JP2009233065A - Light irradiation apparatus for hair growth control - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light irradiation apparatus for hair growth control keeping the light shielding effect and specifying the light irradiation area concurrently at a high level. <P>SOLUTION: This light irradiation apparatus for hair growth control includes an apparatus body 1 which a user holds, a light emitting part 5 connected to the body 1 for irradiating the skin S with the hair growth control light, an irradiation area specifying part 7 connected to a position around the light emitting part 5 of the body 1 for showing the area of the skin S irradiated with the light of the light emitting part 5, and a light shielding tube 8 connected to the position around the light emitting part 5 of the body 1 and the irradiation area specifying part 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hair growth regulating light irradiating apparatus that irradiates the skin with light for regulating the growth of body hair.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a hair growth adjusting light irradiating device that performs hair removal or hair growth by applying light emitted from a light emitting unit composed of a laser diode or a flash lamp to the skin and suppressing or promoting the growth of body hair (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  By the way, the light for hair growth adjustment emitted from the light emitting part is very large in quantity and is dangerous when it enters the eyes of the user. Therefore, the conventional hair growth adjusting light irradiation device is provided with a light shielding tube at a position surrounding the light emitting portion of the device main body, and light is applied to the skin through the tip opening of the light shielding tube with the tip opening edge of the light shielding tube pressed against the skin. It comes to irradiate.

  However, in the conventional hair growth regulating light irradiation device in which the light shielding tube is simply installed in the apparatus main body in this way, it is easy to specify the area of the skin where light is secured and to ensure the light shielding property. It is difficult to satisfy at the same time.

  Because the light emitted from the light emitting part is very large, a part of the light irradiated to the skin is diffused in the skin afterwards, and from the surrounding skin beyond the irradiation range to the outside. Will be released again. Therefore, in order to ensure a sufficient light shielding property, it is necessary to provide a light shielding cylinder having a large diameter so as to surround a wider range than an irradiation range where light is actually irradiated onto the skin. However, when the light-shielding cylinder is provided larger than the irradiation range in this way, it becomes difficult for the user to visually recognize the tactile range and to confirm tactilely. In addition, it is necessary to specify the range irradiated with light in order to irradiate the skin without excess or deficiency.

As described above, the conventional hair growth regulating light irradiation device has a problem that it is very difficult to satisfy both the securing of the light shielding property and the specification of the light irradiation range at a high level.
JP 2005-278724 A

  This invention is invented in view of the said problem, Comprising: It is a subject to provide the hair growth adjustment light irradiation apparatus which can satisfy both ensuring of light-shielding property and specification of a light irradiation range at high level. To do.

  In order to solve the above problems, the hair growth adjusting light irradiation device of the present invention is connected to the device main body 1 held by the user and the device main body 1 to irradiate the skin S with light for adjusting the growth of body hair. The emitted light emitting unit 5, the irradiation range specifying unit 7 connected to the position surrounding the light emitting unit 5 of the apparatus main body 1 so as to indicate the range of the skin S irradiated with the light of the light emitting unit 5, and the light emission of the apparatus main body 1. It is assumed that the light shielding cylinder 8 connected to a position surrounding the part 5 and the irradiation range specifying part 7 is provided.

  By doing in this way, the user can confirm visually and tactilely the range where light is irradiated when the irradiation range specific | specification part 7 presses against the skin S. FIG. In addition to the light that has passed through the irradiation range specifying unit 7 as well as the light that has been once irradiated on the skin S and diffused, the light that has been emitted to the outside again from the peripheral portion is reliably shielded by the light shielding cylinder 8. Can do. That is, according to the hair growth adjusting light irradiation device of the present invention, it is possible to satisfy both the securing of the light shielding property and the specification of the light irradiation range at a high level.

