Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an adaptable hair brush cleaning device that assist a user in the cleaning of hair brush by removing the hairs strangled in the bristles of the brush in an automated manner and cleaning the dust deposited over the bristles in an effective manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Hair brushes are essential tools for maintaining personal hygiene and grooming, contributing to the overall health of hair by preventing tangling and distributing natural oils. Regular cleaning of hair brushes is crucial to ensure their longevity and maintain hygiene. The accumulation of hair, dust, and debris on the bristles leads to unsanitary conditions, affecting both the user and the brush's effectiveness. Additionally, trapped hair and dust interfere with the brush's performance, causing discomfort during use and potentially leading to damage to the hair or scalp. Proper cleaning techniques are essential for removing hair strands and debris effectively, while also ensuring that the brush remains free from built-up dirt. A comprehensive cleaning solution that adapts to varying brush sizes and shapes ensures thorough cleaning and extends the lifespan of the brush. This improves both the brush’s performance and the user’s hygiene, ultimately enhancing the overall grooming experience.

[0003] Traditional methods for cleaning hair brushes often involve manual brushing and scraping techniques, relying heavily on user effort and time. These practices present several drawbacks. For example, manual cleaning does not effectively remove all the hair strands and debris from the bristles, leading to poor hygiene and compromised brush performance. Additionally, traditional methods do not offer a way to adapt to varying brush sizes or bristle lengths, resulting in inconsistent cleaning and increased time spent on maintenance. The lack of automation and precise cleaning features, such as the ability to detect dirt thickness or hair entanglement, further exacerbates these challenges. Without advanced mechanisms for effective cleaning, users face difficulties in maintaining hygiene and extending the lifespan of their brushes. To achieve optimal cleaning results and ensure long-lasting brush performance, implementing advanced solutions that automate and adapt the cleaning process is crucial for enhancing both the efficiency and effectiveness of brush maintenance.

[0004] WO2000001274A1 Improved self-cleaning brushes are provided which include a brush body having a bristle-supporting portion supporting outwardly extending bristles. One or more apertured cleaning sheet(s) are mounted on the brushes so as to receive the bristles therethrough. When it is desired to clean the brush, the uppermost cleaning sheet is grasped and pulled outwardly and off of the brisles, thereby removing hair and other debris from the bristles. Preferably, a multiple sheet pad of cleaning sheets are provided, each with perforation and grasping tabs, to facilitate lift-off removal of the individual cleaning sheets.

[0005] US5600865A discloses about a hair brush having a cleaning feature which can be releasably attached to the brush comprising a base section having a multiplicity of parallel bristles extending from a bristle-holding surface thereof, a cleaning plate disposed on the bristle-holding surface and having holes through which the parallel bristles extend, the cleaning plate containing a hand-operated mechanism for releasably engaging the cleaning plate from the hair brush to remove the cleaning plate for cleaning purposes.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices are available for cleaning hair brushes. However, the cited inventions lack the ability to automate the cleaning process or dynamically adjust to varying brush sizes and bristle lengths, leading to incomplete cleaning and increased manual effort. Additionally, these devices lack features for hair extraction and dirt detection, which are essential for ensuring thorough cleaning and improving the overall efficiency of brush maintenance.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that requires to be capable of automating the cleaning process while dynamically adjusting to various hairbrush sizes, bristle lengths, and dirt thickness. In addition, the developed device also needs to be capable of ensuring efficient and thorough cleaning by incorporating features for accurate brush dimension detection and dirt removal, thus improving cleaning effectiveness and reducing manual effort during maintenance.

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 providing a means to a user for cleaning hair brush in an easy and effective manner by detecting the dimensions of the bristles and without damaging the bristles of the hair brush, thereby reducing manual efforts during cleaning of the hair brush.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of monitoring thickness of dirt accumulated over the bristles of the hair brush and accordingly soften the detected dirt by spraying softening liquid over the dirt, thus allowing in easy removal of dirt from the hair brush.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of sanitizing the brush as per the user requirements.

