Patent Application
20220143852
The present invention relates to a shaving system comprising a shaving device and a cleaning device for the shaving device. The invention further relates to a shaving device for use in such a shaving system and a cleaning method.
WO 2004/086901 discloses a shaving system comprising a shaving device and a cleaning device. The shaving device comprises a main housing and a shaving unit coupled to the main housing, wherein the main housing accommodates an electric motor for driving the shaving unit. The cleaning device comprises a supporting structure for supporting the shaving device, and a receiving space for receiving the shaving unit when the shaving device is arranged in a cleaning position supported by the supporting structure.
The cleaning device comprises a reservoir for containing a cleaning fluid and a pump for transporting the cleaning liquid from the reservoir to the receiving space.
In the known shaving system, the shaving device can be supported upside down within a support of the cleaning device that can be manually moved downwardly so that the shaving unit enters into a reservoir into which the cleaning fluid from the reservoir can be pumped using an external manually operated pumping system.
Such a shaving system is advantageous for keeping a hygienic shaving device so that a clean shaving unit can be used for the next shave. The cleaning of the shaving unit is also beneficial for maintenance of the system.
The utilization of a dedicated cleaning device according to WO 2004/086901 is not convenient for the user, because the pumping unit of the cleaning device must be driven manually.
WO 2004/080235 discloses a shaving system comprising a shaving device and a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device comprises an electric pump for transporting the cleaning liquid from the reservoir to the receiving space. The presence of the electric pump in the cleaning device and the electric components required for the control of the pump and for the supply of electric power to the pump increase the complexity and costs of the shaving system.
The applicant has proposed (but not yet published) an approach by which the motor of the shaver device is used to drive a pump of the cleaning unit, when the shaving device is docked to the cleaning unit. This may for example allow the cleaning unit to be entirely mechanical, thereby reducing the overall cost of the system, while maintaining ease of use for the user.
The cleaning function for example involves a particular sequence of pump operations, to implement a cleaning cycle. Thus, there is a different operation of the shaving device motor for normal shaving and for the cleaning cycle.
It would be desirable to automate the different modes as much as possible, for example so that the user may control the device with a single on-off switch. Thus, it would be desirable for the system itself to detect when a shaving mode is required and when a cleaning mode is required, and to control the shaving device motor accordingly. Ideally, this should be achieved by the shaving device, particularly if it is desired to avoid sensors and electronics in the cleaning device.
The invention is defined by the claims.
According to the invention, there is provided a shaving system comprising a shaving device, a cleaning device and a processing unit, wherein:
This shaving device makes use of an orientation sensor to identify when the shaving device is in a cleaning orientation. This is possible because the cleaning orientation, with the shaving device supported by the cleaning device (i.e. docked), is deliberately different to a normal orientation in use. For example, the cleaning orientation may be with the shaving unit facing vertically downwards, which is different to a typical orientation in use of the shaving device.
By using an orientation sensor, such as an accelerometer, a low cost sensing solution is provided. It means that no docking sensor is needed in the cleaning unit, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of the system. The cleaning device may for example be fully mechanical and hence not need any electrical power supply.
The shaving unit for example comprises at least two hair-cutting units (and preferably three) each having an external cutting member and an internal cutting member which is rotatable relative to the external cutting member.
The processing unit is for example adapted to control the cleaning device to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is any orientation within a predefined range of angular orientations relative to the cleaning orientation.
The cleaning orientation may be vertical, so that the range of angles lies at each side of (or all around, in 3D) the vertical. However, the cleaning orientation may be offset from the vertical, or the orientation sensor may be mounted on a substrate that is not parallel with the general orientation of the shaving device. Thus, there are many possibilities. Basically, there is an angle of the shaving device when in the cleaning position, and the orientation sensor detects this angle with some tolerance, hence the detection of a range of angles.
The shaving device may further comprise a motion sensor for generating an output signal representing motion of the shaving device, and the processing unit is adapted to receive the output signal generated by the motion sensor and to control the cleaning device to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is any orientation within said predefined range of angular orientations and the motion sensor senses no movement for a first predefined time period.
