CN112423702A

CN112423702A - Cleaning implement

Info

Publication number: CN112423702A
Application number: CN201980047213.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C.文森特
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-16
Filing date: 2019-05-17
Publication date: 2021-02-26
Also published as: WO2020016546A1; GB2575969B; GB201811617D0; GB2575969A

Abstract

A dental treatment appliance comprising a drive mechanism for driving movement of a bristle carrier relative to a handle; and a dental treatment system for transmitting signals to the oral cavity and for receiving signals back from the oral cavity. Prior to the treatment process, the user interface is operable to place the appliance in a selected one of a first mode of operation during which the drive mechanism moves the bristle carrier relative to the handle, and a second mode of operation during which the controller initiates treatment of the oral cavity in accordance with the received signal. During the course of processing, the user interface can be operated by the user to temporarily switch from the selected mode of operation to another mode of operation.

Description

Cleaning implement

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a treatment instrument. The treatment appliance is preferably a hand-held treatment appliance, and is preferably a surface treatment appliance. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the appliance is a dental treatment appliance. In a preferred embodiment, the appliance is a power toothbrush having a fluid delivery system to deliver fluid to the mouth of a user. The fluid is a toothpaste, or a fluid for improved interproximal cleaning. Alternatively, the appliance may not include any bristles or other elements for brushing the teeth, and may be in the form of a dedicated oral treatment appliance.

Background

Electric toothbrushes typically include an implement connected to a handle. The tool includes a shaft and a brush head carrying bristles for brushing teeth. The brush head includes a fixed section connected to a rod and at least one movable section that is movable relative to the fixed section, such as one of reciprocating, oscillating, vibrating, pivoting, or rotating motion, to provide a brushing motion to bristles mounted thereon. The rod houses a drive shaft that is coupled to a transmission unit within the handle. The transmission unit is in turn connected to an electric motor driven by a battery housed within the handle. The drive shaft and transmission unit converts the rotational or vibratory motion of the motor into the desired movement of the movable section of the brushhead relative to the fixed section of the brushhead.

It is known to incorporate fluid delivery systems into electric toothbrushes for generating jets of working fluid for interdental cleaning. For example, WO2016/185154 describes a toothbrush having a handle, a head and a shaft extending between the head and the handle. The brush head includes: a nozzle from which the working fluid is delivered to a user's mouth, and a brush unit that moves relative to the nozzle to brush the user's teeth. The nozzle is movable relative to the handle as the appliance is moved along the teeth of the user. The toothbrush can be operated in one of two different modes. In a first mode, the user depresses the button to actuate the delivery of working fluid from the nozzle. In a second mode, the controller automatically actuates delivery of working fluid to the nozzle in accordance with signals received from the sensor. The sensor is positioned in the handle of the toothbrush. A pivot arm located within the stem connects the nozzle to a magnet that is located near the sensor and moves relative to the sensor as the nozzle moves relative to the handle (e.g., as the nozzle moves into or out of the middle gap of the user's teeth).

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a dental treatment appliance comprising:

a handle;

a dental treatment system for delivering a treatment to the oral cavity of a user, the dental treatment system comprising detection means for transmitting a signal to the oral cavity and for receiving a signal back from the oral cavity, and a controller for initiating the treatment of the oral cavity of the user; and

moving means for moving the detecting means relative to the handle.

Unlike the appliance described in WO2016/185154, treatment of the user's mouth is initiated in response to a signal returned from the mouth to the detection means. For example, where the detection means is configured to transmit an acoustic signal to the oral cavity, the return signal is an acoustic signal reflected back from the oral cavity. As another example, where the detection device is configured to transmit an optical signal to the oral cavity, the return signal is an optical signal reflected back from the oral cavity, or an optical signal emitted by the oral cavity. For example, depending on the wavelength of the transmitted signal, the signal may return to the detection device due to fluorescence of the plaque excited by the transmitted signal. The wavelength and/or intensity of the return signal may also indicate the transmission of the signal to the interproximal spaces between the user's adjacent teeth. In response to the return signal, the controller initiates treatment of the oral cavity, for example, by injecting a fluid into the interdental area to remove matter located therein or remove plaque from the user's teeth.

During oral treatment, the detection means moves relative to the handle. The detection means may be movable relative to the handle along a path of any desired shape. For example, the detection device may be movable relative to the handle along a curved path (e.g., an arcuate path or an S-shaped path) or a closed loop path (e.g., a circular path). This may increase the size of the area of the mouth on which the transmitted signal is incident at a given position of the appliance relative to the mouth, as compared to an arrangement in which the detection means is fixed relative to the mouth. In a preferred embodiment, the moving means is arranged to move the detecting means reciprocally relative to the handle, preferably along a curved path, more preferably along an arcuate path. Preferably, the moving means is arranged to move the detecting means relative to the handle along a path arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the detector element is reciprocally swept around the longitudinal axis of the handle over an angle in the range 10 to 30 °, preferably at a frequency in the range 200 and 300 Hz.

