Patent Description:
Conventionally, as an outer blade used for an electric razor, there is provided a comb-shaped outer blade in which blades protrude like a comb (see, for example, <CIT>). Such a comb-shaped outer blade can easily introduce body hair along a skin surface (so-called flat-lying body hair) between blades of the comb-shaped outer blade. For this reason, among a plurality of types of outer blades attached to the electric razor, the comb-shaped outer blade functions to shave relatively long body hair and flat-lying body hair. <CIT> discloses a dry shaving apparatus comprises a drive source provided in a housing; a first shaving unit having a first outer cutter and a first undercutter coupled to the drive source and mounted for movement beneath said first outer cutter, and a second shaving unit, having a second outer cutter and a second undercutter coupled to the drive source and mounted for oscillatory movement beneath said second outer cutter. The first outer cutter is coupled to the drive source and is mounted for oscillatory movement to serve as a skin agitation member; and the first outer cutter and the second undercutter are arranged to be driven at the same frequency by the drive source.

However, while the comb-shaped outer blade has a high effect of scooping up body hair, the comb-shaped outer blade tends to significantly damage the skin.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a comb-shaped outer blade, a blade unit comprising the comb-shaped outer blade, and an electric razor comprising the comb-shaped outer blade that reduce the damage to the skin while maintaining a high effect of scooping up body hair.

According to the present invention said object is solved by a comb-shaped outer blade having the features of the independent claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are laid down in the dependent claims.

According to the present disclosure, with the shape of the blade having a distal end bent to hold the comb-shaped outer blade, it is possible to achieve both a high effect of scooping up body hair and reduction of the damage to the skin.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of a comb-shaped outer blade, a blade unit, and an electric razor according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following exemplary embodiment is an example for describing the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, a shape, a structure, a material, a component, a relative positional relationship, a connection state, a numerical value, a mathematical expression, the contents of each step and the order of the individual steps in a method, and the like described in the following exemplary embodiment are merely examples, and may include the contents that are not described below. In addition, geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, but these expressions do not indicate mathematical strictness, and include substantially acceptable errors, deviations, and the like. Furthermore, expressions such as simultaneous and identical include substantially acceptable ranges.

Moreover, the drawings are schematic views in which emphasis, omission, and ratio adjustment have been appropriately performed in order to describe the present disclosure, and may have shapes, positional relationships, and ratios that are different from actual shapes, positional relationships, and ratios.

Further, in the following, a plurality of aspects may be comprehensively described as one exemplary embodiment. In addition, some of the contents described below are described as optional components related to the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an electric razor. Note that electric razor <NUM> has a portion that includes a rounded edge, and recesses and protrusions for preventing slippage, but these portions are not illustrated.

Electric razor <NUM> is a device that cuts and removes body hair such as beard using an electric blade, and includes grip part <NUM> and head part <NUM>.

Grip part <NUM> is a part that a user grips when using electric razor <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, grip part <NUM> also functions as a housing that houses a control device that controls driving of shaving blades, a battery, and the like. Power switch <NUM> for turning on and off power supply is provided on an outer surface of grip part <NUM>.

Head part <NUM> is a member to which blade unit <NUM> including blades for cutting body hair is detachably attached and which is connected to one end of grip part <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, head part <NUM> is relatively operably connected to grip part <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, a Y-axis direction is a direction in which an outer blade and sliding member <NUM> extend, an X-axis direction is a direction in which the outer blade and sliding member <NUM> are arranged in parallel, and a Z-axis direction is a direction in which the outer blade is movable with respect to unit base <NUM> (see <FIG>) when receiving an external force.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating blade unit <NUM>. Blade unit <NUM> is a replacement unit with respect to head part <NUM> in a case where a blade or the like is degraded due to the use of electric razor <NUM>, and includes comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, mesh outer blade <NUM>, sliding member <NUM>, and unit base <NUM>. Note that comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh outer blade <NUM> may be collectively referred to as "outer blade".

