JP5711843B2 - Earpick - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an earpick that illuminates the ear canal and scrapes the earwax of the ear canal.

  Currently, there are earpick devices with many functions. For example, in the case of scratching a child's ear, it has long been known that the head is placed on the knee and the ear is scratched while illuminating from above and looking into the ear canal. At this time, an illuminated earpick is suitable for the action of illuminating the dark ear canal and catching the earwax. However, if a large battery is used, the weight becomes heavier and the handle becomes larger, which makes it difficult to see inside the ear.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an earpick that can illuminate a tip of an earpick with an LED and perform earpick while watching the earwax in the other ear canal.

JP 2002-238996 A

  However, what is illuminated with an LED or light bulb requires a power source. For this purpose, a button battery or the like can be used. However, when the battery is used, the battery may be exhausted and cannot be used. In addition, since a space for mounting the battery is required, the structure is complicated and the shape tends to be large and expensive. In addition, poor switch contact was likely to occur. In addition, there are some which use a small button battery for miniaturization. Considering environmental issues, it is desirable to avoid using batteries. Furthermore, since the tip of the hook is formed at the tip of the light guiding portion made of a straight hard plastic, there is a problem that the external auditory canal is easily damaged and easily broken.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an earpick that can irradiate the outer ear without requiring a power source and can scrape the earwax safely.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an earpick according to the present invention is a rod-like earpick, and a condensing part in which a substantially circular cross section gradually increases in diameter toward one end to form a light receiving surface, and the light collecting part A tip portion for scraping off the earwax formed at the other end of the portion, and the light collecting portion is formed of a uniform transparent member, and expands in a shape that is recessed inward as the light receiving surface is approached. and diameter, and wherein the area of the light receiving surface is more than twice the cross-sectional area of the minimum diameter portion.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an earpick that can irradiate the outer ear without requiring a power source and can scrape the earwax safely.

(A) It is a front view of the earpick 1 which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. (B) It is sectional drawing of the earpick 1. It is sectional drawing of the earpick 1a which concerns on the modification 1 of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the earpick 1b which concerns on the modification 2 of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a partial cross section figure of the earpick 1c which concerns on the modification 3 of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the earpick 1d which concerns on the modification 4 of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the earpick 2a which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the earpick 2a which concerns on the modification 5 of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the earpick 3 which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. (A) It is decomposition | disassembly explanatory drawing of the condensing part 31. FIG. (B) It is sectional drawing of the condensing part 31. FIG. (A) (b) (c) It is a perspective view which shows the example of the front-end | tip part of the earpick of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1A is a front view of the earpick 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the earpick 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the earpick 1 includes a substantially rod-shaped condensing part 11, a tip part 12 curved in a bowl shape formed at one end of the condensing part 11, and a light receiving surface 13 formed at the other end. And have.

  The condensing part 11 is an inversely tapered columnar member that gradually expands exponentially toward one end. A light receiving surface 13 having a convex shape is formed at one end having the largest diameter. Here, the light receiving surface 13 has an aspherical lens shape, but may have a spherical lens shape or a planar shape.

  The distal end portion 12 is a member having a hook-like configuration extending from the light collecting portion 11, and a scattering portion 14 is formed on the bottom surface of the hook-like shape with fine scratches and irregularities due to patterns.

  Such earpick 1 is entirely formed of a material having translucency and a high refractive index, and the ambient light received by the light receiving surface 13 is collected by repeating total reflection on the peripheral surface of the light collecting unit 11. Lighted and guided to the tip 12. The light that has reached the distal end portion 12 is diffusely reflected by the scattering portion 14 and leaks outside to illuminate the surroundings.

  Therefore, the earpick 1 is preferably formed using a material having a refractive index higher than that of the outside air. This is because the incident light having a critical angle or more is totally reflected at the boundary surface of the light collecting unit 11 to suppress leakage and secure the illuminance at the distal end portion 12. Specific examples of the material include quartz glass and plastic resin (acrylic, polycaponate, polypropylene, elastomer, and the like). In particular, silicon rubber has a high degree of transparency and a certain degree of flexibility, and is therefore a preferable material that is difficult to damage the ear.

  Moreover, the cross-sectional area in the AA 'line cross section (namely, projected area of a light-receiving surface) of the largest diameter part of the condensing part 11 of such earpick 1 is the cross-sectional area in the minimum diameter part BB' line cross section. In contrast, it is preferably at least twice as large. For example, when the diameter of the maximum diameter portion is φ16 mm and the diameter of the minimum diameter portion is 4 mm, the cross-sectional area of the maximum diameter portion is about 192 mm2, the cross-sectional area of the minimum diameter portion is about 12 mm2, and the difference is about 16 times. . Thereby, even if there is leakage light in the condensing part 11, the light quantity emitted from the front-end | tip part 12 is maintainable. Here, the area of the light receiving surface is calculated as the projected area, but the surface area of the light receiving surface may be at least twice the cross-sectional area of the minimum diameter portion.