The appliance may be in the form of an appliance for treating the condition of the user's mouth. For example, the appliance may be in the form of a dedicated interdental cleaning appliance for cleaning gaps in a user's teeth. The treatment system may include a fluid delivery system for delivering a working fluid to the oral cavity of a user. Based on the signal returned from the mouth, the controller initiates delivery of the working fluid to the mouth to dislodge material located in the spaces between the user's teeth. Movement of the detection means relative to the handle enables such a gap to be detected before the fluid delivery system is in an optimal position for delivering working fluid into the gap. Once the gap is detected, the fluid delivery system may be "primed" by the controller, for example, by drawing fluid from the fluid reservoir into the fluid chamber of the pump, thereby preparing the fluid delivery system to deliver working fluid into the gap when the optimal position is reached. This may minimize the length of time the fluid delivery system is held in the primed position compared to, for example, arrangements in which the fluid delivery system is primed immediately after the working fluid has been expelled from the fluid chamber of the pump (which may result in the fluid delivery system being held in the primed position if no other gaps are detected before the appliance is closed).

In this case, the moving means may be arranged to move the detecting means relative to a nozzle for delivering the working fluid to the oral cavity. The nozzle preferably extends along a nozzle axis that passes through a fluid outlet at the nozzle tip. The nozzle axis may be aligned generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The moving means may comprise a drive mechanism for driving movement of the detecting means relative to the nozzle. Preferably, the drive mechanism comprises a transmission unit (connected to the detection device) and a drive unit (for driving the transmission unit to move the detection device relative to the nozzle). The drive unit is preferably located in the handle and preferably comprises a motor. The transmission unit may comprise a drive shaft extending between the motor and the detection means. The drive shaft may be received in a rod extending between the handle and the detection means. The wand may form part of a cleaning implement which is removably connected to the handle. The nozzle may be mounted on the stem such that the detection means moves relative to the nozzle.

Alternatively, the appliance may be in the form of a toothbrush with the additional function of improving interproximal cleaning by delivering working fluid to the interproximal spaces. Where the appliance is in the form of a toothbrush, the cleaning tool or wand preferably comprises a plurality of bristles. The bristles are preferably arranged around the nozzle and may be arranged circumferentially around the nozzle. The plurality of bristles may be attached to a fixed section of the cleaning tool, which section is not movable relative to the handle. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of bristles may be attached to a movable section of the cleaning tool, which section is movable relative to the handle.

In a preferred embodiment, the appliance comprises a brush unit comprising a bristle carrier and a plurality of bristles mounted on the bristle carrier, wherein the bristle carrier is movable relative to the handle. The bristle carrier is preferably mounted on the shaft of the cleaning tool. The implement includes a drive mechanism for driving movement of the bristle carrier relative to the handle. Preferably, the drive mechanism includes a drive unit (connected to the bristle carrier) and a drive unit (for driving the drive unit to move the bristle carrier relative to the handle). The drive unit is preferably located in the handle.

The drive mechanism is preferably arranged to drive the detection means to move relative to the handle. Preferably, the detection means is arranged to move with the bristle carrier relative to the handle. The detection means may be arranged to move relative to the handle in the same mode of movement as the bristle holder or in a different mode of movement. For example, both the detection means and the bristle carrier may be arranged to move reciprocally in a sweeping movement relative to the handle. The detection device can be spaced apart from the bristle holder or mounted on the bristle holder. For example, the drive mechanism may be arranged to move the lever relative to the handle, thereby moving both the brush unit and the detection means relative to the handle simultaneously.

Preferably, the nozzle is arranged to move with the detection means relative to the handle. For example, both the detection device and the nozzle may be mounted on the bristle holder such that the drive mechanism moves the bristle holder, nozzle and detection device simultaneously relative to the handle.

The detection means may be arranged to transmit an optical or acoustic signal to the oral cavity. For example, the detection means may comprise at least one acoustic transceiver or at least one optical transceiver. As another example, the detection device may include one or more light emitters (e.g., LEDs) for illuminating the oral cavity, and a camera for receiving light returned from the oral cavity and capturing images of the oral cavity.

Preferably, the detection means is arranged close to the nozzle such that the region of the mouth towards which the signal is transmitted is substantially the same as the region subsequently processed by the processing system. The detection device and the nozzle may be placed side by side on the cleaning tool. Alternatively, the detection means may be arranged to extend at least partially around the nozzle axis. As a further alternative, the detection means may be arranged directly behind the nozzle, such that the signal transmitted by the detection means and returned to the detection means passes through the orifice of the nozzle. As a further alternative, the detection means may extend at least partially around the nozzle axis. For example, the detection means may comprise a C-shaped or horseshoe-shaped sensor or transceiver extending partially about the nozzle axis. As another example, the detection means may comprise a transceiver about the nozzle axis.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a dental treatment appliance comprising:

a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid; and

a fluid delivery system for receiving working fluid from the reservoir, the fluid delivery system comprising a nozzle for delivering working fluid to the oral cavity of a user, detection means for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the oral cavity, and a controller for initiating delivery of working fluid in dependence on the received signals;

wherein the detection means surrounds the nozzle axis.