  Further, the irradiation range specifying unit 7 is slidably provided along the light irradiation direction A of the light emitting unit 5 with respect to the apparatus main body 1, and the irradiation range specifying unit 7 is biased toward the light irradiation direction A. It is also preferable to provide means. By doing in this way, the irradiation range specific | specification part 7 can be made floatable with respect to the apparatus main body 1, and the adhesiveness with respect to the skin S of the irradiation range specific | specification part 7 can be improved.

  In addition, the irradiation range specifying unit 7 and the light shielding cylinder 8 are slidably provided along the light irradiation direction A of the light emitting unit 5 with respect to the apparatus main body 1, and the irradiation range specifying unit 7 and the light shielding cylinder 8 are provided in the light irradiation direction A. It is also preferable to provide an urging means for urging toward the direction. By doing in this way, the irradiation range specific | specification part 7 and the light shielding cylinder 8 can be made floatable with respect to the apparatus main body 1, and the adhesiveness with respect to the skin S of the irradiation range specific | specification part 7 and the light shielding cylinder 8 can be improved.

  Further, at this time, the light emitting unit 5 is caused to emit light only when the detection unit 21 detects the slide position of the light shielding tube 8 and the detection unit 21 detects that the light shielding tube 8 is in the slide position when it is in close contact with the skin S. It is preferable to include the control unit 3. By doing in this way, the light emission in the state where light-shielding property is not ensured can be prohibited, and safety can be improved.

  The irradiation range specifying unit 7 is preferably a transparent or translucent cylindrical member 12 that contacts the skin S or a wire 30 that contacts the skin S. By doing in this way, the irradiation surface of the skin S can be visually recognized through the irradiation range specifying unit 7 even when the irradiation range specifying unit 7 is applied to the skin S. In particular, when the wire 30 is used, the irradiation range specifying unit 7 and the entire hair-growth adjusting light irradiation device are reduced in weight.

  The invention according to claim 1 includes an irradiation range specifying unit connected to a position surrounding the light emitting unit of the apparatus main body so as to indicate a range of the skin irradiated with light of the light emitting unit, and a light emitting unit and an irradiation range specifying of the apparatus main body. By providing the light shielding cylinder connected to the position surrounding the part, there is an effect that both the securing of the light shielding property and the specification of the light irradiation range can be satisfied at a high level.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the irradiation range specifying unit is slidably provided along the light irradiation direction of the light emitting unit with respect to the apparatus main body, and the irradiation range specifying unit is biased toward the light irradiation direction. By providing the urging means, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, there is an effect that the adhesion of the irradiation range specifying part to the skin can be improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the irradiation range specifying unit and the light shielding tube are provided to be slidable along the light irradiation direction of the light emitting unit with respect to the apparatus body, and the irradiation range specifying unit and the light blocking tube are arranged in the light irradiation direction. In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, by providing the urging means that urges the light toward the surface, there is an effect that it is possible to improve the adhesion of the irradiation range specifying part and the light shielding tube to the skin.

  The invention according to claim 4 is a control unit that detects the slide position of the light shielding tube, and a control that causes the light emitting unit to emit light only when the detection unit detects that the light shielding tube is in the slide position when it is in close contact with the skin. In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 3, the light emission in a state where the light shielding property is not ensured is prohibited and the safety can be improved.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 is a transparent or translucent cylindrical member in which the irradiation range specifying part is in contact with the skin, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Even when the irradiation range specifying part is applied to the skin, the irradiation surface of the skin can be visually recognized through the irradiation range specifying part.

  The invention according to claim 6 is that the irradiation range specifying portion is made of a wire that comes into contact with the skin. In addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the irradiation range specifying portion is provided on the skin. Even in the applied state, the irradiation surface of the skin can be visually recognized through the irradiation range specifying unit, and the irradiation range specifying unit can be reduced in weight.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. 1 to 4 schematically show an example of a hair growth regulating light irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated example, the direction in which the light emitting unit 5 emits light (hereinafter referred to as “light irradiation direction A”) is the upward direction in the drawing.