[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 an adaptable hair brush cleaning device that aids a user in cleaning a hair brush effectively with minimal physical efforts by removing the strangled hairs from the hair brush in an automated manner. Further, the device is capable of sanitizing the hair brush as per the user command.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adaptable hair brush cleaning device comprises of a circular frame attached with a fixed surface by means of a suction cup configured with the frame to insert a hair brush that is to be cleaned, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the frame and synced with a laser sensor for capturing and processing images of the brush to determine dimensions of the brush and length of bristles of the brush, the user is required to move entire portion of the hair brush through the frame to enable the brushes to clean all of the bristles, plurality of motorized hinge joints integrated with the frame to regulate shape of the frame in accordance with the detected dimensions to accommodate the hair brush within the frame in an appropriate manner, a microphone is mapped over the frame to receive voice command of the user regarding sanitizing the brush, plurality of electronic sprayers installed with the frame and linked with the chamber, to spray a regulated amount of the solution over the brush for sanitizing the brush.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of plurality of pneumatic pins installed with the frame that actuates to extend in accordance with the length to position around base portion of the bristles, a motorized ball and socket joint is installed between each of the pin and frame to provide multi-directional movement to the pins to enable the pins to extract hairs from the bristles, an ultrasonic sensor integrated with the frame to monitor thickness of dirt accumulated over the bristles, a cleaning liquid reservoir attached with a rod attached between the suction cup and frame, and installed with an electronic nozzle to dispense a regulated amount of the liquid over the bristles to soften the detected dirt, a chamber stored with sanitizing solution is arranged with the rod, plurality of motorized brushes installed with inner periphery of the frame each by means of a pneumatic link to extend and place the brushes in contact with the bristles to scrub and clean the soften dirt, thereby cleaning the hair brush and a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[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 an adaptable hair brush cleaning 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 an adaptable hair brush cleaning device that facilitates a user in the cleaning of hair brush by automatically removing the strangled hairs from the hair brush and cleaning the dust accumulated over the bristles of the brush. Additionally, the proposed device is capable of softening the dirt accumulated over the bristles for an easy removal.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an adaptable hair brush cleaning device is illustrated, comprising a circular frame 101, a suction cup 102 configured with the frame 101 by means of a rod 103, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over the frame 101, plurality of motorized hinge joints 105 integrated with the frame 101, plurality of pneumatic pins 106 installed with the frame 101, a motorized ball and socket joint 107 is installed between each of the pin and frame 101, a cleaning liquid reservoir 108 attached with the rod 103, an electronic nozzle 109 installed with the reservoir 108, plurality of motorized brushes 110 installed with inner periphery of the frame 101 each by means of a pneumatic link 111, a chamber 112 is arranged with the rod 103, a microphone 113 is mapped over the frame 101, plurality of electronic sprayers 114 installed with the frame 101.

[0023] The device disclosed herein comprises of a circular frame 101 having a rod 103 developed to be attached with a fixed surface by means of a suction cup 102 configured at the free-end of the rod 103. The frame 101 along with the rod 103 serves as the core component of the device and are made up of from lightweight and durable material which includes but not limited to metal or high-strength plastic. These materials offer strength and rigidity to the frame 101 making the frame 101 resistant to mechanical stress and pressure. Vibration-dampening materials are integrated into the frame 101 to minimize noise and shaking of the frame 101 during operations.

[0024] The suction cup 102 is provided to adhere the frame 101 firmly to the fixed surface, ensuring that the device remains stable and secure during operation. The suction cup 102 is used to create a vacuum seal between the fixed surface and the frame 101. When the suction cup 102 is pressed against the surface by a user, the initial contact creates a seal between the cup’s flexible rim and the surface. The suction cup 102 used herein is made up of silicone rubber that easily eliminates pressure inside the suction cup 102 for creating a vacuum between the cup 102 and the fixed surface in order to affix the frame 101 firmly with the fixed surface to prevent undesired movement of the frame 101 on the surface.

[0025] Upon affixing the frame 101 with the surface, the user is required to activate the device manually by pressing a button installed on the platform and linked with an inbuilt microcontroller associated with the device. The button is a type of switch that is internally connected with the device via multiple circuits that upon pressing by the user, the circuits get closed and starts conduction of electricity that tends to activate the device and vice versa.

[0026] After the device is activated, the user is required to access the frame 101 to insert a hair brush within the frame 101 that is to be cleaned. Simultaneously, the microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over the frame 101 and synced with a laser sensor to determine dimensions of the brush and length of bristles of the brush. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 comprises of a high-resolution camera lens, digital camera sensor and a processor, wherein the lens captures multiple images from different angles and perspectives in vicinity of the frame 101 with the help of digital camera sensor for providing comprehensive coverage of the brush.

[0027] The captured images then go through pre-processing steps by the processor integrated with the imaging unit 104. The artificial intelligence protocols integrated into the processor, including machine learning and computer vision protocols, optimize image processing by enhancing feature extraction and classification. The captured images undergo pre-processing steps such as adjusting brightness, contrast, and noise removal to enhance quality. These refined images are transmitted to the microcontroller linked with the processor in the form of electrical signals.

