JP2006149847A - Photoepilation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photoepilation device with a simple structure capable of extensively epilating in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: A irradiation detecting part 1 has the detector and a light emitter which are arranged in a plane. The light from the light emitter is reflected on a skin surface and received at the detector of the irradiation detecting part 1 to detect body hair. Based on this detected data, the light for epilation is emitted from the light emitter near the detector which detects the body hair. A oscillation structure part 8 gives oscillation to the irradiation detecting part 1 by the control signals from a control board 4, and the light for epilation is emitted from the specific light emitter corresponding to the oscillation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a hair removal apparatus using light.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device for removing hair, a laser manipulator configured with a laser source and an adjustable tiltable mirror for positioning a laser beam at a target position on the skin to be processed and an image of the skin are detected. An image sensor, and the image on the skin detected by the image sensor is divided into predetermined areas, and the laser light is reflected at the position of the hair in each area by using a laser manipulator. It is known that alignment is performed by changing the position, and the hair is removed by irradiating a laser beam.
JP-T-2004-529705 JP 2000-245745 A

  However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the light removal is performed by moving the light beam to the position of each body hair using one hair removal photogen, so that the work efficiency is low and the processing time is long. Become. Since many parts of an optical system such as a tiltable mirror are mounted for positioning the laser beam, there is a problem that the configuration of the apparatus is complicated and large.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical hair removal device that can perform a hair removal treatment in a wide range in a short time while having a simple configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a detector for detecting a hair position on a skin surface, a light emitter for irradiating light for hair removal on the hair position detected by the detector, A detector and a light emitter paired with an irradiation detection unit arranged in a two-dimensional manner facing the skin surface, and when a predetermined detector in the irradiation detection unit detects a body hair position An optical hair removal apparatus characterized in that the light emitter around the detector emits light for hair removal.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the optical hair removal device according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation detector is arranged so that the detectors and light emitters are alternately arranged in a line.

  It is an optical hair removal apparatus of description.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the irradiation detection unit lays out the detectors and light emitters alternately and evenly. Optical hair removal device.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the distance of the arrangement interval between the detector and the light emitter is shorter than the average interval distance of the pores. An optical hair removal apparatus according to item 1.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a two-dimensional configuration in which a detector for detecting a hair position in a certain region of the skin surface and a light emitter for irradiating light for hair removal on the hair position detected by the detector. A light emitting module laid down, and an irradiation detection unit in which the detector and the light emitting module are arranged in pairs, and when the body hair position is detected by the detector, the light emitting module in the vicinity of the detection position An optical hair removal apparatus characterized in that a light emitter emits light for hair removal.

  The invention described in claim 6 further includes a vibration mechanism that vibrates the irradiation detector substantially parallel to a plane in which the detector and the light emitter are arranged. It is an optical hair removal apparatus of any one of Claim 5.

  In addition, the invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the vibration mechanism section gives the irradiation detection section a shake corresponding to a substantially interval distance between the arranged detectors and light emitters or adjacent light emitters. An optical hair removal apparatus according to claim 6.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to simplify an apparatus structure, a hair removal process can be performed in a wide range for a short time. In addition, it is possible to reduce hair loss of hair existing in the detection range without having a complicated mechanism.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the internal configuration of an optical hair removal apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view of the optical hair removal apparatus of FIG.

  The device body is covered with a case 9, and an irradiation window 10 formed of transparent glass or the like is provided on the skin surface side to irradiate the skin surface with light or to take reflected light from the skin surface into the device. It has been. Inside the case 17, the irradiation detection unit 1, the irradiation detection unit drive board 2, the connection cable 3, the control board 4, the switch 5, the processing lamp 6, the connection cable 7, the vibration mechanism unit 8, and the like are attached. The push button portion of the switch 5 is outside the case 9 so that the operator can push it. Turn on when starting, turn on during hair removal treatment.

