Earwax suction device

Abstract

This earwax removal device allows for precise movement of the tip tube inserted into the ear canal and easy adjustment of the suction force. [Solution] The device is characterized by comprising: a joint 53 connected to the vacuum cleaner's suction port 13; at least one lead-out tube portion leading forward from the vacuum cleaner-side connection portion 11 having the joint 53; a connecting pipe portion 3 connected to the lead-out tube portion and not obstructed by being held by hand; a tip tube portion 2 connected to the front of the connecting pipe portion 3 and inserted into the ear canal 28; and a communication connecting body portion 61 provided in the communication passage from the vacuum cleaner's suction port 13 to the rear of the connecting pipe portion 3 and having a suction force adjustment opening 8 for adjusting the suction force of the vacuum cleaner.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an earwax suction device for sucking earwax in the ear canal.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an earwax suction device has been proposed that removes earwax by inserting a thin tube into the ear canal and sucking. As such a conventional technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a nozzle for an earwax suction machine having a soft gear-shaped earwax scraping portion composed of a plurality of teeth on the outer peripheral surface of a small-diameter suction cylinder portion of a soft tube-shaped nozzle. With this nozzle, the earwax scraping portion exhibits the effect of a reinforcing rib that prevents the nozzle from bending, and by rotating the earwax scraping portion in the left-right direction, the top edges of the soft teeth of the earwax scraping portion can safely remove wet earwax sticking to the outer ear canal from the ear canal. <s

[0003] Also, Patent Document 2 discloses an ear canal cleaning tool having a camera for imaging the inside of the ear canal, an imaging tube for outputting an image of the inside of the ear canal, a suction tube provided along the imaging tube for sucking foreign substances in the ear canal, a main body portion to which the imaging tube and the suction tube are attached, and a dust collection tube attached to the tip of the suction tube, in order to solve the problem that in a medical site, one hand holds a rod-shaped earpick device while the other hand holds a display device, and foreign substances such as earwax must be removed while looking into the display device. With this ear canal cleaning tool, it is described that while imaging the inside of the ear canal, large and small foreign substances in the ear canal can be reliably removed by suction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0005] In the configuration of the earwax suction device nozzle described in Patent Document 1, the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical part of the nozzle has a soft, gear-shaped earwax scraping section. From the viewpoint of ensuring that the nozzle tip conforms to the shape of the ear canal, this configuration is undesirable. For people with narrow ear canals, curved ear canals, or ear canals obstructed by bumps or lumps, the presence of the soft, gear-shaped earwax scraping section creates a new problem: it becomes difficult to penetrate the ear canal.

[0006] Furthermore, rotating the earwax removal part from side to side to remove earwax carries the risk of damaging the ear canal if not done carefully. Moreover, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 does not describe any specific configuration for subtly adjusting the suction force.

[0007] On the other hand, the ear canal cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 is expensive because it has a camera that images the inside of the ear canal, and it is not a configuration that can easily and inexpensively suction out earwax. Although it has a suction pressure adjustment port to adjust the suction force, the large main body with the tube at the tip requires users to adjust the opening of the suction pressure adjustment port with their fingers, making it difficult to adjust the position of the tube tip and the suction force. Furthermore, both Patent Document 1 and Reference Document 2 require a suction device equipped with a motor, fan blades, etc., which presents the problem of making the earwax suction device expensive.

[0008] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems. While this invention aims to solve problems from various perspectives, some representative examples are as follows. This invention is a technology that achieves at least one of the following objectives. (1) To provide an earwax suction device that allows for subtle movement of the tip tube inserted into the ear canal and fine adjustment of the suction force. (2) To provide an earwax suction device that reduces costs by eliminating the suction main body which has a motor and fan. (3) To provide an earwax suction device in which the tip tube portion is not blocked by the inner surface of the ear canal, and outside airflow is ensured, allowing for good earwax suction. (4) To provide an inexpensive earwax suction device that allows the user to remove earwax by suction themselves, or, if removal is not possible, to suction it frequently to prevent it from accumulating in the ear canal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An earwax suction device according to the first aspect of the present invention is The connector that connects to the vacuum cleaner's suction port, At least one lead-out tube portion is led forward from the vacuum cleaner side connection portion having the aforementioned joint, A connecting pipe section is connected to the aforementioned outlet tube section and does not become blocked when held by hand, The connecting pipe section is connected to the front of the aforementioned connecting pipe section and is inserted into the ear canal, The present invention is characterized by having a connecting body portion provided in the connecting passage from the vacuum cleaner suction port to the rear side of the connecting pipe portion, and equipped with a suction force adjustment opening for adjusting the suction force of the vacuum cleaner.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention is an earwax suction device as described in the first aspect, The aforementioned outlet tube section includes a first outlet tube section connected to the rear side of the connecting pipe section, It has a second outlet tube section provided on the rear side of the first outlet tube section, The communication connector is provided between the first outlet tube and the second outlet tube and is characterized by being composed of an intermediate connector having the suction force adjustment opening.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is an earwax suction device as described in the first aspect, The aforementioned outlet tube section consists only of a first outlet tube section connected to the rear side of the connecting pipe section. The aforementioned connecting body is composed of the joint and the vacuum cleaner side connecting part having the suction force adjustment opening. The rear end of the first outlet tube is connected to the vacuum cleaner side connection.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an earwax suction device according to the second or third aspect, characterized in that a notch is provided around the tip of the tip tube portion. A fifth aspect of the present invention is an earwax suction device according to the second or third aspect, characterized in that the tip of the tip tube portion has an inclined opening that is angled downwards.

