U.S. patent application number 13/819497 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-27 for head care system and hair washing apparatus using the system.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Soichiro Fujioka, Osamu Mizuno, Tohru Nakamura. Invention is credited to Soichiro Fujioka, Osamu Mizuno, Tohru Nakamura.
Application Number | 20130160198 13/819497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47356778 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130160198 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mizuno; Osamu ; et
al. |
June 27, 2013 |
HEAD CARE SYSTEM AND HAIR WASHING APPARATUS USING THE SYSTEM
Abstract
A head care system (hair washing apparatus 100) according to the
present invention includes a base (bowl 101) having a head support
11 for supporting a head 10 of a human. The system includes a pair
of arm units (washing unit 12) for taking care of the head 10. Each
of the arm units has a support shaft mounted to the base. The arm
units are arranged such that the head support 11 is located between
the pair of arm units. The system includes a pair of shaft driving
members for driving the arm units in such a manner that each of the
arm units rotates about the corresponding support shaft. The system
includes a controller 400 for controlling driving operations of the
shaft driving members. Each of the arm units includes a contact arm
(third arm 107L, 108L, 107R, 108R) having a plurality of contacts
equipped on tips of the contact arm, a secondary arm (second arm
106L, 106R) for rotatably supporting the contact arm, and a main
arm (first arm 105L, 105R) which rotatably supports the secondary
arm and is rotatably supported by the base. The main arm has a
four-link mechanism.
Inventors: |
Mizuno; Osamu; (Osaka,
JP) ; Fujioka; Soichiro; (Osaka, JP) ;
Nakamura; Tohru; (Osaka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mizuno; Osamu
Fujioka; Soichiro
Nakamura; Tohru |
Osaka
Osaka
Osaka |
|
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
PANASONIC CORPORATION
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
47356778 |
Appl. No.: |
13/819497 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
June 11, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2012/003782 |
371 Date: |
February 27, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/517 ;
4/519 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2201/1215 20130101;
A61H 2201/1692 20130101; A61H 2201/1607 20130101; A61H 2201/5007
20130101; A61H 15/0078 20130101; A61H 2201/0192 20130101; A61H
35/008 20130101; A61H 2201/1676 20130101; A45D 19/14 20130101; A61H
7/004 20130101; A61H 2201/1669 20130101; A61H 2201/1671 20130101;
A61H 2201/1463 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/517 ;
4/519 |
International
Class: |
A45D 19/08 20060101
A45D019/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 14, 2011 |
JP |
2011-131945 |
Claims
1. A head care system comprising: a base having a head support for
supporting a head of a human; a pair of arm units for taking care
of the head, each of said arm units having a support shaft mounted
to said base, and said pair of arm units being arranged in such a
manner that said head support is located between said pair of arm
units; a pair of shaft driving members for driving said arm units
in such a manner that each of said arm units rotates about an axis
of the corresponding support shaft; and a controller for
controlling driving operations of said shaft driving members,
wherein each of said arm units comprises a contact arm having a
plurality of contacts equipped on tips of said contact arm, a
secondary arm for rotatably supporting said contact arm, and a main
arm which rotatably supports said secondary arm and is rotatably
supported by said base, said main arm having a four-link
mechanism.
2. The head care system according to claim 1, wherein said contact
arm has at least two bifurcated arms rotatably supported by said
contact arm, each of said bifurcated arms being configured in a
form of V-shape and equipped with said contacts on tips of said
bifurcated arm.
3. The head care system according to claim 2, a central axis of a
rotational shaft through which said contact arm is supported by
said secondary arm intersects with central axes of respective
rotational shafts through which said bifurcated arms are supported
by said contact arm.
4. The head care system according to claim 1, wherein said main arm
has a parallel four-link mechanism as said four-link mechanism.
5. The head care system according to claim 1, wherein said main arm
comprises two four-link mechanisms which have the same shape to
each other and are arranged in parallel to each other, and a link
member which couples said two four-link mechanisms with each other,
said link member supporting said secondary arm at a position
between said two four-link mechanisms.
6. The head care system according to claim 1, further comprising a
first elastic member for regulating a positional relation between
said secondary arm and said main arm, said first elastic member
coupling said secondary arm with said main arm.
7. The head care system according to claim 1, further comprising a
second elastic member for regulating a positional relation between
said contact arm and said secondary arm, said second elastic member
coupling said contact arm with said secondary arm.
8. The head care system according to claim 1, further comprising a
rotation shaft driving member for rotating said main arm so that
said main arm moves toward or away from said head support, wherein
said controller controls an driving operation of said rotation
shaft driving member, and wherein said controller makes said
secondary arm and said contact arm move toward said head support by
making said main arm move toward said head support so that said
contacts take care of the head of the human.
9. An hair washing apparatus comprising a head care system
according to claim 1, wherein said arm unit for taking care of the
head of the human is a washing unit for washing the head.
