Patent Grant
10916898
This application is the U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/056803, filed on Mar. 22, 2017, which claims the benefit of European Application No. 16161550.5 filed on Mar. 22, 2016. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
The present disclosure relates to a safety switch arrangement for a power connector of a personal care appliance which is operable in a first state and in a second state, wherein an operation of the personal care appliance is enabled in the first state, and wherein an operation of the personal care appliance is prevented in the second state. The present disclosure further relates to a personal care appliance that is fitted with a respective safety switch arrangement.
More generally, the present disclosure relates to safety features for electrically powered personal care appliances, particularly for respective appliances that comprise a rechargeable battery unit. More particularly, in accordance with at least some embodiments as discussed herein, the present disclosure relates to a safety feature for a personal care appliance that is operable in a wet and moist environment.
In at least some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to grooming appliances, particularly to hair cutting appliances.
DE 35 35 564 A1 discloses an electrical apparatus comprising a housing and a plug arrangement that is accommodated in the housing, wherein the plug arrangement is arranged to be extracted from the housing. Further, a plug housing is provided that is movably accommodated in the housing. Connector pins are mounted to the plug housing. The plug housing and the connector pins may be moved between an extracted position and a retracted position with respect to the housing by means of an operating element. Further, the connector pins are movable between an extracted position and a retracted position with respect to the plug housing by means of the operating element.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,334 A discloses an electrical appliance comprising a housing structure comprising a first housing part and a second housing part that are arranged for accommodating at least one rechargeable battery, and a connector plug reception unit that is arranged to enable an insertion of a connector plug only when the two housing portions are mounted to one another, thereby securing the housing structure when the at least one rechargeable battery is recharged via the inserted connector plug.
Personal care appliances are well known in the art and involve grooming appliances, but also cleaning appliances, skin treatment appliances, hair removal appliances, massage devices etc. Generally, personal care appliances perform a treatment or an operation to a human or animal body.
Hair cutting appliances and hair grooming appliances are well-known in the art and may comprise, for instance, shavers, trimmers, epilators, hair styling appliances, and combinations thereof. Typically, hair grooming appliances comprise an electric motor that is arranged to drive a cutting unit, for instance a blade set, so as to effect a hair cutting and/or hair grooming operation. More generally, hair cutting appliances may be also referred to as grooming appliances.
Personal care appliances involve appliances that require a permanent cable link via a mains plug or power plug. Appliances of that kind do not necessarily require an internal battery or storage unit. Other types of trimming or grooming appliances comprise a battery unit, particularly a rechargeable battery unit. Consequently, appliances of that kind are operable in a fashion independent of a mains supply which has the advantage that no cable or cord obstructs the operation or inhibits a free handling of the appliance. However, also battery powered or rechargeable cell powered appliances have to be recharged from time to time. Therefore, also battery powered appliances typically comprise a socket or receptacle for a connector plug of a power adaptor.
In recent years, it became more and more popular to use personal care appliances, particularly grooming appliances, in a wet or moist environment. This may for instance involve application cases such as total body grooming under the shower, wet shaving using an electric razor, etc.
Hence, for some applications, there may be a first state of operation including the treatment procedure, and a second state of operation, involving recharging an integrated battery or storage cell.
Personal care appliances, particularly hair grooming and hair cutting appliances, must fulfill relatively strict safety regulations, especially if they may be operated in wet or moist environments. For instance, reference is made to the international IEC standard 60335-2-8, particularly to clause 25.24 thereof. Accordingly, wet shavers shall not have an interconnection cord unless they cannot be operated when connected to the supply mains.
At least in some jurisdictions, these and other safety and/or functional regulations have to be complied with so as to obtain official sales approval/certification.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a safety switch arrangement for a power connector of a personal care appliance and a personal care appliance implementing such a safety switch arrangement that enables a safe use of the appliance, particularly in a wet or moist environment. Preferably, the safety switch arrangement prevents an undesired state of maloperation which might involve the risk of damages at the level of the appliance and, all the worse, the risk of operator injuries. Preferably, the safety switch arrangement is composed of a limited number of parts. More preferably, the safety switch arrangement can be manufactured and assembled with relatively little efforts. Further, it is desirable to provide a safety switch arrangement that is easy to operate and that is preferably arranged in a fail-safe or failure-proof fashion. This involves that the safety switch arrangement is preferably readily operable in an intuitive and easy-to-understand fashion.