Preferably, the moving means is arranged to move the detecting means towards and away from the at least one reference position. For example, where the detection device moves in a reciprocating sweeping movement along a curved path, the reference position may be located at the centre of the path. Alternatively or additionally, the reference position may be located midway between the center and the end of the path.

The controller is preferably configured to sample a signal received from the detection means when the detection means is in the above-mentioned reference position and to initiate treatment of the user's mouth in dependence on the sampled signal. Not only is the signal processing of the controller reduced, this can also ensure that the treatment of the oral cavity takes place when the nozzle is optimally positioned for that treatment for the nozzle moving with the detection means. For example, where the reference position is at the center of the path along which the detection means moves relative to the handle, treatment of the oral cavity may occur as the nozzle moves towards and/or away from its central position.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a dental treatment appliance comprising:

a handle;

moving means for moving the detecting means towards and away from at least one reference position relative to the handle, and wherein the controller is configured to sample a signal received from the detecting means when the detecting means is in the reference position and to initiate treatment of the user's mouth in dependence on the sampled signal.

Preferably, the moving means is arranged to oscillate the detecting means with respect to the handle at an oscillation frequency F. Depending on the number and position of the reference positions along the movement path of the detection means, the controller may be arranged to sample the signal returning from the oral cavity at the same frequency F, at a frequency nF (where n is an integer greater than 1) or at a frequency nF/m (where m is an integer, preferably equal to or less than 16). For example, m has a value of 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16.

The detection means may be arranged to transmit signals to the oral cavity at the same frequency as the controller is arranged to sample signals returned from the oral cavity. This may be particularly advantageous in case the detection means comprise a camera; by transmitting the optical signal to the oral cavity by pulsing or strobing, we have found that the sharpness of the image captured by the camera can be improved compared to the case where the optical signal is transmitted to the oral cavity continuously.

The transmission of the pulsed signal towards the optical cavity may be provided separately from the periodic sampling of the received signal by the controller, and thus in a fourth aspect the invention provides a dental treatment appliance comprising a dental treatment system for transmitting a treatment to the oral cavity of a user, the dental treatment system comprising detection means for transmitting the pulsed signal to the oral cavity and for receiving a signal back from the oral cavity, and a controller for initiating treatment of the oral cavity of the user in dependence on the signal received from the detection means.

The appliance preferably comprises moving means for moving the detecting means relative to the handle of the appliance. Preferably, the moving means is arranged to oscillate the detecting means with respect to the handle at an oscillation frequency F. The detection means are preferably arranged to transmit the pulsed optical signal at a frequency nF (where n is an integer greater than 1) or at a frequency nF/m (where m is an integer, preferably equal to or less than 16). For example, m has a value of 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16.

The control is preferably located in the handle of the appliance. Although the signal may be transmitted wirelessly from the detection device to the controller, it is preferred that the signal is transmitted from the detection device to the controller along a physical transmission path located within the appliance. Preferably, the transport path extends along a portion of the drive mechanism. This may allow the number of components of the device to be minimized.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a dental treatment appliance comprising:

a handle;

a cleaning implement comprising a bristle carrier and a plurality of bristles mounted on the bristle carrier;

a drive mechanism for driving movement of the bristle carrier relative to the handle.

A dental treatment system for treating the oral cavity of a user, the dental treatment system comprising detection means for transmitting signals to the oral cavity and for receiving signals back from the oral cavity, and a controller for initiating treatment of the oral cavity in dependence on the received signals;

wherein a transmission path of the signal transmitted from the detection device to the controller extends along a part of the drive mechanism.

As mentioned above, the drive mechanism is preferably located within the handle and preferably includes a drive unit (connected to the bristle carrier) and a drive unit (for driving the drive unit to move the bristle carrier relative to the handle). The transmission unit is preferably in the form of a shaft which is moved relative to the handle by a motor. The vibration frequency of the shaft is preferably in the range of 200-300 Hz. The motor preferably extends around the shaft such that the shaft rotates or vibrates relative to the handle when the motor is energized. The shaft of the cleaning tool is mounted on the shaft.

The transmission path preferably extends along the transmission unit, more preferably along the outer surface of the shaft. For example, a conductive track may be formed on the outer surface of the shaft for transmitting signals to the controller. The track is preferably connected to the handle contacts to engage the cleaning tool contacts when the cleaning tool is attached to the handle. The handle contact is preferably an annular contact which extends around an end portion of the shaft. The cleaning tool preferably includes a recess for receiving the portion of the shaft to connect the cleaning tool to the handle. The cleaning tool contacts are preferably located within the pockets and preferably project inwardly from an inner peripheral surface of the pockets to engage the handle contacts when the cleaning tool is attached to the handle. Wires, rails or other conductive members extend between the cleaning tool contacts and the detection device to transmit signals from the detection device to the cleaning tool contacts.

