Patent Description:
In order to prevent skin aging, various instruments for massaging the skin have been developed. Recently, various apparatuses for providing a massage effect by using a high frequency or a low frequency have been released.

For a device that provides a massage effect by using a high frequency or a low frequency, skin is sucked by a suction cup, and a high frequency or a low frequency is provided to the skin sucked into the suction cup.

However, as the high frequency or low frequency is provided without recognizing whether the user's skin is appropriately sucked into the suction cup, unnecessary power may be wasted. In addition, the skin massage effect may also be degraded.

A skin management device according to the preamble of claim <NUM> is known from <CIT>. In this known skin management device, a skin protrusion sensor provides a signal indicating that the skin to be treated fills a cavity into which the skin is sucked due to a negative pressure generated by a negative pressure source. Based on this signal, a RF generator is controlled for supplying electric energy to electrodes only in a condition in which the skin to be treated fills the cavity.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a skin management device which is able of sucking a user's skin in a desired extent, and when the user's skin has been sucked in the desired extent, applies a high frequency to the sucked skin, thereby reducing power consumption and improving a skin massage effect.

According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a skin management device according to claim <NUM>. This skin management device includes a main body portion having a suction cup, an electrode tip provided on an inner circumferential surface of the suction cup, a high frequency generation portion configured to apply a high frequency to the electrode tip, a suction pump configured to provide suction power to the suction cup, a contact sensor provided on the inner circumferential surface of the suction cup and disposed around the electrode tip, and a controller configured to control operations of the high frequency generation portion and the suction pump, wherein the suction pump operates to suck the user's skin into the suction cup, and when the user's skin contacts the contact sensor, the contact sensor transmits a contact signal to the controller, and the controller, when receiving the contact signal, recognizes suction of the user's skin and operates the high frequency generation portion to apply a high frequency to the user's skin through the electrode tip.

In the skin management device according to the present invention, the contact sensor includes a first contact sensor and a second contact sensor. The first contact sensor is disposed at a position lower than the second contact sensor. The first contact sensor generates a first contact signal, and the second contact sensor generates a second contact signal. The controller, when receiving the first contact signal, operates the high frequency generation portion, and when receiving the second contact signal, controls operation of the suction pump.

In the skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the contact signal is removed, the controller may stop the operation of the high frequency generation portion.

In the skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electrode tip may be disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the main body portion to protrude inwardly.

In the skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electrode tip may include a positive tip and a negative tip, and the positive tip and the negative tip may be disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the main body portion at positions facing each other.

In the skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the contact sensor may be disposed at a position parallel to or lower than the electrode tip.

In the skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the controller, when receiving the second contact signal, may stop operation of the suction pump, or reduces suction power of the suction pump.

The skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include a temperature sensor disposed around the electrode tip, wherein the controller is further configured to provide a notification or control operation of the high frequency generation portion, according to a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.

In the skin management device according to the disclosure, whether the user's skin has been sucked is recognized, and when the user's skin has been sucked, a high frequency is applied to the sucked skin, power consumption may be saved and a skin massage effect may be improved.

In addition, in the skin management device according to the disclosure, when it is determined that the user's skin is excessively sucked, or the temperature is too high, the operations of the suction pump and the high frequency generation portion are controlled so that damage to the user's skin may be prevented and safety accidents may be prevented from occurring.

Hereinafter, the disclosure will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings
<FIG> illustrate the appearance of a skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates the inner structure of the skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates the inner structure of the skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a main body portion <NUM> having a suction cup <NUM>, an electrode tip <NUM> provided on the inner circumferential surface of the suction cup <NUM>, a high frequency generation portion <NUM> for applying a high frequency to the electrode tip <NUM>, a suction pump <NUM> for providing suction power to the suction cup <NUM>, a contact sensor <NUM> provided on the inner circumferential surface of the suction cup <NUM> and disposed around the electrode tip <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> for controlling the operations of the high frequency generation portion <NUM> and the suction pump <NUM>. When the suction pump <NUM> operates to suck the user's skin into the main body portion <NUM> and the user's skin contacts the contact sensor <NUM>, the controller <NUM> recognizes that the user's skin is sucked and operates the high frequency generation portion <NUM> to apply a high frequency to the user's skin through the electrode tip <NUM>.

