The present invention relates to a grooming device, and more particularly to a grooming device having the ability to improve the usage experience of the grooming device by providing information about the usage experience to the user related to the grooming device.
There are numerous grooming devices used by consumers every day. Proper usage techniques of such grooming devices facilitate the overall efficacy of the product providing the user with a more positive experience than he or she would have otherwise experienced. Such positive usage experiences will likely lead to continued product usage. Providing the user with information about proper usage techniques for using grooming devices appliance has been limited.
Razors with sensors have been used to provide information to the user. Razors with proximity sensors or cameras have been used to provide information on blade attrition. Razors with force sensors have been used to provide the user with information on the amount of force being applied to the skin. By tracking the force being applied during the shave provide a metric to gauge blade dulling and predict blade attrition. Razors having sensors to count shaving strokes have been used to again assist with blade attrition. Cameras have been used to provide users with boundary indicators such as distinguishing between areas of long hair such as sideburns adjacent to areas of shorter hair length.
To date the devices providing force and blade life tracking have been limited in their commercial viability given the complicated designs. There is a desire to provide a grooming device with force indication and blade life tracking in a simple design. Such a design has yet to be provided.
The present invention relates to a grooming device. The grooming device includes a handle and a grooming implement. The handle includes a neck portion, a displacement sensor, a housing portion, and a power source positioned within the handle. The neck portion includes a proximal end and a distal end where the proximal end of the neck portion has an implement connecting structure. The displacement sensor is positioned within the neck portion. The housing portion comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a location element. The proximal end of the housing portion is pivotably connected to the distal end of the neck portion about a handle pivot axis. As the neck portion pivots about the handle pivot axis relative to the housing portion, the displacement sensor detects displacement of the location element. The power source provides power to the displacement sensor. The grooming implement is connected to the implement connecting structure.
The location element can be positioned adjacent the proximal end of the housing portion.
The displacement sensor can be position adjacent the distal end of the neck portion.
The grooming device may further comprise a spring positioned between the neck portion and the housing portion.
The grooming device may comprise an electric shaver, a shaving razor, and/or an epilator.
An algorithm may calculate a load being placed on the grooming implement based on displacement of the location element.
The handle may further comprise a feedback mechanism.
The feedback mechanism may comprise a visual indicator, an LED, a vibration mechanism, and/or an audio mechanism.
The feedback mechanism may indicate a pressure or a load state.
The handle may further comprise an eject button to eject the grooming implement from the handle. The location element may be displaced upon depression of the ejection button providing an indication that the grooming implement has been ejected.
The eject button may comprise a second location element. The second location element being displaced upon activation of the ejection button providing an indication that the grooming implement has been ejected.
The displacement sensor may comprise a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a resistive sensor, a conductive sensor, a proximity sensor, an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, an electromechanical switch, or an electromagnetic switch.
The location element may comprise a magnet, a visual marker, a physical marker, a metal, a plastic or an electrically conductive material.
The handle may further comprise a second displacement sensor.
The distal end of the neck portion can be pivotably connected to the proximal end of the housing portion by a hinge.
The hinge may comprise an elastomer, a plastic material, a pin, or a metal.
The housing portion may further comprise a memory storage device.
The housing portion may further comprise a communication device.
The communication device may communicate with a second device.
The housing portion may be watertight.
The handle may further comprise an electrical connection between the neck portion and the housing portion of the handle.
The electrical connection between the neck portion and the housing portion comprises a printed circuit board.
The printed circuit board may include a first section at least partially disposed within the housing portion and a second section extending to or through the neck portion.
The printed circuit board may couple the power source and the displacement sensor.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designation substantially identical elements, and in which:
Referring now to
The neck portion 112 moves relative to the housing portion 116 about a handle pivot axis 124 when a load is applied to the grooming implement 108. As illustrated, the coupling mechanism 120 forms a rigid connection between the neck portion 112 and the housing portion 116, and the handle pivot axis 124 is formed by an integrated live-hinge feature positioned at the distal end of the neck portion 112. The handle pivot axis 124 may also be formed as part of the coupling mechanism 120 between the neck portion 112 and the housing portion 116 using, for example, a pin joint or a flexible beam member that allows displacement between the housing portion 116 and the neck portion 112. There may also be a spring component located between the neck portion 112 and the housing portion 116 that provides a return force causing the neck portion 112 to return to a rest position after being displaced.
