Methods for controlling cosmetic procedure equipment.

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for controlling a cosmetic procedure apparatus. A method for controlling a cosmetic procedure apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a skin suctioning step for generating negative pressure in a suction space and thereby suctioning skin into the suction space; a skin height detection step for detecting the height of the skin suctioned into the suction space; and a high frequency application determination step for determining whether or not to operate a high frequency applying unit according to the height of the skin determined in the skin height detection step wherein, in the skin height detection step, it is possible to detect which electrode terminal among a plurality of electrode terminals of the high frequency applying unit is in contact with the skin and conducting electricity.

Description

Control method of a beauty treatment device

[0001] The present invention relates to a control method for a beauty treatment device, and more specifically, to a control method for a beauty treatment device that enables safer treatment by measuring the height of the suctioned skin when suctioning the skin.

[0002] In recent years, the popularity of home beauty treatment devices that allow users to perform beauty treatments such as hair removal and skin care at home has been increasing.

[0003] These home beauty treatment devices lower barriers and increase accessibility to beauty treatments by allowing users to conveniently perform beauty treatments in their own homes, at their own time.

[0004] Meanwhile, as the spread of home beauty treatment devices increases, the performance of home beauty treatment devices is also improving dramatically compared to the past, and the effectiveness of the treatment is also increasing.

[0005] For example, beauty treatment devices are being developed that can perform hair removal and massage functions by applying lasers, high frequency, etc., or perform a suction function that can intensively stimulate raised areas by sucking the user's skin.

[0006] Figure 1 is a drawing showing a conventional beauty treatment device (10) that sucks skin (S) and applies high frequency to the raised area.

[0007] The conventional beauty treatment device (10) uses suction power generated from a vacuum pump to suck skin (S) into the inside of the header part (20), and when the sucked skin (S) comes into contact with the electrode, high frequency is applied to the contacted skin (S) to perform deep diathermy treatment only on a specific area without stimulation of sensory nerves and motor nerves, thereby obtaining a fat decomposition effect in the fat layer of the skin through a thermal effect.

[0008] That is, as shown in Fig. 2, a high-frequency electrode (30) is placed inside the header part (20), the skin (S) sucked into the header part (20) comes into contact with the high-frequency electrode (30) to form a current-carrying state, and high-frequency is applied to the skin (S) in contact with the electrode to perform the treatment.

[0009]

[0010] However, if the amount of skin (S) sucked into the header part (20) as shown in FIG. 3 is not sufficient due to various reasons such as insufficient suction pressure or poor adhesion to the skin (S), the area of ​​the skin (S) in contact with the high-frequency electrode (30) may be insufficient, and if high-frequency energy is applied in this state, a large amount of high-frequency energy is concentrated in a narrow contact area, which may cause burns to the skin (S).

[0011] Patent Document 1 (Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2034272) is an invention relating to a high-frequency output control device of a high-frequency stimulation treatment device and a high-frequency output control method using the same.

[0012] This patent document 1 is provided to increase convenience of operation during the procedure by checking whether the current flow is continuity in the current signal of the current flowing to the skin in order to apply a high-frequency electric signal, and controlling the output intensity of the high-frequency signal output through the handpiece based on the continuity of the current flow, thereby allowing the practitioner to simply control the output intensity of the high-frequency signal output from the high-frequency transmission device during the procedure using the high-frequency transmission device.

[0013] That is, it is equipped to perform handpiece control, such as adjusting the output intensity of high frequency, by the user's operation of lifting the handpiece from the skin.

[0014] However, there was no awareness of the problem that burns may occur when the height of the suctioned skin (S) is low and the contact area between the electrode applying high frequency and the skin is narrow.

[0015] The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a beauty treatment device that ensures safety even when the height of the skin sucked during use of the beauty treatment device is low and the contact area between the electrode and the skin is narrow.

