CN113017238A - Communication type toothbrush accessory - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention aims to provide a communication type toothbrush accessory capable of easily and reliably selecting a desired operation mode from a plurality of operation modes. Comprising: a detection unit that detects a predetermined physical quantity related to the toothbrush; a communication unit capable of communicating with the portable information terminal; and a switch unit (51) capable of selecting at least a first operation mode in which the physical quantity detected by the detection unit is subjected to communication processing via the communication unit and the portable information terminal, or a second operation mode in which the physical quantity detected by the detection unit is subjected to single processing, depending on the length of time the switch unit is pressed.

Description

Communication type toothbrush accessory

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a communication toothbrush attachment.

The present application claims priority based on japanese patent application No. 2019-233340, filed in japan on 24.12.2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

While appropriate brushing is required for preventing dental caries and periodontal disease, it is difficult for a user to independently grasp a high level of brushing skills, for example, in the case of children, to know an accurate brushing method, or in the case of adults, to have a conventional brushing method.

In recent years, due to the rise of the Iot technology, the following so-called smart toothbrushes are being developed and introduced: the brushing skill can be evaluated by acquiring the motion of brushing a part displayed on the screen of a portable information terminal such as a smartphone by a sensor, transmitting the acquired data to the portable information terminal, and calculating the brushing position and the brushing stroke.

For example, patent document 1 discloses a communication-type toothbrush attachment including: a sensor section that detects a physical quantity related to the toothbrush; a wireless transmission unit that transmits a wireless signal indicating the detected physical quantity; and a holding portion that holds a rear end side of the grip portion of the inserted toothbrush.

The communication type toothbrush attachment described in patent document 1 is configured such that, by brushing with a toothbrush in a state where the rear end side of the grip portion of the toothbrush is attached to the holding portion, a wireless signal indicating the physical quantity detected by the sensor portion can be transmitted to the outside of a portable information terminal (a smartphone or the like) in which an application program is started by, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. Therefore, even when the accessory described in patent document 1 is used, a wireless signal can be received at a position away from the hand during brushing, and information on the brushing action of the user can be known based on the wireless signal.

When the communication toothbrush attachment described in patent document 1 is used for a toothbrush for children, it is difficult for the children to always start an application for brushing teeth, not only if the children themselves hold the portable information terminal. Therefore, a communication-type toothbrush accessory having an operation mode in which the toothbrush accessory operates without starting an application program has been demanded.

Patent document 2 discloses the following technique: when the accessory for a communication toothbrush and the portable information terminal are not connected for a certain period of time, the operation mode is automatically switched to an operation mode in which the accessory for a communication toothbrush can be started without using an application program.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 6465122

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-60662

Disclosure of Invention

In the communication-type toothbrush accessory described in patent document 2, there is a possibility that a standby time is required until switching to an operation mode in which the toothbrush is operated without activating an application, or that an operation mode in which the toothbrush is operated without an application is unintentionally activated depending on a communication state.

Therefore, it is necessary to consider that switches for operating an operation mode in which the accessory for a communication toothbrush is connected to the portable information terminal and an operation mode in which the accessory for a communication toothbrush is operated alone are separately provided. In this case, if a plurality of switches corresponding to the respective operation modes are present in the portable information terminal, it is difficult for a child to operate the portable information terminal, and it is also possible to expect an erroneous operation. For this problem, the user is not limited to children, and may also occur even in adults including the elderly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a communication-type toothbrush attachment capable of easily and reliably selecting a desired operation mode from a plurality of operation modes.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accessory for a communication toothbrush, which is attachable to a toothbrush, comprising: a detection unit that detects a predetermined physical quantity related to the toothbrush; a communication unit capable of communicating with the portable information terminal; and a switch unit capable of selecting at least a first operation mode or a second operation mode according to a length of time from a stop state of operation when the switch unit is pressed; in the first operation mode, the communication unit and the portable information terminal perform communication processing on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit, and in the second operation mode, the physical quantity detected by the detection unit is processed separately.

In the communication toothbrush attachment according to the one aspect of the present invention, the first operation mode is selected when the length of time that the switch unit is pressed is within a first range, and the second operation mode is selected when the length of time that the switch unit is pressed is within a second range different from the first range.

In the communication-type toothbrush attachment according to one aspect of the present invention, when the switch unit is pressed for a predetermined time or longer while operating in the first operation mode or the second operation mode, a third operation mode different from the first operation mode and the second operation mode is activated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accessory for a communication toothbrush, which is attachable to a toothbrush, comprising: a detection unit that detects a predetermined physical quantity related to the toothbrush; a communication unit capable of communicating with the portable information terminal; a housing that accommodates the detection unit and the communication unit therein; and a switch unit that operates an operation state of at least one of the detection unit and the communication unit, the switch unit being provided inside the housing from a virtual surface that covers a hole portion formed in a surface of the housing and is flush with the surface.

