Drying device, drying control method and program

Abstract

To make it possible to dry nails or the like in an appropriate length of time after a liquid agent is applied.SOLUTION: A drying apparatus 100 has a drying space SP in which an object coated with a liquid agent is placed, and in which the drying apparatus comprises: detection means (gas sensor 5) for detecting a concentration value in the air of vaporized components that have vaporized from the liquid agent in the drying space SP; a drying mechanism 3 (heater 31, fan 32) that is drying means for performing drying operation in the drying space SP; and a control part 11 as operation control means for controlling the drying operation of the drying mechanism 3 (heater 31 and fan 32) on the basis of a concentration value detected by the gas sensor 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drying device, a drying control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, printing devices (nail printing devices) that perform nail printing on people's nails and the like are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, when applying nail polish to fingernails, a process of drying the polish is required after application. When printing nails using a printing device, the ink or other liquid must be dried after printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2003-534083 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if the ink or other liquid is not dried sufficiently after printing (applying) it can cause the printed design to bleed or crumble. On the other hand, if the drying time is longer than necessary, the time required for nail printing will increase, placing a strain on the user. The appropriate drying time varies depending on the liquid, making it difficult for users to set the drying time themselves. It is also difficult to visually check whether the liquid has dried sufficiently, and insufficient drying time can sometimes result in a decline in the quality of the nail print finish.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a drying device, a drying control method, and a program that can dry nails, etc., after application of a liquid agent in an appropriate amount of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the drying device of the present invention is to a drying space in which an object to which a liquid agent has been applied is placed; a detection means for detecting a concentration value of a vaporized component vaporized from the liquid agent in the air in the drying space; a drying means for performing a drying operation in the drying space; an operation control means for controlling a drying operation of the drying means based on the concentration value detected by the detection means; Equipped with picture, the operation control means accumulates a time-series change in the concentration value detected by the detection means to obtain a profile, and stops the drying operation of the drying means when the change in the concentration value is detected as a predetermined concentration value decreasing profile; The predetermined concentration value decline profile indicates a state in which, after a predetermined concentration value rise profile in which the concentration value rises from a concentration value at a start point detected by the detection means to a first value which is a peak value, a second value which is lower than the first value by a predetermined level is detected by the detection means, and the state in which the second value is not exceeded continues for a predetermined period of time. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to dry nails or the like in an appropriate amount of time after application of a liquid agent. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a main part of a drying device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of a main part schematically showing a state in which a finger (hand) is set in the drying device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of a control configuration example of the drying device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a drying control process according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of measurement in which a nail coated with a liquid agent is placed in a drying device and the concentration value of gas evaporated from the liquid agent is measured with a gas sensor and plotted. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which the density value data shown in FIG. 5 is normalized to 0-100. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a graph showing the results of measuring the change in weight ratio over time, with the weight immediately after application of the liquid agent being 100. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a main part of a drying device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part schematically showing a state in which a finger (hand) is set in a drying device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part, schematically illustrating a state in which a finger (hand) is set in the drying device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part, schematically showing a state in which a finger (hand) is set in a drying device according to one modified example. [Figure 12] 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior configuration of a main part of an example of a printing apparatus that integrally includes a drying device; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part, schematically showing a state in which a finger (hand) is set in a drying device according to one modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A drying device, a drying control method, and a program according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are subject to various limitations that are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples. For example, in the following embodiments, the drying device will be described as a drying device that dries ink applied (printed) on the surface of fingernails, but the object to be dried by the drying device of the present invention is not limited to fingernails, and may be, for example, toenails. Furthermore, the object to be dried may be anything other than nails, such as the surfaces of nail tips or various accessories.

[0010] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of a drying device, a drying control method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] [Drying equipment configuration] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part showing the external configuration of a drying device according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the drying apparatus 100 of this embodiment has a housing 2 formed in a substantially box shape. In the following embodiment, up and down, front and back, and left and right in the drying apparatus 100 refer to the directions shown in Fig. 1. The X direction and Y direction in the drying apparatus 100 refer to the directions shown in Fig. 1. The shape of the drying apparatus 100 is not limited to the illustrated example.

[0012] An opening 21 is formed on the front side of the housing 2 (the front side in the Y direction in FIG. 1) across almost the entire width of the device. The opening 21 is an insertion port through which a hand including a finger U corresponding to the nail T, which is the target object, is inserted into the device, and has a width and height sufficient to allow the hand to be inserted and removed. The size of the opening 21 is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, the opening may have a width sufficient to allow both hands to be inserted at the same time, or may be an opening of a size (width) sufficient to receive the fingers U one by one.

[0013] In this embodiment, the finger U (hand including the finger U) inserted through the opening 21 is placed on the bottom surface 24 of the housing 2. It is preferable that an arrangement index M is provided on the bottom surface 24 to indicate a guide for the position where the finger U (finger U corresponding to the nail T) inserted into the device should be placed. The arrangement indexes M are placed on the bottom surface 24 corresponding to five nails T of one hand. There are no particular limitations on the specific form of the placement index M. In Fig. 1, a convex portion is provided as the placement index M at the position where the nail T should be placed. The convex portion as the placement index M may be one that can be recognized when touched with the pad of a finger, and there are no particular limitations on the size, height (degree of convexity), etc.

