Patent Publication Number: US-10322516-B2

Title: Slit blade block and electric razor

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2013/007263, filed on Dec. 10, 2013, which in turn claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2012-286273, filed on Dec. 27, 2012, the disclosures of which Applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a slit blade block. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , a conventional slit blade block  200  includes a slit outer blade  210 , outer blade connectors  220 , and a comb component  230 . The slit blade block  200  is accommodated in an outer blade case  240 . The slit outer blade  210  is coupled to the outer blade connectors  220 . The outer blade connectors  220  include links  221  on two opposite ends. Each link  221  may be a bent projection. Each link  221  includes an arm  222  extending upward. The comb component  230  is a polygonal tube opening upward. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the comb component  230  includes an inner void, in which the slit outer blade  210  and the outer blade connectors  220  are accommodated. The comb component  230  includes two opposite end walls  231 , each of which includes a slit  232 . 
     The arms  222  of the outer blade connectors  220  are accommodated in the slits  232  of the comb component  230  and engaged with the comb component  230 . In this manner, the slit outer blade  210  and the outer blade connectors  220  are elastically supported by the comb component  230 . Patent document 1 describes an example of a conventional slit blade block. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese National Phase Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-515315 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the slit blade block  200 , when the arms  222  of the outer blade connectors  220  are elastically deformed, an assembly of the slit outer blade  210  and the outer blade connectors  220  may move or vibrate relative to the comb component  230 . 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a slit blade block in which a slit outer blade, a comb component, and an outer blade connector are fixed in a stable manner. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a slit blade block of an electric razor that includes a slit outer blade including a plurality of blade pieces, a comb component including a plurality of comb teeth adjacent to the blade pieces, and an outer blade connector, to which the slit outer blade is fixed. The comb component is held between the slit outer blade and the outer blade connector with the slit outer blade fixed to the outer blade connector. 
     In this structure, when the slit outer blade is fixed to the outer blade connector, the slit outer blade and the outer blade connector hold the comb component in between. This prevents or limits movement of the comb component and the slit outer blade and movement of the comb component and the outer blade connector. Thus, the slit blade block may include the slit outer blade, the comb component, and the outer blade connector, which are fixed stably. 
     In one example, the slit outer blade includes a slit fixing portion. The outer blade connector includes a connector fixing portion, which is coupled to the slit fixing portion of the slit outer blade so that the slit outer blade is fixed to the outer blade connector. The slit fixing portion and the connector fixing portion are located below a lower end surface of the comb component. 
     In one example, the blade pieces are laid out in a layout direction. The comb component is held between the slit outer blade and the outer blade connector in the layout direction and a heightwise direction. 
     In one example, the blade pieces are laid out in a layout direction. The comb component includes a projection that projects from an end portion of the comb component in the layout direction. The projection is held between the slit outer blade and the outer blade connector in a heightwise direction. 
     In one example, the blade pieces are laid out in a layout direction. The comb component is held between the slit outer blade and the outer blade connector in the layout direction and a depth direction that is orthogonal to the layout direction. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides an electric razor that includes the above slit blade block. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of an electric razor. 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded perspective view of a slit blade block, and  FIG. 2B  is an enlarged perspective view of a comb tooth of a comb component. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the comb component. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the comb component taken along line Z 3 -Z 3  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the slit blade block. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the slit blade block. 
         FIG. 7  is a partially perspective view of a slit outer blade, the comb component, and an outer blade connector. 
         FIG. 8A  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the slit blade block taken along line Z 6 -Z 6  of  FIG. 6 , and  FIGS. 8B and 8C  are partially enlarged views of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9  is a partially enlarged view of the slit blade block corresponding to a dashed circle of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified example of a slit blade block. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a conventional slit blade block. 
         FIG. 12  is a partially cut-away perspective view of the conventional slit blade block. 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electric razor  1  will now be described. The electric razor  1  includes a razor body  10  and a blade unit  20 . 
     The razor body  10  includes a grip  11 , a head  12 , a driver  13 , a power supply switch  14 , and a head cover  15 . The head  12  is coupled to the grip  11 . The grip  11  and head  12  accommodate the driver  13 . The driver  13  includes a portion projecting from the head  12  to an outer side. The driver  13  reciprocally moves the blade unit  20 . The power supply switch  14  is located on the grip  11 . The head cover  15  is attached to the head  12 . 
     The head cover  15  covers a peripheral portion of the blade unit  20 . The blade unit  20  includes two first blade blocks  21 , two second blade blocks  24 , a slit blade block  30 , and an outer blade case  27 . The two first blade blocks  21  are located at opposite sides of the slit blade block  30 . Each second blade block  24  and the slit blade block  30  are located at opposite sides of one of the first blade blocks  21 . The outer blade case  27  holds the first blade blocks  21 , the second blade blocks  24 , and the slit blade block  30 . The outer blade case  27  is attached to the head  12 . 
     Each first blade block  21  includes a first net blade  22  and a first inner blade  23 . Each first net blade  22  accommodates the corresponding first inner blade  23 . The driver  13  reciprocally moves the first inner blades  23  in the first net blades  22 . 
