JP7706868B2 - beauty device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a beauty device.

Conventionally, beauty devices have been known that have a contact part that comes into contact with the skin of a user, and that massage the skin by pressing the contact part against the skin and slowly sliding it up and down along the skin. For example, the beauty device described in Patent Document 1 below is designed to energize the contact part and supply a pulsed current to the skin, thereby further revitalizing the skin and enhancing the beauty effect.

Patent No. 6282271

However, there is a demand for adding a function to heat the contact area of the beauty device described above to provide even greater comfort to the user. In that case, there is a need for a way to quickly heat the contact area.

The present invention was developed based on the above circumstances, and aims to provide a beauty device that can quickly warm the part that comes into contact with the user's skin.

The cosmetic device of the present invention is a cosmetic device equipped with a contact part that contacts the skin of a user, and the contact part has an outer cover with a curved surface that contacts the skin, and a fixing member that positions a heating element at a position close to the inner surface of the outer cover and is fixed to the outer cover. Here, a position close to the inner surface of the outer cover includes a position where at least a part of the heating element is in contact with the inner surface of the outer cover, a position slightly separated from the inner surface of the outer cover without contacting the inner surface of the outer cover, and a position where a sheet-like member having a higher thermal conductivity than air is interposed between the inner surface of the outer cover and the heating element.

According to the present invention, the outer cover is shaped to easily fit uneven treatment surfaces such as the human face or body, while the heating element is positioned close to the outer cover, allowing the contact part against the user's skin to be quickly heated.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cosmetic device according to the embodiment when it is set in a charger; Front view showing beauty device Rear view showing beauty device Right side view showing beauty device Left side view showing beauty device An exploded perspective view showing a beauty device An exploded perspective view showing the main body. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a first contact portion; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a second contact portion; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a first contact portion. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the first contact portion, which corresponds to the cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 10 . FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a second contact portion. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the second contact portion, which corresponds to the cross section taken along the line B-B in FIG. 12 . FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the outer surface of the first outer cover; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an inner surface of the first outer cover; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a curved shape of a first heating element; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a surface of the first fixed cover on the first heating element side; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a surface of the first fixed cover on the first lid cover side; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a surface of the first lid cover on the side of the first fixed cover; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a surface of the first lid cover on the side of the main body; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the outer surface of the second outer cover; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the inner surface of the second outer cover; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a curved shape of a second heating element; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a surface of the second fixed cover on the second heating element side; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a surface of the second fixed cover on the second lid cover side; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a surface of the second lid cover on the second fixed cover side; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the surface of the second lid cover on the side of the main body;

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below.
In the beauty device of the present invention, the heating element may be planar. With this configuration, the contact part can be made compact, and the heat of the heating element is efficiently transferred to the outer cover, so that the contact part can be heated more quickly.

In addition, the shape of the heating element in the beauty device of the present invention may be configured to match the shape of the inner surface of the outer cover. With this configuration, it is easier to make the distance between the inner surface of the outer cover and the heating element uniform in the surface direction, making it possible to make the temperature distribution of the outer cover uniform.

The cosmetic device of the present invention may also be configured so that the shape of the surface of the fixing member facing the heating element conforms to the shape of the inner surface of the outer cover. With this configuration, the distance between the inner surface of the outer cover and the heating element can be kept uniform in the surface direction, so that the temperature distribution of the outer cover can be kept uniform.

In addition, the cosmetic device of the present invention has a temperature sensor attached to the fixing member. With this configuration, it is easy to position the temperature sensor close to the outer cover, so the temperature of the outer cover can be accurately detected.

<Example>
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The cosmetic device M in this embodiment has a wireless charging function and can be charged by being set in a charger E as shown in Fig. 1. Wireless charging of the cosmetic device M is performed using a receiving coil 105 provided in the cosmetic device M and a transmitting coil (not shown) provided in the charger E. The charger E is connected to a power source via a USB cable or the like (not shown).

As shown in Fig. 2, the cosmetic device M has a generally flat heart-shaped overall shape, and includes a main body 10 that is held by the user, and two contact parts that contact the user's skin (hereinafter referred to as a first contact part TF and a second contact part TS). In the following description, the upper side of Fig. 2 will be referred to as the top, the lower side as the bottom, the left side as the left, and the right side as the right, and the front side of Fig. 2 (the side where the touch plate 18 is provided) as the front side and the back side as the back side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 has a vertically long fan shape. The right side surface 11 of the main body 10 has a gently curved bow shape with the vertical middle section protruding to the right. The left side surface 12 of the main body 10 has a bent shape with the vertical middle section bent.

A switch section 13 is provided on the right side surface 11 of the main body, which is pressed to turn the power on and off and to switch the usage mode.
A first contact portion TF and a second contact portion TS are provided on the left side surface 12 of the main body. The first contact portion TF is provided on an upper side of the left side surface 12, and the second contact portion TS is provided on a lower side of the left side surface 12.

The cosmetic device M can be switched between a power off mode and a power on mode by operating the switch unit 13. In the power on mode, the temperature of the first contact part TF or the second contact part TS rises. The power on mode has multiple usage modes (a first mode in which a weak current flows through the first contact part TF, a second mode in which a weak current flows through the second contact part TS, and a third mode in which no weak current flows through either the first contact part TF or the second contact part TS).

