JP2018201882A - Light irradiation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a light irradiation device for detecting damage of a housing to prohibit light irradiation.SOLUTION: A light irradiation device 100 applies light 200 to an object, and the irradiation device 100 comprises a light source 102, a housing 110 comprising an opening 101 for emitting the light 200 applied from the light source 102 to the outside, an optical sensor 103 arranged in the housing 110, and control means 104 for stopping emission of a predetermined amount of the light from the light source 102 if the optical sensor 103 detects outside light incident on the inside from the outside of the housing 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a light irradiation apparatus that performs processing by irradiating a target with light.

  As an example of a light irradiation apparatus that performs processing by irradiating a target with light, an apparatus for performing a hair suppression process on body hair existing in human skin can be exemplified. As such a light irradiation apparatus, there is known a light irradiation apparatus that transmits the energy of light emitted from a laser diode or a flash lamp to body hairs, heats the hair papilla, and performs a hair suppression process. Such a light irradiation apparatus is provided with a safety device that prevents light from being accidentally irradiated to the eye.

  For example, the light irradiation device described in Patent Document 1 includes a sensor that detects contact with the skin on the outer periphery of a region through which light passes, and emits light only when the sensor detects contact with a person. Safety devices are provided.

JP-T-2006-525036

  However, in the unlikely event that the housing of the light irradiation device is damaged, the optical axis may be shifted due to an impact at the time of damage, and light may be emitted from the damaged portion and may enter the eye or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a light irradiation apparatus that can prevent light from unintentionally entering the eye.

  A light irradiation apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is a light irradiation apparatus that irradiates an object with light, and includes a light source and an opening that accommodates the light source and emits light emitted from the light source to the outside. A housing, a light sensor disposed in the housing, and a control unit for stopping emission of a predetermined amount of light from the light source when the light sensor detects external light incident inward from outside the housing; Is provided.

  According to the present invention, light is used unintentionally in order to prevent a predetermined amount of light from being emitted from the damaged part by detecting damage based on external light incident from the damaged part of the casing of the light irradiation device. Can be prevented from entering the eyes of a person or the like.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of the light irradiation apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional unit of the control unit according to Embodiment 1 together with a mechanism unit connected to the control unit. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the light irradiation apparatus together with the processing flow of the control means. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of the light irradiation apparatus according to the first embodiment when the casing is damaged. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of the light irradiation apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of the light irradiation apparatus according to the second embodiment when the housing is damaged. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of the light irradiation device.

  Next, an embodiment of a light irradiation apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is merely an example of the light irradiation apparatus according to the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined by the wording of the claims with reference to the following embodiments, and is not limited to the following embodiments. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are not necessarily required to achieve the object of the present invention. It will be described as constituting a preferred form.

  In addition, the drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, and ratio adjustment are appropriately performed to show the present invention, and may differ from actual shapes, positional relationships, and ratios.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of the light irradiation apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the light irradiation device 100 is, for example, a size that can be gripped with one hand, and is a device that irradiates the person who is the object with the light 101 while pressing the opening 101 against the person, A light source 102, a housing 110, an optical sensor 103, and a control means 104 are provided. In the case of the present embodiment, the light irradiation device 100 includes a light shielding member 105 and an optical system 106.

  The housing 110 is a box-shaped member that houses the light source 102 and the like, and has a light shielding property that prevents light emitted from the light source 102 from leaking outside. The housing 110 also has a light shielding property that blocks light such as room lighting and sunlight that is present outside the housing 110. A part of the housing 110 is provided with an opening 101 for emitting light emitted from the light source 102 to the outside.

  The opening 101 that is a hole provided in the housing 110 in a penetrating manner is a portion that emits light from the inside of the housing 110 of the light irradiation device 100 to the outside. This is the part that is pressed against the skin.

  The light source 102 is an element that can emit light 200 that can act on and influence the surface of an object, for example, a surface of a human body such as skin or hair root. Specifically, for example, an element that emits light of a single wavelength such as a laser diode or a light emitting diode, an element that emits light of a relatively wide wavelength range such as a xenon lamp, or an element group that combines these elements. It does not matter. In the case of this embodiment, a laser diode that emits near-infrared light 200 will be described as an example of the light source 102.

  The optical system 106 is a combination of optical members for guiding the light 200 emitted from the light source 102 and making the light 200 suitable for processing humans. For example, the optical member constituting the optical system 106 is a lens, a diaphragm, a mirror, or the like.

  The optical sensor 103 is a sensor that is disposed in the housing 110 and detects external light that is incident on the inside from the outside of the housing 110 when a part of the housing 110 is damaged. In the case of the present embodiment, the optical sensor 103 has a light source light arrival prediction region 132 that is the inner surface of the housing 110 from the position where the light source 102 is arranged to the opening 101 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. A light receiving surface 131, which is a surface on which elements for detecting light are arranged, is arranged so as to face at least a part. The light source light arrival prediction region 132 is a case where the light irradiation device 100 is subjected to a strong impact or the like, and the light source 102 or the optical system 106 is shifted, disconnected, or damaged, and the light irradiated from the light source 102 reaches. This is an area on the inner surface of the housing 110 that is predicted to be possible.

