JP2017000556A - Electric toothbrush and operation method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric toothbrush and an operation method for such an electric toothbrush capable of accurately detecting plaque, etc. on a site now being brushed with the toothbrush in real time.SOLUTION: The electric toothbrush includes a control part 50 performing a first drive and a second drive for a vibration unit on which a plurality of brushes 22, a light emitting part 23, and a light receiving part 24 are arranged: the first drive causing the vibration part to vibrate in a first direction which is a pressing direction of the plurality of brushes 22; and the second drive causing the vibration unit to vibrate in a second direction different from the first direction. The control part 50 performs control which causes the light emitting part 23 to emit light at least while the first drive is being performed. The control part also causes a plaque detection process to be performed using a signal corresponding to the light received by the light receiving part 24 while the first drive is being performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush and an operating method thereof.

  A type of electric toothbrush that brushes teeth (removes plaque) by applying a brush that vibrates at high speed to the tooth surface is known. As such an electric toothbrush, a brush unit provided with means for detecting plaque, tartar, caries and the like attached to the teeth has been proposed.

  Patent Document 1 describes an electric toothbrush in which an optical sensor and a light source are provided in a brush unit, and reflected light of light emitted from the light source is detected by the optical sensor to detect caries and notify the user.

  In Patent Documents 2 and 3, a light emitting and receiving hole is provided in a region surrounded by a large number of brushes in a brush unit, a light source for introducing light into the hole, and light incident on the hole. The electric toothbrush which provided the optical sensor which detects this in the main-body part is described.

  Patent Document 4 describes an electric toothbrush in which a light source and an image sensor are provided in an area surrounded by a large number of brushes in a brush unit, or on the back side of a surface on which a large number of brushes are formed in a brush unit. .

Special table 2008-532619 gazette Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-515276 Special table 2013-53534 gazette JP 2013-042906 A

  For example, in order to detect plaque in a brushed part in real time while brushing teeth, it is necessary to provide a light receiving part and a light emitting part in a part inserted into the mouth of the brush unit. However, while brushing, the brush unit is vibrating. For this reason, due to the influence of this vibration, the light emitted from the light emitting unit cannot be received with high accuracy by the light receiving unit, and the plaque detection accuracy may be lowered. Patent Documents 1 to 4 do not consider such a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electric toothbrush capable of accurately detecting, in real time, dental plaque and the like of a portion being brushed, and an operating method thereof. To do.

  The electric toothbrush of the present invention includes a first drive that vibrates a vibration unit provided with a plurality of brushes, a light emitting unit, and a light receiving unit in a first direction that is a pressing direction of the plurality of brushes, and the vibration. A drive unit that performs a second drive for vibrating the part in a second direction different from the first direction, and at least from the light emitting unit while the first drive is performed by the drive unit A light emission control unit that performs control to emit light, and a processing unit that performs processing using a signal corresponding to light received by the light receiving unit while the first driving is performed by the driving unit; , Are provided.

  The operating method of the electric toothbrush of the present invention is an operating method of an electric toothbrush having a vibration part provided with a plurality of brushes, a light emitting part, and a light receiving part, wherein the vibration part is pressed against the plurality of brushes. A drive step of selectively performing a first drive that vibrates in a first direction and a second drive that vibrates the vibrating portion in a second direction different from the first direction; A light emission control step for performing control to emit light from the light emitting unit during the first drive, and light received by the light receiving unit during the first drive. And a processing step for performing processing using the corresponding signal.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electric toothbrush which can detect the dental plaque etc. of the site | part which is brushing accurately in real time during tooth brushing, and its operating method can be provided.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure which looked at the electric toothbrush for describing one Embodiment of this invention from the brush pressing direction. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the AA line of the electric toothbrush shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the holding part 10 of the electric toothbrush shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st modification of the cross-sectional schematic diagram of the AA line shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd modification of the cross-sectional schematic diagram of the AA line shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the top view shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 3rd modification of the AA cross section shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 4th modification of the cross-sectional schematic diagram of the AA line shown in FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an electric toothbrush for explaining an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the direction of pressing a brush.

