblique position of the external cutting members relative to the supporting member.
- The above mentioned problem has been partially resolved by a shaving unit of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph, which is known from
US Patent 4,318,223 . This known shaving unit comprises three hair cutting units supported by a supporting member. Rotation of the external cutting members relative to the supporting member is prevented by locking elements which, in the operational position of the hair cutting units, are biased by spring force towards the external cutting members and engage indentations provided in the circumferential flanges of the external cutting members. The known shaving unit comprises a single common retaining member which is releasably couplable to the supporting member to retain all three hair cutting units in their operational positions relative to the supporting member. The locking elements are integrally formed on a single polygonal frame of a resilient sheet material which is fastened to the common retaining member for the hair cutting units. When assembling the shaving unit, the user has to place each external cutting member, with the associated internal cutting member arranged therein, in a respective opening provided in the supporting member. In this step the external cutting members can be placed in an arbitrary rotational position relative to the center lines of said openings, which is convenient for the user. In a next step the user has to couple the common retaining member to the supporting member. When in this step the locking elements are not aligned relative to the indentations of the external cutting members, the locking elements will be biased against the flanges of the external cutting members. When subsequently the shaving unit is activated, the one or more external cutting members, which are not properly aligned relative to the locking elements after coupling of the common retaining member to the supporting member, will be rotated by the friction and hair-cutting forces of the rotating internal cutting members until the locking elements are aligned with and biased into the corresponding indentations, thereby automatically locking the external cutting members against further rotation. A disadvantage of this known shaving unit is that the common retaining member and the single polygonal frame carrying the locking elements fastened to the common retaining member limit the design freedom for the shaving unit, in particular as regards the spatial arrangement of the hair cutting units. As a result, the known shaving unit has a mere planar arrangement of the hair cutting units. - An object of the present invention is to provide a shaving unit of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph which does not have the disadvantage of the known shaving unit. In particular the object of the present invention is to provide such a shaving unit with an increased design freedom as regards the spatial arrangement of the hair cutting units, while providing a similar or even an improved ease of use for the user during assembly of the shaving unit as compared with the known shaving unit.
- In order to achieve said object, according to the invention a shaving unit of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph is characterized in that the retaining structure comprises, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a separate retaining member which is releasably couplable to the supporting member and which is configured to separately retain the respective hair cutting unit in an operational position relative to the supporting member independently from any other of the at least two hair cutting units, wherein the locking member provided for the respective hair cutting unit is separately arranged from any other locking member, provided for any other of the at least two hair cutting units, and integrated with the separate retaining member provided for the respective hair cutting unit. In the assembled condition of the shaving unit according to the invention, each hair cutting unit is retained in its operational position relative to the supporting member by a separate retaining member which is individually and releasably coupled to the supporting member independently from the other hair cutting units. The locking member, which comprises one or more locking elements biased by spring force towards the external cutting member and engaged by the external cutting member to prevent rotation thereof, is integrated with the separate retaining member and, as a consequence, separately arranged from the locking members provided for the other hair cutting units. This composition provides a large design freedom as regards the spatial arrangement of the separate retaining members and the separate locking members, integrated in the retaining members, with respect to the supporting member. As a result, said composition also provides a large design freedom as regards the shape of the supporting member and, consequently, the spatial arrangement of the hair cutting units supported by the supporting member. The supporting member may, for example, have a strongly curved shape, for example the shape of part of a sphere. On the other hand, the separate locking members provide at least a similar degree of user comfort as compared with the shaving unit of
US Patent 4,318,223 during assembly of the shaving unit, in that the user can place the external cutting members in arbitrary rotational positions in the corresponding openings of the supporting members. The ease of use is even increased, because the mutually separate arrangement of the locking members integrated into the separate retaining members enables the user to remove and place back the hair cutting units one by one from and into the supporting member by separately releasing the separate retaining members and the locking members integrated therein. - In an embodiment of a shaving unit according to the invention, the supporting member comprises a base member and, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a separate supporting element which is pivotally supported by the base member, wherein the separate retaining member provided for the respective hair cutting unit is releasably couplable to the supporting element provided for the respective hair cutting unit to retain the respective hair cutting unit in the operational position. The mutually separate arrangement of the locking members integrated into the separate retaining members allows the separate retaining members with the separate locking members integrated therein to be individually coupled to and pivotal with the separate supporting elements. The separate supporting elements allow the hair cutting units to individually and independently pivot relative to the base member of the supporting member, so that the orientations of the hair cutting units can be individually adapted to the local contours of the skin in contact with the hair cutting units.