[0013] A sixth aspect of the present invention is an earwax suction device according to the second aspect, characterized in that the intermediate connection portion is composed of a front connecting body and a rear connecting body, the front connecting body and the rear connecting body are configured to be connectable and separable, and a filter member for capturing earwax is provided inside the intermediate connection portion.

[0014] A seventh aspect of the present invention is an earwax suction device according to the third aspect, characterized in that the vacuum cleaner side connection portion is composed of a vacuum cleaner side front connection body and a vacuum cleaner side rear connection body, the vacuum cleaner side front connection body and the vacuum cleaner side rear connection body are configured to be connectable and separable, and a filter member for capturing earwax is provided inside the vacuum cleaner side connection portion. An eighth aspect of the present invention is an earwax suction device according to the second or third aspect, characterized in that the connecting pipe portion is made of a rigid body whose inner diameter does not change even when held by hand.

[0015] A ninth aspect of the present invention is an earwax suction device according to the second aspect, characterized in that the distance from the tip of the tip tube portion to the front end of the intermediate connection portion is set to 500 mm or more and 1000 mm or less. A tenth aspect of the present invention is an earwax suction device according to the third aspect, characterized in that the distance from the tip of the tip tube portion to the front end of the vacuum cleaner side connection portion is set to 500 mm or more and 1000 mm or less.

[0016] The 11th aspect of the present invention is the earwax suction device according to the 1st aspect, which is characterized by having a gap filling material portion that eliminates the gap when joining the suction inlet of the various vacuum cleaners and the joint portion.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an earwax suction device that can easily perform delicate movements of the tip tube portion inserted into the ear canal and delicate adjustment of the suction force. It is possible to omit the suction main body portion having a motor and a fan, and provide an earwax suction device with reduced cost. It is possible to provide an earwax suction device in which the tip tube portion is not blocked by the inner surface of the ear canal, and a good suction of earwax can be performed by securing an outside air flow. It is possible to provide an inexpensive earwax suction device that can remove earwax by suction by the user himself / herself, or, even if it cannot be removed, can suck it in small amounts so that it does not accumulate in the ear canal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a configuration diagram of an earwax suction device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the configurations of the tip tube portion, the connecting pipe portion, and the first lead-out tube portion, respectively. [Figure 3] (a) is a front view of the intermediate connecting portion, and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of the intermediate connecting portion. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing a state where the front connecting body and the rear connecting body are separated in the intermediate connecting portion having a filter member inside. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which three vacuum cleaner side connecting portions corresponding to the forms of the respective vacuum cleaner suction ports are prepared in the earwax suction device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] (a) is a front view of the vacuum cleaner side connecting portion, and (b) is a diagram for explaining a state where the joint portion is adjusted by a gap adjustment tape. [Figure 7] (a) to (c) are diagrams for explaining the operation of the tip tube portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a configuration diagram of an earwax suction device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] (a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the tip tube according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an earwax suction device, which is one embodiment of the present invention, will be described. [First Embodiment] Figures 1 to 7 are diagrams illustrating the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the earwax suction device 1 has a joint 53 that connects to the vacuum cleaner suction port 13 of a general household vacuum cleaner or a first handheld cleaner 14, at least one discharge tube portion 60 that leads out to the front from the vacuum cleaner side connection portion 11 having the joint 53, a connecting pipe portion 3 connected to the discharge tube portion 60 that does not become blocked when held by hand, a tip tube portion 2 connected to the front side of the connecting pipe portion 3 and inserted into the ear canal, and a communication connecting body portion 61 provided in the communication passage from the vacuum cleaner suction port 13 to the rear side of the connecting pipe portion 3 and equipped with a suction force adjustment opening 8 for adjusting the suction force of the vacuum cleaner.

