JP2022102036A - Tooth brush with exchangeable head - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a toothbrush with an exchangeable head, a toothbrush which can hygienically and easily make an exchangeable head attached to and detached from a handle body and which also can prevent the head side from loosening in brushing.SOLUTION: The toothbrush with an exchangeable head of the present invention is equipped with a handle body and an exchangeable head. The handle body is provided with a handle body part and a slide mechanism which is housed inside the handle body part and which is slidable at least in the axial direction for the handle body part. The slide mechanism has a second fitting part that can be fitted to a first fitting part of the exchangeable head, and has a fitting release part that is connected to the second fitting part. With the movement of the fitting release part to the rear end side in the axial direction, the second fitting part is structured to be displaceable from a fitting position for engaging with the first fitting part to a first fitting release position which is on the rear end side of the axial direction from the fitting position and which is the position for releasing the fitting state for the first fitting part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a head replaceable toothbrush.

In recent years, environmental problems caused by plastics have become more serious, and toothbrushes made mainly of plastics are also attracting attention. To solve this problem, a head-replaceable toothbrush that can reduce the amount of plastic waste by appropriately replacing the head side of the toothbrush and using the handle body continuously has been proposed (for example,). Patent Document 1). The head replaceable toothbrush has a structure in which the replacement head is attached to and detached from the handle body, and the handle body can be used for a long period of time by replacing the replacement head.

Registered Utility Model No. 3196438

In a head replaceable toothbrush, when removing the replacement head from the handle body, it is common to hold the handle body with one hand and remove the replacement head with the other hand. The brush part is often touched by the user, and there are situations where the user feels unsanitary.

Further, in the toothbrush described in Patent Document 1, the replacement head including the brush portion is configured to be removable from the handle body, but when the head is replaced, the push button is moved along the axial direction. By pushing it toward the head portion, the fitting portion fitted to the head enters the transfer tank and the fitting state is released, and the head can be replaced. Therefore, since both the direction in which the push button is pushed and the direction in which the toothbrush is moved during brushing are the axial directions of the toothbrush, there is a risk that the push button may be mistakenly pushed toward the head during brushing. In this case, the mating state of the head becomes unstable, and the head may easily come off, the head may rattle, or the replacement head may easily come off from the handle body.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and it is possible to hygienically and easily attach / detach the replacement head to / from the handle body and prevent wobbling of the head side during brushing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable head toothbrush that can be used.

The head replaceable toothbrush according to one aspect of the present invention includes a handle body having a length in the axial direction and a replacement head detachably attached to the tip side of the handle body in the axial direction. The head has a brush portion composed of a plurality of hair bundles, a head portion having the brush portion on one surface side, and a first fitting portion that can be fitted to a part of the handle body, and the handle. The body has a handle main body portion and a slide mechanism housed in the handle main body portion and slidable at least in the axial direction with respect to the handle main body portion, and the slide mechanism is the first fitting portion. It has a second fitting portion that can be fitted to the second fitting portion, and a fitting release portion that is connected to the second fitting portion and can move in the axial direction and the depth direction intersecting the axial direction. As the fitting release portion moves toward the rear end side in the axial direction, the fitting portion is fitted from the fitting position where the second fitting portion engages with the first fitting portion. The configuration is such that it can be displaced to the first fitting release position, which is on the rear end side in the axial direction from the fitting position and in which the fitting state with respect to the first fitting portion is released.

In the head exchangeable toothbrush according to one aspect of the present invention, when the fitting release portion is moved to the back side in the depth direction, the second fitting portion at the fitting position is fitted into the first fitting portion. It may be configured so that it can be displaced to the second fitting release position where the fitting with the joint portion is released.

The head replaceable toothbrush according to one aspect of the present invention extends from the tip of the handle body portion toward the replacement head in the axial direction and is hollow so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the handle body portion. The second fitting portion is arranged inside the shaft portion, and a part thereof protrudes from the through hole formed in the shaft portion toward the first fitting portion. It is possible, and the shaft portion moves in conjunction with the axial movement of the second fitting portion when the second fitting portion is locked to the through hole. On the other hand, the configuration may not be interlocked with the movement of the second fitting portion in the depth direction.

The head exchangeable toothbrush according to one aspect of the present invention is located inside the shaft portion on the rear end side in the axial direction with respect to the through hole, and can be fitted to the second fitting portion. It may be configured to have a fitting portion.

The head exchangeable toothbrush according to one aspect of the present invention has a fitting maintenance member arranged on one side of the fitting release portion in the depth direction inside the handle main body portion, and the fitting maintenance member is In the depth direction, the configuration may have a function of applying a force to the fitting release portion in a direction in which the second fitting portion is maintained at the fitting position.

In the head exchangeable toothbrush according to one aspect of the present invention, the fitting maintenance member may be configured to be an elastic member.

In the head exchangeable toothbrush according to one aspect of the present invention, the fitting maintaining member is the first magnetic member provided in the fitting release portion and the inner surface of the handle main body portion in the depth direction. It may be configured by a second magnetic member provided at a position facing the magnetic member of 1.

