Electrical stimulation applicator for beauty device

Abstract

Disclosed is an electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device capable of applying electrical stimulation to skin in various ways. The electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device comprises: a beauty device body (10) including an electrode driving circuit; an electrode unit (30) including an electrode unit body (34) mounted to one end of the beauty device (10) and one or more electrodes (32) formed on the electrode unit body (34) to come into contact with user's skin and apply electrical stimulation thereto, the electrode unit being driven by the electrode driving circuit; and a tubular body (52), the front side of which is open, wherein the rear end of the tubular body (52) comprises a contact control unit (50) coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the electrode unit body (34) so that the electrode unit body (34) can move backward and forward in the direction in which the electrode (32) and the user's skin come into contact.

Description

Electrical stimulation applicator for beauty devices

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device, and more particularly, to an electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device capable of applying electrical stimulation to the skin in various ways.

[0002] In skin beauty devices using electrical stimulation, the depth at which the electrical energy penetrates varies depending on the type and application method of the electrical stimulation, and the mechanism that causes the beauty effect also varies.

[0003] Electrical energy can be applied to tissues to achieve a variety of clinically useful effects. For example, when high-frequency electrical energy above 1 MHz is applied to the skin, the dielectric molecules within the skin's dielectric (insulator) are violently inverted, causing the dielectric itself to heat up. This is called dielectric heating. Typically, dielectric heating heats the skin more quickly than resistive heating (Joule heating) resulting from electrical stimulation with frequencies below 1 MHz. Furthermore, low-frequency electrical energy can be absorbed deep within the skin (e.g., muscle layers), resulting in energy loss. Conversely, high-frequency electrical energy can effectively concentrate energy in shallow skin layers.

[0004] In the ISM band (Industrial, Scientific and Medical band) used in industrial, scientific and medical fields, when using high-frequency electrical energy such as 40.66 to 40.70 MHz, as explained above, the electrical energy is fully transmitted to the dermis layer and can quickly heat the skin. Therefore, it is known that applying high-frequency electrical energy to the skin can induce contraction of the entire skin and subcutaneous tissue through heating of the collagen fibers in the dermis, and can also promote collagen regeneration through collagen coagulation and denaturation. The above-mentioned phenomena manifested on the skin are also commonly referred to as “lifting” and “tightening.”

[0005] Meanwhile, in order to effectively induce contraction of skin tissue and regeneration of collagen by applying high-frequency electrical energy to the skin, it is necessary to apply stimulation by gathering the skin inward with a suction function or to continuously deliver electrical stimulation to the skin for a certain period of time.

[0006] [Prior Art Literature]

[0007] (Patent Document 1) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0040778

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device capable of applying electrical stimulation to the skin in various ways.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric stimulation applicator for a beauty device capable of performing various beauty treatments by easily applying various types of electric stimulation from a single device.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electric stimulation applicator for a beauty device, comprising: a beauty device body (10) including an electrode driving circuit; an electrode unit body (34) mounted on one end of the beauty device body (10) and one or more electrodes (32) formed on the electrode unit body (34) and contacting the user's skin to apply electrical stimulation, the electrode unit (30) being driven by the electrode driving circuit; and a tubular body (52) having an open front, the rear end of the tubular body (52) including a contact control unit (50) coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the electrode unit body (34) so ​​as to be able to move backward and forward in the direction in which the electrode (32) comes into contact with the user's skin.

[0011] The electric stimulation applicator for a beauty device according to the present invention can apply electric stimulation to the skin in various ways, and can easily apply various types of electric stimulation with a single device, thereby enabling various beauty treatments.

[0012] Figures 1 and 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, of an electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 is a drawing for explaining the state of applying electrical stimulation to the skin in a unipolar manner, a bipolar manner, and a hybrid manner.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an exploded state of a contact control unit and an electrode unit that can be used in an electrical stimulation applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the rear surface of a contact control unit that can be used in an electrical stimulation applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a state in which a contact control unit is retracted and advanced in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing that, in one embodiment of the present invention, the positions of the magnet and the Hall sensor change depending on the position of the coupling part.

[0018] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operating state of an electric stimulation applicator for a beauty device according to the present invention.

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the present invention, terms such as "up / down," "left / right," "front / back," "horizontal," and "vertical" are used not to indicate the absolute positions of components, but rather to indicate the relative positional relationships of components.

