Light Guide with Distribution Means for Homogeneous Skin Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing skin care devices face challenges in providing effective and homogeneous light treatment combined with mechanical massage, as the light sources are often positioned far from the treatment area, leading to reduced intensity and efficiency, and existing devices do not optimize for a compact size or multifunctionality.

Innovation Solution

A skin care device featuring a light guide with distribution means to redirect and diffuse light closer to the skin, using thermoplastic elastomer massage heads for improved light transmission and a hemispherical massage design, along with a plurality of LEDs for comprehensive illumination, and interchangeable treatment heads for versatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If light sources are positioned far from the treatment area, then the device structure is simpler, but the light intensity and treatment efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidlight intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component between the LED light source and the treatment area. The light guide transmits and distributes light through its internal structure, allowing the light source to be positioned away from the treatment area while maintaining high light intensity at the target zone. This resolves the contradiction by mediating the light transmission path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from direct light projection to three-dimensional light distribution within the light guide structure. The light guide uses its volumetric structure to transmit light from the source position to multiple distribution points, effectively changing the light delivery from a direct one-dimensional path to a three-dimensional distribution system, thereby maintaining intensity while allowing spatial separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If light sources are positioned close to the treatment area, then the light intensity is higher, but the device size increases and homogeneity of light distribution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intensityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light distribution function by introducing a light guide structure that divides and directs light to multiple zones. Instead of using a single large light source array, the system uses a compact light guide that segments light distribution across the treatment area, achieving high intensity without proportionally increasing device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional light sources are used, then the device is simpler to manufacture, but the light distribution homogeneity and coverage are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlight distribution homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide acts as a mediator that takes light from conventional LED sources and redistributes it homogeneously across the treatment area. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving uniform light distribution through the light guide's internal optical structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If massage heads block light beams, then the mechanical massage function is effective, but the light treatment efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemassage effectivenessVSAvoidlight treatment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional light projection to three-dimensional light distribution. The light guide distributes light in multiple directions and zones, ensuring that light reaches treatment areas around and between massage heads, thereby maintaining massage effectiveness while improving overall light treatment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The device achieves targeted and homogeneous light intensity, enhancing skin appearance by stimulating collagen production and improving microcirculation, while being compact, easy to use, and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light guide having a projection surface intended to receive light emitted by said at least one light source and to project at least one light beam intended for an area on the skin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guidance and diffusion: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

said opposite face comprising distribution means intended to distribute the light along said projection surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight redistribution: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

said zone (Z) being intended to transmit light and being made of a material of the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) type having a light transmission of between 0.8 and 0.9 for light having a wavelength of 590nm or 630nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through TPE material: Light

Implementation Method 4

at least one light source... The light source is of the light-emitting diode type, commonly called LED

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3352722B1Treatment device with light guide
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 SEB SA
  • EP3352722B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3352722B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3352722B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a treatment device (1) for treating the skin, comprising: - a body (2) comprising a housing (21, 22) forming a gripping area, - electrical supply means arranged in the body, - at least one treatment head (9) comprising massage means (31) - means for manoeuvring the massage means (31), actuated by an electric motor which is connected to the electrical supply means (23), - at least one light source, - at least one light guide (5) having a projection surface (51) intended for receiving light emitted by the at least one light source and for projecting at least one light beam towards an area on the skin. According to the invention, the at least one light guide (5) comprises a face opposite the projection surface (51), said opposite face comprising distribution means intended for distributing the light along the projection surface (51), and at least one massage means (31) has an area for contact with the skin to be massaged, said area being intended for transmitting the light and consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material having a light transmission of between 0.8 and 0.9 for light with a wavelength of 590 nm or 630 nm.