In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a safety switch arrangement for a power connector of a personal care appliance is presented, the arrangement comprising:
a housing portion,
a power connector unit comprising a connector receptacle,
an operating switch, and
an actuation portion,
wherein the actuating portion is mounted to the housing portion and arranged to be moved between a first state and a second state,
wherein the power connector unit is arranged at the housing portion,
wherein the actuation portion, in a first state, enables an operation of the personal care appliance and prevents a contact with the connector receptacle, wherein the operating switch is switched on by the actuation portion in the first state, and
wherein the actuation portion, in a second state, prevents an operation of the personal care appliance and enables a contact with the connector receptacle.
This aspect is based on the insight that the actuation portion may be arranged in such a way that both a power switch and a safety feature of the appliance may be operated when the actuation portion is actuated to be moved between the first state and the second state. Consequently, only a single actuation operation is necessary so as to operate the appliance either in an operating state (corresponding to the first state) or in a charging state (corresponding to the second state). Hence, one and the same unit, the actuation portion, may be used to establish, in the first state, an electrical contact via the operating switch and to mechanically block the connector receptacle in such a way that no connector plug may be inserted therein. In the second state, the same unit may enable an access to the connector receptacle, and may break the electrical contact.
The safety switch arrangement may be referred to as dual purpose switch arrangement. A single actuation element may be used to provide two fundamental functions of the appliance.
In other words, it is not necessary to provide a separate, distinct actuation element for the operating switch. The actuation portion forms a single dual purpose control element. The actuation portion is not arranged to merely enable a separate, subsequent activation of an additional operation control element, e.g. a power-on button, etc. This would require another operation control step for the user. Rather, the power on switch is integrated into the actuation portion. Hence, in terms of a switching state of the operator switch, the first state may also be referred to as power-on state, and the second state bay also be referred to as power-off state. Simultaneously, the operator switch is switched on and the safety feature (disabling the connector receptacle) is activated.
As used herein, the term housing portion relates to those components of the safety switch arrangement that are directly or mediately attached, particularly fixedly attached, to a treatment-side of the appliance in a fashion substantially non-movable with respect to an overall housing and/or or a frame of the appliance. Accordingly, the housing portion may be referred to as a generic term for those components of the safety switch arrangement with respect to which the actuation portion can be moved. Further, also the overall housing and/or a frame are assigned to the generic term housing portion. Hence, also the actuation portion may be understood as a generic term for those components of the safety switch arrangement that can be moved with respect to the housing portion.
In accordance with the above-described arrangement, an enhanced safety level and fail-safe operation may be achieved. The safety switch arrangement may be implemented with relatively little efforts. Only a limited number of parts is required. Further, no complicated sensors and/or actuators are required. Rather, a considerably simple mechanical solution can be achieved. Consequently, the safety switch arrangement is easy to manufacture and easy to assemble. This is particularly advantageous in low-end and mid-range markets that are cost-sensitive.
A personal care appliance that is fitted with a respective safety switch arrangement may be operated in wet or moist environments, wherein the safety switch arrangement ensures that either the appliance may be operated for grooming/cutting or that they appliance may be recharged and therefore connected to a supply mains.
In an exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the actuation portion is secured in the second state when a connector plug engages the connector receptacle. Hence, the connector plug, when in the engaged state, prevents the actuation portion from a movement from the second state to the first state. As a result, the appliance cannot be switched on without removing the connector plug. Therefore, an operation and a potential risk of damages or even injuries resulting from an operation of the appliance in the recharging state may be avoided.
