JP6662620B2 - electric toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush.

Electric toothbrushes that are superior in plaque removal performance over hand polishing by vibrating the toothbrush with a vibration generator have been successively proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Also, in recent years, an electric toothbrush that can be easily carried to an outing place or a travel destination has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses an electric toothbrush having a cap capable of accommodating a brush portion.

JP 2008-080099 A Japanese Patent No. 5547468

  By the way, there is a strong demand for miniaturization of a portable electric toothbrush so that it can be stored in a bag, a pouch, a pocket, or the like without being bulky. On the other hand, the electric toothbrush includes a vibration generator having an electric motor in a main body that is a handle, a battery for driving the vibration generator, and a switch for controlling driving of the vibration generator. However, the following problem arises in downsizing.

  First, when the switch is formed so as not to protrude from the main body as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to widely depress the peripheral part so that the switch can be pushed by the whole finger. That is, it is necessary to provide a large space for the switch, which is against the downsizing of the electric toothbrush. Further, when the size of the switch itself is reduced, the switch protrudes from the main body, which may cause a malfunction due to contact with other objects when being carried in a bag or the like. Here, it is possible to cover the switch with a cap to prevent malfunction due to contact, but in this case, it is necessary to increase the diameter of the cap, which is against the downsizing of the electric toothbrush itself.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a small electric toothbrush that can prevent a switch from malfunctioning.

(Claim 1)
The invention according to claim 1, a body portion 11, a reduced diameter portion 12 that is provided continuously with the body portion 11 and has an outer diameter smaller than the body portion 11, and is attachable to and detachable from a distal end side of the reduced diameter portion 12. and a brush portion 20, and the provided body portion 11 side, the same or slightly lower switch 13 and the step between the height the body portion 11 and the reduced diameter portion 12 of the reduced diameter portion 12, the reduced diameter portion A cap 30 which covers the brush 12 and the brush portion 20 and has an outer diameter substantially the same as the body portion 11; and a notch 31 provided on the body portion 11 side of the cap 30 for accommodating the switch 13 And
According to the present invention, the operation is possible because the switch 13 projects from the reduced-diameter portion 12 when the cap 30 is removed, and the switch 13 does not project from the body 11 when the cap 30 is attached. Malfunction due to contact can be prevented.

Further , according to the present invention, since the cap 30, the switch 13, and the body 11 are formed on substantially the same surface, when the cap 30 is mounted, the switch 13 cannot be pushed in, and malfunction due to careless contact may occur. Can be prevented.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a malfunction of a switch can be prevented and the electric toothbrush can be reduced in size.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electric toothbrush with the cap removed in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view (A) and a front view (B) of the electric toothbrush in a state where a cap is removed in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view (A) and a front view (B) of the electric toothbrush in a state where a cap is mounted in the present embodiment. It is an enlarged side view of the switch part of the modification of this Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Regarding the direction of the electric toothbrush, the brush part 20 side is referred to as “front end” and the body part 11 side is referred to as “rear end”.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A and 2B, the electric toothbrush according to the present embodiment is roughly divided into a main body portion 10 serving as a handle portion and a detachable brush connected to the main body portion 10. It comprises a part 20 and a cap 30 for covering the brush part 20.

  The main body 10 has a vibration generator, a battery, and the like inside thereof, and a switch 13 and the like outside thereof, and is used as a handle when used. Here, the vibration generating device is a device that vibrates the brush unit 20 and includes a device that generates vibration by rotating an eccentric weight with a rotary motor and a device that generates vibration by reciprocating motion of a linear motor. The battery is used to supply power to the vibration generator, and AA-type and AAA-size dry batteries, rechargeable batteries, and the like are used. The switch 13 is for starting or stopping the vibration of the vibration generator. In this embodiment, a push-type switch is employed. That is, when the use of the electric toothbrush is started, the switch 13 is pressed once to start the vibration of the brush unit 20, and when it is finished, the switch 13 is pressed again to end the vibration of the brush unit 20.