     Each second blade block  24  includes a second net blade  25  and a second inner blade  26 . Each second net blade  25  accommodates the corresponding second inner blade  26 . The driver  13  reciprocally moves the second inner blades  26  relative to the second net blades  25 . In this manner, the electric razor  1  may be a reciprocal motion electric razor that reciprocally moves the inner blades  23 ,  26  relative to the net blades  22 ,  25 . 
     The blade unit  20  will now be described. The first blade blocks  21  function to mainly remove lying whiskers (hair). The second blade blocks  24  function to mainly remove short standing whiskers (hair). The slit blade block  30  functions to mainly remove long whiskers (hair). 
     The slit blade block  30  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . In the description hereafter, upper and lower positions are defined with reference to the position of the electric razor  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The slit blade block  30  includes a slit outer blade  40 , a comb component  60 , two outer blade connectors  90 , a slit inner blade  100 , an inner blade connector  110 , and two coil springs  31 . The slit blade block  30  is connected to the driver  13  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) by the inner blade connector  110 . 
     The slit outer blade  40  is formed by a metallic material. The slit outer blade  40  may be formed, for example, by pressing. The slit outer blade  40  includes an upper plane virtually connecting upper surfaces of blade pieces  41 . The upper plane is bulged upward. The slit outer blade  40  includes a lower opening that receives the slit inner blade  100 . The slit outer blade  40  includes the blade pieces  41 , slits  42 , two links  43 , and two slit bodies  50 . The slit outer blade  40  may be a single component entirely formed from the same material. The blade pieces  41  are laid out in a layout direction, which is indicated by the arrow ZA. The layout direction ZA may be a direction in which the slit inner blade  100  moves, a longitudinal direction of the slit blade block  30 , and a widthwise direction of the electric razor  1 . 
     The comb component  60  is formed from a resin material. The comb component  60  may be, for example, injection-molded. The comb component  60  includes an upper opening that receives the slit outer blade  40 . In the illustrated example, the comb component  60  is frame-shaped as viewed from above. In an example, the comb component  60  is slightly bulged upward. The comb component  60  includes two comb walls  70 , two comb end walls  80 , and four insertion portions  61 . The comb component  60  may be a single component entirely formed from the same material. 
     Each outer blade connector  90  is formed from a resin material. Each outer blade connector  90  may be, for example, injection-molded. Each outer blade connector  90  includes a connector body  91 , a seat  92 , a projection  93 , an accommodation hole  94 , two first welding portions  95 , two second welding portions  96 , and a spring attachment  97 . The projection  93  and the accommodation hole  94  may be part of the seat  92 . The outer blade connector  90  may be a single component entirely formed from the same material. The first welding portions  95  and the second welding portions  96  each correspond to a connector fixing portion. 
     The slit inner blade  100  is formed from a metallic material. The slit inner blade  100  may be formed, for example, by pressing. The slit inner blade  100  includes two slit bodies  101 , blade pieces  102 , and slits  103 . The slit inner blade  100  may be a single component entirely formed from the same material. 
     Each slit body  101  includes two positioning portions  104  and two weld fixing portions  105 . The slit bodies  101  are connected to each other by the blade pieces  102 . Each positioning portion  104  may be a recess that opens downward. Each weld fixing portion  105  may include two arms extending downward. In the illustrated example, each weld fixing portion  105  is located between one of the positioning portions  104  and the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the corresponding slit body  101 . 
     The blade pieces  102  are arranged at predetermined pitches, which correspond to the slits  103 . Each blade piece  102  is, for example, U-shaped. 
     The inner blade connector  110  is formed from a resin material. The inner blade connector  110  may be, for example, injection-molded. The inner blade connector  110  includes a connector body  111 , a drive fitting portion  112 , four positioning portions  113 , four welding portions  114 , and two spring attachments  115 . The inner blade connector  110  may be a single component entirely formed from the same material. 
     The drive fitting portion  112  is located in the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the connector body  111 . The positioning portions  113  are located between the drive fitting portion  112  and ends, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the connector body  111 . The positioning portions  113  project from outer surfaces of the connector body  111  in the depth direction ZB. The welding portions  114  are located proximate to the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the connector body  111 . The welding portions  114  project from the outer surfaces of the connector body  111  in the depth direction ZB. The spring attachments  115  are located at the ends, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the connector body  111  and project downward. 
     The slit outer blade  40  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     The blade pieces  41  are arranged between the links  43  at predetermined pitches, which correspond to the slits  42 . Each blade piece  41  is, for example, U-shaped. Each slit  42  extends in the depth direction ZB. Whiskers (hair) are guided into the slits  42 . 
     The links  43  are located at two opposite ends, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the slit outer blade  40 . As shown in  FIG. 8A , the links  43  are plate-like and slightly inclined so that the links  43  are sloped upward toward the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the slit outer blade  40 . 
     Each slit body  50  is formed by a wall that is parallel in the widthwise direction ZA and the heightwise direction ZC. Each slit body  50  includes four first claws  51 , one second claw  52 , four fitting portions  53 , two first weld fixing portions  54 , and two second weld fixing portions  55 . The slit bodies  50  are connected to each other by the blade pieces  41  and the links  43 . Each slit body  50  is coupled to the comb component  60  at the first claws  51 , the second claw  52 , and the fitting portions  53 . Each slit body  50  is coupled to the outer blade connector  90  at the first weld fixing portions  54  and the second weld fixing portions  55 . The first weld fixing portions  54  and the second weld fixing portions  55  each correspond to a slit fixing portion. 
