JP3133817B2 - electric toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toothbrush used as an oral hygiene tool, and more particularly to an electric toothbrush.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In most of conventional electric toothbrushes, the toothbrush portion reciprocates or rolls. In the reciprocating motion, the brush tip is pinched particularly in the interdental portion of the back teeth, and the stroke is reduced to reduce the cleaning effect. In addition, in the rolling operation, the toothbrush swings from the mounting position to both sides around the output shaft, and the stop position is also undefined, so that the gums are turned up and the brushes swing, possibly damaging the gums. was there. In addition, among conventional electric toothbrushes, there are brushes in which a brush portion repeatedly rotates or a brush bundle repeatedly rotates. In this case, it is necessary to apply one tooth, one tooth, or one place between teeth. There is
It was taking time.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object the following.
The stop position of the toothbrush part is always constant, and it is easy to hit the teeth and gums at the correct angle. The brush part also reciprocates and swings, and the brush part moves reciprocally in the axial direction (bus). The cleaning area is wide and the brush area can be cleaned without intervening between the teeth, as well as between the teeth and gums and between teeth and teeth. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric toothbrush capable of cleaning the space between the brushes.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and achieve the object of the present invention, an electric toothbrush according to the present invention has an output portion capable of linearly reciprocating in an axial direction. Wherein the stop position of the output unit is always the same, and means is provided which is capable of swinging and rotating within a certain direction around the output shaft center from the stop position during the linear reciprocating movement.

[0005] It is preferable that the stop position of the output section be the stroke end of the linear reciprocating motion. Further, it is preferable that the main body 1 is provided with a linear reciprocating means in the axial direction and a swinging and rotating means around the axis center. Further, it is also preferable to provide a configuration in which the linear reciprocating means in the axial direction is provided in the main body 1, and the swinging and rotating means around the axis center is provided in the attachment 10 which can be attached to and detached from the main body 1.

[0006] Further, the swinging rotation means around the shaft center is provided on the main body 1.
It is also preferable that the attachment 10 is provided in the attachment 10 which can be attached to and detached from the body 1.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in the electric toothbrush having the output portion capable of linearly reciprocating in the axial direction, the stop position of the output portion is always the same, and during the linear reciprocation, the output portion moves from the stop position around the output shaft center. With the configuration having means capable of swinging rotation in a certain direction range, it is possible to brush at the correct angle when brushing the tooth surface with the brush portion, and brushing can be performed. The toothpaste can be brushed by the combined operation of reciprocating movement (bus) and swing rotation (rolling) in the axial direction.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The electric toothbrush includes the storage battery 5 and the motor 40
And a toothbrush portion 6 connected to a drive shaft 4 protruding from the tip of the main body 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a frame 13 on which a motor 40 and a cam block 41 are mounted, and a storage battery are mounted inside a main body 1 in which covers 11 and 12 are mounted on an upper end and a lower end, respectively. Battery holder is stored. The drive shaft 4 is also supported by the frame 13 and is connected to the motor 40 via the cam block 41. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes a waterproof rubber for waterproofing a tip portion of the main body 1 and 2 denotes a switch, which performs a seesaw movement by alternately operating a push-on switch 22 and a push-off switch 23 arranged on the front surface of the main body 1. The switch plate 29 is formed of a switch plate 29 and a contact portion (not shown) that is turned on and off with the movement of the switch plate 29.

The cam block 41 converts the rotation of the motor 40 into a reciprocating linear motion of the drive shaft 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the cam block 41 is supported by shafts 47, both ends of which are supported by the frame 13. A face gear 43 that meshes with a pinion 42 mounted on the output shaft, an eccentric shaft 44 formed integrally with the face gear 43, and a cam follower 46 that engages with the eccentric shaft 44. The cam follower 46 on which the eccentric shaft 44 is located is provided at the lower end of the drive shaft 4 which is slidably mounted on the frame 13 in the axial direction.

When the motor 40 rotates the eccentric shaft 44 via the pinion 42 and the face gear 43, the eccentric shaft 44
Reciprocates the cam follower 46 and the drive shaft 4 up and down. Since the drive shaft 4 reciprocates in the axial direction, it is necessary to mount the drive shaft 4 on the frame 13 through a bearing. Here, the drive shaft 4 is mounted on the frame 13 by rolling bearings 81, 81. The drive shaft 4 is supported.

Rolling bearing 8 for supporting the tip of drive shaft 4
As shown in FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes an annular retainer 82, balls 83 respectively arranged in axial grooves 84 formed in the retainer 82, and outer peripheries of both ends of the ball 83 in the retainer 82. When the drive shaft 4 reciprocates in the axial direction, the ball 8
3 can be moved in the axial direction.

