Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an electric razor according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. Conventionally, there is a blade unit comprising a plurality of types of outer blades. Such a blade unit is used for an electric razor. When the blade unit is pressed against a skin surface when using an electric razor, the blade unit is configured such that each outer blade sinks independently according to the unevenness of the skin. The blade unit described in PTL <NUM> employs a mechanism in which each outer blade sinks independently within a predetermined range, and each outer blade sinks in conjunction with each other when the predetermined range is exceeded.

However, the conventional blade unit has a structure that allows other types of outer blades to sink more than a slit-shaped outer blade that scoops up and cuts relatively long hair, so that an edge of a tip of the slit-shaped outer blade could cause severe damage to the skin.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a blade unit in which an outer blade for scooping up body hair does not project more than other types of outer blades, and an electric razor provided with the blade unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the electric razor, which is one of the present disclosures, is an electric razor comprising a head portion comprising a comb-shaped outer blade and at least one mesh-shaped outer blade, the head portion holding the comb-shaped outer blade and the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade each extending in a first direction so as to be movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the electric razor comprises a comb blade urging member that urges the comb-shaped outer blade with respect to the head portion in the second direction, a mesh blade urging member that urges the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade with respect to the head portion in the second direction, and an engaging mechanism that, when the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade is moved toward the head portion against urging force of the mesh blade urging member, moves the comb-shaped outer blade in a state where the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade projects from the comb-shaped outer blade with respect to the head portion.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, another blade unit of the present disclosure is a blade unit configured to be attached to an electric razor, comprising a comb-shaped outer blade and at least one mesh-shaped outer blade, the blade unit comprising a unit base that holds the comb-shaped outer blade and the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade each extending in a first direction so as to be movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a comb blade urging member that urges the comb-shaped outer blade with respect to the unit base in the second direction, a mesh blade urging member that urges the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade with respect to the unit base in the second direction; and an engaging mechanism that, when the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade is moved toward the unit base against urging force of the mesh blade urging member, moves the comb-shaped outer blade in a state where the comb-shaped outer blade does not project from the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade with respect to the unit base.

In the present disclosure, while the comb-shaped outer blade exerts a higher scooping effect than the mesh-shaped outer blades for hairs growing in different directions or lying hairs, it is possible to achieve both a high hair scooping effect and suppression of damage to the skin due to the mechanism that prevents the comb-shaped outer blade from projecting more than the mesh-shaped outer blades.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments 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. It should be noted that the following exemplary embodiments are intended to give an example for explaining the present disclosure, and are 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 formula, contents of each stage in a method, an order of each stage, etc. shown in the following exemplary embodiments are examples, and may include contents that are not described below. Furthermore, geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, but these expressions do not indicate mathematical rigor, and include substantially permissible errors and deviations. In addition, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include a substantially permissible range.

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

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

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating electric razor <NUM>. Note that electric razor <NUM> has a portion where an edge has been chamfered and unevenness for slip prevention has been provided, but these are not illustrated.

Electric razor <NUM> is a device for cutting and removing body hair such as a beard using an electric blade, and includes grip portion <NUM> and head portion <NUM>.

Grip portion <NUM> is a portion gripped by a user when using electric razor <NUM>. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, grip portion <NUM> also functions as a housing for accommodating a control device that controls the drive of a shaving blade, a battery, and the like. Power-supply switch <NUM> or the like for turning on or off a power supply is provided on an outer surface of grip portion <NUM>.