[0020] In the configuration of the first embodiment, the outlet tube section 60 has a first outlet tube section 4 connected to the rear side of the connecting pipe section 3 and a second outlet tube section 10 provided further rear than the first outlet tube section 4, and the communication connector section 61 is provided between the first outlet tube section 4 and the second outlet tube section 10 and is composed of an intermediate connector section 7 having a suction force adjustment opening 8.

[0021] The tip tube portion 2 is a tube (pipe) that constitutes the part inserted into the ear canal 28 (see Figure 7(a)). In this specification, the front side (upstream side in terms of airflow) refers to the ear canal 28 side, and the rear side (downstream side) refers to the vacuum cleaner suction port 13 side.

[0022] The tip tube portion 2 shown in Figure 2 is made of a soft tube that does not cause pain when inserted into the ear canal. Silicone rubber can be used as an example of a material for the tip tube portion 2. It is preferable to use a particularly soft silicone tube for the part that comes into contact with the ear canal. Other materials for the tip tube portion 2 include soft synthetic resin materials, such as thermosetting rubber resins, or thermoplastic resins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, which can be used if they can achieve properties equivalent to soft silicone rubber. Furthermore, the material of the tip tube 2 can be not only soft, but also a hard material with a smooth surface. A hard tip can be deformed to some extent when inserted into the ear canal, improving the passage through the ear canal.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the inner diameter D1 of the narrow tube portion 20 of the tip tube portion 2 is preferably set to 3 mm or more and 6 mm or less. The outer diameter of the tip tube portion 2 is set to a size that fits into the ear canal without obstruction. The length of the tip tube portion 2 in the front-to-back direction (longitudinal direction) is usually set to about 20 mm or more and 40 mm or less. However, the base end of the tip tube portion 2 can be cut as appropriate depending on the shape of the user's ear canal and the user's preference.

[0024] A connecting portion 21 is provided at the base end of the tip tube portion 2, and the insertion portion 22 of the connecting pipe portion 3 is inserted into the connecting portion 21 by elastic deformation. When the connecting portion 21 is inserted into the insertion portion 22, the tip tube portion 2 is connected to the connecting pipe portion 3 in an airtight manner. Furthermore, the outer circumference of the insertion portion 22 of the connecting pipe portion 3 is provided with a bamboo shoot-shaped protrusion, which enhances airtightness and prevents it from coming loose.

[0025] The connecting pipe section 3 is a component that can be held with the fingers, and it is preferable that it is made of a component that is not soft like the tip tube section 2, and whose inner diameter does not change when held with the fingers, preventing the connecting passage from narrowing or becoming blocked. Examples of such components include tube fittings made of synthetic resin or the like. Normally, the connecting pipe section 3 is made of a rigid body whose inner diameter does not change when held by hand.

[0026] The inner diameter of the insertion section 22 is D2, and the inner diameter D2 is formed to be approximately the same diameter as or larger than the inner diameter D1 of the tip tube section 2. The connecting pipe section 3 has a large-diameter gripping section 23, which is the part that the user mainly grips with their fingers. The inner diameter D3 of the large-diameter gripping section 23 is set to be between 3 mm and 7 mm, and is formed to be larger than the inner diameter D2.

[0027] The outer circumference of the rear connection portion 24, which is formed behind the large-diameter knob portion 23, has a bamboo shoot-shaped protrusion for airtight connection of the tip side of the first outlet tube portion 4. The overall length of the connecting pipe portion 3 in the front-to-back direction is preferably set to 50 mm or more and 80 mm or less. By constructing the connecting pipe section 3 as a rigid body so that the connecting portion is not blocked even when held with fingers, it is possible to prevent the intake airflow from being suppressed or blocked, unlike, for example, when pinching the soft tip tube section 2 with fingers, even when holding the connecting pipe section 3 with the thumb and index finger.

[0028] Since the length of the connecting pipe section 3 in the front-to-back direction is formed within the above range, and the inner diameter D3 is also configured to be small, the connecting pipe section 3 is a lightweight component with a small length and outer diameter. Therefore, the user can easily achieve subtle movements of the tip of the tip tube section 2 by moving the connecting pipe section 3. In other words, the configuration makes it easy for the user to precisely move the tip tube section 2 to a desirable position and orientation within the ear canal. The advantages of this embodiment can be understood by comparing the configuration of subtly moving the connecting pipe section 3 in this embodiment with the configuration of subtly moving the main body sections in Reference Documents 1 and 2.

