(19)
(11) EP 2 926 958 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
28.11.2018 Bulletin 2018/48

(21) Application number: 15153725.5

(22) Date of filing: 04.02.2015
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B26B 19/20(2006.01)

(54)

Hair clipper

Haarschneider

Tondeuse à cheveux


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30) Priority: 31.03.2014 JP 2014074545

(43) Date of publication of application:
07.10.2015 Bulletin 2015/41

(73) Proprietor: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
Osaka-shi, Osaka 540-6207 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Sobagaki, Satoshi
    Osaka-shi Osaka 540-6207 (JP)
  • Ogawa, Hitoshi
    Osaka-shi Osaka 540-6207 (JP)

(74) Representative: Grünecker Patent- und Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB 
Leopoldstraße 4
80802 München
80802 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A1- 1 757 413
US-A- 5 367 772
JP-A- 2005 304 627
US-A1- 2007 107 234
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION


    1. Field of the Invention



    [0001] The disclosure relates to hair clippers for haircut that can adjust the clipping height.

    2. Background Art



    [0002] JP 2005-304627 A discloses a hair clipper according to the preamble of claim 1.

    [0003] In one embodiment of conventional hair clippers, the clipping height of hair clippers is changed by rotating a dial attached to its main body. PTL 1 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 4046098) discloses this type of hair clippers. The clipping height is a distance between a hair root and a point of hair cut by hair clippers. The length of hair after cutting depends on this clipping height.

    [0004] The hair clippers can cut hair by sliding a movable blade attached to its main body in a direction perpendicular to a longer direction of the main body (hereafter referred to as a shorter direction) relative to a stationary blade attached to the main body. The clipping height can be changed by sliding the movable blade relative to the stationary blade in the longer direction of the main body.

    [0005] A spiral guide groove is formed in a dial. The dial and the movable blade are connected by a slide mechanism for sliding the movable blade in the longer direction of the main body. The slide mechanism includes a link with boss to be fitted into the guide groove. A first spring is attached between the link and the movable blade. This first spring pushes the movable blade against the stationary blade and also applies force to the movable blade so as to move the movable blade toward the main body. A second spring is attached to the link. This second spring applies force to the link so as to move the movable blade away from the main body.

    [0006] As the dial rotates, the guide groove moves relative to the boss. The boss and link slide in the longer direction of the main body along the guide groove. As a result, the movable blade slides relative to the stationary blade in the longer direction of the main body by the force applied from the link.

    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



    [0007] In the hair clippers disclosed in PTL1, a slider is pushed resisting the force of the first spring when the dial rotates counterclockwise, and thus a large reactive force acts on the dial. On the other hand, when the dial rotates clockwise, the slider is pushed in a restoring direction of the first spring. This enables the user to rotate the dial with a relatively small force. In this way, there is a large difference between force applied to the dial for rotating the dial counterclockwise and force applied to the dial for rotating the dial clockwise in the hair clippers of PTL1. Accordingly, the user may feel discomfort with this large difference in force required for operation depending on the operating directions. In addition, the user may feel burdened to rotate the dial counterclockwise because a large reactive force acts on the dial at rotating the dial counterclockwise. An example of hair clippers that change the clipping height with the spiral guide groove is given in the description. However, a similar disadvantage also occurs with hair clippers that change the clipping height by a control section with guide groove extending in the shorter direction of the main body.

    [0008] An object of the disclosure is to offer hair clippers that the user can operate a control section pleasantly.

    [0009] The hair clippers of the disclosure include a stationary blade, movable blade, main body, control section, and slide mechanism. The movable blade slides relative to the stationary blade. The stationary blade and the movable blade are attached to the main body. The control section is disposed on the main body, and a guide groove is formed on the control section.

    [0010] The slide mechanism includes a slider, first spring, link, second spring, a coupling lever and a blade lever. The movable blade is attached to the slider. The slider slides relative to the stationary blade in the longer direction and shorter direction of the main body. The first spring applies force to the slider such that the movable blade is pushed against the stationary blade and the slider moves toward the main body. The link has a boss to be inserted into the guide groove, and slides relative to the main body in the longer direction of the main body. The second spring applies force to the link such that the link moves away from the slider. The coupling lever is supported by the main body to be rotatable relative to the main body. The coupling lever includes an arm and a shaft in contact with the link, and is configured to rotate relative to the main body depending on a relation of force received from the slider and force received from the link. The blade lever is supported by the main body to be rotatable relative to the main body. The blade lever includes an arm in contact with the arm of the coupling lever, and is configured to rotate relative to the main body depending on a relation of force received from the first spring coupled to the slider and force received from the coupling lever, so as to slide the slider and the movable blade relative to the stationary blade in the longer direction of the main body.

    [0011] A pulling force of the first spring further applies force to the boss to push the boss towards a second side face at an outer peripheral side of the guide groove whereas the second spring applies force to the boss to push the boss towards a first side surface at an inner peripheral side of the guide groove. The second spring further applies force to the boss to push the boss in a direction opposite to the direction that the first spring pushes the boss.

    [0012] By operating the control section, a position of the boss relative to the guide groove change. By this change in relative positions, the link moves in the longer direction of the main body. By this movement of the link, the slider and movable blade slide relative to the stationary blade in the longer direction of the main body. Characteristics of the first spring and characteristics of the second spring are set such that a magnitude relation of the forces applied to the boss by the first spring and the second spring switches with the change in a position of the boss relative to the guide groove.

    [0013] Accordingly, the disclosure enables the user to operate the control section pleasantly.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0014] 

    Fig. 1 is a front view of hair clippers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

    Fig. 2 is a front view of a dial placement part in accordance with the exemplary embodiment.

    Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a blade block in accordance with the exemplary embodiment.

    Fig. 4 is a rear view of a dial in accordance with the exemplary embodiment.

    Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hair clippers when a dial rotating position is at a first limit fixing position in accordance with the exemplary embodiment.

    Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the dial and blade block when the dial rotating position is at the first limit fixing position in accordance with the exemplary embodiment.

    Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hair clippers when the dial rotating position is at a third intermediate fixing position in accordance with the exemplary embodiment.

    Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the dial and blade block when the dial rotating position is at the third intermediate fixing position in accordance with the exemplary embodiment.

    Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hair clippers when the dial rotating position is at a second limit fixing position in accordance with the exemplary embodiment.

    Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the dial and blade block when the dial rotating position is at the second limit fixing position in accordance with the exemplary embodiment.

    Fig. 11 is an interaction diagram illustrating a relation of a boss and guide groove in accordance with the exemplary embodiment.

