Skin beauty device

Abstract

To provide a skin beauty device capable of enhancing the beauty effect by stimulation with a weak current while reducing the stimulation felt by a user as much as possible. [Solution] In an electrode group composed of three adjacent electrodes among the plurality of electrodes 41-49, current is passed between two electrodes (first electrodes) in a specific electrode group of the electrode groups, and then current is passed between second electrodes different from the first electrodes in the specific electrode group. After current is passed sequentially between the electrodes in the specific electrode group, current is passed sequentially between the electrodes in an electrode group adjacent to the specific electrode group in a similar manner to the current passing in the specific electrode group, and similarly, current can be controlled to pass in other adjacent electrode groups.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a skin beauty device that is placed in close contact with the user's skin and passes a weak current through the skin to provide a massage effect and other beauty effects. [Background technology]

[0002] Skin beauty devices have long been known for their beauty benefits, as they are placed in close contact with the user's skin to deliver a weak current to the skin, providing a massage effect and other cosmetic benefits. In recent years, devices that deliver a weak current, particularly for use in iontophoresis, have been attracting attention. In conventional skin beauty devices such as those described above, low-frequency currents generally result in high impedance at the contact point between the electrode and the skin, and the electrical signal tends to be felt for a longer period of time, resulting in greater skin irritation. On the other hand, at high frequencies, the thermal effect becomes more dominant than the skin irritation. For this reason, by using high-frequency waves of an appropriate frequency, it has been possible to simultaneously achieve a certain level of skin irritation (but not too strong) and a certain level of thermal effect (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-253501 A (Fig. 1 etc.) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As mentioned above, conventional skin beauty devices have been designed to limit the desired skin stimulation to a certain range. On the other hand, improvements have been made, such as setting the voltage higher to achieve beauty effects such as the penetration effect of beauty serum. For this reason, there has been a demand for further improvements that achieve the contradictory effects of increasing the beauty effect of the weak current stimulation while minimizing the stimulation felt by the user as much as possible.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional skin beauty devices described above, and to provide a skin beauty device that can enhance the beauty effect of stimulation by weak current while minimizing the stimulation felt by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above objectives are achieved by the following: (1) A skin beauty device that has a plurality of electrodes distributed on a surface and can pass a high-frequency current through the electrodes to the skin of a user, a plurality of electrode groups each composed of four electrodes, including a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode, which are formed adjacent to each other and arranged in order at positions corresponding to the corners of a rectangular shape; A specific group of electrodes In the skin beauty device, a current is passed between the first electrode and the third electrode, then between the first electrode and the second electrode, then between the first electrode and the fourth electrode, then between the second electrode and the third electrode, and then between the third electrode and the fourth electrode, and then, in an electrode group adjacent to the specific electrode group, a current is passed between a plurality of electrodes in the same manner as in the specific electrode group, and similarly, the device is controllable so that current is passed between other adjacent electrode groups, and the adjacent electrode groups are composed of a plurality of adjacent electrodes that do not overlap with electrodes included in the specific electrode group.

[0007] "Applying current between second electrodes different from the first electrodes" means passing current between a specific first electrode and a second electrode of a specific electrode group, and then passing current between a second electrode and a third electrode of a specific electrode group, as well as passing current between a first electrode and a third electrode or between a second electrode and a fourth electrode.

[0010] (2) The electrode 16 pieces is (1) The skin beauty device described.

[0012] (3)The time for applying current between the electrodes is 0.01 to 0.1 seconds ( 1) Skin beauty device.

[0013] (4) Between the energization states between the electrodes, it is possible to control to provide an energization pause time during which no current is passed between any of the electrodes ( 1) Skin beauty device. (5) The current stop time between the electrodes is 0.01 to 0.1 seconds. (4) Skin beauty device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top front view of the skin cosmetic device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a voltage waveform of the skin cosmetic device of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another voltage waveform of the skin cosmetic device of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top front view of the skin cosmetic device of the present invention, showing the energization sequence. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a top front view of the skin cosmetic device of the present invention, showing the energization sequence. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the head portion of the skin beauty device in which the electrodes are arranged in a different manner. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the head portion of the skin cosmetic device in which the electrodes are arranged in yet another manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A skin beauty device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the skin beauty device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has an elongated, cylindrical overall shape with a front-to-back thickness slightly smaller than its left-to-right width, allowing it to be held by a user. A head unit 30 is fixed to the upper end of the main body 15, allowing it to swing slightly back and forth and left and right relative to the main body 11. This swingable fixation of the head unit 30 relative to the main body 11 allows the head unit 30 to closely contact each part of the body in accordance with the position and angle of the part. A plurality of electrodes 41-49 are disposed on the upper surface of the head unit 30. The skin beauty device 10 applies a weak current through these electrodes 41-49 to enhance the massage effect on the user's skin and the penetration of lotions and other products.