In addition to extending along a portion of the transmission unit, the transmission path preferably also extends along a portion of the drive unit. The drive unit preferably comprises means for engaging the shaft, and the engaging means is preferably arranged to transmit a signal to the controller. The drive unit is preferably arranged to move, more preferably rotate, the shaft away from the equilibrium position to move the cleaning tool relative to the handle against the force of the engagement means. The engagement means is arranged to push the shaft back to its equilibrium position when the driving force of the drive unit is removed. The engagement means preferably comprises a spring member and, in a preferred embodiment, a torsion spring. Wires, tracks, or other conductive members extend between the spring member and the controller to transmit signals from the spring member to the controller.

As noted above, the tooth treatment system preferably includes a fluid delivery system for delivering the working fluid to the oral cavity of the user. The fluid delivery system preferably comprises a fluid reservoir and a pump, wherein the controller is arranged to actuate the pump to draw working fluid from the fluid reservoir and to emit the working fluid towards the nozzle. The controller is preferably arranged to actuate the pump to emit a jet of the working fluid towards the nozzle. The volume of each jet of working fluid produced by the fluid delivery system is preferably less than 1ml, more preferably less than 0.5 ml. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the jet of working fluid produced by the fluid delivery system is in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 ml. The fluid delivery system is preferably configured to deliver a jet of the working fluid to the nozzle at a static pressure in the range from 3 to 10 bar.

The transmission unit preferably defines part of a fluid delivery system. The shaft preferably includes an aperture defining a portion of the fluid delivery system.

The appliance preferably comprises a user interface for enabling a user to select an operating mode of the appliance before the treatment process is started. In this embodiment, the user interface is located on the handle of the appliance and preferably comprises at least one user operable switch or button. The user interface may include a display on the handle for displaying information about the selected operating mode. Alternatively, the appliance may be wirelessly connected to a remote device having a display that displays the information. The remote device may be in the form of a dedicated display or a personal device. The remote device may also include a user interface, such as a touch sensitive display, to enable a user to select an operating mode for the appliance.

In a preferred embodiment, the appliance has a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. In a first mode of operation, the dental treatment system does not treat the oral cavity in response to signals received from the detection means, so the appliance can be used as a conventional electric toothbrush, and the brush unit is moved relative to the handle during the cleaning process. In a second mode of operation, the dental treatment system treats the oral cavity in response to signals received from the detection device, so the appliance can be used as a power toothbrush with the additional function of automatically generating interproximal cleaning or other oral treatment during the cleaning process. In a second mode of operation, the brush unit is moved relative to the handle during the cleaning process; in an optional third mode of operation, the brush unit remains stationary during the cleaning process, so that the appliance can be operated as a dedicated oral treatment appliance.

During the course of the process, the user interface is preferably operable by the user to temporarily switch from the currently selected mode of operation to another mode of operation. This may allow the user to switch between modes of operation as desired, for example after completion of the brushing phase of the cleaning process, to enable automatic interproximal cleaning, for example, during the treatment phase of the cleaning process. Switching between modes of operation may allow a user to temporarily suspend treatment of the oral cavity during a cleaning process or temporarily initiate automatic treatment of the oral cavity during brushing.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a dental treatment appliance comprising:

a handle;

a bristle carrier and a plurality of bristles mounted on the bristle carrier;

a drive mechanism for driving movement of the bristle carrier relative to the handle;

a dental treatment system for treating an oral cavity of a user, the dental treatment system comprising a detection device for transmitting a signal to the oral cavity and for receiving a signal reflected from the oral cavity, and a controller for initiating treatment of the oral cavity; and

a user interface;

wherein, prior to a treatment procedure, the user interface is operable to place the appliance in a selected one of a first mode of operation during which the drive mechanism moves the bristle carrier relative to the handle, and a second mode of operation during which the controller initiates treatment of the oral cavity in accordance with the received signal, and wherein, during the treatment procedure, the user interface is operable by the user to temporarily switch from the selected mode of operation to the other mode of operation.

The user interface preferably comprises a switch or button located on the handle. The switch or button may be slid or pressed to switch between operating modes of the appliance. Thus, the switch or button may have a first state in which the appliance remains in the selected operating mode and a second state in which the appliance is placed in another operating mode by the controller. The switch or button is preferably biased towards the first state. When the switch or button is held in its second state, the appliance is preferably placed in another operating state. For example, where the user interface includes a button, the appliance is placed in another mode of operation when the button is pressed by the user. Once the button is released by the user, the appliance returns to the selected mode of operation. The switch or button is preferably positioned to be operable by the thumb of the hand holding the handle.