[0016] The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, a control method for controlling the aforementioned beauty treatment device is provided, comprising: a skin suction step for forming negative pressure in a suction space and sucking skin into the suction space; a skin height detection step for detecting the height of skin sucked into the suction space; and a high-frequency application determination step for determining whether to operate a high-frequency application unit according to the height of the skin determined in the skin height detection step; wherein the skin height detection step detects which electrode terminal among a plurality of electrode terminals of the high-frequency application unit is in contact with the skin and is energized.

[0018] The above high frequency application decision step may operate the high frequency application unit if the height of the skin detected in the skin height detection step is higher than the preset height, and may not operate the high frequency application unit if the height of the skin determined in the skin height determination step is lower than the preset height.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the control method of the beauty treatment device according to the present invention detects the area of ​​the skin in contact with the electrode to determine whether the high-frequency application unit is operated, so when the contact area between the electrode and the skin is narrow, the high-frequency application unit does not operate, so even if an unskilled person uses it at home, there is a reduced risk of side effects such as burns, thereby improving the safety of the user as well as the reliability of the product.

[0020] In addition, when the contact area between the electrode and the skin is reduced due to the user's operating error or device malfunction during use of the product, the high-frequency application unit does not operate, thereby improving the user's safety.

[0021] In addition, since the high-frequency application unit operates when the contact area between the electrode and the skin is above an appropriate level, not only is the user's safety improved, but the treatment effect can also be maximized, which has the effect of improving user satisfaction.

[0022] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the detailed description of the present invention or the composition of the invention described in the claims.

[0023] Figure 1 is a drawing showing the suction of skin in the header section of a conventional beauty treatment device.

[0024] Figure 2 is a drawing showing a conventional beauty treatment device that suctions skin to the header and then applies high frequency.

[0025] Figure 3 is a drawing showing a state in which the contact area between the electrode and the skin is insufficient in a conventional beauty treatment device.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a cosmetic treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the lower surface of a cosmetic treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a high-frequency application unit of a beauty treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a header portion of a cosmetic treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a high-frequency application unit of a cosmetic treatment device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a header portion of a cosmetic treatment device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a control method for a beauty treatment device of the present invention.

[0033] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention. The present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. To clearly explain the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in the drawings, and the same reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0034] The words and terms used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principles by which the inventor can define terms and concepts in order to best explain his or her invention.

[0035] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings correspond to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, so there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace the configuration at the time of filing of the present invention.

[0036] In this specification, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to describe the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0037] When a component is said to be "in front of," "behind," "above," or "below" another component, this includes not only being placed "in front of," "behind," "above," or "below" the other component in direct contact with it, but also if there is another component intervening therebetween. Furthermore, when a component is said to be "connected" to another component, this includes not only being directly connected to one another, but also being indirectly connected to one another, unless there are special circumstances.

[0038] Hereinafter, a cosmetic treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a cosmetic treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a lower surface of a cosmetic treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] A cosmetic treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention performs a cosmetic treatment on a user's skin. More specifically, the cosmetic treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention allows a user to perform a cosmetic treatment directly on their own skin. That is, a user can perform a cosmetic treatment by placing the cosmetic treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention on their skin. For example, the cosmetic treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention can apply high-frequency waves to the skin, which provide an anti-aging effect to the skin of the user.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a cosmetic treatment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body (110), a header unit (120), a high-frequency application unit (130), a skin height measurement unit (140), and a control unit (150).

[0042] The main body (110) has a shape that can come into contact with a predetermined area of ​​the user's skin. Components for cosmetic procedures can be arranged on the main body (110). In one embodiment of the present invention, a header portion (120) having a shape that can come into contact with a predetermined area of ​​the user's skin is provided on the lower side of the main body (110).

[0043] The header unit (120) can apply high frequency waves to the skin. The high frequency waves applied by the header unit (120) can stimulate the user's skin and supply energy, thereby providing an anti-aging effect.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the main body (110) includes a first part (111) provided so that the lower side thereof is in contact with the user's skin and in which components for a cosmetic procedure are arranged, and a second part (112) connected to the upper side of the first part (111) so that the user can grasp it. At this time, the first part (111) may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and the second part (112) may have an arch shape.

