Patent Description:
An ion introduction device for enhanced transport of substances through a region of a skin and having an electrode system and an associated controller in order to generate two transport electric fields directed in different directions in the region is described in PTL <NUM>.

Such an ion introduction device is also used in a beauty instrument and an electric razor.

PTL <NUM>: Unexamined <CIT>
<CIT> discloses a treatment apparatus for performing skin care of the like and can perform skin care treatment using laser irradiation or using ion tophoresis selectively.

The invention is defined by the set of claims.

In the prior art, since an electrical condition between two electrodes (two transport electric fields) at the time of treatment or cutting of hair is constant, an inrush current (a large current that temporarily flows) flows to a skin surface when the electrode touches the skin surface of a user, and the user may feel pain at this time.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a beauty instrument and an electric razor that can prevent a user from feeling pain when an electrode touches a skin surface of the user during treatment or cutting of hair.

A beauty instrument according to an aspect of the present disclosure comprises a head, a grip, a skin electrode disposed at a position of the head touching a skin surface of a human body, and a grip electrode disposed at a position of the grip touching a finger of the human body. The beauty instrument comprises a voltage application circuit for applying a voltage between the skin electrode and the grip electrode to cause a current to flow between the skin electrode and the grip electrode through the human body, and a controller that controls the voltage application circuit. The controller comprises a touch detector that detects touch of the skin surface of the human body with the skin electrode. The controller controls the voltage application circuit to apply a first voltage when the touch detector does not detect the touch. The controller controls the voltage application circuit to apply a second voltage having a frequency lower than a frequency of the first voltage when the touch detector detects the touch.

An electric razor according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a head, a grip, and a blade unit that is disposed in the head for cutting hair. The electric razor comprises a skin electrode that is disposed at a position of the head touching a skin surface of a human body during cutting of hair, and a grip electrode that is disposed at a position of the grip touching a finger of the human body during the cutting of hair. The electric razor further comprises a voltage application circuit for applying a voltage between the skin electrode and the grip electrode to cause a current to flow between the skin electrode and the grip electrode through the human body, and a controller that controls the voltage application circuit. The controller comprises a touch detector that detects touch of the skin surface of the human body with the skin electrode. The controller controls the voltage application circuit to apply a first voltage when the touch detector does not detect the touch. The controller controls the voltage application circuit to apply a second voltage having a frequency lower than a frequency of the first voltage when the touch detector detects the touch.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide the beauty instrument and the electric razor that can prevent the user from feeling pain when the electrode touches the skin surface of the user during treatment or cutting of hair.

Hereinafter, an exemplary aspect will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessarily detailed description is omitted in some cases. For example, a detailed description of already well-known matters or a redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

Note that, the accompanying drawings and the following description are only presented to help those skilled in the art fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matters as claimed in the claims.

Hereinafter, an electric razor for removing hair (shaving) and simultaneously caring a skin surface will be exemplified as a beauty instrument. Note that, the present disclosure is applicable to a facial treatment device, a face massage device, and the like in addition to the electric razor.

Hereinafter, a width direction of the electric razor in front view is referred to as left-right direction X, a depth direction of the electric razor in front view is referred to as front-back direction Y, and a height direction of the electric razor in front view is referred to as up-down direction Z.

Hereinafter, electric razor <NUM> according to the present exemplary aspect will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, electric razor <NUM> according to the present exemplary aspect includes head <NUM> and electric razor body <NUM> having grip <NUM>.

Blade unit <NUM> for cutting hair such as beard and hair is disposed and held in head <NUM>. Blade unit <NUM> includes outer net blade (first outer net blade) <NUM>, outer slit blade <NUM>, and outer net blade (second outer net blade) <NUM>. In the present exemplary aspect, first outer net blade <NUM>, outer slit blade <NUM>, and second outer net blade <NUM> are disposed in head <NUM> in this order from a near side in front-back direction Y.

Skin electrode (first skin electrode) <NUM> for applying a current to a skin surface of a user and skin electrode (second skin electrode) <NUM> different from first skin electrode <NUM> are disposed in head <NUM>. First skin electrode <NUM> and second skin electrode <NUM> are disposed at positions of head <NUM> touching the skin surface of the user during shaving.

