JPH03224506A - Motor-driven toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain strong pressing force against a tooth without varying the direction of a brush at the time of vibrating a system by engaging the non- circular part of an eccentric rotary body to a cam body and fixing the cam body, when an engagement of a clutch and the eccentric rotary body is released by rotating reversely a motor. CONSTITUTION:When a motor 2 is rotated forward, it is transmitted to a screw ring 25, a clutch 26 is drawn into this screw ring 25, an eccentric rotating body 28 is pushed downward by a spring 44, a non-circular part 46 is engaged to an elliptical hole 30 of a cam body, and this cam body 29 is fixed. When the motor 2 is rotated backward, the engaging surface of the clutch 26 pushes up the eccentric rotating body 28 and the non-circular part 46 is detached from the elliptical hole 30 of the cam body, and simultaneously, the eccentric part is engaged to the elliptical hole, the cam body 29 is allowed to execute a sector motion within the range of a prescribed angle, and a brush connecting lever 7 is subjected to rolling. In such a way, a vibration system and a rolling system can be switched and used, and at the time of using the brush by the vibration system, the brush can be pushed strongly against a tooth.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush that can be switched between rolling toothbrushing and vibrating toothbrushing.

(B) Conventional technology Conventional electric toothbrushes use a rolling method (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-1989
-218107 Publication) and a vibration method that vibrates the brush attachment (Utility Model Publication No. 41-15380 Publication 9Ji).
i) exists. The former is suitable for polishing the entire area, while the latter is suitable for carefully polishing narrow areas.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the conventional vibration method, the main body case and the brush attachment connected thereto are vibrated by rotating an eccentric electric power provided inside the main body case. however,
- Since the center weight is provided inside the main body case, the vibration of the main body case is greater than that of the brush attachment, and there is a drawback that large vibrations are transmitted to the hand holding the main body case. Furthermore, until now, there has been no electric toothbrush that can be switched between a vibrating force type and a rolling type.

In view of this situation, the applicant has previously filed patent application IP1-
244309, and proposed an electric toothbrush that can switch between a vibration method and a rolling method.

This electric toothbrush has a motor that can be switched between forward and reverse directions, and a clutch that moves in one direction when rotating forward and in the other direction when rotating reversely.
a centripetal rotating body that engages with the clutch latch when moving in the one direction; a cam body that engages with the double-centered rotating body and converts the eccentric movement into rolling movement of the brush connecting rod; A crank, in which an eccentric portion formed in a part of the clutch is fitted during movement of the clutch, converts the eccentric movement into an eccentric circular movement of the entire brush connecting rod; It is equipped with a bearing that changes the overall movement.

With this configuration, the rolling method is used when the motor rotates in the normal direction, and the vibration method is used when the motor rotates in the reverse direction. However, with this configuration, when the cam body is set to the vibration method, there is nothing to fix the cam body and it moves freely, so the movement is like a combination of the vibration method and the rolling method, and the direction of the brush is inconsistent, making it difficult to use. There are drawbacks. Furthermore, even when the brush is strongly pressed against the teeth, the direction of the brush changes, so the pressing force against the teeth becomes weaker, and a sufficient polishing effect cannot be obtained.

(d) Means for solving the problem In order to solve this technical problem, when the motor is reversed and the clutch and the double-centered rotating body are disengaged, the non-circular portion of the double-centered rotating body is The cam body is fixed by engaging with the cam body.

(E) Function The overall movement of the electric toothbrush according to the present invention is as follows. That is, when the motor is rotating in the forward direction, the clutch moves in the -L direction and engages the biaxial rotating body, and the linear rotation is transmitted to the brush connecting rod via the cam body, causing the brush connecting rod to rotate. The rod makes a rolling motion. When the -/ direction motor is reversed, the clutch moves downward, and the eccentric part formed at the -/ section fits into the crank, and the rotational motion is transmitted to the brush connecting rod via this crank. The connecting rod performs a grinding motion using the bearing metal as a fulcrum, transmitting vibrations to the brush attachment.

