JPH0690824A - Motor tooth brush - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To disinfect efficiently one's oral cavity by applying voltage from a battery to both ends of an n-type semiconductor inserted in a section interconnecting a bristle planting part and grip part of a motor tooth brush to act as a photocatalyst and generate oxygen with photoelectric chemical reaction. CONSTITUTION:A motor tooth brush is composed of a bristle planting part A and grip part B put in one's oral cavity. The bristle planting part A has a transparent synthetic resin stem, 1 bristles 2 at the tip and a recessed part 1A. A projecting part 3A of the grip part 13 engages the recessed part 1A of the stem 1 to convert 7 the rotational motion of a motor 5 to high speed fine vibration of the bristle planting part A. An n type semiconductor 9 is received in a longitudinal hole 1b of the stem 1 and one end of the semiconductor is connected to a positive electrode of a battery 6 through a good conductor 13, switch 8 and good conductor 10A. The other end of the semiconductor 9 is connected to the negative electrode of the battery 6 through saliva and good conductors 11, 10B invading in through holes 1a, 1b in the direction of wall thickness of the stem 1. The semiconductor 9 acts as a photocatalyst to generate oxygen with photoelectric chemical reaction. Thus, the interior of one's oral cavity is disinfected and sterilized to be prevented from decayed teeth and pyorrhea.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush, and more specifically, to a redox action and a polarization that occur when light energy is converted into electric energy by satisfying four conditions of light, N-type semiconductor, water and teeth. The present invention relates to a photoelectrochemical reaction type electric brush that has a hygienic effect on teeth by its action.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional electric toothbrush is provided with a bristle implant part in which brush bristles are planted at an insertion part into the oral cavity, and a grip part exposed to the outside of the oral cavity. Further, the grip part is provided with a motor. A DC power source for driving the motor and a motion converting means for converting the rotational motion of the motor into a microvibration or a reciprocating motion in the flocked portion are provided (for example, JP-A-57-57).
69806, JP-A-2-142508).

[0003]

An electric toothbrush of this kind is designed to speed up the brushing movement of the toothbrush which scratches the tooth row in the front-back direction, the up-down direction, or a combination thereof by electrically speeding the toothbrush, thereby making It was developed to reduce fatigue and achieve an improved brushing effect. However, in order to exert its effect reliably, it is necessary to sequentially apply the bristles of the bristle part to the required positions such as the interdental part or the subgingival margin, but this kind of operation is unfamiliar. It is difficult for a person, and as a result, the brushing effect is lowered, and the plaque adhering to the interdental part or the subgingival space is not sufficiently removed in reality. In addition, when brushing teeth with this electric brush, a dentifrice containing fluorine, which is known to act effectively for preventing tooth decay, is used together, but the tooth surface has a pH lower than that of tooth tissue. Since it is in contact with saliva, it has a property of impeding the permeation of anions such as fluorine, and the effects of the anions cannot be fully exhibited. Therefore, a battery different from the DC power source for driving the motor is provided inside the grip portion, and the first conductor connected to the positive electrode of the battery is provided at the flocked portion of the flocked portion, and the outer surface of the grip portion is provided. A second conductor connected to the negative electrode of the battery is provided, the human body holding the second conductor is used as a conductor, and the gum is used as a negative electrode, and the following [Chemical formula 1] is used via saliva or tap water. A method of causing an electrolytic reaction as represented by the formula [Chemical Formula 3] is conceivable.

[0004]

Embedded image H ₂ O → 1 / 2O ₂ + 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻

[0005]

[Chemical formula 2] 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ → H ₂

Therefore

[0007]

[Chemical formula 3] H ₂ O → 1 / 2O ₂ + H ₂

The electrolytic reaction promotes the penetration of anions such as fluorine into the tooth tissue. In this case, the human body having a high resistance is used as a part of the circuit. In order to cause the reaction of, the power consumption must be increased, and as a result,
Not only is the toothbrush as a whole including the grip portion increased in size, but the resistance of the human body varies from person to person, so that the current required for the above reaction does not flow. Further, if a power source having a high voltage is used as a countermeasure, there is a problem that a harmful effect on the human body occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is not only to decompose plaque and deposition pigments but also to directly cause decalcification of teeth due to pH decrease. By decomposing organic acids such as lactic acid and bactericidal bacteria that cause dental plaque, organic acids and toxins, and bacteria that cause alveolar pyorrhea, This is to provide an electric toothbrush that can be effectively prevented even by an inexperienced person to improve the hygienic condition of the tooth, and is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost and structure.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, in the electric toothbrush according to the first aspect of the present invention, a bristling part in which brush bristles are planted at the insertion part into the oral cavity,
A grip part exposed to the outside of the oral cavity is further provided, and further, a motor, a DC power supply for driving the motor, and a rotary motion of the motor are converted into microvibration or reciprocating motion in the hair transplant part in the grip part. A motion conversion means is provided, and at least a part of the N-type semiconductor which is inserted into the oral cavity and comes into contact with water is provided over the hair-implanted portion, the grip portion, or both, and the N-type semiconductor and the The positive electrode of the direct current power source is connected, and the conductor provided on the outer surface of the grip is connected to the negative electrode of the direct current power source. On the street.