In the present invention, the replacement head can be replaced hygienically, the wobbling of the head side during brushing can be prevented, and the replacement head can be easily attached to and detached from the handle body. Can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the head replaceable toothbrush 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the overall configuration of the head replaceable toothbrush 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of the handle main body according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second engaging convex portion according to the first embodiment has moved to the second disengagement position. .. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the second engaging convex portion according to the first embodiment has started to move from the second disengagement position to the first disengagement position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second engaging convex portion according to the first embodiment has moved to the first disengagement position. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the handle body 3 (slide mechanism 32) in the modified example. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the handle body 3 (slide mechanism 32) in the modified example. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part configuration of the head replaceable toothbrush 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part configuration of the head replaceable toothbrush 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the head replaceable toothbrush 50 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.
It should be noted that each of the following embodiments shows one aspect of the present invention, does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the scale and number of each structure are different from the actual structure.

In the following description, the side of the head portion 23 where the flocked surface 23a is provided (the flocked surface 23a side) is the front side of the head replaceable toothbrush 1, and the side of the head portion 23 opposite to the side facing the flocked surface 23a is the head. The back side of the replaceable toothbrush 1.

In addition, the Z direction in which the head replaceable toothbrush 1 extends is the major axis direction (on the central axis O), and the X and Y directions orthogonal to the major axis direction are the minor axis directions.

Further, the X direction parallel to the hair-planted surface 23a and orthogonal to the Z direction (major axis direction) is the width direction (minor axis direction) of the head exchangeable toothbrush 1, and the Y direction orthogonal to the hair-planted surface 7a is the head exchange. The thickness direction (minor axis direction) of the formula toothbrush 1 is set.

Further, in the Z direction (long axis direction) in which the head replaceable toothbrush 1 extends, the side of the head replaceable toothbrush 1 where the replacement head 2 is provided is the front end side, and the side where the handle body 3 is provided is the rear end side. do.

<Head replaceable toothbrush of the first embodiment>
The head-replaceable toothbrush 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the head exchangeable toothbrush 1 in the present embodiment has a length in the Z direction (major axis direction) and is held by the user and the handle body 3 and the Z of the handle body 3. It is provided with a replacement head 2 that can be detachably attached to the tip side in the direction (long axis direction).

(Replacement head)
As shown in FIG. 2, the replacement head 2 has a brush portion 4 made of a plurality of hair bundles 4a and a head main body portion 2A made of a hard resin. The head body portion 2A is provided on the head portion 23 having the brush portion 4 on the flocked surface 23a, the neck portion 22 extending in the Z direction (long axis direction) from the rear end of the head portion 23, and the rear end side of the neck portion. It has a mounting structure portion 21 and the mounting structure portion 21 side is mounted on the replacement head 2.

The mounting structure portion 21 includes a tapered portion 21A connected to the neck portion 22, an outer tubular portion 21B formed on the side opposite to the neck portion 22 of the tapered portion 21A, and an inner surface formed inside the outer tubular portion 21B. It is provided with a fitting portion 21C.

The tapered portion 21A has a shape in which the diameter gradually increases from the neck portion 22 toward the rear end side in the Z direction (major axis direction). The rear end side of the tapered portion 21A connected to the outer tubular portion 21B has an annular shape that matches the tubular shape of the outer tubular portion 21B.

The outer cylindrical portion 21B is formed on the rear end side having the maximum diameter of the tapered portion 21A, and is a tubular body extending along the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer diameter D1 of the outer cylinder portion 21B substantially coincides with the outer diameter D2 on the tip end side of the handle body 3. As a result, when the replacement head 2 is attached to the handle body 3, a step does not occur between the replacement head 2 and the handle body 3, and the replacement head 2 (outer cylinder portion 21B) has an outer peripheral surface 2b. , The outer peripheral surface 3b of the handle body 3 is flush with each other and smoothly connected to each other, making it easier to grip during brushing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the outer tubular portion 21B on the outer peripheral surface side in the Y direction (minor axis direction) is preferably 10 mm or more and 18 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the length of the outer cylinder portion 21B on the outer peripheral surface side in the Y direction (minor axis direction) coincides with the outer diameter D1 of the outer cylinder portion 21B. Therefore, the outer diameter D1 of the outer cylinder portion 21B is also preferably 10 mm or more and 18 mm or less. The wall thickness t of the outer cylinder portion 21B is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less.

The length of the tip portion 31a of the handle body 3 in the Y direction (minor axis direction) is preferably 10 mm or more and 18 m or less. In the present embodiment, the length of the tip portion 31a of the handle body 3 in the Y direction (minor axis direction) coincides with the outer diameter D2 of the tip portion 31a. Therefore, the outer diameter D2 of the tip portion 31a is also preferably 10 mm or more and 18 m or less.
The outer shape of the replacement head 2 and the handle body 3 may be a cylinder, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially quadrangular prism shape, or a substantially polygonal pillar shape.

The inner fitting portion 21C exists in the coaxial direction with the outer cylinder portion 21B.
The inner fitting portion 21C of the present embodiment preferably has a plurality of slits formed in the circumferential direction. The slit is formed to have a predetermined length along the Z direction (major axis direction) from the rear end side to the front end side of the inner fitting portion 21C. By providing a plurality of slits in the inner fitting portion 21C, when the shaft portion 37 on the handle body 3 side is inserted into the inner fitting portion 21C, the shaft portion 37 provides the rear end side of the inner fitting portion 21C. It can be expanded in the radial direction (X direction and Y direction).

Inside the inner fitting portion 21C, a first fitting portion 5 recessed from the inner peripheral surface in the thickness direction (minor axis direction) and a wall portion from the first fitting portion 5 toward the rear end are provided. A guide surface 6 inclined in the direction of thinning is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, the first fitting portion 5 and the guide surface 6 are formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the inner fitting portion 21C in the circumferential direction, and are formed after the first fitting portion 5. The guide surface 6 may be connected to the end side.