As shown in FIG. 7, the main body 10 includes an inner case 14 that houses the wirelessly charged battery 100 and an outer cover 15 that covers the outer surface of the inner case 14. The battery 100 is a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, and the terminals (not shown) of the battery 100 are electrically connected to the substrate 102.

The inner case 14 comprises a rear case 14R and a front case 14S that fit together. The rear case 14R and the front case 14S are fixed together with a number of screws S6. This closes off the internal space of the inner case 14. The battery 100 and other components can be replaced by opening the inner case 14.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 7, a partition 118 is attached to the inner case 14 to separate the first contact portion TF and the second contact portion TS. The partition 118 is provided at a bent position on the left side surface 12 of the main body 10. The partition 118 is electrically connected to the substrate 102 housed in the inner case 14. The partition 118 indicates the use mode of the cosmetic device M in different ways (e.g., by changing to a different color) to inform the user of which use mode the cosmetic device M is in.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rear case 14R is shallow and dish-shaped. The rear case 14R has a plate-shaped base portion 16 and a peripheral wall portion 17 that stands along the outer periphery of the base portion 16.

As shown in FIG. 7, the substrate 102 is fixed to the base portion 16 by a screw S8. The receiving coil 105 is attached to the base portion 16. The receiving coil 105 is fitted and held in a coil housing portion 106 having a recessed back side. The base portion 16 is also provided with a control device 128 that controls wireless charging of the cosmetic device M.

The peripheral wall portion 17 is provided with a switch portion 13. The switch portion 13 includes an operation button 113 that is operated by pressing it, and a tact switch 114. The operation button 113 is fixed to the peripheral wall portion 17 by a screw S7. The tact switch 114 is provided on the inside of the peripheral wall portion 17 and is electrically connected to the substrate 102.

The front case 14S is disposed opposite the substrate 102. The front case 14S is fitted with terminals 104 that are electrically connected to the substrate 102. The terminals 104 are disposed on the surface of the front case 14S.

The LED holder 115 is fixed to the back surface of the front case 14S by a screw S9. The LED holder 115 is electrically connected to the substrate 102. The LED holder 115 is disposed at a position corresponding to the switch unit 13. When the switch unit 13 is turned on and off, the LED of the LED holder 115 switches the display of a display unit (not shown) of the front cover 15S, informing the user of the mode in which the cosmetic device M is in use.

The outer edge of the front case 14S fits tightly against a ring-shaped waterproof packing 101 attached to a groove in the peripheral wall 17 of the rear case 14R. This seals the inner case 14.

As shown in FIG. 7, the outer cover 15 includes a rear cover 15R that covers the rear case 14R, and a front cover 15S that covers the front case 14S.
The rear cover 15R covers the entire rear surface of the base portion 16. A locking portion 107 that locks onto a locking portion 108 of the base portion 16 to fix the rear cover 15R to the rear case 14R is provided on the outer periphery of the rear cover 15R.

The front cover 15S is large enough to cover the front case 14S. The outer edge of the front cover 15S is provided with a locking portion 110 that locks into a locking portion 111 formed on the outer edge of the front case 14S.

The front cover 15S has a fitting hole 109 formed therethrough in both the front and back directions into which the touch plate 18 is fitted. The fitting hole 109 is provided at the position of the terminal 104 of the front case 14S.

The touch plate 18 has a shape similar to the outer shape of the main body 10. A connector portion (not shown) that is electrically connected to the terminal 104 is provided on the back surface of the touch plate 18. When the touch plate 18 is fitted into the fitting hole 109, the connector portion of the touch plate 18 is in contact with the terminal 104.

As shown in FIG. 6, the main body 10 includes a first fixing portion 19 to which the first contact portion TF is fixed, and a second fixing portion 21 to which the second contact portion TS is fixed.
The first fixing portion 19 and the second fixing portion 21 are provided on the peripheral wall portion 17 of the rear case 14R. The first fixing portion 19 and the second fixing portion 21 are exposed to the outside between the rear cover 15R and the front cover 15S when the outer cover 15 is attached to the inner case 14. When the first contact portion TF and the second contact portion TS are fixed to the main body 10, the first fixing portion 19 and the second fixing portion 21 are covered and hidden by the first contact portion TF and the second contact portion TS, respectively.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the first fixing part 19 is provided with an insertion part 121 having an insertion hole through which the screw S1 for fixing the first contact part TF is inserted, and an insertion part 123 having an insertion hole through which the cable 122 of the first contact part TF is inserted. A pair of insertion parts 121 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the first fixing part 19. The insertion part 123 is located between the pair of insertion parts 121.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the second fixing part 21 is provided with an insertion part 125 having an insertion hole formed therethrough through which the screw S2 for fixing the second contact part TS is inserted, and an insertion part 127 having an insertion hole formed therethrough through which the cable 126 of the second contact part TS is inserted. A pair of insertion parts 125 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the second fixing part 21. The insertion part 127 is located between the pair of insertion parts 125.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first contact part TF includes a first outer cover 30 having an outer surface that contacts the skin, a first heating element 40 arranged inside the first outer cover 30, a first fixed cover (fixed member) 42 that holds the first heating element 40 in a position close to the first outer cover 30 and is fixed to the first outer cover 30, a first electrical component 45 provided inside the first fixed cover 42, and a first lid cover 50 that covers the first electrical component 45.

