JPH0366387A - Optical depilating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatize the start of irradiation and to reduce the fatigue at the time of irradiation by providing a means for executing alternately the irradiation and the stop of an irradiation probe, and varying independently an interval of an irradiation period and a stop period on an electric control part. CONSTITUTION:At the time of executing the optical depilation, a use condition of a light emission source of each color, that is, changeover switches SWR, SWB, strength setting parts VIR, VIB, irradiation period setting parts VTR1, VTB1, and stop period setting parts VTR1, VTB1 are set. In the case of radiating a red light, a red color irradiation probe 5 is installed in a photoconductor cable connector 8, and the selection of a use light source is switched to a contact position R by a switch SWS. Also, in the case of a blue color, the switch SWS is switched to a contact position B. A red color or blue color light emission source always execute a light emission and a stop in accordance with the sequence. Therefore, a user moves the irradiation probe to a desired part of the skin in the course of a stop period, and executes the radiation during the irradiation period for pressing and fixing it. Since the start of irradiation is determined automatically in the device, fatigue is not generated against use of many hours.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention is a photo-epilation device, more specifically, an automatic hair removal device that uses light to dry out the hair factors in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles to promote permanent hair removal. A permanent photo hair removal device is available for use.

[Prior Art] A photoremoval device belonging to the above-mentioned type is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-12
It is known from the publication No. 459. When using the optical hair removal device disclosed in this publication, two types of light emitting light sources having main intensities in the red and blue visible light regions are used as light sources for irradiation light.

During the initial preheating, a relatively low-intensity red light is evenly irradiated over the entire area where hair removal is to be performed. The hair removal area is then irradiated with red light of relatively high intensity to dry up the hair factors present at the sebaceous gland openings. Then, relatively strong blue light is irradiated to dry out the hair factors in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. After this state is reached, the hair at the irradiated area is removed using hair removal wax. A proteolytic enzyme used to inhibit hair growth and development is then rubbed into the pores that have opened up after the hair removal process. In order to further activate the function of this proteolytic enzyme, relatively weak red light is again irradiated to the hair removal area (flushing).

When using the device disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 1-12459, irradiation is started by a switch installed outside the main body of the hair removal device and electrically connected to the main body via an electrical conductor, such as a foot switch or A microswitch attached to the irradiation probe is used. As we all know, the area you want to remove hair from may be a small, local area, such as your armpits, but it can also cover a wide area, such as the entire leg below the knee, or the entire back. do. The size of the irradiation area of the irradiation probe is, for example, approximately 51 φ in diameter for relatively strong red irradiation from a halogen tungsten incandescent lamp, and approximately 10 φ for relatively strong blue light from a xenon lamp. be. Therefore,
In order to treat the above-mentioned wide area with an irradiation probe having such a narrow irradiation range, it is necessary to move the irradiation position 100 times or more and perform irradiation. In order to alleviate this difficulty, it may be possible to increase the intensity of the light source and widen the irradiation area. However, this procedure unnecessarily increases the size of the device itself, resulting in a significant increase in price and maintenance costs.

On the contrary, the burden placed on the skin after irradiation is large, and in the unlikely event that the device malfunctions and the skin is irradiated with powerful irradiation light for longer than the prescribed time, there is a risk that it will be extremely dangerous to the body. There is.

In addition, in the embodiment disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-12459, the start of irradiation is performed by the above-mentioned external switch, and the end of irradiation is automatically determined by a timer built into the main body.

In this method, it is necessary to move and position the irradiation probe while operating this external switch 100 times or more as mentioned above. The person who actually performs the hair removal treatment is usually a full-time user, but the hair removal process is performed not only on one person but also on several or several people per day.

Therefore, just operating this external switch already causes fatigue in the feet or fingertips. Furthermore, moving and setting the irradiation probe requires the user to move the probe laterally and press it against the skin, causing muscle fatigue. This means that as the number of times the device is used increases, the user will become fatigued and may even develop an occupational disease.

Furthermore, the more than 100 movements and settings estimated above require some amount of time. This takes a long time and wastes a lot of effective usage time.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In view of the above-mentioned difficulties with conventional devices, the object of this invention is to automate the operation of starting irradiation instead of manually, thereby making effective use of the effective usage time, and at the same time significantly reducing the fatigue caused during irradiation. An object of the present invention is to provide a photoremoval device that reduces the amount of hair removal.

