JP7219547B2 - small electrical equipment - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a small electric device having a lock function that disables turning on a power switch against the user's will.

A small electrical device with this kind of locking function is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 proposed earlier by the applicant of the present invention. A push-type switch knob as a power switch is arranged on the front surface of the electric shaver described in Patent Document 1, and a slide-type lock body for preventing the switch knob from being pushed is arranged immediately above it. ing. An engagement projection is provided on the lower portion of the lock body, and a corresponding engagement recess is formed on the upper surface of the switch knob. When the lock body is slid downward, the engaging projection fits into the engaging recess of the switch knob, preventing the switch knob from moving inward.

JP-A-2001-62165

A user who has finished using the small electrical appliance (electric shaver) described in Patent Document 1 needs to follow the following steps to stop it and lock the switch knob. First, push the switch knob with your fingertip to stop the small electrical device. Next, the fingertip is moved to the lock body above the switch knob to slide the lock body downward. In other words, it is necessary to go through three steps of operating the switch knob, moving the fingertip, and operating the lock body, and some users find this to be troublesome. In addition, the small electric device of Patent Document 1 also has the disadvantage that the number of parts increases by the amount of the lock body when compared with the small electric device that does not have a locking function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact electrical appliance having a locking function that allows a user to smoothly perform a locking operation after use and does not increase the number of parts.

A small electrical device according to the present invention includes a motor 13 that uses electric power as a drive source, and a power switch 26 that controls the supply of electric power to the motor 13 . A standby mode in which the motor 13 is stopped, an operation mode in which the motor 13 is driven, and a power switch 26 operation in which the motor 13 is stopped and the motor 13 is driven is disabled. It is possible to switch to the state lock mode. When the power switch 26 is operated in the standby mode, the motor 13 is driven. In at least one of the modes other than the lock mode, the lock mode is entered by operating the power switch 26 differently from the operation for driving the motor 13 . The lock mode is released by an operation method of the power switch 26 different from the operation for driving the motor 13 in the lock mode. When the unlocking operation of the lock mode is performed, the lock mode is canceled while the motor 13 is stopped, and the apparatus shifts to the standby mode.

An unlock notification means (M3) for notifying that unlocking of the lock mode is completed is provided.

The operation method for canceling the lock mode is to press the power switch (26) for a predetermined long pressing time (T1).

One or both of the operation mode in which the motor 13 is driven and the standby mode in which the motor 13 is stopped is the lockable period during which the lock operation is possible.

In the small electric device according to the present invention, when the user operates the power switch 26 in a predetermined manner (locking operation), the power switch 26 is switched to a lock mode in which the ON operation of the power switch 26 is disabled. Therefore, when the user has finished using the small electric appliance, the user can simply turn off the power switch 26 and lock the power switch 26 in succession to stop the motor 13 and turn on the power switch 26 to drive the motor 13. It is possible to shift to a lock mode in which operations are disabled . In a conventional small electric device, the power switch and the lock body are separated, so the fingertip must be moved between the OFF operation and the lock operation. This allows the user to smoothly perform operations from off to lock. In addition, according to the present invention in which the locking operation is performed using the power switch 26, the number of parts does not increase compared to small electrical devices that do not have a locking function, which contributes to cost reduction. be able to.

In addition to the above problems, the present invention has been made to solve the problem that the motor 13 is driven against the user's will during the unlocking operation. The user does not necessarily use the small electrical device immediately after the unlocking operation, and the unlocking operation may be performed only for the purpose of canceling the lock mode. Driving the motor 13 in such a case wastes power. Therefore, in the present invention, when the unlocking operation is performed, the lock mode is canceled while the motor 13 is stopped. As a result, wasteful power consumption of the motor 13 during the unlocking operation can be avoided. Further, in the present invention, the power switch 26 is used to perform the unlocking operation. Therefore, a user who wants to use the small electric appliance immediately after the unlocking operation can start the motor 13 and start using it by simply performing the two operations of unlocking and turning on the power switch 26 in succession. can be done.

According to the unlock notification means M3 for notifying that unlocking of the lock mode has been completed, the user can easily recognize that the lock mode has been properly unlocked.

If the release of the lock mode is a pressing operation of the power switch 26 for the long pressing time T1, that is, a long pressing operation, the lock mode will not be released unless the user consciously presses the power switch 26 for a long time. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent unlocking of the lock mode against the user's will.

If one or both of the operation mode in which the motor 13 is driven and the standby mode in which the motor 13 is stopped are lockable periods during which the lock operation is possible, the locking is possible at least at any time during the operation mode or at any time during the standby mode. By making the operation possible, the usability of the small electric device can be improved. In particular, when both modes are lockable periods, it is possible to shift to the lock mode at any time, thereby further improving usability of the small electric device.

