US20200262092A1 - Electric shaver - Google Patents
Electric shaver Download PDFInfo
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- US20200262092A1 US20200262092A1 US16/834,418 US202016834418A US2020262092A1 US 20200262092 A1 US20200262092 A1 US 20200262092A1 US 202016834418 A US202016834418 A US 202016834418A US 2020262092 A1 US2020262092 A1 US 2020262092A1
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- shaver
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Images
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
- B26B19/38—Details of, or accessories for, hair clippers, or dry shavers, e.g. housings, casings, grips, guards
- B26B19/3873—Electric features; Charging; Computing devices
- B26B19/388—Sensors; Control
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/221—Control arrangements therefor
-
- 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
- B26B19/02—Clippers or shavers operating with a plurality of cutting edges, e.g. hair clippers, dry shavers of the reciprocating-cutter type
- B26B19/04—Cutting heads therefor; Cutters therefor; Securing equipment thereof
- B26B19/042—Long hair cutters or older types comprising a cutting grid
-
- 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
- B26B19/02—Clippers or shavers operating with a plurality of cutting edges, e.g. hair clippers, dry shavers of the reciprocating-cutter type
- B26B19/04—Cutting heads therefor; Cutters therefor; Securing equipment thereof
- B26B19/06—Cutting heads therefor; Cutters therefor; Securing equipment thereof involving co-operating cutting elements both of which have shearing teeth
-
- 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
- B26B19/20—Clippers or shavers operating with a plurality of cutting edges, e.g. hair clippers, dry shavers with provision for shearing hair of preselected or variable length
-
- 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
- B26B19/26—Clippers or shavers operating with a plurality of cutting edges, e.g. hair clippers, dry shavers of the type performing different methods of operation simultaneously, e.g. reciprocating and oscillating; of the type having two or more heads of differing mode of operation
- B26B19/265—Clippers or shavers operating with a plurality of cutting edges, e.g. hair clippers, dry shavers of the type performing different methods of operation simultaneously, e.g. reciprocating and oscillating; of the type having two or more heads of differing mode of operation of the type having two or more heads of differing mode of operation
-
- 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
- B26B19/38—Details of, or accessories for, hair clippers, or dry shavers, e.g. housings, casings, grips, guards
-
- 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
- B26B19/38—Details of, or accessories for, hair clippers, or dry shavers, e.g. housings, casings, grips, guards
- B26B19/3806—Accessories
-
- 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
- B26B19/38—Details of, or accessories for, hair clippers, or dry shavers, e.g. housings, casings, grips, guards
- B26B19/3806—Accessories
- B26B19/3813—Attachments
-
- 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
- B26B19/38—Details of, or accessories for, hair clippers, or dry shavers, e.g. housings, casings, grips, guards
- B26B19/384—Dry-shaver foils; Manufacture thereof
-
- 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
- B26B19/38—Details of, or accessories for, hair clippers, or dry shavers, e.g. housings, casings, grips, guards
- B26B19/3853—Housing or handle
- B26B19/386—Means for attaching the head thereto
-
- 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
- B26B19/38—Details of, or accessories for, hair clippers, or dry shavers, e.g. housings, casings, grips, guards
- B26B19/3873—Electric features; Charging; Computing devices
-
- 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
- B26B19/38—Details of, or accessories for, hair clippers, or dry shavers, e.g. housings, casings, grips, guards
- B26B19/3886—Actuating members, e.g. switches or control knobs
-
- 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
- B26B19/38—Details of, or accessories for, hair clippers, or dry shavers, e.g. housings, casings, grips, guards
- B26B19/40—Lubricating
-
- 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
- B26B19/38—Details of, or accessories for, hair clippers, or dry shavers, e.g. housings, casings, grips, guards
- B26B19/48—Accessory implements for carrying out a function other than cutting hair, e.g. attachable appliances for manicuring
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electric shaver comprising at least one cutter unit, a drive unit for driving said at least one cutter unit and a display device for displaying information, wherein said drive unit, when being active, is operable in different operation modes, wherein a mode input element is provided for switching the drive unit into different operation modes.
- the present invention also relates to a method for controlling such electric shaver.
- the present invention further relates to a multipurpose personal care appliance to which different types of tooling elements such as a long-hair cutter, a short-hair cutter and a skincare unit can be attached.
- Electric shavers usually have one or more cutter elements driven by an electric drive unit in an oscillating manner where the cutter elements reciprocate under a shearfoil, wherein such cutter elements or undercutters may have an elongated shape and may reciprocate along their longitudinal axis.
- Other types of electric shavers use rotatory cutter elements which may be driven in an oscillating or a continuous manner.
- Said electric drive unit may include an electric motor or an electric-type linear motor, wherein the drive unit may include a drive train having elements such as an elongated drive transmitter for transmitting the driving motion of the motor to the cutter element, wherein the motor may be received within the handle portion of the shaver or in the alternative, in the shaver head thereof.
- Such drive units are sometimes operable in different operation modes, wherein, for example, the cutter speed or oscillation frequency may be varied to increase shaving efficiency in a fast mode or highspeed mode, whereas power consumption may be reduced in a slow mode or low speed mode.
- other operation modes may be offered and may include a long-hair cutting mode in which the drive unit, in addition to or in the alternative to driving the at least one cutter unit, may drive a long hair cutter, or a fluid application mode in which a lubricating applicator such as a spray nozzle may be activated, or a ventilating mode in which a ventilator may be driven by the drive unit to generate airflow to achieve cooling or cleaning.
- the shaver may be provided with a mode input element such as a touch button, a toggle switch or a gesture sensor to allow the user to input a respective mode command switching the shaver's drive unit and/or a control unit into the desired operation mode.
- a mode input element such as a touch button, a toggle switch or a gesture sensor to allow the user to input a respective mode command switching the shaver's drive unit and/or a control unit into the desired operation mode.
- document US 2015/0246454 A shows an electric shaver operable in more than one operating mode, wherein a mode input element is provided for switching the driving unit into different operation modes.
- switching between different operation modes may be effected automatically, for example, the aforementioned low speed mode may be chosen automatically when the battery charging level becomes low.
- such shavers may have a display device for displaying information about such operation mode. For example, the selected cutter speed may be indicated, or the activation of functional accessories such as the aforementioned fluid applicator or airflow generator may be displayed.
- the charging status of a battery or accumulator of the shaver may be indicated, or the shaving time may be displayed, wherein such additional information also may be displayed when the shaver or the drive unit thereof is inactive.
- Document WO 98/25736 A suggests to display certain shaver information on the shaver's charging/cleaning station which is provided with a display for displaying such data and communicates with the shaver for receiving user data from the shaver. It also has been suggested that the sleeping display can be waked up when the power button of the shaver is briefly touched.