[0011]

When the N-type semiconductor exposed outside the oral cavity is exposed to light, the N-type semiconductor acts as a photocatalyst and a photoelectrochemical reaction occurs. That is, when the N-type semiconductor comes into contact with a solution composed of water such as saliva, as shown in the principle diagram of FIG. 4, due to the difference between the Fermi level of the N-type semiconductor 9 and the redox potential of the solution, the N-type semiconductor is formed. A Schottky barrier is generated on the surface portion of the semiconductor 9, and a potential gradient, that is, a bending of the band is generated toward the inside of the N-type semiconductor 9 to form a space potential layer. When the N-type semiconductor 9 in this state is irradiated with light, some of the electrons in the valence band are excited in the conduction band, holes (P ⁺ ) in the valence band and excited electrons (e ^{− in the} conduction band). ) Is formed. Excited electrons in the conduction band move inside the semiconductor due to the potential gradient of the space charge layer, and further move to the back surface of the N-type semiconductor 9. On the light-irradiated surface, an oxidation reaction occurs due to the holes in the valence band. For example, water molecules are oxidized as shown in the following [Chemical Formula 4] to generate highly reactive OH radicals.

[0012]

[Chemical formula 4] H ₂ O + P ⁺ → · OH + H ⁺

On the other hand, the excited electrons in the conduction band that have reached the back surface of the N-type semiconductor 9 near the tooth T cause a reduction reaction. For example, a reaction in which hydrogen ions are reduced as shown in the above [Chemical formula 2] to raise the pH, or dissolved in a solution composed of water such as saliva as in the following [Chemical formula 5] Oxygen is reduced and OH radicals are generated.

[0014]

Embedded image O ₂ + 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ → 2 · OH

OH radicals generated by the redox reaction represented by the above [formula 4] and [formula 5] decompose the organic acids such as plaque, deposited pigment and lactic acid, and further cause caries and alveolar pus. The bacteria that cause the leak will be killed.
Further, the holes and excited electrons have the property of not only causing an oxidation-reduction reaction but also attracting a cation and an anion, respectively, in the solution in contact with the N-type semiconductor. Considering only the vicinity of the tooth T, since excited electrons are present on the back surface of the N-type semiconductor 9, positive ions such as hydrogen ions are attracted to the N-type semiconductor side. Therefore, anions such as hydroxide ions are left in the vicinity of the tooth, and a polarized state is generated between the N-type semiconductor and the tooth. Due to this polarization action, a large amount of hydrogen ions do not exist on the tooth surface, and the tooth is not decalcified. As described above, the redox action and the polarization action occur even with the N-type semiconductor alone. Particularly, in the present invention, as shown in the principle diagram of FIG. 5, a DC power source provided for driving the motor is used. 5, the positive electrode of the DC power supply 5 is connected to the N-type semiconductor 9 and the negative electrode of the DC power supply 5 is connected to the conductor 11 provided on the outer surface of the grip portion B. At the time of brushing teeth while gripping the tooth, an electric circuit having the tooth T as a counter electrode is formed via the human body M. That is, when light irradiation is performed in a state where the N-type semiconductor 9 and a solution composed of water such as saliva are in contact with each other, holes (P ⁻ ) are excited in the valence band and excitation in the conduction band as described above. Electrons (e ⁺ ) are generated. The excited electrons move to the inside of the semiconductor according to the potential gradient of the space charge layer,
Furthermore, via the conductor 11 and the human body M having the resistance R,
Reach tooth T. By the excited electrons reaching the tooth T,
The reduction reaction occurs on the tooth surface. Then, in the electric circuit thus formed, the oxidation reaction by holes and the reduction reaction by excited electrons proceed as shown in the above [Chemical formula 2], [Chemical formula 4] and [Chemical formula 5], and cause caries. And alveolar pyorrhea can be prevented. Furthermore, in this electric circuit, for example, if the DC power supply is not connected,
The energy level of the edge of the valence band is fairly positive, so the oxidizing power is fairly strong, but the energy level of the edge of the conduction band is not so negative, so the reducing power is not so strong, and as a whole, The reaction efficiency is not good. However, when the DC power source is also used as described above, the energy level at the edge of the conduction band can be made sufficiently negative, and the overall reaction efficiency is further improved. Moreover, since no special DC power supply for improving the reaction efficiency is required, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the required space in the grip portion by that amount.