[0029] Multiple tip tubes 2 are attached to the earwax suction device 1 so that the tip tube 2 can be changed for each user. Furthermore, multiple types of tip tubes 2 with different inner and outer diameters may be attached to the earwax suction device 1 so that users can choose according to whether they are children or adults, or according to their preferences.

[0030] The first outlet tube section 4 is made of a flexible tube and functions as a connecting passage between the connecting pipe section 3 and the intermediate connection section 7. The inner diameter D4 of the first outlet tube section 4 is preferably set to 7 mm or more and 10 mm or less. Since the inner diameter D4 of the first outlet tube section 4 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter D1 of the tip tube section 2, sufficient suction force can be transmitted to the tip tube section 2 and the connecting pipe section 3.

[0031] The second outlet tube section 10 is made of a similar material to the first outlet tube section 4. By setting the inner diameter D5 of the second outlet tube section 10 to be equal to or larger than the inner diameter D4 of the first outlet tube section 4, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner can be effectively transmitted to the tip tube section 2.

[0032] The distance from the tip of the tip tube section 2 to the front end of the intermediate connection section 7 is preferably set to 500 mm or more and 1000 mm or less, and more preferably to 600 mm or more and 800 mm or less. By setting the range to between 500mm and 1000mm, the connecting pipe section 3 held in one hand can be subtly moved while the suction force adjustment opening 8 of the intermediate connection section 7 can be easily operated with the other hand.

[0033] Generally, household vacuum cleaners and handheld vacuums have strong suction power, so it is important that the suction strength can be adjusted on the earwax suction device 1. The earwax suction device 1 has a suction power adjustment opening 8 in the intermediate connection part 7, so the suction power can be adjusted by the degree to which the opening is blocked, which is also superior from a safety standpoint.

[0034] Figure 3(a) is a front view showing only the intermediate connection section 7, and Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of it in the longitudinal (front-to-back) direction. Figure 4 shows the state where the front connector 5 and the rear connector 6 are separated, and the filter member 44 is visible.

[0035] The intermediate connection section 7 is an intermediate body provided in the passage between the vacuum cleaner suction port 13 and the connecting pipe section 3. The intermediate connection section 7 has a suction force adjustment opening 8 for adjusting the suction force of the vacuum cleaner, and a configuration that allows earwax sucked in from the tip tube section 2 to be checked and removed at a position within the intermediate connection section 7. Specifically, the intermediate connection section 7 has a filter member 44 inside, and the front connector 5 and the rear connector 6 are connected to form a single unit, and the front connector 5 and the rear connector 6 are configured to be separable so that earwax can be removed as needed and the filter member 44 can be replaced.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the front connector 5 is open at the rear and is composed of a cylindrical container shape having a bottom wall portion 43 and a cylindrical portion 39, with a suction opening 5h provided in the bottom wall portion 43. The suction opening 5h is provided with a joint 5a to which the first outlet tube portion 4 is detachably connected.

[0037] The rear connector 6 has a cylindrical wall portion 38 that fits with the cylindrical portion 39 of the front connector 5, a conical wall portion 37 connected upward from the upper end of the cylindrical wall portion 38, and a rear wall 51 provided at the upper end of the conical wall portion 37. A suction opening 6h is provided in the rear wall 51, and a joint 6a is provided in the suction opening 6h to which the second outlet tube portion 10 is detachably connected.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3(b), a portion of the cylindrical portion 39 is inserted into the cylindrical wall portion 38, and the front connector 5 and the rear connector 6 are connected in an airtight state. Regarding the placement of the suction force adjustment opening 8, an example is shown in which the suction force adjustment opening 8 is provided near the boundary line between the conical wall portion 37 and the cylindrical wall portion 38. By providing the suction force adjustment opening 8 near the boundary line between the conical wall portion 37 and the cylindrical wall portion 38, the suction force adjustment opening 8 will be in front of the conical wall portion 37 when a finger is moved along the cylindrical wall portion 38, making it easier for the user to grasp the front-to-back position of the suction force adjustment opening 8.