- Such shavers may be provided with additional personal care tools such as a skin treatment unit or a long-hair cutter unit or a beard trimmer.
- skin treatment units may comprise, for example, tooling elements such as a peeling tool, a massage brush or vibration elements for enhancing blood circulation.
- Such skincare tools can be fixedly or releasably attached to the head portion of the device.
- document WO 2009/027928 A discloses a personal care appliance having a head provided with coupling means for coupling different types of tools with the drive transmitter, such tools including a vibrating safety razor, a hair trimming device and a comb attachment.
- a more particular objective underlying the invention is to provide for an improved displaying of information to the user.
- a further objective underlying the invention is to provide for an improved control of information to be displayed to the user without sacrificing easy handling of the shaver. More particularly, a self-explaining, intuitive handling and use of the information functions of the shaver should be achieved.
- a still further objective underlying the invention is to provide for an improved multipurpose personal care appliance offering improved operation of various tool elements such as a short-hair cutter, a long-hair cutter or a skin treatment unit.
- the electric shaver is configured to allow the user to select a specific one of a plurality of different sets of information.
- different functions are assigned to the electric shaver's mode input element in dependency of the electric shaver being switched on or switched off.
- said mode input element When the electric shaver is switched on and/or the shaver's drive unit is active, said mode input element is configured to switch the driving unit into different operation modes, whereas, when the electric shaver is switched off and/or the shaver's drive unit is inactive, said mode input element is configured to switch the display device into different display modes for displaying different sets of information.
- Such double function of the mode input element allows for a natural, intuitive handling of the shaver as a user knowing the input element may be used to change the drive unit's operation modes when the shaver is switched on, naturally will use such mode input element to change the display modes of the display device when the shaver is inactive or switched off.
- no additional button or key is necessary to switch the display modes and thus, space can be saved and an easy structure of the shaver's input element can be maintained.
- the shaver's display device may be provided with an automatic switching mode in which different sets of information are displayed automatically one after the other under control of a timer.
- Such automatic switching mode keeps the user informed of any relevant information and, in addition, makes the user learn to know the shaver's different information functions and different sets of information.
- Such automatic switching mode of the display device may be activated in response to presence of a parameter indicative of the user being attentive and receptive and/or in response to a parameter indicative of a certain operational phase or status of the electric shaver.
- said automatic switching mode may be activated when the electric shaver is switched off and/or the drive unit becomes inactive.
- the automatic switching mode of the display device may be activated when the sleeping shaver is touched or an object such as a finger or a hand is approaching the sleeping shaver.
- FIG. 1 a perspective view of an electric shaver comprising a handle and a shaver head connected thereto, wherein a display device of the shaver includes a display on the handle,
- FIG. 2 a schematic view of the shaver's display in different display modes, illustrating the display's transition when the shaver is turned on,
- FIG. 3 a schematic view of the shavers' display in further different display modes to further illustrate the display devices automatic switching mode, wherein a transition of the display is shown when the shaver's drive unit is switched off,
- FIG. 4 a schematic view of the shaver's display in still further display modes to further illustrate the automatic switching mode of the display device, wherein a transition between two further display modes is shown after having switched off the shaver's drive unit,
- FIG. 5 a schematic view of the shaver's display and the shaver's mode input element, wherein use of such mode input element is illustrated when the shaver is switched off, wherein different display modes of the display as selected by the mode input element are illustrated,
- FIG. 6 a schematic view of the shaver's display in further different display modes as selected by the mode input element when the shaver's drive unit is inactive.
- the electric shaver offers comfortable ways of communicating relevant information to the user, wherein according to one aspect the user actively may select the relevant information from a plurality of sets of information offered to be displayed. According to another aspect, the shaver may automatically display different sets of information to the user at a convenient point of time once a user is attentive and ready to perceive such information.
- the mode input element which is configured to switch the active shaver into different operation modes, is also configured to switch the display device into different display modes for displaying different sets of information when the drive unit is inactive and/or the shaver is sleeping.
- the mode input element is given a second function in addition to its genuine function of controlling the operation mode of the active shaver.
- the mode input element may control the drive unit to operate either in a lower speed mode in which the cutter unit is driven at a lower speed and/or at a lower oscillation frequency, or in a highspeed mode in which the cutter unit is driven at a higher speed and/or at a higher oscillation frequency.
- Intermediate speed modes providing for cutter speeds and/or cutter oscillation frequencies between the aforementioned high speeds and low speeds also may be provided and switched on by the mode input element.
- the input mode element also may be configured to control other grooming functions of the shaver.
- the mode input element may activate a long-hair cutter to be driven by the drive unit.
- the mode input element also may switch the shaver to operate in a short-hair shaving mode in which only the aforementioned at least one cutting unit is operated, wherein the long-hair cutter is switched into its inactive state.
- grooming functions such as applying lubricating and/or cooling fluid onto the skin, or blowing cooling/cleaning air onto the skin and/or onto the shaver head may be available, wherein the mode input element may be configured to activate the applicator providing for such function such as a fluid applicator and/or an airflow generator.
- the mode input element may be configured to switch the display device of the shaver into different display modes to display different sets of information.
- the shaver may be provided with a plurality of detectors for detecting respective information and/or parameters indicative of such information.
- the display device may be connected to a charging level detector for detecting the charging level of an accumulator or battery of the shaver.
- a corresponding charge level signal provided by the charging level detector may be stored in a memory to which the display device has access and/or may be provided online to the display device.
- the mode input element When the mode input element is used to switch to a charging level display mode, the mode input element may interact with the display device and/or a display controller thereof and/or said memory so as to make the display device to display the information on the charging level on the basis of the charging level signal of the detector.
- a shaving time and/or shaving run detector may be provided for detecting the shaving time and/or the number of shaving runs performed since a last cleaning run.
- the shaving time signal and/or shaving run signal provided by the detector may be stored in a memory to which the display device has access and/or may be provided directly to the display device, wherein the mode input element may be configured to switch the display device into a shaving time and/or shaving run display mode in which the display device and/or a display controller thereof effects displaying of a shaving time information and/or shaving run information on a display.
- a cleaning status detector may detect the cleaning status of the shaver, wherein such detector may detect, for example, the time expired since a last cleaning cycle and/or the amount of hair dust residing in the shaver head and/or any other parameter indicative of the cleaning status.
- cleaning signal provided by the cleaning detector may be stored in a memory to which the display device has access and/or may be provided directly to the display device and/or a display controller thereof when the mode input element switches the display device into a cleaning status display mode so that the corresponding cleaning information is displayed.