    Fig. 12 is a graph illustrating a dial operating force of the hair clippers in the exemplary embodiment and a dial operating force of hair clippers in comparisons.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS


    (Exemplary embodiments of hair clippers of the disclosure)



    [0015] 
    1. [1] The hair clippers in a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure include a stationary blade, movable blade, main body, control section, and slide mechanism. The movable blade slides relative to the stationary blade. The stationary blade and movable blade are attached to the main body. The control section is disposed on the main body, and a guide groove is formed on the control section.
      The slide mechanism includes a slider, first spring, link, and second spring. The movable blade is attached to the slider. The slider slides relative to the stationary blade in a longer direction and shorter direction of the main body. The first spring applies force to the slider such that the movable blade is pushed against the stationary blade and the slider moves toward the main body. The link has a boss to be inserted into the guide groove, and slides relative to the main body in the longer direction of the main body. The second spring applies force to the link such that the link moves away from the slider.
      The first spring further applies force to the boss to push the boss to a first side face or second side face disposed along an extending direction of the guide groove. The second spring applies force to the boss to push the boss in a direction opposite to the direction that the first spring pushes the boss.
      A position of the boss relative to the guide groove change by operating the control section. This change in relative positions moves the link in the longer direction of the main body. By this movement of the link, the slider and movable blade slide relative to the stationary blade in the longer direction of the main body. Characteristics of the first spring and characteristics of the second spring are set such that a magnitude relation of the forces applied to the boss by the first spring and the second spring switches with the change in a position of the boss relative to the guide groove.
      In the exemplary embodiment, a difference becomes small between force applied by the user to the control section for changing the position of the boss relative to the guide groove from one to the other and force applied to the control section by the user for changing the position of the boss relative to the guide groove from the other to one, in comparison with a case when the magnitude relation of the forces applied to the boss by the first spring and the second spring does not switch. This enables the user to operate the control section pleasantly. Accordingly, a burden that the user may feel at changing the relative positions of the boss and guide groove can be reduced. As a result, user's sense of discomfort can be reduced.
    2. [2] In hair clippers in a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a spiral guide groove is formed on a dial, which is the control section. The slide mechanism further includes a coupling lever and blade lever. The coupling lever is supported by the main body such that it can rotate relative to the main body. The coupling lever includes an arm and a shaft in contact with the link, and rotates relative to the main body according to a relation of force applied from the slider and force applied from the link. The blade lever is supported by the main body such that it can rotate relative to the main body, and includes an arm in contact with the arm of the coupling lever. The blade lever rotates relative to the main body according to a relation of force applied from the first spring coupled to the slider and force applied from the coupling lever. This makes the slider and movable blade slide relative to the stationary blade in the longer direction of the main body.
      Since the guide groove is spiral in this exemplary embodiment, a sliding amount of movable blade can be increased relative to the stationary blade, in comparison with that of the linear guide groove. As a result, the clipping height can be largely changed.
    3. [3] In hair clippers in a third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the boss is pushed against the first side face that is a side face at the opposite side of the slider in the first side face and the second side face when the position of the boss relative to the guide groove are set such that the force that the first spring applies to the boss is smaller than the force that the second spring applies to the boss. The boss is pushed against the second side face at the slider side in the first side face and the second side face when the position of the boss relative to the guide groove are set such that the force that the second spring applies to the boss is smaller than the force that the first spring applies to the boss.
      When the boss is at a position between the first side face and the second side face, the boss easily moves between the first side face and the second side face typically due to vibration. Therefore, the position of movable blade relative to the stationary blade in the longer direction of the main body may change and cause unstable clipping height. In this exemplary embodiment, however, the boss is pushed against the first side face or the second side face, and thus movement of the boss between the first side face and the second side face can be suppressed. As a result, a stable clipping height is achieved.
    4. [4] Hair clippers in a fourth exemplary embodiment of the disclosure further includes a holding mechanism with multiple fixing positions for fixing the operating position of the control section so that the position of the boss relative to the guide groove can be changed stepwise. The multiple fixing positions include a first limit fixing position that is a one side limit of position of the boss relative to the guide groove, a second limit fixing position that is an another side limit of position of the boss relative to the guide groove, and one or more intermediate fixing positions between the first limit fixing position and second limit fixing position. The magnitude relation of the forces applied to the boss by the first spring and the second spring when the position of the boss relative to the guide groove is set to the first limit fixing position is different from that when the position of the boss relative to the guide groove are set to the second limit fixing positions.
    5. [5] In hair clippers in a fifth exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the characteristics of the first spring and the characteristics of the second spring are set such that the magnitude relation of the forces applied to the boss by the first spring and the second spring reverses in a process that the position of the boss relative to the guide groove change to one intermediate fixing position or in a process that the position of the boss relative to the guide groove change to one of the intermediate fixing positions.
    6. [6] In hair clippers in a sixth exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the clipping height of the hair clippers becomes longer as the position of the boss relative to the guide groove move from the second limit fixing position to the first limit fixing position. The clipping height of the hair clippers becomes shorter as the position of the boss relative to the guide groove move from the first limit fixing position to the second limit fixing position. When the position of the boss relative to the guide groove are fixed at the first limit fixing position, the force that the first spring applies to the boss is smaller than the force that the second spring applies to the boss. When the position of the boss relative to the guide groove are fixed at the second limit fixing position, the force that the second spring applies to the boss is smaller than the force that the first spring applies to the boss.
    7. [7] In hair clippers in a seventh exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a width of the guide groove and a diameter of the boss are set such that there is practically no clearance between the first side face of the guide groove and the boss and between the second side face of the guide groove and the boss.
      When the force that the first spring applies to the boss and the force that the second spring applies to the boss are balanced, the boss easily moves between the first side face and the second side face. Therefore, the position of movable blade relative to the stationary blade in the longer direction of the main body may change and cause unstable clipping height. In this exemplary embodiment, however, there is no practical clearance between the boss and the first side face and between the boss and the second side face. This can suppress movement of the boss between the first side face and the second side face. As a result, a stable clipping height can be achieved even if the force that the first spring applies to the boss and the force that the second spring applies to the boss are balanced.
    8. [8] In hair clippers in an eighth exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a first support face that is a flat face against which the boss is pushed is formed at multiple points of the first side face of the guide groove. The support faces are formed such that a direction of force exerted by the boss upon the first support face is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first support face when the position of the boss relative to the guide groove are fixed by the holding mechanism.
      When the first side face against which the boss is pushed is tilted relative to the direction of force exerted by the boss, slipping tends to occur between the boss and the first side face. This may change the relative positions of the boss and guide groove. In this exemplary embodiment, however, since the direction of the force that the boss applies to the first support face is perpendicular to the first support face, slipping hardly occurs between the boss and first support face. As a result, the relative positions of the boss and guide groove can be appropriately retained.
    9. [9] In hair clippers in a ninth exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a second support face that is a flat face against which the boss is pushed is formed at multiple points on the second side face of the guide groove. The support faces are formed such that a direction of force exerted by the boss upon to the second support face is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the second support face when the position of the boss relative to the guide groove are fixed by the holding mechanism.


    [0016] When the second side face against which the boss is pushed is tilted relative to the direction of force exerted by the boss, slipping tends to occur between the boss and the second side face. This may change the relative positions of the boss and guide groove. In this exemplary embodiment, however, since the direction of the force that the boss applies to the second support face is perpendicular to the second support face, slipping hardly occurs between the boss and second support face. As a result, the relative positions of the boss and guide groove can be appropriately retained.

    (Exemplary embodiment)



    [0017] A structure of hair clippers 1 is described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

    [0018] As shown in Fig. 1, hair clippers 1 include main body 10, blade block 20, driver 30 (Fig. 2), cover 40, and adjustment mechanism 50.

    [0019] Main body 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape for user to grip, and the shaft direction is formed in the longer direction. Switch 11 is provided on the surface of main body 10. Switch 11 switches connection between a battery of driver 30 disposed inside main body 10 and a motor (not illustrated).

    [0020] As shown in Fig. 2, main body 10 includes blade block placement part 12 where blade block 20 (Fig. 1) is detachably mounted at its end and dial placement part 13 where dial 60 (Fig. 1) is disposed on its peripheral front face. Holding spring 100 is fitted to fixing part 13B of dial placement part 13. Hole 60B (Fig. 4) of dial 60 is fitted to support shaft 13A of dial placement part 13.