[Means for solving problems]

The above problem has been solved by the present invention, which includes a red light emitting source and a blue light emitting source, an irradiation probe that irradiates the light emitted from the two light sources to the outside, and an electric control unit that electrically controls both the light emitting sources. The electrical control unit is equipped with a means for alternately and continuously performing and pausing the irradiation of the irradiation probe and varying the interval between the irradiation period and the rest period independently of each other. A photo-epilation device, or a photo-epilation device comprising a red light emitting source and a blue light emitting source, an irradiation probe that irradiates the light emitted from the two light sources to the outside, and an electric control unit that electrically controls both the light emitting sources. The apparatus includes a probe carrier for holding and facilitating lateral movement of the irradiation probe, the probe carrier being equipped with a detector for detecting the distance traveled, and an electrical control unit. The light is characterized in that it is equipped with an electric circuit that calculates the irradiation time emitted to the target object from the output signal of the detector and determines whether or not the irradiation time is within the desired irradiation time range. This problem has been solved by hair removal devices.

[For production]

The above configuration provides the following effects. That is, the start of any light irradiation is automatically determined within the device. Also,
The irradiation probe can be pressed against the skin and moved. Then, the irradiation is automatically performed according to the moving speed,
The same area will not be illuminated for longer than the allowable time.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the optical hair removal device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of the optical hair removal device according to the present invention. As already disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-12459, there are various types of connecting parts used between the irradiation probe and the light emitting light source. To help understand the explanation, the irradiation probe 5 is one piece, the connecting part 6 is also one piece, and the multiple lights emitted from the red light emitting light source 3 and the blue light emitting light source 4 are connected to the main body 1.
A system is used in which the mixture is introduced into the connecting part 6 via a mixer 7 disposed inside. Of course, it is clear that the structure of the present invention can be easily applied to other systems from the following explanation (for details, see Japanese Patent Application No. 1-12459
(see publication).

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the following measures are taken in the electric control section 2 of the light emitting light source installed in the main body 1 of the photo-epilation device shown in FIG. That is, the control section 2 is divided into three parts, each consisting of a red light emitting source control section 2A, a blue light emitting source control section 2B, and a common control section 2C. The main parts in the main body 1 for setting operations are a red light source control section 2A, a changeover switch SW for automatically (A) or manual (M) operation of the red light source, and a red light intensity setting. Part Vllll) Irradiation period setting part to continue red light irradiation■
, □, Pause period setting section ■7 that suspends red light irradiation
□, the blue light source control section 2B also includes a switch SW for automatically (A) or manual (M) control of the blue light source, and a blue light intensity setting section ■I m + blue light intensity setting section. Irradiation period setting sections ■ and □ that continue the irradiation, and rest period setting sections ■7□ that interrupt the blue light irradiation are provided. Furthermore,
The common control unit 2C is equipped with a changeover switch SW for selecting whether to use the red light emitting source (R) or the blue light emitting source (B). Please explain functional parts that are not directly related to this invention, such as main power switches, indicator lamps, etc. that are known per se and are commonly used in any electrical device. ! Since it is set to H, it is not shown.

As can be understood from the trigger signal waveform for triggering the light emitting source 3 or 4 shown in FIG. 2, the operation of the hair removal apparatus shown in this embodiment is such that the irradiation period of the irradiation probe 5 is TA and the rest period is T. , and set it to be . The light irradiation is controlled by this trigger signal in which both periods TA and Ta alternate. A circuit that generates such a switching waveform can be extremely easily constructed using a free-running multivibrator (bistable multivibrator), as can be easily guessed by those skilled in the art. In addition, a commercially available timer or sequence control unit can also be used. In this case, the time constants of the irradiation period and the rest period are determined by the corresponding RC circuit elements, and in Figure 1 this circuit element is implicitly shown as a variable resistor (of course, this setting is It goes without saying that this can be achieved with a variable capacitor instead of a variable resistor.)
. That is, taking red as an example, the irradiation period TA is set by the irradiation period setting section ■7□, and the pause period T is set by the pause period setting section ■7□.

Although the above description has been made for the case of a red light emitting source, similar settings also apply for the case of a blue light emitting source.

In order to actually perform photoremoval according to the present invention with the configuration shown in FIG.
W*, S W a, intensity setting section vlR+ VI
B + irradiation period setting section v7□, v, □, rest period setting section V
If red light is to be irradiated, first attach the red light irradiation probe 5 to the removable light conductor cable connector 8 and select the light source to be used. Switch SWs switches to contact position WR. In addition, if the color is blue, move the switch SW to contact position B.
Switch to . In preheating and flushing with red light, the light irradiation intensity is lowered and the irradiation area is expanded, so it is necessary to replace the irradiation probe 5 or attach an adapter to the tip of the probe (Japanese Patent Application No. 1-12459) reference). The red or blue light emitting source always emits and stops according to the sequence shown in FIG. Therefore, the user moves the irradiation probe to a desired spot on the skin during the rest period T3 and presses and fixes it thereon during the illumination period TAO.

