Skin care device capable of detecting skin contact

Abstract

Disclosed is a skin care device of which the output is adjusted according to the degree of contact between an electrode and skin. The skin care device comprises: a radiofrequency power generation unit (300) in which a radiofrequency power signal is generated; an electrode unit (200) which is supplied with the radiofrequency power signal generated in the radiofrequency power generation unit (300) and includes two or more electrodes (210, 220) that are brought into contact with the skin of a user and apply the radiofrequency power signal to the skin of the user; a contact sensing unit (400) that generates a skin contact signal (S1) by sensing the degree of contact between the two or more electrodes (210, 220) and the skin; and a control unit (500) for controlling the radiofrequency power generation unit (300) so that the output (C1) of the radiofrequency power signal is adjusted according to the skin contact signal (S1) generated by the contact sensing unit (400).

Description

A skin care device that can detect skin contact

[0001] The present invention relates to a skin care device capable of detecting skin contact, and more particularly, to a skin care device whose output is controlled according to the degree of contact between an electrode and the skin.

[0002] The popularity of home beauty devices, which allow users to perform beauty treatments like skin care and massage at home, is increasing. As these devices become more widespread, their performance is also improving dramatically, and their effectiveness is also increasing. Consequently, the likelihood and severity of side effects, particularly if the device malfunctions or is not used safely and appropriately, is also increasing.

[0003] Among home beauty devices, a skin care device using high-frequency power applies high-frequency energy (RF) power to the skin (especially the face) through one or more (e.g., six) electrode tips, thereby stimulating the inside of the skin with heat, thereby helping with skin beauty.

[0004] These skin care devices have a problem in that the electrodes that apply high-frequency power must be in close contact with the skin to produce an appropriate treatment effect. However, if high-frequency power is applied in a state where the contact area between the skin and the electrode is small due to the contact angle of the electrode, pressure fluctuations, or skin curvature, excessive high-frequency power is supplied to the skin, causing deep heat and a risk of burns.

[0005] [Prior Art Literature]

[0006] [Patent Document]

[0007] (Patent Document 1) Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2612536 (December 6, 2023)

[0008] (Patent Document 2) Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2588324 (October 6, 2023)

[0009] (Patent Document 3) Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-1557619 (September 29, 2015)

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a skin care device that can detect contact between an electrode and the skin and prevent a high-frequency power signal of excessive intensity from being applied to the user's skin.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a skin care device including a high-frequency power generation unit that generates a high-frequency power signal; an electrode unit that is supplied with the high-frequency power signal generated by the high-frequency power generation unit and includes two or more electrodes that come into contact with the skin of a user and apply the high-frequency power signal to the skin of the user; a contact detection unit that detects the degree of contact between the two or more electrodes and the skin and generates a skin contact signal; and a control unit that controls the high-frequency power generation unit so that the output of the high-frequency power signal is adjusted according to the skin contact signal generated by the contact detection unit.

[0012] Preferably, two or more electrodes of the electrode part include an output electrode that applies the high-frequency power signal to the skin and a ground electrode through which the high-frequency power signal applied to the skin is refluxed and discharged.

[0013] The above electrode unit may include two or more output electrodes and / or two or more ground electrodes.

[0014] The above contact detection unit can detect the number of electrodes in contact with the skin and / or the contact area between the skin and the electrodes, thereby generating a skin contact signal.

[0015] The degree of contact between the electrode and the skin and the magnitude of the skin contact signal may be linearly proportional or inversely proportional.

[0016] The above-mentioned contact detection unit can measure the voltage applied between the two or more electrodes when the high-frequency power signal is applied to the skin, calculate the impedance between the two or more electrodes, and generate a skin contact signal. Here, the skin contact signal is an ADC (analog to digital convert) value of the impedance, and can be linearly inversely proportional to the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal.

[0017] As the degree of contact between the electrode and the skin decreases, the output of the high-frequency power signal also decreases, and as the degree of contact between the electrode and the skin increases, the output of the high-frequency power signal also increases, thereby preventing a high-frequency power signal of excessive intensity from being applied to the user's skin.

[0018] The output control of the high frequency power signal can be performed by controlling the application time of the high frequency power signal pulse applied to the skin or by controlling the amplitude of the high frequency power signal.

