TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a razor cartridge.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The contents described in this section simply provide background information on the
present disclosure and do not constitute prior art.
[0004] A conventional razor, generally known as a wet razor, includes a razor cartridge
and a razor handle.
[0005] The razor cartridge may be configured to pivot about a rotational axis (hereinafter,
"parallel axis") parallel to an alignment direction of a razor blade between a neutral
position and a pivot position in an assembled state. The pivoting about the parallel
axis helps to achieve efficient shaving by smoothly contacting the razor cartridge
with a user's skin.
[0006] In addition, recently, in order to smoothly contact the user's skin, a razor having
a pivot function about a rotational axis (hereinafter, "vertical axis") perpendicular
to the parallel axis in addition to the pivot function about the parallel axis has
been developed.
[0007] Meanwhile, since most of the vertical axis passes through the razor handle, a distance
between the vertical axis and the razor cartridge is far. Therefore, the pivoting
about the vertical axis may be somewhat less responsive to a user's stroke. In this
case, skin adhesion may be weakened, and excessive stimulation may be applied to the
user's skin.
[0008] Meanwhile, the razor cartridge includes a lubricating band for applying a lubricant.
The lubricant included in the lubricating band may be applied to the user's skin before
or after shaving to make the cartridge stroke smoother or reduce irritation to the
skin during shaving.
[0009] Generally, the lubricating band is placed at the rear of the razor blade in the shaving
direction. In this case, the lubricating band may have a limited area, and it is difficult
to apply lubricants with various characteristics. Therefore, in order to make the
stroke smoother and reduce skin irritation during shaving, the development of a razor
cartridge that can apply more lubricants and lubricants with various characteristics
may be required.
SUMMARY
[0010] Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to solve these problems, and provides
a razor cartridge that is capable of pivoting within the razor cartridge so that the
pivoting movement is highly responsive and the contact with a user's skin is improved,
and applying various lubricants over a wider range.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides
a razor cartridge comprising: a blade housing for accommodating at least one razor
blade having a cutting edge in a longitudinal direction, the blade housing including
a housing top surface toward which the cutting edge faces and a housing bottom surface
opposite to the housing top surface; and a frame coupled with the blade housing, characterized
in that the frame being coupled with the blade housing such that the blade housing
is pivotable with respect to the frame about a first pivot axis penetrating the blade
housing.
[0012] As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is an effect of enhancing
responsiveness of the pivoting, improving the contact with a user's skin, and applying
various lubricants over a wider range.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013]
Fig. 1A is a combined perspective view of a razor cartridge according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure.
Fig. 1B is a view when an example of a razor cartridge according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure pivoting about a first pivot axis is viewed from above.
Figs. 2A to 2C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a razor cartridge
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure pivoting about a second pivot
axis.
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a razor cartridge according to one embodiment including
a torsion spring.
Fig. 4 is a view illustrating an example of a razor cartridge according to one embodiment
including a torsion spring pivoting about the first pivot axis from below.
Fig. 5 is an exploded view of a razor cartridge according to one embodiment including
a first plate spring.
Fig. 6 is a view in which an example of a razor cartridge according to one embodiment
including a first plate spring pivoting about the first pivot axis is taken along
line A-A' of Fig. 1A and viewed from below.
Fig. 7 is an exploded view of a razor cartridge according to one embodiment including
a second plate spring.
Fig. 8 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge according to one embodiment
including the second plate spring pivoting about the first pivot axis is taken along
line A-A' of Fig. 1A and viewed from below.
Fig. 9 is an exploded view of a razor cartridge according to one embodiment including
a pair of first elastic portions.
Fig. 10 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge according to one embodiment
including a pair of first elastic portions pivoting about the first pivot axis is
taken along line A-A' of Fig. 1A and viewed from below.
Fig. 11 is an exploded view of a razor cartridge according to one embodiment including
a pair of second elastic portions.
Fig. 12 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge according to one embodiment
including the pair of second elastic portions pivoting about the first pivot axis
is taken along line A-A' of Fig. 1A, and viewed from below.
Fig. 13 is an exploded view of a razor cartridge according to one embodiment including
a pair of third elastic portions.
Fig. 14 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge according to one embodiment
including the pair of third elastic portions pivoting about the first pivot axis is
taken along line A-A' of Fig. 1A and viewed from below.
Fig. 15 is an exploded view of a razor cartridge according to one embodiment including
a pair of fourth elastic portions.
Fig. 16 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge according to one embodiment
including the pair of fourth elastic portions pivoting about the first pivot axis
is viewed from below.
Fig. 17 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge according to one embodiment
including the pair of fourth elastic portions being translated in a direction parallel
to a shaving direction is viewed from below.
Fig. 18 is a combined perspective view of a razor cartridge according to another embodiment
of the present disclosure.
Fig. 19 is a view in which an example of a razor cartridge according to another embodiment
of the present disclosure pivoting about the first pivot axis is viewed from above.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that in giving reference
numerals to components of each of the accompanying drawings, the same components will
be denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are illustrated in different
drawings. Further, in describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, well-known
functions or constructions will not be described in detail since they may unnecessarily
obscure the understanding of the present invention.
[0015] Terms 'first', 'second', i), ii), a), b), and the like, will be used in describing
components according to embodiments of the present disclosure. These terms are only
for distinguishing the components from other components, and the nature, sequence,
order, or the like of the components are not limited by the terms. Throughout the
present specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, "including" or
"comprising" any components will be understood to imply the inclusion of other elements
rather than the exclusion of any other elements.
[0016] Fig. 1A is a combined perspective view of a razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0017] Fig. 1B a view illustrating an example in which the razor cartridge 10 according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure pivots about a first pivot axis.
[0018] Referring to Figs. 1A and 1B, the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure may include a blade housing 100 and a frame 200.
[0019] The blade housing 100 accommodates at least one razor blade 130 having a cutting
edge in a longitudinal direction. Here, the longitudinal direction refers to a longitudinal
direction of the razor cartridge 10. For example, the longitudinal direction is a
direction parallel to an X-axis in Fig. 1A.
[0020] Meanwhile, the longitudinal direction is based on the case when the blade housing
100 is at a first pivot rest position to be described later. Therefore, even when
the blade housing 100 is pivoted, the longitudinal direction is defined assuming that
the blade housing 100 is at the first pivot rest position to be described later.
[0021] The blade housing 100 may include a housing top surface 102 toward which the cutting
edge faces and a housing bottom surface 104 (refer to Fig. 3) opposite to the housing
top surface 102.
[0022] The frame 200 is coupled with the blade housing 100. For example, the blade housing
100 and the frame 200 may be coupled with each other in a height direction. Here,
the height direction is a direction parallel to the direction from the housing top
surface 102 toward the housing bottom surface 104, for example, a direction parallel
to a Z axis in Fig. 1A.
[0023] However, the coupling direction of the blade housing 100 and the frame 200 is not
necessarily limited to the height direction. For example, the blade housing 100 may
be coupled with the frame 200 in the shaving direction or in the direction opposite
to the shaving direction. Here, the shaving direction refers to a direction in which
the razor cartridge 10 is stroked during shaving. For example, the shaving direction
is a negative Y-axis direction in Fig. 1A.
[0024] Meanwhile, the shaving direction is based on when the blade housing 100 is at the
first pivot rest position to be described later. Therefore, even when the blade housing
100 is pivoted, the shaving direction is defined assuming that the blade housing 100
is at the first pivot rest position to be described later.
