Domestic appliance

Abstract

The present application relates to a domestic appliance (1) comprising a mechanical function unit (2) having a movable member (3), a housing (4) containing a motor (5) to operate the movable member to carry out a primary function of the appliance, and an electrical function unit (6) having an electrically operative member (7) to perform a secondary function of the appliance that supports the primary function performed by the mechanical function unit. The electrical function unit comprises a module (8) positioned between the mechanical function unit and the housing. The electrical function unit comprises a generator to convert mechanical energy generated by the motor located in the housing into electrical energy to power the electrically operative member.

Claims

1. A domestic appliance comprising: a mechanical function unit having a movable member; a housing containing a motor to operate the movable member to carry out a primary function of the domestic appliance; and an electrical function unit contained in a detachable module positioned between the mechanical function unit and the housing, the electrical function unit comprising: an electrically operative member adapted to perform a secondary function of the domestic appliance; and a generator adapted to convert mechanical energy generated by the motor into electrical energy to power the electrically operative member, wherein a battery, which is charged by the generator during operation of the mechanical function unit, is contained within the detachable module.

2. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the detachable module comprises a transmission that couples the motor in the housing to the movable member in the mechanical function unit and drives the generator.

3. The domestic appliance according to claim 2, wherein the detachable module comprises an enclosure having a first interface that cooperates with the housing to mount the detachable module to the housing and a second interface that cooperates with the mechanical function unit to mount the mechanical function unit to the detachable module and couple the motor in the housing to the movable member in the mechanical function unit.

4. The domestic appliance according to claim 3, wherein the transmission and the first interface are configured so that the transmission and the motor are coupled when the detachable module is mounted to the housing and the transmission and the second interface are configured so that the transmission and the movable member are coupled when the mechanical function unit is mounted to the detachable module.

5. The domestic appliance according to claim 2, wherein the transmission comprises a drive gear that rotates in response to operation of the motor to drive the generator.

6. The domestic appliance according to claim 5, wherein the generator comprises a drive pinion in engagement with the drive gear of the transmission so that the generator is operated to generate electrical energy when the drive gear rotates.

7. The domestic appliance according to claim 2, wherein the transmission comprises a drive shaft that engages with the movable member of the mechanical function unit, the drive shaft rotating in in response to operation of the motor.

8. The domestic appliance according to claim 7, wherein the mechanical function unit comprises an actuating mechanism that couples the drive shaft to the movable member.

9. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical function unit is a hair removal device and the movable member is a cutting blade.

10. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the electrically operative member is a laser line generator, an LED or a sensor.

11. A module comprising: an electrical function unit for use with a domestic appliance, the module being detachably mounted to a mechanical function unit comprising a movable member and a housing that contains a motor so as to extend between the mechanical function unit and the housing, the movable member being drivingly engaged with the motor to carry out a primary function of the domestic appliance, the electrical function unit comprising an electrically operative member adapted to perform a secondary function that at least in part is effected by the primary function, wherein the electrical function unit comprises a generator, which when attached to the housing and when in use, is adapted to convert mechanical energy generated by the motor into electrical energy to power the electrically operative member; and a battery contained within the module, wherein the battery is charged by the generator during operation of the mechanical function unit.

12. The module according to claim 11, further comprising a transmission that couples, when attached to the housing and the mechanical function unit, the motor in the housing to the movable member in the mechanical function unit and drives the generator.

13. The module according to claim 12, wherein the transmission includes a drive gear that rotates in response to operation of the motor to drive the generator.

14. The module according to claim 11, wherein the electrically operative member is a laser line generator, an LED or a sensor.

15. The module according to claim 11, wherein the module comprises an enclosure having a first interface that cooperates with the housing to mount the module to the housing and a second interface that cooperates with the mechanical function unit to mount the mechanical function unit to the module and couple the motor in the housing to the movable member in the mechanical function unit.

16. The module according to claim 12, wherein the generator comprises a drive pinion in engagement with a drive gear of the transmission so that the generator is operated to generate electrical energy when the drive gear rotates.

17. The module according to claim 12, wherein the transmission comprises a drive shaft that engages with the movable member of the mechanical function unit, the drive shaft rotating in in response to operation of the motor.

18. The module according to claim 17, wherein the mechanical function unit comprises an actuating mechanism that couples the drive shaft to the movable member.

19. The module according to claim 11, wherein the mechanical function unit is a hair removal device and the movable member is a cutting blade.

20. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the battery is adapted to power the electrical function unit a period of time when the generator is inactive.

21. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the electrically operative member of the domestic appliance is adapted to perform a secondary function of the domestic appliance that at least in part is effected by the primary function.

22. The module according to claim 11, wherein the battery is adapted to power the electrical function unit a period of time when the generator is inactive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled hair removal device according to an embodiment of the invention, without a module positioned between the housing and the mechanical function unit;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional side elevation of the device shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the perspective view of FIG. 1 with the mechanical function unit detached from the housing;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the perspective view of FIG. 3 with a module positioned between the housing and the mechanical function unit;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional side elevation of the device shown in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the module shown in FIGS. 4 and 5; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the module shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(9) With reference to the drawings, there is provided a domestic appliance in the form of a hair removal device 1 such as a shaver, trimmer or hair clipper, comprising a mechanical function unit 2 having a movable member 3, a housing 4 containing a motor 5 to operate the movable member 3 to carry out the primary function of cutting hair, and an electrical function unit 6 having an electrically operative member 7 to perform a secondary function that supports or complements the hair cutting function performed by the mechanical function unit 2. The electrical function unit 6 is adapted to convert mechanical energy generated by the motor 5 into electrical energy to power the electrically operative member 7. The electrical function unit 6 is wholly contained within a module 8 that is positioned between the mechanical function unit 2 and the housing 4.

(10) FIG. 1 shows a hair removal device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention with the mechanical function unit 2 attached to the housing 4 but no module 8. In this configuration, the device 1 is only capable of carrying out its primary function namely, the cutting of hair.

(11) FIG. 2 shows the same device as shown in FIG. 1 but with the mechanical function unit 2 detached from the housing 4. The mechanical function unit 2 may be a push fit on the housing 4 or there may be a twist lock arrangement of known type that attaches the mechanical function unit 2 to the housing 4.

(12) The motor 5 which is contained within the housing 4, has a primary drive shaft 9 (see FIGS. 2 and 5). A coupling member 10 is mounted to the free end of the primary drive shaft 9. As demonstrated by FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the coupling member 10 couples the primary drive shaft 9, and therefore the motor 5, to the movable member 3 via an actuating mechanism 11 in the mechanical function unit 2. The actuating mechanism 11 transmits drive from the motor 5 to the movable member 3 to cause reciprocation of the movable member 3 relative to a fixed member 12 for the purpose of cutting hair.

(13) With reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, a module 8 is positionable between the housing 4 and the mechanical function unit 2. The module 8 comprises an enclosure 13 having a first interface 14 that connects the module 8 to the housing 4 and a second interface 15 that connects the mechanical function unit 2 to the module 8 so that the module 8 sits between the mechanical function unit 2 and the housing 4 and spaces them from each other. Each interface 14, 15 may be a push fit onto the housing 4 and onto the mechanical interface 2, respectively. Alternatively, a known type of twist lock or bayonet type connection may be employed. The enclosure 13 has a leg portion 16 that extends alongside the mechanical function unit 2 in a direction towards the movable member 3 and has an opening or transparent region 17 at its distal end that faces in a direction towards the movable member 3. As most clearly shown by FIGS. 6 and 7, the enclosure may be formed in two parts or halves, 13a, 13b that are firmly attach to each other when assembled to form a shell.

(14) The module 8 contains a transmission or drive train 18 that includes a drive gear 19. When the interface 14 is attached to the housing 4, the coupling member 10 is received within and couples to the drive gear 19 so that the drive gear 19 will rotate together with the coupling member 10. The coupling between the coupling member 10 and the drive gear 19 occurs as a direct result of attaching the interface 14 to the housing 4. The drive gear 19 carries teeth 20 that mesh with corresponding teeth on a pinion 21 attached to a generator 22, such as a motor, of the electrical function unit 6 so that the generator 22 is driven via the drive gear 19 and the pinion 21 to generate electrical energy when the motor 5 is operational.

(15) The electrical function unit 6 also comprises the electrically operative member 7 which, in the present embodiment, is a laser line generator. The laser line generator 7 is mounted within the leg portion 16 of the enclosure 13 close to its upper end and so that a laser L (see FIG. 4) generated by the laser line generator 7 is projected through the opening 17 in the enclosure 13 in a direction towards the movable member 3 to form a line S on the skin (not shown) of a user close to, or in alignment with, the movable member 3. The electrical function unit 6 includes conductive wiring 23 to electrically connect the generator 22 to the laser line generator 7 within the module 8.

