CN112153917A

CN112153917A - Cleaning and charging station

Info

Publication number: CN112153917A
Application number: CN201980032100.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: W·施特格曼; B·西科拉; J·克劳斯; U·卢达舍尔
Original assignee: Braun GmbH
Current assignee: Braun GmbH
Priority date: 2018-05-15
Filing date: 2019-05-15
Publication date: 2020-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-15
Also published as: EP3569096B1; EP3569096A1; CN112153917B; WO2019220361A1; JP2021520272A; JP7231651B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning and charging station for an electric drive (5). The station comprises an outer housing (1) having a base portion (2) and a carrier structure (3) extending from the base portion (2). The base portion (2) comprises a cleaning chamber (4) for at least partially receiving the electric drive (5), and the carrier structure (3) comprises a charging terminal (8) for charging the electric drive (5). The station further comprises a circuit board (12) mounted within the housing (1) and connected to the charging terminals (8). The carrier structure (3) comprises a lighting unit (7) connected to the circuit board (12), wherein at least one light emitting source (13) is connected to at least one light diffusing element (16).

Description

Cleaning and charging station

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cleaning and charging station for an electric drive device, for example an electric hair removal device, such as a dry shaver, an electric toothbrush or an electric skin treatment device.

Background

Generally, there are at least two types of electric razor cleaning and battery loading/charging stations that are more readily available on the market and that differ in the way how the razor makes electrical contact with the station. In a first way, the shaver is provided with electrical contact pins at the lateral housing side (which is often the opposite side of the on/off button housing side), and the cleaning and charging station is provided with shaver electrical contacts in an area adjacent to the cleaning chamber. In a second way, an electrical razor socket, often provided at the end of the housing opposite the other end with the cutting unit, serves as an electrical contact device for contact with a cleaning and charging station. In order to allow the cleaning and charging station to be electrically connected with the shaver according to a second way, the base housing with the cleaning chamber is provided with an extension or protrusion which looks like a tower, often also referred to as "cradle", provided with a station electrical contact arrangement at the free end of the cradle. The station electrical contact arrangement of this second mode may be provided with an electrical plug to be pushed into a socket of the shaver so that the shaver is both electrically connected to the station and clamped or fixed within the station.

US 20090019702 a1 discloses a cleaning station for an electric shaver, which cleaning station comprises a housing with a base, a cleaning chamber and a tray structure, i.e. a support member, to support and hold the attached shaver in an inverted position and to displace the shaver into or out of a cleaning liquid to initiate a drying process.

Philips GmbH provides a similar cleaning and charging station, entitled SmartClean, having a housing, a base including a cleaning chamber, and a cradle structure extending substantially vertically from the housing. Further, the electric shaver may be inserted into a tray structure recess to be charged or cleaned, with the status of the device indicated by a separate icon on an illuminated monochrome display ring on the base of the station. However, the icons in the display ring are only visible to the operator when the station is significantly below the operator's eye level because the display ring is integrated flat on top of the housing so that the overall clarity and visibility depends on the user's perspective. In addition, some of the icons are shielded by the razor depending on the orientation of the cleaning and charging station relative to the user.

EP 2308338 a2 discloses a cleaning and charging station comprising a housing and a basin having a cleaning chamber. A dry shaver may be inserted into the cleaning chamber with a plug in close proximity to the housing of the shaver to hold it in place and rest it on a bearing surface with terminals to charge the shaver. Further, a display of the charging and cleaning station housing is disclosed to provide information about the current operating mode of the station.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a cleaning and charging station that provides a feedback signal to a user, for example, regarding the operating mode or status of the station. More in detail, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning and charging station which allows to enhance the optical feedback of the charging and cleaning status of the electric drive.

This object is solved by a cleaning and charging station according to claim 1. According to one aspect, a cleaning and charging station is provided that includes a housing having a base portion and a cradle structure extending from the base portion. The base portion includes a cleaning chamber for at least partially receiving the electric drive, and the cradle structure includes a charging terminal for charging the electric drive. In addition, the carrier structure is provided with at least one lighting unit connected to the circuit board and having at least one light emitting source optically connected to at least one light diffusing element. A circuit board is mounted within the housing and connected to the charging terminal.

The light-emitting source and the light-diffusing element may be optically connected to each other by an intermediate member, such as a light guide, or by a direct connection, such as mounting the light-emitting source directly to the light-diffusing element.