     The first weld fixing portions  54  are located at the ends, in the widthwise direction ZA, of each slit body  50 . Each second weld fixing portion  55  is located between one of the first weld fixing portions  54  and the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the corresponding slit body  50 . 
     Each first claw  51  is tapered so that the size in the widthwise direction ZA decreases toward the lower end. The lower end surface of each first claw  51  is, for example, curved. The first claws  51  are separated from one another. For example, some of the first claws  51  are located between a first weld fixing portion  54  and a second weld fixing portion  55 . The other first claws  51  are arranged between the second weld fixing portions  55 . 
     Each second claw  52  is tapered so that the size in the widthwise direction ZA decreases toward the lower end. The lower end surface of each second claw  52  is, for example, curved. Each second claw  52  is located in the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the corresponding slit body  50 . The second claws  52  are shorter than the first claws  51 . 
     The fitting portions  53  are separated from one another in the widthwise direction ZA. For example, some of the fitting portions  53  are adjacent to the outer edge, in the widthwise direction ZA, of a second weld fixing portion  55 . The other fitting portions  53  are located between a first claw  51  and a second claw  52 . Each fitting portion  53  includes a through hole  53 A extending in the depth direction ZB through the corresponding slit body  50 . 
     The outer blade connectors  90  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     Each seat  92  includes an upper surface, which may be flat. The upper surface of each seat  92  is, for example, T-shaped. Each seat  92  is located at the outer, in the widthwise direction ZA, and upper end of the corresponding connector body  91 . Each seat  92  includes an outer seat  92 A and an inner seat  92 B. The upper surface of the outer seat  92 A is flush with the upper surface of the inner seat  92 B. The outer seat  92 A is greater than the inner seat  92 B in the size in the depth direction ZB. 
     Each projection  93  may be rectangular the size of which is greater in the depth direction ZB than in the widthwise direction ZA. Each projection  93  projects upward from the corresponding outer seat  92 A. 
     Each inner seat  92 B includes an accommodation hole  94 . Each accommodation hole  94  is adjacent to the corresponding projection  93  in the widthwise direction ZA. Each accommodation hole  94  extends downward from the upper surface of the corresponding inner seat  92 B. 
     Each first welding portion  95  is tubular. Each first welding portion  95  is located on or proximate to the outer end, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the corresponding the connector body  91 . The first welding portions  95  project from outer surfaces of the corresponding connector body  91  in the depth direction ZB. 
     Each second welding portion  96  is tubular. Each second welding portion  96  is located on the inner end, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the connector body  91 . The second welding portions  96  project from the outer surfaces of the corresponding connector body  91  in the depth direction ZB. 
     Each spring attachment  97  is located between a first welding portions  95  and the corresponding second welding portion  96  in the widthwise direction ZA. Each spring attachment  97  includes a projection projecting upward from the corresponding connector body  91 . The projections may each be circular cone-shaped. 
     The comb component  60  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the comb component  60 , the depth distance D 1  at the end, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the comb walls  70  is greater than the depth distance D 2  at the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the comb walls  70 . 
     Each comb wall  70  includes a comb wall body  71 , comb teeth  72 , slits  73 , four first receptacles  74 , one second receptacle  75 , four positioning portions  76 , and two recesses  77 . Each comb wall  70  is a single element entirely formed from the same material. 
     Each comb wall body  71  extends in the widthwise direction ZA and is slightly curved upward (refer to  FIG. 4 ). The thickness T 1  of an end, in the widthwise direction ZA, of each comb wall body  71  is greater than the thickness T 2  of the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the comb wall body  71 . 
     The comb teeth  72  are arranged on an upper portion of each comb wall body  71 . The comb teeth  72  are arranged in the widthwise direction ZA at predetermined pitches, which correspond to the slits  73 . The slits  73  guide whiskers (hair) together with the slits  42  of the slit outer blade  40  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). In the illustrated example, the comb teeth  72  each project outward from the corresponding comb wall body  71 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2B , each comb tooth  72  includes a base  72 A and a tip  72 B. Each comb tooth  72  is a single element entirely formed from the same material. The base  72 A is rod-shaped and extends in the heightwise direction ZC. The tip  72 B includes a distal surface, which is curved or hemispherical. The tip  72 B projects outward in the depth direction ZB from an upper portion of the base  72 A. Each comb wall body  71  functions to guide whiskers (hair) to the slits  42  of the slit outer blade  40 . 
     The first receptacles  74  are separated from one another in the widthwise direction ZA. Each first receptacle  74  projects from the inner surface of the corresponding comb wall body  71 . Each first receptacle  74  includes a through hole  74 A extending in the heightwise direction ZC. The first receptacles  74  include two outermost first receptacles  74 , which are located at positions corresponding to two opposite ends of the row of the comb teeth  72 . 
