Light-based disinfection device for personal care device with drying function

Abstract

The invention provides a disinfection device (5) for disinfecting a personal care device (3) with disinfection light. The disinfection device comprises a housing (17) in which a light module (23) is arranged, the light module (23) having a light source (25), a first main side (27) emitting disinfection light generated by the light source, and a second main side (29) opposite the first main side. The housing (17) also accommodates a receiving chamber (49) arranged at the first main side of the light module to hold at least part of the personal care device in the disinfection position and an air chamber (51) arranged at the second main side of the light module. At least one first air channel (59a, 59b) connects the receiving space to the air chamber and at least one second air channel (61) connects the air chamber to the ambient space. Each first air channel is arranged exclusively outside the light module, and the disinfection device is configured to provide at least one third air channel (63) in a disinfection position of said part of the personal care device, the third air channel (63) connecting the receiving chamber with the ambient space. During use, the light source heats the air in the air chamber and the receiving chamber, thereby creating a natural convective air flow through the disinfection device to enable effective drying of the portion of the personal care device in addition to the disinfection function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a personal care system, which includes a personal care device and a disinfection device. The personal care device includes a personal care treatment unit configured to provide personal care treatment to a body part of a subject. The disinfection device is configured to disinfect the personal care treatment unit using disinfection light. The disinfection device includes:

[0002] shell;

[0003] An optical module is disposed in a housing and includes: at least one light source configured to generate disinfection light; a first main side through which the disinfection light generated by the at least one light source is emitted during use; and a second main side opposite to the first main side.

[0004] A receiving space is arranged on the first main side of the optical module and configured to receive at least a portion of the personal care processing unit;

[0005] An air chamber is arranged inside the housing, on the second main side of the optical module;

[0006] At least one first air passage, at least one first air passage connecting the receiving space to the air chamber; and

[0007] At least one second air passage connects the air chamber to the ambient space surrounding the enclosure.

[0008] The present invention also relates to a disinfection device configured to disinfect a personal care treatment unit of a personal care device using disinfection light, wherein the personal care treatment unit is configured to provide personal care treatment to a body part of a subject, and wherein the disinfection device includes:

[0009] shell;

[0010] An optical module is disposed in a housing and includes: at least one light source configured to generate disinfection light; a first main side through which the disinfection light generated by the at least one light source is emitted during use; and a second main side opposite to the first main side.

[0011] A receiving space is arranged on the first main side of the optical module and configured to receive at least a portion of the personal care processing unit;

[0012] An air chamber is arranged inside the housing, on the second main side of the optical module;

[0013] At least one first air passage, at least one first air passage connecting the receiving space to the air chamber; and

[0014] At least one second air passage connects the air chamber to the ambient space surrounding the enclosure. Background Technology

[0015] Personal care systems and devices configured to provide personal care treatments to parts of a subject's body are well known. Examples include electric shaving devices for shaving facial hair, hair trimming devices for cutting facial hair or hair on other parts of the body, intense pulsed light (IPL) devices for removing hair from legs or other parts of the body, facial cleansing brush devices for cleaning the face with the aid of rotating and / or vibrating brushes, and skin rejuvenation devices for revitalizing the skin on parts of the body with the aid of electromagnetic or radio frequency energy. Such personal care devices typically have a main body and a personal care treatment unit coupled to the main body, which actually provides personal care treatment to the body parts. After one or more treatments using the personal care device, the personal care treatment unit of the personal care device may need to be cleaned and / or sterilized. In this regard, it is known to use personal care devices with sterilization equipment that generates ultraviolet (UV) sterilization light to sterilize the personal care treatment unit.

[0016] KR20110126002A discloses an electric shaving device having a main body and a shaving head disposed on the main body. The shaving device also has a shaving head cover that can be releasably coupled to an upper portion of the main body to cover and protect the shaving head, for example, when the shaving device is not in use. The shaving head cover is provided with a sterilization module comprising multiple UV LEDs arranged to irradiate the shaving head with UV light when the shaving head cover is coupled to the main body and covers the shaving head. The UV LEDs are powered by a power source disposed in the main body, such that the UV LEDs can only be activated when the shaving head cover is properly coupled to the main body. In this way, any leakage of potentially harmful UV light into the environment is prevented. The UV LEDs are activated for a predetermined time period to adequately sterilize the shaving head by using UV light irradiation. A drawback of this known sterilization device is that the shaving head is not dried during the sterilization process when it is wet, because the shaving head is completely surrounded by the shaving cap during the sterilization process. This can result in an undesirable odor.