1 is a front view of an electric shaver (small electric device) according to Example 1 of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing various display units of the electric shaver; 1 is a block diagram of a control system of an electric shaver; FIG. FIG. 4 is a transition diagram between modes of an electric shaver; 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of each part in operation mode and standby mode; It is a timing chart when lock operation is performed appropriately. FIG. 10 is another timing chart when the lock operation is properly performed; FIG. It is a timing chart when lock operation is performed improperly. It is another timing chart when lock operation is performed improperly. It is a timing chart when unlocking operation is performed appropriately. FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining locking operation of the electric shaver (small electric device) according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining an unlocking operation of the electric shaver (small electric device) according to Example 3 of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of each part in the lock mode of the electric shaver (small electric device) according to Example 4 of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of each part in the lock mode of the electric shaver (small electric device) according to Example 5 of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of each notification means of the electric shaver (small electric device) according to Example 6 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front view showing various display units of an electric shaver (small electric device) according to Example 7 of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 to 10 show Embodiment 1 in which the present invention is applied to a rotary electric shaver. In FIG. 1, the electric shaver includes a vertically long body case 1 that also serves as a grip, and a razor head 2 that is supported on the top of the body case 1 . A main blade 3 is arranged on the top of the razor head 2, and trimmer units 4 are arranged in front of and behind it, respectively. The main blade 3 is composed of an inner blade 5 that rotates around a horizontal axis and a mesh-like outer blade 6 that circumscribes the inner blade 5. Each trimmer unit 4 includes a fixed blade 7 both of which are made of comb teeth. It is composed of a movable blade 8.

A light source substrate 12 on which a plurality of excitation light sources 11 are mounted is arranged below the main blade 3 . Each excitation light source 11 is composed of a blue LED, and emits light during or after the use of the electric shaver to excite the photocatalyst coated on the inner blade 5 and the outer blade 6 to promote the decomposition of organic matter. As a result, it is possible to suppress the generation of offensive odors due to decomposition of organic matter. A motor (load) 13 with a speed reducer is housed in a lower portion of the razor head 2 in a posture parallel to the inner blade 5 . The motor 13 outputs rotational power toward the inner blade 5 of the main blade 3 and outputs reciprocating power toward the movable blade 8 of each trimmer unit 4 . That is, the electric shaver according to this embodiment includes an inner blade 5 driven by a motor 13 as a power source, and an outer blade 6 which slides around the inner blade 5 and cuts the whiskers in cooperation with the inner blade 5. Prepare.

A secondary battery (battery) 15, which is a drive source for the motor 13, is accommodated inside the main body case 1 together with a vertically long control board 16. As shown in FIG. On the front surface of the main body case 1, there are a push-type switch button 19, a remaining amount display section 20 for displaying the remaining amount of the secondary battery 15, and a lock display section for displaying that the electric shaver is in a lock mode, which will be described later. 21 and a charging display section 22 for displaying that the secondary battery 15 is being charged are arranged in order from top to bottom. The secondary battery 15 can be charged by connecting a power supply plug to the socket 25 provided at the lower end of the main body case 1 . The inner surface of the switch button 19 faces the power switch 26 provided on the front surface of the control board 16 , and the user can operate the power switch 26 via the switch button 19 . The power switch 26 is switched from the open state to the closed state only while receiving the pressing force from the switch button 19. - 特許庁

As shown in FIG. 2, the remaining capacity display section 20 consists of a pair of left and right 7-segment display sections 30, and displays the remaining capacity (%) of the secondary battery 15 in two-digit numbers (10% units). However, when the remaining amount is 100% (FULL), "FU" is displayed. Each 7-segment display section 30 is composed of seven translucent sections 31 and a light source 32 arranged in the shape of "8". and light sources 34 and 36. The translucent part 33 of the lock display part 21 imitates a padlock, and the translucent part 35 of the charge display part 22 imitates a plug. The light sources 32, 34, and 36 constituting the respective display units 20, 21, and 22 are made of LEDs, respectively. ).

As shown in FIG. 4, the electric shaver is configured to switch between an operation mode in which the motor 13 is driven, a standby mode in which the motor 13 is stopped, and a lock mode in which the motor 13 is stopped and the ON operation is disabled. It is Specifically, when the power switch 26 is turned off in the operation mode, the mode shifts to the standby mode, and when the power switch 26 is locked in the standby mode, the mode shifts to the lock mode. Further, when the power switch 26 is unlocked in the lock mode, the mode shifts to the standby mode, and when the power switch 26 is turned on in the standby mode, the mode shifts to the operation mode. In this embodiment, there is no transition from the operation mode to the lock mode without going through the standby mode, and there is no transition from the lock mode to the operation mode without going through the standby mode.

The ON operation and OFF operation of the power switch 26 are the pressing operations of the power switch 26 via the switch button 19 (regardless of the length of the pressing time), and the locking operation and the unlocking operation are the long pressing time T1 ( In this embodiment, the power switch 26 is pressed for 3 seconds, ie, a long press. The period in which the lock operation can be performed in the standby mode (lockable period) is limited to the reception time T2 (5 seconds in this embodiment) immediately after the operating mode is shifted to the standby mode. Therefore, even if the user presses and holds the power switch 26 in the standby mode except for the lockable period, the electric shaver will not shift to the lock mode.