  Furthermore, in the earpick 1, it is desirable to integrally form the condensing part 11 and the tip part 12 in order to further reduce the light loss during light transmission. Of course, the end surfaces may be bonded by aligning the optical axes of the respective parts.

  According to such an earpick 1, light incident from the light receiving surface 13 can be efficiently guided to the tip portion 12 and emitted from the tip portion 12. Therefore, a sufficient amount of light for ear cleaning can be secured without requiring a power source.

<Modification 1>
Next, an earpick 1a according to Modification 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, components having the same configurations as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an earpick 1a according to Modification 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the earpick 1 a is different from the earpick 1 in that it has a reflecting member 15 that covers the light receiving surface 13.

  The reflection member 15 is a reflection member such as an aspherical surface or a spherical mirror having at least a surface facing the light receiving surface 13 having a mirror structure, and reflects incident light a incident from the peripheral surface of the light collecting unit 11. Lead to the tip 12 side. Similar to the case of the earpick 1, such reflected light is condensed by repeating total reflection on the peripheral surface of the light collecting unit 11 and guided to the tip end part 12. The light that has reached the distal end portion 12 is diffusely reflected by the scattering portion 14 and leaks outside to illuminate the surroundings. The reflecting member 15 can be formed by, for example, aluminum vapor deposition plating or nickel plating. Alternatively, a mirror-finished thin metal may be formed and pasted.

  According to such an earpick 1a, it is possible to emit light from the distal end portion 12 using light incident on the peripheral surface from the lower side direction. Therefore, a sufficient amount of light for ear cleaning can be secured without requiring a power source.

<Modification 2>
Next, an earpick 1b according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an earpick 1b according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the earpick 1 b is different from the earpick 1 in that the earpick 1 b includes a reflection member 16 that covers the circumferential surface of the light collecting unit 11.

  The reflecting member 16 is a cylindrical member having a mirror surface structure on at least the surface facing the peripheral surface of the light collecting portion 11, reflects the light incident from the light receiving surface 13, and guides it to the tip portion 12 side. . In addition, although the reflection member 16 is formed except the part inserted in the ear | edge by the side of the front-end | tip part 12 here, for example about 3-5 cm here, it is set as the structure which covers how much the surrounding surface of the condensing part 11 is covered. Or is free.

  According to such an earpick 1b, light leakage from the peripheral surface of the light collecting unit 11 is eliminated, so that efficient light guide is possible. In addition, it is possible to illuminate the ear with higher illuminance without stopping total reflection at the position touched by the user's finger or the like.

<Modification 3>
Next, an earpick 1c according to a third modification of the second modification of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an earpick 1c according to a third modification of the second modification of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the earpick 1c is different from the earpick 1b in that it has a light receiving surface 13c whose surface has a polyhedral structure and a gripping part 17 in which the diameter of the light collecting part 11 is partially expanded. Different.

  The light receiving surface 13c has a polyhedral surface on which a polyhedral structure is formed. Any polyhedral structure may be used, but FIG. 4 shows, for example, a concave polyhedral structure. The gripping part 17 is a part where the diameter of a part of the light collecting part 11 gradually increases and gradually decreases again, and a part to be inserted into the ear on the distal end part 12 side, for example, about 3 to 5 cm. It is formed immediately above (excluding the light receiving surface 13).

  According to such earpick 1c, more ambient light can be received from a polygon by the light receiving surface 13c having a polyhedral structure. In addition, by grasping the vicinity of the grip portion 17, the user can suppress the slip of the hand and can be used with a good feeling of use.

<Modification 4>
Next, an earpick 1d according to a further modification 4 of the modification 2 of the present invention will be described.

  Fig.5 (a) is a top view of the earpick 1d which concerns on the further modification 4 of the modification 2 of this invention, FIG.5 (b) is sectional drawing of the earpick 1d. As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the earpick 1d is different from the earpick 1b in that it has a light receiving surface 13d having irregularities parallel to the circumferential direction on the surface.

  The light receiving surface 13d has a plurality of concave and convex shapes along the circumferential direction. The apex of each convex shape may be a saw shape that is inclined in the center direction of the circle or in the opposite direction. For example, a light receiving surface having a Fresnel lens structure may be used.

  According to such earpick 1d, it is possible to receive more ambient light from a polygon by the light receiving surface 13d having an uneven shape.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, the earpick 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the earpick 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the earpick 2 includes a light collecting part 11 whose one end gradually expands exponentially to form a light receiving surface 13, a substantially cylindrical light guide part 21, and a tip part 12. Have.