In the present exemplary embodiment, blade unit <NUM> includes first set <NUM> and second set <NUM>, each of which is a set of blades in which mesh outer blade <NUM> is disposed on each of both sides of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in a first direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing) in which the outer blade extends, a second direction (the Z-axis direction in the drawing) in which the outer blade moves with respect to unit base <NUM>, and a direction in which a plurality of outer blades are arranged side by side in parallel, that is, a third direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing) intersecting the first direction and the second direction. First set <NUM> includes three outer blades with different functions. First mesh outer blade <NUM> suitable for shaving short hair, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> suitable for shaving long hair, and second mesh outer blade <NUM> suitable for shaving curly beards in addition to shaving short hair are arranged in this order along the third direction. Second set <NUM> also includes three outer blades with the same configuration as first set <NUM>. First set <NUM> and second set <NUM> are attached to unit base <NUM> so as to be symmetrical with respect to a plane including the first direction and the second direction to constitute six outer blades. With such an arrangement, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is disposed next to mesh outer blade <NUM> in any of the moving directions (the X-axis direction in the drawing) of electric razor <NUM> during shaving, and even in a case where body hair in a narrow area such as under the nose is shaved, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> comes into contact with the skin, and can scoop up and cut relatively long body hair.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>. Comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is an outer blade attached to electric razor <NUM>, and includes base part <NUM>, attachment part <NUM>, open blade part <NUM>, and bent blade part <NUM>. According to the present exemplary embodiment, base part <NUM>, attachment part <NUM>, open blade part <NUM>, and bent blade part <NUM> are integrally formed in comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> by punching and bending a sheet metal by pressing. Note that the method of processing comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> can be sintering, injection molding, etching, or electroforming, or comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> can be prepared by welding two members.

Base part <NUM> is a rod-shaped portion extending in the first direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing), and includes long end part <NUM> that has the same bent shape as bent blade part <NUM> and is longer than bent blade part <NUM> in the first direction at both end portions of base part <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, base part <NUM> is curved in an arc shape such that a central portion protrudes forward (a Z+ side in the drawing) from both end portions in a plane (a YZ plane in the drawing) extending in the first direction and the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A plurality of open blade parts <NUM> and a plurality of bent blade parts <NUM> are arranged along the curve of base part <NUM>, accordingly. Since comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is protrudingly curved, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> can be fitted to a recessed part such as under a human's jaw, and shaving efficiency can be improved.

Attachment part <NUM> is a plate-shaped part extending in the first direction and the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. In the present exemplary embodiment, attachment part <NUM> includes outer blade engagement claw <NUM> that engages with outer blade protrusion <NUM> of comb-blade holding member <NUM>, which will be described later (see <FIG>).

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the vicinity of open blade part <NUM> and bent blade part <NUM>. <FIG> is a plan view illustrating the vicinity of open blade part <NUM> and bent blade part <NUM>. Open blade part <NUM> is a cantilever-shaped part protruding from base part <NUM> in the third direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing) orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. Open blade part <NUM> scoops up so-called flat-lying body hair or the like with a distal end in an open state, guides the body hair to the space between open blade part <NUM> and an adjacent blade part, and cuts the body hair together with first inner blade <NUM> that relatively reciprocates. The details of first inner blade <NUM> will be described later (see <FIG>).

In the present exemplary embodiment, open blade part <NUM> extends in the first direction and the third direction (the XY plane in the drawing), includes open upper surface part <NUM> that is flush with base part <NUM>, and has a rectangular rod shape as a whole.

The distal end of open upper surface part <NUM> in the third direction includes open inclined surface part <NUM> that approaches attachment part <NUM> as being separated from base part <NUM>. Open inclined surface part <NUM> allows a reduction in the thickness (the length in the Z-axis direction in the drawing) of the distal end of open blade part <NUM>, and even body hair extending closely along the skin surface can be effectively scooped up.

