JPH0636069U - Toothbrush with pressing force detection mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a toothbrush with a pressing force detection mechanism having a structure in which the detection sensor has a small mounting area at the time of dental brushing at home or at home, and the detection sensor is not damaged by impact or the like. [Structure] In the force detection sensor 4, a first pair of strain gauge elements A and D connected in series and a second pair of strain gauge elements C and B similarly connected in series are connected in parallel to each other. In addition to the bridge circuit, only one of the first pair of strain gauge elements A and D or the second pair of strain gauge elements C and B constituting the bridge circuit is connected to the grip portion 2. It was arranged between the brush unit 3 and the brush unit 3.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a toothbrush with a pressing force detection mechanism capable of knowing an optimum pressing force when dental brushing or at home brushing teeth.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 When brushing teeth, it was not easy to experience how much pressure should be applied to the teeth or gums for brushing. That is, if the pressing force of the brush portion against the teeth or gums is too weak, the plaque cannot be sufficiently removed, while if it is too strong, the enamel on the surface of the teeth is polished and the gums are damaged. It also becomes.

From this point of view, a dentist or a dental hygienist (teacher) teaches the pressing force of the toothbrush when brushing teeth, but in the case of teaching in words or teaching with the instructor's hand. It was difficult to experience the objective pressing force.

As this type of brushing instruction device, the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-109081 is known.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 As a result of further research, the present inventor has found that the following problems to be further improved remain in this type of brushing teaching device.

Firstly, it is conceivable to use a strain gauge element between the brush section and the grip section as a detection means for detecting the pressing force. At this time, four strain gauges are used as the brush section 3 and the grip section. It will be placed on the four sides of the thin part between 2 and 2. However, a strain gauge element of a certain size is required to detect the pressing force. The part had to be enlarged.

Secondly, it is expected that a force detection sensor is directly attached to the main body extending from the grip portion to the brush portion. However, this type of sensor is weak against impact force, and is dropped on the floor surface or forced by force. If the brush part were pressed against it, it could be damaged due to excessive force applied to the detection sensor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to reduce a mounting area of a detection sensor and to provide a pressing force detection mechanism having a structure in which the detection sensor is not damaged by an impact or the like. To provide an attached toothbrush.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 According to the present invention, a force detection sensor 4 is provided between the grip portion 2 of the toothbrush body 1 and the brush portion 3, and a display unit 5 for displaying a pressing force applied to the brush portion 3 by a signal from the force detection sensor 4 is provided. The provided toothbrush with the pressing force detection mechanism has the following configuration.

That is, the force detection sensor 4 includes a first pair of strain gauge elements A and D connected in series and a second pair of strain gauge elements C and B connected in series to each other in parallel. And a first pair of strain gauge elements A and D, or a second pair of strain gauge elements C and B, which form the bridge circuit. It was arranged between the grip portion 2 and the brush portion 3.

Further, the base end of the shaft 6 is embedded in the grip portion 2, the force detection sensor 4 is provided on the surface of the shaft 6 in the middle thereof, and the periphery thereof is extended from the tip of the grip portion 2. The sleeve 8 is covered, and the movement restricting portion 10 for restricting the movement of the shaft 6 is provided on the inner surface of the sleeve 8.

[0012]

[Action]

 In the above-mentioned means, only two strain gauges of the bridge circuit composed of four strain gauge elements are arranged in the middle of the toothbrush body 1, that is, the grip portion 2 and the brush portion 3, and the other two strain gauges are arranged. For example, by disposing the toothbrush main body 1 inside the display 5, the mounting area of the detection sensor on the toothbrush main body 1 can be significantly reduced (about 1/2). It is possible to realize a system equipped with an inspection mechanism for the obtained pressing force.

Further, since the movement restricting portion 10 is provided around the shaft 6 on which the detection sensor is mounted, the impact applied to the shaft 6 when the toothbrush body 1 falls is absorbed, so that the force detection sensor 4 is damaged. Can be prevented. Further, even when a strong force is applied to the brush part 3, the movement restricting part 10 restricts the behavior of the shaft 6 within a certain range, so that the force detection sensor 4 can be prevented from being damaged.

[0014]

【Example】

 FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing the device configuration of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram, and FIG. 3 is an external view showing the entire system.

As shown in FIG. 3, the system configuration of this embodiment comprises a toothbrush body 1 and an indicator 5, and a cord 11 electrically and physically connects the toothbrush body 1 and the indicator 5. It is connected to the. Of course, the toothbrush body 1 and the display 5 may be integrally configured.

The toothbrush main body 1 has a grip portion 2 formed by molding or extruding a synthetic resin, and a base end of a metal shaft 6 is embedded at the tip of the grip portion 2 in a direction coaxial with the grip portion 2. There is.

A pair of strain gauge elements A and D are attached to the surface of the intermediate portion of the metal shaft 6, that is, the portion exposed from the grip portion 2. Here, the strain gauge element is an element that converts pressure deformation of metal into a change in electric resistance, and is composed of a metal piece having terminals on both ends or both sides. As the strain gauge element, a semiconductor diaphragm type pressure sensor using a semiconductor crystal may be used.

A sleeve portion 8 is formed at the tip of the grip portion 2, and the sleeve portion 8 covers the periphery of the metal shaft 6 with a certain distance. The strain gauge elements A and D attached to the surface of the metal shaft 6 described above are housed in the space defined by the sleeve portion 8 and protected from the outside.

A ring body 10 that functions as a movement restricting portion that restricts the movement of the metal shaft 6 is attached to the inner surface of the tip of the sleeve portion 8. The ring body 10 may be formed of the same synthetic resin as the grip portion 2 or may be formed of an elastic body such as rubber.