    [0021] As shown in Fig. 1, cover 40 is fixed to main body 10 to cover a part of the surface of dial 60 in the state dial 60 is rotatably disposed on main body 10. Therefore, cover 40 suppresses detachment of dial 60 from main body 10.

    [0022] A structure of blade block 20 is described with reference to Fig. 3.

    [0023] Blade block 20 includes a pair of blades configured with stationary blade 21 and movable blade 22, support 23, slider 24, blade lever 26, and first spring 27.

    [0024] Support 23 has a sheet shape, and multiple protrusions 23A to be fitted to multiple concavities 12A (Fig. 2) on blade block placement part 12 (Fig. 2) are formed near the periphery of its sheet shape. Stationary blade 21 is fixed at the end of support 23.

    [0025] Slider 24 is attached to support 23 in a slidable manner in the longer direction and the short direction of main body 10. Movable blade 22 is fixed at a tip of slider 24.

    [0026] Blade lever 26 is attached to support 23 in a rotatable manner relative to support 23. Slider 24 and blade lever 26 are connected by first spring 27, which is a double torsion spring.

    [0027] Coil portion 27A of first spring 27 is attached to housing 26B of blade lever 26, and both ends 27B are attached to slider 24 at the side opposite to the side where slider 24 is in contact with support 23. This makes first spring 27 apply to movable blade 22 force to push movable blade 22 against stationary blade 21 and support 23 and force to move movable blade 22 relative to stationary blade 21 in the longer direction of main body 10 via slider 24.

    [0028] Shaft groove 25 for fitting shaft 31 (Fig. 2) connected to the motor (not illustrated) is formed on slider 24. The force that first spring 27 applies to movable blade 2 to push movable blade 2 against stationary blade 21 and support 23 is smaller than the force that first spring 27 applies to movable blade 22 to move movable blade 22 relative to stationary blade 21 in the longer direction of main body 10. Therefore, when shaft 31 (Fig. 2) is operated, movable blade 22 slides relative to stationary blade 21 in the shorter direction of main body 10 while movable blade 22 remains pushed against stationary blade 21. This relative slide of movable blade 22 and stationary blade 21 cuts hair entering between movable blade 22 and stationary blade 21. The motor, such as a linear motor, that operates movable blade 22 in the shorter direction of main body 10 by eccentrically rotating shaft 31 or that reciprocates shaft 31 can be adopted.

    [0029] Adjustment mechanism 50 is described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5.

    [0030] As shown in Fig. 2, adjustment mechanism 50 includes dial 60 (Fig. 4), link 70 linked with dial 60, coupling lever 80 linked with link 70, and second spring 90 attached to link 70. Slider 24 (Fig. 3), blade lever 26 (Fig. 3), first spring 27 (Fig. 3), link 70, coupling lever 80, and second spring 90 configure the slide mechanism.

    [0031] As shown in Fig. 4, dial 60 has a disk shape. A rear face of dial 60 is open, and spiral guide groove 61 and holder 66 protruding from the rear face at the side opposite to guide groove 61 across the center are formed. As shown in Fig. 1, numerical scale 60A indicating the clipping height is provided on the surface of dial 60. Scale 60A is disposed at a position that only a numerical value corresponding to the current clipping height is exposed from window 41 of cover 40.

    [0032] As shown in Fig. 4, boss 71 formed on one end of link 70 (Fig. 2) is inserted into guide groove 61. Guide groove 61 has first side face 62 at the inner peripheral side, which is the side opposite to slider 24 along the extending direction of guide groove 61, and second side face 64 at the outer peripheral side, which is the side of slider 24.

    [0033] On first side face 62, five first support faces 63 are formed to push boss 71 against them. These five first support faces 63 are flat, and perpendicular to a line extending from the center of dial 60 in a radial direction.

    [0034] On second side face 64, five second support faces 65 are formed to push boss 71 against them. These five second support faces 65 are flat and perpendicular to a line extending from the center of dial 60 in a radial direction.

    [0035] A diameter of boss 71 is set slightly smaller than a width of guide groove 61. Therefore, there is practically no clearance between boss 71 and first side face 62 and between boss 71 and second side face 64.

    [0036] Holder 66 is formed along the circumferential direction, and multiple concavities 66A are formed at the outer peripheral side. Top 101 of angle holding spring 100 to be fixed to fixing part 13B (Fig. 2) is fitted to one of concavities 66A. When top 101 of holding spring 100 is fitted to concavity 66A, dial 60 is hard to rotate due to the force of holding spring 100. Accordingly, a rotating position of dial 60 will be fixed. When force is applied to dial 60 to rotate dial 60, holding spring 100 deforms and top 101 is released from concavity 66A where it has been fitted. Then, when concavity 66A next to concavity 66A where top 100 has been fitted comes to face top 101, top 101 fits into this concavity 66A. In this way, relative positions of guide groove 61 and boss 71, i.e., the rotating position of dial 60, include multiple fixing positions P by fitting concavity 66A and holding spring 100, and change stepwise. The holding mechanism is configured with holding part 66 and holding spring 100.

    [0037] Fixing position P changes between first limit fixing position PT1 that is a limit rotating position in clockwise rotation of dial 60 and second limit fixing position PT2 that is a limit rotating position in counterclockwise rotation. The clockwise rotation of dial 60 is a direction to increase the clipping height of hair clippers 1. The counterclockwise rotation decreases the clipping height of hair clippers 1. There are three intermediate fixing positions PM between first limit fixing position PT1 and second limit fixing position PT2. These three intermediate fixing positions PM include first intermediate fixing position PM1, second intermediate fixing position PM2, and third intermediate fixing position PM3. First intermediate fixing position PM1 is adjacent to first limit fixing position PT1. Second intermediate fixing position PM2 is adjacent to second limit fixing position PT2. Third intermediate fixing position PM3 is between first intermediate fixing position PM1 and second intermediate fixing position PM2. Each fixing position P corresponds to the rotating position of dial 60 where top 101 is fitted to one concavity 66A in multiple concavities 66A.

    [0038] As shown in Fig. 5, the other end of link 70 is attached to shaft 82 of coupling lever 80 rotatably supported by main body 10. By guiding boss 71 along guide groove 61, link 70 slides relative to main body 10 in the longer direction of main body 10. Second spring 90 that applies force to link 70 toward main body 10 is attached to the other end of link 70.

    [0039] Shaft 82 of coupling lever 80 extends in the shorter direction of main body 10. Arms 81 are formed on both ends of shaft 82. Arms 81 are in contact with arms 26A of blade lever 26. Coupling lever 80 rotates relative to main body 10 when link 70 slides relative to main body 10 in the longer direction of main body 10. More specifically, coupling lever 80 rotates relative to main body 10 corresponding to the relation of force applied from slider 24 via blade lever 26 and force applied from link 70.

    [0040] When fixing position P is at first limit fixing position PT1, no force from the outside of blade block 20 is applied to blade lever 26. Here, the rotation of blade lever 26 is restricted by rotation regulator 23B of support 23. At this point, movable blade 22 is at a position closest to main body 10. A tip of movable blade 22 and a tip of stationary blade 21 are furthest to each other and thus the hair clipping height becomes the longest. First limit fixing position PT1 is regulated by the limit fixing position of the rotation of coupling lever 80 as a result of coupling lever 80 in contact with main body 10.

