Ear heating device

Abstract

To provide an ear warming device which can be easily used and has a simple configuration.SOLUTION: An ear warming device 1 comprises: a body 2; an insertion part 3 which is provided so as to protrude from the body 2 and is inserted to an ear canal; a heater 4 which is provided on the tip side of the insertion part 3; a battery 5 which is stored in the body 2 to supply power to the heater 4; and a holding mechanism 6 which holds the body 2 in such a state that the insertion part 3 is inserted to the ear canal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ear heating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose ear heating devices that are worn on the ear so that a portion of the device is inserted into the ear canal, and that can warm the inside of the ear canal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2014-76159 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2022-12036 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the ear heating device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the built-in heat storage member must be removed from the main body and electrically heated using a device separate from the main body. In addition, the ear heating device disclosed in Patent Document 2 uses a disposable heat-generating member that generates heat through a chemical reaction when it comes into contact with air. Thus, in order to use the ear heating devices of Patent Documents 1 and 2 repeatedly, some of the components must be removed and replaced. This makes the use of these ear heating devices cumbersome. Furthermore, these ear heating devices have complex configurations, requiring removable and replaceable components in addition to the main body.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an ear heating device that is easy to use and has a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a device comprising a main body, an insertion portion that protrudes from the main body and is inserted into the ear canal, a heater provided at the tip side of the insertion portion, and a battery that is housed in the main body and supplies power to the heater. the insertion portion has a pad whose base end is on the main body side and which is attached to the entrance of the ear canal, and an extension portion which protrudes from the tip of the pad and extends toward the eardrum side of the ear canal when the pad is attached to the entrance of the ear canal, and which houses the heater, and the shape and dimensions of the extension portion are set so that the extension portion does not come into contact with the wall of the ear canal when the pad is attached to the entrance of the ear canal. To provide a heating device for the ear.

[0007] The ear canal is heated by a heater installed in the insertion part inserted into the ear canal. The heater is powered by a battery housed in the main body. Therefore, this ear heating device is easy to use because it does not require removing or replacing parts for repeated use. Furthermore, the device does not require removable or replaceable parts, meaning that all necessary functions are integrated into a single device, making it simple in configuration. Furthermore, the heating temperature does not decrease over time, allowing it to be used at a stable temperature for a long period of time.

[0009] The extension part housing the heater extends from the pad attached to the entrance of the ear canal toward the eardrum side of the ear canal, so that not only the entrance side of the ear canal but also the eardrum side can be effectively heated.

[0011] The extension that houses the heater does not come into contact with the wall of the ear canal, making it comfortable to use without any discomfort.

[0012] The ear heating device may include a holding mechanism that holds the main body in a state where the insertion portion is inserted into the ear canal.

[0013] The holding mechanism includes a connecting part whose base end is connected to the main body, and a hook part that is provided on the tip end side of the connecting part and that is hooked onto the top of the auricle when the ear heating device is worn.

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, an ear heating device includes a main body, an insertion section that protrudes from the main body and is inserted into the ear canal, a heater provided at the tip of the insertion section, and a battery housed in the main body for supplying power to the heater. The device also includes a holding mechanism that holds the main body while the insertion section is inserted into the ear canal, the holding mechanism including a connecting section whose base end is connected to the main body, and a hook portion that is provided at the tip of the connecting section and that is hooked onto the upper part of the auricle when the ear heating device is worn. The shapes of the insertion portion and the holding mechanism are symmetrical with respect to the center of the width direction of the latch portion of the holding mechanism. To provide an ear heating device .

[0015] The shapes of the insertion portion and the holding mechanism are symmetrical with respect to the center in the width direction of the latch portion of the holding mechanism.

[0016] This configuration allows a single ear heating device to be worn on either the left or right ear of a user without changing the holding mechanism. Specifically, for a single ear heating device, when worn on the left ear, the holding mechanism for the left auricle is attached to the main body, and when worn on the right ear, the holding mechanism for the right auricle is attached to the main body. In other words, there is no need to change the holding mechanism depending on whether the ear is worn on the left or right ear.

[0017] The base end side of the connecting portion is rotatably connected to the main body.