First skin electrode <NUM> and second skin electrode <NUM> are made of a conductor disposed in head <NUM>. An electrical insulation treatment is performed on a surface of the conductor of second skin electrode <NUM> in order to perform energization of electroporation (electric punch method), which will be described later.

Heater (first heater) <NUM> is incorporated in first skin electrode <NUM>, and heater (second heater) <NUM> different from first heater <NUM> is incorporated in second skin electrode <NUM>. Driving of first heater <NUM> and second heater <NUM> is controlled by controller <NUM>, which will be described later.

In the present exemplary aspect, first skin electrode <NUM> and second skin electrode <NUM> are disposed in head <NUM> in this order from the near side in front-back direction Y, and first skin electrode <NUM> and second skin electrode <NUM> are disposed at an interval in front-back direction Y.

Contrary to the present exemplary aspect, second skin electrode <NUM> and first skin electrode <NUM> may be disposed in head <NUM> in this order from the near side in front-back direction Y.

Blade unit <NUM> (first outer net blade <NUM>, outer slit blade <NUM>, and second outer net blade <NUM>) is disposed between first skin electrode <NUM> and second skin electrode <NUM>. That is, first skin electrode <NUM> and second skin electrode <NUM> are disposed at an interval equal to or longer than a dimension in front-back direction Y of blade unit <NUM> with respect to front-back direction Y.

Note that, although not illustrated, a suspension mechanism may be interposed between the skin electrodes (first skin electrode <NUM> and second skin electrode <NUM>) and head <NUM>. That is, skin electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> may include a suspension mechanism interposed between skin electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> and head <NUM>. For example, partial touch between skin electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> and the skin surface of the user is suppressed by the suspension mechanisms by interposing the suspension mechanism between skin electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> and head <NUM>, and skin electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> can stably touch the skin surface.

Although not illustrated, a pop-up mechanism may be interposed between the skin electrodes (first skin electrode <NUM> and second skin electrode <NUM>) and head <NUM>. That is, skin electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> may have the pop-up mechanism interposed between skin electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> and head <NUM>. As a result, for example, skin electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> can be popped up upward in up-down direction Z by the pop-up mechanism, and blade unit <NUM> can cause skin electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> to touch the skin surface of the user without touching the skin surface.

As in electric razor 10A (beauty instrument 1A) illustrated in <FIG>, only skin electrode (first skin electrode) <NUM> for applying a current to the skin surface of the user may be disposed in head <NUM>. In <FIG>, first skin electrode <NUM> is disposed on the near side in front-back direction Y with respect to blade unit <NUM>. However, for example, first skin electrode <NUM> may be disposed in blade unit <NUM>, or may be disposed behind blade unit <NUM> in front-back direction Y. In some cases, a plurality of first skin electrodes <NUM> may be disposed in head <NUM> at intervals in left-right direction X.

As in electric razor 10B (beauty instrument 1B) illustrated in <FIG>, roller-shaped skin electrode (first skin electrode) <NUM> may be disposed in head <NUM>. That is, first skin electrode <NUM> may be formed in a roller shape in order to function as a beauty treatment roller. In <FIG>, roller-shaped first skin electrode <NUM> is disposed on the near side in front-back direction Y with respect to blade unit <NUM>. However, for example, first skin electrode <NUM> may be disposed in blade unit <NUM>, or may be disposed behind blade unit <NUM> in front-back direction Y.

As illustrated in <FIG>, power switch <NUM> for operating electric razor <NUM>, and changeover switch <NUM> for switching between skin care modes, which will be described later, are provided in electric razor body <NUM>.

Electric razor body <NUM> doubles as grip <NUM> of electric razor <NUM>, and grip electrode <NUM> is disposed in grip <NUM>. Grip electrode <NUM> is disposed at a position of grip <NUM> where the grip electrode touches a finger of the user during shaving.

Grip electrode <NUM> is made of a conductor disposed on a surface of grip <NUM>.

Driver (motor) <NUM>, voltage application circuit <NUM>, controller <NUM>, and the like are housed in electric razor body <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Next, a functional configuration of electric razor <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, electric razor <NUM> includes driver <NUM> for driving blade unit <NUM>, and voltage application circuit <NUM> for applying voltages to first skin electrode <NUM>, second skin electrode <NUM>, and grip electrode <NUM>.

