JPH0718638U - Toothbrush polishing pressure measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] It is not possible to provide a toothbrush brush pressure measuring device that can measure the polishing pressure actually using the ordinary toothbrush that is used everyday and can display the polishing pressure as analog information. It is what A back support part (3) for abutting and supporting the back surface of the handle and a front exterior part (4) for exteriorly covering the main part on the front surface of the handle, and the main part for contacting the palm and fingers to be held with the handle. And a brush holder (A) provided with a restraining means for engaging with a hole, a concave portion or a raised portion which is normally formed on the handle base end side of the toothbrush, and the sensitive portion of the back holder (3). And a pressure-sensitive sensor (1) for transmitting an analog signal, which is attached so as to be in contact with the back surface of the handle, and the pressure-sensitive sensor (1).
A toothbrush brushing pressure measuring device comprising: a display means for converting the analog signal output from the brushing pressure into a brushing pressure and displaying the brushing pressure numerically.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a toothbrush brushing pressure measuring device that can measure brushing pressure when brushing teeth using a regular toothbrush that is used daily and is useful for teaching brushing.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 If the brushing pressure is excessive, the teeth and gums may be damaged. On the other hand, if the brushing pressure is insufficient, the cleaning effect will not be exhibited. Therefore, it is preferable to keep the brushing pressure within a certain range. According to various studies, this value is in the range of 200 g to 500 g, and particularly, according to a recent study, it is preferable to perform brushing for about 3 to 4 minutes at a brushing pressure of about 200 g. . Based on the results of such research, dental clinics and schools provide brushing instructions to keep the brushing pressure within a certain range. The appearance is awaited.

Although attempts have been made in the past to measure brushing pressure, no device has yet been provided that meets the above requirements. For example, as a previously proposed toothbrush polishing pressure measuring device, a toothbrush dedicated for measurement with a pressure sensitive switch incorporated in the handle part was manufactured, and the brushing operation was performed using this toothbrush for measurement, and the brushing pressure was above the specified value. It is general to detect such a situation by the pressure sensitive switch and notify it by an alarm sound or the like. However, this type of device detects whether or not the brushing pressure is within a specified value, and it is not possible to know how the brushing pressure is increasing or decreasing and its specific value, and a dedicated toothbrush is used. Therefore, it is not compensated whether the actual brushing pressure of the toothbrush used everyday is the same as the measurement result using this dedicated toothbrush. In addition, when using a dedicated toothbrush to teach cleaning to a large number of people, it is not economical to use a common toothbrush, since it is not preferable from the viewpoint of hygiene.

In view of such problems, there is a “brush pressure alarm device” of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-171505, which suggests the possibility of measuring a polishing pressure with a normal toothbrush which is used daily. . This is one in which a toothbrush is normally installed in a cylindrical holder with a pressure-sensitive switch inside so that it can be inserted and removed, and a buzzer is integrated into the cylindrical holder. In this device, the toothbrush is fixed to the cylindrical holder by engaging the protrusion formed on the inner surface of the mouth of the cylindrical holder with the recess formed on the back surface of the toothbrush handle at the longitudinal intermediate position. .

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, even in this device, there were still important problems to be solved. First of all, this device can be fixed to the cylindrical holder only with a toothbrush having an engaging recess on the back surface of the handle, but there is no commercially available toothbrush having an engaging recess on the back surface of the handle, and it is substantially the same. , The technology cannot be applied to the regular toothbrushes that are used daily.

Further, in this technique, since the fulcrum position of the toothbrush handle is not fixed, there is a possibility that the fulcrum position may move due to a slight difference in the brushing operation, and the measurement is performed under such a situation that the fulcrum position changes. It must be said that the reliability of the applied brushing pressure is extremely low.

Furthermore, this technique only detects whether or not the brushing pressure exceeds a specified value, and it is not possible to know how the brushing pressure is increasing or decreasing and the specific value of the brushing pressure, so that the teaching effect is obtained. There is also a problem that can not be exerted so much.

