WO2006041116A1

WO2006041116A1 - Electric tooth brush

Info

Publication number: WO2006041116A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/018842
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ichiro Sugimoto
Original assignee: Ichiro Sugimoto
Priority date: 2004-10-14
Filing date: 2005-10-13
Publication date: 2006-04-20
Also published as: US20090056043A1

Abstract

An electric tooth brush enabling the lightweight and compact design of the body part thereof, capable of increasing a tooth brushing effect and a massage effect without inconvenience, and capable of preventing permanent bending from occurring at the tip part of a brush formed of a bristle bundle. A flexible diaphragm (13) displacing together with the base body (10) of the reciprocatingly moving brush (9) is installed between a body part space (2) and a brush guide passage (6), and an air inlet hole (15) having an opening/closing valve (14) opening inward only is formed in the body part at a position midway in the brush guide passage (6). When the diaphragm (13) is displaced to the body part space (2) side according to the reciprocating motion of the base body (10), air is led from the air inlet hole (15) to the brush guide passage (6) brought into the state of negative pressure, and when the diaphragm (13) is displaced to a brush guide passage (6) side, the air led therein is compressed and jetted from an opening (6a) at the tip of the brush guide passage. As a result, the body part can be lightly and compactly designed and the tooth brushing effect and the massage effect can be increased without inconvenience.

Description

Specification

electric toothbrush

Technical field

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush that reciprocates a base body on which a brush is implanted so that an opening force toward the oral cavity enters and exits a brush tip formed of a bristle bundle.

Background art

[0002] There are various types of electric toothbrushes, but the main body space force provided with the reciprocating motion source is also directed toward the tip side of the brush guide path in the casing provided with the brush guide path extending to one end side. The base on which the brush formed of bristle bundles is implanted is reciprocated with a predetermined stroke in the direction of the brush guide path by a reciprocating motion source, and the brush tip is provided at the tip of the brush guide path having a bent portion. There is an electric toothbrush that allows the user to brush the teeth with a brush that enters and exits from the opening that is directed to the oral cavity and massages the gums (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the device described in Patent Document 1, a cleaning liquid tank for storing a cleaning liquid is provided, and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank is discharged by an electric or manual pump and ejected from an opening through which the brush enters and exits. Enhance the toothpaste and massage effect.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9322823

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] The electric toothbrush that ejects the cleaning liquid with the opening force in the form in which the brush described in Patent Document 1 is moved in and out of the opening toward the oral cavity, in addition to the reciprocating motion source that reciprocates the brush base, This requires a pump that discharges the cleaning liquid inside, causing a problem that the main body becomes heavy and large.

[0006] Further, when this electric toothbrush is used in a bathroom or bathroom, the cleaning liquid sprayed into the oral cavity can be discharged to a drainage place such as a washstand, but in a place where there is no drainage place such as a living room. When used, the cleaning solution cannot be discharged from the oral cavity, which is inconvenient.

[0007] Further, when this electric toothbrush is used repeatedly, it is influenced by the bent portion of the brush guide path. Therefore, there is also a problem that the brushing tip formed by the bristles is bent and the tooth brushing effect and the massage effect are reduced.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make the main body portion light and compact, improve the tooth brushing effect and the massage effect without inconvenience, and the tip of the brush formed of a bristle bundle. It is to make sure that there is no curl and no wrinkles.

Means for solving the problem

[0009] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a brush guide path in a casing provided with a brush guide path extending from one end side of a body space in which a reciprocating motion source is disposed. The base body in which a brush formed of bristles bundled toward the side is connected to the reciprocating motion source, and the front end portion of the brush enters and exits the opening force provided at the front end of the brush guide path. In the electric toothbrush that reciprocates in the direction of the guide path, a flexible diaphragm that is displaced together with the reciprocating base is provided between the main body space and the brush guide path, and the brush guide path An air introduction hole having an opening / closing valve that opens only inward is provided in the middle, and when the diaphragm is displaced toward the main body space side with the reciprocation of the base body, the air introduction hole force negative pressure and Air to the brush guideway Type, when the diaphragm is displaced into the brush guide roadside compresses air introduced into the brush guide passage, and also employs a configuration for ejecting the opening force provided to its front end.

[0010] That is, a flexible diaphragm that is displaced along with the reciprocating base is provided between the main body space and the brush guide path, and an open / close valve that opens only inward is provided in the middle of the brush guide path. When the diaphragm is displaced to the main body space side with the reciprocating motion of the base body, air is introduced into the brush guide path where the air introduction hole force becomes negative pressure. When the brush guide path is displaced, the air introduced into the brush guide path is compressed, and the opening force provided at the leading end is jetted, so that air is blown into the oral cavity without providing a separate pump. As a possible, the body can be designed to be light and compact, and even if used in places where there is no drainage area, the brushing and massage effects can be enhanced without inconvenience.

