JPH11103938A - Motor-driven toothbrush-type mouth cavity washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a motor-driven toothbrush-type mouth cavity washing device by which anyone can easily, surely and more safely execute mouth cavity care as against a physically handicapped old man or a sick person, etc. SOLUTION: The device is provided with a device main body 1, a motor- driven toothbrush 3, a charger 2, a washing liquid container 5 disposed in the device main body 1 so as to be freely attachable/detachable, dirty water containers 61 and 62 , a tube pump 25 for supplying a washing liquid from the washing liquid container 5 to the motor-driven toothbrush 3, a sucking pump 37 for sucking dirty water from the motor-driven toothbrush 3 and sucking it into the dirty water containers 61 and 62 and a control part 41 for controlling the operations of the tube pump 25 and the sucking pump 37. Then, in the motor-driven toothbrush 3, a liquid supplying hole 64 for supplying the washing liquid to the planting surface of a toothbrush head and the sucking hole 65 for sucking dirty water are piercedly provided and also a head rear surface part is provided with a nipple 22 having a liquid supplying tube connector 68 which communicates with the liquid supply hole and a sucking tube connector 67 which communicates with the sucking hole 65.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus for the elderly or sick who need care.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Oral care assistance for elderly and sick persons who are unable to brush their own teeth has been widely discussed in recent years as a major social problem with the aging of society. In general, oral care assistance for elderly and sick persons with such disabilities is usually performed by nurses or attendants using a commercially available toothbrush, but it is not possible to sleep or sit in bed. It is required that the device can be used in a worn state and that care can be performed in a short time, and it has been quite difficult to satisfy such a requirement with a normal toothbrush.

Accordingly, the present applicant has disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-12112.
No. 43 proposed a toothbrush for mouth washing to solve such a problem. The mouthwash toothbrush according to this proposal has a large-diameter suction hole formed substantially at the center of the flocked surface, and a liquid supply hole smaller in diameter than the suction hole at a position closer to the base end of the head than the suction hole. Was formed in the opening. Then, when using the same, the liquid supply hole is used as a supply source of the cleaning liquid via a liquid supply hose,
Each of the suction holes is connected to a negative pressure suction device via a suction hose, and brushing is performed while supplying a cleaning liquid (for example, water, a bactericide-containing solution, water toothpaste, etc.) to the brush on the flocked surface from a liquid supply hole, Food residue scraped off by brushing,
Saliva and dirty washing liquid are sucked out from the suction hole and discharged to the outside, and are extremely useful as oral care aids for elderly and sick persons with physical disabilities.

[0004]

However, the toothbrush for oral cleaning of the prior application described above requires a separate supply pump, a suction pump, piping tubes and the like in actual use. There was a problem in terms of handling as. When providing oral care assistance to the elderly and the sick, such as the disabled, it should be easy, reliable, and safer for anyone to use without requiring special equipment handling and brushing skills. Is desirable.

[0005] The present invention has been newly developed in view of the above, and it is intended to provide easy, reliable, and safer oral care assistance for elderly and sick persons with disabilities. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric toothbrush-type mouth washing device that can be used.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric toothbrush-type mouthwashing device, comprising: a mouthwashing device main body; and a cleaning solution attached to the device body for storing a cleaning solution for mouthwashing. A container, a tube pump connected to the cleaning liquid container via a liquid supply tube, an electric toothbrush connected to the tube pump via a liquid supply tube, and an electric toothbrush charger for charging the electric toothbrush, A suction pump connected to the electric toothbrush via a suction tube; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the tube pump. The washing container and the sewage container are detachably provided outside the apparatus main body, The toothbrush is provided with a liquid supply hole for supplying a cleaning liquid and a suction hole for sucking sewage on a flocked surface of the toothbrush head, and a liquid supply pipe communicating with the liquid supply hole on a back surface of the head. A nipple having a connector and a suction pipe connector communicating with the suction hole is provided.The liquid supply pipe connecting the tube pump and the electric toothbrush is connected to a liquid supply pipe connector of the nipple. The suction pipe connecting the containers is connected to a suction pipe connector of the nipple.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the liquid supply pipe connector and the suction pipe connector of the nipple are directed in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush body. In two horizontal rows.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the liquid supply hole is formed in a flocked surface of the toothbrush head. It is characterized in that it is also used as a flocked hole.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric toothbrush-type mouth washing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the suction pipe connecting the sewage container and a suction pump is provided. A piping branch member is interposed on the way,
A pressure sensor is provided at the end of the communication pipe branched by the pipe branch member, and the operation of the tube pump is controlled according to the pressure detected by the pressure sensor.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a liquid supply pipe connector and a suction pipe of a nipple of the toothbrush head are provided. The liquid supply pipe and the suction pipe connected to the connector are constituted by a double tube in which two tubes are integrally connected.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein each of the double tubes is colored differently. It is.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electric toothbrush-type mouth washing device according to the fifth aspect, the tube on the liquid supply side of the double tube is a transparent tube. The tube on the suction tube side is a translucent tube.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the embolus having a groove or a hole for adjusting the discharge of the washing liquid is provided. Prepared and fitted with the embolus in the liquid supply hole of the toothbrush head.

