CN211485034U - Nursing head for oral nursing appliance and oral nursing appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a nursing head for an oral cavity nursing appliance and an oral cavity nursing appliance. The treatment head includes an oral care member arranged to be driven to oscillate about an axis. The oral care member has a recess defining an opening. The treatment head also includes a drive having an enlarged non-spherical portion at least partially received in the opening for driving the oral care member to oscillate about the axis. The driver is arranged to be moved by the drive mechanism during operation such that the non-spherical enlarged portion engages with the recess to drive the oral care member to oscillate about the axis.

Description

Nursing head for oral nursing appliance and oral nursing appliance

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a care head for an oral care implement (e.g., an electric toothbrush) and an oral care implement.

Background

Electric toothbrushes are well known oral care implements. Generally, a power toothbrush includes a handle and a head attached to the handle. The brush head includes bristles for cleaning teeth and gums. In use, the power source of the electric toothbrush drives a drive mechanism in the handle which in turn drives a bristle-carrying member in the head to rotate or oscillate for cleaning the mouth (and particularly the teeth) of the user.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Embodiments of the present invention provide a different or improved treatment head for an oral care implement, such as but not limited to a brush head for an oscillating electric toothbrush.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a care head for an oral care implement, comprising an oral care member arranged to be driven to oscillate about an axis. The oral care member has a recess defining an opening. The treatment head also includes a drive having an enlarged non-spherical portion at least partially received in the opening for driving the oral care member to oscillate about the axis. The driver is arranged to be moved by the drive mechanism during operation such that the non-spherical enlarged portion engages with the recess to drive the oral care member to oscillate about the axis.

Preferably, the non-spherical enlargement is concentrically arranged on the driver.

Preferably, the drive is arranged to be moved by the drive mechanism during operation such that the non-spherical enlarged portion alternately engages opposite sides of the recess to drive the oral care member to oscillate about the axis.

Preferably, the recess comprises a flared opening portion and at least a portion of the non-spherical enlarged portion is arranged to engage with the flared opening portion to drive the oral care member to oscillate about the axis.

Preferably, the driver has a first length and includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is disposed within the recess and the second end is disposed outside the recess. The non-spherical enlarged portion has a second length and a cross-section having a diameter. The second length is a fraction of the first length since the non-spherical enlargement is a fraction of the driver. In one embodiment, the diameter is generally constant along the second length and the non-spherical enlarged portion defines an annular edge for engaging the notch. In this manner, the non-spherical enlarged portion is generally cylindrical. In another embodiment, the diameter generally increases along the second length in a direction from the second end to the first end. In this manner, the non-spherical enlarged portion is generally frustoconical (generally progressively larger toward the recess). In yet another embodiment, the diameter generally decreases along the second length in a direction from the second end to the first end. In this manner, the non-spherical enlarged portion is generally frustoconical (generally tapering toward the recess). Preferably, the ratio of the first length to the second length is about 6 to about 6.5.

Preferably, the driver includes a shank (all other than the enlarged non-spherical portion) supporting the enlarged non-spherical portion, the shank having a first generally constant cross-section and the enlarged non-spherical portion having a second generally constant cross-section, the second generally constant cross-section being greater than the first generally constant cross-section. The first and second substantially constant cross-sections may both be circular cross-sections. Preferably, the ratio of the first substantially constant cross-section to the second substantially constant cross-section is from about 0.6 to about 0.65.

Preferably, the shank of the driver (all other parts except the non-spherical enlarged portion) comprises a first shaft part and a second shaft part, and the non-spherical enlarged portion is arranged between the first shaft part and the second shaft part.

Preferably, the non-spherical enlargement is integrally formed in the driver.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the care head further comprises a care head body supporting the oral care member and at least partially receiving the oral care member.

Preferably, the treatment head body comprises a support socket having a recess facing the base of the oral care member. The recess may be defined by a surface of the support socket, the surface facing the base of the oral care member. Preferably, the recess has a substantially curved profile.