[0017] KR20200111078A discloses a charging device for an electric shaving device. The charging device includes a UV light module arranged to irradiate the shaving unit of the shaving device with UV light when the shaving device is placed in the charging device for charging. Therefore, during charging, the shaving unit of the shaving device can be sterilized by the UV light emitted by the UV light module. The charging device includes a base portion on which the shaving device can be placed in an upright position. The base portion is provided with electrical charging contacts that can connect with electrical charging contacts provided in a lower portion of the body of the shaving device when the shaving device is properly placed in the charging device. The UV light module is arranged in an upper housing portion of the charging device, which is connected to the base portion via a vertically extending post and is vertically positioned above the base portion. The shaving device can be placed in an open receiving space between the base portion and the upper housing portion of the charging device, such that the shaving unit of the shaving device can be irradiated by the UV light emitted by the UV light module in the upper housing portion. The UV light module includes: a circuit board; multiple UV LEDs mounted on the lower surface of the circuit board facing the receiving space; and a diffuse transparent cover disposed between the circuit board and the receiving space. The upper housing portion also has an air chamber disposed above the circuit board. The air chamber is connected to the receiving space via multiple air holes provided in the circuit board and multiple air holes provided in the diffuse transparent cover. The air chamber is connected to the environment via multiple air supply holes provided in the top wall of the upper housing portion. A blower fan is disposed in the air chamber. During the sterilization process, when the UV LEDs emit UV light, the blower fan is activated to draw ambient air into the air chamber via the air supply holes and blow the air towards the shaving unit in the receiving space via the air holes provided in the circuit board and the diffuse transparent cover. Because the UV LEDs are heated due to their limited electro-optical energy conversion efficiency, the air blown towards the shaving unit will be heated as it passes through the air chamber and the air holes in the circuit board. As a result, a warm airflow towards the shaving unit is generated, which increases the temperature of the shaving unit. The increased temperature of the shaving unit is intended to enhance shaving comfort experienced by the user during the next shaving session. A known drawback of this sterilization device is that the fan complicates its structure. Furthermore, airflow through vents in the circuit board may contaminate electronic components mounted on it, and vents in the diffuse transparent cover may reduce the uniformity of light intensity provided by the cover. Additionally, the relatively short path of ambient air through the UV light module limits the increase in air temperature.

[0018] KR0134068Y1 discloses a toothbrush sterilizer. The sterilizer has a receiving space for receiving multiple toothbrushes in a vertical position suspended from a retainer. An elongated sterilizing lamp is arranged in the vertical position within the receiving space to irradiate the toothbrushes. The sterilizer has a mechanism for opening and closing a pair of rotating doors through which the receiving space can be accessed. The sterilizer also has a motor-driven fan arranged in a chamber above the receiving space and the sterilizing lamp. When the doors are closed, the fan generates airflow that circulates through the sterilizer via the receiving space, a filter arranged below the sterilizing lamp, a return channel arranged after the sterilizing lamp, and the chamber housing the fan. Summary of the Invention

[0019] One object of the present invention is to provide a personal care system and a disinfection device, each having the features mentioned in the preceding "Field of the Invention" section, by which the disadvantages associated with known disinfection devices described in the preceding "Background Art" section can be at least mitigated. Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a personal care system and a disinfection device, wherein, in the disinfection device, an airflow is generated along a personal care processing unit without the use of a fan or other type of mechanical air pumping system, and is sufficient to dry the personal care processing unit within a reasonable time when it is wet when placed in the disinfection device. Another object of the present invention is to use heat generated by a light source from an optical module to more effectively heat the air flowing through the disinfection device.

[0020] According to a first aspect of the invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a personal care system having the features mentioned in the preceding "Field of the Invention" section is characterized in that an receiving space is provided in a receiving chamber, the receiving chamber being arranged within the housing of a sterilization device and configured to hold said portion of the personal care processing unit in a sterilization position within the receiving chamber, wherein each first air passage is exclusively arranged outside the optical module, and in the sterilization position of the personal care processing unit, at least one third air passage is provided to connect the receiving chamber to the environmental space surrounding the housing, wherein at least one second air passage is arranged to be separate from the receiving space and separate from at least one third air passage.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a sterilization device having the features mentioned in the preceding "Field of the Invention" section is characterized in that a receiving space is provided in a receiving chamber, the receiving chamber being arranged within the housing of the sterilization device and configured to hold said portion of the personal care treatment unit in a sterilization position within the receiving chamber, wherein each first air channel is exclusively arranged outside the optical module, and in the sterilization position of the personal care treatment unit, at least one third air channel is provided to connect the receiving chamber to the ambient space surrounding the housing, wherein at least one second air channel is arranged to be separate from the receiving space and separate from at least one third air channel.

[0022] In fact, according to the present invention, at least one second air passage is arranged to be separate from the receiving space and separate from at least one third air passage, meaning that at least one second air passage is arranged independently of at least one third air passage and independently of the receiving space, connecting the air chamber to the environmental space surrounding the housing. That is, at least one second air passage does not include any part of at least one third air passage and does not include any part of the receiving space.

[0023] In the disinfection device according to the invention and in a personal care system having the disinfection device according to the invention, during use of the disinfection device, when the personal care processing unit of the personal care device is arranged in the disinfection position within the receiving chamber of the disinfection device, due to the limited electro-optical power conversion efficiency of the light source, the air in the air chamber at the second main side of the light module and the air in the receiving chamber at the first main side of the light module will be heated by heat generated by at least one light source of the light module. Depending on the orientation of the disinfection device relative to the Earth's gravity, the heated air in the air chamber and the receiving chamber will generate an airflow from the air chamber to the receiving chamber, or from the receiving chamber to the air chamber.

[0024] In a first orientation where the air chamber is positioned above the receiving chamber, heated air in the air chamber flows into the ambient space via at least one second air passage connecting the air chamber and the ambient space, and heated air in the receiving chamber flows into the air chamber via at least one first air passage connecting the receiving chamber and the air chamber. As a result, fresh ambient air is drawn into the receiving chamber via at least one third air passage connecting the receiving chamber and the ambient space. This causes the total airflow from the ambient space through the disinfection device to return to the ambient space via the third air passage, the receiving chamber, the first air passage, the air chamber, and the second air passage.