The inner fitting portion 21C is formed so that the tip end side thereof enters the inside of the rear end having an annular shape in the tapered portion 21A.
In the Z direction (long axis direction), the rear end side of the inner fitting portion 21C is a free end, and the rear end surface 21c2 substantially coincides with the rear end surface 21b2 of the outer tubular portion 21B as shown in FIG. May be good.
An insertion hole 21c3 extending in the axial direction is formed inside the inner fitting portion 21C, and a part of the handle body 3 is inserted when the replacement head 2 is attached to the handle body 3.

An annular space K1 is formed around the axis between the outer tubular portion 21B and the inner fitting portion 21C. The rear end side of the inner fitting portion 21C is a free end. In the present embodiment, the space K1 around the inner fitting portion 21C restricts the movement of the inner fitting portion 21C in the X direction and the Y direction (minor axis direction) intersecting the axial direction of the rear end (free end) of the inner fitting portion 21C. It is a configuration that does not occur.

With such a configuration, when the replacement head 2 is attached to the handle body 3, the displacement (crosses in the axial direction) on the rear end side of the inner fitting portion 21C follows the operation of aligning both of them. Displacement in the direction) becomes possible, and it becomes easy to insert a part of the handle body 3 into the inside of the inner fitting portion 21C.

As shown in FIG. 2, the length L3 of the inner fitting portion 21C on the outer peripheral surface side in the minor axis direction is preferably 4 mm or more and 8 mm or less.
The wall thickness t3 of the inner fitting portion 21C is preferably 0.8 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.
The length L4 of the inner fitting portion 21C in the long axis direction is preferably 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

The length Lk1 of the annular space K1 between the outer tubular portion 21B and the inner fitting portion 21C in the X direction (minor axis direction) is preferably 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less.
The length Lk2 of the annular space K1 in the Y direction (major axis direction) is preferably 10 mm or more and 25 mm or less.

(Handle body)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle body 3 has a handle body 31 extending in the Z direction (long axis direction) and a slide mechanism that can slide in the Z direction (long axis direction) with respect to the handle body 31. 32 and.

The slide mechanism 32 is arranged inside the handle main body 31. Of the slide mechanism 32 housed inside the handle body 31, the replacement head 2 is attached to a part of the slide mechanism 32 (second fitting portion 33 and shaft portion 37) protruding to the outside of the handle body 31. It is attached. In the present embodiment, the slide mechanism 32 is at the rear end in the Z direction (long axis direction) so as to pull a part of the slide mechanism 32 (second fitting portion 33 and shaft portion 37) into the inside of the handle main body portion 31. It is possible to slide it toward the side.

The handle body portion 31 is a portion gripped by the user, and at least the tip portion 31a is formed in a cylindrical shape. The tip portion 31a is formed with a through hole 31b that penetrates the wall portion in the thickness direction. The through hole 31b is located on the front side of the handle main body 31, is formed linearly in the axial direction from a position not reaching the front end surface 31c of the handle main body 31 toward the rear end side, and is formed with a predetermined length. Has been done. As shown in FIG. 3, the length L31 of the through hole 31b along the Z direction (major axis direction) is preferably, for example, a length that allows the thumb to be operated. The length L31 of the through hole 31b along the Z direction (major axis direction) is preferably 1.2 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.

As shown in FIG. 3, the width W31 (length in the minor axis direction) intersecting the Z direction (major axis direction) of the through hole 31b is slightly wider than the thickness of the shaft 34c inserted in the through hole 31b. The width is preferably the minimum width that allows the shaft 34c (pushing portion 35) to smoothly slide in the through hole 31b. Further, it is preferable that the through hole 31b has a narrow width so as to be inconspicuous and appear to be closed when the user looks at the entire handle body 3. The width W31 (length in the minor axis direction) intersecting the axial direction (major axis direction) of the through hole 31b is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less.

The slide mechanism 32 is housed in the space K2 formed inside at least the tip portion 31a of the handle main body portion 31. The slide mechanism 32 includes a second fitting portion 33, a fitting release portion 34, a pushing portion 35, an urging spring (elastic member) 36, and a shaft portion 37.

(Mating release portion 34)
As shown in FIG. 2, the mating release portion 34 extends in the Y direction (minor axis direction) intersecting the Z direction (major axis direction), and extends from the front surface to the back surface of the head replaceable toothbrush 1. It is arranged like this. The fitting release portion 34 housed in the handle main body portion 31 extends in the Y direction (minor axis direction). The fitting release portion 34 is a cylindrical body having a constant diameter, and has a length L shorter than the inner diameter D of the handle body 3. An urging spring 36 is arranged on one side in the length direction of the fitting release portion 34 in the handle main body portion 31.

In the present embodiment, the fitting release portion 34 is arranged so as to extend in the Y direction (minor axis direction) from the front surface to the back surface of the head replaceable toothbrush 1. As long as the mating release portion 34 is arranged so as to extend in the Y direction (minor axis direction), there is no limitation on the position of the handle main body portion 31 arranged in the Z direction (major axis direction). .. Further, the fitting release portion 34 is not limited to a cylindrical body, and may be a substantially circular shape or a polygonal shape.

The inner diameter D of the handle body 3 is preferably 8 mm or more and 16 mm or less.
The length L of the mating release portion 34 in the Y direction (minor axis direction) is preferably 6 mm or more and 12 mm or less. The length L2 (FIG. 2) of the mating release portion 34 in the Z direction (major axis direction) is preferably 3 mm or more and 6 mm or less.