  The light guide unit 21 is a member in which the minimum diameter portion of the light collecting unit 11 extends, and is just above the light receiving surface 13 except for a portion inserted into the ear on the distal end portion 12 side, for example, about 3 to 5 cm. On the side), a grip portion 22 is formed. The grip portion 22 is a portion of the light guide portion that swells so that the maximum diameter portion is biased toward the light receiving surface 13, and the reduced-diameter peripheral surface is covered with the reflecting member 23. The reflecting member 23 is a cylindrical member having a mirror surface structure on at least the surface facing the peripheral surface of the light guide portion 21.

  According to the earpick 2 having such a structure, the light received by the light receiving surface 13 is collected by the light collecting unit 11, repeatedly totally reflected by the light guide unit 21, and reaches the distal end portion 12. Incident light b also enters from the diameter-enlarged peripheral surface of the gripping portion 22 and reaches the tip portion 12. Further, since the reflecting member 23 is formed on the reduced diameter peripheral surface, it is possible to reliably guide the light toward the distal end portion 12 even when the light reflection angle at the grip portion 22 is less than the critical angle. It becomes.

<Modification 5>
Next, an earpick 2a according to Modification 5 of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an earpick 2a according to Modification 5 of the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the light guide unit 21 a has a light guide part 21 a that is divided into two branches in the middle, light condensing parts 11 a and 11 b that are formed at the front part of the light guide part, and a front end part 12.

  The two light collecting portions 11 have substantially the same shape as the light collecting portion 11 according to the second embodiment, but are different in that they include a reflecting member 24 that covers the peripheral surface thereof. Since the reflecting member 24 is the same as the reflecting member 16 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The light guide portion 21a is a columnar member with the light collecting portions 11a and 11b divided into two portions, and a grip portion 25 having substantially the same shape is formed on the upper portion (light receiving surface side) of the grip portion 22. The grip portion 25 is smaller than the grip portion 22 and is not covered with a reflecting member. Of course, the grip portion 25 may be covered with a reflective member.

  According to the earpick 2a having such a structure, it is possible to irradiate the inside of the ear more brightly by using the light incident from the two light receiving surfaces 11.

<Third embodiment>
Next, the earpick 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the earpick 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the earpick 3 has a light collecting portion 31 whose one end gradually expands exponentially to form a light receiving surface 33, a cylindrical light guide portion 32, and a tip portion 34. doing.

  First, the light collecting unit 31 will be described. FIG. 9A is an exploded explanatory view of the light collector 31, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the light collector 31. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the light condensing unit 31 is a member formed by overlapping light condensing members 31a to 31e developed on the light source side.

  The condensing member 31a is a reverse-tapered member having a conical hollow inside and parallel outer peripheral surfaces and inner peripheral surfaces that gradually increase in diameter exponentially toward the opening. In addition, the opening edge part comprises the cyclic | annular light-receiving surface 33a.

  The condensing members 31b to 31d have substantially the same shape (funnel shape) as the condensing member 31a. On the other hand, the light collecting member 31e has substantially the same shape as the hollow of the light collecting member 31d (conical shape with a vertex cut off), and does not have a hollow portion. In addition, these outer peripheral surfaces have substantially the same size as the hollow of the outer light collecting member, and overlap each other with a gap therebetween. Further, the diameter of the light receiving surface 33 is smaller as the inner light condensing member is smaller, and conversely, the height of the light receiving surface 33 is designed to be higher as the inner light condensing member. In addition, although the condensing part 31 has a total of five condensing members here, you may combine how many condensing members.

  Such a condensing part 31 can be manufactured by the following method, for example. First, the condensing members 31a to 31e are formed separately. Next, the surface of the connection surface C of the light condensing members 31b to 31e is polished to form a transparent polished surface, thereby providing smoothness. Then, the condensing members 31a to 31e are superimposed on the condensing member 31a so that the centers of the connection surfaces C are aligned on the axis R. Thereby, the light from the light receiving surfaces 33 a to 33 e of the respective light collecting members flows evenly to the light guide unit 32. In addition, it is good also considering the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of each condensing member as a mirror surface structure.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the light guide 32 is a rod-shaped member that contacts one end of the connection surface C of the light collecting member 31 a. The light guide part 32 is formed of a material having the same translucency and high refractive index as that of the light collecting part 31 and guides light from the connection surface C to the tip part 34. In addition, you may cover the surface of the light guide part 32 with the reflection member 35 which has a mirror surface structure. In addition, a grip portion 36 having a partially expanded diameter can be formed in the light guide portion 32.