[0025] The frame 200 may be coupled with the blade housing 100 so that the blade housing
100 can pivot with respect to the frame 200 about a first pivot axis ax1. Here, the
first pivot axis ax1 is a virtual axis penetrating the blade housing 100 and may be
parallel to the height direction.
[0026] The first pivot rest position refers to a state in which the blade housing 100 does
not pivot about the first pivot axis ax1 with respect to the frame 200.
[0027] Referring to Fig. 1B, when a pivot angle θ of the blade housing 100 at the first
pivot rest position is 0°, the maximum pivot angle θ of the blade housing 100 may
be between 1° to 20°, and preferably may be between 10° to 15°. The range of the maximum
pivot angle of the blade housing 100 exemplified in Fig. 1B may also be applied to
the embodiments of the present disclosure described below.
[0028] In the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,
the blade housing 100 within the razor cartridge 10 can pivot about the first pivot
axis ax1 penetrating the blade housing 100. For example, even when the razor cartridge
10 is not connected to a razor handle 30 (refer to Fig. 2A) or is not connected to
a connector 50 (refer to Fig. 2A) coupled with one side of the razor handle, the pivoting
about the first pivot axis ax1 within the razor cartridge 10 may be possible.
[0029] In the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,
by positioning the first pivot axis ax1 within the razor cartridge 10, the pivoting
according to a user's stroke may be immediately performed within the razor cartridge
10. Through this, the contact with the user's skin can be improved, and since a rapid
change of direction according to the skin condition during shaving is possible, irritation
applied to the skin can be reduced.
[0030] Meanwhile, the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure
may further include a first restoring force providing units 300, 500, 700, 900, 1100,
1300 and 1500. The first restoring force providing units 300, 500, 700, 900, 1100,
1300 and 1500 are configured to provide a first pivot restoring force to the blade
housing 100 to return the blade housing 100 to the first pivot rest position in a
state where the blade housing 100 is pivoted about the first pivot axis ax1 from the
first pivot rest position. Detailed descriptions of how the first restoring force
providing units 300, 500, 700, 900, 1100, 1300 and 1500 provide the first pivot restoring
force will be described later.
[0031] The first pivot axis ax1 may penetrate the blade housing 100 in a direction parallel
to the height direction. However, the direction of the first pivot axis ax1 is not
limited thereto, and the first pivot axis ax1 may not be parallel to the height direction.
[0032] In order to provide a more stable pivoting, the first pivot axis ax1 may be configured
to penetrate the central region of the blade housing 100 in the longitudinal direction.
For example, as illustrated in Fig. 1A, the first pivot axis ax1 may be configured
to penetrate the region where at least one razor blade 130 is positioned and the central
region of the blade housing 100 in the longitudinal direction, but is not necessarily
limited thereto.
[0033] Meanwhile, the blade housing 100 may be configured to be translated in a direction
parallel to the shaving direction with respect to the frame 200, for example, in a
direction parallel to the Y-axis direction of Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B. In this case, the
first pivot axis ax1 may move in a direction parallel to the shaving direction according
to the translation of the blade housing 100.
[0034] The translation rest position refers to a state in which the blade housing 100 is
not translated with respect to the frame 200. The state of the first pivot position
may be the translation rest position, but is not necessarily limited thereto.
[0035] For example, when the blade housing 100 is not pivoted with respect to the first
pivot axis ax1 in a state where the blade housing is translated, the blade housing
100 is at the first neutral position but is not at the translation rest position.
Similarly, when the blade housing 100 is not translated in a state where the blade
housing is pivoted about the first pivot axis ax1, the blade housing 100 is at the
translation rest position, but is not at the first pivot rest position.
[0036] When a movement distance of the blade housing 100 in the direction parallel to the
shaving direction with respect to the frame 200 at the translation rest position is
0 mm, the blade housing 100 can be translated within 10 mm in the direction opposite
to the shaving direction, preferably within 6 mm, and more preferably within 3 mm.
[0037] When the blade housing 100 is translated in the direction parallel to the shaving
direction with respect to the frame 200, it is possible to provide resistance even
when a sudden change of direction occurs during shaving or excessive force is applied,
thereby enabling safe shaving, and when the skin surface is not uniform due to a skin
condition or unevenness, a translation speed of the blade housing 100 can be reduced,
thereby minimizing wounds or cuts on the skin.
[0038] In addition, in order to provide a translation restoring force to the blade housing
100 to return the blade housing 100 to the translation rest position in a state where
the blade housing 100 is translated parallel to the shaving direction from the translation
rest position, the razor cartridge 10 may further include a separate elastic member
such as rubber, a spring, or a plastic tension bar, but is not necessarily limited
thereto. For example, it is also possible for the first restoring force providing
unit to be configured to provide not only the first pivot restoring force but also
the translation restoring force. Detailed descriptions thereof will be given later.
[0039] Through the translation of the blade housing 100 in a direction parallel to the shaving
direction, the buffering action of the razor cartridge 10 can be enabled, and accordingly,
a smooth shaving sensation can be provided.
[0040] The blade housing 100 includes all or some of a guard 120, a first lubricating band
160, a pair of clips 140, a second lubricating band 110, and a pair of side openings
150.
[0041] The guard 120 may be positioned in front of at least one razor blade 130 in the shaving
direction. The guard 120 may stretch the skin before the body hair is cut by the at
least one razor blade 130 during the shaving process. Accordingly, the user's body
hair may be raised in a direction perpendicular to the user's skin surface by the
guard 120, thereby making it easier to cut the body hair by the at least one razor
blade 130.
[0042] Here, the first pivot axis ax1 may be positioned in the rear of the guard 120 in
the shaving direction. Since the guard 120 is a point that supports the user's skin
during shaving, a force is applied to the point, and when the first pivot axis ax1
is disposed at the rear of the guard 120, the action moment may increase. When the
action moment increases, the responsiveness of the pivoting about the first pivot
axis ax1 may be further improved.
[0043] The force required for the pivoting about the first pivot axis ax1 may be 10 gf to
70 gf, and preferably 30 gf to 50 gf.
[0044] The first lubricating band 160 is disposed at the rear of at least one razor blade
130 in the shaving direction. The first lubricating band 160 may be configured to
apply a lubricant to the user's skin in order to provide softness to the user.
[0045] A pair of clips 140 may maintain at least one razor blade 130 on the blade housing
100. Thereby, at least one razor blade 130 may not be separated from the blade housing
100.
[0046] In Figs. 1A and 1B, one side of each of the pair of clips 140 is configured to penetrate
the blade housing 100 and the other side is configured to surround a rear surface
of the blade housing 100, but it is not necessarily limited to this configuration
as long as the razor blade 130 can be maintained by the blade housing 100.
[0047] The second lubricating band 110 may be disposed in front of the guard 120 in the
shaving direction. The second lubricating band 110 may be configured to apply a lubricant
to the user's skin in order to provide a smooth cartridge stroke to the user. However,
it is also possible for the second lubricating band 110 to be disposed between the
rear of the guard 120 and at least one razor blade 130.
[0048] Here, the lubricant included in the first lubricating band 160 and the lubricant
included in the second lubricating band 110 may be the same as each other, but is
not necessarily limited thereto, and may be different from each other.
[0049] For example, the second lubricating band 110 may come into contact with the user's
skin before the user's body hair is raised and/or cut, and thus, may include a component
of a shaving aid, and the first lubricating band 160 may come into contact with the
user's skin after the user's body hair is raised and cut, and thus, may include a
component for relieving skin irritation of the user.
[0050] A pair of side openings 150 are formed on both sides of the blade housing 100 in
the longitudinal direction so that cleaning water can pass through the blade housing
100 in a region adjacent to both side surfaces of at least one razor blade 130 in
the longitudinal direction.