(Bending spring 36)
The urging force of the urging spring 36 acts in the Y direction (minor axis direction) intersecting the Z direction (major axis direction). Specifically, the urging spring 36 is arranged between the inner surface 31e on the back surface side of the handle main body portion 31 and the end surface 34d of the fitting release portion 34, and the fitting release portion 34 is the other end in the length direction thereof. It is urged toward the (through hole 31b) side. This state is referred to as the "initial state". Due to the urging force of the urging spring 36, the end surface 34b on the other end side of the fitting release portion 34 is in contact with the inner surface 31f on the front side of the handle main body portion 31.
The length (DL) of the urging spring 36 in the Y direction (minor axis direction) is preferably 3 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

As the urging spring 36, a leaf spring, a coil spring, or the like is adopted.
The urging spring 36 is preferably connected to the end surface 34d of the fitting release portion 34.
Further, it is preferable that the urging spring 36 is configured to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the handle main body portion 31 together with the fitting release portion 34.

On the other side (opposite side of the urging spring 36) of the fitting release portion 34 in the length direction, a thin shaft 34c extending vertically outward from the end surface 34b is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the diameter of the shaft 34c is much smaller than the diameter of the unfitting portion 34 and forms a thin rod shape. The shaft 34c has a length that is inserted into the through hole 31b and protrudes to the outside of the handle main body 31 through the through hole 31b.
The shaft 34c may be cylindrical, substantially cylindrical, or polygonal.

As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the shaft 34c is larger than the thickness of the inner wall of the handle main body 31. For example, the length of the shaft 34c is such that the tip portion 33b1 of the fitting convex portion 33b protrudes outward from the through hole 37c of the shaft portion 37 (the tip portion of the fitting convex portion 33b from the outer peripheral surface 37d of the shaft portion 37). It is preferably larger than the distance to 33b1).

The shaft 34c can slide in the axial direction together with the fitting release portion 34 by sliding in the through hole 31b. At the tip of such a shaft 34c, a pushing portion 35 that is pressed by a finger when the user slides is attached.

(Push part 35)
As shown in FIG. 2, the pushing portion 35 is provided on the outside of the handle main body portion 31 and is connected to the fitting release portion 34 via the shaft 34c. In the pushing portion 35, when the fitting release portion 34 is pressed toward the through hole 31b by the urging force of the urging spring 36, that is, the end surface 34b of the fitting release portion 34 and the inner surface 31f of the handle body portion 31 are in contact with each other. When in contact with each other, the push portion 35 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the handle body 31 (the outer peripheral surface 3b of the handle body 3).

As shown in FIG. 3, the push portion 35 of the present embodiment is made of a plate member having a circular shape when viewed from the front. The push portion 35 has a diameter larger than the width dimension of the through hole 31b. The shape and size of the push portion 35 may be any shape and size that cannot pass through the through hole 31b formed in the handle main body portion 31. The shape of the push portion 35 viewed from the front may be a substantially circular shape or a polygonal shape as well as a circular shape.

As shown in FIG. 2, the push portion 35 has a shape in which the center on the front side is the thinnest and the thickness increases toward the outside in the radial direction. Since the front surface of the push portion 35 is a concave curved surface that follows the shape of the finger, it is possible to prevent the finger from slipping during operation. The shape of the front surface 35a of the push portion 35 is not limited to the curved surface shown in the figure, and can be appropriately changed. For example, the anti-slip function may be imparted by forming a plurality of lateral grooves or ribs on the front surface 35a of the push portion 35. This makes it easier to push down the pushing portion 35 toward the rear end side.

(Second fitting portion 33)
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the second fitting portion 33 includes a fitting auxiliary portion 33a extending in the axial direction and a fitting convex portion 33b provided on the tip end side of the fitting auxiliary portion 33a. And have. The second fitting portion 33 is arranged inside the shaft portion 37, and the rear end side of the fitting auxiliary portion 33a in the axial direction is connected to the fitting release portion 34.

The fitting convex portion 33b provided on the tip side of the fitting assisting portion 33a in the axial direction has the tip portion 33b1 protruding outward from the through hole 37c of the shaft portion 37.
The fitting convex portion 33b has a convex shape to be fitted to the concave first fitting portion 5 (FIGS. 1 and 2) provided on the replacement head 2 side, and has, for example, a triangular cross-sectional shape. ..

The shape of the fitting convex portion 33b is not particularly limited as long as the fitting state with respect to the first fitting portion 5 can be maintained. Further, the fitting convex portion 33b is provided on the tip end side of the fitting assisting portion 33a, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and somewhere in the range from the center to the tip end side in the length direction of the fitting assisting portion 33a. It is preferable that the fitting convex portion 33b is present.

(Shaft 37)
The shaft portion 37 has a cylindrical shape having a length in the Z direction (major axis direction), the front end side is closed, and the rear end side is open. The second fitting portion 33 is inserted into the inside of the shaft portion 37 from the rear end side of the shaft portion 37, and the second fitting portion 33 is covered with the shaft portion 37.

The shaft portion 37 is formed with a constant diameter in the length direction. The shaft portion 37 is placed on the outer peripheral surface 34a of the fitting release portion 34 so as to stand on the fitting release portion 34. In the present embodiment, the shaft portion 37 is not connected to the fitting release portion 34. Therefore, the shaft portion 37 does not interlock when the second fitting portion 33 moves in the depth direction, but the shaft portion 37 does not interlock when the second fitting portion 33 moves in the axial direction. In conjunction with 33, it moves in the axial direction together with the second fitting portion 33.