- In a further embodiment of a shaving unit according to the invention, the engagement element comprises an indentation provided in a circumferential flange of the external cutting member. The indentation provides a simple and reliable interaction with the biased locking element.
- In a preferred embodiment of a shaving unit according to the invention, the supporting member comprises, for each respective one of the separate retaining members, a coupling structure configured to enable coupling of the respective separate retaining member to the supporting member by a rotational motion of the separate retaining member relative to the supporting member about the axis of rotation of the respective hair cutting unit. In this embodiment, the separate retaining member for the hair cutting unit is coupled to the supporting member by a rotational motion about the axis of rotation of the hair cutting unit. For this purpose the coupling structure may for example comprise a bayonet coupling. As a result of the rotational motion of the separate retaining member during the coupling step, the locking element integrated into the retaining member may be aligned with and, consequently, biased into engagement with the engagement element of the external cutting member in case the locking element is not already aligned and engaged with the engagement element after placing the retaining member on the supporting member before the coupling step. Thus, this embodiment may provide an automatic locking of the external cutting member against rotation already during assembly of the shaving unit by the user.
- In a further embodiment of a shaving unit according to the invention, the locking member comprises a spring member which is fastened to a base portion of the separate retaining member, and the at least one locking element is mounted to the spring member. This embodiment provides a simple structure and integration of the separate locking members into the separate retaining members.
- In a still further embodiment of a shaving unit according to the invention, the base portion is mainly annular and the spring member is semi annular having a central portion and two end portions, wherein the locking element is mounted to the central portion of the spring member, and wherein the two end portions of the spring member are mounted to the base portion of the separate retaining member. This embodiment provides a robust structure of the spring member of the locking member, a relatively large biasing force on the locking element, and a relatively large motion path for the locking element in the biasing direction.
- In a yet further embodiment of a shaving unit according to the invention comprising the semi-annular spring member, in the assembled condition of the shaving unit the spring member is arranged at a side of the base portion facing away from the external cutting member. In this embodiment, in the assembled condition of the shaving unit the semi-annular spring member may rest against said side of the base portion of the separate retaining member, so that the locking element mounted to the central portion of the spring member has a well-defined position in the biasing direction relative to the engagement element of the external cutting member. The arrangement of the semi-annular spring member at said side of the base portion further enables the spring member to deform to a sufficient degree when, during assembly of the shaving unit by the user, the locking element does not immediately engage the engagement element of the external cutting member.
- In a further preferred embodiment of a shaving unit according to the invention, the base portion is mainly annular and the locking member comprises two semi-annular spring members and two locking elements, wherein each locking element is mounted to a central portion of a respective one of the two spring members, and wherein each spring member has two end portions mounted to the base portion of the separate retaining member. In this embodiment, two locking elements are provided for preventing rotation of the external cutting member, whereby the locking function of the separate locking member is improved. The two semi-annular spring members may be provided in an annular configuration on a side of the annular base portion, thereby providing a robust structure of the separate locking member, a relatively large biasing force on the locking elements, and a relatively large motion path for the locking elements in the biasing direction.
- In a yet further preferred embodiment of a shaving unit according to the invention, the two locking elements and the two semi-annular spring members of the locking member are integrally formed from a single metal blade. In this way, the separate locking member can be manufactured in a simple manner from a single metal blade, for example by means of a metal cutting and bending process, and can be mounted to the separate retaining member in a simple way, for example by further bending a portion of the metal blade around a mounting element integrally provided on the separate retaining member.
- In a further embodiment of a shaving unit according to the invention, the spring member is arranged in a recessed chamber provided in the base portion at a side of the base portion which faces the external cutting member in the assembled condition of the shaving unit. In this embodiment the recessed chamber enables the spring member to deform to a sufficient degree when, during assembly of the shaving unit, the locking element does not immediately engage the engagement element of the external cutting member.
- Furthermore, according to the invention, a shaving head of the type mentioned in the opening paragraphs is characterized in that the shaving unit used therein is a shaving unit according to the invention as described here before.