  The electric toothbrush includes a gripping unit 10 including a battery and an electric control system therein, a main body unit having a stem 11 as a fitting unit fixed to the gripping unit 10, and a brush unit detachable from the stem 11. 20.

  The brush unit 20 includes a plurality of brushes 22, a light emitting unit 23, and a light receiving unit 24. The plurality of brushes 22, the light emitting part 23, and the light receiving part 24 are formed on the same surface of the tip part of the brush unit 20. Each brush 22 is a bundle of many hairs.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of the brush unit 20 as viewed from the pressing direction of the plurality of brushes 22 (the direction in which the brushes 22 extend) in a state where the brush unit 20 is mounted on the stem 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of brushes 22 are arranged in an “H” shape. The outer edge 21 of the region where the plurality of brushes 22 are formed has a shape in which a concave portion 21a and a concave portion 21b are provided on both short sides of the rectangle.

  The light emitting portion 23 is formed by fitting a first translucent member that transmits light emitted from a light emitting element provided in the stem 11 to be described later into a hole provided in the casing of the brush unit 20. Transparent window. The light emitted from the light emitting element is emitted from the transparent window to the outside of the brush unit 20. The light emitting part 23 is formed in the recess 21a.

  The light receiving unit 24 is formed by fitting a second translucent member that transmits light emitted from the light emitting unit 23 and reflected by an object in the mouth into a hole provided in the casing of the brush unit 20. Transparent window. The light incident on the transparent window is incident on a light receiving element provided on a stem 11 described later. The light receiving unit 24 is formed in the recess 21b.

  As described above, the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 are disposed outside the outer edge 21 of the region where the brush 22 is disposed, and are disposed with the brush group including the plurality of brushes 22 interposed therebetween. In the example of FIG. 1, the direction in which the straight line connecting the light emitting portion 23 and the light receiving portion 24 extends coincides with the longitudinal direction of the brush unit 20.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the electric toothbrush shown in FIG.

  The brush unit 20 is configured by a cylindrical casing having a hollow portion 20a and a closed end portion. By fitting the stem 11 into the hollow portion 20a, the main body portion and the brush unit 20 are fixed.

  The stem 11 is configured by a cylindrical casing whose tip (an end opposite to the gripping portion 10 side) is closed. The stem 11 includes a bearing 12 formed at an inner tip, an eccentric shaft 13 having one end inserted into the bearing 12, a weight 14, a light emitting element 16 and a light receiving element 17 formed on a substrate 15, and a housing. Provided with holes 23a and 24a.

  The other end of the eccentric shaft 13 is connected to a rotation shaft of a motor M built in the grip portion 10. As the rotation shaft of the motor M rotates, the eccentric shaft 13 rotates.

  The weight 14 is fixed to the eccentric shaft 13 in the vicinity of the bearing 12. Due to the weight 14, the center of gravity of the eccentric shaft 13 is deviated from the center of rotation. A minute clearance is provided between the eccentric shaft 13 and the bearing 12.

  The eccentric shaft 13 also rotates with the rotation of the rotation shaft of the motor M. However, since the center of gravity of the eccentric shaft 13 is shifted by the weight 14, the eccentric shaft 13 performs a motion that turns around the rotation center. Therefore, the entire eccentric shaft 13 is bent, and the stem 11 and the brush unit 20 attached thereto are vibrated at high speed. The stem 11 and the brush unit 20 constitute a vibrating part.

  Thus, in the case of the driving principle in which the brush unit 20 is vibrated by the turning motion of the eccentric shaft 13, the brush unit 20 is in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the motor M (in a plane parallel to the pressing direction of the brush 22). Can be vibrated two-dimensionally.