  The hair growth regulating light irradiation device of this example was obtained by boosting the voltage supplied by the battery unit 2 and the battery unit 2 which is a rechargeable battery or a dry battery in a box-type device body 1 which can be held with one hand. The control part 3 which supplies a high voltage to the light source body 4 and controls light emission is incorporated. The light source body 4 is a flash light composed of a xenon lamp, and is installed in an irradiation range specifying unit 7 to be described later, so that light that regulates the growth of body hair (in this example, the hair growth effect is suppressed by suppressing the growth of body hair). Light-emitting portion 5 for irradiating the skin S with light for the purpose).

  A cylindrical cover 6 projects from the periphery of one end of the apparatus main body 1 upward in the figure. The cover 6 covers the outer peripheral side of the irradiation range specifying unit 7 positioned around the light emitting unit 5 and the light shielding cylinder 8 positioned further surrounding the irradiation range specifying unit 7.

  The light shielding cylinder 8 is a bottomed cylindrical member made of a flexible elastic material such as rubber or elastomer having sufficient light shielding properties. The bottom plate portion 8a penetrates the wiring insertion hole 9 and the protrusion insertion hole 10. Has been established. The light shielding cylinder 8 is connected to the cover 6 of the apparatus main body 1 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction in the figure via an appropriate slide mechanism (not shown). A plurality of tension springs 11 are interposed between the end surface surrounded by the cover 6 of the apparatus main body 1 and the bottom plate portion 8 a of the light shielding cylinder 8. The light shielding cylinder 8 is pulled downward in the figure by an urging force T applied by the tension spring 11.

  The irradiation range specifying part 7 is formed using a cylindrical member 12 made of a transparent or translucent material and an installation plate 13 so that the other side can be visually recognized. The cylindrical member 12 has a cylindrical shape penetrating vertically, and a lower end portion thereof is supported and fixed to the installation plate 13. The light source body 4 is fixed to the center of the upper surface of the installation plate 13. A shade 14 is fixed around the light source body 4, and light emitted from the light source body 4 is irradiated through the shade 14 within a predetermined irradiation range indicated by a one-dot chain line in the drawing.

  The irradiation range specifying unit 7 is connected to the light-shielding cylinder 8 (and thus to the entire apparatus main body 1) so as to be slidable in the vertical direction in the figure via an appropriate slide mechanism (not shown). Further, the installation plate 13 and the light shielding cylinder 8 are connected via an interlocking mechanism 16 including a plurality of connecting rods 15. The connecting rod 15 is rotatably connected to the inner surface of the cover 6 of the apparatus main body 1 via a rotating shaft 17 provided at the center in the longitudinal direction. One end of the connecting rod 15 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the installation plate 13 so as to be rotatable and slidable in the longitudinal direction. The other end of the connecting rod 15 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the light shielding cylinder 8 so as to be rotatable and slidable in the longitudinal direction.

  According to the interlocking mechanism 16 having the above-described configuration, when the irradiation range specifying unit 7 is slid downward, the light shielding cylinder is connected via the connecting rod 15 that rotates in a seesaw manner around the rotation shaft 17 in conjunction with this. 8 slides upward. Further, the urging force T applied downward to the light shielding cylinder 8 by the tension spring 11 is converted into an urging force directed upward with respect to the irradiation range specifying unit 7 via the interlocking mechanism 16 having the above-described configuration. The That is, the irradiation range specifying unit 7 is supported so as to be floatable with respect to the apparatus main body 1 via the slide mechanism, the interlocking mechanism 16, the light shielding cylinder 8, the tension spring 11, and the like.

  Here, the floatable state of the cylindrical member 12 is slidable within a predetermined range along the light irradiation direction A (upward direction in the drawing) of the light emitting unit 5 with respect to the apparatus main body 1. A state where an urging force is applied in the light irradiation direction A. The urging means for applying the urging force for the float is the tension spring 11. The urging force for the float increases as the downward sliding amount of the cylindrical member 12 increases.