The cross-sectional shape of the shaft portion 37 may be an annular circle or a semicircular shape.
The length of the shaft portion 37 in the Z direction (major axis direction) is preferably 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the length of the shaft portion 37 in the axial direction is the length from the tip surface 31c of the handle body portion 31 to the tip surface 37f of the shaft portion 37, and the shaft portion 37 is the handle. This is the length when the main body portion 31 is in the most protruding state.
The thickness (outer diameter) of the shaft portion 37 is preferably 3 mm or more and 5 mm or less.
Examples of the material of the shaft portion 37 include a hard resin and a metal from the viewpoint of rigidity and durability.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, when the shaft portion 37 is viewed from the front, the shape of the rear end side of the shaft portion 37 in the axial direction is an arc shape following the outer peripheral surface 34a of the fitting release portion 34 having a cylindrical shape. It is illustrated as a dented mode.
The shape of the rear end side of the shaft portion 37 in the axial direction is not limited to an arc shape, but may be a circle, a substantially circular shape, a polygonal shape, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rear end surfaces of the shaft portion 37 are located on both sides of the shaft portion 37 in the width direction (X direction) and have a linear shape in the depth direction (Y direction), and a pair of inclined surfaces 37b and FIG. As shown in the above, it is composed of a pair of curved surfaces 37a located on the front side and the back side of the shaft portion 37, respectively. The rear end surface of the shaft portion 37 composed of the pair of inclined surfaces 37b and the pair of curved surfaces 37a comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 34a of the fitting release portion 34.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, when the fitting release portion 34 is pressed toward the through hole 31b by the urging force of the urging spring 36, the fitting auxiliary portion 33a is, for example, Z. It is located on the central axis O (long axis direction) of the shaft portion 37 along the direction, and is separated from the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion 37. When the fitting auxiliary portion 33a is in this position, the fitting convex portion 33b provided at the tip of the fitting auxiliary portion 33a is the first fitting portion 5 of the replacement head 2 as shown in FIG. It will be in a state of being fitted to (fitting position).

A predetermined gap S1 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion 37 and the back surface of the fitting auxiliary portion 33a in the Y direction (minor axis direction) intersecting the Z direction (major axis direction). The size of the gap S1 substantially matches the size of the gap S2 formed between the push portion 35 and the handle main body portion 31 described above, and the tip portion 33b1 of the fitting convex portion 33b is a through hole of the shaft portion 37. It is preferably larger than the amount protruding outward from 37c.

In the present embodiment, the second fitting portion 33 (fitting assisting portion 33a and fitting convex portion 33b) that receives the urging force of the urging spring 36 and the shaft portion 37 are not fixed to each other, and the fitting assisting portion is assisted. The shaft portion 37 is mounted on the portion 33a. Therefore, the second fitting portion 33 (fitting auxiliary portion 33a and fitting convex portion 33b) can move separately from the shaft portion 37. That is, the position of the shaft portion 37 does not change, and only the second fitting portion 33 and the fitting release portion 34 fluctuate in the Y direction (minor axis direction).

(How to use the replaceable head toothbrush)
Next, a method of using the head replaceable toothbrush in the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the replacement head 2 is attached to the handle body 3 and can be used as the head replaceable toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment, the shaft portion 37 and the second from the tip side of the handle body portion 31. The fitting portion 33 of the handle body 3 is projected, and the second fitting portion 33 of the handle body 3 is fitted to the first fitting portion 5 on the replacement head 2 side.

This fitted state is maintained by the urging force of the urging spring 36. The mating state of the first fitting portion 5 on the replacement head 2 side and the second fitting portion 33 on the handle body 3 side is disengaged in the Y direction (minor axis direction) in which a force is applied during brushing. It is suppressed by the urging force of the urging spring 36 so as not to be present. Therefore, in the state where the pushing portion 35 is not pushed by the user (during use), the slide mechanism 32 does not move in the Z direction (long axis direction).

In this way, the urging force of the urging spring 36 maintains the fitted state of the second fitting portion 33 with respect to the first fitting portion 5 in the Y direction (minor axis direction), whereby the handle body 3 The replacement head 2 attached to the head 2 can be prevented from wobbling during brushing.

Then, when the replacement head 2 is removed from the handle body 3 for replacement, the user pushes the push portion 35 toward the rear end side in the Z direction (long axis direction), so that the second fitting is performed. The portion 33 (slide mechanism 32) can be moved to the "first fitting release position", and the replacement head 2 can be removed from the handle body 3.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, first, when the pushing portion 35 provided on the outside of the handle body 3 is pushed toward the back side in the Y direction (minor axis direction) by the user, the urging spring 36 The second fitting portion 33 (fitting release portion 34) in the handle body portion 31 moves to the back side against the urging force. As the urging spring 36 deforms in the contracting direction, the second fitting portion 33 moves away from the back surface side to the "second fitting release position", and the first fitting portion on the replacement head 2 side. The fitted state of the second fitting portion 33 with respect to 5 is released.

At this time, only the fitting release portion 34 and the second fitting portion 33 connected to the pushing portion 35 move in the Y direction (minor axis direction), and the shaft portion 37 moves to the Y of the second fitting portion 33. It is not linked to the movement in the direction (minor axis direction). Therefore, the position of the shaft portion 37 in the Y direction (minor axis direction) in the handle main body portion 31 does not change.