The first electrical component 45 includes a first circuit board 46, a first temperature sensor 47 electrically connected to the first circuit board 46, and a first vibration motor 48 electrically connected to the first circuit board 46.

The first circuit board 46 is equipped with a microcomputer and other components that constitute the control unit. In addition to the first temperature sensor 47 and the first vibration motor 48, the first heating element 40, the plating film of the first outer cover 30, and the substrate 102 are electrically connected to the first circuit board 46. The first circuit board 46 is connected to the substrate 102 via a cable 122 and a connection part 116 that is connected to the terminal part of the cable 122.

As a result, in the first mode, when a part of the human body (hand or finger) is in contact with the touch plate 18 and the first contact portion TF is in contact with another part of the human body (e.g., cheek), a closed circuit is formed via the human body, a potential difference is generated between the touch plate 18 and the first contact portion TF, and electricity flows through the first circuit board 46. The first circuit board 46 passes a current whose polarity alternates between the touch plate 18 and the first contact portion TF. When the human body moves away from the touch plate 18 or away from the first contact portion TF, electricity flows through the first circuit board 46, stopping.

The first temperature sensor 47 is, for example, a thermistor, and as shown in FIG. 10, penetrates the first fixed cover 42 and is in contact with or close to the first outer cover 30. Based on the input signal from the first temperature sensor 47, the first circuit board 46 controls the first heating element 40 to turn on and off so as to set the temperature of the first contact part TF to a predetermined temperature.

The first vibration motor 48 is driven when the first circuit board 46 is energized, and is stopped when the first circuit board 46 is deenergized.
The first outer cover 30 is cap-shaped, and its outer and inner surfaces are generally parallel to each other, i.e., its thickness is generally constant. The first outer cover 30 is made of metal or resin, and has a conductive plating film formed on the entire surface.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the first outer cover 30 has a front portion 34 and a back portion 35 that are generally of the same shape. The front portion 34 and the back portion 35 are continuous at one edge extending in the longitudinal direction (the left edge in Fig. 2), and are separated at the other edge. The cross-sectional shape of the first outer cover 30 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction is U-shaped, as shown in Fig. 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first outer cover 30 has two protrusions (hereinafter referred to as the first protrusion 32F and the second protrusion 32S) arranged side by side. The first protrusion 32F and the second protrusion 32S have different widths in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the width of the first protrusion 32F is larger than the width of the second protrusion 32S.

The protruding end faces of the first protrusion 32F and the second protrusion 32S form a first contact surface 31 that contacts the skin of the user. The protruding end face of the second protrusion 32S is curved with a larger curvature than the protruding end face of the first protrusion 32F. In other words, the first contact surface 31 is made up of a series of outer curved portions 33 that are curved with two different curvatures. The portion of the first contact surface 31 between the two outer curved portions 33 has a concave shape.

When the first outer cover 30 is viewed from the front with the first contact surface 31 facing forward, it has an elongated shape as shown in FIG. 14. The outer surface of the first outer cover 30 (first contact surface 31) is a smooth surface without any irregularities.

As shown in FIG. 8, a fixing portion F1 is provided on the inner surface of the first outer cover 30, and has fixing holes into which four screws S3 for fixing the first fixed cover 42 are screwed. The fixing portion F1 is cylindrical, with the fixing hole formed in the center. As shown in FIG. 15, the fixing portion F1 is provided at both ends and the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the first contact portion TF.

As shown in FIG. 10, the inner surface of the first outer cover 30 is provided with a sensor fitting portion 135 into which the first temperature sensor 47 fits. The sensor fitting portion 135 is located in the valley between the adjacent first protrusion 32F and second protrusion 32S. As shown in FIG. 15, the sensor fitting portion 135 is cylindrical with a fitting hole 136 at its center. The inner surface of the first outer cover 30 is a smooth surface without any irregularities, except for the fixing portion F1 and the sensor fitting portion 135.

As shown in FIG. 8, the outer edge of the first outer cover 30 is provided with a locking portion 133 that locks into a locking portion 132 formed on the periphery of the first lid cover 50 to secure the first outer cover 30 to the first lid cover 50. When the locking portion 133 and the locking portion 132 are locked together, the outer edge of the first outer cover 30 is covered by the outside of the outer edge of the first lid cover 50, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first heating element 40 is planar and arranged along the inner surface of the first outer cover 30. The first heating element 40 is a film heater with a heat-retaining sheet. The first heating element 40 is in close contact with the inner surface of the first outer cover 30. A heating element (not shown) that generates heat when electricity is passed through it is wired to the first heating element 40 so that the temperature distribution within the surface can be made uniform. The heating element is provided with lead wires (not shown), which are connected to the first circuit board 46.

The first heating element 40 is elongated along the center of the width direction (short direction) of the first outer cover 30 as shown in FIG. 15, and is curved along the shape of the inner surface of the first outer cover 30 as shown in FIG. 6. The first heating element 40 has two heating element curved portions 41 that are aligned with the two outer curved portions 33 of the first outer cover 30.