In the communication toothbrush attachment according to one aspect of the present invention, the housing is made of a hard resin, and the hole is sealed in a watertight manner by a sealing portion made of a soft resin.

In the communication toothbrush attachment according to the one aspect of the present invention, the housing has a recess recessed with respect to the virtual plane, and the hole is formed to penetrate the recess.

In the communication toothbrush attachment according to one aspect of the present invention, the sealing portion has a projection projecting inward at a position facing the hole.

In the communication toothbrush attachment according to the one aspect of the present invention, a region around the projection of the sealing portion is formed thinner than other regions.

In the communication toothbrush attachment according to one aspect of the present invention, the soft resin has a shore a hardness of 40 or more and 60 or less and a thickness of 0.5mm or more and 5.0mm or less, and is formed of a styrene-based elastomer.

In the communication toothbrush attachment according to one aspect of the present invention, the sealing portion is a part of a structure having a fitting recess portion to be water-tightly fitted to the housing on a bottom side, and the structure has a first curved surface having a convex shape on a front side on which the opening/closing portion is disposed in a side view and a second curved surface having a concave shape on a back side opposite to the front side.

In the communication toothbrush attachment according to the one aspect of the present invention, the structure includes: a carrying surface arranged at the bottom; and a projection portion provided on the rear surface side at a position halfway in a normal direction of the mounting surface and projecting on the rear surface side, wherein the second curved surface is provided above the projection portion.

In the communication toothbrush attachment according to one aspect of the present invention, the maximum size of the hole and the recess is 7.0mm to 11.0 mm.

In the communication toothbrush attachment according to one aspect of the present invention, the attachment includes a mounting portion detachably attached to the toothbrush.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

In the present invention, a desired operation mode can be easily and reliably selected from a plurality of operation modes.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is an external perspective view showing a toothbrush 10 and an attachment 1 attached to the toothbrush 10.

Fig. 2 is a partial side view showing the tip side of the toothbrush 10.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fitting 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting 1 in a plane parallel to the YZ-plane.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting 1 in a plane parallel to the XZ plane.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the frame 45 viewed from the + Z side.

Fig. 7 is an external perspective view of the first structure 40.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the base plate 42.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation when the switch unit 51 is pressed from a state where the accessory 1 is stopped.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when the first operation mode is selected.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation when the second operation mode is selected.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation when the switch unit 51 is pressed in the first operation mode or the second operation mode.

Fig. 13 is a partial side view showing the distal end side of toothbrush 10 according to a modification.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the communication toothbrush attachment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 13. In the present embodiment, a description will be given by exemplifying a structure in which an attachment for a communication toothbrush is detachably provided to a manual toothbrush.

The following embodiments are illustrative of one embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention, and may be arbitrarily modified within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In the drawings below, the actual structure is different from the structure in scale, number, and the like, in order to facilitate understanding of the structures.

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view showing a toothbrush 10 and an attachment (attachment for a communication toothbrush) 1 attached to the toothbrush 10. Fig. 2 is a partial side view showing the tip side of the toothbrush 10.

[ toothbrush 10]

First, the toothbrush 10 will be explained. The shape, size, material, and the like of the toothbrush 10 are not particularly limited as long as the attachment 1 can be attached to the toothbrush 10. The toothbrush 10 of the present embodiment is for infants, for example. Toothbrush 10 has a handle body 11 and a brush portion 12. The handle body 11 has a head 14, a neck 15, and a grip 16.

In the following description, a direction orthogonal to the placement surface 73a of the accessory 1 described later and a substantially longitudinal direction of the handle body 11 in the toothbrush 10 are referred to as a Z direction, a direction in which the brush portion 12 extends with respect to the bristle surface 21a is referred to as an X direction, and a direction orthogonal to the Z direction and the X direction is referred to as a Y direction.

The brush portion 12 is implanted on the hair-implanting surface 21a of the head portion 14.

The neck portion 15 is a portion connecting the head portion 14 and the grip portion 16. The width of the neck portion 15 in the Y direction is configured to be narrower than the width of the head portion 14 and the grip portion 16. The thickness of the neck portion 15 in the X direction can be formed to be the same as the thickness of the head portion 14, for example.

The handle 16 is the portion of the toothbrush 10 that is grasped by the hand of the user.

Specific examples of the hard resin include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate (PCT), Polyacetal (POM), Polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), Cellulose Propionate (CP), polyarylate, polycarbonate, and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin (AS). The hard resin may be used alone in 1 kind, or may be used in combination of 2 or more kinds as appropriate.