[0011] By providing a cleaning liquid tank for storing the cleaning liquid in the main body space, and by providing means for discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to the brush guide path, the cleaning liquid discharged to the brush guide path is separated from the air. Together with the opening force provided at the tip of the brush guide path Can improve the massage effect and massage effect.

[0012] By discharging the cleaning liquid to the vicinity of the tip of the brush guide path, it is possible to increase the spray output of the cleaning liquid from the opening provided at the tip of the brush guide path.

[0013] As a means for discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank, air in the brush guide path that is compressed when the diaphragm is displaced toward the brush guide path is introduced into the cleaning liquid tank, and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank is discharged. By adopting the discharge method, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank can be discharged without providing a separate pump.

[0014] As means for discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank, means for discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank into the brush guide path is provided on a wall that seals the main body space and forms the main body space. An air introduction hole having an opening / closing valve that opens only inward is provided, and when the diaphragm is displaced toward the brush guide path side, air is introduced into the main body space where the air introduction hole force becomes negative pressure, A method of compressing the air introduced into the main body space when the diaphragm is displaced toward the main body space, introducing the compressed air into the cleaning liquid tank, and discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank; By adopting it, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank can be discharged without providing a separate pump.

[0015] Further, according to the present invention, a brush formed by a bundle of bristle is reciprocated with a predetermined stroke along a brush guide path having a bent portion, and the tip of the brush is moved to the front end of the brush guide path. In the electric toothbrush with the opening force provided in and out, a configuration in which a straight portion or a reverse warp portion bent in the opposite direction to the bent portion is provided on the tip side of the bent portion of the brush guide path is also adopted.

[0016] That is, by providing a straight portion or a reverse warped portion that is bent in the direction opposite to the bent portion on the tip side of the bent portion of the brush guide path, the bending of the brush tip portion that occurs in the bent portion is further advanced. The straight part or reverse warp part of the brush was corrected so that the tip of the brush was not bent and wrinkled.

[0017] By making the straight line portion or the reverse warp portion of the brush guide path longer than the stroke of the brush, a sufficient bending correction effect can be obtained.

[0018] By providing a cleaning hole for cleaning the brush in the pipe in the middle of the brush guide path, the cleaning hole also injects tap water or the like, and the root of the brush in the brush guide path. Part The side can be easily cleaned.

The invention's effect

[0019] The electric toothbrush of the present invention is provided with a flexible diaphragm that is displaced together with the reciprocating base between the main body space and the brush guide path, and only inward in the middle of the brush guide path. An air introduction hole having an opening / closing valve is provided at the front, and when the diaphragm is displaced toward the main body space side with the reciprocating motion of the base body, the air is introduced into the brush guide path where the air introduction hole force becomes negative pressure. When the diaphragm is displaced toward the brush guide path, the air introduced into the brush guide path is compressed so that the opening force provided at the tip is ejected, so a separate pump is not provided. Air can be ejected into the oral cavity, the main body can be designed to be light and compact, and even if used in places where there is no drainage, the brushing effect and massage effect can be enhanced without inconvenience.

[0020] A cleaning liquid tank for storing the cleaning liquid is disposed in the main body space, and a means for discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to the brush guide path is provided, whereby the cleaning liquid discharged to the brush guide path is combined with air. The opening force provided at the tip of the brush guide path is ejected to enhance the brushing effect and massage effect.

[0021] By discharging the cleaning liquid to the vicinity of the tip of the brush guide path, it is possible to increase the spray output of the cleaning liquid having an opening force provided at the front end of the brush guide path.

[0022] As means for discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank, air in the brush guide path compressed when the diaphragm is displaced toward the brush guide path is introduced into the cleaning liquid tank, and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank is discharged. By adopting the discharge method, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank can be discharged without providing a separate pump.

[0023] As means for discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank, the main body space is sealed, and an air introduction hole having an opening / closing valve that opens only inward is provided in a wall forming the main body space, and the diaphragm is When moving to the brush guide path side, air is introduced from the air introduction hole into the main body space where negative pressure is applied. When the diaphragm is displaced toward the main body space, the air introduced into the main body space is compressed. However, even if the method of introducing this compressed air into the cleaning liquid tank and discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank is adopted, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank can be discharged without providing a separate pump. Can do. [0024] In addition, the electric toothbrush of the present invention reciprocates a brush formed of a bristle bundle with a predetermined stroke along a brush guide path having a bent portion, and the tip of the brush is connected to the brush guide path. In the electric toothbrush that enters and exits from the opening provided at the tip, a straight part or a reverse warp part that is bent in the opposite direction to the bent part is provided on the tip side of the bent part of the brush guide path. The bending can be corrected at the straight or reverse warped part so that the tip of the brush does not bend and the brushing effect and the massage effect can be maintained over a long period of time.