[0039] In the configuration shown in Figure 3(a), the position of the suction force adjustment opening 8 is offset significantly to the rear or front from the center of the length of the intermediate connection section 7 in the front-to-back direction. This is because, for example, when holding the connecting pipe section 3 with the fingers of the right hand, and adjusting the suction force adjustment opening 8 with the thumb or index finger of the left hand while holding the intermediate connection section 7, it is easier to operate if the suction force adjustment opening 8 is positioned to one side, either rear or front.

[0040] In the intermediate connection section 7, a flat section 47 is provided in the front-rear direction at the circumferential position where the suction force adjustment opening 8 is located, overlapping the cylindrical wall section 38 and the conical wall section 37. The suction force adjustment opening 8 is located behind this flat section 47. By providing the flat section 47 on the outer surface of the cylindrical shape, it is easy to determine the position of the suction force adjustment opening 8 on the circumference. Furthermore, the presence of the flat section 47 makes it easier to adjust the suction force adjustment opening 8 by sliding a thumb or the like to partially or completely block it.

[0041] Figure 4 shows the front connector 5 pulled out from the rear connector 6, dividing it into two parts. A filter member 44 is provided on either the rear connector 6 or the front connector 5.

[0042] The configuration shown in Figure 4 is one in which a filter member 44 is provided on the rear connector 6. The filter member 44 employs a configuration in which, for example, one sheet of tissue paper 45 or torn to a predetermined size is inserted into the cylindrical wall portion 38. When the cylindrical portion 39 is pushed in in this state, the tissue paper 45 moves from the cylindrical wall portion 38 to the conical wall portion 37 and is stored in a position that closes the suction opening 6h. Then, by removing the tissue paper 45, the accumulated earwax can be removed.

[0043] The reason for configuring the device so that earwax 35 can be removed at the intermediate connection point 7 is to provide the filter member 44 in a position that is easy for the user to operate, and to allow the user to check how much earwax 35 has been removed.

[0044] In the explanation of Figure 4, a configuration using tissue paper 45 as the filter member 44 was described, but it is also possible to manufacture various types of filter members 44 specifically for this earwax suction device 1, so that the removed earwax 35 can be removed by the filter member 44. For example, the inner circumferential wall of the rear connector 6 or the front connector 5 and the outer edge of the filter member 44 can be detachably engaged. In that case, the filter member 44 can also be made into a disposable item.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, the vacuum cleaner side connection part 11 is a component for connecting to the vacuum cleaner suction port 13. The vacuum cleaner side connection part 11 is provided with a rear opening (not shown) that transmits the suction force of the vacuum cleaner to the second outlet tube part 10. The vacuum cleaner side connection part 11 has a joint part 53 for fitting into the vacuum cleaner suction port 13. In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the joint part 53 is attached to the vacuum cleaner suction port 13 of the first handheld cleaner 14, which has its main body held by the grip part 15. Preferably, the joint part 53 has a diameter and shape that allows it to connect securely and airtightly to the size of each vacuum cleaner suction port 13. The specifications of the joint part 53 can be determined according to the suction port of each vacuum cleaner intended for use. For example, a dedicated joint part 53 can be provided for a particular handheld cleaner.

[0046] Generally, the size of the vacuum cleaner suction port 13 of vacuum cleaners and various other cleaners is not standardized or unified, so making the earwax suction device 1 attachable to any vacuum cleaner is an important feature for increasing versatility. For this reason, the joint 53 has a tapered shape.

[0047] Figure 5 shows a configuration in which vacuum cleaner-side connection parts 11X to 11Z are provided to correspond to multiple types of vacuum cleaner suction ports 13. As shown in Figure 5, a typical household vacuum cleaner 17 has a tip section with a vacuum cleaner suction port 13 measuring φ31 to φ36. The first handheld cleaner 14 is the vacuum cleaner shown in Figure 1 and has a tip section with a vacuum cleaner suction port 13 measuring φ26 to φ31. The second handheld cleaner 18 has a tip section with a vacuum cleaner suction port 13 measuring φ21 to φ26. As described above, each vacuum cleaner side connection part 11X, 11Y, and 11Z can be provided, each having a joint 53 corresponding to the respective vacuum cleaner suction port 13. By pre-packaging and selling these vacuum cleaner side connection parts 11 corresponding to multiple types together with the earwax suction device 1, it can be attached to vacuum cleaners of various sizes.

[0048] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the techniques used when the vacuum cleaner suction port 13 is slightly different. As shown in Figure 6(b), this innovation involves providing a gap-filling material 41 at the joint 53. Various configurations can be used for the gap-filling material 41, as long as they fill the gap and do not reduce the suction power, accommodating the diverse shapes of the vacuum cleaner's suction port 13 at the tip of the cylindrical part.