- Furthermore, according to the invention, a shaving device of the type mentioned in the opening paragraphs is characterized in that the shaving head used therein is a shaving head according to the invention as described here before.
- For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a shaving device according to the invention; -
Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a shaving head according to the invention used in the shaving device ofFig. 1 and comprising a shaving unit according to the invention; -
Fig. 3 shows a supporting element, a hair cutting unit and a retaining member of the shaving unit shown inFig. 2 ; -
Fig. 4A shows the retaining member ofFig. 3 in detail, wherein a base portion and a locking member of the retaining member are separately shown; -
Fig. 4B shows the retaining member ofFig. 3 with the locking member integrated therein; and -
Fig. 5 shows a retaining member of an alternative embodiment of a shaving unit according to the invention. -
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of ashaving device 1 according to the invention. Theshaving device 1 comprises amain body 3 and ashaving head 5 according to the invention. Themain body 3 accommodates an actuator, not visible inFIG. 1 , for example an electric motor. The shavinghead 5 is releasably couplable to themain body 3 and comprises threehair cutting units FIG. 1 , wherein the shavinghead 5 is coupled to themain body 3, thehair cutting units shaving device 1 is activated by a user. - The shaving
head 5 is shown in more detail inFIG. 2 . The shavinghead 5 comprises abase structure 9 and ashaving unit 11 according to the invention. Thebase structure 9 comprises acoupling member 13 configured to releasably couple the shavinghead 5 to themain body 3 of theshaving device 1. Thecoupling member 13 is only schematically shown inFIG. 2 and may comprise a mechanical snap connector for engagement with a co-operating snap connector provided on themain body 3. Such a snap connector is well known to the skilled person. Theshaving unit 11 is releasably couplable to thebase structure 9 of the shavinghead 5.FIG. 1 shows the shavinghead 5 in an operational condition wherein theshaving unit 11 is coupled to thebase structure 9.FIG. 2 shows the shavinghead 5 in a condition wherein theshaving unit 11 is separated from thebase structure 9. Thebase structure 9 and theshaving unit 11 may be provided with any suitable co-operating coupling elements, not shown inFIG. 2 , for releasable coupling of theshaving unit 11 to thebase structure 9, for example co-operating mechanical snap connectors which are well known to the skilled person. - As further shown in
FIG. 2 , thebase structure 9 comprises threerotatable drive spindles hair cutting units shaving unit 11 is coupled to thebase structure 9. Thedrive spindles main body 3, via a suitable transmission mechanism arranged in thebase structure 9 and not visible inFIG. 2 , when the shavinghead 5 is coupled to themain body 3. Thebase structure 9 further comprises threehair collecting chambers hair cutting units shaving unit 11 is coupled to thebase structure 9. - The
shaving unit 11 comprises a supporting member and further comprises the threehair cutting units shaving unit 11 as shown inFIG. 2 . In alternative embodiments the shaving unit according to the invention may comprise a different number of hair cutting units, for example two hair cutting units or more than three hair cutting units. The supporting member of theshaving unit 11 comprises abase member 19 and, for each of the threehair cutting units element FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 thebase member 19 is a supporting frame provided with three openings wherein the supportingelements base member 19 also comprises the coupling elements for releasable coupling of theshaving unit 11 to thebase structure 9 of the shavinghead 5. -
FIG. 3 shows one of the three supportingelements 21a of theshaving unit 11 together with the associatedhair cutting unit 7a and an associated retainingmember 23a in a mutually disassembled condition. Thehair cutting unit 7a comprises anexternal cutting member 25a and aninternal cutting member 27a. Theexternal cutting member 25a is generally in the form of a cylindrical cap having anannular shaving track 29 wherein a plurality of hair-entry openings 31 is provided. Theexternal cutting member 25a further comprises acircumferential flange 33 provided at a side of the cap remote from the shavingtrack 29. Theinternal cutting member 27a has a plurality of hair-cuttingelements 35 which are provided in an annular configuration on a carryingmember 37 of theinternal cutting member 27a. The carryingmember 37 has acentral coupling cavity 39 for receiving the associateddrive spindle 15a in the assembled condition of the shavinghead 5. In said assembled condition theinternal cutting member 27a is rotatable relative to theexternal cutting member 25a about an axis ofrotation 41 by means of thedrive spindle 15a. During rotation of theinternal cutting member 27a relative to theexternal cutting member 25a, hairs that penetrate through the hair-entry openings 31 of theexternal cutting member 25a are cut by interaction between cutting edges provided on the hair-cuttingelements 35 of theinternal cutting member 27a and counter cutting edges provided on side walls of the hair-entry openings 31 of theexternal cutting member 25a. It is noted that, similar to thehair cutting unit 7a, thehair cutting units external cutting member 25a and theinternal cutting member 27a. - The retaining