[0051] For example, the cleaning water flowing in from the side opening 150 on one side
of the blade housing 100 in the longitudinal direction may pass through the side opening
150 on the other side of the longitudinal direction through at least one razor blade
130.
[0052] In particular, when the pivoting is performed as illustrated in Fig. 1B, at least
a portion of one of the pair of side openings 150 may be exposed to the outside, thereby
effectively discharging shaving residues existing in the razor cartridge 10 after
shaving.
[0053] Meanwhile, the frame 200 includes both or one of at least one outer portion 220 and
at least one third lubricating band 210.
[0054] At least one outer portion 220 has a height extending in the direction parallel to
the first pivot axis ax1 and is configured to surround at least a portion of the outer
portion of the blade housing 100 in a state where the blade housing 100 and the frame
200 are coupled with each other.
[0055] As illustrated in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, at least one outer portion 220 may include
a pair of longitudinal side portions 225 spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal
direction so as to surround at least a portion of both sides of the blade housing
100 in the longitudinal direction, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and this
will be described later.
[0056] It is preferable that at least one outer portion 220 is formed to correspond to the
outer shape of the blade housing 100, thereby guiding the pivoting of the blade housing
100 and protecting the blade housing 100 from external impact.
[0057] At least one third lubricating band 210 is formed on the top surface of at least
one outer portion 220 in the height direction. At least one third lubricating band
210 may be configured to apply the lubricant to the user's skin in order to provide
softness to the user.
[0058] Here, the lubricant included in the third lubricating band 210 may be the same as
the lubricant included in the first lubricating band 160 and/or the second lubricating
band 110, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be different from each other.
[0059] In addition, when at least one outer portion 220 includes a pair of longitudinal
side portions 225, the frame 200 may include the pair of third lubricating bands 210
formed on the top surface of each of the pair of longitudinal portions 225. In this
case, the lubricants included the pair of third lubricating bands 210 may be the same
as each other, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be different from each
other.
[0060] For example, assuming that the stroke direction is constant during the shaving, the
lubricant included in the third lubricating band 210 on one side of the longitudinal
direction may include a component of a shaving aid, and the lubricant included in
the third lubricating band 210 on the other side of the longitudinal direction may
include a component for relieving skin irritation of the user.
[0061] However, the third lubricating band 210 does not necessarily have to be formed as
a pair, and may be formed in only one of the pair of the longitudinal side portions
225, or may be formed to be divided in a plurality of region in each longitudinal
side portion.
[0062] Meanwhile, at least a portion of the housing top surface 102 and at least a portion
of the frame 200 adjacent to the housing top surface 102 may form a skin contact surface
that comes into contact with the user's skin during shaving.
[0063] For example, the frame 200 may include a frame top surface 202 adjacent to the housing
top surface 102 and a frame bottom surface 204 (refer to Fig. 4) opposite to the frame
top surface 202, and at least a portion of the housing top surface 102 and at least
a portion of the frame top surface 202 may form the skin contact surface.
[0064] By forming the skin contact surface not only on the blade housing 100 but also on
the frame 200, the area in contact with the user's skin within the razor cartridge
10 can be increased, and thus, it is possible to provide a more improved sense of
comfort to the user.
[0065] In addition, the first to third lubricating bands 160, 110, and 210 may be disposed
on the skin contact surface, thereby allowing the application of the lubricant contained
in each of the first to third lubricating bands 160, 110, and 210 to be performed
in a wider range and in a variety of ways.
[0066] Figs. 2A to 2C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a razor cartridge
pivoting about a second pivot axis (second axis, ax2) according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0067] Referring to Figs. 2A to 2C, the frame 200 may be configured to pivot about the second
pivot axis ax2 parallel to the longitudinal direction with respect to a razor handle
30 by being connected to a connector 50 coupled with one side of the razor handle
30.
[0068] However, it is not necessarily limited thereto, and the frame 200 may be configured
to pivot about the razor handle 30 about the second pivot axis ax2 parallel to the
longitudinal direction by being directly connected to the razor handle 30.
[0069] Accordingly, the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure
may be configured to pivot not only about the first pivot axis ax1, that is, the vertical
axis, but also about the second pivot axis ax2, that is, the horizontal axis.
[0070] In this case, a second restoring force providing unit 40 may be provided in one side
of a connector 50 and/or the razor handle 30. For example, in Figs. 2A to 2C, the
second restoring force providing unit 40 is illustrated as being provided in the connector
50, but is not necessarily limited thereto and may be provided on one side of the
razor handle 30.
[0071] The second restoring force providing unit 40 may provide a second pivot restoring
force to return the razor cartridge 10 to the second pivot rest position, for example,
in a state where the frame 200 of the razor cartridge 10 pivots about the second pivot
axis ax2 from the second pivot rest position.
[0072] More specifically, the second restoring force providing unit 40 may provide a second
pivot restoring force to the razor cartridge 10 by elastically supporting an elastic
force support portion 250 (refer to Fig. 4) described below.
[0073] In Figs. 2A to 2C, the second restoring force providing unit 40 is configured to
move forward and backward as the razor cartridge 10 pivots about the second pivot
axis ax2, thereby providing the second pivot restoring force. However, the present
invention is not necessarily limited to this method of providing restoring force,
as long as the razor cartridge 10 can be returned to the second pivot rest position.
[0074] Below, detailed descriptions of the coupling and pivoting of the blade housing 100
and frame 200 are provided through various examples.
[0075] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment including
a torsion spring 300.
[0076] Fig. 4 is a view illustrating an example of the razor cartridge 10 according to one
embodiment including a torsion spring 300 pivoting movement about the first pivot
axis ax1 from below.
[0077] Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the torsion spring 300 is illustrated as an example of
the first restoring force providing unit. The torsion spring 300 may be formed integrally
with the blade housing 100 or the frame 200 such that a first pivot axis ax1 passes
through the center of the torsion spring. The torsion spring 300 may be deformed due
to the pivoting movement of the blade housing 100 and the frame 200 with respect to
each other.
[0078] For example, when the blade housing 100 pivots about the first pivot axis ax1 with
respect to the frame 200, the torsion spring 300 may also twist in the direction of
the pivoting, and the first pivot restoring force may be generated according to the
degree of twisting.
[0079] In addition, the torsion spring 300 may provide a translation restoring force to
the blade housing 100 even when the blade housing 100 is translated in the direction
parallel to the shaving direction with respect to the frame 200. In this case, the
torsion spring 300 may provide the restoring force to the blade housing 100 not only
for the pivoting about the first pivot axis ax1 of the blade housing 100 but also
for the translation in the direction parallel to the shaving direction, thereby allowing
the blade housing 100 to return to the first pivot rest position and/or the translation
rest position.
[0080] However, it is not necessary that only the torsion spring 300 provide the restoring
force for the translation in the direction parallel to the shaving direction of the
blade housing 100, and a separate elastic member may be additionally included in the
razor cartridge 10 to provide the restoring force for the translation.
[0081] In Figs. 3 and 4, the torsion spring 300 is illustrated as being configured as an
integral part with the frame 200, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may
be configured as an integral part with the blade housing 100 or may be arranged as
a separate component from the frame 200 and the blade housing 100.
[0082] When the torsion spring 300 is configured as an integral part with the frame 200,
the blade housing 100 may include a coupling protrusion 175 formed to protrude from
at least one surface thereof. In this case, the coupling protrusion 175 may be coupled
with a spring groove 305 formed to penetrate the center of the torsion spring 300
to form the first pivot axis ax1. For example, the coupling protrusion 175 protrudes
in a direction parallel to the first pivot axis ax1.
