JPH07116018A - Toothbrush and motor-driven toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove gum or tartar efficiently by brushing the upper face of tooth with one of central parts of plural tooth brush elements set on the tip of a grip in a detachable manner and with right and left elements for brushing the inner and outer sides as well as the tooth side face towards the tooth tip at a specified angle. CONSTITUTION:Each stem part 20 of toothbrush element 2a to 2c is inserted at fixed holes 11a to 11c formed at the tip of a grip of a toothbrush A1 and it is fixed by a screw 12. A brush part 21 of central tooth brush body 2a is used to brush the upper face of tooth. A brush part 21 at each of both side toothbrush bodies 2b, 2c is used to brush the inner and outer sides as well as the tooth side face of tooth while it is set at an angle of 30 to 60 degrees. In the case of motor-driven brush a motor incorporated in a grip part 1 drives the body 2a to 2c. At the time of manual operation, the bodies 2a to 2c are moved to and fro in the longitudinal direction with the grip part held and they 2a to 2c are moved up and down to brush tooth.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toothbrush and an electric toothbrush capable of efficiently removing dust, plaque, and tartar attached to teeth.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Human teeth are important tissues indispensable for mastication and pronunciation of food, and in order to sufficiently perform their functions, it is necessary to prevent periodontal diseases from occurring before meals or before going to bed. It is necessary to brush the teeth to prevent plaque and tartar from depositing on the neck and the like. Conventionally, a toothbrush in which a brush portion is implanted at the end of a grip handle has been used as an instrument for brushing teeth, but in recent years, a so-called electric toothbrush has been developed and is also widely used. Although this toothbrush and the electric toothbrush have a difference between manual operation and automatic operation, both are generally used by vibrating the brush portion in the axial direction or the axial direction.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional toothbrush or electric toothbrush has the following problems. That is, when the handle portion is swung in the axial direction during use, the brush portion is alternately swung in the upward and downward directions. That is, for example, in the case of an electric toothbrush,
When the user holds the gripping cylinder and brings the brush portion into contact with the tooth flank and the neck of the tooth and swings the brush portion in the axial direction, the brush portion is rotated and swung downward, and the gingiva is rotated. The tip of the tooth is peeled from the cervical portion, and the scum adhered to the tooth is pushed by the brush into the gingival groove between the gingiva and the cervical portion. Now, by brushing your teeth,
On the contrary, plaque and tartar will be deposited, which may cause periodontal diseases such as alveolar pyorrhea.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Means for solving the problems described above are as follows. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the toothbrush body includes a grip portion and a plurality of toothbrush bodies detachably provided at a tip portion of the grip portion.
When the brush part is used, it is 30 ° to the tooth flank toward the tooth tip.
The toothbrush is arranged so as to form an angle of 60 °.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the gripping base body, the vibrating portion which is provided on the gripping base body, and which is made to vibrate in a desired direction by the electric drive means incorporated in the gripping base body, are attached to and detached from the vibrating portion. A plurality of toothbrush bodies that are provided so that the toothbrush body is arranged such that the brush portion forms an angle of 30 ° to 60 ° with the tooth flank toward the tooth tip when in use. Is.

The structure of the electric drive means is not particularly limited, and known means such as a combination of a motor and a cam mechanism may be used. When attaching the toothbrush body, it is desirable that the angle of the brush portion is set to 45 ° with respect to the side surface of the tooth to be inserted, but the angle is not limited to this and it is 30 ° to 60 °.
It is appropriately set within the range.

Although the number of toothbrush bodies is not particularly limited, generally two or three toothbrush bodies are provided. In the case of two teeth, they are arranged corresponding to both sides of the tooth, or one is arranged corresponding to the occlusal surface of the tooth and the other one is arranged corresponding to one side surface of the tooth.
Further, in the case of three teeth, it goes without saying that one is arranged so as to correspond to the occlusal surface of the tooth and the other two are arranged so as to correspond to both side surfaces of the tooth.

If the angle is less than 30 ° or exceeds 60 °, the contact pressure on the tooth surface when the tip of the brush portion is swung becomes weak, and thus the residue and the like cannot be scraped off sufficiently. Further, the length of the brush portion is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately set, for example, the brush portion having the same length or the brush portion whose length is changed stepwise.