[0019] The skin care device according to the present invention may further include a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the skin or an acceleration sensor for measuring the movement of the electrode portion, and a burn prevention unit for stopping the operation of the high-frequency power generation unit according to an output signal of the temperature sensor or the acceleration sensor.

[0020] According to the skin care device of the present invention, a linear high-frequency power output is provided depending on the degree of contact between the electrode and the skin. However, when only a portion of the electrode is in contact with the skin, the high-frequency power output is reduced, thereby enabling safe use. In other words, the high-frequency power output is maintained within a preset safe temperature range, and rapid temperature changes at the contact area are prevented, thereby preventing burns.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the external appearance of a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the configuration of a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figures 3a and 3b are drawings showing the configuration of a high-frequency power generation unit and a contact detection unit of a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an electrode portion of a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an output signal of a contact detection unit in a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a burn prevention unit that can be used in a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a temperature sensor that can be used in a skin care device according to the present invention.

[0028] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, specific descriptions of commonly known components are omitted.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the external appearance of a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the configuration of a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a skin care device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a high-frequency power generation unit (300), an electrode unit (200), a contact detection unit (400), and a control unit (500), which can be accommodated inside a body (100). The body (100) forms a case (housing) and an external appearance of the skin care device (10), and is formed so that a user can hold it.

[0030] A radiofrequency electric power signal is generated in the above-described radiofrequency power generating unit (300). The radiofrequency power generating unit (300) is installed inside the body (100) so as to be connected to the electrode unit (200). FIG. 3A is a drawing showing the configuration of a radiofrequency electric power generating unit that can be used in a skin care device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The radiofrequency power generating unit (300) is a conventional device that generates a radiofrequency electric power signal, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, may include an RF oscillator (310) that generates oscillating signals in a radio frequency (RF) region, an RF amplifier (320) that amplifies the radiofrequency oscillating signal generated by the RF oscillator (310) to generate a radiofrequency electric power signal of a predetermined output (C1), and a power source (330) that supplies electric power to the RF amplifier (320). The frequency of the high-frequency power signal that can be used in the present invention may be 200 kHz to 400 MHz, for example, 40.68 MHz.

[0031] The electrode unit (200) includes two or more electrodes (210, 220) that are supplied with a high-frequency power signal generated from the high-frequency power generation unit (300) and come into contact with the user's skin to apply the high-frequency power signal to the user's skin. The electrode unit (200) is installed on the body (100) so as to apply the high-frequency power signal to the skin.

[0032] Preferably, the two or more electrodes (210, 220) of the electrode unit (200) include an output electrode (210) that applies the high-frequency power signal to the skin and a ground electrode (220) through which the high-frequency power signal applied to the skin is circulated and discharged. The two or more electrodes (210, 220) may be configured in multiple pairs to form a bipolar electrode.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an electrode unit of a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the electrode unit (200) may include two or more output electrodes (211, 212) and / or two or more ground electrodes (221, 222). That is, the output electrode (210) and the ground electrode (220) may each be provided with two or more. In one embodiment, the output electrode (210) may include a first output electrode (211) and a second output electrode (212), and the ground electrode (220) may include a first ground electrode (221) and a second ground electrode (222) corresponding to the first output electrode (211) and the second output electrode (212), respectively.

[0034] In another embodiment, the output electrode (210) may include a first output electrode (211), a second output electrode (212), and a third output electrode (213), and the ground electrode (220) may include a first ground electrode (221), a second ground electrode (222), and a third ground electrode (223) corresponding to the first output electrode (211), the second output electrode (212), and the third output electrode (213), respectively. Of course, four or more output electrodes (210) and ground electrodes (220) may be arranged.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first output electrode (211), the second output electrode (212) or the first output electrode (211), the second output electrode (212), the third output electrode (213) and the first ground electrode (221), the second ground electrode (222) or the first ground electrode (221), the second ground electrode (222), the third ground electrode (223) may be arranged alternately in a circumferential direction with respect to a center point. When in use, all output electrodes (210) and ground electrodes (220) may be in contact with the skin.

[0036] Referring again to FIG. 2, the contact detection unit (400) detects the degree of contact between the two or more electrodes (210, 220) and the skin and generates a skin contact signal (S1). The contact detection unit (400) detects which of the electrodes (210, 220) among the electrode units (200) is in contact with the skin, and can detect at least one of the contact area and the number of electrodes in contact.