[0025] In a second orientation where the air chamber is positioned below the receiving chamber, heated air in the receiving chamber flows into the ambient space via at least one third air passage connecting the receiving chamber and the ambient space, and heated air in the air chamber flows into the receiving chamber via at least one first air passage connecting the air chamber and the receiving chamber. As a result, fresh ambient air is drawn into the air chamber via at least one second air passage connecting the air chamber and the ambient space. This causes the total airflow from the ambient space through the disinfection device to return to the ambient space via the second air passage, the air chamber, the first air passage, the receiving chamber, and the third air passage, respectively.

[0026] According to the invention, each first air channel connecting the air chamber and the receiving chamber is exclusively arranged outside the optical module. For the airflow from the receiving chamber to the air chamber (i.e., in the first orientation of the disinfection device) and for the airflow from the air chamber to the receiving chamber (i.e., in the second orientation of the disinfection device), relatively long flow paths can be created along the first and second main sides of the optical module. These relatively long flow paths result in effective heating of the air in the air chamber and the receiving chamber, i.e., a relatively high temperature of the air. Consequently, in both the first and second orientations, strong airflows can be generated in the disinfection device, based solely on natural convection, i.e., without the use of forced convection from fans, pumps, suction systems, or similar devices. In both the first and second orientations, i.e., when the personal care treatment unit is humid when placed in the receiving chamber, the natural convection airflow is sufficient to dry the personal care treatment unit in the receiving chamber within a reasonable time.

[0027] Those skilled in the art will understand that the airflow path in the air chamber will depend on the positions of the first and second air passages relative to the air chamber, and that these positions can be directly selected to create a desired flow path length within the air chamber. Similarly, those skilled in the art will understand that the airflow path in the receiving chamber will depend on the positions of the first and third air passages relative to the receiving chamber, and that these positions can be directly selected to create a desired flow path length within the receiving chamber.

[0028] It should also be noted that in the second orientation of the sterilization equipment, the temperature of the airflow along the personal care processing unit in the receiving chamber will be higher than the temperature in the first orientation of the sterilization equipment, so that the required drying time in the second orientation can typically be shorter than the drying time in the first orientation. In both the first and second orientations, natural convection airflow along the first and second main sides of the optical module provides effective cooling for the optical module.

[0029] In embodiments of the personal care system and disinfection device according to the present invention, the light module includes a carrier, at least one light source is mounted on a first main surface of the carrier facing a first main side of the light module, and the light module includes a heat sink connected to a second main surface of the carrier, the second main surface opposite to the first main surface of the carrier. The carrier may be a plate-like carrier, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). In these embodiments, the heat sink will absorb the largest portion of the heat generated by the at least one light source on the carrier. Because the heat sink is connected to the second main surface of the carrier, which faces a second main side of the light module, the air in the air chamber at the second main side of the light module will be heated more than the air in the receiving chamber at the first main side of the light module. The resulting temperature difference between the air in the air chamber and the air in the receiving chamber will increase the natural convection airflow in the disinfection device.

[0030] In another embodiment of the personal care system and disinfection device according to the invention, the light module includes a light diffusing member disposed on a first main side of the light module. The light diffusing member may be a plate-like member extending parallel to the first main side of the light module. The light diffusing member may be made of a light-transparent diffusing material. The main side of the plate-like member, preferably facing the main side of at least one light source, may be provided with an optical structure including a plurality of facets. The main side of the plate-like member facing the reception chamber may form the first main side of the light module. The angular distribution of the disinfection light generated by at least one light source is increased by the light diffusing member, resulting in a more uniform distribution of the disinfection light over the personal care treatment unit, and limiting any peak irradiance of the disinfection light emitted at the first main side of the light module.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the personal care system and disinfection device according to the invention, the disinfection light generated by at least one light source has a peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 425 nm, preferably in the range of 405 nm to 410 nm. In these preferred embodiments, the peak wavelength of the disinfection light generated by at least one light source is in the violet range of visible light. Violet light with a peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 425 nm is highly effective in reducing bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus), but it is significantly less harmful to users than UV light. Therefore, in these preferred embodiments, any safety measures provided in the disinfection device to prevent unintentional exposure of users to disinfection light may be less stringent compared to disinfection devices using UV light. Specifically, providing a light-diffusing component to the light module is sufficient to adequately reduce the peak irradiance of the disinfection light emitted by the light module, and it may not be necessary to provide any specific measures to prevent the scattered disinfection light from leaking through openings or gaps in the housing of the disinfection device (such as air channels connecting the air chamber and receiving chamber to the ambient space). However, it should be noted that the present invention also covers embodiments in which the disinfection light generated by at least one light source has a peak wavelength that is different from the 400nm-425nm range, such as UV light, light in the blue range of visible light, or light with a wavelength even longer than the blue light wavelength.

[0032] In embodiments of the personal care system and disinfection device according to the invention, the optical module includes an outer circumferential surface extending between a first main side and a second main side of the optical module, and each first air channel is formed between a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the optical module and a portion of the inner surface of the housing of the disinfection device. In these embodiments, the first air channels are formed in a simple and practical manner. The outer circumferential surface of the optical module may, for example, be configured to fit within the inner surface of the housing of the disinfection device, and may be provided with a recess at each location where a first air channel is to be provided. Alternatively, the inner surface of the housing of the disinfection device may be provided with a recess at each location where a first air channel is to be provided.