The timing chart of FIG. 5 shows changes in the driving state of each part in the operation mode and the standby mode. When the power switch 26 is pressed in the standby mode (time t1), the controller 40 regards this as an ON operation and shifts the electric shaver to the operation mode. Specifically, the motor 13 is started, and the excitation light source 11 and the remaining amount display section 20 are turned on. When the user who has finished shaving presses the power switch 26 (time t2), the control unit 40 regards this as an off operation and shifts the electric shaver to the standby mode. Specifically, the motor 13 is stopped while the excitation light source 11 and the remaining amount display section 20 are maintained in the lighting state. At the same time, the timer 41 (see FIG. 3) provided in the control unit 40 starts measuring time, and after a slight delay, the lock display unit 21 starts blinking to notify the user that the lockable period has started. (The lock display unit 21 functions as the period notification means M1).

At the next time t3, the reception time T2 has passed since time t2 without the user performing a locking operation. In this case, the control unit 40 terminates the clocking by the timer 41 and at the same time turns off the lock display unit 21 and the remaining amount display unit 20 . The remaining amount display unit 20 also functions as period notification means M1 together with the lock display unit 21 by maintaining the lighting state for the reception time T2. The excitation light source 11 remains lit until the power switch 26 is pressed (time t4), or until a predetermined time (20 minutes in this embodiment) elapses from time t2 when the excitation light source 11 is switched to the standby mode. maintained at Further, the control unit 40 performs afterglow display by lighting the remaining amount display unit 20 for a predetermined time (three seconds in the present embodiment) immediately after the excitation light source 11 is turned off. This afterglow display may be a display of the remaining amount of the secondary battery 15, or may be another display.

The timing chart of FIG. 6 shows a case where the lock operation is performed within the lockable period. Time t11 to time t12 are the same as time t1 to time t2 in FIG. Time t13 is before reception time T2 elapses from time t12, that is, within the lockable period. When the long press time T1 elapses from time t13 while the power switch 26 is kept closed (time t14), the control unit 40 switches the lock display unit 21 from flashing to constant lighting, and furthermore, the remaining amount display unit 20 is turned on. By turning off the light, the user is notified that the lock operation has been properly performed (the lock display section 21 and the remaining amount display section 20 function as the lock notification means M2). The control after the next time point t15 is almost the same as that after time point t4 in FIG. 5, but differs in that the lock display section 21 is extinguished simultaneously with the end of the afterglow display (time point t16).

The timing chart of FIG. 7 shows a case where the user begins to press and hold the power switch 26 just before the lockable period ends. In chronological order, first, the power switch 26 is turned off and shifts to the standby mode (time t21), then the long-press operation of the power switch 26 is started (time t22), and then reception time T2 elapses from time t21. (time t23), and then the long press time T1 has passed since time t22 (time t24). In this way, even if the long-pressing time T1 (time t24) is reached after the reception time T2 has passed, if the long-pressing operation starts (time t22) is within the lockable period, the control unit 40 regards this as a proper lock operation and performs the same control as at time t14 in FIG. In the present embodiment, even after time t23 when reception time T2 has elapsed, the lighting state of the remaining amount display section 20 and the blinking state of the lock display section 21 are continued during the long-pressing operation. Both display units 20 and 21 may be extinguished.

The timing charts of FIGS. 8 and 9 show the case where the locking operation was not performed properly. In FIG. 8, the long-pressing operation of the power switch 26 starting at time t31 ends before reaching the long-pressing time T1 (t32-t31<T1). At time t33 after the end of the lockable period, the user realizes that the lock operation has failed and starts the long press operation again. The same control as t4 is performed. In FIG. 9, the long press operation is started from time t41 during the operation mode, and the duration time exceeds the long press time T1. 5, the same control as at time t2 is performed. That is, only a long press operation that is longer than the long press time T1 and started during the standby mode and within the lockable period is recognized by the control unit 40 as a lock operation.

The timing chart of FIG. 10 shows changes in the drive state of each unit from the lock mode through the standby mode to the operation mode. As described above with reference to FIG. 6, immediately after the standby mode is shifted to the lock mode, the lock display unit 21 indicating that the lock mode is turned on (time t14), but soon after the excitation light source 11 is turned off, the lock display is turned on. The part 21 is also turned off (time points t15 to t16). When the power switch 26 is pressed (turned on) after the light has been turned off, the control section 40 lights the lock display section 21 for a predetermined period of time to indicate that the lock mode is set, as shown at time t51 in FIG. Notify users. Of course, this pressing operation does not cause the electric shaver to shift to the operation mode or the standby mode.

At the next time t52, the long-pressing operation of the power switch 26 is started. When the long press time T1 elapses from time t52 while the power switch 26 is kept closed (time t53), the control section 40 turns off the lock display section 21 and further turns on the remaining amount display section 20. , to notify the user that the unlocking operation has been properly performed (the lock display section 21 and the remaining amount display section 20 function as the unlock notification means M3). It should be noted that the motor 13 does not start just by completing the unlocking operation. The user does not necessarily use the electric shaver immediately after unlocking, and the unlocking operation may be performed only for the purpose of canceling the lock mode. This is because power is wasted if the motor 13 is driven in such a case.