  Further, the processing lamp 6 is constituted by an LED or the like, and a part of the case corresponding to the installation position of the processing lamp 6 is made transparent or hollow so that the lighting portion can be recognized from the outside. The processing lamp 6 is turned on when the hair removal process is completed.

  A light emitting element driving circuit 25 as shown in FIG. 10 for driving a light emitter installed in the irradiation detecting unit 1 is mounted on the irradiation detecting unit driving substrate 2. These circuits and the control board 4 are connected by a connection cable 3. The control board 4 mainly performs control, calculation, signal processing, and the like of each unit, and is provided with a control unit 21, a power supply unit 22, a storage unit 23, a vibration mechanism drive circuit 24, and the like as shown in FIG. The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a PLD, a clock circuit, the power supply unit 22 includes a battery, a regulator, a switching power supply, and the like, and the storage unit 23 includes a memory such as a ROM and a RAM. The vibration mechanism unit 8 vibrates both the irradiation detection unit 1 and the irradiation detection unit drive substrate 2 and is driven by the vibration mechanism drive circuit 24.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a switch 5 and a processing lamp 6 are installed on the control board 4, and the processing lamp 6 is connected to the control board 4 by a connection cable 7. When performing the hair removal treatment with the optical hair removal apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, hold the center of the case 9 in the hand and fix it to the skin surface with the irradiation window 10 facing the skin surface like a shaving machine, for example. To do. Since the portions of the irradiation window 10 are slightly recessed from the case portions formed on both sides of the irradiation window 10, the case portions on both sides come into contact with the skin surface to fix the photo epilation device. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical hair removal device is pressed from the lower side of the skin surface, but it is also possible to fix the optical hair removal device with the irradiation window 10 facing downward from the upper side of the skin surface.

  FIG. 3 shows an arrangement structure of detectors and light emitters of the irradiation detector 1. FIG. 3 is a view of the irradiation detection unit 1 of FIG. 1 as viewed from above. A light emitting element 11 is disposed as a light emitter, and a detection element 12 is disposed as a detector. The light emitting element 11 includes an LED element or an LD (laser diode) element, and the detection element 12 includes a PD (photodiode). In FIG. 3, “light” indicates the position of the light-emitting element 11, and “detection” indicates the position of the detection element 12. Show).

  As shown in the figure, the light emitting elements 11 and the detecting elements 12 are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. The light emitting elements 11 are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction, and the detection elements 12 are arranged in a line at the lower stage. In the vertical direction, light emitting element arrays and detection element arrays arranged in a line are alternately arranged. If the light emitting element and the detection element adjacent in the upper and lower directions are considered as a pair, the light emitting element and the detection element are also two-dimensionally arranged in a paired state.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the arrangement dimensions of the light emitter and the detector. For example, each element size can be configured as a single element of 50 μm to 100 μm in length and width, the arrangement of elements of the irradiation detector 1 is 10 mm in both length and width, and the element pitch is 100 μm to 200 μm in both length and width.

FIG. 5 shows another arrangement structure of the detector and the light emitter of the irradiation detection unit 1. The light-emitting elements 11 and the detection elements 12 are arranged alternately in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and this alternately arranged element array is arranged up to the lowest level.

  FIG. 6 shows an example in which a linear motor is used for the vibration mechanism unit 8, and FIG. 7 shows a vibration state of the irradiation detection unit 1 when vibration is applied by the linear motor. The upper side of the linear motor 81 is fixed to the irradiation detection unit drive board 2 and the lower part is fixed to the control board 4, and linear motion (linear vibration) is generated by linear motion of the linear motor. Therefore, the entire irradiation detection unit 1 vibrates in parallel with the plane on which the elements of the irradiation detection unit 1 are arranged. FIG. 7A shows the initial position of the irradiation detection unit 1. The light emitting element array arranged in a line moves to the lower detection element position (FIG. 7B). Light is emitted from the light emitting element at the detection element position recognized as a pore. This movement width (vibration width) is approximately the distance between the light emitting element array and the detection element array adjacent thereto. When the movement is finished in the downward direction, it moves in the reverse direction (upward) and returns to the original position (FIG. 7C). Then, the movement from FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C is repeated.