Head portion <NUM> is a member to which blade unit <NUM> provided with a blade for cutting body hair is detachably attached and connected to one end of grip portion <NUM>. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, head portion <NUM> is relatively operably connected to grip portion <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, a Y-axis direction is a direction in which an outer blade and a sliding member extend, an X-axis direction is a direction in which the outer blade and the sliding member 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 the outer blade receives external force.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating blade unit <NUM>. Blade unit <NUM> is a unit to be replaced in head portion <NUM> when a blade or the like deteriorates due to the use of electric razor <NUM>, and includes comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>, sliding member <NUM>, and unit base <NUM>. Note that comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> may be collectively referred to as outer blades.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, in a first direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing) in which the outer blades extend, and a second direction (the Z-axis direction in the drawing) in which the outer blades move with respect to unit base <NUM>, and a third direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing) that intersects the first and second directions, blade unit <NUM> includes first set <NUM> and second set <NUM>, each of which is a set of blades in which mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> are arranged on both sides of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>. First set <NUM> is configured by three outer blades, each having a different function, and along the third direction, first mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> suitable for shaving short hair, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> suitable for shaving long hair, and second mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> suitable for shaving frizzy beards in addition to shaving short hair are arranged in this order. Furthermore, second set <NUM> also has three outer blades having 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, and form six outer blades. With this arrangement, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is disposed next to mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> in any of moving directions (X-axis direction in the drawing) of electric razor <NUM> during shaving, and even when 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 it is possible to 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>. The shape of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as slits extending in the third direction are arranged in the first direction. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is an outer blade attached to electric razor <NUM>, and includes base portion <NUM>, attaching portion <NUM>, open blade portion <NUM>, and bent blade portion <NUM>. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, in comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, base portion <NUM>, attaching portion <NUM>, open blade portions <NUM>, and bent blade portions <NUM> are integrally formed by punching and bending sheet metal with a press. Note that a processing method of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> may be sintering, injection molding, etching processing or electroforming processing, or may be produced by welding two members.

Base portion <NUM> is a rod-shaped portion extending in the first direction (Y-axis direction in the drawing). At both end portions of base portion <NUM>, long end portions <NUM> having the same bending shape as bent blade portion <NUM> and longer in the first direction than bent blade portion <NUM> are provided. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, base portion <NUM> is curved in an arc shape such that a central portion projects forward (Z+ side in the drawing) from both ends in a plane extending in the first direction and the second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction (inside the YZ plane in the drawing). Along with this, the plurality of open blade portions <NUM> and the plurality of bent blade portions <NUM> are arranged along the curvature of base portion <NUM>. Since comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is curved in a convex shape, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> can be fitted to a recessed portion such as under a human chin, and shaving efficiency can be improved.

Attaching portion <NUM> is a plate-shaped portion extending in the first direction and in the second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, attaching portion <NUM> includes outer blade engaging claws <NUM> that engages with outer blade protruding portions <NUM> of comb blade holding members <NUM>, which will be described later (see <FIG>).

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the vicinity of open blade portions <NUM> and bent blade portions <NUM>. <FIG> is a plan view illustrating the vicinity of open blade portions <NUM> and bent blade portions <NUM>. Open blade portion <NUM> is a cantilever rod-shaped portion projecting from base portion <NUM> in the third direction (X-axis direction in the drawing) orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and scoops up so-called lying body hair with a tip in an open state, guides it between the adjacent blade portions, and cuts the body hair with first inner blade <NUM>, details of which will be described later (see <FIG>), that reciprocates relatively.

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

A tip of open upper surface portion <NUM> in the third direction includes open inclined surface portion <NUM> that approaches attaching portion <NUM> as a distance from base portion <NUM> increases. The thickness of the tip of open blade portion <NUM> (the length in the Z-axis direction in the drawing) reduces at open inclined surface portion <NUM>, so that even body hair extending along the edge of a skin surface can be effectively scooped up.

The corners of open upper surface portion <NUM> and open side surface portion <NUM> of open blade portion <NUM> are loosely connected by R chamfering or the like. Furthermore, open side surface portion <NUM> and open inclined surface portion <NUM>, and open inclined surface portion <NUM> and a surface of the tip are also loosely connected by R chamfering or the like. As a result, damage to the skin when comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> rubs against the skin surface is reduced.

Bent blade portions <NUM> are arranged side by side with open blade portions <NUM> in the first direction, and are portions connected to base portion <NUM> and attaching portion <NUM>. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, bent blade portions <NUM> and open blade portions <NUM> are arranged side by side in parallel alternately. The inventors have obtained knowledge by experiment that, even when bent blade portions <NUM> and open blade portions <NUM> are arranged alternately, it is possible to obtain the same body hair scooping effect as when the plurality of open blade portions <NUM> are arranged between bent blade portions <NUM>. Furthermore, this makes it possible to maintain a high structural strength of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>.