     Each second receptacle  75  is located at the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the corresponding comb wall body  71 . Each second receptacle  75  projects from the inner surface of the corresponding comb wall body  71 . Each second receptacle  75  includes a through hole  75 A extending in the heightwise direction ZC. The second receptacles  75  are greater than the first receptacles  74  in the size in the widthwise direction ZA. 
     The positioning portions  76  are separated from one another in the widthwise direction ZA. The positioning portions  76  are located proximate to the first receptacles  74 . In the illustrated example, locations between two adjacent first receptacles  74  each include a positioning portion  76 . Also, locations between a first receptacle  74  and a second receptacle  75  each include a positioning portion  76 . Each positioning portion  76  may be a projection piece projecting from the inner surface of the corresponding comb wall body  71 . 
     The recesses  77  are located at two opposite ends, in the widthwise direction ZA, of each comb wall  70 . Each recess  77  is adjacent to the corresponding comb end wall  80 . Each recess  77  forms a step between the inner surface of the corresponding comb wall  70  and the corresponding comb end wall  80 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , each comb end wall  80  includes an end wall body  81 , a receptacle  82 , and a projection  83 . Each comb end wall  80  is a single element entirely formed from the same material. The end wall body  81  of each comb end wall  80  is connected to an end, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the corresponding comb wall body  71 . 
     Each end wall body  81  may include a surface that is smoothly curved upward. The uppermost end of each end wall body  81  is located above the comb wall bodies  71 . 
     Each receptacle  82  may be a recess formed in a lower surface of the corresponding end wall body  81  and extending upward. 
     Each projection  83  is located in the upper opening of the comb component  60 . Each projection  83  is located below an upper end of the corresponding end wall body  81  and projects toward the middle of the comb component  60 . In the illustrated example, each projection  83  includes a flat upper surface, which is parallel in the width direction ZA and the depth direction ZB, and side surfaces, which are opposed to the corresponding recesses  77  of the comb walls  70  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). The upper surface of each projection  83  may be, for example, tetragonal (refer to  FIG. 3 ). 
     When injection-molding the comb component  60 , the gate of a mold, into which a molding material flows, is located at a lower surface  83 A of a projection  83 . Thus, the lower surface  83 A of the projection  83  includes a cut portion  83 B (refer to  FIG. 9 ). The cut portion  83 B is formed when the comb component  60  is cut away from the mold gate to become a mold component. The cut portion  83 B projects downward from the lower surface  83 A of the projection  83 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , voids surrounded by an end wall body  81 , a projection  83 , and a comb wall body  71  are each defined in an insertion portion  61 . The insertion portions  61  are located at opposite sides of each projection  83  in the depth direction ZB. Each insertion portion  61  has size G 1  in the depth direction ZB that is greater than the size, in the depth direction ZB, (thickness) of a slit body  50  of the slit outer blade  40 . 
     The slit blade block  30  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2, 5, and 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the slit blade block  30 , the slit outer blade  40 , the comb component  60 , the outer blade connectors  90 , the slit inner blade  100 , the inner blade connector  110 , and the coil springs  31  are coupled together. In this situation, the weld fixing portions  54 ,  55  of the slit outer blade  40  and the welding portions  95 ,  96  of the outer blade connectors  90  each project downward beyond lower surfaces  71 A of the comb wall bodies  71  of the comb walls  70 . Additionally, the weld fixing portions  105  of the slit inner blade  100  and the welding portions  114  of the inner blade connector  110  project downward beyond the lower surfaces  71 A of the comb wall bodies  71 . Each lower surface  71 A corresponds to an end surface located at a side of the comb component that is opposite to the comb teeth. 
     The first weld fixing portions  54  of the slit outer blade  40  engage the first welding portions  95  of the outer blade connectors  90 . The first welding portions  95  are welded to the first weld fixing portions  54  by heat sealing. This fixes the slit outer blade  40  to the outer blade connectors  90 . The second welding portions  96  of the outer blade connectors  90  engage the second weld fixing portions  55  of the slit outer blade  40 . The second welding portions  96  are welded to the second weld fixing portions  55  by heat sealing. This fixes the slit outer blade  40  to the outer blade connectors  90 . 
     The inner blade connector  110  is accommodated between the two slit bodies  101  of the slit inner blade  100 . When the positioning portions  113  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) are in contact with the positioning portions  104  of the slit inner blade  100  (refer to  FIG. 2 ), the inner blade connector  110  is positioned relative to the slit inner blade  100 . The welding portions  114  of the inner blade connector  110  are fixed to the weld fixing portions  105  by heat sealing. Thus, the slit inner blade  100  is fixed to the inner blade connector  110 . The slit inner blade  100  is accommodated in the slit outer blade  40 . 
     In the slit blade block  30 , the coil springs  31  connect the inner blade connector  110  and the outer blade connectors  90 . The upper portions of the coil springs  31  are attached to the spring attachments  115  of the inner blade connector  110 . The lower portions of the coil springs  31  are attached to the spring attachments  97  of the outer blade connectors  90 . The coil springs  31  are continuously compressed by the inner blade connector  110  and the outer blade connectors  90 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the comb component  60  surrounds the slit outer blade  40 . The comb teeth  72  are adjacent to the blade pieces  41  in the depth direction ZB. The pitch of the comb teeth  72  is the same as the pitch of the blade pieces  41 . The slits  73  of the comb component  60  are in communication with the slits  42  of the slit outer blade  40 . 
