EP2422760A1

EP2422760A1 - Scalp care device

Info

Publication number: EP2422760A1
Application number: EP10766998A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yumi Hanato; Aya Ishihara; Shinji Tsutsui; Kyoko Ida
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp
Priority date: 2009-04-24
Filing date: 2010-04-15
Publication date: 2012-02-29
Also published as: CN102341084A; EP2422760A4; JP5167192B2; WO2010122941A1; JP2010253020A

Abstract

A scalp care device (10) includes a first rotary plate (13) rotated by a first drive motor (17), and a treatment unit (12) supported on the edge of the first rotary plate (13). The first drive motor (17) stimulates the scalp which comes into contact with a treatment surface (12c) of the treatment unit (12) while rotating the first rotary plate (13).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a scalp care device that stimulates the scalp and promotes hair growth.

BACKGROUND ART

In the prior art, a typical brush is used to manually tap the scalp. This massages the scalp. A brush type electric treatment device is also known in the art (for example, refer to patent publication 1).
The treatment device described in patent publication 1 includes a first casing and a second casing, which supports both of a first brush unit and a second brush unit. A brush driving mechanism reciprocates the first and second brush units so that a distal portion of a brush in the first brush unit moves toward and away from a distal portion of a brush in a second brush unit. The movements of the distal portions of the brushes that contact the scalp effectively function to stretch and contract the scalp.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

PATENT PUBLICATION

Patent Publication 1) WO 2005/25478

PROBLEMS THAT ARE TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

The treatment device of patent publication 1 reciprocates the distal portions of the brushes in fixed directions. Thus, the brushes of the first and second brush units simultaneously stimulate a significantly large region of the scalp.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a scalp care device that stimulates the scalp in a locally concentrated manner like when performing shiatsu.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

To solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a scalp care device including a massager member that contacts and massages a scalp and a first rotational drive unit that drives and rotates the massager member. The massager member is rotated by the first rotational drive unit while contacting the scalp to perform massaging.
The scalp care device of this aspect stimulates the scalp in a locally concentrated manner like when performing shiatsu.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a scalp care device in a first embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the scalp care device of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a first rotary plate and massager member of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the first rotary plate and massager member of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a first rotary plate and a massager member in a second embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a scalp care device in a third embodiment;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a scalp care device in a further embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a scalp care device in the further embodiment;
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a scalp care device in a further embodiment;
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end of a massager member in a further embodiment.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