Under the irradiation conditions shown in FIG. 2, it is necessary to shorten the pause period as much as possible and move the irradiation probe to irradiation points at this interval to shorten the effective working time.

This requires training for the user to constantly and quickly move the irradiation probe.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show an irradiation probe portion of an apparatus that allows the relationship between the movement of the irradiation probe and the irradiation period to be determined without training the user. The cross-sectional view in Figure 3a shows the first
The tip portion 16 of the photoconductor cable 11, which corresponds to the illustrated illumination probe 5, is inserted into a corresponding hole in a probe carrier 10 made of non-conductive material rubber or plastic. In that case, the steps of the outer covering 12 correspond to the carrier 1
Insert it until it touches the surface of 0. This carrier 1
In the recess 18 of 0, there is a bearing (
(not shown) (see also FIG. 3b). A large number of permanent magnet pieces 24 made of, for example, ferrite or samarium-cobalt alloy are embedded in the vicinity of the surface of the roll 20 at equal intervals. These magnet pieces 2
No. 4 is arranged such that the magnetization directions are alternately reversed.

On the other hand, a magnetic field detection sensor 30 is embedded in the bottom of the depression 18 . The output signal of this sensor is communicated via a power supply/output signal line 32 to a receptacle piece 33 into which a socket pin 34 of a connector socket 35 can be inserted. The output signal is further introduced from this pin 34 to the signal processing circuit 2 of the main body 1 via a conductor 36.

As can be understood from this cross-sectional view, the probe carrier 10 can be moved while being in close contact with the skin 38, so it can be moved like a conventional irradiation probe by once moving away from the skin and then pressing it again onto the desired hair removal site. is not necessary.

Therefore, the probe tip 16 can be moved without using unnecessary force. Furthermore, as an important feature of this carrier 10, the permanent magnet piece 24 in the roll 20 that rotates with the movement of the carrier 10 gives a magnetic field change to the magnetic field detection sensor 30, so that the output signal also changes. In this way, the moving distance of the roll 20 is detected.

Although not particularly illustrated in the first embodiment described above,
Even if the irradiation probe is mounted on the rolled carrier shown here without the position sensor attached,
Its operational utility is obvious for the reasons stated above.

FIG. 4 shows an outline of an illuminance detection calculation unit 100 that utilizes this output signal to maintain an appropriate moving speed of the probe carrier 10 and prevent excessive light irradiation.

The magnetic field detection sensor 30 is, for example, a Hall element MS. When a reference potential is applied to both ends of this element MS and the Hall potential is measured from the ends in the orthogonal direction, the element MS
The magnetic field being received by the first stage amplifier A can be determined by the first stage amplifier A. The obtained output signal has a waveform schematically shown at the output end of the first stage amplifier A1, and this signal is sent to the waveform shaping circuit T.

Introduced into the trigger stage LMT, which forms a trigger pulse from a positive square wave by shaping it into a square wave that jumps out to the positive or negative signal level side, and the trigger stage INV, which forms a trigger pulse from a negative square wave. do. Both trigger pulses are introduced into the set and reset terminals S, R of the flip-flop FF, respectively. The output signal Q of the flip-flop FF is introduced into the set end S' of the counter CNT. On the other hand, the clock pulse of the clock generator CLK is reduced to a clock pulse of an appropriate period by a frequency divider DV and then introduced into the counter CNT. The counter CNT is reset for each pair of pole pieces by the page output of the flip-flop.

The counting output of the counter CNT represents the time taken for adjacent permanent magnet pieces 24 to pass through the Hall element MS, and since the distance between the magnets is known, the rotational speed of the roll 20 can also be calculated. Therefore, this counting output is further introduced into the digital wind comparator U, which determines whether the rotational speed of the roll 20 is within a predetermined rotational speed, that is, between the minimum allowable speed and the desired maximum speed. can. Digital thresholds corresponding to the minimum permissible speed and the maximum desired speed are entered from the attached keyboard CBD and sent to the encoder circuit ENC.
The signals are encoded at , and are introduced into the comparator U via signal conductors α and T, respectively. When the rotational speed of the roll 20 exceeds the desired maximum threshold, the output of the comparator U is 0.
UT2 changes to, for example, the rH level, and maintains the rl, J level if it does not exceed the level. On the other hand, if the rotational speed of the roll 20 is below the minimum allowable threshold, the output of the comparator maintains the "L"level; however, above this threshold, the output of the comparator is r) (changes to J level, which corresponds to the alarm signal that the rotation speed of
After a time corresponding to the pause time T3 shown in FIG. 2, the voltage returns to the "L" level again. The time corresponding to T is specified from the keyboard CBD via the encoding circuit ESC and the conductor β to the monostable multi-by-break M.
It has been introduced into ST. From there, it is output to the outside as output 0UT1.