The at least one lighting unit is capable of providing a feedback signal to a user of the cleaning and charging station, for example regarding an operation mode or status of the station. This may include feedback of the charging and cleaning status of the electrically driven device, e.g., a dry or wet shaver. By providing the at least one lighting unit in or on the carrier structure, the visibility of the lighting unit is improved. In particular, the arrangement of the at least one lighting unit in or on the carrier structure allows for an unshielded view on the at least one lighting unit from different sides and angles.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a cleaning and charging station according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2a shows a lighting unit of the cleaning and charging station of FIG. 1;

fig. 2b shows an exploded view of the lighting unit of fig. 2 a;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cleaning and charging station of FIG. 1 along with an electric drive;

fig. 4a shows a perspective view of the cleaning and charging station of fig. 1 without the electric drive;

FIG. 4b shows a portion of the cleaning and charging station of FIG. 1 with a display unit and a selector; and is

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of fig. 3.

Detailed Description

Before describing the advantageous embodiments of the invention in relation to the embodiments depicted in fig. 1 to 5, the different aspects of the invention will be described in more detail. These aspects disclose further features, advantages and possibilities of use of the invention, which may be combined in any useful combination. All features described and/or shown in the drawings are subject matter of the present invention independently of the grouping of features in the claims and/or their back references.

The lighting unit of the charging and cleaning station may further comprise a light guide optically interposed between the at least one light emitting source and the at least one light diffusing element. The light guide may optically connect the at least one light emitting source with the at least one light diffusing element such that light emitted from the light source is transmitted into the light diffusing element. The light guide may be made of a completely transparent or translucent material and may comprise defined interruptions on the surface to efficiently transmit light to the light diffusing element. In one example, the light guide and/or the light-diffusing element is provided with defined interruptions in the form of steps, embossments, corrugations, grooves or the like for transmitting light from the light guide into the at least one light-diffusing element. The light guide may be in direct contact with the at least one light diffusing element, wherein a surface of the light guide contacts the at least one light diffusing element. Providing a light guide allows transmitting light from a potentially remote light source to the at least one light diffusing element. This allows to place the light sources and the at least one light diffusing element at a desired position with respect to the visibility of the at least one light diffusing element and/or the building space for the light sources and their electrical connectors.

In a preferred form, the at least one light diffusing element is a ring disposed in and/or on the carrier structure, preferably at an end of the carrier structure facing away from the base portion. Thus, the at least one light diffusing element is visible from all sides of the cleaning and charging station. The light guide may be substantially annular to fit to the annular portion of the light diffusing element. Furthermore, the light guide may comprise at least one arm, preferably two arms spaced apart from each other, which arms are optically connected to at least one respective light emitting source. The at least one arm may direct light from a potentially remote light source to an annular portion of the light guide adjacent the light diffusing element.

At least one light-diffusing element may at least partially contain light-scattering inorganic and/or organic particles, preferably titanium dioxide (TiO)₂). This causes light scattering or light diffusion, so that the light diffusing element generates a feedback visible to the user and softens the emitted light.

The light emitting source may comprise at least one light emitting diode, preferably at least one RGB light emitting diode, arranged on a circuit board within the housing. The use of at least two RGB light emitting diodes allows a full range of visible spectrum display to visualize different modes of operation. Thus, different light colors may be displayed for indicating different modes of the station. In one example, the station comprises two RGB light-emitting diodes which are arranged spaced apart from one another on a circuit board and are optically connected to the light-diffusing element by means of a light guide having two arms, wherein each arm is assigned to one of the RGB light-emitting diodes.

In order to connect the elements of the lighting unit to each other and to fix the light guide and/or the light diffusing element to the carrier structure, a cover element may be utilized. In more detail, the cover element is preferably annular and can be received by a recess in the light-diffusing element. Locking hooks on one end of the cover element may interlock the light guide and the light diffusing element to the carrier structure. Furthermore, the covering element may be used to cover any undesired elements and to partially shield the light-diffusing element. The cover element may also secure additional components to the carrier structure.

Furthermore, the lighting unit comprises a button for activating the cleaning and charging station. The button may be provided with a locking hook to connect to the cover element through a groove in the cover element structure. A set of eyelets may be provided on the button side for connection to the carrier structure. The button may be at least partially surrounded by at least one light diffusing element. In one embodiment, the button is displaceable relative to the light diffusing element.

The cradle structure of the cleaning and charging station may comprise a recess for at least partially receiving an electric drive device, such as a dry or wet shaver or an epilation device. In the recess, for example at the end of the carrier structure facing away from the base part, a charging terminal is provided for charging the electric drive. In other words, the electric drive may be received in a shell-like carrier structure for cleaning and charging. Furthermore, the electric drive may be partially submerged in the cleaning chamber of the base portion.