  Here, in the present embodiment, a timer function for preventing long-time use and an intensity adjustment function capable of changing the intensity of vibration can be provided. In this case, the main body 10 includes a control board for controlling the timer function and the strength adjusting function. When the timer function is provided, the brush unit 20 starts to vibrate when the switch 13 is pressed once, and ends when the time set by the timer elapses. When the intensity adjusting function is provided, the intensity of the vibration of the brush unit 20 increases each time the switch 13 is pressed, and the vibration of the brush unit 20 ends when the switch 13 is pressed when the intensity is maximum. The operation method of the switch 13 when using each of the above functions is not limited to the above case. A dedicated switch other than the switch 13 may be provided.

  The main body 10 is composed of a body 11 having a substantially cylindrical shape and a reduced diameter portion 12 connected to the body 11 and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the body 11. The exterior of the body 11 is a cover that covers the battery. The reduced diameter portion 12 has a substantially columnar shape on substantially the rear end side, and a tapered shape in which the outer diameter decreases toward the front end substantially on the front half. A pin-shaped fixing portion (not shown), which is connected to the vibration generator and to which the brush portion 20 is fixed, is provided at the tip of the reduced diameter portion 12. Further, claws 16 for fixing the cap 30 are formed on both left and right sides near the rear end of the reduced diameter portion 12. The end of the body 11, which is connected to the reduced diameter portion 12, is formed as a ring 14. An exterior member of the body 11, which is a cover for storing batteries, is fixed to the ring 14.

The brush portion 20 is detachably fixed to the above-mentioned pin-shaped fixing portion at the tip of the reduced diameter portion 12. The brush portion 20 is composed of a handle 21 whose diameter is gradually reduced from the rear end side to the front end side, and whose tip is further widened, and a bundle of nylon fibers planted at the widened front end of the handle 21. And certain brush bristles 22. At the center of the rear end surface of the handle 21, a hole is formed in which the above-mentioned pin-shaped fixing portion is inserted. A ring-shaped rubber 23 is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the rear end face of the handle 21.
The brush portion 20 is a replaceable single-use brush. If the brush tips of the brush bristles 22 are widened, the plaque removal performance and the like are reduced, and the brush portion 20 needs to be replaced. Here, when attaching the brush part 20 to the main body part 10, the fixing part at the tip of the reduced diameter part 12 is inserted into the hole at the rear end of the handle 21. When removing the brush part 20 from the main body part 10, the handle 21 is pulled out to the front end side and pulled out from the fixing part.

  The above-mentioned switch 13 is provided in a columnar portion on the rear end side of the reduced diameter portion 12. The width of the switch 13 is about 1/3 of the main body 10 and the length thereof is about 2/3 of the main body 10. The height of the switch 13 is the same as the step between the body 11 and the reduced diameter portion 12. The switch 13 is located near the rear end thereof in contact with the ring 14. Further, the tip of the switch 13 is chamfered and has a semicircular shape.

  The cap 30 covers the reduced diameter portion 12 and the brush portion 20, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The cap 30 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and its rear end is open and its front end is closed. The length of the cap 30 is slightly longer than the combined length of the reduced diameter portion 12 and the brush portion 20. The outer diameter and the cross-sectional shape of the cap 30 are substantially the same as those of the body 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a notch 31 is provided at the end of the cap 30 on the opening side. The notch 31 is for accommodating the switch 13 and has the same shape as that of the switch 13. In addition, two vertically long ventilation holes 32 are provided at the distal end on the closing side of the cap 30. The ventilation holes 32 are for letting out moist air generated from the brush bristles 22 that have become wet by use.

  Grooves 33 into which the claws 16 of the reduced diameter portion 12 fit are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 30 and on both left and right sides near the rear end. Here, when attaching the cap 30 to the main body 10, first, the tip of the brush part 20 is passed through the opening of the cap 30 to cover the brush part 20. Further, the cap 30 is covered up to the reduced diameter portion 12 while adjusting the positions of the switch 13 and the notch 31. Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the switch 13 is received in the notch 31, the claw 16 of the reduced diameter portion 12 is simultaneously fitted in the groove 33 of the cap 30, and the cap 30 is fixed to the main body 10. You. On the other hand, when using the electric toothbrush 1 to remove the cap 30 from the main body 10, it is sufficient to grasp the body 11 and pull out the cap 30 in the distal direction. At this time, the cap 16 is released from the groove 33 of the cap 30 by releasing the claw 16 of the reduced diameter portion 12 from being fixed.

