JP2013226202A - Electric toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure good operability of a power source switch without deteriorating the flexibility of a tooth brushing action.SOLUTION: An electric toothbrush is provided in which a motor 205 is operated by being supplied with power by an ON-operation of a switch part 30 to thereby drive a brush body 201. The electric toothbrush includes: a toothbrush body 10 with a built-in battery 50; and a brush handle 20 which is connected to the toothbrush body, and has the brush body 201 at the distal end a switch arm 303 at the proximal end. The switch part 30 is configured to change over ON/OFF by the action of the switch arm 303 with a swing action of the brush handle 20 and is arranged inside the toothbrush body 10. The electric toothbrush is turned on by pressurizing the distal end of the brush handle 20 backward thereby inclining it at a predetermined angle or more, the electric toothbrush shows predetermined fixing force at the angle, and is turned off by pressurizing the distal end of the brush handle 20 thereby returning it at the predetermined angle or more, and the electric toothbrush shows the predetermined fixing force at the angle.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush that performs brushing by driving a brush body with a power device such as a motor or an ultrasonic transmitter.

  The electric toothbrush is used by turning on the power switch and driving the brush body on the tip side while supplying power to the brush drive means such as a motor or an ultrasonic oscillator. The push-button type provided on the side of the case is well known, and the ON / OFF operation is performed by sliding the slide operation member on the side of the main body as described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-60324. There are also known methods for performing the above.

  However, these power switches are in a mode in which the push button and the slide operation member are exposed on the surface of the main body case, so that the dentifrice easily enters and sticks to the operation portion, thereby impairing the operability. In many cases. Moreover, in order to ensure the compactness and design of the electric toothbrush, such power switches are often miniaturized by minimizing the amount of protrusion from the side of the main body, and the user's fingertip movement has decreased. Therefore, the ON / OFF operation tends to be difficult.

  On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-31511, a switch means is provided in a portion where the base end side of the brush handle is connected to the toothbrush body side, and the power source is pressed while the brush body is pressed against the teeth and loaded. An electric toothbrush that is turned on has been proposed. Thus, by adopting a configuration in which the switch operating part is not exposed on the side surface of the toothbrush body, it is possible to prevent the toothpaste from adhering to the power switch and impair the operability, and the toothbrushing operation itself that presses the brush body against the teeth is also possible. Since this is a switch operation, there is no need to perform an ON / OFF operation with a fingertip.

  However, this electric toothbrush can easily adjust the pressing force of the brush body against the teeth because the tip end side of the brush handle can always be swung easily including the switch ON state. In other words, even if you try to increase the pressing force at the part you want to polish strongly, the force is not transmitted as it is, and if you try to weaken the pressing force at a part where there is pain, etc., the switch will be turned off this time, etc. There are difficulties.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-60324 JP 7-31511 A

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to ensure good operability of the power switch without impairing the freedom of tooth brushing operation.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides an electric toothbrush that supplies power from a battery by operating a switch means to operate a brush driving means to drive a brush body to brush teeth, and a toothbrush body having the battery and the toothbrush body And a brush handle having a brush body on the distal end side and a switch arm on the proximal end side, and the switch means is turned on by the operation of the switch arm accompanying the swinging motion of the brush handle distal end side. It is configured to switch between the / OFF state and is arranged inside the toothbrush main body, and is turned on by pressing the tip end side of the brush handle backward from the upright position and tilting the toothbrush main body by a predetermined angle or more. In addition, it is fixed by exhibiting a predetermined fixing force at that angle, and the brush handle tip side is pressed forward to return to the upright position to be in the OFF state. Exerting a predetermined clamping force at that angle with, characterized in that.

  In this way, by providing switch means on the brush handle base end side and tilting it back more than a predetermined angle from the upright position, it is turned on and exerts a fixing force at that angle. Prevents the tip of the brush handle from swinging, making it easier to secure the brushing operation. Applying a predetermined pressing force to the front side turns the brush handle angle back to its original upright state. Therefore, the ON / OFF operation is extremely easy.