The corner portion of open upper surface part <NUM> and open side surface part <NUM> in open blade part <NUM> is rounded, so that open upper surface part <NUM> and open side surface part <NUM> are gently connected to each other. Furthermore, open side surface part <NUM> and open inclined surface part <NUM>, and open inclined surface part <NUM> and the distal end surface are also gently connected by rounding or the like. This reduces the damage to the skin when comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is rubbed against the skin surface.

Bent blade part <NUM> is disposed side by side with open blade part <NUM> in the first direction, and is connected to base part <NUM> and attachment part <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, bent blade part <NUM> and open blade part <NUM> are alternately arranged in parallel. The inventors have found through experiments that even in a case where bent blade part <NUM> and open blade part <NUM> are alternately arranged, the effect of scooping up body hair is similar to that obtained in a case where a plurality of open blade parts <NUM> are disposed between bent blade parts <NUM>. In addition, as a result, the structural strength of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> can be maintained high.

Bent blade part <NUM> includes protruding part <NUM> that protrudes from base part <NUM> along the third direction, bent part <NUM> that bends (curves) from a distal end of protruding part <NUM> toward attachment part <NUM>, and connecting part <NUM> that is inclined so as to approach base part <NUM> in the third direction as being separated from bent part <NUM> in the second direction and connects bent part <NUM> and attachment part <NUM>. Bent blade part <NUM> with such a shape forms an acute angle between protruding part <NUM> and connecting part <NUM>, so that bent part <NUM> disposed at the distal end can effectively scoop up flat-lying body hair while reducing the damage to the skin, and guide the body hair between the bent blade part <NUM> and an adjacent blade.

In the present exemplary embodiment, as indicated by a broken line in <FIG>, the end surfaces of a plurality of bent parts <NUM> are positioned at the same distance from base part <NUM> in the third direction, and are disposed at positions farther from base part <NUM> than the distal end surface of open blade part <NUM>. As a result, the distal end of bent blade part <NUM> comes into contact with the skin earlier than the distal end of open blade part <NUM>, so that comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> as a whole can achieve a high effect of scooping up body hair while reducing the damage to the skin.

In addition, bent blade part <NUM> includes bent inclined surface <NUM> disposed substantially in the same plane as the open inclined surface part of adjacent open blade part <NUM>, and the thickness of bent part <NUM> in the second direction is reduced to improve the effect of scooping up body hair. In bent blade part <NUM>, similarly to open blade part <NUM>, the corner portion of bent upper surface part <NUM> and bent side surface part <NUM> is rounded, so that bent upper surface part <NUM> and bent side surface part <NUM> are gently connected to reduce the damage to the skin. The distal end of protruding part <NUM> of bent blade part <NUM> is narrower in width than base end part <NUM> (that is, the length in the first direction is short). Base end part <NUM> refers to a root portion of open blade part <NUM> connected to base part <NUM>. Consequently, it is possible to enhance an effect of guiding scooped up body hair between open blade part <NUM> and an adjacent blade part.

Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG>, when bent blade part <NUM> and open blade part <NUM> are arranged in the first direction, bent blade <NUM> is bent so that none of the parts of open blade part <NUM> protrude from bent blade part <NUM>. As a result, the damage to the skin exerted by comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is reduced.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating comb-blade unit <NUM> including comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating comb-blade unit <NUM> in an assembled state. As illustrated in these drawings, comb-blade unit <NUM> includes comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, first inner blade <NUM>, comb-blade holding member <NUM>, first urging member <NUM>, and first joint member <NUM>.

First inner blade <NUM> is disposed inside comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> (on a side opposite to a skin contact surface), and reciprocates in the first direction while rubbing against comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> to cut body hair inserted between adjacent blades of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> (that is, between open side surface part <NUM> and bent side surface part <NUM>). In the present exemplary embodiment, first inner blade <NUM> has a shape in which slits have been aligned in the first direction. First inner blade <NUM> is fixedly attached to first joint member <NUM> made of resin. In first inner blade <NUM>, a drive connection part (not illustrated) extending from head part <NUM> is inserted into a recess provided at the center of first joint member <NUM>, so that a reciprocating drive force is applied. The material of first joint member <NUM> is not limited to resin. The drive connection part is not limited as long as the function of drive transmission can be performed, and can be a metal pin or a molded article, and can have a round shape or a square shape.