[0025] By making the straight line portion or the reverse warp portion of the brush guide path longer than the stroke of the brush, a sufficient bending correction effect can be obtained.

[0026] By providing a cleaning hole for cleaning the brush in the pipe in the middle of the brush guide path, tap water or the like is injected from the cleaning hole, and the root part side of the brush in the brush guide path is Easy to clean.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0027] FIG. 1 is a partially omitted longitudinal sectional view showing an electric toothbrush of a first embodiment.

[FIG. 2] Partially omitted longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the base body of FIG. 1 has advanced.

[Fig. 3] An enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the cleaning liquid tank and its mounting part in Fig. 1.

[Fig. 4] a is a longitudinal sectional view showing the tube tip member of FIG. 1, and b is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of a.

FIG. 5 is a partially omitted longitudinal sectional view showing the electric toothbrush of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partially omitted longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the base body in FIG. 5 has advanced.

[Fig. 7] An enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the cleaning liquid tank of FIG. 5 and its mounting portion.

Explanation of symbols

[0028] 1 casing

2 Body space

3 Motor

4 Crankshaft

5 Cleaning liquid tank

6 Brush guideway 6c Straight section

6d Reverse warping part

7 Cleaning fluid passage

8 Tube tip member

9 Brush

10 substrate

11 Arm member

12 Connecting member

13 Diaphragm

14 On-off valve

15 Air inlet

16 Mounting wall

17 Inner bag

18 Through hole

19 Ventilation

20 On-off valve

21 Air introduction hole

22 Injection pipe

23 Ventilation

24 Cleaning hole

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, this electric toothbrush has a motor 3 as a reciprocating motion source, a crankshaft 4 provided on its output shaft, a cleaning liquid tank 5 in which cleaning liquid is stored, and a body 2 in a casing 1. A brush guide path 6 extending from one end side of the main body space 2 and having an opening 6a at the tip, and a cleaning liquid passage 7 extending along the brush guide path 6 and opening near the tip portion. The provided tube tip member 8 is attached to the casing 1. The brush 9 is connected to the arm member 11 attached to the crankshaft 4 via the connecting member 12 with the brush 9 formed by the bristles bundled toward the tip end thereof in the brush guide path 6. . Therefore, when the motor 3 is driven to rotate, the base 10 reciprocates with a predetermined stroke in the direction of the brush guide path 6, and the tip of the brush 9 enters and exits from the opening 6a.

[0030] A flexible diaphragm 13 is attached to the connecting member 12 so as to separate the main body space 2 and the brush guide path 6, and a tongue that opens only inward is provided in the middle of the brush guide path 6. An air introduction hole 15 to which a valve 14 is attached is provided. The outer periphery of the diaphragm 13 is attached to the attachment wall 16 of the cleaning liquid tank 5 that projects inwardly from the inner wall of the casing 1 and the body space 2.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, when the reciprocating base body 10 is retracted, the diaphragm 13 is displaced toward the main body space 2 side, and the brush guide path 6 becomes negative pressure from the air introduction hole 15. Air is introduced. Next, as shown in FIG. 2, when the base body 10 moves forward, the diaphragm 13 is displaced toward the brush guide path 6 and the air introduced into the brush guide path 6 is compressed and ejected from the opening 6a.

As shown in FIG. 3, a flexible inner bag 17 is housed inside the cleaning liquid tank 5, and the inner bag 17 is filled with the cleaning liquid. The mouth of the inner bag 17 is connected to the cleaning liquid passage 7 of the tube tip member 8 through a liquid passage hole 18 provided in the mounting wall 16. The mounting wall 16 is provided with a vent hole 19 for venting the diaphragm 13 to the brush guide path 6 side. The vent hole 19 communicates with the inside of the cleaning liquid tank 5 outside the inner bag 17.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the diaphragm 13 is displaced toward the brush guide path 6 and the air introduced into the brush guide path 6 is compressed, the compressed air passes through the vent hole 19. The cleaning liquid is introduced into the cleaning liquid tank 5, and the cleaning liquid in the inner bag 17 is discharged near the tip of the brush guide path 6 through the liquid passage hole 18 and the cleaning liquid passage 7. The discharged cleaning liquid is ejected from the opening 6a together with the compressed air.