  In the electric toothbrush of the present embodiment, the entire vibration part (stem 11 and brush unit 20) has a resonance point (resonance frequency), and the rotation speed of the motor M is controlled, so that the stem 11 and the brush unit 20 are controlled. Switching between the operation of vibrating the brush 22 in the pressing direction of the brush 22 and the operation of vibrating the stem 11 and the brush unit 20 in a direction intersecting the pressing direction of the brush 22 in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the motor M. Is possible.

  The hole part 23 a is formed at a position facing the light emitting part 23.

  The hole 24 a is formed at a position facing the light receiving unit 24.

  The light emitting element 16 is configured by an LED (Light Emitted Diode), a laser diode, or the like. What is necessary is just to select the optimal light emission wavelength of the light emitting element 16 according to the elements (plaque, calculus, caries, etc.) in the mouth to be detected. The light emitting element 16 is provided inside the stem 11 at a position facing the hole 23a.

  The light receiving element 17 is composed of an element such as a photodiode that converts light into an electric signal. The light receiving element 17 is provided at a position facing the hole 24 a inside the stem 11.

  The substrate 15 is formed with a wiring electrically connected to the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17, and a flexible substrate is used, for example. The substrate 15 extends to the inside of the holding unit 10, and the wiring formed on the substrate 15 is electrically connected to a control unit (described later) built in the holding unit 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the first light transmissive member constituting the light emitting portion 23 is when the side wall aligned in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the brush 22 extends is based on the direction in which the brush 22 extends. Furthermore, it inclines to the opposite side to the light-receiving part 24 side.

  Due to the shape of the first translucent member, light emitted from the light emitting element 16 in the direction in which the brush 22 extends passes through the hole 23a of the stem 11 and then follows the shape of the light emitting portion 23. The traveling direction changes to the light receiving unit 24 side.

  With such a configuration, the light emitting unit 23 intersects the pressing direction of the brush 22 rather than the pressing direction of the brush 22 and is a direction from the light emitting unit 23 toward the light receiving unit 24 in a plan view of FIG. A lot of light is emitted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the second translucent member constituting the light receiving portion 24 is based on the direction in which the side walls aligned in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the brush 22 extends are based on the direction in which the brush 22 extends. Sometimes, it inclines to the opposite side to the light emission part 23 side.

  Due to the shape of the second translucent member, the light receiving unit 24 specularly reflects light emitted from the light emitting unit 23 with, for example, the teeth D, rather than light incident from the pressing direction of the brush 22. A large amount of light incident from the reflection direction of the light is received.

  The light emitting unit 23 may determine the inclination angle of the side wall and the distance from the brush 22 so that the light emitted from the light emitting unit 23 is not vignetted by the brush 22.

  The light receiving unit 24 may determine the inclination angle of the side wall and the distance from the brush 22 so that the light emitted from the light emitting unit 23 and specularly reflected by the brush 22 is not vignetted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the grip portion 10 of the electric toothbrush shown in FIG.

  The gripping unit 10 includes a motor M, a notification unit 60, and a control unit 50.

  The control unit 50 includes a first drive that vibrates the vibration unit including the stem 11 and the brush unit 20 fixed to the stem 11 in a first direction that is a pressing direction of the brush 22, and the vibration unit is a rotation shaft of the motor M. It functions as a drive unit that selectively performs a second drive that vibrates in a second direction that intersects the pressing direction of the brush 22 in a plane perpendicular to. The control unit 50 performs switching between the first drive and the second drive by changing the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the motor M.

  For example, the controller 50 alternately performs the first drive and the second drive. As described above, since the brush tip of the brush 22 hits the treatment part from various angles by automatically switching the vibration direction of the brush unit 20, plaque superior to single-direction brushing is obtained. A removal effect can be obtained.

  The control unit 50 controls the light emitting element 16 to be driven through the substrate 15 to emit light from the light emitting element 16. The control unit 50 causes the light emitting element 16 to emit light at least during the first drive. The control unit 50 functions as a light emission control unit.

  The control unit 50 performs a process using a signal output from the light receiving element 17 while the first drive is performed. The control unit 50 functions as a processing unit.