    [0041] If force from the outside of blade block 20 is applied to blade lever 26 when fixing position P is at second limit fixing position PT2, the rotation of blade lever 26 becomes large. When the largest force is applied, movable blade 22 reaches a position furthest from main body 10. Here, the tip of movable blade 22 and the tip of stationary blade 21 come closest, and thus the hair clipping height becomes the shortest. Second limit fixing position PT2 is regulated by the slide limit fixing position of link 70 as a result of link 70 in contact with main body 10.

    [0042] Next, the operation of adjustment mechanism 50 when dial 60 is rotated is described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 10.

    [0043] As shown in Fig. 5, when fixing position P is at first limit fixing position PT1, link 70 is at a position closest to slider 24 as shown in Fig. 6. Here, arm 81 of coupling lever 80 is in contact with arm 26A of blade lever 26. At this point, movable blade 22 is closest to main body 10. In addition, as shown in Fig. 5, second spring 90 is most contracted. Therefore, force applied from second spring 90 to boss 71 becomes the largest.

    [0044] As shown in Fig. 7, when dial 60 is operated counterclockwise and fixing position P changes from first limit fixing position PT1 to third intermediate fixing position PM3, link 70 is pulled to the side of main body 10 resisting the force of first spring 27, as shown in Fig. 8. Here, shaft 82 of coupling lever 80 is pulled toward main body 10, and arm 81 pushes arm 26A of blade lever 26 to the side away from main body 10. This makes movable blade 22 move to the side away from main body 10, compared to that in Fig. 6, by being pushed by slider 24. As shown in Fig. 7, second spring 90 is also stretched, compared to that in Fig. 5. Accordingly, the force that second spring 90 applies to boss 71 becomes smaller than that when fixing position P is at first limit fixing position PT1 and first intermediate fixing position PM1.

    [0045] As shown in Fig. 9, when dial 60 is operated counterclockwise and fixing position P changes from third intermediate fixing position PM3 to second limit fixing position PT2, link 70 is pulled to the side of main body 10 resisting the force of first spring 27. Here, shaft 82 of coupling lever 80 is pulled toward main body 10, and arm 81 pushes arm 26A of blade lever 26 to the side away from main body 10. This makes movable blade 22 move to the side away from main body 10, compared to that in Fig. 8, by being pushed by slider 24. At this point, as shown in Fig. 9, second spring 90 is more stretched, compared to that in Fig. 7. Accordingly, the force that second spring 90 applies to boss 71 becomes smaller than that when fixing position P is at intermediate fixing position PM.

    [0046] When dial 60 is operated clockwise and fixing position P changes from second limit fixing position PT2 to third intermediate fixing position PM3, link 70 moves away from main body 10 resisting the force of second spring 90, as shown in Fig. 7. Here, arm 81 is pushed away from main body 10 by the force of first spring 27 via arm 26 of blade lever 26. This makes movable blade 22 move toward main body 10, compared to that in Fig. 10, by being pulled by slider 24.

    [0047] When dial 60 is operated clockwise and fixing position P changes from third intermediate fixing position PM3 to first limit fixing position PT1, link 70 moves away from main body 10 resisting the force of second spring 90, as shown in Fig. 5. Here, arm 81 is pushed away from main body 10 by the force of first spring 27 via arm 26A of blade lever 26. This makes movable blade 22 move toward main body 10, compared to that in Fig. 8, by being pulled by slider 24.

    [0048] Next, a relation of guide groove 61 and boss 71 at each fixing position P is described with reference to Fig. 11.

    [0049] When fixing position P is at first limit fixing position PT1, the force that first spring 27 applies to boss 71 is smaller than the force that second spring 90 applies to boss 71, and thus boss 71 is pushed against first support face 63 corresponding to first limit fixing position PT1. Here, a direction of force exerted by boss 71 upon first support face 63 is perpendicular to first support face 63.

    [0050] When fixing position P is at first intermediate fixing position PM1, the force that first spring 27 applies to boss 71 is smaller than the force that second spring 90 applies to boss 71, and thus boss 71 is pushed against first support face 63 corresponding to first intermediate fixing position PM1. Here, a direction of force exerted by boss 71 upon first support face 63 is perpendicular to first support face 63.

    [0051] When fixing position P is at second limit fixing position PT2, the force that second spring 90 applies to boss 71 is smaller than the force that first spring 27 applies to boss 71, and thus boss 71 is pushed against second support face 65 corresponding to second limit fixing position PT2. Here, a direction of force exerted by boss 71 upon second support face 65 is perpendicular to second support face 65.

    [0052] When fixing position P is at second intermediate fixing position PM2, the force that second spring 90 applies to boss 71 is smaller than the force that first spring 27 applies to boss 71, and thus boss 71 is pushed against second support face 65 corresponding to intermediate fixing position PM2. Here, a direction of force exerted by boss 71 upon second support face 65 is perpendicular to second support face 65.

    [0053] When fixing position P is at third intermediate fixing position PM3, the force that first spring 27 applies to boss 71 and the force that second spring 90 applies to boss 71 are balanced. In other words, the magnitude relation of the forces applied to boss 71 by first spring 27 and second spring 90 reverses in a process that fixing position P changes from intermediate fixing position PM2 to first intermediate fixing position PM1 and in a process that fixing position P changes from first intermediate fixing position PM1 to second intermediate fixing position PM2.

    [0054] Interaction of hair clippers 1 is described with reference to Fig. 12.

    [0055] Broken lines in Fig. 12 show force required for the user to rotate dial 60 (hereafter referred to as "dial operating force") in hair clippers of Comparison 1 without second spring 90. As shown by the broken line with circle in Fig. 12, an approximately constant high dial operating force is required for changing fixing position P from first limit fixing position PT1 to third intermediate fixing position PM3 and second limit fixing position PT2. On the other hand, as shown by the broken line with triangle in Fig. 12, an approximately constant low dial operating force is required for changing fixing position P from second limit fixing position PT2 to third intermediate fixing position PM3 and first limit fixing position PT1.

    [0056] In the hair clippers of Comparison 1, as described above, the dial operating force greatly differs for changing fixing position P from first limit fixing position PT1 to second limit fixing position PT2 and for changing from second limit fixing position PT2 to first limit fixing position PT1. Accordingly, the user tends to feel discomfort that load needed to change fixing position P from second limit fixing position PT2 to first limit fixing position PT1 is greater than load for changing to first limit fixing position PT1.

    [0057] Two-dot chain lines in Fig. 12 show the dial operating force of hair clippers in Comparison 2 in which the force that second spring 90 applies to boss 71 is always lower than the force that first spring 27 applies to boss 71. As shown by the two-dot chain line with circle in Fig. 12, the dial operating force slightly decreases toward second limit fixing position PT2 when fixing position P is changed from first limit fixing position PT1 to third intermediate fixing position PM3 and second limit fixing position PT2. As shown by the two-dot chain line with triangle, the dial operating force slightly decreases when fixing position P is changed from second limit fixing position PT2 to third intermediate fixing position PM3 and first limit fixing position PT1. Here, the dial operating force is always lower than that required for changing fixing position P from first limit fixing position PT1 to third intermediate fixing position PM3 and second limit fixing position PT2.

    [0058] In the hair clippers of Comparison 2, as described above, the dial operating force greatly differs for changing fixing position P from first limit fixing position PT1 to second limit fixing position PT2 and for changing from second limit fixing position PT2 to first limit fixing position PT1. Accordingly, the user tends to feel discomfort that load needed to change fixing position P toward second limit fixing position PT2 is greater than load for changing to first limit fixing position PT1.