Specific examples of the hard resin include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate (PCT), Polyacetal (POM), Polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), Cellulose Propionate (CP), polyarylate, polycarbonate, and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin (AS). The hard resin may be used alone in 1 kind, or may be used in combination of 2 or more kinds as appropriate.

[ fitting 1]

Next, the fitting 1 will be explained.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fitting 1.

The fitting 1 has a first structure 40 and a second structure 70.

The first structure 40 includes a battery 41, a substrate 42, a speaker 43, a speaker film 44, a frame 45, a cover 46, and a connector cover 47.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting 1 in a plane parallel to the YZ-plane. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting 1 in a plane parallel to the XZ plane.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the frame 45 is made of a hard resin and has a housing space 50 surrounded by a substantially circular bottom portion 48 and a substantially cylindrical side wall portion 49 when viewed in the Z direction. The housing space 50 opens to the-Z side. In the housing space 50, the speaker film 44, the speaker 43, the substrate 42, and the battery 41 are housed in this order from the bottom portion 48 side (the (-Z side).

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the frame 45 viewed from the + Z side. Fig. 7 is an external perspective view of the first structure 40.

As shown in fig. 4 and 6, the side wall portion 49 has an outer peripheral surface curved convexly outward with respect to the center. As shown in fig. 5, a concave portion 58 that is recessed inward is provided on the + X side of the side wall portion 49. The recess 58 is formed in a groove shape extending in the Y direction. As shown in fig. 7, a hole 59 penetrating the side wall portion 49 in the X direction is formed in the recess 58.

The cover 46 is made of hard resin, and closes the housing space 50 when attached to the frame 45 from the + Z side. The cover 46 is fixed to the frame 45 by an adhesive, for example.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the base plate 42.

The substrate 42 includes a switch unit 51, a detection unit 52, a communication unit 53, a connection unit 54, a control unit 55, and a light emitting element 56.

The switch unit 51 operates the operation states of the detection unit 52 and the communication unit 53.

The switch unit 51 selects an operation mode (details will be described later) according to an operation state when pressed and a length of time when pressed. The switch portion 51 is mounted on the + X-side end portion of the substrate 42. As shown in fig. 5, the switch portion 51 is provided so as to face the hole portion 59. The switch portion 51 is disposed coaxially with the hole portion 59. The switch unit 51 is disposed at a position closer to the inside of the housing 45 than the virtual surface 60, which is the outer peripheral surface of the + X side of the side wall portion 49 convexly curved toward the outside and is the virtual surface 60. For example, the switch unit 51 is disposed at a distance of 2 to 3mm from the virtual surface 60 toward the inner side of the frame 45. The switch unit 51 is pressed from the + X side via the hole unit 59, and a press-down signal is output to the control unit 55.

The detection unit 52 detects a predetermined physical quantity related to the toothbrush 10 to which the accessory 1 is attached. Examples of the predetermined physical quantity related to the toothbrush 10 include the direction, moving direction, and moving speed of the brush part 12. The detection unit 52 includes, for example, an acceleration sensor. As the acceleration sensor, for example, a 3-axis acceleration sensor that detects acceleration in 3 directions can be used. The predetermined physical quantity relating to toothbrush 10 detected by detector 52 is output to controller 55. As the acceleration sensor, a 6-axis acceleration sensor that detects 3-directional accelerations and 3-directional rotations may be used.

The communication unit 53 performs communication (communication processing) with an external device under the control of the control unit 55. Examples of the external device that the communication unit 53 communicates with include a portable information terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, and a notebook computer, in which a predetermined application is installed. The portable information terminal in this case further includes a desktop personal computer on which the application program is installed and which can communicate with the communication unit 53. As a communication method with the portable information terminal by the communication unit 53, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication and Wifi communication may be cited, but communication may be performed by another communication standard.

The connection unit 54 is a connector to which the power supply cable 57 shown in fig. 1 is connected. The cable 57 is, for example, a USB cable, but may be a cable of another connection standard. The electric power supplied via cable 57 and connection unit 54 is stored in a power storage unit, not shown.

The light-emitting element 56 is mounted on the + X-side end of the substrate 42 so as to face the hole 59. The light emitting element 56 emits light of a color set for each operation mode to the + X side under the control of the control unit 55. The light emitting element 56 is an LED element, for example. The light emitting element 56 may be, for example, a light emitting diode.