By arranging the ring bodies 10 around the metal shaft 6 at regular intervals, even if the metal shaft 6 falls on the floor, the metal shaft 6 is prevented from being deformed unnecessarily. The impact force applied to the metal shaft 6 is also absorbed by the ring body 10. As a result, damage to the strain gauge elements A and D attached to the intermediate surface of the metal shaft 6 is prevented.

A cap 12 made of rubber or soft synthetic resin is attached to the tip of the sleeve portion 8. The base end of the cap 12 is fitted around the distal end of the sleeve portion 8, and the convex portion provided on the inner circumference of the distal end is fitted into the concave portion provided on the peripheral surface of the metal shaft 6.

The cap 12 prevents moisture from entering the inside of the grip portion 2 and prevents the strain gauge elements A and D from being corroded. Further, when the toothbrush body 1 is dropped, the cap 12 also has a function of absorbing the impact from the metal shaft 6.

A brush portion 7 made of synthetic resin is detachably attached to the metal shaft 6 at the tip of the metal shaft 6. At the tip of the brush part 7, a brush is planted in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the brush to form the brush part 3.

Next, the circuit configuration of this embodiment will be described. The strain gauge elements A and D described above form a bridge circuit with the strain gauges B and C provided in the display 5. The strain gauge elements A, D and B, C, which are respectively connected in series, are connected in parallel with each other, and the voltage change between the X terminal and the Y terminal, which is a connection point, is amplified by the amplifier 9 and is displayed. It has a structure that drives the needle of the ta. An AC voltage from an AC power supply 19 is applied to the P terminal, which is the connection point of A and D, and the Q terminal, which is the connection point of C and B, and in the normal state, the bridge circuit is kept balanced and the XY terminal is connected. The voltage from is 0.

Although the elements C and B housed in the display 5 are strain gauge elements in FIG. 2, they may be ordinary resistance elements. In this embodiment, when a pressing force in the F direction is applied to the brush portion 7 (brush portion 3), the metal shaft 6 is distorted, and the resistance values of the strain gauge elements A and D change, which causes The voltage balance of the bridge circuit (A, B, C, D) is lost, and a voltage corresponding to the pressing force appears at the XY terminals. This voltage value is amplified by the amplifier 9 to drive the needle of the display meter to display the pressing force.

In this embodiment, only one pair (A, D) of the elements (A, B, C, D) forming the bridge circuit is provided on the toothbrush main body (surface of the metal shaft 6) and the other pair (B). , C) are housed on the display 5 side, the toothbrush body can be made lighter and smaller than conventional products of this type.

Although the display unit 5 has been described as the display unit 5 using an analog meter, it may be a display unit that performs digital display. Further, the display may be performed by voice.

[0028]

[Effect of the Invention] According to the toothbrush with the pressing force detection mechanism of the present invention, the pressing force applied to the teeth and gums during brushing can be specifically recognized, and the toothbrush body can be made smaller and lighter. It is possible to prevent the force detection sensor from being damaged due to an impact such as a drop.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing a structure of a toothbrush body of a toothbrush with a pressing force detection mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing the entire system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ・ ・ Toothbrush body 2 ・ ・ Gripping part 3 ・ ・ Brush part 4 ・ ・ Force detection sensor 5 ・ ・ Display device 6 ・ ・ Metal shaft 7 ・ ・ Brush part 8 ・ ・ Sleeve part 9 ・ ・ Amplifier 10 ・ ・ Movement restriction Part (ring body) 11 ... Cord 12 ... Cap 19 ... AC power supply

Claims (4)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A force detection sensor (4) is provided between a grip portion (2) of a toothbrush body (1) and a brush portion (3), and a brush portion (3) is generated by a signal from the force detection sensor (4). In a toothbrush with a pressing force detecting mechanism, which is provided with an indicator (5) for displaying the pressing force applied to the force detecting sensor (4), the force detecting sensor (4) is connected to the first pair of strain gauge elements A and D in series. And a second pair of strain gauge elements C and B, which are also connected in series, are configured by a bridge circuit that is connected in parallel to each other, and a first pair of strain gauge elements A and D that configure the bridge circuit. A toothbrush with a pressing force detecting mechanism, wherein only one of the second pair of strain gauge elements C and B is arranged between the grip portion 2 and the brush portion 3. 2. The first pair of strain gauge elements A, D, or the second pair of strain gauge elements C,
2. The pressing force detection according to claim 1, wherein one of the pair of strain gauge elements of B which is not arranged between the grip portion (2) and the brush portion (3) is replaced with a resistance element. Toothbrush with mechanism. 3. A gripping part (2), a shaft (6) in which a proximal end is embedded in the gripping part (2), and a force detection sensor (4) is provided on an intermediate surface thereof, the shaft (6). A brush part (7) which is detachably attached to the tip of the shaft and has a brush part (3) at the tip, and a force detection sensor (4) of the shaft (6) from the tip of the gripping part (2). On the inner side surface of the sleeve portion (8) provided as described above, based on a signal from the movement restricting portion (10) that restricts the movement of the shaft (6) within a certain value, and the force detection sensor (4). A toothbrush with a pressing force detection mechanism, comprising a display (5) for displaying the pressing force applied to the brush section (3). 4. The force detection sensor (4) includes a first pair of strain gauge elements A and D connected in series, and a second pair of strain gauge elements C and B also connected in series. And a first pair of strain gauge elements A and D, or a second pair of strain gauge elements C and B, which form the bridge circuit. The toothbrush with a pressing force detecting mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a tooth is provided on the surface of the shaft (6).