As shown in FIG. 15, a hole 139 is formed between the two curved heating element portions 41 of the first heating element 40, through which the sensor fitting portion 135 of the first outer cover 30 passes. In addition, a notch 137 is formed in the first heating element 40 to allow the fixing portion F1 of the first outer cover 30 to escape.

As shown in Figures 8 and 10, the first fixed cover 42 fits inside the first outer cover 30 with the first heating element 40 sandwiched between the first fixed cover 42 and the first outer cover 30. The first fixed cover 42 is cap-shaped like the first outer cover 30, and the surface facing the first heating element 40 and the surface facing the first lid cover 50 are generally parallel, i.e., the thickness dimension is generally constant. The cross-sectional shape of the first fixed cover 42 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction is U-shaped, and the first fixed cover 42 is open on the first lid cover 50 side. The first fixed cover 42 is made of resin and has a conductive plating film formed in a predetermined area.

The shape of the surface of the first fixed cover 42 facing the first heating element 40 follows the shape of the inner surface of the first outer cover 30, as shown in FIG. 10. That is, the surface of the first fixed cover 42 facing the first heating element 40 has two fixed curved portions 43 that are roughly the same shape as the two outer curved portions 33 of the first outer cover 30 and the two heating element curved portions 41 of the first heating element 40. As a result, at least a portion of the first heating element 40 is in direct contact with the inner surface of the first outer cover 30 and the surface of the first fixed cover 42 facing the first heating element 40.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first fixed cover 42 is provided with an insertion portion 138 through which an insertion hole is formed and through which the screw S3 for fixing the first fixed cover 42 to the first outer cover 30 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 17, the insertion portion 138 is provided at a position corresponding to the fixing portion F1 of the first outer cover 30. As shown in FIG. 10, the insertion portion 138 has a plate-shaped portion 147 located on a bottom surface recessed from the surface of the first fixed cover 42 on the first heating element 40 side to the first lid cover 50 side, and an insertion hole is formed through the plate-shaped portion 147. When the first fixed cover 42 and the first outer cover 30 are fixed with the screw S3, a seal ring R6 is in close contact with the fixing portion F1 and the insertion portion 138 to stop water leakage.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first fixed cover 42 is provided with a sensor holding portion 134 that holds the first temperature sensor 47. The sensor holding portion 134 is provided at a position corresponding to the sensor fitting portion 135 of the first outer cover 30, and has a recessed shape on the first heating element 40 side.

As shown in FIG. 17, a narrow groove 44 is formed along the center line in the front-to-back direction on the surface of the first fixed cover 42 facing the first heating element 40. The surface of the first fixed cover 42 facing the first heating element 40 is a smooth surface without irregularities, except for the insertion portion 138, the sensor holding portion 134, and the narrow groove 44.

As shown in FIG. 8, a fixing portion F2 protrudes from the surface of the first fixed cover 42 facing the first lid cover 50, and has a fixing hole into which a screw S4 for fixing the first lid cover 50 is screwed. The fixing portion F2 is cylindrical, with the fixing hole formed in the center. As shown in FIG. 10, the fixing hole of the fixing portion F2 is a recess that is closed on the first heating element 40 side.

A first circuit board 46 is fixed to the surface of the first fixed cover 42 facing the first lid cover 50 by a screw S5. In addition, a first vibration motor 48 is attached to the surface of the first fixed cover 42 facing the first lid cover 50.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first lid cover 50 covers the entire open side of the first fixed cover 42. As shown in FIG. 6, the first lid cover 50 has a plate-shaped lid cover main body 51 that fits along the first fixed portion 19 of the main body 10, and a lid cover end 52 that rises from one end of the lid cover main body 51 in the longitudinal direction. The lid cover end 52 fits along the partition 118.

The lid cover main body 51 has roughly the same shape as the first fixing part 19. The lid cover main body 51 is provided with a fixing part F3 having a fixing hole into which a screw S1 that fixes the first abutment part TF to the main body 10 is screwed. The fixing part F3 is provided at a position corresponding to the insertion part 121 of the main body 10. When the first lid cover 50 and the first fixing part 19 are fixed with the screw S1, a seal ring R4 is tightly attached to the fixing part F3 and the insertion part 121 to stop water leaking in.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first lid cover 50 has an insertion portion 124 with a through hole formed therethrough through which a screw S4 for fixing the first lid cover 50 to the first fixed cover 42 is inserted. The insertion portion 124 is provided at a position corresponding to the fixing portion F2 of the first fixed cover 42. One of the multiple insertion portions 124 is provided at the lid cover end portion 52. When the first lid cover 50 and the first fixed cover 42 are fixed with the screw S4, a seal ring R1 is in close contact with the fixing portion F2 and the insertion portion 124 to stop water leaking in.

The first lid cover 50 is provided with an insertion portion 142 having an insertion hole through which the cable 122 is inserted. The insertion portion 142 is provided at a position corresponding to the insertion portion 123 of the main body 10. When the first lid cover 50 and the first fixing portion 19 are fixed with the screw S1, a square-shaped seal ring R5 is tightly attached to the insertion portion 142 and the insertion portion 123 to stop water leakage.

