JP2811246B2 - Electric toothbrush device toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toothbrush which is mounted on a main body of an electric toothbrush and which is electrically driven by a motor built in the main body to perform tooth brushing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of toothbrush includes:
(A) Tooth brushing by driving the toothbrush itself,
(B) In some cases, a plurality of bristle bundles attached to a toothbrush are driven to perform toothbrushing.

[0003] Further, among the toothbrushes of (A), there are the following toothbrushes. As shown in FIG. 18, the toothbrush 1 is rotatable reciprocally around its length. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the toothbrush 1 is rotated and reciprocated, and the brush bristles 2 are applied to the surface of the teeth or between the teeth to brush the teeth, thereby removing dirt such as plaque adhering thereto. Was. But this toothbrush 1
Thus, it was effective for brushing the tooth surface and between teeth, but was not effective for brushing between the teeth and gums.

As shown in FIG. 16, the toothbrush 1 is made to be able to linearly reciprocate in the length direction. Then, the toothbrush 1 is linearly reciprocated in the direction in which the teeth are arranged, and as shown in FIG.
The dirt at the boundary between the tooth and the gum is removed, or as shown in (b), the tooth is brushed against the surface of the tooth, and the dirt there is removed. I brushed my teeth and removed the dirt there.
However, the toothbrush 1 is effective for brushing the teeth and the like at the boundary between the teeth and the gums. However, if the stroke of the linear reciprocating movement is large, the gums are damaged by the brush bristles 2, so the stroke is reduced. Therefore, when the toothbrush is brushed by linearly reciprocating the toothbrush 1 in small increments (bath method), the efficiency of removing dirt on the tooth surface is low and is not effective.

[0005] Next, among the toothbrushes of (B), there are the following toothbrushes. As shown in FIG. 14, two bristle bundles 3 each of which is made up of a large number of single bristles are rotatably attached to the head 1a of the toothbrush 1 in opposite directions. Then, the bristle bundles 3 are rotated, and as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), the bristle bundles 3 are applied to the surface of the teeth to brush the teeth, thereby removing dirt therefrom. However, this toothbrush 1 is effective for brushing the surface of the teeth, but is not effective for brushing the boundary between the teeth and the gums.

As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of bristle bundles 3 are arranged in two rows on a head 1a of a toothbrush 1 and each is rotatably reciprocated. Then, the bristle bundles 3 are respectively reciprocated to rotate, and as shown in FIG. 11A, the bristle bundles 3 are applied between the teeth to brush the teeth to remove dirt therefrom, or as shown in FIG. 11B. As described above, the toothbrush was applied to the meshing surface of the teeth to remove the dirt therefrom. However, this toothbrush 1 is effective for brushing teeth between teeth and the like, but is not effective for brushing teeth at the boundary between teeth and gums.

[0007]

As described above, each of the conventional toothbrushes has advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, conventionally, in order to brush the necessary toothpaste effectively,
It is necessary to use an electric toothbrush device equipped with a toothbrush that moves appropriately according to each toothbrush location.
However, this makes toothpaste cumbersome and expensive.

In the conventional electric toothbrush, a toothbrush attached to the main body of the electric toothbrush is capable of linear reciprocating motion and rotational reciprocating motion, for example. Some have a configuration in which a dedicated toothbrush is attached. Then, at the time of tooth brushing, the toothbrush was replaced according to the tooth brushing location. However, this makes tooth brushing cumbersome and inefficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to enable a single toothbrush to effectively and efficiently brush a necessary toothbrush portion without using an electric toothbrush device or replacing a toothbrush.

