JP4547229B2 - toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toothbrush.

  Conventionally, various brushing methods such as a rolling method, a bath method, a scrub method, a charter's method, etc. have been used as a brushing method for removing plaque adhering to the teeth and massaging the gums to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. Has been advocated. In recent years, an electric toothbrush that automatically performs the above-described brushing operation using an electric motor has also been widely used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  By the way, it is said that about 80% of Japanese people aged 35 and over are suffering from gum disease, a gum disease. Therefore, manufacturers dealing with oral hygiene tools are focusing on developing toothbrushes that effectively remove plaque that causes periodontal disease as well as preventing tooth decay. From such a background, the shape of the bristles has been improved so that the plaque between the teeth and the teeth and gums can be reliably removed, for example, a toothbrush with branched bristles or the outside of the head part Toothbrushes with longer hairs from the inside have been developed.

On the other hand, it is known that periodontal disease can be prevented by massaging the gums and promoting blood circulation of the gums by brushing. Due to the preventive measures against periodontal diseases, demands for toothbrushes with rounded bristles and toothbrushes using soft material bristles are increasing.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-257043

  By the way, it is said that the time taken for one tooth brushing is less than 1 minute according to the statistics of many people. In other words, the above-mentioned conventional toothbrushes have been devised in various ways, but none of them are sufficient as a preventive effect for periodontal disease. From this, a new highly effective preventive effect for periodontal disease etc. There is a demand for the development of a new toothbrush.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a toothbrush that can enhance the preventive effect of periodontal disease and the like by effectively imparting the promoting action of gingival blood circulation during brushing. It is to provide.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a brush that is slidably contacted with teeth and gums, a laser light emitting means that emits laser light around the tip of the brush, and an irradiation area of the laser light by the laser light emitting means are visually recognized. As shown, the visible light emitting means for emitting red visible light having a wavelength different from that of the laser light, and the preheating function for preheating the gums by the red visible light are obtained. Means for starting the emission of the red visible light by the visible light emission means before the emission of the laser light by the laser light emission means is started .

  Since the toothbrush of this invention can irradiate the gingiva around the hair tip of the brush when brushing the teeth, the gingiva can be heated by the thermal energy of the laser beam, and this thermal massage effect during brushing Thus, gingival blood circulation can be effectively promoted. Therefore, according to the toothbrush of this invention, the preventive effect, such as a periodontal disease, can be heightened.

Further, according to the toothbrush of this invention, for example, by using a mirror, since the irradiation area of the laser beam capable of performing tooth brushing while confirming users by visible light, a laser beam to heat massage subject gingival Irradiation can be performed more accurately. Furthermore, according to this invention, since the tooth brush is configured red visible light before Les laser light irradiation is irradiated, previously pressurized gum before performing actual toothbrushing (the brushing) Can be warmed. In this case, the thermal effect by the preheating function is added, and effective periodontal disease can be prevented.

  In the toothbrush according to the present invention, the laser light emitting means further includes at least an objective lens disposed in an optical path of the laser light, and further includes a vibration applying mechanism that vibrates the objective lens and / or the brush. It is characterized by.

  Since the toothbrush of this invention can irradiate a laser beam over a wide range of gingiva by the objective lens provided with vibration, it is possible to improve the efficiency of thermal massage by this laser light irradiation. The present invention can also be applied as a so-called electric toothbrush in which the brush automatically vibrates. Furthermore, in this invention, when it comprises so that an objective lens and a brush may be vibrated together, the promotion effect of the gingival blood circulation can be obtained suitably by the synergistic effect of the massage by vibration and the massage by heat. Here, the irradiation frequency of the laser beam and the vibration state of the brush may be varied so that the vibration frequency of the objective lens and the brush can be adjusted so as to obtain a good massage effect most suitable for each user.

  In addition, the toothbrush according to the present invention includes an attachment / detachment mechanism that allows the head portion in which the brush is implanted to be removable with respect to the toothbrush body, and a replacement head portion that can be attached to the toothbrush body through the attachment / detachment mechanism. Furthermore, it is characterized by comprising.