[0016]

Therefore, by utilizing the direct current power source provided for driving the motor and combining the direct current power source with the N-type semiconductor, not only the decomposition of plaque and the deposited pigment but also the pH decrease can be achieved. Decomposes organic acids such as lactic acid, which directly causes decalcification of the resulting teeth, and also sterilizes dental caries that produces plaque, organic acids and toxins, and bacteria that cause alveolar pyorrhea. By doing this, it is possible to prevent tooth decay and alveolar pyorrhea, effectively improving the hygiene of teeth even by unfamiliar people, and at the same time, reduce the manufacturing cost and the entire electric toothbrush including the grip. It has become possible to promote compactness.

As described in the second aspect of the present invention, the N-type semiconductor is formed in a thin layer on the surface of the conductor, and the thickness of the thin N-type semiconductor is 0.1.
In the case of the range of μm to 1.0 μm, the excited electrons in the conduction band move in the conductor before they recombine with the holes in the valence band and disappear, resulting in efficient reduction reaction and polarization effect. You will be able to do it. Moreover, when the N-type semiconductor is thin, the Schottky barrier formed on the back surface of this thin layer can be flattened more easily, so that the substance in the solution that is in contact with the N-type semiconductor is prevented. The electrons are easily supplied, and the efficiency of the reduction reaction is increased. The high efficiency of the reduction reaction, in other words, means that the excited electrons in the conduction band are often consumed, and at the same time, the holes in the valence band are efficiently consumed and the efficiency of the oxidation reaction is also improved. is there.

Further, as described in the third aspect of the present invention, when the N-type semiconductor is titanium oxide, the following effects are obtained. That is, since titanium oxide is completely insoluble in water and there is no elution of metal ions, even if titanium oxide itself is ingested from the oral cavity, it will not be absorbed by the human body at all and will be used in electric toothbrushes. It is extremely excellent as a type semiconductor in terms of safety. Further, for the reactivity (photochemical activity) of the N-type semiconductor, the energy levels of the valence band and the conduction band are the oxidative power of each N-type semiconductor,
It represents the reducing power. In the case of titanium oxide, an N-type semiconductor (for example, tungsten trioxide (WO ₃ ), diiron trioxide ( Fe
₂ O ₃ ) or the like, or an N-type semiconductor (for example, cadmium selenide (CdS) (CdS) having a strong reducing power at a position where the energy level of the conduction band is high (position on the negative side).
e), cadmium telluride (CdTe), etc.),
The energy levels of the valence band and the conduction band are well balanced, and an excellent redox reaction can occur.

Further, as described in the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the crystal structure of the titanium oxide is anatase type, the following effects are obtained. That is, as the crystal structure of titanium oxide, there are anatase type and rutile type,
In the case of anatase type, the processing temperature required for its production is 7
The temperature is from 00 to 800 ° C, and the processing temperature is from 1,200 to 1,
It can be manufactured more economically than the rutile type which achieves 500 ° C. Further, when comparing the anatase type and the rutile type, the energy levels of the conduction band are the same, but the energy level of the valence band is deeper in the anatase type than in the rutile type (more positive position). It is in. Therefore, comparing the two, the anatase type has a stronger oxidizing power than the rutile type, and a more excellent photoelectrochemical reaction can be caused.

Further, as described in the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the flocked portion is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the grip portion, the flocked portion consumed during use can be freely set. Since it can be replaced, there is an effect that an electric toothbrush having a high effect can be advantageously provided in terms of price.