10. The hair washing apparatus according to claim 9, further
comprising: a water supply for supplying said washing unit with
water or hot water; a washing liquid supply for supplying said
washing unit with a washing liquid; and a conditioner supply for
supplying said washing unit with a conditioner.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a head care system for
automatically taking care of the head of a human and a hair washing
apparatus using the system, both of which may be utilized in the
medical field, the beauty field and so on.
[0002] BACKGROUND ART
[0003] A washing treatment for the head of a human is exemplary one
of cares for the head of the human. In regard to the beauty field
in which hairdressing, haircut or the like is performed, the
washing treatment for the head having hair which requires manual
labor, has been expected to be automated. Meanwhile, in regard to
the medical field also, the washing treatment for the head having
hair of a patient or the like accommodated in a hospital which
requires manual labor, has been expected to be automated.
[0004] There has been conventionally known an automatic head
washing apparatus as disclosed in JP 2001-149133 A or the like,
which automatically washes the head of a human. FIG. 8 is a view
showing a schematic structure of a main portion of a conventional
automatic head washing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, the
conventional automatic head washing apparatus is equipped with a
washing unit 1 of nozzle type having a plurality of comb-shaped
projections 2 arranged at regular intervals on an arc-like inner
periphery of the washing unit 1. Each of the comb-shaped
projections 2 is equipped with a nozzle 2a for washing the scalp of
the human, the nozzle 2a being disposed on the tip of the
projection 2. On the other hand, a nozzle 1a for washing the hair
of the head is equipped between respective two adjacent comb-shaped
projections 2. The nozzles 1a and the nozzles 2a are connected to a
liquid switching member 3 through some liquid supply channels (not
shown), the liquid switching member 3 being adapted to switch the
liquid to be ejected. The liquid supply channels are equipped in
the washing unit 1 in such a manner that they separately supply the
nozzles 1a and to the nozzles 2a with the liquid. Thus, a washing
agent or a washing liquid is ejected through the nozzles 1a and
nozzles 2a toward the scalp and hair of the head of the human so as
to wash the head.
[0005] The washing unit 1 is adapted to be driven by a
reciprocating drive unit 4 through a rack 4a and a pinion 4b, and
to be moved in the direction indicated by an arrow 4c. By virtue of
this structure, the washing unit 1 can wash the scalp and hair of
the head over an increased area of the head. The washing unit 1,
the liquid switching member 3 and the reciprocating drive unit 4
are supported by a washing unit support 5. In order to wash the
scalp and hair of the whole head of the human, the washing unit
support 5 is adapted to be driven by a rotary drive unit 6 through
some gears 8 and so on and to be rotated about the central axis of
a shaft 7. In regard to the automatic head washing apparatus having
the above-mentioned structure, the liquid switching member 3, the
reciprocating drive unit 4 and the rotary drive unit 6 are
controlled in conjunction with one another so that the operation
for washing the head is performed. In consequence, the scalp and
hair of the whole head of the human can be automatically washed so
that manual labor may be omitted.
[0006] On the other hand, JP 2011-172631 A discloses an apparatus
for taking care of the scalp of a human (although it does not wash
the head of the human), which applies a stimulus to the scalp of
the human by rotating some protrusions, and stops the rotation of
the protrusions when information indicating an overload for the
scalp is detected.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0007] In regard to the conventional automatic head washing
apparatus described above, the whole head of the human may be
washed by the nozzles (Nozzles 1a and 2a) fixed to the single
washing unit (washing unit 1). However, if the shape of the washing
unit does not fit with the shape of the head of the human, the
contacting situation between the washing unit and the head of the
human becomes non-uniform. As a result, in regard to the
conventional automatic head washing apparatus, there is such a
problem that it is impossible to sufficiently wash the scalp or
hair of the head of the human so that a sufficient washing effect
cannot be achieved.
[0008] The present invention which has been made to solve the
above-mentioned problem, has an object to provide a head care
system which can effectively and surely take care of the head of a
human in dependence upon the shape of the head of the human
regardless of differences among the shapes of the heads of humans,
and further to provide a hair washing apparatus using the head care
system.
Means for solving the Problems
[0009] A head care system according to the present invention which
has been made to achieve the above-mentioned object, is
characterized as follows. The system includes a base having a head
support for supporting the head of a human, a pair of arm units for
taking care of the head, a pair of shaft driving members for
driving the arm units, and a controller for controlling driving
operations of the shaft driving members. Each of the arm units has
a support shaft mounted to the base. The pair of arm units are
arranged in such a manner that the head support is located between
the pair of arm units. The shaft driving members drive the arm
units in such a manner that each of the arm units rotates about the
central axis of the corresponding support shaft. Each of the arm
units includes a contact arm having a plurality of contacts
equipped on tips of the contact arm, a secondary arm for rotatably
supporting the contact arm, and a main arm which rotatably supports
the secondary arm and is rotatably supported by the base. The main
arm has a four-link mechanism.
[0010] Meanwhile, a hair washing apparatus according to the present
invention which has been made to achieve the above-mentioned
object, is characterized in that it includes a head care system
according to the present invention, wherein the arm unit for taking
care of the head of the human is a washing unit for washing the
head.