  Further, the switch means includes a changeover switch having an ON / OFF switching member in which two pressing surfaces continuous at a predetermined angle swing in a seesaw manner, and extends in the longitudinal direction on the brush pattern base end side. The sliding member, which is provided in a projecting / retracting state at the tip end of the switch arm and is urged in the projecting direction by a predetermined elastic body, responds to the operation of the switch arm accompanying the swinging motion of the brush handle. If the tip portion is alternately abutted against and pressed against the two pressing surfaces, the seesaw type ON / OFF switching is performed, and ON / OFF switching is performed reliably and a predetermined fixing force is applied in each state. Demonstrate and become stable.

  Furthermore, in the electric toothbrush described above, the brush handle has a predetermined portion on the tip side having the brush body that is removable, and a brush-like interdental brush disposed inside by removing that portion. If it is characterized by being exposed, only the portion on the brush body side that is likely to be worn can be replaced, and in addition to facilitating maintenance, interdental cleaning can also be performed.

  Furthermore, the electric toothbrush described above is provided with a storage case that is integrated with the toothbrush body while storing at least the brush pattern. When the brush pattern is stored in the storage case and integrated, If the moving range is restricted and the power OFF state is maintained, it is possible to avoid unintentional operation when the electric toothbrush is not used.

  According to the present invention in which the brush pattern is tilted backward by a predetermined angle or more and the switch is turned on and the fixing force is exhibited at that angle, the operability of the power switch can be ensured without impairing the flexibility of the brushing operation. Is.

(A) is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state at the time of the non-operation of the electric toothbrush which is embodiment in this invention, (B) is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state at the time of the action | operation of the electric toothbrush of (A). . (A) is the expanded partial longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the detailed structure of the switch means in the electric toothbrush of FIG. 1, (B) is the expanded partial longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the application example of (A). It is an exploded view which shows the state which removed the brush body side predetermined part of the brush handle in the electric toothbrush of FIG. It is a partial side view which shows the application example of the structure by the side of the proximal end of the brush handle in the electric toothbrush of FIG. It is a partial side view which shows the brush handle at the time of making a brush drive means an ultrasonic oscillator.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, the electric toothbrush includes a sonic vibration type, a reciprocating type, a rotation type, a turning type, and an ultrasonic vibration type. In the following description, the arrangement state of the brush driving means and the wiring connected thereto are well known, and detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows an electric toothbrush 1 according to the present embodiment, where (A) shows a non-operating state and (B) shows a working state (in use). This electric toothbrush 1 is operated by turning on the switch means to operate the motor 205 while using the power of the built-in battery 50, so that the brush body 201 on the tip side of the brush handle 20 is vibrated and used. It is of the sonic vibration type.

  In the present embodiment, the switch means is configured to switch ON / OFF in conjunction with the swinging motion of the brush handle 20 having the brush body 201 on the distal end side and the switch arm 303 on the proximal end side. It is placed inside the toothbrush main body 10, and the tip end side of the brush handle 20 is pressed rearward to be inclined by a predetermined angle (8 ° in the present embodiment) or more with respect to the toothbrush main body 10, and is turned on. Thus, a predetermined fixing force is exhibited and stabilized, and this is a characteristic part of the present invention.

  Specifically, a rod-like switch arm 303 is extended in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) from the base end surface of the brush handle 20, and the base end side of the switch arm 303 is pivoted by the shaft 204 at the tip side portion of the toothbrush body 10. The brush handle 20 is supported and connected to the toothbrush body 10 in a state where the tip side can swing, and the tip side of the switch arm 303 is combined with a button type switch 301 to constitute a changeover switch 302. These are in contact with the pressing surface (upper surface), and these constitute the switch unit 30.