  The optical sensor 103 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect external light entering the inside of the housing 110. However, a sensor using a photodiode or a photoresistor such as a cadmium sulfide (CdS) cell is used. The sensors used can be listed.

  It is preferable that the surface that the light receiving surface 131 of the optical sensor 103 faces is in the light source light arrival prediction region 132 and includes the fragile region of the housing 110. The weak region of the housing 110 is, for example, a central region between ribs, a corner of the housing 110 that is highly likely to receive a strong impact force, a peripheral edge of a protruding portion that protrudes outward, and the like. is there.

  Even if a weak region that is damaged when a predetermined impact force is applied to a part of the housing 110 is actively provided, and the light receiving surface 131 of the optical sensor 103 is disposed so as to face the region including the weak region that is actively provided. It doesn't matter. Providing the fragile region positively means reducing the thickness of the housing 110 partially or making it fragile.

  The number of optical sensors 103 arranged in the housing 110 is not particularly limited. In the case of the present embodiment, the optical sensors 103 are provided at four positions equally on the circumference at the end of the optical system 106 on the light source 102 side. In FIG. 1, two optical sensors 103 arranged in the radial direction among the four optical sensors 103 are illustrated.

  The light shielding member 105 is a member that prevents external light from entering the inside of the housing 110 from the outside by closing the opening 101 provided in a penetrating manner in the housing 110. The light shielding member 105 also has a function of preventing the light emitted from the light source 102 from being emitted outside the housing 110.

  The shape and opening / closing structure of the light shielding member 105 are not particularly limited, and any well-known technique can be arbitrarily adopted. Further, the opening / closing operation of the light shielding member 105 may be performed manually, or may be automatically performed by providing an opening / closing drive source such as a motor. In the present embodiment, an opening / closing detection unit 151 is connected to the light shielding member 105, and the opening / closing detection unit 151 detects whether the light shielding member 105 is in an open state or a closed state, and outputs information indicating that.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional unit of the control unit according to Embodiment 1 together with a mechanism unit connected to the control unit.

  The control means 104 is a device that controls whether or not the light source 102 emits a predetermined amount of light based on information acquired from the optical sensor 103.

  Here, the predetermined amount of light means the amount of light that can perform a desired process on an object such as a human body, and for example, excludes weak light that is irradiated on the object only to indicate the position of the process. Used in. The light 200 having a predetermined light amount is emitted from, for example, not only turning on the light source 102 from a light-off state but also periodically emitting pulsed light of the same light amount from the light source 102. The case where the duty ratio is changed from a satisfactory duty ratio to a duty ratio at which a desired process can be performed is also included. In addition, when the light source 102 emits a predetermined amount of light 200 but is blocked by a physical mechanism such as a shutter, the shutter 200 is released from the state where the light 200 is not emitted from the opening 101 and emitted. Also, a predetermined amount of light 200 is emitted.

  The specific mode of the control means 104 is not particularly limited. For example, a so-called computer that performs control by combining an input / output element, an arithmetic element, and a storage element and executing a program stored in the storage element. The control means 104 also includes a device that performs control based on a circuit in which electronic components are combined, a device that controls the emission of light 200 by combining one or more of a link mechanism, a cam mechanism, a gear mechanism, and the like. .

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the light irradiation apparatus together with the processing flow of the control means.

  A user using the light irradiation device 100 operates the switch 109 provided in the housing 110 to emit light from the light irradiation device 100 and operates the main power supply 108 to be turned on (S101). . Specifically, when the processing determination unit 141 of the control unit 104 receives a signal from the switch 109, the power supply switching unit 148 instructs the power supply switching unit 148 to accept power, and the power supply switching unit 148 supplies power from the main power supply 108. (S102).

  Next, the process determination unit 141 inquires of the open / close detection unit 151 whether or not the light shielding member 105 is blocking the opening 101 before irradiating the light source 102 with a predetermined amount of light. The open / close detection unit 151 outputs information indicating the state of the light shielding member 105 to the process determination unit 141.

  When the light shielding member 105 is in the open state (S103: Yes), the process determining unit 141 notifies information indicating that the light shielding member 105 is in the closed state (S104).

  When the light shielding member 105 is manually opened and closed, information indicating that the light shielding member 105 is in a closed state is displayed on, for example, a display device (not shown) provided in the light irradiation device 100. Or by changing the light emission of the display lamp or generating a sound such as a buzzer.