When in the "second fitting release position", the fitting convex portion 33b of the second fitting portion 33 does not have to completely enter the shaft portion 37 from the through hole 31b, and the through hole 37c of the shaft portion 37 does not have to enter. The tip end side of the fitting convex portion 33b may protrude from the above.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the push portion 35 is pushed down toward the rear end side of the handle body 3 while being pushed by the user, the urging spring 36 is connected to the push portion 35 while being deformed. The second fitting portion 33 (fitting auxiliary portion 33a and fitting convex portion 33b) is slid together with the pushing portion 35 toward the rear end side in the axial direction. At this time, the fitting convex portion 33b is guided by the guide surface 6 (FIG. 2) connected to the first fitting portion 5 and moves to the rear end side.

Further, the fitting convex portion 33b of the second fitting portion 33 at the "second fitting release position" moves to the rear end side in a state of being engaged with the lower end side of the through hole 37c of the shaft portion 37. Therefore, the shaft portion 37 also moves to the rear end side in conjunction with the slide movement of the second fitting portion 33. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, at least a part of the shaft portion 37 is pulled into the handle main body portion 31 together with the second fitting portion 33.

At this time, it is not necessary for the second fitting portion 33 and the shaft portion 37 to be all drawn into the handle main body portion 31 in the length direction, and the fitting convex portion 33b of the second fitting portion 33 is the second. It suffices if it comes out from the fitting portion 5 of 1.

In this way, it is possible to release the fitting state of the handle body 3 with respect to the replacement head 2 and remove the replacement head 2 from the handle body 3 only by operating a finger by the user. As a result, the user can hygienically remove the replacement head 2 from the handle body 3 by operating only one hand without touching the head portion 23 by hand.

Then, the slide mechanism 32 stops at a position where the user releases his / her hand from the push portion 35. When the user releases the push portion 35, the urging spring (fitting maintenance member) 36 elastically returns to the initial state at the stop position of the slide mechanism 32, and the urging force causes the push portion 35 to move in the depth direction. It protrudes to the outside of and returns to the original pop-out position.

When the pushing portion 35 is pushed in the depth direction by the user, the fitting state between the fitting portions 5, 33 may not be completely released. If the fitting state of the second fitting portion 33 with respect to the first fitting portion 5 is loose, the fitting is released by the force of the user pushing down the pushing portion 35, and the slide mechanism 32 is at the rear end. It moves to the side and the replacement head 2 can be removed.

When attaching the replacement head 2 to the handle body 3, the pushed-down push portion 35 is returned to its original position and moved to the most tip side of the through hole 31b as shown in FIG. By releasing the hand from the push portion 35, the position of the push portion 35 in the axial direction is fixed. In this state, the replacement head 2 is opposed to the handle body 3, and the shaft portion 37 on the handle body 3 side protruding from the handle body portion 31 is inserted into the insertion hole 21c3 of the replacement head 2.

At this time, the fitting convex portion 33b of the second fitting portion 33 protruding from the through hole 37c of the shaft portion 37 is along the guide surface 6 formed on the inner surface of the insertion hole 21c3 as shown in FIG. When moving in the axial direction, the guide surface 6 presses the inside of the shaft portion 37. Along with this, the fitting release portion 34 slightly moves toward the back surface side and deforms in the direction of contracting the urging spring 36.

When the fitting convex portion 33b of the second fitting portion 33 moves along the guide surface 6 and reaches the first fitting portion 5 in a state where the urging spring 36 is deformed, the elasticity of the urging spring 36 is increased. Due to the return, the fitting release portion 34 is slightly moved to the front side, and the fitting convex portion 33b of the second fitting portion 33 is fitted to the first fitting portion 5.

In this way, the replacement head 2 can be easily attached to and detached from the handle body 3 with one hand. In the present embodiment, since the brush portion 4 is not touched by the hand when the replacement head 2 is attached to or detached from the handle body 3, the head can be replaced hygienically and easily. Further, since the fitting release portion 34 is urged toward the through hole 31b side (Y direction: short axis side) by the urging spring 36, the slide mechanism 32 slides and moves when the pushing portion 35 is released. Is regulated. As a result, even when the head replaceable toothbrush 1 is moved along its length direction (long axis direction) during brushing, wobbling on the head portion 23 side is prevented, and stable brushing becomes possible.

It is also possible to attach the replacement head 2 while pressing the pushing portion 35 with a finger while the pushing portion 35 is located on the most tip side of the through hole 37c.

In FIG. 2, the fitting release portion 34 is illustrated by a cylindrical body having a constant diameter in the Z direction (minor axis direction), but it is not a cylindrical body but a plurality of plates along the shaft portion 37. It may be configured.
Further, when the replacement head 2 is attached, the fitting convex portion 33b of the second fitting portion 33 protruding from the through hole 37c of the shaft portion 37 does not necessarily have to move inward of the shaft portion 37, and the shaft It is also possible to attach the replacement head 2 by temporarily expanding the portion 37.