[0016] The main body 11 of the skin cosmetic device 10 is provided with a gripping portion 20 below the head portion 30, which is the portion that the user grips when using the skin cosmetic device 10. A group of operation buttons (not shown) is provided on the back side of the gripping portion 20 of the skin cosmetic device 10. The operation buttons include an LED button, a power button, and an operation mode button. The LED button is an operation button for operating the lighting operation of the LEDs provided on the skin cosmetic device 10. The power button is an operation button for turning the power of the skin cosmetic device 10 on and off and for operating the output level of each electrode 41-49. The operation mode button is an operation button for changing the mode of current flow from each electrode 41-49 provided on the head portion 30. The skin cosmetic device 10 can be connected to an AC power source via an AC adapter.

[0017] The head unit 30 is formed in the shape of a thin plate that is approximately square in plan view. The head unit 30 is fixed to the main body unit 11 so that its vertices in plan view are located at four positions, front to back, left to right, as seen from the front side of the skin cosmetic device 10, as shown in Fig. 1. As described above, the head unit 30 is fixed so that it can be tilted at an appropriate angle front to back and left to right relative to the upper end of the main body unit 11. In this way, the head unit 30 is configured to be able to come into closer contact with each part of the body that comes into contact with the head unit 30, depending on the position and angle of that part of the body.

[0018] Although not shown, the skin cosmetic device 10 contains an electronic circuit built in, which is composed of a power supply board, converter, microcomputer, LED driver, power booster, RF power controller, etc., for controlling the operation of the electrodes 41 to 49. The skin cosmetic device 10 also contains a built-in rechargeable battery, and after being charged by an AC power source, the skin cosmetic device 10 can be used on its own by removing the AC adapter.

[0019] Next, the details of the head unit 30 will be described. As described above, a plurality of electrodes 41 to 49 are arranged on the upper surface of the head unit 30. In this example, nine electrodes 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 are arranged. As shown in FIG. 1, the nine electrodes 41 to 49 are: electrodes 42, 44, 46, and 48 arranged near the four corners (vertices) of the head unit 30, which is rectangular in plan view; electrodes 43, 45, 47, and 49 arranged near the center of each side; and electrode 41 arranged in the center of the head unit 30 in plan view. Note that although the electrodes 43, 45, 47, and 49 arranged near the center of each side are shown as being divided into two as shown in FIG. 1, this is simply because the shape of the terminal tip is divided on the head 30, and each electrode constitutes a single electrode. In the present skin cosmetic device 10, a weak current of 90 kHz is passed through each of these electrodes 41 to 49 to enhance the cosmetic effect on the user's skin. The weak current can also be changed within the range of 80 kHz to 100 kHz.

[0020] Next, we will explain the weak current passed through each electrode 41-49 of the skin cosmetic device 10 configured as described above. As mentioned above, a current of 90 kHz can be passed through each electrode 41-49. When a current is passed through the user's skin, the lower the frequency, the higher the impedance at the contact point between the electrode and the skin, and the longer the time period during which the electrical signal is felt, which tends to result in greater skin irritation. However, in this skin cosmetic device 10, by using a high frequency of 90 kHz, irritation to the skin is reduced. As mentioned above, the weak current can be changed within the range of 80 kHz to 100 kHz, and within this range, a certain level of effect can be achieved.