[0083] As the coupling protrusion 175 is coupled with the spring groove 305, not only is
the coupling of the blade housing 100 and the frame 200 possible, but the position
of the first pivot axis ax1 can also be determined. Meanwhile, the spring groove 305
may be configured to penetrate the torsion spring 300, but is not necessarily limited
thereto, and a portion of the torsion spring 300 may be recessed.
[0084] In addition, the blade housing 100 may include a first central support unit 170 positioned
in the central region in the longitudinal direction. The first central support unit
170 may be configured to support at least one razor blade 130. However, the present
disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first central support unit 170 may be configured
not to support at least one razor blade 130. When the first central support unit is
included, the coupling protrusion 175 may be formed on the first central support unit
170.
[0085] More specifically, at least one razor blade 130 may be mounted on one surface of
the first central support unit 170, and the coupling protrusion 175 may be formed
on the other surface opposite to the one surface. In this case, the first pivot axis
ax1 may penetrate the first central support unit 170.
[0086] However, the first pivot axis ax1 does not necessarily have to be configured to penetrate
the first central support unit 170, and may be configured to penetrate the first lubrication
band 160 or the second lubrication band 110 for appropriate pivot force adjustment,
or the like.
[0087] Meanwhile, when the torsion spring 300 is configured as an integral part with the
blade housing 100, the frame 200 may include a coupling protrusion 175, and the torsion
spring 300 may be disposed on the other surface of the first central support unit
170.
[0088] The blade housing 100 may include a guide protrusion 180 formed by protruding from
at least a portion of the outer surface. For example, a pair of guide protrusions
180 may be formed, each of which may protrude from one surface of both sides of the
blade housing 100 in the longitudinal direction.
[0089] In response to this, at least one outer portion 220 may include a guide groove 280
formed by recessing at least a portion of an inner surface along the pivot direction
with respect to the frame 200 of the blade housing 100. For example, when at least
one outer portion 220 includes a pair of longitudinal portions 225, the guide groove
280 may be formed in each of the pair of longitudinal portions 225.
[0090] Since the guide protrusion 180 can move along the guide groove 280, it is possible
to stably guide the pivoting of the blade housing 100 with respect to the frame 200.
[0091] At least one outer portion 220 may further include a stopper (not illustrated) protruding
from the inner surface of the guide groove 280, and in this case, the stopper may
limit the pivot of the blade housing 100 with respect to the frame 200.
[0092] For example, the stopper may be formed at one end portion of the guide groove 280
in the shaving direction and configured to engage with the guide protrusion 180 to
limit the pivot range. The pivot range may be determined depending on the formation
position of the stopper.
[0093] Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate that the blade housing 100 includes the guide protrusion
180 and the frame 200 includes the guide groove 280, but this is not necessarily limited
to this, and the blade housing 100 may include the guide groove 280 and the frame
200 may include the guide protrusion 180. In this case, the stopper may be formed
in the blade housing 100.
[0094] Meanwhile, the blade housing 100 may include at least one central opening 105 that
opens through the housing top surface 102 and the housing bottom surface 104. Shaving
residues inside the razor cartridge 10 may be discharged to the outside through the
at least one central opening 105.
[0095] When the blade housing 100 includes the first central support unit 170, at least
one central opening 105 may include two central openings 105 spaced apart from each
other in the longitudinal direction with the first central support unit 170 interposed
therebetween.
[0096] Referring again to Fig. 4, the frame 200 may be configured to pivot about the second
pivot axis ax2 parallel to the longitudinal direction with respect to the razor handle
by being connected to the razor handle or to a connector coupled with one side of
the razor handle.
[0097] In this case, the frame 200 may include a connecting portion 240 and an elastic force
support portion 250 disposed on the frame bottom surface 204.
[0098] The connecting portion 240 may be configured to be connected to a razor handle or
a connector coupled with one side of the razor handle. By connecting the razor handle
or the connector to the connecting portion 240, the pivoting movement of the razor
cartridge 10 about the second pivot axis ax2 with respect to the razor handle may
be enabled.
[0099] The elastic force support portion 250 may be positioned in front of the first pivot
axis ax1 in the shaving direction, and the second pivot restoring force may be applied
to the elastic force support portion 250 to return the frame 200 to the second pivot
rest position in a state where the frame 200 pivots about the second pivot axis ax2
from the second pivot rest position. In addition, the second pivot axis ax2 can be
positioned in front of the first pivot axis ax1 in the shaving direction.
[0100] Accordingly, interference between the pivoting movement about the first pivot axis
ax1 and the pivoting movement about the second pivot axis ax2 can be minimized, and
the first pivot restoring force for returning to the first pivot rest position may
be applied to a point where the coupling protrusion 175 is formed, and the second
pivot restoring force for returning to the second pivot rest position may be applied
to a point where the elastic force support portion 250 is formed.
[0101] However, it is not necessary for the elastic force support portion 250 to be positioned
in front of the first pivot axis ax1 or for the second pivot axis ax2 to be positioned
in front of the first pivot axis ax1, and the relative positions of each may be changed
depending on the structure of the blade housing 100 and the frame 200.
[0102] Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment
including a first plate spring 500.
[0103] Fig. 6 is a view in which an example of a razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment
including the first plate spring 500 pivoting about the first pivot axis ax1 is taken
along line A-A' of Fig. 1A and viewed from below.
[0104] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, as an example of a first restoring force providing unit,
the first plate spring 500 is illustrated, at least a portion of which may be configured
to extend in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, for
example, in the direction parallel to the shaving direction. The first plate spring
500 may be configured such that at least a portion is fixedly positioned on the blade
housing 100 or the frame 200, and at least another portion is deformed due to the
pivoting of the blade housing 100 and the frame 200 with respect to each other.
[0105] For example, when the blade housing 100 pivots about the first pivot axis ax1 with
respect to the frame 200, at least a portion of the first plate spring 500 may be
deformed in the pivot direction, and the first pivot restoring force may be generated
according to the degree of deformation.
[0106] In Figs. 5 and 6, the first plate spring 500 is illustrated as a separate configuration
from the frame 200 and the blade housing 100, but it may also be configured as an
integral part of the blade housing 100 or the frame 200.
[0107] When the first plate spring 500 is configured separately from the frame 200 and the
blade housing 100, one side of the first plate spring 500 in the shaving direction
may be configured to be fixed to the blade housing 100 and the other side thereof
may be fixed to the frame 200.
[0108] For example, the blade housing 100 may include a first accommodation portion 190
formed on the housing bottom surface 104 and configured to accommodate at least a
portion of the first plate spring 500, and the frame 200 may include a second accommodation
portion 290 formed on the frame top surface 202 and configured to accommodate at least
another portion of the first plate spring 500.
[0109] Accordingly, when the blade housing 100 and the frame 200 are coupled with each other
by the first accommodation portion 190 and the second accommodation portion 290, the
first plate spring 500 may be accommodated therebetween.
[0110] As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the first plate spring 500 may include a head portion
502 and a body portion 504. For example, the head portion 502 may be formed on one
side of the first plate spring 500 in the shaving direction, and the body portion
504 may be formed on the other side thereof.
[0111] In this case, the body portion 504 may extend in a direction parallel to the shaving
direction, and a head portion 502 having a circular cross-section may be formed at
one end of the body portion 504, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example,
the first plate spring 500 may not include the head portion 502, and in this case,
the first plate spring 500 may have a shape that extends long in the direction parallel
to the shaving direction as a whole.