Once the switch or button is placed in its second state by the user, the appliance may be placed in another mode of operation. In a preferred embodiment, the appliance is placed in another operating mode if the switch or button is placed in its second state for a duration greater than a preset time period. The preset time period is preferably in the range of 0.5-2 seconds. Once the appliance is placed in another mode of operation, the appliance may be configured to sound an audible or visual alert to the user. Once the appliance is returned to the selected mode of operation, the appliance may also be configured to sound an audible or visual alert to the user.

In case the switch or button is placed in its second state for a duration shorter than a preset time period, the controller is preferably arranged to initiate a single treatment of the oral cavity. Where the tooth treatment system is configured to deliver the working fluid to the oral cavity, the controller may be arranged to initiate delivery of a single jet of the working fluid or a single series of jets of the working fluid to the oral cavity.

The above description of features relating to the first aspect of the invention applies equally to the second to sixth aspects of the invention and vice versa.

Drawings

Preferred features of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of a tooth cleaning implement as viewed from the front, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the implement of FIG. 1(a) as viewed from the rear;

FIG. 2(a) is a side view of the brush unit of the appliance of FIG. 1(a), FIG. 2(b) is a perspective view of the brush unit with some bristles omitted to expose the brush unit sensor and nozzle, and FIG. 2(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2 (a); and

figure 3 schematically illustrates a fluid delivery system of the appliance;

FIG. 4(a) is a front view of a portion of the appliance of FIG. 1(a) with a portion of the fluid reservoir and handle removed, FIG. 4(b) is a side view of a portion of the appliance of FIG. 4(a), and FIG. 4(c) is a perspective view of a portion of the appliance of FIG. 4(a) as viewed from above;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 4 (a);

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 5; and

fig. 8(a) is a view similar to fig. 2(a) but showing the field of view of the sensor when in a first angular position relative to the handle, fig. 8(b) is a view similar to fig. 8(a), fig. 8(c) is a view similar to fig. 8(a) when the sensor is in a reference position relative to the handle, and fig. 8(d) is a view similar to fig. 2(a) when the sensor is in a second angular position relative to the handle but showing the delivery of working fluid from the nozzle when the sensor is in the reference position.

Detailed Description

Figures 1(a) and 1(b) show external views of an embodiment of a tooth cleaning implement 10. In this embodiment, the appliance is in the form of a hand-held appliance, in the form of a power toothbrush, having an integrated assembly for dispensing working fluid to improve interproximal cleaning.

The appliance 10 includes a handle 12 and a cleaning tool 14. The handle 12 comprises an outer body 16, preferably formed from a plastics material. The body 16 is generally cylindrical in shape. The handle 12 includes a user interface. The user interface includes a user operable button 18 located within an aperture formed in the body 16 so as to be depressible by the thumb of the hand holding the body 16 of the handle 12. Alternatively, the handle 12 may include a display positioned so as to be visible to a user during use of the appliance. Appliance 10 may be connected to a remote display, such as the display of a personal device or mobile phone, to enable a user to select an operating mode or parameter for appliance 10 using buttons 18 and/or the remote display, as described in more detail below.

The cleaning tool 14 includes a shaft 20 and a head 22. The stem 20 is of an elongate shape for spacing the head 22 from the handle 12 to facilitate user maneuverability of the appliance 10. In this embodiment, the head 22 of the cleaning tool 14 includes a brush unit 24 that includes a bristle holder 26 and a plurality of sets of bristles 28 mounted on the bristle holder 26. In this embodiment, the brush unit 24 may be rigidly connected to the rod 20. However, in other embodiments, the cleaning tool 14 may be provided without the brush unit 24, such that the appliance is in the form of a dedicated oral treatment appliance, for example for cleaning between gaps in a user's teeth, or for delivering cleaning or whitening fluid to the user's teeth.

Referring also to fig. 2(a) -2(c), the cleaning tool 14 further includes a fluid reservoir 30 for storing the working fluid and a nozzle 32 for delivering the working fluid to the oral cavity of the user during use of the appliance 10. The working fluid is preferably a liquid working fluid, in this embodiment water. The fluid reservoir 32 is mounted on the handle 12 so as to extend around the end of the handle 12. The nozzle 32 is mounted on the head 22 of the cleaning tool 14. In this embodiment, which comprises a brush unit 24, the bristles 28 are arranged to at least partially surround a nozzle 32. The nozzle 32 extends along a nozzle axis a shown in fig. 2(c), which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z of the handle 12.