[0014] The drying device 100 of this embodiment is configured so that either the right hand or the left hand can be inserted. Therefore, it is preferable that the placement indexes M are arranged approximately symmetrically so that the fingers U can be placed in approximately appropriate positions regardless of whether the left or right hand is inserted. The shape and arrangement of the placement index M, the method of providing it on the bottom surface 24, and the like are not particularly limited. Because it is difficult to see inside the device from the outside, it is preferable that the placement index M be something that allows the position to be recognized just by touching it. For example, if the placement index M is provided by printing, it should be printed thick enough so that the unevenness can be seen. The placement index M may also be provided by attaching a sticker or the like. Note that the finger U (hand including the finger U) is not limited to being directly placed on the bottom surface 24 of the housing 2, and a placement table on which the finger U (hand including the finger U) is placed may be provided on the bottom surface 24. In this case, the placement index M is provided on the surface of the placement table.

[0015] An operation unit 22 is provided on the top surface (top plate) of the housing 2. The operation unit 22 is used by the user to input various information. The operation unit 22 is composed of operation buttons for performing various inputs, such as a power switch button for turning the power of the drying device 100 on / off, a stop switch button for stopping operation, and a drying start button for instructing the start of drying operation. When the operation unit 22 is operated, an operation signal corresponding to the operation is output to the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 performs control according to the operation signal to operate each part of the drying device 100.

[0016] Furthermore, a display unit 23 is disposed on the top surface of the housing 2. The display unit 23 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display, or other flat displays, or other displays (flat displays). The display unit 23 displays various images and information on the display based on a display signal input from the control unit 11, which will be described later. The display of the display unit 23 may be configured integrally with a touch panel, in which case the touch panel also functions as the operation unit 22 that accepts touch operations by the user and performs various inputs.

[0017] In addition, the display unit 23 of this embodiment functions as a notification means for notifying the user, etc., of the completion of drying when the control unit 11 described later determines that the liquid agent (coating agent, ink, etc.) applied to the nail T, which is the object to be dried, has completed drying. For example, when it is determined that the drying is complete, a guide screen or the like is displayed on the display unit 23, which displays a message indicating that the drying is complete or a message urging the user to proceed to the next step. Note that the function as the notification means for notifying completion of drying is not limited to the display unit 23. For example, a lamp functioning as notification means may be provided on the top surface of the housing 2, etc. In this case, the user may be notified whether drying is in progress or has completed, for example, by the color of the lamp or the lighting status (blinking or continuous lighting) of the lamp (for example, a red light flashes during drying, and a green light remains continuously lit when drying is complete, etc.). Furthermore, if the drying device 100 has an audio output unit such as a speaker, a message notifying completion of drying may be output by voice. Furthermore, completion of drying may be notified by a buzzer or the like.

[0018] In this embodiment, the inside of the housing 2 is a drying space SP for drying an object to be dried (nail T in this embodiment) that has been coated with a liquid agent (coating agent, ink, etc.). A drying mechanism 3 is provided at the upper part of the drying space SP. The drying mechanism 3 in this embodiment includes a heater 31 that generates heat to heat the inside of the drying space SP. The heater 31 is, for example, a ceramic heater, which generates heat when the heater 31 is turned on and heats the surrounding air. Note that the heater 31 can be of any configuration as long as it is small enough to be incorporated into the drying device 100, and the configuration is not limited to the example shown here. For example, an electric heater made of a coiled electric heating wire such as a nichrome wire may also be used.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a side view of a main part that schematically shows a state in which a finger (hand) is set in the drying device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the drying mechanism 3 is positioned above the finger U (the surface of the nail T of the finger U) when the user places the finger U (hand) at a predetermined position within the drying space SP (i.e., a position on the bottom surface 24 where the finger U is positioned approximately on the placement index M).

[0020] A gas sensor 5 is provided on the inner side of the drying mechanism 3 (the rear side of the device in FIG. 1). The gas sensor 5 is a detection means for detecting the concentration value of the vaporized component (gas component) vaporized from the liquid agent (solvent component of the liquid agent) in the air in the dry space SP. In this embodiment, the detection result by the gas sensor 5 is output to a control unit 11, which will be described later and serves as an operation control means. As the liquid dries, its weight decreases by the amount of vaporized liquid (solvent component of the liquid). However, since it is difficult to measure the weight of the liquid (solvent component of the liquid) itself, in this embodiment, the gas sensor 5 is used to measure the vaporized amount (volatilized amount) of the liquid (solvent component of the liquid) as a concentration value in the air. The position at which the gas sensor 5 is provided is not limited to the illustrated example. The gas sensor 5 can obtain more accurate detection results if it is provided as close as possible to the object to be dried (such as a nail T). For this reason, for example, when the nails T of five fingers U on one hand are inserted into the drying device at once to perform the drying operation, a gas sensor 5 may be provided above the nail T of each finger U. By providing a gas sensor 5 corresponding to each nail T, more accurate detection can be expected. Note that when the gas sensor 5 is to be provided in one location to correspond to the nails T of all fingers U, it is preferable to provide the gas sensor 5, for example, above the nail T of the middle finger located near the center in the width direction of the drying space SP.

[0021] As will be described later, the vaporized components (gas components) detected by the gas sensor 5 in this embodiment are lighter than air when vaporized, and rise in the air when vaporized. For this reason, higher detection accuracy can be expected when the gas sensor 5 is placed above the nail T than when it is placed at a lower position. Furthermore, when the finger U is placed on the bottom surface 24 as in this embodiment, if the gas sensor 5 is placed at a lower position, the fingertip or the like may accidentally touch the gas sensor 5 when the finger U is placed on the bottom surface 24, which may reduce detection accuracy. In this sense, too, it is preferable to place the gas sensor 5 at a position above the nail T placed in the dry space SP.

[0022] The method by which the gas sensor 5 detects the concentration value of the vaporized component (gas component) in the air is not particularly limited, and various methods can be applied. The vaporized components detected by the gas sensor 5 are vaporized components (gas components) vaporized from a liquid agent (coating agent, ink, etc.) applied to the surface of the nail T, and broadly include volatile components that vaporize at room temperature and vaporized components that vaporize when heated by a heater 31, etc.