[0049] A simple and reliable example of this is to construct the gap-filling material portion 41 with gap-filling tape 42, taking into account cases where the joint portion 53 becomes stuck inside each vacuum cleaner or where there is looseness after joining. The gap-filling tape 42 is made of tape that has a thickness that can fill a predetermined gap and a contact airtight surface.

[0050] By wrapping the gap-filling tape 42 around the joint 53 the required number of times, the gap is eliminated, and the suction power can be transmitted to the tip tube 2 without any reduction in force. By incorporating the above-mentioned features, the design has the advantage of being compatible with a wide variety of new vacuum cleaners with different vacuum cleaner suction ports 13 that will be sold in the future.

[0051] (Effects and Benefits) The following describes the operation and advantages of the first embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the first embodiment, where Figure 7(a) shows the structure of the ear 30, Figure 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of the tip tube portion 2, and Figure 7(c) shows the state in which the tip tube portion 2 is inserted into the ear canal 28.

[0052] When the tip opening 54 of the tip tube section 2 is in close contact with and completely blocks the ear canal 28, as shown in Figure 7(c), outside airflow 33 cannot flow in. Therefore, it is necessary to create a small gap 50 to allow the outside airflow 33 to enter while suctioning the earwax 35. Such delicate adjustments to create a gap 50 can be easily achieved because the connecting pipe section 3 is lightweight and compact, the tip tube section 2 is made of a soft material, and the suction force can be finely adjusted by the suction force adjustment opening 8 located at a distance.

[0053] For example, by not positioning a finger over the suction force adjustment opening 8 and keeping it completely open, the suction force can be reduced to its lowest state. By partially covering the suction force adjustment opening 8 with a finger, the suction force can be set to an intermediate state. Furthermore, by completely covering the suction force adjustment opening 8 with a finger, the suction force can be maximized. In this way, the suction force adjustment opening 8 is an opening for adjusting the suction force, and by gradually changing the area of ​​the suction force adjustment opening 8 covered by a finger, subtle adjustments can be made to the suction force acting on the tip opening 54 (see Figure 7) of the tip tube section 2.

[0054] As explained above, the configuration of the first embodiment has the advantage of allowing the operation of the tip tube section 2 and the adjustment of the suction force to be in different positions, so that one hand can concentrate on the fine adjustment of the connecting pipe section 3 while the other hand can make fine adjustments to the suction force. In addition, since the tip tube section 2 and the connecting pipe section 3 are light in weight and small in size, there is the advantage that fine adjustment work can be performed to conform to the shape of the ear canal, which varies from person to person.

[0055] Depending on the shape of the ear canal, for example, the external auditory canal (the ear opening from the outside to the eardrum), some people cannot remove earwax with an earwax removal stick. This is the case when the external auditory canal is narrow, curved, or has a bump-like obstruction. In such cases, earwax removal sticks or cotton swabs often push the earwax further in, requiring a visit to a specialist (otolaryngologist) to have it removed with a "specialized instrument." However, even in such cases, it is often possible to remove the earwax by using the earwax suction device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0056] Furthermore, in the event of any malfunction, the user can release their hand covering the suction force adjustment opening 8, allowing outside air to flow in through the opening 8 and virtually eliminating the suction force, thus ensuring excellent safety.

[0057] The configuration of this embodiment does not require a suction device equipped with a motor and fan blades, as in the configurations of Patent Document 1 and Reference Document 2, and can be used in conjunction with existing vacuum cleaners, thus keeping manufacturing costs low and making it an easily purchaseable and usable device. However, the present invention does not exclude the provision of a dedicated vacuum cleaner, which may be sold as an accessory to the earwax suction device 1, if necessary. Furthermore, the vacuum cleaner's suction port 13, such as that of a vacuum cleaner or handheld cleaner, can be used to easily suction out earwax while the vacuum cleaner remains on a table or other surface, making it highly user-friendly.

[0058] After swimming in a pool or at the beach, water may remain in the ear canal. This device can be used to quickly drain the water. Since prolonged water retention in the ear canal can lead to conditions such as otitis media and otitis interna, bringing this handy cleaner along to the beach or pool can help prevent these illnesses in both adults and children.

[0059] Furthermore, the earwax suction device 1 according to this embodiment can also be used to collect fine earwax powder after physically removing large earwax or earwax adhering to the surface of the ear canal using an ear pick with a small spoon-shaped part to remove earwax.