As shown in FIG. 8, the outer edge of the first lid cover 50 is provided with a latching portion 132 that latches with a latching portion 133 formed on the outer edge of the first outer cover 30. The latching portion 133 latches with the latching portion 132, thereby holding the first lid cover 50 and the first outer cover 30 in an assembled state.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first packing 53 is in close contact with the outer periphery of the first lid cover 50, the outer periphery of the first fixed cover 42, and the outer periphery of the first outer cover 30. This seals the space between the first outer cover 30 and the first fixed cover 42, and the space between the first fixed cover 42 and the first lid cover 50. The first packing 53 is in the shape of a long, thin ring.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second contact portion TS includes a second outer cover 60 having an outer surface that contacts the skin, a second heating element 64 disposed inside the second outer cover 60, a second fixed cover (fixed member) 65 that holds the second heating element 64 in a position close to the second outer cover 60 and is fixed to the second outer cover 60, a second electrical component 70 provided inside the second fixed cover 65, and a second lid cover 74 that covers the second electrical component 70.

The second electrical component 70 includes a second circuit board 71, a second temperature sensor 72 electrically connected to the second circuit board 71, and a second vibration motor 73 electrically connected to the second circuit board 71.

The second circuit board 71 is equipped with a microcomputer and other components that constitute the control unit. In addition to the second temperature sensor 72 and the second vibration motor 73, the second heating element 64, the plating film of the second outer cover 60, and the substrate 102 are electrically connected to the second circuit board 71. The second circuit board 71 is connected to the substrate 102 via a cable 126 and a connection part 117 that is connected to the terminal part of the cable 126.

As a result, in the second mode, when a part of the human body (hand or finger) is in contact with the touch plate 18 and the second contact portion TS is in contact with another part of the human body (e.g., cheek), a closed circuit is formed via the human body, a potential difference is generated between the touch plate 18 and the second contact portion TS, and the second circuit board 71 is energized. The second circuit board 71 executes an iontophoresis mode in which a current of one polarity is basically passed between the touch plate 18 and the second contact portion TS. In the iontophoresis mode, a predetermined number of pulse currents of one polarity (negative) are supplied each time a predetermined number of pulse currents of the other polarity are supplied. When a part of the human body is separated from the touch plate 18 or another part of the human body is separated from the second contact portion TS, the second circuit board 71 is de-energized.

The second temperature sensor 72 is, for example, a thermistor, and as shown in FIG. 12, penetrates the second fixed cover 65 and is in contact with or close to the second outer cover 60. Based on the input signal from the second temperature sensor 72, the second circuit board 71 controls the second heating element 64 to turn on and off so as to set the temperature of the second contact part TS to a predetermined temperature.

The second vibration motor 73 is driven when the second circuit board 71 is energized, and is stopped when the energization of the second circuit board 71 is stopped.
The second outer cover 60 is cap-shaped, and its outer and inner surfaces are generally parallel to each other, i.e., its thickness is generally constant. The second outer cover 60 is made of metal or resin and has a conductive plating film formed on its entire surface.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the second outer cover 60 has a front portion 62 and a back portion 63 that are generally the same shape. The front portion 62 and the back portion 63 are continuous at one edge extending in the longitudinal direction (the left edge in Fig. 2), and are separated at the other edge. The cross-sectional shape of the second outer cover 60 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction is U-shaped, as shown in Fig. 13.

The surface of the second outer cover 60 where the front portion 62 and the back portion 63 are continuous constitutes the second contact surface 61 that contacts the skin of the user. The second contact surface 61 is gently curved with a smaller curvature than the outer curved portion 33 of the first contact surface 31 so as to follow the curve of the person's cheek. The second contact surface 61 has a bow shape with the middle portion in the vertical direction concave toward the main body portion 10.

The second outer cover 60 has an elongated shape. When the second abutment surface 61 is viewed from the front, the second outer cover 60 has a shape in which the width dimension (short dimension) decreases from one end in the longitudinal direction to the other end, as shown in FIG. 21. The outer surface of the second outer cover 60 is a smooth surface without any irregularities.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 12, a fixing portion F18 protrudes from the inner surface of the second outer cover 60 and has a fixing hole into which a screw S15 that fixes the second fixed cover 65 and the second circuit board 71 together is screwed. The fixing portion F18 is cylindrical and has a fixing hole at its center.

The second outer cover 60 has a protruding fixing portion F11 on its inner surface, in which a screw S13 for fixing the second lid cover 74 is screwed. The fixing portion F11 is cylindrical, with a fixing hole formed in the center. As shown in FIG. 22, the fixing portion F11 is provided at both longitudinal ends of the second outer cover 60.

As shown in FIG. 12, the inner surface of the second outer cover 60 is provided with a sensor fitting portion 235 into which the second temperature sensor 72 fits. The sensor fitting portion 235 is located toward the upper end from the center in the vertical direction of the second outer cover 60. The sensor fitting portion 235 is cylindrical, with a fitting hole 236 at its center. As shown in FIG. 22, most of the inner surface of the second outer cover 60 is a smooth surface without any irregularities, except for the fixing portion F11, the fixing portion F18, and the sensor fitting portion 235.