When a predetermined period of time has elapsed from time t53, the control unit 40 turns off the remaining amount display unit 20. FIG. The display content of the remaining amount display unit 20 here may be the display of the remaining amount of the secondary battery 15, or may be other display. If the remaining amount of the secondary battery 15 is displayed, the remaining amount can be notified to the user before the user starts using the electric shaver. It can encourage preparedness. In the standby mode after the unlock operation, when the power switch 26 is pressed (time t54), the control unit 40 regards this as an ON operation and shifts the electric shaver to the operation mode. This point is the same as time t1 in FIG.

As described above, the electric shaver according to the present embodiment is configured such that when the user locks (presses and holds) the power switch 26, the lock mode is entered in which the ON operation of the power switch 26 is disabled. Therefore, the user who has finished using the electric shaver can stop the motor 13 and shift the electric shaver to the lock mode only by continuously performing two operations of turning off the power switch 26 and locking the electric shaver. There is no need to move the fingertip between the off operation and the lock operation as in the past, and the user can smoothly perform from the off operation to the lock operation. Further, in this embodiment, the unlocking operation is the long pressing operation of the power switch 26, which is the same as the locking operation. Therefore, a user who wants to use the electric shaver immediately after the unlocking operation can activate the motor 13 and start using it simply by continuously performing two operations of unlocking and turning on the power switch 26 . can. There is no need to move the fingertip between the unlock operation and the on operation as in the past, and the user can smoothly perform from the unlock operation to the on operation.

In this embodiment, the lock display section 21 is flashed during the lockable period, and when the lock mode is entered, the lock display section 21 is lit all the time. It may be turned on and the display section 21 may blink during the lock mode. Alternatively, the lock display section 21 may be blinked at long intervals during the lockable period, and the lock display section 21 may be blinked at short intervals during the lock mode. Of course, the length of the interval can also be reversed. The same applies to the case where the power switch 26 is pressed (turned on) during the lock mode. In other words, instead of lighting the lock display unit 21 for a predetermined period of time, the lock display unit 21 may blink. It is the same that the lock display part 21 is turned off when the lock is released.

(Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 of the present invention shown in FIG. 11 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the locking operation is enabled even in the driving mode. In this timing chart, the long press operation, that is, the lock operation is started from time t61 during the operation mode, and when the duration reaches the long press time T1 (time t62), the control unit 40 blinks the lock display unit 21. , the remaining amount display unit 20 is turned off, and the user is notified that the lock operation has been properly performed. The motor 13 stops simultaneously with the start of the long press operation. In this embodiment, the entire operation mode and standby mode are lockable periods, and the user can perform the lock operation at any time. Others are the same as those of the first embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted. The same applies to the following examples. As a modification of this embodiment, the motor 13 may not be stopped at time t61 when the long-pressing operation is started, and the motor 13 may be stopped at time t62 when the duration of the long-pressing operation reaches the long-pressing time T1. This may be stopped between time t61 and time t62. Also, instead of setting the entire operation mode and standby mode as the lockable period, only one of the modes may be set as the lockable period.

(Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 of the present invention shown in FIG. 12 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the motor 13 is started simultaneously with the completion of the unlocking operation. In this timing chart, the long press operation, that is, the unlock operation starts from time t71 during the lock mode, and when the duration reaches the long press time T1 (time t72), the control unit 40 turns the lock display unit 21 on. The light is turned off, and the electric shaver is shifted to the operation mode. Specifically, the motor 13 is started, and the excitation light source 11 and the remaining amount display section 20 are turned on. According to this embodiment, a user who wants to use the electric shaver immediately after the unlocking operation can save the trouble of turning the shaver on after the unlocking operation.

(Embodiment 4) Embodiment 4 of the present invention shown in FIG. 13 is different from Embodiment 1 in that the remaining amount display section 20 is turned on in the lock mode. When the power switch 26 is pressed (turned on) in the lock mode, the control unit 40 notifies the user of the lock mode by lighting the lock display unit 21 (time t81). Up to this point, the process is the same as time t51 in FIG. t82). This allows the user to know the remaining amount of the secondary battery 15 without canceling the lock mode, improving convenience. The remaining amount display portion 20 is turned off after a predetermined lighting time T3 has passed (time t83), and the lock display portion 21 is also turned off after a predetermined lighting time T4 has passed (time t84). The lighting times T3 and T4 of both display portions 20 and 21 are sufficiently shorter than the long press time T1. In the present embodiment, the relationship T3<T4 is established, but instead of this, the relationship T3=T4 or T3>T4 may be established so that the lock display unit 21 is first extinguished. Both display units 20 and 21 can be turned off at the same time.