Advantages of the Invention
[0011] In each of a head care system and a hair washing apparatus
including the system according to the present invention, it is
achieved such an advantage that it is possible to efficiently and
surely take care of the head of a human in dependence upon the
shape of the head regardless of differences among the shapes of the
heads.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the
structure of a hair washing apparatus according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the structure of a first
main portion of a driving mechanism of the hair washing apparatus
according to the embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second main portion
of the driving mechanism of the hair washing apparatus according to
the embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the second main portion of the
driving mechanism of the hair washing apparatus according to the
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a third main portion of
the driving mechanism of the hair washing apparatus according to
the embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the action of the second main
portion of the driving mechanism of the hair washing apparatus
according to the embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the action of a hair washing
apparatus which is equipped with a first arm having a single-link
mechanism instead of a first arm having a four-link mechanism.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the structure of a main
portion of a conventional automatic head washing apparatus.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0020] An embodiment according to the present invention will be
described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In regard to the drawings, like structural elements are denoted by
like reference numerals in order to avoid duplicate descriptions.
Meanwhile, some of the drawings schematically illustrate the
structural elements relevant thereto in order to facilitate
understanding of the drawing.
[0021] As an embodiment of the present invention, it will be
described a hair washing apparatus for automatically washing the
head of a human, which is an example of a head care system for
automatically taking care of the head of the human. In regard to
the present invention, the term "take care of the head of a human"
means to perform at least one of "washing of the scalp of the
human", "washing of the hair of the head of the human" and "head
massage for the human".
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view which schematically shows the
structure of a hair washing apparatus according to an embodiment of
the present invention as a perspective view. FIG. 2 is a schematic
view which shows the structure of a first main portion of a driving
mechanism of the hair washing apparatus according to the
embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view which shows a second main
portion of the driving mechanism of the hair washing apparatus
according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view which shows the
second main portion of the driving mechanism of the hair washing
apparatus according to the embodiment. An X-axis, a Y-axis and a
Z-axis are described in each of FIGS. 2-4, and where the Z-axis
indicates the vertical direction while each of the X-axis and the
Y-axis (perpendicular to the X-axis) indicates a direction
perpendicular to the Z-axis.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, a hair washing apparatus 100 according
to the embodiment of the present invention has a bowl 101. The bowl
101 which is an example of the base, has a head support 11 for
supporting the head 10 of a human, and is adapted to surround
approximately half of the outer surface of the head 10 at the back
side of the head 10. Two support columns 102L and 102R are equipped
in a housing 101a which is one structural element of the bowl 101.
The support columns 102L and 102R are disposed so as to stand at
the left and right sides of the head support 11 in the bowl 101,
respectively.
[0024] The hair washing apparatus 100 has a pair of (two) washing
units 12 for washing the head 10 supported by the bowl 101. The two
washing units 12 are composed of a left washing unit 12L and a
right washing unit 12R, both of which are arranged in such a manner
that the head support 11 is located between the two washing units
12L and 12R in the bowl 101. The left washing unit 12L is an
example of the first washing unit while the right washing unit 12R
is an example of the second washing unit. Because the present
embodiment refers to the hair washing apparatus 100, the apparatus
100 is equipped with the washing units 12 which are configured as
arc-like units. However, each of the washing units 12 is merely an
example of the arm unit for taking care of the head of the human in
the head care system.
[0025] The left washing unit 12L which has a support shaft 104L
coupled to the support column 102L, is adapted to rotate about the
central axis of the support shaft 104L. Similarly, the right
washing unit 12R which has a support shaft 104R coupled to the
support column 102R, is adapted to rotate about the central axis of
the support shaft 104R. The hair washing apparatus 100 has two
motors 201L and 201R as examples of the shaft driving members which
drive the washing units 12L and 12R respectively so that the
washing units 12L and 12R are rotated about the central axes of the
support shafts 104L and 104R, respectively (see FIG. 2).
[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the left washing unit 12L includes
several arms 105L, 106L, 107L and 108L each of which has a
predetermined shape such as approximately circular arc, and a pipe
111L which has a predetermined shape such as approximately circular
arc. The arms 105L, 106L, 107L and 108L and the pipe 111L are
arranged so as to face the head support 11.
[0027] The pipe 111L of the left washing unit 12L has a plurality
of nozzles 110 for ejecting at least one of water, hot water, a
washing liquid or washing agent and a conditioner. The nozzles 110
are equipped on the surface of the pipe 111L, the surface facing
the head support 11. The pipe 111L is mounted to an arm base 103L
fixed to the support shaft 104L. The pipe 111L is adapted to rotate
together with the arm base 103L about the central axis of the
support shaft 104L.
[0028] The hair washing apparatus 100 is equipped with a water
valve 216, a washing liquid valve 217 and a conditioner valve 218
as shown in FIG. 2. The respective outlet ports of the water valve
216, the washing liquid valve 217 and the conditioner valve 218,
which are arranged in parallel to one another, are connected to the
pipes 111L and 111R through pipe lines 219.