     The inner surfaces of the comb walls  70  are in contact with the outer surfaces of the slit bodies  50  of the slit outer blade  40  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). The recesses  77  of the comb walls  70  are opposed to the outer surfaces of the slit bodies  50  of the slit outer blade  40  with gaps located in between. 
     The process for coupling the slit outer blade  40 , the comb component  60 , and the outer blade connectors  90  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 7 to 9 . 
     The coupling process of the slit blade block  30  includes a comb tentative coupling process, a connector tentative coupling process, and a fixing process. In the comb tentative coupling process, the slit outer blade  40  and the comb component  60  are tentatively coupled. In the connector tentative coupling process, the tentatively coupled assembly of the slit outer blade  40  and the comb component  60  is tentatively coupled to the outer blade connectors  90 . In the fixing process, the slit outer blade  40  is fixed to the outer blade connectors  90 . 
     The comb tentative coupling process will now be described. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the slit outer blade  40  is inserted into the comb component  60  from above. In this case, the first weld fixing portions  54  of the slit outer blade  40  are inserted into the insertion portions  61  of the comb component  60 . When inserted into the insertion portions  61  of the comb component  60 , walls of the slit outer blade  40  are in contact with the projection  83  of the comb end wall  80  and the comb wall bodies  71  of the comb walls  70  or opposed to the projection  83  of the comb end wall  80  and the comb wall bodies  71  of the comb walls  70  with slight gaps located in between. This prevents or limits movement of the slit outer blade  40  relative to the comb component  60  in the depth direction ZB. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the links  43  of the slit outer blade  40  are placed on the upper surfaces of the projections  83  of the comb end walls  80 . In this situation, the two opposite end surfaces, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the slit outer blades  40  are in contact with the comb end walls  80  or opposed to the comb end walls  80  with slight gaps located in between. This prevents or limits movement of the slit outer blade  40  in the widthwise direction ZA relative to the comb component  60 . 
     The first claws  51  of the slit outer blade  40  are inserted into the through holes  74 A of the first receptacles  74 . The second claws  52  of the slit outer blade  40  are inserted into the through holes  75 A of the second receptacles  75 . The fitting portions  53  of the slit outer blade  40  are fitted to the positioning portions  76 . In this manner, the slit outer blade  40  and the comb component  60  are tentatively coupled. 
     The connector tentative coupling process will now be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the end wall body  81  of the comb end wall  80  of the comb component  60  includes a lower surface that is in contact with an upper surface of the seat  92  (outer seat  92 A) of the outer blade connector  90 . The projection  83  of the comb end wall  80  of the comb component  60  includes the lower surface  83 A that is in contact with an upper surface of the seat  92  (inner seat  92 B). In this situation, the cut portion  83 B of the projection  83  is accommodated in the accommodation hole  94  of the outer blade connector  90 . 
     In this manner, the comb component  60  (projection  83 ) is held between the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connector  90  in the heightwise direction ZC. This prevents or limits movement of the comb component  60  in the heightwise direction ZC relative to the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connector  90 . 
     When the projection  93  of the outer blade connector  90  is inserted into the receptacle  82  of the comb component  60 , an inner surface  82 A of the receptacle  82  is opposed to side surfaces  93 A of the projection  93  with a slight gap located in between. The end wall body  81  of the comb component  60  includes an end surface  81 A that is opposed to a side surface  43 A of the link  43  of the slit outer blade  40  with a slight gap located in between. Thus, the comb component  60  is sandwiched between the projection  93  of the outer blade connector  90  and the link  43  of the slit outer blade  40  in the widthwise direction ZA. This prevents or limits movement of the comb component  60  in the widthwise direction ZA relative to the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connector  90 . In this manner, the slit outer blade  40 , the comb component  60 , and the outer blade connectors  90  are tentatively coupled. In the connector tentative coupling process, the slit inner blade  100 , the inner blade connector  110 , and the two coil springs  31  are integrated with the outer blade connectors  90  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). 
     The fixing process will now be described. 
     In the assembly, which is tentatively coupled in the connector tentative coupling process, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the weld fixing portions  54 ,  55  of the slit outer blade  40  are each welded to the corresponding one of the welding portions  95 ,  96  of the outer blade connectors  90 . Thus, when the comb component  60  is held between the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90 , the slit outer blade  40  is fixed to the outer blade connectors  90 . This prevents or limits movement of the comb component  60  in the widthwise direction ZA, the depth direction ZB, and the heightwise direction ZC relative to the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90 . In the fixing process, the welding portions  114  of the inner blade connector  110  are welded to the weld fixing portions  105  of the slit inner blade  100 . 
     The operation of the electric razor  1  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 7 to 9 . 
     In the slit blade block  30 , when the comb component  60  is held between the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90 , the slit outer blade  40  is fixed to the outer blade connectors  90 . More specifically, the comb component  60  is held between the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90  as follows. 