[0018] By adjusting the holding mechanism by rotating it relative to the main body according to the shape of the user's ear, the ear heating device can be kept in an appropriate position and prevented from falling off. In addition, the ear heating device can be easily and smoothly attached to either the left or right ear.

[0019] One aspect of the present invention is a device that includes a main body, an insertion section that is provided so as to protrude from the main body and that is inserted into the ear canal, a heater provided at the tip side of the insertion section, and a battery that is housed in the main body and that supplies power to the heater, and a holding mechanism that holds the main body in a state where the insertion section is inserted into the ear canal; The insertion section has a base end on the main body side and includes a pad attached to the entrance of the ear canal, and the holding mechanism is the pad. This provides a heating device for the ears. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The ear heating device according to the present invention is easy to use and has a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an ear heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the inside. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of an ear heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the outside. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of an ear heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a front view of an ear heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a side view of an ear heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an ear heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is worn. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic view showing a state in which an ear heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is worn; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An ear heating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the auricle side when the ear heating device 1 is worn on the ear may be referred to as the "inside" and the opposite side to the auricle as the "outside." Furthermore, terms such as "upper side," "lower side," and similar terms may be used based on the state when the ear heating device 1 is worn on the ear.

[0023] 1 to 5, the ear heating device 1 includes a main body 2, an insertion part 3, a heater 4, a rechargeable battery 5, and a holding hook (holding mechanism) 6.

[0024] As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the main body 2 comprises a casing 21 and a decorative ring 22 .

[0025] The casing 21 has a two-piece structure and includes an outer casing 23 and an inner casing 24. Both the outer casing 23 and the inner casing 24 are in the shape of a relatively elongated container having opening edges 23a, 24a.

[0026] The decorative ring 22 is annular in shape corresponding to the opening edges 23a, 24a of the outer casing 23 and the inner casing 24, and includes a pair of cylindrical bearing portions 22a, 22b for rotatably supporting the holding hook 6, as will be described in detail later. The portion of the decorative ring 22 other than the bearing portions 22a, 22b is strip-shaped with a width corresponding to the thickness of the opening edges 23a, 24a of the outer and inner casings 23, 24. In other words, the decorative ring 22 has an annular packing portion interposed between the outer casing 23 and the inner casing 24 to improve airtightness, and the bearing portions 22a, 22b for rotatably holding the shaft portions 61a, 61a of the holding hook 6, and is preferably made of a resin such as ABS or PC (polycarbonate).

[0027] 3 and 6, an internally threaded boss 23b is provided inside the outer casing 23, and a through-hole 24b is provided in the inner casing 24. The outer casing 23 and the inner casing 24 are fixed to each other by screwing a male screw (not shown) inserted into the through-hole 24b of the inner casing 24 into the internally threaded boss 23b, with the decorative ring 22 sandwiched between the opening edges 23a and 24a. The opening edges 23a and 24a of the outer casing 23 and the inner casing 24 are provided with semicircular notches 23c and 24c, respectively, and the bearings 22a and 22b of the decorative ring 22 are held in these notches 23c and 24c.

[0028] 3 and 6, the inside of the main body 2, that is, the space surrounded by the casing 21 and the decorative ring 22, contains the battery 5, the circuit board 7, and the LED unit 9. A plurality of electronic elements including a push-button switch 8 are mounted on the circuit board 7, and the heater 4 and the LED unit 9 are electrically connected to the circuit board 7. The circuit board 7 switches between supplying power from the battery 5 to the heater 8 and turning the LED unit 9 on and off, depending on the on / off state of the switch 8. Specifically, when the switch 8 is on, power is supplied from the battery 5 to the heater 8, and the LED unit 9 is turned on. On the other hand, when the switch 8 is off, power supply from the battery 5 to the heater 8 is stopped, and the LED 9 is turned off.

[0029] A push button 10 for a user to operate the switch 8 is provided so as to be exposed on the surface of the main body 2, more specifically, the outer casing 23. The push button 10 is fitted into an LED unit 9, and pressing the push button 10 operates the switch 8 via the LED unit 9. A light-transmitting portion 10a is provided on the push button 10, and the light emitted by the LED unit 9 can be seen through the light-transmitting portion 10a.