The nozzle 32 forms part of a fluid delivery system 34 for receiving working fluid from the fluid reservoir 30 and for delivering a jet of working fluid to the mouth of a user during use of the appliance 10. Each jet of working fluid preferably has a volume of less than 1ml, more preferably less than 0.5 ml. The fluid delivery system 34 is schematically illustrated in fig. 3. In general, the tip of the nozzle 32 includes a fluid outlet 36, through which fluid outlet 36 a jet of working fluid is delivered to the mouth of a user. The fluid delivery system 34 includes a fluid inlet 36 for receiving working fluid from the fluid reservoir 30. In this embodiment, the working fluid is a liquid working fluid, which is preferably water. The fluid inlet 36 is located on the handle 12, preferably on the end of the body 16 of the handle 12, and is arranged to connect to a fluid port of the fluid reservoir 30 when the fluid reservoir 30 is connected to the handle 12. As described below, the cleaning tool 14 is detachable from the handle 12, and once the cleaning tool 14 has been detached from the handle 12, the fluid reservoir 30 can be pulled away from the handle 12 for replenishment.

The fluid delivery system 34 includes a pump assembly for drawing working fluid from the fluid reservoir 30 through the fluid inlet 36 and for delivering a jet of the working fluid to the nozzle 32. The pump assembly is located within the body 16 of the handle 12 and includes a positive displacement pump 38 and a driver for driving the pump 38. The drive preferably includes a pump motor 40. A battery 42 for supplying power to the pump motor 40 is also located in the handle 12. The battery 42 is preferably a rechargeable battery.

A first conduit 44 connects the fluid inlet 36 of the fluid delivery system 34 to a fluid inlet 46 of the pump 38. A first one-way valve 48 is located between fluid inlet 36 and pump 38 to prevent backflow of water from pump 38 to fluid reservoir 30. A second conduit 50 connects a fluid outlet 52 of the pump 38 to the nozzle 32. A second one-way valve 54 is located between the pump 38 and the nozzle 32 to prevent backflow of water to the pump 38. The control circuit 56 controls the actuation of the pump motor 40, and thus the pump motor 40 and control circuit 56 provide a drive for operating the pump 38. The battery 42 supplies power to the control circuit 56. The control circuit 56 includes a motor controller that supplies power to the pump motor 40.

The control circuit 56 receives a signal generated when a user presses a button 18 of the user interface. The control circuitry 56 may also transmit and receive signals to and from a remote device, such as a display or a personal device. In this embodiment, the control circuitry 56 also transmits signals to the sensor 66 and receives signals from the sensor 66. Referring to fig. 2(b) and 2(c), the sensor 66 is mounted on the head 22 of the appliance 10, and preferably on the bristle holder 26 of the brush unit 24. In this embodiment, the nozzle 32 is also mounted on the bristle carrier 26 of the brush unit 24. The sensor 66 is positioned on the head 22 such that it is adjacent the nozzle 32. In this embodiment, the sensor 66 is annular and is positioned to extend about or about the nozzle axis a, preferably so as to extend about at least a portion of the nozzle 32.

The sensor 66 is preferably in the form of an optical transceiver or an acoustic transceiver as in this embodiment driven by the control circuit 56. The sensor 66 is preferably a piezoelectric transceiver arranged to transmit sound waves, preferably ultrasonic waves, from the head 22 and to receive sound waves returning to the sensor 66, for example, from sound waves reflected by the oral cavity. The signals received by the sensor 66 are transmitted to the control circuit 56. Based on one or more parameters of the signal received from the sensor 66, such as the frequency and/or amplitude of the signal, the control circuitry 56 actuates the pump assembly to deliver one or more jets of working fluid to the oral cavity. For example, the amplitude of the signal received by the sensor 66, or the temporal variation of the amplitude of the signal received by the sensor 66, may indicate the transmission of an acoustic signal in the interdental space between adjacent teeth of the user.

The cleaning tool 14 is removably connected to the handle 12. Referring also to fig. 4(a) to 6, the handle 12 includes a male connector, preferably in the form of a plug 68, which is received by a complementary female connector, preferably in the form of a female connector 70 of the wand 20 of the cleaning tool 14. The plug 68 projects outwardly from the end of the handle 12, and preferably in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the handle 12 (and more preferably collinear with the longitudinal axis Z of the handle 12).

The appliance 10 includes a drive mechanism for driving the rod 20, and thus the bristle carrier 26, relative to the handle 12. Referring to fig. 4(a) to 7, the driving mechanism includes a transmission unit and a driving unit for driving the transmission unit to move the lever 20 relative to the handle 12. The drive unit includes a drive motor 72 located within the body 16 of the handle 12. The control circuit 56 includes a motor controller that supplies power to a drive motor 72. The button 18 may also be used to activate and deactivate the drive motor 72 to start and subsequently stop the cleaning period, for example, by depressing the button 18 a predetermined number of times within a preset time period. Alternatively, a separate button (not shown) may be provided for activating and deactivating the drive motor 72.