     The comb component  60  is held between the links  43  of the slit outer blade  40  and the seats  92  of the outer blade connectors  90  in the heightwise direction ZC at the projections  83 . The comb component  60  is held between the links  43  of the slit outer blade  40  and projections  93  of the outer blade connectors  90  in the widthwise direction ZA at the comb end walls  80 . This prevents or limits changes in the position of the comb component  60  relative to the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90  in the heightwise direction ZC and the widthwise direction ZA. 
     Additionally, in the heightwise direction ZC, the size of the comb component  60  is smaller than the size of each of the weld fixing portions  54 ,  55  of the slit outer blade  40 . Thus, the weld fixing portions  54 ,  55  and the welding portions  95 ,  96  of the outer blade connectors  90  project downward beyond the lower surfaces  71 A of the comb component  60  and thus are exposed from the comb component  60 . A coupling operator can see the weld fixing portions  54 ,  55  and the welding portions  95 ,  96  from an outer side of the slit blade block  30 . Thus, the weld fixing portions  54 ,  55  and the welding portions  95 ,  96  may be easily heat-sealed. 
     A decrease in the size of the comb component  60  in the heightwise direction ZC would lower the rigidity of the comb component  60 . If such an electric razor  1  is used, when an external force is applied to the comb walls  70  through the comb teeth  72 , the comb walls  70  would be deformed in a relatively large manner. In this regard, the electric razor  1  of the present embodiment has a structure in which the comb component  60  and the slit outer blade  40  are coupled as follows. More specifically, the first claws  51  of the slit outer blade  40  are accommodated in the first receptacles  74  of the comb component  60 . The second claws  52  of the slit outer blade  40  are accommodated in the second receptacles  75 . The fitting portions  53  of the slit outer blade  40  are fitted to the positioning portions  76  of the comb component  60 . When a comb wall  70  of the comb component  60  receives an external force directed outward in the depth direction ZB, the fittings of the first claws  51  with the first receptacles  74  and the second claw  52  with the second receptacle  75  prevent or limit an outward deformation, in the depth direction ZB, of the comb wall  70 . Therefore, in the slit blade block  30 , the comb component  60  may be thinned while a deformation of the comb component  60  is limited. 
     The slit blade block  30  includes the first claws  51 , which are separated from one another in the widthwise direction ZA, and the first receptacles  74 , which are separated from one another in the widthwise direction ZA. This prevents or limits an outward deformation, in the depth direction ZB, of a comb wall  70  over a wide area of the comb wall  70 . 
     When a comb wall  70  of the comb component  60  receives a downward external force, the fitting portions  53  contact the comb wall  70 . This prevents or limits a downward deformation of the comb wall  70 . Therefore, in the slit blade block  30 , the comb component  60  may be thinned while a downward deformation of the comb component  60  is limited. 
     Additionally, the slit blade block  30  includes the fitting portions  53 , which are separated from one another in the widthwise direction ZA, and the positioning portions  76 , which are separated from one another in the widthwise direction ZA. This prevents or limits a downward deformation of a comb wall  70  over a wide area, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the comb wall  70 . 
     The electric razor  1  of the present embodiment has the advantages described below. 
     (1) The comb component  60  is held between the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90 . In this situation, the slit outer blade  40  is fixed to the outer blade connectors  90 . This fixes the comb component  60  to the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90 . This structure prevents or limits changes in the position of the comb component  60  relative to the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90  in a direction in which the comb component  60  is sandwiched between the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90 . Thus, the slit outer blade  40 , the comb component  60 , and the outer blade connectors  90  are fixed in a stable manner compared to the conventional slit blade block  200 . 
     (2) The weld fixing portions  54 ,  55  of the slit outer blade  40  and the welding portions  95 ,  96  of the outer blade connectors  90  are each exposed downward from the lower surfaces  71 A of the comb wall bodies  71  of the comb component  60 . This structure facilitates the task for welding the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90 . Additionally, the welds of the weld fixing portions  54 ,  55  and the welding portions  95 ,  96  may be visually checked. 
     (3) In the comb component  60 , the comb end walls  80  are opposed to the links  43  of the slit outer blade  40  with slight gaps located in between in the widthwise direction ZA. In the comb component  60 , the receptacles  82  of the comb end walls  80  are opposed to the projections  93  of the outer blade connectors  90  with slight gaps located in between in the widthwise direction ZA. In this structure, the comb component  60  is held between the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90  in the widthwise direction ZA in addition to the heightwise direction ZC. This prevents or limits changes in the relative position of the slit outer blade  40  and the comb component  60  in the widthwise direction ZA. 
     (4) The comb component  60  is held between the links  43  of the slit outer blade  40  and the seats  92  of the outer blade connectors  90  at the projections  83 . When the slit bodies  50  are inserted into the insertion portions  61  of the comb component  60 , the slit outer blade  40  is inserted in the comb component  60 . In this structure, when the slit outer blade  40 , the comb component  60 , and the outer blade connectors  90  are stacked, the slit blade block  30  is tentatively coupled. Thus, the slit blade block  30  is easily tentatively coupled. 
     (5) The comb component  60  includes the first receptacles  74 , which engage the first claws  51  of the slit outer blade  40 . In this structure, when a comb wall  70  receives a force directed outward in the depth direction ZB, the first claws  51  contact the first receptacles  74 . This prevents or limits an outward deformation of the comb wall  70  in the depth direction ZB. 