[0030] The substrate 7 is provided with a power supply unit 7a such as a USB port for charging the battery 5. This power supply unit 7a and the aforementioned through-hole 24a are exposed to the outside of the casing 21 when a detachable cover 24d provided on the inner casing 24 is removed, making it possible to connect (access) a charging cable or the like.

[0031] The insertion portion 3 is provided to protrude from the main body 2, more specifically from the inner casing 24. The insertion portion 3 includes a pad 33, a connecting tube (extension portion) 34, and a cap 35. The insertion portion 3 houses a heater 4.

[0032] The pad 33 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, silicone, or elastic resin. The pad 33 is hollow and has an outer shape in which conical sections 33a and 33b are stacked in two stages (a bamboo-shaped nipple shape). The base end 33c and the tip 33d of the pad 33 are provided with through-holes 33e and 33f that communicate between the inside and outside of the pad 33. The base end 33c of the pad 33 is connected to the main body 21, more specifically, to the inner casing 24. More specifically, a cylindrical section 24e with an open outer end protrudes from the inner casing 24, and the base end 33c of the pad 33 is fitted into this cylindrical section 24e.

[0033] The connecting pipe 34 is preferably made of a resin such as ABS or PC (polycarbonate), is hollow tubular with both ends open, and comprises a first straight pipe section 34a, a disk-shaped flange 34b provided on the base end side of the first straight pipe section 34a, a bent section 34c connected to the tip end side of the first straight pipe section 34a, and a second straight pipe section 34d connected to the bent section 34c and shorter than the first straight pipe section 34a.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6, the flange 34 is disposed within the cylindrical portion 24e of the inner casing 24 and is fixed to the inner casing 24 by a fitting-type fixing structure. The first straight pipe portion 34a is inserted into the through holes 33e and 33f of the pad 33 and is mostly covered by the pad 33. The most distal end of the first straight pipe portion 34a, the bent portion 34c, the second straight pipe portion 34d, and a cap 35 (described later) protrude from the distal end 33c of the pad 33. In other words, the most distal end of the first straight pipe portion 34a, the bent portion 34c, the second straight pipe portion 34d, and the cap 35 are exposed to the outside without being covered by the pad 33.

[0035] The second straight pipe section 34d has an internal thread section 34e formed therein. The opening at the tip of the second straight pipe section 34d is closed by a cap 35 that is screwed onto the internal thread section 34e.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, the heater 4 includes a heat-generating portion 4a that generates heat when power is supplied and a lead wire 4b for supplying power to the heat-generating portion 4a. While one lead wire 4b is shown in FIG. 3 for the sake of scale, the heater 4 actually includes two lead wires 4b. The heater 4 is housed in the insertion section 3. Specifically, the heat-generating portion 4a of the heater 4 is housed inside the second straight pipe section 34d and cap 35 of the connecting pipe 34. The lead wire 4b of the heater 4 extends from the heat-generating portion 4a through the bent section 34c and the first straight pipe section 34a to the outside of the connecting pipe 34, and further extends into the casing 21 through a through-hole 24f provided in a portion of the inner casing 24 surrounded by the cylindrical section 24e, and is electrically connected to the substrate 7.

[0037] 1, 2, and 4, the holding hook 6 has a generally frame-like shape, in other words, a roughly gate-like shape, and is connected to the main body 2 so as to be rotatable relative to the main body 2 about an axis AL indicated by a dashed line in these figures. When worn on the user's ear, the axis AL can also be said to be an axis center that runs roughly in the front-to-back direction as seen from the user. Furthermore, the holding hook 6 is roughly gate-shaped (roughly U-shaped), and the holding hook 6 and the main body 2 form a closed ring-shaped portion. This configuration provides a higher fall prevention effect than a J-shaped configuration.

[0038] The retaining hook 6 is preferably made of an elastic material such as rubber, silicone, or elastic resin, and includes a pair of connecting portions 61A, 61B, each connected at its base end to the main body 2, and a latch portion 62 provided to connect the tip ends of these connecting portions 61A, 61B. A cylindrical shaft portion 61a is provided at the very base end of each connecting portion 61A, and these shaft portions 61a are rotatably supported by the main body 2, more specifically, by the bearing portions 22a, 22b of the decorative ring 22. As shown most clearly in Figure 4, the connecting portions 61A, 61B and the latch portion 62 surround the main body 2, more specifically, the upper part of the casing 21, with a gap between them.