In this way, it is possible to switch between the rolling method and the vibration method, but when the motor reverses and the clutch is disengaged from the double-centered rotating body, the non-circular portion of the double-centered rotating body touches the cam body. Since the cam body is fixed by engagement, the orientation of the brush connecting rod is fixed. As a result, the disadvantage that when switching to the vibration method, the direction of the brush changes and strong pressing force against the teeth cannot be obtained is eliminated.

(F) Example (1) Below is an explanation based on Figure F. (1) is the main body case of an electric toothbrush, and inside there is a motor (2), a secondary battery (3), a secondary coil (4) of a charging transformer, etc. At the same time, a switch lever (5) is provided near the tip of the side surface.
A brush connecting rod (7) projects through the waterproof cap (6) from one tip. (8) is a holding frame for a motor, etc., on which the motor (2), cam mechanism mounting body (9), secondary battery (3), etc. are mounted. (10) is a secondary battery mounting body, which is equipped with a gas vent valve (11) on the bottom surface and a claw piece (
12) is engaged with the holding frame (8), thereby attaching the secondary battery (3) to the lower surface of the holding frame (8). (13) is the bobbin of the charging transformer secondary coil (4), (14) is its cover, and (15) is a cap with an iron core (16) for forming a magnetic circuit;
) to seal the inside. The iron core (16) is hollow, and the secondary battery (3) is
) is discharged to the outside through this hollow passage. In addition, the switch lever (5) is connected to the main body case (
1) and the switch mounting portion (17) of the holding frame (8), and the switch actuating plate (19) is attached by screws (18).
A contact plate (20) (20) attached to the switch operating plate slides on the switch fixing plate (21) to switch the fixed contacts. (22) is a waterproof ring. (23) is a drive gear attached to the rotating shaft of the motor (2), and (24) is a reduction gear that meshes with this drive gear.
5) is fixed. This threaded ring has a thread cut on its inner surface, and when it is rotated clockwise, it pulls in the clutch (26), which has a thread on its outer surface, and when it is rotated counterclockwise, it pushes this clutch (26) upward, and the engagement surface at the upper end is pulled in. (2
7) is brought into contact with the layer center rotating body (28) to rotate it.

A non-circular portion (46) is integrally formed on the upper surface of this eccentric rotating body, and is pushed downward by a spring (44). Therefore, when the clutch (26) is pulled downward, the eccentric rotating body (28)
4) so that the non-circular portion (46) engages with the oblong hole (30) formed in the cam body (29) and fixes the cam body (29). ing. However, in order to prevent the eccentric rotating body (28) from engaging the clutch (26) even if it moves downward, a stopper for regulating the moving distance of the -0 rotating body is provided along the length of the cam body. Circular hole (
30). The cam body (29) has a cylindrical portion (31) formed at one end thereof which is fitted and fixed to the brush connecting rod (7).

Further, the clutch (26) has an eccentric portion (
32) is formed such that, when pulled towards the threaded ring (25), this -0 section fits into a circularization (34) formed at one end of the crank (33). This crank (33) has four parts (
35) receives the lower end of the brush connecting rod (7),
Moreover, a projection (36) formed on the upper surface is engaged with a notch (37) formed in the cam mechanism mounting body (9). (
38) is a support shaft that is inserted through the reduction gear (24), screw ring (25), clutch (26), crank (33), cam body (29), and eccentric rotating body (28). Both ends of the cam mechanism mounting body (9) are fixed to through holes (39) provided in the cam mechanism mounting body (9) and to support plates (40) mounted on the cam mechanism mounting body. (41) is a bearing, which has a cylindrical portion (42) formed on the cam mechanism mounting body (9).
and supports the brush connecting rod (7). Note that this bearing (41) is connected to the brush connecting rod (7).
He has a 1 degree I degree that allows him to move in a sloppy manner.

