HAIR WASHING ASSISTIVE DEVICE FOR INFANTS

Abstract

A hair washing assistive device for infants comprises of a curved platform 101 developed to be positioned on ground surface for accommodating an infant, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 installed on platform 101 for capturing and processing images of platform 101, multiple motorized hinges 103 integrated in platform 101 to tilt portions of platform 101, a tub-like structure 201 arranged at upper end of the platform 101 for accommodating infant’s upper head portion, a pair of motorized rollers 104 integrated on top portion of platform 101 to rotate for tightening/loosening a looped strap 105 coiled on rollers 104 over infant’s eyes, a pair of electronically controlled nozzles 202 installed on structure to dispense hair cleaning solution, pair of electronically controlled sprinklers 203 assembled on structure to dispense water, a motorized gripper 106 installed on structure and integrated with cushioned brush 107 to perform massaging over the infant’s head portion.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a hair washing assistive device for infants that is capable of preventing the hair cleaning solution from getting inside infant's eyes during hair wash and prevents the infant's from cold by maintaining temperature of water as per user specified body temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Hair are an important aspect of the body. Hair are often the first thing noticed by another person. Nowadays, as the pollution is increasing, the hairs become dirty and entraps the dirt. The scalp produces sebum, a natural oil that keeps hair lubricated. Sometimes, overproduction of this oil lead to a greasy appearance. Also, frequently touching the hair transfer oils and dirt from your hands. To remove the dirt and excessive oil from the hair and to ensure the healthiness of the hair, the hair needs to be washed. The hairs are washed to reduce the hair and to ensure the cleanliness of the hair.

[0003] Traditionally, the hairs of an infant are washed by user by his own hands. In this, first the user brushes the hair to remove the tangles and knots and saturates the hair by pouring water onto the hair manually. Then, the user selects the right shampoo and then rinse with hair water. For all of this, the user uses his hands to clean the hairs. Sometimes, the user took help from other person to wash the hair. Also, long-handled hair brush, wiping aid, lotion applicators are used for washing a user's hair. While the traditional method offers some benefits but they also pose several challenges and drawbacks. In case of handicapped person, the washing of hair by using the hand become difficult. Also, the devices are required to be used separately which causes inconvenience to the user.

[0004] US5245713A discloses about a hair washing unit for washing the hair of bedridden patients is formed as a unitary, hollow, rotationally molded shell. The shell has a peripheral wall surrounding a central recessed well. A U-shaped depression in a front part of the wall merges smoothly into a shoulder support ramp sloping outwardly from the front of the unit to support the shoulder and neck area of a person whose hair is being washed. A drain opening from the well into the shell interior provides for waste water storage and transportation within the shell, while a second drain from the shell provides for disposal of the waste water. US'713 is able to wash hair. However the invention lacks in preventing the hair cleaning solution from getting inside eyes.

[0005] CN202286820U discloses about a hair washing device, which relates to a toilet article. The novel hair washing device comprises a handle, a shell, an upper cover, a massage head fixing plate and massage heads, wherein the handle is arranged on one side of the shell; the upper cover is arranged on the upper part of the shell; the massage heads are arranged on the massage head fixing plate; the massage head fixing plate is fixed on the lower part of the shell; and a small hole is formed at the front end of the shell. Due to the adoption of the novel hair washing device, shampoo be put into the hair washing device and be extruded out directly for washing hair, so that the novel hair washing device is convenient and practical. CN'820 is able to washing air but lacks in maintaining temperature of water as per user specified body temperature.