[0029] The inlet port of the water valve 216 is connected to a
water supply (not shown), and is adapted to be supplied with water
or hot water from the water supply. The inlet port of the washing
liquid valve 217 is connected to a mixer 220 for mixing compressed
air with the washing liquid, and is adapted to be supplied with the
washing liquid in the form of mousse from the mixer 220. The mixer
220 produces the washing liquid in the form of mousse by mixing
compressed air with the washing liquid such as shampoo supplied
from a washing liquid supply 222. The inlet port of the conditioner
valve 218 is connected to a conditioner supply 221, and is adapted
to be supplied with conditioner (for example, rinse) from the
conditioner supply 221.
[0030] In regard to the hair washing apparatus 100, it is possible
to eject water, hot water, the washing liquid in the form of mousse
or the conditioner through the nozzles 110 equipped on the pipes
111L and 111R by suitably controlling the water valve 216, the
washing liquid valve 217 and the conditioner valve 218.
[0031] Thus, the water supply and the water valve 216 compose a
water supply device for supplying the washing units 12L and 12R
with water or hot water. The washing liquid supply 222, the mixer
220 and the washing liquid valve 217 compose a washing liquid
supply device for supplying the washing units 12L and 12R with the
washing liquid. The conditioner supply 221 and the conditioner
valve 218 compose a conditioner supply device for supplying the
washing units 12L and 12R with the conditioner.
[0032] The first arm 105L as an example of the main arm is
rotatably mounted to the arm base 103L through an arm rotation
shaft 209L, and is adapted to rotate together with the arm base
103L about the central axis of the support shaft 104L. That is, the
first arm 105L is rotatably supported by the bowl 101 through the
support column 102L.
[0033] The second arm 106L as an example of the secondary arm is
rotatably supported by the first arm 105L through a support shaft
212L. As shown in FIG. 3, the second arm 106L is supported by the
support shaft 212L of the first arm 105L. An elastic member 212La
such as a spring as an example of the first elastic member is
equipped between the first arm 105L and the second arm 106L in such
a manner that the second arm 106L is held at a predetermined
position with respect to the first arm 105L. That is, the elastic
member 212La as the first elastic member which is disposed between
the first arm 105L and the second arm 106L, regulates the
positional relation between the first arm 105L and the second arm
106L. The elastic member 212L such a spring is coupled to the
second arm 106L as well as the support shaft 212L of the first arm
105L. Alternatively, instead of the first elastic member 212La, it
is possible to use another means for making the first arm 105L
support the second arm 106L in such a manner to enable their
self-aligning.
[0034] The first arm 105L includes two four-link mechanisms 231L
and the support shaft 212L. The two four-link mechanisms 231L each
of which has the same shape, are disposed in parallel to each
other. In other words, it may be considered that the first arm 105L
has one parallel four-link mechanism. The support shaft 212L acts
as a link member for coupling the two four-link mechanisms 231L
with each other. Each of the four-link mechanisms 231L includes a
drive link member 105La, a driven link member 105Lb and an
intermediate link member 105Lc. The drive link member 105La which
is fixedly mounted to the arm rotation shaft 209L, has an
approximately circular arc shape. The driven link member 105Lb
which has a shape identical to that of the drive link member 105La,
is rotatably mounted to a support shaft 215L equipped in the arm
base 103L. The intermediate link member 105Lc to which the support
shaft 212L is fixedly mounted, is rotatably coupled to the drive
link member 105La through the support shaft 212L and further is
rotatably coupled to the driven link member 105Lb through a support
shaft 216L.
[0035] In each of the four-link mechanisms 231L, each of the drive
link member 105La and the driven link member 105Lb has the same
shape while the drive link member 105La and the driven link member
105Lb are coupled in parallel with each other through the
intermediate link member 105Lc and the arm base 103L. In other
words, each of the four-link mechanisms 231L according to the
present embodiment falls under a parallel four-link device. The
second arm 106L is supported by the support shaft 212L, at a
position between the two four-link mechanisms 231L of the first arm
105L. The hair washing apparatus 100 according to the present
embodiment is characterized in that it includes the first arms
having the parallel four-link devices as described above. It will
be described later an advantage of such a structure that the first
arms are partly composed of the four-link devices.
[0036] Two third arms 107L and 108L as examples of the contact arms
are rotatably supported by the second arm 106L. The third arm 107L
is formed of approximately V-shaped fashion. Thus, one end portion
of the second arm 106L rotatably supports the third arm 107L
through a support shaft 213L while the other end portion of the
second arm 106L rotatably supports the third arm 108L through a
support shaft 214L. The two third arms 107L and 108L are supported
in such a manner that they are located at approximately symmetrical
positions to each other with respect to the support arm 212L.