[0033] In embodiments of the personal care system and disinfection device according to the present invention, the housing of the disinfection device includes: a central axis, a receiving chamber, an optical module, and an air chamber arranged sequentially along the central axis; a first wall portion having a main extending direction parallel to the central axis; and a second wall portion having a main extending direction transverse to the central axis, wherein the air chamber is surrounded by the first wall portion, the second wall portion, and a second main side of the optical module, and wherein at least one of the second air channels is provided in the first wall portion. By providing the second air channel in the first wall portion, natural convection airflow in the air chamber can occur along a relatively large portion of the second main side of the optical module, making the heating of the airflow at the second main side of the optical module very effective. Preferably, the second air channel is provided in the region of the first wall portion where the first wall portion connects to the second wall portion.

[0034] In another embodiment of the personal care system and sterilization apparatus according to the invention, the receiving chamber of the sterilization apparatus includes a receiving opening through which the portion of the personal care processing unit can be received by the receiving chamber. The receiving opening is surrounded by an edge portion of the housing of the sterilization apparatus, and in the sterilization position of the personal care processing unit, at least one of the third air channels is formed between a portion of the edge portion of the housing and a portion of the outer surface of the personal care processing unit. In these embodiments, the third air channels are formed in a simple and practical manner. The outer surface of the personal care processing unit may, for example, be configured to fit within the edge portion of the housing of the sterilization apparatus, and the edge portion may be provided with a recess at each location where a third air channel is to be provided. However, it should be noted that the invention also covers embodiments in which the third air channel is formed in a different manner, for example, a channel formed as a channel provided at a distance from the receiving opening in a wall portion of the housing of the sterilization apparatus surrounding the receiving chamber.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the personal care system and disinfection device according to the present invention, the housing of the disinfection device is configured as a protective cover member, which is configured to be releasably placed on the personal care device to cover at least said portion of the personal care processing unit. In these preferred embodiments, the disinfection device is configured as a protective cover for the personal care processing unit, which can be easily placed on the personal care device by a user. The disinfection device may be provided with a timer to automatically deactivate at least one light source of the light module after a predetermined time period, such that after the disinfection process, the disinfection device can remain in an appropriate position on the personal care device to protect the personal care processing unit. It should be noted that the present invention also covers embodiments in which the disinfection device is configured or integrated in different ways. The disinfection device may, for example, be integrated into or part of the charging device of the personal care device, or integrated into or part of a storage box or housing, which is configured to completely contain and enclose the personal care device.

[0036] In embodiments of the personal care system and disinfection device according to the present invention, the personal care device is an electric shaving device, and the personal care processing unit is a shaving unit having at least one hair cutting unit. The electric shaving device is generally designed to shave facial hair. The electric shaving device can be rotary, wherein each hair cutting unit has an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member, the outer cutting member having a hair entry opening, and the inner cutting member having a cutting element covered by the outer cutting member and rotatable within the outer cutting member. The electric shaving device can also be of a linear reciprocating type, wherein each hair cutting unit has an outer cutting member and an inner cutting member, the outer cutting member having a hair entry opening, and the inner cutting member having a cutting element covered by the outer cutting member and linearly reciprocating within the outer cutting member. The present invention also covers embodiments in which the personal care device is of different types, such as, for example, a hair trimming device for cutting facial hair or hair on other parts of the body, an intense pulsed light (IPL) device for removing hair from the legs or other parts of the body by means of light pulses, a facial cleaning brush for cleaning the face by means of rotating and / or vibrating brushes, a toothbrush for cleaning teeth, and a skin restoration device for restoring the skin of a part of the body by means of electromagnetic or radio frequency energy.

[0037] The above and other aspects of the invention will become apparent and clarified with reference to the following detailed description of embodiments of the personal care system and disinfection device according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar features are indicated by the same reference numerals, and in the drawings:

[0039] Figure 1 A personal care system according to the present invention is shown;

[0040] Figure 2a shows the personal care system along the first orientation of the personal care system. Figure 1 A partial cross-section of line II-II in the middle;

[0041] Figure 2b shows a cross-section of the personal care system in the second orientation of Figure 2a;

[0042] Figure 3 A disinfection device according to the present invention is shown. The disinfection device is Figure 1 Part of the personal care system;

[0043] Figure 4 The disinfection equipment is shown along Figure 3 The cross-section of line IV-IV in the middle;

[0044] Figure 5 The disinfection equipment is shown along Figure 1 and Figure 3 The cross-section of line VV in the middle;

[0045] Figure 6 It shows the personal care system along Figure 1 The cross-section of line VI-VI in the middle;

[0046] Figure 7a shows a partial cross-section of the personal care system along line VII-VII in Figure 2a in the first orientation of the personal care system; and

[0047] Figure 7b shows a cross-section of Figure 7a in the second orientation of the personal care system. Detailed Implementation

[0048] Figure 1 A personal care system 1 according to the present invention is shown. The personal care system 1 includes a personal care device 3 and a disinfection device 5 according to the present invention. The personal care device 3 includes a body 7 and a personal care processing unit 9 disposed on the body 7. The body 7 is intended to be held by the user's hand during use of the personal care device 3. The personal care processing unit 9 is configured to provide personal care processing to parts of the user's body. Figure 1 The personal care system 1 is shown in a state where the disinfection device 5 is placed on the personal care device 3 to disinfect the personal care processing unit 9.