- wear detector for detecting wear and tear of the cutter unit, wherein such wear detector may detect the number of shaving runs since the last replacement of the cutter unit and/or the frictional resistance of the cutter unit when oscillating, i.e. the oscillation resistance and/or driving power necessary to drive the cutter unit, and/or any other parameter indicative of wear and tear of the cutter unit.
- the wear signal of such wear detector may be stored in a memory and/or directly provided to the display device when the display device and/or a display controller thereof is caused by the input mode element to display a wear information on the basis of such wear signal.
- Said mode input element may include a touch key or touch button which may be realized as a mechanical button or as a soft key in terms of, for example, a touch screen button so that the mode input element may be activated by pressing or touching the touch key.
- Such touch key or touch button may be configured to provide for a switch forward and switch backward function so that it is possible to switch from a first mode to a second mode and from a second mode to a first mode.
- the touch key may be configured to differentiate between one click and two clicks as it is known from a computer mouse. Touching the key only once may, for example, provide for the aforementioned forward switching, whereas touching the key twice within a predetermined time may provide for the backward switching.
- the mode input element may include a gesture detector for detecting a finger gesture such as a finger wiping so as to allow for browsing through the various display modes by finger gestures.
- a gesture detector for detecting a finger gesture such as a finger wiping so as to allow for browsing through the various display modes by finger gestures.
- Such gesture detector also may be configured to provide for a forward switching and backward switching, wherein, for example, the direction of the finger wiping may be used to differentiate between backward and forward switching, wherein for example finger movements from left to right may be associated with forward switching whereas movements from the right to the left may provide for backward switching.
- the mode input element may include a toggle switch button for toggling from one operation to another operation mode of the drive unit and toggling from one display mode to another display mode of the display device. If there are three or more operation modes or three or more display modes, toggling can be effected in a sort of circular fashion so that activating the toggle switch button a plurality of times effects switching from mode one to mode two to mode three to mode n and, when the last mode n is reached, further activation of the toggle switch button may cause switching from mode n to mode one again.
- such toggle switch button may be configured to provide for forward switching and backward switching as explained before.
- the mode input element may include a signal receiver and/or may be configured to be responsive to a received signal so as to switch the display modes and/or the motor operation modes and/or other functional operation modes in response to a received signal.
- Such mode switching signal may come from various electronic circuits and/or devices.
- the mode switch element may be responsive to a signal coming from an external device such as the shaver charging and/or cleaning station or an electronic communication device such as a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop, thus allowing control of the display modes and/or motor operation modes and/or other functional operation modes by means of an external device.
- the mode switch element also may receive a signal from a configuration detector detecting the configuration of the shaver and/or skincare device, wherein such configuration detector may detect, for example, the position and/or connection of a long-hair cutter, a beard trimmer and/or a skin treatment unit such as a brush or peeling device. If for example, a peeling device is attached to the shaver head and/or moved into an active position, the mode switch element may switch the motor into a corresponding skin treatment mode to drive such skin treatment unit appropriately and/or may switch the display into a skin treatment display mode indicating relevant information about skin treatment.
- the aforementioned mode input element may include a software module and/or a hardware module responsive to and/or processing such mode input signals and/or mode switching signals. More particularly, a micro controller may be provided for receiving the aforementioned signals and controlling the drive unit's motor and/or the display device in such different modes in response to the received signals, wherein such micro controller may include the aforementioned software and/or hardware elements.
- the function associated with the mode input element may be determined in different ways or on the basis of different parameters.
- the activation status of the drive unit for example power consumption of the motor of the drive unit may be used as parameter on the basis of which the function of the mode input element may be determined.
- a detector may detect when the drive unit is active and working, wherein on the basis of a corresponding signal from such detector, the mode input element may be configured to switch the aforementioned operation modes of the shaver.
- the mode button may be configured to switch the display modes.
- the mode input element may be responsive to a detector signal indicative of the shaver being active or sleeping and/or indicative of the drive unit being switched on or switched off.
- a shifting element can be provided for shifting the function of the mode input element from being configured to switch the operating modes to being configured to switch the displaying modes.
- Such shifting element gives the user the option to actively change the functions of the mode input element irrespective of the working/sleeping status of the shaver and could include, for example, a touch key or touch button.
- the shifting element and/or shifting function is integrated into the mode input element in terms of, for example, a detector for detecting activation time of the mode input element.
- a brief, normal touching or clicking of the mode input element can be interpreted as a command for switching the operation mode or the display mode depending on the working/sleeping status of the shaver, whereas on the other hand, a longer touching of the mode input element exceeding a predetermined period of time, for example three seconds, could be interpreted as a command for shifting the function of the mode input element. For example, when the shaver is active and the drive unit works, pressing the mode input element for more than three seconds could be interpreted as a command for shifting into the display mode function allowing to shift the display modes of the display device.
- the display device is configured to be operable in an automatic switching mode in which different sets of information are displayed one after the other under control of a timer so that each of the available sets of information or each of a predetermined subgroup of the available sets of information is displayed for a predetermined period of time one after the other on a display.
- Such automatic switching mode of the display device can be activated in different ways and may form an aspect of a shaver which does not have and does not need the aforementioned mode input element, but nevertheless may have such mode input element.
- activation is effected at a point of time where the user is attentive and, under normal circumstances, may perceive the automatically displayed information.
- an activator may activate the automatic switching mode in response to a switching off signal indicating switching off the drive unit and/or indicating transition of the drive unit from being active to being inactive, and/or in response to a switch on signal indicating switching on the drive unit and/or indicating transition of the drive unit from being inactive to being active.
- said automatic switching mode may be activated one an object such as a finger or a hand touches the sleeping shaver and/or approaches the sleeping shaver.
- the shaver in particular the shaver handle may be provided with a detector or sensor device capable of detecting an object such as a finger or a hand approaching the shaver.
- a detector or sensor device capable of detecting an object such as a finger or a hand approaching the shaver.
- Such detector may include a touch sensor and/or an opticle sensor or any other sensor capable of detecting a finger in its neighborhood.
- the display device may include a display on the shaver handle, wherein such display may include, for example, an LED display device or other suitable display types.
- the display device may include at least one display field which is used for displaying information relative to the operation modes as well as information relative to other aspects of the shaver such as the aforementioned charging level, shaving time, cleaning status or wear and tear status.
- display field may be configured to display pictograms such as a cascade or row of display points or LEDs.
- a display may be provided on a cleaning and/or loading station configured to receive and/or be connected to the electric shaver so as to charge the shaver's battery and/or clean the shaver, wherein a fluid may be applied to the shaver head to clean the shaver.
- Such cleaning and/or charging station may include a display device configured to communicate with the electric shaver at least when the shaver is docked into the station so as to display the aforementioned information.