(Modification example)
Here, a modified example of the handle body 3 (slide mechanism 32) will be described.
7 and 8 are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the handle body 3 (slide mechanism 32) in the modified example.
FIG. 7 shows a state in which the second fitting portion 33 is in the second release position, and FIG. 8 shows a state in which the second fitting portion 33 is in the first release position.
Note that the replacement head 2 is not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the above-described embodiment, when the pushing portion 35 is pushed down and the second fitting portion 33 and the shaft portion 37 in the slide mechanism 32 are pulled into the handle main body portion 31, the second fitting portion 33 is the shaft portion 37. By moving the shaft portion 37 with the shaft portion 37 while the fitting convex portion 33b is caught in the through hole 37c, the shaft portion 37 is interlocked with the movement toward the rear end side of the second fitting portion 33. do. As a result, at least a part of the shaft portion 37 together with the second fitting portion 33 is pulled into the handle main body portion 31. In order to ensure that such interlocking is performed more reliably, the configurations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be adopted.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the shaft portion side engaging convex portion for engaging the fitting convex portion 33b of the second fitting portion 33 with a part of the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion 37. (Third fitting portion) 37e may be provided. The shaft portion side engaging convex portion 37e is a convex portion that projects vertically inward from the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion 37, and is preferably present on the rear end side in the axial direction with respect to the through hole 37c.

As a result, the fitting convex portion 33b of the second fitting portion 33 comes into contact with the axial portion side engaging convex portion 37e from the tip side in the axial direction, whereby the fitting convex portion 33b is rearward in the axial direction of the second fitting portion 33. The shaft portion 37 also moves to the rear end side in the axial direction in conjunction with the slide movement to the end side, and both the second fitting portion 33 and the shaft portion 37 are pulled into the handle main body portion 31.

In this way, by providing the convex shaft portion side engaging convex portion 37e that engages with the fitting convex portion 33b of the second fitting portion 33 inside the shaft portion 37, the shaft portion 37 is provided. Since the engaged state is maintained more reliably, it is difficult to disengage during the slide. This makes it possible to smoothly pull the shaft portion 37 into the handle main body portion 31.

<Head replaceable toothbrush of the second embodiment>
The head-replaceable toothbrush 40 of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
9 and 10 are cross-sectional views showing a main configuration of the head replaceable toothbrush 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows a state in which the second fitting portion 33 is in the engaging position, and FIG. 10 shows a state in which the second fitting portion 33 is in the second fitting release position.
Note that the replacement head 2 is not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

The head-replaceable toothbrush 1 of the first embodiment described above has a configuration in which the urging spring 36 is adopted as the urging means, but the head-replaceable toothbrush 40 of the present embodiment has a configuration as the urging means. , Uses magnets.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the head exchangeable toothbrush 40 is provided with a pair of magnets (first magnet 36A and second magnet 36B) in the handle main body 31. The first magnet 36A (fitting maintenance member: first magnetic member) is provided on one end surface 34b of the fitting release portion 34 in the length direction.

On the other hand, the second magnet 36B (fitting maintenance member: second magnetic member) is the first magnet in the depth direction (length direction of the fitting release portion 34) of the inner peripheral surface of the handle main body portion 31. It is installed at a position facing the 36A.

The second magnet 36B is preferably arranged around the through hole 31b in the inner peripheral surface of the handle main body 31 and on the tip end side of the through hole 31b along the axial direction. The second magnet 36B is arranged at a position that does not hinder the movement of the shaft 34c (pushing portion 35) that slides in the through hole 31b of the handle main body portion 31.

The first magnet 36A and the second magnet 36B have a magnetic force relationship that attracts each other. One of the first magnet 36A and the second magnet 36B is the S pole, and the other is the N pole. The shape and size of the first magnet 36A and the second magnet 36B are not particularly limited. It suffices to obtain a magnetic force that allows the fitting assisting portion 33a to be smoothly attracted to the front side in the depth direction without blurring.

When the replacement head 2 is attached to the handle body 3, the first magnet 36A and the second magnet 36B are attached to each other as shown in FIG. When the second fitting portion 33 is located at the "fitting position", the fitting convex portion 33b is fitted to the first fitting portion 5 of the replacement head 2, and the fitting portion 33b is fitted to the first fitting portion 5. The state is maintained by the magnetic force that attracts the first magnet 36A and the second magnet 36B to each other.

When removing the replacement head 2 from the handle body 3, as shown in FIG. 10, the user pushes the push portion 35 toward the rear end side in the axial direction to push the replacement head 2 from the handle body 3. It can be removed.

Specifically, when the push portion 35 provided on the outside of the handle body 3 is pushed toward the back side in the depth direction by the user, the fitting release portion 34 moves to the back side in conjunction with the movement of the push portion 35. Moving. Along with this, the first magnet 36A on the fitting release portion 34 side attached to the second magnet 36B on the handle body 31 side is separated from the second magnet 36B. As a result, the fitted state of the second fitting portion 33 with respect to the first fitting portion 5 is released, and the slide mechanism 32 can be slid in the axial direction.

Next, the push portion 35 is pushed down toward the rear end side of the handle body 3 by the user, so that the fitting release portion 34 connected to the push portion 35 is pushed down toward the rear end side along the axial direction. Moving to the side, the shaft portion 37 is pulled into the handle body portion 31 together with the second fitting portion 33. In this way, the fitted state of the replacement head 2 with respect to the handle body 3 is released, and the replacement head 2 can be removed from the handle body 3.

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second magnet 36B is arranged only at a position necessary for maintaining the fitted state of the second fitting portion 33 with respect to the first fitting portion 5. , As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in the figure, the second magnet 36B may be continuously or partially provided along the length direction of the through hole 31b of the handle main body 31.

This makes it possible to fix the push portion 35 to the handle main body portion 31 at a predetermined position when the user releases his / her hand from the push portion 35. That is, when the user pushes down the pushing portion 35 and then releases the pushing portion 35 at a predetermined position, the first magnet 36A is moved by the force that attracts the first magnet 36A and the second magnet 36B to each other. It is attracted to the second magnet 36B, and the first magnet 36A adheres to a predetermined region in the axial direction of the second magnet 36B, and the position of the pushing portion 35 is fixed.