Electric razor <NUM> includes controller <NUM>. Controller <NUM> receives signals from power switch <NUM> and changeover switch <NUM>, and controls driver <NUM>, voltage application circuit <NUM>, and the like according to the signals.

Controller <NUM> also includes touch detector <NUM> that detects the touch of the skin surface of the user with first skin electrode <NUM>. As will be described in detail later, touch detector <NUM> has a function of detecting whether or not first skin electrode <NUM> sufficiently touches the skin surface of the user.

Controller <NUM> controls voltage application circuit <NUM> to change a frequency of the voltage (pulse) which is applied to at least first skin electrode <NUM> on the basis of the detection result of touch detector <NUM>.

Next, operations and effects of electric razor <NUM> according to the present exemplary aspect will be described.

Controller <NUM> has a plurality of modes as the skin care modes. In the present exemplary aspect, controller <NUM> has three skin care modes of an ion introduction mode, an electroporation mode, and a microcurrent mode.

First, <FIG> illustrates a waveform chart of a voltage (pulse) which is applied between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM> in the ion introduction mode. In <FIG>, a vertical axis represents voltage V, and a horizontal axis represents time T.

In the ion introduction mode, controller <NUM> controls voltage application circuit <NUM> to energize a DC current between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>.

In the ion introduction mode, a DC current in a direction in which first skin electrode <NUM> is an anode (positive electrode) and grip electrode <NUM> is a cathode (negative electrode) is applied to first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>.

In the ion introduction mode, for example, voltage V is greater than <NUM> V and less than or equal to <NUM> V, a frequency of voltage V (pulse) is between <NUM> and <NUM>, and a duty ratio of voltage V (pulse) is between <NUM>% and <NUM>%.

In the ion introduction mode, the user selects the ion introduction mode by using changeover switch <NUM>. The user applies a lotion containing a moisture keeping component and a skin care agent such as a pre-shave lotion to a shaving part (for example, the face of the user), and then shaves hair by using electric razor <NUM>.

In the ion introduction mode, voltage V for ion introduction is applied between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>. As a result, the current flows from first skin electrode <NUM> to the shaving part, from the shaving part to an arm of the user carrying electric razor <NUM> through the stratum corneum, and from the arm to grip electrode <NUM>. Thus, the moisture keeping component contained in the skin care agent efficiently permeates the shaving part, and thus, the skin quality of the user is improved.

The shaving part is warmed by warming first skin electrode <NUM> to a predetermined temperature by using first heater <NUM>, and the moisture keeping component contained in the skin care agent efficiently permeates from the shaving part by a temperature effect (warming effect).

Hereinafter, the detection of the touch by touch detector <NUM> and switching between the frequencies of the voltage (pulse) on the basis of the detection result of touch detector <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a waveform chart of voltages (pulses) which is applied between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM> before and after the touch detection by touch detector <NUM>. Also in <FIG>, a vertical axis represents voltage V, and a horizontal axis represents time T.

In the ion introduction mode, first, before first skin electrode <NUM> sufficiently touches the shaving part, a first voltage (touch detection pulse P0) having a relatively high frequency for touch detection is applied between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>. Since the frequency of the first voltage (touch detection pulse P0) is a relatively high frequency, the user is less likely to feel electrical pain caused due to energization when first skin electrode <NUM> touches the skin surface of the user.

On the other hand, a touch resistance value is detected from a current value flowing between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>, and whether or not first skin electrode <NUM> sufficiently touches the skin surface of the user is determined on the basis of the touch resistance value. For example, when the detected touch resistance value matches a predetermined touch resistance value, touch detector <NUM> determines that first skin electrode <NUM> sufficiently touches the skin surface of the user.

When it is determined that first skin electrode <NUM> sufficiently touches the skin surface of the user, a second voltage (ion introduction pulse P1) having a frequency lower than the first voltage (touch detection pulse P0) is applied between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>. Since the frequency of the second voltage (ion introduction pulse P1) is a relatively low frequency, the ion introduction effect on the skin surface of the user is high.