As shown in FIG. 9, the outer edge of the second outer cover 60 is provided with a locking portion 233 that locks into a locking portion 232 formed on the periphery of the second lid cover 74 to secure the second outer cover to the second lid cover 74. The outer edge of the second outer cover 60 fits over and locks onto the outside of the outer edge of the second lid cover 74.

The second heating element 64 is planar and arranged along the inner surface of the second outer cover 60. The second heating element 64 is a film heater with a heat-retaining sheet. The second heating element 64 is arranged in close contact with the inner surface of the second outer cover 60. A heating element (not shown) that generates heat when electricity is passed through it is wired in the second heating element 64 so that the temperature distribution within the surface can be made uniform. The heating element is provided with lead wires (not shown), which are connected to the second circuit board 71.

The second heating element 64 is elongated so as to follow the inner side of the second contact surface 61, and is curved so as to follow the shape of the inner surface of the second outer cover 60. In other words, the second heating element 64 is curved in an arch shape, and its cross section in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction is U-shaped. The second heating element 64 has a hole 239 through which the sensor fitting portion 235 of the second outer cover 60 passes.

The second fixed cover 65 fits inside the second outer cover 60, sandwiching the second heating element 64 between the second fixed cover 65 and the second outer cover 60. The second fixed cover 65 is cap-shaped like the second outer cover 60, and the surface facing the second heating element 64 and the surface facing the second lid cover 74 are generally parallel, i.e., the thickness dimension is generally constant. The cross-sectional shape of the second fixed cover 65 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction is U-shaped, and the second lid cover 74 side is open. The second fixed cover 65 is made of resin, and a conductive plating film is formed in predetermined areas.

The shape of the surface of the second fixed cover 65 facing the second heating element 64 follows the shape of the inner surface of the second outer cover 60, as shown in FIG. 12. That is, the surface of the second fixed cover 65 facing the second heating element 64 is arch-shaped. The surface of the second fixed cover 65 facing the second heating element 64 is a smooth surface without any irregularities. As a result, both surfaces of the second heating element 64 are in at least partial direct contact with the inner surface of the second outer cover 60 and the surface of the second fixed cover 65 facing the second heating element 64.

The second fixed cover 65 is provided with a sensor holding portion 234 that holds the second temperature sensor 72. The sensor holding portion 234 is provided at a position corresponding to the sensor fitting portion 235 of the second outer cover 60, and has a recessed shape on the side facing the second heating element 64.

As shown in FIG. 9, a fixing portion F12 protrudes from the surface of the second fixed cover 65 facing the second lid cover 74 and has a fixing hole into which a screw S14 for fixing the second lid cover 74 is screwed. The fixing portion F12 is cylindrical and has a fixing hole at its center.

The second fixed cover 65 has an insertion portion 238 with a through hole through which the screw S15 for fixing the second circuit board 71 and the second outer cover 60 is inserted. The second vibration motor 73 is attached to the surface of the second fixed cover 65 on the second lid cover 74 side. When the second fixed cover 65 and the second outer cover 60 are fixed with the screw S15, the seal ring R7 is in close contact with the fixed portion F18 and the insertion portion 238 to seal against water.

As shown in FIG. 12, the second lid cover 74 covers the entire open side of the second fixed cover 65. As shown in FIG. 6, the second lid cover 74 has a plate-shaped lid cover main body 75 that fits along the second fixed portion 21 of the main body 10, and a lid cover end 76 that rises from one end of the lid cover main body 75 in the longitudinal direction. The lid cover end 76 fits along the partition 118.

The lid cover main body 75 has roughly the same shape as the second fixing part 21. The lid cover main body 75 is provided with a fixing part F13 having a fixing hole into which a screw S2 that fixes the second abutment part TS to the main body 10 is screwed. The fixing part F13 is provided at a position corresponding to the insertion part 125 of the main body 10. When the second lid cover 74 and the second fixing part 21 are fixed with the screw S2, a seal ring R2 is tightly attached to the fixing part F13 and the insertion part 125 to stop water leaking in.

The second lid cover 74 is provided with an insertion portion 224 having a through hole formed therethrough through which a screw S13 for fixing the second lid cover 74 to the second outer cover 60 is inserted. The insertion portion 224 is provided at a position corresponding to the fixing portion F11 of the second outer cover 60. One of the multiple insertion portions 224 is provided at the lid cover end portion 76. When the second lid cover 74 and the second outer cover 60 are fixed with the screw S13, a seal ring R8 is tightly attached to the fixing portion F11 and the insertion portion 224 to stop water leaking in.

The second lid cover 74 is provided with an insertion portion 225 having an insertion hole through which a screw S14 for fixing the second lid cover 74 to the second fixed cover 65 is inserted. The insertion portion 225 is provided at a position corresponding to the fixing portion F12 of the second fixed cover 65. When the second lid cover 74 and the second fixed cover 65 are fixed with the screw S14, a seal ring R9 is tightly attached to the fixing portion F12 and the insertion portion 225 to seal against water.