The present invention has been made in view of the current situation, and it is possible to actually measure the brushing pressure by using the normal tooth brushes that are used daily as they are, and the difference in the polishing mode. To provide a toothbrush polishing pressure measuring device that can measure accurate brushing pressure based on the fixed fulcrum position without fluctuation of the fulcrum position and can recognize the measurement result as a specific numerical value. It is a thing.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The toothbrush brushing pressure measuring device of the present invention, which has solved the above-mentioned problems, is a member composed of a back surface supporting portion for abutting and supporting the back surface of the handle of the toothbrush, and a front surface external portion for externally covering the main part of the front surface of the handle. A brush holder provided with a restraining means for blocking the contact between the holding palm and the finger and the handle at the main portion and engaging with a hole, a recess or a ridge formed on the handle base end side of a toothbrush. A pressure sensor for transmitting an analog signal, which is attached to the back support so that its sensitive portion is in contact with the back of the handle, and an analog signal output from the pressure sensor is converted into a brushing pressure. And a display means for displaying the brushing pressure numerically.

Further, it is preferable that an engagement position with a hole, a recess or a ridge formed on the handle base end side of the toothbrush is normally movable in multiple steps in the longitudinal direction with respect to the back support. It is preferable that the portion is attached to a position slightly corresponding to the base end side portion of the toothbrush rather than the neck portion. A level meter is a specific example of the display means.

[0011]

[Action]

 In the toothbrush polishing pressure measuring device having such a configuration, the brush holder is used while the ordinary toothbrush that is used daily is attached to the brush holder. The brush holder is held in the same manner as holding a toothbrush, and the brushing operation is performed in the same manner as daily tooth brushing without particular awareness that brushing is an inspection. The constrained base end of the toothbrush serves as the fulcrum, while the flocked surface where the pressing force acts on the teeth and gums acts as the fulcrum, and the pressure-sensitive sensor placement position between these fulcrums and the fulcrum acts as the point of action. Become. Then, the pressing force acting on the bristle tip surface of the flocking portion, which is the force point, is doubled and transmitted to the pressure-sensitive sensor arranged at a predetermined position on the back surface of the handle, which is the working point, at a rate corresponding to the distance from the fulcrum. It The analog signal output from the pressure-sensitive sensor is converted into the brushing pressure and displayed numerically on the display means. The examinee knows the magnitude of his daily brushing pressure from the displayed contents, and learns how to grasp and polish to obtain an appropriate brushing pressure. With this device, since there is no direct contact of the palm or fingers with the main part of the toothbrush handle that affects the brushing pressure, forces other than the contact pressure on the flocked surface are detected by the pressure-sensitive sensor and cause errors. In addition, since the positional relationship among the fulcrum, the force point, and the action point of the toothbrush is always kept constant, the brushing pressure acting on the flocked surface is always transmitted to the pressure sensor at a constant rate. Therefore, an accurate measurement of the brushing pressure is made.

[0012] In addition, if the engagement position with a hole, a recess or a ridge formed on the handle base end side of a toothbrush can be moved in multiple steps in the longitudinal direction with respect to the back support, it is mounted. By moving the engagement position according to the handle length of the toothbrush, the separation distance ratio between the fulcrum, the force point, and the action point can always be kept constant, and it is possible to easily cope with toothbrushes of different lengths. .

[0013]

【Example】

 Next, the details of the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of essential parts showing a state in which a toothbrush is attached to the toothbrush polishing pressure measuring device of the present invention. The toothbrush polishing pressure measuring device shown in the figure is composed of a brush holder A having a pressure sensitive sensor 1 incorporated therein and a brushing pressure indicator B. The brush holder A is equipped with a normal toothbrush C that the subject uses everyday. To be done. 2 is a front view of the brush holder A equipped with the toothbrush C, FIG. 3 is a rear view, FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view of II in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is an enlarged end view of II-II, and FIG. It is a III-III enlarged end view. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the brush holder A.

The brush holder A is configured by slidably engaging a back surface support portion 3 that forms a housing space 2 for the toothbrush C with a front surface exterior portion 4 that is shorter than the back surface support portion 3. The length of the front exterior part 4 is set shorter than that of the rear support part 3 when the front exterior part 4 is slid in correspondence with the length of the toothbrush C mounted as described later. Alternatively, it is to prevent the rear end from significantly deviating from the end of the back support. If the toothbrush to be mounted is always the same length, or if the sliding mechanism is devised so that the rear end does not deviate from the end of the rear support part 3 even when sliding, the front exterior part 4 is the same as the rear support part 3. You may set it to long.