[0006] Conventionally, many hair washing device for infants has been developed. However, the devices lacks in preventing the hair cleaning solution from getting inside infant's eyes as well as the devices are not capable of maintaining temperature of water as per user specified body temperature in order to wash the infant's hair.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of preventing the hair cleaning solution from getting inside infant's eyes as well as maintaining temperature of water as per user specified body temperature in order to wash the infant's hair.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of shielding the infant's eyes prior washing hair in order to prevent the hair cleaning solution from getting inside infant's eyes.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of maintaining temperature of water as per user specified body temperature in order to wash the infant's hair, thereby prevents the infant's from cold.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a hair washing assistive device for infants that is capable of preventing the infant's eyes from hair cleaning solution during hair wash and prevents the infant's from cold by maintaining temperature of water as per user specified body temperature.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an hair washing assistive device for infants comprises of curved platform developed to be positioned on a ground surface for accommodating an infant, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the platform for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the platform respectively to determine presence of the infant on the platform, motorized hinges integrated in the platform to tilt portions of the platform in a manner to properly accommodate the infant on the platform, a tub-like structure arranged at upper end of the platform over which the accommodated infant's upper head portion is to be positioned, a pair of motorized rollers are integrated on lateral sides of top portion of the platform to rotate for tightening/loosening a looped strap coiled on the rollers over the infant's eyes in view of shielding the infants eyes prior washing the infant's hair, an ultrasonic sensor integrated on the structure and synced with the imaging unit for monitoring length of the infant's hair positioned in the structure, a pair of electronically controlled nozzles installed on the structure to dispense a hair cleaning solution stored in a multi-sectioned chamber configured with the structure over the infant's hair.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device comprises of a pair of electronically controlled sprinklers assembled on the structure to dispense water stored in the chamber over the infant's hair, a motorized gripper is installed on the structure and integrated with a cushioned brush are actuated by the microcontroller to perform massaging over the infant's head portion in view of scrubbing the solution onto the infant's scalp and hair length, a color sensor mounted on the structure and synced with the imaging unit for detecting proper lathering of the solution on the infant's hair, a suction duct is assembled at lower portion of the structure is actuated by the microcontroller to extract waste water collected in the structure due to washing of the infant's hair, a Peltier unit coupled with a thermostat integrated in a particular section of the chamber stored with water to heat/cool the stored water unto a user-desired temperature in order to provide an optimum temperature of water for washing the infant's hair, a UV (ultraviolet) lamp is installed on the structure to sterilize the structure, in absence of any person in proximity to the structure.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a hair washing assistive device for infants; and
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a tub-like structure associated with the proposed device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a hair washing assistive device for infants that is capable of preventing the hair cleaning solution from getting inside infant's eyes during hair wash and prevents the infant's from cold by maintaining temperature of water as per user specified body temperature.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1 and 2, an isometric view of a hair washing assistive device for infants and an isometric view of a tub-like structure associated with the proposed device are illustrated, respectively comprises of a curved platform 101 developed to be positioned on a ground surface, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 installed on the platform 101, motorized hinges 103 integrated in the platform 101, a tub-like structure 201 arranged at upper end of the platform 101, a pair of motorized rollers 104 are integrated on lateral sides of top portion of the platform 101, a looped strap 105 coiled on the rollers 104, a pair of electronically controlled nozzles 202 installed on the structure, a pair of electronically controlled sprinklers 203 assembled on the structure, a motorized gripper 106 is installed on the structure and integrated with a cushioned brush 107, a Peltier unit 108 coupled with a thermostat is integrated in a particular section of the chamber, a UV (ultraviolet) lamp 109 is installed on the structure.

[0023] The disclosed device discloses about a curved platform 101 developed to be positioned on a ground surface. The platform 101 is accessed by a user for accommodating an infant on the platform 101. Further an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 installed on the platform 101 captures and processes multiple images in vicinity of the platform 101, to determine presence of the infant on the platform 101. An artificial intelligence based imaging unit 102 comprises of a camera lens and a processor. Wherein the 360 degree rotatable camera captures multiple images of the platform 101 and then the processor carries out a sequence of steps including pre-processing, feature extraction and segmentation. In pre-processing, the unwanted data like noise, background is removed out and the image is converted into a format recommended for feature extraction. The features like pixel intensities of the foreground image are extracted and are sent for classification to determine presence of the infant on the platform 101.

[0024] Upon determining the presence of the infant on the platform 101, an inbuilt microcontroller actuates multiple motorized hinges 103 integrated in the platform 101 to tilt portions of the platform 101 in a manner to properly accommodate the infant on the platform 101. The motorized hinge joint comprises of a pair of leaf that is screwed with the surfaces of the platform 101. The leaf are connected with each other by means of a cylindrical member integrated with a shaft coupled with a DC (Direct Current) motor to provide required movement to the hinge. The rotation of the shaft in clockwise and anti-clockwise aids in opening and closing of the hinge respectively. Hence the microcontroller actuates the hinge that in turn provides movement to the platform 101 for properly accommodating the infant on the platform 101.

[0025] Upon properly accommodating the infant on the platform 101, infant's upper head portion is positioned on a tub-like structure 201 arranged at upper end of the platform 101. Further, a pair of motorized rollers 104 integrated on lateral sides of top portion of the platform 101 are actuated by the microcontroller to rotate for tightening/loosening a looped strap 105 coiled on the rollers 104 over the infant's eyes in view of shielding the infant's eyes prior washing the infant's hair. The motorized roller comprises a disc coupled with a motor via a shaft. Upon
receiving the command from the microcontroller by the motor, the motor starts
to rotate in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction in order to provide movement
to the disc via the shaft. The disc thus provides a maximum level of assistance
to the user and also allow the user to maintain a steady speed while moving the
body. Further this is actuated by the microcontroller to rotate for
tightening/loosening a looped strap 105 coiled on the roller in view of shielding the infant's eyes prior washing the infant's hair.