member 23a comprises a mainlyannular base portion 43 which is releasably couplable to the supportingelement 21a to retain thehair cutting unit 7a in an operational position relative to the supportingelement 21a in the assembled condition of theshaving unit 11. For this purpose the retainingmember 23a comprises two bayonet-type coupling elements 45 which are provided in two diametrically opposite circumferential positions on theannular base portion 43. Only one of the two bayonet-type coupling elements 45 is visible inFIG. 3 . The bayonet-type coupling elements 45 are configured to co-operate with and engage twocoupling protrusions 47 which are provided in two diametrically opposite positions on an inner wall of the supportingelement 21a. To bring and retain thehair cutting unit 7a in its operational position relative to the supportingelement 21a starting from the disassembled condition shown inFIG. 3 , the user has to place theinternal cutting member 27a into theexternal cutting member 25a such that the hair-cuttingelements 35 contact theannular shaving track 29. Subsequently the user has to place theshaving unit 7a into the supportingelement 21a, whereby thecircumferential flange 33 of theexternal cutting member 25a abuts an annular internal rim 49 provided on the inner wall of the supportingelement 21a. Finally the user has to couple the retainingmember 23a to the supportingelement 21a by placing the retainingmember 23a on thecircumferential flange 33 of theexternal cutting member 25a and bringing the two bayonet-type coupling elements 45 of the retainingmember 23a into engagement with the twocoupling protrusions 47 of the supportingelement 21a. To assist the user in correctly aligning the retainingmember 23a relative to theexternal cutting member 25a, the retainingmember 23a comprises two aligningelements 51 provided in two diametrically opposite positions on theannuler base portion 43 for contacting an inner wall of the cap of theexternal cutting member 25a. The bayonet-type coupling elements 45 and thecoupling protrusions 47 are brought into mutual engagement via a rotational motion of the retainingmember 23a relative to the supportingmember 21a about the axis ofrotation 41. As a result thecircumferential flange 33 is locked in a direction parallel to the axis ofrotation 41 between the annular internal rim 49 of the supportingelement 21a and anannular abutment surface 53 of thebase portion 43 of the retainingmember 23 a. The rotation of the retainingmember 23 a by the user is facilitated by two finger-grip portions 55 which are provided on a side of thebase portion 43 remote from theabutment surface 53. With the retainingmember 23a thus coupled to the supportingelement 21a as shown inFIG. 2 , theinternal cutting member 27a is held in position in theexternal cutting member 25a with some play in the direction parallel to the axis ofrotation 41 by means of an internalannular flange 57 provided on thebase portion 43 of the retainingmember 23a. When subsequently theshaving unit 11 is coupled to thebase structure 9 of the shavinghead 5, the hair-cuttingelements 35 of theinternal cutting member 27a will be urged into operational contact with the shavingtrack 29 of theexternal cutting member 25a by thedrive spindle 15a. - It is noted that the
shaving unit 11 comprises aseparate retaining member member 23a, for each of the otherhair cutting units element member 23a. Thereby, each of the threehair cutting units element hair cutting units head 5 as shown inFIG. 2 , each retainingmember element hair cutting units member members shaving unit 11 which is releasably couplable to the supporting member of theshaving unit 11 to retain the threehair cutting units shaving unit 11. - The supporting
element 21a comprises askin contacting surface 59, visible inFIG. 1 , which surrounds theexternal cutting member 25a in the assembled condition of theshaving unit 11. The supportingelement 21a further comprises a mainly cylindrical receivingmember 61, visible inFIG. 3 , for receiving and accommodating theexternal cutting member 25a in the assembled condition of theshaving unit 11. The supportingelement 21a is pivotally supported by thebase member 19 of theshaving unit 11. For this purpose the supportingelement 21a comprises twopivot members 63 which are arranged in two diametrically opposite positions on the supportingelement 21a. The twopivot members 63 engage two co-operating pivot members, not visible in the figures, which are provided near the opening in thebase member 19 wherein the supportingelement 21a is arranged. By means of thepivot members 63 the supportingelement 21a is pivotal relative to thebase member 19, together with thehair cutting unit 7a, about a pivot axis 65 defined by the positions of the two co-operating pivot members provided on thebase member 19. It is noted that the other supportingelements element 21a, so that each supportingelement base member 19 independently of any other of the supportingelements shaving unit 11 is used on a curved skin surface, the orientations of thehair cutting units base member 19 can be individually adapted to local skin contours, so that thehair cutting units - In an alternative embodiment of the shaving unit according to the invention, not shown in the figures, the supporting