[0009]

When the toothbrush is used, it is fitted in the part surrounded by the brush part. As a result, the brush portion located on the side surface of the tooth comes into contact with the tooth side surface at an angle within the range of 30 ° to 60 °. In this state, in a manually operated toothbrush, the grip handle is vibrated in the axial direction, the tooth axis direction, or the direction perpendicular to the tooth axis direction by the manual operation. Further, in the electric toothbrush, the gripping handle is vibrated in the axial direction, the tooth axis direction, or the direction perpendicular to the tooth axis direction by the electric drive means.

At this time, although the brush portion is vibrating,
Since the brush direction is inclined with respect to the tooth flank, the sliding force of the brush portion is strong in the movement toward the tooth tip side, and the sliding force is weak toward the opposite side. As a result, the dregs, plaque, and tartar that have adhered to the tooth side portion and the tooth neck portion of the tooth are naturally slid toward the tooth tip side. Further, for the same reason, the gingival portion is not peeled off from the cervical portion, and the shavings, plaque, etc. attached to the cervical portion are removed without being pushed into the peeled portion.

[0011]

The present invention will be described in more detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a contact state between a brush portion and a tooth surface, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view of a tip portion of the brush portion. . Reference numeral A1 is a toothbrush, which is used by manual operation. The toothbrush A1 includes a grip portion 1 and three toothbrush bodies 2a, 2b, and 2c. The grip portion 1 is a plastic rod-shaped body, and the toothbrush bodies 2a, 2b, and 2c are detachably provided at the tips thereof.

Each toothbrush body 2a, 2b, 2c has a handle portion 20.
And a brush portion 21 is provided at the tip thereof. The outer shape of the tip of the handle 20 is rounded so as not to damage the mouth during use. Toothbrush body 2
The structure of the attachment portions of a, 2b, and 2c will be described. Fixing holes 11a, 11b, and 11c are provided at three points on the tip surface of the grip portion 1. Screw holes penetrate through the fixing holes 11a, 11b, 11c and the outer surface of the grip portion 1, and a tightening screw 12 is screwed into each screw hole. As a result, the tightening screw 1
If 2 is tightened, the toothbrush bodies 2a, 2b, 2c are fixed holes 1
It can be fixed to 1a, 11b, 11c.

The fixing holes 11a, 11b, 11c are provided.
The cross-sectional shape of is similar to the cross-sectional shape of the handle portion 20 and is formed into an almost elliptical shape, and the angle of each toothbrush body 2a, 2b, 2c in the axial direction is automatically set by inserting the cross-sectional shape.
The set angle of each toothbrush body 2a, 2b, 2c will be described with reference to FIG. The toothbrush body 2a corresponds to the occlusal surface of the tooth,
The brush portion 21 hits almost vertically. Toothbrush body 2b, 2
c corresponds to both sides of the tooth. Toothbrush body 2b, 2c
The brush portion 21 of the above forms an angle of approximately 45 ° with the tooth side surface toward the tooth tip of the tooth fitted in the portion surrounded by each brush portion 21.

Referring to FIG. In this embodiment, the tip end side of the brush fiber 210 of the brush portion 21 is slightly curved toward the tooth tip side, and the tip end portion is formed round. As a result, the gums are not damaged during brushing, and it is sufficiently effective to remove the dust and the like adhering to the teeth.

The usage and operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the space surrounded by the brush portion 21 is fitted into the tooth T, and the tooth side surface T is inserted as described above.
The brush portion 21 corresponding to No. 1 makes an angle of approximately 45 ° with the tooth side surface T1, and the gripping portion 1 is manually vibrated to vibrate in the axial direction, the tooth axis direction, or the direction perpendicular to the tooth axis direction for brushing.

At this time, although the brush portion 21 is vibrating, since the brush portion 21 is inclined with respect to the tooth side surface T1, the sliding force is strong in the movement toward the tooth tip side and the tooth base side. The sliding force is weak toward. As a result, the shavings, plaque, and tartar attached to the occlusal surface, the tooth side surface, and the cervical part of the tooth T are naturally attracted to the tooth tips. Also, for the same reason,
Even if it is rubbed by the brush portion 21, the gingival part does not peel off from the cervical part, and the dregs, plaque, etc. attached to the cervical part are removed without being pushed between the gingival part and the gingival part. .