[0023] When performing nail printing, the following steps are required: for example, a white or other liquid agent (base coating agent) is applied to the nail T to form a base layer that serves as a base; a preprint coating agent is applied on top of the base layer to form an ink-receiving layer that fixes the ink applied (printed) by the printing device; colored ink is applied (printed) on top of the ink-receiving layer by the printing device to form a design; and a top coating agent is applied on top of the formed design to form a coating layer. The drying device 100 dries the liquid agent applied in each of these steps.

[0024] The base coating agent contains, for example, butyl acetate, nitrocellulose, alkyl acrylate copolymer, titanium oxide, etc.; the preprint coating agent contains water, (VP / VA) copolymer, ammonium acrylate copolymer, butyl acetate, etc.; and the top coating agent contains butyl acetate, nitrocellulose, alkyl acrylate copolymer, etc. As described above, liquid agents (various coating agents used in nail treatments) contain solvent components such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, which are classified as esters. For this reason, the gas sensor 5 used in this embodiment is a sensor that can detect the concentration of a vaporized component (gas component) in the air when a component shared by these liquid agents (e.g., an ester-based solvent component such as butyl acetate) vaporizes. Note that, if it is necessary to handle multiple vaporized components (gas components), multiple types of sensors capable of detecting each of the vaporized components (gas components) may be provided as the gas sensor 5.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the drying device 100 includes an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, a drying mechanism 3 (heater 31), a gas sensor 5, etc., as well as a communication unit 25, a control device 10, etc.

[0026] The communication unit 25 is a communication means for communicating with an external device. In this embodiment, the "external device" refers to a printing device, various terminal devices, etc., not shown. The communication unit 25 is configured to be able to communicate in a manner compatible with the communication unit of the external device with which it is communicating, and is capable of, for example, wireless communication based on short-range wireless communication standards such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and Wi-Fi, communication via a wired connection, and communication using a network line such as the Internet. Various signals received by the communication unit 25 are sent to the control unit 11. The drying apparatus 100 may not communicate with an external device, in which case it may be configured without the communication unit 25.

[0027] The control device 10 mounted on the drying device 100 is a computer including a control unit 11 (see FIG. 3) configured by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, and a memory unit 12 (see FIG. 3) configured by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. (neither of which are shown). The control device 10 is mounted on a board or the like (not shown) that is arranged on the inside (bottom side) of the top surface (top board) of the housing 2, for example.

[0028] The storage unit 12 stores various programs, data, and the like for operating the drying device 100. Specifically, the memory unit 12 stores various programs, such as a drying control program for performing drying control processing, and the control unit 11 expands these programs, for example, into a working area of ​​RAM, and the programs are executed in the control unit 11, thereby providing integrated control of each part of the drying device 100. In addition, the memory unit 12 stores various data etc. necessary for the control unit 11 to determine the drying state of the liquid agent applied to the nail T based on the concentration value (sensor value) of the vaporized component detected by the gas sensor 5.

[0029] From a functional standpoint, the control unit 11 functions as, for example, a display control means for controlling the display operation of the display unit 23. Furthermore, if the control unit 11 has a communication unit 25, it functions as a communication control means for controlling communication by the communication unit 25 to communicate with an external device. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 11 functions as an operation control means for controlling the drying operation of the drying mechanism 3, which is a drying means. The functions of the display control means, communication control means, operation control means, etc. are realized by cooperation between the control unit 11 and the programs stored in the storage unit 12.

[0030] The control unit 11, which serves as a display control means, outputs a display instruction signal to the display unit 23 and controls the display operation so that various displays are made on the display unit 23 in accordance with the display instruction signal. In particular, in this embodiment, as will be described later, when a "predetermined concentration value decline profile" is detected based on the time-series change in the concentration value output from the gas sensor 5, the control unit 11, which serves as an operation control means, determines that the drying of the liquid agent applied to the target object such as the nail T has been completed. When the control unit 11, which serves as a display control means, determines that the drying has been completed, the control unit 11 controls the display operation of the display unit 23 to cause the display unit 23 to display a display screen indicating that the drying has been completed and urging the user to proceed to the next application step, thereby causing the display unit 23 to function as a notification means for notifying the user that the drying has been completed.

[0031] The control unit 11 as an operation control means controls the drying operation of the drying mechanism 3 (heater 31 of the drying mechanism 3) as a drying means, based on the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5 as a detection means. Specifically, the control unit 11, which serves as an operation control means, accumulates the time-series changes in the concentration values ​​of the vaporized components detected by the gas sensor 5, which serves as a detection means, to obtain a profile, and when the change in the concentration values ​​is detected as a "predetermined concentration value decline profile," stops the drying operation of the drying mechanism 3, which serves as a drying means (heater 31 of the drying mechanism 3).

[0032] In addition, the control unit 11, which serves as an operation control means, may start the drying operation of the drying mechanism 3 (heater 31 of the drying mechanism 3), which serves as a drying means, when a change in concentration value is detected as a "predetermined concentration value increase profile" described below. By doing this, not only the completion of the drying operation of the drying mechanism 3 (heater 31 of the drying mechanism 3) but also the start timing can be determined and controlled based on the change in the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5, and the drying mechanism 3 can be switched ON / OFF without providing a separate switch or the like. The drying operation of the drying mechanism 3 is not limited to being started based on a change in the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5. For example, a contact sensor (not shown) that detects contact with a finger U may be provided on the bottom surface 24 of the drying space SP, and when the contact sensor detects contact with the finger U, the control unit 11 serving as an operation control means may turn on the drying mechanism 3. Alternatively, a switch button (not shown) or the like that the user operates with the finger U may be provided on the bottom surface 24, and when the button is operated, the control unit 11 may turn on the drying mechanism 3.