Furthermore, a display unit for indicating different operation modes of the cleaning and charging station may be provided in the recess of the carrier structure. The unit may indicate different operating modes of the cleaning and charging stations, for example via separate illuminated icons, which may be selected by separate selectors, e.g. buttons, within the display unit. The display unit and the selector are connected to the circuit board within the cradle structure.

Furthermore, the circuit board is preferably adapted such that at least one lighting unit emits different optical feedback signals. These signals may indicate different operating modes of the cleaning and charging station and/or different states of the electric drive. The circuit board may also be adapted for different cleaning procedures, for example with delayed start-up. For example, the circuit board is provided with a program adapted such that, in use, a desired operating mode has to be selected, e.g. switched several times between different operating modes, by pressing a separate selector before placing the shaver in the cleaning centre. The selected operation mode may be displayed on the display unit via the illuminated symbol. Pressing the start button then starts the selected operating mode and this may be indicated by the light ring by means of a specific color associated with the respective mode or state. For example, a blue light may indicate cleaning of the razor, a green light may indicate charging, a yellow light may indicate a low cleaning cartridge level and/or a red light may indicate that the cleaning cartridge is empty.

Turning now to the embodiment depicted in fig. 1-5, a charging and cleaning station and its major component parts are shown. In the embodiment depicted in fig. 1, the charging and cleaning station comprises a housing 1 with a base portion 2 and a carrier structure 3. The base part 2 comprises a recess forming a cleaning chamber 4. The cleaning chamber 4 is designed to cooperate with an electric drive device, for example a shaving head of an electric shaver 5, which electric drive device may be at least partially submerged in the cleaning fluid in the cleaning chamber 4 (fig. 5).

The carrier structure 3 protrudes from the base portion 2 of the housing 1, as depicted in fig. 1. The carrier structure 3 is provided with an internal groove 6 such that the carrier structure 3 has at least partly a shell-like configuration. The electric drive 5 can be placed in a recess 6 of the carrier structure 3, as shown in fig. 3 and 5. In other words, the electric drive 5 is placed upside down in the charging and cleaning station partially received in the recess 6 of the carrier structure 3 and is partially immersed in the cleaning chamber 4.

The base portion 2 of the cleaning and charging station may also be displaced from a first position to a second position via a displacement system (not shown) for inserting a cleaning cartridge (not shown) containing a cleaning fluid for a cleaning process (not shown) of the shaver 5.

The cradle structure 3 comprises a lighting unit 7, a charging terminal 8 and a display unit 9 at the ends of the structure, which are shown in more detail in fig. 4a and 4 b. As depicted in fig. 1, 3, 4a and 5, the carrier structure 3 exhibits two inclinations and rotations with respect to the vertical axis of the base portion 2. The first inclination of said structure 3 is rearward between 15 ° and 40 °, preferably between 20 ° and 30 °, with respect to the vertical axis of the base portion 2. This allows the position of the shaver head compartment of the electric shaver 5 within the cleaning chamber to be parallel to the level of cleaning fluid required for an optimal cleaning process. The carrier structure 3 is also inclined to the left (as viewed in fig. 3) by between 5 ° and 20 °, preferably about 10 °, relative to the vertical axis of the base portion 2. This arrangement ensures a sufficient flow of cleaning fluid during the cleaning process of the inserted electric shaver 5. Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment, the carrier structure 3 shows a counter-clockwise rotation of between 15 ° and 45 °, preferably 25 ° to 35 °, with respect to the vertical axis of the base portion 2, which in combination with the two aforementioned inclinations of the carrier structure 3 is beneficial for the drying process of the electric shaver 5, because the remaining cleaning fluid on the shaver head compartment is more effectively drained off.

Fig. 4a depicts a perspective view of a cleaning and charging station without the electric shaver 5. The charging terminal 8 is located at the top side of the recess 4 of the carrier structure 3, i.e. facing away from the base part 2. The electric shaver 5 may be placed upside down in the recess 4 to be charged by the charging terminals 8 and held in place by the plug 10 on the housing 1. Embedded in the tray recess 4 is a display unit 9 for manually preselecting different cleaning and/or charging options for the electric shaver 5.

Fig. 4b shows a front view of the aforementioned display unit 9 in more detail. The display unit 9 comprises an illuminated indicator (shown in dashed lines) for optical feedback, e.g. a symbol, which corresponds to a desired operation mode manually selected via the selector 11. In other words, the selector 11 is used to select between several different operating modes of the cleaning and charging station, for example an operating mode for immediately starting the cleaning process or an operating mode for delaying the start of the cleaning process. The selection of the respective operation mode is indicated by a respective symbol in the display unit 9. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the positions of the display unit 9 and the selector 11 are depicted such that the selection of the respective operating mode has to be performed before the electric drive 5 is inserted into the recess 6 of the carrier structure 3. However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the display unit 9 and/or the selector 11 may be positioned such that the display unit 9 is visible and/or the selector 11 is operable with the electric drive 5 inserted in the recess 6.