[0010]

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 is, for example, as shown in the following illustrated embodiments .
In the toothbrush 20, 40 of the electric dynamic toothbrush rack
26a to 26d, and the first hair bundle 30
Reciprocating member 24 reciprocating linearly, and reciprocating member 24
Mesh with the racks 26a to 26d of the second hair bundle 3
Brush gear 2 that rotates and reciprocates at a fixed position with 1 attached
7a to 27d .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the toothbrushes 20 and 40 of the electric toothbrush device according to the first aspect, the bristle bundles are arranged in three rows, and the center of the bristle bundle is arranged as shown in the following embodiments. The first hair bundle is provided on both sides as a second hair bundle.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the invention, for example as shown in the following illustrated examples, the toothbrush 20 of the electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the reciprocating motor 10
The first hair bundle 30 is moved linearly by reciprocating the member 24 linearly.
The racks 26a to 26 of the reciprocating member 24 reciprocate.
The brush gears 27a to 27d meshing with the rotation d
Move to reciprocate the second hair bundle 31 by rotation,
It is characterized by the following.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, for example as shown in the following illustrated examples, the toothbrush 40 of the electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the brush motor 10
By rotating and reciprocating the gears 27a to 27d, the second hair bundle
31 and the brush gears 27a to 27d
Reciprocating part having racks 26a to 26d meshing with
The first hair bundle 30 is moved in a straight line by reciprocating the material 24 linearly.
It is characterized by a return movement .

[0014]

The toothbrushes 20 and 40 according to claim 1
Then, when brushing the teeth, the first hair bundle 30 reciprocates linearly and the second hair bundle 31 rotates.

In the toothbrushes 20 and 40 according to the second aspect, during brushing, the first bristle bundle 30 reciprocates linearly on both sides and the second bristle bundle 31 rotates in the middle.

[0016] In the toothbrush 20 according to claim 3, the
During tooth brushing, the reciprocating member 24 is linearly reciprocated by the motor 10.
Meshes with the racks 26a to 26d of the lever reciprocating member 24
The brush gears 27a to 27d are reciprocated to rotate,
The hair bundle 30 reciprocates linearly and the second hair bundle 31
Reciprocating rotation.

In the toothbrush 40 according to the fourth aspect, the brush gears 27a to 27d are rotated by the motor 10 when the toothbrush is brushed.
Reciprocate and mesh with the brush gears 27a to 27d
The reciprocating member 24 having the racks 26a to 26d
Make a reciprocating motion, and linearly reciprocate the first hair bundle 30
The second hair bundle 31 reciprocates in a rotating manner.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 4 and 3 show a toothbrush driving section of an electric toothbrush device to which a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached. Although this toothbrush driving unit is not shown,
It is stored in the outer case of the container body that can be gripped with one hand. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a motor, 11 denotes a power source 11 such as a rechargeable battery for driving the motor 10, and 12 denotes a motor 10
Is a switch for turning on and off. The motor 10 is provided with a motor gear 13 as a bevel gear on a drive shaft thereof, and the motor gear 13 is meshed with a face gear 14. The eccentric cam 15 is attached to the center shaft 14a of the face gear 14. The eccentric cam 15 is provided at the lower end 16 of the crank 16.
It is arranged in the hole 16b provided in a. And crank 1
Numeral 6 urges upward to bring the inner surface of the hole 16b into contact with the outer periphery of the eccentric cam 15 so that it can reciprocate up and down in the figure.

Thus, in the above-described electric toothbrush device, the toothbrush 20 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is detachably attached to the top of the device main body. The toothbrush 20 includes a case 21. The case 21 has a hollow interior and includes a long handle case 21a and a head case 21b. As shown in FIG. 2, the head case 21 b has two vertically long brush holes 22 on the dentifrice surface 21 c and a plurality of brush round holes 23 in one vertical line between the brush long holes 22.
Then, as shown in FIG. 1, a reciprocating member 24 is provided in the case 21. The reciprocating member 24 conforms to the outer shape of the case 21 and has a smaller shape, and includes a shaft portion 25 disposed in the handle case 21a and a ring portion 26 disposed in the head case 21b. The shaft 25 has its lower end (not shown) connected to the upper end of the crank 16 of the brush drive unit. The ring portion 26 is provided with a plurality of racks 26a to 26d facing inward. In addition, the ring part 2
6, a plurality of brush gears 27 a to 27
d is provided. And these brush gears 27a to 27d
Are engaged with the racks 26a to 26d, respectively.
Further, in the toothbrush 20, a plurality of first bristle bundles 30 are attached to a vertically elongated portion of the ring portion 26, and a second bristle bundle 31 is attached to each of the brush gears 27a to 27d. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the first bristle bundles 30 project outside through the brush long holes 22, and the second bristle bundles 31 project outside through the brush round holes 23 and are arranged in three vertical rows. Become.

