CN217611534U

CN217611534U - Electric toothbrush and driving mechanism thereof

Info

Publication number: CN217611534U
Application number: CN202220958284.5U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张平; 刘伟治; 李灏
Original assignee: Shenzhen New Degree Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen New Degree Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-04-24
Filing date: 2022-04-24
Publication date: 2022-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2032-04-24

Abstract

The present application is in the field of oral care devices, and more particularly, to an electric toothbrush and a drive mechanism therefor. A drive mechanism comprising: the driving motor comprises a machine body and a motor shaft extending out of the machine body; the force measuring sensor is arranged at one end of the motor shaft extending out of the machine body; and the waterproof sleeve is sleeved at one end of the motor shaft extending out of the machine body, the waterproof sleeve covers the force measuring sensor, and two ends of the waterproof sleeve are respectively connected with the motor shaft in a sealing manner. The electric toothbrush includes the drive mechanism described above. A waterproof sleeve is sleeved on a motor shaft, and the force measuring sensor is sealed by the waterproof sleeve. Compared with glue dispensing on the surface of the force measuring sensor, the waterproof sleeve is easier to install. Thus, the operation steps of the load cell seal are simplified, and the cost of the load cell seal is reduced.

Description

Electric toothbrush and driving mechanism thereof

Technical Field

The present application is in the field of oral care devices, and more particularly, to an electric toothbrush and a drive mechanism therefor.

Background

Electric toothbrushes have become popular because they can clean teeth efficiently. The electric toothbrush comprises a handle and a brush head, wherein the handle is provided with a driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism drives the brush head to vibrate so as to clean teeth.

Currently, some drive mechanisms are provided with load cells for detecting the force with which the user brushes his teeth, thereby acting to protect the gums and prevent splashing. In order to avoid the water inlet failure of the load cell, the surface of the load cell is generally subjected to dispensing treatment, i.e., sealant is arranged on the surface of the load cell. However, the dispensing operation on the surface of the load cell is complicated, resulting in a high cost for sealing the load cell.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

An object of the embodiment of the present application is to provide an electric toothbrush and a driving mechanism thereof, so as to solve the problem that the sealing cost of a force sensor is high due to complicated operation when dispensing is performed on the surface of the force sensor in the related art.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiment of the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

in one aspect, there is provided a drive mechanism comprising:

the driving motor comprises a machine body and a motor shaft extending out of the machine body;

the force measuring sensor is arranged at one end of the motor shaft extending out of the machine body; and

the waterproof sleeve is sleeved at one end, extending out of the machine body, of the motor shaft, the force measuring sensor is wrapped by the waterproof sleeve, and two ends of the waterproof sleeve are connected with the motor shaft in a sealing mode respectively.

In one embodiment, the waterproof sleeve is a heat shrink tube.

According to the structure, the waterproof sleeve is set to be the heat-shrinkable tube, after the waterproof sleeve is sleeved on the motor shaft, the waterproof sleeve can be shrunk only by heating the waterproof sleeve, and the force-measuring sensor and the motor shaft are coated after the waterproof sleeve is shrunk, so that the waterproof sleeve is fixed.

In one embodiment, a hot melt adhesive layer is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the heat shrink tube, and the hot melt adhesive layer is used for sealing a gap between the heat shrink tube and the motor shaft.

This structure, pyrocondensation pipe hot melt adhesive layer becomes the molten state when the heating, and the clearance of sealed pyrocondensation pipe and motor shaft can be filled to fused hot melt adhesive layer to sealed pyrocondensation pipe and motor shaft clearance after solidifying, simultaneously, the reliability of being connected between pyrocondensation pipe and the motor shaft can also be guaranteed to the hot melt adhesive layer.

In one embodiment, a mounting groove for accommodating the force sensor is formed in the motor shaft, the force sensor is mounted at the bottom of the mounting groove, and the waterproof sleeve seals the opening of the mounting groove.

With the structure, the force measuring sensor can be stably contacted with the motor shaft, so that the force measuring sensor is convenient to mount.

In one embodiment, the load cell is attached to the bottom of the mounting groove, and the height of the load cell is lower than or equal to the depth of the mounting groove.

This structure avoids the force cell to stretch out from the mounting groove, and then avoids forming convex part on the motor shaft, avoids the motor shaft to interfere with all the other parts of electric toothbrush.

In one embodiment, the drive mechanism further comprises a main control board electrically connected to the load cell.

With the structure, the main control board can control the working state of the electric toothbrush according to the data transmitted by the force measuring sensor.