    [0059] Solid lines in Fig. 12 show the dial operating force of hair clippers 1. As shown by the solid line with circle in Fig. 12, the dial operating force decreases toward second limit fixing position PT2 when fixing position P is changed from first limit fixing position PT1 to third intermediate fixing position PM3 and second limit fixing position PT2. On the other hand, as shown by the solid line with triangle in Fig. 12, the dial operating force decreases when fixing position P is changed from second limit fixing position PT2 to third intermediate fixing position PM3 and first limit fixing position PT1. At third intermediate fixing position PM3, the solid line with circle and the solid line with triangle in Fig. 2 cross. In other words, the force that first spring 27 applies to boss 71 and the force that second spring 90 applies to boss 71 are balanced at third intermediate fixing position PM3. Still more, increase in the solid line with circle and increase in the solid line with triangle in Fig. 12 are substantially equivalent. Accordingly, in hair clippers 1, the operating force for changing fixing position P from first limit fixing position PT1 to second limit fixing position PT2 and the operating force for changing fixing position P from second limit fixing position PT2 to first limit fixing position PT1 show bilateral symmetry in the graph. Therefore, compared to Comparison 1 and Comparison 2, the user unlikely feels discomfort due to larger load for rotating in one direction than that for rotating in the other direction when the user changes fixing position P toward second limit fixing position PT2 and toward first limit fixing position PT1.

    [0060] Furthermore, the dial operating force required for changing fixing position P from first limit fixing position PT1 to second limit fixing position PT2 in hair clippers 1 is smaller than the dial operating force required in Comparison 1 and Comparison 2. This can suppress generation of a large reactive force on dial 60 when changing fixing position P from first limit fixing position PT1 to second limit fixing position PT2 in hair clippers 1.

    [0061] Hair clippers 1 prove effective as follows.
    1. (1) In hair clippers 1, the magnitude relation of the forces to boss 71 applied by first spring 27 and second spring 90 switches with a change in relative positions of guide groove 61 and boss 71. This makes a difference small between the operating force of dial 60 required for the user to change the relative positions of guide groove 61 and boss 71 from one to the other and the operating force of dial 60 required for the user to change the relative positions of guide groove 61 and boss 71 from the other to one. The user can thus operate dial 60 pleasantly. In addition, generation of a large reactive force on dial 60 due to the force of second spring 90 can be suppressed. Accordingly, a risk that the user feels burdened to rotate dial 60 counterclockwise can be reduced. As a result, user's feel of discomfort can be reduced.
    2. (2) Hair clippers 1 has spiral guide groove 61. Compared to linear guide groove 61, a sliding amount of movable blade 22 relative to stationary blade 221 can be increased. As a result, the clipping height can be changed more.
    3. (3) When boss 71 is at a position between first side face 62 and second side face 64, boss 71 likely moves between first side face 62 and second side face 64, typically due to vibration. This may change the position of movable blade 22 relative to stationary blade 21 in the longer direction of main body 10, resulting in an unstable clipping height. In hair clippers 1, however, boss 71 is pushed against first side face 62 or second side face 64. Accordingly, movement of boss 71 between first side face 62 and second side face 64 can be suppressed. As a result, a stable clipping height can be achieved.
      Furthermore, the clipping height can be accurately adjusted by setting the slide position of movable blade 22 relative to stationary blade 21 in the longer direction of main body 10 based on first side face 62 or second side face 64 against which boss 71 is pushed.
    4. (4) When the force applied from first spring 27 to boss 71 and the force applied from second spring 90 to boss 71 are balanced, boss 71 likely moves between first side face 62 and second side face 64. This may change the position of movable blade 22 relative to stationary blade 21 in the longer direction of main body 10, resulting in an unstable clipping height. In hair clippers 1, however, there is practically no clearance between boss 71 and first side face 62 and between boss 71 and second side face 64. Accordingly, movement of boss 71 between first side face 62 and second side face 64 can be suppressed. As a result, a stable clipping height can be achieved even if the force applied from first spring 27 to boss 71 and the force applied from second spring 90 to boss 71 are balanced.
    5. (5) In hair clippers 1, a direction of force exerted by boss 71 upon first support face 63 is perpendicular to first support face 63, and thus slipping of boss 71 and first support face 63 unlikely occurs. Accordingly, the relative positions of boss 71 and guide groove 61 can be appropriately retained.
    6. (6) In hair clippers 1, a direction of force exerted by boss 71 upon second support face 65 is perpendicular to second support face 65, and thus slipping of boss 71 and second support face 65 unlikely occurs. Accordingly, the relative positions of boss 71 and guide groove 61 can be appropriately retained.

    (Modification)



    [0062] Specific embodiments of the hair clippers disclosed are not limited to the above exemplary embodiments. The hair clippers of the disclosure may be practiced or embodied in still other ways without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The following modifications to the above exemplary embodiments of the hair clippers disclosed are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
    • The force applied from first spring 27 to boss 71 and the force applied from second spring 90 to boss 71 may balance at first intermediate fixing position PM1, second intermediate fixing position PM2, or between two adjacent fixing positions P.
    • A width of guide groove 61 may be set to practically create clearance between boss 71 and first side face 62 and between boss 71 and second side face 64 at a portion corresponding to third intermediate fixing positon PM3.
    • A width of guide groove 61 may be set to have no practical clearance between boss 71 and first side face 62 and between boss 71 and second side face 64 at a portion corresponding to third intermediate fixing positon PM3, but have practical clearance at other portions. Also in this case, movement of boss 71 is suppressed at third intermediate fixing position PM3 where the force applied from first spring 27 to boss 71 and the force applied from second spring 90 to boss 71 are balanced. As a result, an unstable clipping height can be suppressed.
    • First support face 63 may be tilted toward a direction of force exerted by boss 71.
    • Second support face 65 may be tilted toward a direction of force exerted by boss 71.
    • Guide groove 61 may be changed to a linear groove that is tilted in the shorter direction or a stepped groove. In this case, a slide control section that slides in the extending direction of guide groove 61 can be adopted, instead of dial 60. Still more, a lever may be adopted as the control section, instead of dial 60. As the lever coupled to link 70 moves in the extending direction of the groove, movable blade changes relative to stationary blade 21 in the longer direction of main body 10 via the slide mechanism, and thus the clipping height can be changed.
    • A structure may be changed to decrease the clipping height when dial 60 is rotated clockwise and increase the clipping height when rotated counterclockwise.


    [0063] Intermediate fixing position PM may be provided at one, two, or four or more points.
    • Intermediate fixing position PM may be eliminated. In this case, the clipping height can be changed in two levels.
    • The holding mechanism may be eliminated.
    • Blade lever 26 may be eliminated to attach coupling lever 80 to first spring 27. In short, any structure can be adopted as long as it is a slide mechanism to move movable blade 22 relative to stationary blade 21 in the longer direction of main body 10 by moving link 70 in the longer direction of main body 10.