[0033] [Drying device operation and drying control method] Next, the operation of the drying device and the drying control method in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the drying control process according to this embodiment. 4, when the power of the drying device 100 is turned on (step S1), sensing within the drying space SP by the gas sensor 5 is started (step S2). That is, the gas sensor 5 detects the concentration value in the air of the vaporized components (gas components) vaporized from the liquid agent within the drying space SP. The sensing results by the gas sensor 5 are sent to the control unit 11 as needed, and the control unit 11, which serves as an operation control means, accumulates the time-series changes in the concentration values ​​of the vaporized components detected by the gas sensor 5 to obtain a profile.

[0034] Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a "predetermined concentration value increase profile" has been detected from the detection result by the gas sensor 5 (that is, the concentration value of the gas (vaporized component, gas component) in the air) (step S3). Figure 5 shows an example of measurement in which a nail coated with a liquid agent is placed in a drying device and the gas (vaporized components, gas components) evaporated from the liquid agent is measured with a gas sensor and plotted. In Figure 5, the vertical axis represents the sensor value and the horizontal axis represents time, showing the change in the sensor value over time. The "predetermined concentration value increase profile" is a tendency for the concentration value to increase sharply from a state where the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5 is at a minimum, such as at "point A" and "point B" in Figure 5, and Figure 5 shows a state showing a steep gradient from "point B" to "point C."

[0035] 5, the state is such that a "predetermined concentration value increase profile" is not detected from the detection results of the gas sensor 5 (step S3; NO). In this case, it is considered that the nail T (finger U corresponding to the nail T) is not placed in the drying space SP, and the control unit 11 repeats the determination process of step S3.

[0036] On the other hand, if a "predetermined concentration value increase profile" is detected from the detection result by the gas sensor 5 (step S3; YES), that is, if a tendency for the concentration value to increase rapidly from "time B" to "time C" in Fig. 5 is observed, the control unit 11 as an operation control means determines that the nail T (finger U corresponding to the nail T) has been placed in the drying space SP (step S4), and starts the drying operation by the drying mechanism 3. Specifically, the heater 31 of the drying mechanism 3 is turned ON to heat the inside of the drying space SP (step S5).

[0037] While the heater 31 is performing a heating operation, the gas sensor 5 continues sensing the concentration of the vaporized components (gas components) in the air in the dry space SP, and the sensing results are sent to the control unit 11, which monitors and stores the detection results (concentration values, sensor values) (step S6). That is, the control unit 11 stores the time-series changes in the concentration values ​​of the vaporized components in the air detected by the gas sensor 5 to obtain a profile. The control unit 11, which serves as an operation control means, controls the drying operation of the drying mechanism 3 based on the concentration value detected by the gas sensor 5, and stops the drying operation by the drying mechanism 3 when it determines that the drying is complete. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether the drying is complete as follows.

[0038] That is, when the nail T (the finger U corresponding to the nail T) is placed in the dry space SP (in the dry space SP and near the gas sensor 5), from that point in time ("point B" in Figure 5), gas components (vaporized components) are rapidly generated from the nail T to which the liquid agent (coating agent, etc.) has been applied, and the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5 rises sharply. The control unit 11 determines whether a peak value of concentration has been detected by the gas sensor 5 (step S7), and repeats the determination process until a peak value is detected (step S7; NO). Whether a peak value has been detected can be determined, for example, by determining whether the concentration value of the gas sensor 5, which is continuously monitored by the control unit 11, has fallen below the value detected at a previous time point. If the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5 falls below the value detected at a previous time point, the value immediately before the value at which the value fell is set as the peak value of concentration (this peak value is set as the "first value"). In the example shown in FIG. 5, the value detected at "time point C" is the peak value of concentration (the "first value").

[0039] When the gas sensor 5 detects a peak value ("first value") (step S7; YES), the control unit 11 further determines whether the concentration value (sensor value) of the gas sensor 5 has fallen below a "predetermined threshold" after detecting the peak (peak value) (step S8). Here, the "predetermined threshold" is derived based on, for example, the difference (difference d in FIG. 5) between the minimum value detected by the gas sensor 5 (the minimum sensor value read by the gas sensor 5, the concentration value at the start point of the drying operation, the sensor value read at "time B" in FIG. 5) and the maximum concentration value detected by the gas sensor 5 (i.e., the peak value ("first value"), the sensor value read at "time C" in FIG. 5).

[0040] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which the data shown in FIG. 5 (concentration values ​​acquired by the gas sensor) are normalized to 0-100. In this embodiment, when the minimum concentration value detected by the gas sensor 5 is set to "0" and the maximum concentration value is set to "100," a value approximately 20% lower than the maximum sensor value (80% of the difference d) is set to the "predetermined threshold value." Figures 5 and 6 show an example in which it is determined that the concentration value falls below the "predetermined threshold value" at, for example, "time D." In this embodiment, a predetermined value (sensor value) lower than the "first value" (peak value) detected after the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5 exceeds the peak (peak value ("first value")) is defined as a "second value," and this "second value" is determined to be a concentration value (sensor value) that is below a "predetermined threshold value." That is, in Figures 5 and 6, the concentration value (sensor value) read at "time D" is the "second value."