Comb-blade holding member <NUM> is a resin member that is fixedly attached to each of both end portions of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in the first direction. Comb-blade holding member <NUM> integrally includes first opposing part <NUM> that opposes first inner blade <NUM> in the second direction. First urging member <NUM> connected to first joint member <NUM> is attached to first opposing part <NUM>. First urging member <NUM> is a coil spring or the like, and allows first inner blade <NUM> to reciprocate while pressing first inner blade <NUM> against the back surface of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> via first joint member <NUM> on the basis of first opposing part <NUM>.

A method of joining comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and comb-blade holding member <NUM> is not particularly limited. In the present exemplary embodiment, outer blade protrusion <NUM> of comb-blade holding member <NUM> engages with outer blade engagement claw <NUM> of attachment part <NUM>, so that comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and comb-blade holding member <NUM> are temporarily fixed to each other. Then, the distal end of outer blade protrusion <NUM> is melted and spread to form first melt-enlarged part <NUM>, so that comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and comb-blade holding member <NUM> are fixed to each other. Further, the material of comb-blade holding member <NUM> is not limited to resin, and a method of fixing comb-blade holding member <NUM> to comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> can be one of caulking, hook engagement, and welding, or a combination thereof.

A method of joining first inner blade <NUM> and first joint member <NUM> is not particularly limited. In the present exemplary embodiment, the method of joining first inner blade <NUM> and first joint member <NUM> is similar to the method of joining comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and comb-blade holding member <NUM>. First inner blade <NUM> made of metal includes inner blade engagement claw <NUM>, and is temporarily fixed by hook-engaging with cylindrical inner blade engagement protrusion <NUM> provided on first joint member <NUM>. Then, the distal end of inner blade engagement protrusion <NUM> is melted and spread to form second melt-enlarged part <NUM>, so that first inner blade <NUM> and first joint member <NUM> are fixed to each other. Note that first melt-enlarged part <NUM> and second melt-enlarged part <NUM> are illustrated in a simplified manner in <FIG>, but first melt-enlarged part <NUM> and second melt-enlarged part <NUM> are parts obtained by melting, spreading, and solidifying resin, and actually have a complicated shape.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating mesh-blade unit <NUM> including mesh outer blade <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating mesh-blade unit <NUM> in an assembled state. As illustrated in these drawings, mesh-blade unit <NUM> includes mesh outer blade <NUM>, second inner blade <NUM>, mesh-blade fixing member <NUM>, mesh-blade holding member <NUM>, second urging member <NUM>, and second joint member <NUM>.

Mesh outer blade <NUM> is an outer blade for an electric razor attached to electric razor <NUM>, extends in the first direction along comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, and is curved in a plane (an XZ plane in the drawing) extending in the second direction and the third direction. In the present exemplary embodiment, similarly to base part <NUM> of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, mesh outer blade <NUM> is curved in an arc shape such that a central portion protrudes forward (the Z+ side in the drawing) from both end portions in a plane (the YZ plane in the drawing) extending in the first direction and the second direction. Further, similarly to comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, mesh outer blade <NUM> is protrudingly curved toward the Z+ side in the YZ plane in the drawing, and thus comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> can be fitted to a recessed part such as under a human's jaw and the shaving efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh outer blade <NUM> are curved toward the Z+ side in the YZ plane in the drawing, and thus the effect can be further enhanced.

Mesh outer blade <NUM> is an outer blade that has a semi-cylindrical shape and has a plurality of through-holes in a mesh shape, and is used for cutting relatively short body hair. In the present exemplary embodiment, mesh outer blade <NUM> is formed by processing a large number of through-holes into a sheet metal thinner than the sheet metal constituting comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> by pressing, and is fixed to mesh-blade fixing member <NUM> made of resin so as to maintain a curved state. Note that the method of processing mesh outer blade <NUM> can be sintering, injection molding, etching, or electroforming, and the method of fixing mesh outer blade <NUM> and mesh-blade fixing member <NUM> can be a processing method such as welding with two members, or can be other processing methods or fixing methods.