  In addition, a protrusion 19 is provided on the lower surface of the installation plate 13. On the end surface surrounded by the cover 6 of the apparatus main body 1, a switch unit 20 is provided that faces the protrusion 19 at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. The projecting portion 19 and the switch portion 20 form a detection portion 21 that detects the slide position of the irradiation range specifying portion 7 and the light shielding cylinder 8 with respect to the apparatus main body 1. The switch unit 20 is connected to the control unit 3 through a wiring (not shown), and controls this when the projection 19 of the installation plate 13 slid downward moves against the switch unit 20 to turn on the switch. Input to part 3.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a power switch 22 and an irradiation switch 23 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the apparatus main body 1. The power switch 22 and the irradiation switch 23 are connected to the control unit 3 in the apparatus main body 1. The power switch 22 is for switching on / off of the power source, and the irradiation switch 23 is for switching on / off of light irradiation from the light emitting unit 5.

  In order to obtain a hair suppression effect using the hair growth regulating light irradiation device having the above-described configuration, first, the user turns on the power switch 22 and holds the device main body 1 with one hand or both hands. When it is not pressed against the skin S of the human body to be processed (that is, when no external force is applied to the cylindrical member 12 or the light shielding cylinder 8), the cylindrical member 12 protrudes most in the light irradiation direction A, and the light shielding cylinder 8 It is in the state most immersed in the direction opposite to the light irradiation direction A (see FIGS. 1 and 3). At this time, both the cylindrical member 12 and the light shielding cylinder 8 protrude from the cover 6 in the light irradiation direction A, and the protruding amount of the cylindrical member 12 in the light irradiation direction A is the light irradiation of the light shielding cylinder 8. It is set to be smaller than the protruding amount in the direction A.

  Next, the skin S is positioned in the light irradiation direction A of the apparatus main body 1, and the entire apparatus main body 1 is pushed in the light irradiation direction A with the tip opening edge of the cylindrical member 12 applied to the skin S. Then, the cylindrical member 12 is immersed in the direction opposite to the light irradiation direction A and the light shielding cylinder 8 protrudes in the light irradiation direction A while resisting the biasing force T of the tension spring 11 via the interlocking mechanism 16.

  Then, when the projecting amounts of the light shielding cylinder 8 and the cylindrical member 12 coincide with each other and the leading edge of the light shielding cylinder 8 and the cylindrical member 12 is in pressure contact with the skin S (see FIGS. 2 and 4). ), The protrusion 19 constituting the detection unit 21 hits the switch unit 20, and the detection signal of the switch unit 20 is input to the control unit 3. Based on the above input, the control unit 3 determines that the light-shielding tube 8 is in the slide position when it is in close contact with the skin S, and permits the light emitting unit 5 to emit light. Note that the control unit 3 prohibits the light emitting unit 5 from emitting light until the above input is received.

  Here, when the user turns on the irradiation switch 23, the light source body 4 of the light emitting unit 5 emits light in pulses, and the light reflected by the shade 14 is irradiated in the light irradiation direction A. The light traveling in the light irradiation direction A is applied to the skin S in the region surrounded by the distal end opening edge of the cylindrical member 12. In other words, the area surrounded by the opening edge of the end of the cylindrical member 12 is an irradiation range in which the light from the light emitting unit 5 is irradiated. The cylindrical member 12 is transparent or semi-transparent and does not block light, but the light that has passed through the cylindrical member 12 is blocked by the light blocking cylinder 8 that surrounds it.

  By the way, the light irradiated on the skin S diffuses in the skin S, and a part of the diffused light is emitted again from the skin S in the peripheral portion of the irradiation range surrounded by the cylindrical member 12 to the outside (FIG. (See arrow a in 2). On the other hand, in consideration of the diffusion of light in the skin S to the periphery, the light shielding cylinder 8 is provided at a position separated from the cylindrical member 12 by a predetermined distance in the radial direction, so that the exterior from the skin S again. It is possible to reliably block the light emitted to.