[0037] Two elastic members (not shown) such as springs as examples
of the second elastic members are equipped between the second arm
106L and each of the two third arms 107L and 108L, respectively. As
is the case in the first elastic member 212La which is coupled to
the first arm 105L and the second arm 106L, one of the two second
elastic members is coupled to the second arm 106L and the third arm
107L while the other is coupled to the second arm 106L and the
third arm 108L. That is, the two second elastic members regulate
the positional relations between the second arm 106L and each of
the third arms 107L and 108L. By virtue of the second elastic
members such as springs, the third arms 107L and 108L can be held
at predetermined positions with respect to the second arm 106L,
respectively. Alternatively, instead of using the second elastic
members, it is possible to use another means for making the second
arm 106L support the third arms 107L and 108 L in such a manner to
enable their self-aligning.
[0038] Each of the third arms 107L and 108L is equipped with a
plurality of contacts 109 mounted thereto, the contacts 109 being
able to come into contact with the head 10 supported by the head
support 11. In concrete terms, some of the contacts 109 are mounted
to the third arm 107L in such a manner that the third arm 107L
supports two bifurcated arms 310L each of which is formed of
V-shaped fashion and is equipped with two contacts 109 at two tips
thereof, respectively. On the other hand, the other contacts 109
are mounted to the third arm 108L in such a manner that the third
arm 108L supports two bifurcated arms 310L each of which is formed
of V-shaped fashion and is equipped with two contacts 109 at two
tip ends thereof, respectively.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows the bifurcated arm 310L as the third main
portion of the driving mechanism of the hair washing apparatus 100
according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the
bifurcated arm 310L has a pair of branches 310La and a connector
310Lb. The two branches 310La each of which is equipped with a
contact 109 at the tip thereof, are arranged in a symmetrical
fashion with respect to a central axis C1. The connector 310Lb
connects the two branches 310La to each other at the apex of the
two branches 310La configured in the form of V-shaped fashion.
[0040] The bifurcated arm 310L is adapted to include an elastic
member which is located in all or a part of the region from the
contact 109 to the apex of the branches 310La configured in the
form of V-shaped fashion. In regard to the bifurcated arm 310L
shown in FIG. 5, each of the branches 310La is formed as a leaf
spring. By virtue of this structure, if the bifurcated arm 310L is
moved toward the head 10 and moved away from the head 10 in such a
condition that the two contacts 109 are contacting with the head
10, the two contacts 109 are moved as indicated by two arrows
310Lc.
[0041] Because the contacts 109 are pressed to the head 10 in the
direction toward the center of the head 10 due to the elastic force
of the branches 310La formed as leaf springs, the contacts 109 are
accurately located at desired positions in dependence upon the
shape of the surface of the head 10. In consequence, by means of
the contacts 109 of the hair washing apparatus 100 according to the
present embodiment, it is possible to uniformly and efficiently
take care of the whole head 10 regardless of differences among the
shapes or sizes of the heads of humans. The contacts 109 are made
of a flexible rubber or gum material.
[0042] In regard to the bifurcated arm 310L configured as described
above, the connector 310Lb supported by the third arm 107L is
rotatable about the central axis C1 as indicated by an arrow 310Ld
so that the contacts 109 mounted to the bifurcated arm 310L can
swing. In regard to the hair washing apparatus 100 according to the
present embodiment, when each of the bifurcated arms 310L is
rotated about the central axis C1 in such a condition that the
contacts 109 are contacting with the head 10, the contacts 109
pinch or pull the scalp and hair of the head 10. Thus, in regard to
the hair washing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment,
it is possible to take care of the head 10 by pinching or pulling
the scalp and hair of the head 10 by means of the contacts 109. The
hair washing apparatus 100 has a contact driver 401 such as a motor
for driving the bifurcated arm 310L. Thus, the bifurcated arm 310L
is rotated about the central axis C1 by the contact driver 401 so
that the contacts 109 are swung.
[0043] In addition, the bifurcated arm 310L can be rotated about a
central axis C2 as indicated by an arrow 310Le by means of the
connector 310Lb supported by the third arm 107L. The central axis
C2 is an axis of the inner angle formed by the two branches 310La
configured in the form of V-shaped fashion, which passes through
the apex of the inner angle. In regard to the hair washing
apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the central axis
C2 intersects with a central axis C3 of the support shaft 213L at
an approximately right angle. The central axis C3 of the support
shaft 213L is a rotation axis of the third arm 107L which is
rotatably supported by the second arm 106L while the central axis
C2 is a rotation axis of the bifurcated arms 310L which are
rotatably supported by the third arm 107L.
[0044] The third arm 108L is configured in the same manner as that
of the third arm 107L. The contacts 109 equipped on the bifurcated
arms 310L each of which is supported by the third arm 107L or 108L,
are arranged in a form of approximately circular arc in dependence
upon the shape of the head 10, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, in regard to the hair washing apparatus
100 according to the present embodiment, the first arm 105L, the
second arm 106L and the third arms 107L and 108L are housed within
an arm housing 115L. Meanwhile, the contacts 109 equipped on the
third arms 107L and 108L are disposed at the outer side of the arm
housing 115L.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the motor 201L is disposed in the
support column 102L of the hair washing apparatus 100. The torque
outputted from the motor 201L is transferred to the support shaft
104L through a gear 203L mounted to an output rotation shaft 202L
of the motor 201L and a gear 204L mounted to the support shaft
104L. The arm base 103L mounted to the support shaft 104L is driven
by the torque transferred from the motor 201L so that the arm base
103L is rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow 205L. The
driving operation of the motor 201L is controlled by a controller
400.