  According to the toothbrush of the present invention, a predetermined brushing effect can be always obtained by replacing the brush portion (head portion) consumed by brushing with a replacement head portion. Here, for example, by preparing in advance a plurality of types of head portions each having different brush hardness, length, hair tip shape, flocked state, etc., the brushing effect and laser light desired by the user can be obtained. You can expect a synergistic massage effect with the thermal effect.

Furthermore, the toothbrush according to the present invention is characterized in that the laser light emitting means is provided in the toothbrush body.
According to the toothbrush of the present invention, since only the worn brush part can be replaced, generally expensive lenses, optical components such as mirrors and laser diodes arranged on the toothbrush main body side, laser diodes, etc. can be used as they are, and the running cost is reduced. Can be achieved.

  Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toothbrush that can enhance the preventive effect of periodontal disease and the like by effectively imparting the promoting action of gingival blood circulation during tooth brushing.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the toothbrush according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front, and FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the head portion as seen from the hair tip side of the brush.

  As shown in these drawings, the toothbrush 1 includes a toothbrush body 2 held by a user, and a head portion 5 in which a brush 3 that slides on teeth and gums is implanted. The brush 3 is made of nylon, sponge, animal hair, plant fiber, or the like, and is implanted on the surface of the head portion 5 as a plurality of hair bundles. Further, the toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a laser light emission mechanism 6 that emits laser light around the tip of the brush 3.

  That is, the toothbrush main body 2 is formed with a housing space for electric / electronic parts and optical parts therein, a laser diode 7 as a laser light source, a battery 8 such as a dry battery or a rechargeable battery, and a laser diode 7. A heat sink 9 for removing the heat of the laser, a laser driving circuit 11 mounted on the control substrate 10 as a semiconductor chip, and the like are provided. The laser diode 7 is built in the toothbrush body 2 while being held by the heat sink 9, and the outer portion of the heat sink 9 is fixed to the housing portion of the toothbrush body 2.

  The laser diode 7 is excited by applying a current directly to a PN junction diode using a compound semiconductor such as GaAs (gallium arsenide) to obtain laser oscillation. As the laser diode 7, for example, a semiconductor element capable of emitting laser light having a wavelength of 700 to 900 nm and an optical output of 5 mW to 1600 mW is applied. Such laser light has good thermal efficiency and can give a sufficient amount of heat to the gingiva.

Here, the amount of irradiation energy per unit area of the laser light is
When defined as energy amount (mW / cm ² ) = output (mW) / irradiated spot area (cm ² ),
The amount of energy of the laser beam to be irradiated on the gingiva is preferably in the range of 5 mW / cm ^{2 to} 50 W / cm ² .

  The heat sink 9 diffuses heat generated during the operation of the laser diode 7 by heat conduction to suppress a decrease in performance. For this reason, the heat sink 9 is cast from aluminum having a high thermal conductivity or an alloy thereof, and a plurality of through holes are formed to increase the surface area, thereby enhancing the heat dissipation effect.

  On the outer surface of the toothbrush body 2, a slide type power switch 12 for turning on / off the emission of laser light from the laser diode 7 is provided. The laser diode 7 emits the above-mentioned energy amount of laser light at a predetermined pulse interval while the power switch 12 is ON. Of course, instead of the laser diode 7, a semiconductor laser that continuously outputs laser light may be applied. Further, a bottom cover 14 is detachably attached to the bottom of the toothbrush body 2 for replacement of the battery 8.

  On the other hand, inside the head portion 5, a reflection mirror 15 that reflects the laser light emitted from the laser diode 7, and the laser light reflected by the reflection mirror 15 through the laser light emission port 16 and around the hair tip of the brush 3. And an objective lens 17 such as a convex lens that emits light. The laser light emission port 16 is formed in the central portion of the head portion 5 when the brush 3 is viewed from the hair tip side.

  The reflection mirror 15 reflects the laser light emitted from the laser diode 7 and travels straight through the internal space of the toothbrush body 2 at a substantially right angle and guides it to the objective lens 17. The objective lens 17 is disposed at a position where the laser light guided from the reflection mirror 15 is once condensed and then the beam spot of the laser light is enlarged to a predetermined spot size around the tip of the brush 3. Yes.