Further, when the front exterior portion 4 is made shorter than the rear support portion 3, there is a concern that the thumb and the hand may come into contact with each other and a pressing force other than the polishing pressure may act on the handle. According to the knowledge of the present inventors, the pressing force exerted on the handle by the thumb in contact with the handle during the polishing operation is relatively small compared to the reaction force exerted by the tooth surface from the tooth surface. It has been confirmed experimentally. However, from the viewpoint of improving the measurement accuracy, it is needless to say that it is preferable to dispose an exterior member at a position corresponding to the thumb rest to cut off the contact between the thumb and the handle.

On both sides in the width direction of the back support portion 3, standing walls 6 and 6 formed with engagement protrusions 5 and 5 along the longitudinal direction of the handle extend, and on the other hand, on both sides in the width direction of the front exterior portion 4. Is formed with standing walls 8 and 8 in which the engaging grooves 7 and 7 are formed, and by engaging the engaging projections 5 and 5 with the engaging grooves 7 and 7, a slidable structure is realized. As the structure for slidably engaging the back surface support portion 3 and the front surface exterior portion 4, other structures are appropriately adopted. Although not shown, it is preferable to provide a stopper mechanism for stopping the slide portion at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction of the back surface support portion 3.

A fixing rod 9 as a restraint means that can be inserted into the hanging hole a of the toothbrush C is formed to project on the inner surface of the front exterior portion 4. As shown in FIG. 1, this fixing rod is inserted into the suspension hole a of the toothbrush C to restrict the movement of the toothbrush C in the longitudinal direction and to restrain the toothbrush base end during the polishing operation so that the toothbrush C is fixed to that portion. It is used to perform the function of a fulcrum.

The pressure-sensitive sensor 1 is arranged on the inner surface on the front end side of the back surface support portion 3, and the back of the handle of the tooth brush C mounted is brought into pressure contact with the pressure-sensitive sensor 1. The pressure-sensitive sensor 1 used here is one that outputs an increase / decrease in the pressure applied to the sensor surface as a resistance value change that is an analog signal, and so-called FSR (Force Sensing Resisters) pressure-sensitive sensor or strain gauge is used. It is possible.

Since the position where the pressure sensor 1 is arranged influences the magnitude of the brushing pressure to be detected, it always has a specific relationship with the position where the toothbrush bristling part b that is the force point and the hanging hole a that is the fulcrum are formed. Must be maintained. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the distance L1 from the hanging hole a, which is the fulcrum, to the pressure-sensitive sensor 1, which is the point of action, is the distance L2 from the hanging hole a, to the bristle portion b, which is the force point. The pressure is set to half, and the pressing force that is about twice the polishing pressure applied to the flocked portion b is set to act on the pressure-sensitive sensor 1. The position on the toothbrush satisfying such a relationship is a position slightly closer to the base end side than the shoulder portion d continuous with the neck portion of the toothbrush. In this embodiment, the pressure sensor 1 is set to the above-mentioned position, but the position can be changed a little by adjusting the brushing pressure indicator B.

The lead wire 10 led out from the pressure-sensitive sensor 1 is taken out of the brush holder A along an arrangement groove 11 formed on the inner surface of the back support portion 3, and is inserted into a brushing pressure indicator B via a plug 12. Connected. The lead wires 10 may be arranged in other forms. Needless to say, the sensors and lead wires are covered with a thin film or synthetic resin for waterproofing.

FIG. 8 shows a more preferred embodiment of the brush holder A. In this embodiment, positioning holes 13a, 13b and 13c are provided at several positions in the longitudinal direction on the back surface support portion 3 while being spaced apart from each other, while a longer fixed rod 9'is provided on the inner surface of the front exterior portion 4. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the fixing rod 9'is penetrated through the hanging hole a, and the tip of the fixing rod 9'protruding to the back side of the handle is fitted into the positioning holes 13a, 13b, 13c, whereby the front exterior is formed. The portion 4 is configured so that it can be fixed at a position corresponding to the length of the mounted toothbrush C.

If the tip of the fixed rod 9 ′ comes into contact with the inner surface of the rear surface support part 3 and makes it difficult to slide the front exterior part 4, a structure is added that allows the fixed rod 9 ′ to move up and down. Good.

