JP2015163091A - toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toothbrush capable of generating a highly efficient photocatalytic action to an N-type semiconductor without using external light.SOLUTION: The toothbrush includes: a body part 12 including a conductive part and being served as a handle; a titanic oxide rod 17 provided at a longitudinal tip end of the body part; a brush part 16 having a transparent brush base body 15 filled with brush bristles; an ultraviolet light emitting element 18 provided at the tip end of the body part; and a battery 30. Ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light emitting element 18 is applied to the titanic oxide rod 17 to generate the photocatalytic action.

Description

  The present invention relates to a toothbrush using an N-type semiconductor having a photocatalytic action.

Toothbrushes for plaque control have been proposed for preventing the occurrence of plaque (plaque) adhering to oral teeth or removing the generated plaque using the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide. When titanium oxide is irradiated with light containing ultraviolet rays, electrons and holes are formed from the surface by photocatalytic action. By the oxidation-reduction reaction caused by them, organic substances that cause dirt and odor can be finally decomposed into CO ₂ and H ₂ O. Toothbrushes using an N-type semiconductor such as titanium oxide having photocatalytic action can decompose and remove bacteria present in the oral cavity, plaques adhering to the teeth, and organic acids such as lactic acid, Prevents the occurrence of tooth decay and periodontal disease.

  In Patent Document 1, the grip portion is provided with a motor, a direct current power source for driving the motor, and a motion conversion means for converting the rotational motion of the motor into a slight vibration or a reciprocating motion at the hair transplantation portion. An N-type semiconductor that is at least partially inserted into the oral cavity and comes into contact with moisture is provided across the grip, and the N-type semiconductor is connected to the positive electrode of the DC power source and provided on the outer surface of the grip. An electric toothbrush in which a conductor and a negative electrode of a DC power source are connected is disclosed.

  In this electric toothbrush, by using the direct current power source for driving the motor and combining the direct current power source and the N-type semiconductor, not only the decomposition of dental plaque but also the direct cause of the decalcification of the tooth due to the pH decrease. It is possible to reduce dental caries and periodontal diseases by decomposing organic acids such as lactic acid and sterilizing dental caries that produce plaque, organic acids and toxins, and bacteria that cause periodontal diseases. It is possible to prevent and improve the hygiene of the teeth effectively even for an unfamiliar person. Furthermore, it is possible to promote reduction in manufacturing cost and downsizing of the entire electric toothbrush including the grip portion.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a toothbrush incorporating an LED that emits light of a predetermined wavelength, which is used together with a dentifrice mixed with ultrafine particles of titanium oxide or the like. Plaque control becomes possible by applying an appropriate amount of a dentifrice to this toothbrush and brushing it while shining light.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a toothbrush in which a titanium oxide is fixed to a natural tooth / artificial tooth and is provided with an ultraviolet LED lamp and a brush is provided with a transparent window.

JP-A-6-90824 JP 2001-114658 A JP 2005-81126 A

  In the electric toothbrush of Patent Document 1, when the N-type semiconductor is exposed to light, the N-type semiconductor that is in contact with moisture such as saliva in the oral cavity acts as a photocatalyst to cause a photoelectrochemical reaction. Since the electric toothbrush is usually used indoors, the light that causes photocatalytic action on the N-type semiconductor is a fluorescent lamp installed indoors, but the ultraviolet rays obtained from the fluorescent lamp are extremely weak. Therefore, the electric toothbrush of patent document 1 cannot obtain the ultraviolet-ray amount for causing the photoelectrochemical reaction of an N-type semiconductor effectively.

  In the toothbrush of Patent Document 2, which uses an LED that emits light of a predetermined wavelength together with a dentifrice mixed with ultrafine titanium oxide particles, titanium oxide is in a state of being mixed with the dentifrice with ultrafine particles. The titanium oxide is considered not to receive most of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the LED, and the effect of photocatalysis is small. In order to obtain a photocatalytic effect, it is necessary to use a dedicated dentifrice.

  In the case of the toothbrush of patent document 3, the prior process of fixing a titanium oxide to a natural tooth or an artificial tooth is required, and a user cannot obtain the effect of a photocatalysis unless this process is performed.

  The present invention has been made in response to such a problem, and generates an efficient photocatalytic action on an N-type semiconductor without using external light and without requiring any prior treatment for teeth. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush that can be made.

  In order to achieve the above object, a toothbrush according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a main body portion serving as a handle provided with a conductive portion, and an N-type semiconductor rod provided at the front end in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion. And a brush part having a transparent brush base in which brush hairs are embedded, and an ultraviolet light emitting element provided at the tip of the main body part.