[0060] [Second Embodiment] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. The features of this second embodiment are that the outlet tube section 60 consists only of a first outlet tube section 4 connected to the rear side of the connecting pipe section 3, the communication connector section 61 consists of a joint section 53 and a vacuum cleaner-side connector section 11 having a suction force adjustment opening 8, and the rear end of the first outlet tube section 4 is connected to the front side of the vacuum cleaner-side connector section 11.

[0061] In this second embodiment, instead of providing an intermediate connection part 7 as in the first embodiment, the first outlet tube part 4 is directly connected to the joint 11a of the vacuum cleaner side connection part 11, and the vacuum cleaner side connection part 11 itself is provided with a suction force adjustment opening 8. This allows the suction force of the vacuum cleaner to be adjusted in the same way as when the suction force adjustment opening 8 is provided in the intermediate connection part 7. This second embodiment is a preferred configuration when the vacuum cleaner suction port 13 can be placed close by, for example, by placing the handy vacuum cleaner on a desk or table.

[0062] The distance from the tip of the tip tube section 2 to the front end of the vacuum cleaner side connection section 11 is preferably set to 500 mm or more and 1000 mm or less, and more preferably to 650 mm or more and 850 mm or less.

[0063] In this second embodiment, as described in Figures 3 and 4, the vacuum cleaner-side connection part 11 has a vacuum cleaner-side front connection body 26 and a vacuum cleaner-side rear connection body 27, and the vacuum cleaner-side front connection body 26 and the vacuum cleaner-side rear connection body 27 are configured to be connectable and detachable, and a filter member for capturing earwax is provided inside the vacuum cleaner-side connection part 11. A tapered joint 53 is provided at the rear end of the vacuum cleaner-side rear connection body 27. In this second embodiment, earwax can also be removed effectively. Although the vacuum cleaner-side connection part 11 has a suction force adjustment opening 8, it can also be configured as a single, inseparable unit.

[0064] [Third Embodiment] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 9(a) shows the configuration of the ear 30, Figure 9(b) is a cross-sectional view of the tip of the tip tube portion 2 provided with the outside air intake processing portion 36, and Figure 9(c) is a diagram illustrating the effect of providing the outside air intake processing portion 36.

[0065] In the configuration of the third embodiment, an outside air intake processing section 36 is provided around the tip of the tip tube section 2. It is preferable to provide a notch 32 (cutout) as the outside air intake processing section 36. In particular, it is preferable to provide one notch 32, as can be seen from the comparison of Tables 1 and 2 described later. By providing a notch 32, as shown in Figure 9(c), an outside airflow 33 flows in from the notch 32, creating a return airflow 34 in the ear canal 28, which allows earwax 35 to be sucked towards the vacuum cleaner.

[0066] In particular, the presence of the notch 32 allows the outside airflow 33 to naturally flow into the communication passage 48 inside the tip tube 2, even when the tip tube 2 is in contact with the ear canal 28, without the need to perform the operation of creating a subtle gap 50 as shown in Figure 7(c). Therefore, the user has the advantage of being able to effectively suction earwax 35 at all times without having to worry about the position or condition of the tip of the tip tube 2.

[0067] Tables 1 and 2 show the results of experiments conducted to determine what shape of the outside air intake processing section 36 should be provided at the tip of the tip tube section 2 to allow for easy operation and earwax removal without burdening the user.

[0068] Table 1 shows an experiment in which the tip of the tip tube section 2 was provided with one hole 31 (single hole) and one notch 32. The evaluation items were: 1. Suction power when tightly closed (occluded) 2. Processability (ease of processing) 3. Reproducibility of processing 4.Durability 5. Feeling of use 6.Easy to use For the six evaluation items, a rating was given using the following scale: ◎: Excellent, ○: Good, △: Average, ×: Poor. The items that should be given particular emphasis in the evaluation criteria are 1. Suction performance when tightly sealed (when blocked), followed by 5. Ease of use, and 6. Operability.

[0069] When providing a single hole 31, a sample was created with a configuration in which a square hole, a round hole, a vertical slit, and a horizontal slit were provided at the tip of the tip tube portion 2. Furthermore, in configurations with a single notch 32, samples of V-notch, U-notch, UV-notch, and semi-circular notch shapes were manufactured. Note that the UV-notch has a U-shape at its innermost point when viewed from the tip opening 54 (see Figure 9), and widens into a V-shape towards the tip opening 54.