The control unit 55 selects a set operation mode among the first operation mode, the second operation mode, and the third operation mode, based on the operation state when the switch unit 51 is pressed and the length of time the switch unit 51 is pressed; in the first operation mode, the information is transmitted to the portable information terminal via the communication unit 53 immediately (in real time) after the predetermined physical quantity relating to the toothbrush 10 detected by the detection unit 52 is detected, and navigation is performed via the portable information terminal; in the second operation mode, the physical quantity is temporarily handled in the attachment 1 alone and the simple navigation is performed during brushing, and in the third operation mode, the first operation mode or the second operation mode in operation is forcibly terminated. The above-described simple navigation at the time of brushing teeth is performed not by navigation using the above-described physical quantity but by generating voice (for example, giving a conjecture of music at the time of brushing teeth, an instruction of a brushing position, or the like) via the speaker unit 43. The simple navigation during brushing is previously held by the holding portion 69 mounted on the base plate 42. The holding portion 69 is, for example, a memory (ROM). In the second operation mode, the control unit 55 reads the information of the easy navigation from the holding unit and outputs the information via the speaker unit 43 (details will be described later). The control unit 55 is, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) mounted on the board 42. The detection unit 52, the communication unit 53, and the control unit 55 operate on the electric power supplied from the battery 41 or the power storage unit.

The connector cover 47 is detachably attached to the connecting portion 54. The connector cover 47 seals the connection portion 54 watertight when attached to the connection portion 54. The connector cover 47 is formed of a soft resin described later.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the second structure 70 includes: a fitting recess 71, the fitting recess 71 being provided on the-Z side (bottom side) and fitting the first structure 40 (the frame 45 and the cover 46) in a watertight manner; a mounting portion 72, the mounting portion 72 being provided at a position on the + Z side of the fitting recess 71 and detachably mounting the toothbrush 10; and an opening/closing region (seal portion) 74, the opening/closing region 74 being provided at a position facing the opening/closing portion 51.

The fitting recess 71 is formed in a size and shape that can fit the outer shape and size of the first structure 40. The fitting recess 71 is open to the-Z side and the-X side. The second structure 70 has an engaging portion 73 extending from the lower end along the XY plane around the opening on the-Z side of the fitting recess 71 and engaged with and supported by the bottom of the frame 45 from the-Z side. The engagement portion 73 seals the bottom of the frame 45 in a watertight manner.

The surface on the-Z side of the engaging portion 73 is a mounting surface 73a which is contacted when the accessory 1 is mounted on an object. The bottom of the frame 45 is exposed at a position surrounded by the engaging portion 73 and closer to the + Z side than the engaging portion 73. The connector cover 47 is fitted to the opening on the-X side of the second structure 70.

The switch region 74 is a region facing the concave portion 58 and the hole portion 59 including the switch portion 51 in the second structure 70. Since the second structure 70 is curved in a convex manner outward along the outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion 49 curved in a convex manner outward around the opening/closing region 74 and is flush with the virtual surface 60, the opening/closing region 74 facing the concave portion 58 recessed inward covers the concave portion 58 with a gap therebetween, and the hole portion 59 is sealed in a watertight manner.

A protrusion 75 protruding toward the switch portion 51 is provided inside the switch region 74. The thickness of the switching region 74 excluding the protrusion 75 is formed thinner than the thickness of the periphery of the switching region 74.

The mount portion 72 is formed of a cavity extending in the Z direction and opening to the + Z side. For example, the mounting portion 72 has a cross-sectional contour that is along the-Z side of the grip portion 16 of the toothbrush 10. The size of the mounting portion 72 is set to a size that can hold the grip portion 16 of the toothbrush 10 inserted into the cavity by soft press-fitting. When the grip portion 16 is inserted into the mounting portion 72, the front surface side of the toothbrush 10 (the side where the brush portion 12 is provided) is the same as the side where the switch region 74 is arranged. That is, in the attachment 1, the switch portion 51 and the switch region 74 are disposed on the front side of the toothbrush 10.

As shown in fig. 4, the outline of the second structures 70 on both sides in the Y direction is line-symmetric about the axis extending in the Z direction when viewed from the + X side. As shown in fig. 5, the outline of the second structures 70 on both sides in the Y direction is asymmetrical about the axis extending in the Z direction when viewed from the + Y side.

More specifically, the second structure 70 has a first curved surface 81 curved in a convex shape on the front side where the switch unit 51 is disposed in a side view from the + Y side. The second structure 70 has a second curved surface 82 curved in a concave shape on the back surface side (the (-X side) opposite to the front surface side, and a protrusion 83 protruding on the back surface side. The second curved surface 82 is provided on the + Z side (upper side) of the protrusion 83. Further, a third curved surface 84 curved in a convex shape is provided on the back surface side from the protrusion 83 to the bottom of the second structure 70. The surface of the connector cover 47 is formed flush with the third curved surface 84.