[0037] The above contact detection unit (400) can detect the number of electrodes (210, 220) in contact with the skin and / or the contact area between the skin and the electrodes (210, 220), thereby generating a skin contact signal (S1). The degree of contact between the electrodes (210, 220) and the skin and the size of the skin contact signal (S1) can be linearly proportional or inversely proportional.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection unit (400) detects the number of pairs of electrodes (210, 220) in contact with the skin, and the control unit (500) can control the high-frequency power generation unit (300) according to the number of pairs of electrodes (210, 220) transmitted from the contact detection unit (400).

[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection unit (400) detects in real time the area of ​​the electrodes (210, 220) in contact with the skin, and the control unit (500) receives a signal from the contact detection unit (400) and controls the high-frequency power generation unit (300) according to the total area of ​​the electrodes in contact with the skin.

[0040] The above contact detection unit (400) detects in real time at least one of the number of pairs of electrodes (210, 220) in contact with the skin or the area of ​​the electrodes (210, 220) in contact with the skin, and the control unit (500) receives a signal from the contact detection unit (400) and controls the high-frequency power generation unit (300) according to at least one of the number of pairs of electrodes (210, 220) in contact with the skin or the total area of ​​the electrodes (210, 220) in contact with the skin.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection unit (400) can measure the voltage (Vpp) applied between the two or more electrodes (210, 220) when the high-frequency power signal is applied to the skin, calculate the impedance between the two or more electrodes (210, 220), and generate a skin contact signal (S1). The skin contact signal (S1) is an analog to digital convert (ADC) value of the impedance, and can be linearly inversely proportional to the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal.

[0042] FIG. 3B is a diagram showing another embodiment of a contact detection unit configuration that can be used in a skin care device according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, a contact detection unit (400) according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a capacitor (420) electrically connected to one of each pair of output terminals (210) and ground terminals (220) and having a capacitance that changes depending on whether there is skin contact; a voltage supply module (430) that supplies a predetermined voltage to the capacitor; and an ADC (440, Analog-Digital Converter) for measuring the capacitance of the capacitor (420). From the capacitance of the capacitor (420) output from the ADC (440), whether there is contact between the output terminal (210) and the ground terminal (220) and the skin can be detected.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an output signal of a contact detection unit in a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Depending on the number of each pair of output electrodes (210) and ground electrodes (220) that come into contact with the skin, the impedance between the electrodes (210, 220), specifically the ADC value of the impedance, i.e. the size of the skin contact signal (S1), changes.

[0044] When the output electrode (210) is composed of three pieces, a first output electrode (211), a second output electrode (212), and a third output electrode (213), and the ground electrode (220) is composed of three pieces, a first ground electrode (221), a second ground electrode (222), and a third ground electrode (223), as shown in FIG. 5, (i) when the entire output electrode (210) and the ground electrode (220) are not in contact with the skin, the impedance between the electrodes (210, 220) exhibits a maximum value (ADC level when not in contact), (ii) when only the first output electrode (211) and the first ground electrode (221) are in contact with the skin, the impedance between the electrodes (210, 220) exhibits a Q1 value lower than the maximum value (ADC level when two terminals are in contact), (iii) when the first output electrode (211), the first ground electrode (221), and the second ground electrode (223) are in contact with the skin, the impedance between the electrodes (210, 220) exhibits a Q1 value lower than the maximum value (ADC level when two terminals are in contact), and (iv) when the first output electrode (211), the first ground electrode (221), and the second ground electrode (223) are in contact with the skin, the impedance between the electrodes (210, 220) exhibits a Q1 value lower than the maximum value (ADC level when two terminals are in contact). When the output electrode (212) and the second ground electrode (222) are in contact with the skin, the impedance between the electrodes (210, 220) exhibits a Q2 value lower than the Q1 value (ADC level when 4 terminals are in contact), (iv) when the first output electrode (211), the first ground electrode (221), the second output electrode (212), the second ground electrode (222), the third output electrode (213), and the third ground electrode (223) are all in contact with the skin, the impedance between the electrodes (210, 220) exhibits a Q3 value lower than the Q2 value (ADC level when 6 terminals are in contact).