[0028] Synchronously, the laser sensor emits a focused and narrow beam toward the brush. When the laser beam strikes the brush, some of the light gets reflected back towards the sensor. The receiver of the laser sensor captures the reflected light and employs a time-of-flight measurement principle to determine dimensions of the brush and sends the data to the microcontroller linked with the laser sensor in the form of electrical signal.

[0029] The microcontroller processes the combined signal received from the imaging unit 104 and the laser sensor to determine the dimensions of the brush and length of bristles of the brush. Based on the determined dimensions, the microcontroller actuates multiple motorized hinge joints 105 integrated with the frame 101 to regulate shape of the frame 101 in accordance with the detected dimensions. The motorized hinge joints 105 integrate an electric motor with a traditional hinge mechanism to enable controlled, automated tilting movement of the frame 101 around a fixed axis.

[0030] The hinge joint 105 comprises of a pair of leaf that are screwed with the surface of the frame 101. The leafs 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 direction provides required tilting movement to the hinge joints 105 that in turn tilt and regulate the shape of frame 101 in accordance with the detected dimensions of the brush to accommodate the hair brush within the frame 101 in an appropriate manner.

[0031] Once the brush is accommodated, the microcontroller actuates multiple pneumatic pins 106 installed along the periphery of the frame 101 to extend in accordance with the determined length of the bristles to position the tip portion of the pins 106 around the base portion of the bristles. The extension and retraction of the pins 106 is powered by a pneumatic unit associated with the device that includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of the pins 106.

[0032] The air compressor used herein extract the air from surrounding and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the volume of the air. The air compressor is consisting of two main parts including a motor and a pump. The motor powers the compressor pump which uses the energy from the motor drive to draw in atmospheric air and compress to elevated pressure. The compressed air is then sent through a discharge tube into the cylinder across the valve. The compressed air in the cylinder tends to pushes out the piston to extend. The piston is attached to the pins 106, wherein the extension/retraction of the piston corresponds to the extension/retraction of the pins 106 in order to position the tip portion of the pins 106 around the base portion of the bristles.

[0033] Post positioning of the pins 106, the microcontroller actuates a motorized ball and socket joint 107 installed between each of the pin and frame 101 to provide multi-directional movement to the pins 106 to enable the pins 106 to extract hairs from the bristles. The ball and socket joint 107 used herein is a mechanical component that connects the pins 106 to the frame 101. The ball and socket joint 107 permits rotational and tilting movements, enabling the pins 106 to rotate on its axis. The ball and socket joint 107 is a coupling consisting of a ball joint 107 securely locked within a socket joint 107, where the ball joint 107 is able to move in a 360-dgree rotation within the socket thus, providing the required movement to the pins 106 to enable the pins 106 to extract hairs from the bristles.

[0034] Once the hairs are removed from the bristles, the microcontroller by means of an ultrasonic sensor integrated with the frame 101, monitor thickness of dirt accumulated over the bristles. The ultrasonic sensor consists of an emitter that emits high-frequency ultrasonic sound waves towards the bristles. These sound waves strikes the bristles and gets reflected back and received by a receiver inside the sensor. The sensor measures the time it takes for the waves to bounce back after hitting the bristles. By calculating the round-trip time and applying the speed of sound, the sensor determines the thickness of dirt accumulated over the bristles and sends acquired data to the microcontroller in the form of electrical signal.

[0035] The microcontroller processes the received signals from the ultrasonic sensor in order to determine the thickness of dirt accumulated over the bristles and accordingly actuates an electronic nozzle 109 integrated with a cleaning liquid reservoir 108 installed over the rod 103, to dispense a regulated amount of the liquid over the bristles.

[0036] The electronic nozzle 109 used herein consists of a solenoid valve, nozzle 109 tip, and control circuitry. When the microcontroller signals the need to dispense the cleaning liquid, the nozzle 109 activates the solenoid valve, which opens to allow the cleaning liquid to flow from the reservoir 108. The liquid then passes through a series of micro channels within the nozzle 109 tip, which regulate the pressure and direction of the liquid over the bristles to soften the detected dirt.

[0037] Multiple motorized brushes 110 are installed with inner periphery of the frame 101 each by means of a pneumatic link 111, wherein upon dispensing the liquid, the microcontroller actuates the links 111 to extend and place the brushes 110 in contact with the bristles. The extension of the pneumatic links 111 is powered by the pneumatic unit in the same manner as described above.

[0038] Post positioning of the motorized brushes 110, the microcontroller actuates a direct current (DC) motor integrated with each of the motorized brushes 110 to provide rotation to the brushes 110 at a pre-defined RPM (revolution per minute) in order to scrub and clean the soften dirt from the bristles of the hair brush. Simultaneously, the user is required to manually move entire portion of the hair brush through the frame 101 to enable the motorized brushes 110 to clean all of the bristles.