A scalp care device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to Figs. 1 to 4.
As shown in Fig. 1, a scalp care device 10 of the present embodiment is provided with a tubular housing 11, which includes an opening 11a.
As shown in Fig. 2, a first drive motor 17 is incorporated in the housing 11 as a first rotational drive unit. The first drive motor 17 includes a rotation shaft 17a coupled to a first rotary plate 13, which serves as a first support member. Further, the first drive motor 17 is electrically connected to a power supply unit 18 and a control unit 19, which are incorporated in the housing 11. The power supply unit 18 and the control unit 19 are electrically connected. Further, the control unit 19 is electrically connected to a power switch 20 and a direction changing switch 21, which are arranged on a side surface of the housing 11.
As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the first rotary plate 13, as viewed from above, is disk-shaped and accommodated in the housing 11 near the opening 11a. Further, the first rotary plate 13 includes a cylindrical massager member 12, which projects out of the housing 11 from the opening 11a. The massager member 12 includes a basal end 12a, which is supported at a position slightly separated inward in the radial direction from the peripheral portion of a coupling surface 13a of the first rotor body 13. More specifically, the massager member 12 is inclined toward a center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13 from a position slightly separated inward in the radial direction from the peripheral portion of the first rotary plate 13. The massager member 12 is cantilever-supported by the first rotary plate 13.
An angle θ between an axis L2 of the massager member 12 and the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13 is set in the range of 15° to 60°. It is further preferable that the angle θ be set in the range of 30° to 45°. Further, the massager member 12 includes a semispherical distal end 12b. The distal end 12b includes a massaging surface 12c, which is a spherical surface (smooth convex surface) that contacts and massages the scalp. The center axis L1 intersects with the massaging surface 12c at a position separated from the coupling surface 13a. The massaging surface 12c includes a center that lies along the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13. The center of the massaging surface 12c is the center of rotation and is, for example, a point along the center axis L1 that is farthest from the coupling surface 13a on the distal end 12b of the massager member 12.
As shown in Fig. 4, the massager member 12 includes a core 14, which is arranged in the massager member 12, a first elastic member 15, which covers the outer surface of the core 14, and a second elastic member 16, which covers the first elastic member 15. The core 14 is, for example, a molded product of iron, plastic, or the like. The first and second elastic members 15 and 16 are formed, for example, from an elastic material of rubber or the like. The second elastic member 16 has a hardness (e.g., 15 to 25 degrees) that is greater than that of the first elastic member 15 (e.g., 5 to 15 degrees). The hardness of each of the first and second elastic members 15 and 16 is less than that of the core 14 (e.g., 70 to 90 degrees). The second elastic member 16 has a thickness that is less than that of the first elastic member 15. Thus, the rigid core 14 takes the role of the bone in the human finger. The first elastic member 15, which functions as an inner elastic layer, takes the role of the fat in the human finger. The second elastic member 16, which functions as an outermost layer or skin layer, takes the role of the skin of the human finger. Accordingly, the massager member 12 is molded so that it touches the scalp in a manner similar to the human finger. In the above description, the numerals of the hardness indicate the hardness measured by a JIS K 6523 durometer type A.
When the power switch 20 is turned on, an input signal is sent to the control unit 19. In response to the input signal from the power switch 20, the control unit 19 transmits a command signal that activates the power supply unit 18. The power supply unit 18 is activated in accordance with the command signal from the control unit 19 to power and drive the first drive motor 17. The first drive motor 17, when supplied with power from the power supply unit 18, rotates the first rotary plate 13 (for example, in the clockwise direction as indicated by arrow R1 in Fig. 3).
When the direction changing switch 21 is pushed in a state in which the first rotary plate 13 is rotating, the direction changing switch 21 sends an input signal to the control unit 19. The control unit 19 controls the first drive motor 17 to rotate the first rotary plate 13 in the reverse direction (for example, in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by arrow R2 in Fig. 3).
A usage example of the scalp care device 10 formed as described above will now be described.
A user holds the scalp care device 10, with the distal end 12b of the massager member 12 facing toward the scalp, and operates (turns on) the power switch 20. Then, the user presses the distal end of the massager member 12 against the scalp while the first drive motor 17 rotates the first rotary plate 13. Here, the massager member 12 is inclined toward the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13 from a position slightly separated inward in the radial direction from the peripheral portion of the first rotary plate 13. The pressing force applied by the massager member 12 to the scalp is a combination of a component of the center axis L1 (e.g., vector orthogonal to the scalp) and radial direction component (e.g., vector along the surface of the scalp) that varies during rotation of the first rotary plate 13. Further, the scalp, when in contact with the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12, comes into surface-to-surface contact with the massaging surface 12c as they are deformed due to their resilience. Thus, in a state in which the first rotary plate 13 is rotating, the pressing force of the massager member 12 is applied to and dispersed in the entire contacted region (contacted surface) of the scalp that is in contact with the massaging surface 12c. Further, the center of the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 is set to lie along the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13. Thus, even though the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 contacts the scalp while the first rotary plate 13 rotates, the center of the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 contacts the scalp concentrated at a single point on the scalp, and the contact point between the massager member 12 and scalp remains the same. Accordingly, the scalp is stimulated at a single concentrated point (contacted portion) like when performing shiatsu. Further, the radial direction component of the pressing force continuously and cyclically varies due to the rotation. Thus, the pressing force "vibrates" each point in the contacted surface of the scalp. The rotation of the inclined massager member 12 contributes to improving the massaging effect.
The above embodiment has the advantages described below.