A toothbrush 6 is detachably attached to the tip of the drive shaft 4 which performs a reciprocating linear movement. A brush portion 36 is provided at the tip of the toothbrush portion 6 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the toothbrush portion 6. 6 and 7 show examples of the operation of the toothbrush unit 6. Now, let the lower end position when the toothbrush part 6 performs a linear reciprocating motion be (a),
Assuming that the intermediate position is (b) and the upper end position is (c), in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the toothbrush portion 6 is connected to the toothbrush portion 6 at the lower end position (a) of the linear reciprocating motion and at the intermediate position (b). While brush portion 36 provided is oriented perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 6, has an angle swinging rotation of the theta ₁ is at the upper end position (c), from the upper end position (c) the intermediate position (b) When returning, θ ₁ → 0, and the operation is performed so that the lower end position (a) also becomes 0. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the brush portion 36 provided on the toothbrush portion 6 is perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 6 at the lower end position (a) of the linear reciprocating motion. theta ₂ in the intermediate position (b) as it moves to the upper end position (c) gradually swing angle of rotation so that the theta ₁ increases, the upper end position as the (c) returns to the lower end position (a) θ ₁ → The operation is performed such that θ ₂ → 0.

FIGS. 4 and 8 show that the linear reciprocating motion in the axial direction is performed by an eccentric shaft 44 integrally formed with a face gear 43 meshing with a pinion 42, and a cam follower 46 engaged with the eccentric shaft 44. In each embodiment, the swinging guide 90 and the swinging guide projection 91 perform swinging rotation in a certain direction around the axis center. The swing guide projection 91 is provided to project from the cam follower 46, and the swing guide 90 is formed on the frame 13 of the main body 1. And
When the drive shaft 4 moves up and down due to the rotation of the eccentric shaft 44, the swing guide projection 91 raises and lowers the swing guide and generates a rotational force. Here, in order to perform the movement as shown in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 4, the swing guide 90 first has an arcuate curved portion 90b for guiding the rotation in the middle of a vertical linear portion 90a (that is, from the upper end of the linear portion). In order to perform the movement as shown in FIG. 7, the swing guide 90 has a structure in which the whole is an arc-shaped curved portion 90b to guide the rotation from the beginning as shown in FIG. I have.
4 and 8, reference numeral 90c denotes a stopper, which serves to stop the swing guide projection 91 so as not to rotate any more. FIG. 9 shows the lower end position (a) of FIG.
The relationship between the eccentric shaft 44 and the cam follower 46 at the intermediate position (b) and the upper end position (c), the relationship between the drive shaft 4, the swing guide projection 91 and the swing guide 90, and the brush portion 36
Shows the mutual relationship of the directions.

By the way, in the present invention, the stop position of the output section which reciprocates linearly is always kept constant. However, in order to make the stop position of the output section which reciprocates linearly always constant, the following example is used in the embodiment. It has been done. That is, in the embodiment, the magnet 92 is provided at the most eccentric portion of the eccentric shaft 44, the Hall element 93 corresponding to the magnet is provided on the main body 1 side, and the position of the magnet 92 of the eccentric shaft 44 is The detection is made at 93, and the current of the motor 40 is controlled so that the magnet comes to the lowermost end after the power stop switch is pressed. FIG. 10 shows a block diagram thereof.
In the embodiment, the stop position of the output unit is set at the stroke end of the linear reciprocating motion. The eccentric shaft 4
The position detection of No. 4 is not limited to this, but may be means using an encoder or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the embodiment in which the linear reciprocating means in the axial direction and the oscillating rotating means around the center of the axis are provided inside the main body 1 is shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. The reciprocating means is provided in the main body 1, and the swinging rotation means around the center of the shaft is provided in the detachable attachment 10. That is, in this embodiment, the cover 11 constitutes the attachment 10 that can be attached to and detached from the main body 1.
FIG. 11 is a view showing a linear reciprocating means provided in the main body 1, wherein an eccentric shaft 44 integrally formed with a face gear 43 meshing with a linear reciprocating motion in the axial direction.
And a cam follower 46 that engages with the eccentric shaft 44. The attachment 10 is provided with a swing guide groove 94 provided obliquely on the inner wall. When the toothbrush portion 6 is fitted to the drive shaft 4, the swing guide protrusion 95 provided on the toothbrush portion 6 causes the swing guide groove 95 to swing. The drive shaft 4 is fitted into the guide groove 94, and when the drive shaft 4 performs a linear reciprocating motion, the swing guide protrusion 95 moves in the swing guide groove 94 to swing and rotate around the central axis. The manner of rotation can be the same as in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 depending on the shape of the swing guide groove 94.

