阅读说明：本技术 剃刮装置、具有剃刮装置和清洁装置的剃刮系统以及清洁方法 (Shaving device, shaving system with a shaving device and a cleaning device, and cleaning method ) 是由 T·门格林克 J·A·詹森 O·J·比斯乔普 J·C·尼杰丹 于 2020-07-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：剃刮系统包括剃刮装置和清洁装置。剃刮装置具有取向传感器,用于生成表示剃刮装置的取向的输出信号。清洁装置以预定义清洁取向将剃刮装置支撑在清洁位置中。清洁装置被控制为当取向传感器所感测的取向对应于所述预定义清洁取向时,根据预定义清洁程序进行操作来清洁剃刮单元。该剃刮装置因此利用取向传感器来标识剃刮装置何时处于清洁取向。这给出了低成本的感测解决方案,并且使得单个用户输入按钮能够被用于操作剃刮装置并且用于启动清洁程序。(The shaving system comprises a shaving device and a cleaning device. The shaving device has an orientation sensor for generating an output signal indicative of the orientation of the shaving device. The cleaning device supports the shaving device in a cleaning position in a predefined cleaning orientation. The cleaning device is controlled to operate according to a predefined cleaning program to clean the shaving unit when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor corresponds to said predefined cleaning orientation. The shaving device thus utilizes an orientation sensor to identify when the shaving device is in a cleaning orientation. This gives a low cost sensing solution and enables a single user input button to be used for operating the shaving device and for initiating the cleaning procedure.)

1. A shaving system (10) comprising a shaving device (12), a cleaning device (14) and a treatment unit (22), wherein:

the shaving device (12) comprising a body (94), a shaving unit (38) and an orientation sensor (20), the body (94) housing a motor (77), the shaving unit (38) being coupled to the body, the orientation sensor (20) for generating an output signal indicative of the orientation of the shaving device;

the cleaning device (14) comprises a support structure (15), the support structure (15) being for supporting the shaving device (12) in a cleaning position for cleaning the shaving unit, the shaving device having a predefined cleaning orientation in the cleaning position; and

the processing unit (22) is adapted to control the cleaning device to operate according to a predefined cleaning program for cleaning the shaving unit,

characterized in that said processing unit (22) is adapted to:

receiving the output signal generated by the orientation sensor (20); and

controlling the cleaning device (14) to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor corresponds to the predefined cleaning orientation.

2. The shaving system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit (22) is adapted to control the cleaning device (14) to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor (20) is at any orientation within a predefined range of angular orientations relative to the cleaning orientation.

3. The shaving system (10) according to claim 2 wherein:

the shaving device (12) further comprises a motion sensor (21) for generating an output signal representing a motion of the shaving device; and

the processing unit (22) is adapted to receive the output signals generated by the motion sensor and to: controlling the cleaning device (14) to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor (20) is at any orientation within the predefined range of angular orientations and the motion sensor does not sense movement for a first predefined period of time.

4. The shaving system (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the processing unit (22) is adapted to:

after being activated, pausing the predefined cleaning procedure when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor (20) is outside the predefined angular orientation range;

after being paused, when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is outside the predefined angular orientation range for more than a second predefined period of time, cancelling the predefined cleaning program and then enabling an off-power function of the shaving system (10); and

after being paused, resuming the predefined cleaning procedure when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is again within the predefined angular orientation range before the expiration of the second predefined time period.

5. The shaving system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the cleaning device (14) comprises a container (32) and a pump (48), the container (32) being for holding a cleaning liquid and the pump (48) being for circulating the cleaning liquid.

6. The shaving system (10) according to claim 5 wherein:

the shaving device (12) further comprising a drive coupling (82), the drive coupling (82) being accessible from outside the shaving device (12) and being drivable by the motor (77); and

the cleaning device (14) comprising a driven coupling (30) for mechanical connection to the drive coupling (82) of the shaving device (12) when the shaving device is in the cleaning position, such that the motor of the shaving device provides mechanical drive to the pump (48) of the cleaning device;

the processing unit (22) is accommodated in the body (94) of the shaving device (12) and is adapted to: controlling the motor (77) of the shaving device according to the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor (20) corresponds to the predefined cleaning orientation, such that the cleaning device (14) is driven by the motor (77) to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the shaving device is in the cleaning position.

7. The shaving system (10) according to claim 6 wherein:

the shaving device (12) comprises a user input device (95) for receiving a power-on input (P _ on) from a user;

the processing unit (22) is adapted to receive the power-on input from the user input device; and

the processing unit is adapted to activate the motor (77) of the shaving device (12) to operate according to a shaving program unless or until the processing unit activates the motor to operate according to the predefined cleaning program.

8. The shaving system (10) according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the cleaning device (14) is a purely mechanical system.

9. The shaving system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the treatment unit is part of the cleaning device.

10. A shaving device (12), the shaving device (12) being for use in a shaving system (10), the shaving system (10) comprising a shaving device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a cleaning device (14), the shaving device (12) comprising:

a main body (94) accommodating the motor (77);

a shaving unit (38) coupled to the body (94);

an orientation sensor (20) for generating an output signal representing an orientation of the shaving device (12);

a drive coupling (82) accessible from outside the shaving device (12) and drivable by the motor (77); and

a processing unit (22) adapted to receive the output signal generated by the orientation sensor (20);

characterized in that said processing unit (22) is further adapted to: controlling the motor (77) to operate according to a predefined cleaning program for the cleaning device (14) when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor (20) corresponds to a predefined cleaning orientation of the shaving device (12), such that the cleaning device (14) is driven by the motor (77) to clean the shaving unit (38) according to the cleaning program when the shaving device has the predefined cleaning orientation when being supported by the cleaning device in a cleaning position with the driving coupling (82) coupled to the driven coupling (30) of the cleaning device.