The second structure 70 is made of a soft resin. The soft resin forming the second structures 70 and the connector cover 47 is, for example, a styrene-based elastomer having a shore a hardness of preferably 20 or more and 90 or less, more preferably 30 or more and 70 or less, and still more preferably 40 or more and 60 or less. Examples of such a soft resin include elastomer resins such as polyolefin elastomers, styrene elastomers, and polyester elastomers, and among them, styrene elastomers are preferred from the viewpoint of weldability with polypropylene (PP).

The thickness of the second structure 70 covering the frame 45 is preferably 0.5mm or more and 5.0mm or less, more preferably 1.0mm or more and 3.0mm or less, and still more preferably 1.2mm or more and 1.8mm or less.

The attachment 1 having the above-described structure is attached to the toothbrush 10 by inserting the grip portion 16 of the toothbrush 10 into the attachment portion 72. Since the grip 16 is soft-pressed into the attachment portion 72, the toothbrush 10 can smoothly brush without being detached from the attachment 1 when the attachment 1 is gripped and the teeth are brushed.

When gripping the component 1, for example, the component 1 is gripped with the bottom surface of the second structure 70 being supported by the middle finger in a state where the second structure 70 is sandwiched by the thumb in contact with the first curved surface 81 (the switch region 74) located on the front surface side where the brush 12 is provided and the index finger in contact with the second curved surface 82 located on the back surface side. Thus, the attachment 1 can be held simply and stably by gripping at three points.

When the accessory 1 is operated, the switch section 51 is pressed through the protrusion 75 by pressing the switch region 74 toward the back surface side with the thumb. The second structure 70 on the front side covers the frame 45 made of hard resin around the switch region 74 and is not easily deformed, but the switch region 74 is easily deformed toward the back side with a gap formed between the switch region 74 and the recess 58, and thus the position of the switch portion 51 can be easily recognized.

Further, the switch region 74 is formed thinner than the surrounding, and therefore is easily deformed, and can be pushed into the switch portion 51 with a small resistance.

For example, when the child grips the accessory 1, it is preferable to support the bottom surface of the second structure 70 with the middle finger in a state where the second structure 70 is sandwiched by the thumb in contact with the first curved surface 81 (the switch region 74) located on the front surface side where the brush 12 is provided and the index finger in contact with the second curved surface 82 located on the back surface side, from the viewpoint of easy and stable holding.

Considering that the second structure 70 is held between the thumb and the index finger, the shortest distance between the switch region 74 and the second curved surface is preferably 25mm to 30 mm. In addition, considering that the index finger does not slip off the second curved surface 82, the shortest distance from the protrusion 83 to the switch area 74 is preferably 28mm to 40 mm. In consideration of ease of application of force when the thumb is pressed into the switch unit 51 through the switch region 74 with the middle finger supporting the bottom surface of the second structure 70, the distance from the bottom surface to the center portion of the switch region 74 in the Z direction is preferably 10mm to 20 mm. In addition, when considering that the outline of the second structure 70 is asymmetric on both sides in the Y direction when viewed from the + Y side, the angle at which the straight line connecting the rear-side end of the bottom surface and the protrusion 83 intersects the bottom surface is preferably more than 90 ° and 150 ° or less.

The maximum size of the hole 59 and the recess 58 is preferably 7.0mm to 11.0 mm. When the maximum size of the switch portion 51 is smaller than 7mm, the maximum size is too small to make press-fitting difficult, and operability is deteriorated. When the maximum size of the switch unit 51 exceeds 11mm, the switch unit is too large and unintentionally pressed, and the press-fitting may not be performed at an accurate timing.

Next, a procedure of brushing teeth using the attachment 1 with the toothbrush 10 attached thereto will be described with reference to fig. 9 to 12.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation when the switch unit 51 is pressed from a state where the accessory 1 is stopped. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when the first operation mode is selected. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation when the second operation mode is selected. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation when the switch unit 51 is pressed in the first operation mode or the second operation mode.

As shown in fig. 9, when the switch section 51 is pressed from the operation stop state (step S1), the control section 55 measures the time when the switch section 51 is pressed (step S2). The control unit 55 determines whether or not the switch unit 51 is pressed for a time within a first range (for example, 0.01 seconds to 0.5 seconds) (step S3). If the length of time the switch 51 is pressed is within the first range, the control unit 55 operates the first operation mode (step S4). On the other hand, if the length of time the switch unit 51 is pressed is outside the first range in step S3, the controller 55 determines whether the length of time the switch unit 51 is pressed is within a second range (for example, 2.0 seconds to 6.0 seconds) (step S5). In step S5, if the length of time the switch unit 51 is pressed is within the second range, the controller 55 operates the second operation mode (step S6). In order to clarify the difference between the first range and the second range, the difference between the longest value of the first range and the shortest value of the second range is preferably 2.0 seconds or more and 6.0 seconds or less, and more preferably 3.5 seconds or more and 4.5 seconds or less.