When the toothbrush is to be performed using the above-described electric toothbrush device, the user holds the device body by hand, turns the toothbrush 20 into the mouth, turns on the switch 12, and drives the motor 10. . Then, the rotation of the motor 10 is transmitted from the motor gear 13 to the face gear 14 to reduce the speed, and the eccentric cam 15 rotates. Then, crank 16
Converts the rotational motion into a linear reciprocating motion, and reciprocates the reciprocating member 24 up and down linearly with a constant stroke. Then, the first bristle bundle 30 on the ring portion 26 linearly reciprocates in small increments, and the brush gears 27a to 27d rotate and reciprocate through meshing with the racks 26a to 26d, and the brush gears 27a to 27d Each of the second hair bundles 31 makes a reciprocating rotation. When the bristle bundles 30 and 31 are appropriately applied to the tooth brushing portions, the first bristle bundle 30 that reciprocates linearly effectively removes dirt such as plaque adhered between the teeth and the gums or on the meshing surface of the teeth. To remove. Further, the dirt adhered to the surface of the teeth or between the teeth is effectively removed by the second bristle bundle 31 that reciprocates.

In the illustrated embodiment described above, the reciprocating member 24 is linearly reciprocated by the toothbrush driving section, and the brush gear 27 is engaged with the racks 26a to 26d.
a to 27d are rotated and reciprocated, but as shown below, the brush gear is rotated and reciprocated by the toothbrush driving unit, and the reciprocating member is linearly reciprocated through meshing between the brush gear and the rack. A configuration is also possible.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the reduction gear 3 is connected to the motor gear 35 of the toothbrush driving section.
6 on the upper surface of the reduction gear 36.
5 is attached. The eccentric cam 15 is, as shown in FIG.
It is arranged in the hole 37a of the crank 37. Crank 37
Is connected to the lower end of a connecting shaft 38 at the left end, and is rotatable about the connecting shaft 38 as shown in the figure.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the toothbrush 40 has a gear shaft 41 disposed in a handle case 21a of a case 21. The lower end of the gear shaft 41 is connected to the connection shaft 38, and the transmission gear 42, which is a bevel gear, is attached to the upper end.
Also, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of brush gears 27a to 27d meshing with each other in one vertical line are provided in the head case 21b.
Is provided. The transmission gear 42 is meshed with the lowermost brush gear 27a. Furthermore, head case 2
1b, as shown in FIG.
A ring-shaped reciprocating member 43 is provided so as to freely move up and down around 7d. The reciprocating member 43 has racks 43a and 43b facing each other in a vertically elongated portion. The racks 43a and 43b are respectively connected to the brush gears 27a and 2a.
7b.

When the tooth brushing is performed using the electric toothbrush device of another embodiment, the motor 10 is driven, and the rotation of the motor 10 is transmitted from the motor gear 35 to the reduction gear 36 to reduce the speed. , The eccentric cam 15 is rotated. Then, the rotary motion is converted into a rotary reciprocating motion by the crank 37, and the connecting shaft 38 is reciprocally rotated. Thus, the transmission gear 42 reciprocates through the gear shaft 41,
The brush gears 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d are sequentially rotated and reciprocated through meshing with the transmission gear 42, and the brush gears 27c and 27d and the racks 43a and 43
The reciprocating member 43 reciprocates linearly through the engagement with the member b. Then, the second bristle bundle 31 on each of the brush gears 27a to 27d performs a reciprocating rotation and the reciprocating member 43
The upper first hair bundle 30 performs a linear reciprocating motion.