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the electric toothbrush according to the present invention. The electric toothbrush A2 includes a grip base body 5. An attachment portion 51 is provided at the tip of the grip base 5. The toothbrush A1 is attached to the mounting portion 51.
Similarly, three toothbrush bodies 2a, 2b, 2c are attached. The mounting portion 51 is driven by a motor 52 which is an electric drive means built in the grip base body 5, and vibrates in a shaft circumferential direction (arrow a) and a tooth axis direction (arrow b) via the conversion mechanism portion 53. Has become. A publicly known means is used for the structure of the conversion mechanism portion 53, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the mounting portion 51 (handle 2)
The movement of 0) can be switched between the axial direction and the tooth axis direction by the changeover switch 54. Further, in addition to this, vibration may be performed in the direction perpendicular to the tooth axis direction (vibration of the mounting portion 51 in and out). Reference numeral 55 is a battery. Further, in the drawings, the same or equivalent portions as those of the toothbrush A1 are designated by the same reference numerals. The method of use and the operation are almost the same as the toothbrush A1 except that the vibration of the toothbrush bodies 2a, 2b, 2c (brush portion 21) is performed electrically and is more efficient.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the electric toothbrush according to the present invention. The electric toothbrush A3 of this embodiment has handle bodies 56a, 56b, 56c on the mounting portion 51a.
Is provided. The handle bodies 56a, 56b, 56c are independently vibrated in the axial direction by the conversion mechanism portion 53. Pattern 5
A fitting portion 57 having a quadrangular cross section is provided at the tips of 6a, 56b, and 56c.

Each fitting portion 57 has a toothbrush body 2a1, 2b.
1, 2c1 are detachably attached. Toothbrush body 2a
The fitting portion 57 is provided at the base end portion of the handle portion 20 of 1, 2b1, 2c1.
A fitting hole 201 for fitting with is provided. The fitting portion 57 and the fitting hole 201 can be attached and detached by one-touch by a known means. In addition, the toothbrush bodies 2a1, 2b1, 2
The mounting angle of c1 in the axial direction is set in the same manner as in each of the above embodiments.

Further, in the drawings, the same or equivalent portions as those of the electric toothbrush A2 are designated by the same reference numerals.
Regarding the method of use and the action, the toothbrush bodies 2a1, 2b
1, 2c1 can be easily attached and detached, and toothbrush bodies 2a1, 2b
The electric toothbrush A is different from the electric toothbrush A in that the vibrations of 1 and 2c1 (brush portions 21) are electrically driven in the axial direction.
It is roughly the same as 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the essential parts of a second embodiment of a toothbrush body. In this embodiment, only the toothbrush body 2a2 has the handle portion 20, and the toothbrush bodies 2b2 and 2c2 formed to have substantially the same length as the brush portion are attached by the curved stainless steel arm pins 28 provided on both sides. There is. N is a nut for tightening and fixing the arm pin 28. By loosening this, the toothbrush body 2
It is also possible to exchange only b2 and 2c2. The toothbrush body 2
The mounting angles of a2, 2b2 and 2c2 in the axial direction are set in the same manner as in the above-mentioned respective embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a toothbrush body according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the toothbrush body according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the toothbrush bodies 2b3 and 2c3 are attached by the arm pins 29 extending from the neck of the handle 20 of the toothbrush body 2a3. Please refer to FIG. The adjustment screw 30 is provided on the upper surface of the toothbrush body 2b3 near the tip of the handle 20.
It is rotatably installed without coming off. Adjusting screw 30
A screw hole 31 is provided in the lower part of the.