Second inner blade <NUM> is disposed inside mesh outer blade <NUM>, and reciprocates in the first direction while rubbing against mesh outer blade <NUM> to cut relatively short body hair inserted into the through-holes of mesh outer blade <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, second inner blade <NUM> has a shape in which arched blades curved in surfaces extending in the second direction and the third direction are arranged in the first direction with slits being interposed therebetween. Second inner blade <NUM> is fixedly attached to second joint member <NUM> made of resin. In second inner blade <NUM>, a drive connection part (not illustrated) extending from head part <NUM> is inserted into a recess provided at the center of second joint member <NUM>, so that a reciprocating drive force is applied. The material of the drive connection part can be a metal pin or a molded article, the shape of the drive connection part can be a round shape, a square shape, or the like, and the drive connection part is not particularly limited as long as the function of drive transmission function can be performed.

Mesh-blade holding member <NUM> is a resin member fixedly attached to each of both end portions of mesh outer blade <NUM>. Mesh-blade holding member <NUM> integrally includes second opposing part <NUM> that opposes second inner blade <NUM> in the second direction. Second urging member <NUM> connected to second joint member <NUM> is attached to second opposing part <NUM>. Second urging member <NUM> is a coil spring or the like, and allows second inner blade <NUM> to reciprocate while pressing second inner blade <NUM> against the back surface (that is, a side opposite to a skin contact surface) of mesh outer blade <NUM> via second joint member <NUM> on the basis of second opposing part <NUM>. The material of mesh-blade holding member <NUM> is not limited to resin.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating blade unit <NUM>. Unit base <NUM> is a member that holds comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh outer blade <NUM> so as to be movable in the second direction (the Z-axis direction in the drawing) and in a plane formed by the first direction and the second direction (obliquely). Here, "obliquely" means a direction intersecting the Z-axis in the YZ plane. In other words, the movable direction of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh outer blade <NUM> includes not only a direction strictly along the Z-axis but also a direction substantially along the Z-axis. In the present exemplary embodiment, unit base <NUM> includes first guide part <NUM> that guides comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in the second direction via first protrusion <NUM> of comb-blade holding member <NUM> in comb-blade unit <NUM>.

Unit base <NUM> includes second guide part <NUM> that guides mesh outer blade <NUM> in the second direction via second protrusion <NUM> of mesh-blade holding member <NUM> in mesh-blade unit <NUM>. First guide part <NUM> includes first restriction part <NUM> that restricts the amount of protrusion of the comb-blade unit <NUM> with respect to unit base <NUM>, and second guide part <NUM> includes second restriction part <NUM> that restricts the amount of protrusion of mesh-blade unit <NUM> with respect to unit base <NUM>. First restriction part <NUM> and second restriction part <NUM> have fixed-side protrusion <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided on a surface portion of unit base <NUM> on an outer (the Z+ direction in the drawing) side in the second direction. Fixed-side protrusion <NUM> is formed in a shape protruding in the third direction so as to cover a part of the groove provided as first guide part <NUM> and second guide part <NUM>. Further, comb-blade holding member <NUM> of comb-blade unit <NUM> and mesh-blade holding member <NUM> of mesh-blade unit <NUM> include blade-unit-side protrusion <NUM> (see <FIG>) that protrudes in the third direction at its end in the second direction, and blade-unit-side protrusion <NUM> opposes fixed-side protrusion <NUM> in the second direction. With first restriction part <NUM> and second restriction part <NUM> with such a configuration, when comb-blade unit <NUM> and mesh-blade unit <NUM> are urged and moved outward in the second direction by comb-blade urging member <NUM> and mesh-blade urging member <NUM>, respectively, and blade-unit-side protrusion <NUM> reaches the position of fixed-side protrusion <NUM>, blade-unit-side protrusion <NUM> comes into contact with fixed-side protrusion <NUM>, so that comb-blade unit <NUM> and mesh-blade unit <NUM> are restricted so as not to protrude further outward in the second direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, first restriction part <NUM> and second restriction part <NUM> are disposed so that comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> of comb-blade unit <NUM> restricted by first restriction part <NUM> does not protrude further than mesh outer blade <NUM> of mesh-blade unit <NUM> restricted by second restriction part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, comb-blade urging member <NUM> is a member that urges comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> outward in the second direction (the Z+ direction in the drawing) with respect to unit base <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, comb-blade urging member <NUM> is a coil spring or the like, and is disposed between unit base <NUM> and comb-blade holding member <NUM> of comb-blade unit <NUM> at both end portions of comb-blade unit <NUM> in the first direction. In a state where comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is not pressed in the second direction, a state where the movement of comb-blade unit <NUM> is restricted by first restriction part <NUM> provided on unit base <NUM> is maintained by the urging force of comb-blade urging member <NUM>.