11. The shaving device (12) according to claim 10, wherein the processing unit (22) is adapted to:

controlling the motor (77) to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor (20) is at any orientation within a predefined range of angular orientations relative to the cleaning orientation.

12. The shaving device (12) according to claim 11, wherein:

the shaving device (12) further comprises a motion sensor (21) for generating an output signal representing a motion of the shaving device; and

the processing unit (22) is adapted to receive the output signals generated by the motion sensor and to control the motor (77) to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor (20) is in any orientation within the predefined range of angular orientations and the motion sensor does not sense movement for a predefined period of time.

13. A cleaning method for cleaning a shaving unit (38) of a shaving device (12) using a cleaning device (14), the cleaning device (14) comprising a support structure (15), the support structure (15) being for supporting the shaving device (12) in a cleaning position for cleaning the shaving device, the shaving device having a predefined cleaning orientation in the cleaning position, wherein the shaving device comprises a body (94) and an orientation sensor (20), the body (94) housing a motor (77), the shaving unit (38) being coupled to the body, the orientation sensor (20) being for generating an output signal representing the orientation of the shaving device, the method comprising controlling the cleaning device (14) to operate according to a predefined cleaning program for cleaning the shaving unit (38),

characterized in that the method further comprises:

receiving the output signal generated by the orientation sensor (20) of the shaving device (12);

detecting whether the shaving device is in the cleaning orientation based on the output signal of the orientation sensor; and

controlling the cleaning device (14) to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor corresponds to the predefined cleaning orientation.

14. The cleaning method according to claim 13, wherein controlling the cleaning device (14) comprises:

mechanically connecting a driving coupling (82) of the shaving device (12) to a driven coupling (30) of the cleaning device (14);

driving the drive coupling by means of the motor (77) of the shaving device (12); and

controlling the motor such that the motor drives the cleaning device to operate according to the predefined cleaning program.

15. A computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform the method of claim 13 or 14 when said program is run on a computer.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a shaving system comprising a shaving device and a cleaning device for the shaving device. The invention also relates to a shaving device and a cleaning method for such a shaving system.

Background

WO 2004/086901 discloses a shaving system comprising a shaving device and a cleaning device. The shaving device includes a main housing and a shaving unit coupled to the main housing, wherein the main housing houses a motor for driving the shaving unit. The cleaning device comprises a support structure for supporting the shaving device and a receiving space for receiving the shaving unit when the shaving device is arranged in a cleaning position supported by the support structure.

The cleaning device comprises a container for containing the cleaning liquid and a pump for delivering the cleaning liquid from the container to the receiving space.

In known shaving systems, the shaving device may be supported upside down in a support of the cleaning device, which support may be moved manually downwards so that the shaving unit enters the receptacle, from which cleaning liquid may be pumped into the shaving unit using an external manually operated pumping system.

Such a shaving system is advantageous for maintaining a hygienic shaving device so that a clean shaving unit can be used for the next shave. Cleaning of the shaving unit also facilitates maintenance of the system.

It is inconvenient for the user to use the dedicated cleaning device according to WO 2004/086901, since the pumping unit of the cleaning device has to be manually driven.

WO 2004/080235 discloses a shaving system comprising a shaving device and a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device comprises an electric pump for delivering cleaning liquid from a container to a receiving space. The presence of an electrically powered pump in the cleaning device, as well as the electronics required to control the pump and supply power to the pump, increases the complexity and cost of the shaving system.

The applicant has proposed (but not yet disclosed) a method in which the motor of the shaving device is used to drive the pump of the cleaning unit when the shaving device is docked to the cleaning unit. This may allow, for example, the cleaning unit to be entirely mechanical, thereby reducing the overall cost of the system while maintaining ease of use for the user.

For example, the cleaning function involves a particular sequence of pump operations to achieve the cleaning cycle. Thus, the shaving device motor has different operation in normal shaving and cleaning cycles.

It is desirable to automate the different modes as much as possible, for example, so that a user can control the device using a single switch. It is therefore desirable that the system itself detects when a shaving mode is required and when a cleaning mode is required and controls the shaving device motor accordingly. Ideally, this should be achieved by the shaving device, especially if it is desired to avoid sensors and electronics in the cleaning device.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is defined by the claims.

According to the present invention, there is provided a shaving system comprising a shaving device, a cleaning device and a treatment unit, wherein:

the shaving device comprises a body housing a motor, a shaving unit coupled to the body orientation sensor for generating an output signal indicative of the orientation of the shaving device, and an orientation sensor;

the cleaning device comprises a support structure for supporting the shaving device in a cleaning position for cleaning the shaving unit, the shaving device having a predefined cleaning orientation in said cleaning position; and

the processing unit is adapted to control the cleaning device to operate according to a predefined cleaning program for cleaning the shaving unit,

characterized in that the processing unit is adapted to:

receiving an output signal generated by an orientation sensor; and

controlling the cleaning device to operate according to a predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor corresponds to the predefined cleaning orientation.