[0041] The control unit 11 as an operation control means repeats the determination process until the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5 becomes a "second value" that is a value below the "predetermined threshold value" (step S8; NO). Then, when the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5 becomes a value ("second value") below the "predetermined threshold" (step S8; YES), the control unit 11 further determines whether a "predetermined time" has elapsed from that point in time ("point D" in Figure 5) (step S9), and repeats the determination process until the "predetermined time" has elapsed (step S9; NO).

[0042] On the other hand, when the "predetermined time" has elapsed (step S9; YES), the control unit 11 determines that the liquid agent applied to the nail T has completely dried (step S10). In some cases, drying may be determined to be complete at the time when a "second value" lower than the peak value "first value" is detected after the concentration value detected by gas sensor 5 exceeds the peak (i.e., "time D" in FIG. 5, when a value ("second value") below the "predetermined threshold value" is detected). However, to ensure a dry state, it is preferable to determine that drying is complete when, after the "first value" and the "second value" lower than the "first value" are detected, the state where the "second value" is not exceeded continues for a predetermined time ("predetermined time α" in FIG. 5). 6, for example, a value approximately 20% lower than the maximum sensor value ("first value") is detected before "time D," but at this time, after the "second value" is detected once, it again exceeds the "second value." Therefore, the decrease in concentration value at this time is considered to be a fluctuation in the detection result and is not considered to be the start point of the "predetermined time α."

[0043] In this case, the length of the "predetermined time α" is set appropriately. In this regard, experiments have confirmed that the weight of an object to be dried (such as a nail) to which a liquid agent (such as a coating agent) has been applied changes (decreases) as the liquid agent dries.

[0044] Figure 7 shows the measurement results of the change in weight ratio over time, assuming the weight immediately after application of the liquid agent is 100. The graph in Figure 7 shows the results of applying a coating agent that forms a base coat layer as a liquid agent to an object (in this case, an experimental nail tip) and then drying it using the drying device 100 at 25°C. The actual detection of solvent components is affected by factors such as room temperature, humidity, body temperature, nail area, and the amount of coating agent applied, making it difficult to determine the absolute weight of the solvent components. For this reason, in the example shown in Figure 7, the weight of the nail tip decreases over time due to the evaporation (volatilization) of the solvent components, as seen in the change in the weight ratio compared to the weight before drying began. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that the change in the weight ratio shown in FIG. 7 correlates with the change over time (time series) of the concentration value (sensor value) of the gas sensor 5 shown in FIGS.

[0045] That is, for a while immediately after the object to be dried (nail, etc.) coated with the liquid agent is placed in the drying space SP (immediately after "time B" in Figures 5 and 6, and immediately after the start of the experiment (0 seconds) in Figure 7), the liquid agent (solvent component of the liquid agent) rapidly evaporates (volatilizes), so that when the weight of the object to be dried (nail, etc.) placed in the drying space SP is taken as 100, the weight ratio rapidly decreases. At this time, the rapid evaporation causes a rapid rise in the concentration value (sensor value) of the gas sensor 5 (a rapid rise from "time B" to "time C" in Figures 5 and 6). Then, when the weight ratio was measured some time after the peak of evaporation ("point C" in Figures 5 and 6) (around "point D" in Figures 5 and 6), the decrease in the weight ratio became more gradual (see the change in weight ratio around 90 seconds after evaporation in Figure 7).

[0046] At around 90 seconds after the start of drying in Figure 7, which corresponds to "point D" in Figures 5 and 6, the weight ratio is about 60%, and checking the drying state at this time confirms that the drying is insufficient. After nearly two minutes (110 seconds in the example of Figure 7) have passed since this point, the weight ratio drops to 40%, and checking the drying state at this point confirms that the drying is sufficient to proceed to the next step. Furthermore, the weight ratio only drops slightly even after more time has passed, indicating that there is little need to continue the drying process.

[0047] From these results, it can be said that a sufficiently dry state can be obtained when the "predetermined time α" during which the concentration does not exceed the "second value" continues for about 110 seconds (nearly 2 minutes) after the "first value" and "second value" are detected (i.e., "time D" in Figures 5 and 6). When such a time-series change in concentration value (i.e., the "predetermined time α" during which the concentration does not exceed the "second value" after the "first value" and "second value" are detected) is detected, it is considered that a "predetermined concentration value decline profile" has been detected.

[0048] Note that the drying time required to reliably dry the liquid may vary depending on the type of liquid and the configuration of the drying mechanism 3, and therefore the control unit 11 may adjust the "predetermined time α" as appropriate. In this case, for example, a lookup table (LUT) or the like that associates the type of liquid with a desired time as the "predetermined time α" may be stored in the storage unit 12, and the control unit 11 may determine the "predetermined time α," which is the elapsed time from the "point D" specified based on the concentration (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5, by referring to the LUT or the like.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the control unit 11 determines that the drying of the liquid agent is complete, it turns off the drying mechanism 3 (heater 31) as an operation control means (step S11), and then displays the fact that the drying is complete on the display unit 23 or the like as a notification means to notify the user that the drying is complete (step S12).

[0050] With this configuration, the drying state of the liquid agent applied to the nail T can be predicted from the sensor value of the gas sensor 5, and a drying operation can be performed in an appropriate drying time with a relatively simple configuration.

[0051] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a drying operation of the nail T coated with a coating agent or the like is performed by the drying mechanism 3 (heater 31 in this embodiment), which is a drying means, in the drying space SP where the nail T, which is an object coated with a liquid agent (coating agent, ink, etc.), is placed, the concentration value of the vaporized components in the air vaporized from the coating agent or the like in the drying space SP is detected by the gas sensor 5, which is a detection means, and the drying operation of the drying mechanism 3 can be controlled based on the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5. Specifically, the control unit 11, which serves as an operation control means, accumulates the time-series changes in the concentration values ​​of the vaporized components detected by the gas sensor 5 to obtain a profile, and when the change in the concentration value is detected as a "predetermined concentration value decline profile," it determines that the drying of the liquid agent applied to the nail T has been completed and stops the drying operation of the drying mechanism 3, which serves as the drying means.