[0112] In addition, the first accommodation portion 190 may accommodate the body portion
504, and the second accommodation portion 290 may accommodate the head portion 502,
but this is not necessarily limited to this, and vice versa.
[0113] When the head portion 502 is accommodated in the second accommodation portion 290,
the second accommodation portion 290 is configured so that at least a portion thereof
is recessed from the frame top surface 202 so as to fix the position of the head portion
502. The first accommodation portion 190 may be configured to protrude from the housing
bottom surface 104 so as to accommodate the body portion 504, and the body portion
504 accommodated in the first accommodation portion 190 may be at least partially
deformed due to the pivoting of the blade housing 100 with respect to the frame 200.
[0114] Meanwhile, in order for the blade housing 100 and the frame 200 to be coupled with
each other, one of the blade housing 100 and the frame 200 may include the coupling
protrusion 175 formed to protrude from at least one surface thereof. In addition,
the other of the blade housing 100 and the frame 200 may include a coupling groove
275 formed to be recessed in at least a portion thereof in a shape corresponding to
the coupling protrusion 175. For example, the coupling protrusion 175 protrudes in
a direction parallel to the first pivot axis ax1.
[0115] The coupling protrusion 175 and the coupling groove 275 may be coupled with each
other to form the first pivot axis ax1. Therefore, when the coupling protrusion 175
is coupled with the coupling groove 275, not only is the coupling between the blade
housing 100 and the frame 200 possible, but also the position of the first pivot axis
ax1 can be determined.
[0116] Meanwhile, although not illustrated in the drawing, the coupling groove 275 may be
formed to be long in the direction parallel to the shaving direction for the translation
of the blade housing 100 in the direction parallel to the shaving direction. In this
case, the coupling protrusion 175 may be moved along the extension direction of the
coupling groove 275, so that translation of the blade housing 100 in the direction
parallel to the shaving direction may be possible.
[0117] In this case, the razor cartridge 10 may further include a separate elastic member
to provide a translation restoring force for the translation of the blade housing
100 in the direction parallel to the shaving direction.
[0118] Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the blade housing 100 includes the coupling protrusion 175
and the frame 200 includes the coupling groove 275, but conversely, the frame 200
may include the coupling protrusion 175 and the blade housing 100 may include the
coupling groove 275.
[0119] When the blade housing 100 includes the first central support unit 170, for example,
at least one razor blade 130 may be mounted on one surface of the first central support
unit 170, and the coupling protrusion 175 may be formed on the other surface opposite
to that surface. In this case, the first pivot axis ax1 may penetrate the first central
support unit 170.
[0120] However, the first pivot axis ax1 does not necessarily have to be configured to penetrate
the first central support unit 170, and may be configured to penetrate the first lubrication
band 160 or the second lubrication band 110 for appropriate pivot force adjustment,
or the like.
[0121] Additionally, the frame 200 may include a second central support unit 270. The second
central support unit 270 may be positioned in a region corresponding to the first
central support unit 170 when the blade housing 100 and the frame 200 are coupled
with each other, and one surface of the second central support unit 270 may be configured
to be coupled with the first central support unit 170.
[0122] In this case, the coupling protrusion 175 may be formed on the first central support
unit 170, and the coupling groove 275 may be formed on the second central support
unit 270. The coupling groove 275 may be formed so that a portion thereof is recessed
from one surface of the second central support unit 270, but is not necessarily limited
thereto, and may be configured to penetrate the second central support unit 270.
[0123] Meanwhile, when the frame 200 includes the elastic force support portion 250, the
elastic force support portion 250 may be located on one surface of the second central
support unit 270, that is, on the other surface opposite to the surface facing the
housing bottom surface 104.
[0124] Except for the matters described above, the descriptions related to the guide protrusion
180, the guide groove 280, the at least one central opening 105, the second pivot
axis ax2, the connecting portion 240, and the elastic force support portion 250 may
be the same as the descriptions for the embodiment including the torsion spring 300
described above, and therefore, will be omitted here.
[0125] Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment
including a second plate spring 700.
[0126] Fig. 8 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment
including the second plate spring 700 pivoting about the first pivot axis ax1 is taken
along line A-A' of Fig. 1A and viewed from below.
[0127] Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the second plate spring 700 is illustrated as an example
of the first restoring force providing unit, and at least a portion of the second
plate spring may be configured to extend in the direction parallel to the longitudinal
direction. The second plate spring 700 may be configured such that at least a portion
thereof is fixedly positioned on the blade housing 100 or the frame 200, and at least
another portion thereof is deformed due to the pivoting movement of the blade housing
100 and the frame 200 with respect to each other.
[0128] For example, when the blade housing 100 pivots about the first pivot axis ax1 with
respect to the frame 200, at least a portion of the second plate spring 700 may be
deformed in the pivoting movement direction, and the first pivot restoring force may
be generated according to the degree of deformation.
[0129] In Figs. 7 and 8, the second plate spring 700 is illustrated as a separate configuration
from the frame 200 and the blade housing 100, but it may also be configured as an
integral part of the blade housing 100 or the frame 200.
[0130] When the second plate spring 700 is configured separately from the frame 200 and
the blade housing 100, the central region of the second plate spring 700 in the longitudinal
direction may be fixed to the blade housing 100 and both sides of the second plate
spring may be fixed to the frame 200.
[0131] However, it is not necessarily limited to this, and the central region of the second
plate spring 700 in the longitudinal direction may be fixed to the frame 200, and
both sides thereof may be fixed to the blade housing 100.
[0132] The blade housing 100 may include the first accommodation portion 190 formed on the
housing bottom surface 104 and configured to accommodate at least a portion of the
second plate spring 700, and the frame 200 may include the second accommodation portion
290 formed on the frame top surface 202 and configured to accommodate at least another
portion of the second plate spring 700.
[0133] Accordingly, when the blade housing 100 and the frame 200 are coupled with each other
by the first accommodation portion 190 and the second accommodation portion 290, the
second plate spring 700 can be accommodated therebetween.
[0134] When the central region of the second plate spring 700 in the longitudinal direction
is accommodated in the second accommodation portion 290, the second accommodation
portion 290 is configured to protrude from the frame top surface 202 so as to fix
the position of the central region of the second plate spring 700 in the longitudinal
direction. The first accommodation portion 190 is configured so that at least a portion
thereof is recessed from the housing bottom surface 104 so as to accommodate both
sides of the second plate spring 700 in the longitudinal direction, and at least a
portion of the second plate spring 700 may be deformed due to the pivoting movement
of the blade housing 100 with respect to the frame 200.
[0135] Meanwhile, when the coupling groove 275 is formed to be long in the direction parallel
to the shaving direction, the second plate spring 700 can provide the restoring force
to the blade housing 100 not only for the pivoting movement about the first pivot
axis ax1 of the blade housing 100 but also for the translation in the direction parallel
to the shaving direction, thereby allowing the blade housing 100 to return to the
first pivot rest position and/or the translation rest position.
[0136] However, it is not necessary that only the second plate spring 700 provide the restoring
force for the translation in the direction parallel to the shaving direction of the
blade housing 100, and a separate elastic member may be additionally included in the
razor cartridge 10 to provide the restoring force.
[0137] Except for the matters described above, descriptions related to the coupling protrusion
175, the coupling groove 275, the first central support unit 170, the second central
support unit 270, the guide protrusion 180, the guide groove 280, the at least one
central opening 105, the second pivot axis ax2, the connecting portion 240, and the
elastic force support portion 250 may be the same as the descriptions for the embodiment
including the first plate spring 500 described above, and therefore are omitted herein.