(1) The first rotary plate 13 is arranged in the scalp care device 10, and the first rotary plate 13 is connected to the first drive motor 17. Thus, while rotating the first rotary plate 13 with the first drive motor 17, the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 contacts and stimulates the scalp. This stimulates the scalp in the same manner as shiatsu.
(2) The massager member 12 is formed by the core 14, the first elastic member 15, and the second elastic member 16. Further, the hardness of the second elastic member 16 is greater than the hardness of the first elastic member 15. The hardness of each of the first and second elastic members 15 and 16 is less than the hardness of the core 14. The arrangement of the core 14 in the massager member 12 increases the strength (rigidity) of the massager member 12 in comparison to a structure that does not arrange the core 14 in the massager member 12. Further, by covering the outer surface of the core 14 with the first elastic member 15 and the second elastic member 16, the second elastic member 16 serves as the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12. This softens the contact with the scalp, and the contacted portion of the scalp that contacts the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 is allowed to be resilient. This prevents the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 from slipping on the scalp and adheres the massager member 12 to the scalp.
(3) The massager member 12 further includes the second elastic member 16, which covers the first elastic member 15, and the hardness of the second elastic member 16 is greater than the hardness of the first elastic member 15. Thus, by further covering the first elastic member 15 with the second elastic member 16, the hardness of which is greater than the first elastic member 15, the durability of the first elastic member 15 is improved, and the elasticity of the outermost layer of the massager member 12 that contacts the scalp is maintained.
(4) The massager member 12 extends in a direction inclined toward the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13. Thus, in comparison to when pressing the scalp with a massager member arranged parallel to the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13, pressing force can be applied to the scalp from various directions. This improves the massaging effect on the scalp.
(5) The distal end 12b of the massager member 12 is semispherical, and the massaging surface 12c is a spherical surface. Thus, when massaging the scalp with the massager member 12 while rotating the first rotary plate 13, the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 massages the scalp while smoothly contacting the scalp.
(6) The center of the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 is set to lie along the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13. Thus, the center of the massaging surface 12c contacts the scalp concentrated at a single point, and the contact point between the massager member 12 and scalp remains the same. Thus, the scalp is stimulated at a single concentrated point (contacted portion). This obtains a feel further closer to shiatsu. Further, since the center of the massaging surface 12c contacts the scalp at a single concentrated point, when massaging the scalp with the massager member 12 while rotating the first rotary plate 13, hair is prevented from becoming caught by the massager member 12.

Second Embodiment

A scalp care device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 5. In the embodiments described hereafter, same reference numerals are given to those components that are the same as the corresponding components of the above embodiment. Such components will not be described in detail.
As shown in Fig. 5, the massager member 12 includes a core 31, which is supported at a position slightly separated inward in the radial direction from the peripheral portion of the first rotary plate 13. The core 31 includes a large diameter portion 31a, which extends from the basal end 12a to a generally middle portion of the massager member 12, and a small diameter portion 31b, the diameter of which is smaller that the large diameter portion 31a. The small diameter portion 31b is coaxial with the axis L2 of the massager member 12.
The massager member 12 includes a sheath, or rotational portion 32, which is freely rotatable in the circumferential direction (the directions indicated by arrow X in Fig. 5) about the axis L2 of the massager member 12 without any driving force. In the illustrated example, the rotational portion 32 is coaxial with the small diameter portion 31b and supported to be rotatable by the circumference of the small diameter portion 31b. The rotational portion 32 includes an inner layer 32a, which corresponds to the outer surface of the small diameter portion 31b, and an elastic member 32b, which covers the outer surface of the inner layer 32a. The inner layer 32a is integrally rotatable with the elastic member 32b. In the illustrated example, the small diameter portion 31b includes a distal sphere, which prevents separation of the rotational portion 32 without obstructing rotation of the rotational portion 32.
When the scalp is massaged with the massager member 12 and hair becomes entangled with the massager member 12, the entangled hair moves along the outer surface of the elastic member 32b of the rotational portion 32. This idly rotates the rotational portion 32. The idle rotation of the rotational portion 32 moves the hair entangled with the massager member 12 in the same direction thereby releasing the entangled hair from the massager member 12.
Accordingly, the advantage described below is obtained in addition to the advantages (1) to (6) of the first embodiment.

(7) The massager member 12 includes the rotational portion 32. Thus, even if hair becomes entangled with the massager member 12 when the scalp is massaged with the massager member 12, idle rotation of the rotational portion 32 releases the entangled hair from the massager member 12. This further prevents hair from being caught by the massager member 12.