The second lid cover 74 is provided with an insertion portion 242 having an insertion hole through which the cable 126 is inserted. The insertion portion 242 is provided at a position corresponding to the insertion portion 127 of the main body 10. When the second lid cover 74 and the second fixing portion 21 are fixed with the screw S2, a square-shaped seal ring R3 is tightly attached to the insertion portion 242 and the insertion portion 127 to stop water leaking in.

The outer edge of the second lid cover 74 is provided with a latching portion 232 that latches with a latching portion 233 formed on the outer edge of the second outer cover 60. The latching portion 233 latches with the latching portion 232, thereby holding the second lid cover 74 and the second outer cover 60 in an assembled state.

As shown in FIG. 12, the second packing 77 is in close contact with the outer periphery of the second lid cover 74, the outer periphery of the second fixed cover 65, and the outer periphery of the second outer cover 60. This seals the space between the second outer cover 60 and the second fixed cover 65, and the space between the second fixed cover 65 and the second lid cover 74. The second packing 77 is in the shape of a long, thin ring.

The cosmetic device M of this embodiment is manufactured by combining a main body unit constituting the main body portion 10, a first contact unit constituting the first contact portion TF, and a second contact unit constituting the second contact portion TS. The main body unit, the first unit, and the second unit each have an independent waterproof structure. This makes it easy to identify the path of water infiltration if a malfunction occurs due to water infiltration inside the cosmetic device M.

Next, an example of a method of using the cosmetic device M of this embodiment will be described.
A user operates the switch unit 13 to switch to the power-on mode and selects one of the first, second, or third modes. When the power-off mode is switched to the power-on mode, the control unit rapidly increases the temperature of the first contact part TF to 39°C in the first and third modes, and rapidly increases the temperature of the second contact part TS to 39°C in the second mode (preheat mode). 39°C is the same temperature as human body temperature, and can eliminate the coldness felt when the first contact part TF or the second contact part TS is placed against the skin when starting to use the cosmetic device M.

When a user selects the first mode, grasps the main body 10, touches the touch plate 18 with his/her hand, and places the first contact portion TF against the skin, a closed circuit is formed through the human body, and electricity is passed through the first circuit board 46. When electricity is passed through the first circuit board 46, the control unit raises the temperature of the first contact portion TF to 41 degrees (hot mode). In addition, a weak current flows through the first contact portion TF, and the first vibration motor 48 vibrates, allowing the user to sense the current-passing state.

When the user selects the second mode, grasps the main body 10, touches the touch plate 18 with his/her hand, and places the second contact portion TS against the skin, a closed circuit is formed through the human body, and electricity is passed through the second circuit board 71. When electricity is passed through the second circuit board 71, the control unit raises the temperature of the second contact portion TS to 41 degrees (hot mode). In addition, a weak current flows through the second contact portion TS, and the second vibration motor 73 vibrates, allowing the user to sense the current-passing state.

When a user selects the third mode, grasps the main body 10, touches the touch plate 18 with his/her hand, and touches the first contact part TF to the skin, the control unit raises the temperature of the first contact part TF to 41 degrees (hot mode). In the third mode, no weak current flows through the first contact part TF, and the first vibration motor 48 does not vibrate.

The rate of temperature rise in hot mode is set slower than the rate of temperature rise in preheat mode. This reduces stress on the user's skin and prevents the temperature from rising excessively. When the control unit raises the temperature of the first contact part TF or the second contact part TS to 41 degrees in hot mode, it then controls the first contact part TF or the second contact part TS to remain at 41 degrees.

Next, the operation and effects of the embodiment configured as above will be described.
The cosmetic device M of this embodiment comprises a main body 10 held by the user, and a first abutment part TF and a second abutment part TS fixed to the main body 10 and placed against the user's skin, with the first abutment part TF and the second abutment part TS comprising a first outer cover 30 and a second outer cover 60 which are curved and have an outer surface which abuts against the skin, and a first fixed cover 42 and a second fixed cover 65 which are fixed to the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60 with the first heating element 40 and the second heating element 64 positioned near the inner surfaces of the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60.

With this configuration, the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60 can be shaped to easily fit uneven treatment surfaces such as the human face or body, while the first heating element 40 and the second heating element 64 are positioned close to the first fixed cover 42 and the second fixed cover 65, allowing the first contact portion TF and the second contact portion TS that come into contact with the user's skin to be quickly heated.

The first heating element 40 and the second heating element 64 are planar. With this configuration, the first contact portion TF and the second contact portion TS can be made compact, and the heat of the first heating element 40 and the second heating element 64 is efficiently transferred to the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60, so the first contact portion TF and the second contact portion TS can be heated more quickly.

The shapes of the first heating element 40 and the second heating element 64 are aligned with the shapes of the inner surfaces of the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60. With this configuration, it is easy to make the distance between the inner surfaces of the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60 and the first heating element 40 and the second heating element 64 uniform in the planar direction, so the temperature distribution of the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60 can be made uniform.

The shapes of the surfaces of the first fixed cover 42 and the second fixed cover 65 facing the first heating element 40 and the second heating element 64 are aligned with the shapes of the inner surfaces of the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60. With this configuration, the distance between the inner surfaces of the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60 and the first heating element 40 and the second heating element 64 can be kept uniform in the surface direction, so that the temperature distribution of the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60 can be kept uniform.

