JPH10239304A - Apparatus for testing toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable brushing evaluation tests and durability tests according to various methods, improve reliability and secure test reproducibility, by controlling a toothbrush to move and brush in a required manner. SOLUTION: The apparatus has an operating means 10 for moving a handle part 2 of a toothbrush 1 in three, X, Y, Z-axis directions and rotating about an X-axis, a control means 11 for controlling the operating means 10 to move the toothbrush 1 in a required brushing method, a holding means 13 for holding a jaw model 12 in a changeable manner in attitude so that a required tooth faces a brush 3 of the toothbrush 1, a measuring means 14 for measuring a brushing pressure, and a temperature-adjusted water feed means 15 for feeding a temperature-adjusted water to a brushing part. Since a degree of freedom in movement direction at the time of brushing is increased, the brush 1 can be tested in various methods of brushing. Since the brush 1 and jaw model 12 are mechanically moved relatively by the operating means 10, stable evaluations and durability tests are achieved and therefore reliability and reproducibility of test results are improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toothbrush testing apparatus suitable for a toothbrush brushing evaluation test and a durability test.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a test apparatus for a toothbrush, as shown in FIG. Operating means for operating the toothbrush 100 together with the rotational movement of the toothbrush 100.
There is known a configuration in which the toothbrush 100 is brushed in a state where the brush is pressed against the tooth 102 with a predetermined brushing pressure while the toothbrush 100 is positioned with the tooth 102 visually. On the other hand, as a brushing method, for example, a scrubbing method, a bath method, a rolling method, and the like are widely practiced.

[0003]

The toothbrush testing apparatus can perform a brushing evaluation test by a scrubbing method or a bath method to some extent, but it is difficult to change the test conditions and the movement of the toothbrush is limited. However, there is a problem that an evaluation test by a rolling method cannot be performed.
In addition, the test using the new brushing method cannot be performed with a test apparatus that can realize only such a limited movement. In addition, since the positioning of the toothbrush with respect to the teeth of the jaw model was performed visually, there was a large variation in position accuracy due to individual differences among testers, and there was a problem that reproducibility was reduced. For these reasons, manual brushing tests were indispensable in the end, but in the case of manual brushing, the brushing pressure and brushing method would have individual differences and the reliability of the evaluation would be low. There is. In addition, in the case of manual operation, the test method of the evaluation test of the toothbrush cannot be standardized or standardized, and it is difficult to compare past test data and test data between manufacturers.

An object of the present invention is to enable a brushing evaluation test and a durability test of a toothbrush by various brushing methods, and furthermore, it is possible to improve the reliability of data by minimizing the dispersion of test conditions and to ensure the reproducibility of the test. To provide a toothbrush testing device that can be used.

[0005]

A toothbrush testing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a toothbrush testing apparatus in which a toothbrush and a jaw model are X-axis, Y-axis, and the axis direction of a handle portion of a toothbrush to be tested is an X-axis direction. Operating means for relatively moving in three directions of the Z axis and in the θ direction about the X axis; control means for controlling the operating means so that the toothbrush performs a brushing motion by a desired brushing method; and brushing pressure of the toothbrush on the jaw model And measuring means for measuring

[0006] In this test apparatus, first, the brushing method and the X of the toothbrush and the jaw model are applied to the control means.
The brushing conditions such as the relative movement distance and relative movement speed in three directions of the axis, the Y axis and the Z axis, the relative rotation angle and the relative rotation speed in the θ direction around the X axis are input in advance, and the toothbrush is actually turned on. The brushing pressure is adjusted while watching the measuring means so that the brushing pressure is brought to a predetermined pressure by being brought into contact with the model. Then, the operation means is controlled by the control means, and the toothbrush and the jaw model are relatively moved in three directions of the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis and in the θ direction around the X-axis, and the teeth of the jaw model are moved to a desired position. Brushing is performed under the conditions, and a brushing evaluation test and a durability test of the toothbrush are performed. As described above, the toothbrush and the jaw model are moved relative to the Z-axis direction and the θ direction around the X-axis in addition to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction by the operating means, and the teeth of the jaw model are brushed. In addition to the well-known brushing method such as a scrubbing method, a bath method, and a rolling method, the teeth of the jaw model can be brushed by various brushing methods that can be performed manually to perform a brushing evaluation test and a durability test of the toothbrush.

