DE2839911A1 - ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH - Google Patents

Description

Rowenta-Werke GmbH, Waldstrasse 202-256, 6050 Offenbach

Electric toothbrush

The invention relates to an electric toothbrush, consisting of a brush head, voltage source, switch, Drive and housing.

With toothbrushes of this type it is known to use a switch to establish an electrical connection between the working motor and the energy source, whereby the energy source can be different depending on the type of toothbrush. Either the engine will be direct operated with mains voltage or the toothbrush has a transformer, with an additional battery can be present as energy storage.

There are different toothbrushes with the mentioned power supplies known, in which the electrical connection to the motor with the help of a mechanical switch will be produced. The use of such a switch has various drawbacks. As the toothbrush for everyone different hand positions must remain in operation, the switch must be made latching. This makes it necessary to use the switch next to the electrical contacts to provide a mechanical device which causes the latching and which makes the Sehalter correspondingly expensive and is also subject to wear. Since the switched motor power in electric toothbrushes is considerable is, there is also a high contact load on the switches, which also leads to wear and tear

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Increase in contact resistance leads. In addition, such switches themselves must be waterproof and with the housing must also be connected in a watertight manner. Penetration of water into an electrical device that on the one hand it is introduced into the mouth and on the other hand it is used in baths, in which mostly direct body contact with tiled floors or walls or with sinks, water pipes and the like a good one Creates contact with the earth is extremely dangerous for the user. The sealing and assembly of these switches is therefore complex and expensive. Furthermore is a usual switch always a design element, which must be integrated into the overall shape of the toothbrush and which the overall housing must adapt, as a result of which additional costs arise.

The decisive disadvantage of such an arrangement is that there is constant pressure with the brush part when in use must be exercised against teeth, gums, jaw and palate. Every pressure relief causes the drive to switch off. The constant pressure required precludes the use of such toothbrushes when the toothbrush is inflamed or sensitive oral area by itself.

Another disadvantage is the mechanically extremely complex switch, its contacts despite must remain closed to the movement of the brush shaft.

Based on this state of the art, the object of this invention is to create an electric toothbrush which can be switched easily while avoiding the disadvantages mentioned above, is easy to use and can be manufactured inexpensively in terms of cost and shape.

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This object is achieved according to the invention in that that consisting of semiconductor electronic elements and operable by an electromagnetic field, with Voltage source and drive directly or indirectly connected switch has an actuating electrode and the actuating electrode is electrically connected to at least one conductor arranged in the area of the housing is.

Another embodiment of the invention is characterized draws that the conductor encloses the outer surface of the housing.

According to the invention, the conductor is on the inner surface of the Housing jacket arranged.

According to another embodiment of the invention is in Switch arranged a blocking electrode and the actuating electrode with the electrically conductive brush shaft and the blocking electrode is connected to the housing jacket.

According to the invention, the brush head has a structured one Surface on and / or consists of porous material and forms in the area of its connection with the brush shaft a steady transition to this.

According to the invention, the brush head can also be wholly or partially be electrically conductive.

Another possible solution is that the Switch has two actuating electrodes and by bridging these electrodes z. B. with a Finger is actuated.

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This ensures that the actuating contacts are carried out to the surface of the toothbrush and with this can be poured in the simplest way. The annular arrangement according to the invention, which as well be designed in the form of parallel longitudinal strips can, can be made of conductive material that is inserted into the plastic of the toothbrush housing. The invention therefore eliminates any sealing problem in the area of the switch. Then there is the essential Simplification of the operation, since no switch has to be operated mechanically. The toothbrush is in use when the handle is picked up and stops automatically when it is put down. Additionally, that a touch switch is completely wear-free. Furthermore, if the switch is designed accordingly, it is also possible to use the actuating electrode to connect a ring-shaped conductor serving as an antenna on the inner wall of the housing. That ladder then serves as a receiver for that applied by the holding hand to the outer surface of the housing electromagnetic field. The signal received by this antenna can be processed after appropriate processing Activate the actual switch. This embodiment has the advantage that there is absolutely no contact with the outside Surface of the housing must be carried out. In the further refinements according to subclaims 5 to the brush shaft and the brush head itself serve as an actuating electrode. After moistening the brush head A closed film of water forms on the surface, which creates a conductive connection to the brush shaft and thus to the switch manufactures. Just the contact of the brush head with the teeth or the mouth area causes the electric toothbrush to switch. Of the

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In this case, blocking contact prevents the toothbrush from tarnishing when applying toothpaste or when Changing the brush head.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in Figures 1 to 4 and are described in more detail below:

Show it:

Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of the invention electric toothbrush without brush body partially cut;

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment without a brush body in section;

FIG. 3 shows a partial section of a further possible embodiment with a brush body;

FIG. 4 shows a partial section of an embodiment with a brush body.

The electric toothbrush shown as an example according to Figure 1 consists of a housing 5 in which a battery as a voltage source 2 for the drive 4 the brush shaft 11 is arranged. In the housing jacket 8, an annular electrical conductor 7 is attached, which over an actuation electrode 6 is electrically connected to a switch 3. Actuation takes place through direct contact of the electrical conductor 7 with the hand of the user »

In the modified version shown in FIG the electrical conductor 7 is arranged on the inner jacket surface 9 of the housing jacket 8. The actuation of this Execution takes place through capacitive contact between

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the user and the conductor 7 arranged on the inner wall 9 of the housing jacket 8.

Figure 3 shows a further possible embodiment of the invention electric toothbrush, in which the function of the electrical conductor 7 according to the figures 1 and 2 is taken over by the brush shaft 11. Of the Brush head 1 has a groove 15 which is connected on the one hand to the brush 15 and on the other hand to the brush shaft 11 stands. This device is operated by direct contact between the oral area of the user and the brush 14, As an electrical conductor between brush 14 and brush shaft 11 the water film in the groove 15 is used.

The further embodiment shown in .Figur 4 differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 3 in that the switch 3 has a blocking electrode 10 is arranged, which is connected to a provided on the housing 5 locking button 12, and in that the Brush shaft 11 via a bore 13 with the groove 15 in Connection. By pressing the blocking button, the user can switch off the device, without having to take the brush 15 out of the mouth.

Claims

030013/0169

Claims (7)

2220 Claims .I / 'Electric toothbrush, consisting of brush head, Voltage source, switch, drive and housing, characterized in that it consists of electronic Semiconductor components that can be actuated by an electromagnetic field and have a voltage source (2) and drive (4) directly or indirectly connected switch (3) an actuating electrode (6) and the actuating electrode (6) with at least one arranged in the region of the housing (5) Conductor (7) is electrically connected. 2. Electric toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor (7) the housing jacket (8) of the housing (5) encloses. 3. Electric toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor (7) on the inner Outer surface (9) of the housing jacket (8) is arranged is. 4. Electric toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that a blocking electrode in the switch (3) (10) is arranged and the actuating electrode (6) with the electrically conductive brush shaft (11) and the blocking electrode (10) is connected to the housing jacket (8). 030013/0189 ORiGlNAL INSPECTED 5. Electric toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that that the brush head (1) has a structured surface and / or made of porous material exists and in the area of its connection with the brush shaft (11) a constant transition to this forms. 6. Electric toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that that the brush head (1) is wholly or partially electrically conductive. 7. Electric toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that that the switch (3) has two actuating electrodes (6) and by bridging them Electrodes (6) e.g. B. can be operated with one finger. 3 0 0 13/0169