The main body portion <NUM> forms the appearance of the skin management device.

The main body portion <NUM> may have a shape and structure that enables a user to conveniently grip and carry a skin management device according to the disclosure. However, the appearance of the main body portion <NUM> is not necessarily limited to the shape illustrated in the drawings. A grip portion <NUM> for gripping by a user may be provided in an upper portion of the main body portion <NUM>. The grip portion <NUM>, which has an appropriate structure and shape for a user to grip, may be a portion having a relatively small outer diameter compared with other portions, as illustrated in the drawings, or a constricted portion or a portion with a handle.

A control portion <NUM> for control by a user may be provided on the outer surface of the main body portion <NUM>. The control portion <NUM> may include buttons or a display for outputting input buttons. A user's input signal may be input through the control portion <NUM>. Although not illustrated, an output portion for checking an operating state may be provided on the outer surface of the main body portion <NUM>.

The suction cup <NUM> may be provided in a lower portion of the main body portion <NUM>. The suction cup <NUM> has a cup shape, and the suction cup <NUM> has a suction space <NUM> open in a downward direction. A suction hole <NUM> opened in an upward direction may be provided in the upper portion of the suction cup <NUM>. The suction hole <NUM> communicates with the suction pump <NUM> described below.

The high frequency generation portion <NUM>, the suction pump <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> described below may be included in the main body portion <NUM>. In addition, various power portions for providing power may be mounted in the main body portion <NUM>.

The electrode tip <NUM> is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the suction cup <NUM>.

The electrode tip <NUM> may include a plurality of electrode tips. For example, although <FIG> illustrates that there are eight electrode tips as the electrode tip <NUM>, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The electrode tips <NUM> may be disposed at intervals along the perimeter of the inner circumferential surface of the suction cup <NUM>.

Each of the electrode tips <NUM> may use a single metal or alloy having conductivity as a base substrate. According to an embodiment, each of the electrode tips <NUM> may include a component that can deliver a stable high frequency output to a fat layer deep in the skin without any trouble due to contact with the skin, and increase heat generation due to stimulation of the fat layer and decomposition efficiency.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electrode tips <NUM> may be disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion <NUM>, and may protrude toward the inside of the main body portion <NUM>. Accordingly, each of the electrode tips <NUM> may effectively transmit a high frequency output to the user's skin sucked in the main body portion <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the electrode tips <NUM> may include a positive tip <NUM> and a negative tip <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the positive tip <NUM> and the negative tip <NUM> may be disposed at positions facing each other on the inner circumferential surface of the main body portion <NUM>.

The high frequency generation portion <NUM> may be mounted in the main body portion <NUM>. The high frequency generation portion <NUM> is a member that outputs high frequency energy and radiates the high frequency energy through the electrode tips <NUM>. The high frequency energy may refer to energy having a certain frequency to generate an effect in skin management and improvement. As an example, the high frequency energy may be a "radio frequency (RF). " The high frequency generation portion <NUM> may be any device capable of generating the high frequency energy, and a detailed structure thereof is not particularly limited. In other words, the high frequency generation portion <NUM> may have a structure that can be understood by a person skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains can understand.

The suction pump <NUM> is a member that communicates with the suction hole <NUM> and provides suction power to the suction cup <NUM> through the suction hole <NUM>. The specific structure and type of the suction pump <NUM> are not limited. The suction pump <NUM> may be, for example, a vacuum pump. According to an embodiment, the suction power provided by the suction pump <NUM> may vary.

The contact sensor <NUM> generates a signal when contacting the user's skin. According to an embodiment, the contact sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the suction cup <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the contact sensor <NUM> may be disposed at a position parallel to or lower than the electrode tip <NUM>, in a vertical direction of the main body portion <NUM>.