When ion introduction pulse P1 is output, for example, voltage V is larger than <NUM> V and less than or equal to <NUM> V, the frequency of voltage V (pulse) is between <NUM> and <NUM>, and the duty ratio of voltage V (pulse) is between <NUM>% and <NUM>%.

In the case of constant voltage control, a touch detection method by touch detector <NUM> may be performed such that a current value flowing between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM> is detected and whether or not first skin electrode <NUM> sufficiently touches the skin surface of the user may be determined on the basis of the current value. For example, when the detected current value is equal to or larger than a predetermined current value (threshold value), touch detector <NUM> determines that first skin electrode <NUM> sufficiently touches the skin surface of the user.

When the frequencies of the voltage which is applied are switched, controller <NUM> may control voltage application circuit <NUM> to gradually decrease the frequency of voltage V from the first voltage (touch detection pulse P0) to the second voltage (ion introduction pulse P1) in a stepwise manner.

In order to more reliably reduce the pain felt by the user, touch detector <NUM> may, for example, count the number of pulses of the current value equal to or greater than the threshold value, and then may determine that first skin electrode <NUM> sufficiently touches the skin surface of the user. That is, touch detector <NUM> may determine that first skin electrode <NUM> sufficiently touches the skin surface of the user after a predetermined time (corresponding to the number of counted pulses) elapses from the detection of the current value equal to or greater than the threshold value.

In order to further reliably reduce the pain felt by the user, as illustrated in <FIG>, controller <NUM> may control voltage application circuit <NUM> to gradually increase the magnitude of the value of voltage V which is applied between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM> in a stepwise manner.

Next, <FIG> illustrates a waveform chart of voltages (pulses) which is applied between second skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM> or first skin electrode <NUM>, or between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM> in the electroporation mode. Also in <FIG>, a vertical axis represents voltage V, and a horizontal axis represents time T.

In the electroporation mode, controller <NUM> controls voltage application circuit <NUM> to perform energization of electroporation (electric punch method) between second skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM> or first skin electrode <NUM>.

On the basis of an output of electroporation pulse Pep (see <FIG>), a DC current in a direction in which second skin electrode <NUM> is an anode (positive electrode) and grip electrode <NUM> is a cathode (negative electrode) is applied to second skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>.

Alternatively, on the basis of the output of electroporation pulse Pep, a DC current in a direction in which second skin electrode <NUM> is an anode (positive electrode) and first skin electrode <NUM> is a cathode (negative electrode) is applied to second skin electrode <NUM> and first skin electrode <NUM>.

When electroporation pulse Pep is output, for example, voltage V is larger than <NUM> V and less than or equal to <NUM> V, the frequency of voltage V (pulse) is between <NUM> and <NUM>, and the duty ratio of voltage V (pulse) is between <NUM>% and <NUM>%.

On the basis of an output of ion introduction pulse Pio (see <FIG>), a DC current in a direction in which first skin electrode <NUM> is an anode (positive electrode) and grip electrode <NUM> is a cathode (negative electrode) is applied to first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>.

When ion introduction pulse Pio is output, for example, voltage V is larger than <NUM> V and less than or equal to <NUM> V, the frequency of voltage V (pulse) is between <NUM> and <NUM>, and the duty ratio of voltage V (pulse) is between <NUM>% and <NUM>%.

In the electroporation mode, the user selects the electroporation mode by using changeover switch <NUM>. Similarly to the case of the ion introduction mode, the user applies the skin care agent containing the moisture keeping component to the shaving part, and then shaves the hair by using electric razor <NUM>.

First, a voltage of a relatively high voltage (electroporation pulse Pep) is applied between second skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM> or first skin electrode <NUM>, and an electroporation current flows through the shaving part therebetween. Thus, a lamellar structure of the stratum corneum in the shaving part between second skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM> or first skin electrode <NUM> is loosened, and the moisture keeping component of the polymer contained in the skin care agent easily permeates the shaving part.

The voltage for ion introduction (ion introduction pulse Pio) is immediately applied between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>. As a result, the current flows from first skin electrode <NUM> to the shaving part, from the shaving part to an arm of the user carrying electric razor <NUM> through the stratum corneum, and from the arm to grip electrode <NUM>. Thus, the moisture keeping component contained in the skin care agent efficiently permeates the shaving part, and thus, the skin quality of the user is improved.