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, of an electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device according to the present invention applies electrical stimulation to the user's skin in various ways, and is installed at the top of the beauty device, and is therefore also called a head unit of the beauty device. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device according to the present invention includes a beauty device body (10), an electrode unit (30), and a contact control unit (50).

[0021] The above-described beauty device body (10) includes an electrode drive circuit that drives the electrode unit (30), and may further include a power supply device (not shown) such as a battery for supplying electric energy, i.e., voltage, to the electrode unit (30), if necessary. A drive button (12) for driving the beauty device is mounted at one end of the beauty device body (10). The drive button (12) may be used to urgently stop the operation of the beauty device, if necessary, during operation of the beauty device. The beauty device body (10) may be provided in a substantially cylindrical shape so that a user can use it by holding one end of the beauty device body (10) with his or her hand, and the housing of the beauty device body (10) may be made of a typical material such as a hard synthetic resin such as plastic, a synthetic resin having a predetermined elasticity such as silicone or rubber, or a metal.

[0022]

[0023] The electrode unit (30) may include one or more, preferably two or more, more preferably four to eight, for example, six electrodes (32) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which are formed on the electrode unit body (34) and are mounted on one end of the beauty device body (10) and which contact the user's skin to apply electrical stimulation, preferably high-frequency electrical energy. The electrode (32) may be made of a typical conductive material. The electrode (32) may output electrical energy in a unipolar manner, a bipolar manner, or a hybrid manner. FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a state in which electrical stimulation is applied to the skin in a unipolar manner, a bipolar manner, and a hybrid manner. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the unipolar method is a method in which one type, for example, one electrode (32) is brought into contact with the skin (5) so that electric energy circulates to the ground (ground electrode) throughout the body (A of FIG. 3), and the bipolar method is a method in which two electrodes (32a, 32b) are brought into contact with the skin (5) so that electric energy applied to one electrode (32a, for example, + electrode) circulates to the other electrode (32b, for example, - electrode) arranged side by side (B of FIG. 3). On the other hand, the hybrid method is a method in which electric energy is supplied from one electrode (32a) to both the ground (ground electrode) on the opposite side of the skin and the other electrode (32b) (C of FIG. 3).

[0024] The unipolar method has the advantage of allowing deep penetration by forming a wide electric field between the electrodes in a way that one plus electrode (32) in contact with the target area conducts electricity to another part of the body, but it is not suitable for application to precise, localized or sensitive skin areas.

[0025] On the other hand, the bipolar method does not circulate electric energy in the area outside the area between the two electrodes (32a, 32b), so it does not affect other tissues other than the treatment area, thereby preventing unnecessary tissue damage, and can be effectively applied to sensitive and thin skin. In the bipolar method of electrical stimulation, the range of electric field formation varies depending on the distance between the two electrodes (32a, 32b), and thus the depth to which the electric energy is transmitted varies. Using this principle, the penetration depth of the electric stimulation can be controlled by adjusting the distance between the electrodes (32a, 32b).

[0026] One end of the electrode unit (30), preferably the center of two or more electrodes (32), may be further equipped with a suction unit (36) that can apply negative pressure to the user's skin to pull the user's skin toward the electrode (32). In this case, an air suction pump (not shown) is further equipped inside the main body (10) of the beauty device to form negative pressure on the user's skin, specifically, on the inside of the contact control unit (50), by sucking air through the suction unit (36). When negative pressure is applied to the inside of the contact control unit (50) and the user's skin through the suction unit (36), the skin pulled due to the negative pressure protrudes toward the center of the electrode (32), preferably toward the center of four or six electrodes (32) that are arranged radially. That is, the suction unit (36) may be arranged at the center of the electrode (32), preferably at the center of four or six electrodes (32) that are arranged radially. Accordingly, the electrode (32) is formed to surround the skin, so that the electric energy of the electrode (32) is more reliably applied to the skin. Accordingly, by using the suction unit (36), high-frequency electric energy can be transmitted more smoothly and deeply into the skin.

[0027]

[0028] The above contact control unit (50) includes a tubular body (52) with an open front, and the rear end of the tubular body (52) is coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the electrode body (34) so ​​as to be able to move backward and forward in the direction in which the electrode (32) and the user's skin come into contact. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the electrode unit (30) is accommodated inside the tubular body (52) of the contact control unit (50). The tubular body (52) functions as a barrier that divides an inner region where the electrode unit (30) is located and an outer region where the electrode unit (30) is not located.