  Note that the light is vibrated downward by approximately the distance between the light emitting element array and the adjacent detection element array. However, the light is vibrated upward from the original position, and is moved up and down from the initial position. In addition, it is possible to vibrate approximately the distance between the light emitting element array and the adjacent detection element array. Further, the vibration width may be changed from the distance between the light emitting element array and the detection element array adjacent thereto to a width equal to or smaller than this distance.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which a motor and a weight are used for the vibration mechanism unit 8, and FIG. 9 shows a vibration state of the irradiation detection unit 1 when vibration is given by the vibration mechanism of FIG. The upper part of the weight 83 is fixed to the irradiation detection unit drive board 2 and the coreless motor 82 is fixed to the control board 4, and the vibration is rotational vibration about the motor shaft. When the coreless motor 82 rotates, vibration is generated due to a weight imbalance due to the weight 83 attached to the rotating shaft of the motor. Thereby, the whole irradiation detection part 1 vibrates.

FIG. 9A shows the initial position of the irradiation detection unit 1. The light emitting element array arranged in a line rotates and reaches the lower detection element position (FIG. 9B). Light is emitted from the light emitting element at the detection element position recognized as a pore. This movement width (vibration width) is approximately the distance between the light emitting element array and the detection element array adjacent thereto. When the movement in the downward direction is completed, it is rotated in the reverse direction (upward) and returned to the original position (FIG. 9C). Then, the movement from FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C is repeated. As described with reference to FIG. 7, the vibration may be rotationally vibrated in the vertical direction from the initial position, and the vibration width is less than this distance from the distance between the light emitting element array and the adjacent detection element array. You may make it change until it becomes width. If it changes in this way, a light emitting element can also be accurately moved to a pore position by vibration.

  Incidentally, in the case of linear vibration using the linear motor of FIG. 6, it is necessary to consider the mounting direction of the linear motor so that the vibration direction moves between the light emitting element array and the detection element array. If it is a rotational vibration using a coreless motor and weight, the vibration will be rotational movement, so it is possible to use either the light emitting element or detection element arrangement pattern shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 without considering the mounting direction of the coreless motor. it can.

  FIG. 10 shows a block configuration diagram of the optical hair removal apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 11 shows a state of irradiation control of the light emitting element. Hereinafter, the hair removal processing operation will be described with reference to these drawings. When the switch 5 is first pressed, an input signal is input to the control unit 21 and becomes the control signal 1 to activate the power supply unit 22 and supply power to each unit. When the switch 5 is pressed again, the input signal transmitted to the control unit 21 becomes a signal at the start of the hair removal process and performs the hair removal process.

  In the hair removal processing operation, first, driving control of the light emitting element driving circuit 25 is performed by the control signal 2, and all the light emitting elements 11 of the irradiation detecting unit 1 emit light by the driving signal from the light emitting element driving circuit 25.

Since the first irradiation is for detecting body hair (pores), skin color, etc., light is irradiated for a short time so as not to affect the skin cells. For example, it can be set to 3.3 ms in 1/10 time of 33 ms to obtain 12 to 14 J / cm ² of energy capable of hair removal.

  Irradiation light from the light emitting element 11 is reflected by the skin surface and received by the detection element 12 of the irradiation detection unit 1. In the case of the detection element in the circled part where hair is present as shown in FIG. 11A, the detected light amount level is lower than that in the other regions. For example, assuming that the maximum amount of light is detected when the skin color of the same level as white is detected and the maximum voltage value at that time is 3.3 V, the detection voltage when body hair is present in the detection element region is 0.5 V or less. When the detection voltage is 0.5 V or more, it is recognized as a region where no hair exists. Since the detection elements 12 are two-dimensionally arranged in the irradiation detection unit 1, these detection data can be arranged into image data.