  And for the specification of the light irradiation range, when the user applies the skin S to the tubular member 12 and pushes it in, the user visually and tactilely through the transparent or translucent tubular member 12, The light irradiation range can be reliably specified, and the user can recognize the light irradiation range in a tactile sense even when the cylindrical member 12 is immersed and becomes invisible.

  As described above, according to the hair growth regulating light irradiation device of this example, it is possible to satisfy both the securing of the light shielding property and the specification of the light irradiation range at a high level.

  Next, another example of the hair growth regulating light irradiation device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that a detailed description of the same configuration as that of the above-described example is omitted, and only a characteristic configuration different from the example is described below.

  In the hair growth adjusting light irradiation device of this example, a plurality of compression springs 25 are interposed between the end surface surrounded by the cover 6 of the device body 1 and the bottom plate portion 8 a of the light shielding tube 8. Also, a plurality of compression springs 26 are interposed between the bottom plate portion 8 a of the light shielding cylinder 8 and the installation plate 13 of the irradiation range specifying portion 7. Therefore, the light-shielding cylinder 8 is urged in a direction away from the apparatus main body 1 upward in the figure by the urging force T1 applied by the compression spring 25. Further, the irradiation range specifying unit 7 is urged upward in the drawing from the light shielding cylinder 8 by an urging force T <b> 2 applied by the compression spring 26.

  That is, in this example, the urging means for applying the urging force for the float to the irradiation range specifying unit 7 is the compression spring 25 and the compression spring 26. This urging means also applies a urging force for the float to the light shielding cylinder 8.

  In the hair growth adjusting light irradiation device having the above configuration, when the device main body 1 is not pressed against the human skin S, the irradiation range specifying unit 7 and the light shielding cylinder 8 protrude most in the light irradiation direction A within a predetermined slide range. It is in a state (see FIG. 5). At this time, both the irradiation range specifying part 7 and the light shielding cylinder 8 protrude in the light irradiation direction A from the cover 6, and the amount of protrusion of the irradiation range specifying part 7 in the light irradiation direction A is that of the light shielding cylinder 8. It is set to be smaller than the protruding amount in the light irradiation direction A.

  Here, when the entire apparatus body 1 is pushed in the light irradiation direction A while the tip opening edge of the cylindrical member 12 is applied to the skin S, the irradiation range specifying unit 7 and the light shielding cylinder 8 are connected to the compression spring 25 and the compression spring. It immerses in the direction opposite to the light irradiation direction A while resisting the urging forces T1 and T2 of 26.

  Then, when the projecting amounts of the light shielding cylinder 8 and the cylindrical member 12 coincide with each other and the slide opening position where the leading end opening edges of the light shielding cylinder 8 and the cylindrical member 12 are both pressed against the skin S is detected (see FIG. 6). The protruding portion 19 forming the portion 21 hits the switch portion 20, and a detection signal of the switch portion 20 is input to the control portion 3. Based on the above input, the control unit 3 determines that the light-shielding tube 8 is in the slide position when it is in close contact with the skin S, and permits the light emitting unit 5 to emit light.

  Also in the hair growth adjusting light irradiation device of this example, the light shielding cylinder 8 is provided at a position spaced apart from the cylindrical member 12 by a predetermined distance in the radial direction, so that the light emitted from the skin S again to the outside can be reliably ensured. Can be blocked. In addition, regarding the specification of the light irradiation range, the user can reliably specify the light irradiation range visually and tactilely when the skin S is pressed against the tubular member 12 and pressed. Furthermore, even if the cylindrical member 12 is immersed and becomes invisible, the user can tactilely recognize the light irradiation range.

  Next, still another example of the hair growth regulating light irradiation device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that detailed description of the same configuration as the above-described example is omitted, and only a characteristic configuration different from the example is described below.