Third Embodiment

A scalp care device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 6.
As shown in Fig. 6, in the housing 11, the first drive motor 17 is supported by a second rotary plate 41, which serves as a second support member. Further, a second drive motor 42, which serves as a second rotational drive unit, is arranged in the housing 11 to rotate the second rotary plate 41. The second drive motor 42 includes a rotation shaft 42a, which is coupled to the second rotary plate 41. The second drive motor 42 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 18 and the control unit 19, which are incorporated in the housing 11. The second rotary plate 41 has a center axis L3 that lies along an eccentric position separated from the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13.
When the power switch 20 is turned on, an input signal is sent to the control unit 19. In response to the input signal from the power switch 20, the control unit 19 transmits a command signal that activates the power supply unit 18. The power supply unit 18 is activated in accordance with the command signal from the control unit 19 to power and drive the first drive motor 17 and the second drive motor 42. Then, the second drive motor 42 rotates the second rotary plate 41, and the first drive motor 17 rotates the first rotary plate 13.
In the scalp care device 10, when the second drive motor 42 rotates the second rotary plate 41, the first rotary plate 13, the massager member 12, and the first drive motor 17 revolve as a single unit about the center axis L3 of the second rotary plate 41. Further, the first rotary plate 13 is rotated by the first drive motor 17. In this state, when the scalp is massaged with the massager member 12, the scalp easily follows the massaging surface of the massager member 12. This stimulates the scalp giving a feel of being rubbed in addition to a feel of undergoing shiatsu. Further, the massaging effect on the scalp is improved.
The above embodiments may be modified as described below.
In each of the above embodiments, a single device may include a plurality of the scalp care devices 10 and a coupling structure coupling the plurality of scalp care devices 10. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, such a scalp care device 50 includes scalp care devices 10a and 10b, which are similar to the scalp care device 10. The first drive motor 17 and the second drive motor 42 accommodated in the scalp care device 10b are electrically connected to the power supply unit 18 and the control unit 19 incorporated in the scalp care device 10a. The control unit 19 may include one or more control modes so that the drive motors 17 and 42 of the scalp care devices 10a and 10b function in cooperation with each other. In the example of Fig. 7, the coupling structure includes first and second arms 51 and 52 and a swing pin 53. The housing 11 of the scalp care device 10a includes a top plate 11b, which is coupled to one end 51a of the first arm 51. The housing 11 of the scalp care device 10b includes a top plate 11b, which is coupled to one end 52a of the second arm 52. The other end 51b of the first arm 51 and the other end 52b of the second arm 52 are coupled in a swingable manner to the swing pin 53. In this manner, the scalp care device 50 is formed by coupling the two scalp care devices 10a and 10b with the first arm 51 and the second arm 52. The swinging of the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 about the swing pin 53 shifts the coupled portion of the first arm 51 and second arm 52 from a straight state shown in Fig. 7 to a bent state shown in Fig. 8 in which the opening 11a of each housing 11 is directed inward. This enables the angle at which the scalp is pressed to be variable so that the scalp care devices 10a and 10b conform to the shape of the head. There does not have to be just two scalp care devices 10 and three or more scalp care devices 1 may be used. For example, a structure including five scalp care devices would obtain a feeling that is closer to massaging being given by human fingers. This further improves the massaging effect on the scalp.
In the example shown in Fig. 9, the coupling structure includes the first and second arms 51 and 52 and a slide mechanism 54. The other end 51b of the first arm 51 and the other end 52b of the second arm 52 are coupled to each other by the slide mechanism 54. The slide mechanism 54 slides the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 relative to each other and changes the distance between the scalp care devices 10a and 10b linearly (in the directions indicated by arrow Y in Fig. 9).
In each of the above embodiments, the distal end 12b of the massager member 12 is semispherical but not limited in such a manner. In the example of Fig 10, the distal end 12b of the massager member 12 includes a smoothly chamfered corner 61 and a flat distal portion 62, which is surrounded by the corner 61. The flat distal portion 62 is perpendicular to the axis L2 of the massager member 12. In this case, when massaging the scalp with the massager member 12, the inclination of the massager member 12 is required to be set to that the corner 61 contacts the scalp. That is, as long as the massager member 12 may be positioned at a contact point on the scalp, the massager member 12 may be formed so that only the surface that contacts the scalp is a spherical surface (smooth convex surface).
In each of the above embodiments, the center of the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 is set to lie along the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13 but not limited in such a manner. The center of the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 may be set at a position separated toward the outer side of the first rotary plate 13 from the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13. In this case, the massager member 12 should be designed so that a predetermined portion of the scalp that contacts the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 is stimulated while the first rotary plate 13 rotates. Here, the "predetermined portion of the scalp" refers to a local portion of the scalp that can follow the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 in a state contacting the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 when the first rotary plate 13 is rotating.
In each of the above embodiments, the massager member 12 extends in a direction inclined toward the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13 but is not limited in such a manner. For example, the massager member 12 may be arranged parallel to the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13. In this case, the massager member 12 should also be designed so that a predetermined portion of the scalp that contacts the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 is stimulated while the first rotary plate 13 rotates. Further, in this case, the massager member 12 is arranged so that the center axis L1 of the first rotor 13 is separated from the axis L2 of the massager member 12.
In each of the above embodiments, the massager member 12 is formed by the core 14, which is arranged in the massager member 12, the first elastic member 15, which covers the outer surface of the core 14, and the second elastic member 16, which covers the first elastic member 15, but not limited in such a manner. The first elastic member 15 does not have to be covered by the second elastic member 16. In this case, the first elastic member 15, of which the hardness is less than the second elastic member 16, serves as the outermost layer of the massager member 12 that contacts the scalp. This softens the contact with the scalp and allows the massaging surface 12c of the massager member 12 to be further elastic. Accordingly, the massager member 12 is further prevented from slipping on the scalp, and the adhesion of the massager member 12 to the scalp is further improved.
In each of the above embodiments, the massager member 12 is inclined toward the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13 from a position slightly separated inward in the radial direction from the peripheral portion of the first rotary plate 13 but not limited in such a manner. For example, the massager member 12 may be arranged to incline away from the center axis L1 of the first rotary plate 13.