  On the other hand, when the light shielding member 105 is automatically opened and closed, the light shielding member opening / closing means (not shown) that has acquired information indicating that the light shielding member 105 is closed is shielded so that the light shielding member 105 is closed. The member 105 is driven.

  Next, when the light shielding member 105 is in the closed state or when the light shielding member 105 is in the closed state (S103: No), the processing determination unit 141 causes the light amount determination unit 143 to detect the external light detected by the optical sensor 103. It is determined whether the amount of light is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value (S105).

  When at least one piece of information acquired from the plurality of photosensors 103 includes information indicating a light amount that is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value, the light amount determination unit 143 may damage a portion of the housing 110 as illustrated in FIG. It is determined that the part 111 exists and the external light 300 is incident on the casing 110 from the damaged part 111, and information indicating that is output to the process determination unit 141.

  The process determination unit 141 that has acquired the information that the external light 300 is incident on the case 110 notifies the information indicating that the case 110 is damaged (S106), and the light source 102 has a predetermined amount of light 200. A series of operations are terminated without emitting the light.

  On the other hand, when all of the information acquired by the light amount determination unit 143 from the plurality of optical sensors 103 is information indicating a light amount less than a predetermined first threshold, the light amount determination unit 143 is normal without the damaged portion 111 in the casing 110. Is output to the process determination unit 141.

  The process determination unit 141 that has acquired information indicating that the housing 110 is normal notifies the information indicating that the light shielding member 105 is opened (S107), and causes the light source 102 to emit a predetermined amount of light 200. The light source driving unit 142 is controlled (S108).

  As described above, before the light 200 having a predetermined light amount is emitted from the opening 101, the presence or absence of damage to the housing 110 is confirmed. When the housing 110 is damaged, the light 200 having a predetermined light amount is emitted from the light source 102. Does not exit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light 200 from entering the eyes of the user or the like unintentionally.

  Next, while the light 200 having a predetermined light amount is emitted from the light source 102, the light amount determination unit 143 continues to determine information from the plurality of optical sensors 103 at predetermined intervals, and whether the external light 300 has entered the housing 110. It is checked whether or not, and the result is continuously output to the process determination unit 141. Here, the light quantity determination unit 143 determines whether or not the casing 110 is damaged using a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value. This is because the opening 101 is open.

  If at least one piece of information acquired from the plurality of optical sensors 103 has information indicating a light amount that is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold, the light amount determination unit 143 causes a damaged portion 111 to be generated in a part of the housing 110, resulting in damage. It is determined that the external light 300 is incident on the casing 110 from the unit 111, and information indicating that is output to the processing determination unit 141 (S109).

  The process determination unit 141 that has acquired the information that the external light 300 is incident on the housing 110 forcibly stops the emission of the light 200 having a predetermined light amount from the light source 102 (S110). Specifically, for example, the process determination unit 141 controls the power supply opening / closing unit 148 to forcibly stop the light emission of the light source 102 by cutting off the supply of power from the main power supply 108. In addition, the process determining unit 141 may interrupt the light source driving unit 142 to forcibly stop the light emission of the light source 102. A series of operation | movement is complete | finished after the above process.

  On the other hand, when the external light 300 is not incident on the case 110 and the case 110 is not damaged, information indicating the end due to the elapse of time, the end of the process due to the user's operation of the switch 109, and the like is processed When the information is acquired (S111: Yes), the process determination unit 141 controls the light source driving unit 142 to output the light source. The emission of a predetermined amount of light 200 by 102 is stopped (S112). Thus, a series of operations is completed.

  According to the light irradiation apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment described above, the housing 110 is damaged by the presence or absence of the external light 300 entering the housing 110 before the light 200 having a predetermined light amount is emitted from the light source 102. If the housing 110 is damaged, the light 200 from the light source 102 is exposed to the outside of the housing 110, for example, when the housing 110 is damaged during storage of the light irradiation device 100. Leakage can be effectively prevented.

  In addition, since the incident of the external light 300 from the housing 110 is always checked while the predetermined amount of light 200 is being emitted, the light emission of the light source 102 is forcibly stopped even when the housing 110 is suddenly damaged. It is also possible.

  Therefore, it is possible to further improve the safety of the light irradiation apparatus 100 to the human eye, which can prevent the light 200 emitted from the light source 102 from inadvertently entering the eyes of the user or the like.

(Embodiment 2)
Another embodiment of the light irradiation apparatus 100 will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol may be attached | subjected to what has the effect | action and function similar to the said Embodiment 1, and the same shape, mechanism, and structure (part) may be abbreviate | omitted. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and description of the same contents may be omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of the light irradiation apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  The light irradiation device 100 according to the present embodiment further includes an external light source 129 and a light guide member 119 in addition to the light irradiation device 100 described in the first embodiment.

