Non-contact ultrasonic skin care device with LED light radiation and spray function

Abstract

Disclosed is a non-contact ultrasonic skin care device having LED light radiation and spraying functions. The device includes a dome-shaped dome cover in which one side is partially open and an inner space is defined by the dome cover, an LED power source mounted on an inner top surface of the dome cover so as to emit light into the inner space, an ultrasonic oscillator mounted on the inner top surface of the dome cover so as to generate ultrasonic waves and apply the generated ultrasonic waves into the inner space, a nozzle mounted on the inner top surface of the dome cover so as to spray a cosmetic agent stored in a storage tank into the inner space in the form of a mist of fine particles, a power supply for supplying power to each of the LED power source, the ultrasonic oscillator, and the nozzle, and a controller configured to control the operation of each of the LED power source, the ultrasonic oscillator, and the nozzle.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0169878, filed on December 1, 2021, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a non-contact ultrasonic skincare device with LED light radiation and mist functions. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a non-contact ultrasonic skincare device with LED light radiation and mist functions, wherein Rayleigh scattering of light is used to convert ultrasound waves into Mie scattering of light, allowing a mist containing a cosmetic to effectively penetrate facial skin, thereby increasing the penetration of light energy and mist into the skin and helping to remove residual foreign matter from the skin surface. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, technologies that improve or treat skin by radiating light onto the skin have been developed, and related products are being released.

[0004] For example, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2018-0134624 entitled “A face mask having a multi-wavelength power source” provides a face mask having an LED power source that radiates light of various wavelengths for skin care.

[0005] When LED light is used for skin treatment, it can be applied to various fields, such as wound healing, acne healing, and skin recovery. For example, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2012-0009571, entitled "A system and method for treating a skin using LED," discloses a device for treating skin using LED light.

[0006] In this way, skin rejuvenation or treatments can be achieved using light emitted from a power source such as an LED. In this case, heat is generated due to the emitted light. Therefore, the problem of cooling this heat arises.

[0007] Traditionally, in skin treatments using LED light, ceramic materials are brought into contact with the skin to cool it, which is quite inconvenient.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a method that can comfortably and stably cool the skin in a non-contact manner while using light radiation from sources such as LED lights for skin care or treatment.

[0009] Furthermore, there is a need for solutions that can deliver beneficial ingredients, such as cosmetic ingredients or medications, to the skin while simultaneously radiating LED light and cooling it.

[0010] Existing technical documents

[0011] Patent documents

[0012] Patent document 1: Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2018-0134624 entitled “A face mask having a multi-wavelength power source”.

[0013] Patent document 2: Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2012-0009571 entitled "A system and method for treating a skin using LED". Summary of the Invention

[0014] This summary is provided to introduce selected concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify all key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used alone as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0015] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a non-contact ultrasonic skin care device with LED light radiation and spray functions, wherein ultrasonic waves are applied into the space of a dome mask, such that Rayleigh scattering of light radiated from the LED power source is converted into Mie scattering of light using ultrasonic waves to increase the straightness of the light.

[0016] In addition, another object of this disclosure is to provide a non-contact ultrasonic skin care device with LED light radiation and spray functions, wherein ultrasonic waves are applied to facial skin to remove foreign matter remaining thereon from the pores or outer surface of the skin.

[0017] The purposes of this disclosure are not limited to those described above. Other purposes and advantages not mentioned in this disclosure may be understood from the following description and may be more clearly understood based on embodiments according to this disclosure. Furthermore, it will be readily understood that the purposes and advantages of this disclosure can be achieved using the means shown in the claims and combinations thereof.

[0018] One aspect of this disclosure provides a non-contact ultrasonic skincare device with LED light radiation and spray functions, the device comprising: a dome-shaped cover in the form of a hemispherical dome, wherein one side of the dome is partially open and an internal space is defined by the dome; an LED power supply mounted on the inner ceiling face of the dome to emit light into the internal space; an ultrasonic oscillator mounted on the inner ceiling face of the dome to generate ultrasonic waves and apply the generated ultrasonic waves to the internal space; a nozzle mounted on the inner ceiling face of the dome to spray a beauty agent stored in a storage tank into the internal space in the form of a fine mist; a power supply for supplying power to each of the LED power supply, the ultrasonic oscillator, and the nozzle; and a controller configured to control the operation of each of the LED power supply, the ultrasonic oscillator, and the nozzle, wherein the beauty agent is effectively absorbed into the user's face contained in the internal space using light radiated from the LED power supply and ultrasonic waves applied from the ultrasonic oscillator.

[0019] In one implementation of a non-contact ultrasonic skincare device, ultrasound waves applied from an ultrasonic oscillator increase the spray mist and scattering of light radiated into the internal space defined by a dome, and allow for the removal of foreign matter remaining on the user's facial skin. In this implementation, the scattering of light radiated from the LED power source is converted from Rayleigh scattering to a Mie scattering system, making the light energy reaching the user's face relatively large.