The motion sensor may be a separate device to the orientation sensor, or it may be implemented by the orientation sensor. Thus, the determination that the cleaning program may be implemented may be based both on a particular cleaning orientation and by a lack of movement of the shaving device (either away from that cleaning orientation or movement with that cleaning orientation retained) for a predefined time period. Normal operation of a shaver involves movement of the shaver, even if the shaving device is in the cleaning orientation (for example shaving the top of the head). This use mode will therefore not trigger the cleaning program by additionally taking movement into account.
The processing unit may be adapted:
A brief interrupt to the cleaning program is thus permitted e.g. if the shaving device is undocked (for example if the user needs to look more closely at the display) and then re-docked, but a prolonged interruption results in a cancelled cleaning program, and the shaving device is then turned off.
The system for example also implements a power off function after the cleaning program has been completed. An output may be provided to a display to indicate if a cleaning program is needed, when the display device is turned on, for example when shaving device is powered on. The need for a cleaning program may be based on the time of use since the last cleaning program. It reminds the user to perform cleaning as soon as the shaving device is activated.
When turned off, the motion sensing may still be active but not the orientation sensing, whereas when turned on, the orientation sensing and motion sensing is active. The shaving device is thus able to detect movement even in the off state. This may for example be useful to trigger the shaving device to turn on a display in response to movement, before the shaving device is powered on by the user. Thus, status information may be given as soon as the user picks up the shaving device, such as the battery state of charge or an indication of whether or not the cleaning program is required. Thus, the display may indicate if a cleaning program is needed, even before the shaving device is powered on.
The cleaning device may comprise a reservoir for holding a cleaning fluid and a pump for circulating the cleaning fluid. This is one possible design of the cleaning device. The pump for example transports the cleaning liquid from the reservoir to a receiving space in which the shaving unit is positioned when the shaving device is in the cleaning position.
In a first set of examples, the processing unit is accommodated in the main body of the shaving device.
The shaving unit will already include a processing unit, and by incorporating the control of the cleaning device into the shaving device, the number of components of the overall system can be kept to a minimum.
The shaving device may then further comprise a drive coupling which is accessible from an outside of the shaving device and drivable by the motor. The cleaning device then comprises a driven coupling for mechanical connection to the drive coupling of the shaving device when the shaving device is in the cleaning position, such that the motor of the shaving device provides mechanical driving of the pump of the cleaning device.
The processing unit is then adapted to control the motor of the shaving device according to the predetermined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor corresponds to said predefined cleaning orientation, such that the cleaning device is driven by the motor to operate according to the predetermined cleaning program when the shaving device is in the cleaning position.
This version provides a mechanical coupling between the shaving device and the cleaning device. It means the cleaning device can be passive, i.e. driven by the shaving device rather than needing a local power supply, motor or controller. The cleaning device thus does not need any electronics for implementing the cleaning program. All electrical parts are within the shaving device, reducing the complexity of the overall system. The necessary drive for the pumping unit is derived from the drive system of the shaving device.
The drive coupling can be arranged in any suitable position on the shaving device, e.g. on the shaving unit or on a main housing of the shaving device, such that the drive coupling engages a driven coupling of the cleaning device when the shaving device is docked in the cleaning position, supported by the cleaning device. The drive coupling is for example arranged centrally between hair-cutting units of the shaving device.
The drive coupling may for example only be drivable when the shaving device is in the cleaning orientation. In this way, movement of the drive coupling, which is accessible from the outside of the shaving device, is avoided when the shaving device is used in a regular shaving operation. In alternative embodiments, the drive coupling may be driven during a regular shaving operation, in particular continuously driven. The drive coupling can then be prevented from interfering with the normal shaving operation, in particular from touching the skin during the normal shaving operation, by arranging the drive coupling member in a recessed position, e.g. between the hair-cutting units.
The shaving device may then comprise a user input device for receiving a power-on input from a user, the processing unit is adapted to receive the power-on input from the user input device and the processing unit is adapted to start the motor of the shaving device to operate according to a shaving program unless or until the processing unit starts the motor to operate according to the predefined cleaning program.