[0014]

In the case of the electric toothbrush type mouth washing apparatus according to the first aspect, since the washing liquid is supplied by using the tube pump, the washing liquid is not jetted from the liquid supply hole formed in the toothbrush head as a jet stream, and is gently jetted. Discharge can be performed slowly and at a steady small flow rate. Therefore, even if the electric toothbrush is used while lying on a bed or the like, the washing liquid does not scatter. Further, even when the washing liquid container is located at a higher position than the patient, the tube pump does not increase the flow rate based on the siphon principle unlike other pumps, and can further enhance safety. Further, since the electric toothbrush charger for charging the electric toothbrush is provided, the electric toothbrush can always be kept in a standby state in a charged state, and can be used at any time. Further, since the washing container and the sewage container are detachably provided outside the main body of the apparatus, replacement is facilitated and handling is improved. Further, since the liquid supply hole and the suction hole are connected to the apparatus main body through the nipple provided on the back side of the toothbrush head, the replacement of the toothbrush head is simplified, and the assembling work at the time of manufacturing is also facilitated. . Also, since it can be easily removed, it is excellent for maintenance such as cleaning.

In the case of the electric toothbrush type mouth washing apparatus according to the second aspect, the liquid supply pipe connector and the suction pipe connector of the nipple are provided in two horizontal rows in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush body. It can be made thinner by the minute, and the nipples are less likely to hit the opposing teeth during brushing, so that the convenience in brushing is improved.

In the case of the electric toothbrush type mouth washing apparatus according to the third aspect, since the liquid supply hole is also used as the flocking hole formed in the flocking surface of the toothbrush head, it is possible to supply the cleaning liquid to the entire flocking surface. In addition to being possible, the small gap between the brush bundles planted in each of the flocking holes can be used as a capillary, so that water can be supplied more efficiently.

In the case of the electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, a pressure sensor is provided, and the operation of the tube pump is controlled in accordance with the pressure detected by the pressure sensor. When the pipe is clogged, waste water is no longer drained, or the suction tube comes off, the signal from the pressure sensor can be used to stop the tube pump, which is a water supply pump. Can be prevented from continuing to be discharged.

In the case of the electric toothbrush type mouth washing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the liquid supply pipe and the suction pipe are constituted by a double tube in which two tubes are integrally connected, so that the handling is simplified.

In the case of the electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, since each of the double tubes is colored in a different color, it is extremely reliable to distinguish between the liquid supply pipe and the suction pipe. It is possible to eliminate mistakes in connecting the suction tubes.

In the case of the electric toothbrush type mouth washing apparatus according to claim 7, since the tube on the liquid supply tube side of the double tube is a transparent tube and the tube on the suction tube side is a translucent tube, the washing liquid is used. Can be confirmed, and the inside of the suction pipe through which the wastewater flows can be made invisible.

In the case of the electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, since the plug having a groove or a hole for adjusting the discharge of the cleaning liquid is fitted into the supply hole of the toothbrush head, the cleaning liquid is formed in the groove of the plug. Alternatively, the cleaning liquid is slowly discharged from the hole little by little, so that even if the flocked surface of the toothbrush head faces downward, the washing liquid discharged from the liquid supply hole can be prevented from directly dripping.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 show an embodiment of an electric toothbrush type mouth washing device according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the entire apparatus, FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus, FIG. 4 is a right side view of the apparatus, and FIG. 5 is a pipe branch member for connecting a pressure sensor. FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway front view of a liquid supply unit provided in the apparatus main body.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG.
An apparatus body 1 comprising a substantially box-shaped case;
Electric toothbrush charger 2 provided on the left side of the vehicle
And a rechargeable electric toothbrush 3 placed on the electric toothbrush charger 2, a container holder 4 provided on the right side of the apparatus main body 1, and stored in the container holder 4. The mounted washing liquid container 5 and the first and second two sewage containers 6 ₁ , 6 _{2 also} stored and mounted in the container holding unit 4.
It is composed of

An operation panel 7 and a liquid supply unit 8 composed of a tube pump are provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 1. The operation panel 7 includes a power ON / OFF switch 9, a mode switch 10 for switching between a suction mode and a liquid supply suction mode, a water amount adjustment dial 11, a rapid liquid supply switch 12, a display lamp 13, and other switches required for operation of the apparatus. Indicator lamps are arranged. The device body 1
A carrying handle 14 is provided on the upper surface of the case, and the apparatus can be freely carried by holding and suspending the carrying handle 14.