[0070] Furthermore, we also created a sample in which the tip of the tip tube section 2 has an inclined opening 62 (see Table 1) that is angled downwards. As shown in Table 1, when forming an inclined opening 62, it is preferable to set the angle θ between the direction in which the outer peripheral wall of the tip tube portion 2 extends and the cut inclined opening 62 to be 45° or more and 60° or less.

[0071] [Table 1]

[0072] From the results in Table 1, it was found that the configuration with one notch 32 at the tip of the tip tube portion 2 is a more preferable shape in terms of the six evaluation criteria compared to the configuration with one hole 31. Furthermore, the angled cut configuration was judged to be the next best after the configuration with the notch 32.

[0073] [Table 2]

[0074] Table 2 shows the evaluation of samples with two holes 31 or two notches 32 positioned opposite each other at the tip of the tip tube portion 2. The configuration with two notches 32 was judged to be better than the configuration with two holes 31. Furthermore, from a comparison of Table 1 and Table 2, it was found that the configuration with one notch 32 was evaluated higher than the configuration with two notches 32.

[0075] Although the present invention has been described above with examples of embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the description in the claims, and it goes without saying that various modifications, additions of configurations, or improvements can be made within that scope. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1:Earwax suction device 2: Tip tube section 3: Connecting pipe section 4: First outlet tube section 5: Front connector 6: Rear connector 7: Intermediate connection section 8: Suction force adjustment opening 10: Second outlet tube section 11: Vacuum cleaner side connection 13: Vacuum cleaner inlet 26: Front connector on the vacuum cleaner side 27: Rear connector on the vacuum cleaner side 32: Notch 35: Earwax 41: Gap-filling material section 42: Gap-filling tape 44: Filter component 45: Tissue paper 53: Joint 60: Outlet tube section 61: Connecting body 62: Inclined entrance

Claims

1. The connector that connects to the vacuum cleaner's suction port, At least one lead-out tube portion is led forward from the vacuum cleaner side connection portion having the aforementioned joint, A connecting pipe section is connected to the aforementioned outlet tube section and does not become blocked when held by hand, The connecting pipe section is connected to the front of the aforementioned connecting pipe section and is inserted into the ear canal, An earwax suction device characterized by having a connecting body portion provided in a connecting passage extending from the vacuum cleaner suction port to the rear side of the connecting pipe portion, and equipped with a suction force adjustment opening for adjusting the suction force of the vacuum cleaner.

2. The aforementioned outlet tube section includes a first outlet tube section connected to the rear side of the connecting pipe section, It has a second outlet tube section provided on the rear side of the first outlet tube section, The earwax suction device according to claim 1, wherein the communication connecting body is provided between the first outlet tube portion and the second outlet tube portion and is composed of an intermediate connecting portion having the suction force adjustment opening.

3. The aforementioned outlet tube section consists only of a first outlet tube section connected to the rear side of the connecting pipe section. The aforementioned connecting body is composed of the joint and the vacuum cleaner side connecting part having the suction force adjustment opening. The earwax suction device according to claim 1, wherein the rear end of the first outlet tube portion is connected to the vacuum cleaner side connection portion.

4. The earwax suction device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a notch is provided around the tip of the tip tube portion.

5. The earwax suction device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the tip of the tip tube portion has an inclined opening that is angled downwards.

6. The earwax suction device according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate connection portion is composed of a front connecting body and a rear connecting body, the front connecting body and the rear connecting body are configured to be connectable and separable, and a filter member for capturing earwax is provided inside the intermediate connection portion.

7. The earwax suction device according to claim 3, wherein the vacuum cleaner side connection portion is composed of a vacuum cleaner side front connection body and a vacuum cleaner side rear connection body, the vacuum cleaner side front connection body and the vacuum cleaner side rear connection body are configured to be connectable and separable, and a filter member for capturing earwax is provided inside the vacuum cleaner side connection portion.

8. The earwax suction device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the connecting pipe portion is made of a rigid body whose inner diameter does not change even when held by hand.

9. The distance from the tip of the aforementioned tip tube portion to the front end of the aforementioned intermediate connection portion is, The earwax suction device according to claim 2, which is set to be between 500 mm and 1000 mm.

10. The distance from the tip of the aforementioned tip tube portion to the front end of the vacuum cleaner side connection portion is, The earwax suction device according to claim 3, which is set to be between 500 mm and 1000 mm.

11. The earwax suction device according to claim 1, further comprising a gap-filling material portion for eliminating gaps when joining the vacuum cleaner suction port and the joint portion of the various vacuum cleaners.

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