As shown in the embodiment, as the contact sensor <NUM> is disposed at a position parallel to or lower than the electrode tip <NUM>, the contact sensor <NUM> may easily recognize the user's skin sucked into the main body portion <NUM>. In other words, when the user's skin has been sucked into the suction cup <NUM>, as the user's skin comes into contact with the contact sensor <NUM>, the contact sensor <NUM> may recognize that the user's skin is sucked and positioned in a contact state with the electrode tip <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the contact sensor <NUM> includes a plurality of contact sensors. The contact sensor <NUM> includes a first contact sensor <NUM> and a second contact sensor <NUM>, and the arrangement height of the first contact sensor <NUM> and the arrangement height of the second contact sensor <NUM> is different from each other. In other words, the first contact sensor <NUM> is at a relatively low position and the second contact sensor <NUM> is at a relatively higher position than the first contact sensor <NUM>.

The first contact sensor <NUM> may be positioned, as described above, at a position parallel to or lower than the electrode tip <NUM>. In addition, the second contact sensor <NUM> may be positioned at a position higher than the electrode tip <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be mounted in the main body portion <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be a CPU. The controller <NUM> may generate an output signal in response to signals provided from the control portion <NUM>, the contact sensor <NUM>, or a temperature sensor <NUM> described below. The controller <NUM> may control the operations of the high frequency generation portion <NUM> and the suction pump <NUM> by using the output signal.

The skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include the temperature sensor <NUM> around the electrode tips <NUM>. In addition, the controller <NUM> may provide a notification, control the operation of the suction pump <NUM>, or control the operation of the high frequency generation portion <NUM>, according to a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor <NUM>.

As an example, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor <NUM> is greater than or equal to a reference temperature, the operation of the suction pump <NUM> may be stopped, or the suction power of the suction pump <NUM> may be reduced. In another example, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor <NUM> is greater than or equal to a reference temperature, the operation of the high frequency generation portion <NUM> may be stopped, or the output generated from the high frequency generation portion <NUM> may be reduced.

As described above, as the temperature sensor <NUM> is provided, and the controller <NUM> controls the operations of the suction pump <NUM> and the high frequency generation portion <NUM> in response to the signal output from the temperature sensor <NUM>, safety accidents may be prevented from occurring.

For example, when the high frequency energy applied to the user's skin increases too high, or is provided for a long time, the temperature of the user's skin may be increased too high. In this case, a user may be injured, such as burns. According to an embodiment, in this case, as the controller <NUM> appropriately controls the operation of the high frequency generation portion <NUM>, the user may be prevented from being injured by burns and the like.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the use and operation of a skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

In the following description, the operation of the skin management device according to the embodiment of the disclosure is described.

When the suction cup <NUM> of the main body portion <NUM> is brought into close contact with the user's skin and the suction pump <NUM> is operated by manipulating the control portion <NUM>, the user's skin is sucked into the suction space <NUM> of the suction cup <NUM>. In this state, as the user's skin is in contact with the contact sensor <NUM> in the suction cup <NUM>, the contact sensor <NUM> provides the controller <NUM> with a contact signal. The contact signal is a signal indicating that the user's skin is sucked into the suction cup <NUM> and reaches a certain position. The controller <NUM> that received the contact signal recognizes that the user's skin has been sucked into the suction space <NUM>, and operates the high frequency generation portion <NUM> to provide an ON output signal that provides high frequency energy.

When the suction by the suction pump <NUM> is stopped or the user's skin escapes from the suction cup <NUM>, the contact sensor <NUM> provides the controller <NUM> with an escape signal. The escape signal is a signal indicating that the user's skin has escaped from the suction cup <NUM>. The controller <NUM> that received the escape signal recognizes that the user's skin has escaped from the suction space <NUM>, and stops the operation of the high frequency generation portion <NUM> to provide an OFF output signal that stops the provision of the high frequency energy.