In the above mechanism, when the motor (2) is rotated forward by the switch lever (5), the rotation is caused by the drive gear (23
) to the screw ring (25) via the reduction gear (24)
The clutch (26) is connected to this screw ring (25).
Pull inside. When the clutch is retracted, its eccentric portion (32) fits into the circular hole (34) of the crank (33), causing the circular hole portion to move circularly. However, since the crank (33) has the protrusion (36) on the lower surface engaged with the notch (37) of the cam mechanism mounting body, the protrusion (36)
By sliding in the notch (37), the recess (35) of the crank also moves circularly. As a result, the lower end of the brush connecting rod (7) fitted in these four parts also moves circularly.
Since this brush connecting rod is supported by a bearing (41), it makes a sliding movement as a whole. Therefore, if the brush attachment (43) is connected to the brush connection rod (7), the tip of the brush attachment (43) vibrates, allowing fine tooth brushing.

However, when the clutch (26) is pulled into the threaded ring (25), the eccentric rotating body (28) is pushed downward by the spring (44), and the non-circular part (46) becomes the ellipse of the cam body. It engages with the hole (30) and fixes this cam body (29). Although the non-circular portion (46) and the oblong hole (30) do not engage with each other until their orientations match, the brush connecting rod (7) rotates little by little while moving, so normally Within seconds, the non-circular part (46) and the oblong hole (30)
Their orientations match and they engage with each other. Non-circular part (4
6) engages the oblongation (30), the cam body (29) is fixed. In addition, since a stopper is provided on a part of the oblong part (30), even if the non-circular part (46) of the eccentric rotor engages with the oblong part (30), the eccentric rotor ( 28) will not move downward more than necessary and engage the clutch (26).

On the other hand, when the motor (2) is reversed by the switch lever (5), the screw ring (25) rotates in a direction that pushes out the clutch (26), and this clutch has an engagement surface (27) at the upper end that is flat. It engages with the centered rotating body (28), pushes up this centered rotating body, and inserts the non-circular portion (46) into the cam body's oblong hole (
At the same time as removing it from 30), engage the eccentric part in the oblong hole,
The cam body (29) is deflected within a certain angle range, and the brush connecting rod (7) is rolled.

Therefore, you can brush your teeth in a rolling manner.

(G) Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention can be used by switching between the vibration method and the rolling method, and after polishing the entire surface using the rolling method, fine details can be polished using the vibration method. In addition, since the vibration method described above is a method in which the brush connecting rod is moved in a circular motion, the vibration of the main body case is less than that of a system in which a vibration weight is provided inside the main body case, and the vibration transmitted to the hand during use is small, making it easier to use. Electric toothbrushes can be provided. Also, since the cam body is fixed when switching to the vibration method, the direction of the brush may change little by little when using the vibration method, or the direction may change when the brush is pressed strongly against the teeth. There is no such thing, and as a result,
Since the brush can be strongly pressed against the teeth, the toothbrushing effect can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an internal perspective view of the electric toothbrush according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view, Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the vibrating type in use, and Fig. 4 is the rolling type in use. Longitudinal sectional view, 5th
Figure 6 shows the V-V and V+-V+ sectional views of Figure 3, respectively, Figure 7 shows the sectional view of Figure 4 - ■, and Figure 8 shows the engaged state of the single rotating body and the cam body. In the figure, (a) is during vibration. (1)...Body case (7)...Brush connection rod (23)...Drive gear (25)...Screw ring (28)...Occentric rotating body (32)...Flat Core (41)...The bearing is

Claims (1)

[Claims] A motor that can be switched between forward and reverse directions, a clutch that moves in one direction during forward rotation and another direction when reversed, an eccentric rotating body that engages with the clutch when moving in the one direction, and an eccentric rotating body that engages with the clutch when moving in the one direction. The cam body, which converts the eccentric circular motion into the rolling motion of the brush connecting rod, and the eccentric part formed on a part of the clutch when moving to the other side fit together, and the eccentric circular motion a crank that converts the centroid movement into an eccentric movement of the brush connection rod, and a bearing that converts this eccentric movement into a scraping movement of the entire brush connection rod, and the eccentric rotating body An electric toothbrush characterized in that when the engagement is disengaged, the non-circular portion is pushed by a spring and engages with the cam body, thereby fixing the cam body.