  The toothbrush may include a battery, and the N-type semiconductor rod and the conductive portion may be connected to the battery via current limiting means.

  The N-type semiconductor can be titanium oxide.

  The ultraviolet light emitting element may be an LED.

  The peak wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element can be 350 to 400 nm.

  The brush portion can be removably fitted to the N-type semiconductor rod.

  The toothbrush may be provided with a transparent ring-shaped light guide that covers the ultraviolet light emitting element.

  The toothbrush of the present invention includes a transparent cylindrical light guide that covers a part of the ultraviolet light emitting element and the rod of the N-type semiconductor, and a vibration generating unit that is formed integrally with the cylindrical light guide. May be.

  The vibration generating unit can be fixed to the partition wall of the main body only by an elastic member.

  Since the toothbrush according to claim 1 includes an ultraviolet light emitting element and an N-type semiconductor having a photocatalytic action, even if the toothbrush is not irradiated with light from the outside, the photocatalyst is generated from the N-type semiconductor by ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light emitting element. Action occurs. Since the brush part includes the transparent brush part, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element can be efficiently reached to the tip of the N-type semiconductor. In the electric toothbrush according to the eighth aspect, since the vibration generating unit and the cylindrical light guide are integrally formed, vibration and ultraviolet rays can be efficiently transmitted.

3 is a top view of the toothbrush of Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a top view of the toothbrush of Embodiment 2. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toothbrush of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the toothbrush of Embodiment 2. FIG.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a top view showing the whole toothbrush of Embodiment 1, and FIG. The toothbrush of the first embodiment includes a brush part 16 and a main body part 12. The length from the tip of the brush part 16 to the end of the body part 12 is 20 cm, and the diameter of the body part 12 is 2.5 cm. The brush portion 16 is made of a transparent resin, and brush hairs 14 are embedded at the tip thereof. A space is provided inside the brush base 15 so as to be fitted into a titanium oxide rod 17 suitable as an N-type semiconductor protruding from the main body 12. For this reason, the brush part 16 that has become unusable due to long-term use can be removed from the main body part 12 and replaced with a new one.

  The main body portion 12 is made of a conductive material such as stainless steel, and a switch 36 for controlling the operation of the toothbrush is provided on the upper portion thereof. The battery 30 is connected to the titanium oxide rod 17 via the circuit board 32 and the lead wire 34, and the other pole of the battery 30 is connected to the main body 12 via a resistor. The LED 18 is connected to the circuit board 32 and emits ultraviolet light when the switch 36 is turned on.

  Next, operation | movement of the toothbrush of Embodiment 1 is demonstrated. When the user turns on the switch 36, the lit LED 18 generates ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of 350 to 400 nm. This ultraviolet ray passes through the transparent ring-shaped light guide 20 and the transparent brush base 15 and reaches the titanium oxide rod 17. This ultraviolet ray causes photocatalysis, and decomposes and removes bacteria present in the oral cavity, plaques adhering to the teeth, and organic acids such as lactic acid.

(Embodiment 2)
The toothbrush of Embodiment 2 is an electric toothbrush, FIG. 2 is a top view showing the whole, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof. The toothbrush of the second embodiment includes a brush part 16 and a main body part 12. The length from the tip of the brush part 16 to the end of the body part 12 is 20 cm, and the diameter of the body part 12 is 2.5 cm. The brush part 16 includes a brush base 15 formed of a transparent resin, and brush hairs 14 are embedded at the tip thereof. A space portion is provided inside the brush base 15 so as to be fitted into the titanium oxide rod 17 protruding from the main body portion 12. For this reason, the brush part 16 that has become unusable due to long-term use can be removed from the main body part 12 and replaced with a new one.

  The main body 12 houses a battery 30, a vibration generating unit including a motor 24 and an eccentric weight 25, an LED 18 that emits ultraviolet light, a circuit board (not shown), and a titanium oxide rod 17. An eccentric weight 25 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 24, and when the motor rotates, the eccentric weight 25 rotates to generate vibration. A vibration generating unit including the motor 24 and the eccentric weight 25 is fixed to the frame 26. Also fixed to the frame 26 are two LEDs 18, a cylindrical rubber damper 28 of an elastic member, and a columnar light guide 22 fitted inside the rubber damper 28. The columnar light guide 22 is made of a transparent resin, and the diameter of the side fixed to the frame 26 is larger than that of the other end. The transparent resin of the columnar light guide 22 completely seals the two LEDs and prevents moisture or toothpaste from affecting the operation of the LEDs. One end of the rubber damper 28 is fixed to the frame 26, but the other end not fixed to the frame 26 is fixed to the partition wall 27 of the main body 12 only at the center. A titanium oxide rod 17 is inserted inside the cylindrical light guide 22.