Mesh-blade urging members <NUM> is a member that urges mesh outer blade <NUM> outward in the second direction (the Z+ direction in the drawing) with respect to unit base <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, mesh-blade urging member <NUM> is a coil spring or the like, and is disposed between unit base <NUM> and mesh-blade holding member <NUM> of mesh-blade unit <NUM> at both end portions of mesh-blade unit <NUM> in the first direction. In a state where mesh outer blade <NUM> is not pressed in the second direction, a state where the movement of mesh-blade unit <NUM> is restricted by second restriction part <NUM> provided on unit base <NUM> is maintained by the urging force of mesh-blade urging member <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the top portion of mesh outer blade <NUM> is disposed to protrude (the Z+ side in the drawing) further than comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> at any position in the first direction.

<FIG> are diagrams illustrating an operation state of engagement mechanism <NUM>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by broken line L1 in <FIG>. Engagement mechanism <NUM> is a mechanism that moves comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in a state where comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> does not protrude further than outer blade <NUM> with respect to unit base <NUM> when moving mesh outer blade <NUM> toward unit base <NUM> against the urging force of mesh-blade urging member <NUM>. A specific mode of engagement mechanism <NUM> is not particularly limited, but in the present exemplary embodiment, engagement mechanism <NUM> includes first engagement part <NUM> and second engagement part <NUM>.

First engagement part <NUM> is a member that can restrict the movement of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in the protruding direction (the Z+ direction in the drawing) by engaging with second engagement part <NUM> in the second direction. The arrangement position and attitude of first engagement part <NUM> are not particularly limited, but first engagement part <NUM> is provided in each of paired comb-blade holding members <NUM> included in comb-blade unit <NUM> so as to protrude toward mesh-blade unit <NUM>.

Second engagement part <NUM> is a member that can move comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> toward unit base <NUM> against comb-blade urging member <NUM> by engaging with first engagement part <NUM> to transmit a force to comb-blade unit <NUM> in a case where mesh-blade unit <NUM> is pressed toward unit base <NUM> in the second direction. Second engagement part <NUM> is positioned outside first engagement part <NUM> (that is, on the upper side in the second direction), and is engaged with first engagement part <NUM> to restrict the movement of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in the second direction so that comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> does not protrude further than mesh outer blade <NUM>. Second engagement part <NUM> is provided at both end portions of mesh-blade holding member <NUM> included in mesh-blade unit <NUM> in the first direction so as to protrude toward comb-blade unit <NUM>.

An operation mode of engagement mechanism <NUM> will be described. In a case where mesh outer blade <NUM> and comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> are not pressed (see <FIG>), comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh outer blade <NUM> protrude most outwardly. In this state, mesh outer blade <NUM> protrudes further than comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>. Note that in <FIG>, the protruding position of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is indicated by a broken line at position <NUM>. In this state, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh outer blade <NUM> are movable independently in a sinking direction (that is, the Z-direction in the drawing).