[0049] exist Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the personal care device 3 is an electric shaving device 11, and the personal care processing unit 9 is a shaving unit 13 having three rotary hair-cutting units 15. The hair-cutting units 15 are partially visible in FIG. 2a. Electric shaving devices with rotary hair-cutting units are well known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the electric shaving device 11, shaving unit 13, and hair-cutting units 15 will not be described in detail again. It should be noted that the invention also covers embodiments in which the personal care device is a linear reciprocating electric shaving device. The invention also covers embodiments in which the personal care device is of a different type from an electric shaving device, such as, for example, hair trimming devices, non-electric hair-cutting devices (such as razors), intense pulsed light (IPL) devices, brushing devices for facial cleansing, toothbrushes, or light- or radio frequency energy-based skin rejuvenation devices. All these types of personal care devices are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0050] The disinfection device 5 is configured to disinfect the shaving unit 13, particularly its three hair-cutting units 15, using disinfection light. In embodiments of the invention, where the personal care device is of a different type from the previously mentioned electric shaving device 11, the disinfection device is configured to disinfect at least a portion of the personal care processing unit of the personal care device. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the disinfection device 5 includes a housing 17 configured as a protective cover member 19, which is releasably positioned on the electric shaving device 11 to cover at least a portion of the shaving unit 13, which includes three hair-cutting units 15. Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 A sanitizing device 5, separate from the electric shaving unit 11, is shown. The cover member 19 includes a snap-fit ​​connection element 21, by which the sanitizing device 5 is releasably connected to the shaving unit 13. When the electric shaving unit 11 is not in use, the user can therefore easily place and connect the sanitizing device 5 to the shaving unit 13, and use the sanitizing device 5 as a protective cover member 19 for the shaving unit 13. To remove the sanitizing device 5, the user can easily pull it away from the shaving unit 13, thereby releasing the snap-fit ​​connection element 21.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the disinfection device 5 includes an optical module 23, which is disposed within the housing 17 of the disinfection device 5. The optical module 23 includes a plurality of LEDs 25 configured to generate disinfection light. Instead of the LEDs 25, the optical module 23 may have at least one light source of a different type suitable for generating disinfection light. The optical module 23 has a first main side 27 and a second main side 29, the second main side 29 being opposite to the first main side 27. During use, the disinfection light generated by the LEDs 25 is emitted via the first main side 27. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the LED 25 is mounted on the first main surface 31 of the plate-shaped carrier 33, the first main surface 31 facing the first main side 27 of the light module 23. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the plate-like carrier 33 is a printed circuit board (PCB). However, instead of a PCB, any suitable carrier for the LED 25 can be used. The optical module 23 also includes a metal heat sink 35, which is attached to a second main surface 37 of the carrier 33, opposite to the first main surface 31 of the carrier 33.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, the optical module 23 also includes a plate-shaped light diffuser 39 arranged at the first main side 27 of the optical module 23. The plate-shaped light diffuser 39 is made of an optically transparent diffuser material and extends parallel to the first main side 27 of the optical module 23. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the first main side 27 of the optical module 23 is formed by a plate-shaped light diffuser 39 facing away from the main side 41 of the carrier 33. The main side 41 of the plate-shaped light diffuser 39 may be provided with an optical structure including multiple facets, not shown in the figure. Alternatively or even more preferably, such an optical structure may be provided on the main side of the plate-shaped light diffuser 39 opposite to the main side 41 and facing the LED 25.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the optical module 23 also includes an electrical connector 43, which allows the optical module 23 to be connected to an external power source (not shown) via the electrical connector 43. The electrical connector 43 can be of any suitable type, such as a so-called "pignose" connector or a USB connector. Figure 3 As shown, the optical module 23 is installed onto the housing 17 of the disinfection device 5 mainly by means of the support member 45 of the housing 17.

[0054] In the embodiment of the personal care system 1 and the disinfection device 5 shown in the figure, the disinfection light generated by the LED 25 has a peak wavelength in the range of 400nm to 425nm, more preferably in the range of 405nm to 410nm, that is, the peak wavelength of the disinfection light generated by the LED 25 is in the violet range of visible light. Although the efficacy of violet light for reducing bacteria is less than that of UV light for reducing bacteria, the efficacy of violet light appears to be sufficiently high for the disinfection purpose of the disinfection device 5. Specifically, with the violet light used in this embodiment having a peak wavelength in the range of 405nm-410nm, a 99.9% reduction in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can be achieved within 2 hours of the shaving unit 13 being exposed to the disinfection light.

[0055] The advantage of using violet light is that it is significantly less harmful to users than UV light. In particular, when combined with the light diffuser 39, the peak irradiance and peak emissivity of the violet disinfecting light emitted at the first main side 27 of the light module 23 are sufficiently reduced to prevent damage to the user's eyes and skin in the event of unintentional exposure. In this respect, the light diffuser 39 increases the angular distribution of the disinfecting light generated by the LED 25 as the disinfecting light passes through it. Therefore, the light diffuser 39 distributes the disinfecting light to a greater extent on the shaving unit 13 and its hair cutting unit 15, thereby improving the uniformity of irradiance. Furthermore, the increased angular distribution of the disinfecting light means a lower peak emissivity, and thus helps prevent eye damage. As a result, any safety measures provided in the disinfection device 5 to prevent accidental user exposure to disinfecting light are less stringent compared to disinfection devices using UV light. Specifically, the disinfection device 5 may only have a switch and a timer (not shown in the figure). The switch can be activated by the user to activate LED 25, and the timer is configured to automatically deactivate LED 25 after a predetermined period of time, such as two hours, when the disinfection process is considered complete. No additional safety system is required to automatically deactivate LED 25 when the disinfection device 5 is removed from the shaving unit 13 and LED 25 is still active.