[0045] Referring back to FIG. 2, the control unit (500) controls the high-frequency power generation unit (300) so that the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal is adjusted according to the skin contact signal (S1) generated by the contact detection unit (400). That is, the control unit (500) controls the high-frequency power generation unit (300) so as to adjust the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal according to the skin contact measurement value, for example, impedance, received by the contact detection unit (400). Accordingly, the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal can be linearly adjusted according to the degree of contact between the electrodes (210, 220) and the skin. By the control unit (500), the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal is controlled so as to be maintained within a preset safe temperature range, thereby preventing a rapid temperature change in the contacted skin and thus preventing burns.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the skin contact signal (S1) is linearly inversely proportional to the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal. In the present invention, as the control unit (500) controls the output of the high-frequency power signal according to the skin contact signal (S1), when the degree of contact between the electrode (210, 220) and the skin decreases, the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal also decreases, and when the degree of contact between the electrode (210, 220) and the skin increases, the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal also increases, thereby preventing a high-frequency power signal of excessive intensity from being applied to the user's skin.

[0047] In the present invention, the control of the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal can be performed by controlling the application time of the high-frequency power signal pulse applied to the skin, or by controlling the amplitude of the high-frequency power signal.

[0048] In the present invention, a high-frequency power signal is transmitted to the user's skin through three pairs of electrodes, i.e., six electrodes, and the output (intensity) of the high-frequency power signal can be set in multiple stages, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 stages, depending on the type of skin care and the user's selection. For example, per 50 ms of reference time, the time at which the high-frequency power signal is applied can be 1st stage: 25 ms, 2nd stage: 30 ms, 3rd stage: 35 ms, 4th stage: 40 ms, 5th stage: 45 ms, and 1st stage is the stage with the weakest output, and 5th stage is the stage with the strongest output.

[0049] When a high-frequency power signal with a fixed output corresponding to each step selected by the user is applied to the skin, if six electrodes are in normal contact with the skin, the high-frequency energy is uniformly distributed and applied to the six electrodes, but if only four or two electrodes are in contact with the skin, the high-frequency energy that was distributed and transmitted to the six electrodes is applied to the four or two electrodes. Therefore, high heat is generated on the user's skin, and the user feels hot.

[0050] The control unit (500) can adaptively adjust the intensity of the high-frequency power signal corresponding to each stage according to the skin contact signal (S1), specifically, the ADC value of the degree of skin contact. For example, if the user selects a two-stage output intensity (high-frequency application time of 30 ms) and only 1 / 3 of the entire electrodes are in contact with the skin, the time for which the high-frequency power signal is supplied to the electrodes is reduced to 1 / 3, i.e., 10 ms, according to the corresponding skin contact signal (S1), thereby preventing excessive energy from being supplied to the skin. That is, the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal can be adjusted by adjusting the duty for which the high-frequency power signal is supplied, i.e., the ON / OFF cycle.

[0051] This high-frequency power signal output control is applied equally to each stage. That is, the high-frequency power signal output (C1) is determined for each stage, and the high-frequency power signal output (C1) is controlled according to the contact state between the skin and the electrode. When the skin and the electrode do not make contact, the high-frequency power signal output (C1) is applied at a minimum for all stages 1 through 5.

[0052] In addition, in the skin care device according to the present invention, a filter (700), preferably a median filter, may be further provided between the electrode unit (200) and the contact detection unit (400) to remove noise from the contact detection signal output from the electrode unit (200), for example, the voltage (Vpp) applied between two or more electrodes (210, 220), the impedance between two or more electrodes (210, 220), etc.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a drawing showing a burn prevention unit that can be used in a skin care device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the burn prevention unit (600) may include a temperature sensor (610) that measures the temperature of the skin or an acceleration sensor (620) that measures the movement of the electrode unit (200), and stops the operation of the high-frequency power generation unit (300) according to an output signal of the temperature sensor (610) or the acceleration sensor (620).

[0054] The above-described burn prevention unit (600) is an additional means for preventing a burn from occurring on the user's skin due to the electrode unit (200) that outputs a high-frequency power signal. The temperature sensor (610) measures the temperature of the skin, and the acceleration sensor (620) measures the movement of the electrode unit (200) in contact with the skin. It is preferable that the temperature sensor (610) or the acceleration sensor (620) of the above-described burn prevention unit (600) be installed adjacent to the electrode unit (200).