[0052] The time required for the liquid (coating, etc.) applied to the nail T to dry varies greatly depending on various conditions such as the type and amount applied. Also, even with the same liquid (coating, etc.), the time required for drying will vary depending on conditions such as the room temperature and humidity of the treatment location, the person's body temperature, and the area of ​​the nail T. If the next step is carried out before the nail has dried sufficiently, the liquid applied in the next step will run or bleed, reducing the quality of the final nail design. On the other hand, setting a drying time that is longer than necessary is a burden to the user. In this regard, in this embodiment, the degree of dryness (dry state) of a liquid agent such as a coating agent can be grasped with a relatively simple configuration using a gas sensor 5, and the liquid agent can be dried in just the right amount of time. This allows high-quality nail printing to be achieved, and the drying time does not need to be unnecessarily long, reducing the burden on the user. In addition, in this embodiment, when an appropriate drying time has elapsed, which is determined based on the change over time in the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5, the control unit 11, which is an operation control means, stops the drying operation of the drying mechanism 3, thereby preventing the device from being forgotten to be turned off.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after a "predetermined concentration value rise profile" is detected in which the concentration value rises from the starting point detected by the gas sensor 5 to the peak value, "first value," the timing to stop the drying operation of the drying mechanism 3 is determined when a "predetermined concentration value fall profile" is detected in which a "second value" that is a predetermined level lower than the "first value" is detected by the gas sensor 5 and the state in which the "second value" is not exceeded continues for a predetermined period of time. In this way, the drying completion point is determined to be the point when a predetermined time has elapsed since the ``second value'' was detected, so that the liquid agent applied to the nail T, etc. can be reliably dried.

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit 11, which is an operation control means, starts the drying operation by the drying mechanism 3 when a change in the concentration value of the vaporized component in the air detected by the gas sensor 5 in the drying space SP is detected as a "predetermined concentration value increase profile." Therefore, the drying operation can be started automatically by the user simply placing the finger U, on which the liquid agent such as a coating agent has been applied to the nail T, into the drying space SP, eliminating the need for the user to take the trouble of operating a start button while the liquid agent such as a coating agent has been applied to the nail T.

[0055] When an appropriate drying time has elapsed and the drying of the liquid agent is complete, a message or the like indicating that the drying has been completed is displayed on the display unit 23 or the like to notify the user. This allows the user to reliably recognize that the applied liquid agent on the nail T, etc. has finished drying (i.e., the user can proceed to the next step).

[0056] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the drying device, the drying control method, and the program will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Note that the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the drying means of the drying device, and therefore, differences from the first embodiment will be particularly described.

[0057] [Drying equipment configuration]

[0058] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a main part showing the external configuration of the drying device of this embodiment. Fig. 9 is a side view of a main part schematically showing a state in which a finger (hand) is set in the drying space of the drying device shown in Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a main part schematically showing a state in which a finger (hand) is set in the drying space of the drying device shown in Fig. 8. 8 to 10, in the drying device 200 of this embodiment, the inside of the housing 2 is a drying space SP for drying the nails T, which are objects coated with a liquid agent (coating agent or the like), as in the first embodiment. A drying mechanism 3 is provided at the upper part of the drying space SP.

[0059] In this embodiment, the drying mechanism 3 includes, for example, a motor (not shown), and includes a fan 32 (axial flow fan) having a propeller (blades) that is rotationally driven by the driving of the motor. The motor that operates the fan 32 is controlled by the control unit 11, which is an operation control means described later, and for example, when the value of the voltage applied to the motor (hereinafter also referred to as the "applied voltage value") increases, the rotation speed of the motor increases, thereby increasing the volume and speed of airflow from the fan 32. The fan 32 generates airflow that blows downward from above.

[0060] A sensor (gas sensor 5) similar to that in the first embodiment is provided at the rear side of the device (rear side of the device in FIG. 8) in the drying mechanism 3. The configuration of the gas sensor 5 is similar to that in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] In addition, when the drying mechanism 3 is equipped with a fan 32 that generates airflow from top to bottom as in this embodiment, the gas sensor 5 may be disposed below the drying mechanism 3 (for example, on the back side of the apparatus on the mounting table 6 described below, as shown in FIG. 11). As described above, when the fan 32 of the drying mechanism 3 generates a downward wind from above, the vaporized components (gas components) also flow downward along with the air flow. For this reason, the vaporized components (gas components) can be detected more accurately and the variation in the sensor values ​​can be expected to be smaller if the drying mechanism 3 is disposed below the drying mechanism 3, which is in the direction of the outlet of the air flow, such as on the back side of the mounting table 6. However, depending on the configuration of the device, there may be locations below the drying mechanism 3 where convection occurs and the wind direction is not constant. In such locations, the sensor value may fluctuate up and down, making it impossible to obtain an accurate value. Furthermore, if the gas sensor 5 is located below the drying mechanism 3, there is a risk that the finger U may touch the sensor when the finger U is inserted into or removed from the drying space SP, which may result in an inability to perform highly accurate detection. Therefore, in this embodiment, the gas sensor 5 is disposed on the rear side of the drying mechanism 3, as in the first embodiment.