The shaving device utilizes an orientation sensor to identify when the shaving device is in a cleaning orientation. This is possible because in case the shaving device is supported by the cleaning device, i.e. docked, the cleaning orientation is intentionally different from the normal orientation in use. For example, the cleaning orientation may be with the shaving unit facing vertically downwards, unlike the typical orientation when using a shaving device.

By using an orientation sensor, such as an accelerometer, a low cost sensing solution is provided. This means that no docking sensor is required in the cleaning unit, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of the system. The cleaning device may for example be completely mechanical and therefore does not require any power supply.

The shaving unit for example comprises at least two hair cutting units (preferably three), each having an external cutting member and an internal cutting member rotatable relative to the external cutting member.

The processing unit is for example adapted to control the cleaning device to operate according to a predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is at any orientation within a predefined angular orientation range with respect to the cleaning orientation.

The cleaning orientation may be vertical, such that the angular range is located at each side of the vertical direction (or around the 3D). However, the cleaning orientation may deviate from the vertical, or the orientation sensor may be mounted on a substrate that is not parallel to the overall orientation of the shaving device. Thus, many possibilities exist. Basically, the shaving device has an angle when in the cleaning position and the orientation sensor detects the angle with a certain tolerance, thereby detecting an angle range.

The shaving device may further comprise a motion sensor for generating an output signal representing a motion of the shaving device, and the processing unit is adapted to receive the output signal generated by the motion sensor and to control the cleaning device to operate according to a predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is in any orientation within said predefined range of angular orientations and the motion sensor does not sense a motion for a first predefined period of time.

The motion sensor may be a separate device from the orientation sensor or may be implemented by the orientation sensor. Thus, determining that a cleaning program may be implemented may be based on both the particular cleaning orientation and the lack of movement of the shaving device (movement away from or maintaining the cleaning orientation) within the predefined period of time. Normal operation of the shaver involves movement of the shaver even if the shaving device is in a cleaning orientation (e.g., the top of the shaving head). This mode of use will therefore not trigger a cleaning procedure by additionally taking into account movements.

The processing unit may be adapted to:

after being activated, pausing the predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is outside the predefined angular orientation range;

after being paused, when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is outside the predefined angular orientation range for more than a second predefined period of time, canceling the predefined cleaning program and then enabling the power-off function of the shaving system; and

after being paused, the predefined cleaning program is resumed when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is again within the predefined angular orientation range before the expiration of the second predefined time period.

Thus, for example, if the shaving device is undocked (e.g. if the user needs to look closer at the display) and then is re-docked, a brief interruption of the cleaning procedure is allowed, but a prolonged interruption may result in the cleaning procedure being cancelled, and the shaving device then being switched off.

The system may also implement a power-off function, for example, after the cleaning procedure is completed. An output may be provided to the display to indicate whether a cleaning program is required when the display device is switched on, e.g. when the shaving device is powered on. The need for a cleaning procedure may be based on the time of use since the last cleaning procedure. It alerts the user that cleaning is performed as soon as the shaving device is activated.

When turned off, motion sensing may still be active, but orientation sensing is not; and when switched on, orientation sensing and motion sensing are active. The shaving device is thus able to detect movement even in the off-state. For example, before the shaving device is powered on by the user, it may be useful to trigger the shaving device to switch on the display in response to the movement. Thus, the user may give status information, such as the charge state of the battery or an indication of whether a cleaning procedure is required, once the shaving device is picked up. Thus, the display may indicate whether a cleaning procedure is required even before the shaving device is switched on.

The cleaning device may comprise a tank for holding the cleaning liquid and a pump for circulating the cleaning liquid. This is one possible design of the cleaning device. When the shaving device is in the cleaning position, the pump for example delivers cleaning liquid from the container to the receiving space, in which the shaving unit is positioned.

In a first set of examples, the processing unit is accommodated in the body of the shaving device.

The shaving unit will already comprise a treatment unit and by incorporating the control of the cleaning device into the shaving device the number of components of the whole system will be kept to a minimum.

The shaving device may then further comprise a drive coupling accessible from the exterior of the shaving device and drivable by the motor. The cleaning device then comprises a driven coupling for mechanically connecting to a drive coupling of the shaving device when the shaving device is in the cleaning position, such that a motor of the shaving device provides a mechanical drive to a pump of the cleaning device.

When the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor corresponds to said predefined cleaning orientation, the processing unit is adapted to control the motor of the shaving device according to a predefined cleaning program such that the cleaning device is driven by the motor to operate according to the predefined cleaning program when the shaving device is in the cleaning position.

This version provides a mechanical coupling between the shaving device and the cleaning device. This means that the cleaning device may be passive, i.e. driven by the shaving device, without the need for a local power source, motor or controller. The cleaning device thus does not require any electronics for performing the cleaning procedure. All electrical components are within the shaving device, reducing the complexity of the overall system. The required drive for the pumping unit comes from the drive system of the shaving device.

The driving coupler may be arranged in any suitable position on the shaving device, e.g. on the shaving unit or on the main housing of the shaving device, such that the driving coupler engages with the driven coupler of the cleaning device when the shaving device is docked in the cleaning position, supported by the cleaning device. The drive coupling is for example arranged centrally between the hair cutting units of the shaving device.

