Patent Application
20200237085
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In an embodiment, a skincare device includes a brush head configured to contact a face of a user. The brush head includes: a plurality of bristles configured to oscillate about a center point; and a thermal element configured to heat or cool skin of the user.
In one aspect, the thermal element includes: a thermal element vessel; and a thermal element filler inside the thermal element vessel. In one aspect, the thermal element filler includes granular material. In another aspect, the thermal element vessel includes a textile material.
In one aspect, the thermal element includes a phase-change material. In another aspect, the phase-change material is a wax material. In one aspect, the phase-change material is a first phase-change material configured to change its phase at a first temperature that is lower than a skin temperature, and the thermal element also includes a second phase-change material configured to change its phase at a second temperature that is higher than the skin temperature. In one aspect, the thermal element comprises a Peltier element configured to lower a temperature of the thermal element.
In one aspect, the skincare device also includes a handle configured to mate with the brush head, where the handle has: a motor; a battery configured to provide electrical current to the motor; and a shaft mechanically connected with the brush head. The shaft is configured to impart an oscillatory motion onto the plurality of bristles.
In one aspect, the thermal element includes a receiver coil and the handle includes a transmitter coil, and the receiver coil is configured to generate heat when electromagnetically coupled with the transmitter coil.
In one aspect, the skincare device includes a charging base configured to thermally charge the thermal element. In one aspect, the charging base is further configured to electrically charge a battery of the device.
In one aspect, the thermal element at least partially surrounds the plurality of bristles. In one aspect, the end effector is face brush.
In an embodiment, a skincare device includes a brush head configured to contact a face of a user. The brush head includes: a plurality of bristles configured to oscillate about a center point, and a thermal element configured to heat or cool skin of the user. The skincare device also includes a handle configured to mate with the brush head, where the handle has: a motor, a battery configured to provide electrical current to the motor, and a shaft mechanically connected with the brush head.
In one aspect, the thermal element includes granular material. In one aspect, the thermal element vessel includes a phase-change material. In another aspect, the phase-change material is a first phase-change material configured to change its phase at a first temperature that is lower than a skin temperature, the thermal element further having a second phase-change material configured to change its phase at a second temperature that is higher than the skin temperature. In one aspect, the thermal element includes a Peltier element configured to lower a temperature of the thermal element. In another aspect, the thermal element includes a receiver coil and the handle includes a transmitter coil, and the receiver coil is configured to generate heat when electromagnetically coupled with the transmitter coil.
The foregoing aspects and the attendant advantages of the inventive technology will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following disclosure describes various embodiments of systems and associated methods for measuring and indicating brush head life. A person skilled in the relevant art will also understand that the technology may have additional embodiments, and that the technology may be practiced without several of the details of the embodiments described below with reference to
Briefly described, skincare brushes with heating and cooling capabilities are described herein. In some embodiments, the device includes an oscillating end effector (e.g., a face brush) and one or more thermal elements. In operation, the end effector oscillates to impart motion onto skin of a user, while the thermal element contacts skin of the user. In some embodiments, the thermal element is stationary with respect to skin, that is, the face brush oscillates and the thermal element does not oscillate. Without being bound to theory, it is believed that heating or cooling skin of a user in conjunction with imparting motion onto skin may have therapeutic or soothing effects on the user. In different embodiments, the thermal element is peripheral to the face brush, or is surrounded by the face brush. In some embodiments, the thermal element includes a filler material (e.g., a granular material) inside a thermal element vessel or holder (e.g., a textile material). In different embodiments, the face brush may have different number and/or location of thermal elements.
Thermal elements may be brought to their set temperature by electrical heaters, Peltier elements, inductive heaters, contact heating/cooling through the base of the device, air heating/cooling through the base of the device, etc. The thermal element may be preheated or precooled to a set temperature that is either below or above skin temperature, depending on a desired effect on the user. In some embodiments, the thermal element includes phase-change materials that undergo solid/liquid phase-change at a temperature that is below or above the skin temperature. Generally, the phase-change materials have relatively high thermal capacity, thus being capable of operating for relatively long periods of time without thermal recharging.
Illustrated skincare device 1000 includes a handle 200. In different embodiments, the handle 200 carries an energy source (e.g., batteries), a motor for imparting motion on the brush head 100, a controller for regulating operation of the device, and/or other elements of the skincare device.
In operation, a shaft 320 oscillates the bristles 110 against skin of the user, while the thermal element 120 remains generally static with respect to skin. The shaft 320 may extend through an opening 130 in the brush head 100. The shaft 320 may be actuated by a motor (not shown) carried by the handle 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the oscillation of the shaft 320 oscillates the face brush 110, while the thermal element 120 remains in a relatively fixed position in contact with skin of the user.
In some embodiments, the thermal element 120 is heated or cooled by one or more thermal sources or sinks 126. Some non-exclusive examples of such thermal sources/sinks are electrical heaters and Peltier cooling elements. In other embodiments, the thermal element 120 may be heated through infrared read heating from a source of infrared radiation 126. This “thermal charging” of the thermal element 120 may take place while the brush head operates or when the brush head is at rest. The thermal sources/sinks 126 may be powered by electrical current 127 from one or more batteries 128 or from a line source of power.
In some embodiments, the skincare device 1000 may include one or more temperature sensors 341 configured to sense temperature of the thermal element 120. Some examples of such temperature sensors 341 are thermocouples, thermistors, infrared sensors, etc. In operation, a controller 340 may start, end or time a skin treatment based on input from the temperature sensor 341. For example, when temperature of the thermal element 120 falls below a predetermined threshold, a signal may be sent to user to thermally recharge the skincare device before continuing the treatment. In some embodiments, the controller 340 also controls actuation of the motor 310.
Many embodiments of the technology described above may take the form of computer- or controller-executable instructions, including routines executed by a programmable computer or controller. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the technology can be practiced on computer/controller systems other than those shown and described above. The technology can be embodied in a special-purpose computer, controller or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured or constructed to perform one or more of the computer-executable instructions described above. Accordingly, the terms “computer” and “controller” as generally used herein refer to any data processor and can include Internet appliances and hand-held devices (including palm-top computers, wearable computers, cellular or mobile phones, multi-processor systems, processor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network computers, mini computers and the like).
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the disclosure. For example, in some embodiments the counter or controller may be based on a low-power buck regulator connected to a capacitor. Moreover, while various advantages and features associated with certain embodiments have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages and/or features, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages and/or features to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.
The present application may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application.
Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “about,” “approximately,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value.
The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure, which are intended to be protected, are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed.