On the other hand, if the pressing time length is outside the second range in step S5, the control unit 55 outputs an error because the operation mode corresponding to the pressing time length is not set (step S7). Further, in step S5, the following process may be performed: when the pressing time is determined to be an error without being within the second range, controller 55 does not respond to the pressing operation of switch 51.

When the first operation mode is operated in step S4, the control unit 55 causes the light emitting element 56 to emit blue light corresponding to the first operation mode, for example. In addition, when the second operation mode is operated in step S6, the control unit 55 causes the light emitting element 56 to emit white light corresponding to the second operation mode, for example. The switching region 74 is illuminated from the inside by blue light or white light emitted from the light emitting element 56 through the hole portion 59. Since the thickness of the switching region 74 is formed to be thinner than the surrounding thickness, at least a part of the emitted blue light or white light transmits through the switching region 74.

Therefore, the user can easily visually confirm the operation mode set according to the length of time for which the switch unit 51 is pushed in through the switch area 74 by visually confirming the color display of the illuminated switch area 74. That is, the light emitting element 56 and the switch region 74 constitute a display unit that performs display corresponding to the selected operation mode by color display.

[ first operation mode ]

As shown in fig. 10, when the first operation mode is selected and operated in step S4, the control unit 55 communicates with the personal digital assistant via the communication unit 53 (step S8) and determines whether or not connection to an application installed in the personal digital assistant is possible (step S9). At this time, if the portable information terminal cannot be connected to the application for the reason that the application is not started or the like, the control unit 55 outputs an error (step S10). In step S9, when the connection to the application is not possible, the control unit 55 may not accept the selection of the first operation mode and does not react.

On the other hand, if the connection to the application program is enabled in step S9, the controller 55 determines whether or not there is any physical quantity accumulated in the second operation mode during the previous brushing (step S11), and steps S11 and S12 will be described later.

When connected to the control unit 55 (accessory 1), navigation related to brushing is started in the application (step S13). In the first operation mode, when the user performs brushing (brushing) based on the navigation from the portable information terminal, the controller 55 transmits the physical quantity related to the toothbrush 10 detected by the detector 52 to the application program via the communication unit 53 (step S14).

The application program generates and evaluates information indicating the brushing behavior of the user, including parameters such as the posture of the toothbrush 10, the movement of the toothbrush 10 (the movement distance, the movement speed, the movement path, and the like of the brush part 12 of the toothbrush 10), the brushing angle (the angle at which the brush surface of the toothbrush 10 contacts the teeth and the gums), the number of times of brushing, the brushing position (the portion of the teeth contacted by the toothbrush filament), and the brushing pressure (the value and the change of the stress applied from the brush surface of the toothbrush 10 to the teeth and the like), based on the analysis result of the physical quantity relating to the toothbrush 10 transmitted from the attachment 1.

After that, the application continues the navigation while reflecting the evaluation result (step S15). Then, the brushing is finished, and the first operation mode is finished by notifying the evaluation result and the like (step S16).

[ second operation mode ]

As shown in fig. 11, when the second operation mode in which the accessory 1 alone performs navigation without communicating with the portable information terminal is selected and operated in step S6, the control unit 55 starts the simple navigation using music or the like (step S17). The control unit 55 holds information (program) for the simple navigation in the holding unit 69, and when the second operation mode is operated, starts the held program to execute the simple navigation. The simple navigation is output from the speaker 43 under the control of the control unit 55.

In the second operation mode, when the user brushes (brushes) teeth by the simple navigation, the controller 55 (or a storage unit (not shown)) accumulates the physical quantity related to the toothbrush 10 detected by the detector 52 (step S18). That is, in the second operation mode, navigation is performed without reflecting the detected physical quantity relating to toothbrush 10. Thereafter, the second operation mode is ended (step S19), for example, notification of completion of brushing is performed.

In the second operation mode, the physical quantity stored in relation to the toothbrush 10 is transmitted to the application program after the first operation mode is operated and the connection to the application program is confirmed in step S9 shown in fig. 10 (step S12).

[ third operation mode ]

The first operation mode and the second operation mode are operated by pressing the switch unit 51 when the accessory 1 is in the operation stop state, but the accessory 1 of the present embodiment has a third operation mode that operates when the switch unit 51 is pressed during the operation in the first operation mode or the second operation mode.

As shown in fig. 12, when the switch section 51 is pressed in the first or second operation mode operation in step S20, the control section 55 measures the pressing time of the switch section 51 (step S21). The control unit 55 determines whether or not the switch unit 51 is pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 1.0 second) or longer (step S22), and when the pressing time is shorter than the predetermined time such as the switch unit 51 being unintentionally pressed during brushing, the control unit ignores the pressing information of the switch unit 51 and continues the first operation mode or the second operation mode.