[0047] A motor 206L is equipped in the arm base 103L. The torque
outputted from the motor 206L is transferred to the first arm 105L
through a gear 207L mounted to an output rotation shaft 207La of
the motor 206L, and another gear (not shown) which engages with the
gear 207L and is mounted to the arm rotation shaft 209L of the
first arm 105L. The first arm 105L is driven by the torque
transferred from the motor 206L so that the first arm 105L is
rotated about the central axis of the arm rotation shaft 209L in
the direction indicated by an arrow 210L. The motor 206L acts as a
shaft driving member for driving the first arm 105L about the axis
of the arm rotation shaft 209L in such a manner that the first arm
105L is moved toward or away from the head support 11. The driving
operation of the motor 206L is controlled by the controller
400.
[0048] As previously described, the hair washing apparatus 100 is
equipped with the contact driver 401 such as a motor for driving
the bifurcated arms 310L in such a manner that each of the
bifurcated arms 310L is rotated about the central axis C1. The
driving operation of the contact driver 401 is controlled by the
controller 400.
[0049] The right washing unit 12R is configured in the same manner
as that of the left washing unit 12L. The right washing unit 12R
has several arms 105R, 106R, 107R and 108R and a pipe 111R. The
arms 105R, 106R, 107R and 108R and the pipe 111R are disposed so as
to face the head support 11.
[0050] The pipe 111R is configured in the same manner as that of
the pipe 111L. The pipe 111R has a plurality of nozzles 110 for
ejecting at least one of water, hot water, a washing liquid or
washing agent and a conditioner, through the pipe lines 219. The
pipe 111R is mounted to an arm base 103R fixed to the support shaft
104R. The pipe 111R is adapted to rotate together with the arm base
103R about the central axis of the support shaft 104R.
[0051] The arms 105R, 106R, 107R and 108R of the washing unit 12R
are directly or indirectly mounted to the arm base 103R fixed to
the support shaft 104R. The first arm 105R is rotatably mounted to
the arm base 103R through an arm rotation shaft 209R, and is
adapted to rotate together with the arm base 103R about the central
axis of the support shaft 104R.
[0052] A second arm 106R is rotatably supported by the first arm
105R through a support shaft 212R. An elastic member (not shown)
such as a spring as an example of the first elastic member is
equipped between the first arm 105R and the second arm 106R. The
elastic member such as a spring is coupled to the second arm 106R
and the support shaft 212R of the first arm 105R in such a manner
that the second arm 106R is held at a predetermined position with
respect to the first arm 105R.
[0053] The first arm 105R which is configured in the same manner as
that of the first arm 105L, includes two parallel four-link
mechanisms and the support shaft 212R as an example of the link
member for coupling the two parallel four-link mechanisms with each
other. The second arm 106R is supported by the support shaft 212R
at a position between the two parallel four-link mechanisms.
[0054] The two third arms 107R and 108R are rotatably supported by
the second arm 106R through respective support shafts 213R and
214R. Two elastic members (not shown) such as springs as examples
of the second elastic members are equipped between the second arm
106R and each of the two third arms 107R and 108R, respectively.
One of the two second elastic members is coupled to the second arm
106R and the third arm 107R while the other is coupled to the
second arm 106R and the third arm 108R in such a manner that the
third arms 107R and 108R are held at respective predetermined
positions with respect to the second arm 106R.
[0055] Each of the third arms 107R and 108R rotatably supports two
bifurcated arms, each of which is formed of V-shaped fashion and is
equipped with two contacts 109 at two tips thereof, respectively.
Each of the bifurcated arms is configured in such a manner that the
contacts 109 are swung by the contact driver 401.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the motor 201R is disposed in the
support column 102R of the right washing unit 12R. The torque
outputted from the motor 201R is transferred to the support shaft
104R through a gear 203R mounted to an output rotation shaft 202R
of the motor 201R and a gear 204R mounted to the support shaft
104R. The arm base 103R mounted to the support shaft 104R is driven
by the torque transferred from the motor 201R so that the arm base
103R is rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow 205R. The
driving operation of the motor 201R is controlled by the controller
400.
[0057] A motor 206R is equipped in the arm base 103R. The torque
outputted from the motor 206R is transferred to the first arm 105R
through a gear 207R mounted to an output rotation shaft 207Ra of
the motor 206R and another gear (not shown) which engages with the
gear 207R and is mounted to the arm rotation shaft 209R of the
first arm 105R. The first arm 105R is driven by the torque
transferred from the motor 206R so that the first arm 105R is
rotated about the central axis of the arm rotation shaft 209R in
the direction indicated by an arrow 210R. The driving operation of
the motor 206R is controlled by the controller 400.