  This process includes a process for calculating the amount of plaque adhering to the tooth from the output signal value of the light receiving element 17, a process for determining the presence or absence of tartar from the output signal value of the light receiving element 17, and the presence or absence of caries. Processing including determination based on the output signal value of the light receiving element 17 is included. In the following description, it is assumed that the control unit 50 performs a process of calculating the amount of plaque.

  The alerting | reporting part 60 alert | reports the user of an electric toothbrush using devices, such as a speaker and LED. The notification unit 60 notifies the user by sounding a sound or making an LED shine according to a command from the control unit 50.

  The content to be notified is the amount of plaque calculated by the control unit 50. For example, the notification unit 60 notifies the amount of plaque by causing the LED to glow green if the amount of plaque is very small, and causing the LED to glow red if the amount of plaque is large. Assist with effective tooth brushing.

  The operation of the electric toothbrush configured as described above will be described.

  When the electric toothbrush is turned on and a brushing start operation is performed, the control unit 50 alternately performs the first drive and the second drive. Thus, the brush unit 20 pressed against the teeth alternately repeats the vibration in the first direction and the vibration in the second direction, and the plaque adhered to the teeth is removed by the brush 22.

  The controller 50 alternately performs the first drive and the second drive, but causes the light emitting element 16 to emit light only during the period during which the first drive is performed. The light emitted from the light emitting element 16 passes through the hole 23a and is then emitted from the light emitting portion 23 in an oblique direction.

  The light emitted from the light emitting portion 23 is incident on the tooth D against which the plurality of brushes 22 are pressed, and is regularly reflected on the surface of the tooth D. The specularly reflected light is incident on the light receiving unit 24, passes through the hole 24 a, and is received by the light receiving element 17.

  The light receiving element 17 converts the received light into an electrical signal and outputs it to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 obtains the amount of plaque in the brushing portion of the tooth D by calculation using the electrical signal output from the light receiving element 17. And the control part 50 alert | reports from the alerting | reporting part 60 according to the calculated | required amount of plaque.

  According to the electric toothbrush shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the light emitting portion 23 intersects the direction in which the brush 22 extends and is a direction from the light emitting portion 23 to the light receiving portion 24 in a plan view of FIG. 1. Most of the light from the light emitting element 16 is emitted. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect plaque on the surface of the portion (the tooth D with which the plurality of brushes 22 are in contact with the brushing) facing the region where the brush 22 is formed.

  Further, according to this electric toothbrush, the light receiving unit 24 receives a large amount of light that intersects the extending direction of the brush 22 and that comes from the light emitting unit 23 toward the light receiving unit 24 in a plan view of FIG. It can be done. For this reason, most of the light from the light emitting element 16 specularly reflected by the tooth D can be guided to the light receiving element 17, and the amount of signal output from the light receiving element 17 can be increased to increase the plaque detection sensitivity. it can.

  Thus, the user of the electric toothbrush can know the amount of dental plaque brushed by the brush 22 accurately and in real time according to the content notified from the notification unit 60. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform effective tooth brushing.

  In addition, since the light is emitted obliquely from the light emitting unit 23, it is possible to ensure the accuracy of detecting the plaque in the part being polished even if the distance between the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 is increased. When the distance between the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 is short, a region where the density of the brush 22 is sparse increases. However, according to the configuration of FIG. 1, since the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 can be arranged apart from each other, the region where the density of the brush 22 is sparse can be dispersed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the plaque removing ability of the brush 22 from being lowered.

  In the brush unit 20, the distance between the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 can be increased. For this reason, the light emission part 23 and the light-receiving part 24 can be arrange | positioned as much as possible in the area | region in which the brush 22 is formed. As a result, the number of brushes 22 can be increased, and plaque removal performance can be enhanced.

  Moreover, in the brush unit 20, each of the light emission part 23 and the light-receiving part 24 is arrange | positioned in the position enclosed in the area | region in which the brush 22 was formed in three directions of four directions of upper, lower, left, and right in the plan view of FIG. ing.