    Claims

    1. Hair clipper (1) comprising:

    a stationary blade (21);

    a movable blade (22) that slides relative to the stationary blade (21);

    a main body (10) to which the stationary blade (21) and the movable blade (22) are attached;

    a control section disposed on the main body (10) and having a guide groove (61); and

    a slide mechanism including:

    a slider (24) to which the movable blade (22) is attached, the slider (24) configured to slide relative to the stationary blade (21) in a longer direction and a shorter direction of the main body (10);

    a first spring (27) applying force to the slider (24) to push the movable blade (22) against the stationary blade (21) and move the slider (24) toward the main body (10);

    a link (70) having a boss (71) inserted in the guide groove (61), and configured to slide relative to the main body (10) in the longer direction of the main body (10); and

    a second spring (90) applying force to the link (70) to move the link (70) away from the slider (24),

    a coupling lever (80) supported by the main body (10) to be rotatable relative to the main body (10), the coupling lever (80) including an arm (81) and a shaft (82) in contact with the link (70), and configured to rotate relative to the main body (10) depending on a relation of force received from the slider (24) and force received from the link (70), and

    a blade lever (26) supported by the main body (10) to be rotatable relative to the main body (10), the blade lever (26) including an arm (26A) in contact with the arm (81) of the coupling lever (80), and configured to rotate relative to the main body (10) depending on a relation of force received from the first spring (27) coupled to the slider (24) and force received from the coupling lever (80), so as to slide the slider (24) and the movable blade (22) relative to the stationary blade (21) in the longer direction of the main body (10),

    wherein

    a pulling force of the first spring (27) applies force to the boss (71) to push the boss (71) towards a second side face (64) at an outer peripheral side of the guide groove (61) whereas the second spring (90) applies force to the boss (71) to push the boss (71) towards a first side face (62) at an inner peripheral side of the guide groove (61),

    the second spring (90) applies force to the boss (71) to push the boss (71) in a direction opposite to a direction that the first spring (27) pushes the boss (71),

    a position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) changes by operating the

    control section, this change in the relative positions causes the link (70) to move in the longer direction of the main body (10), and this movement of the link (70) makes the slider (24) and the movable blade (22) slide relative to the stationary blade (21) in the longer direction of the main body (10),

    characterized in that

    a characteristic of the first spring (27) and a characteristic of the second spring (90) are set such that a magnitude relation of the forces applied to the boss (71) by the first spring (27) and the second spring (90) switches with a change in the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61).


     
    2. The hair clipper (1) of claim 1, wherein
    the guide groove (61) with a spiral shape is formed in a dial (60), which is the control section.
     
    3. The hair clipper (1) of claim 1, wherein
    when the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) is such that the force applied to the boss (71) by the first spring (27) is smaller than the force applied to the boss (71) by the second spring (90), the boss (71) is pushed against the first side face (62) that is a side face located opposite to the slider (24), between the first side face (62) and the second side face (64), and
    when the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) is such that the force applied to the boss (71) by the second spring (90) is smaller than the force applied to the boss (71) by the first spring (27), the boss (71) is pushed against the second side face (64) that is a side face located adjacent to the slider (24), between the first side face (62) and the second side face (64).
     
    4. The hair clipper (1) of claim 1, further comprising a holding mechanism having a plurality of fixing positions for fixing an operating position of the control section so that the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) changes stepwise, wherein the plurality of fixing positions include a first limit fixing position (PT1) that is a one side limit of the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61), a second limit fixing position (PT2) that is an another side limit of the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61), and one or more intermediate fixing positions (PM) between the first limit fixing position (PT1) and the second limit fixing position (PT2), and
    the magnitude relation of the forces applied to the boss (71) by the first spring (27) and the second spring (90) when the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) is set to the first limit fixing position (PT1) is different from that when the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) is set to the second limit fixing position (PT2).
     
    5. The hair clipper (1) of claim 4, wherein
    the characteristic of the first spring (27) and the characteristic of the second spring (90) are set such that the magnitude relation of the forces applied to the boss (71) by the first spring (27) and the second spring (90) reverses in a process of changing the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) to the one intermediate fixing position (PM) or one of the intermediate fixing positions (PM).
     
    6. The hair clipper (1) of claim 4, wherein
    a clipping height of the hair clipper (1) increases as the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) move from the second limit fixing position (PT2) to the first limit fixing position (PT1), and the clipping height of the hair clipper (1) decreases as the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) move from the first limit fixing position (PT1) to the second limit fixing position (PT2),
    the force applied to the boss (71) by the first spring (27) is smaller than the force applied to the boss (71) by the second spring (90) when the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) is fixed to the first limit fixing position (PT1), and
    the force applied to the boss (71) by the second spring (90) is smaller than the force applied to the boss (71) by the first spring (27) when the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) is fixed to the second limit fixing position (PT2).
     
    7. The hair clipper (1) of claim 1, wherein
    a width of the guide groove (61) and a diameter of the boss (71) are set such that there is practically no clearance between the first side face (62) of the guide groove (61) and the boss (71) and between the second side face (64) of the guide groove (61) and the boss (71).
     
    8. The hair clipper (1) of claim 4, wherein
    a first support face (63) that is a flat face against which the boss (71) is pushed is formed at a plurality of points on the first side face (62) of the guide groove (61), and
    the first support face (63) is formed such that a direction of force exerted by the boss (71) upon the first support face (63) is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first support face (63) when the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) is fixed by the holding mechanism.
     
    9. The hair clipper (1) of claim 4, wherein
    a second support face (65) that is a flat face against which the boss (71) is pushed is formed at a plurality of points on the second side face (64) of the guide groove (61), and the second support face (65) is formed such that a direction of force exerted by the boss (71) upon the second support face (65) is substantially perpendicular to the second support face (65) when the position of the boss (71) relative to the guide groove (61) is fixed by the holding mechanism.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Haarschneidemaschine (1), die umfasst:

    eine stationäre Klinge (21);

    eine bewegliche Klinge (22), die relativ zu der stationären Klinge (21) gleitet;

    einen Hauptkörper (10), an dem die stationäre Klinge (21) und die bewegliche Klinge (22) angebracht sind;

    einen Bedien-Teilabschnitt, der an dem Hauptkörper (10) angeordnet ist und eine Führungsnut (61) aufweist; sowie

    einen Gleit-Mechanismus, der enthält:

    ein Gleitteil (24), an dem die bewegliche Klinge (22) angebracht ist, wobei das Gleitteil so eingerichtet ist, dass es relativ zu der stationären Klinge (21) in einer längeren Richtung und einer kürzeren Richtung des Hauptkörpers (10) gleitet;

    eine erste Feder (27), die Kraft auf das Gleitteil (24) ausübt und die bewegliche Klinge (22) an die stationäre Klinge (21) drückt und das Gleitteil (24) auf den Hauptkörper (10) zu bewegt;

    ein Verbindungsglied (70), das einen in die Führungsnut (61) eingeführten Nocken (71) aufweist und so eingerichtet ist, dass es relativ zu dem Hauptkörper (10) in der längeren Richtung des Hauptkörpers (10) gleitet; sowie

    eine zweite Feder (90), die Kraft auf das Verbindungsglied (70) ausübt und das Verbindungsglied (70) von dem Gleitteil (24) weg bewegt,

    einen Kopplungs-Hebel (80), der an dem Hauptkörper (10) so gelagert ist, dass er relativ zu dem Hauptkörper (10) gedreht werden kann, wobei der Kopplungs-Hebel (80) einen Arm (81) und eine Welle (82) in Kontakt mit dem Verbindungsglied (70) enthält und so eingerichtet ist, dass er sich in Abhängigkeit von einer Beziehung zwischen von dem Gleitteil (24) empfangener Kraft, und von dem Verbindungsglied (70) empfangener Kraft relativ zu dem Hauptkörper (10) dreht, und