[0020] In one implementation of a non-contact ultrasonic skin care device, the orientation angle of each of the LED power supply, ultrasonic oscillator, and nozzle relative to the inner top surface of the dome is adjustable.

[0021] In one implementation of a non-contact ultrasonic skin care device, the cosmetic agent includes an oxygenated solution in which oxygen is dissolved.

[0022] According to this disclosure, ultrasound is applied into the dome space, such that Rayleigh scattering of light radiated from the LED power source is converted into Mie scattering of light using ultrasound to increase the straightness of the light, and thus, light effective for skin care can be effectively transmitted to the facial skin.

[0023] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, ultrasound is applied to facial skin to remove foreign matter remaining thereon from the pores or outer surface of the skin.

[0024] In addition to the effects described above, specific effects according to this disclosure will be described together with the following detailed description of implementing this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating two types of light scattering.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the skin care device according to this disclosure.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the components of a skincare device.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the environment in which light reaches the face. Detailed Implementation

[0029] For simplicity and clarity, the elements in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements and therefore perform similar functions. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements have been omitted. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in the following detailed description of this disclosure to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be understood that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the disclosure. Examples of various embodiments will be further illustrated and described below. It will be understood that the description herein is not intended to limit the claims to the specific embodiments described. Rather, the description herein is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0030] The shapes, dimensions, scales, angles, numbers, etc., disclosed in the accompanying drawings for illustrating embodiments of this disclosure are illustrative and this disclosure is not limited thereto. Throughout this document, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements have been omitted. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in the following detailed description of this disclosure to provide a comprehensive understanding of it. However, it will be understood that this disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of this disclosure.

[0031] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well. It will be further understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “including” as used in this specification mean the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and / or portions thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one” preceding a list of elements may modify the entire list of elements without modifying individual elements in the list. When “C to D” is mentioned, unless otherwise specified, it means that C to D are included.

[0032] Furthermore, it will be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as existing “on” or “below” a second element or layer, the first element may be directly arranged on or below the second element, or may be indirectly arranged on or below the second element, wherein a third element or layer is arranged between the first element or layer and the second element or layer. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, that element or layer may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intermediary elements or layers may be present. Furthermore, it will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, that element or layer may be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intermediary elements or layers may be present.

[0033] Furthermore, as used herein, when a layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., can be arranged "on" or "on top" of another layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., the former can directly contact the latter, or another layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., can be arranged between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., is directly arranged "on" or "on top" of another layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., the former directly contacts the latter, and another layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., is not arranged between the former and the latter. Furthermore, as used herein, when a layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., can be arranged "below" or "under" another layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., the former can directly contact the latter, or another layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., can be arranged between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., is directly arranged "below" or "under" another layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., the former directly contacts the latter, and another layer, membrane, region, plate, etc., is not arranged between the former and the latter.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all terms, including technical and scientific terms used herein, shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the inventive concept pertains. It will be further understood that terms (such as those defined in common dictionaries) shall be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0035] Features of the various embodiments of this disclosure can be combined partially or completely with each other, and can be technically related to or operable on each other. Embodiments can be implemented independently of each other, or they can be implemented together in a related relationship.

[0036] For ease of explanation, spatially relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “down,” “below,” “above,” and “above” may be used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature as shown in the figures. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientations described in the figures, spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, when the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as “below,” “under,” or “below” other elements or features will be oriented as “above” other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “below” can include both the orientations above and below. The device may be oriented in other ways, such as by rotating 90 degrees or in other orientations, and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0037] In the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a non-contact ultrasonic skin care device (hereinafter referred to as 'skin care device') having LED light radiation and spray functions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating two types of light scattering. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the skin care device according to this disclosure. Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the components of a skincare device. Figure 4 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the environment in which light reaches the face.

[0039] The skincare device 100 according to this disclosure is configured to perform skincare by applying light, ultrasound, and mist to the skin of the user's face while the user's face is contained within a space. Typically, the user places their face in the mask-like device, so that the mist comes into contact with the skin while the face is exposed to light. According to this disclosure, the device is configured such that the mask faces downwards toward the user's face, thereby allowing the sprayed mist to effectively reach the user's face.

[0040] When light travels straight through the air, it collides with particles, causing the light to refract or scatter. Light scattering occurs in two main ways: Rayleigh scattering and Mie scattering, which depend on the wavelength of the light traveling straight ahead and the size of the colliding particles.

[0041] Rayleigh scattering occurs when the size of the particles in the space through which light travels is smaller than the wavelength of light (molecular state). Mie scattering occurs when the size of the particles in the space through which light travels is larger than the wavelength of light (fog or smoke state).