  For this reason, compared with the case where each of the light emission part 23 and the light-receiving part 24 is arrange | positioned on the outer side of a recessed part, the brush unit 20 can be reduced in size. In addition, the arrangement of FIG. 1 can reduce the distance between the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 and improve the detection accuracy of plaque and the like.

  The brush unit 20 has a configuration in which the brush 22, the first light transmissive member, and the second light transmissive member are provided in the housing. For this reason, manufacturing cost can be reduced. Since the brush unit 20 is a consumable item, the merit of reducing the manufacturing cost is great.

  In the electric toothbrush of the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 vibrate at high speed by driving the control unit 50. For this reason, this vibration may reduce the detection accuracy of plaque. However, in the present embodiment, the control unit 50 causes the light emitting element 16 to emit light only during the first drive.

  When the first drive is performed, the path of light emitted from the light emitting unit 23 and incident on the light receiving unit 24 is linear in the plan view of FIG. 1, and is almost in the plane where the brush 22 is formed. Do not move. On the other hand, when the second drive is performed, this path is not a straight line in the plan view of FIG. For this reason, if the process of detecting the plaque by causing the light emitting element 16 to emit light when the second driving is performed and receiving the reflected light from the teeth by the light receiving element 17 is performed, the plaque detection accuracy is improved. May be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, since the light emission of the light emitting element 16 and the plaque detection process are performed only when the first drive is performed, it is possible to accurately detect the amount of plaque adhering to the tooth D. Become.

  Note that the control unit 50 may always perform control to cause the light emitting element 16 to emit light while driving the vibration unit including the first drive and the second drive. Even in this case, the control unit 50 performs the plaque detection process using the signal output from the light receiving element 17 when the first drive is performed, and when the first drive is not performed, the control unit 50 performs the tooth detection process. By not performing the plaque detection process, it is possible to improve the plaque detection accuracy.

  The brush unit 20 is configured such that the distance between the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 is increased by arranging the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 across a region where the plurality of brushes 22 are formed. .

  For this reason, a time lag is likely to occur before the light emitted from the light emitting unit 23 reaches the light receiving unit 24. Therefore, as described above, it is particularly effective to perform the plaque detection process only when the first drive is being performed.

  Moreover, each of the light emission part 23 and the light-receiving part 24 is the structure where the brush 22 exists in three directions. For this reason, when the second drive is performed, vibration of the brush 22 may cause part of the brush 22 to overlap the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 in plan view. Therefore, as described above, it is particularly effective to perform the plaque detection process only during the first drive.

  In the above description, the second drive performed by the control unit 50 is a drive that causes the vibration unit to vibrate in a second direction that intersects the pressing direction of the brush 22 in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the motor M. . However, the second drive may be any drive that vibrates the vibration part in a direction different from the vibration direction of the vibration part during the first drive. The second drive may include a plurality of drives having different vibration directions. In this case, the control unit 50 selectively performs one of the first drive and the plurality of second drives.

  1 to 3, the eccentric part 13 and the weight 14 can vibrate the vibration part in the first direction and the second direction. However, the structure of the vibration part is not limited to this. Any structure that can vibrate the stem 11 and the brush unit 20 integrally in one direction and the second direction may be used. For example, the vibration unit may be vibrated in a first direction and a second direction by sound wave vibration.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG.

  The cross-sectional configuration shown in FIG. 4 is the same as that shown in FIG. 2 except that the shape of the brush group including the plurality of brushes 22 between the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 is different.

  In the cross section of FIG. 4, the brush group formed between the light emitting portion 23 and the light receiving portion 24 is such that the length of the brush 22 decreases as the distance from the light receiving portion 24 increases at the end on the light emitting portion 23 side. The length of the brush 22 becomes shorter as the distance from the light emitting portion 23 increases at the end on the light receiving portion 24 side.