Claims

A scalp care device including a massager member that contacts and massages a scalp and a first rotational drive unit that drives and rotates the massager member, the scalp care device being characterized in that the massager member is rotated by the first rotational drive unit while contacting the scalp to perform massaging.
The scalp care device according to claim 1, being characterized in that the massager member includes a core and a first elastic member, which covers the core and has a hardness that is less than the core, and the massager member is coupled to a first support member, which is rotated by the first rotational drive unit.
The scalp care device according to claim 2, being characterized in that the massager member further includes a second elastic member, which covers the first elastic member and has a hardness that is greater than the first elastic member.
The scalp care device according to any one of claims 2 to 3, being characterized in that the massager member is coupled in an inclined state to a coupling surface of the first support member.
The scalp care device according to claim 1, being characterized in that the massager member includes a massaging surface that contacts and massages the scalp, and the massaging surface is formed as a spherical surface.
The scalp care device according to any one of claims 2 to 3, being characterized in that the massager member includes a massaging surface that contacts and massages the scalp, and the massaging surface has a center located at a position lying along a center axis of the first support member.
The scalp care device according to claim 1, being characterized in that the massager member includes a rotational portion that rotates freely about the axis of the massager member without any driving force.
The scalp care device according to any one of claims 2 to 3, further being characterized by a second support member that supports the first rotational drive unit and a second rotational drive unit that rotates the second support member, wherein the first support member and the massager member rotate about a center axis of the second support member.
The scalp care device according to claim 1, further being characterized by a first support member rotated about a center axis by the first rotational drive unit, wherein the massager member is cantilever-supported by a peripheral portion of the first support member.
The scalp care device according to claim 9, being characterized in that:
the massager member is a cylinder including a basal end, which is fixed to the first support member, and a distal end, which includes a smooth convex massaging surface; and

the center axis of the the first support member intersects the massaging surface of the massager member at a position separated from the first support member.
The scalp care device according to claim 9, being characterized in that at least a distal end of the massager member has a three-layer structure including:
an outermost elastic layer;

an inner elastic layer covered by the outermost elastic layer; and

a rigid core covered by the inner elastic layer.
The scalp care device according to claim 9, being characterized in that the massager member includes a sheath that is freely rotatable about the axis of the massager member, and the massaging surface of the massager member is provided by a semispherical distal end of the sheath.