In fig. 3, the cleaning and charging station is shown, wherein the electric drive 5 is received in a recess 6 of the carrier structure. By placing the device 5 upside down into the station, the head of the device is located inside the cleaning chamber 4, while the other end of the device is connected to the charging terminal 8 below the lighting unit 7. The charging of the electric drive 5, which preferably comprises a rechargeable battery, can be started immediately when the charging terminal 8 is connected to the electric drive 5. Alternatively, the user may be required to initiate the charging process, for example by selecting a respective operating mode and/or by pressing a start button.

The lighting unit 7 is shown in more detail in fig. 2a and 2 b. Although fig. 2a shows the assembled lighting unit 7, fig. 2b shows an exploded view of the main components of the lighting unit 7. A circuit board 12 is mounted to the carrier structure 3 and connected to the charging terminals 8. In other words, the circuit board 12 is arranged at a position above the base part 2 having the cleaning chamber 4 within the charging and cleaning station. This has the beneficial effect of significantly reducing the risk of exposure of the circuit board 12 to the cleaning liquid. Preferably, the circuit board 12 is located within the carrier structure 3 in the vicinity of the display unit 9 and the selector 11, so that the light emitting element and/or the push button or switch assigned to the selector 11 can be placed directly on the circuit board 12.

The circuit board 12 is adapted and adapted to perform and/or control several operations of the charging and cleaning station, in particular the cleaning process and/or the charging process in response to signals from the selector 11 and/or a separate activation button 18. Furthermore, the circuit board 12 is adapted and adapted to control the provision of feedback signals to the user by means of the flash unit 7 and/or the display unit 9. The circuit board 12 may be adapted to perform and/or control additional functions, such as providing different types of feedback signals including acoustic feedback signals.

The circuit board 12 is provided with two light emitting sources 13, which are combined at the upper end of the circuit board 12 (as seen in fig. 2a and 2 b), and preferably two RGB light emitting diodes, to generate a full spectrum of visible light. As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures, a single light emitting source 13 may be provided on the circuit board 12, or additional light emitting sources may be provided. In the depicted embodiment, the circuit board 12 further comprises at least one light emitting source assigned to the display unit 9.

The light emitting source 13 is optically connected to a highly transparent light guiding unit 15 by a light guiding arm 14. The guiding elements feature defined discontinuities on the surface facing the light diffusing element 16 to achieve an optimal transmission of the emitted light of the light source 13 to the light diffusing element 16. The light guiding unit 15 with its guiding arms 14 is provided because of the advantageous effect that the two light emitting sources 13 can be arranged on the circuit board 12 while the light diffusing element 16 is positioned away from the circuit board 12. Furthermore, no cables or the like are required between the circuit board 12 and the light diffusing element 16.

The light guide 15 and the light-diffusing element 16 are at least partly annular. The light guide 15 may be connected to a recess in the ring structure of the light diffusing element 16. In order to fix the light guide 15 and the light diffusing element 16 to the carrier structure 3, an annular cover element 17 may be placed on the light diffusing element 16, for example by connecting the aforementioned units via engaging hooks. Further, the cover element 17 may shield or cover a portion of the light diffusing element 16.

The annular form of the lighting unit 7 as depicted in the drawing is an exemplary embodiment of the design of the lighting unit and the light diffusing element 16. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a ring shape and may be any arbitrary shape as long as the elements are located in the carrier structure 3 and/or on the carrier structure 3 such that they are visible from different positions and angles.

The top of the lighting unit 7 is provided with a button element 18 which can be physically locked into the cover element 17 by means of an engaging hook. Pressing the button 18 activates or deactivates the cleaning and charging station as indicated by the optical feedback of the lighting unit 7.