The transmission unit comprises a shaft 74 which is driven by the drive unit to oscillate relative to the handle 12. The plug 68 is connected to the shaft 74 and is preferably integrally formed with the shaft 74. The drive unit is preferably arranged to oscillate the shaft 74 such that it oscillates about the longitudinal axis Z of the handle 12, preferably at a frequency in the range of 200 and 300 Hz. In this embodiment, the drive motor 72 is arranged to rotate the shaft 74 about the longitudinal axis through an angle α from a central position. The angle alpha is preferably in the range of 5 to 15 deg., and in a preferred embodiment is 10 deg.. The drive unit further comprises a spring member 76 for engaging the drive shaft 74 to return the shaft 74 to its central position. The spring member 76 includes a pair of torsion springs 78, 80 on opposite sides of the drive shaft 74, each having a first end engaged with the drive shaft 74 and a second end attached to a support ring 82, the support ring 82 being connected to the handle or otherwise held in a fixed position relative to the handle 12.

Referring to fig. 8(a) -8(c), such movement of the shaft 74 relative to the handle 12 causes the bristle holder 26, and thus the nozzle 32 and sensor 66 mounted on the bristle holder 26, to move back and forth along respective curved paths. In this embodiment, the nozzle 32 and the sensor 66 each move about the longitudinal axis Z of the handle 12 between a first angular position, shown in fig. 8(a), and a second angular position, shown in fig. 8(c), each angularly spaced at an angle α from a central reference position, shown in fig. 8 (b).

During use of the appliance 10, a drive signal is transmitted from the control circuit 56 to the sensor 66 to actuate transmission of sound waves from the sensor 66. Data signals representing the acoustic waves that are subsequently returned to the sensor 66 by reflection from the mouth are transmitted from the sensor 66 back to the control circuit 56, whereupon the control circuit 56 actuates delivery of the working fluid from the nozzle 32. The control circuit 56 is located in the body 16 of the handle 12 and the sensor 66 is located on the bristle holder 26 of the cleaning tool 14. In this embodiment, the transmission path of the signal transmitted between the control circuit 56 and the sensor 66 extends along the drive unit. Referring to fig. 6 and 7, a second end of each

torsion spring

78, 80 is connected to a

respective circuit contact

84, 86 formed on the support ring 82. Electrical wires (not shown) extend from each

circuit contact

84, 86 to the control circuit 56. A first end of each

torsion spring

78, 80 is connected to a

respective shaft contact

88, 90 formed on the shaft 74. A first insulative sleeve 92 is positioned between the shaft 74 and the

shaft contacts

88, 90 to electrically insulate the

shaft contacts

88, 90 from the shaft 74. Each

shaft contact

88, 90 is connected to a

respective handle contact

94, 96 by a

conductive track

98, 100 extending along the first insulating sleeve 92. Each

handle contact

94, 96 is located on the plug 68. A second insulative sleeve 102 is positioned on the

conductive tracks

98, 100 such that only the various electrical contacts of the handle 12 are exposed along the transmission path. The female connector 70 of the cleaning tool 14 includes a pair of cleaning tool contacts (one of which is indicated at 104 in fig. 6) for engaging the

respective handle contacts

94, 96 when the cleaning tool 14 is attached to the handle 12. Each cleaning tool contact 104 protrudes inwardly from the inner peripheral surface of the female connector 70 and is connected to the sensor 66 by a respective wire.

The second conduit 50 (which connects the pump 38 to the nozzle 32) includes a handle conduit section located within the handle 12 and a cleaning tool conduit section located within the cleaning tool 14. The handle conduit section extends from the fluid outlet 52 of the pump 38 to a handle fluid outlet 106 at the end of the plug 68. The handle conduit section includes an outlet section 108 defined by the bore of the shaft 74. The cleaning tool conduit section includes a conduit (not shown) that extends within the bore 110 of the stem 22 to the nozzle 32.

To operate the appliance 10, the user turns on the appliance 10 by pressing the button 18, which action is detected by the control circuit 56. Before beginning a treatment session using the appliance 10, the user may use the button 18, the remote display, or a combination of the button 18 and the remote display to select an operating mode of the appliance 10. In this embodiment, the appliance 10 has a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation.

In these modes of operation, the drive mechanism moves the bristle holder 26 relative to the handle 12. In this mode, the control circuit 56 does not drive the sensor 66 to transmit a signal to the mouth, and therefore, does not automatically transmit the working fluid to the mouth of the user based on the signal received from the sensor 66. During this first mode of operation, the user can actuate a single jet of working fluid delivered from the nozzle 32 by depressing the button 18 for less than a preset period of time. The time period is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 2 seconds, and in this embodiment is 1 second. In response to depression of the button 18, the control circuit 56 activates the pump 38 to cause a volume of water to flow from the fluid chamber of the pump 38 to the nozzle 32, and to replenish the fluid chamber by drawing the volume of water from the fluid reservoir 30.