Bent blade portion <NUM> includes projecting portion <NUM> projecting from base portion <NUM> along the third direction, bent portion <NUM> bending (i.e., curving) from a tip of projecting portion <NUM> toward attaching portion <NUM>, and connecting portion <NUM>. Connecting portion <NUM> is inclined in such a manner that connecting portion <NUM> approaches base portion <NUM> in the third direction as a distance from bent portion <NUM> increases in the second direction and that connecting portion <NUM> connects bent portion <NUM> with attaching portion <NUM>. By using bent blade portion <NUM> having such a shape, an angle formed by projecting portion <NUM> and connecting portion <NUM> is an acute angle, so that bent portion <NUM> arranged at the tip effectively scoops up the lying body hair while reducing damage to the skin, and can guide the body hair between the adjacent blade portions.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, as shown by a broken line in <FIG>, the end faces of the plurality of bent portions <NUM> are located at the same distance from base portion <NUM> in the third direction, and are arranged at positions farther from the tip surfaces of open blade portions <NUM> with respect to base portion <NUM>. As a result, the tips of bent blade portions <NUM> come into contact with the skin before the tips of open blade portions <NUM>, so that comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> as a whole can exert a high body hair scooping effect while reducing damage to the skin.

Furthermore, bent blade portion <NUM> includes bent inclined surface <NUM> disposed in substantially the same plane as the open inclined surface portion of adjacent open blade portions <NUM>, and the thickness of bent portion <NUM> in the second direction is reduced to improve the effect of scooping up body hair. Similar to open blade portion <NUM>, bent blade portion <NUM> has a corner portion between bent upper surface portion <NUM> and bent side surface portion <NUM> loosely connected by R chamfering or the like to reduce damage to the skin. The tip of projecting portion <NUM> of bent blade portion <NUM> is narrower than base end portion <NUM> (namely, the length of projecting portion <NUM> in the first direction is shorter than that of base end portion <NUM>). Base end portion <NUM> refers to a root portion of open blade portion <NUM> connected to base portion <NUM>. As a result, the effect of guiding the scooped hair between the adjacent blade portions can be enhanced.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, when bent blade portions <NUM> and opening blade portions <NUM> are arranged in the first direction, bent blade portions <NUM> are formed such that none of the parts of opening blade portions <NUM> project from bent blade portions <NUM>. As a result, damage to the skin of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is suppressed.

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

First inner blade <NUM> is disposed inside comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> (that is, on an opposite side of the skin contact surface), and reciprocates in the first direction while rubbing against comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, thereby cutting body hair inserted between the adjacent blades of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> (that is, between open side surface portion <NUM> and bent side surface portion <NUM>). In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, first inner blade <NUM> has a shape in which slits are arranged in the first direction. First inner blade <NUM> is fixedly attached to first resin joint member <NUM>. In first inner blade <NUM>, a drive connecting portion (not illustrated) extending from head portion <NUM> is inserted into a recess provided in the center of first joint member <NUM> to apply reciprocating driving force. First joint member <NUM> is not specified as resin. The drive connecting portion is not specified as long as it can perform a function of drive transmission such as a metal pin or a molded product, or a round shape or a square shape.

Comb blade holding members <NUM> are resin members that are fixedly attached to both end portions of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in the first direction. Comb blade holding members <NUM> integrally include first facing portions <NUM> facing first inner blade <NUM> in the second direction. First urging member <NUM> connected to first joint member <NUM> is attached to first facing portion <NUM>. First urging member <NUM> is a coil spring or the like, and allows reciprocating movement of first inner blade <NUM> while pressing first inner blade <NUM> against a back surface of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> via first joint member <NUM> on the basis of first facing portion <NUM>.

A method of joining comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and comb blade holding members <NUM> is not particularly limited. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and comb blade holding members <NUM> are temporarily fixed by engaging outer blade protruding portions <NUM> of comb blade holding members <NUM> and outer blade engaging claws <NUM> of attaching portion <NUM> with each other. Then, the tips of outer blade protruding portions <NUM> are melted and expanded to form first melt-expanded portions <NUM>, and comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and comb blade holding members <NUM> are fixed. Furthermore, a material of comb blade holding members <NUM> is not limited to resin, and a method of fixing comb blade holding members <NUM> to comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> may 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 case of the present exemplary embodiment, the method of joining first inner blade <NUM> and first joint member <NUM> is the same as the method of joining comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and comb blade holding members <NUM>. First inner blade <NUM> made of metal is provided with inner blade engaging claws <NUM>, and is temporarily fixed by hook-engaging to cylindrical inner blade engaging protrusions <NUM> provided on first joint member <NUM>. Then, the tips of inner blade engaging protrusions <NUM> are melted and expanded to form second melt-expanded portions <NUM>, and the first inner blade and first joint member <NUM> are fixed. Although first melt-expanded portions <NUM> and second melt-expanded portions <NUM> are simplified and drawn in <FIG>, first melt-expanded portion <NUM> and second melt-enlarged portion <NUM> are portions in which resin is melted, expanded and hardened, and actually have a complicated shape.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> having mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> in an exploded manner. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> in the assembled state. As illustrated in these figures, mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> includes mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>, second inner blade <NUM>, mesh blade fixing member <NUM>, mesh blade holding members <NUM>, second urging member <NUM>, and second joint member <NUM>.

Mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> is an outer blade for an electric razor attached to electric razor <NUM>, and extends in the first direction along comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, and is curved in a plane extending in the second direction and the third direction (in the XZ plane in the drawing). In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, similarly to base portion <NUM> of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> is curved in an arc shape such that a central portion projects forward (Z+ side in the drawing) from both ends in a plane extending in the first direction and the second direction (inside the YZ plane in the drawing). In addition, since mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> is curved in a convex shape, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> can be fitted to a recessed part such as under a person's jaw, and the effect that makes it possible to improve the shaving efficiency is the same as that of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, and the effect can be further enhanced because of the curves of both comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>.

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

Second inner blade <NUM> is disposed inside mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> and reciprocates in the first direction while rubbing against mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>, so that relatively short body hairs inserted into the through-holes of mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> are cut. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, second inner blade <NUM> has a shape in which arch-shaped blades each of which is curved in a plane extending in the second direction and the third direction have been arranged in the first direction in such a manner that a slit is interposed between adjacent two arch-shaped blades. Second inner blade <NUM> is fixedly attached to second joint member <NUM> made of resin. In second inner blade <NUM>, a drive connecting portion (not illustrated) extending from head portion <NUM> is inserted into a recess provided in the center of second joint member <NUM> to apply reciprocating driving force. Note that the drive connecting portion may be a metal pin or a molded product as a material, and a round shape, a square shape, or the like as a shape, and is not particularly limited as long as a drive transmission function can be achieved.

Mesh blade holding members <NUM> are resin members that are fixedly attached to both end portions of mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>. Mesh blade holding members <NUM> integrally include second facing portions <NUM> facing second inner blade <NUM> in the second direction. Second urging member <NUM> connected to second joint member <NUM> is attached to second facing portion <NUM>. Second urging member <NUM> is a coil spring or the like, and allows reciprocating movement of second inner blade <NUM> while pressing second inner blade <NUM> against a back surface of mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> (that is, a reverse side of the skin contact surface) via second joint member <NUM> on the basis of second facing portion <NUM>. Furthermore, mesh blade holding members <NUM> are not limited to resin.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating blade unit <NUM> in an exploded manner. Unit base <NUM> is a member that movably holds comb-shaped outer blades <NUM> and mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> in the second direction (Z-axis direction in the drawing) and in a plane formed by the first direction and the second direction (obliquely). Here, "oblique" means a direction that intersects the Z-axis in the YZ plane. In other words, the movable directions of comb-shaped outer blades <NUM> and mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> include not only a direction strictly along the Z-axis but also a direction substantially along the Z-axis. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, unit base <NUM> includes first guide portions <NUM> that guide comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in the second direction via comb blade holding members <NUM> of comb blade unit <NUM>.

Unit base <NUM> includes second guide portions <NUM> that guide mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> in the second direction via mesh blade holding members <NUM> of mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM>. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, first guide portions <NUM> and second guide portions <NUM> are provided with grooves penetrating in the first direction and extending in the second direction in a frame portion of unit base <NUM>. First guide portions <NUM> engage with a pair of first ridge portions <NUM> provided on comb blade holding members <NUM>, and guide the movement of comb blade unit <NUM> in the plane formed by the first direction and the second direction. Second guide portions <NUM> engage with a pair of second ridge portions <NUM> provided on mesh blade holding members <NUM>, and guide the movement of mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> in the plane formed by the first direction and the second direction.