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, the disinfection device 5 also includes a receiving space 47, which is arranged at the first main side 27 of the optical module 23 and configured to receive at least a portion of the shaving unit 13, which includes three hair cutting units 15. The receiving space 47 is provided in a receiving chamber 49, which is arranged within the housing 17 of the disinfection device 5. The receiving chamber 49 is configured to hold the shaving unit 13 in a disinfection position within the receiving chamber 49 as shown in FIG. 2a.

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, the disinfection device 5 also includes an air chamber 51, which is arranged in the housing 17 of the disinfection device 5 at the second main side 29 of the optical module 23. The receiving chamber 49, the optical module 23, and the air chamber 51 are arranged continuously along the central axis 53 of the housing 17 of the disinfection device 5. The air chamber 51 is surrounded by the second main side 29 of the optical module 23, the first wall portion 55 of the housing 17, and the second wall portion 57 of the housing 17. The first wall portion 55 has a main extending direction parallel to the central axis 53, and the second wall portion 57 has a main extending direction transverse to the central axis 53.

[0058] According to the present invention, the disinfection device 5 includes at least one first air passage 59a, 59b and at least one second air passage 61. The first air passages 59a, 59b connect the receiving space 47 of the receiving chamber 49 to the air chamber 51, and the second air passage 61 connects the air chamber 51 to the ambient space surrounding the housing 17. The disinfection device 5 is also configured to provide at least one third air passage 63 (see Figure 2a) when the shaving unit 13 is in the disinfection position within the receiving chamber 49 as shown in Figure 2a. Figure 6 (as shown in Figure 7a), the third air passage 63 connects the receiving chamber 49 to the ambient space surrounding the outer shell 17.

[0059] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the optical module 23 includes an outer circumferential surface 65 extending between a first main side 27 and a second main side 29. In the embodiment shown, two first air channels 59a and 59b are provided in positions opposite to each other relative to the optical module 23. Figure 5 As shown, the first air channels 59a and 59b are each formed between a corresponding portion of the two portions 67a and 67b on the outer circumferential surface 65 of the optical module 23 and a corresponding portion of the two recessed portions 69a and 69b on the inner surface of the housing 17 of the disinfection device 5. Therefore, according to the present invention, the first air channels 59a and 59b are each exclusively arranged outside the optical module 23.

[0060] In the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, and especially as Figure 3 As shown in Figure 7a, a second air passage 61 is provided as an opening in the first wall portion 55 of the housing 17. The opening also serves to allow the user access to the electrical connector 43.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, the receiving chamber 49 of the disinfection device 5 includes a receiving opening 71 through which the shaving unit 13 can be received. The receiving opening 71 is opposite to the first main side 27 of the optical module 23 and is surrounded by the edge portion 73 of the housing 17 of the disinfection device 5. Figure 6 As shown, when the shaving unit 13 is in the disinfection position within the receiving chamber 49 (as shown in FIG2a), the third air passage 63 is formed as a gap between a portion 75 of the edge portion 73 of the housing 17 and a portion 77 of the outer surface of the shaving unit 13.

[0062] During the use of the disinfection device 5, i.e., when the shaving unit 13 is positioned in the disinfection location within the receiving chamber 49 as shown in FIG. 2a and the LED 25 of the light module 23 is activated, the purple disinfection light generated by the LED 25 is emitted towards the shaving unit 13 via the first main side 27 of the light module 23 to disinfect the shaving unit 13, especially its hair cutting unit 15. Simultaneously, due to the limited electro-optical energy conversion efficiency of the LED 25, the LED 25 will generate heat. The largest portion of the heat generated by the LED 25 will be absorbed by the heat sink 35, which is located at the second main side 29 of the light module 23 and connected to the second main surface 37 of the carrier 33. A smaller portion of the heat generated by the LED 25 will be absorbed by the light diffusing member 39 located at the first main side 27 of the light module 23. As a result, the air present in the air chamber 51 and the air present in the receiving chamber 49 will be heated by the heat generated by the LED 25, i.e., heated via the heat sink 35 and the light diffusing member 39, respectively. However, the air in air chamber 51 will be heated more than the air in receiving chamber 49. The heating results of the air in air chamber 51 and receiving chamber 49 will be described below for two different orientations of the personal care system 1, namely, the first orientation as shown in Figure 7a, where the electric shaving device 11 is in an upright orientation (e.g., Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 7b, the air chamber 51 is positioned above the receiving chamber 49, and in the second orientation shown in FIG. 7b, the electric shaving device 11 is in an inverted vertical orientation, and the air chamber 51 is positioned below the receiving chamber 49.

[0063] In the first orientation shown in FIG7a, the heated air in both air chamber 51 and receiving chamber 49 will expand. This expansion of the air in air chamber 51 will result in an airflow F1 from air chamber 51 to the ambient space via the second air passage 61, as shown in FIG7a. As shown in FIG2a, the reduced pressure generated in air chamber 51 will result in an airflow F2 from receiving chamber 49 to air chamber 51 via the first air passages 59a and 59b. Consequently, as shown in FIG7a, a fresh ambient airflow F3 will be generated from the ambient space to the receiving chamber 49 via the third air passage 63. Therefore, the heating of the air in air chamber 51 causes the entire airflow to return from the ambient space, via the third air passage 63, receiving chamber 49, first air passages 59a and 59b, air chamber 51, and second air passage 61, through the sterilization device 5, to the ambient space. A portion of the total airflow within air chamber 51 and receiving chamber 49 is indicated by F4 and F5 in FIG2a and FIG7a, respectively.