[0042] It appears that when scattering occurs, light is reflected from the object, and therefore a viewer positioned in the opposite direction to the direction of light travel sees reflected light at a high level. However, in reality, scattering occurs primarily in the same direction as the light's travel. Furthermore, the scattering direction depends on the size of the particles.

[0043] As particle size decreases, scattering occurs in the backward direction. When the particle size is approximately 0.05 μm, the intensity of light scattered in the forward direction and the intensity of light scattered in the opposite direction become similar to each other.

[0044] Rayleigh scattering intensity is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the wavelength. Therefore, the shorter the wavelength, the greater the scattering. Thus, blue light (400 nm) is scattered nine times better than red light (700 nm). In this way, the sky appears blue.

[0045] According to this disclosure, Rayleigh scattering that occurs when light collides with air particles is converted into Mie scattering using ultrasound, allowing light from an LED source to more effectively reach facial skin.

[0046] Therefore, the device according to this disclosure has a dome 106 in the form of a hemispherical dome, and one side of the dome 106 is partially open. Through this opening, the user's face can be placed inside the dome 106.

[0047] The dome cover 106 is preferably made of an opaque material, or it may be made of a translucent or transparent material. The dome cover 106 is preferably made of a plastic material.

[0048] The controller 102 is installed in the skincare device 100 to control the operation of its components. The controller 102 may be installed on one side of the dome cover 106, or it may be configured as a separate unit connected to the device 100 via a cable or the like. The controller 102 may be equipped with control tools in the form of touch buttons or touch displays.

[0049] In addition, the power supply 104 supplies power for the operation of the injection tool or the light emitting tool. The power supply can be a commercial power source connected to a household outlet, or a portable power supply using a rechargeable battery.

[0050] Tools for generating light, tools for generating ultrasound, and tools for generating fog are arranged on the inner surface of the dome cover 106. When the user lies down, the user's face can face upwards. Therefore, it is preferable to mount the tools for generating light, tools for generating ultrasound, and tools for generating fog on the inner top surface of the hemispherical dome cover 106.

[0051] According to this disclosure, LED power supplies 108, ultrasonic oscillators 110, and nozzles 112 are mounted on the inner top surface of the dome cover 106. These components can be mounted separately from each other at separate locations. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Preferably, multiple LED power supplies 108, multiple ultrasonic oscillators 110, and multiple nozzles 112 can be arranged in a mixed manner to uniformly produce the effect of the components.

[0052] LED power supply 108 refers to a tool used to emit light of a specific wavelength. The effects of skin rejuvenation or treatment can vary depending on the wavelength of the light emitted by these LED power supplies 108.

[0053] When light radiates from a power source such as an LED onto the skin while oxygen is supplied to the skin, the oxygen is stimulated to produce a disinfecting effect that removes bacteria, making it possible to clean the skin.

[0054] According to this disclosure, the LED power supply 108 can emit light beams of blue, red, and near-infrared wavelengths. The LED power supply 108 can emit blue and red light beams, or emit violet light as a mixture of these beams. The cosmetic or therapeutic effects can vary depending on the wavelength of the light.

[0055] In this embodiment, multiple LED power supplies 108 can be provided, and these multiple LED power supplies 108 can be mounted near the nozzle 112. The multiple LED power supplies 108 typically radiate light toward the user's face. However, if necessary, some of the LED power supplies 108 can be mounted to radiate light toward the user's scalp.

[0056] An ultrasonic oscillator 110 generates ultrasonic waves and applies them towards the user's face or scalp. Furthermore, the ultrasonic waves cause mist-like particles injected into the internal space defined by the dome 106 to fuse together, thereby increasing the size of the mist-like particles. This results in the conversion of Rayleigh scattering of light to Mie scattering. That is, the change in particle size caused by the application of ultrasonic waves changes the scattering of light from Rayleigh scattering to Mie scattering. Therefore, the light radiated from the LED power supply 108 can travel in a more direct direction and reach the user's skin more densely.

[0057] Depending on the properties of the medium, ultrasound waves can pass through or be reflected from it. When the frequency of the ultrasound wave and the natural frequency of the medium are similar, the ultrasound wave can transfer energy into the medium. In air, ultrasound waves are transmitted with minimal loss. However, in the presence of space, ultrasound waves are reflected from space and return.

[0058] Furthermore, when ultrasound is applied to a user's skin, the vibrations can be applied to foreign objects remaining on the skin's surface or in pores. Therefore, these foreign objects can be more easily removed from the skin, thus improving the cleaning effect.