The electric toothbrush 3 has a substantially cylindrical body 1.
5 and a toothbrush head 16 removably inserted into the tip of the body portion 15. By operating power ON / OFF switches 17 ₁ and 17 ₂ provided on the body portion 14, the toothbrush head is operated. 16 is operated or stopped. The illustrated example of the toothbrush head 16 also includes a strength switch 18,
By operating this switch, the intensity of the movement of the toothbrush can be switched.

Although the detailed structure will be described later,
A liquid supply hole 64 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) for supplying a cleaning liquid to the brush 19 planted on the flocked surface, a food residue scraped off by the brush 19, and saliva are provided on the flocked surface of the toothbrush head 16. And a suction hole 65 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) for collecting dirty cleaning liquid and the like, and a nipple 22 having a suction pipe connector 67 and a liquid supply pipe connector 68 is fixed on the back surface of the head. The liquid supply hole 64 and the suction hole 65 are connected to the apparatus main body 1 by connecting the double tube 23 composed of the liquid supply pipe 20 and the suction pipe 21 to the connectors 66 and 67 of the nipple 22. .

In order to prevent bacterial infection and the like, the double tube 23 and the toothbrush head 16 are handled as a single set. When the toothbrush head 16 is replaced, the double tube 23 is also set together with the toothbrush head 16 as a single set. It is preferable to replace the toothbrush, but when such need is not necessary, only the toothbrush head 16 may be replaced.

Next, a detailed system configuration of the entire apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the cleaning liquid container 5 is connected to a suction side of a tube pump 25 of a liquid supply unit 8 provided in the apparatus main body 1 by a first liquid supply pipe 24. Further, a discharge side of the tube pump 25 is connected to a liquid supply side male connector 27 provided on the apparatus main body 1 by a second liquid supply pipe 26.
It is connected to the. Then, this liquid supply side male connector 2
7, a third liquid supply pipe 20 constituting one side of the double tube 23 is detachably connected through a liquid supply side female connector 28. The third liquid supply pipe 20 is connected to the liquid supply hole 64 of the electric toothbrush 2 as described above.

On the other hand, the suction hole 65 of the electric toothbrush 2
The first suction tube 21 constituting the other side of the double tube 23 is connected. A suction-side male connector 29 is attached to the other end of the first suction tube 21, and is detachably attached to a suction-side female connector 30 of the apparatus main body 1. In addition, this suction-side female connector 16, is connected to the second suction pipe 31 from the interior side of the apparatus main body 1, the second suction pipe 31 is connected to the first sewage container 6 ₁ . Then, the first to the sewage receptacle 6 _1, second sewage container 6 ₂ are connected through a third suction tube 32. Furthermore, sewage receptacle 6 ₂ of the second is connected to the pipe branch member 34 by the fourth suction pipe 33.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pipe branching member 34 includes a branch opening member 34A fixed to the apparatus main body 1 and a joint member 34B attached to the branch opening member 34A. The branch opening member 34
A is open vertically and a fifth suction pipe 36 is provided on the lower side.
Is connected to the suction side of the suction pump 37. A communication pipe 39 is connected to the upper side via a porous membrane 38, and a pressure sensor 40 is connected to the tip of the communication pipe 39.
Is attached. The output signal of the pressure sensor 40 is connected to the control unit 41.

[0031] The suction pump 37 is composed of a vacuum pump, scraped food residue from the suction hole of the toothbrush head 16, saliva and dirty cleaning solution and aspirated, the first sewage container ₆₁ or the second It causes the reservoir of the sewage container 6 _2, feeding the sucked air from the suction pump 37 to the silencing muffler 42, and is configured to exhaust to the outside of the apparatus main body 1. The muffler muffler 42 is attached as an accessory, and may be attached as needed. Further, a sterilizer may be interposed after the muffler muffler 42, and the air may be exhausted after sterilization.