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, when electric razor <NUM> is lightly pressed against the skin, mesh outer blade <NUM> that generally protrudes further than comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is pressed first, and mesh outer blade <NUM> starts to sink against mesh-blade urging member <NUM>. When mesh outer blade <NUM> sinks until first engagement part <NUM> and second engagement part <NUM> in engagement mechanism <NUM> are engaged with each other, a pressing force is applied from second engagement part <NUM> to first engagement part <NUM>, and comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> starts to sink in conjunction with mesh outer blade <NUM>. Even in this state, mesh outer blade <NUM> protrudes slightly further than comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>.

Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG>, when electric razor <NUM> is pressed against the skin, the engagement state of first engagement part <NUM> and second engagement part <NUM> is maintained, and while mesh outer blade <NUM> remains protruding slightly further than comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, mesh outer blade <NUM> and comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> sink until restricted by unit base <NUM>. In this state, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is independently movable in the sinking direction, but both mesh outer blades <NUM> move in the sinking direction together with comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>. That is, engagement mechanism <NUM> restricts, in the direction in which comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> protrudes, the protrusion of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> further than mesh outer blade <NUM> by the engagement of first engagement part <NUM> and second engagement part <NUM>, but does not restrict the movement of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in the sinking direction, so that comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> may be pressed to sink depending on the skin shape.

<FIG> is a side view illustrating comb-blade holding member <NUM> and mesh-blade holding member <NUM> in a transparent state in blade unit <NUM>. Sliding member <NUM> is a member that comes into contact with the skin surface when entire blade unit <NUM> is pressed against a wide skin surface and improves sliding on the skin when blade unit <NUM> is slid against the skin surface. The structure of sliding member <NUM> is not particularly limited, but in the present exemplary embodiment, sliding member <NUM> is a roller with an axis of rotation extending in the first direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing). In the present exemplary embodiment, sliding member <NUM> has a bulging shape such that a central portion is larger in diameter than both end portions so as to correspond to the curved shape of mesh outer blade <NUM> in a plane (that is, the YZ plane in the drawing) extending in the first direction and the second direction. Furthermore, in a state where blade unit <NUM> is not pressed, sliding member <NUM> is disposed so as to protrude further than mesh outer blade <NUM> at any position in the first direction.

Sliding member <NUM> is attached to a holding member that holds the outer blade disposed in the vicinity. In the present exemplary embodiment, sliding member <NUM> is rotatably attached to bearing <NUM> that protrudes obliquely upward from one mesh-blade holding member <NUM> disposed closest to sliding member <NUM> toward adjacent mesh outer blade <NUM>. As a result, sliding member <NUM> can sink in the second direction together with mesh outer blade <NUM>, and can maintain a state of protruding slightly further than mesh outer blade <NUM>. Note that although sliding member <NUM> is attached to bearing <NUM> in the present exemplary embodiment, sliding member <NUM> can be attached to, for example, unit base <NUM>, but it is preferable to attach sliding member <NUM> to bearing <NUM> as in the present exemplary embodiment because the state of protrusion of sliding member <NUM> is more stabilized.

At least two outer blades are disposed on each of both sides of sliding member <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, the same number of outer blades, in this case three, are disposed on each side of sliding member <NUM>. That is, the blade unit <NUM> includes an even number of outer blades, and sliding member <NUM> is disposed at the center thereof. That is, two or more outer blades are only required to be disposed on each of both sides of sliding member <NUM>, and the number of outer blades disposed on each of both sides of sliding member <NUM> is not particularly limited.

Different types of outer blades are disposed on one side of sliding member <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, one outer blade is comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, and another is mesh outer blade <NUM>. Blade unit <NUM> includes first set <NUM> and second set <NUM> in which mesh outer blade <NUM> is disposed on both sides of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, and sliding member <NUM> is disposed between first set <NUM> and second set <NUM>. That is, mesh outer blade <NUM> is disposed on both sides of sliding member <NUM> so as to be immediately adjacent to sliding member <NUM>. As a result, sliding member <NUM> can be disposed in a valley formed by densely disposed mesh outer blades <NUM>, and entire blade unit <NUM> can be made compact. In addition, when blade unit <NUM> is pressed against the skin, sliding member <NUM> can prevent the skin from entering the valley, and the damage to the skin can be reduced.