elements FIG. 1 , the retaining structure comprises a separate retaining member for each respective hair cutting unit. The retaining members however are each releasably couplable to the base member, so that in the assembled condition of the shaving unit thehair cutting units coupling protrusions 47, provided on the base member for co-operation with two bayonet-type coupling elements, similar to the bayonet-type coupling elements 45, provided on the respective retaining member. - During operation of the
shaving unit 11 the rotatinginternal cutting member 27a exerts a friction force on theexternal cutting member 25a. Furthermore, as a result of the cooperation between theinternal cutting member 27a and theexternal cutting member 25a in cutting hairs, the rotatinginternal cutting member 27a exerts hair-cutting related forces on theexternal cutting member 25a during operation of theshaving unit 11. These friction and hair-cutting related forces induce a mechanical torque about the axis ofrotation 41 exerted on theexternal cutting member 25a. To prevent rotation of theexternal cutting member 25a about the axis ofrotation 41 under the influence of said mechanical torque during normal operation, the retaining structure of theshaving unit 11 comprises, for eachhair cutting unit member 67.FIG. 4A shows the retainingmember 23a provided for thehair cutting unit 7a as shown inFIG. 3 , wherein thebase portion 43 and the lockingmember 67 are separately shown.FIG. 4B shows the retainingmember 23a with the lockingmember 67 integrated therein. The retainingmembers hair cutting unit 7b and thehair cutting unit 7c each have asimilar locking member 67 integrally arranged therein. Thus, in accordance with the invention, the lockingmember 67 provided for each respective one of thehair cutting units member 67 provided for any other of thehair cutting units member hair cutting units - As shown in
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B , the lockingmember 67 comprises twosemi-annular spring members spring member central portion end portions member 67 further comprises two lockingelements element 79a is mounted to thecentral portion 73a of thespring member 71a and thelocking element 79b is mounted to thecentral portion 73b of thespring member 71b. The twolocking elements semi-annular spring members end portion 75a of thespring member 71a and theend portion 75b of thespring member 71b are mutually connected via a first mountingportion 81a. Theend portion 77a of thespring member 71a and theend portion 77b of thespring member 71b are mutually connected via a second mountingportion 81b. The first and second mountingportions member 67 from said single metal blade. As shown inFIG. 4B , the first and second mountingportions elements annular base portion 43. The connection of the first and second mountingportions elements end portions spring members base portion 43 via the first and second mountingportions central portions spring members base portion 43 in a direction parallel to the axis ofrotation 41 by elastic deformation of thespring members - As shown in
FIG. 4B thespring members base portion 43 opposite to theannular abutment surface 53. As a result, in the assembled condition of theshaving unit 11, thespring members base portion 43 facing away from theexternal cutting member 25a. Thelocking elements openings 85 provided through thebase portion 43. In a resting position of thespring members spring members base portion 43 as shown inFIG. 4B , thelocking elements abutment surface 53 in two diametrically opposite positions. It is noted that inFIG. 4B only the lockingelement 79a is visible, while thelocking element 79b is hidden behind the aligningelement 51 diametrically opposite to thelocking element 79a. - In the assembled condition of the
shaving unit 11, wherein thecircumferential flange 33 of theexternal cutting member 25a is retained in the direction parallel to the axis ofrotation 41 between the annular internal rim 49 of the supportingelement 21a and theabutment surface 53 of thebase portion 43 of the retainingmember 23a, thelocking elements FIG. 4B . In these positions thelocking elements spring members external cutting member 25a and into engagement with a respective one of two engagement elements provided on theexternal cutting member 25a. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3 the two engagement elements are twoindentations circumferential flange 33 of theexternal cutting member 25a. By the mutual engagement of thelocking elements indentations shaving unit 11, rotation of theexternal cutting member 25a about the axis ofrotation 41 under the influence of friction and hair-cutting related forces exerted by the rotatinginternal cutting member 27a is prevented. - The locking