The drive coupling is for example only drivable when the shaving device is in the cleaning orientation. In this way, when the shaving device is used in a conventional shaving operation, a movement of the drive coupling accessible from outside the shaving device is avoided. In an alternative embodiment, the drive coupling may be driven, in particular continuously driven, during a conventional shaving operation. By arranging the drive coupling member in a recessed position, e.g. between the hair cutting units, the drive coupling may be prevented from interfering with a normal shaving operation, in particular not contacting the skin during a normal shaving operation.

The shaving device may then comprise a user input device for receiving a power-on input from a user, the processing unit being adapted to receive a power-on input from the user input device, and the processing unit being adapted to activate the motor of the shaving device to operate according to a shaving program unless or until the processing unit activates the motor to operate according to a predefined cleaning program.

The same user input, i.e. a power-on command using a single input button, may be used to initiate a cleaning program or to initiate a shaving operation. The shaving operation may be a default, if and when the cleaning orientation is detected, i.e. after a predefined period of time, it is changed to a cleaning program. Thus, the user may provide a power-on command and then dock the shaver in the cleaning device, or the user may dock the shaver in the cleaning device and then provide a power-on command. In both cases, there is an initial period of operation in the shaving mode, after which the cleaning orientation is detected within a first threshold period of time, and the cleaning procedure then begins.

In another set of examples, the processing unit is part of a cleaning device.

In this case, the shaving device only needs to provide the orientation sensor output signal to the cleaning device, and the cleaning device performs the interpretation and control functions. The cleaning device is then an electrical system. The electrical system may for example have an electric pump for circulating the cleaning liquid, but the electrical system instead operates according to other principles, such as using ultrasonic waves or UV light as part of the cleaning procedure.

In this case, the shaving device relays electrical commands or information to the cleaning device, which then has a local controller and power source.

The invention also provides a shaving device for use in a shaving system as defined above, the shaving system comprising the shaving device and the cleaning device. The shaving device comprises:

a main body accommodating the motor;

a shaving unit coupled to the body;

an orientation sensor for generating an output signal indicative of an orientation of the shaving device;

a drive coupling accessible from an exterior of the shaving device and drivable by a motor; and

a processing unit adapted to:

receiving an output signal generated by an orientation sensor; and

when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor corresponds to a predefined cleaning orientation of the shaving device, the motor is controlled to operate according to a predefined cleaning program of the cleaning device such that the cleaning device is driven by the motor to clean the shaving unit according to the cleaning program when the shaving device is being supported in the cleaning position by the cleaning device with the driving coupling coupled to the driven coupling of the cleaning device.

This defines a shaving device comprising processing of the output signal of the orientation sensor and then controlling the cleaning device by means of a mechanical drive coupling coupled with the cleaning device.

The processing unit is for example adapted to:

when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is within a predefined angular orientation range with respect to the vertical direction, the motor is controlled to operate according to a predefined cleaning program.

The shaving device may further comprise a motion sensor for generating an output signal representing a motion of the shaving device, and the processing unit is adapted to receive the output signal generated by the motion sensor and to control the motor to operate according to a predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is within said predefined angular orientation range and the motion sensor does not sense movement for a predefined period of time.

The invention also provides a cleaning method for cleaning a shaving unit of a shaving device using a cleaning device comprising a support structure for supporting the shaving device in a cleaning position for cleaning the shaving unit, the shaving device having a predefined cleaning orientation in the cleaning position, wherein the shaving device comprises a body accommodating a motor and an orientation sensor for generating an output signal representing the orientation of the shaving device, the method comprising:

controlling the cleaning device to operate according to a predefined cleaning program for cleaning the shaving unit;

receiving an output signal generated by an orientation sensor of the shaving device;

detecting whether the shaving device is in a cleaning orientation based on an output signal of the orientation sensor; and

controlling the cleaning device to operate according to a predefined cleaning program when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor corresponds to the predefined cleaning orientation.

The control cleaning device includes, for example:

mechanically connecting a drive coupling of the shaving device to a driven coupling of the cleaning device;

driving the drive coupling by means of a motor of the shaving device; and

the motor is controlled such that the motor drives the cleaning device to operate according to a predefined cleaning program.

The method may be implemented at least partially in software.

Drawings

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. In the following figures of the drawing, it is shown,

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a shaving system according to the invention, wherein a shaving device with an orientation sensor is placed on a support structure of the respective cleaning device;

fig. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of the cleaning device of the shaving system of fig. 1, the shaving system being without the shaving device.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the cleaning device of fig. 2, wherein additionally the shaving unit of the shaving device is shown in a docked cleaning position within the cleaning device.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view according to fig. 3, but without the shaving unit of the shaving device.

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the shaving unit of the shaving device of fig. 1 and the associated electric actuator (motor) and first drive unit.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged top view of the shaving unit of the shaving device of fig. 1, the shaving unit having three hair cutting units in a first configuration with a centrally arranged drive coupling.

Fig. 7 shows three alternative embodiments of the shaving unit of the shaving device of fig. 1, in particular for three different alternative eccentric positions of the drive coupling.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the upper housing part of the cleaning device of figure 1.

Fig. 9 shows a cartridge (cartridge) containing a cleaning liquid, which can be introduced into the lower housing part of the cleaning device of fig. 1.