FIGS. 14 to 16 show still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the main body 1 is provided with an oscillating rotation means around the center of an axis, and the attachment 10 is detachable from the main body 1 by means of an axial linear reciprocating means.
In preparation for. That is, also in this embodiment, the cover 11 forms the attachment 10 that can be attached to and detached from the main body 1. FIG. 14 is a view showing a swinging rotation means provided in the main body 1, wherein a cam 44 a formed integrally with a face gear 43 meshing with the pinion 42, and a cam 44 a
The cam follower 46 is engaged with the cam follower 46.
Here, a circular cam 44a is formed on the outer periphery of a shaft portion projecting vertically from the face gear 43.
The axis 4a is inclined with respect to the axis of a shaft portion vertically projecting from the face gear 43. And
By engaging the cam 44a with the cam follower 46,
The drive shaft 4 swings and rotates. On the other hand, the attachment 10 detachably attached to the main body 1 is provided with a linear reciprocating guide groove 97 provided obliquely on the inner wall thereof, and by fitting the toothbrush portion 6 to the drive shaft 4,
The linear guide projection 98 provided on the toothbrush section 6 is fitted into the linear reciprocating guide groove 97, and when the drive shaft 4 performs a swinging rotational movement, the linear guide projection 98 moves through the linear reciprocating guide groove 97. By moving, it reciprocates linearly. FIG. 16 shows the operation, and FIG.
(B) and (c) show the relationship between the cam 44a and the cam follower 46, the relationship between the position of the drive shaft 4, and the direction of the brush portion 36. Then, rotates by theta ₁ with the cam follower 46 is fitted to the inclination of the cam 44a as shown in (a). At this time, if the mounting position of the cam follower 46 and the drive shaft is set to θ ₁ , (a), the intermediate position (b), and the upper end position (c), and the cam follower 46 swings by ± θ ₁ to drive. axis 4 will be 0～2Shita ₁ swings. In addition, by always setting the stop position to (a), rotation around the center of the output shaft in a certain direction can be achieved. (A) corresponds to the lower end position of the vertical movement, (b) corresponds to the middle position, and (c) corresponds to the upper end position.

[0017]

According to the present invention, as described above, in an electric toothbrush having an output portion capable of linearly reciprocating in the axial direction, the stop position of the output portion is always the same, and the output portion stops during the linear reciprocating motion. Since it has means that can swing and rotate in a certain direction range from the position to the output shaft center, it is easy to apply the brush part to the tooth surface at the correct angle, and the brushing area by the brush is wide, In addition, by the combined operation of the linear reciprocating motion and the oscillating rotation, the brush can be brushed even at the portion between the teeth without pinching the brush portion, and the tooth brushing can be performed efficiently.

Further, when the stop position of the output portion is at the stroke end of the linear reciprocating motion, the swing rotation angle becomes clear, and it is easy to apply an appropriate angle between the teeth and the gums.
It can brush teeth efficiently without turning up the gums and damaging them. Further, in the apparatus having the linear reciprocating means in the axial direction and the oscillating rotating means around the axis center in the main body, the driving unit itself performs the linear reciprocating movement and the oscillating rotating movement, so that the toothbrush section is provided. However, only a conventional handle and a brush portion are used, and a replacement brush for the conventional electric toothbrush can be used.

Also, in the case where the linear reciprocating means in the axial direction is provided in the main body and the oscillating rotating means around the center of the axis is provided in an attachment detachable from the main body, when the attachment is used, the linear reciprocating means is used. Tooth brushing that combines movement and oscillating rotation can be performed. In addition, when a replacement brush having only a handle and a brush portion is used, the brush can be used with only reciprocating linear movement, and various types of tooth brushing can be selected.

Further, in the case where the swinging rotation means around the axis center is provided in the main body and the axial linear reciprocating means is provided in an attachment detachable from the main body, the linear reciprocating means is used when the attachment is used. Tooth brushing that combines movement and swinging rotation can be performed. When a replacement brush having only a handle and a brush portion is used, the brush can be used only by swinging rotation, and various types of tooth brushing can be selected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main body.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the above.

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of a driving block according to the embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a front view of a swing guide according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the bearing.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a swing rotation position of the brush unit at a lower end position, an intermediate position, and an upper end position of the reciprocating linear motion.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of another example showing the swing rotation position of the brush at the lower end position, the intermediate position, and the upper end position of the reciprocating linear motion.

FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the drive block used in the embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a front view of a swing guide in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the eccentric shaft and the cam follower, the relationship between the drive shaft, the swing guide protrusion, and the swing guide, and the orientation of the brush at the lower position, the intermediate position, and the upper position in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship.

FIG. 10 is a block circuit diagram of the above.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of still another embodiment of a drive block according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a drive shaft, an attachment, and a toothbrush part according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a driving block according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a drive shaft, an attachment, and a toothbrush part according to the third embodiment.

FIGS. 16 (a), (b) and (c) are explanatory views showing the relationship between the cam and the cam follower, the position of the drive shaft, and the direction of the brush portion, respectively.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 body 10 attachment

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A46B 1/00-17/08 A46D 1/00-9/06 A45C 1/00-15/08 A61C 15 / 00-17/04 A61C 1/00-7/00 A61C 19/00-19/10

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electric toothbrush having an output portion capable of linearly reciprocating in an axial direction, wherein a stop position of the output portion is always the same, and a swing in a certain direction around the center of the output shaft from the stop position during the linear reciprocation. An electric toothbrush comprising a means capable of dynamic rotation. 2. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the stop position of the output section is a stroke end of the linear reciprocating motion. 3. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, further comprising an axial linear reciprocating means and an oscillating rotating means around the center of the axis inside the main body. 4. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, further comprising an axial linear reciprocating means provided in the main body, and an oscillating rotating means provided around the center of the axis provided in an attachment detachable from the main body. 5. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, further comprising an oscillating rotation means around the center of the shaft in the main body, and an axial linear reciprocating means in an attachment detachable from the main body.