The formation positions of the positioning holes 13a, 13b, 13c are such that the ratio of the distances between the fulcrum, the force point, and the action point becomes constant in any toothbrush when the toothbrushes having different lengths are mounted. The brushing pressure can be accurately measured even when toothbrushes having different lengths are used. Therefore, if the toothbrushes of the same manufacturer and the same series are used, accurate brushing pressure can be measured for both adult toothbrushes and child toothbrushes.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the brushing pressure indicator B includes a voltmeter 31 with an indication value displayed in grams, a self-illuminating push-down switch 32 with a built-in LED for displaying an energized state, and the plug 11. The configuration is such that the jack 33 as a connecting portion is provided on the case body 30.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the circuit of the brushing pressure indicator B, which includes a voltmeter 31, a dry cell 40, a regulator 41, a power switch 42, an LED 43, and a semi-fixed volume 44 for adjusting the indicated value. It is provided in the connection mode shown in the figure. Here, the power switch 42 and the LED 43 are integrated to form the self-illuminating push-down switch 32. The regulator prevents the drop of the terminal voltage due to the exhaustion of the dry battery from affecting the indication value of the voltmeter, and stably supplies the output voltage slightly lower than the rated terminal voltage of the dry battery to the subsequent circuit. The pressure-sensitive sensor 1 is connected to the circuit configured as described above, and the analog signal output from the pressure-sensitive sensor 1 is converted into a brushing pressure by the circuit and displayed on the voltmeter 31 in analog form. Is. The circuits described here are merely examples, and other circuits can be appropriately adopted.

In this embodiment, the voltmeter is used as the display means. However, other display mechanism can be adopted as long as it can display numerical values, for example, a multi-step display composed of a large number of LEDs. It is also possible to use a level indicator lamp that can be used, such as a numerical display of the polishing pressure on the side or a graphic display with a dot type liquid crystal. It is also possible to use sound generation means in addition to the display means, to give a warning sound when the brushing pressure exceeds a specified value, or to create a pleasant melody sound when the brushing pressure is within a preferable range. Can be adopted.

By the way, among commercially available toothbrushes, there is a type that does not have a hanging hole and instead has a raised portion on the front surface of the handle base end portion. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a brush holder to which such a toothbrush is attached. The front exterior part 4a is formed with the holding standing walls 14 and 14 capable of holding the raised portion d at the base end of the toothbrush on the inner surface. This is the case when slidingly engaging with No. 3. Although not shown, in this case as well, it is preferable to provide the front exterior part 4a with a stopper that can be stopped at multiple stages in the longitudinal direction of the back support part 3.

12 and 13 show another example of the restraining means at the base end of the handle. The front exterior portion 4b is elastically deformable at the portion engaging with the hanging hole a and the raised portion d at the base end of the handle. 4c is provided, and the toothbrush is mounted with one touch by utilizing the elastic restoring force of the engaging portion.

Other forms of the brush holder are also considered, for example, the front exterior body is fixed to the back support 3, and only a predetermined range including the portion where the fixing rod 9 is provided is provided. Also consider those that can be slid with respect to the front exterior part, or that the engagement relationship between the front exterior part and the back support part is not sliding engagement but is force fitting in the thickness direction. To be done. In addition, the front exterior part and the back support part may be integrally configured instead of separate parts.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the brushing pressure indicator B is constructed separately from the brush holder A. However, in order to confirm the change of the polishing pressure with the naked eye while brushing, this is a brushing pressure indicator. This is because it is advantageous that B is separated from the brush holder A. However, if the display means and the power source can be downsized and the display means can be attached to the main body of the brush holder A so as to be visible, the brushing pressure indicator can be integrally housed in the brush holder A. It is also considered to be done.

The present apparatus having the above-described configuration is used by attaching a normal toothbrush that a subject uses everyday to the brush holder A as shown in FIG. The toothbrush mounted on the brush holder A is fixed with the fixing rod 9 inserted in the hanging hole a, and the movement of the toothbrush C in the longitudinal direction is restricted. In this state, the brush holder A is held and the same polishing operation as that which is normally performed is performed.

