Camera Ear Spoon Assembly With Glare-Free Light Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ear cleaning devices with cameras suffer from inadequate lighting, glare, heat transfer, and potential damage from water exposure, leading to inaccurate cleaning and risk of infection.
Innovation Solution
An ear cleaning arrangement with a camera and light source configuration that ensures even lighting, avoids glare, and prevents heat transfer, featuring a detachable ear spoon assembly and waterproof design to enhance accuracy and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is added to the ear cleaning arrangement to enable real-time imaging, then the user can accurately locate and clean earwax, but the camera generates heat that may cause burning sensation and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
A heat-insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the camera and the ear spoon assembly. This layer blocks thermal conduction paths, preventing heat from reaching the user's ear while allowing the camera to operate at high temperature without transferring harmful thermal energy to the biological tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-insulating property is applied locally at the critical interface where the camera contacts or nears the ear spoon assembly. The insulation is positioned specifically where heat transfer would occur, while other parts of the device maintain normal thermal characteristics.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting is added to illuminate the ear canal for the camera, then image quality improves, but external stray light may enter the field of view causing glare or dark spots
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide barrel is introduced as an intermediary optical component between the light source and the ear canal. This barrel guides light in a controlled manner, preventing stray light from reaching the camera sensor while delivering adequate illumination to the ear canal surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is segmented into functional components: a light source, a light guide barrel for controlled light transmission, and a camera positioned to receive only the guided light. This segmentation prevents mixing of desired and unwanted light paths.
3Measurement precision
If the camera extends into the light guide barrel to capture images, then image acquisition is enabled, but the camera may be damaged by compression during installation of the ear spoon assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: the camera assembly and the ear spoon assembly. The camera remains in a protected housing while the ear spoon assembly can be independently installed and removed without contacting or compressing the camera, preventing mechanical damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is extracted from the light guide barrel and positioned in a separate protected location. The light guide barrel serves only the lighting function without housing the camera, allowing the ear spoon assembly to be installed without risking camera compression.
4Reliability
If waterproof glue is applied to the light source for waterproofing, then device durability improves, but the glue may be applied to the lens end surface affecting optical imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The light source assembly is segmented into a waterproof housing portion and an optical interface portion. The waterproof glue is applied only to the housing portions that require sealing, while the lens end surface remains glue-free to maintain optimal optical performance and prevent imaging defects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates precise earwax removal by providing clear images, reducing the risk of infection, and ensuring device durability through improved lighting and waterproofing.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide barrel is used to detachably install the ear spoon assembly, and the camera does not extend into the light guide barrel
Implementation Method 2
a waterproof layer is provided at the assembly position of the camera and the light source to prevent water from penetrating into the interior of the device
Implementation Method 3
a hydrophobic layer is provided at the front of the camera to prevent water droplets from adhering to the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A an ear cleaning arrangement includes a fixing assembly comprising a fixing rod and a handle, wherein the fixing rod is connected to the handle, an ear spoon assembly which is arranged to be connected to the fixing rod for cleaning earwax, a camera, and a light source, wherein the camera and the light source are assembled in the fixing rod behind a light guide barrel, so that the ear cleaning arrangement is equipped with a suitable camera for real-time acquisition of images in the ear, so as to facilitate the user in accurately locating and cleaning earwax.