[0029] Specifically, the outer circumference of the electrode body (34) is fitted into the inner surface of the rear end of the tubular body (52), and the contact control unit (50) is configured to be able to move backward and forward with respect to the electrode body (30). Here, when the contact control unit (50) is moved backward toward the rear, i.e., toward the electrode body (30), the electrode (32) is exposed to the outside of the open front of the contact control unit (50) and can be brought into direct contact with the skin (see FIG. 1, negative pressure non-application mode). On the other hand, when the contact control unit (50) is moved forward toward the front, i.e., from the electrode body (30), the electrode (32) is located inside the contact control unit (50), so that the contact control unit (50) is brought into direct contact with the skin, and the electrode (32) is not brought into direct contact with the skin (negative pressure application mode).

[0030]

[0031] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an exploded state of a contact control unit (50) that can be used in an electrical stimulation applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention and an electrode unit (30), and FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the rear side of a contact control unit (50) that can be used in an electrical stimulation applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in one embodiment of the present invention, the contact control unit (50) includes a tubular body (52) with an open front and a coupling unit (60) mounted on the rear end of the tubular body (52), coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the electrode unit body (34) so ​​as to be able to move backward and forward, and having a guide protrusion (62) formed on the inner surface thereof.

[0033] The above tubular body (52) must be in direct contact with the user's skin to apply negative pressure to the skin, and thus may be made of a flexible material, such as rubber or silicone. On the other hand, the connecting portion (60) may be made of a hard plastic material, as it must connect the flexible tubular body (52) to the electrode portion (30) and stably move the contact control portion (50) forward and backward.

[0034] The rear end of the tubular body (52) and the front end of the coupling portion (60) can be fitted together. If necessary, an O-ring (64) may be further mounted on the front end of the coupling portion (60) to prevent pressure leakage between the tubular body (52) and the coupling portion (60). In addition, if necessary, an adjustment protrusion (58) may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the contact control portion (50) to assist the forward or backward movement of the contact control portion (50). The adjustment protrusion (58) is formed of a plurality of convex protrusions to increase frictional force. A user can hold the adjustment protrusion (58) by hand and easily rotate or move the contact control portion (50).

[0035] In addition, a guide groove (34a) is formed on the outer surface of the electrode body (34) corresponding to the guide protrusion (62) of the above-mentioned coupling portion (60). When the guide protrusion (62) of the above-mentioned contact control portion (50) is fitted into the guide groove (34a), it moves along the guide groove (34a). Since the guide protrusion (62) is fitted into the guide groove (34a) and moves, the guide groove (34a) serves to guide the movement position and trajectory of the contact control portion (50). That is, the contact control portion (50) moves according to the shape in which the guide groove (34a) is formed.

[0036] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide groove (34a) is formed in a spiral shape on the outer surface of the electrode body (34). Therefore, when a user holds the adjustment protrusion (58) by hand and rotates the contact control unit (50) clockwise (or counterclockwise), the contact control unit (50) and its guide protrusion (62) move in a spiral shape clockwise (or counterclockwise) along the guide groove (34a) formed in a spiral shape on the outer surface of the electrode body (34), and the contact control unit (50) moves forward (or backward), so that the electrode (32) moves into (or out of) the contact control unit (50) (see FIG. 6). Here, the forward or backward direction of the contact control unit (50) is determined depending on the formation direction of the guide groove (34a).

[0037]

[0038] When the contact control unit (50) moves forward and the electrode (32) moves into the inside of the contact control unit (50), the inside of the tubular body (52) of the contact control unit (50) becomes a space where negative pressure is formed. That is, when the open front surface of the contact control unit (50) is brought into contact with the user's skin and negative pressure is formed inside the tubular body (52) using the suction part (36) of the electrode unit (30), the skin pulled by the negative pressure comes closer to or adheres closely to the electrode (32), so that the skin and the electrode (32) are in more secure contact. That is, by the backward and forward movement of the contact control unit (50), the electrode unit (30) and the electrode (32) protrude outside the contact control unit (50) and come into direct contact with the skin, or come into contact with the skin protruded by the negative pressure inside the contact control unit (50).

[0039]

[0040] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the contact control unit (50) is retracted and advanced in one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, when the contact control unit (50) is retracted, the electrode (32) is exposed to the outside of the contact control unit (50), so that the electrode (32) comes into direct contact with the user's skin. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, when the contact control unit (50) is advanced, the electrode (32) is located inside the contact control unit (50), so that it is difficult for the electrode (32) to come into direct contact with the user's skin.