- the display at the cleaning and/or charging station may be controlled by means of the shaver's mode input element and/or in the aforementioned automatic switching mode automatically switching from one display mode to another display mode.
- the display device of the cleaning and/or charging station may be controlled from the shaver and/or by means of input elements at the station itself.
- the shaver and the station may be provided with data communication interfaces which may include physical connection elements that can be brought into contact with each other when the shaver is docked into the station, and/or wireless communication elements such as bluetooth or other nearfield communication interfaces.
- the electric shaver may provide for automatic indication of the shaver head's dirt status. Cut hair or other debris such as dust or dirt is usually accumulated within the interior space of the shaver head below the shaver head's cutter unit. From time to time, such interior space of the shaver head needs to be cleaned. To remind the user of cleaning when it is necessary or to automatically control and/or initiate such cleaning, the shaver may be provided with a dirt measurement unit measuring at least one parameter that is related to the dirt status and/or the amount of dirt accumulated in the shaver head.
- said measurement unit may measure relevant parameters such as shaving time and/or shaving resistance and/or frictional resistance of a cutter element and/or power consumption of the drive unit during shaving and/or contact pressure (as users tend to increase contact pressure when shaving performance decreases) and/or electrical signals of sensor elements such as electric resistance sensors responsive to hair/dust coating or optical sensors, or other parameters indicative of debris in the shaver head.
- relevant parameters such as shaving time and/or shaving resistance and/or frictional resistance of a cutter element and/or power consumption of the drive unit during shaving and/or contact pressure (as users tend to increase contact pressure when shaving performance decreases) and/or electrical signals of sensor elements such as electric resistance sensors responsive to hair/dust coating or optical sensors, or other parameters indicative of debris in the shaver head.
- a micro controller may analyze such measured parameters to determine the dirt status of the shaver head and may cause an indicating means to give a user an indication signal or information about the dirt status which may be, for example, displayed on the aforementioned display device.
- the micro controller may provide a signal to the cleaning station to automatically initiate a cleaning cycle in response to the determined dirt status and/or a signal to a smart phone to display the dirt status there.
- the shaver 1 may have a shaver housing forming a handle 2 for holding the shaver, which handle may have different shapes such as—roughly speaking—a substantially cylindrical shape or box shape or bone shape allowing for economically grabbing the shaver.
- a shaver head 3 is attached to the handle, wherein the shaver head 3 may be slewably supported about one or more slewing axes.
- the shaver head 3 includes at least one cutter unit 4 which may include a cutter element or undercutter reciprocating under a shearfoil.
- the shaver head 3 may also include a long hair cutter 8 as it is shown by FIG. 1 .
- a drive unit 5 may include a motor that can be received within the handle 2 and can be connected to the cutter unit 4 and the long hair cutter 8 by means of a transmitter or drive train extending from the motor to the cutter unit.
- an ON-OFF switch or power switch 17 may be arranged at the handle 2 , for example on a front side of said handle 2 .
- the drive unit 5 may be started and switched off again.
- the shaver 1 further includes a display 18 which may be provided on the handle 2 , for example on a front side thereof.
- a display 18 may be part of a display device 6 further including additional electronic components or other elements such as a display controller 11 , a memory, power supply components etcetera.
- the display 18 may include a first display field 18 a comprising an LED cascade and a second or further display field 18 b where symbols and/or pictograms indicative of the type of information to be displayed can be shown and displayed, cf. FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- the shaver 1 may further include a mode input element 7 in terms of, for example, a touch button 16 which may be positioned in the neighborhood of the power switch 17 .
- the display device 6 may work in an automatic mode and in addition, in a manually controlled mode.
- the display 18 may show a cascade of light signals so as to indicate that the shaver is wakening up. For example, after starting with only one light blinking or lighting, the number of the lighting LEDs may be increased one by one until all LED of the cascade are lightening.
- the display 18 may display the battery level, wherein the number of the cascade bars lightening may correspond to the battery level, cf. FIG. 2 .
- the display 18 may continue to display the battery level for a predetermined period of time after the shaver has been switched off.
- the battery status may be shown automatically for three seconds, cf. FIG. 3 right side.
- the display 18 after switching off the shaver, does not only show the charging level, but automatically switches into other display modes to display other sets of information.
- Such automatic switching mode of the display device 6 may have been activated by an activator 10 in response to a parameter indicating switching off the shaver.
- Such activator may be responsive to a detector signal or a parameter indicative of switching off the shaver.
- the automatic switching mode of the display device 6 also may be activated by said activator 10 in response to a parameter indicating approximation of an object or subject to the shaver 1 , in particular a finger or a hand portion approaching or touching the shaver 1 .
- the activator 10 may be configured to responsive, when the shaver is sleeping, to a detector signal of an approximation detector or contact sensor 19 .
- the display 18 may display, after having displayed the charging level, the cleaning status, cf. FIG. 4 left side and thereafter, the cutter unit's status, cf. FIG. 4 right side.
- Such automatic switching of the display modes may be effected under time control of a timer 9 .
- the display 18 may indicate in its second display field 18 b the type of information displayed, wherein a respective information type symbol such as a battery, cleaning fluid drops or a foil cassette symbol or other pictograms may be shown.
- a respective information type symbol such as a battery, cleaning fluid drops or a foil cassette symbol or other pictograms may be shown.
- the display modes of display device 6 also can be switched manually by means of using the aforementioned mode input element 7 which, in its genuine function may be use to switch the operation modes of the active shaver such as cutting speed, oscillation frequency etcetera.
- the display When the shaver is sleeping and/or has been switched off, the display also may go into a sleeping mode, cf. FIG. 5 left side.
- the display When activating or touching the mode input element 7 , the display is wakening up and first may show the battery charging level, cf. FIG. 5 right side.
- the display device 6 By means of touching or activating the mode input element 7 once again or further times, the display device 6 is caused to switch into other display modes to display other sets of information such as the cleaning status, cf. FIG. 6 left side and the cutter unit status, cf. FIG. 6 right side.
- the shaver 1 further may be provided with a dirt measurement unit 20 for measuring parameters relevant to the dirt status, wherein such measurement unit 20 may include a voltage and/or current detector for detecting power consumption of the drive unit during shaving and/or a time measurement means for measuring shaving time, for example.
- a dirt measurement unit 20 for measuring parameters relevant to the dirt status
- such measurement unit 20 may include a voltage and/or current detector for detecting power consumption of the drive unit during shaving and/or a time measurement means for measuring shaving time, for example.
- a micro controller 21 may receive signals indicative of such parameters and may analyze such signals to determine the dirt status, wherein indicating means 22 such as the described display device 6 may be controlled by the micro controller 21 to indicate to a user the dirt status.