A housing recess 20 is provided on the lower surface of the handle 20 near the front end.
2 is provided, and the lift 203 is housed in the housing recess 202. A screw 204 is vertically fixed to the upper surface of the elevating body 203, and the screw hole 31 is screwed into the screw 204. A brush portion 21 a is provided on the lower surface of the lifting body 203. According to this structure, the lifting body 203 moves up and down by turning the adjusting screw 30, and the toothbrush body 2 when in use
The height of the brush part 21 of b3, 2c3 can be adjusted. The mounting angles of the toothbrush bodies 2a3, 2b3, 2c3 in the circumferential direction of the shaft are set in the same manner as in the above embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an essential part showing a fourth embodiment of the toothbrush body. In this embodiment, the toothbrush bodies 2a4, 2b
The fitting groove 205 is provided on the outer surface of
A stainless steel connecting member 33, which is U-shaped in a front view, is fitted to the tooth and fixed by a screw 34, and the toothbrush bodies 2a4, 2b4, 2 are attached.
c4 is integrated. In addition, the toothbrush bodies 2a4 and 2b
The mounting angles of 4, 2c4 in the axial direction are set in the same manner as in the above-described respective embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the essential parts of a fifth embodiment of a toothbrush body. In this embodiment, the toothbrush bodies 2a5, 2
b5 and 2c5 are integrated by being fixed with a screw 36 via a curved stainless steel surrounding plate 35.
A cushion 21b made of hard sponge is attached to the lower surface of the toothbrush body 2a5 instead of the brush body. Note that, in FIGS. 6 to 10, the same or equivalent portions as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0027]

The present invention having the above-mentioned structure has the following effects. (A) The brush portion of the toothbrush body is provided so as to be inclined so as to form an angle of 30 ° to 60 ° with the tooth flank toward the tip of each tooth fitted between the brush portions. Therefore, when the tip of the brush portion is brought into contact with the tooth surface and the brush portion is vibrated, the sliding force of the brush portion is strong in the movement toward the tooth tip side,
The sliding force is weak toward the tooth base. As a result, the scum, plaque, and tartar adhered to the occlusal surface, the tooth side surface, and the cervical portion of the tooth are naturally slid to the tooth tip side by the brush portion and are efficiently removed.

(B) As described above, when the brush portion is vibrated, the sliding force of the brush portion is strong in the movement toward the tooth tip side, and the sliding force is weak toward the tooth base side. Therefore, even if the cervical part is brushed, the gingival part is not peeled off, and the scalp and plaque etc. adhering to the cervical part are pushed between the gingival part and the gingival part as in the conventional case. There is no worry of causing. (C) According to the electric toothbrush, the brush portion can be vibrated at a higher speed than in the case where the toothbrush is manually operated, and thus more efficient brushing can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a contact state between a brush portion and a tooth surface.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view of a tip portion of a brush portion.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the electric toothbrush according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the electric toothbrush according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a second embodiment of the toothbrush body.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a third embodiment of the toothbrush body.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of a third embodiment of a toothbrush body.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main part showing a fourth embodiment of a toothbrush body.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part showing a fifth embodiment of the toothbrush body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A1 toothbrush 1 gripping portion 2a, 2b, 2c toothbrush body 20 shank portion 21 brush portion 11a, 11b, 11c fixing hole 12 tightening screw A2 electric toothbrush 5 gripping base body 51 mounting portion 52 motor 53 conversion mechanism portion 55 battery

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 28, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 10] ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 17, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0023

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a toothbrush body according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the toothbrush body according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the toothbrush bodies 2b3 and 2c3 are attached by the arm pins 29 extending from the neck of the handle 20 of the toothbrush body 2a3. Please refer to FIG. The adjustment screw 30 is provided on the upper surface of the toothbrush body 2a3 near the tip of the handle 20.
It is rotatably installed without coming off. Adjusting screw 30
A screw hole 31 is provided in the lower part of the.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A gripping part, and a plurality of toothbrush bodies detachably provided on a tip part of the gripping part, wherein the toothbrush body has a tooth side surface toward a tooth tip when the brush part is in use. A toothbrush arranged at an angle of 30 ° to 60 °. 2. A gripping base, and a gripping base provided on the gripping base.
A vibrating part that is vibrated in a desired direction by an electric drive means built in the grip base, and a plurality of toothbrush bodies detachably attached to the vibrating part, wherein the toothbrush body is a brush. The electric toothbrush, wherein the portion is arranged so as to form an angle of 30 ° to 60 ° with the tooth flank toward the tooth tip in use.