members 67 comprising the resilientlybiased locking elements separate retaining members shaving unit 11 by the user, for example when the user has removed thehair cutting units elements hair cutting unit 7a in its operational position relative to the supportingelement 21a starting from the disassembled condition shown inFIG. 3 as described here before, the user is allowed to place theexternal cutting member 25a, with theinternal cutting member 27a placed therein, in an arbitrary angular position relative to the axis ofrotation 41 in the supportingelement 21a before coupling the retainingmember 23a to the supportingelement 21a. In other words, the user doesn't need to align the angular position of theexternal cutting member 25a about the axis ofrotation 41 when placing theexternal cutting member 25a in the supportingelement 21a. When the user subsequently places the retainingmember 23a on thecircumferential flange 33 of theexternal cutting member 25a, the protrudinglocking elements indentations external cutting member 25a is immediately locked against rotation relative to the retainingmember 23a and, consequently, will rotate together with the retainingmember 23a, when the user subsequently rotates the retainingmember 23a, until the retainingmember 23a is fully coupled to the supportingelement 21a. In the most frequent case however, i.e. when during initial placement of the retainingmember 23a on theflange 33 of theexternal cutting member 25a thelocking elements indentations locking elements flange 33 of theexternal cutting member 25a. As a result, thelocking elements openings 85 provided in thebase portion 43 under elastic deformation of thecentral portions spring members base portion 43. When subsequently the user rotates the retainingmember 23a in order to couple the retainingmember 23a to the supportingelement 21a, thelocking elements indentations spring members member 23 a, as a result of which theexternal cutting member 25a will be locked against rotation relative to the retainingmember 23a. This will evidently depend on the angular position of thelocking elements indentations member 23a on theflange 33 of theexternal cutting member 25a and on the total angular rotation required to couple the retainingmember 23a to the supportingelement 21a. When after coupling of the retainingmember 23a to the supportingelement 21a thelocking elements indentations locking elements indentations spring members external cutting member 25a will initially rotate about the axis ofrotation 41 relative to the coupled retainingmember 23a under the influence of the friction and hair-cutting related forces exerted by the rotatinginternal cutting member 27a until thelocking elements indentations hair cutting units shaving unit 11 will proceed in a similar manner and will provide an automatic locking of the external cutting members thereof against rotation in a similar convenient way. It will also be clear that said assembly including said automatic locking against rotation may be performed by the user for eachhair cutting unit hair cutting units - In an alternative embodiment of the shaving unit according to the invention, the locking member may comprise only a single locking element. The single locking element may be mounted to a single semi-annular spring member similar to the
spring member 71a described here before. The single semi-annular spring member may have two end portions mounted to the annular base portion of the retaining member and a central portion carrying the single locking element. In further alternative embodiments, the spring member of the locking member carrying the locking element may have a different shape and may be fastened to the base portion in a different way and in a different position as compared to thespring member 71a described here before. The spring member and the locking element may be integrally formed with the base portion from a single plastic material, for example by means of an injection molding process. The number of locking elements provided on the locking member may be greater than two. - An example of an alternative embodiment of the shaving unit according to the invention is shown in
FIG. 5 , which shows in detail analternative retaining member 123 that may be used in theshaving unit 11 instead of the retainingmember member 123 is shown in an operational position on thecircumferential flange 33 of theexternal cutting member 25a. The supporting element and the internal cutting member are not shown inFIG. 5 . The retainingmember 123 comprises a mainlyannular base portion 143 which is substantially similar to thebase portion 43 of the retainingmember member 123 comprises a lockingmember 167 having twoblade spring members 171 which are each arranged in a recessedchamber 173 provided in thebase portion 143 at a side of thebase portion 143 which faces theexternal cutting member 25a in the assembled condition of the shaving unit. InFIG. 5 only one of theblade spring members 171 and only one of the recessedchambers 173 is visible. The other blade spring member and the other recessed chamber are arranged in a diametrically opposite position in thebase portion 143. A lockingelement 179 is formed by a bent end portion of theblade spring member 171. Theblade spring member 171 is integrally formed with ametal carrier plate 175 which is mounted in a position substantially flush with theannular abutment surface 153 of thebase portion 143. In the operational position shown inFIG. 5 thelocking element 179 engages theindentation 87a in theflange 33 of theexternal cutting member 25a. When during assembly of the shaving unit, after initial placement of the retainingmember 123 on theflange 33 as described here before in relation to the retainingmember 23a, the lockingelement 179 does not immediately engage theindentation 87a, the lockingelement 179 will abut theflange 33 and theblade spring member 171 will elastically deform into the recessedchamber 173 allowing a recessed position of thelocking element 179 in the recessedchamber 173. The operation of the lockingmember 167 and the lockingelements 179 thereof is similar to the operation of the lockingmember 67 and thelocking elements - While the invention has been described and illustrated in detail in the foregoing description and in the drawings, such description and illustration are to be considered as exemplary and/or illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
- Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. For the purpose of clarity and conciseness of the description, features are disclosed herein as part of the same embodiment or as part of separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features disclosed. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
Claims (12)
- A shaving unit for use in a shaving device, said shaving unit comprising a supporting member and at least two hair cutting units supported by the supporting member, wherein each hair cutting unit comprises:- an external cutting member with hair-entry openings; and- an internal cutting member which is rotatable relative to the external cutting member about an axis of rotation and which has a plurality of hair-cutting elements;wherein the shaving unit further comprises a retaining structure which is releasably couplable to the supporting member and which is configured to retain the at least two hair cutting units in an operational position relative to the supporting member in an assembled condition of the shaving unit; and
wherein the retaining structure comprises, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a locking member comprising at least one locking element which, in the assembled condition of the shaving unit, is biased by spring force towards the external cutting member of the respective hair cutting unit and engaged by an engagement element of the external cutting member to prevent rotation of the external cutting member about the axis of rotation,
characterized in that the retaining structure comprises, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a separate retaining member which is releasably couplable to the supporting member and which is configured to separately retain the respective hair cutting unit in an operational position relative to the supporting member independently from any other of the at least two hair cutting units;
wherein the locking member provided for the respective hair cutting unit is separately arranged from any other locking member, provided for any other of the at least two hair cutting units, and integrated with the separate retaining member provided for the respective hair cutting unit. - A shaving unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting member comprises a base member and, for each respective hair cutting unit of the at least two hair cutting units, a separate supporting element which is pivotally supported by the base member, the separate retaining member provided for the respective hair cutting unit being releasably couplable to the supporting element provided for the respective hair cutting unit to retain the respective hair cutting unit in the operational position.
- A shaving unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the engagement element comprises an indentation provided in a circumferential flange of the external cutting member.
- A shaving unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting member comprises, for each respective one of the separate retaining members, a coupling structure configured to enable coupling of the respective separate retaining member to the supporting member by a rotational motion of the separate retaining member relative to the supporting member about the axis of rotation of the respective hair cutting unit.
- A shaving unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking member comprises a spring member which is fastened to a base portion of the separate retaining member, and wherein the at least one locking element is mounted to the spring member.
- A shaving unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base portion is mainly annular and wherein the spring member is semi annular having a central portion and two end portions, the locking element being mounted to the central portion of the spring member, and the two end portions of the spring member being mounted to the base portion of the separate retaining member.
- A shaving unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein in the assembled condition of the shaving unit the spring member is arranged at a side of the base portion facing away from the external cutting member.
- A shaving unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base portion is mainly annular and wherein the locking member comprises two semi-annular spring members and two locking elements, wherein each locking element is mounted to a central portion of a respective one of the two spring members, and wherein each spring member has two end portions mounted to the base portion of the separate retaining member.
- A shaving unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the two locking elements and the two semi-annular spring members of the locking member are integrally formed from a single metal blade.
- A shaving unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the spring member is arranged in a recessed chamber provided in the base portion at a side of the base portion which faces the external cutting member in the assembled condition of the shaving unit.