On the other hand, when the pressing time of the switch unit 51 measured in step S22 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the third operation mode is operated to forcibly end the operation in the first operation mode or the second operation mode (step S25). In this way, by operating the third operation mode, even an unexpected situation can be dealt with.

Further, the control section 55 stops the light emission of the light emitting element 56 when operating the third operation mode. Accordingly, since the illumination to the switch area 74 is stopped and turned off, the user can easily visually confirm that the forced termination (the third operation mode is operated) has been completed.

As described above, in the accessory 1 of the present embodiment, at least the first operation mode in which the teeth are brushed by the navigation of the portable information terminal for performing communication or the second operation mode in which the teeth are brushed by the single navigation of the accessory 1 can be selected according to the length of time for which one switch unit 51 is pressed from the operation-stopped state, and therefore, there is no difficulty in operations such as the click, the separate pressing by the double click, and the separate pressing by the difference in pressing, and there is no possibility of an erroneous operation as in the case where the switch units corresponding to the respective operation modes are separately provided, and even a child or an elderly person can easily and reliably select a desired operation mode.

In particular, in the accessory 1 of the present embodiment, since the color display of the switch region 74 is performed in the color corresponding to the selected operation mode, the user can easily confirm the operation mode set according to the length of time for which the switch portion 51 is pushed in via the switch region 74 by visually confirming the color display of the illuminated switch region 74.

In addition, in the accessory 1 of the present embodiment, since a plurality of operation modes can be selected by one switch unit 51, the control of the control unit 55 can be simplified.

In addition, in the accessory 1 of the present embodiment, since the second structure 70 is formed to have an asymmetric outer contour in a side view on the front side where the switch unit 51 is provided and on the back side opposite to the front side, when the second structure 70 is gripped, the thumb easily naturally hits the front side, and the operation of the switch region 74 provided on the front side becomes easy.

[ modified example of toothbrush 10]

In the above embodiment, the structure in which the handle body 11 is formed of a hard resin is exemplified, but a structure formed of a hard resin and a soft resin may be employed.

Fig. 13 is a partial side view showing the distal end side of toothbrush 10 according to a modification.

The toothbrush 10 shown in fig. 13 includes a core member 17 made of a hard resin and constituting a part of the head 14, the neck 15, and the grip 16.

The head 14 includes a base member 21 forming a part of the core member 17 and a soft portion 22 formed of a soft resin covering the base member 21. The brush portion 12 is implanted on the bristle surface 21a of the base member 21.

The neck portion 15 includes a core portion 25 and a soft portion 26, which are components of the core member 17. The core portion 25 includes a first portion 31 extending in the Z direction (extending direction of the neck portion 15) and penetrating the neck portion 15, and a second portion 32 extending in the Z direction and having one end integrated with the first portion 31 and disposed at a part of the grip portion 16.

The first portions 31 are set to be the same thickness in the Z direction. The first portion 31 is set to have a larger bending strength when an external force toward the-X side is applied to the head portion 14 than when an external force toward the Y direction (+ Y side or-Y side) is applied to the head portion 14. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the first portion 31 parallel to the XY plane is an elliptical shape having the major axis (major axis) in the X direction.

As a specific example of the hard resin, the hard resin described in the above embodiment can be used.

As the soft resin, for example, a soft resin having a hardness of JIS K7215 shore a of preferably 20 or more and 90 or less, more preferably 30 or more and 70 or less, and further preferably 40 or more and 60 or less can be used.

As such a soft resin, the same soft resin as that constituting the second structure 70 can be used.

By making the bending strength of the first portion 31 in the X direction larger than the bending strength in the Y direction, the neck portion 15 is less likely to deform in the direction of the force applied to press the tip of the brush portion 12 against the teeth, the spaces between the teeth, or the like during brushing, and the tip of the brush portion 12 can be firmly pressed against the teeth, the spaces between the teeth, or the like. On the other hand, by making the bending strength of the first portion 31 in the Y direction smaller than the bending strength in the X direction, the neck portion 15 can be bent in the Y direction when an external force is applied. This allows the force applied to the distal end of the head 14 to be released, thereby preventing damage to the oral cavity of the user of the toothbrush 10.