[0026] Upon shielding the infant's eyes prior washing the infant's hair, an ultrasonic sensor integrated on the structure and synced with the imaging unit 102 monitors length of the infant's hair positioned in the structure. The ultrasonic sensor works by emitting ultrasonic waves and then measuring the time taken by these waves to bounce back after hitting the surface of the infant's hair. The ultrasonic sensor includes two main parts viz. transmitter, and a receiver for infant's hair. The transmitter sends a short ultrasonic pulse towards the surface of infant's hair which propagates through the air at the speed of sound and reflects back as an echo to the transmitter as the pulse hits the infant's hair. The transmitter then detects the reflected eco from the surface of infant's hair and calculations is performed by the sensor based on the time interval between the sending signal and receiving echo to determine the length of the infant's hair positioned in the structure.

[0027] Upon, determining the length of the infant's hair positioned in the structure, microcontroller actuates a pair of electronically controlled nozzles 202 installed on the structure to dispense a hair cleaning solution stored in a multi-sectioned chamber configured with the structure, over the infant's hair. The electronically controlled nozzles 202 works by utilizing electrical energy to automate the flow solution in a controlled flow pattern by converting the pressure energy of a fluid into kinetic energy, which increases the fluid's velocity to dispense a hair cleaning solution. Upon actuation of nozzle by the microcontroller, the electric motor or the pump pressurizes the incoming cleaning solution, stored in a multi-sectioned chamber configured with the structure, over the infant's hair.

[0028] Further, a Peltier unit 108 coupled with a thermostat integrated in a particular section of the chamber stored with water is actuated by the microcontroller to heat/cool the stored water up to a user-desired temperature in order to provide an optimum temperature of water for washing the infant's hair. A Peltier unit 108 also known as thermoelectric cooler etc., is a small electronic component that utilizes the Peltier effect to create a heat flux between two materials. When an electric current flows through the junction of two dissimilar conductors, heat is absorbed at one junction (Cooling one side) while heat is released at other junction (heating the other side) that heats the water in order to provide an optimum temperature of water for washing the infant's hair.

[0029] Further, a pair of electronically controlled sprinklers 203 assembled on the structure are actuated by the microcontroller to dispense water stored in the chamber over the infant's hair. Electronically controlled sprinklers 203 is a device which consists of multiple small holes and used for the purpose of watering. The electronically controlled sprinklers 203 used here consists of a magnetic coil
embedded in it, on actuation the magnetic coil generates the magnetic force
which push the gate of the sprinklers 203 to open and allow the water to be
sprinkled over the infant's hair.

[0030] Upon sprinkling water over the infant's hair, a motorized gripper 106 installed on the structure and integrated with a cushioned brush 107 are actuated by the microcontroller to perform massaging over the infant's head portion in view of scrubbing the solution onto the infant's scalp and hair length. The motorized gripper 106 operates as a robotic hand that is designed to grasp the corn effectively. The gripper 106 typically incorporates a motorized mechanism that controls the opening and closing of the jaws of the gripper 106. The motor generates the necessary force to move the gripper 106 fingers for the opening and closing of the jaws with precision. This motorized action is often controlled by the microcontroller for smooth and precise gripping of cushioned brush 107 to perform massaging over the infant's head portion in view of scrubbing the solution onto the infant's scalp and hair length.

[0031] Further, a color sensor mounted on the structure and synced with the imaging unit 102 detect proper lathering of the solution on the infant's hair. The color sensor operates by detecting and analyzing the wavelength of light reflected or emitted by the lathering of the solution on the infant's hair. The sensor typically uses phototransistors that are sensitive to different wavelength of light. When light strikes the solution, the sensor measures the intensity of reflected light across specific color bands. This information is then converted into electrical signal and sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller further processes the signal to detect proper lathering of the solution on the infant's hair followed by actuation of the sprinklers 203 to dispense water onto the infant's hair for rinsing the infant's hair in view of properly cleaning the infant's hair.

[0032] Upon proper cleaning the infant's hair, a suction duct assembled at lower portion of the structure is actuated by the microcontroller to extract waste water collected in the structure due to washing of the infant's hair. Thus, enables controlled and efficient extraction of waste water collected in the structure due to washing of the infant's hair. Suction duct creates negative pressure to extract waste water.

[0033] Further a waste chamber is arranged to the platform 101 for storing the threshold waste water. Suction unit installed into the chamber suck the waste water at the hair-cleaning time whereas Level sensor installed on the platform 101 detects the threshold level of the waste water, if the level of the water will be detected as more than the threshold limit then an alert notification will be generated through the speaker unit to clean the waste water. The speaker works by receiving signals from the microcontroller, converting them into sound waves through a diaphragm's vibration, and producing audible sounds with the help of amplification and control circuitry in order to notify the user to clean the waste water.