The control section 41 is electrically connected to the tube pump 25 and the suction pump 37 via relays 43 and 44, and controls the operation / stop of the tube pump 25 based on the detection signal of the pressure sensor 40. Control. In addition,
Reference numeral 45 denotes an alarm connected to the control unit 41;
Is an outlet connected to commercial power.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed structure of the liquid supply unit 8 for supplying the cleaning liquid to the electric toothbrush 2. The liquid supply unit 8 used in the present invention includes a U-shaped bent flexible tube 46 through which the cleaning liquid passes, and a rotating large roller 47.
And a plurality of small rollers 48 rotatably mounted on the circumference of the large roller 47, and a rotating shaft 49 of the large roller 47.
And a motor (not shown) for rotationally driving the tube pump 25. This tube pump 25
Are housed in a casing 52 provided with a transparent cover (not shown) which is detachably attached to the opening on the front side by screws 51.

The large roller 47 is rotationally driven by a motor attached to a rotating shaft 49, and a plurality of small rollers rotatably mounted on the circumferential surface of the large roller 47 as the large roller 47 rotates. The roller 48 is used for the soft tube 4
6, while rotating and sliding. Further, both ends of the soft tube 46 are connected to the casing 52.
Suction side connector 53 provided as a tube joint provided at the top of
, And are detachably connected to the discharge side connector 54, respectively.

On the other hand, a tube tray 56 urged toward the large roller 47 by a spring 55 is provided below the casing 52. This tube pan 5
The peripheral wall 57 in contact with the soft tube 46 is formed in a substantially semicircular shape along the outer peripheral surface shape of the soft tube 46. Thus, the soft tube 46 is sandwiched between the small roller 48 and the peripheral wall of the tube tray 56. Note that 58
When replacing the soft tube 46, the tube pan 3
6 is a claw for pushing down the hand 6 against the urging force of the spring 35 by hand.

By using the liquid supply unit 8 using the tube pump 25 as described above, the toothbrush head 1 can be used.
The cleaning liquid can be gently and slowly discharged at a steady small flow rate without jetting the cleaning liquid from the liquid supply hole 64 formed in the nozzle 6. Therefore, even if the electric toothbrush 3 is used while lying on a bed or the like, it is possible to avoid a problem that the cleaning liquid scatters.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a first structural example of the toothbrush head 16 which is removably inserted into the electric toothbrush 3. FIG. 7 is a side view of a toothbrush head in which brushes on a flocked surface are omitted, and FIG. 8 is a plan view thereof. In the figure, reference numeral 60 denotes a head main body. A fitting groove (not shown) is formed on the bottom surface of the base end of the head main body 60 so that the head main body 60 can be freely attached to and detached from the tip of the body 15 of the electric toothbrush 3. It has become.

The toothbrush head 16 is made of engineering plastics such as polyacetal, and its flocked surface 62 has a brush 19 bundled in a bristle bundle.
A plurality of flocked holes 63 for flocking (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are formed. A suction hole 65 is formed substantially at the center of the flocking surface 62 so as to penetrate the front and back of the head, and a liquid supply hole 64 is provided at a position closer to the base end of the head than the suction hole 65. The head body 60 is formed so as to be aligned on a straight line in the longitudinal direction. Further, a suction tube connector 67 communicating with the suction hole 65 is provided on the head rear portion 66,
The nipple 22 having a liquid supply pipe connector 68 communicating with the liquid supply hole 65 is fixedly mounted by fitting or ultrasonic welding. In the case of the first structural example, the suction pipe connector 67 and the liquid supply pipe connector 68 are arranged in two stages in the longitudinal direction of the head main body 60.

The cleaning liquid is also a lubricant for cleaning, and also functions as a carrier for carrying food residues and the like. Therefore, at least one liquid is provided around the liquid supply hole 64 and the suction hole 65.
More than one row of flocking rows is required. Liquid supply hole 64 and suction hole 65
The presence of the flocked rows around the surface allows the cleaning liquid to spread to the tooth surface by capillary action, prevents the cleaning liquid from scattering, and increases the drainage efficiency of the cleaning liquid.

In the illustrated example, the suction hole 65 is connected to the liquid supply hole 6.
4, but the same diameter, or conversely,
4 may have a larger diameter than the suction hole 65. In addition, the suction hole 65 is disposed on the head tip side, but on the contrary,
The liquid supply hole 64 may be arranged on the head tip side. Further, the shapes of the suction hole 65 and the liquid supply hole 64 are also free, and a circular shape as shown in the illustrated example, or an arbitrary hole shape such as an elliptical shape, an oval shape, and a rectangular shape can be adopted.