[0045] For example, a configuration for high-frequency application may be arranged in the main body (110). In addition, a pump (113) for providing a suction function that sucks in and stimulates the user's skin may also be arranged in the main body (110).

[0046] As illustrated in Fig. 7, a negative pressure is generated in the suction space (122) of the header part (120) formed at the lower open end of the main body (110) by the suction force generated by the pump (113), and accordingly, the user's skin is also sucked in while rising into the suction space (122). The pump (113) providing this suction function may be a pneumatic pump, but is not limited thereto. In other words, it goes without saying that various structures and configurations can be applied as long as they can generate suction force.

[0047] Meanwhile, various technologies can be applied to the configuration and operation relationship for the suction function in such a beauty treatment device (100), and a detailed description thereof will be omitted to avoid obscuring the gist of the present invention.

[0048] That is, during the cosmetic treatment process, the lower part of the first part (111) comes into contact with the user's skin. In this regard, a suction space (122) into which the user's skin is suctioned may be formed in the lower part of the first part (111). The skin suctioned into the suction space (122) may receive high frequency through a high frequency application unit (130) placed within the suction space (122).

[0049] Meanwhile, the second part (112) functions as a handle. The user can easily move the main body (110) while holding the second part (112), and can appropriately press the first part (111) toward the user's skin.

[0050] And, the second part (112) constituting the upper side of the main body (110) may be provided with an operation unit (114) for receiving operation information for on / off and selection of various modes, and an output unit (115) for sending a warning signal through vibration and / or sound according to the control of the control unit (150).

[0051]

[0052] The above header part (120) is placed at the lower part of the first part (111) of the main body (110) and plays a role in performing a cosmetic treatment by directly contacting the user's skin.

[0053] This header part (120) may be manufactured in the form of an integral structure molded together with the first part (111) described above, or may be manufactured in the form of a separate structure molded separately and detachably coupled.

[0054] In this embodiment, the header portion (120) constitutes the lower side of the first portion (111) and is expressed as having a detachable structure.

[0055] The above header part (120) is placed at the lower part of the first part (111) of the main body (110) and plays a role in performing a cosmetic treatment by directly contacting the user's skin (S).

[0056] For example, this suction space (122) may be in the shape of a circle or an ellipse with an open lower side, and its cross-section may be formed in the shape of a polygon as needed.

[0057] However, as described above, this suction space (122) causes the user's skin located within the suction space (122) to be uniformly raised upward by the negative pressure generated by the uniform suction force during the cosmetic treatment.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the high-frequency applying unit (130) is arranged on the inner surface of the header unit (120) and is sucked into the suction space (122) to contact the raised skin (S), and at least one pair may be provided to apply high-frequency to the contacted skin (S).

[0059] That is, as shown in Fig. 7, when the skin comes into contact with a pair of high-frequency application parts (130), current is generated, so high-frequency is applied while the skin is in a state of current generation.

[0060] Meanwhile, the skin height measurement unit (140) may be provided to measure the height of the skin that is sucked into the suction space (122) and raised.

[0061] In addition, the control unit (150) may be provided to control the high-frequency application unit (130) according to the height of the raised skin measured by the skin height measurement unit (140).

[0062] At this time, the skin height measurement unit (140) may be equipped to detect the position where the skin comes into contact with the high-frequency application unit (130) and is energized.

[0063] Meanwhile, the high-frequency application unit (130) may be arranged to face each other on both sides of the inner surface of the suction space (122) as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and may include a plurality of electrode terminals (132) that are sequentially arranged in an upward direction, which is the direction in which the skin is sucked into the suction space (122), and are electrically separated from each other.

[0064] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the high-frequency application unit (130) may be formed of a plurality of electrode terminals (132) arranged in an upward direction, and an insulator (134) for electrical isolation may be provided between each electrode terminal (132).

[0065] In addition, a connection terminal (136) for electrical connection of each electrode terminal (132) may be arranged on the uppermost electrode terminal (132), and the connection terminal (136) of the electrode terminal (132) located on the lower side may extend upwards by penetrating through the electrode terminal (132) located on the upper side.