Figure 10 shows the lower housing part of the cleaning device of figure 1 with the cartridge and upper housing part removed.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a shaving device of the shaving system according to fig. 1.

Fig. 12 shows a schematic view of an alternative coupling structure of the shaving device of fig. 11, which ensures that the drive coupling is only driven when the shaving device is arranged in the cleaning device in the cleaning position shown in the non-coupled position.

Fig. 13 shows the coupling structure according to fig. 12 in a coupled position when the shaving device is in the cleaning position.

Fig. 14 shows a sequence of steps of the cleaning procedure.

FIG. 15 shows a sequence of steps for illustrating how an interruption of the cleaning program is handled; and

fig. 16 is a state transition diagram for explaining a cleaning method for cleaning the shaving unit.

Detailed Description

The invention provides a shaving system comprising a shaving device and a cleaning device. The shaving device has an orientation sensor for generating an output signal indicative of the orientation of the shaving device. The cleaning device supports the shaving device in a cleaning position in a predefined cleaning orientation. When the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor corresponds to said predefined cleaning orientation, the cleaning device is controlled to operate according to a predefined cleaning program to clean the shaving unit. The shaving device thus utilizes an orientation sensor to identify when the shaving device is in the cleaning direction. This provides a low cost sensing solution and enables a single user input button to be used for operating the shaving device and initiating the cleaning procedure.

Fig. 1 shows a shaving system 10 according to one example of the invention. The shaving system 10 includes a shaving device 12 and a cleaning device 14, the shaving device 12 having a shaving device 12 with a main housing 94, the cleaning device 14 having a support structure 15. The shaving device 12 may be placed on the cleaning device in a cleaning position. In the cleaning position, the shaving device 12 has a predefined cleaning orientation. As shown, the cleaning orientation is substantially vertical with the shaving unit facing downward. The cleaning device 14 comprises a pot-shaped housing and the remaining portion 16 protrudes from the top of the housing. As shown in fig. 1, the remaining portion 16 serves to support the main housing of the shaving device 12 when the shaving device 12 is placed on the support structure 15.

Fig. 1 also schematically shows an orientation sensor 20 provided in the main housing of the shaving device 12. The orientation sensor 20 provides an output signal indicative of the orientation of the shaving device and this output is provided to the processing unit 22. The processing unit uses the orientation sensor information to control the cleaning device. In particular, when the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor corresponds to a predefined cleaning orientation, the processing unit controls the cleaning device to operate according to a predefined cleaning program. It is noted that the sensed orientation is not the only control condition, so that when the correct orientation is not sensed, the cleaning procedure will not be operational, but other conditions may need to be met even if the correct orientation is sensed.

The orientation sensed by the orientation sensor may be considered to correspond to the cleaning orientation when the orientation sensor is within a predefined angular orientation range relative to the cleaning orientation and thus within a predetermined range relative to the vertical direction. The cleaning orientation may indeed be vertical (if the PCB carrying the orientation sensor is vertical when the shaving device is supported by the cleaning device), such that the angular range is located at each side of the vertical direction. However, the cleaning orientation may deviate from a vertical direction, or more generally, the sensed orientation corresponding to the cleaning orientation may deviate from a vertical direction.

The predefined angular orientation range may be, for example, 11 degrees on each side of the cleaning orientation. More generally, the predefined angular orientation range may extend to values between 5 and 15 degrees with respect to each side of the cleaning orientation. In three dimensions, the predefined angular orientation range defines a cone of possible orientations that are considered to correspond to the cleaning orientation.

The shaving device thus utilizes an orientation sensor to identify when the shaving device is in a cleaning orientation. This is possible because in case the shaving device is supported by the cleaning device (i.e. docked), the cleaning orientation is intentionally different from the normal orientation in use. For example, a shaving unit that is oriented vertically downward is different from the typical orientation when using a shaving device. However, in order to ensure that the cleaning position is correctly identified, movement of the shaving device is preferably also taken into account.

To this end, the shaving device may further comprise a motion sensor 21 for generating an output signal representing a motion of the shaving device. When the orientation sensed by the orientation sensor is within the predefined angular orientation range and the motion sensor does not sense movement (either away from the cleaning orientation or in the maintained cleaning orientation) within a first predefined time period, the processing unit 22 controls the cleaning device to operate according to a predefined cleaning program. Normal operation of the shaving device involves movement of the shaver even if the shaving device is in a cleaning orientation, such as the top of the shaving head. Therefore, this does not trigger a cleaning procedure.

The motion sensor may be a separate device from the orientation sensor (as schematically shown in fig. 1), or the motion sensor may be implemented by the orientation sensor.

In one example, orientation sensing and movement sensing provide two levels of motion detection. When the shaving device is switched on or during charging, the orientation sensor (accelerometer) will activate and enable the generation of data relating to the movement pattern and orientation. When the shaving device is switched off, the accelerometer is deactivated, but the motion sensor 21 still performs motion detection, but no orientation or motion details.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the cleaning device 14. The cleaning device 14 includes a can-shaped housing 22 having a lower housing portion 24, and an upper housing portion 26 is placed on the lower housing portion 24. The upper housing portion 26 has a top wall 66 in which a generally triangular opening is formed that provides access to the receiving space 28 extending into the interior of the housing 22. The shape of the receiving space 28 corresponds to the shape of a corresponding shaving unit provided on the shaving device 12 (e.g. a three-headed shaving unit in this example). As shown in fig. 1, the main housing (in the shape of a handle) of the shaving device 12 is supported by the remaining portion 16 when the shaving device 12 and its shaving unit are placed in the receiving space 28.