[0021] 2, the electrodes 41-49 of the skin cosmetic device 10 are energized in a cycle of 0.1 seconds. The time it takes for the voltage to rise to half of the maximum voltage (80 Vp-p in the skin cosmetic device of this example) and the time it takes for the voltage to fall from half of the maximum voltage in one cycle are each 0.03 seconds, which is 30% of the energization time (0.1 seconds) of one cycle. That is, the time it takes for the voltage to rise to half of the maximum voltage in one cycle is 0.03 seconds, the time it takes for the voltage to rise to the maximum voltage and then fall to half of the maximum voltage is 0.04 seconds, and the time it takes for the voltage to rise from half of the maximum voltage to the end of the cycle is 0.03 seconds.

[0022] In this way, by gradually increasing and decreasing the voltage at the beginning and end of each cycle—in this example, the time it takes for the voltage to rise to half of the maximum voltage and the time it takes for the voltage to fall from half of the maximum voltage are each set to a relatively long 0.03 seconds—it is possible to avoid sudden increases and decreases in voltage at the beginning and end of the current flow. This reduces the irritation felt by the current on the user's skin. Therefore, even if the voltage applied to the skin beauty device 10 is increased to enhance the massage effect or the penetration of beauty serum, the irritation caused by the current can be reduced, thereby reducing discomfort to the user while enhancing the massage effect or the penetration of beauty serum.

[0023] In this example, one cycle is 0.1 seconds, but this is not limited to this and can be appropriately selected in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 seconds in this skin beauty device, and this range is preferable. Also, while the time required for the voltage to rise to half of the maximum voltage in one cycle and the time required for the voltage to fall from half of the maximum voltage are each set to 30%, this is not limited to this and can be appropriately selected in the range of 20 to 30% of the current application time in one cycle, and this range is preferable.

[0024] Furthermore, a certain period of time may be provided between each of the electrodes 41-49 after one cycle of energization as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in this example, one cycle of energization is 0.05 seconds, and the time required for the voltage to rise to half of the maximum voltage and fall from half the maximum voltage in one cycle is 0.015 seconds, which is 30% of the energization time (0.05 seconds) of one cycle. That is, the time required for the voltage to rise to half the maximum voltage in one cycle is 0.015 seconds, the time required for the voltage to rise to the maximum voltage and fall from half the maximum voltage is 0.02 seconds, and the time required for the voltage to rise from half the maximum voltage to the end of the cycle is 0.015 seconds. Between each cycle of energization, a 0.05-second period of time is provided for the electrode. Note that this period of time is not limited to this, and can be selected appropriately from a range of 0.01 to 0.1 seconds in the skin beauty device of this example, and this range is preferred. By providing such a power-off period, a rhythmic stimulation can be given to the skin, giving the user a refreshing feeling.

[0025] The energization mode for each of the electrodes 41 to 49 has been described above, and now we will explain the order in which the energization is performed for all of the electrodes 41 to 49. The energization of each of the electrodes 41 to 49 of the skin cosmetic device 10 is performed in the order shown in Fig. 4, and the order is determined by the numbers (circled numbers) shown on the head unit 30 in Fig. 4.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, current is passed between the electrodes in the following order: circled numbers 1, 2, 3 (these are electrode groups surrounded by dotted lines), 2, 4, 5, 4, 6, 7 (these are electrode groups surrounded by dashed-dotted lines; subsequent electrode groups are not shown), 6, 8, 9, 8, 10, 11, 10, 12, 13, 12, 14, 15, 14, 1, 16 (and so on). That is, as shown in FIG. 5, current is passed through the first electrode group (the electrode group surrounded by dotted lines), then the second electrode group (the electrode group surrounded by dashed-dotted lines), and then the third electrode group (the electrode group surrounded by dashed-dotted lines; subsequent electrode groups are not shown). Thus, current is passed through adjacent electrode groups consisting of three electrodes in sequence. In this example, the current is controlled to move clockwise through these electrode groups. Therefore, on the head unit 30 where the electrodes 41-49 are arranged, the next energization is not performed at a location far away, but rather, energization is performed sequentially for each adjacent electrode group. Therefore, for the user, the next energization is performed at a location close to the location previously energized, reducing the sensation of a new energization at a different location. While reducing the sensation of irritation, it is possible to energize the entire area where the electrodes 41-49 are arranged, thereby achieving a massage effect and a penetration effect of beauty serums and the like across the entire area where the electrodes 41-49 are arranged. Furthermore, instead of energizing each electrode 41-49 sequentially, energization is performed sequentially for each group of electrodes known as an "electrode group." Since current is applied to a certain area over a predetermined period of time, it is possible to provide a circular massage effect in the specified area. This further enhances the massage effect and the penetration effect of beauty serums and the like.