[0064] The heated air in both air chamber 51 and receiving chamber 49 will expand in the second orientation shown in FIG. 7b. This expansion of the air in receiving chamber 49 will cause an airflow F1, as shown in FIG. 7b, from receiving chamber 49 through the third air passage 63 to the ambient space. As shown in FIG. 2b, the reduced pressure generated in receiving chamber 49 will cause an airflow F2 from air chamber 51 through the first air passages 59a, 59b to receiving chamber 49. The airflow F2 from air chamber 51 to receiving chamber 49 is further increased by the expansion of the air in air chamber 51. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7b, a fresh ambient airflow F3 will be generated from the ambient space through the second air passage 61 to air chamber 51. Therefore, the heating of the air in air chamber 51 and receiving chamber 49 causes a total airflow from the ambient space, via the second air passage 61, air chamber 51, first air passages 59a, 59b, receiving chamber 49, and third air passage 63, to return to the ambient space through the sterilization device 5. In Figures 2b and 7b, portions of the total airflow within the receiving chamber 49 and the air chamber 51 are indicated by F4 and F5, respectively.

[0065] Therefore, in Figure 1 In the first orientation of the personal care system 1 shown in Figures 2a and 7a, and in the second orientation of the personal care system 1 shown in Figures 2b and 7b, airflows with airflow components F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5 are generated in the sterilization device 5. These airflows are based solely on natural convection, i.e., without the use of forced convection from fans, pumps, suction systems, or similar devices. According to the invention, because the first air channels 59a and 59b connecting the air chamber 51 to the receiving chamber 49 are arranged outside the optical module 23, relatively long flow paths are created in the first and second orientations of the personal care system 1 for the natural convection airflow along the first main side 27 and the second main side 29 of the optical module 23. This results in effective heating of the airflows F4 and F5 in the air chamber 51 and the receiving chamber 49, and thus a relatively strong total natural convection airflow through the sterilization device 5, and particularly along the shaving unit 13. When the shaving unit 13 is placed in the receiving chamber 49 in a damp state, for example after cleaning the shaving unit 13 under a tap, the natural convection airflow along the shaving unit 13 appears strong enough to dry the shaving unit 13 within a reasonable time, for example, within one hour. In the first orientation of the personal care system 1, the drying of the shaving unit 13 will be caused by the relatively cool ambient air flowing into the receiving chamber 49 via the third air passage 63, as shown in FIG. 7a. As shown in FIG. 2b, in the second orientation of the personal care system 1, the drying of the shaving unit 13 will be more effectively caused by the relatively warm air flowing into the receiving chamber 49 via the first air passages 59a, 59b, as shown in FIG. 2b.

[0066] Natural convection airflow with airflow components F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5 effectively cools the optical module 23 as it passes through the disinfection device 5. Furthermore, the air chamber 51 thermally insulates the first wall portion 55 and the second wall portion 57 of the housing 17 relative to the optical module 23, significantly reducing the risk of users being exposed to high temperatures when touching the housing 17 of the disinfection device 5.

[0067] The airflow path in air chamber 51 (F4 in the first orientation and F5 in the second orientation of personal care system 1) will depend on the number and position of the first air channels 59a, 59b and the second air channel 61 relative to air chamber 51. The airflow path in receiving chamber 49 (F5 in the first orientation and F4 in the second orientation of personal care system 1) will depend on the number and position of the first air channels 59a, 59b and the third air channel 63 relative to receiving chamber 49. Those skilled in the art will understand that the number and position of the first, second, and third air channels can be selected in a straightforward manner to create desired flow path lengths in air chamber 51 and receiving chamber 49. For example, in the embodiment of sterilization device 5 shown in the figure, the second air channel 61 is provided in the first wall portion 55 of housing 17, such that natural convection airflows F4, F5 in air chamber 51 can occur along a relatively large portion of the second main side 29 of light module 23, and therefore, heating of the airflows F4, F5 at the second main side 29 of light module 23 can be very effective. However, in an alternative embodiment, one or more second air passages may be provided in the second wall portion 57 of the housing 17, but with this alternative location of the second air passages, the heating of the air in the air chamber 51 may be less efficient. Similarly, in an alternative embodiment, the number and location of the first and third air passages may differ from the number and location of the first air passages 59a, 59b and the third air passage 63 shown in the figures. One or more third air passages may, for example, be provided at a distance from the receiving opening 71 in the wall portion of the housing 17 of the sterilization device 5, which surrounds the receiving chamber 49.

[0068] In the personal care system and disinfection device according to the present invention, the first air channel, the second air channel, and the third air channel can also be used as rinsing channels for rinsing liquid to clean the personal care processing unit of the personal care device. For example, in the embodiment shown in the figure, when the disinfection device 5 is placed on the shaving unit 13, the user can hold the electric shaving device 11 so that the disinfection device 5 is rinsed by a stream of tap water. In this way, a stream of tap water can be created through the first air channel, the second air channel, and the third air channel via the receiving chamber 49 and the air chamber 51 to clean the shaving unit 13 with tap water.