  The toothbrush 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above can irradiate the gingiva around the hair tip of the brush 3 during brushing, so that the gingiva can be heated with the thermal energy of the laser beam. This thermal massage effect when brushing teeth can effectively promote gingival blood circulation. Therefore, according to the toothbrush of this invention, the outstanding preventive effect with respect to periodontal disease etc. can be exhibited.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a toothbrush according to a second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front, and FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the head portion as seen from the hair tip side of the brush. In addition, in the toothbrush 21 shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, the same code | symbol is provided about the component same as the component of the toothbrush 1 of 1st Embodiment.
As shown in these drawings, a toothbrush 21 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of light emitting diodes 22 and light emitted from the light emitting diodes 22 in addition to the toothbrush 1 of the first embodiment. And an optical system (not shown) that guides the light.

  The light emitting diode 22 emits red visible light having a wavelength different from that of the laser light emitted by the laser diode 7, for example, about 620 to 680 nm. On the outer surface of the toothbrush body 2, there is provided a slide type switch 23 for turning on / off the emission of red light from the light emitting diode 22. An optical system (not shown) guides the red visible light emitted from the light-emitting diode 22 to irradiate the gingiva so as to visually indicate the irradiation region of the laser light irradiated to the gingiva via the objective lens 17. .

  Further, in the toothbrush 21 of the present embodiment, the red visible light emission starts a few seconds before the laser light emission from the laser diode 7 starts. Thereby, the gingiva can be preheated with red light.

  According to the toothbrush 21 of this embodiment, the user can brush the teeth while confirming the laser light irradiation area with visible light using, for example, a mirror. It can be irradiated accurately. Moreover, in the toothbrush 21 of this embodiment, since gum can be preheated before actually starting toothbrushing (brushing), the thermal effect by a preheating function is added and effective periodontal disease prevention is performed. Can do.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a toothbrush according to a third embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front. In addition, in the toothbrush 31 shown in FIG. 5, the same code | symbol is provided about the component same as the component of the toothbrush 1 of 1st Embodiment. As shown in the figure, the toothbrush 31 according to this embodiment includes a vibration applying mechanism 32 that vibrates the objective lens 17 and the brush 3 in addition to the configuration of the toothbrush 1 of the first embodiment.

  The vibration imparting mechanism 32 is formed of a material that constitutes part of the eccentric motor 33 and the toothbrush main body 2 and the head unit 5 and is excellent in vibration transmission, and holds the objective lens 17, the brush 3, and the eccentric motor 33. This is realized by the member 34 and vibration isolating members 35 and 36 such as a rubber cushion for preventing transmission of vibration to the heat sink 9 and the reflection mirror 15 that hold the laser diode 7. The toothbrush 31 is provided with a vibration switch 37 that switches ON / OFF of the eccentric motor 33, that is, whether to vibrate the objective lens 17 and the brush 3.

  An eccentric weight 38 is fixed to the output shaft of the eccentric motor 33 as a vibrator. When the eccentric weight 38 rotates at high speed with eccentricity, vibration is generated in the radial direction of the output shaft of the eccentric motor 33 main body. To do. The vibration generated in the eccentric motor 33 is transmitted to the objective lens 17 and the brush 3 through the vibration transmission member 34.

  Therefore, according to the toothbrush 31 of this embodiment, the objective lens 17 to which vibration is applied can irradiate laser light over a wide range of gingiva, so that it is possible to improve the efficiency of thermal massage by irradiating the laser light. Further, the toothbrush 31 can suitably obtain a promoting action of gingival blood circulation by a synergistic effect of physical massage by vibration of the brush 3 and thermal massage by laser light.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a toothbrush according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front, and FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the head portion as viewed from the hair tip side of the brush. In addition, in the toothbrush 41 shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, the same code | symbol is provided about the component same as the component of the toothbrush 1 of 1st Embodiment.

  As shown in these drawings, in addition to the configuration of the toothbrush 1 of the first embodiment, the toothbrush 41 according to this embodiment attaches and detaches the head part in which the brush 3 is implanted to the toothbrush body 42. A mechanism 43 and a replacement head portion 44 that can be attached to the toothbrush main body 42 through the attachment / detachment mechanism 43 are provided.