  The distal end portion 34 is a member formed integrally with the light guide portion 32 and has substantially the same shape as the bowl-shaped distal end portion 12, but is different in that it has a hole at the center thereof.

  According to the earpick 3 having the above-described configuration, the light from the light receiving surfaces 33 a to 33 e of the light collecting members of the light collecting unit 31 is repeatedly totally reflected on the circumferential surfaces of the light collecting members and the light guide unit 32. To the tip 34.

  According to such earpick 3, it is possible to receive not only parallel light but also a wide range of external light from polygons by each light receiving surface 33 provided in each light collecting member of the light collecting portion 31. is there. In addition, the light incident from each light receiving surface 33 is condensed on the light guide unit 32 through a path in the light collecting member having a substantially parallel circumferential surface, so that there is little radiation loss and efficient guidance. Light is realized. Therefore, a sufficient amount of light for ear cleaning can be secured without requiring a power source.

  Heretofore, the embodiments and examples of the earpick according to the present invention have been described. The earpick according to the present invention is not limited to the above, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, the features in the above embodiments and modifications can be used in combination.

  For example, the shape of the tip portion or the grip portion is not limited to the above, and may have any shape. Moreover, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which light leaks from the periphery of the tip portion without the tip portion itself emitting light. 10A to 10C show specific examples of the tip portion.

  Fig.10 (a) is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part 90a which attached the disk shaped disk members 91-93 continuously. Each disk member is formed so that the light guide part 32 passes through the center, and light from the light collecting part is transmitted to each disk member. Moreover, the light from a condensing part can also be reflected by making the front end side surface of each disk member into a mirror surface structure.

  FIG. 10 (b) is a perspective view of a swab-shaped tip portion 90b in which a spiral groove 94 is formed. Such a tip portion 90b can transmit light from the light collecting portion to the tip by forming the tip portion 90b itself with a light guide member.

  FIG.10 (c) is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part 90c which attached the loop-shaped wires 95-97 from which a magnitude | size differs continuously. Each wire is embedded in the distal end surface of the light guide section 32, and the light emitted from the distal end surface irradiates the wire. In this way, the shape of the tip can be freely designed.

  Moreover, it can replace with the reflective member of a mirror surface structure, and can also utilize the coating | coated member which consists of a raw material (for example, transparent silicon rubber) which has translucency and has a lower refractive index than a light guide member. Such a coating member totally reflects incident light having a critical angle or more from a light guide member having a higher refractive index than itself. Therefore, even when the user uses the film member by picking it with a finger, the incident light can be totally reflected on the peripheral surface and guided to the tip.

  Moreover, the condensing part 31 does not necessarily need to be provided with the some condensing member, and it is good also as a structure which has only one condensing member (for example, outer one). Further, the peripheral surface of the light collecting portion 31 may be expanded in a linear shape without exponentially increasing the diameter.

  1 to 3 · 1a to 1d · 2a: earpick, 11 · 11a · 31: light collecting portion, 12 · 34 · 90a to 90c: tip portion, 13 · 13c to 13d · 33a to 33e: light receiving surface, 14: scattering Parts, 15-16, 23-24, 35: reflective members, 17, 22, 25, 36: gripping parts, 21, 21a, 32: light guide parts, 31a-31e: light condensing members, 91-93: disk members , 94: groove, 95-97: wire.

Claims (6)

A stick-shaped earpick,
A condensing part in which a substantially circular cross section gradually increases in diameter toward one end to form a light receiving surface, and a tip part for scraping ear wax formed on the other end of the condensing part,
The condensing part is formed of a uniform transparent member, and the diameter of the condensing part increases in a shape that is recessed inward as approaching the light receiving surface, and the area of the light receiving surface is twice the cross-sectional area of the minimum diameter portion. Earpick characterized by the above. The earpick according to claim 1 ,
The earpick characterized in that the condensing part is formed so as to expand its diameter exponentially. The earpick according to claim 2 ,
An earpick characterized in that a peripheral surface of the light collecting part has a mirror surface structure. A stick-shaped earpick,
A light condensing part is provided at one end, and a light guide part is formed at the other end with a tip part for scraping ear wax.
The condensing part is
An annular light receiving surface, and a substantially parallel outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface in which a substantially circular cross section gradually increases in diameter as it approaches the light receiving surface,
An earpick characterized by being formed of a uniform transparent member and being formed of a condensing member that expands in diameter so as to be recessed inward as it approaches the light receiving surface. The earpick according to claim 4 ,
The earpick is characterized in that the condensing part is formed so as to further include one or more condensing members inside the condensing member. The earpick according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
An earpick characterized by being formed of a translucent light guide member having a higher refractive index than the outside air.

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