[0034] Further, a UV (ultraviolet) lamp 109 installed on the structure is actuated by the microcontroller to sterilize the structure, in absence of any person in proximity to the structure. Upon activation, the UV lamp 109 emits powerful ultraviolet light. The light effectively targets and disrupts the DNA of any remaining microorganisms present on the structure, in absence of any person in proximity to the structure.

[0035] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0036] The present invention works best in the following manner, the curved platform 101 developed to be positioned on a ground surface, the platform 101 is accessed by a user for accommodating the infant on the platform 101. Upon accommodating the infant on the platform 101, the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 captures and processes multiple images in vicinity of the platform 101, to determine presence of the infant on the platform 101, in accordance to which an inbuilt microcontroller actuates multiple motorized to tilt portions of the platform 101 in the manner to properly accommodate the infant on the platform 101. Further, the infant's upper head portion is accommodated over tub-like structure 201 arranged at upper end of the platform 101. Upon accommodating infant's upper head portion, the pair of motorized rollers 104 are actuated by the microcontroller to rotate for tightening/loosening the looped strap 105 coiled on the rollers 104 over the infant's eyes in view of shielding the infant's eyes prior washing the infant's hair. Further, the ultrasonic sensor monitors length of the infant's hair, in accordance to which the microcontroller actuates the pair of electronically controlled nozzles 202 to dispense the hair cleaning solution, over the infant's hair. Further, the Peltier unit 108 heat/cool the stored water up to the user-desired temperature in order to provide an optimum temperature of water for washing the infant's hair and the pair of electronically controlled sprinklers 203 are actuated by the microcontroller to dispense water stored in the chamber over the infant's hair, and the motorized gripper 106 with the cushioned brush 107 perform massaging over the infant's head portion in view of scrubbing the solution onto the infant's scalp and hair length. Upon scrubbing the solution onto the infant's scalp and hair length the color sensor detects the proper lathering of the solution on the infant's hair, followed by actuation of the sprinklers 203 to dispense water onto the infant's hair for rinsing the infant's hair in view of properly cleaning the infant's hair. Upon proper cleaning the infant's hair, the suction duct extract waste water collected in the structure due to washing of the infant's hair. Further the UV (ultraviolet) lamp 109 disinfect the structure, in absence of any person in proximity to the structure.

[0037] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a pH meter may be installed with the structure to measure the pH level of the water and hair cleaning solution being used on the infants.

[0038] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A hair washing assistive device for infants, comprising:

i) a curved platform 101 developed to be positioned on a ground surface, wherein said platform 101 is accessed by a user for accommodating an infant on said platform 101;
ii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 installed on said platform 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of said platform 101, respectively to determine presence of said infant on said platform 101, in accordance to which an inbuilt microcontroller actuates multiple motorized hinges 103 integrated in said platform 101 to tilt portions of said platform 101 in a manner to properly accommodate said infant on said platform 101;
iii) a tub-like structure 201 arranged at upper end of said platform 101, over which said accommodated infant's upper head portion is to be positioned, wherein a pair of motorized rollers 104 are integrated on lateral sides of top portion of said platform 101 that are actuated by said microcontroller to rotate for tightening/loosening a looped strap 105 coiled on said rollers 104 over said infant's eyes in view of shielding said infants eyes prior washing said infant's hair;
iv) an ultrasonic sensor integrated on said structure and synced with said imaging unit 102 for monitoring length of said infant's hair positioned in said structure, in accordance to which said microcontroller actuates a pair of electronically controlled nozzles 202 installed on said structure to dispense a hair cleaning solution stored in a multi-sectioned chamber configured with said structure, over said infant's hair;
v) a pair of electronically controlled sprinklers 203 assembled on said structure that are actuated by said microcontroller to dispense water stored in said chamber over said infant's hair, wherein a motorized gripper 106 is installed on said structure and integrated with a cushioned brush 107 that are actuated by said microcontroller to perform massaging over said infant's head portion in view of scrubbing said solution onto said infant's scalp and hair length; and
vi) a color sensor mounted on said structure and synced with said imaging unit 102 for detecting proper lathering of said solution on said infant's hair, followed by actuation of said sprinklers 203 to dispense water onto said infant's hair for rinsing said infant's hair in view of properly cleaning said infant's hair, wherein a suction duct is assembled at lower portion of said structure that is actuated by said microcontroller to extract waste water collected in said structure due to washing of said infant's hair.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a Peltier unit 108 coupled with a thermostat is integrated in a particular section of said chamber stored with water that is actuated by said microcontroller to heat/cool said stored water up to a user-desired temperature in order to provide an optimum temperature of water for washing said infant's hair.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a UV (ultraviolet) lamp 109 is installed on said structure that is actuated by said microcontroller to sterilize said structure, in absence of any person in proximity to said structure.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with said platform 101 for providing a continuous power supply to electronically powered components associated with said device.

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