     (6) The comb component  60  includes the second receptacles  75 , which engage the second claws  52  of the slit outer blade  40 . In this structure, when a comb wall  70  receives a force directed outward in the depth direction ZB, the second claw  52  contacts the second receptacle  75 . This prevents or limits an outward deformation of the comb wall  70  in the depth direction ZB. 
     (7) The fitting portions  53  of the slit outer blade  40  are fitted to the positioning portions  76  of the comb component  60 . This structure prevents or limits movement of the comb walls  70  relative to the slit outer blade  40  in the heightwise direction ZC. 
     (8) In the comb component  60 , in the depth direction ZB, the thickness T 1  of two opposite ends, in the widthwise direction ZA, of each comb wall  70  is greater than the thickness T 2  of the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the comb wall  70 . This improves the rigidity of the comb component  60 . Additionally, when the desirable rigidity of the comb component  60  has been obtained by increasing the thickness T 1  of the comb wall bodies  71 , the thickness T 2  of the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the comb wall bodies  71  may be reduced. 
     (9) In the depth direction ZB, size G 1  of each insertion portion  61  of the comb component  60  is greater than the size of a slit body  50  of the slit outer blade  40 . In this structure, the slit outer blade  40  may be easily inserted into the comb component  60 . For example, when a comb wall  70  is bent outward in the depth direction ZB, the insertion portions  61  prevent or limit interference of two opposite ends, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the comb wall  70  with the links  43  of the slit outer blade  40 . Additionally, when the slit outer blade  40  is coupled to the comb component  60 , the bending of the comb walls  70  is prevented or limited in the depth direction ZB. 
     (10) The weld fixing portions  105  of the slit inner blade  100  and the welding portions  114  of the inner blade connector  110  project downward beyond the lower surfaces  71 A of the comb wall bodies  71  of the comb component  60 . This structure facilitates the task for welding the slit inner blade  100  and the inner blade connector  110 . Additionally, the welds of the weld fixing portions  105  and the welding portions  114  may be visually checked. 
     The embodiment may be modified as follows. Modified examples may be combined. 
     The slit outer blade  40  of the embodiment may exclude at least one of a first claw  51 , a second claw  52 , and a fitting portion  53 . 
     In the slit outer blade  40  of the embodiment, each slit body  50  includes two first weld fixing portions  54 . However, the number of the first weld fixing portions  54  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. In the slit outer blade  40 , the number of the first weld fixing portions  54  in each slit body  50  may be less than two, or three or greater. The second weld fixing portions  55  may be modified in the same manner. 
     In the slit outer blade  40  of the embodiment, each slit body  50  includes four fitting portions  53 . However, the number of the fitting portions  53  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. In the slit outer blade  40 , the number of the fitting portions  53  in each slit body  50  may be one, two, three, or five or greater. 
     In the slit outer blade  40  of the embodiment, each slit body  50  includes four first weld fixing portions  54 . However, the number of the first weld fixing portions  54  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. In the slit outer blade  40 , the number of the first weld fixing portions  54  in each slit body  50  may be three or less or five or greater. The second weld fixing portions  55  may be modified in the same manner. 
     The comb component  60  of the embodiment is formed from a resin material. However, the material of the comb component  60  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. For example, a modified example of the comb component  60  is formed from a metallic material. 
     In the comb component  60  of the embodiment, each comb wall  70  may exclude at least one of a first receptacle  74 , a second receptacle  75 , and a positioning portion  76 . 
     In the comb component  60  of the embodiment, each comb wall  70  includes four first receptacles  74  and one second receptacle  75 . However, the number of each of the first receptacles  74  and the second receptacles  75  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. In the comb component  60 , the number of the first receptacles  74  in each comb wall  70  may be one, two, three, or five or greater. In the comb component  60 , each comb wall  70  may include a plurality of second receptacles  75 . 
     The structure of the comb component  60  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. For example, the comb teeth  72  may be arranged on only one of the comb walls  70 . Also, some of the comb teeth  72  may be omitted. For example, one of the comb walls  70  may be omitted. 
     Preferably, the thickness T 1  of two opposite ends, in the widthwise direction ZA, of each comb wall  70  is greater than the thickness T 2  of the middle, in the widthwise direction ZA, of the comb wall  70 . However, the proportion of the comb wall  70  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. For example, the thickness T 1  of the two opposite ends of each comb wall  70  may be the same as the thickness T 2  of the middle of the comb wall  70 . 
     Each outer blade connector  90  of the embodiment may exclude at least one of the projection  93  and the accommodation hole  94 . 
     The outer blade connector  90  of the embodiment includes two first welding portions  95 . However, the number of the first welding portions  95  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. The number of the first welding portions  95  in the outer blade connector  90  may be less than two, or three or more. The second welding portions  96  may be modified in the same manner. 
     The slit blade block  30  of the present embodiment is held between the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90  at the projections  83  of the comb component  60 . The connection structure of the slit blade block  30  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. For example,  FIG. 10  shows a modified example of the slit blade block  30 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , a comb component  130  is held between a slit outer blade  120  and an outer blade connector  140  in the depth direction ZB. 