The suction pipe connector 67 of the nipple 23 has one end of the suction pipe 21 constituting one of the double tubes 23, and the liquid supply pipe connector 68 has
One end of the liquid supply tube 20 that constitutes the other tube of the double tube 23 is connected to supply the cleaning liquid from the liquid supply hole 64 to the flocked surface 62, and the food residue and saliva scraped off from the suction hole 65 by brushing the teeth. It is configured to suck in and dirty cleaning liquid.

The double tube 23 connected to the suction pipe connector 67 and the liquid supply pipe connector 68 of the nipple 22
Has a structure as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.
Two tubes are welded at the contact point G at the time of extrusion molding of the tubes to be integrated. As the tube material, for example, vinyl chloride, silicone,
Polyurethane, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, synthetic rubber and elastomer can be used.

The double tubes 23 are provided with different colors such as red and white, for example, so that the tubes 20 and the suction tube 21 can be easily distinguished from each other, or the double tube 23 can be supplied with a cleaning solution. In order to check the state, the liquid supply pipe 20 may be a transparent pipe, while the suction pipe 21 through which the wastewater passes may be smoked so that the inside cannot be seen, and may be made a translucent pipe. If the head body 60 of the toothbrush head 16 is made of a transparent resin,
The degree of clogging of the food residue in the suction hole 65 can also be easily confirmed visually, and it becomes easy to judge the cleaning time of the toothbrush head 16, which is extremely sanitary.

Next, the operation of the above-described electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus will be described. First, the device body 1
Outlet 46 is plugged into a commercial power supply. Then, the toothbrush head 16 is attached to the electric toothbrush 3,
When the electric toothbrush 3 is operated by operating the power ON switch 17 _1, to operate the suction pump 37 by operating the switches and dials on the control panel 7. The electric toothbrush 3 has a reciprocating stroke of 3 to mm and a reciprocating speed of 200 mm.
It is desirable to operate at about 0 to 3000 strokes / min. In addition, as the suction pump 37, the intake air amount 5
It is desirable to use a pump having an ultimate vacuum of -5 kpa or more at 1 / min.

Thereafter, when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 40 falls within a predetermined normal pressure range and the pressure in this state continues for a predetermined time, the control unit 41 causes the tube pump 25 in the liquid supply unit 8 to operate. Activate Then
Inside the casing 52, with the rotation of the large roller 47, the small roller 48 rotates and slides while pressing the soft tube 46 in contact with the peripheral wall 57 of the tube tray 56, so that the cleaning liquid in the soft tube 46 is removed. The cleaning liquid is squeezed out in the direction of rotation of the large roller 47, and the cleaning liquid is gently and slowly discharged from the cleaning liquid container 5 to the brush 19 on the flocked surface through the liquid supply port 64 of the toothbrush head 16 at a steady small flow rate. The mouth is brushed with the electric toothbrush 3 using the discharged cleaning liquid.

The food residue, saliva, and dirty cleaning liquid scraped off by tooth brushing are sucked from the suction hole 65 of the toothbrush head 16 by the suction pump 37, and the sewage is discharged to the _first sewage container 61. The sucked air is exhausted from the suction pump 37 to the outside through the muffler muffler 42. In the event that would overflow the wastewater from the first sewage container ₆₁ receives the sewage in the second sewage container 6 ₂ for the auxiliary.

As described above, the tube pump 25 presses the soft tube 46 with the small roller 48 to discharge the cleaning liquid in the soft tube 46 so as to squeeze out the cleaning liquid. There is no injection from the mouth 64. For this reason, even if it lays down on a bed, a washing | cleaning liquid does not splash and it is very sanitary.

The tube pump 25 is provided with a claw 57
When the tube tray 56 is pressed down by a finger against the urging of the spring 57, a gap is formed between the peripheral wall 57 of the tube tray 56 and the soft tube 46 so that the soft tube 46 can be moved downward. Then, both ends of the soft tube 46 can be easily attached and detached from the gap together with the suction side connector 53 and the discharge side connector 54.
Therefore, not only can the soft tube 46, which is a replacement part, be promptly replaced, but also the soft tube 46 can be removed for cleaning, and the device can be used hygienically.

The pressure sensor 40 constantly detects the suction pressure on the suction side of the suction pump 37. If the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 40 is within the normal range, the control unit 41 continuously energizes the tube pump 25 and the suction pump 37. On the other hand, each suction pipe 21, 31, 32, 33, 36
If any of the food clogs are clogged,
If any one of the suction pipes comes off, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 40 deviates from the normal range.