[0039] 1, 2, and 4, the shapes of the main body 2, insertion portion 3, and retention hook 6 are symmetrical about the center (conceptually indicated by the two-dot chain line C) of the width direction of the hooking portion 62 of the retention hook 6 (the front-to-back direction when the ear heating device 1 is worn on the ear). In particular, the symmetry of the insertion portion 3 and retention hook 6 about the center C of the width direction of the hooking portion 62 allows one ear heating device 1 to be worn on either the left or right ear of a user without changing the retention hook 6. More specifically, for one ear heating device 1, the retention hook 6 for the left auricle is attached to the main body 2 when worn on the left ear, and the retention hook 6 for the right auricle is attached to the main body when worn on the right ear. In other words, it is not necessary to change the retention hook 6 depending on whether the ear heating device 1 is worn on the left or right ear. In other words, the ear heating device 1 can be worn smoothly on the desired ear without having to switch the retention hook 6 between the left and right auricles. Here, symmetry does not necessarily mean strict geometric symmetry, but also means that partial or total asymmetry is acceptable as long as the holding hooks 6 can be worn on both the left and right ears without being swapped.

[0040] Next, how to use the ear warming device 1 will be described.

[0041] 7 , the insertion section 3, more specifically, the tip of the pad 33, the most distal end of the first straight tube section 34a protruding from the pad 33, the bent section 34c, the second straight tube section 34d, and the cap 35, are inserted into the ear canal 100. The pad 33 is attached so as to be in close contact or nearly so in contact with the entrance of the ear canal 100 by elastically deforming. In this way, when the pad 33 is attached to the ear canal 100, the connecting tube 34 extends toward the eardrum 101 side of the ear canal 100. The shapes and dimensions of the connecting tube 34 and the cap 35, more specifically, the most distal end of the first straight tube section 34a, the bent section 34c, the second straight tube section 34d, and the cap 35, are set so as not to come into contact with the wall of the ear canal 100.

[0042] 8, by hooking the latching portion 62 of the holding hook 6 onto the upper part of the auricle 102, the ear heating device 1 can be more reliably held in a state in which the insertion portion 3 is properly attached as shown in Fig. 7. In other words, the latching portion 62 of the holding hook 6 is attached so as to correspond to the position on the auricle 102 where the temple or end piece of the glasses is to be hung.

[0043] As described above, when the switch 8 is turned on by operating the push button 10, power is supplied to the heater 4, which generates heat and warms the inside of the ear canal 100. When the switch 8 is on, the light emitted by the LED unit 9 is visible through the light-transmitting portion 10a of the push button 10, so that it is possible to visually confirm that the ear heating device 1 is in operation.

[0044] The ear warming device 1 of this embodiment has the following features.

[0045] The second straight tube section 34d of the connecting tube 34 inserted into the ear canal 100 and the heat generating section 4a of the heater 4 housed in the cap 35 generate heat, heating the cap 35 and thereby warming the inside of the ear canal 100. The heater 4 is powered by a battery 5 housed in the casing 21 of the main body 2. Therefore, this ear heating device 2 is easy to use because it does not require the removal or replacement of parts for repeated use. Furthermore, the configuration is simple in that removable or replaceable parts are not required, i.e., the required functions are integrated into a single device. As such, the ear heating device 1 according to this embodiment is easy to use and has a simple configuration.

[0046] A connecting tube 34 containing a heat generating part 4a of the heater 4 extends from a pad 33 attached to the entrance of the ear canal 100 toward the eardrum 102 side of the ear canal 100, so that not only the entrance side of the ear canal 100 but also the eardrum 102 side can be effectively heated.

[0047] The shapes and dimensions of the most distal end of the first straight tube section 34a, the bent section 34c, the second straight tube section 34d, and the cap 35 are set so as not to come into contact with the wall of the ear canal 100, so that the device can be used comfortably without any discomfort.