In another exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, a first contact element of the operating switch is attached to the housing portion, wherein a second contact element of the operating switch is attached to the actuation portion, wherein, in the first state of the actuation portion, the first contact element at the second contact element contact one another, and wherein, in the second state of the actuation portion, the first contact element and the second contact element are spaced away from one another. Consequently, the movement of the actuation portion between the first state and the second state also directly operates the operating switch. The operating switch may be also referred to as main switch of the appliance. Hence, when breaking the connection or removing the first contact element and the second contact element of the operating switch from one another, an operation of the appliance is reliably prevented. Needless to say, in the second state, a connection between the connector plug and a rechargeable battery or storage cell may be established so as to recharge the appliance.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the second contact element forms part of a contact spring which is preferably arranged at a circumferential wall of the actuation portion. The contact spring may be arranged as a leaf spring. The contact spring may comprise two second contact elements at respective ends thereof. The two second contact elements may connect two respective first contact elements at the side of the operating switch which is attached to the housing portion.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the actuation portion is arranged to be rotated with respect to the housing portion, preferably about a longitudinal axis thereof, between the first state and the second state. Hence, by a relative rotation between the housing portion and the actuation portion, the appliance may be switched between the operating state and the charging state. Hence, a twisting action operates the actuation portion.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the actuation portion blocks the connector receptacle in the first state, wherein the actuation portion unlocks the connector receptacle in the second state. When the connector receptacle is locked in the first state, the connector plug cannot be inserted therein. When the connector receptacle is unlocked in the second state, the connector plug may be plugged in and pulled out. This is not allowed in the locked state.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the actuation portion blocks an access for a connector plug to the connector receptacle in a first state, wherein the actuation portion enables an access for a connector plug to the connector receptacle in the second state. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the actuation portion at least partially covers an insertion recess of the connector receptacle in the first state.
As indicated above, the power connector unit including the connector receptacle is arranged at or attached to the housing portion. Therefore, when the actuation portion is moved, rotated or twisted with respect to the housing portion, also a relative movement with respect to the connector receptacle takes place. Hence, the actuation portion itself may at least partially block or obstruct the connector receptacle.
A further benefit of this exemplary arrangement is that the connector receptacle, particularly the insertion recess, may be considerably protected in the second state, even when no connector plug is attached, due to the shape of the actuation portion. Hence, the appliance may easily be kept in the second state (power off state), even when no recharging procedure is performed. In a further related exemplary embodiment, the connector receptacle does not comprise a component that is exposed or that protrudes beyond an overall housing of the appliance.
In a further exemplary embodiment, the actuation portion is, in the second state, arranged in a self-retention fashion. This involves that no reverse actuation of the actuation portion is possible. A reverse actuation may be for instance initiated by the connector plug when the connector plug is urged or forced into the connector receptacle when the actuation portion is in or close to the second state. Hence, the risk of maloperation or misuse is further reduced.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the actuation portion is arranged as an extension of the housing portion, wherein the actuation portion is preferably arranged at a bottom end of the housing portion that is opposite to a top end which is arranged to receive a grooming unit, for instance a cutting unit. Hence, the overall housing of the appliance may have an integral and smooth design. Further, also the connector receptacle which is at least partially covered by the actuation portion may be arranged at the bottom end.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the actuation portion comprises a circumferential extension substantially corresponding to a circumferential extension of the housing portion, at least in a contact area where the actuation portion and the housing portion contact one another. Hence, a smooth transition between the housing portion and the actuation portion may be achieved. Further, when viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the extension of the profile of the actuation portion substantially corresponds to the extension of the profile of the housing portion, at least in a contact area therebetween.
In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the actuation portion is arranged in a cup-like fashion, wherein an open end thereof faces the housing portion, wherein a bottom wall thereof faces away from the housing portion, wherein an insertion aperture is formed in the bottom wall, and wherein the insertion aperture defines an opening which is aligned with the connector receptacle in the second state of the actuation portion and which is misoriented with respect to the connector receptacle in the first state of the actuation portion.
Hence, the connector receptacle and the insertion aperture may be twisted with respect to one another, thereby changing the relative orientation therebetween. By way of example, the connector receptacle and the insertion aperture may be arranged at the longitudinal axis of the housing portion, wherein the actuation portion is arranged to be rotated about the longitudinal axis.
However, also alternative embodiments may be envisaged wherein the insertion aperture and the connector receptacle are not necessarily arranged at the longitudinal axis of the housing portion. Also if this is the case, a relative movement between the first state and the second state of the actuation portion may cause an alignment in the second state and a misalignment in the first state. The misalignment referred to herein is a defined and desired misalignment or misorientation. A misalignment or misorientation may involve that the insertion aperture of the actuation portion is skewed or rotated with respect to the connector receptacle and/or shifted away or displaced from the connector receptacle.