     More specifically, the comb component  130  includes comb walls  131 . Each comb wall  131  includes a fitting portion  132  at a lower side. The slit outer blade  120  includes slit bodies  121 . Each slit body  121  includes a weld fixing portion  122  at a lower side. The outer blade connector  140  includes connector bodies  141 . Each connector body  141  includes a fitting portion  142  formed at an upper side and a welding portion  143  formed at a lower side. The slit blade block  30  of the modified example is held, at the fitting portions  132  of the comb component  130 , between the slit bodies  121  of the slit outer blade  120  and the fitting portions  142  of the outer blade connectors  140  in the depth direction ZB. In this situation, the welding portions  143  of the outer blade connectors  140  are located in the weld fixing portions  122  of the slit outer blade  120 . Then, the welding portions  143  are welded to the weld fixing portions  122  by heat sealing. Each weld fixing portion  122  corresponds to a slit fixing portion. Each welding portion  143  corresponds to a connector fixing portion. 
     In the slit blade block  30  of the modified example, the slit outer blade  120  may additionally include a fitting portion that corresponds to the fitting portion  53  of the slit outer blade  40 . Also, in the slit blade block  30  of the modified example, the comb component  130  may additionally include a positioning portion that corresponds to the positioning portion  76  of the comb component  60 . In such an additional structure, the comb component  130  is fitted to the fitting portion of the slit outer blade  120  using the positioning portion. This prevents or limits upward movement of the comb component  130  from the slit outer blade  120 . 
     In the slit blade block  30  of the embodiment, after the slit outer blade  40  and comb component  60  are tentatively coupled, an assembly of the slit outer blade  40  and the comb component  60  is tentatively coupled to the outer blade connectors  90 . However, the tentative coupling process of the slit blade block  30  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. For example, in a modified example of the slit blade block  30 , after the comb component  60  and the outer blade connectors  90  are tentatively coupled, an assembly of the comb component  60  and the outer blade connectors  90  is tentatively coupled to the slit outer blade  40 . 
     In the slit blade block  30  of the embodiment, the slit outer blade  40  includes the first claws  51 . The comb component  60  includes the first receptacles  74 . However, the structure of the slit blade block  30  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. For example, in a modified example of the slit blade block  30 , the slit outer blade  40  includes the first receptacles  74 . The comb component  60  includes the first claws  51 . The second claws  52  of the slit outer blade  40  and the second receptacles  75  of the comb component  60  may be modified in the same manner. 
     In the slit blade block  30  of the embodiment, the slit outer blade  40  includes the fitting portions  53 . The comb component  60  includes the positioning portions  76 . However, the structure of the slit blade block  30  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. For example, in a modified example of the slit blade block  30 , the slit outer blade  40  includes the positioning portions  76 . The comb component  60  includes the fitting portions  53 . 
     In the slit blade block  30  of the embodiment, in the fixing process, the weld fixing portions  54 ,  55  of the slit outer blade  40  are welded to the welding portions  95 ,  96  of the outer blade connectors  90  by heat sealing. However, the fixing structure of the slit outer blade  40  and the outer blade connectors  90  is not limited to that illustrated in the example. For example, in a modified example of the slit blade block  30 , the slit outer blade  40  is fixed to the outer blade connectors  90  by bonding. Thus, a fixing process other than heat sealing may be used as long as the slit outer blade  40  can be fixed to the outer blade connectors  90 . 
     The slit blade block  30  of the embodiment is configured so that the slit inner blade  100  reciprocally moves relative to the slit outer blade  40 . The structure of the slit blade block  30  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. For example, a modified example of the slit blade block  30  may have a rotary structure in which the slit inner blade  100  rotates relative to the slit outer blade  40 . 
     The blade unit  20  of the embodiment includes two first blade blocks  21 , two second blade blocks  24 , and the slit blade block  30 . However, the structure of the blade unit  20  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. For example, at least one of the first blade blocks  21  and the second blade blocks  24  may be omitted. In another modified example, the blade unit  20  includes one first blade block  21 , one second blade block  24 , and the slit blade block  30 . In a further modified example, the blade unit  20  includes the slit blade block  30  and one of a first blade block  21  and a second blade block  24 . 
     The electric razor  1  of the embodiment is of a reciprocal motion type in which the first inner blades  23 , the second inner blades  26 , and the slit inner blade  100  reciprocally move. However, the electric razor  1  is not limited to that illustrated in the embodiment. For example, the electric razor  1  may be of a rotary type in which the inner blades  23 ,  26  and the slit inner blade  100  rotate. 
     The electric razor  1  of the embodiment is configured to remove whiskers (hair). However, the electric razor  1  may be applied to an area other than that illustrated in the embodiment. For example, a modified example of the electric razor  1  may be a face shaver, which is configured to remove hair other than whiskers, such as eyebrows. Another modified example of the electric razor  1  may be a body shaver, which is configured to remove hair on body parts other than a face. 
     The above description is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The components disclosed in the embodiments may be assembled in any combination for embodying the present invention. For example, some of the components may be omitted from all components disclosed in the embodiments.