  In the hair growth adjusting light irradiation device of this example, the irradiation range specifying unit 7 is formed using the wire 30 and the installation plate 13 so that the other side can be visually recognized. The wire 30 is erected on the installation plate 13 so as to surround the light emitting unit 5, and an opening edge portion that contacts the skin S of the human body is provided at the tip thereof. The user can check the skin S through the gap between the wires 30 in a state where the edge of the opening of the wire 30 is pressed against the skin S.

  Thus, by forming the irradiation range specifying part 7 using the wire 30, it is possible to reduce the weight of the irradiation range specifying part 7 and thus the entire hair growth adjusting light irradiation device. Also in the hair growth adjusting light irradiation device of another example, when the irradiation range specifying part 7 is similarly formed using the wire 30, it is possible to reduce the weight of the hair growth adjusting light irradiation device as a whole.

  In the hair growth regulating light irradiation device of each example described above, the light source body 4 is not limited to a flashlight made of xenon light, but may be a flashlight made of another configuration, or a laser diode or the like is used. It may be irradiated with laser light. Moreover, you may irradiate the light for promoting the growth of body hair and obtaining the hair-growth effect.

It is sectional drawing which shows roughly the structure of the hair growth adjustment light irradiation apparatus of an example in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows roughly the state which pressed the hair growth adjustment light irradiation apparatus same as the above to skin. It is a front view which shows roughly the external appearance of a hair growth adjustment light irradiation apparatus same as the above. It is a front view which shows roughly an external appearance when the hair growth adjustment light irradiation apparatus same as the above is pressed on skin. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the structure of the hair growth adjusting light irradiation apparatus of the other example in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows roughly the state which pressed the hair growth adjustment light irradiation apparatus same as the above to skin. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the structure of the hair growth adjusting light irradiation apparatus of the other example in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows roughly the state which pressed the hair growth adjustment light irradiation apparatus same as the above to skin. It is a front view which shows roughly the external appearance of a hair growth adjustment light irradiation apparatus same as the above. It is a front view which shows roughly an external appearance when the hair growth adjustment light irradiation apparatus same as the above is pressed on skin.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 3 Control part 5 Light emission part 7 Irradiation range specification part 8 Light-shielding cylinder 12 Cylindrical member 21 Detection part 30 Wire A Light irradiation direction S Skin

Claims (6)

  To indicate the device body that the user holds, the light emitting part connected to the device body to irradiate the skin with light that regulates hair growth, and the range of the skin to which the light from the light emitting part is irradiated Hair growth regulation comprising: an irradiation range specifying unit connected to a position surrounding the light emitting unit of the apparatus main body; and a light shielding tube connected to a position surrounding the light emitting unit and the irradiation range specifying unit of the apparatus main body. Light irradiation device.   The irradiation range specifying unit is provided to be slidable along the light irradiation direction of the light emitting unit with respect to the apparatus main body, and includes an urging unit that urges the irradiation range specifying unit toward the light irradiation direction. The hair growth regulating light irradiation device according to claim 1.   An illuminating range specifying unit and a light shielding cylinder are provided slidably along the light irradiation direction of the light emitting unit with respect to the apparatus main body, and an urging means for urging the irradiation range specifying unit and the light shielding cylinder toward the light irradiation direction is provided. The hair growth regulating light irradiation device according to claim 1, further comprising:   A detection unit that detects a slide position of the light shielding tube, and a control unit that causes the light emitting unit to emit light only when the detection unit detects that the light shielding tube is in the slide position when the light shielding tube is in close contact with the skin. The hair growth regulating light irradiation device according to claim 3.   The hair growth regulating light irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the irradiation range specifying unit is a transparent or translucent cylindrical member that contacts the skin. The hair-growth adjusting light irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the irradiation range specifying unit is made of a wire that contacts the skin.

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