  When the image is detected in this way, it can be classified into a predetermined type of skin color from the image data. For example, Japanese skin level can be classified into 3 types, so it is classified into 3 types. If the detection voltage of the detection element is 0 V to 3.3 V, and A / D conversion is performed and 0 V to 3.3 V is 0 to 255, the general skin color detection threshold is 120. Classify 100 into black skin, 100-140 into neutral skin, and more than 140 into white skin.

  These detection data are stored in the address of the storage unit 23 corresponding to the detection element position. Based on the read data from the storage unit 23, the detection element position where the pore is detected is specified, and the light emitting element at the specific position is irradiated by the drive signal from the light emitting element driving circuit 25.

  At this time, the vibration mechanism drive circuit 24 is controlled by the control signal 3 from the control unit 21, and the vibration mechanism unit 8 gives vibration by the drive signal of the vibration mechanism drive circuit 24, but FIG. 7A and FIG. When the irradiation detection unit 1 is in the initial position as shown in FIG. 11B, for example, as shown in FIG. 11B, the light emitting elements located at the four corners surrounded by the black frame with the detection element detecting the pores as the center are irradiated. And give energy for hair removal near the hair root. Next, when the irradiation detection unit 1 is moved by vibration, for example, as shown in FIG. 11C, only the light emitting element just below the detection element (a portion surrounded by a black frame) where the pore is detected or just above is detected. Make it emit light. This is because by applying vibration, the light emitting element irradiated as shown in FIG. 7B, FIG. 9B, or FIG. 9C moves to the pore detection position, and light can be reliably irradiated to the pore.

  Since the second irradiation is a hair removal light, it is much larger than the first irradiation energy. For example, the drive signal pulse width is 20 to 40 ms, and the period is 100 to 200 ms. The output can be 230 mW. When performing irradiation for hair removal, the irradiation energy of a light emitting element can also be controlled using the skin color data as described above so as to reduce damage to the skin.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of controlling the irradiation energy, and shows a specific example of a multiple-time irradiation pattern. It is necessary to change the irradiation state depending on the skin condition (skin color, stain, mole, etc.), but if the skin color is dark (for example, black), energy is absorbed on the skin surface and the temperature rises easily. Then, it is effective in heating hair growth cells in steps and heating them locally.

  FIG. 14 (a) shows the relationship between the light emission pulse waveform for the light skin part (white skin part) and the hair cell temperature change due to the irradiation, and FIG. 14 (b) shows the dark skin part (blackish part). The relationship between the light emission pulse waveform with respect to (skin part) and the hair cell temperature change by the irradiation is shown. Whitish skin has less melanin, so heat absorption by melanin is less. Therefore, light is irradiated for a long time at a higher output than that of dark skin, and the cycle is slow.

  Conversely, dark skin gives light to the hair root more than the absorption of melanin by irradiating light frequently with weak output. On average, there are hair roots at a depth of 4 to 5 mm from the pores, but the hair cells can be stimulated by irradiating light of constant energy toward the hair cells near the hair root.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of processing for recognizing body hair (pores) by image processing using data from the detection elements and an area sensor described later. The reflected light data from the skin surface acquired by the detection element 12 is arranged together to form an image of the skin surface. A camera module may be used instead of the detection element. The detected image is binarized as shown in FIG. The binarization level is 120 for all of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), and the skin color level (skin color) is a detection level of 120 or higher. FIG. 13B shows the binarized image. The skin is represented in black, and the body hair is represented in white. If the detected skin clearly does not have a level of 120 or higher, edge processing is performed. An edge processed image is shown in FIG. In this edge processing image, it is confirmed whether or not there is hair at the edge intersection (because there are pores at the wrinkle intersection).

  First, binarization processing is performed while varying the threshold level at the intersection to detect hair. If the number of pixels above the same threshold level is below a certain level, it is assumed that no hair exists. In addition, if the detected level is 100 or more and the number of detected pixels is 150 pixels or less, it is detected as hair. This is because one pixel corresponds to 0.75 μm, so that the size is 150 to 100 μm and the average pore size. In addition, an area having 150 pixels or more is detected as a spot. A binarized image when detected as a blot is shown in FIG.