In one embodiment, the driving mechanism further comprises a cable electrically connected with the main control board and the load cell, and the mounting groove is obliquely arranged right opposite to the side wall of the cable and the bottom of the mounting groove.

According to the structure, the installation groove is just opposite to the side wall of the cable and the groove bottom of the installation groove in an inclined mode, so that the cable can be prevented from being scratched by the edge of the installation groove.

In one embodiment, the load cell is a capacitive pressure sensor or a resistive pressure sensor, and the load cell is provided with a stress amplification groove.

According to the structure, when the motor shaft transmits strain to the force sensor, the force sensor generates stress concentration at the stress amplification groove, the deformation of the force sensor at the stress amplification groove is larger, and the sensitivity of the force sensor is improved.

In one embodiment, the motor shaft defines a measurement recess, and the load cell cover is disposed over the measurement recess.

According to the structure, when the motor shaft is in strain, the strain capacity at the measuring groove is larger, the force measuring sensor cover is arranged on the measuring groove, so that the strain of the motor shaft can be detected to a greater extent, and the sensitivity of the force measuring sensor is improved.

In another aspect, a power toothbrush is provided that includes the drive mechanism provided in any of the above embodiments.

In the structure, the electric toothbrush adopting the driving mechanism is provided with the waterproof sleeve on the motor shaft in a sleeved mode, and the force measuring sensor is sealed by the waterproof sleeve. Compared with glue dispensing on the surface of the force measuring sensor, the waterproof sleeve is easier to install. Thus, the operation steps of the load cell seal are simplified, and the cost of the load cell seal is reduced.

The electric toothbrush and the driving mechanism thereof provided by any of the above embodiments of the present application have at least the following beneficial effects: the driving motor comprises a machine body and a motor shaft extending out of the machine body, and the motor shaft can be connected with a brush head of the electric toothbrush to drive the brush head to vibrate. The force used to brush the teeth can be transmitted from the motor shaft to the load cell on the motor shaft to be detected by the load cell. A waterproof sleeve is sleeved on a motor shaft, and the force measuring sensor is sealed by the waterproof sleeve. Compared with the method of dispensing on the surface of the force sensor, the waterproof sleeve is easier to install. Thus, the operation steps of the load cell seal are simplified, and the cost of the load cell seal is reduced.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or exemplary technical descriptions will be briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to obtain other drawings without creative efforts.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a driving mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a driving mechanism with a waterproof sleeve removed according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3 at A;

fig. 5 is a partially enlarged schematic view of another driving mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Wherein, in the drawings, the reference numerals are mainly as follows:

1. a drive motor; 11. a body; 12. a motor shaft; 121. mounting grooves; 122. measuring the groove;

2. a force sensor; 21. a stress amplifying groove;

3. a waterproof sleeve;

4. a cable.

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantageous effects to be solved by the present application clearer, the present application is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad application.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "secured to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or be indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or be indirectly connected to the other element.

Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or to implicitly indicate the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first", "second", "third", "fourth" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically limited otherwise. The meaning of "a number" is one or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the terms "center", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", and the like, indicate orientations or positional relationships based on those shown in the drawings, and are used only for convenience in describing the present application and for simplicity in description, and do not indicate or imply that the referenced devices or elements must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and thus, are not to be construed as limiting the present application.

In the description of the present application, it is to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, e.g., as meaning either a fixed connection, a removable connection, or an integral connection; can be mechanically or electrically connected; they may be directly connected or indirectly connected through intervening media, or may be connected through the use of two elements or the interaction of two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as the case may be.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in some embodiments" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3, a driving mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application will be described. The driving mechanism comprises a driving motor 1, a force measuring sensor 2 and a waterproof sleeve 3. Illustratively, a holder for fixing the driving motor 1 may be provided inside the handle of the electric toothbrush. The driving motor 1 comprises a machine body 11 and a motor shaft 12 extending out of the machine body 11, one end of the motor shaft 12 extending out of the machine body 11 is connected with the brush head, and when the driving motor 1 works, the motor shaft 12 vibrates relative to the machine body 11 to drive the brush head to vibrate so as to clean teeth. The load cell 2 is installed at one end of the motor shaft 12 extending out of the machine body 11, and it can be understood that the load cell 2 can detect the force applied by a user in the using process by detecting the external force applied to the motor shaft 12. The specific structure of the load cell 2 is not limited in this embodiment, and those skilled in the art can set the load cell according to actual needs, for example, a resistive pressure sensor, a capacitive pressure sensor, an eddy current inductor, a hall switch, or the like can be used as the load cell 2.