- indicating means 22 such as the described display device 6 may be controlled by the micro controller 21 to indicate to a user the dirt status.
- dirt status information may be communicated to a charging and/or cleaning station to automatically initiate a cleaning cycle in response to the dirt status.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an electric shaver comprising at least one cutter unit, a drive unit for driving said at least one cutter unit and a display device for displaying information, wherein said drive unit, when being active, is operable in different operation modes, wherein a mode input element is provided for switching the drive unit into different operation modes. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling such electric shaver. The present invention further relates to a multipurpose personal care appliance to which different types of tooling elements such as a long-hair cutter, a short-hair cutter and a skincare unit can be attached.
- Electric shavers usually have one or more cutter elements driven by an electric drive unit in an oscillating manner where the cutter elements reciprocate under a shearfoil, wherein such cutter elements or undercutters may have an elongated shape and may reciprocate along their longitudinal axis. Other types of electric shavers use rotatory cutter elements which may be driven in an oscillating or a continuous manner. Said electric drive unit may include an electric motor or an electric-type linear motor, wherein the drive unit may include a drive train having elements such as an elongated drive transmitter for transmitting the driving motion of the motor to the cutter element, wherein the motor may be received within the handle portion of the shaver or in the alternative, in the shaver head thereof.
- Such drive units are sometimes operable in different operation modes, wherein, for example, the cutter speed or oscillation frequency may be varied to increase shaving efficiency in a fast mode or highspeed mode, whereas power consumption may be reduced in a slow mode or low speed mode. Depending on the fittings of the shaver, other operation modes may be offered and may include a long-hair cutting mode in which the drive unit, in addition to or in the alternative to driving the at least one cutter unit, may drive a long hair cutter, or a fluid application mode in which a lubricating applicator such as a spray nozzle may be activated, or a ventilating mode in which a ventilator may be driven by the drive unit to generate airflow to achieve cooling or cleaning.
- So as to give a user the option to choose between those different operation modes, the shaver may be provided with a mode input element such as a touch button, a toggle switch or a gesture sensor to allow the user to input a respective mode command switching the shaver's drive unit and/or a control unit into the desired operation mode. For example, document US 2015/0246454 A shows an electric shaver operable in more than one operating mode, wherein a mode input element is provided for switching the driving unit into different operation modes. Sometimes switching between different operation modes may be effected automatically, for example, the aforementioned low speed mode may be chosen automatically when the battery charging level becomes low.
- In order to give the user feedback regarding which operation mode has been selected, such shavers may have a display device for displaying information about such operation mode. For example, the selected cutter speed may be indicated, or the activation of functional accessories such as the aforementioned fluid applicator or airflow generator may be displayed.
- In addition or in the alternative to displaying such information on the operation mode, other information may be displayed by such display devices. For example, the charging status of a battery or accumulator of the shaver may be indicated, or the shaving time may be displayed, wherein such additional information also may be displayed when the shaver or the drive unit thereof is inactive. For example, it has been suggested to extend the activity of the display to a period of some seconds after switching off the shaver so that, for example, the battery charge level is indicated for some seconds after switching off the shaver and thereafter, fading out to the idle mode in which no information is displayed. Document WO 98/25736 A suggests to display certain shaver information on the shaver's charging/cleaning station which is provided with a display for displaying such data and communicates with the shaver for receiving user data from the shaver. It also has been suggested that the sleeping display can be waked up when the power button of the shaver is briefly touched.
- Sometimes such shavers may be provided with additional personal care tools such as a skin treatment unit or a long-hair cutter unit or a beard trimmer. Such skin treatment units may comprise, for example, tooling elements such as a peeling tool, a massage brush or vibration elements for enhancing blood circulation. Such skincare tools can be fixedly or releasably attached to the head portion of the device. For example, document WO 2009/027928 A discloses a personal care appliance having a head provided with coupling means for coupling different types of tools with the drive transmitter, such tools including a vibrating safety razor, a hair trimming device and a comb attachment.
- It is an objective underlying the present invention to provide for an improved electric shaver avoiding at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art and/or further developing the existing solutions. A more particular objective underlying the invention is to provide for an improved displaying of information to the user.
- A further objective underlying the invention is to provide for an improved control of information to be displayed to the user without sacrificing easy handling of the shaver. More particularly, a self-explaining, intuitive handling and use of the information functions of the shaver should be achieved.
- A still further objective underlying the invention is to provide for an improved multipurpose personal care appliance offering improved operation of various tool elements such as a short-hair cutter, a long-hair cutter or a skin treatment unit.
- To achieve at least one of the aforementioned objectives, it is suggested to give the user the option to perceive different sets of information even when the shaver is switched off and/or the shaver's drive unit is inactive. More particularly, the electric shaver is configured to allow the user to select a specific one of a plurality of different sets of information. According to a first aspect, different functions are assigned to the electric shaver's mode input element in dependency of the electric shaver being switched on or switched off. When the electric shaver is switched on and/or the shaver's drive unit is active, said mode input element is configured to switch the driving unit into different operation modes, whereas, when the electric shaver is switched off and/or the shaver's drive unit is inactive, said mode input element is configured to switch the display device into different display modes for displaying different sets of information. Such double function of the mode input element allows for a natural, intuitive handling of the shaver as a user knowing the input element may be used to change the drive unit's operation modes when the shaver is switched on, naturally will use such mode input element to change the display modes of the display device when the shaver is inactive or switched off. In addition, due to such double function of the mode inputelement no additional button or key is necessary to switch the display modes and thus, space can be saved and an easy structure of the shaver's input element can be maintained.
- According to a further aspect, the shaver's display device may be provided with an automatic switching mode in which different sets of information are displayed automatically one after the other under control of a timer. Such automatic switching mode keeps the user informed of any relevant information and, in addition, makes the user learn to know the shaver's different information functions and different sets of information.
- Such automatic switching mode of the display device may be activated in response to presence of a parameter indicative of the user being attentive and receptive and/or in response to a parameter indicative of a certain operational phase or status of the electric shaver. In particular, said automatic switching mode may be activated when the electric shaver is switched off and/or the drive unit becomes inactive. In the alternative or in addition, the automatic switching mode of the display device may be activated when the sleeping shaver is touched or an object such as a finger or a hand is approaching the sleeping shaver.
- These and other advantages become more apparent from the following description giving reference to the drawings and possible examples.