[0059] A spray nozzle 112 atomizes a liquid mist into fine particles with a size of 1 to 5 millimeters and sprays these particles onto the user's facial skin. The sprayed mist can diffuse through the internal space defined by the dome shroud 106 and then fall downwards under gravity, reaching the user's face and scalp. The nozzle 112 can be connected to a storage tank 114 via a conduit, which may further include a pump or compressor. A controller controls the operation of the pump or compressor to spray a controlled amount of mist through the nozzle 112 at the correct time.

[0060] The cosmetic agent stored in storage tank 114 and then sprayed in mist form through nozzle 112 can be a solution containing ingredients beneficial to the skin. For example, a cosmetic solution, dissolved oxygen solution, or solution containing ingredients (e.g., herbs) required for skin beautification, activation, or treatment can be provided.

[0061] Specifically, when the dissolved oxygen solution is provided, the oxygen component comes into contact with the user's skin in the form of a mist. In this case, oxygen is simultaneously supplied to the skin as the heat generated in the skin by a tool such as the LED light source 108 is cooled by the dissolved oxygen solution.

[0062] As described above, according to this disclosure, when the LED power supply 108 radiates light, ultrasonic waves are generated and applied, and mist is simultaneously ejected, thereby achieving a complex effect on the user's face. The ejected mist, as fine particles, collides with the light radiated from the LED power supply 108, causing light scattering. In this respect, in the absence of mist particles, the light propagates in an isotropic direction and is scattered according to the Rayleigh scattering system. However, in the presence of relatively large particles, the light is scattered according to the Mie scattering system, allowing most of the beam to propagate in the direction of the initial beam's travel. Therefore, a large amount of light energy can reach the user's face.

[0063] In the example, it is necessary to adjust the light radiation, ultrasonic oscillation, and mist spray angle to maximize energy transfer based on the size, position, and shape of the user's face. Therefore, according to this disclosure, the LED power supply 108, ultrasonic oscillator 110, and nozzle 112 can be attached to the inner top surface of the dome 106, such that the angle of each of the LED power supply 108, ultrasonic oscillator 110, and nozzle 112 is adjustable. The user can adjust the angle of each of the LED power supply 108, ultrasonic oscillator 110, and nozzle 112 individually based on the external characteristics of the face. In some cases, the device may be equipped with a motorized angle adjustment tool, allowing the controller 102 to adjust the angle of each of the individual components. In this case, the device may further include a scanner that identifies the appearance of the user's face in three dimensions, such that each of the LED power supply 108, ultrasonic oscillator 110, and nozzle 112 is oriented such that its orientation angle is closest to the normal direction of the facial surface.

[0064] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical configurations of the present disclosure as described above can be implemented in other specific forms by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains without altering the technical concept or essential characteristics of the present disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments described above are to be understood as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the claims that are described below rather than by the detailed description above, and all variations or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are included within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A non-contact ultrasonic skin care device with LED light radiation and spray functions, the device comprising: A dome in the form of a hemispherical dome, wherein one side of the dome is partially open and the dome defines an interior space; An LED power supply is mounted on the inner top surface of the dome to emit light into the interior space; An ultrasonic oscillator is mounted on the inner top surface of the dome to generate ultrasonic waves and apply the generated ultrasonic waves to the interior space. A nozzle, mounted on the inner top surface of the dome cover, is used to spray the cosmetic agent stored in the storage tank into the interior space as a fine mist. A power supply for supplying power to each of the LED power source, the ultrasonic oscillator, and the nozzle; A controller configured to control the operation of each of the LED power supply, the ultrasonic oscillator, and the nozzle; and The scanner identifies the appearance of a user's face in three dimensions. The cosmetic agent is effectively absorbed into the user's face, which is contained within the internal space, using light radiated from the LED power source and ultrasound waves applied from the ultrasonic oscillator. The ultrasonic waves applied from the ultrasonic oscillator cause the fine particles sprayed into the interior space to merge and increase in size, thereby increasing the scattering of the radiated light, and also remove foreign matter remaining on the user's facial skin. The size of the fine mist particles is larger than the wavelength of the light radiated from the LED power source, causing the scattering of the light from the LED power source to change from Rayleigh scattering to Mie scattering, resulting in relatively greater light energy reaching the user's face. The orientation angle of each of the LED power supply, the ultrasonic oscillator, and the nozzle relative to the inner top surface of the dome is independently adjusted by an electric angle adjustment tool controlled by the controller.

2. The non-contact ultrasonic skin care device according to claim 1, wherein, The scanner identifies the appearance of the user's face in the three-dimensional manner, such that each of the LED power supply, the ultrasonic oscillator, and the nozzle is oriented such that its orientation angle is the angle closest to the normal direction of the surface of the user's face.

3. The non-contact ultrasonic skin care device according to claim 1, wherein, The cosmetic agent includes an oxygenated solution in which oxygen is dissolved.

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