Preferably, the treatment head further comprises a rotary shaft fixedly connected with the oral care member to define an axis, and the treatment head body comprises a bore for receiving at least a portion of the rotary shaft. The rotating shaft may be made of metal. Preferably, the treatment head further comprises a sleeve disposed between the rotatable shaft and the bore. The sleeve may be made of metal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a care head for an oral care implement, comprising: the oral care implement includes an oral care member arranged to oscillate about an axis, and a care head body supporting the oral care member and at least partially receiving the oral care member. The treatment head body includes a support socket having a surface defining a recess, and the recess has a generally curved profile and faces the base of the oral care member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a care head for an oral care implement, comprising: an oral care member arranged to oscillate about an axis; a metal rotating shaft fixedly connected with the oral care member to define an axis; a care head body supporting and at least partially receiving the oral care member, the care head body including an aperture for receiving at least a portion of the metallic rotating shaft; and a metal sleeve disposed between the metal rotary shaft and the hole.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a care head for an oral care implement, comprising: an oral care member arranged to be driven to oscillate about an axis, the oral care member having a recess defining an opening; and a driver formed by a first shaft portion, a second shaft portion and a generally cylindrical enlarged portion disposed between the first and second shaft portions. The non-spherical enlarged portion is concentrically disposed on the driver. The first shaft portion and the second shaft portion have a first substantially constant cross-section. The generally cylindrical enlarged portion has a second generally constant cross-section that is greater than the first generally constant cross-section. A generally cylindrical enlarged portion is at least partially received in the opening, the generally cylindrical enlarged portion for driving the oral care member to oscillate about an axis. The driver is arranged to be moved by the drive mechanism during operation such that the generally cylindrical enlarged portion alternately engages opposite sides of the recess to drive the oral care member to oscillate about the axis.

Preferably, the treatment head further comprises: a metal rotating shaft fixedly connected with the oral care member to define an axis; and a care head body supporting the oral care member and at least partially receiving the oral care member. The treatment head body comprises a support socket having a surface defining a recess, the recess having a generally curved profile and facing the base of the oral care member; and a bore for receiving at least a portion of the metallic rotating shaft. The treatment head further comprises a metal sleeve disposed between the metal rotating shaft and the bore.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an oral care implement comprising a care head according to any of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention; and a drive mechanism for operative connection with the treatment head to move the drive member during operation.

Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings

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

fig. 1A is a perspective view of a care head for an oral care implement according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the care head of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the treatment head of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the connection shaft of the treatment head of FIG. 1A, showing the drive member and bearing pin connected thereto;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the drive member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an oral care member of the care head of FIG. 1A;

fig. 5A shows the driver of fig. 3 received in the recess of the oral care member of fig. 4, with the oral care member in a first position;

fig. 5B shows the driver of fig. 3 received in the recess of the oral care member of fig. 4, with the oral care member in a second position;

fig. 5C shows the driver of fig. 3 received in the recess of the oral care member of fig. 4, with the oral care member in a third position;

FIG. 6A is an exploded view of a portion of the care head of FIG. 1A, showing a support socket of the care head body;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the treatment head of FIG. 6A with the drive member removed for clarity;

fig. 7A is a perspective view of an oral care implement according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the oral care implement of fig. 7A with the oral care members and the care head body removed for clarity.

Detailed Description

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

In this document, relative terms (e.g., "about," "generally," etc.) relating to quantities or conditions will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to include the particular value and have the meaning dictated by the context. For example, the term includes at least the degree of error associated with measured values associated with particular values, tolerances (e.g., manufactured, assembled, used, etc.) associated with particular values, and the like. The term should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression "about 2 to about 4" also discloses a range of "2 to 4". The relational terms may refer to an increase or decrease in the percentage of a particular value (e.g., 1%, 5%, 10%, or more).

Fig. 1A-1C illustrate a care head 10 for an oral care implement according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the treatment head is in the form of a powered toothbrush head 10. As shown in fig. 1A-1C, the head 10 includes an oral care member 12, and a body 14 supporting the oral care member 12 and at least partially receiving the oral care member 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the oral care elements are tuft carrier elements 12. The member 12 has a base 16 with a plurality of apertures provided in the base 16, and a plurality of bristle tufts 18 mounted in respective ones of the apertures. Tufts of bristles 18 extend generally perpendicular to base 16.

The body 14 has a connector member 20 at one end for connection with a handle (not shown) of the electric toothbrush and a lateral opening 22 on the front side of the other end for mounting the oral care member 12. The body 14 has a flexible portion formed by a compressible wall portion 15 in about the middle, which allows the body 14 to bend reversibly. The compressible wall portion 15 is covered by a rubber sleeve 17. The oral care member 12 is mounted in the lateral opening 22 by a retaining pin 24 and a rotational shaft 26, wherein the body 14 has a hole receiving at least a portion of the retaining pin 24, generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the head 10, and a hole receiving at least a portion of the rotational shaft 26, generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the head 10. The retainer pins 24 are used to fixedly connect the oral care member 12 to the body 14 to prevent the oral care member 12 from disengaging from the body 14 during high speed operation. The body 14 also has a longitudinally extending chamber 28, the chamber 28 being for receiving and/or supporting various components of the head 10, such as the connector member 20, and a connecting shaft 30 connected to a component of the handle. The chamber 28 communicates with the lateral opening 22.