That is, when the double tube 23 comes off or the connection pipe of the sewage containers 6 ₁ , 6 ₂ comes off, the pressure sensor 40 loses its resistance, and the negative pressure drops to detect an abnormality. Then, when the pressure sensor 27 detects an abnormality, the control unit 41 opens the relay 43 on the tube pump 25 side, stops the tube pump 25 and stops the supply of the cleaning liquid,
The cleaning liquid is prevented from being supplied and accumulated in the mouth any more. At the same time, an alarm is sounded by the alarm 45 to notify that an abnormality has occurred. In addition,
The abnormal range due to the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 40 may be appropriately set according to the suction force of the equipment used.

Then, if the clogging of the suction pipes is eliminated or the suction pipes are reconnected, the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 40 returns to the normal range, and when the pressure in this state continues for a predetermined time, The control unit 41 is a tube pump 2
The relay 43 on the fifth side is closed, the driving of the tube pump 25 is restarted, and the supply of the cleaning liquid is restarted. Using this cleaning liquid, brushing with the electric toothbrush 3 can be resumed. Even if any of the suction pipes are clogged,
Since the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 40 may return within the normal pressure range instantaneously, to ensure safety,
In such a case, the driving of the tube pump 25 is not restarted, and the driving of the tube pump 25 is restarted on condition that the pressure in the normal range continues for a predetermined time.

The mode switch 10 of the operation panel 7
Is a switch for switching between a suction mode and a liquid supply suction mode. In the case of the suction mode, only the suction pump 37 is driven, and in the case of the liquid supply suction mode, the suction pump 3 is driven.
7 and the tube pump 25 are both driven. In the suction mode, the pressure sensor circuit is set so as not to detect an abnormality. The water amount adjustment dial 11 is for setting the discharge flow rate of the cleaning liquid.
1, the rotation speed of the tube pump 25 is changed, and the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid is set to, for example, 2 to 20 ml / min.
Adjust within the range. When the quick liquid supply switch 12 is pressed, the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid is increased only while the switch is pressed. This makes it possible to more quickly supply or replenish the cleaning liquid at the start of brushing or when the cleaning liquid is insufficient.

In order to ensure that the cleaning liquid flowing out from the liquid supply hole 64 of the flocked surface 62 of the toothbrush head 16 does not drip, the cleaning liquid discharge adjusting groove is formed on the peripheral surface as shown in FIG. An embolus 71 having a 72 formed thereon may be prepared, and the embolus 71 may be fitted into the liquid supply hole 64 of the electric toothbrush 3 as shown in FIG.

When such an embolus 71 is fitted to the liquid supply hole 64 and used, the cleaning liquid is slowly and slowly discharged from the groove 72 of the embolus 71 in the lateral direction, and the flocked surface 62 is removed. Even when the cleaning liquid is directed downward, the cleaning liquid discharged from the liquid supply hole 64 can be prevented from directly dripping as it is, and the scattering of the cleaning liquid can be more effectively suppressed. The hole for discharging the cleaning liquid is not limited to the semicircular groove 72, and other hole shapes such as a circular hole can be adopted.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show a second example of the structure of the toothbrush head 16. 12 is a plan view of the flocking surface 62, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. The same or equivalent parts as those of the first structural example are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the second structural example, the suction pipe connector 67 and the liquid supply pipe connector 68 of the nipple 22 fixed to the head back part 66 are arranged in two horizontal rows. By arranging the heads in two horizontal rows in this manner, the thickness of the head portion in the vertical direction can be further reduced. For this reason, it is easy to put the toothbrush head portion into the mouth when brushing the teeth, and it is possible to reduce the possibility that the nipple 22 protruding to the rear side hits the opposing tooth and hinders the brushing.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show a third structural example of the toothbrush head 16. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the flocking surface 62, FIG. 16 is a plan view of the head back part 66, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. The same or equivalent parts as those of the first structural example are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the third structural example, as in the second structural example, the suction pipe connector 67 and the liquid supply pipe connector 68 of the nipple 22 fixed to the head back part 66 are arranged in two horizontal rows. At the same time, the size of the flocking surface 62 is increased in the reciprocating direction of the toothbrush (the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush head 16),
The number of the flocking holes 63 is increased. By increasing the number of the flocking holes 63 in this way, it is possible to brush more efficiently. In addition, even if the size of the flocking surface 62 becomes too large, the washing water does not spread all over, or the washing water cannot be collected by suction. Therefore, the size of the flocking surface in the width direction is about 3 to 5 rows, and the length from the suction hole 65 to the tip of the head is about 7 digits of the flocking hole. Further, it is desirable that the liquid supply holes 64 and the suction holes 65 formed on the flocked surface are arranged in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush head 16 in order to minimize scattering of water droplets.