  Specifically, in the eight brushes 22 shown in FIG. 4, each top surface, each bottom surface, the right side surface of the rightmost brush 22, and the left side surface of the leftmost brush 22 are connected. The shape is a shape obtained by cutting two corners of a rectangle.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second modification of the schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG.

  The cross-sectional configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 is the same as that illustrated in FIG. 2 except that the shape of the brush group including the plurality of brushes 22 between the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 is different.

  In the cross section of FIG. 5, the brush group formed between the light emitting portion 23 and the light receiving portion 24 has a length of the brush 22 that is shorter as it is farther from the light receiving portion 24 at the end on the light emitting portion 23 side, and The length of the brush 22 becomes shorter as the distance from the light emitting portion 23 increases at the end on the light receiving portion 24 side.

  Specifically, in the eight brushes 22 shown in FIG. 5, the heights of the four central brushes 22 are the maximum, and the brushes 22 of the brushes 22 move from the four brushes 22 toward the light emitting unit 23. The height is low. Further, the height of the brushes 22 decreases from the four brushes 22 toward the light receiving unit 24.

  The configuration of the brush group shown in FIG. 4 is such that the top surfaces of the left two brushes 22 of the eight brushes 22 shown in FIG. 5 are inclined along the emission direction of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 23, It can also be said that the top surfaces of the right two brushes 22 are inclined along the traveling direction of the light emitted from the light emitting portion 23 and regularly reflected.

  The brush group between the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 is configured as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, so that the light emitted from the light emitting unit 23 and directed to the teeth is less likely to be vignetted by the brush 22. In addition, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 23 and reflected by the teeth is less likely to be vignetted by the brush 22 before reaching the light receiving unit 24. Therefore, the detection accuracy of dental plaque can be improved.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of the plan view shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIG. The modification shown in FIG. 6 has the same configuration as that of FIG. 1 except that the arrangement positions of the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 are changed.

  In FIG. 6, a concave portion is provided on each of the two long sides of the rectangular outer edge 21, and a light emitting portion 23 and a light receiving portion 24 are provided in the concave portion. Even if it is such a structure, the same effect as the electric toothbrush of FIG. 1 can be acquired.

  Note that when brushing the brush 22 against the teeth, the brush 22 may fall down in the short direction of the brush unit 20.

  According to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the brush 22 falls down only from one direction with respect to each of the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a decrease in detection accuracy of plaque due to the collapse of the brush 22.

  Up to this point, the configuration in which the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 are provided on the stem 11 has been described. However, the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 may be provided on the surface of the brush unit 20 where the brush 22 is formed.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing a third modification of the cross section taken along the line AA shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the same components as those in FIG. In this modification, the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 provided in the stem 11 are provided on the surface of the brush unit 20 where the brush 22 is formed.

  In plan view, the arrangement position of the light emitting element 16 is the same as the arrangement position of the light emitting portion 23 in FIG. The arrangement position of the light receiving element 17 is the same as the arrangement position of the light receiving unit 24 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the light emitting element 16 is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the surface on which the brush 22 is formed so that the light emitting surface faces the light receiving element 17 side. The light receiving element 17 is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the surface on which the brush 22 is formed so that the light receiving surface faces the light emitting element 16 side.

  With such a configuration, the light emitting element 16 emits more light in a direction crossing the pressing direction of the brush 22 than in the pressing direction of the brush 22 and toward the light receiving element 17 in a plan view of FIG. It is the composition to do.

  Further, the light receiving element 17 has more light incident from the reflection direction of the light when the light emitted from the light emitting element 16 is regularly reflected than the light incident from the pressing direction of the brush 22. It is configured to receive light.

  In the modification of FIG. 7, the light emitting element 16 performs the same function as the light emitting unit 23 of FIG. 1, and the light receiving element 17 performs the same function as the light receiving unit 24 of FIG. Therefore, even with this configuration, it is possible to accurately detect plaque or the like in the intraoral region facing the brush 22.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a fourth modification of the cross-sectional schematic diagram taken along the line AA illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 8, the same components as those in FIG.