Referring now to
Turning now to
The neck portion 112 includes a proximal end 112a, a distal end 112b, and a displacement sensor 136 positioned between the proximal and distal ends 112a, 112b. The proximal end 112a of the neck portion 112 comprises an implement connecting structure 128. The distal end 112b of the neck portion 112 is pivotably connected to the housing portion 116 via the coupling mechanism 120 and rotates about the handle pivot axis 124. An electrical connection is formed between the housing portion 116 of the handle 104 and the neck portion 112 of the handle 104. In particular, as illustrated in
The displacement sensor 136 is positioned on the flexible PCB 144 on the neck portion 112 side of bending section 148. So configured, as the neck portion 112 rotates about the handle pivot axis 124, the location element 132 remains stationary while the displacement sensor 136 rotates with the neck portion 112 (
The grooming device 100 may include a feedback mechanism 180 which may be positioned in the housing portion 116 (
The handle 204 includes the housing portion 216 and the neck portion 212 that is coupled to the housing portion 216 by the coupling mechanism 220. The housing portion 216 includes a proximal end 216a and a distal end 216b. A power source 264 may be positioned within the housing portion 216. The power source 264 provides power to displacement sensor 236 and to other sensors and other devices needing power. The power source 264 may comprise a rechargeable battery, a disposable battery, or a corded electrical connection. A location element 232 is positioned within the housing portion 216. In particular, the location element 232 is positioned within the housing portion 216 adjacent the proximal end 216a of the housing portion 216. The location element 232 may be a magnet, a visual marker, a physical marker, a metal, a plastic, or an electrically conductive material.
The neck portion 212 includes a proximal end 212a, a distal end 212b, and a displacement sensor 236 positioned between the proximal and distal ends 212a, 212b. The proximal end 212a of the neck portion 212 comprises an implement connecting structure 228. The distal end 212b of the neck portion 212 is pivotably connected to the housing portion 216 via the coupling mechanism 220 and rotates about the handle pivot axis 224. An electrical connection is formed between the housing portion 216 of the handle 204 and the neck portion 212 of the handle 204. In particular, as illustrated in
The displacement sensor 236 is positioned on the flexible PCB 244 on the neck portion 212 side of bending section 248. So configured, as the neck portion 212 rotates about the handle pivot axis 224, the location element 232 remains stationary while the displacement sensor 236 rotates with the neck portion 212 (
The grooming device 200 may include a feedback mechanism 280 which may be positioned in in the neck potion 212 (
Preferably the housing portion 116 is watertight thus allowing the grooming device 100 to be used in wet conditions while protecting the power source 164 and any other sensors or electronic components within the housing portion 116. The neck portion 112 or the flexible PCB 144 may also be watertight to protect the displacement sensor 136, 236, the feedback mechanism 280 and any other sensors or electronic components within the neck portion 112, 212 or connected to the flexible PCB 144, 244.
The grooming device 100 may include a communication device 168 positioned within the housing portion 116. The communication device 168 may be a wireless connection, a wired connection, a removable memory card, a vibration device, microphone, an audio device, and/or a visual indicator such as an LED or LCD display. The communication device 168 allows the grooming device 100 to communicate with a user and/or a second device 172 (
In use, the user will grasp the housing portion 116 of the handle 104. The power source 164 will power up and power the sensors needing power. The power source 164 may power up automatically upon contact with or movement by the user. In some examples, the power source 164 can power up via an on/off switch. In other examples, the power source 164 can be constantly on and preferably in a power save mode while not in use and then in full power mode when in use. The user will then groom.
As the user grooms, data (e.g., signal strength) is collected from the displacement sensor 136. The data collected can be used to calculate the pressure and/or load on the handle 104 as well as contact data. The data collected may also be used to calculate the number and length of each grooming stroke experienced and the total distance or mileage the grooming implement 108 has experienced at any given point in time. When the user is finished grooming, the grooming device 100 is put down and data collection stops. The collected data may be transmitted instantaneously as the data is collected via the communication device 168. In other examples, the collected data is transmitted after the data from a single grooming event or multiple grooming events has been collected via the communication device 168. The data, whether transmitted instantaneously or after a period of time, can be transmitted through the feedback mechanism 180.