Furthermore, first guide portions <NUM> include first regulation portions <NUM> that regulate an amount of projection of comb blade unit <NUM> with respect to unit base <NUM>, and second guide portions <NUM> include second regulation portions <NUM> that regulate an amount of projection of mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> with respect to unit base <NUM>. First regulation portions <NUM> and second regulation portions <NUM> have fixed side protruding portions <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided on a surface portion of unit base <NUM> on an outward (Z+ direction in the drawing) side in the second direction. Fixed side protruding portions <NUM> are formed in a shape projecting in the third direction so as to cover a part of the grooves provided as first guide portions <NUM> and second guide portions <NUM>. Further, comb blade holding members <NUM> of comb blade unit <NUM> and mesh blade holding members <NUM> of mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> are provided with blade unit side protruding portions <NUM> (see <FIG>) protruding in the third direction at end portions in the second direction thereof, and blade unit side protruding portions <NUM> face fixed side protruding portions <NUM> in the second direction. Due to first regulation portions <NUM> and second regulation portions <NUM> having such a configuration, when comb blade unit <NUM> and mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> are urged and moved outward (Z+ direction in the drawing) in the second direction by comb blade urging members <NUM> and mesh blade urging members <NUM>, and blade unit side protruding portions <NUM> reach positions of fixed side protruding portions <NUM>, blade unit side protruding portions <NUM> come into contact with fixed side protruding portions <NUM>, so that comb blade unit <NUM> and mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> are regulated so as not to project further outward (Z+ direction in the drawing) in the second direction. Then, as illustrated in <FIG>, first regulation portions <NUM> and second regulation portions <NUM> are arranged such that comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> of comb blade unit <NUM> regulated by first regulation portions <NUM> does not project from mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> of mesh-shaped blade units <NUM> regulated by second regulation portions <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, comb blade urging members <NUM> are members that urge comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> outward in the second direction (Z+ direction in the drawing) with respect to unit base <NUM>. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, comb blade urging members <NUM> are coil springs or the like, and are disposed between unit base <NUM> and comb blade holding members <NUM> of comb blade unit <NUM> at both end portions of comb blade unit <NUM> in the first direction. When comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is not pressed in the second direction, the urging force of comb blade urging members <NUM> maintain a state in which the movement of comb blade unit <NUM> is regulated by first regulation portions <NUM> provided on unit base <NUM>.

Mesh blade urging members <NUM> are members that urge mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> outward in the second direction (Z+ direction in the drawing) with respect to unit base <NUM>. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, mesh blade urging members <NUM> are coil springs or the like, and are disposed between unit base <NUM> and mesh blade holding members <NUM> of mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> at both end portions of mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> in the first direction. In the state where mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> are not pressed in the second direction, the urging force of mesh blade urging members <NUM> maintain a state in which the movement of comb blade unit <NUM> is regulated by first regulating portions <NUM> provided on unit base <NUM>, and as illustrated in <FIG>, top portions of mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> are arranged at positions (Z+ side in the drawing) projecting from comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> at any position in the first direction.

<FIG> are diagrams illustrating an operating state of engaging mechanism <NUM>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by broken line L1 in <FIG>. Engaging mechanism <NUM> is a mechanism for moving comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in a state where comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> does not project from mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> with respect to unit base <NUM> when mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> are moved toward unit base <NUM> against the urging force of mesh blade urging members <NUM>. The specific aspect of engaging mechanism <NUM> is not particularly limited, but in the case of the present exemplary embodiment, engaging mechanism <NUM> includes first engaging portions <NUM> and second engaging portions <NUM>.

First engaging portion <NUM> is a member capable of regulating the movement of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in a projecting direction (Z+ direction in the drawing) by engaging with second engaging portion <NUM> in the second direction. The arrangement positions and attitudes of first engaging portions <NUM> are not particularly limited, but the first engaging portions are provided on the pair of comb blade holding members <NUM>, which are included in comb blade unit <NUM> so as to project toward mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM>.

Second engaging portions <NUM> are members capable of transmitting force to comb blade unit <NUM> by engaging with first engaging portions <NUM>, and moving comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> toward unit base <NUM> against comb blade urging members <NUM> when mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> is pressed toward unit base <NUM> in the second direction. The arrangement positions of second engaging portions <NUM> are located outside first engaging portions <NUM> (that is, an upper side in the second direction), and second engaging portions <NUM> engage with first engaging portions <NUM> to regulate the movement of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in the second direction such that comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> does not project from mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>. Second engaging portions <NUM> are provided at both end portions of mesh blade holding members <NUM> included in mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> in the first direction so as to project toward comb blade unit <NUM>.