[0058] Each of the bifurcated arms supported by the third arm 107R
or 108R of the right washing unit 12R is configured in such a
manner that the contacts 109 are swung by the driving operation of
the contact driver 401. The driving operation of the contact driver
401 is controlled by the controller 400.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, in the right washing unit 12R, the first
arm 105R, the second arm 106R and the third arms 107R and 108R are
housed in an arm housing 115R. Meanwhile, the contacts 109 equipped
on the third arms 107R and 108R are disposed at the outer side of
the arm housing 115R.
[0060] When the hair washing apparatus 100 described above is
operated, the motors 206L and 206R are driven in accordance with
the instruction of the controller 400 so that the first arms 105L
and 105R are moved toward the head support 11 so as to come near
the head support 11 while the second arms 106L and 106R and the
third arms 107L, 108L, 107R and 108R are moved toward the head
support 11 so as to come near the head support 11. Thus, the
contacts 109 come into contact with the head 10 supported by the
head support 11. Then, the motors 201L and 201R and the contact
driver 401 are driven in such a condition that the contacts 109 are
contacting with the head 10 so as to take care of the head 10 of
the human.
[0061] In regard to the hair washing apparatus 100 according to the
present embodiment, when the motors 206L and 206R and the contact
driver 401 are driven by the controller 400 so as to take care of
the head 10, it is possible to wash the head 10 by controlling the
operations of the water supply, the washing liquid supply 222 and
the conditioner supply 221 by means of the controller 400.
[0062] The bowl 101 of the hair washing apparatus 100 has a cutout
101c for supporting the neck of the human whose head 10 is
supported by the head support 11. In addition, the bowl 101 is
equipped with a supporting member 112 for supporting the back of
the head 10. The supporting member 112 is configured in such a
manner that the position thereof is adjustable in the upward,
downward, leftward and rightward directions. For example, the
position of the supporting member 112 may be adjusted on the basis
of the position of the head 10 detected by a position detecting
means such as a camera.
[0063] It is preferable that the position of the supporting member
112 is adjusted in such a manner that the respective supporting
shafts 104L and 104R of the washing units 12L and 12R are located
at positions near the ears of the human whose head 10 is supported
by the head support 11. If the washing units 12L and 12R are driven
on the basis of the positions of the ears of the human, the load
applied to the neck of the human may be reduced.
[0064] The support columns 102L and 102R disposed in the bowl 101
are adapted to move in the axial direction of the support shafts
104L and 104R mounted to the supports columns 102L and 102R,
respectively. In consequence, the distance between the head 10 and
each of the arm bases 103L and 103R can be adjusted in dependence
upon the size of the head 10 supported by the supporting member
112.
[0065] A hood 113 which is configured to be openable and closable,
is releasably mounted to the bowl 101 in order to prevent water or
shampoo from scattering outward during the washing operation. It is
preferable that the hood 113 is formed of a transparent material in
order to possibly prevent the human from having oppressive feeling
or anxious feeling during the washing operation.
[0066] The hair washing apparatus 100 according to the present
embodiment, which is described as an apparatus for automatically
washing the head 10 of the human here, may be used also as a head
care system for automatically massaging the head 10 of the human by
means of the contacts 109 in such a condition that water or shampoo
is not ejected through the nozzles 110.
[0067] It will be further described hereinafter how the left
washing unit 12L of the hair washing apparatus 100 performs such an
operation that the first arm 105L is moved so as to come near or
get away from the head support 11 around the arm rotation shaft
209L.
[0068] FIG. 6 shows an operation of the second main portion of the
driving mechanism of the hair washing apparatus 100 according to
the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the solid lines show such a
state that the contacts 109 of the left washing unit 12L are
contacting with the head 10 while the two-dot chain lines show such
a state that the contacts 109 of the left washing unit 12L are away
from the head 10.
[0069] In regard to the present embodiment, the first arm 105L is
adapted to have the parallel four-link mechanism 231 L as
previously described. In consequence, when the first arm 105L is
rotated about the central axis of the arm rotation shaft 209L, the
second arm 106L and the third arms 107L and 108L are moved in
parallel with the movement of the first arm 105L while maintaining
the original configuration thereof. As a result, the contacts 109
are also moved in parallel with the movement of the first arm 105L
while maintaining the original configuration thereof.
[0070] Meanwhile, FIG. 7 shows an operation of a hair washing
apparatus which includes a first arm having a single-link mechanism
instead of the first arm having the four-link mechanism, contrary
to the hair washing apparatus 100 including the second main portion
of the driving mechanism according to the present embodiment. That
is, FIG. 7 shows a hair washing apparatus equipped with no
four-link mechanism which is one of the characteristic structural
elements of the present invention. In FIG. 7 showing the hair
washing apparatus having a first arm 105L' composed of only the
drive link member 105La contrary to the first arm 105L shown in
FIG. 6, the solid lines show such a state that the contacts 109 of
the left washing unit 12L are contacting with the head 10 while the
two-dot chain lines show such a state that the contacts 109 of the
left washing unit 12L are away from the head 10.