-
FIG. 1 : a perspective view of an electric shaver comprising a handle and a shaver head connected thereto, wherein a display device of the shaver includes a display on the handle, -
FIG. 2 : a schematic view of the shaver's display in different display modes, illustrating the display's transition when the shaver is turned on, -
FIG. 3 : a schematic view of the shavers' display in further different display modes to further illustrate the display devices automatic switching mode, wherein a transition of the display is shown when the shaver's drive unit is switched off, -
FIG. 4 : a schematic view of the shaver's display in still further display modes to further illustrate the automatic switching mode of the display device, wherein a transition between two further display modes is shown after having switched off the shaver's drive unit, -
FIG. 5 : a schematic view of the shaver's display and the shaver's mode input element, wherein use of such mode input element is illustrated when the shaver is switched off, wherein different display modes of the display as selected by the mode input element are illustrated, -
FIG. 6 : a schematic view of the shaver's display in further different display modes as selected by the mode input element when the shaver's drive unit is inactive. - The electric shaver offers comfortable ways of communicating relevant information to the user, wherein according to one aspect the user actively may select the relevant information from a plurality of sets of information offered to be displayed. According to another aspect, the shaver may automatically display different sets of information to the user at a convenient point of time once a user is attentive and ready to perceive such information.
- More particularly, according to a first aspect, the mode input element which is configured to switch the active shaver into different operation modes, is also configured to switch the display device into different display modes for displaying different sets of information when the drive unit is inactive and/or the shaver is sleeping. Thus, the mode input element is given a second function in addition to its genuine function of controlling the operation mode of the active shaver.
- When the shaver is active and/or the drive unit is switched on, the mode input element may control the drive unit to operate either in a lower speed mode in which the cutter unit is driven at a lower speed and/or at a lower oscillation frequency, or in a highspeed mode in which the cutter unit is driven at a higher speed and/or at a higher oscillation frequency. Intermediate speed modes providing for cutter speeds and/or cutter oscillation frequencies between the aforementioned high speeds and low speeds also may be provided and switched on by the mode input element.
- In addition to such speed control function, the input mode element also may be configured to control other grooming functions of the shaver. For example, the mode input element may activate a long-hair cutter to be driven by the drive unit. In addition or in the alternative to such long-hair cutting mode, the mode input element also may switch the shaver to operate in a short-hair shaving mode in which only the aforementioned at least one cutting unit is operated, wherein the long-hair cutter is switched into its inactive state. Other grooming functions such as applying lubricating and/or cooling fluid onto the skin, or blowing cooling/cleaning air onto the skin and/or onto the shaver head may be available, wherein the mode input element may be configured to activate the applicator providing for such function such as a fluid applicator and/or an airflow generator.
- In addition to such control of the operation modes, the mode input element may be configured to switch the display device of the shaver into different display modes to display different sets of information. In particular, so as to be able to offer different sets of information, the shaver may be provided with a plurality of detectors for detecting respective information and/or parameters indicative of such information. For example, the display device may be connected to a charging level detector for detecting the charging level of an accumulator or battery of the shaver. A corresponding charge level signal provided by the charging level detector may be stored in a memory to which the display device has access and/or may be provided online to the display device. When the mode input element is used to switch to a charging level display mode, the mode input element may interact with the display device and/or a display controller thereof and/or said memory so as to make the display device to display the information on the charging level on the basis of the charging level signal of the detector.
- In addition to or in the alternative, a shaving time and/or shaving run detector may be provided for detecting the shaving time and/or the number of shaving runs performed since a last cleaning run. The shaving time signal and/or shaving run signal provided by the detector may be stored in a memory to which the display device has access and/or may be provided directly to the display device, wherein the mode input element may be configured to switch the display device into a shaving time and/or shaving run display mode in which the display device and/or a display controller thereof effects displaying of a shaving time information and/or shaving run information on a display.
- In addition or in the alternative, a cleaning status detector may detect the cleaning status of the shaver, wherein such detector may detect, for example, the time expired since a last cleaning cycle and/or the amount of hair dust residing in the shaver head and/or any other parameter indicative of the cleaning status. Again, such cleaning signal provided by the cleaning detector may be stored in a memory to which the display device has access and/or may be provided directly to the display device and/or a display controller thereof when the mode input element switches the display device into a cleaning status display mode so that the corresponding cleaning information is displayed.
- In addition to or in the alternative, there may be also a wear detector for detecting wear and tear of the cutter unit, wherein such wear detector may detect the number of shaving runs since the last replacement of the cutter unit and/or the frictional resistance of the cutter unit when oscillating, i.e. the oscillation resistance and/or driving power necessary to drive the cutter unit, and/or any other parameter indicative of wear and tear of the cutter unit. The wear signal of such wear detector may be stored in a memory and/or directly provided to the display device when the display device and/or a display controller thereof is caused by the input mode element to display a wear information on the basis of such wear signal.
- Said mode input element may include a touch key or touch button which may be realized as a mechanical button or as a soft key in terms of, for example, a touch screen button so that the mode input element may be activated by pressing or touching the touch key. Such touch key or touch button may be configured to provide for a switch forward and switch backward function so that it is possible to switch from a first mode to a second mode and from a second mode to a first mode. For example, the touch key may be configured to differentiate between one click and two clicks as it is known from a computer mouse. Touching the key only once may, for example, provide for the aforementioned forward switching, whereas touching the key twice within a predetermined time may provide for the backward switching.
- In addition or in the alternative to such touch key, the mode input element may include a gesture detector for detecting a finger gesture such as a finger wiping so as to allow for browsing through the various display modes by finger gestures. Such gesture detector also may be configured to provide for a forward switching and backward switching, wherein, for example, the direction of the finger wiping may be used to differentiate between backward and forward switching, wherein for example finger movements from left to right may be associated with forward switching whereas movements from the right to the left may provide for backward switching.
- According to a further aspect, the mode input element may include a toggle switch button for toggling from one operation to another operation mode of the drive unit and toggling from one display mode to another display mode of the display device. If there are three or more operation modes or three or more display modes, toggling can be effected in a sort of circular fashion so that activating the toggle switch button a plurality of times effects switching from mode one to mode two to mode three to mode n and, when the last mode n is reached, further activation of the toggle switch button may cause switching from mode n to mode one again. In addition or in the alternative, such toggle switch button may be configured to provide for forward switching and backward switching as explained before.
- According to a still further aspect, the mode input element may include a signal receiver and/or may be configured to be responsive to a received signal so as to switch the display modes and/or the motor operation modes and/or other functional operation modes in response to a received signal. Such mode switching signal may come from various electronic circuits and/or devices. In particular, the mode switch element may be responsive to a signal coming from an external device such as the shaver charging and/or cleaning station or an electronic communication device such as a smartphone, a tablet or a laptop, thus allowing control of the display modes and/or motor operation modes and/or other functional operation modes by means of an external device.