Although the toothbrush heads 16 of the first to third structural examples described above have exemplified the case where one liquid supply hole 64 and one suction hole 64 are formed, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a plurality of holes may be provided as necessary.

FIGS. 18 to 20 show a fourth structural example of the toothbrush head 16. FIG. 18 is a plan view of the back surface of the head,
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 18, and FIG. 20 is a plan view of the head flocked surface 62. The same or equivalent parts as those of the first structural example are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the fourth structural example, the flocking holes 63 are used also as the supply holes for the cleaning liquid, and all or a part of the flocking holes 63 formed on the flocking surface are connected to the communication holes 69 on the inner side. The nipple 22 communicates with the liquid supply pipe connector 68. In the case of such a structure, the flocking surface 6
The whole or a part of the flocking hole 63 can also be used as a liquid supply hole without providing a dedicated liquid supply hole in 2. In the case of this configuration, the cleaning liquid can be supplied to the entire surface of the flocked surface, and the small gap of the brush 19 planted in each of the flocked holes 63 can be used as a capillary tube. Water can be supplied.

Although not shown, the head shape of the flocked surface 62 and the head back portion 66 of the toothbrush head 16 is not limited to the oval shape as in each of the above-described examples, but may be the shape of the teeth and gums. Various other head shapes other than the illustrated example can be adopted, such as a so-called mouthpiece-shaped head shape along the line.

In the case of the electric toothbrush type mouth washing apparatus of the present invention, the amount of the washing liquid to be discharged is extremely small (for example, about 2 to 20 ml / min in the present invention and about 150 to 300 ml / min in the conventional jetting method). Therefore, a large-capacity washing liquid container is not necessarily required. For this reason, it is also possible to provide a hand-operated hand-held pump having a small cleaning liquid container built in near the main body of the apparatus, and to connect the electric toothbrush 3 to the hand-held pump as needed and use it manually.

[0064]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the cleaning liquid is supplied using the tube pump, the cleaning liquid is jetted from the liquid supply hole formed in the toothbrush head. It is possible to discharge gently and slowly at a steady small flow rate. Therefore, even if the electric toothbrush is used while lying on a bed or the like, the washing liquid does not scatter.

Further, even if the washing liquid container is located at a position higher than the patient, the tube pump does not increase the flow rate by the siphon principle unlike other pumps, so that the safety can be further improved. Further, since the electric toothbrush charger for charging the electric toothbrush is provided, the electric toothbrush can always be kept in a standby state in a charged state, and can be used at any time.

Further, since the washing container and the sewage container are detachably provided outside the main body of the apparatus, replacement is easy and handling is improved. Further, since the liquid supply hole and the suction hole are connected to the apparatus main body through the nipple provided on the back side of the toothbrush head, the replacement of the toothbrush head is simplified, and the assembling work at the time of manufacturing is also facilitated. . Also, since it can be easily removed, it is excellent for maintenance such as cleaning.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus capable of easily and reliably assisting oral care for an elderly person or a sick person with a physical disability, and more safely.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the liquid supply pipe connector and the suction pipe connector of the nipple are provided in two horizontal rows in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush body, so that the nibble is made thinner accordingly. The nipple is less likely to hit the opposing teeth when brushing the teeth, so that the convenience in brushing the teeth is improved.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the liquid supply hole is also used as the flocking hole formed in the flocking surface of the toothbrush head, it becomes possible to supply the cleaning liquid to the entire flocking surface. Since a small gap between the brushes planted in each of the flocking holes can be used as a capillary, water can be supplied more efficiently, and the mouth can be more reliably cleaned.

According to the invention of claim 4, since a pressure sensor is provided and the operation of the tube pump is controlled in accordance with the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, food residue or the like may be clogged in the suction pipe. Alternatively, when the waste water is no longer drained, the tube pump can be stopped by a signal from the pressure sensor, and it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid from being continuously discharged into the mouth in a state where the drainage efficiency is reduced, so that the mouth is more safely cleaned. It becomes possible.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the liquid supply pipe and the suction pipe are constituted by a double tube in which two tubes are integrally connected, the handling becomes easier.