  In the toothbrush 41 of this embodiment, a predetermined brushing effect can always be obtained by replacing the head portion having the brush 3 consumed by brushing with a replacement head portion. Here, in addition to the head portion 44, a plurality of types of head portions each having different brush hardness, length, hair tip shape, flocked state, and the like are prepared in advance as a result of the user's request. A synergistic massage effect of the brushing effect and the thermal effect of laser light can be expected.

  Further, the toothbrush 41 according to this embodiment includes a laser light emission mechanism 45 instead of the laser light emission mechanism 6 provided in the toothbrush 1. The laser light emission mechanism 6 is provided in the head portion 5 of the toothbrush 1, whereas the laser light emission mechanism 45 is provided in the toothbrush main body 42.

  That is, inside the toothbrush main body 42, the reflection mirror 46 that reflects the laser light emitted from the laser diode 7, and the laser light reflected by the reflection mirror 46 through the laser light emission port 47 and around the hair tip of the brush 3. And an objective lens 48 for emitting light. The laser beam emission port 47 is provided at the distal end portion of the toothbrush main body 42 and opens to the surface side of the head portion 44 where the brush 3 is implanted.

  The reflection mirror 46 reflects and guides the laser light emitted from the laser diode 7 and traveling straight through the internal space of the toothbrush body 2 to the objective lens 48. The objective lens 48 is disposed at a position where the laser light guided from the reflection mirror 46 is once condensed and then the beam spot of the laser light is enlarged to a predetermined spot size around the tip of the brush 3. Yes.

  Therefore, according to the toothbrush 41, only the head part 44 having the worn brush 3 can be replaced, so that the optical parts such as the generally expensive objective lens 48 and the reflection mirror 46 arranged on the toothbrush main body 42 side and the laser diode 7 can be used as they are. It can be used continuously and the running cost can be reduced.

  The present invention has been specifically described above with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a volume may be provided at the output of the laser diode 7 so that the amount of heat applied to the gingiva can be finely adjusted. Thereby, the prevention effect of the periodontal disease which becomes more optimal for every user can be acquired. In addition, when brushing with the toothbrush of the present invention, the use of, for example, a black toothpaste (including a sol-like powder) that easily absorbs light is used to promote blood circulation in the gingiva. Can improve the massage effect.

It is sectional drawing which looked at the toothbrush which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention from the front. It is the detailed view which looked at the head part of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 from the hair tip side of the brush. It is sectional drawing which looked at the toothbrush which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention from the front. It is the detailed view which looked at the head part of the toothbrush of FIG. 3 from the hair tip side of the brush. It is sectional drawing which looked at the toothbrush which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention from the front. It is sectional drawing which looked at the toothbrush which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention from the front. It is the detailed view which looked at the head part of the toothbrush of FIG. 6 from the hair tip side of the brush.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 21, 31, 41 ... toothbrush, 2, 42 ... toothbrush body, 3 ... brush, 5, 44 ... head, 6, 45 ... laser light emission mechanism, 7 ... laser diode, 15, 46 ... reflection mirror, 16 , 47... Laser light emission port, 17, 48... Objective lens, 22. Light emitting diode, 32... Vibration imparting mechanism, 33.

Claims (4)

A brush sliding on the teeth and gums;
A laser beam emitting means for emitting a laser beam around the bristles of the brush;
As the irradiation area of the laser light by the laser light emitting means is visually indicated, and visible light radiation means for radiating the visible light of red different wavelengths from said laser beam,
Before the laser light emission by the laser light emission means is started, the red visible light emission by the visible light emission means is obtained so that a preheating function for preheating the gums with the red visible light can be obtained. Means for initiating light emission;
Toothbrush it characterized in that immediately Bei a. The laser light emitting means includes at least an objective lens disposed in an optical path of the laser light;
The toothbrush according to claim 1 , further comprising a vibration applying mechanism that vibrates the objective lens and / or the brush. An attachment / detachment mechanism that allows the head portion in which the brush is implanted to be removable from the toothbrush body;
The toothbrush according to claim 1 , further comprising: a replacement head portion that can be attached to the toothbrush body through the attachment / detachment mechanism. The toothbrush according to claim 3 , wherein the laser light emitting means is provided in the toothbrush body.

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