[0138] In one embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in Figs. 9 to 17, the first
restoring force providing unit is characterized in that the first restoring force
providing unit includes an elastic portion. The elastic portion includes a fixed end
whose position is fixed to the blade housing 100 or the frame 200, and a free end
whose position is not fixed. When the blade housing 100 pivots about the first pivot
axis ax1 with respect to the frame 200, at least a portion of the elastic portion
may be elastically deformed, thereby providing the first pivot restoring force for
the pivoting about the first pivot axis ax1. In addition, in some embodiments, the
elastic portion may also provide the translation restoring force for the translation
in the direction parallel to the shaving direction. Hereinafter, various embodiments
of the elastic portion will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 17.
[0139] Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment
including a pair of first elastic portions 900.
[0140] Fig. 10 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge 10 according to one
embodiment including a pair of first elastic portions 900 pivoting about the first
pivot axis ax1 is taken along line A-A' of Fig. 1A and viewed from below.
[0141] Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, as an example of a first restoring force providing unit,
the pair of first elastic portions 900 that are formed to be spaced apart from each
other in the longitudinal direction and extend substantially in the transverse direction
is illustrated. Each of the pair of first elastic portions 900 may be configured such
that one side thereof is fixed to the frame 200 and the other side thereof forms a
free end.
[0142] For example, when the blade housing 100 pivots about the first pivot axis ax1 with
respect to the frame 200, at least one free end of the pair of first elastic portions
900 may be deformed in the pivot direction or in the direction opposite to the pivot
direction by the coupling protrusion 175, and a first pivot restoring force may be
generated depending on the degree of deformation.
[0143] In this case, the coupling protrusion 175 may be configured to be in contact with
the free ends of the pair of first elastic portions 900. In Figs. 9 and 10, one side
of each of the pair of first elastic portions 900 is illustrated as being fixed to
the frame 200, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and the one side may be fixed
to the blade housing 100 as long as it is configured to be able to deform a portion
of the pair of first elastic portions 900 according to the pivoting.
[0144] Additionally, each of the pair of first elastic portions 900 may be configured so
that at least a portion thereof is bent. However, it is not necessarily limited thereto,
and may be configured in a straight-line shape parallel to one direction.
[0145] When at least a portion of each of the pair of first elastic portions 900 is configured
to be bent, a pair of bending region support units 950 configured to support the bent
regions of the pair of first elastic portions 900 may be formed to protrude from the
housing bottom surface 104.
[0146] The pair of bending region support units 950 may limit the pivot regions of the pair
of first elastic portions 900. For example, the deformation range of the first elastic
portion 900 may change depending on the position, size, and shape of the bending region
support unit 950, and accordingly, the limitation to the pivot range of the blade
housing 100 may also be changed.
[0147] In addition, when the blade housing 100 pivots about the first pivot axis ax1 with
respect to the frame 200 and then the external force is removed, the pair of bending
region support units 950 may provide a first pivot restoring force to the pair of
first elastic portions 900, thereby allowing the blade housing 100 to return to the
first pivot rest position.
[0148] Meanwhile, in Figs. 9 and 10, each of a pair of first elastic portions 900 is illustrated
as having a shape symmetrical to each other at the first pivot rest position, but
is not necessarily limited thereto.
[0149] Except for the matters described above, descriptions related to the guide protrusion
180, the guide groove 280, the at least one central opening 105, the second pivot
axis ax2, the connecting portion 240, and the elastic force support portion 250 and
descriptions related to the translation restoring force in the direction parallel
to the shaving direction may be the same as the descriptions of the embodiment including
the torsion spring 300 described above, and therefore are omitted here.
[0150] Fig. 11 is an exploded view of the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment
including a pair of second elastic portions 1100.
[0151] Fig. 12 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge 10 according to one
embodiment including the pair of second elastic portions 1100 pivoting about the first
pivot axis ax1 is taken along line A-A' of Fig. 1A, and viewed from below.
[0152] Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, as an example of the first restoring force providing
unit, the pair of second elastic portions 1100 that are formed spaced apart from each
other in a longitudinal direction and extend substantially in the height direction
are illustrated. Each of the pair of second elastic portions 1100 may be configured
such that one side is fixed to the blade housing 100 and the other side forms a free
end.
[0153] For example, when the blade housing 100 pivots about the first pivot axis ax1 with
respect to the frame 200, at least one of the pair of second elastic portions 1100
may be deformed laterally by the frame 200, and the first pivot restoring force may
be generated depending on the degree of deformation. In this case, the frame 200 may
be configured to come into contact with the free ends of the pair of second elastic
portions 1100 when coupled with the blade housing 100.
[0154] Meanwhile, the pivot range of the blade housing 100 may be changed depending on the
position, size, and shape of the pair of second elastic portions 1100. In addition,
the positions of the pair of second elastic portions 1100 illustrated in Figs. 11
and 12 may be changed in the transverse or longitudinal direction within a range that
maintains the pivot angle θ of the blade housing 100 between 1° and 20° as described
above.
[0155] In Figs. 11 and 12, one side of each of the pair of second elastic portions 1100
is illustrated as being fixed to the blade housing 100, but is not necessarily limited
thereto, and may be fixed to the frame 200 as long as it is configured to be able
to deform a portion of each of the pair of second elastic portions 1100 according
to the pivoting.
[0156] Additionally, the pair of second elastic portions 1100 may be formed integrally with
the guard 120, but is not necessarily limited thereto.
[0157] Except for the matters described above, descriptions related to the coupling protrusion
175, the coupling groove 275, the first central support unit 170, the second central
support unit 270, the guide protrusion 180, the guide groove 280, the at least one
central opening 105, the second pivot axis ax2, the connecting portion 240, and the
elastic force support portion 250 and descriptions related to the translation restoring
force may be the same as the descriptions for the embodiment including the second
plate spring 700 described above, and therefore are omitted herein.
[0158] Fig. 13 is an exploded view of the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment
including a pair of third elastic portions 1300.
[0159] Fig. 14 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge 10 according to one
embodiment including the pair of third elastic portions 1300 pivoting about the first
pivot axis is taken along line A-A' of Fig. 1A and viewed from below.
[0160] Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, as an example of the first restoring force providing
unit, the pair of third elastic portions 1300 extending substantially in the longitudinal
direction from both sides of the second central support unit 270 in the longitudinal
direction are illustrated. Each of the pair of third elastic portions 1300 may be
configured such that one side thereof is fixed to the frame 200 and the other side
thereof forms a free end.
[0161] For example, when the blade housing 100 pivots about the first pivot axis ax1 with
respect to the frame 200, at least one of the pair of third elastic portions 1300
may be deformed in the pivot direction or in the direction opposite to the pivot direction
by a pair of elastic portion accommodation units 1350 formed on the housing bottom
surface 104, and the first pivot restoring force may be generated depending on the
degree of deformation. In this case, each of the pair of elastic portion accommodation
units 1350 may be configured to be accommodated by fitting each of the pair of third
elastic portions 1300 in the height direction.
[0162] Meanwhile, the pivot range of the blade housing 100 may be changed depending on the
position, size, and shape of the pair of third elastic portions 1300. In addition,
in the free end side of the pair of third elastic portions 1300 illustrated in Figs.
13 and 14, the position of the free end side may be changed in the transverse or longitudinal
direction within a range that maintains the pivot angle θ of the blade housing 100
between 1° and 20° as described above.
[0163] In Figs. 13 and 14, one side of each of the pair of third elastic portions 1300 is
illustrated as being fixed to the frame 200, but it is not necessarily limited thereto,
and the one side may be fixed to the blade housing 100 as long as a portion of each
of the pair of third elastic portions 1300 is configured to be deformable according
to the pivoting.