In still alternative embodiments, a rotation axis of the actuation portion is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing portion. However, an alignment of the respective axes may be beneficial insofar as an overall outer contour or shape of the appliance is maintained, regardless of whether the actuation portion is in the first state or the second state.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the actuation portion is provided with a gripping section comprising gripping features for handling and operating the actuation portion between the first state and the second state. The gripping features may for instance involve a knurling, serrations, non-round contours, angular contours, etc. Generally, the actuation portion facilitates handling and operating the appliance, particularly the actuation portion. A user readily may readily understand the purpose of the actuation portion when a gripping section including prominent gripping features is provided.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the housing portion and the actuation portion comprise mounting features that enable a positive fit mounting, preferably a twist-lock mounting, of the actuation portion at the housing portion, and wherein the mounting feature preferably cooperates so as to define limit stops for the relative movement between the actuation portion and the housing portion. For instance, bayonet mounting features may be used which enable an axial approach of the actuation portion to the housing portion in a defined relative mounting orientation. When the axial approaching movement is accomplished, a rotating or twisting movement may follow.
Preferably, at least one resilient snap-on locking element is provided that secures the actuation portion and the housing portion in their engaged state, while still allowing for a defined relative movement therebetween. The resilient snap-on locking element may be for instance arranged as a deflectable wall or tab. The resilient snap-on locking element may on the one hand lock or secure the actuation portion and the housing portion in their mounted configuration. Further, the resilient snap-on locking element may define at least one limit stop for the relative movement of the actuation portion and the housing portion.
In an exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the mounting features involve at least one circumferentially extending groove at the housing portion or the actuation portion which involves a frontal insertion opening, wherein a corresponding radially protruding tab or pin is provided at the other one of the housing portion and the actuation portion which is arranged to engage the groove. When the protruding pin or tab is arranged in the circumferentially extending section of the groove, a twisting relative movement between the actuation portion and the housing portion is enabled.
Further, so as to lock the housing portion and the actuation portion in their mounted state, a dead point may have to be surmounted when the actuation portion is rotated with respect to the housing portion. The dead point may be defined by the deflectable snap-on locking element. Hence, a contrary movement is prevented and, as a result, the deflectable snap-on locking element defines a limit stop for the relative movement between the actuation portion and the housing portion. Another limit stop may be defined by an end of the circumferentially extending groove which is remote from the insertion opening. In this way, a combined snap-on twist-lock or bayonet mounting may be achieved.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, the housing portion comprises a visual position reference, wherein the actuation portion comprises a visual position indicator, and wherein the position reference and the position indicator indicate whether the actuation portion is in the first state or the second state. This may further facilitate the operation of the appliance. Accordingly, the risk of maloperation may be further reduced.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the arrangement, at least one resting element is provided for securing the relative position of the actuation portion with respect to the housing portion, at least in the first state. To this end, biasing elements, such as springs and such like may be used which may engage respective counterparts for temporary securing a defined relative position. Also for the second state, a resting element may be provided. However, when the connector plug is inserted in the connector receptacle in the second state, the connector plug itself secures and maintains the actuation portion in the second state. The actuation portion may be moved to the first state only when the connector plug is pulled out.
In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a personal care appliance, particularly a hair grooming appliance, is presented, the appliance comprising a housing arranged to receive a treatment unit, particularly a grooming unit, an effector unit, particularly a motor, disposed within the housing and a safety switch arrangement in accordance with at least one embodiment as disclosed herein, wherein, in the first state of the actuation portion, the appliance is operable for personal care treatment, and wherein, in the second state of the actuation portion, a personal care treatment operation of the appliance is prevented.
In an exemplary embodiment, the appliance further comprises a battery unit that is arranged to be recharged via the connector receptacle, wherein a treatment state of operation and a recharge state of operation are mutually exclusive, depending on the actual state of the actuation portion. The battery unit may be also referred to as accumulator, storage cell, and such like. In accordance with this embodiment, the appliance may be either operated in a treatment mode, particularly a hair grooming mode, or in a recharge mode. A combined hair treatment/recharging operation is prevented.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the appliance, the power connector unit is arranged to be coupled with a power adaptor, the power adapter comprising a connector plug that is arranged to engage the connector receptacle exclusively in the second state of the actuation portion, and wherein the appliance is preferably arranged to operate in a wet or moist environment. Only in the second state of the actuation portion, the connector plug may be plugged in the power connector unit of the appliance.
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the following drawings:
Major aspects and embodiments of the current disclosure will be described with reference to grooming appliances, particularly hair cutting appliances. However, this shall not be interpreted in a limiting way. Rather, aspects and embodiments of the current disclosure may be also implemented in non-grooming personal care appliances, wherein exemplary appliances will be described further below.