[0021]

[First Embodiment] The electric toothbrush shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes, as main constituent members, a hair-implanted portion A to be inserted into the oral cavity and a grip portion B exposed to the outside of the oral cavity. The flocked part A
Comprises a transparent synthetic resin handle 1 to be inserted into the oral cavity, and a large number of transparent nylon brush bristles 2 implanted at the tip of the handle 1. , A vertical hole 1a having a circular cross section along the toothbrush longitudinal direction, and the vertical hole 1a
A first through hole 1b having an oval shape and a second through hole 1c having a circular shape that penetrates in a direction orthogonal to (the thickness direction of the handle 1).
And are formed. The grip portion B has a case body 3 made of synthetic resin formed in a tapered cylindrical shape, and a detachable synthetic resin cap 4 closing an opening on the other end side of the case body 3. In addition, the case body 3 further includes a motor 5, a battery 6 that is a DC power source for driving the motor 5, and a rotational movement of the motor 5 for the flocked portion A.
There is provided a motion converting means 7 for converting into a high-speed micro-vibration and a switch 8 for switching on / off the energization state from the battery 6 to the motor 5. Further, a convex portion 3A which is detachably fitted in the U-shaped concave portion 1A formed in the handle 1 of the bristle portion A in the longitudinal direction of the brush is formed in the tapered portion of the case body 3. , The convex portion 3A and the concave portion 1A
When the convex portion 3A and the concave portion 1A are fitted to a predetermined position, they are elastically engaged with the mating surfaces facing each other with the grip portion B.
An engaging projection 1d and an engaging groove 3a are formed to prevent the hair-implanted part A from coming off and holding it. Further, in the tapered portion of the case body 3, a vertical hole 1 formed in the handle 1 of the flocked portion A.
and the first through hole 1b is inserted into
Also, a round rod-shaped N-type semiconductor 9 that is in contact with a solution composed of water such as saliva in the oral cavity is fixed through the second through hole 1c. This N-type semiconductor 9 is formed by forming a thin film N-type semiconductor layer 9b having a thickness of 0.1 μm to 1.0 μm on the surface of a good conductor 9a such as metal. In the first embodiment, as the N-type semiconductor 9, rod-shaped metallic titanium having a high purity of 99.4% by weight is used for 1 to 2 minutes for 1 to 2 minutes.
By firing at 00 to 1,500 ° C, a good conductor 9
Titanium dioxide (Ti0 ₂ ) that will become the N-type semiconductor layer 9b is formed on the surface of metal titanium that will become a. And the N
A good conductor 13 such as a metal capable of making an ohmic contact is connected to one end of the type semiconductor 9, and the good conductor 13 is further connected.
Among the metal good conductors 10A and 10B that form the electric circuit from the battery 6 to the motor 5, the circuit is connected to the circuit forming first good conductor 10A connected to the positive electrode of the battery 5, and On the surface of the case body 3, a second good circuit-forming conductor 10 connected to the negative electrode of the battery 5 is formed.
A good metallic conductor 11 connected to B is provided.
The motion converting means 7 is composed of a weight attached to the drive shaft 5a of the motor 5 in an eccentric state.
Is configured to be eccentrically rotated at a high speed so that a high-speed microvibration is applied to the flocked portion A via the case body 3. The photoelectrochemical reaction of the electric toothbrush thus configured is as described above with reference to the principle diagrams of FIGS. 4 and 5, and the description thereof will be omitted. However,
In the first embodiment, the first member formed on the synthetic resin handle 1 is used.
Since water such as saliva accumulates in the through hole 1b and the second through hole 1c, the photoelectrochemical reaction is efficiently promoted through the accumulated water. Further, since the handle 1 is transparent, N
While inserting the type semiconductor 9 into the vertical hole 1a of the handle 1, it is possible to sufficiently secure the light receiving area of the N-type semiconductor 9.
The titanium oxide constituting the N-type semiconductor 9 has anatase type and rutile type crystal structures, but the anatase type is more advantageous than rutile type in terms of production and photoelectrochemical reaction. .

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 6 shows the N-type semiconductor 9
Is also configured by a flat plate-shaped flat wire 12 that prevents the brush bristles 2 pushed into the tufting hole 1e of the handle 1 in a U shape from coming out. The semiconductor flat wire 12 and the round bar-shaped N-type semiconductor 9 in the first embodiment may be used in combination.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 7 shows the N-type semiconductor 9
Is also used as one or a plurality of brush bristles 2 having an N-type semiconductor component deposited on the surface thereof. The semiconductor brush bristles 2 have an anatase of an extremely thin film thickness of about 0.1 μm to 1.0 μm after vapor deposition of metallic titanium 9c, which is an N-type semiconductor material, on the surface of the nylon filament 2a. The titanium dioxide layer 9d is formed by cutting it into a predetermined length. As shown in the figure, a thin film titanium dioxide layer 9d is formed on the outer peripheral surface, and a metal titanium 9c is formed on the cross section thereof. It has an exposed structure. The semiconductor brush bristles 2 and the round bar-shaped N-type semiconductor 9 in the first embodiment may be used in combination.

[Other Embodiments]

A. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the bristle implant A is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the grip B is not limited to this, and the bristle implant A and the grip B are integrated. It may be configured as desired.