[0164] In addition, to prevent the pair of third elastic portions 1300 from being separated
in a state of being accommodated in the pair of elastic portion accommodation units
1350, each of the pair of third elastic portions 1300 may include an elastic portion
separation preventing unit 1305 formed on at least one surface.
[0165] Even when an external force in the height direction is applied to the pair of third
elastic portions 1300, a state where the pair of third elastic portions 1300 is accommodated
in the pair of elastic portion accommodation units 1350 can be maintained by the elastic
portion separation prevention unit 1305, and further, separation of the frame 200
and the blade housing 100 can be prevented.
[0166] Except for the matters described above, descriptions related to the coupling protrusion
175, the coupling groove 275, the first central support unit 170, the second central
support unit 270, the guide protrusion 180, the guide groove 280, the at least one
central opening 105, the second pivot axis ax2, the connecting portion 240, and the
elastic force support portion 250, and descriptions related to the translation restoring
force may be the same as the descriptions for the embodiment including the second
plate spring 700 described above, and therefore are omitted herein.
[0167] Fig. 15 is an exploded view of a razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment including
a pair of fourth elastic portions 1500.
[0168] Fig. 16 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge 10 according to one
embodiment including the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 pivoting about the first
pivot axis is viewed from below.
[0169] Fig. 17 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge 10 according to one
embodiment including the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 being translated in
the direction parallel to the shaving direction is viewed from below.
[0170] Referring to Fig. 15, as an example of the first restoring force providing unit,
the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 extending from both sides of the frame 200
in the longitudinal direction toward the central region of the frame 200 in the longitudinal
direction is illustrated. Each of the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 may be
configured such that one side thereof is fixed to the frame 200 and the other side
forms a free end.
[0171] For example, referring to Fig. 16, when the blade housing 100 pivots about the first
pivot axis ax1 with respect to the frame 200, at least one of the pair of fourth elastic
portions 1500 may be at least partially deformed by the blade housing 100, and the
first pivot restoring force may be generated depending on the degree of deformation.
[0172] Moreover, referring to Fig. 17, the blade housing 100 may translate in the direction
parallel to the shaving direction with respect to the frame 200. In this case, at
least a portion of each of the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 may be deformed
by the blade housing 100, and the translation restoring force may be generated depending
on the degree of deformation.
[0173] Accordingly, each of the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 may provide the restoring
force to the blade housing 100, and may also provide the restoring force to the blade
housing 100 even when the pivoting about the first pivot axis ax1 of the blade housing
100 and the translation in a direction parallel to the shaving direction occur simultaneously.
As a result, the blade housing 100 can be returned to the first pivot rest position
and/or the translation rest position.
[0174] Since the first pivot restoring force and the translation restoring force are provided
through the same configuration of the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500, the structure
of the razor cartridge 10 can be simplified.
[0175] Additionally, the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 may be spaced apart from each
other in the longitudinal direction, and the first pivot axis ax1 may be disposed
between the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500.
[0176] In Figs. 15 to 17, the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 are illustrated as being
integrally formed with the frame 200, but are not necessarily limited thereto and
may be separate structures that can be coupled with the frame 200.
[0177] Meanwhile, Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 respectively illustrate a state in which the blade
housing 100 pivots about the first pivot axis ax1 from the first pivot rest position
and a state in which the blade housing 100 is translated in the direction parallel
to the shaving direction. Here, a distance d by which one end portion of the blade
housing 100 in the longitudinal direction is moved in the direction parallel to the
shaving direction from the first pivot rest position and the translation rest position
is the same in both states.
[0178] Based on the state in which the blade housing 100 is at the first pivot rest position
and the translation rest position, the magnitude of the first pivot restoring force
when the blade housing 100 pivots and one end portion of the blade housing 100 in
the longitudinal direction moves by the predetermined distance d is smaller than the
magnitude of the translation restoring force when the blade housing 100 is translated
backward and moves by the predetermined distance. Therefore, the blade housing 100
can return to the first pivot rest position and the translation rest position more
quickly in the state of Fig. 17 than in the state of Fig. 16.
[0179] Since the first pivot restoring force has a relatively smaller restoring force than
the translation restoring force, the pivoting according to the skin curvature can
occur more actively, which can enable a quick response to the stroke.
[0180] Meanwhile, the pivoting state and translation state illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17
are for comparing the relative sizes of the first pivot restoring force and the translation
restoring force through the same standard, that is, the same moving distance d. Therefore,
the maximum pivoting or maximum translation of the blade housing 100 should not be
interpreted as being limited to the blade housing 100 being pivoted or translated
as much as the moving distance d in Figs. 16 and 17. In addition, when actually shaving,
the blade housing 100 does not necessarily have to pivot and translate as much as
the same moving distance d.
[0181] As an example for making the translation restoring force greater than the first pivot
restoring force, each of the pair of elastic portions 1500 may include a fixing end
portion 1520, a bending portion 1540, and a free end portion 1560.
[0182] The fixing end portion 1520 may be fixed to one side of the frame 200 in the longitudinal
direction and may substantially extend in the direction parallel to the longitudinal
direction.
[0183] The bending portion 1540 may extend from one end of the fixing end portion 1520 and
may be bent and extend so that at least a portion thereof faces forward in the shaving
direction.
[0184] The free end portion 1560 may extend from one end of the bending portion 1540 and
substantially extend in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction.
[0185] The free end portion 1560 may be positioned in front of the fixing end portion 1520
in the shaving direction. As the blade housing 100 moves rearwardly, the pair of free
end portions 1560 is deformed in a direction that brings them together to press the
coupling protrusion 175, and thus, the translation restoring force may be provided
to the blade housing 100 so as to be a relatively greater than the first pivot restoring
force.
[0186] The blade housing 100 may include a coupling protrusion 175 formed to protrude from
one surface in the direction parallel to the first pivot axis ax1, and the pair of
fourth elastic portions 1500 may be coupled with the coupling protrusion 175.
[0187] In addition, the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 may be assembled to the central
region of the frame 200 in the longitudinal direction and may have a cantilever shape
from one side of the frame 200 in the longitudinal direction, so that an assembly
load can be reduced during hook coupling.
[0188] In addition, even when a force that separates the blade housing 100 from the frame
200 is applied to the razor cartridge 10, the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500
can be deformed at least partially in the height direction, thereby preventing separation
of the blade housing 100 and the frame 200.
[0189] In addition, when an external impact, such as a drop, is applied to the razor cartridge
10, the pair of free end portions 1560 may be deformed in the direction in which they
come together while the blade housing 100 is translated toward the rear with respect
to the frame 200. In this case, the pair of free end portions 1560 may press the coupling
protrusion 175, thereby preventing separation between the blade housing 100 and the
frame 200.
[0190] Meanwhile, it can be assumed that the fixing end portion 1520 and the free end portion
1560 of each of the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 are disposed on the same
line in the shaving direction. For example, it can be assumed that the pair of fourth
elastic portions 1500 extends in a straight line parallel to the longitudinal direction.
[0191] In the case where the fixing end portion 1520 and the free end portion 1560 are disposed
on the same line in the shaving direction, and both the fixing end portion 1520 and
the free end portion 1560 are positioned relatively forward (for example, the position
of the free end portion 1560 of Fig. 15), the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500
may excessively overlap with the housing bottom surface 104 on which at least one
razor blade 130 is disposed, and thus the rinsing function, that is, the discharge
of shaving residues, or the like, may not be performed smoothly.