[0069] Those skilled in the art, by studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments when practicing the principles and techniques described herein. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be advantageously used. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A personal care system (1) comprising a personal care device (3) and a disinfection device (5), wherein: - the personal care device comprises a personal care treatment unit (9) configured to provide a personal care treatment to a body part of a subject; - the disinfection device is configured to disinfect the personal care treatment unit by means of a disinfection light; and wherein the disinfection device comprises: - a housing (17); - a light module (23) arranged in the housing and comprising: at least one light source (25) configured to generate the disinfection light; a first main side (27) via which the disinfection light generated by the at least one light source is emitted during use; and a second main side (29) opposite the first main side; - a receiving space (47) arranged at the first main side of the light module and configured to receive at least a portion of the personal care treatment unit; - an air chamber (51) arranged in the housing at the second main side of the light module; - at least one first air passage (59a, 59b) connecting the receiving space with the air chamber; and - at least one second air passage (61) connecting the air chamber with an ambient space surrounding the housing; characterized in that: - the receiving space (47) is provided in a receiving chamber (49) arranged in the housing (17) of the disinfection device (5) and configured to hold the portion of the personal care treatment unit (9) in a disinfection position within the receiving chamber; - each first air passage (59a, 59b) is exclusively arranged outside the light module (23); and - in the disinfection position of the personal care treatment unit, at least one third air passage (63) is provided connecting the receiving chamber with the ambient space surrounding the housing, wherein the at least one second air passage (61) is arranged separate from the receiving space and separate from the at least one third air passage.

2. A disinfection apparatus (5) configured to disinfect a personal care treatment unit (9) of a personal care apparatus (3) by means of disinfection light, wherein the personal care treatment unit is configured to provide a personal care treatment to a body part of a subject; wherein the disinfection device comprises: - a housing (17); - a light module (23) arranged in the housing and comprising: at least one light source (25) configured to generate the disinfection light; a first main side (27) via which the disinfection light generated by the at least one light source is emitted during use; and a second main side (29) opposite the first main side; - a receiving space (47) arranged at the first main side of the light module and configured to receive at least a portion of the personal care treatment unit; - an air chamber (51) arranged in the housing at the second main side of the light module; - at least one first air channel (59a, 59b) connecting the receiving space with the air chamber; and - at least one second air channel (61) connecting the air chamber with an ambient space surrounding the housing; characterized in that: - the receiving space (47) is provided in a receiving chamber (49) arranged in the housing (17) of the disinfection device (5) and configured to hold the portion of the personal care treatment unit (9) in a disinfection position within the receiving chamber; - each first air channel (59a, 59b) is exclusively arranged outside the light module (23); and - the disinfection device is configured to provide at least one third air channel (63) connecting the receiving chamber with the ambient space surrounding the housing in the disinfection position of the personal care treatment unit, wherein the at least one second air channel (61) is arranged separate from the receiving space and separate from the at least one third air channel.

3. The personal care system (1) according to claim 1 or the disinfection device (5) according to claim 2, wherein: - the light module (23) comprises a carrier (33); - the at least one light source (25) is mounted on a first main surface (31) of the carrier, the first main surface (31) facing the first main side (27) of the light module; and - the light module comprises a heat sink (35) connected to a second main surface (37) of the carrier, the second main surface (37) opposite the first main surface of the carrier.

4. The personal care system (1) according to claim 1 or 3 or the disinfection device (5) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the light module (23) comprises a light diffusing member (39) arranged at the first main side (27) of the light module (23).

5. The personal care system (1) according to any one of claims 1, 3 or 4 or the disinfection device (5) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the disinfection light generated by the at least one light source (25) has a peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 425 nm, preferably in the range of 405 nm to 410 nm.

6. The personal care system (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 3 to 5 or the disinfection device (5) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: - the light module (23) comprises an outer circumferential surface (65) extending between the first main side (27) and the second main side (29) of the light module; and - the light module (23) comprises an outer circumferential surface (65) extending between the first main side (27) and the second main side (29) of the light module; and - each first air channel (59a, 59b) is formed between a portion (67a, 67b) of the outer circumferential surface of the light module and a portion (69a, 69b) of an inner surface of the housing (17) of the disinfection device (5).

7. The personal care system (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 3 to 6, or the disinfection device (5) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the housing (17) of the disinfection device (5) comprises: - a central axis (53), along which the receiving chamber (49), the light module (23) and the air chamber (51) are arranged in this order; - a first wall portion (55) having a main extension direction parallel to the central axis; and - a second wall portion (57) having a main extension direction transverse to the central axis; and wherein: - the air chamber is enclosed by the first wall portion, the second wall portion and the second main side (29) of the light module; and - at least one of the second air channels (61) is provided in the first wall portion.

8. The personal care system (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 3 to 7, or the disinfection device (5) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein: - the receiving chamber (49) of the disinfection device (5) comprises a receiving opening (71) via which the portion of the personal care treatment unit (9) can be received by the receiving chamber; - the receiving opening is enclosed by an edge portion (73) of the housing (17) of the disinfection device; and - in the disinfection position of the personal care treatment unit, at least one of the third air channels (63) is formed between a portion (75) of the edge portion of the housing and a portion (77) of an outer surface of the personal care treatment unit.

9. The personal care system (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 3 to 8, or the disinfection device (5) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the housing (17) of the disinfection device (5) is configured as a protective cover member (19) configured to be releasably placed onto the personal care device (3) to cover at least the portion of the personal care treatment unit (9).

10. The personal care system (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 3 to 9, or the disinfection device (5) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the personal care device (3) is an electrically powered shaving apparatus (11), and wherein the personal care treatment unit (9) is a shaving unit (13) having at least one hair cutting unit (15).

Images