At the next time t85, the long-pressing operation of the power switch 26 is started, and the lock display section 21 is illuminated again. Also when the power switch 26 is pressed for a long time, the remaining amount display section 20 lights up after the lock display section 21 (time t86), and turns off when the lighting time T3 elapses (time t87). In other words, the remaining amount display unit 20 is controlled in the same way regardless of whether the power switch 26 is pressed for a long time or a short time (single click). On the other hand, as for the lock display portion 21, it is the same as the short-press operation in that it continues to light up until time t88 after the lighting time T4 has elapsed, but the long-press time T1 elapses (unlocking operation is completed). ) It is different from the case of the short-press operation in that it remains in a blinking state until time t89. In other words, if the power switch 26 is in the open state when the lock display unit 21 is turned on during the lighting time T4, the control unit 40 turns off the lock display unit 21, but maintains the power switch 26 in the closed state for the lighting time T4. When the unlocking operation is performed, that is, when the user presses the power switch 26 for a long time, the lock display part 21 is switched from the constantly lit state to the blinking state to inform the user that the unlocking operation is in progress. If the power switch 26 is switched to the open state before the long press time T1 elapses while the lock display section 21 is in the flashing state, the control section 40 turns off the lock display section 21 at that time.

At time t89 when the long-pressing time T1 has elapsed from time t85, the control section 40 turns off the lock display section 21 and further turns on the remaining amount display section 20 for the lighting time T3. As a result, the user can be notified that the unlocking operation has been properly performed, and the user can be reminded of the remaining amount of the secondary battery 15 .

In this embodiment, the lock display section 21 is turned on at time t81 and time t85, but instead of this, the lock display section 21 may be blinked. In this case, at time t88 after the lighting time T4 has passed, by changing (extending or shortening) the blinking interval of the lock display unit 21, or by switching the lock display unit 21 from the blinking state to the constant lighting state, The user can be notified that an unlock operation is in progress. A small electric appliance (an electric shaver) according to this modified example and this embodiment can be implemented in the following modes. The following form can solve the problem of allowing the user to recognize the remaining amount of the battery 15 even in the lock mode.

It comprises a load 13 driven by the power of the battery 15, a power switch 26 for controlling the supply of power to the load 13, and a remaining amount display section 20 for displaying the remaining amount of the battery 15,
When a lock operation is performed by operating the power switch 26 in a predetermined manner, the power switch 26 is shifted to a lock mode in which the ON operation of the power switch 26 is disabled.
In the lock mode, when an unlocking operation is performed by operating the power switch 26 in a predetermined manner, the lock mode is released.
A small electric appliance characterized by driving a remaining amount display unit 20 in addition to lock notification means M2 for notifying that the lock mode is set when a power switch 26 is operated in the lock mode.

In conventional small electric devices, the power switch and the lock body are separate bodies, so it was necessary to move the fingertip between the OFF operation and the lock operation, and between the unlock operation and the ON operation. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform from the off operation to the lock operation, and from the unlock operation to the on operation, since the trouble of moving the fingertip can be saved. Further, by driving the lock notification means M2 when the power switch 26 is operated in the lock mode, the user can easily recognize that the lock mode is set. When the operation of the power switch 26 is intended to activate the load 13, the user can be notified that the unlocking operation is required by driving the lock notification means M2. Furthermore, by driving the remaining amount display unit 20 in addition to the lock notification means M2, it is possible to inform the user of the remaining amount of the battery 15 in addition to the lock mode (requiring an unlocking operation). . The user can know the remaining amount of the battery 15 without canceling the lock mode, which improves convenience.

The above-described small electric device that drives the lock notification means M2 before the remaining amount display unit 20 when the power switch 26 is operated in the lock mode.

Even if the user turns on the power switch 26 in the lock mode, the load 13 is not driven. In this case, the user should first be informed that the small electrical appliance is in lock mode, in other words, that the load 13 is not driven due to a fault. If the lock notification means M2 is preferentially driven, the user can be quickly notified that the small electric device is not out of order, and can be given a sense of security.

The above-described small electric device that stops the lock notification means M2 after the remaining amount display unit 20 when the power switch 26 is operated in the lock mode.

As described above, it is important for the user to recognize that the lock notification means M2 is activated. If the lock notification means M2 is stopped after the remaining amount display part 20 is stopped as in this configuration, the possibility that the user will overlook the lock notification means M2 is reduced, and the information that the small electric device is in the lock mode is sent to the user. We can inform you more precisely.

The above-described small electric device that drives the remaining amount display unit 20 for a predetermined driving time from the time the lock mode is released.

When the remaining amount display part 20 is driven from the time when the lock mode is released, the remaining amount of the battery 15 is notified to the user before the user starts using the small electric device, and when the remaining amount is insufficient. It is possible to encourage advance preparation such as charging.

The unlocking operation for releasing the lock mode is the pressing operation of the power switch 26 for a predetermined long pressing time T1,
The lock notification means M2 includes a light source 34,
During the period from the start of the unlocking operation until the lighting time T4 shorter than the long press time T1 elapses, and from the time the lighting time T4 elapses until the long press time T1 elapses. with different lighting conditions,
The above-described small electric device that turns off the light source 34 when the unlocking operation is completed after the long-pressing time T1 has elapsed.