As shown more clearly in fig. 2, the connecting shaft 30 has a drive member 32 and a bearing pin 34 connected thereto at one end for engagement with the oral care member 12 and connection with the body 14, respectively. The connecting shaft 30 is connected at the other end to the connector member 20 for connection with the handle and is operatively connected with a drive mechanism (not shown) in the handle such that the oral care member 12 engaged with (i.e., contacted and urged by) the drive member 32 can be driven by the drive mechanism during operation. The connector member 20 may be fixedly connected to the body 14 or removably connected to the body 14. The drive mechanism (not shown) in the handle may be, for example, the drive mechanism disclosed in patent DE19954294a 1. The drive mechanism will not be described in detail herein.

As shown in fig. 3, the drive member 32 connected to the connecting shaft 30 is formed by a shank portion including a first shaft portion 36 and a second shaft portion 38, and an aspherical enlarged portion 40 concentrically disposed between the first shaft portion 36 and the second shaft portion 38. The shank is for supporting the non-spherical enlarging portion. The driver 32 has a first length L1 and includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is located at the first shaft portion 36 and the second end is located at the second shaft portion 38. The non-spherical enlarged portion 40 has a second length L2. Preferably, the ratio of the first length L1 to the second length L2 is about 6 to about 6.5. In the illustrated embodiment, the first length L1 is about 9.3mm and the second length L2 is about 1.5mm, with the length L3 of the first shaft portion 36 being about 0.6mm and the length L4 of the second shaft portion 38 being about 7.2 mm. The remainder of the illustrated driver 32 (i.e., the shank portion including the first shaft portion 36 and the second shaft portion 38) is generally cylindrical and has a first generally constant cross-section having a generally constant diameter D1 along a length L3 of the first shaft portion 36 and a length L4 of the second shaft portion 38. The illustrated non-spherical enlarged portion 40 is also generally cylindrical, defines an annular rim 42, and has a second generally constant cross-section greater than the first generally constant cross-section, having a generally constant diameter D2 along a second length L2. Preferably, the ratio of the first substantially constant cross-section to the second substantially constant cross-section is from about 0.6 to about 0.65. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter D1 is about 1mm, and the diameter D2 is about 1.6 mm. In one example, the non-spherical enlarged portion 40 is integrally formed in the driver 32.

Fig. 4 shows that the lower portion of the base 16 of the oral care member 12 has a boss 44. The boss 44 includes a recess 48 generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the head 10 for receiving the drive member 32 and defining an opening 46, a hole 50 generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the head 10 for receiving the rotational shaft 26, and a hole 52 generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the head 10 for receiving the retaining pin 24. The oral care member 12 is arranged to be driven to oscillate (repeatedly rotate) about an axis defined by a rotary shaft 26 connected to the oral care member 12. Preferably, the recess 48 includes a flared opening portion.

The first end of the driver 32 is disposed within the recess 48 and the second end is disposed outside the recess 48 and connected to the connecting shaft 30. Preferably, the non-spherical enlarged portion 40 is at least partially received in the opening 46 of the oral care member 12 and is used to drive the oral care member 12 to oscillate about an axis. Since the driver 32 is connected to the drive mechanism in the handle by the connecting shaft 30, the driver 32 is arranged to be moved by the drive mechanism during operation such that the non-spherical enlarged portion 40 engages with the recess 48 to drive the oral care member 12 to oscillate about the axis. Preferably, the annular edge 42 of the non-spherical enlargement 40 is arranged to engage the flared opening portion of the recess 48.