When the polishing operation is performed, a pressing force acts on the hair-implanted portion b, and this pressing force is detected by the pressure-sensitive sensor 1 as a change in resistance value. This change in resistance is read by the brushing pressure indicator B through the lead wire 10, converted into brushing pressure and displayed in grams on the voltmeter 31. In the device of the present invention, since the base end of the handle is restrained, as shown in FIG. 14, the base end of the tooth brush reliably serves as a fulcrum, and the pressing force applied to the bristle b, which is the force point, is located at the point of action. It is multiplied by a predetermined ratio and transmitted to the pressure-sensitive sensor 1. Since the palm and fingers to be held are not in contact with the handle in the main part, no force other than polishing pressure acts on the handle. Further, even if the thumb may come into contact with the front surface of the handle, this acting force is relatively small and does not adversely affect the measurement result.

[0033]

[Effect of device]

 The toothbrush polishing pressure measuring device of the present invention makes it possible to measure the polishing pressure using a normal toothbrush that is used everyday, so that the subject can know the magnitude of his daily polishing pressure. . Moreover, since the base end of the handle is restrained and the fulcrum position is determined, it is possible to accurately measure only the polishing pressure applied to the flocked portion even if the position where the brush holder is held is slightly displaced. You will be able to learn how to grasp and polish so that the proper polishing pressure is achieved.

Further, as described in claim 2, the engagement position with the hole, the concave portion or the raised portion usually formed on the handle base end side of the toothbrush can be moved in multiple steps in the longitudinal direction with respect to the back support portion. When set to, the distance between the fulcrum, the force point, and the point of action can be kept constant by moving the engaging position according to the handle length of the toothbrush to be attached. An accurate measurement of the polishing pressure is guaranteed even with different toothbrushes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which a toothbrush is mounted on a toothbrush polishing pressure measuring device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a brush holder equipped with a toothbrush.

[Fig. 3] Rear view of a brush holder equipped with a toothbrush

FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view of II in FIG.

5 is an enlarged end view of II-II in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view of III-III in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the brush holder.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the brush holder.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional end view of essential parts of the brush holder.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a circuit incorporated in a brushing pressure indicator.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional front view of essential parts showing a state where a toothbrush is mounted on another embodiment of the brush holder.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing another example of restraint means in the brush holder.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing another example of the restraint means in the brush holder.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship among a fulcrum, a force point, and an action point of the toothbrush.

[Explanation of symbols]

A Brush holder B Brushing pressure indicator C Toothbrush a Suspended hole b Flocked part d Shoulder part 1 Pressure sensor 2 Storage space 3 Back support part 4 Front exterior part 5 Engagement ridge 6 Standing wall 7 Engaging groove 8 Standing wall 9 Fixed rod 9'Fixing rod 10 Lead wire 11 Installation groove 12 Plugs 13a, 13b, 13c Positioning hole 14 Clamping standing wall 30 Case body 31 Voltmeter 32 Illuminated push switch 33 Jack 40 Dry cell 41 Regulator 42 Power switch 43 LED 44 Semi-fixed volume

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A member comprising a back support part for abutting and supporting the back face of the handle of the toothbrush and a front exterior part for exteriorly covering the main part of the front face of the handle, wherein the palm and fingers to be held are in contact with the handle. And a brush holder provided with a restraining means for engaging with a hole, a concave portion or a raised portion usually formed on the handle base end side of the toothbrush, and the sensitive portion of the brush holder on the back support portion. A toothbrush comprising: a pressure-sensitive sensor that is mounted so as to be in contact with the pressure-sensitive sensor; and a display unit that converts the analog signal output from the pressure-sensitive sensor into a brushing pressure and numerically displays the brushing pressure. Polishing pressure measuring device. 2. A member composed of a back support part for abuttingly supporting the back surface of the handle of the toothbrush and a front exterior part for exteriorly covering a main part of the front surface of the handle, wherein the palm and fingers to be held are in contact with the handle. The main part of the toothbrush is blocked, and it is engaged with a hole, a recess, or a ridge formed on the handle base end side of the toothbrush, and the engagement position of the toothbrush can be moved in multiple steps in the longitudinal direction with respect to the back support part. And an analog signal attached to the back support so that the sensitive portion of the brush holder is in contact with the back surface of the handle, which is slightly proximal to the shoulder that is continuous with the neck of the toothbrush. And a pressure-sensitive sensor for converting the analog signal output from the pressure-sensitive sensor into a brushing pressure and displaying the brushing pressure in a gram display. Display means having a Berumeta, toothbrush polishing pressure measuring device comprising a.