[0062] Within the drying space SP and below the drying mechanism 3, a table 6 is provided on which a finger U including a nail T, which is an object to be dried, is placed. The mounting table 6 is made of, for example, resin. It is preferable that the mounting table 6 is provided with ventilation slits 62 or the like on the top surface or side surface of the mounting table 6, as shown in, for example, Figures 8 to 10, so that the wind from the drying mechanism 3 (fan 32) can be efficiently released. Note that the shape and configuration of the mounting table 6 are not limited to those shown in the figures.

[0063] As in the first embodiment, an arrangement index M indicating the position of the finger to be placed on the table 6 is provided on the upper surface 61 of the table 6. The arrangement index M may be provided by attaching a sticker, for example, without any particular limitation.

[0064] The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same members are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] [Drying device operation and drying control method] Next, the operation of the drying device and the drying control method in this embodiment will be described. First, as in the first embodiment, when the power of the drying device 200 is turned on, sensing within the drying space SP by the gas sensor 5 begins, and the gas sensor 5 detects the concentration value in the air of the vaporized components (gas components) vaporized from the liquid agent within the drying space SP. If the drying mechanism 3 is equipped with the fan 32, when the power of the drying device 200 is turned on, the fan 32 of the drying mechanism 3 may be operated first to exhaust the gas remaining in the drying space SP, and then sensing by the gas sensor 5 may be started. This can prevent detection errors and the like caused by convective air. Then, similarly to the first embodiment, when the "predetermined density value increase profile" is detected by the control unit 11, which is the operation control means, it is determined that a finger is placed in the drying device 200, and the drying mechanism 3 is turned on.

[0066] If the drying device 3 includes the fan 32, an air flow occurs while the fan 32 is operating, and therefore, there is a possibility that sensing by the gas sensor 5 may not be performed with high accuracy. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the drying mechanism 3 is turned ON, sensing by the gas sensor 5 is suspended for a while. During this time, the control unit 11 counts the elapsed time since the fan 32 started its drying operation, and when a predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed, the control unit 11 stops the fan 32 and performs sensing by the gas sensor 5. The control unit 11 monitors the concentration values ​​(sensor values) detected by the gas sensor 5, accumulates time-series changes in the concentration values, and obtains a profile. Thereafter, the control unit 11 operates the fan 32 again for a predetermined time, stops the fan 32 again, and performs sensing by the gas sensor 5.

[0067] In this way, the control unit 11 operates the fan 32 and the gas sensor 5 alternately and intermittently, and acquires a profile based on the time-series changes in the concentration value (sensor value) detected by the gas sensor 5. When a "predetermined concentration value increase profile" is detected, the control unit 11 determines that drying is complete, turns off the drying mechanism 3 (fan 32 of the drying mechanism 3), and notifies the user by displaying on the display unit 23 or the like that drying is complete. Even when the drying device 3 includes the fan 32, the drying operation by the fan 32 and the sensing operation by the gas sensor 5 (detection operation of vaporized components (gas components)) may be performed simultaneously.

[0068] Other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] As described above, according to this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, in this embodiment, the fan 32 is used as the drying mechanism 3 instead of the heater 31, so that the inside of the drying device 200 can be prevented from becoming too hot, and the risk of the user getting burns on the back of the hand or the like can be avoided. Furthermore, even in the case of a configuration using the fan 32, the control unit 11 monitors the concentration value (sensor value) of the vaporized component in the air detected by the gas sensor 5, so that the drying state of the liquid agent such as the coating agent applied to the nails T, etc. can be easily predicted and understood. This allows the drying operation to be performed within an appropriate drying time that is neither too long nor too short.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0071] For example, in each of the above embodiments, the drying device is configured as a standalone unit, but the drying device is not limited to a standalone unit. For example, the drying device may be incorporated into a printing device 400 as shown in FIG. In this case, for example, an operation unit 41 and a display unit 42 are provided on the top surface of the housing 4, and an opening 43 is provided on the front side of the housing 4. The interior of the housing 4 is divided into two spaces vertically by a partition plate 44, and above the partition plate 44 are provided a finger rest 50 on which a finger U is placed during printing, and a printing mechanism (not shown) that prints on the nail T of the finger U placed on the finger rest 50.

[0072] The interior of the housing 4 and below the partition plate 44 constitutes a drying device 30 including a drying space SP in which a drying mechanism 3 is disposed. In this case, the drying mechanism 3 may include a heater 31 as described in the first embodiment, or may include a fan 31 as described in the second example. 12 shows a case where a stand 6 for placing hands is provided below the drying mechanism 3, but the stand 6 may not be provided and the hands may be placed directly on the bottom surface of the housing 4.

[0073] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, both hands can be inserted into the drying space SP at once, but it is also possible to insert one hand at a time into the drying space SP to perform the drying operation, or to insert one finger at a time to perform the drying operation, as exemplified in the first embodiment, etc. In addition, in the case where both hands can be inserted into the drying space SP as in the illustrated example, and if placement indicators M are provided on the upper surface of the mounting table 6, etc., placement indicators M are placed on the left hand side at positions corresponding to the fingers of the left hand, and on the right hand side at positions corresponding to the fingers of the right hand.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 12, when the drying device 30 is integrally incorporated into the printing device 400, the display unit that functions as a notification means, etc. may also be the display unit 42 that displays various information on the printing device 400. Furthermore, a control unit (not shown) on the printing apparatus 400 side may also function as an operation control unit that controls various operations of the drying mechanism 3 of the drying device 30.