[0027] In the present invention, the order of energization between the electrodes is not limited to the above. For example, the order may be 1 → 2 → 3 → 2 → 4 → 5 → 4 → 6 → 7 → 6 → 8 → 9 → 8 → 10 → 11 → 10 → 12 → 13 → 12 → 14 → 15 → 14 → 1 → 16 (repeat), where circled numbers indicate the electrodes, or 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 7 → 6 → 8 → 9 → 10 → 11 → 13 → 12 → 14 → 15 → 16 (repeat). Any order may be used as long as the order is such that the current is sequentially applied to an electrode group consisting of three or four adjacent electrodes. These are embodiments corresponding to the above invention (2).

[0029] Furthermore, while the head unit 30 has nine electrodes in the above example, any other number of electrodes, four or more, may be used. In multiple electrode groups each consisting of four or more electrodes, control can be performed so that electricity is applied sequentially to adjacent electrode groups. For example, the skin cosmetic device 11 in FIG. 6 has four electrodes 51-54, but the order of application of electricity between the electrodes may be, for example, circled numbers 1 → 2 → 3 (all electrode groups surrounded by dotted lines) → 4 → 5 → 6 (all electrode groups surrounded by dashed lines) → 7 → 8 → 9 (all electrode groups surrounded by dashed lines) (and so on). Furthermore, while the skin cosmetic device 12 in FIG. 7 has 16 electrodes 61-76, the order of energization between the electrodes may be, for example, circled numbers 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 (all of which are electrodes surrounded by dotted lines) → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 (all of which are electrodes surrounded by dashed lines) → 11 → 12 → 13 → 14 → 15 → ... (all of which are electrodes surrounded by dashed lines; subsequent electrode groups are not shown) (the energization order from 16 onward is omitted) (repeated). Note that the energization order described above has been described as repeating the same energization order, but this is not limited to this. It also includes combinations of the above energization orders, such as changing to another energization order after energizing all the electrodes. Furthermore, the start position of each of the specific energization orders described above may be changed, and the energization order may be reversed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0030] The present invention can be widely used in skin beauty devices for beautifying the skin of the user on the hands, arms, legs, face, and other areas. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 10, 11, 12: Skin beauty device, 15: Main body, 20: Grip, 30: Head, 41~49, 51~54, 61~76: Electrode.

Claims

1. A skin beauty device that includes a plurality of electrodes arranged in a dispersed manner on a surface thereof and is capable of passing a high-frequency current from the electrodes to a user's skin, In a specific electrode group among the multiple electrode groups constituted by four electrodes consisting of a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode which are formed adjacent to each other and arranged in sequence at positions corresponding to the corners of a rectangular shape, a current is passed between the first electrode and the third electrode, then a current is passed between the first electrode and the second electrode, then a current is passed between the first electrode and the fourth electrode, then a current is passed between the second electrode and the third electrode, and then a current is passed between the third electrode and the fourth electrode. After that, in an electrode group adjacent to the specific electrode group, a current is sequentially passed between the multiple electrodes in the same manner as in the specific electrode group, and similarly, a current can be controlled to be passed in other adjacent electrode groups, and the adjacent electrode groups are constituted by a plurality of electrodes which are adjacent to each other and do not overlap with the electrodes included in the specific electrode group.

2. The skin cosmetic device according to claim 1 , wherein the number of the electrodes is sixteen.

3. 2. The skin cosmetic device according to claim 1, wherein the time for which current is passed between said electrodes is 0.01 to 0.1 seconds.

4. 2. The skin cosmetic device according to claim 1, which is controllable so that a current-passing pause time during which no current is passed between any of the electrodes is provided between the electrodes during a current-passing state between the electrodes.

5. 5. The skin cosmetic device according to claim 4, wherein the current interruption time between the electrodes is 0.01 to 0.1 seconds.

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