  The external light source 129 is an element that is disposed outside the housing 110 and emits light that can be detected by the optical sensor 103. Specifically, for example, the external light source 129 can be exemplified by a light emitting diode element, an organic light emitting diode element, and the like.

  The light guide member 119 is an optical member that covers at least a part of the outer surface of the housing 110 and guides light emitted from the external light source 129 along the surface of the housing 110 and the vicinity thereof.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the light guide member 119 is disposed so as to cover the light source light arrival expected region 132. A plurality of external light sources 129 are arranged at predetermined intervals so as to surround the periphery of the housing 110 at the end of the light guide member 119.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the light irradiation apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, when the casing 110 is damaged, the light guide member 119 attached to the casing 110 is also damaged at the same place. Therefore, the light emitted from the external light source 129 is guided to the light guide member 119, but enters the housing 110 as external light from the damaged portion by diffraction, refraction, or the like, and receives the light receiving surface 131 of the optical sensor 103. To reach.

  Therefore, if the housing 110 is damaged even when the light irradiation device 100 is used in the dark or in a dark place, the optical sensor 103 can detect external light, and as in the first embodiment, It is possible to stop the emission of the predetermined amount of light 200 from the light source 102 or to disable the emission, and to improve the safety for the eyes.

  Further, in the case where the light emitted from the external light source 129 is monochromatic light, and the optical sensor 103 can be detected separately from the external light 300 incident from the opening 101, light irradiation is performed in a very bright place. Even when the external light 300 incident from the opening 101 reaches the light receiving surface 131 of the optical sensor 103 using the apparatus 100, the external light based on the external light source 129 is separated and detected, so that the housing is highly accurate. 110 breakage can be detected.

  Further, even when the external light source 129 changes the amount of light in a predetermined pattern, the same effect as described above can be obtained because it can be separated from other external light.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, another embodiment realized by arbitrarily combining the components described in this specification and excluding some of the components may be used as an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the present invention includes modifications obtained by making various modifications conceivable by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention, that is, the meaning of the words described in the claims. It is.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of optical sensors 103 are arranged in virtual concentric circles so that the angles of the light receiving surface 131 are different, and the light source light arrival prediction area 132 is divided into small sections. May correspond to each optical sensor 103. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the incidence of external light into the housing 110 can be improved, and the safety of the light irradiation device 100 with respect to the eyes can be improved.

  The optical sensor 103 may include a light receiving optical system that guides the external light 300 to the optical sensor 103. The light receiving optical system is a lens, a mirror, a combination thereof, or the like, and guides the external light 300 that enters from a damaged portion of the housing 110 to the optical sensor 103 in a wider range than can be covered by one optical sensor 103. be able to. As a result, it is possible to suppress the number of optical sensors 103 arranged inside the housing 110 while making it possible to detect a damaged portion of the housing 110 in a wide range. When a light receiving optical system is used, the light receiving surface 131 of the optical sensor 103 is a light receiving surface of the light receiving optical system.

  In the second embodiment, the light guide member 119 is disposed in the region corresponding to the light source light arrival predicted region 132. However, the position where the light guide member 119 is disposed is not limited to this, and for example, the opening 101 is provided. The light guide member 119 may be provided on the entire outer surface of the casing 110 except for the above.

  The light irradiation device can be used in a hairdressing and beauty device that irradiates the skin with light for hair removal or hair suppression, light for skin quality improvement, or an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates light to cure the resin.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Light irradiation apparatus 101 Opening 102 Light source 103 Optical sensor 104 Control means 105 Light-shielding member 106 Optical system 108 Main power supply 109 Switch 110 Case 111 Damaged part 119 Light guide member 129 External light source 131 Light-receiving surface 132 Light source light arrival prediction area 141 Processing judgment Unit 142 light source driving unit 143 light amount determining unit 148 power supply opening / closing unit 151 opening / closing detection means 200 light 300 external light

Claims (5)

A light irradiation device for irradiating an object with light,
A light source;
A housing that houses the light source and has an opening that emits light emitted from the light source to the outside;
An optical sensor disposed in the housing;
A light irradiation apparatus comprising: control means for stopping emission of a predetermined amount of light from the light source when the optical sensor detects external light incident inward from the outside of the housing. The control means includes
When the light sensor detects the outside light before the light source emits a predetermined amount of light,
The light irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source cannot emit a predetermined amount of light. A light shielding member for closing the opening of the housing;
The control means includes
The light irradiation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the light sensor detects the outside light in a state where the light shielding member blocks the opening, the light irradiation device according to claim 2 disables emission of a predetermined amount of light from the light source. The light sensor is
A light receiving surface is disposed so as to face at least a part of the inner surface of the housing from the position of the light source to the opening;
The light irradiation apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3. An external light source disposed outside the housing and emitting light that can be detected by the optical sensor;
The light irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a light guide member that covers at least a part of an outer surface of the housing and guides light emitted from the external light source.

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