According to electric razor <NUM>, blade unit <NUM>, and comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> of the exemplary embodiment, high effect of scooping up body hair can be achieved, and body hair such as beard that grows long along the skin surface can be effectively cut. The body hair cut and shortened by comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is further cut and shortened by mesh outer blade <NUM>, so that a deep shaving effect can be enhanced while suppressing the damage to the skin.

For example, although the case where open blade part <NUM> and bent blade part <NUM> are alternately arranged has been described, the plurality of bent blade parts <NUM> can be arranged between adjacent open blade parts <NUM>, or the plurality of open blade parts <NUM> can be arranged between adjacent bent blade parts <NUM>.

Although open blade parts <NUM> are arranged symmetrically and bent blade parts <NUM> are also arranged symmetrically with respect to base part <NUM>, open blade part <NUM> and bent blade part <NUM> can be arranged side by side in the third direction.

Furthermore, the width (that is, the length in the first direction) of the distal end of open blade part <NUM> can be narrower than the width of base end part <NUM> like bent blade part <NUM>.

Although blade unit <NUM> also including the inner blade has been exemplified, blade unit <NUM> does not need to include the inner blade.

Although first restriction part <NUM> and second restriction part <NUM> that restrict the amount of protrusion of comb-blade unit <NUM> and mesh-blade unit <NUM> with respect to unit base <NUM> have been described, the structure that restricts the amount of protrusion of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh outer blade <NUM> is not limited thereto. For example, it is possible to provide a structure in which unit base <NUM> includes a groove that extends in the second direction and is closed at both ends in the extending direction, and either comb-blade unit <NUM> or mesh-blade unit <NUM> includes a protrusion that is inserted into the groove of unit base <NUM> and moves along the groove. In this case, the amount of protrusion is restricted by the protrusion coming into contact with the end part of the groove. Furthermore, contrary to the above structure with regard to the groove and the protrusion, unit base <NUM> can include the protrusion, and comb-blade unit <NUM> and mesh-blade unit <NUM> can include the groove.

The position of the restriction part that restricts the amount of protrusion of comb-blade unit <NUM> and mesh-blade unit <NUM> with respect to unit base <NUM> is not limited to unit base <NUM>, comb-blade unit <NUM>, and mesh-blade unit <NUM>, and the restriction part can be provided at other positions depending on the amount of protrusion.

Claim 1:
A comb-shaped outer blade (<NUM>) configured to be attached to an electric razor (<NUM>), the comb-shaped outer blade (<NUM>) comprising:
a base part (<NUM>) that has a rod shape and extends in a first direction;
an attachment part (<NUM>) that has a plate shape and extends in the first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction;
open blade parts (<NUM>) each of which has a cantilever shape and protrudes from the base part (<NUM>) in a third direction which intersects the first direction and the second direction; and
bent blade parts (<NUM>) arranged alternately with the open blade parts (<NUM>) in the first direction, the bent blade parts (<NUM>) connecting the base part (<NUM>) to the attachment part (<NUM>),
wherein each of the bent blade parts (<NUM>) comprises:
a protruding part (<NUM>) that protrudes from the base part (<NUM>) along the third direction,
characterized in that each of the bent blade parts (<NUM>) comprises:
a bent part (<NUM>) that is connected to a distal end of the protruding part (<NUM>) and curve from a distal end of the protruding part (<NUM>) toward the attachment part (<NUM>), and
a connecting part (<NUM>) that is inclined so as to approach the base part (<NUM>) in the third direction as being separated from the bent part (<NUM>) in the second direction and connects the bent part (<NUM>) and the attachment part (<NUM>).