Fig. 2 also shows a driven coupling 30, the driven coupling 30 being provided in a central position on the bottom wall 29 of the receiving space 28. As shown in fig. 1, the driven coupler 30 is coupled with a corresponding driving coupler of a shaving unit of the shaving device 12, as described below, when the shaving device 12 and its shaving unit are placed in the receiving space 28 of the cleaning device 14. Thus, the shaving device is used to drive the cleaning device, for example to drive a pump of the cleaning device, which pump circulates the cleaning liquid within the cleaning device.

Fig. 3 is a sectional representation of the cleaning device 14, wherein additionally the shaving unit 38 of the shaving device 12 is shown in a cleaning position within the respective receiving space. Fig. 4 shows the same cleaning device with the shaving device removed and the receiving space 28 remaining empty.

The cartridge 32 is within the lower housing portion 24 of the cleaning device, and when the upper housing portion 26 is removed, the cartridge 32 is placed within the lower housing portion 24. The cartridge 32 defines a container for containing the cleaning liquid and may be provided as a separate consumer replaceable component, the user may insert the cartridge 32 into the cleaning device 14, and the cartridge 32 typically needs to be replaced after a certain number of cleaning operations.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, in the upper housing portion 26, below its top wall 66 and surrounded by the annular side wall 64 and the bottom wall 68, a basin 36 (bassin) is formed into which cleaning solution can be pumped from the cartridge 32. Within the top wall 34 of the box 32, there is a smaller chamber 44 and a larger chamber 46, both of which extend downwardly from the top wall 34 of the box 32 toward the bottom of the box 32. They are within the outer housing 42. The first smaller cavity 44 is surrounded by a conical wall 45. The second larger chamber 46 within the cassette 32 is surrounded by a substantially cylindrical pump receiver 61, the pump receiver 61 extending from the top wall 34 of the cassette 32 towards the bottom thereof and comprising the lateral suction openings 54, 56.

A stem 70 projects from the bottom wall 68 of the upper housing portion 26 into the tapered first cavity 44 of the cartridge 32.

The pump 48 projects further downwardly from the bottom wall 68 of the upper housing portion 26 into the pump receiver 61 of the cassette. The pump 48 is surrounded by the pump housing 52 and includes a pinion gear 58, the pinion gear 58 extending downwardly and driving a pump impeller 60 mounted at a lower end thereof.

The driven coupling 30 is coupled to the pump 48 by means of a drive unit 50, the drive unit 50 transmitting the rotational movement of the driven coupling 30 to a pinion 58 of the pump 48.

Thus, when the driven coupling 30 is driven by the shaving device 12, the pinion 58 of the pump 48 is driven via the drive unit 50. Thus, the pump impeller 60 is rotated to draw cleaning liquid via the suction openings 54, 56 and up through the feed channel 62 into the receiving space 28 to clean the shaving unit of the shaving device 12.

Fig. 4 shows a suitable seal 74 between an annular rim 72 of the cartridge 32 and the upper housing portion 26 to effect a seal between the cartridge 32 and the upper housing portion 26.

At the center of the receiving space 28, there is a driven coupler 30, the driven coupler 30 comprising an upwardly protruding protrusion 76 (fig. 4), which protrusion 76 cooperates with a corresponding driving coupler 82 provided on the shaving unit 38 (fig. 3).

When the shaving device 12 is correctly placed on the cleaning device 14 in the cleaning position (i.e. having a cleaning orientation), the driving coupler 82 will be coupled with the driven coupler 30 arranged at the center of the receiving space 28 by a rotational connection.

If in the cleaning position a coupling is achieved between the shaving device 12 and the cleaning device 14, the driven coupling 30 drives the pump 48 via the drive unit 50. In this case, cleaning liquid is drawn up by the pump impeller 60 via the suction openings 54, 56 and fed into the receiving space 28 via the feed channel 62 for cleaning the shaving unit 38. During the pumping operation, the cleaning liquid circulated around the shaving unit 38 to clean the shaving unit 38 is contained within the basin 36 and flows back to the interior of the cartridge 32 by way of the stem 70 and another smaller cavity (92 shown in fig. 9) extending downwardly from the top wall 34 of the cartridge 32 to the bottom thereof.

Fig. 5 shows the shaving unit 38 in more detail.

The shaving unit 38 is driven solely by a motor, which is indicated by means of dashed lines and reference numeral 77. The motor 77 drives a first drive unit 78, which is also indicated in fig. 5 only by dashed lines. The motor 77 and the first drive unit 78 are accommodated in a handle-like main housing of the shaving device 12. The first drive unit 78 is coupled to the coupling structure 80 of the shaving unit 38 via a suitable coupling member by a rotational fit. The shaving unit 38 comprises a second drive unit 79 which is coupled to the first drive unit 78 housed within a main housing 94 of the shaving device 12 by means of a coupling structure 80.

Fig. 6 shows that the shaving unit 38 of the shaving device 12 comprises three hair cutting units 88, 89, 90. Each hair cutting unit 88, 89, 90 comprises an outer cutting member 91 and a corresponding inner cutting member (not visible and only schematically indicated with reference 93 in fig. 6). The inner cutting member 93 is rotatable relative to the outer cutting member 91 to effect cutting of hairs.