In the second mode of operation, in addition to the function of the first mode of operation, the control circuit 56 actuates the sensor 66 to transmit acoustic signals away from the head 22 of the appliance 10, and thus towards the mouth of the user when in use. The signal reflected back from the oral cavity is detected by the sensor 66 and, in response to the signal received from the sensor 66 being indicative of the strength of the received signal, the control circuit 56 is arranged to initiate treatment of the oral cavity by the fluid treatment system 34 in the same manner as when the button 18 is depressed by the user during the first mode of operation. As shown in FIGS. 8(a) through 8(c), during processing, as the bristle holder 26 moves relative to the handle 12, the "field of view" 120 of the sensor 66 moves relative to the handle 12. Thus, during one "sweep" of the sensor 66 from the first angular position shown in FIG. 8(a) to the second angular position shown in FIG. 8(c), the field of view 120 sweeps through an angle of 20 ° relative to the handle 12. Depending on the frequency at which the control circuit 56 is arranged to sample the signal received from the sensor 66, the signal received from the sensor 66 may provide an indication of movement of the cleaning tool 14 toward or away from the interdental space. The control circuitry 56 may then time actuation of the fluid delivery system 34 to cause the jet of working fluid delivered by the fluid delivery system to enter the interdental space to optimize removal of debris or other matter from the space.

In this embodiment, the control circuit 56 is arranged to sample or process the signal received from the sensor 66 when the sensor 66 is in a reference position relative to the handle 12. In this embodiment, the reference position is located midway between the first and second angular positions and is shown in fig. 8 (b). Thus, the control circuitry 56 samples the signal received from the sensor 66 once per "sweep" of the field of view 120 of the sensor 66 through the oral cavity. More generally, however, where the sensor 66 is moved relative to the handpiece 12 at an oscillation frequency F, the control circuit 56 is preferably arranged to sample the signal at a frequency nF/16, where n is an integer greater than 1, and in this embodiment n-32. However, depending on the number of reference positions located along the path of movement of the sensor 66 relative to the handle 12, and the frequency at which the control circuit 56 is arranged to sample the signal when the sensor 66 is in the reference position, the value of n may be higher or lower than 32.

When the control circuit 56 is arranged to sample the signal at a particular frequency, the control circuit may be further arranged to activate the sensor 66 to transmit the signal to the oral cavity at the same frequency as the control circuit 56 samples the signal. Where the sensor 66 is in the form of an optical transceiver, or a combination of an optical transmitter (e.g., an LED) and an optical receiver (e.g., a camera), this can result in a "stroboscopic" effect as the appliance 10 moves along the oral cavity. By transmitting a pulsed optical signal into the oral cavity and returning the pulsed optical signal from the oral cavity to the camera, the image of the oral cavity captured by the camera can be clearer than if the optical signal were continuously transmitted into the oral cavity. The generation of a sharper image, based on the signals or images received by the control circuit 56, may be beneficial in improving the accuracy of the oral treatment.

As shown in fig. 8(d), the control circuit 56 may also be configured to initiate treatment of the oral cavity when the sensor 66 is in the reference position, wherein the spray of water is indicated at 130 in fig. 8 (d).

During either of the two modes of operation, the button 18 is operable by the user to temporarily switch from the currently selected mode of operation to the other mode of operation. In this embodiment, the control circuit 56 is arranged to switch, for example temporarily, from the first to the second mode of operation when the button 18 is pressed for a duration longer than a preset time period. Once the button 18 is depressed for the period of time, the control circuit 56 operates the appliance 10 in the second mode of operation until the user releases the button 18. Once the button 18 is released, the control circuit 56 returns the operation of the appliance 10 to the first mode of operation. If the button 18 is depressed for a duration less than the preset time period while the appliance 10 is in the second mode of operation, the control circuit 56 initiates a single treatment of the oral cavity as in the first mode of operation.

Claims

1. A dental treatment appliance comprising:

a handle;

a bristle carrier and a plurality of bristles mounted on the bristle carrier;

A dental treatment system for treating a user's mouth, the dental treatment system comprising a detection device for transmitting a signal to the mouth and for receiving a signal back from the mouth, and a controller for initiating treatment of the mouth; and

a user interface;

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the tooth treatment system is configured to deliver working fluid to the oral cavity of a user.

3. An appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user interface comprises a switch or button located on a handle of the appliance.

4. An appliance according to claim 3, wherein the switch or button is positioned to be operable by the thumb of the hand holding the handle.

5. An appliance according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the switch or button can assume one of a first state and a second state, the appliance switching from the selected mode of operation to the other mode of operation when the switch or button is in the second state.

6. An appliance according to claim 5, wherein the switch or button is biased towards the first state.

7. An appliance according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the switch or button is slidable or depressible towards the second state.

8. The appliance of claim 7, wherein the appliance returns to a selected mode of operation after the user releases the switch or button.

9. An appliance according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the appliance is placed in the further operating mode if a switch or button is held in its second state for a duration greater than a preset time period.

10. The appliance of claim 9, wherein the preset period of time is in the range of 0.5-2 seconds.

11. An appliance according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the controller is arranged to initiate a single treatment of the oral cavity if the switch or button is in its second state for a duration shorter than a preset time period.