[0048] The latching portion 62 of the holding hook 6 is hooked onto the upper part of the auricle 102, so that the ear heating device 1 can be securely held in the worn state despite the holding hook 6 having a simple structure.

[0049] As described above, the insertion portion 3 and the holding hook 6 are symmetrical with respect to the center C in the width direction of the latch portion 62 of the holding hook 6, allowing the earphone to be smoothly worn on either the left or right ear.

[0050] By adjusting the holding hook 6 by rotating it around the axis AL relative to the main body 2 according to the shape of the area around the user's auricle 102, the ear heating device 1 can be kept in an appropriate wearing state.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0052] For example, the holding hook 6 may be J-shaped (J-like) having one connecting portion and an arc-shaped latch portion 62.

[0053] Furthermore, the battery 5 may be a dry cell battery and the power supply unit 7a may be eliminated.

[0054] Furthermore, the retaining hook 6 may be eliminated, and the attached state of the ear heating device 1 may be maintained by the force of the pad 33 being in close contact or in close contact with the entrance of the ear canal 100. In other words, the pad 33 may be used as a retaining mechanism. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Ear warmer 2 Main unit 3 Insertion section 4 heater 5 batteries 6 Retention hook (retention mechanism) 7. Circuit Board 7a Power supply unit 8 Switch 9 LED units 10 push buttons 4a Heat generating part 4b lead wire 21 Casing 22 Decorative Ring 22a,22b Bearing part 23 Outer casing 23a Opening edge 23b female thread boss 23c notch 24 Inner casing 24a Opening edge 24b Through hole 24cm notch 24d cover 24e Cylindrical part 24f through hole 33 Pad 33a, 33b conical part 33c proximal end 33d tip 33e,33f Through hole 34 Connecting pipe (extension) 34a 1st straight pipe section 34b flange 34c Bend part 34d 2nd straight pipe section 34e Female thread 35 Cap 61A,61B connection part 61a 62 Hook stopper 100 Ear canal 101 Eardrum 102 Auricle

Claims

1. The main body and an insertion portion provided to protrude from the main body and to be inserted into the ear canal; a heater provided at the distal end of the insertion portion; a battery housed in the main body for supplying power to the heater; Equipped with The insertion portion is a pad having a base end on the main body side and attached to the entrance of the ear canal; an extension portion that protrudes from the tip of the pad, extends toward the eardrum side of the ear canal when the pad is attached to the entrance of the ear canal, and houses the heater; Equipped with The shape and dimensions of the extension portion are set so that when the pad is attached to the entrance of the ear canal, the extension portion does not come into contact with the wall of the ear canal.

2. The ear heating device according to claim 1 , further comprising a holding mechanism for holding the main body in a state where the insertion part is inserted into the ear canal.

3. The holding mechanism includes: a connecting portion whose base end side is connected to the main body; a hook portion provided at the tip end of the connecting portion and hooked onto the upper part of the auricle when the ear heating device is worn; The ear heating device according to claim 2, comprising:

4. A main body, an insertion portion provided to protrude from the main body and to be inserted into the ear canal; a heater provided at the distal end of the insertion portion; a battery housed in the main body for supplying power to the heater; Equipped with a holding mechanism for holding the main body in a state in which the insertion portion is inserted into the ear canal; The holding mechanism includes: a connecting portion whose base end side is connected to the main body; a hook portion provided at the tip end of the connecting portion and hooked onto the upper part of the auricle when the ear heating device is worn; Equipped with The ear heating device, wherein the shapes of the insertion portion and the holding mechanism are symmetrical with respect to the center of the width direction of the hook portion of the holding mechanism.

5. The ear heating device according to claim 4, wherein the base end side of the connecting portion is rotatably connected to the main body.

6. A main body, an insertion portion provided to protrude from the main body and to be inserted into the ear canal; a heater provided at the distal end of the insertion portion; a battery housed in the main body for supplying power to the heater; Equipped with a holding mechanism for holding the main body in a state in which the insertion portion is inserted into the ear canal; the insertion portion has a base end on the main body side and includes a pad attached to the entrance of the ear canal; The ear heating device, wherein the holding mechanism is the pad.

Images