When the output 0UTI becomes "H" level, it means that the irradiation time is longer than the allowable range, and the illuminance detection calculation unit 100 issues a command to stop the irradiation light source (for example, the first It is designed to output to light emitting source 3 or 4) in the figure. At the same time, it is also effective to display this state on the display section of the main body 1, for example, on an LED, or to issue an audio warning. Further, if the output 0UT2 is at the r )l level, it means that the irradiation time is short, and the irradiation is insufficient. In that case, it is necessary to slow down the speed of manual movement of the probe carrier 10. Of course, it is also effective to display a warning lamp and/or an audio warning in this situation.

If the diameter (or length of one side) of the effective irradiation surface of the irradiation probe is D, the moving speed V of the probe has the following relationship with respect to the appropriate irradiation period TA defined in Fig. 2: v = D/ T.

need to be met. This speed defines the moving speed during proper movement of the irradiation probe carrier in the second embodiment, and the two parameters of the upper and lower limits of the speed are the irradiation period setting section V? in FIG. □, ■, □ and pause period setting section ■, □
, corresponds to VT□.

In the second embodiment described above, the rotational speed of the roll 200 is detected by a magnetic sensing element, but it is also possible to realize this technical idea photoelectrically. In this case, the detector 30 is constituted by a light emitting diode as a light emitting element and a phototransistor as a light receiving element, and the magnet piece 22 is simply made of a light reflecting material. Further, the illuminance detection calculation section 100 can be formed using a circuit system similar to that of the above.

In addition, it is obvious that the two embodiments shown herein can be modified in various ways without departing from the design idea underlying the invention.

For example, the roll 20 of Figures 3a and 3b is transferred to the carrier 1.
Not only one, but also two or more can be provided in 0. In addition, the keyboard CBD shown in FIG. 4, which is a digital input method, can be replaced with an analog input method such as a variable resistor such as the irradiation light intensity setting section and the irradiation time setting section shown in FIG. This is possible by changing the circuit.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The remarkable advantages of the photo-epilation device according to the present invention are: (1) The start of irradiation is not performed by an external operation, but is automatically determined within the device, so that fatigue does not occur during long-term use.

(2) According to the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention, the irradiation probe can be pressed against the skin at all times instead of being moved away from the skin, so that no fatigue occurs during long-term use.

(3) It is possible to automatically guarantee irradiation commensurate with the moving speed, and it can be used safely because the same area will not be illuminated for longer than the allowable time.

(4) Since the resting period can be shortened or there is no resting period, the hair removal treatment ability is significantly increased.

There is a particular thing.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a photoremoval device as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram of an output signal of an automatic illumination drive sequence used in the optical hair removal device of FIG. 1. Figures 3a and 3b are a cross-sectional view and a plan view from below of a probe carrier equipped with an irradiation probe and a travel speed detector. FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram showing an arithmetic processing unit for an output signal obtained by detecting the moving speed of the carrier shown in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 3a and 3b. Reference symbols in the figure: l... Main body, 2... Electrical control section, 3 ・ ・ 4 ・ ・ 5 ・ ・ 10 ・ 20 ・ 24 ・ 30 ・ 00 Red light emitting source, blue light emitting source, probe, ・Probe Carrier, ・Roll, ・Magnet piece, ・Magnetic detector, ・Illuminance detection calculation unit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Comprising a red light emitting source and a blue light emitting source, an irradiation probe that irradiates the light emitted from the two light sources to the outside, and an electric control unit that electrically controls both the light emitting sources. In the photoremoval device, the electric control unit is equipped with a means for alternately and continuously performing and pausing the irradiation of the irradiation probe, and varying the interval between the irradiation period and the rest period independently of each other. Optical hair removal device. 2. A photoremoval device comprising a red light emitting source and a blue light emitting source, an irradiation probe that irradiates the light emitted from the two light sources to the outside, and an electric control unit that electrically controls both the light emitting sources, A probe carrier is provided to hold and facilitate lateral movement of the irradiation probe, the probe carrier is equipped with a detector for detecting the distance traveled, and the electrical control section is equipped with a detector for detecting the distance traveled. 1. A photoremoval device characterized in that an electric circuit is provided for calculating the irradiation time emitted to a target object from the output signal of and determining whether the irradiation time is within a desired irradiation time range.