Referring now to
The algorithm may monitor the magnitude of the displacement between the displacement sensor 136 and the location element 132 detected by the displacement sensor 136 from a known baseline. For example, if a user starts shaving there would be an activation of the displacement sensor 136 when the grooming implement 108 touches the skin on the user's face causing the neck portion 112 to pivot. If a predetermined number of shave stroke events are detected within a predetermined period of time associated with device activation, then the session will be classified as a grooming event (step 805).
A summary of the shave may be generated from a combination of steps 802, 803, and 805 (step 807) and can be communicated to the user via the feedback mechanism 180 or communicated to the second device 172 via the communication device 168. Step 807 may also be used in conjunction with user profile data collected directly from the user to add an extra level of context such as, for example, how the new shave event compares to previous shave events or to the user's personal shave goals.
The grooming device 100 may have additional motion sensors to detect device movements such as, for example, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer. Movement data can be processed in conjunction with displacement data via a sensor-based learning model in order to determine stroke parameters such as the stroke direction or location on the body. Additionally, stroke parameter data can be used in conjunction with user profile data to add an extra level of context such whether a stroke direction was with or against the direction of the user's hair growth.
As illustrated in
An example is below:
A. A grooming device comprising:
B. The grooming device of paragraph A, wherein the location element is positioned adjacent the proximal end of the housing portion.
C. The grooming device of paragraph A, wherein the displacement sensor is positioned adjacent the proximal end of the neck portion.
D. The grooming device of paragraph A, wherein the displacement sensor comprises a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a resistive sensor, a conductive sensor, a proximity sensor, an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, an electromechanical switch, or an electromagnetic switch.
E. The grooming device of paragraph A, wherein the location element comprises a magnet, a visual marker, a physical marker, a metal, a plastic, or an electrically conductive material.
F. The grooming device of paragraph A, wherein the distal end of the neck portion is pivotably connected to the proximal end of the first portion by a hinge.
G. The grooming device of paragraph F, wherein the hinge comprises an elastomer, a plastic material, a pin, or a metal.
H. The grooming device of paragraph A, further comprising a spring positioned between the neck portion and the housing portion.
I. The grooming device of paragraph A, wherein the housing portion is watertight.
J. The grooming device of paragraph A, wherein the handle further comprises an electrical connection between the neck portion and the housing portion.
K. The grooming device of paragraph J, wherein the electrical connection between the neck portion and the housing portion comprises a printed circuit board.
L. The grooming device of paragraph K, wherein the printed circuit board includes a first section at least partially disposed within the housing portion and a second section extending to or through the neck portion.
M. The grooming device of paragraph K, wherein the printed circuit board couples the power source and the displacement sensor.
N. The grooming device of paragraph K, wherein the printed circuit board is watertight.
O. The grooming device of paragraph A, further comprising one or more feedback mechanisms positioned in the handle.
P. The grooming device of paragraph O, wherein the feedback mechanism is positioned in the housing portion.
Q. The grooming device of paragraph O, wherein the feedback mechanism is positioned in the neck portion.
R. The grooming device of paragraph O, wherein the feedback mechanism comprises a visual indicator, an LED, a vibration mechanism, and/or an audio mechanism.
S. The grooming device of paragraph O, wherein the feedback mechanism indicates a pressure, a load state, a shave stroke state, or a grooming implement state.
T. The grooming device of paragraph A, further comprising an eject button configured to eject the grooming implement from the handle.
U. The grooming device of paragraph T, wherein upon activation of the eject button, the displacement sensor is displaced thereby providing an indication that the grooming implement has been ejected.
V. The grooming device of paragraph T, wherein the eject button comprises a second location element, the second location element being displaced upon activation of the eject button thereby providing an indication that the grooming implement has been ejected.
W. The grooming device of paragraph A, further comprising a grooming implement replacement sensor positioned within the handle.
X. The grooming device of paragraph A, further comprising a communication device positioned within the handle.
Y. The grooming device of paragraph X, wherein the communication device communicates with a second device.
Z. The grooming device of paragraph A, further comprising one or more movement sensors positioned within the handle.
AA. The grooming device of paragraph A, further comprising a second displacement sensor positioned within the housing portion.
BB. The grooming device of paragraph A, further comprising a memory storage device positioned within the housing portion.
CC. The grooming device of paragraph A, wherein an algorithm calculates a load being placed on the grooming implement based on displacement of the location element.
The grooming device of paragraph A, wherein the grooming device comprises an electric shaver, a shaving razor, and/or an epilator.
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 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.