The waterproof sleeve 3 is sleeved at one end of the motor shaft 12 extending out of the machine body 11, the force measuring sensor 2 is covered by the waterproof sleeve 3, and two ends of the waterproof sleeve 3 are respectively connected with the motor shaft 12 in a sealing manner. It is worth mentioning that the length of the waterproof sleeve 3 exceeds the length of the load cell 2, so that the load cell 2 between the waterproof sleeve 3 and the motor shaft 12 can be prevented from water inlet failure after the two ends of the waterproof sleeve 3 are respectively sealed with the motor shaft 12.

In this structure, the driving motor 1 includes a body 11 and a motor shaft 12 extending from the body 11, and the motor shaft 12 can be connected to a brush head of the electric toothbrush to drive the brush head to vibrate. The force for brushing can be transmitted from the motor shaft 12 to the load cell 2 on the motor shaft 12 to be detected by the load cell 2. A waterproof sleeve 3 is sleeved on the motor shaft 12, and the force measuring sensor 2 is sealed by the waterproof sleeve 3. The waterproof sleeve 3 is easier to install than dispensing on the surface of the load cell 2. In this way, the operation steps for sealing the load cell 2 are simplified, and the cost for sealing the load cell 2 is reduced.

In an embodiment, as a specific implementation of the driving mechanism provided in the embodiments of the present application, the waterproof sleeve 3 is a heat shrinkable tube. The diameter of the heat shrinkable tube before heating is larger than that of the motor shaft 12, and a person skilled in the art can select a heat shrinkable tube with a suitable thickness according to actual needs, which is not limited herein. In the assembling process, the heat shrink tube is sleeved on the motor shaft 12 and then heated, so that the heat shrink tube shrinks inwards, and the shrunk heat shrink tube is coated on the motor shaft 12 and the force measuring sensor 2. In this embodiment, the waterproof sleeve 3 is made of a heat shrinkable tube, which facilitates the fixing of the waterproof sleeve 3, thereby simplifying the sealing operation of the force sensor 2 and further reducing the sealing cost of the force sensor 2.

In another embodiment, ring structures made of elastic material may be respectively disposed on the inner circumferential surfaces of both ends of the waterproof sleeve 3, the motor shaft 12 sequentially passes through the two ring structures, and the end of the waterproof sleeve 3 and the motor shaft 12 may be hermetically connected by elastic deformation of the ring structures.

In a specific embodiment, as a specific implementation manner of the driving mechanism provided in this embodiment of the application, a hot melt adhesive layer is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the heat shrinkable tube, and the hot melt adhesive layer is used for sealing a gap between the heat shrinkable tube and the motor shaft 12. It can be understood that the hot melt adhesive layer is transformed from a solid state to a molten state after being heated, the molten hot melt adhesive layer can fill the gap between the heat shrinkable tube and the motor shaft 12, and the cooled hot melt adhesive layer is transformed from the molten state to the solid state to seal the gap between the heat shrinkable tube and the motor shaft 12. In addition, the hot melt adhesive layer after the re-solidification can also ensure the reliability of the connection between the heat shrinkable tube and the motor shaft 12, and the heat shrinkable tube is prevented from moving along the axial direction of the motor shaft 12.

In an embodiment, referring to fig. 3 and 4, as a specific implementation of the driving mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application, a mounting groove 121 for accommodating the load cell 2 is formed on the motor shaft 12, and the load cell 2 is mounted on a bottom of the mounting groove 121. Illustratively, the length of the mounting groove 121 is not less than the length of the load cell 2. It is worth mentioning that the groove bottom of the mounting groove 121 is formed as a plane to ensure a contact area between the load cell 2 and the motor shaft 12, facilitating the mounting of the load cell 2. Fig. 3 and 4 show that the waterproof sleeve 3 blocks the opening of the mounting groove 121 to prevent external moisture from entering the inside of the sensor and damaging the sensor.

In a specific embodiment, please refer to fig. 3 and fig. 4, as a specific implementation manner of the driving mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application, the load cell 2 is attached to the bottom of the mounting groove 121, for example, an adhesive tape may be disposed on the load cell 2, and the load cell 2 is attached to the bottom of the mounting groove 121 through the adhesive tape. The height of the load cell 2 is lower than or equal to the depth of the mounting groove 121, that is, the load cell 2 does not go beyond the mounting groove 121. The above arrangement can prevent the load cell 2 from protruding from the mounting groove 121, thereby preventing the motor shaft 12 from forming a protruding portion and preventing the motor shaft 12 from interfering with other components of the electric toothbrush.

In another specific embodiment, the load cell 2 may be covered on the bottom of the mounting groove 121, and the load cell 2 is fixed to the mounting groove 121 by welding.