[0075] Furthermore, the drying mechanism 3 is not limited to one that includes either the heater 31 or the fan 32. For example, as shown in FIG. Depending on the type of liquid (coating agent), drying may be more effectively promoted by blowing air onto the liquid than by heating. Therefore, the heater 31 and the fan 32 may be used appropriately depending on the type of liquid to perform the drying operation. This allows the liquid applied to the nail T, etc. to dry efficiently. Alternatively, the liquid agent may be dried by using the heater 31 and the fan 32 in sequence in a series of drying operations, such as first heating the liquid agent with the heater 31, then operating the fan 32 to spread the heated air throughout the drying space SP.

[0076] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. The inventions described in the claims originally attached to this application are as follows. The claim numbers described in the appendix are the same as those of the claims originally attached to this application. [Note] <Claim 1> a drying space in which an object to which a liquid agent has been applied is placed; a detection means for detecting a concentration value of a vaporized component vaporized from the liquid agent in the air in the drying space; a drying means for performing a drying operation in the drying space; an operation control means for controlling a drying operation of the drying means based on the concentration value detected by the detection means; Equipped with A drying device characterized by: <Claim 2> the operation control means accumulates time-series changes in the concentration values ​​detected by the detection means to obtain a profile, and stops the drying operation of the drying means when the change in the concentration values ​​is detected as a predetermined concentration value decreasing profile. 2. The drying device according to claim 1. <Claim 3> The predetermined concentration value decline profile indicates a state in which, after a predetermined concentration value rise profile in which the concentration value rises from a concentration value at a start point detected by the detection means to a first value which is a peak value, a second value which is lower than the first value by a predetermined level is detected by the detection means, and the state in which the second value is not exceeded continues for a predetermined period of time. 3. The drying device according to claim 2. <Claim 4> the operation control means starts a drying operation of the drying means when the change in the density value is detected as the predetermined density value increase profile. 4. The drying device according to claim 3. <Claim 5> a notification means for notifying completion of drying of the liquid agent applied to the object when the predetermined concentration value decrease profile is detected; 3. The drying device according to claim 2. <Claim 6> 6. The drying device according to claim 1, wherein the object is a nail. <Claim 7> In a drying space in which an object to which a liquid agent has been applied is placed, when a drying operation of the object to which a liquid agent has been applied is performed by a drying means, detecting a concentration value of a vaporized component vaporized from the liquid agent in the air in the drying space by a detection means; controlling the drying operation of the drying means based on the concentration value detected by the detection means; A drying control method characterized by: <Claim 8> On the computer, Based on a concentration value detected by a detection means for detecting a concentration value in the air of a vaporized component vaporized from the liquid agent in a drying space in which an object to which a liquid agent has been applied is placed, A program for realizing operation control for controlling the drying operation of a drying means that performs a drying operation in the drying space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100 Drying equipment 2. Case 22 Control section 23 Display section 3 Drying mechanism 31 Heater 32 fans 5 Gas Sensor 6 Mounting table 11 Control section 12 Storage section M placement index T-claw U finger

Claims

1. a drying space in which an object to which a liquid agent has been applied is placed; a detection means for detecting a concentration value of a vaporized component vaporized from the liquid agent in the air in the drying space; a drying means for performing a drying operation in the drying space; an operation control means for controlling a drying operation of the drying means based on the concentration value detected by the detection means; Equipped with the operation control means accumulates a time-series change in the concentration value detected by the detection means to obtain a profile, and stops the drying operation of the drying means when the change in the concentration value is detected as a predetermined concentration value decreasing profile; The predetermined concentration value decline profile indicates a state in which, after a predetermined concentration value rise profile in which the concentration value rises from a concentration value at a start point detected by the detection means to a first value which is a peak value, a second value which is lower than the first value by a predetermined level is detected by the detection means, and the state in which the second value is not exceeded continues for a predetermined period of time. A drying device characterized by:

2. The operation control means starts the drying operation of the drying means when the change in the concentration value is detected as the predetermined concentration value increase profile.

2. The drying device according to claim 1.

3. A notification means is provided for notifying completion of drying of the liquid agent applied to the object when the predetermined concentration value decrease profile is detected.

2. The drying device according to claim 1.

4. The object is a nail. The drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A drying control method executed by a drying device, comprising: When a drying operation of the object to which the liquid agent has been applied is performed by a drying means in a drying space in which the object to which the liquid agent has been applied is placed, a control process is included in which a concentration value in the air of a vaporized component vaporized from the liquid agent in the drying space is detected by a detection means, and the drying operation of the drying means is controlled based on the concentration value detected by the detection means, the control process accumulates a time-series change in the concentration value detected by the detection means to obtain a profile, and stops the drying operation of the drying means when the change in the concentration value is detected as a predetermined concentration value decreasing profile; The predetermined concentration value decline profile indicates a state in which, after a predetermined concentration value rise profile in which the concentration value rises from a concentration value at a start point detected by the detection means to a first value which is a peak value, a second value which is lower than the first value by a predetermined level is detected by the detection means, and the state in which the second value is not exceeded continues for a predetermined period of time. A drying control method characterized by:

6. A computer, a detection means for detecting a concentration value in the air of a vaporized component vaporized from the liquid agent in a drying space in which an object to which a liquid agent has been applied is placed, the detection means being configured to function as an operation control means for controlling a drying operation of a drying means that performs a drying operation in the drying space, based on a concentration value detected by the detection means; the operation control means accumulates a time-series change in the concentration value detected by the detection means to obtain a profile, and stops the drying operation of the drying means when the change in the concentration value is detected as a predetermined concentration value decreasing profile; The predetermined concentration value decline profile indicates a state in which, after a predetermined concentration value rise profile in which the concentration value rises from a concentration value at a start point detected by the detection means to a first value which is a peak value, a second value which is lower than the first value by a predetermined level is detected by the detection means, and the state in which the second value is not exceeded continues for a predetermined period of time. A program characterized by:

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