[0192] Conversely, when the fixing end portion 1520 and the free end portion 1560 are arranged
on the same line in the shaving direction and both the fixing end portion 1520 and
the free end portion 1560 are positioned relatively rearward (for example, the position
of the fixing end portion 1520 in Fig. 15), the first pivot axis ax1 may move excessively
rearward, causing the pivot center to be positioned at an undesirable location.
[0193] Accordingly, it is preferable that the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 is configured
such that the free end portion 1560 is positioned forward with respect to the fixing
end portion 1520 in the shaving direction, thereby securing the pivot axis capable
of providing a stable pivot while minimizing the influence on the rinsing function.
However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the pair of fourth elastic
portions 1500 may be configured such that the fixing end portion 1520 and the free
end portion 1560 may be positioned on the same line in the shaving direction, or the
fixing end portion 1520 may be positioned forward with respect to the free end portion
1560.
[0194] The coupling protrusion 175 may include a pair of support grooves 172 formed on both
sides thereof in the longitudinal direction, and each of the pair of support grooves
172 may be formed to be recessed into a shape corresponding to a free end portion
of each of the pair of elastic portions 1500. The pair of support grooves 172 may
be configured to come into contact with the free ends of the pair of fourth elastic
portions 1500 when the blade housing 100 is coupled with the frame 200.
[0195] For example, when viewed from the frame bottom surface 204, the free end of each
of the pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 may have an arc shape having a predetermined
radius of curvature, each of the pair of support grooves 172 may also have an arc
shape having a predetermined radius of curvature, and the free end of each of the
pair of fourth elastic portions 1500 may move along the inner surface of each of the
pair of support grooves 172.
[0196] In addition, in order to smoothly perform the pivoting about the first pivot axis
ax1 of the blade housing 100, a line connecting the centers of the curvature radii
of the pair of support grooves 172 may be configured to meet the first pivot axis
ax1.
[0197] Meanwhile, when a user starts a stroke in the shaving direction, the blade housing
100 should be translated backward in to the shaving direction to provide a safe and
smooth shave, so it is desirable to prevent the blade housing 100 from moving forward
in the shaving direction at the translation rest position.
[0198] To this end, the frame 200 may include a stopping portion 1700 positioned forward
in the shaving direction of the coupling protrusion 175 and configured to prevent
forward movement of the blade housing 100 in the translation rest position.
[0199] In Figs. 15 to 17, a portion of the frame 200 is recessed in the direction parallel
to the shaving direction and a portion of the front region of the coupling protrusion
175 is accommodated in the recessed region, thereby forming one surface of the frame
200 as the stopping portion 1700, but this is not necessarily limited thereto. For
example, the stopping portion 1700 may also form one surface of the frame 200 as the
stopping portion 1700, by a portion of the frame 200 protruding in a direction parallel
to the shaving direction and a portion of the front region of the coupling protrusion
175 coming into contact with the protruded region.
[0200] Except for the matters described above, the descriptions related to the coupling
protrusion 175, the guide protrusion 180, the guide groove 280, the at least one central
opening 105, the second pivot axis ax2, the connecting portion 240, and the elastic
force support portion 250 may be the same as the descriptions for the embodiment including
the second plate spring 700 described above, and therefore, will be omitted here.
[0201] Fig. 18 is a couple perspective view of a razor cartridge 20 according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0202] Fig. 19 is a view in which an example of the razor cartridge 20 according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure pivoting about the first pivot axis is viewed
from above.
[0203] Referring to Figs. 18 and 19, the razor cartridge 20 according to another embodiment
of the present disclosure has at least a portion of at least one outer portion 220
disposed in front of the blade housing 100 in the shaving direction. For example,
at least one outer portion 220 may be configured to surround both sides and the front
of the blade housing 100 in the longitudinal direction.
[0204] In this case, the third lubricating band 210 may be configured to be adjacent to
both sides and the front of the blade housing 100 in the longitudinal direction on
the top surface of at least one outer portion 220. Accordingly, the lubricant can
be applied more widely around the user's skin where shaving is performed.
[0205] However, it is not necessary that the third lubrication band 210 is configured to
be adjacent to both sides and the front of the blade housing 100 in the longitudinal
direction on the top surface of at least one outer portion 220. For example, the third
lubrication band 210 may be configured to be adjacent to the outer surface of at least
one outer portion 220 on the top surface of at least one outer portion 220.
[0206] In addition, the shape of at least one outer portion 220 is not necessarily limited
to that illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19, and at least a portion of at least one outer
portion 220 may be positioned at the rear of the blade housing 100 in the shaving
direction, and at least one outer portion 220 may be configured to surround the entire
outer surface of the blade housing 100 in the form of a closed loop.
[0207] Meanwhile, the razor cartridge 20 according to another embodiment may include a gap
1800 that is open in the height direction between the front and/or rear of the blade
housing 100 and at least one outer portion 220.
[0208] In Figs. 18 and 19, it is illustrated that one gap 1800 is formed, but it is also
possible to form them to be separated from each other in the longitudinal direction
by the guard 120 or the second lubricating band 110.
[0209] Since the gap 1800 is open in the height direction of the razor cartridge 20, shaving
residues can be easily discharged through the gap 1800. In addition, the gap 1800
can provide a space in which the blade housing 100 can pivot with respect to the frame
200.
[0210] In addition, it is possible to limit the pivot range of the blade housing 100 depending
on the size of the gap 1800. For example, referring to Fig. 16, when the blade housing
100 pivots to the maximum, the pivot range can be limited by the front side of the
blade housing 100 and at least one outer portion 220 coming into contact, and the
point at which the two components come into contact may be changed depending on the
size of the gap 1800.
[0211] The razor cartridge 20 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure
may have the configuration and technical features included in the razor cartridge
10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, except for the matters described
above. Since the configuration and technical features related to the razor cartridge
20 may be the same as the description of the razor cartridge 10 according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure, the configuration and technical features are omitted herein.
[0212] The spirit of the present embodiment is illustratively described hereinabove. It
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which the present embodiment pertains
that various modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the
essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Accordingly, the present embodiments
are not to limit the spirit of the present embodiment, but are to describe the spirit
of the present embodiment. The technical idea of the present embodiment is not limited
to these embodiments. The scope of the present embodiment should be interpreted by
the following claims, and it should be interpreted that all the spirits equivalent
to the following claims fall within the scope of the present embodiment.
[DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS]
[0213] 10, 20: razor cartrdige, 30: razor handle, 50: connector, 100: blade housing, 102:
housing top surface, 104: housing bottom surface, 105: central opening, 110: second
lubricating band, 120: gurad, 130: razor blade, 140: clip, 150: side opening, 160:
first lubricating band, 170: first central support unit, 175: coupling protrusion,
180: guide protrusion, 190: fist accommodation portion, 200: frame, 202: frame top
surface, 204: frame bottom surface, 210: third lubricating band, 220: outer portion,
225: longitudinal side portion, 240: connecting portion, 250: elastic force support
portion, 270: second central support unit, 275: coupling groove, 280: guide groove,
290: second accommodation portion, 300: torsion spring, 305: spring groove, 500: first
plate spring, 502: head portion, 504: body portion, 700: second plate spring, 900:
first elastic portion, 950: bending area support unit, 1100: second elastic portion,
1300: third elastic portion, 1305: elastic portion separation preventing unit, 1350:
elastic portion accommodation unit, 1500: fourth elastic portion, 1520: fixing end
portion, 1540: bending portion, 1560: free end portion, 1700: stopping portion, 1800:
gap, ax1: first pivot axis, ax2: second pivot axis