    einen Klingen-Hebel (26), der an dem Hauptkörper (10) so gelagert ist, dass er relativ zu dem Hauptkörper (10) gedreht werden kann, wobei der Klingen-Hebel (26) einen Arm (26A) in Kontakt mit dem Arm (81) des Kopplungs-Hebels (80) enthält und so eingerichtet ist, dass er sich in Abhängigkeit von einer Beziehung zwischen von der mit dem Gleitteil (24) gekoppelten ersten Feder (27) empfangener Kraft und von dem Kopplungs-Hebel (80) empfangener Kraft relativ zu dem Hauptkörper (10) dreht und so das Gleitteil (24) und die bewegliche Klinge (22) relativ zu der stationären Klinge (21) in der längeren Richtung des Hauptkörpers (10) verschoben werden,

    wobei

    eine Zugkraft der ersten Feder (27) Kraft auf den Nocken (71) ausübt, durch die der Nocken (71) auf eine zweite Seitenfläche (64) an einer Außenumfangsseite der Führungsnut (61) zu gedrückt wird, während die zweite Feder (90) Kraft auf den Nocken (71) ausübt, durch die der Nocken (71) auf eine erste Seitenfläche (62) an einer Innenumfangsseite der Führungsnut (61) zu gedrückt wird,

    die zweite Feder (90) Kraft auf den Nocken (71) ausübt, durch die der Nocken (71) in einer Richtung entgegengesetzt zu einer Richtung gedrückt wird, in der die erste Feder (27) den Nocken (71) drückt,

    eine Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) sich durch Betätigen des Bedien-Teilabschnitts ändert, wobei diese Änderung der relativen Positionen bewirkt, dass sich das Verbindungsglied (70) in der längeren Richtung des Hauptkörpers (10) bewegt, und durch diese Bewegung des Verbindungsgliedes (70) das Gleitteil (24) und die bewegliche Klinge (22) relativ zu der stationären Klinge (21) in der längeren Richtung des Hauptkörpers (10) gleiten,

    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

    eine Charakteristik der ersten Feder (27) und eine Charakteristik der zweiten Feder (90) so eingestellt sind, dass eine Größenbeziehung zwischen den durch die erste Feder (27) und die zweite Feder (90) auf den Nocken (71) ausgeübten Kräften mit einer Änderung der Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) wechselt.


     
    2. Haarschneidemaschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei
    die Führungsnut (61) mit einer Spiralform in einer Einstellscheibe (60) ausgebildet ist, die der Bedien-Teilabschnitt ist.
     
    3. Haarschneidemaschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei
    wenn der Nocken (71) eine Position relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) einnimmt, in der die auf den Nocken (71) durch die erste Feder (27) ausgeübte Kraft schwächer ist als die auf den Nocken (71) durch die zweite Feder (90) ausgeübte Kraft, der Nocken (71) zwischen der ersten Seitenfläche (62) und der zweiten Seitenfläche (64) an die erste Seitenfläche (62) gedrückt wird, die eine Seitenfläche ist, die dem Gleitteil (24) gegenüberliegt, und wenn der Nocken (71) eine Position relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) einnimmt, in der die auf den Nocken (71) durch die zweite Feder (90) ausgeübte Kraft schwächer ist als die auf den Nocken (71) durch die erste Feder (27) ausgeübte Kraft, der Nocken (71) zwischen der ersten Seitenfläche (62) und der zweiten Seitenfläche (64) an die zweite Seitenfläche (64) gedrückt wird, die eine Seitenfläche ist, die an das Gleitteil (24) angrenzt.
     
    4. Haarschneidemaschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, die des Weiteren einen Haltemechanismus umfasst, der eine Vielzahl von Fixier-Positionen aufweist, an denen eine Betätigungs-Position des Bedien-Teilabschnitts so fixiert wird, dass sich die Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) schrittweise ändert, wobei
    die Vielzahl von Fixier-Positionen eine erste Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT1), die eine seitliche Grenze der Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) ist, eine zweite Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT2), die eine andere seitliche Grenze der Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) ist, sowie eine oder mehrere Zwischen-Fixier-Position/en (PM) zwischen der ersten Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT1) und der zweiten Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT2) einschließt, und
    die Größenbeziehung der Kräfte, die durch die erste Feder (27) und die zweite Feder (90) auf den Nocken (71) ausgeübt werden, wenn die Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) auf die erste Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT1) eingestellt ist, anders ist als wenn die Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) auf die zweite Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT2) eingestellt ist.
     
    5. Haarschneidemaschine (1) nach Anspruch 4, wobei
    die Charakteristik der ersten Feder (27) und die Charakteristik der zweiten Feder (90) so eingestellt sind, dass die Größenbeziehung zwischen den durch die erste Feder (27) und die zweite Feder (90) auf den Nocken (71) ausgeübten Kräften beim Vorgang des Änderns der Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) zu der einen Zwischen-Fixier-Position (PM) oder einer der Zwischen-Fixier-Positionen (PM) umkehrt.
     
    6. Haarschneidemaschine (1) nach Anspruch 4, wobei
    eine Schneidlänge der Haarschneidemaschine (1) zunimmt, wenn die Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) sich von der zweiten Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT2) an die erste Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT1) verschiebt, und die Schneidlänge der Haarschneidemaschine (1) abnimmt, wenn die Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) sich von der ersten Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT1) an die zweite Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT2) verschiebt,
    die durch die erste Feder (27) auf den Nocken (71) ausgeübte Kraft schwächer ist als die durch die zweite Feder (90) auf den Nocken (71) ausgeübte Kraft, wenn die Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) an der ersten Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT1) fixiert ist, und
    die durch die zweite Feder (90) auf den Nocken (71) ausgeübte Kraft schwächer ist als die durch die erste Feder (27) auf den Nocken (71) ausgeübte Kraft, wenn die Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) an der zweiten Grenz-Fixier-Position (PT2) fixiert ist.
     
    7. Haarschneidemaschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei
    eine Breite der Führungsnut (61) und ein Durchmesser des Nockens (71) so eingestellt sind, dass praktisch kein Zwischenraum zwischen der ersten Seitenfläche (62) der Führungsnut (61) und dem Nocken (71) sowie zwischen der zweiten Seitenfläche (64) der Führungsnut (61) und dem Nocken (71) vorhanden ist.
     
    8. Haarschneidemaschine (1) nach Anspruch 4, wobei
    eine erste Auflagefläche (63), die eine plane Fläche ist, an die der Nocken (71) gedrückt wird, an einer Vielzahl von Punkten an der ersten Seitenfläche (62) der Führungsnut (61) ausgebildet ist, und
    die erste Auflagefläche (63) so ausgebildet ist, dass eine Richtung von Kraft, die durch den Nocken (71) auf die erste Auflagefläche (63) ausgeübt wird, senkrecht oder im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der ersten Auflagefläche (63) ist, wenn die Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) durch den Haltemechanismus fixiert wird.
     
    9. Haarschneidemaschine (1) nach Anspruch 4, wobei
    eine zweite Auflagefläche (65), die eine plane Fläche ist, an die der Nocken (71) gedrückt wird, an einer Vielzahl von Punkten an der zweiten Seitenfläche (64) der Führungsnut (61) ausgebildet ist, und
    die zweite Auflagefläche (65) so ausgebildet ist, dass eine Richtung von Kraft, die durch den Nocken (71) auf die zweite Auflagefläche (65) ausgeübt wird, im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der zweiten Auflagefläche (65) ist, wenn die Position des Nockens (71) relativ zu der Führungsnut (61) durch den Haltemechanismus fixiert wird.
     