[0041] As shown in A of FIG. 6, when the contact control unit (50) is retracted and approaches the main body (10) of the beauty device and the electrode (32) protrudes outside the contact control unit (50) and comes into direct contact with the user's skin, electric energy can be continuously applied to the skin through the electrode unit (30) without performing additional functions such as suction.

[0042] In particular, in order to apply high-frequency electrical energy to the skin to generate dielectric heating and induce collagen denaturation and new synthesis, both the regeneration of damaged tissue by instantaneous high-frequency heating and the delayed reaction that induces collagen synthesis must occur. Therefore, by continuously applying electrical energy to the skin through the electrode unit (30), energy can be intensively delivered into the skin, and continuous energy irradiation (Continuous Shot) can also be performed.

[0043] As shown in B of FIG. 6, when the contact control unit (50) moves forward and the contact control unit (50) comes into contact with the skin and the electrode (32) does not directly come into contact with the user's skin, a space is formed where the contact control unit (50) comes into contact with the skin and negative pressure is applied. In this case, when air is sucked through the suction unit (36), a space for performing the suction function is secured without using a separate attachment such as a cup. When the contact control unit (50) moves forward and a space where negative pressure is applied is formed around the electrode unit (30), electrical stimulation can be applied more efficiently to the skin that has been pulled and expanded by the negative pressure. When high-frequency electrical energy is applied to the skin that has been suctioned and expanded, even in a home device that is smaller than a medical device and has a short distance between the electrodes (32) that output electrical energy, the electrical energy can be effectively transmitted deep into the skin.

[0044]

[0045] In an electrical stimulation applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode unit (30) and / or the contact control unit (50) may further be equipped with a position detection sensor for detecting the relative position between the electrode unit (30) and the contact control unit (50).

[0046] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a magnet (68) may be mounted on one end of the contact control unit (50), specifically, the coupling unit (60), and a Hall sensor (38) as a position detection sensor capable of detecting the position of the magnet (68) may be mounted on one end of the electrode unit (30). The Hall sensor (38) is a sensor that detects the direction and size of the magnetic field generated from the magnet (68) by utilizing the Hall effect, in which a voltage is generated in a direction perpendicular to the current and the magnetic field when a magnetic field is applied to a conductor through which a current flows.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing that, in one embodiment of the present invention, the positions of the magnet (68) and the Hall sensor (38) change depending on the position of the coupling portion (60). As illustrated in FIG. 7, by detecting the intensity of the magnetic field generated from the magnet (68) by the Hall sensor (38), position information of the magnet (68), i.e., the coupling portion (60), can be obtained.

[0048] In the electrical stimulation applicator according to the present invention, the position detection sensor is used to detect the position of the contact control unit (50), specifically, the rotational position of the contact control unit (50), thereby driving the electrical stimulation applicator in different treatment modes (negative pressure application mode and negative pressure non-application mode).

[0049]

[0050] An electrical stimulation applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a skin contact detection device (not shown) capable of detecting skin contact. For example, the skin contact detection device may detect a change in the magnitude of a voltage flowing through the electrode (32) to detect whether the user's skin is in contact with the electrode (32). Such a skin contact detection device may enable electrical energy to be applied to the electrode (32) only by contact between the skin and the electrical stimulation applicator, without manual operation of the drive button (12), in a treatment mode (negative pressure non-application mode) in which the electrode portion (30) protrudes outside the contact control portion (50).

[0051] Additionally, the electrical stimulation applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a temperature sensing device (not shown) capable of detecting skin temperature. For example, the temperature sensing device may be installed within one or more electrodes (32). Such a temperature sensing device can immediately stop the application of electrical energy to the electrodes (32) when the skin temperature exceeds a predetermined set value. This can enhance the safety of the home beauty device.

[0052] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the driving state of the electric stimulation applicator for a beauty device according to the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 8, when the electric stimulation applicator according to the present invention is driven, the forward or backward position of the contact control unit (50) is detected (S10). As described above, the position detection of the contact control unit (50) can be performed by the hall sensor (38). Here, when the contact control unit (50) moves forward and the electrode (32) is located inside the contact control unit (50), when the user operates the driving button (12) (S20), the air suction pump of the suction unit (36) is driven to form negative pressure in the contact control unit (50) (S22), and then the electrode unit (30) is driven to apply electric energy to the skin (S24). Meanwhile, when the contact control unit (50) moves backwards and the electrode (32) is positioned outside the contact control unit (50) (treatment mode in which the electrode (32) protrudes), when the user operates the drive button (12) (S30), the electrode unit (30) is driven to apply electrical energy to the skin (S32). In this case, the driving of the electrode unit (30) continues until the user turns off the drive button (12) again, so that electrical stimulation can be continuously applied to the skin in the form of massaging the skin.