A same user input, namely a power-on command using a single input button, may be used to commence a cleaning program or to commence a shaving operation. The shaving operation may be the default, and this is changed to a cleaning program if and when the cleaning orientation is detected, i.e. after the predefined time period. Thus, a user can provide a power-on command and then dock the shaver in the cleaning device, or the user can dock the shaver in the cleaning device then provide the power-on command. In both cases, there is an initial period of operation in the shaving mode after which the cleaning orientation is detected for the first threshold time period, and the cleaning program then begins.
In another set of examples, the processing unit is part of the cleaning device.
In this case, the shaving device only needs to provide the orientation sensor output signal to the cleaning device, and the cleaning device performs the interpretation and control functions. The cleaning device is then an electrical system. It may for example have an electric pump for recirculating cleaning fluid, but it may instead operate according to other principles, such as using ultrasound or UV light as part of the cleaning program.
The shaving device in this case relays electrical commands or information to the cleaning device, which then has a local controller and power supply.
The invention also provides a shaving device for use in a shaving system as defined above, comprising the shaving device and a cleaning device. The shaving device comprises:
This defines the shaving device which includes the processing of the output signal of the orientation sensor and then controls the cleaning device by a mechanical drive coupling to the cleaning device.
The processing unit is for example adapted to:
The shaving device may further comprise a motion sensor for generating an output signal representing motion of the shaving device and the processing unit is adapted to receive the output signal generated by the motion sensor and to control the motor to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is within said predefined range of angular orientations and the motion sensor senses no movement for a predefined time period.
The invention also provides a cleaning method for cleaning a shaving unit of a shaving device, using a cleaning device which comprises a supporting structure for supporting the shaving device in a cleaning position for cleaning the shaving unit, the shaving device having a predefined cleaning orientation in said cleaning position, wherein the shaving device comprises a main body accommodating a motor, said shaving unit being coupled to the main body, and an orientation sensor for generating an output signal representing the orientation of the shaving device, the method comprising:
Controlling the cleaning device for example comprises:
The method may be implemented at least in part in software.
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. In the following drawings
The invention provides a shaving system comprising a shaving device and a cleaning device. The shaving device has an orientation sensor for generating an output signal representing the orientation of the shaving device. The cleaning device supports the shaving device in a cleaning position with a predefined cleaning orientation. The cleaning device is controlled to operate according to a predefined cleaning program for cleaning the shaving unit when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor corresponds to said predefined cleaning orientation. This shaving device thus makes use of an orientation sensor to identify when the shaving device is in a cleaning orientation. This gives a low cost sensing solution and enables a single user input button to be used for operating the shaving device and for starting a cleaning program.
The orientation sensed by the orientation sensor may be considered to correspond to the cleaning orientation when it is within a predefined range of angular orientations relative to the cleaning orientation, and hence within a predefined range relative to the vertical direction. The cleaning orientation may indeed be vertical (if a PCB which carries the orientation sensor is vertical when the shaving device is supported by the cleaning device), so that the range of angles lies at each side of the vertical. However, the cleaning orientation may be offset from the vertical, or more generally the sensed orientation corresponding to the cleaning orientation may be offset from the vertical.
The predefined range of angular orientations may for example be 11 degrees each side of the cleaning orientation. More generally, the predefined range of angular orientations may extend to a value between 5 and 15 degrees to each side of the cleaning orientation. In three dimensions, the predefined range of angular orientations defines a cone of possible orientations which are considered to correspond to the cleaning orientation.
The shaving device thus makes use of an orientation sensor to identify when the shaving device is in a cleaning orientation. This is possible because the cleaning orientation, with the shaving device supported by the cleaning device (i.e. docked), is deliberately different to a normal orientation in use. For example, the shaving unit facing vertically downwards is different to a typical orientation in use of the shaving device. However, to ensure the cleaning position is correctly identified, movement of the shaving device is preferably also be taken into account.
For this purpose, the shaving device may further comprise a motion sensor 21 for generating an output signal representing motion of the shaving device. The processing unit 22 then controls the cleaning device to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is within said predefined range of angular orientations and the motion sensor senses no movement (either away from that cleaning orientation or movement with that cleaning orientation retained) for a first predefined time period. Normal operation of a shaver involves movement of the shaver, even if the shaving device is in the cleaning orientation (for example shaving the top of the head). This will therefore not trigger the cleaning program.