[0066] In addition, the skin height measurement unit (140) may be provided to detect which of the multiple electrode terminals (132) of the high-frequency application unit (130) is in contact with the skin (S) and is energized. The skin height measurement unit (140) may be formed of an IC or a control circuit, and may be integrated into the control unit (150) if necessary.

[0067] That is, the high-frequency application unit (130) is provided with electrically separated electrode terminals (132) arranged sequentially in the height direction, and the skin height measurement unit (140) detects which of the plurality of electrode terminals (132) the skin (S) is in contact with and is energized.

[0068] Meanwhile, the control unit (150) determines the height of the skin (S) that is sucked into the header unit (120) and raised, as the position of the electrode unit (132) that is in contact with the skin among the plurality of electrode units (132) detected through the skin height measurement unit (140), and when the height of the skin (S) determined in this manner is equal to or higher than a preset height, the control unit (150) can control the application of high frequency to the skin (S) through each electrode unit (132) of the high frequency application unit (130).

[0069] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the skin (S) sucked into the suction space (122) comes into contact with the high-frequency applying unit (130). At this time, since the high-frequency applying unit (130) is composed of a plurality of electrode terminals (132) arranged in the height direction and electrically separated, if the sucked skin (S) has a high raised height, the skin will come into contact with the electrode terminals (132) arranged at high positions and be electrically connected, and if the sucked skin (S) is small and the raised height is low, the skin will come into contact with only the electrode terminals (132) arranged at low positions.

[0070] Accordingly, the control unit (150) can determine the height of the skin (S) sucked into the suction space (122) and raised, that is, the height of the skin (S) in contact with the high-frequency applying unit (130), and when the determined height of the skin (S) is higher than a preset height, it controls to apply high-frequency to the skin through the high-frequency applying unit (130), and when the determined height of the skin (S) is lower than the preset height, it controls not to apply high-frequency.

[0071] Accordingly, when the amount of skin sucked into the suction space (122) and raised is small, that is, when the area of ​​skin in contact with the high frequency applying unit (130) is small, high frequency is not applied, and when the area of ​​skin (S) in contact with the high frequency applying unit (130) is sufficient, high frequency is applied only to prevent energy applied from the high frequency applying unit (130) from being concentrated on a small area of ​​skin (S), thereby preventing side effects such as burns from occurring.

[0072] As described above, the control unit (150) can determine the height of the skin as the position of the electrode unit (132) among the plurality of electrode units (132) that are in contact with the skin, but can also determine the height of the skin (S) that is sucked into the header unit (120) and raised as the number of electrode units (132) among each electrode unit (132) of the high-frequency applying unit (130) that are in contact with the skin.

[0073] That is, if the amount of skin (S) sucked into the suction space (122) is large, the number of electrode terminals (132) in contact with the skin (S) among the electrode terminals (132) of the high-frequency applying unit (130) may naturally increase, so the height of the skin sucked into the header unit (120) and raised can be determined by the number of electrode terminals (132) that are energized among the electrode terminals (132) of the high-frequency applying unit (130).

[0074] Accordingly, when the number of electrode terminals (132) in contact with the skin is less than or equal to a set number, the high frequency is not applied, and when the number of electrode terminals (132) in contact with the skin (S) is greater than or equal to a set number, the high frequency is applied only to prevent the energy applied from the high frequency applying unit (130) from being concentrated on a narrow area of ​​the skin (S), thereby preventing side effects such as burns from occurring.

[0075] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the high-frequency application unit (230) may be formed to be inclined so as to protrude inwardly from the header unit (120) as it goes upward.

[0076] That is, among the plurality of electrode terminals (232), the width of the electrode terminal (232) arranged on the lower side can be formed to be narrow and the width of the electrode terminal (232) arranged on the upper side can be formed to be continuously inclined so that it becomes wider.

[0077] Of course, it is not limited to this, and the high-frequency application unit (230) itself may be arranged at an angle.

[0078] This is to ensure that the skin that is sucked into the suction space (122) and raised, as shown in Fig. 9, adheres better to the high-frequency application unit (230).