At least in some embodiments, the appliance 10 as shown in
In at least some exemplary arrangements of hair cutting appliances 10 as shown herein, the grooming unit 14 is arranged as a detachable or replaceable grooming unit 14. Consequently, for illustrative purposes, in the following figures no explicit representation of the cutting unit 14 is provided. The same applies to the power adapter 20 which is provided for illustrative purposes in
In some embodiments, when the appliances discussed herein are not necessarily arranged as hair cutting appliances, the grooming/cutting unit may be referred to as treatment unit or treatment head.
With reference to
As shown in
In
The appliance 30 further comprises a safety switch arrangement 50 which may be referred to as dual purpose switch arrangement. The safety switch arrangement 50 comprises a housing portion 52 which involves components that are attached to the housing 32 or the support frame 36 such that, in a normal operation of the appliance 30, they cannot be moved with respect to the support frame 36 or, more generally, to the housing 32.
Further, an actuation portion 54 is provided which involves components of the safety switch arrangement 50 which are arranged to be moved with respect to the housing portion 52 and, consequently, with respect to at least the support frame 36 of the appliance 30. The actuation portion 54 may be actuated so as to enable a normal operation of the appliance 30 and to enable a recharging of the battery unit 42.
As can be best seen in
The safety switch arrangement 50 further comprises an operating switch 56 jointly defined by the actuation portion 54 and the housing portion 52. The operating switch 56 includes at least a first contact 58, 60 arranged at the housing portion 52 and at least a second contact 64, 66 arranged at the actuation portion 54. As exemplarily shown in
The second contacts 64, 66 may be arranged at or form part of a contact spring 62 which is attached to the actuation portion 54 and arranged to be moved with the actuation portion 54 with respect to the housing portion 52. Consequently, the second contacts 64, 66 may be moved with respect to the first contacts 58, 60. When the second contacts 64, 66 contact their counterpart first contacts 58, 60, the contact spring 62 connects or shortcuts the first contacts 58, 60 of the operating switch 56. Consequently, the operating switch 56 is enabled and, as a result, the appliance 30 may be operated in a hair grooming mode.
As indicated in
As can be further seen from
The actuation portion 54 at least partially covers the power connector unit 72. More particularly, the actuation portion 54 may comprise an insertion aperture 82 which may be also referred to as insertion window. The insertion aperture 82 is arranged at a bottom end 48 of the housing 32 of the appliance 30. In at least one state of operation of the safety switch arrangement 50, the insertion aperture 82 is aligned with or matches the insertion recess 76 of the connector receptacle 74. In order to engage the connector receptacle 74, the connector plug 24 has to pass through the insertion aperture 82. So as to facilitate the insertion of the connector plug 24, the actuation portion 54 may comprise an insertion aid 84 which may be for instance arranged as an insertion chamfer. The insertion aid 84 may be arranged in the vicinity of or may encompass the insertion aperture 82.
Generally, a cross-sectional extension or profile, perpendicular to a main elongation direction or an insertion direction, of the insertion aperture 82, the insertion recess 76 and the connector plug 24 may be matched. This ensures that, similar to a key lock, the connector plug 24 may engage the connector receptacle 74 exclusively in a defined relative orientation of the connector receptacle 74, the insertion aperture 82 and the connector plug 24 itself.
The actuation portion 54 further comprises a grapping section 86 which is provided with respective gripping features, for instance with gripping ribs, a gripping knurling, etc. Via the gripping section 86, a user may actuate the actuation portion 54 which may involve a twisting or rotation of the actuation portion 54 with respect to the housing portion 52.
With particular reference to
In the second state of operation as shown in
As used herein, the terms first state and second state shall not be interpreted in a limiting sense. Rather, the terms first state and second state are primarily provided for illustrative purposes. The indication first or second state is basically exchangeable without affecting the scope of the disclosure. Further, the indication first or second state is in no way associated with a qualitative or quantitative evaluation.