  The modification shown in FIG. 8 has the same configuration as that of FIG. 2 except that the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 are fixed on the vibration isolating member 25 formed on the substrate 15.

  The vibration isolation member 25 is made of a material having a resonance frequency different from the vibration frequency of the vibration part (the stem 11 and the brush unit 20) that vibrates by the first drive. The vibration isolation member 25 is made of urethane, for example.

  The vibration isolator 25 has a resonance frequency that is different from the frequency of the vibration part (stem 11 and brush unit 20) that vibrates by the first drive and the frequency of the vibration part that vibrates by the second drive. More preferably, it is made of a material.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 50 performs the plaque detection process only when performing the first drive. For this reason, even if there is no vibration isolator 25, the detection accuracy of dental plaque can be ensured.

  However, as shown in FIG. 8, the vibration applied to the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 can be reduced by fixing the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 on the vibration isolation member 25. For this reason, the durability improvement of an electric toothbrush and the further improvement of the detection accuracy of plaque can be expected.

  In FIG. 8, the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 are fixed on the vibration isolation member 25, but only the light receiving element 17 may be fixed on the vibration isolation member 25. Since the light receiving element 17 is more influenced by vibration, at least the light receiving element 17 may be fixed on the vibration isolation member 25.

  Also in the modified example of FIG. 7, dental plaque can be accurately detected by fixing at least the light receiving element 17 on the vibration isolating member among the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17.

  2, 4, 5, and 8, the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 are provided inside the stem 11, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the light emitting element 16 may be provided at a position facing the light emitting unit 23 on the outer periphery of the stem 11, and the light receiving element 17 may be provided at a position facing the light receiving unit 24. In this case, the holes 23a and 24a are not necessary.

  Further, when the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 are provided on the outer periphery of the stem 11, and when the vibration isolating member 25 is further provided as shown in FIG. It is recommended to use a material having a function capable of preventing water from entering between.

  The arrangement of the light emitting part 23 and the light receiving part 24 provided in the brush unit 20 is not limited to that shown in FIGS. The light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 may be arranged.

  The light emitting unit 23 may be configured to emit light from the light emitting element 16 in the pressing direction of the brush 22. Similarly, the light receiving unit 24 may be configured to receive the most light incident from the pressing direction of the brush 22.

  It can also be provided as a program for causing a computer to execute each process performed by the control unit 50 of the present embodiment. Such a program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium in which the computer can read the program.

  Such “computer-readable recording medium” includes, for example, an optical medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM), a magnetic recording medium such as a memory card, and the like. Such a program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  As described above, the following items are disclosed in this specification.

  The disclosed electric toothbrush includes: a first drive that vibrates a vibration unit provided with a plurality of brushes, a light emitting unit, and a light receiving unit in a first direction that is a pressing direction of the plurality of brushes; and the vibration A drive unit that performs a second drive for vibrating the part in a second direction different from the first direction, and at least from the light emitting unit while the first drive is performed by the drive unit A light emission control unit that performs control to emit light, and a processing unit that performs processing using a signal corresponding to light received by the light receiving unit while the first driving is performed by the driving unit; , Are provided.

  In the disclosed electric toothbrush, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are formed on the same surface as the plurality of brushes, and are arranged with a region where the plurality of brushes are formed interposed therebetween.

  In the disclosed electric toothbrush, the outer edge shape of the region where the plurality of brushes are formed in the vibrating portion has two concave portions, and the light emitting portion is provided in one concave portion of the two concave portions, The light receiving portion is provided in the other concave portion of the two concave portions.

  In the disclosed electric toothbrush, the light emitting unit emits more light in a third direction intersecting the first direction than the first direction, and the third direction includes the plurality of light beams. In the planar view which looked at the brush from said 1st direction, what is a direction which goes to the said light-receiving part side from the said light-emitting part is included.