The escape signal may mean, for example, the skin contact signal is removed because the user's skin is not in contact with the contact sensor <NUM>. In other words, when sensing that the user's skin has escaped from the contact sensor <NUM>, the contact sensor <NUM> may generate an escape signal, or stops an operating signal, so that the controller <NUM> may stop the operation of the high frequency generation portion <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the operation of the skin management device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, in a non-suction state in which the user's skin is not sucked into the suction cup <NUM>, the high frequency generation portion <NUM> is in an OFF state. In a suction state in which the user's skin is sucked into the suction cup <NUM>, the high frequency generation portion <NUM> is in an ON state. As in an embodiment, as the ON/OFF of the high frequency generation portion <NUM> is determined depending on the suction of the user's skin, consumption power may be saved, and energy efficiency may be increased.

As the contact sensor <NUM> includes the first contact sensor <NUM> and the second contact sensor <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, when receiving a contact signal from the first contact sensor <NUM>, may provide the high frequency generation portion <NUM> with an ON output signal, and the controller <NUM>, when receiving a contact signal from the second contact sensor <NUM>, may provide an OFF output signal that turns the suction pump <NUM> off.

In other words, in the skin management device according to the present invention, when the suction power of the suction pump <NUM> is so strong that the user's skin is sucked too much and then the user's skin is sucked to a position where the second contact sensor <NUM> is disposed, the suction pump <NUM> is turned off so that the user's skin may be prevented from being damaged. Furthermore, in this state, the suction pump <NUM> may be turned off until the contact signal from the second contact sensor <NUM> is removed. According to another embodiment, it is possible to generate a signal that decreases the suction power of the suction pump <NUM>, until the contact signal from the second contact sensor <NUM> is removed.

Unlike the above-described embodiments, it is possible that the contact sensor <NUM> may have a different structure. In other words, the contact sensor <NUM> does not necessarily provide a signal only through contact/non-contact of skin, but is possible to generate a signal when skin reaches a certain position or height. In other words, the contact sensor <NUM> may mean any sensors, and can be understood as the term "sensor unit. " As an example, the sensor unit in lieu of the contact sensor may be, for example, an optical sensor, and the optical sensor may irradiate light to a certain height, and when the user's skin reaches the height, the sensor unit may provide a signal to the controller <NUM>. The above descriptions may be applied to the location and operation of the sensor unit.

Claim 1:
A skin management device comprising:
a main body portion (<NUM>) having a suction cup (<NUM>);
an electrode tip (<NUM>) provided on an inner circumferential surface of the suction cup (<NUM>);
a high frequency generation portion (<NUM>) configured to apply a high frequency to the electrode tip (<NUM>);
a suction pump (<NUM>) configured to provide suction power to the suction cup (<NUM>);
a contact sensor (<NUM>) provided on the inner circumferential surface of the suction cup (<NUM>) and disposed around the electrode tip (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to control operations of the high frequency generation portion (<NUM>) and the suction pump (<NUM>),
wherein the suction pump (<NUM>) operates to suck a user's skin into the suction cup (<NUM>), and when the user's skin contacts the contact sensor (<NUM>), the contact sensor (<NUM>) transmits a contact signal to the controller (<NUM>), and
the controller (<NUM>), when receiving the contact signal, recognizes suction of the user's skin and operates the high frequency generation portion (<NUM>) to apply a high frequency to the user's skin through the electrode tip (<NUM>),
characterized in that:
the contact sensor (<NUM>) comprises a first contact sensor (<NUM>) and a second contact sensor (<NUM>),
the first contact sensor (<NUM>) is disposed at a position lower than the second contact sensor (<NUM>),
the first contact sensor (<NUM>) generates a first contact signal,
the second contact sensor (<NUM>) generates a second contact signal, and
the controller (<NUM>), when receiving the first contact signal, operates the high frequency generation portion (<NUM>), and when receiving the second contact signal, controls operation of the suction pump (<NUM>).