<Head replaceable toothbrush of the third embodiment>
The head replaceable toothbrush 50 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the head replaceable toothbrush 50 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the head exchangeable toothbrush 50 of the present embodiment, the fitting shaft portion (second fitting) in which the shaft portion 37 and the second fitting portion 33 in the above-described embodiment are integrated is integrated. Part) 52.
The fitting shaft portion 52 can be inserted into the insertion hole 21c3 on the replacement head 2 side, and is slightly thinner than the thickness of the insertion hole 21c3. On the front side of the outer peripheral surface of the fitting shaft portion 52, a fitting convex portion 52b that can be fitted to the first fitting portion 5 on the replacement head 2 side is formed. The fitting convex portion 52b is formed at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the fitting shaft portion 52.

By providing the fitting shaft portion 52 in which the separated shaft portion 37 and the second fitting portion 33 are integrated, the slide mechanism 32 can be easily manufactured and assembled.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples. The various shapes and combinations of the constituent members shown in the above-mentioned example are examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like within a range not deviating from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the second fitting portion 33 in the above embodiment is configured to include only one fitting convex portion 33b to be fitted to the first fitting portion 5 of the replacement head 2, but the fitting portion 33 is fitted. A plurality of sets of the convex convex portion 33b and the first fitting portion 5 may be provided.

The shape of the through hole 31b is not limited to a linear elongated hole along the axial direction. For example, a groove communicating with the through hole 31b is provided at a predetermined position in the length direction of the through hole 31b (a position where the second fitting portion 33 is released from the first fitting portion 5). As a result, by arranging the pushing portion 35 (shaft 34c) in the groove after pushing down the pushing portion 35, the pushing portion 35 can be smoothly moved without blurring, and the mating release state may be made more reliable.

When the push portion 35 is pushed down along the rear end side of the through hole 31b and then the hand is released from the push portion 35, the push portion 35 (slide mechanism 32) is elastic toward the tip end side of the through hole 31b. It is preferable that the configuration is such that it moves to.

The urging member is not limited to the urging spring, and an elastic member such as rubber may be used.

1,40,50 ... Head replaceable toothbrush, 2 ... Replacement head, 3 ... Handle body, 4 ... Brush part, 4a ... Hair bundle, 5 ... First fitting part, 5 ... Fitting part, 23 ... Head Part, 31 ... Handle body part, 31b, 37c ... Through hole, 31e ... Inner surface, 32 ... Slide mechanism, 33 ... Second fitting part, 34 ... Fitting release part, 34c ... Shaft, 36 ... Bounce spring ( Fitting maintenance member: elastic member), 36a ... first magnet (fitting maintenance member: first magnetic member), 36b ... second magnet (fitting maintenance member: second magnetic member), 37 ... shaft Part, 37e ... Shaft side engaging convex part (third fitting part), 52 ... Fitting shaft part (second fitting part)

Claims (7)

With a handle body that has a length in the axial direction,
A replacement head that is detachably attached to the tip side of the handle body in the axial direction,
Equipped with
The replacement head is
A brush part consisting of multiple hair bundles and
A head portion having the brush portion on one side and
A first fitting portion that can be fitted to a part of the handle body,
Have,
The handle body
Handle body and
A slide mechanism housed in the handle body and slidable at least in the axial direction with respect to the handle body.
Have,
The slide mechanism includes a second fitting portion that can be fitted to the first fitting portion and a second fitting portion.
It has a fitting release portion that is connected to the second fitting portion and can move in the axial direction and the depth direction that intersects the axial direction.
As the fitting release portion moves toward the rear end side in the axial direction, the fitting position from the fitting position where the second fitting portion engages with the first fitting portion It is configured to be displaceable to the first fitting release position on the rear end side in the axial direction, where the fitting state with respect to the first fitting portion is released.
Head replaceable toothbrush. When the mating release portion is moved to the back side in the depth direction,
The second fitting portion at the fitting position can be displaced to the second fitting release position where the fitting with the first fitting portion is released.
The head replaceable toothbrush according to claim 1. A hollow shaft portion that extends in the axial direction from the tip of the handle body portion toward the replacement head and is movable in the axial direction with respect to the handle body portion is provided.
The second fitting portion is arranged inside the shaft portion, and a part thereof can be projected from the through hole formed in the shaft portion toward the first fitting portion.
The shaft portion moves in conjunction with the axial movement of the second fitting portion when the second fitting portion is locked to the through hole, while the second fitting portion moves in conjunction with the movement of the second fitting portion in the axial direction. It is configured not to be interlocked with the movement of the fitting portion in the depth direction.
The head replaceable toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2. Inside the shaft,
It has a third fitting portion that is located on the rear end side in the axial direction with respect to the through hole and can be fitted to the second fitting portion.
The head replaceable toothbrush according to claim 3. Inside the handle main body portion, there is a fitting maintenance member arranged on one side of the fitting release portion in the depth direction.
The fitting maintaining member has a function of applying a force to the fitting release portion in the depth direction in which the second fitting portion is maintained at the fitting position.
The head replaceable toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The fitting maintenance member is made of an elastic member.
The head replaceable toothbrush according to claim 5. The fitting maintenance member
The first magnetic member provided in the mating release portion and
The inner surface of the handle body is composed of a second magnetic member provided at a position facing the first magnetic member in the depth direction.
The head replaceable toothbrush according to claim 5.

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