Incidentally, the toothbrushes 20 and 40 of the present invention
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first hair bundle 30 on both sides of the second hair bundle 31 in the middle may be made higher. Thereby, when brushing the hair bundles 30 and 31 against the tooth surface, as shown in FIG. 10, the tip of the first hair bundle 30 on one side easily hits between the teeth and the gums. Dirt such as plaque can be more effectively removed.

[0026]

Therefore, according to the present invention, when brushing teeth, the first bristle bundle reciprocates linearly and the second bristle bundle rotates, so that the first bristle bundle reciprocates. It can effectively remove dirt such as plaque adhered between teeth and gums by the function, and adheres to the space between teeth and the meshing surface of teeth due to the rotation of the second hair bundle. It is possible to effectively remove the stains, and to brush the teeth effectively and efficiently with a single toothbrush without using a different electric toothbrush device or replacing the toothbrush as in the related art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the toothbrush.

FIG. 3 is a structural explanatory view of a toothbrush drive unit of the electric toothbrush device to which the toothbrush is attached.

FIG. 4 is a structural explanatory view of the toothbrush driving section of FIG. 3 as viewed from the side.

FIG. 5 is a structural explanatory view of a toothbrush driving section of an electric toothbrush device to which a toothbrush according to another embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a motion conversion mechanism in the toothbrush driving unit.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a toothbrush according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an engagement state diagram of the transmission gear and the brush gear.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the height of a bristle bundle of the toothbrush of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a state explanatory view showing a tooth brushing state by the toothbrush.

11 shows a state in which tooth brushing is performed with a conventional toothbrush in which a plurality of bristle bundles are rotatably and reciprocally movable. FIG. 11 (a) shows a state in which the teeth are brushed between teeth, and FIG. 11 (b) shows a state in which the teeth mesh. It is a state explanatory view which shows a polishing state.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the toothbrush.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a state in which tooth brushing is performed with a conventional toothbrush to which a plurality of bristle bundles are attached so as to be continuously rotatable. FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing a state in which a tooth surface is brushed, and FIG.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the toothbrush.

15A and 15B show a state in which the toothbrush is brushed with a conventional toothbrush that allows the toothbrush itself to reciprocate linearly. FIG. 15A shows a state in which the boundary between the tooth and the gum is polished, and FIG. 15B shows a state in which the tooth surface is polished. (C) is a state explanatory view showing the state where the meshing surface of the teeth is polished.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the toothbrush.

FIG. 17 is a state explanatory view showing a state in which the surface of a tooth is brushed by a conventional toothbrush which makes the toothbrush itself rotatable reciprocally.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the toothbrush.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20/40 Toothbrush 24/43 Reciprocating member 26a-26d, 43a / 43b Rack 27a-27d Brush gear 30 First bristle bundle 31 Second bristle bundle 42 Transmission gear

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A first hair bundle attached to the rack;
A reciprocating member that reciprocates linearly, and the reciprocating member
Engage with the rack, attach the second hair bundle and turn in place
A toothbrush for an electric toothbrush device, comprising a brush gear that reciprocates . 2. The hair bundle is arranged in three rows, and the first hair bundle is provided on both sides with the middle as the second hair bundle.
A toothbrush for an electric toothbrush device according to claim 1. 3. A linear reciprocating motion of said reciprocating member by a motor.
Linearly reciprocate the first hair bundle, and the reciprocating member
Rotating the brush gear meshing with the rack of
2. The second hair bundle is reciprocatingly rotated.
A toothbrush for an electric toothbrush device according to claim 1. 4. A reciprocating motion of rotating the brush gear by a motor.
Reciprocatingly moves the second bristle bundle, and its brush gear
The reciprocating member having the rack meshing with the
The toothbrush of the electric toothbrush device according to claim 1, wherein the first bristle bundle reciprocates linearly in a reciprocating motion .