[0039] Further, the user access a microphone 113 mapped over the frame 101 to provide input voice command regarding sanitizing the brush. The microphone 113 receives the user voice commands and converts the sound energy emitted by the user into electrical energy. Inside the microphone 113, a diaphragm made of plastic is present that moves back and forth when the sound wave hits the diaphragm, which then moves a coil attached to the diaphragm in the same way in order to generate an electrical signal proportional to the sound. The electric signal from coil flows to an amplifier which amplifies the electrical signal. The amplified electrical signal is then sent to an inbuilt microcontroller linked to the microphone 113.

[0040] Upon receiving and processing the signal from the microphone 113, the microcontroller recognizes the user input voice command, and accordingly actuates multiple electronic sprayers 114 installed with the frame 101 to spray a regulated amount of sanitizing solution over the brush, from a chamber 112 arranged on the rod 103 and internally linked to the sprayers 114. The electronic sprayer consists of a small, motor-driven pump connected to a nozzle 109. This pump draws sanitizing solution from the chamber 112 and forces the sanitizing solution through the nozzle 109, creating a fine mist or spray. The sprayer is controlled by the microcontroller, which activates the pump. The nozzle 109 is designed to evenly distribute the sanitizing solution over the brush for sanitizing the brush.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The proposed invention works best in the following manner, where the circular frame 101 is affixed over the fixed surface by means of the suction cup 102. The user is required to access the frame 101 to insert the hair brush within the frame 101 that is to be cleaned. After which the artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 synced with the laser sensor determine dimensions of the brush and length of bristles of the brush. Accordingly, multiple motorized hinge joints 105 regulate shape of the frame 101 in accordance with the detected dimensions to accommodate the hair brush within the frame 101 in an appropriate manner. Further, multiple pneumatic pins 106 get extended and positioned around the base portion of the bristles. Simultaneously, the motorized ball and socket joint 107 provide multi-directional movement to the pins 106 to enable the pins 106 to extract hairs from the bristles. Afterwards, the electronic nozzle 109 dispenses regulated amount of the cleaning liquid over the bristles to soften the detected dirt. Further, multiple motorized brushes 110 scrub and clean the soften dirt from the bristles of the hair brush. The user access the microphone 113 to provide input voice command regarding sanitizing the brush and accordingly multiple electronic sprayers 114 spray a regulated amount of sanitizing solution over the hair brush for sanitizing the brush.

[0043] 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) An adaptable hair brush cleaning device, comprising:

i) a circular frame 101 attached with a fixed surface by means of a suction cup 102 configured with said frame 101, wherein said frame 101 is accessed by a user to insert a hair brush within said frame 101 that is to be cleaned;
ii) an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over said frame 101 and synced with a laser sensor for capturing and processing images of said brush, wherein based on said captured images, a microcontroller linked with said imaging unit 104, determines dimensions of said brush and length of bristles of said brush;
iii) plurality of motorized hinge joints 105 integrated with said frame 101 that are actuated by said microcontroller to regulate shape of said frame 101 in accordance with said detected dimensions to accommodate said hair brush within said frame 101 in an appropriate manner;
iv) plurality of pneumatic pins 106 installed with said frame 101 that actuates to extend in accordance with said length to position around base portion of said bristles, wherein a motorized ball and socket joint 107 is installed between each of said pin and frame 101 that actuates to provide multi-directional movement to said pins 106 to enable said pins 106 to extract hairs from said bristles;
v) an ultrasonic sensor integrated with said frame 101 to monitor thickness of dirt accumulated over said bristles, wherein a cleaning liquid reservoir 108 attached with a rod 103 attached between said suction cup 102 and frame 101, and installed with an electronic nozzle 109 that actuates to dispense a regulated amount of said liquid over said bristles to soften said detected dirt; and
vi) plurality of motorized brushes 110 installed with inner periphery of said frame 101 each by means of a pneumatic link 111 that actuates to extend and place said brushes 110 in contact with said bristles, wherein said brushes 110 are actuated by said microcontroller to scrub and clean said soften dirt, thereby cleaning said hair brush.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user is required to move entire portion of said hair brush through said frame 101 to enable said brushes 110 to clean all of said bristles.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a chamber 112 stored with sanitizing solution is arranged with said rod 103.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein a microphone 113 is mapped over said frame 101 to receive voice command of said user regarding sanitizing said brush based on which said microcontroller actuates plurality of electronic sprayers 114 installed with said frame 101 and linked with said chamber 112, to spray a regulated amount of said solution over said brush for sanitizing said brush.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.