[0055] The control unit (500) that receives the signal from the temperature sensor (610) turns off or reduces the output of the high-frequency power generation unit (300) so that the output of the high-frequency power signal is stopped or reduced when the skin temperature exceeds a preset temperature range. Here, the preset temperature may be 40 to 50°C, for example, 45°C.

[0056] In addition, the control unit (500) receives a signal from the acceleration sensor (620) and, if there is no change in the position of the acceleration sensor (620) for a certain period of time, turns off the high-frequency power generation unit (300) or reduces the output so that the output of the high-frequency power signal is stopped or reduced.

[0057] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a temperature sensor (610) that can be used in a skin care device according to the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the temperature sensor (610) is installed inside an electrode (210, 220) having a hollow interior, and can measure the temperature of the skin contacting the electrode (210, 220). As described above, the control unit (500) that receives the signal of the temperature sensor (610) turns off the high-frequency power generation unit (300) or reduces the output so that the output of the high-frequency power signal is stopped or reduced when the temperature of the skin exceeds a preset temperature range.

[0058] 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.

Claims

1. A high-frequency power generation unit (300) in which a high-frequency power signal is generated; An electrode unit (200) including two or more electrodes (210, 220) that are in contact with the user's skin and apply the high-frequency power signal to the user's skin, and to which a high-frequency power signal generated from the high-frequency power generation unit (300) is supplied; A contact detection unit (400) that detects the degree of contact between the two or more electrodes (210, 220) and the skin and generates a skin contact signal (S1); and A skin care device including a control unit (500) that controls the high-frequency power generation unit (300) so that the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal is adjusted according to the skin contact signal (S1) generated by the contact detection unit (400).

2. In the first paragraph, a skin care device, wherein two or more electrodes (210, 220) of the electrode unit (200) include an output electrode (210) that applies the high-frequency power signal to the skin and a ground electrode (220) through which the high-frequency power signal applied to the skin is circulated and discharged.

3. A skin care device according to claim 2, wherein the electrode unit (200) includes two or more output electrodes (211, 212) and / or two or more ground electrodes (221, 222).

4. In the first paragraph, the contact detection unit (400) detects the number of the electrodes (210, 220) in contact with the skin and / or the contact area between the skin and the electrodes (210, 220), thereby generating a skin contact signal (S1).

5. A skin care device in accordance with paragraph 1, wherein the degree of contact between the electrode (210, 220) and the skin and the magnitude of the skin contact signal (S1) are linearly proportional or inversely proportional.

6. In the first paragraph, the contact detection unit (400) measures the voltage (Vpp) applied between the two or more electrodes (210, 220) when the high-frequency power signal is applied to the skin, calculates the impedance between the two or more electrodes (210, 220), and generates a skin contact signal (S1). A skin care device.

7. A skin care device in the 6th paragraph, wherein the skin contact signal (S1) is an ADC (analog to digital convert) value of the impedance and is linearly inversely proportional to the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal.

8. In the first paragraph, when the degree of contact between the electrode (210, 220) and the skin decreases, the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal also decreases, and when the degree of contact between the electrode (210, 220) and the skin increases, the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal also increases, thereby preventing a high-frequency power signal of excessive intensity from being applied to the user's skin. A skin care device.

9. A skin care device according to claim 1, wherein the control of the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal is performed by controlling the application time of the high-frequency power signal pulse applied to the skin.

10. A skin care device according to claim 1, wherein the control of the output (C1) of the high-frequency power signal is performed by controlling the amplitude of the high-frequency power signal.

11. A skin care device according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor (610) for measuring the temperature of the skin or an acceleration sensor (620) for measuring the movement of the electrode unit (200), and a burn prevention unit (600) for stopping the operation of the high-frequency power generation unit (300) according to an output signal of the temperature sensor (610) or the acceleration sensor (620).

12. In the 11th paragraph, the temperature sensor (610) is installed inside an electrode (210, 220) having a hollow interior, and is a skin care device that measures the temperature of skin in contact with the electrode (210, 220).

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