Returning to fig. 5, the second drive unit 79 comprises a drive gear 81 arranged centrally with respect to the three cutting units 88, 89, 90 and engaging with a respective driven gear 83 of each of the hair cutting units. The coupling structure 80 that drives the second drive unit 79 accommodates a central drive shaft 84, the central drive shaft 84 coupling the drive gear 81 and the first drive unit 78 to each other. The drive coupling 82 is connected to the drive gear 81 so as to rotate together with the drive gear 81 about a common axis of rotation.

The central drive shaft 84 includes a recess 86 at an outer end of the central drive shaft. The recess 86 cooperates with the protrusion 76 at a top end of the driven coupler 30 of the cleaning device 14 to achieve a positive rotational coupling between the protrusion 76 and the recess 86.

Although a central arrangement of the drive coupler 82 is shown in fig. 5 and 6, the drive coupler 82 may also be arranged eccentrically as shown in fig. 7. In the shaving unit 38a according to fig. 7, three alternative positions for the drive coupling 82 are shown close to the outer periphery between adjacent hair cutting units 88, 89, 90.

When the shaving device 12 is placed on the support structure 15 in the cleaning position (as shown in fig. 1), the driving coupling 82 is coupled to the driven coupling 30 provided on the cleaning device 14. Thus, the pump 48 may be driven by the drive unit 50 such that the pump impeller 60 is rotated to draw up cleaning liquid by means of the suction openings 54, 56 and such that the cleaning liquid enters the receiving space 28 through the feed channel 62 to clean the hair cutting units 88, 89, 90.

Fig. 8 shows the upper housing portion 26 removed from the cartridge.

The cassette 32 is shown in fig. 9. The cartridge 32 is configured as a component that can be replaced by a consumer, and will typically be replaced after a certain number of cleaning operations. To do so, the upper housing portion 26 is removed from the lower housing portion 24, and then the cartridge 32 is removed from the lower housing portion 24 and may be replaced with a new cartridge 32.

Fig. 10 shows the lower housing portion 24, and the cartridge of fig. 9 may be placed in the lower housing portion 24.

Fig. 11 shows a shaving device 12. The shaving device includes a body 94, a shaving unit 38, and an on-off switch 95 for receiving a power-on input. There is a display section 96 for displaying status information. Also shown are orientation sensor 20 and processing unit 22 located inside body 94.

As mentioned above, the processing unit 22 is programmed by a software program which automatically starts the cleaning procedure when the shaving device 12 is determined to be placed on the support structure 15 of the cleaning device 14 in the correct position in the cleaning position.

Fig. 12 shows a schematic view using an alternative coupling structure generally designated 80a which ensures that the drive coupling 82 is driven only when the shaving device 12 is coupled to the cleaning device 14 in the cleaning position. The coupling structure 80a comprises an intermediate coupling member 85, the intermediate coupling member 85 comprising a catch member 87 cooperating with the drive coupler 82 under the action of a spring member. In the uncoupled position shown in fig. 12, the catch member 87 is not coupled with the drive coupler 82. Therefore, even when the intermediate coupling member 85 rotates, the driving coupling 82 does not rotate.

Fig. 13 shows the coupling structure 80a in the coupled position when the shaving device 12 is placed on the cleaning device 14 in the cleaning position. In this case, the drive coupler 82 is pressed against the intermediate coupling member 85 against the action of the spring member, so that the catch member 87 engages with the drive coupler 82, so that the drive coupler 82 rotates when the coupling structure 80a rotates.

Fig. 14 shows a typical sequence of operating states to explain the operation of the automatic cleaning program control.

In fig. 14A, the shaving device 12 is picked up by the user. In a preferred example, movement is detected even if the shaving device was previously switched off. The movement triggers the display section 96 to display status information. For example, fig. 14A shows a stack of two illumination areas (out of three) to indicate 2/3 charge levels.

Additionally, an icon may be shown to indicate that a cleaning program needs to be followed. Any suitable means, such as illumination of the on-off switch 95, may be used to communicate information. This may be determined based on the total usage time since the last cleaning procedure or a combination of usage time and other factors, such as drive speed, etc.

The user then presses the on-off switch 95 to provide a power on command. The user then docks the shaving device in the cleaning device shown in fig. 14B. The user may alternatively first dock the shaving device and then press the on-off button. As will be clear from the following description, this has no effect on the operation of the system.

The shaving device initially responds to the power-on command by initiating a shaving mode. This involves, for example, driving the motor of the shaving device to a specific and constant speed.

However, if the cleaning orientation is detected and maintained for a first threshold period of time (such as 1.5 seconds) without movement of the shaving device, a cleaning procedure is initiated.

First, as shown in fig. 14C, the device orientation is reversed. In particular, in order to display 2/3 the charge level, the top two areas (i.e. the top of the shaving device, close to the shaving unit) need to be illuminated in order to present the charge level information in the same way (i.e. the two areas vertically lowest are illuminated). This inversion is shown in fig. 14C.

During the cleaning procedure, an icon 100 is displayed (e.g., blinks) to indicate that the cleaning procedure is in progress. This is shown in fig. 14D, which represents a cleaning program time period. During this time, charge state information may be retained. The flashing characters may be altered to indicate the progress of the cleaning procedure. The cleaning procedure of fig. 14D rinses hair and debris from the shaving unit.