B. In the above-described first embodiment, one end of the N-type semiconductor 9 is fixed to the grip B, but in the use state, a configuration is shown in which the N-type semiconductor 9 is substantially arranged from the grip B to the hair transplant A. Further, in the above-described second or third embodiment, the form in which the N-type semiconductor 9 is disposed in the bristle implant portion A is shown, but in the present invention, the N-type semiconductor 9 is provided in the grip portion B. Alternatively, a conductive wire may be additionally provided to extend to the flocked portion A, and the conductive wire may be used as a conductive path.

C. In the above-described first embodiment, the movement converting means 7 is described as a type in which the rotational movement of the motor 5 is converted into the microvibration in the flocked portion A, but it is not limited to this structure. , For example, a type of reciprocating linear movement in the brush longitudinal direction or a direction intersecting with the brush longitudinal direction, or a type of reciprocating rotational movement in a combined direction of the brush longitudinal direction and a direction intersecting the brush longitudinal direction You may carry out using.

D. Examples of the N-type semiconductor 9 include titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) and zirconium dioxide (ZrO ₂ ).
₂ ), diiron trioxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ), zinc oxide (ZnO)
Etc. may be used. In short, any N-type semiconductor that produces a photocatalytic effect may be used. Further, as for the method of manufacturing the N-type semiconductor 9, there are many methods such as the following. Titanium (Ti), Zirconium (Zr), Iron (F
e), a metal such as zinc (Zn) is baked at a high temperature in an oxidizing atmosphere to form TiO on the surface of these metals.
₂ , a method of forming ZrO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , ZnO and the like. By electrolytically oxidizing metals such as Ti, Zr, Fe, and Zn, TiO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , and
A method of forming Fe ₂ O ₃ , ZnO and the like. A method of directly pressing or sintering powder of N-type semiconductor material as a raw material. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method. Vacuum deposition method. Sputtering method. Ion plating method. If a good conductor is carried on the surface of the N-type semiconductor 9, N
The efficiency of the reduction reaction on the surface of the type semiconductor increases. When a noble metal such as Pt is used as a metal to be supported, it acts catalytically on hydrogen generation, and thus the efficiency of the photocatalytic reaction in the oral cavity is increased. In addition to platinum (Pt), a noble metal such as palladium (Pd), gold (Au), silver (Ag), Ti, or a Ti alloy may be used as the metal to be supported. Further, by attaching a dye sensitizer such as metal phthalocyanine or rhodamine B to the surface of the N-type semiconductor 9, it is possible to extend the usable absorption wavelength region of the semiconductor to the absorption wavelength of the dye and improve the light energy conversion efficiency. it can. Furthermore, in addition to these treatment methods, by reducing the temperature to high temperature while passing through hydrogen gas, hydrogen defects are introduced into the N-type semiconductor crystal lattice to form a better semiconductor. You may

It should be noted that reference numerals are given in the claims for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the accompanying drawings by the entry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of the entire electric toothbrush showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of the whole when the hair-implanted portion A and the grip portion B are separated.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view of the whole when the flocked part A and the grip part B are separated.

[Figure 4] Principle diagram in the non-energized state

[Figure 5] Principle diagram in the energized state

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Flocking part B Grip part 2 Brush bristles 5 Motor 6 DC power supply (battery) 7 Motion conversion means 9 N-type semiconductor 11 Conductor

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A bristling part (A) in which brush bristles (2) are planted at an insertion part into the oral cavity, and a grip part (B) exposed to the outside of the oral cavity, and further, the grip part ( The motor (5), the DC power supply (6) for driving the motor (5), and the rotational movement of the motor (5) are shown in FIG.
Motion conversion means (7) for converting into slight vibration or reciprocating motion
An electric toothbrush provided with and, at least a part of which is inserted into the oral cavity over the flocked portion (A) or the grip portion (B) or both (A, B) to come into contact with water. Type semiconductor (9) is provided, the N type semiconductor (9) is connected to the positive electrode of the DC power source (6), and a conductor (1) provided on the outer surface of the grip (B) is provided.
An electric toothbrush, characterized in that 1) is connected to the negative electrode of the DC power source (6). 2. The N-type semiconductor (9) is formed in a thin layer on the conductor surface, and the thickness of the thin N-type semiconductor is in the range of 0.1 μm to 1.0 μm. Electric toothbrush. 3. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the N-type semiconductor (9) is titanium oxide. 4. The electric toothbrush according to claim 3, wherein the crystal structure of the titanium oxide is anatase type. 5. The electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the flocked part (A) is detachably attached to the grip part (B).