  The switch arm 303 has an arm body 303a extending from the base end face of the brush handle 30 and a roller-like contact body 303c on the front end side, and a bottomed base body in which the arm body 303a is inserted from the base end side opening. A cylindrical sliding member 303b and a coil spring 303e interposed so as to press the sliding member 303b in the distal direction with the arm body 303a inserted therethrough. The switch 301 is switched ON / OFF in a seesaw manner while alternately contacting and pressing the contact body 303c against two continuous pressing surfaces of the seesaw body 302 as an ON / OFF switching member.

  FIG. 1A shows a non-operating state. Normally, the brush handle 20 is stored and stored in a storage case 102 indicated by a one-dot chain line. In this state, the brush handle 20 of the toothbrush main body 10 is stored. It is fixed at a straight angle with respect to the casing 101. At this time, the seesaw body 302 of the switch unit 30 is in the OFF position, and the contact body 303c on the distal end side of the switch arm 303 is pressed by the urging force of the coil spring 303e while being in contact with the pressing surface at the right horizontal position. Therefore, even when the storage case 102 is removed, a predetermined fixing force is exerted with respect to the swinging motion of the brush handle 20 on the tip side. In the present embodiment, the seesaw body 302 is formed of a magnetic body, and a magnet 304 is disposed opposite to the switch 301. The seesaw body 302 is attracted to the magnet 304 at the OFF position. It is fixed securely and will not turn on when carrying it.

  Referring to FIG. 1B, when this electric toothbrush 1 is used, the storage case 102 is removed and the tip side of the brush handle 20 is tilted by a predetermined angle or more with a finger, or the brush body 201 is used as a tooth. By pressing and tilting backward by a predetermined angle or more, the contact body 303c on the distal end side of the switch arm 303 moves to the left side in the figure, and the seesaw body 302 is moved to the left side while moving to the other pressing surface. The motor 205 is operated by turning it on.

  Thereby, the brush body 201 at the tip end side of the brush handle 20 starts driving and performs sound wave vibration, and exhibits an excellent cleaning function in the tooth brushing operation. Thus, since the switch part 30 is inside the toothbrush main body 10, there is no worry that the toothpaste adheres to the part, and the switch ON operation can be easily performed without requiring a delicate operation of the fingertip. Therefore, the operability of the power switch is extremely excellent.

  Further, at that time, the switch arm 303 on the proximal end side of the brush handle 20 has the sliding member 303b on the distal end side biased by the coil spring 303e and presses the pressing surface of the seesaw body 302. The angle with respect to the toothbrush body 10 is fixed to some extent, and the tip side hardly fluctuates at the pressure level in the toothbrushing operation, so that the flexibility of the toothbrushing operation is not impaired.

  FIG. 2A shows a detailed configuration of the switch unit 30 of the electric toothbrush 1 described above. In this example, the contact body 303c provided on the distal end side of the sliding member 303b is a roller that can be rotated by a shaft support, and frictional resistance is unlikely to occur when moving on the pressing surface on the top surface of the seesaw body 302. It has become a thing. In addition, since the strongest force is required when moving to the center side of the seesaw body 302 and tilting it to the opposite side, the brush body 201 has a slight fixing force when the power switch is turned on and off. It is assumed that switching is not possible to the extent that excessive pressure is applied.

  FIG. 2 (B) shows a switch unit 31 as an application example of (A), in which a sliding body 313b is a switch arm 313 of a type that slides inside a cylindrical arm body 313a. Even if it does in this way, the function similar to the above can be exhibited. In addition, the contact bodies 303c and 313c described above may be a roller type other than the roller type, or a non-rotating type in which only the tip is a spherical surface or a curved surface.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded view for explaining the detailed configuration of the brush handle 20. In the present embodiment, the brush handle 20 is a disposable part 20b in which a predetermined range can be removed from the tip side having the brush body 201 in the brush handle 20, and when the brush body 201 is consumed, the brush handle main body is equipped with the motor 205. It can be removed from the part 20a and replaced with a new part.