According to the invention of claim 6, since each tube of the double tube is colored in a different color,
The liquid supply pipe and the suction pipe can be distinguished very reliably, mistakes in connecting the liquid supply pipe and the suction pipe can be eliminated, and the safety and handleability can be further improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the tube on the liquid supply tube side of the double tube is a transparent tube, and the tube on the suction tube side is a translucent tube, the flow state of the washing liquid is checked. And can make the inside of the suction pipe through which sewage passes invisible,
Safety and handleability can be further improved.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the plug having a groove or a hole for adjusting the discharge of the cleaning liquid is fitted into the liquid supply hole of the toothbrush head, a very small amount of the cleaning liquid flows from the groove or the hole of the plug. The cleaning liquid discharged from the liquid supply hole is prevented from dripping directly even if the flocked surface of the toothbrush head is turned down, so that the cleaning liquid can be more effectively scattered. Can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an entire apparatus of an embodiment of an electric toothbrush type mouth washing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a structure of a pipe branch member for connecting a pressure sensor.

FIG. 6 is a partially cut front view of a liquid supply unit provided in the apparatus main body.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a first example of the structure of the toothbrush head, in which the brush on the flocked surface is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the toothbrush head.

9A and 9B show the structure of a double tube, in which FIG. 9A is a sectional view and FIG. 9B is a side view.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of an embolus.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an embolus is fitted to a liquid supply hole of the toothbrush head.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a flocked surface showing a second structural example of the toothbrush head.

13 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

14 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a flocked surface showing a third structure example of the toothbrush head.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the back surface of the head.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a head rear part showing a fourth structural example of the toothbrush head.

19 is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a head flocked surface.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Device main body 2 Electric toothbrush charger 3 Electric toothbrush 4 Container holder 5 Cleaning liquid container 6 ₁ First sewage container 6 ₂ Second sewage container 7 Operation panel 8 Injection unit 16 Toothbrush head 19 Brush 20 Supply pipe 21 Suction tube 22 Nipple 23 Double tube 25 Tube pump 34 Piping branch member 37 Suction pump 40 Pressure sensor 41 Control unit 60 Head body 62 Flocked surface 63 Flocked hole 64 Liquid supply hole 65 Suction hole 66 Head back part 67 Suction tube connector 68 Liquid supply Pipe connector 69 Communication hole 71 Embolus 72 Groove for cleaning liquid discharge adjustment

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An oral cavity cleaning device main body, a cleaning liquid container attached to the device main body for storing a cleaning liquid for oral cavity cleaning, a tube pump connected to the cleaning liquid container via a liquid supply pipe, and a tube pump. An electric toothbrush connected via a liquid supply pipe; an electric toothbrush charger for charging the electric toothbrush; a suction pump connected to the electric toothbrush via a suction pipe; and controlling an operation of the tube pump. A control unit, wherein the cleaning container and the sewage container are detachably provided outside the apparatus main body, and the electric toothbrush has a liquid supply hole for supplying a cleaning liquid to the flocked surface of the toothbrush head and a suction hole for sucking sewage. A nipple having a liquid supply pipe connector communicating with the liquid supply hole and a suction pipe connector communicating with the suction hole is provided on the back surface of the head; The liquid supply pipe connecting the Buponpu and electric toothbrush as well as connected to the liquid supply pipe connector of the nipple,
An electric toothbrush-type mouth washing apparatus, wherein the suction pipe connecting the electric toothbrush and the wastewater container is connected to a suction pipe connector of the nipple. 2. The liquid supply pipe connector and the suction pipe connector of the nipple portion are horizontally aligned in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush body.
The electric toothbrush-type mouthwashing device according to claim 1, wherein the mouthwashing device is provided in a row. 3. The electric toothbrush-type mouth washing device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply hole is also used as a flocked hole formed in a flocked surface of the toothbrush head. 4. A pipe branch member is interposed in the middle of a suction pipe connecting the sewage container and a suction pump, and a pressure sensor is provided at a tip of a communication pipe branched by the pipe branch member. The electric toothbrush type mouth washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation of the tube pump and the suction pump is controlled according to the detected pressure. 5. The liquid supply pipe and the suction pipe connected to the liquid supply pipe connector and the suction pipe connector of the nipple of the toothbrush head are constituted by a double tube integrally connecting two tubes. An electric toothbrush-type mouth washing device according to claim 1. 6. The electric toothbrush-type mouth washing device according to claim 5, wherein each tube of the double tube is colored in a different color. 7. The electric toothbrush type according to claim 5, wherein the tube on the liquid supply tube side of the double tube is a transparent tube, and the tube on the suction tube side is a translucent tube. Oral washing device. 8. The plug according to claim 1, wherein an embolus having a groove or a hole for adjusting the discharge of the cleaning liquid is prepared, and the plug is fitted into a liquid supply hole of the toothbrush head. Electric toothbrush type mouth washing device.