Referring to fig. 5A-5C, drive member 32 can be moved by a drive mechanism such that non-spherical enlarged portion 40 can alternately engage opposite sides of recess 48 to oscillate oral care member 12. In the first position (intermediate position) of the oral care member 12, the non-spherical enlarged portion 40 is not engaged with either side of the notch 48 (fig. 5A) and is equally spaced from either side of the notch 48. From the first position (middle position) to the second position (leftmost position) of oral care member 12, drive member 32 is moved by the drive mechanism (to the left in fig. 5B) such that the left edge of non-spherical enlarged portion 40 engages the left sidewall of recess 48 (fig. 5B), thereby rotating oral care member 12 an angle in the clockwise direction. In the process, the engagement of the left edge of the non-spherical enlargement 40 with the left sidewall of the notch 48 includes the left edge of the non-spherical enlargement 40 first contacting the left sidewall of the notch 48 and then moving/sliding along the left sidewall of the notch 48 to further urge the movement of the notch 48 and the rotation of the oral care member 12 to rotate the oral care member 12 to the second position (leftmost position). Likewise, from the first position (middle position) to the third position (rightmost position) of oral care member 12, drive member 32 is moved by the drive mechanism (to the left in fig. 5B) such that the right edge of non-spherical enlarged portion 40 engages the right sidewall of recess 48 (fig. 5C), thereby rotating oral care member 12 an angle in the counterclockwise direction. In the process, the engagement of the right side edge of the non-spherical enlarged portion 40 with the right side wall of the recess 48 includes the right side edge of the non-spherical enlarged portion 40 first contacting the right side wall of the recess 48 and then moving/sliding along the right side wall of the recess 48 to further urge the movement of the recess 48 and the rotation of the oral care member 12 to rotate the oral care member 12 to the third position (rightmost position). In operation, drive member 32 is moved by the drive mechanism such that non-spherical enlargement 40 moves in the manner described above, thereby causing oral care members 12 to repeatedly rotate or oscillate between the first position to the third position. Specifically, the driver 32 may be in a first position (intermediate position) when not being operated. When the drive mechanism is activated, the drive member 32 may first be driven to move to the left, causing the oral care member 12 to rotate to the second position (leftmost position). Then, the drive 32 is driven to the right, causing the oral care members 12 to return to the first position (the intermediate position), and then the drive 32 continues to be driven to the right, causing the oral care members 12 to reach the third position (the rightmost position). Thereafter, drive 32 is driven to move to the left to return oral care members 12 to the first position (the intermediate position), and then drive 32 continues to be driven to move to the left so that oral care members 12 reach the second position (the leftmost position). This process is repeated as the drive mechanism is activated.

Fig. 6A and 6B illustrate the support socket 54 of the treatment head body 14 adjacent the lateral opening 22 for supporting the oral care member 12. The support socket 54 has a base with a surface 56 comprised of a plurality of ribs. When oral care member 12 is mounted to lateral opening 22 and partially engaged with support socket 54, the top surface of the plurality of ribs defines a recess 58 having a generally curved profile, and both surface 56 and recess 58 face base 16 of oral care member 12, with recess 58 spaced from base 16.

Referring to fig. 6B, the brush head 10 further includes a shaft 26 defining an axis, and a sleeve 60 disposed between the shaft 26 and a bore that receives at least a portion of the shaft 26. The rotary shaft 26 is fixedly connected with the oral care member 12 for co-rotation about an axis relative to the sleeve 60. The rotating shaft 26 and the sleeve 60 may be made of materials that help reduce wear therebetween. In one example, the rotating shaft 26 and the sleeve 60 are also made of metal.

Referring to fig. 7A and 7B, the head 10 can be connected to a handle 72 to form a power toothbrush 70. A drive mechanism for driving the oral care members 12 in the head 10, control circuitry for controlling the operation of the drive mechanism, and a power source are provided in the handle 72. The drive mechanism may include a motor and a transmission mechanism connected to the motor. The drive mechanism may be, for example, the drive mechanism disclosed in patent DE19954294a 1. As described above, the drive mechanism is adapted to be operatively connected with the head 10 to move the drive member 32, and thus the oral care members 12, during operation. The power source may be a rechargeable battery. The handle is provided with a key 74. The buttons 74 are connected to control circuitry in the handle 72 to allow the user to control the switch or mode of operation of the toothbrush. Optionally, an indicator light may be provided on the handle 72 to indicate the power, operating or charging status of the toothbrush. Although not shown, the upper portion of the handle 72 is provided with a connecting portion adapted to be drivingly connected with the head 10. The connecting portion may comprise a male or female coupling portion that connects with a corresponding female or male coupling portion of the head 10 to transmit drive of the drive mechanism to the oral care members 12 of the head 10 through a transmission mechanism connected with the drive mechanism to drive the oral care members 12 in operation.