- The mode switch element also may receive a signal from a configuration detector detecting the configuration of the shaver and/or skincare device, wherein such configuration detector may detect, for example, the position and/or connection of a long-hair cutter, a beard trimmer and/or a skin treatment unit such as a brush or peeling device. If for example, a peeling device is attached to the shaver head and/or moved into an active position, the mode switch element may switch the motor into a corresponding skin treatment mode to drive such skin treatment unit appropriately and/or may switch the display into a skin treatment display mode indicating relevant information about skin treatment.
- The aforementioned mode input element may include a software module and/or a hardware module responsive to and/or processing such mode input signals and/or mode switching signals. More particularly, a micro controller may be provided for receiving the aforementioned signals and controlling the drive unit's motor and/or the display device in such different modes in response to the received signals, wherein such micro controller may include the aforementioned software and/or hardware elements.
- The function associated with the mode input element may be determined in different ways or on the basis of different parameters. For example, the activation status of the drive unit, for example power consumption of the motor of the drive unit may be used as parameter on the basis of which the function of the mode input element may be determined. For example, a detector may detect when the drive unit is active and working, wherein on the basis of a corresponding signal from such detector, the mode input element may be configured to switch the aforementioned operation modes of the shaver. On the other hand, when the detector does not provide such signal or provides for an inactive signal indicating the drive unit is not working and/or the shaver has been switched off, the mode button may be configured to switch the display modes. Thus, the mode input element may be responsive to a detector signal indicative of the shaver being active or sleeping and/or indicative of the drive unit being switched on or switched off.
- In addition to or in the alternative to the mode input element being responsive to the working/sleeping status of the drive unit or the shaver, a shifting element can be provided for shifting the function of the mode input element from being configured to switch the operating modes to being configured to switch the displaying modes. Such shifting element gives the user the option to actively change the functions of the mode input element irrespective of the working/sleeping status of the shaver and could include, for example, a touch key or touch button. It also would be possible that the shifting element and/or shifting function is integrated into the mode input element in terms of, for example, a detector for detecting activation time of the mode input element. For example, a brief, normal touching or clicking of the mode input element can be interpreted as a command for switching the operation mode or the display mode depending on the working/sleeping status of the shaver, whereas on the other hand, a longer touching of the mode input element exceeding a predetermined period of time, for example three seconds, could be interpreted as a command for shifting the function of the mode input element. For example, when the shaver is active and the drive unit works, pressing the mode input element for more than three seconds could be interpreted as a command for shifting into the display mode function allowing to shift the display modes of the display device.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, the display device is configured to be operable in an automatic switching mode in which different sets of information are displayed one after the other under control of a timer so that each of the available sets of information or each of a predetermined subgroup of the available sets of information is displayed for a predetermined period of time one after the other on a display.
- Such automatic switching mode of the display device can be activated in different ways and may form an aspect of a shaver which does not have and does not need the aforementioned mode input element, but nevertheless may have such mode input element. According to a further aspect, activation is effected at a point of time where the user is attentive and, under normal circumstances, may perceive the automatically displayed information. For example, an activator may activate the automatic switching mode in response to a switching off signal indicating switching off the drive unit and/or indicating transition of the drive unit from being active to being inactive, and/or in response to a switch on signal indicating switching on the drive unit and/or indicating transition of the drive unit from being inactive to being active.
- In the alternative or in addition, said automatic switching mode may be activated one an object such as a finger or a hand touches the sleeping shaver and/or approaches the sleeping shaver. To detect such approach, the shaver, in particular the shaver handle may be provided with a detector or sensor device capable of detecting an object such as a finger or a hand approaching the shaver. Such detector may include a touch sensor and/or an opticle sensor or any other sensor capable of detecting a finger in its neighborhood.
- The display device may include a display on the shaver handle, wherein such display may include, for example, an LED display device or other suitable display types.
- In order to achieve a space-saving display arrangement, the display device may include at least one display field which is used for displaying information relative to the operation modes as well as information relative to other aspects of the shaver such as the aforementioned charging level, shaving time, cleaning status or wear and tear status. For example, such display field may be configured to display pictograms such as a cascade or row of display points or LEDs.
- In addition or in the alternative to a display provided on the electric shaver itself, a display may be provided on a cleaning and/or loading station configured to receive and/or be connected to the electric shaver so as to charge the shaver's battery and/or clean the shaver, wherein a fluid may be applied to the shaver head to clean the shaver. Such cleaning and/or charging station may include a display device configured to communicate with the electric shaver at least when the shaver is docked into the station so as to display the aforementioned information. The display at the cleaning and/or charging station may be controlled by means of the shaver's mode input element and/or in the aforementioned automatic switching mode automatically switching from one display mode to another display mode.
- The display device of the cleaning and/or charging station may be controlled from the shaver and/or by means of input elements at the station itself. To allow for control of the station's display from the shaver, the shaver and the station may be provided with data communication interfaces which may include physical connection elements that can be brought into contact with each other when the shaver is docked into the station, and/or wireless communication elements such as bluetooth or other nearfield communication interfaces.
- According to a further aspect, the electric shaver may provide for automatic indication of the shaver head's dirt status. Cut hair or other debris such as dust or dirt is usually accumulated within the interior space of the shaver head below the shaver head's cutter unit. From time to time, such interior space of the shaver head needs to be cleaned. To remind the user of cleaning when it is necessary or to automatically control and/or initiate such cleaning, the shaver may be provided with a dirt measurement unit measuring at least one parameter that is related to the dirt status and/or the amount of dirt accumulated in the shaver head.
- For example, said measurement unit may measure relevant parameters such as shaving time and/or shaving resistance and/or frictional resistance of a cutter element and/or power consumption of the drive unit during shaving and/or contact pressure (as users tend to increase contact pressure when shaving performance decreases) and/or electrical signals of sensor elements such as electric resistance sensors responsive to hair/dust coating or optical sensors, or other parameters indicative of debris in the shaver head.
- A micro controller may analyze such measured parameters to determine the dirt status of the shaver head and may cause an indicating means to give a user an indication signal or information about the dirt status which may be, for example, displayed on the aforementioned display device. In addition or in the alternative, the micro controller may provide a signal to the cleaning station to automatically initiate a cleaning cycle in response to the determined dirt status and/or a signal to a smart phone to display the dirt status there.