- A shaving head comprising:- a base structure including a coupling member configured to releasably couple the shaving head to a main body of a shaving device; and- a shaving unit which is releasably couplable to the base structure;wherein the shaving unit is a shaving unit according to any one of the preceding claims.
- A shaving device comprising:- a main body accommodating an actuator; and- a shaving head which is releasably couplable to the main body for being driven by the actuator;wherein the shaving head is a shaving head according to claim 11.
Priority Applications (9)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17203036.3A EP3488981A1 (en) | 2017-11-22 | 2017-11-22 | Shaving unit having a retaining structure |
US15/733,103 US11565434B2 (en) | 2017-11-21 | 2018-11-09 | Shaving unit having a retaining structure |
JP2020545437A JP7308217B2 (en) | 2017-11-21 | 2018-11-09 | Shaving unit with retaining structure |
EP18803385.6A EP3732005B1 (en) | 2017-11-21 | 2018-11-09 | Shaving unit having a retaining structure |
RU2020120673A RU2767339C2 (en) | 2017-11-21 | 2018-11-09 | Shaving block with retaining structure |
PCT/EP2018/080838 WO2019101548A1 (en) | 2017-11-21 | 2018-11-09 | Shaving unit having a retaining structure |
ES18803385T ES2916395T3 (en) | 2017-11-21 | 2018-11-09 | Shaving unit with retention structure |
CN201821884172.XU CN210100067U (en) | 2017-11-21 | 2018-11-15 | Shaving unit for a shaving device, shaving head and shaving device |
CN201811362390.1A CN109807948B (en) | 2017-11-21 | 2018-11-15 | Shaving unit with retention structure |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17203036.3A EP3488981A1 (en) | 2017-11-22 | 2017-11-22 | Shaving unit having a retaining structure |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3488981A1 true EP3488981A1 (en) | 2019-05-29 |
Family
ID=60450484
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17203036.3A Withdrawn EP3488981A1 (en) | 2017-11-21 | 2017-11-22 | Shaving unit having a retaining structure |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3488981A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2022062172A1 (en) * | 2020-09-28 | 2022-03-31 | 温州德富电器有限公司 | Razor head assembly of electric razor |
USD980529S1 (en) * | 2022-01-04 | 2023-03-07 | Feng Li | Shaver |
USD1006327S1 (en) * | 2018-05-04 | 2023-11-28 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Shaver |
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US4001932A (en) * | 1972-07-14 | 1977-01-11 | Bissell Inc. | Rotary shaver with shear plate rotation preventing means |
US4077120A (en) * | 1972-07-14 | 1978-03-07 | Bissell, Inc. | Dry shaver with floating peripherally supported shear plate |
US4318223A (en) | 1979-10-30 | 1982-03-09 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Shaving apparatus |
EP0329244A1 (en) * | 1988-02-18 | 1989-08-23 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Shaving apparatus |
WO2014020500A1 (en) * | 2012-08-03 | 2014-02-06 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Rotary shaving head having a locking retainer |
WO2015169625A1 (en) * | 2014-05-07 | 2015-11-12 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Improved shaving device |
-
2017
- 2017-11-22 EP EP17203036.3A patent/EP3488981A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US4001932A (en) * | 1972-07-14 | 1977-01-11 | Bissell Inc. | Rotary shaver with shear plate rotation preventing means |
US4077120A (en) * | 1972-07-14 | 1978-03-07 | Bissell, Inc. | Dry shaver with floating peripherally supported shear plate |
US4318223A (en) | 1979-10-30 | 1982-03-09 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Shaving apparatus |
EP0329244A1 (en) * | 1988-02-18 | 1989-08-23 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Shaving apparatus |
WO2014020500A1 (en) * | 2012-08-03 | 2014-02-06 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Rotary shaving head having a locking retainer |
WO2015169625A1 (en) * | 2014-05-07 | 2015-11-12 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Improved shaving device |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD1006327S1 (en) * | 2018-05-04 | 2023-11-28 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Shaver |
WO2022062172A1 (en) * | 2020-09-28 | 2022-03-31 | 温州德富电器有限公司 | Razor head assembly of electric razor |
USD980529S1 (en) * | 2022-01-04 | 2023-03-07 | Feng Li | Shaver |
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