The motion sensor may be a separate device to the orientation sensor (as schematically shown in
In one example, the orientation and movement sensing provides two levels of motion detection. When the shaving device is on or during charging, the orientation sensor (accelerometer) is active and enables data to be generated relating to motion patterns and orientation. The accelerometer is de-activated when the shaving device is turned off, but there is still motion detection by the motion sensor 21 but with no orientation or motion details.
Within the lower housing portion 24 of the cleaning device is a cartridge 32 that is placed within the lower housing portion 24 when the upper housing portion 26 is removed. The cartridge 32 defines a reservoir for containing a cleaning liquid and can be provided as a separate consumer replaceable part, which the user can insert into the cleaning device 14 and which needs to be replaced usually after a certain number of cleaning operations.
As shown in
From the bottom wall 68 of the upper housing portion 26 there protrudes a pipe stud 70 into the cone-shaped first cavity 44 of the cartridge 32.
From the bottom wall 68 of the upper housing portion 26 there further protrudes a pump 48 downwardly into the pump receptacle 61 of the cartridge. The pump 48 is surrounded by a pump housing 52 and includes a pinion 58 that reaches downwardly and that drives a pump impeller 60 attached at the lower end thereof. The driven coupling 30 is coupled to the pump 48 by means of a drive unit 50 transferring a rotating motion of the driven coupling 30 onto the pinion 58 of the pump 48.
Thus, when the driven coupling 30 is driven by the shaving device 12, the pinion 58 of the pump 48 is driven via the drive unit 50. Thus, the pump impeller 60 is rotated so as to draw cleaning fluid through the suction openings 54, 56 and to pass it through a feed channel 62 upwardly into the receiving space 28 for cleaning the shaving unit of the shaving device 12.
At the center of the receiving space 28 there is the driven coupling 30 that includes a protrusion 76 (
When the shaving device 12 is placed correctly on the cleaning device 14 in the cleaning position (i.e. with the cleaning orientation), the drive coupling 82 will be coupled by a rotational connection with the driven coupling 30 arranged at the center of the receiving space 28.
If the coupling is effected between the shaving device 12 and the cleaning device 14 in the cleaning position, then the driven coupling 30 drives the pump 48 via the drive unit 50. In this case cleaning fluid is sucked through the suction openings 54, 56 by the pump impeller 60 and is fed through the feed channel 62 into the receiving space 28 to clean the shaving unit 38. During the pumping operation, the cleaning fluid, that is circulated around the shaving unit 38 for cleaning it, is contained within the basin 36 and flows back into the interior of the cartridge 32 through the pipe stud 70 and through another, smaller cavity (92 shown in
The shaving unit 38 is driven by motor only indicated in dashed lines by reference numeral 77. The motor 77 drives a first drive unit 78 also indicated in
Returning to
The central drive shaft 84 at its outer end comprises a recess 86. The recess 86 is mated to the protrusion 76 at the top end of the driven coupling 30 of the cleaning device 14 to effect a positive rotational coupling between the protrusion 76 and the recess 86.
While the central arrangement of the drive coupling 82 is shown in
When the shaving device 12 is placed in the cleaning position on the support structure 15 (as shown in
The cartridge 32 is shown in
The processing unit 22 is programmed by a software program that automatically starts a cleaning procedure when the shaving device 12 is determined to be placed in the cleaning position on the supporting structure 15 of the cleaning device 14 in the correct position, as explained above.
In
In addition, an icon may be shown to indicated that the cleaning program needs to be followed. Any suitable way to convey information may be used, such as illumination of the on-off switch 95. This may be determined based on a total time of use since the last cleaning program, or a combination of the time of use and other factors such as the drive speed etc.
The user then presses the on-off switch 95 to provide a power-on command. The user then docks the shaving device in the cleaning device as shown in
The shaving device initially responds to the power-on command by starting a shaving mode. This for example involves driving the motor of the shaving device to a particular and constant speed.
However, if the cleaning orientation is detected, and the cleaning orientation is maintained for a first threshold period, such as 1.5 seconds, with no movement of the shaving device, then the cleaning program is started.
First, as shown in
During the cleaning program, an icon 100 is displayed, for example flashing, to indicate that the cleaning program is progressing. This is shown in
In
A warning signal may be provided, such as the flashing icon 100.