The brush head provided by the utility model has various advantages. First, the non-spherical enlarged portion helps to reduce the distance between the driver and the wall of the recess and may provide a relatively sharp point of contact with the recess, making the engagement of the driver with the recess (particularly the movement of the point of contact with the non-spherical enlarged portion along the wall of the recess) more reliable and robust. The first shaft portion of the driver may make positioning and mounting of the driver easier. In some embodiments, arranging the non-spherical enlarged portion concentrically between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion may improve the balance of the oscillating motion and the balanced use of the contact points on both sides of the non-spherical enlarged portion. Integrally forming the non-spherical enlargement in the driver reduces the need for assembly and the errors that result from assembly. The dimensional proportions provided in the above embodiments may be advantageous for the manufacture of the driver and for distributing the impact forces to which the driver is subjected (upon engagement with the recess) and thus the durability of the driver. On the other hand, during operation, when the user presses the bristles onto the teeth (particularly when the user is overly hard), the oral care members carrying the bristles may be pressed onto the surface supporting the socket. In this case, the recess of the support socket helps to reduce the contact area of the base and the support socket, thereby preventing an increase in stall force (stall force) of the oral care member, as well as preventing wear of the support socket and the oral care member. In addition, the rotatable shaft of conventional powered toothbrush heads is typically fixedly attached to the body rather than to the oral care elements. Thus, the oral care member, when pressed during operation, may directly press onto the rotation shaft, and when the oral care member is constantly oscillating at high speed, the oral care member may constantly rub against the rotation shaft, thereby increasing the stall force. In contrast to conventional powered toothbrush heads, the metal rotating shaft fixedly attached to the oral care member does not rub against the oral care member, but rather contacts and rubs against the metal sleeve, which helps to reduce wear of the oral care member and prevents an increase in stall force of the oral care member when it is pressed. In some embodiments, the brush head has a recess supporting the socket and a metal rotating shaft. Their cooperation will make the above effect more remarkable.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The above-described embodiments of the present invention are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

The oral care implement care head of the present invention described above is a preferred embodiment of a brush head of a power toothbrush. It should be understood that the oral care implement treatment head of the present invention can be the head of any toothbrush, and is preferably the replaceable head of an oscillating electric toothbrush. Furthermore, the treatment head may be non-replaceable or non-removable. In some examples, the oral care implement may not be a toothbrush, but rather a gum massager or other oral cleaning implement, with the care head having corresponding oral care components (e.g., massage components or other cleaning components). It is to be understood that the oral care implement of the present invention, which corresponds to a treatment head, can have different configurations, as well as having increased or decreased functional or structural features.

In addition, the treatment head of the present invention may have all of the above features, or only one or more (but not all) of the above features. Such features are for example non-spherical enlargements, support sockets with recesses, metal sleeves etc. The nursing head of the utility model can also have a structure different from the brush head and have increased or decreased functions or structural characteristics. For example, the orientation of the oral care members may be different. Alternatively, the drive mechanism (swing operating mechanism) of the oral care member may be different from that described above. For example, in addition to moving the driver by the drive mechanism to repeatedly rotate or oscillate the oral care member between the first position to the third position, the oral care member may also be rotationally biased by an additional biasing member to bias the oral care member, for example, in the first position. In this way, the repeated rotation or oscillation of the oral care member between the first position to the third position will be caused not only by the movement of the drive member moved by the drive mechanism.

As understood by those skilled in the art, in some embodiments, the enlarged portion may be non-concentrically disposed between the first and second shaft portions, and instead of the annular edge, the notch may engage a side of the enlarged portion. The enlarged portion may not be integrally formed in the driver but formed as a separate component and secured to the driver by using, for example, an adhesive. Alternatively, the driver may not have the first shaft portion, such that the enlarged portion is located at the first end. The enlarged portion may also have a shape other than cylindrical, such as square, rectangular, frustoconical, etc., and the diameter of the frustoconical enlarged portion may generally increase or decrease along the second length in a direction from the second end to the first end of the driver.

Claims (26)

1. A care head for an oral care implement, comprising:

an oral care member arranged to be driven to oscillate about an axis, the oral care member having a recess defining an opening; and

a driver having a non-spherical enlargement at least partially received in the opening for driving the oral care member to oscillate about the axis,

wherein the driver is arranged to be moved by a drive mechanism during operation such that the non-spherical enlarged portion engages with the recess to drive the oral care member to oscillate about the axis.