If the unlocking operation for canceling the lock mode is the pressing operation of the power switch 26 for the long pressing time T1, i.e., the long pressing operation, the lock mode is not performed unless the user consciously presses the power switch 26 for a long time. is never released, it is possible to reliably prevent the lock mode from being released against the user's will. Further, if the lock notification means M2 includes the light source 34, the user can easily recognize that the lock state is set. Furthermore, by changing the lighting state of the light source 34 during the unlocking operation (long-pressing operation), the user can be made to recognize that the unlocking operation is properly performed, and a sense of security can be given.

The unlocking operation for releasing the lock mode is the pressing operation of the power switch 26 for a predetermined long pressing time T1,
The lock notification means M2 includes a light source 34,
The light source 34 is always lit until the lighting time T4 shorter than the long-pressing time T1 elapses after the unlocking operation is started,
The light source 34 is blinked until the long-pressing time T1 elapses after the lighting time T4 elapses,
The above-described small electric device that turns off the light source 34 when the unlocking operation is completed after the long-pressing time T1 has elapsed.

If the unlocking operation for canceling the lock mode is the pressing operation of the power switch 26 for the long pressing time T1, i.e., the long pressing operation, the lock mode is not performed unless the user consciously presses the power switch 26 for a long time. is never released, it is possible to reliably prevent the lock mode from being released against the user's will. Further, if the lock notification means M2 includes the light source 34, the user can easily recognize that the lock state is set. Furthermore, if the light source 34 is switched from constant lighting to blinking during the unlocking operation (long-pressing operation), the user can be made to recognize that the unlocking operation is properly performed, and a sense of security can be given. .

In the present embodiment and the previous embodiment 1, the motor 13 is exclusively used as a drive source for the inner blade 5 (main blade 3) and the movable blade 8 (trimmer unit 4). It can also be used as means M3. When the motor 13 is temporarily driven, sound and vibration are generated by the motor 13 itself, the blades 3 and 4, or the transmission mechanism therebetween. Using this sound and vibration, it is possible to inform the user that the locking or unlocking operation has been properly performed. The timing for driving the motor 13 as the lock notification means M2 is, for example, time t14 in FIG. 6 (see the imaginary line) or time t24 in FIG. The timing is, for example, time t53 (same) in FIG. 10 or time t89 (same) in FIG.

The above small electric appliance (electric shaver) can be embodied in the following forms. In order for the load (motor 13) to function as the lock notification means M2, it is necessary that the load 13 has already stopped before the lock operation is completed. Since the point of time when the locking operation is completed is the standard, not only the small electrical equipment that needs to start the locking operation after stopping the load 13 as in the first embodiment, but also the locking operation as in the modified example of the second embodiment. The following modes can also be applied to a small electrical device in which the load 13 stops during operation. The load 13 in the form below includes a motor for an electric shaver, a light source for a portable lighting fixture, and the like.

(first form)
The load 13 is driven by the power of the battery 15, and the power switch 26 controls the power supply to the load 13,
When a lock operation is performed by operating the power switch 26 in a predetermined manner, the power switch 26 is shifted to a lock mode in which the ON operation of the power switch 26 is disabled.
In the lock mode, when an unlocking operation is performed by operating the power switch 26 in a predetermined manner, the lock mode is released.
A small electrical device characterized by temporarily driving a load 13 in accordance with completion of a locking operation.

In conventional small electric devices, the power switch and the lock body are separate bodies, so it was necessary to move the fingertip between the OFF operation and the lock operation, and between the unlock operation and the ON operation. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform from the off operation to the lock operation, and from the unlock operation to the on operation, since the trouble of moving the fingertip can be saved. Further, when the load 13 as the lock notification means M2 is driven in accordance with the completion of the lock operation, the user can surely recognize that the operation has been completed and the small electric device has been properly locked. .

(Second form)
The load 13 is driven by the power of the battery 15, and the power switch 26 controls the power supply to the load 13,
When a lock operation is performed by operating the power switch 26 in a predetermined manner, the power switch 26 is shifted to a lock mode in which the ON operation of the power switch 26 is disabled.
In the lock mode, when an unlocking operation is performed by operating the power switch 26 in a predetermined manner, the lock mode is released.
A small electric device characterized by temporarily driving a load 13 in accordance with completion of an unlocking operation.

In conventional small electric devices, the power switch and the lock body are separate bodies, so it was necessary to move the fingertip between the OFF operation and the lock operation, and between the unlock operation and the ON operation. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform from the off operation to the lock operation, and from the unlock operation to the on operation, since the trouble of moving the fingertip can be saved. In addition, when the load 13 as the unlock notification means M3 is driven in accordance with the completion of the unlocking operation, the user can surely recognize that the operation has been completed and the small electric device has been properly unlocked. can be done.