  The light emitting surface of the LED 18 faces the direction of the bristle 14, and the ultraviolet light emitted from the LED 18 is configured to irradiate the titanium oxide rod 17 through the cylindrical light guide 22. In order for titanium oxide to exhibit a photocatalytic action, it is necessary to have ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 380 to 400 nm or less corresponding to the band gap of titanium oxide of 3 to 3.2 eV. However, since short wavelength ultraviolet rays are harmful to the skin, it is desirable that the peak wavelength of the ultraviolet rays of the LED 18 be 350 to 400 nm.

  The main body 12 is provided with a conductive plate 11 made of stainless steel at a portion gripped by the user when using the electric toothbrush. The conductive plate 11 is further provided with a switch 36 for controlling the operation of the electric toothbrush. The battery 30 is connected to the titanium oxide rod 17, and the other pole of the battery 30 is connected to the conductive plate 11 via a resistor on the circuit board. The LED 18 is connected to the circuit board, and emits ultraviolet rays when the switch 36 is turned on.

  Next, the operation of this electric toothbrush will be described. When the user turns on the switch 36, the motor 24 rotates and the LED 18 lights up. Since the eccentric weight 25 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 24, when the motor 24 rotates, the frame 26 to which the vibration generating unit 23 including the motor 24 and the eccentric weight 25 is attached vibrates. This vibration is transmitted to the inside of a rubber damper 28 formed integrally with the frame 26, and this is further oxidized via a cylindrical light guide 22 formed integrally with the frame 26. It is transmitted to the titanium rod 17. Since the brush portion 16 is fitted in the titanium oxide rod 17, the vibration generated by the vibration generating unit 23 is efficiently transmitted to the brush hair 14 via the rubber damper 28. The rubber damper 28 is fixed to the partition wall 27 of the main body 12 at substantially the center of the integrated frame 26, cylindrical light guide 22, and titanium oxide rod 17, so that the frame 26 (vibration generating unit 23) The vibration is transmitted to the titanium oxide rod 17 (brush hairs 14) only through the rubber damper 28. Since the vibration generating unit 23 vibrates with the rubber damper 28 fixed only to the partition wall of the main body 12 as a fulcrum, the transmission efficiency of vibration to the brush portion 16 becomes extremely large. Further, since the rubber damper 28 is fixed to the partition wall 27 of the main body portion 12 only at the substantially central portion of the integrated frame 26, the cylindrical light guide 22, and the titanium oxide rod 17, the main body portion 12 is gripped. The vibration of the vibration generating unit 23 transmitted to the user's hand is reduced.

  The ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of 350 to 400 nm generated by the lit LED 18 passes through the transparent cylindrical light guide 22 and the transparent brush base 15 and reaches the titanium oxide rod 17. This ultraviolet ray causes a photocatalytic action, and decomposes and removes bacteria present in the oral cavity, plaques adhering to the teeth, and organic acids such as lactic acid.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Conductive plate 12 Main-body part 13 Female connector 14 Brush hair 15 Brush base 16 Brush part 17 Titanium oxide stick 18 LED
20 Ring-shaped light guide 22 Cylindrical light guide 24 Motor 25 Eccentric weight
26 Frame 27 Bulkhead 28 Rubber damper 30 Battery 32 Circuit board 34 Lead wire 36 Switch

Claims (9)

A main body part to be a handle with a conductive part;
An N-type semiconductor rod provided at the longitudinal tip of the main body;
A brush portion having a transparent brush base in which brush hairs are embedded;
A toothbrush comprising: an ultraviolet light emitting element provided at a tip of the main body. With batteries,
The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the N-type semiconductor rod and the conductive portion are connected to the battery via current limiting means.   The toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the N-type semiconductor is titanium oxide.   The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ultraviolet light-emitting element is an LED.   The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a peak wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element is 350 to 400 nm.   The toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the brush portion is detachably fitted to the N-type semiconductor rod.   The toothbrush of any one of Claims 1-6 which provided the transparent ring-shaped light guide which covers the said ultraviolet light emitting element. A transparent cylindrical light guide covering a part of the ultraviolet light emitting element and the N-type semiconductor rod;
The toothbrush of any one of Claims 1-6 provided with the vibration generation unit integrally formed with the said cylindrical light guide.   The toothbrush according to claim 8, wherein the vibration generating unit is fixed to the partition wall of the main body only by an elastic member.