  In the disclosed electric toothbrush, the light receiving unit reflects the light emitted in the third direction from the light emitting unit rather than the light traveling in the first direction. It receives a lot of light traveling in the reflection direction.

  In the disclosed electric toothbrush, the brush group formed between the light emitting part and the light receiving part has a shorter brush length as it is separated from the light receiving part at the end on the light emitting part side, In addition, the length of the brush becomes shorter as it is farther from the light emitting part at the end on the light receiving part side.

  In the disclosed electric toothbrush, the light receiving unit includes a light receiving element, and the light receiving element is fixed on a vibration isolating member having a resonance frequency different from the frequency of the vibration unit that vibrates by the first drive. It is what.

  An electric toothbrush operating method disclosed is an electric toothbrush operating method having a vibration part provided with a plurality of brushes, a light emitting part, and a light receiving part, wherein the vibration part is pressed against the plurality of brushes. A drive step of selectively performing a first drive that vibrates in a first direction and a second drive that vibrates the vibrating portion in a second direction different from the first direction; A light emission control step for performing control to emit light from the light emitting unit during the first drive, and light received by the light receiving unit during the first drive. And a processing step for performing processing using the corresponding signal.

  The present invention is particularly convenient and effective when applied to an electric toothbrush for home use.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Holding part 11 Stem 13 Eccentric shaft 14 Weight 16 Light emitting element 17 Light receiving element 20 Brush unit 21a, 21b Recessed part 22 Brush 23 Light-emitting part 23a, 24a Hole part 24 Light receiving part 25 Anti-vibration member 50 Control part 60 Notification part M Motor

Claims (8)

A first drive that vibrates a vibrating portion provided with a plurality of brushes, a light emitting portion, and a light receiving portion in a first direction that is a pressing direction of the plurality of brushes; and the vibrating portion in the first direction A drive unit for performing a second drive to vibrate in a second direction different from
A light emission control unit that performs control to emit light from the light emission unit while at least the first drive is performed by the drive unit; and
An electric toothbrush comprising: a processing unit that performs processing using a signal corresponding to light received by the light receiving unit while the first driving is performed by the driving unit. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1,
The light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are formed on the same surface as the plurality of brushes, and are electric toothbrushes arranged with a region where the plurality of brushes are formed interposed therebetween. The electric toothbrush according to claim 2,
The outer edge shape of the region where the plurality of brushes are formed in the vibrating portion has two concave portions,
The light emitting part is provided in one of the two recessed parts,
An electric toothbrush in which the light receiving portion is provided in the other concave portion of the two concave portions. The electric toothbrush according to claim 2 or 3,
The light emitting portion emits more light in a third direction intersecting the first direction than the first direction,
The electric toothbrush in which the third direction is a direction from the light emitting unit toward the light receiving unit in a plan view of the plurality of brushes as viewed from the first direction. The electric toothbrush according to claim 4,
The light that travels in the reflection direction of the light when the light emitted from the light emitting unit in the third direction is regularly reflected rather than the light that travels in the first direction. Electric toothbrush that receives a lot of light. The electric toothbrush according to claim 4 or 5,
The brush group formed between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit has a brush length that is shorter as it is farther from the light receiving unit at the end on the light emitting unit side, and on the light receiving unit side. The electric toothbrush in which the length of the brush is shortened as the distance from the light emitting part increases. The electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The light receiving unit includes a light receiving element,
The electric light brush is fixed on a vibration isolating member having a resonance frequency different from the vibration frequency of the vibration part that vibrates by the first driving. An operation method of an electric toothbrush having a vibration part provided with a plurality of brushes, a light emitting part, and a light receiving part,
A first drive that vibrates the vibration part in a first direction that is a pressing direction of the plurality of brushes, and a second drive that vibrates the vibration part in a second direction different from the first direction. And a driving step for selectively performing
A light emission control step for performing control to emit light from the light emission unit at least while the first drive is performed;
And a processing step of performing a process using a signal corresponding to light received by the light receiving unit while the first drive is being performed.

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