Fig. 14E shows the end of the cleaning procedure. The clean icon 100 is removed and the charge status information is displayed again. However, if the shaving device is docked in the cleaning device for a long period of time, the display is switched off and the shaving device is switched off.

In fig. 14F, the user undocks the shaving device. The movement is recognized so that the display is turned on and the charging state is displayed again. The display unit is used in a normal orientation.

FIG. 15 is used to illustrate how the system responds to an interrupted cleaning routine.

Fig. 15A corresponds to fig. 14D, and shows a cleaning routine in progress. In fig. 15B, the shaving device has been undocked before the cleaning procedure is completed.

An alert signal may be provided, such as a flashing icon 100.

As shown in fig. 15C, the cleaning procedure may resume if the shaving device is re-docked within a predetermined second time threshold, such as 4 seconds.

If the shaving device is not re-docked within the predetermined second time threshold, the cleaning procedure will be cancelled and need to be reactivated using the on-off button. As shown in fig. 15D, this is indicated to the user as an error message 150.

The cleaning procedure involves operation of the motor of the shaving device to provide a desired sequence of pump operations within the cleaning device. For example, the pump operation for a cleaning program may include the following sequence:

fig. 16 shows a state transition diagram to illustrate the cleaning method that produces the functionality described above with reference to fig. 14 and 15.

In fig. 16, the following terminology is used:

OFF-cutting OFF of the shaving device

ON-shaving device is switched ON

D is butt joint

ND is not butt jointed

D/ND can be butted or not butted

Power on command given by pressing on/off button

CS-clean State

NCS as unclean state

Th 1-first time threshold for no movement in the cleaning state

Th 2-second time threshold for maximum pause duration

Th3 is a third time threshold for the display section to be turned off

M-movement detected

NM no detected movement

DISPLAY _ INV (reverse DISPLAY)

ERR _ MESS ═ display cleaning error message

CLEAN ═ cleaning procedure being followed

PAUSE cleaning procedure

In state 180, the shaving unit is off and not docked in the cleaning device. A first possibility is that the user switches on the shaving device in the undocked position using the power-on command P _ on. The shaving device is then switched on and is in the shaving mode in state 182. The shaving device is not yet docked.

If there is no movement for more than 10 seconds, then there is an automatic shut down function and the state 180 returns, as shown by transition 184. This assumes that the user has finished shaving but has not switched off the shaving device.

If the user docks the shaving device in the cleaning device "dock", a transition is made to state 186. The shaving device is switched on and docked. The output inversion is displayed to reflect that the shaving device is upside down compared to its normal orientation.

A second possibility is that the user may dock the shaving device in the cleaning device before switching it on. In state 188, the shaving device is docked but not yet switched on. When the power-on P _ on command is input, transition is made to the state 186 described above.

If the sensed orientation remains corresponding to the cleaning orientation and has not moved within a first time threshold Th1 (e.g., 1.5 seconds), then in state 190, the system enters a cleaning state "CS" during which the above-described cleaning procedure is followed. Thus, the cleaning state may be considered to combine a cleaning orientation and no movement. The interruption of the cleaning state may be due to the detection of movement or the detection of a change in orientation (or both).

If the cleaning process is interrupted (so there is an "unclean state" NCS), then a pause state 192 is reached. If the uncleaned state lasts longer than a second time threshold Th2 (longer than the first threshold, e.g. 4 seconds), an error message is given in state 194 and the shaving device has an automatic shut-off function. The display section still displays an error message.

Conversely, if there is no interruption during the cleaning procedure such that the cleaning procedure has been successfully completed, there is a transition from state 190 to state 200. The shaving device is switched off. The display section keeps displaying a message that the cleaning process has been successfully completed.

In the states 194 and 200, after the third time threshold (e.g., 10 seconds), the display section turns off. Thus, in state 196, the shaving device is switched off and the display is switched off.

If movement is detected from this state (but the shaving device is not switched on), the display is switched on in state 198. The display then indicates the charge level and provides an indication of whether a cleaning procedure is required. If the shaving device is not moved (or switched on), the third time threshold is again applied to automatically switch off the display.

If the shaving device is switched on from the OFF state (194, 196, 198, 200) it will be transferred to either state 182 or state 186 depending on the docked state.

The above examples utilize a mechanical coupling between the shaving device and the cleaning device. An alternative is that the cleaning device accommodates a processing unit. The shaving device then provides only the output of the orientation sensor to the cleaning device, where the output is then processed. The cleaning device will have its own power supply.

Another alternative for a shaving device is to provide an electrical coupling to the cleaning device for delivering power as well as control commands. The cleaning device then does not require a local power supply or a processing unit. In contrast, the shaving device provides power to the cleaning device and control commands to the cleaning system (e.g., pump) via an electrical interface rather than a mechanical interface.

The above description relates specifically to cleaning procedures. Other functions will be implemented in a known manner. For example, the motor operation of the shaving device is preferably interrupted during charging. This will therefore eliminate the cleaning procedure. However, it is still possible to implement the display inversion function such that the display has the most suitable orientation for the user if the shaving device is docked in the cleaning device but charged. Some shaving devices also have a stroke lock mode during which the cleaning mode is disabled again.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

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. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.