The first temperature sensor 47 and the second temperature sensor 72 are attached to the first fixed cover 42 and the second fixed cover 65. With this configuration, the first temperature sensor 47 and the second temperature sensor 72 can be easily positioned close to the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60, so that the temperatures of the first outer cover 30 and the second outer cover 60 can be accurately sensed.

<Other Examples>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and the following embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, the first heating element 40 and the second heating element 64 are planar. However, the first heating element and the second heating element do not have to be planar.
(2) In the above embodiment, the surface of the first fixed cover 42 facing the first heating element 40 is entirely close to or in close contact with the first heating element 40, and the surface of the second fixed cover 65 facing the second heating element 64 is entirely close to or in close contact with the second heating element 64. However, this is not limited to the above, and for example, a configuration may be used in which a plurality of protrusions are provided on the surface of the first fixed cover facing the first heating element or the surface of the second fixed cover facing the second heating element, and the first heating element or the second heating element is supported by the plurality of protrusions so as to be in close contact with the first outer cover or the second outer cover.
(3) In the above embodiments, the fixing member is the first fixing cover 42 or the second fixing cover 65, but this is not limited to the above. The fixing member may be an adhesive disposed between the first outer cover and the first heating element, or between the second outer cover and the second heating element, or an adhesive tape or the like attached to the side of the first heating element opposite the first outer cover, or the side of the second heating element opposite the second outer cover.
(4) In the above embodiment, the cosmetic device M has two contact portions. However, this is not limited thereto. The cosmetic device M may have only one contact portion, or three or more contact portions.
(5) In the above embodiment, the first abutment portion TF and the second abutment portion TS are provided with the first lid cover 50 and the second lid cover 74, but this is not limited thereto. The first abutment portion and the second abutment portion may not be provided with the first lid cover and the second lid cover, and the first fixed cover and the second fixed cover may be fixed to the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion of the main body portion.
(6) In the above embodiment, at least a portion of the first heating element 40 and the second heating element 64 are in direct contact with the inner surface of the first outer cover 30 and the inner surface of the second outer cover 60, respectively. However, this is not limited to the above. The first heating element and the inner surface of the first outer cover, and the second heating element and the inner surface of the second outer cover may be entirely separated as long as there is only a small gap. Furthermore, a sheet-like member having a thermal conductivity greater than that of air, for example, may be interposed between the first heating element and the inner surface of the first outer cover, and the second heating element and the inner surface of the second outer cover.
(7) In the above embodiment, when the human body simultaneously comes into contact with the touch plate 18 and the first contact portion TF, a potential difference occurs between the touch plate 18 and the first contact portion TF, causing a current to flow, and when the human body simultaneously comes into contact with the touch plate 18 and the second contact portion TS, a potential difference occurs between the touch plate 18 and the second contact portion TS, causing a current to flow, but the present invention is not limited to this. A potential difference may occur between the first contact portion and the second contact portion when the human body simultaneously comes into contact with the first contact portion and the second contact portion, causing a current to flow. Also, for example, a potential difference may occur between the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the first contact portion when the human body simultaneously comes into contact with the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the first contact portion, causing a current to flow.
(8) In the above embodiment, the cosmetic device M is manufactured by assembling the first contact portion TF and the second contact portion TS to the main body portion 10, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a part of the first contact portion and the second contact portion may also serve as a part of the main body portion. Specifically, for example, the fixing member may also serve as a part of the inner case or the outer cover of the main body portion. That is, the first fixing cover 42 and the second fixing cover 65 of the above embodiment may also serve as the peripheral wall portion 17 of the inner case 14. In such a case, the members corresponding to the first packing 53, the second packing 77, the first lid cover 50, and the second lid cover 74 of the above embodiment can be eliminated. Furthermore, when the fixing member also serves as a part of the inner case of the main body portion, the heating element may be disposed on either the inside or the outside of the inner case. That is, a fixing member may be interposed between the inner surface of the first outer cover and the heating element, or between the inner surface of the second outer cover and the heating element.

M: beauty device TF: first contact portion TS: second contact portion 10: main body portion 30: first outer cover 40: first heating element 42: first fixed cover (fixing member)
47: First temperature sensor 60: Second outer cover 64: Second heating element 65: Second fixed cover (fixing member)
72...Second temperature sensor

Claims (2)

A cosmetic device comprising a plurality of contact parts to be placed against the skin of a user and a main body to be held by the user, the main body being held by the user in a hand and used by the user by placing one or more selected contact parts from the plurality of contact parts against a treatment surface;
Each of the plurality of contact portions includes an outer cover having a curved surface that contacts the skin, a heating element that is planar and conforms to the shape of the inner surface of the outer cover and is arranged so that the heating element is in contact with the inner surface of the outer cover over substantially the entire surface , and a fixing member that is fixed to the outer cover by sandwiching the heating element between the outer cover and the heating element.
having
The plurality of contact portions have different shapes, and the beauty device is equipped with a control unit that controls the heating elements, and the heating elements are each controlled independently. The cosmetic device according to claim 1 , wherein the shape of the surface of the fixing member facing the heating element conforms to the shape of the inner surface of the outer cover.

Images