2. The care head of claim 1 wherein the non-spherical enlarged portion is concentrically disposed on the drive member.

3. The care head according to claim 2 wherein the driver is arranged to be moved by the drive mechanism during operation such that the non-spherical enlarged portions alternately engage opposite sides of the recess to drive the oral care member to oscillate about the axis.

4. The care head according to claim 3 wherein the notch includes a flared opening portion and at least a portion of the non-spherical enlarged portion is arranged to engage the flared opening portion to drive the oral care member to oscillate about the axis.

5. The care head of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the driver has a first length and includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being disposed within the recess and the second end being disposed outside the recess; and wherein the non-spherical enlarged portion has a second length and a cross-section having a diameter.

6. The care head of claim 5 wherein the diameter is generally constant along the second length and the non-spherical enlarged portion defines an annular edge for engaging the notch.

7. The care head of claim 5, wherein the diameter increases generally along the second length in a direction from the second end to the first end.

8. The care head of claim 5, wherein the diameter decreases generally along the second length in a direction from the second end to the first end.

9. The care head of claim 5, wherein a ratio of the first length to the second length is about 6 to about 6.5.

10. The care head of claim 6 wherein the drive includes a handle supporting the enlarged non-spherical portion, the handle having a first generally constant cross-section and the enlarged non-spherical portion having a second generally constant cross-section, the second generally constant cross-section being greater than the first generally constant cross-section.

11. The care head of claim 10, wherein a ratio of the first generally constant cross-section to the second generally constant cross-section is about 0.6 to about 0.65.

12. The care head of claim 10 wherein the handle of the drive includes a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion, and the non-spherical enlarged portion is disposed between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion.

13. The care head of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the drive is integrally formed with the enlarged non-spherical portion.

14. The care head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a care head body supporting the oral care member and at least partially receiving the oral care member.

15. The care head of claim 14, wherein the care head body comprises a support socket having a recess facing a base of the oral care member.

16. The care head of claim 15, wherein the recess is defined by a surface of the support socket that faces the base of the oral care member.

17. The care head of claim 16 wherein the recess has a generally curved profile.

18. The care head of claim 14, further comprising a rotation shaft fixedly connected with the oral care member to define the axis, and wherein the care head body comprises an aperture for receiving at least a portion of the rotation shaft.

19. The care head of claim 18, wherein the rotating shaft is made of metal.

20. The care head of claim 19, further comprising a sleeve disposed between the rotational shaft and the bore.

21. The care head of claim 20 wherein the sleeve is made of metal.

22. A care head for an oral care implement, comprising:

an oral care member arranged to oscillate about an axis; and

a care head body supporting the oral care member and at least partially receiving the oral care member, the care head body including a support socket having a surface defining a recess, and the recess having a generally curved profile and facing a base of the oral care member.

23. A care head for an oral care implement, comprising:

an oral care member arranged to oscillate about an axis;

a metal rotating shaft fixedly connected with the oral care member to define the axis;

a care head body supporting the oral care member and at least partially receiving the oral care member, the care head body including an aperture for receiving at least a portion of the metallic rotating shaft; and

a metal sleeve disposed between the metal rotating shaft and the bore.

24. A care head for an oral care implement, comprising:

an oral care member arranged to be driven to oscillate about an axis, the oral care member having a recess defining an opening; and

a driver formed of a first shaft portion, a second shaft portion and a generally cylindrical enlarged portion disposed between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, wherein the non-spherical enlarged portion is concentrically disposed on the driver;

wherein the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion have a first substantially constant cross-section;

wherein the generally cylindrical enlarged portion has a second generally constant cross-section that is greater than the first generally constant cross-section;

wherein the generally cylindrical enlarged portion is at least partially received in the opening, the generally cylindrical enlarged portion for driving the oral care member to oscillate about the axis; and

wherein the driver is arranged to be moved by a drive mechanism during operation such that the generally cylindrical enlarged portion alternately engages opposite sides of the recess to drive the oral care member to oscillate about the axis.

25. The care head of claim 24, further comprising:

a metal rotating shaft fixedly connected with the oral care member to define the axis;

a care head body supporting the oral care member and at least partially receiving the oral care member, the care head body comprising:

a support socket having a surface defining a recess having a generally curved profile and facing the base of the oral care member; and

a bore for receiving at least a portion of the metallic rotating shaft; and

a metal sleeve disposed between the metal rotating shaft and the bore.

26. An oral care implement comprising:

a care head according to any one of claims 1 to 25; and

a drive mechanism for operative connection with the treatment head to move the drive member during operation.

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