The grip 16 is a portion to be gripped by a hand of a user of the toothbrush 10, and is made of the soft resin 2. By forming the grip portion 16 of a soft resin, the grip portion 16 can be deformed (bent) when a strong external force is applied in a direction from the rear end of the toothbrush 10 toward the distal end of the head portion 14 in a state where the toothbrush 10 is placed in the mouth. As a result, external force directed from the rear end of toothbrush 10 toward the tip end of head 14 can be released in a direction different from the bending of handle 16 in addition to bending of neck 15, and thus damage to the oral cavity of the user of toothbrush 10 can be suppressed.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to these examples. The shapes, combinations, and the like of the respective constituent members shown in the above examples are examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, although the above embodiment illustrates the structure in which the attachment 1 is attached to the manual toothbrush 10, the present invention is not limited to this structure, and can be applied to an electric toothbrush in which at least the head portion is electrically driven.

In the above embodiment, the switching from the state where the accessory 1 is stopped to the first operation mode and the second operation mode, and the switching from the state where the accessory 1 is operated to the third operation mode are exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to the three operation modes, and for example, the present invention may be configured to have a configuration in which the accessory 1 is stopped to the operation mode in which three or more operation modes are operated, or a configuration in which the operation mode is forcibly switched from the state where the accessory 1 is operated to another operation mode, or the like.

The material constituting the first structure 40 and the second structure 70 illustrated in the above embodiment is merely an example, and another material may be used.

Industrial applicability of the invention

The present invention can be applied to a communication toothbrush attachment.

Description of the symbols

1 … accessory (accessory for communication toothbrush), 10 … toothbrush, 45 … frame, 51 … switch, 52 … detector, 53 … communication unit, 56 … light emitting element (display), 58 … recess, 59 … hole, 70 … second structure (structure), 72 … mounting unit, 73a … mounting surface, 74 … switch region (seal, display), 75 … projection, 81 … first curved surface, 82 … second curved surface, 83 … projection.

Claims (13)

1. A communication-type toothbrush attachment attachable to a toothbrush, comprising:

a detection unit that detects a predetermined physical quantity related to the toothbrush;

a communication unit capable of communicating with the portable information terminal; and

a switch unit capable of selecting at least a first operation mode or a second operation mode according to the length of time of being pressed from the operation stop state; in the first operation mode, the communication unit and the portable information terminal perform communication processing on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit, and in the second operation mode, the physical quantity detected by the detection unit is processed separately.

2. The accessory for a communication toothbrush according to claim 1,

the first operation mode is selected when the length of time the switch unit is pressed is within a first range, and the second operation mode is selected when the switch unit is within a second range different from the first range.

3. The accessory for a communication toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2,

and a third operation mode different from the first operation mode and the second operation mode, which is activated when the switch unit is pressed for a predetermined time or longer while operating in the first operation mode or the second operation mode.

4. A communication-type toothbrush attachment attachable to a toothbrush, comprising:

a detection unit that detects a predetermined physical quantity related to the toothbrush;

a communication unit capable of communicating with the portable information terminal;

a housing that accommodates the detection unit and the communication unit therein; and

a switch unit that operates an operation state of at least one of the detection unit and the communication unit,

the opening and closing unit is provided in the housing at a position closer to the inside of the housing than an imaginary plane that covers the hole formed in the surface of the housing and is flush with the surface.

5. The accessory for a communication toothbrush according to claim 4,

the frame body is formed of a hard resin,

the hole portion is water-tightly sealed by a sealing portion formed of a soft resin.

6. The accessory for a communication toothbrush according to claim 5,

the frame body has a recess recessed with respect to the virtual surface,

the hole is formed to penetrate the recess.

7. The accessory for a communication type toothbrush according to claim 5 or 6,

the sealing portion has a projection projecting inward at a position facing the hole.

8. The accessory for a communication toothbrush according to claim 7,

the region around the protrusion of the sealing portion is formed thinner than other regions.

9. The accessory for a communication type toothbrush according to claim 5 or 6,

the soft resin has a Shore A hardness of 40 to 60 inclusive and a thickness of 0.5 to 5.0mm inclusive, and is formed of a styrene elastomer.

10. The accessory for a communication type toothbrush according to claim 5 or 6,

the sealing portion is formed as a part of a structure having a fitting recess portion to be water-tightly fitted to the frame body on a bottom side,

the structure has a first curved surface having a convex shape on a front surface side where the switch unit is arranged and a second curved surface having a concave shape on a rear surface side opposite to the front surface side in a side view.

11. The accessory for a communication toothbrush according to claim 10,

the structure has: a carrying surface arranged at the bottom; and a projection portion provided on the rear surface side at a position halfway in a normal direction of the mounting surface and projecting on the rear surface side,

the second curved surface is provided above the protrusion.

12. The accessory for a communication toothbrush according to claim 6,

the maximum size of the hole and the recess is 7.0mm to 11.0 mm.

13. The accessory for a communication toothbrush according to claim 1 or 4,

the toothbrush has a mounting part detachably mounted on the toothbrush.

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