[0053]

[0054] According to the present invention, the electrode unit (30) is fixed to the main body (10) of the beauty device, and the position of the contact control unit (50), i.e., the probe head, can be adjusted to change the beauty treatment mode. That is, as needed, by adjusting the position on the contact control unit (50), a negative pressure application space can be formed, or electrical stimulation can be applied to the skin without applying negative pressure. This improves the durability of the electrode unit (30), and ensures the stability of the electrical stimulation application treatment and user safety.

[0055] According to the present invention, in a beauty device having one or more electrodes (32), the electrical stimulation applicator in contact with the skin can be modified according to various treatment methods. The electrical stimulation applicator according to the present invention can continuously apply electrical energy at an appropriate temperature to promote contraction of skin tissue and collagen regeneration. Furthermore, the electrical stimulation applicator according to the present invention can perform various treatments with easy manual operation, making it easy to implement in a home beauty device.

[0056]

[0057] While the present invention has been described with reference to the attached drawings and exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the contents illustrated in the drawings and the embodiments described above. While drawing reference numerals are used in the claims below to aid understanding, the scope of the claims below is not limited to the drawing reference numerals and the contents illustrated in the drawings, but should be interpreted to encompass all modifications of the exemplary embodiments, equivalent structures, and functions.

[0058] The present invention provides an electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device.

Claims

1. A beauty device body (10) including an electrode driving circuit; An electrode unit (30) including an electrode unit body (34) mounted on one end of the above beauty device body (10) and one or more electrodes (32) formed on the electrode unit body (34) and applied to the user's skin by contacting it, and driven by the electrode driving circuit; and An electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device, comprising a tubular body (52) with an open front, and a rear end of the tubular body (52) including a contact control part (50) coupled to an outer surface of the electrode body (34) so ​​as to be able to move backward and forward in the direction in which the electrode (32) and the user's skin come into contact.

2. In the first paragraph, when the contact control part (50) is retracted toward the electrode part (30), the electrode (32) is exposed to the outside of the contact control part (50) and comes into direct contact with the skin. An electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device, wherein when the contact control unit (50) moves forward from the electrode unit (30), the electrode (32) is located inside the contact control unit (50), so that the contact control unit (50) comes into direct contact with the skin, and the electrode (32) does not come into direct contact with the skin.

3. In the first paragraph, the contact control unit (50) includes a tubular body (52) with an open front and a connecting unit (60) mounted on the rear end of the tubular body (52), which is connected to the outer surface of the electrode body (34) so ​​as to be able to move backward and forward, and has a guide protrusion (62) formed on the inner surface. An electric stimulation applicator for a beauty device, wherein a guide groove (34a) is formed on the outer surface of the electrode body (34) to correspond to the guide protrusion (62) of the connecting portion (60).

4. An electric stimulation applicator for a beauty device, wherein in the third paragraph, the guide groove (34a) is formed in a spiral shape on the outer surface of the electrode body (34).

5. An electric stimulation applicator for a beauty device, wherein, in the first paragraph, one end of the electrode portion (30) is further equipped with a suction portion (36) that can apply negative pressure to the user's skin to pull the user's skin toward the electrode (32).

6. An electrical stimulation applicator for a beauty device, wherein in the fifth paragraph, the suction part (36) is arranged at the center of six electrodes (32) arranged radially.

7. An electric stimulation applicator for a beauty device, wherein the tubular body (52) of paragraph 1 is made of a flexible material.

8. An electric stimulation applicator for a beauty device, wherein in the first paragraph, the electrode part (30) and / or the contact control part (50) is further equipped with a position detection sensor for detecting the relative position between the electrode part (30) and the contact control part (50).

9. An electric stimulation applicator for a beauty device, wherein, in the 8th paragraph, a magnet (68) is mounted on one end of the contact control part (50), and a Hall sensor (38, Hall sensor) capable of detecting the position of the magnet (68) is mounted on one end of the electrode part (30).

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