[0071] In regard to the left washing unit 12L shown in FIG. 7, an
elastic member (not shown) which is coupled to the second arm 106L
and the support shaft 212L of the first arm 105L', is disposed
between the first arm 105L' and the second arm 106L in such a
manner that the second arm 106L is held at a predetermined position
with respect to the first arm 105L'.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, in regard to the hair washing apparatus
in which the first arm 105L' has the single-link mechanism composed
of only the drive link member 105La, the first arm 105L' can be
driven so as to come into a state in which the contacts 109 are
contacting with the head 10 as well as another state in which the
contacts 109 are away from the head 10 when the first arm 105L' is
rotated about the central axis of the arm rotation shaft 209L.
However, all of the first arm 105L', the second arm 106L and the
third arms 107L and 108L are moved centering around the central
axis of the arm rotation shaft 209L because the first arm 105L' has
the single-link mechanism. That is, in regard to the driving
mechanism in which the first arm 105L' has the single-link
mechanism, the contacts 109 are moved so as to rotate about the
central axis of the arm rotation shaft 209L as shown in FIG. 7. In
consequence, in regard to the hair washing apparatus using the
single-link mechanism shown in FIG. 7, when the contacts 109 come
into contact with the head 10, some contacts 109 come into contact
with the head 10 at first, and then the other contacts 109 come
into contact with the head 10. If the contacts 109 come into
contact with the head 10 with time lags to one another as described
above, it is probable that the contact positions between the head
and the contacts 109 are changed during the operation. In
consequence, it is probable that some hairs wind around the
contacts 109 so that load is applied to the scalp of the human.
Moreover, in of the hair washing apparatus using the single-link
mechanism shown in FIG. 7, it is probable that it takes a long time
to make all of the contacts 109 come into contact with the head
10.
[0073] In regard to the hair washing apparatus 100 according to the
present embodiment, because it is configured in such a manner that
the first arm 105L has the parallel four-link mechanism 231L as
previously described, the contacts 109 can come into contact with
the head 10 together approximately along the shape of the head 10
so that load applied to the scalp of the human may be reduced.
[0074] Moreover, in regard to the hair washing apparatus 100
according to the present embodiment, because it is configured in
such a manner that the first arm 105L has the parallel four-link
mechanism 231L, the range of movement of each of the first arm
105L, the second arm 106L and the third arms 107L and 108L maybe
reduced as compared with the case using the single-link mechanism,
as apparent from FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. In consequence, in regard to
the hair washing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment,
it is possible to move the first arm 105L, the second arm 106L and
the third arms 107L and 108L in a compact space so that the space
required to operate the left washing unit 12L may be reduced.
[0075] In addition, in regard to the hair washing apparatus 100
according to the present embodiment, because it is configured in
such a manner that the first arm 105L has the parallel four-link
mechanism 231L, stiffness of the first arm 105L may be improved as
compared with the case of using the single-link mechanism. In
consequence, follow-up performance of the left washing unit 12L may
be improved when the left washing unit 12L is moved in such a state
that the contacts 109 of the left washing unit is contacting with
the head 10, inconsequence the head 10 may be surely washed in
dependence upon the shape of the head 10.
[0076] In regard to the present embodiment, it is specified that
each of the third arms 107L and 108L roratably supports two
bifurcated arms 310L. However, the present invention is not limited
to the embodiment described above, and therefore each of the third
arms 107L and 108L may roratably support three or more bifurcated
arms 310L.
[0077] The functions or effects of the left washing unit 12L of the
hair washing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment hold
true for the right washing unit 12R which has a configuration
similar to that of the left washing unit 12L.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0078] The head care system and hair washing apparatus according to
the present invention may be used and useful in the technical field
such as beauty care or hair dressing, the medical technical field
such as care or nursing, and so on.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0079] 11 Head support
[0080] 12 Washing unit
[0081] 12L Left washing unit
[0082] 12R Right washing unit
[0083] 100 Hair washing apparatus
[0084] 101 Bowl
[0085] 103L,103R Arm base
[0086] 104L,104R Support shaft
[0087] 212L,212R Support shaft
[0088] 213L,213R Support shaft
[0089] 214L,214R Support shaft
[0090] 215L Support shaft
[0091] 216L Support shaft
[0092] 105L,105R First arm
[0093] 106L,106R Second arm
[0094] 107L,107R Third arm
[0095] 108L,108R Third arm
[0096] 109 Contact
[0097] 110 Nozzle
[0098] 111L,111R Pipe
[0099] 201L,201R Motor
[0100] 206L,206R Motor
[0101] 209L,209R Arm rotation shaft
[0102] 216 Water valve
[0103] 217 Washing liquid valve
[0104] 218 Conditioner valve
[0105] 219 Pipe line
[0106] 220 Mixer
[0107] 221 Conditioner supply
[0108] 222 Washing liquid supply
[0109] 231L Four-link mechanism
[0110] 310L Bifurcated arm
[0111] 400 Controller
[0112] 401 Contact driver
[0113] C1,C2,C3 Central axis
* * * * *