As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the brush guide path 6 of the tube tip member 8 has a bent portion 6b, and a straight portion 6c is provided on the tip end side thereof. The length of the straight line portion 6c is almost equal to the stroke of the brush 9. In the middle of the brush guide path 6, the brush 9 in the pipe is Two oval cleaning holes 24 are provided for injecting tap water to be cleaned.

FIG. 4B shows a modification of the brush guide path 6 of the tube tip member 8. The brush guide path 6 of this modification is provided with a reverse warped portion 6d that is bent in the opposite direction to the bent portion 6b on the tip side of the bent portion 6b similar to that of the embodiment. The length of the reverse warped portion 6d is also substantially the same as the stroke of the brush 9 and is the length.

FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 show a second embodiment. The basic configuration of this electric toothbrush is the same as that of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, instead of the vent hole 19 of the mounting wall 16, the casing 1 that forms the main body space 2 is used. The wall is provided with an air introduction hole 21 to which a tongue-like opening / closing valve 20 that opens only inwardly is provided. Although not shown, the rear end side of the main body space 2 is sealed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning liquid tank 5 is provided with a liquid injection pipe 22 that opens near the liquid bottom and continues to the liquid passage hole 18 of the mounting wall 16, and the inside of the main body is formed by the vent hole 23. It communicates with space 2. The other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the base body 10 moves forward and the diaphragm 13 is displaced to the brush guide path 6 side, the main body space that becomes negative pressure from the air introduction hole 21. Air is introduced into 2. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the base body 10 is retracted and the diaphragm 13 is displaced toward the main body space 2 side, the introduced air is compressed, and the compressed air passes through the vent hole 23 and the cleaning liquid tank. The inside of the cleaning liquid tank 5 is pressurized and the stored cleaning liquid is discharged from the liquid injection pipe 22 through the liquid passage hole 18 and the cleaning liquid path 7 to the vicinity of the tip of the brush guide path 6. The The discharged cleaning liquid is ejected from the opening 6a together with the compressed air, as in the first embodiment.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the motor output shaft provided with the crankshaft is used as the reciprocating motion source of the brush base. However, the reciprocating motion source is not limited to that of the embodiment. Any drive source that provides reciprocal motion can be employed.

[0039] Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, a force that separates the casing in which the main body space is formed and the tube tip member in which the brush guide path is provided may be integrated with the casing. The shapes of the casing and the tube tip are not limited to those of the embodiment.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A brush formed of a bristle bundle toward the tip side of the brush guide path was implanted in a case provided with a brush guide path extending in one end of the main body space where the reciprocating motion source was arranged. In the electric toothbrush, wherein the base is connected to the reciprocating motion source, and the base is reciprocated in the direction of the brush guide path so that an opening force provided at a tip end of the brush guide path enters and exits the brush. A flexible diaphragm that is displaced together with the reciprocating base is provided between the main body space and the brush guide path, and an air having an opening / closing valve that opens only inward in the brush guide path. An introduction hole is provided, and air is introduced from the air introduction hole into the brush guide path, which has a negative pressure when the diaphragm is displaced toward the main body space as the base body is reciprocated. Changes to the brush guideway side When, the electric toothbrush by compressing the air introduced into the brush guide passage, characterized in that so as to be ejected from the opening port provided at the tip.

[2] The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein a cleaning liquid tank for storing the cleaning liquid is provided in the casing, and means for discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to the brush guide path is provided.

[3] The electric toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning liquid is discharged to the vicinity of the tip of the brush guide path.

[4] The means for discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank introduces the air in the brush guide path that is compressed when the diaphragm is displaced toward the brush guide path to the cleaning liquid tank, so that the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank is discharged. The electric toothbrush according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the electric toothbrush is discharged.

[5] The means for discharging the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank is provided with an air introduction hole having an on-off valve that seals the main body space and opens only inward in the wall forming the main body space. When the diaphragm is displaced toward the brush guide path side, air is introduced into the main body space where the air introduction hole force becomes negative pressure, and the main body portion is displaced when the diaphragm is displaced toward the main body space. The electric toothbrush according to claim 2 or 3, wherein air introduced into the space is compressed, the compressed air is introduced into the cleaning liquid tank, and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank is discharged.

[6] A brush formed of a bristle bundle along a brush guide path having a bent portion is provided with a predetermined opening. In an electric toothbrush that reciprocates with a brush, and the opening force provided at the tip of the brush guide path also enters and exits, the straight line part or the bent part on the tip side of the bent part of the brush guide path An electric toothbrush provided with a reverse warp portion that is bent in the reverse direction.

7. The electric toothbrush according to claim 6, wherein the straight part or the reverse warp part of the brush guide path has a length longer than the stroke of the brush.

8. The electric toothbrush according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a cleaning hole for cleaning the brush in the pipe is provided in the middle of the brush guide path.