The charging and cleaning process may be initiated by the user selecting an operating mode by pressing the selector 11. The selected operation mode may be indicated on the display unit 9. After the electric drive 5 has been placed in the charging and cleaning station, the corresponding process is initiated by pressing the button 18. When the electric drive 5 shields the display unit 9 when placed in the charging and cleaning station, the visual feedback provided by the display unit 9 may be prevented. However, the lighting unit 7 provides additional visual feedback to the user corresponding to the selected operating mode of the charging and cleaning station and/or to the status of the charging and cleaning station. Thus, even if the display unit 9 is shielded by the electric drive 5, the user gets feedback about the process performed by the charging and cleaning station. The visual feedback provided by the lighting unit 7 may be in the form of different colors associated with the respective status and/or the respective operating mode of the charging and cleaning station. Additionally or alternatively, the status and/or mode of operation of the charging and cleaning station may be indicated by emitting permanent light and/or by emitting intermittent light, such as flashing light.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the charging and cleaning station is combined with an electric drive device 5, which is an electric shaver, preferably a dry shaver or a shaver. For example, the charging and cleaning station is adapted to the electric drive 5 with respect to the size and shape of the electric drive, with respect to the connection of the shaver head to the device and/or with respect to the position of the charging terminals 8. The electric drive may be a razor having a pivotable and/or tiltable razor head. The razor head may comprise a stationary foil-type cutter unit having a cutter blade which is linearly movable relative to the stationary foil-type cutter unit.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

Each document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or patent application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or its benefits, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with any disclosure of the invention or the claims herein or that it alone, or in combination with any one or more of the references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Reference numerals

1 casing

2 base part

3 bracket structure

4 clean room

5 electric drive

6 bracket structure groove

7 Lighting Unit

8 charging terminal

9 display unit

10 stopper

11 selector

12 circuit board

13 light emitting source

14 light guide

15 light guide arm

16 light diffusing element

17 cover element

18 push buttons

Claims

1. A cleaning and charging station for an electric drive, the station comprising:

an outer housing (1) having a base portion (2) and a cradle structure (3) extending from the base portion (2), the base portion (2) comprising a cleaning chamber (4) for at least partially receiving the electric drive (5), and the cradle structure (3) comprising a charging terminal (8) for charging the electric drive (5), and

a circuit board (12) mounted within the housing (1) and connected to the charging terminal (8),

it is characterized in that

The carrier structure (3) comprises at least one lighting unit connected to the circuit board (12) and having at least one lighting source (13) optically connected to at least one light diffusing element (16).

2. The cleaning and charging station according to claim 1, characterized in that said lighting unit further comprises a light guide (15) optically interposed between said at least one light emitting source (13) and said at least one light diffusing element (16).

3. The cleaning and charging station according to claim 2, characterized in that the light guide (15) is in direct contact with the at least one light diffusing element (16), wherein the surface of the light guide (15) contacting the at least one light diffusing element (16) is provided with defined interruptions for transmitting light from the light guide (15) into the at least one light diffusing element (16).

4. The cleaning and charging station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one light-diffusing element (16) is a ring provided in the carrier structure (3) and/or on the carrier structure (3), preferably at the end of the carrier structure (3) facing away from the base portion (2).

5. The cleaning and charging station according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one light-diffusing element (16) contains at least partially light-scattering inorganic and/or organic particles, preferably titanium dioxide (TiO)₂)。

6. The cleaning and charging station according to any of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the light guide (15) is substantially annular, with at least one arm (14) facing away from the at least one light diffusing element (16), wherein the at least one arm (14) is optically connected to the at least one light emitting source (13).

7. The cleaning and charging station according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light emitting source (13) comprises at least one light emitting diode, preferably at least one RGB light emitting diode, arranged on a circuit board (12) within the housing (1).

8. The cleaning and charging station according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the light guide (15) is substantially annular, with two arms (14) spaced apart from each other, with each arm facing away from the at least one light diffusing element (16), with each arm (14) being optically connected to a separate light emitting source (13).

9. The cleaning and charging station according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting unit (7) further comprises a covering element (17) for partially shielding the at least one light diffusing element (16) and for fixing the at least one light diffusing element (16) on the carrier structure (3).

10. The cleaning and charging station according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting unit (7) further comprises a button (18) for activating the cleaning and charging station, wherein the button (18) is at least partially surrounded by the at least one light diffusing element (16).

11. The cleaning and charging station according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier structure (3) comprises a recess (6) for at least partially receiving the electric drive (5).

12. The cleaning and charging station according to claim 11, characterized in that the charging terminals (8) for charging the electric drive (5) are arranged in the recess (4) of the carrier structure (3).

13. The cleaning and charging station according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a display unit (9) for indicating different operating modes of the cleaning and charging station is connected to the circuit board (12) and arranged in or on the carrier structure (3), preferably in the recess (4).

14. The cleaning and charging station according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a selector (11) for selecting different operating modes of the cleaning and charging station is connected to the circuit board (12) and is arranged in or on the carrier structure (3).

15. Cleaning and charging station according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit board (12) is adapted such that the at least one lighting unit emits different optical feedback signals, wherein the feedback signals indicate different operating modes of the cleaning and charging station and/or different states of the electric drive (5).