(Third form)
A motor 13 driven by the power of a battery 15, an inner blade 5 driven by the motor 13 as a power source, an outer blade 6 slidingly contacting the inner blade 5 and cutting hair in cooperation with the inner blade 5, and a motor. and a power switch 26 that controls the supply of power to 13,
When a lock operation is performed by operating the power switch 26 in a predetermined manner, the power switch 26 is shifted to a lock mode in which the ON operation of the power switch 26 is disabled.
In the lock mode, when an unlocking operation is performed by operating the power switch 26 in a predetermined manner, the lock mode is released.
A small electric device characterized by temporarily driving a motor 13 in accordance with completion of a locking operation.

In the conventional electric shaver, the power switch and the lock body were separate bodies, so it was necessary to move the fingertip between the OFF operation and the lock operation, and between the unlock operation and the ON operation. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform from the off operation to the lock operation, and from the unlock operation to the on operation, since the trouble of moving the fingertip can be saved. Further, when the motor 13 as the lock notification means M2 is driven in accordance with the completion of the lock operation, the user can surely recognize that the operation is completed and the electric shaver is properly locked. Especially in the case of an electric shaver, driving the inner blade 5 generates a large vibration, so that the completion of the locking operation can be more reliably notified to the user.

(Fourth form)
A motor 13 driven by the power of a battery 15, an inner blade 5 driven by the motor 13 as a power source, an outer blade 6 slidingly contacting the inner blade 5 and cutting hair in cooperation with the inner blade 5, and a motor. and a power switch 26 that controls the supply of power to 13,
When a lock operation is performed by operating the power switch 26 in a predetermined manner, the power switch 26 is shifted to a lock mode in which the ON operation of the power switch 26 is disabled.
In the lock mode, when an unlocking operation is performed by operating the power switch 26 in a predetermined manner, the lock mode is released.
An electric shaver characterized by temporarily driving a motor 13 in accordance with completion of an unlocking operation.

In the conventional electric shaver, the power switch and the lock body were separate bodies, so it was necessary to move the fingertip between the OFF operation and the lock operation, and between the unlock operation and the ON operation. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform from the off operation to the lock operation, and from the unlock operation to the on operation, since the trouble of moving the fingertip can be saved. Further, when the motor 13 as the unlock notification means M3 is driven in accordance with the completion of the unlocking operation, the user can surely recognize that the unlocking operation has been completed and the electric shaver has been properly unlocked. can. Particularly in the case of an electric shaver, driving the inner blade 5 generates a large vibration, so that the completion of the unlocking operation can be more reliably notified to the user.

In the first and third modes described above, the completion of the lock operation and the driving of the load (motor) 13 do not have to be simultaneous, and a slight time lag may exist between the two. Similarly, in the above-described second and fourth modes, the completion of the unlocking operation and the driving of the load (motor) 13 do not have to be simultaneous, and there may be a slight time lag between the two. The first and second modes relating to small electric appliances can be combined, and the third and fourth modes relating to electric shavers can also be combined. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine each of the first to fourth forms with the forms described in the claims.

(Embodiment 5) Embodiment 5 of the present invention shown in FIG. 14 is different from Embodiment 4 in that only the remaining amount display section 20 is lit when the power switch 26 is pressed in the lock mode. When the power switch 26 is pressed (turned on), the control unit 40 lights the remaining amount display unit 20 for a predetermined period of time to notify the user of the lock mode (time t91). At this time, the lock display unit 21 is maintained in the off state. By simply turning on the remaining amount display unit 20 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to inform the user of the remaining amount of the secondary battery 15 as well as the lock mode.

At the next time point t92, the power switch 26 is started to be pressed for a long time, and the remaining amount display section 20 is illuminated as at time point t91. When a predetermined time shorter than the long-press time T1 elapses while the power switch 26 is kept closed, the control unit 40 causes the lock display unit 21 to start blinking to indicate that the unlocking operation is in progress. Notify users. Then, when the long-pressing time T1 has elapsed from time t92 (time t93), the control section 40 turns off the remaining amount display section 20 and the lock display section 21 to inform the user that the unlocking operation has been completed.

As a modification of the present embodiment, the lock display section 21 may be lit simultaneously with the remaining amount display section 20 at time points t91 and t92 when the power switch 26 is pressed. Alternatively, the remaining amount display unit 20 may be extinguished simultaneously with the start of blinking of the lock display unit 21 . Alternatively, at time t93 after the long-pressing time T1 has elapsed, the remaining amount display unit 20 may be switched from the remaining amount of the secondary battery 15 to another display to inform the user of the completion of the unlocking operation. In this case, the remaining amount display section 20 should be turned off when the user finishes pressing the power switch 26 for a long time (when the finger is released from the switch button 19) or after a predetermined period of time t93.