If the shaving device is re-docked, as shown in
If the shaving device is not re-docked within the predetermined second time threshold the cleaning program is cancelled and needs to be reactivated using the on-off button. This is indicated to the user as an error message 150 as shown in
The cleaning program involves operation of the motor of the shaving device to provide a desired sequence of pump operations within the cleaning device. As an example, the pump operation for a cleaning program may comprise the following sequence:
In
OFF=shaver device off
ON=shaver device on
D=docked
ND=not docked
D/ND=may be docked or not docked
P_on=power-on command given by pressing the on-off button
CS=cleaning state
NCS=not cleaning state
Th1=first time threshold of no movement for cleaning state
Th2=second time threshold for maximum pause duration
Th3=third time threshold for display to turn off
M=movement detected
NM=no movement detected
DISPLAY_INV=invert display
ERR_MESS=cleaning error message to be displayed
CLEAN=cleaning program being followed
PAUSE=pause cleaning program
In state 180, the shaving unit is off and is not docked in the cleaning device. A first possibility is that the user turns on the shaving device in the undocked position with the power on command P_on. The shaving device is then on and in the shaving mode in state 182. It is still not docked.
If there is no movement for more than 10 seconds, as shown by transition 184, there is an auto off function and a return to state 180. This assumes the user has finished shaving but not turned the shaving device off.
If the user docks the shaving device in the cleaning device “dock”, there is a transition to state 186. The shaving device is on and docked. The display output is inverted to reflect that the shaving device is upside down compared to its normal orientation.
A second possibility is that the user can dock the shaving device in the cleaning device before turning it on. In state 188 the shaving device is docked but not yet turned on. When the power on P_on command is input, there is a transition to state 186 described above.
If the sensed orientation remains corresponding to the cleaning orientation and with no movement for a first time threshold Th1 (e.g. 1.5 seconds) the system enters the cleaning state “CS” during which the cleaning program explained above is followed, in state 190. Thus, the cleaning state may be considered to combine the cleaning orientation and no movement. An interruption to the cleaning state may be because there is detected movement or a detected change in orientation (or both).
If the cleaning program is interrupted (so there is “not cleaning state”, NCS), a pause state 192 is reached. If the not cleaning state lasts more than a second time threshold Th2 (longer than the first threshold, e.g. 4 seconds) an error message is given in state 194 and there is an auto off function of the shaving device. The display remains on giving the error message.
If there is instead no interruption during the cleaning program so that the cleaning program has been successfully completed, there is a transition from state 190 to state 200. The shaving device is turned off. The display remains on giving a message that the cleaning program has been successfully completed.
From states 194 and 200, after a third time threshold (e.g. 10 seconds) the display turns off. Thus, in state 196 the shaving device is off and the display is off.
If movement is detected from this state (but the shaving device is not turned on), the display turns on in state 198. The display then indicates the charging level, and provides an indication of whether the cleaning program is needed. The third time threshold again applied for automatic switching off of the display if the shaving device is not moved (or powered on).
If the shaving device is turned on from the OFF states (194,196,198,200), there will be a transition to state 182 or 186 depending on the docking status.
The example above makes use of a mechanical coupling between the shaving device and the cleaning device. An alternative is for the cleaning device to house the processing unit. The shaving device then only provides the orientation sensor output to the cleaning device, where the output is then processed. The cleaning device then has its own power supply.
A further alternative is for the shaving device to provide an electrical coupling to the cleaning device for transferring power as well as control commands. The cleaning device then does not need a local power supply or processing unit. Instead, the shaving device provides electrical power to the cleaning device as well as control commands for the cleaning system (e.g. pump) via an electrical interface rather than a mechanical interface.
The description above relates specifically to the cleaning program. Other functions will be implemented in known manner. For example, the shaving device motor operation is preferably interrupted during charging. This will accordingly cancel the cleaning program. However, the display inversion function may still be implemented, so that if the shaving device is docked in the cleaning device but being charged, the display has the most suitable orientation for the user. Some shaving devices also have a travel lock mode, again during which the cleaning mode is inhibited.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19189221.5 | Jul 2019 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/069541 | 7/10/2020 | WO | 00 |