In a specific embodiment, as a specific implementation manner of the driving mechanism provided in this embodiment of the present application, the driving mechanism further includes a main control board (not shown), wherein the main control board may be mounted on a bracket for fixing the driving motor 1. The main control board is electrically connected with the force sensor 2, and may be connected with the force sensor 2 through a signal line, or may be connected with the force sensor 2 through wireless communication, such as lan, bluetooth, or the like, for example, which is not limited herein. In this embodiment, the main control board can control the operating state of the electric toothbrush according to the data transmitted by the load cell 2.

It can be understood that, when the user uses the electric toothbrush to brush the teeth with excessive force, the load cell 2 can detect the external force applied to the motor shaft 12 by detecting the state of the motor shaft 12, and transmit a signal to the main control board. The main control board can control the motor shaft 12 of the driving motor 1 to reduce the amplitude or close the driving motor 1 after receiving the signal of the load cell 2.

In a more specific embodiment, please refer to fig. 4 and 5, as a specific implementation manner of the driving mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application, the driving mechanism further includes a cable 4 electrically connecting the main control board and the load cell 2, wherein the main control board and the load cell 2 may be connected by using a flat cable. The installation groove 121 is disposed to face the side wall of the cable 4 and to be inclined from the bottom of the installation groove 121, wherein a person skilled in the art can set an inclination angle between the side wall of the installation groove 121 and the bottom of the installation groove 121, which faces the cable 4, according to actual needs, and this is not limited herein. In this embodiment, the installation groove 121 is disposed opposite to the side wall of the cable 4 and the groove bottom of the installation groove 121 in an inclined manner, so that the cable 4 is prevented from being scratched by the edge of the installation groove 121.

In an embodiment, referring to fig. 4 and 5, as a specific implementation manner of the driving mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application, the load cell 2 is a capacitive pressure sensor or a resistive pressure sensor, and the load cell 2 is provided with a stress amplifying groove 21. It will be appreciated that a capacitive pressure sensor or a resistive pressure sensor detects the external force on the motor shaft 12 by detecting the strain on the motor shaft 12. The stress amplification groove 21 is formed in the load cell 2, when the motor shaft 12 is strained, the motor shaft 12 transmits the strain to the load cell 2, and the strain amount of the load cell 2 at the stress amplification groove 21 is larger, so that the sensitivity of the load cell 2 is improved.

In a specific embodiment, please refer to fig. 5, as a specific implementation manner of the driving mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application, a measuring groove 122 is formed on the motor shaft 12, and the load cell 2 is covered on the measuring groove 122. It will be appreciated that when an external force is applied to the motor shaft 12, the amount of strain in the motor shaft 12 at the measurement recess 122 is greater, facilitating improved sensitivity of the load cell 2.

The embodiment of the application also provides an electric toothbrush, which comprises the driving mechanism provided by any one of the embodiments. In the electric toothbrush using the driving mechanism, the waterproof sleeve 3 is sleeved on the motor shaft 12, and the force sensor 2 is sealed by the waterproof sleeve 3. The waterproof sleeve 3 is easier to install than dispensing on the surface of the load cell 2. In this way, the operation steps for sealing the load cell 2 are simplified, and the cost for sealing the load cell 2 is reduced.

The present application is intended to cover various modifications, equivalent arrangements, and adaptations, which may be made within the spirit and scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A drive mechanism, comprising:

2. The drive mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the waterproof sleeve is a heat shrink tube.

3. The driving mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein a hot melt adhesive layer is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the heat shrinkage tube, the hot melt adhesive layer being for sealing a gap between the heat shrinkage tube and the motor shaft.

4. The drive mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said motor shaft defines a mounting groove for receiving said load cell, said load cell being mounted to a bottom of said mounting groove, said waterproof sleeve sealing an opening of said mounting groove.

5. The drive mechanism as recited in claim 4, wherein said load cell is fitted to a bottom of said mounting slot and a height of said load cell is less than or equal to a depth of said mounting slot.

6. The drive mechanism as recited in claim 4, further comprising a master control board electrically connected to the load cell.

7. The drive mechanism as recited in claim 6, further comprising a cable electrically connecting said main control board and said load cell, wherein said mounting slot is disposed obliquely opposite to a side wall of said cable and a bottom of said mounting slot.

8. The drive mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said load cell is a capacitive pressure sensor or a resistive pressure sensor, said load cell having a stress amplifying groove formed therein.

9. The drive mechanism of claim 8, wherein the motor shaft defines a measurement recess, and the load cell cover is disposed over the measurement recess.

10. An electric toothbrush comprising a drive mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9.