- These and other features become more apparent from the example showing in the drawings. As can be seen from
FIG. 1 , theshaver 1 may have a shaver housing forming ahandle 2 for holding the shaver, which handle may have different shapes such as—roughly speaking—a substantially cylindrical shape or box shape or bone shape allowing for economically grabbing the shaver. - On one end of the
shaver 2, ashaver head 3 is attached to the handle, wherein theshaver head 3 may be slewably supported about one or more slewing axes. - The
shaver head 3 includes at least onecutter unit 4 which may include a cutter element or undercutter reciprocating under a shearfoil. Theshaver head 3 may also include along hair cutter 8 as it is shown byFIG. 1 . - So as to drive
such cutter unit 4 and thelong hair cutter 8, adrive unit 5 may include a motor that can be received within thehandle 2 and can be connected to thecutter unit 4 and thelong hair cutter 8 by means of a transmitter or drive train extending from the motor to the cutter unit. - As can be seen from
FIG. 1 , an ON-OFF switch orpower switch 17 may be arranged at thehandle 2, for example on a front side of saidhandle 2. By means ofsuch power switch 17, thedrive unit 5 may be started and switched off again. - As can be seen from
FIGS. 2 to 6 , theshaver 1 further includes adisplay 18 which may be provided on thehandle 2, for example on a front side thereof.Such display 18 may be part of adisplay device 6 further including additional electronic components or other elements such as adisplay controller 11, a memory, power supply components etcetera. - The
display 18 may include afirst display field 18 a comprising an LED cascade and a second orfurther display field 18 b where symbols and/or pictograms indicative of the type of information to be displayed can be shown and displayed, cf.FIGS. 3 and 4 . - As can be seen from
FIG. 5 , theshaver 1 may further include amode input element 7 in terms of, for example, atouch button 16 which may be positioned in the neighborhood of thepower switch 17. - As illustrated by the figures, the
display device 6 may work in an automatic mode and in addition, in a manually controlled mode. For example, when starting theshaver 1 by touching thepower switch 17, thedisplay 18 may show a cascade of light signals so as to indicate that the shaver is wakening up. For example, after starting with only one light blinking or lighting, the number of the lighting LEDs may be increased one by one until all LED of the cascade are lightening. - After such initialization procedure or in the alternative thereto, the
display 18 may display the battery level, wherein the number of the cascade bars lightening may correspond to the battery level, cf.FIG. 2 . - As can be seen from
FIG. 3 , thedisplay 18 may continue to display the battery level for a predetermined period of time after the shaver has been switched off. For example, the battery status may be shown automatically for three seconds, cf.FIG. 3 right side. - According to an aspect, the
display 18, after switching off the shaver, does not only show the charging level, but automatically switches into other display modes to display other sets of information. Such automatic switching mode of thedisplay device 6 may have been activated by anactivator 10 in response to a parameter indicating switching off the shaver. Such activator may be responsive to a detector signal or a parameter indicative of switching off the shaver. - In addition or in the alternative, the automatic switching mode of the
display device 6 also may be activated by saidactivator 10 in response to a parameter indicating approximation of an object or subject to theshaver 1, in particular a finger or a hand portion approaching or touching theshaver 1. Thus, theactivator 10 may be configured to responsive, when the shaver is sleeping, to a detector signal of an approximation detector orcontact sensor 19. - As can be seen from
FIG. 4 , due to such automatic switching mode, thedisplay 18 may display, after having displayed the charging level, the cleaning status, cf.FIG. 4 left side and thereafter, the cutter unit's status, cf.FIG. 4 right side. Such automatic switching of the display modes may be effected under time control of atimer 9. - As can be seen from
FIGS. 3 to 4 , thedisplay 18 may indicate in itssecond display field 18 b the type of information displayed, wherein a respective information type symbol such as a battery, cleaning fluid drops or a foil cassette symbol or other pictograms may be shown. - As can be seen from
FIGS. 5 and 6 , the display modes ofdisplay device 6 also can be switched manually by means of using the aforementionedmode input element 7 which, in its genuine function may be use to switch the operation modes of the active shaver such as cutting speed, oscillation frequency etcetera. When the shaver is sleeping and/or has been switched off, the display also may go into a sleeping mode, cf.FIG. 5 left side. When activating or touching themode input element 7, the display is wakening up and first may show the battery charging level, cf.FIG. 5 right side. - By means of touching or activating the
mode input element 7 once again or further times, thedisplay device 6 is caused to switch into other display modes to display other sets of information such as the cleaning status, cf.FIG. 6 left side and the cutter unit status, cf.FIG. 6 right side. - As can be seen from
FIG. 3 , theshaver 1 further may be provided with adirt measurement unit 20 for measuring parameters relevant to the dirt status, whereinsuch measurement unit 20 may include a voltage and/or current detector for detecting power consumption of the drive unit during shaving and/or a time measurement means for measuring shaving time, for example. - A
micro controller 21 may receive signals indicative of such parameters and may analyze such signals to determine the dirt status, wherein indicating means 22 such as the describeddisplay device 6 may be controlled by themicro controller 21 to indicate to a user the dirt status. In addition or in the alternative, such dirt status information may be communicated to a charging and/or cleaning station to automatically initiate a cleaning cycle in response to the dirt status. - The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.
- Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
- While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
Claims (20)
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US15/714,835 Abandoned US20180085952A1 (en) | 2016-09-28 | 2017-09-25 | Electric shaver |
US15/714,971 Active 2037-11-25 US10421203B2 (en) | 2016-09-28 | 2017-09-25 | Electric shaver |
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US15/714,971 Active 2037-11-25 US10421203B2 (en) | 2016-09-28 | 2017-09-25 | Electric shaver |
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EP (3) | EP3300864B1 (en) |
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JP2019533494A (en) | 2019-11-21 |
CN109789588A (en) | 2019-05-21 |
EP3300866B1 (en) | 2019-12-04 |
CN109789589A (en) | 2019-05-21 |
US10421203B2 (en) | 2019-09-24 |
JP2019533493A (en) | 2019-11-21 |
WO2018060844A3 (en) | 2018-05-11 |
EP3300865B1 (en) | 2023-11-08 |
WO2018060844A2 (en) | 2018-04-05 |
EP3300866A1 (en) | 2018-04-04 |
JP2021121357A (en) | 2021-08-26 |
JP7060587B2 (en) | 2022-04-26 |
CN109789590B (en) | 2021-10-15 |
JP7032390B2 (en) | 2022-03-08 |
EP3300864A1 (en) | 2018-04-04 |
CN109789590A (en) | 2019-05-21 |
JP2021098135A (en) | 2021-07-01 |
CN109789588B (en) | 2021-08-17 |
CN109789589B (en) | 2022-01-04 |
WO2018060845A1 (en) | 2018-04-05 |
EP3300864B1 (en) | 2021-12-15 |
EP3300865A1 (en) | 2018-04-04 |
US20180085952A1 (en) | 2018-03-29 |
US20180085942A1 (en) | 2018-03-29 |
JP2019535342A (en) | 2019-12-12 |
WO2018060846A1 (en) | 2018-04-05 |
US20180085953A1 (en) | 2018-03-29 |
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