The operation mode of engagement mechanism <NUM> will be described. In the state where mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> and comb outer blade <NUM> are not pressed (<FIG>), comb outer blade <NUM> and mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> project most outward. In this state, mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> project more than comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>. In <FIG>, a projecting 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-shaped outer blades <NUM> can move independently in a sinking direction (that is, the Z-direction in the drawing).

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, by lightly pressing electric razor <NUM> against the skin, mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>, which generally project from comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, are pressed first, and mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> begin to sink against mesh blade urging members <NUM>. Then, when mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> sink until first engaging portions <NUM> and second engaging portions <NUM> of engaging mechanism <NUM> are engaged, pressing force is applied from second engaging portions <NUM> to first engaging portions <NUM>, and comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> begins to sink in conjunction therewith. Even in this state, mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> slightly project from comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, when electric razor <NUM> is pressed against the skin, an engaged state of first engaging portions <NUM> and second engaging portions <NUM> is maintained, and mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> and comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> sink until they are regulated by unit base <NUM> while maintaining the state in which mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> are slightly projected from comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>. In this state, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> can move independently in the sinking direction (that is, the Z-direction in the drawing), but both mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> move in the sinking direction together with comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>. That is, first engaging portions <NUM> and second engaging portions <NUM> included in engaging mechanism <NUM> are engaged in a direction in which comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> projects, and comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is regulated by engaging mechanism <NUM> not to project from mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>. However, since engaging mechanism <NUM> does not regulate the movement of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in the sinking direction, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> may be pressed and sink depending on the shape of the skin.

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

Sliding member <NUM> is attached to a holding member that holds an outer blade disposed in the vicinity thereof. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, sliding member <NUM> is rotatably attached to bearing portion <NUM> projecting diagonally upward from one of mesh blade holding members <NUM> disposed in the nearest vicinity toward adjacent mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>. As a result, sliding member <NUM> can sink in the second direction together with mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>, and can maintain the state in which the sliding member slightly projects from mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>. Note that, although sliding member <NUM> is attached to bearing portion <NUM> in the present exemplary embodiment, sliding member <NUM> can also be attached to unit base <NUM>, for example, but it is preferable that the sliding member is attached to bearing portion <NUM> as in the present exemplary embodiment because the projecting state of sliding member <NUM> is more stable.

At least two outer blades are arranged on both sides of sliding member <NUM>. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the same number of outer blades are arranged on both sides of sliding member <NUM>, three each. That is, blade unit <NUM> has an even number of outer blades, and sliding member <NUM> is arranged in the center thereof. In other words, it is sufficient that two or more outer blades are arranged on both sides of sliding member <NUM>, and the number of outer blades arranged on both sides of sliding member <NUM> is not particularly limited.

Different types of outer blades are arranged on one side of sliding member <NUM>. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, one of the outer blades is comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, and the other is mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>. Blade unit <NUM> includes first set <NUM> and second set <NUM> in which mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> are arranged on both sides of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, and sliding member <NUM> is arranged between first set <NUM> and second set <NUM>. That is, mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> are arranged immediately on both sides of sliding member <NUM>. As a result, sliding member <NUM> can be arranged in a valley space formed by densely arranged mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>, and entire blade unit <NUM> can be made compact. Furthermore, sliding member <NUM> can prevent the skin from being bitten into the valley space when blade unit <NUM> is pressed against the skin to reduce damage to the skin.

In electric razor <NUM> and blade unit <NUM> directed to the above-described exemplary embodiment, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> does not project more than mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> by engaging mechanism <NUM> regardless of the shape of the skin surface and the pressing direction of electric razor <NUM> against the skin. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the damage to the skin caused by the tip of a blade of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> strongly biting into the skin. Further, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> can effectively scoop up and cut relatively long body hair that grows along the skin surface on the basis of the shape of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, even when comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> does not project more than mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>.

Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above exemplary embodiment.

For example, in the above-described exemplary embodiment, the case of six blades has been described, but blade unit <NUM> may have any number of blades as long as blade unit <NUM> includes comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM>.

Further, as comb-shaped outer blade <NUM>, the case where open blade portions <NUM> and bent blade portions <NUM> are alternately arranged with the slit extending in the third direction interposed therebetween has been described, but the shape of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> is not limited thereto.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> may be formed by all bent blade portions <NUM> without comprising open blade portions <NUM>. As a result, since base portion <NUM> does not exist and the slit penetrates in the third direction, long hair facing in the opposite direction can also be shaved.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, bent blade portion <NUM> may be bent by about <NUM>° instead of an acute angle. As a result, long hair can be cut with improved touch on the skin.

Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG>, another member <NUM> (for example, a comb member) adjacent to bent blade portion <NUM> in the third direction may be provided. This makes it possible to improve the shaving performance of long hair.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> may be formed by all open blade portions <NUM> without comprising bent blade portions <NUM>. This makes it possible to improve the shaving performance of long hair.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, a part of base portion <NUM> may be provided with recess portion <NUM> that is recessed in the second direction and extends in the first direction. As a result, it is possible to increase the possibility of re-standing long hair that has not been scooped and introducing it into the slit, and to improve the shaving performance of the long hair.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the third direction, both end portions of bent blade portion <NUM> may project outward in the second direction. This makes it possible to improve the shaving performance of long hair.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the wall thickness of a part of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> in contact with first inner blade <NUM> may be reduced. Thereby, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> can shave long hair shorter, and mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> can shave body hair to a length that is easy to insert.

Further, the plurality of bent blade portions <NUM> may be arranged between adjacent open blade portions <NUM>, and the plurality of open blade portions <NUM> may be arranged between adjacent bent blade portions <NUM>.

Further, comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> may be not only integrally shaped from sheet metal but also formed by joining a plurality of members by welding or the like. Specifically, for example, base portion <NUM> and at least one of open blade portions <NUM> and bent blade portions <NUM> are integrally formed, and comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> may be formed by joining long end portion <NUM> and attaching portion <NUM>, both of which have been separately formed, to base portion <NUM> and the other of open blade portions <NUM> and bent blade portions <NUM> by welding or the like.

Further, although open blade portions <NUM> and bent blade portions <NUM> are arranged symmetrically with respect to base portion <NUM>, open blade portions <NUM> and bent blade portions <NUM> may be arranged side by side in the third direction.

Further, the width of a tip end portion (that is, the length in the first direction) of open blade portion <NUM> may be narrower than the width of base end portion <NUM>, similarly to bent blade portion <NUM>.

Further, although the case where blade unit <NUM> can be attached to and detached from head portion <NUM> together with unit base <NUM> has been described, head portion <NUM> may have a portion having the same function as unit base <NUM>.

Further, although first regulation portions <NUM> and second regulation portions <NUM> that regulate the projection amount of comb blade unit <NUM> and mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> with respect to unit base <NUM> have been described, the structure that regulates the projection amount of comb-shaped outer blade <NUM> and mesh-shaped outer blades <NUM> is not limited to this. For example, unit base <NUM> is provided with a groove extending in the second direction and having both of closed end portions in an extending direction, and either comb blade unit <NUM> or mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> may be provided with a protrusion that is inserted into the groove of the unit base <NUM> and moves along the groove. In this case, the amount of projection is regulated by the protrusion coming into contact with the end portion of the groove. Further, with respect to the groove and the protrusion, contrary to the above-described structure, unit base <NUM> may be provided with the protrusion, and comb blade unit <NUM> and mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> may be provided with the groove.

Further, the regulation portions that regulates the projection amount of comb blade unit <NUM> and mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM> with respect to unit base <NUM> are not limited to unit base <NUM>, comb blade unit <NUM>, and mesh-shaped blade unit <NUM>, and regulation portions may be provided at other positions according to the projection amount.

Claim 1:
An electric razor (<NUM>) comprising:
a head portion (<NUM>) comprising:
a comb-shaped outer blade (<NUM>); and
at least one mesh-shaped outer blade (<NUM>),
the head portion (<NUM>) holding the comb-shaped outer blade (<NUM>) and the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade (<NUM>) each extending in a first direction so as to be movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction,
wherein the electric razor (<NUM>) comprises:
a comb blade urging member (<NUM>) that urges the comb-shaped outer blade (<NUM>) with respect to the head portion (<NUM>) in the second direction;
a mesh blade urging member (<NUM>) that urges the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade (<NUM>) with respect to the head portion (<NUM>) in the second direction; characterized in that the electric razor (<NUM>) further comprises:
an engaging mechanism (<NUM>) that, when the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade (<NUM>) is moved toward the head portion (<NUM>) against urging force of the mesh blade urging member (<NUM>), moves the comb-shaped outer blade (<NUM>) in a state where the at least one mesh-shaped outer blade (<NUM>) projects from the comb-shaped outer blade (<NUM>) with respect to the head portion (<NUM>).