When pores are detected by image processing in this way, only the light emitting elements (portions surrounded by black frames) corresponding to the direction of body hair (in this case, the oblique direction) may be irradiated as shown in FIG. .

  FIG. 15 shows an example of an optical hair removal device using an area sensor and a light emitting module. The irradiation detection unit 50 includes a light emitting module 51 and an area sensor 52, and other configurations are the same as those in FIGS. In the light emitting module 51, as shown in FIG. 16, only the light emitting elements 53 as light emitters are arranged two-dimensionally. The light emitting element is composed of an LD, an LED and the like, and a camera module or the like is used for the area sensor 52 as a detector.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the imaging area is arranged so that the entire irradiation area of the light emitting module 51 can be imaged. The hair position (hair address) in the area imaged by the area sensor 52 is recognized, and only a light emitting element that reaches the position is light-emitted by fine movement to perform a hair removal process. When the fine movement is not performed, the hair removal process is performed by irradiating a plurality of light emitting elements in the vicinity of the position.

It is a figure which shows the internal structure overview of the optical hair removal apparatus by this invention of this invention. It is an external view of the optical hair removal apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement structure of the detector of an irradiation detection part, and a light-emitting device. It is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement | positioning dimension of the light emitter and detector of an irradiation detection part. It is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement structure of the detector of an irradiation detection part, and a light-emitting device. It is a figure which shows the structural example using the vibration mechanism part which carries out a linear vibration. It is a figure which shows the vibration state of the irradiation detection part at the time of using the vibration mechanism part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example using the vibration mechanism part which carries out rotational vibration. It is a figure which shows the vibration state of the irradiation detection part at the time of using the vibration mechanism part of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the optical hair removal apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state of the irradiation control of a light emitting element. It is a figure which shows the state of the irradiation control of a light emitting element. It is a figure which shows the process example which recognizes a body hair (pore) by image processing. It is a figure which shows the example which controls the irradiation energy of light. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the optical hair removal apparatus using a light emitting module and an area sensor. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light emitting module of FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the irradiation area | region of FIG. 15, and an imaging area.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Irradiation detection part 2 Irradiation detection part drive board 3 Connection cable 4 Control board 5 Switch 6 Processing lamp 7 Connection cable 8 Vibration mechanism part 9 Case 10 Irradiation window

Claims (7)

A detector for detecting the hair position on the skin surface;
A light emitter for irradiating light for hair removal on the hair position detected by the detector;
When the detector and the light emitter are paired and have an irradiation detection unit arranged in a two-dimensional manner facing the skin surface, when a predetermined detector in the irradiation detection unit detects a body hair position An optical hair removal apparatus characterized in that the light emitter around the detector emits light for hair removal.   2. The photo epilation device according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation detection unit is arranged so that the detectors and light emitters are alternately arranged in a line.   3. The photo epilation device according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation detection unit is arranged with the detectors and light emitters alternately and evenly.   The optical epilation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a distance of an arrangement interval between the detector and the light emitter is shorter than an average interval distance of pores. A detector that detects the position of hair in a certain area of the skin surface;
A light-emitting module in which light emitters for irradiating light for hair removal are laid in a two-dimensional manner on the hair position detected by the detector;
An irradiation detector disposed in pairs with the detector and the light emitting module;
An optical hair removal apparatus characterized in that when a hair position is detected by the detector, a light emitter in the light emitting module near the detection position irradiates light for hair removal.   6. The vibration detection device according to claim 1, further comprising: a vibration mechanism configured to vibrate the irradiation detection unit substantially parallel to a plane in which the detector and the light emitter are arranged. Optical hair removal device. 7. The photo epilation device according to claim 6, wherein the vibration mechanism section gives the irradiation detection section a shake corresponding to a substantially distance between the arranged detectors and light emitters or adjacent light emitters. .