  Further, the interior of the disposable part 20b is hollow, and the motor case 208 of the brush handle main body part 20a is inserted into that part. An intermediate brush 207 is extended so that it is exposed by removing the disposable part 20b. Therefore, not only the toothbrushing operation but also the interdental cleaning can be performed. In particular, the tip side of the interdental brush 207 is highly useful in that it exhibits an excellent interdental cleaning effect by sonic vibration. is there.

  FIG. 4 shows a brush handle 21 as an application example of a switch arm common to all the electric toothbrushes described above, and a method for elastically pressing a contact body against a seesaw body in the switch arm. As an alternative, instead of using a coil spring, the switch arm 403 itself is made of a flexible resin and is provided with a curved elastic deformation portion 403e. In addition, the contact body 403c is not a roller type as described above, and the tip surface has a mode with little friction. Even with such an extremely simple configuration, the same function as described above can be exhibited, and the cost can be easily reduced.

  FIG. 5 shows a brush handle 22 as an application example of the brush driving means common to the electric toothbrushes of all the above-described embodiments, and an ultrasonic oscillator 216 is placed on the base side of the brush body 221 instead of the motor 205. An ultrasonic toothbrush is provided. In this case as well, the same switch means as described above is provided on the proximal end side of the brush handle 22, and it is excellent in the operability of the switch power source as described above, while being excellent in the flexibility of operation as an ultrasonic toothbrush. It has become.

  In addition, in common with all the above-described electric toothbrushes, seals such as packing materials for preventing water and toothpaste from entering the switch part on the inside at the connecting part of the brush handle and the toothbrush body. Arranging means is recommended from the viewpoint of maintaining good operability of the power switch.

  As described above, according to the present invention, good operability of the power switch can be secured without impairing the flexibility of the tooth brushing operation.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric toothbrush, 10 Toothbrush main body, 20, 21, 22 Brush handle, 30, 31 Switch part, 50 Battery, 102 Storage case, 201, 211, 221 Brush body, 205 Motor, 207 Interdental brush, 216 Ultrasonic oscillator , 301 switch, 302 seesaw body, 303, 313, 403 switch arm, 303a, 313a arm body, 303b, 313b sliding member, 303c, 313c, 403c contact body, 303e, 313e coil spring

Claims (4)

  In the electric toothbrush that supplies power from the battery by operating the switch means to operate the brush drive means and drives the brush body to brush the teeth, the toothbrush body that includes the battery and the toothbrush body connected to the toothbrush body A brush handle having a brush body with a switch arm on the base end side, wherein the switch means is switched between an ON / OFF state by an operation of the switch arm accompanying a swinging operation on the tip end side of the brush handle. It is arranged inside the toothbrush body, and it is turned on by pressing the tip end side of the brush handle backward from the upright position and tilting it more than a predetermined angle with respect to the toothbrush body. It is fixed by exerting a fixing force, and it is turned off by pressing the tip end side of the brush handle forward and returning it to the upright position. Exerting a predetermined clamping force, an electric toothbrush, characterized in that.   The switch means includes a change-over switch having an ON / OFF switching member in which two pressing surfaces continuous at a predetermined angle swing in a seesaw manner, and is extended in the longitudinal direction on the brush handle proximal end side. A sliding member provided in a state in which the switch arm can be protruded / retracted and urged in a protruding direction by a predetermined elastic body is used for the operation of the switch arm accompanying the swinging motion of the brush handle. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the electric toothbrush is switched on and off in a seesaw manner while alternately contacting and pressing the tip portion against the two pressing surfaces.   The brush handle is configured such that a predetermined portion on the distal end side having the brush body is detachable, and a brush-like interdental brush disposed inside is exposed by removing the portion. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2.   A storage case that is integrated with the toothbrush main body while storing at least the brush pattern is attached, and the brush pattern swings within the storage case in an integrated state with the brush pattern in an upright position. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the power is turned off and the power OFF state is maintained.

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