The shaving part is warmed by warming first skin electrode <NUM> and second skin electrode <NUM> to a predetermined temperature by using heaters <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, and the moisture keeping component contained in the skin care agent efficiently permeates from the shaving part by the temperature effect (heating effect).

Similarly to the case of the ion introduction mode, the detection of the touch by touch detector <NUM> and the switching between the frequencies of voltage V (pulse) on the basis of the detection result of touch detector <NUM> described above can also be performed in the electroporation mode.

Next, <FIG> illustrates a waveform chart of a voltage (pulse) which is applied between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM> in the microcurrent mode. In <FIG>, a vertical axis represents voltage V, and a horizontal axis represents time T.

In the microcurrent mode, controller <NUM> controls voltage application circuit <NUM> to energize microcurrent (weak current) between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>.

In the microcurrent mode, an AC current is applied between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>.

In the microcurrent mode, for example, voltage V is greater than <NUM> V and less than or equal to <NUM> V, the frequency of voltage V (pulse) is between <NUM> and <NUM>, and the duty ratio of voltage V (pulse) is between <NUM>% and <NUM>%.

For example, when the skin care agent is not used, the user can select the microcurrent mode. In the microcurrent mode, the user selects the microcurrent mode by using changeover switch <NUM>, and shaves hair by using electric razor <NUM>.

In the microcurrent mode, a voltage of a relatively low voltage is applied between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM>. As a result, the current alternately flows from first skin electrode <NUM> to the shaving part, from the shaving part to the arm of the user having electric razor <NUM> through the stratum corneum, and from the arm to grip electrode <NUM>. Thus, the skin quality of the user is improved by activating the skin surface of the shaving part.

Similarly to the case of the ion introduction mode, the detection of the touch by touch detector <NUM> and the switching between the frequencies of the voltage (pulse) on the basis of the detection result of touch detector <NUM> described above can also be performed in the microcurrent mode.

Electric razor <NUM> includes touch detector <NUM> that detects whether or not first skin electrode <NUM> sufficiently touches the skin surface of the user, and thus, the generation of the inrush current that may be generated when first skin electrode <NUM> does not sufficiently touch the skin surface can be suppressed. Accordingly, the electrical pain on the skin surface of the user can be reduced during the use of electric razor <NUM>. As the voltage which is applied between first skin electrode <NUM> and grip electrode <NUM> has a higher frequency, the electrical pain felt by the user can be further reduced.

Note that, controller <NUM> and touch detector <NUM> include, for example, a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. The microcontroller achieves a function as controller <NUM> and touch detector <NUM> by executing a program recorded in one or more memories by one or more processors. The program may be recorded in a memory in advance, may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided through an electric communication line. In other words, the program is a program for causing one or more processors to function as controller <NUM> and touch detector <NUM>.

Note that, the above exemplary aspect is to exemplify the techniques in the present disclosure, and therefore, various modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, and the like can be made in the scope of the appended claims or in an equivalent scope thereof.

The present disclosure is applicable to a beauty instrument and an electric razor that can prevent a user from feeling pain when an electrode touches a skin surface of the user during treatment or cutting of hair. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to beauty instruments such as a facial treatment device and a face massage device in addition to the electric razor.

Claim 1:
A beauty instrument (<NUM>) comprising:
a head (<NUM>);
a grip (<NUM>);
a skin electrode (<NUM>) that is disposed at a position of the head touching a skin surface of a human body;
a grip electrode (<NUM>) that is disposed at a position of the grip touching a finger of the human body;
a voltage application circuit (<NUM>) adapted to applying a voltage between the skin electrode and the grip electrode to cause a current to flow between the skin electrode and the grip electrode through the human body; and
a controller (<NUM>) that is adapted to control the voltage application circuit,
wherein
the controller
comprises a touch detector (<NUM>) that is adapted to detect touch of the skin surface of the human body with the skin electrode,
characterized in that the controller is adapted to
control the voltage application circuit to apply a first voltage when the touch detector does not detect the touch, and
control the voltage application circuit to apply a second voltage having a frequency lower than a frequency of the first voltage when the touch detector detects the touch.