    Revendications

    1. Tondeuse à cheveux (1) comprenant :

    une lame fixe (21),

    une lame mobile (22) qui coulisse par rapport à la lame fixe (21),

    un corps principal (10) sur lequel sont fixées la lame fixe (21) et la lame mobile (22),

    une section de commande disposée sur le corps principal (10) et comportant une rainure de guidage (61), et

    un mécanisme de coulissement incluant :

    une glissière (24) à laquelle est fixée la lame mobile (22), la glissière (24) étant configurée pour coulisser par rapport à la lame fixe (21) dans la direction la plus longue et dans la direction la plus courte du corps principal (10),

    un premier ressort (27) appliquant une force à la glissière (24) pour pousser la lame mobile (22) contre la lame fixe (21) et déplacer la glissière (24) vers le corps principal (10),

    une liaison (70) comportant un bossage (71) inséré dans la rainure de guidage (61) et configuré pour coulisser par rapport au corps principal (10) dans la direction la plus longue du corps principal (10), et

    un second ressort (90) appliquant une force à la liaison (70) afin d'écarter la liaison (70) de la glissière (24),

    un levier de couplage (80) supporté par le corps principal (10) pour pouvoir tourner par rapport au corps principal (10), le levier de couplage (80) incluant un bras (81) et un axe (82) en contact avec la liaison (70) et configuré pour tourner par rapport au corps principal (10) en fonction de la relation de force reçue de la glissière (24) et de force reçue de la liaison (70), et

    un levier de lame (26) supporté par le corps principal (10) pour pouvoir tourner par rapport au corps principal (10), le levier de lame (26) incluant un bras (26A) en contact avec le bras (81) du levier de couplage (80) et configuré pour tourner par rapport au corps principal (10) en fonction de la relation de force reçue du premier ressort (27) couplé à la glissière (24) et de force reçue du levier de couplage (80) de sorte à faire coulisser la glissière (24) et la lame mobile (22) par rapport à la lame fixe (21) dans la direction la plus longue du corps principal (10),

    dans laquelle

    la force de traction du premier ressort (27) applique une force au bossage (71) pour pousser le bossage (71) vers une seconde face latérale (64) au niveau du côté périphérique externe de la rainure de guidage (61), alors que le second ressort (90) applique une force au bossage (71) pour pousser le bossage (71) vers une première face latérale (62) au niveau du côté périphérique interne de la rainure de guidage (61),

    le second ressort (90) applique une force au bossage (71) pour pousser le bossage (71) dans le sens opposé au sens dans lequel le premier ressort (27) pousse le bossage (71),

    la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) change en manoeuvrant la section de commande, ce changement dans les positions relatives amenant la liaison (70) à se déplacer dans la direction la plus longue du corps principal (10), et ce mouvement de la liaison (70) obligeant la glissière (24) et la lame mobile (22) à coulisser par rapport à la lame fixe (21) dans la direction la plus longue du corps principal (10),

    caractérisée en ce que

    une caractéristique du premier ressort (27) et une caractéristique du second ressort (90) sont réglées de sorte à ce que la relation d'amplitude des forces appliquées au bossage (71) par le premier ressort (27) et le second ressort (90) bascule avec le changement de position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61).


     
    2. Tondeuse à cheveux (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle :
    la rainure de guidage (61) en forme de spirale est formée dans un cadran (60) qui représente la section de commande.
     
    3. Tondeuse à cheveux (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle :

    lorsque la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) est telle que la force appliquée au bossage (71) par le premier ressort (27) est plus petite que la force appliquée au bossage (71) par le second ressort (90), le bossage (71) est poussé contre la première face latérale (62) qui représente une face latérale située à l'opposé de la glissière (24), entre la première face latérale (62) et la seconde face latérale (64), et

    lorsque la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) est telle que la force appliquée bossage (71) par le second ressort (90) est plus petite que la force appliquée au bossage (71) par le premier ressort (27), le bossage (71) est poussé contre la seconde face latérale (64) qui représente une face latérale située de façon adjacente à la glissière (24) entre la première face latérale (62) et la seconde face latérale (64).


     
    4. Tondeuse à cheveux (1) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un mécanisme de maintien comportant une pluralité de positions de fixation permettant de fixer la position fonctionnelle de la section de commande de sorte à ce que la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) se modifie par pas, la pluralité de positions de fixation incluant une première position limite de fixation (PT1) qui représente une première limite latérale de la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61), une seconde position limite de fixation (PT2) qui représente une autre limite latérale de la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61), ainsi qu'une ou plusieurs positions intermédiaires de fixation (PM) situées entre la première position limite de fixation (PT1) et la seconde position limite de fixation (PT2), et
    la relation d'amplitude des forces appliquées au bossage (71) par le premier ressort (27) et le second ressort (90), lorsque la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) est fixée à la première position limite de fixation (PT1), est différente de celle pour laquelle la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) est fixée à la seconde position limite de fixation (PT2).
     
    5. Tondeuse à cheveux (1) selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle :
    la caractéristique du premier ressort (27) et la caractéristique du second ressort (90) sont réglées de sorte à ce que la relation d'amplitude des forces appliquées au bossage (71) par le premier ressort (27) et le second ressort (90) s'inverse dans un traitement consistant à modifier la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) vers la première position intermédiaire de fixation (PM) ou vers l'une des positions intermédiaires de fixation (PM) .
     
    6. Tondeuse à cheveux (1) selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle :

    la hauteur de tonte de la tondeuse à cheveux (1) augmente à mesure que la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) se déplace depuis la seconde position limite de fixation (PT2) jusqu'à la première position limite de fixation (PT1), et la hauteur de tonte de la tondeuse à cheveux (1) diminue lorsque la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) se déplace depuis la première position limite de fixation (PT1) jusqu'à la seconde position limite de fixation (PT2),

    la force appliquée au bossage (71) par le premier ressort (27) est plus petite que la force appliquée au bossage (71) par le second ressort (90) lorsque la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) est fixée sur la première position limite de fixation (PT1), et

    la force appliquée au bossage (71) par le second ressort (90) est plus petite que la force appliquée au bossage (71) par le premier ressort (27) lorsque la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) est fixée sur la seconde position limite de fixation (PT2).


     
    7. Tondeuse à cheveux (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle :
    la largeur de la rainure de guidage (61) et le diamètre du bossage (71) sont réglés de sorte à ce qu'il n'existe pratiquement aucun jeu entre la première face latérale (62) de la rainure de guidage (61) et le bossage (71) et entre la seconde face latérale (64) de la rainure de guidage (61) et le bossage (71).
     
    8. Tondeuse à cheveux (1) selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle :

    une première face de support (63), qui est une face plate contre laquelle est poussé le bossage (71), est formée au niveau d'une pluralité de points sur la première face latérale (62) de la rainure de guidage (61), et

    la première face de support (63) est formée de sorte à ce que la direction de la force exercée par le bossage (71) sur la première face de support (63) soit perpendiculaire ou pratiquement perpendiculaire à la première face de support (63) lorsque la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) est fixée par le mécanisme de maintien.


     
    9. Tondeuse à cheveux (1) selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle :

    une seconde face de support (65), qui est une face plate contre laquelle est poussé le bossage (71), est formée au niveau d'une pluralité de points sur la seconde face latérale (64) de la rainure de guidage (61), et

    la seconde face de support (65) est formée de sorte à ce que la direction de la force exercée par le bossage (71) sur la seconde face de support (65) soit perpendiculaire ou pratiquement perpendiculaire à la seconde face de support (65) lorsque la position du bossage (71) par rapport à la rainure de guidage (61) est fixée par le mécanisme de maintien.


     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



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    Patent documents cited in the description