(Embodiment 6) Embodiment 6 of the present invention shown in FIG. different from The period notification means M1 turns on at the same time as the power switch 26 is turned off (time t101), and turns off at the same time as the reception time T2 elapses or the lock operation is completed (time t103). Of course, the period notification means M1 may be blinked instead of always lit. The lock notification means M2 starts blinking at the same time as the lock operation (long-pressing operation) of the power switch 26 is started (time t102), becomes constantly lit at the same time as the lock operation is completed (time t103), and goes out after a predetermined time. do. The lock notification means M2 is turned on again at the same time as the unlocking operation (long-pressing operation) of the power switch 26 is started (time t104), and turned off at the same time as the unlocking operation is completed (time t105). The unlocking notification means M3 starts blinking at the same time as the unlocking operation is started (time t104), becomes constantly lit at the same time as the unlocking operation is completed (time t105), and turns off after a predetermined time. In this embodiment, the remaining amount display unit 20 is not used as each notification means M1 to M3, and is lit only in the operation mode.

(Embodiment 7) Embodiment 7 of the present invention shown in FIG. There, a display screen 45 constituting each of the display units 20 to 22 is provided below the switch button 19 on the front surface of the main body case 1 . The display screen 45 consists of a rectangular liquid crystal panel, the remaining amount display section 20 is arranged on the upper part thereof, and the lock display section 21 and the charging display section 22 are arranged on the lower part thereof. The remaining capacity display section 20 consists of 10 bars that gradually increase in height from left to right, and displays the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 15 in 10 steps from 10% to 100%.

According to this embodiment using the display screen 45, the portion of the entire display screen 45 excluding the display portions 20 to 22, that is, the background portion 46 can be utilized as the notification means M1 to M3. For example, if the lock display section 21 and the background section 46 are blinked alternately during the lockable period, the background section 46 can function together with the lock display section 21 as the period notification means M1. Further, when the lock operation is performed and the lock mode is entered, the background portion 46 can be caused to emit light for a short period of time so that it can function as the lock notification means M2. When the power switch 26 is pressed in the lock mode (time t51 in FIG. 10) or during the unlocking operation (time t52 to t53 in FIG. 10), the background part 46 emits light to notify the lock. It may function as means M2. Further, when the background portion 46 is illuminated together with the remaining amount display portion 20 at the same time as the unlocking operation is completed, it can be made to function as the unlock notification means M3. In the present invention, the display screen 45 can also be arranged so as to surround the light source 34 such as an LED. It can be controlled in the same manner as the background portion 46 of this embodiment.

In addition, the remaining amount display unit 20 is not limited to the bar display of this embodiment or the 7-segment display of the first embodiment. The number of LEDs to be lit can be changed according to the remaining amount of the battery 15 . Alternatively, a plurality of LEDs corresponding to "HIGH", "MID", "LOW", "EMPTY", etc. may constitute the remaining amount display unit 20, and only the LED corresponding to the remaining amount of the secondary battery 15 may be lit. . The remaining amount display unit 20 may be composed of a single multicolor LED, and the color of the emitted light may be changed according to the remaining amount of the secondary battery 15 .

The period notification means M1, the lock notification means M2, and the unlock notification means M3 may be a buzzer, a synthetic voice, or a vibrating stimulus that appeals to the user's sense of hearing, in addition to appealing to the user's sight. Two or more of these can also be used together. The lock operation and unlock operation are not limited to the long press operation, and may be, for example, a single click operation or a double click operation of the power switch 26 .

The application of the present invention is not limited to rotary electric shavers, and the present invention can also be applied to electric shavers having a reciprocating main blade. In this type of electric shaver, since the rotational power of the motor is converted into reciprocating power by the vibrator, and the inner blade of the main blade is reciprocated, more vibration is generated than in the rotary type. Therefore, when the motor is used as the lock notification means M2 or the unlock notification means M3, the notification function can be further enhanced. Furthermore, the present invention is applied to, for example, a massager with a vibrator as the load 13, a massager with massage balls that are rotationally driven by a motor as the load 13, or a portable lighting fixture with the light source as the load 13. be able to.

1 body case 2 razor head 11 excitation light source 13 load (motor)
15 battery (secondary battery)
16 Control board 19 Switch button 20 Remaining amount display unit 21 Lock display unit 22 Charge display unit 26 Power switch T1 Long press time T2 Acceptance time M1 Period notification means M2 Lock notification means M3 Unlock notification means

Claims (3)

It comprises a motor (13) driven by electric power and a power switch (26) for controlling power supply to the motor (13),
A standby mode in which the motor (13) is stopped, an operating mode in which the motor (13) is running, and a power switch (for stopping the motor (13) and driving the motor (13)). It is possible to switch to a lock mode in which the operation of 26) is disabled,
When the power switch (26) is operated in the standby mode, the motor (13) is driven,
shifting to the lock mode by an operation method of the power switch (26) different from the operation for driving the motor (13) in at least one of the modes other than the lock mode;
The lock mode is released by an operation method of the power switch (26) different from the operation for driving the motor (13) in the lock mode,
A small electrical device characterized in that, when the unlocking operation of the lock mode is performed, the lock mode is canceled while the motor (13) is stopped, and the device shifts to the standby mode. 2. The small electric device according to claim 1, further comprising unlock notification means (M3) for notifying that unlocking of the lock mode is completed. 3. The small electric device according to claim 1, wherein the lock mode is released by pressing the power switch (26) for a predetermined long pressing time (T1).

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