(About the state of the switch 13 at the time of use)
FIGS. 2A and 2B show the electric toothbrush 1 with the cap 30 removed. As shown in FIG. 2A, the upper end surface of the switch 13 at this time forms the same plane as the upper end surface of the body 11. On the other hand, a step having the same height as the step between the body portion 11 and the reduced diameter portion 12 is formed on the tip end side and both left and right sides of the switch 13. That is, since the switch 13 protrudes from the reduced diameter portion 12, the operation becomes possible.

(About the state of the switch 13 at the time of storage)
FIGS. 3A and 3B show the electric toothbrush 1 with the cap 30 attached. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3A, the cap 30, the switch 13, and the body 11 are formed on substantially the same plane. That is, when the cap 30 is mounted, the switch 13 does not protrude from the body portion 11 and cannot be operated. In other words, when the electric toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment is stored in a bag or the like, it is difficult to press the switch 13 even when touching another object, so that malfunction can be prevented.

(Summary)
As described above, the electric toothbrush 1 according to the present embodiment can be operated because it protrudes from the reduced diameter portion 12 when the cap 30 is removed, and can be operated when the cap 30 is mounted. Cannot be operated because they form the same plane. This can prevent erroneous operation due to careless contact and contact with other objects.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the switch 13 is formed so as to protrude when the cap 30 is removed, so that the electric toothbrush in which the periphery is depressed and the switch which does not protrude to the center is arranged. , The switch and its surrounding structure can be made smaller. Further, when using the electric toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment from a state in which the cap 30 is mounted, it is possible to use the electric toothbrush 1 without switching by using the switch 13 as a mark. Specifically, in use, the user grips the body 11 so that the switch 13 comes to the front and removes the cap 30 as it is, so that the brush bristles 22 come to the front. Since the switch 13 can be operated with the thumb from this state, the use of the electric toothbrush 1 can be started without changing the grip.

In addition, the electric toothbrush 1 to which the cap 30 is attached does not have a protruding portion, so that the electric toothbrush 1 can be smoothly stored in or taken out of a pocket or the like.
Note that the height of the switch 13 does not need to be completely the same as the step between the body 11 and the reduced diameter portion 12. May be lower than the step.

(Modification)
Although the switch 13 of the present embodiment is a push-type switch, a slide-type switch may be used instead. For example, the switch 13 can be configured to be in contact with the ring 14 when stopped, and to be moved to the distal end side when used, as shown in FIG. The height of the switch 13 is the same as the height of the step between the body portion 11 and the reduced diameter portion 12 as in the present embodiment.

  According to the modification of the present embodiment, when the cap 30 is removed, it can be operated because it protrudes from the reduced diameter portion 12, and when the cap 30 is mounted, the cap 30, the switch 13, and the body 11 are flush with each other. Operation cannot be performed. This can prevent erroneous operation due to careless contact and contact with other objects. Further, even when the cap 30 is attached while the brush portion 20 is in the vibrating state, the switch 13 can be attached to the main body 10 while pushing the switch 13 to the rear end side, so that the vibration is reliably stopped. It is possible to store the brush unit 20 with the above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric toothbrush 10 Main part 11 Body 12 Reduced diameter part 13 Switch 14 Ring 16 Claw 20 Brush part 21 Handle 22 Brush hair 23 Rubber 30 Cap 31 Notch 32 Vent hole 33 Groove

Claims (1)

A torso,
A diameter-reduced portion that is connected to the body portion and has an outer diameter smaller than the body portion;
A brush portion that can be attached to and detached from the distal end of the reduced diameter portion ;
A switch that is provided on the body side of the reduced diameter portion and has a height equal to or slightly lower than a height difference between the body portion and the reduced diameter portion ,
A cap that covers the reduced diameter portion and the brush portion, and has an outer diameter substantially the same as the body portion;
A notch provided on the body side of the cap to accommodate the switch;
An electric toothbrush provided with .

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