[0079] That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the high-frequency applying unit (130) is placed vertically, the skin sucked into the suction space (122) must stretch in order to come into contact with each electrode terminal (132) of the high-frequency applying unit (130). However, if the skin has insufficient elasticity, the skin may not come into good contact with the high-frequency applying unit (130) even though the sucked skin is sufficient.

[0080] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, when the high-frequency applying unit (230) is arranged at an angle so that it protrudes more toward the inside of the suction space (122) as it goes upward, there is an effect in which the raised skin within the suction space (122) can more easily come into contact with each electrode terminal (232) of the high-frequency applying unit (230).

[0081]

[0082] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a control method for a beauty treatment device that controls the beauty treatment device of the present invention will be described.

[0083] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a beauty treatment device of the present invention.

[0084] In this embodiment, a control method of another beauty treatment device may include a skin suction step (S110), a skin height detection step (S120), and a high-frequency application determination step (S130).

[0085] The above skin suction step (S110) is a step of operating the pump (113) to form negative pressure in the suction space (122) and suctioning the skin (S) into the suction space (122) with the formed negative pressure.

[0086] In the above skin suction step (S110), the skin (S) sucked into the suction space (122) is raised as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 and can come into contact with the high-frequency application unit (130) arranged on both inner sides of the suction space (122).

[0087] In the above skin height detection step (S120), the height of the skin (S) sucked into the suction space (122) is detected.

[0088] That is, the skin height measuring unit (140) detects which electrode terminal (132) of the high-frequency applying unit (130) composed of the plurality of electrode terminals (132) is in contact with the skin and is energized, and the control unit (150) can determine the height of the skin (S) sucked into the suction space (122) as the position information of the electrode terminal (132) that is energized with the skin detected by the skin height measuring unit (140).

[0089] Alternatively, the skin height detection step (S120) may determine the height of the skin (S) sucked into the suction space (122) as the number of electrode terminals (132) among the plurality of electrode terminals (132) of the high-frequency application unit (130) that are in contact with the skin (S) and are energized.

[0090] This is because, if the amount of skin (S) sucked into the suction space (122) is large, the number of electrode terminals (132) in contact with the skin will also increase.

[0091] The above high frequency application decision step (S130) is a step in which the high frequency application unit (130) is operated (S132) when the height of the skin (S) detected in the skin height detection step (S120) is higher than the preset height, and the high frequency application unit (130) is not operated (S134) when the height of the skin determined in the skin height determination step is lower than the preset height.

[0092] Accordingly, the high frequency application unit (130) operates (S132) only when the height of the skin sucked into the suction space (122) is sufficient, and when the height of the skin sucked is low, i.e., when the amount of skin sucked is insufficient, the high frequency application unit (130) does not operate (S134), so that cases where high frequency energy is applied to a narrow area of ​​skin and burns occur can be prevented.

[0093] In addition, this can be applied not only when the beauty treatment device (100) is first operated, but also when the height of the skin (S) sucked into the suction space (122) of the header part (120) decreases during use, so that the user's safety can be further improved.

[0094]

[0095] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented in this specification, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention will be able to easily propose other embodiments by adding, changing, deleting, or adding components within the scope of the same spirit, but this will also be considered to fall within the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

DEPCT681. Method for controlling cosmetic procedure equipment. The method comprises:

1. Skin suction procedure, which creates negative pressure in the suction area to draw the skin into the suction area; 2. Skin height detection procedure, which detects the height of the skin being sucked into the suction area; and 3. High-frequency setting procedure, which determines whether to operate the high-frequency unit based on the skin height determined in the skin height detection procedure. In the skin height detection procedure, the tip of the electrode is in contact with the skin, and electricity is drawn from among more than one electrode tip to the high-frequency unit.

2. Method of claim 1, where the high-frequency setting procedure operates the high-frequency unit if the skin height detected in the skin height detection procedure is higher than the preset height, and does not operate the high-frequency unit if the skin height determined in the skin height determination procedure is lower than the preset height.

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