(16) The transmission or drive train 18 of the module 8 further comprises a secondary drive shaft 24 that extends from, and is fixedly attached to, the drive gear 19 so that the drive shaft 24 rotates together with the drive gear 19. A second coupling member 26, identical to coupling member 10, is mounted to the free end of the secondary drive shaft 24 and protrudes from the enclosure 13 through a hole 25. In the same way that the coupling member 10 couples the primary drive shaft 9 to the mechanical function unit 2 in FIGS. 1 to 3 when the module 8 is omitted, the second coupling member 26 couples the secondary drive shaft 24 of the transmission 18 to the mechanical function unit 2 so that the movable member 3 can still be driven via the primary drive shaft 9, the coupling member 10, the secondary drive shaft 24 and the secondary coupling member 26 of the transmission 18 of the module 8, and the actuating mechanism 11. It will be appreciated that the coupling member 26 couples to the mechanical function unit 2 as the interface 15 of the module 8 is attached to the mechanical function unit 2.

(17) In use, when the motor 5 is energised by a battery 27 contained in the housing 4, the movable member 3 reciprocates relative to the fixed member 12 to perform the primary function of cutting hair. At the same time, the generator 22 is operational due to the mechanical connection via the drive gear 19 and the pinion 21 which rotates to drive the generator 22. The gearing of the drive gear 19 and pinion 21 is selected in order to drive the generator 22 at a speed that is sufficient to generate electrical power to operate the laser line generator 7 and project a laser line onto a user's skin adjacent to the movable member 3.

(18) It will be appreciated that the electrical energy required to operate the laser line generator 7 is generated internally of the module 8 by the generator 22 and so there is no electrical connection between the source of electrical power used to drive the motor 5, i.e. the battery 27, and the electrical function unit 6 in the module 8. It is therefore easy to remove the module 8 from the housing 4, and to attach and remove the mechanical function unit 2 from the module 8, without being concerned about making or breaking any electrical terminals or connections.

(19) Whilst the preferred embodiment is described with reference to an electrical function unit 6 for generating a laser line S, it will be appreciated that modules 8 for carrying out other electrical functions may alternatively be provided and which contain different electrical operative elements 7, such as lights, e.g. LEDs, sensors to detect, for example, humidity or temperature, or some other skin characteristic such as transepidermal water loss. The electrically operative element 7 may also be an image capturing device such as a small video camera or laser scanning device to enable digital augmented reality solutions, an ultrasonic mist generator unit or a pulsating piezoelectric synthetic jet generator. All of these electrically operative elements 7 can be supplied with power generated internally within the module by the generator 22.

(20) As the module 8 is easily detachable from the housing 4 and the mechanical function unit 2, an end user may easily remove a module 8 to replace it either with another module 8 for performing the same secondary function or, with a module 8 of another type for carrying out a different secondary function, whilst using the same housing 4 and mechanical function unit 2. Alternatively, they may omit the module 8 altogether and mount the mechanical function unit 2 directly to the housing 4, as shown in FIG. 1, in circumstances where no secondary electrical function is required. In another, unillustrated embodiment, multiple modules 8, each of which contain different electrical function units 6, may be attached to each other in stacked relation and positioned between the housing 4 and the mechanical function unit 2 so that different electrically operated functions may be carried out simultaneously by each module 8.

(21) It will be appreciated that, in the above described embodiments, the electrical function unit 6 only operates when the mechanical function unit 2 is operating, as the generator 22 is only driven whilst the mechanical function unit 2 operates. However, in a modified embodiment, the module 8 may contain a rechargeable battery which is charged by the generator 22 during operation of the mechanical function unit 2. This battery may then be used to power the electrical function unit 6 for a period of time when the generator 22 is inactive. For example, a user may wish to project a laser line S on their skin prior to operating the mechanical function unit 2. In another embodiment, the generator may be omitted together with the drive gear 19 and pinion 21. Instead, the electrical function unit may include a battery received in the module to power the electrically operative element. Such a battery may be rechargeable and/or replaceable as required. For example, the battery may be removable from the module for recharging or replacement. Alternatively, the entire module may have terminals that connect to terminals of a charging station when the module is removed from the appliance to charge the battery.

(22) It will be appreciated that each of the embodiments of the present invention provide a device which is extremely flexible and adaptable to individual users requirements as well as being simpler and easier to manufacture.

(23) The above embodiments as described are only illustrative, and not intended to limit the technique approaches of the present invention. Although the present invention is described in details referring to the preferable embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the technique approaches of the present invention can be modified or equally displaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the technique approaches of the present invention, which will also fall into the protective scope of the claims of the present invention. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.