In some exemplary embodiments, the second state as illustrated in
In at least some embodiments, the housing 32 of the appliance 30 defines a main elongation axis which may be referred to as longitudinal axis 90. As can be clearly seen from
A movement range or angular dimension of the actuation movement can be derived from the illustration of the second state as shown in
Further, position references and/or position indicators may be provided so as to enable a visual indication of a current state of operation of the safety switch arrangement 50. For instance, the housing portion 52 may be provided with a position reference 94. Accordingly, the actuation portion 54 may be provided with a first position indicator 96 and a second position indicator 98. The first position indicator 96 is associated with the second state, refer to
A movement of the actuation portion 54 between the first state and the second state operates the operating switch 56, refer to
As can be best seen from
With reference to
At an interior of the circumferential wall 104, the contact spring 62 is arranged. Mounting features 106 involving tabs 108, recesses, snap-on and/or click-on features may be present at the actuation portion 54 so as to enable a defined snap-on or click-on mounting of the contact spring 62.
As can be best seen from
As can be further seen from
At the actuation portion 54, mounting recesses 112, 114 are provided. Preferably, the mounting recesses 112, 114 are arranged at or adjacent to a top end of the circumferential wall 104. For instance, two opposite mounting recesses 112, 114 are provided which are distributed at the circumferential extension of the circumferential wall 104. For instance, an offset angle of the first mounting recess 112 (
The mounting recesses 112, 114 may be also referred to as bayonet recesses. The recesses 112, 114 have a basically L-shaped extension. The recesses 112, 114 comprise a first leg defining an insertion portion facing the top end of the circumferential wall 104. Further, a second leg is provided which extends in the circumferential extension and is therefore basically perpendicular to the insertion portion. The circumferentially extending portion may be also referred to as twisting or rotation portion.
As can be further seen from
In
At the support frame 36, radial protrusions 118, 120 are arranged which are formed in a radially protruding fashion. The radial protrusion 118 is arranged to engage the recess 112. The radial protrusion 120 is arranged to engage the recess 114. Consequently, a bayonet mounting of the actuation portion 54 is enabled. So as to secure and lock the mounted state of the actuation portion, a deflectable tab 122 is arranged at the support frame 36. The deflectable tab 122 comprises a deflectable profile and basically extends in the longitudinal direction. The deflectable tab 122 is arranged to cooperate with the rib 116 of the actuation portion 54, refer also to
In a mounting orientation, the mounting recesses 112, 114 may engage the radial protrusions 118 which enables an approach of the actuation portion 54 towards the housing portion 52 so as to assume a defined mounting orientation. The radial protrusions 118 are guided in the mounting recesses 112, 114. First, the protrusions 118, 120 are moved along the insertion portions of the recesses 112, 114 in the axial direction. A this state of the mounting procedure, a relative mounting movement of the actuation portion 54 and the housing portion 52 involves an axial displacement. At a further, second stage of the mounting procedure, the mounting movement involves a relative rotation or twisting between the actuation portion 54 and the housing portion 52. At this stage, the protrusions 118, 120 are guided at and moved along the circumferentially extending portions of the recesses 112, 114.
The mounting procedure in accordance with this embodiment involves that the rib 116 passes the deflectable tab 122 which induces a considerable deflection thereof. Having passed a dead-point, the deflectable tab 122 flexes back and therefore locks the mounted state of the actuation portion 54. In the exemplary embodiment and orientation of the view of
In the mounted state of the safety switch arrangement 50, a first end and a second end of the allowed rotation range or twisting range are defined by the deflectable tab 122 as shown in
The recesses 112, 114, the corresponding protrusions 118, 120, the rib 116 and the corresponding tab 122 define a mounting and limit stop arrangement for the safety switch arrangement 50.
Further reference is made to
As already indicated above, in
In further exemplary embodiments, resting features are provided so as to maintain the safety switch arrangement 50 in the first state or the second state. The safety features may involve flexible or spring elements. Hence, a holding force may be generated in the first state and the second state, respectively, so as to define and maintain the two distinct states of operation and to prevent an unintentional switching or twisting of the safety switch arrangement 50.
Reference is made to
Also these and other types of personal care devices may profit from a safety switch arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.
In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16161550 | Mar 2016 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2017/056803 | 3/22/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017/162728 | 9/28/2017 | WO | A |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| 7489952 | Simoes | Feb 2009 | B2 |
| 7696728 | Cross | Apr 2010 | B2 |
| 8686683 | Caskey | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 3025159 | Jan 1982 | DE |
| 3535564 | May 1986 | DE |
| 4309034 | Sep 1994 | DE |
| 0471404 | Feb 1992 | EP |
| 5772277 | May 1982 | JP |
| 2006115757 | Nov 2006 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200313368 A1 | Oct 2020 | US |