The setting of the brushing pressure may be set before the test as described above. However, since the brushing pressure may change during the test, the brushing pressure may be measured by the control means. The operating means may be controlled based on a signal from the means so that the brushing pressure becomes constant. In this case, the variation in the brushing pressure is reduced, and the reliability of the test result is further increased.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when a temperature-regulated water supply means for supplying a temperature-regulated water having substantially the same temperature as the temperature in the oral cavity to the brushing portion is provided, the brushing is performed under conditions closer to the actual oral cavity. Evaluation tests and durability tests can be performed, and the reliability of the test results of these tests increases.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding means for holding the jaw model in such a manner that the posture of the jaw model can be switched. The operation means holds the toothbrush, and the posture of the jaw model is switched by the holding means. The teeth may be made to face the toothbrush brush. In this case, since the toothbrush which is lighter than the jaw model is moved by the operation means, a small-sized toothbrush drive mechanism in the operation means can be adopted. In addition, by changing the posture of the jaw model by the holding means, a plurality of teeth are sequentially brushed, or all the teeth of the jaw model are brushed in a procedure closer to actuality, so that a toothbrush brushing evaluation test and a durability test are performed. Can be performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the jaw model is supported by the holding means so as to be rotatable at least around the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, respectively. Detecting means for detecting the rotation angles about the Y axis and the Z axis may be provided, and the test posture of the jaw model may be reproducible based on the output from the detecting means. In other words, by quantifying the posture of the jaw model from the origin by the detection means,
It is possible to repeatedly reproduce the positional relationship between the toothbrush and the jaw model held by the operation means, and it is possible to retest a test performed in the past or a test performed by another person.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the holding means is provided with driving means for driving the jaw model about the X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis, respectively, and at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw of the jaw model relative to the other. Opening and closing means for opening and closing may be provided.
In this case, the control unit controls the driving unit and the opening / closing unit of the holding unit so that the output from the detection unit matches the past test condition data input in advance or the test condition data newly input. Then, the posture of the jaw model is automatically and sequentially switched, and all the teeth of the jaw model are sequentially brushed by facing the toothbrush.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS.
The test device of the toothbrush 1 holds the handle portion 2 of the toothbrush 1 to be tested in the X-axis direction (lateral direction), and holds the toothbrush 1 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction (vertical direction), and the Z-axis direction ( (The front-rear direction), the operating means 10 for rotating in the θ direction around the X axis, and the operating means 10 so that the toothbrush 1 held by the operating means 10 performs a brushing motion by a desired brushing method. Control means 11 for controlling; holding means 13 for holding the jaw model 12 in such a manner that the desired teeth of the jaw model 12 face the brush 3 of the toothbrush 1 held by the operating means 10; Measuring means 14 for measuring the brushing pressure of toothbrush 1 against 12
And temperature-regulated water supply means 15 for supplying temperature-regulated water having substantially the same temperature as the body temperature to the brushing portion.

The operation means 10 will be described. An actuator M is mounted on a support 20 fixed to the base 16.
A movable base 22 having a substantially L-shape in side view is provided which is driven in the Z-axis direction along the guide rail 21 by Z, and is driven in the Y-axis direction along the guide rail 21 by an actuator MY on the front side of the movable base 22. The movable plate 23 is provided. An actuator MX for driving the toothbrush 1 in the X-axis direction and an actuator Mθ for rotating the toothbrush 1 in the θ-direction around the X-axis are provided coaxially on the front side of the movable plate 23, The toothbrush 1 is removably attached to the right end of the shaft 24 of the actuator MX via a holder 25.

A balancing weight (not shown) is connected to the movable plate 23 via a wire 26, and the load when the movable plate 23 is moved up and down by the actuator MY is set small. However, when the movable plates 22 and 23 and the X, Y, and Z axes are configured to be lightweight, the balancing weight may be omitted. As the actuators MX, MY, MZ, and Mθ, those mainly composed of electric motors are used, but actuators using fluid pressure such as hydraulic pressure or air pressure can also be used. In this embodiment, the operating means 10 is configured as described above.
Can be moved in three directions of X, Y and Z axis directions, and X
It is also possible to use a configuration other than the example as long as it can be rotated around the axis in the θ direction.

The holding means 13 is disposed on the right side of the operating means 10, and the support 30 of the holding means 13 is fixed on the base 16 similarly to the support 20 of the operating means 10.
Reference numerals 0 and 30 are mounted on the base 16 so as to be relatively immovable. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the support base 30 is provided with a shaft member 31 extending upward, and an L-shaped arm 32 is provided at the upper end of the shaft member 31 with θy around the axis of the shaft member 31. It is attached so that it can rotate in the direction. At the upper end of the L-shaped arm 32, a bifurcated arm 33 having a bifurcated upper portion is attached rotatably in the θz direction, and a support rod 34 is rotatable in the θx direction between the free ends of the bifurcated arm 33. Installed. The jaw model 12 is provided below the intermediate portion of the support rod 34 so as to be rotatable in the θy ′ direction.

The holding means 13 holds the jaw model 12 with θx, θ
An operation unit 35 is provided for rotating in four directions of y, θz, and θy ′, and the four encoders 36 are configured to detect the rotation angles from the origin position, respectively. . However, it is possible to configure the jaw model 12 not to rotate in the θy ′ direction. However, since the movement of the jaw model 12 increases, it is preferable to configure the jaw model 12 to rotate in the θy ′ direction. In addition, as the holding means 13, basically, the jaw model 12 is set to θx, θy, and θz.
If it is configured to be rotatable in one direction, a configuration other than the example can be adopted. The jaw model 12 has a general configuration in which the upper jaw and the lower jaw can be opened and closed.

In this embodiment, the toothbrush 1 is moved by the operating means 10. However, if the toothbrush 1 and the jaw model 12 are configured to move relatively, the jaw model 12 is moved. Alternatively, the toothbrush 1 and the jaw model 12 may be moved.

The measuring means 14 has a general configuration for measuring the pressure (brushing pressure) acting on the brush 3 of the toothbrush 1 based on the output from the strain gauge 40 attached to the handle portion 2 of the toothbrush 1. It is. However, it is also possible to take the output from the strain gauge 40 into the control means 11 and measure the brushing pressure. Further, by attaching the strain gauge 40 to the holder 25, it is possible to omit a complicated operation of attaching the strain gauge 40 for each toothbrush.

The temperature control water supply means 15 includes a tank, temperature control means for heating or cooling water stored in the tank to a temperature substantially equal to the temperature in the oral cavity (for example, about 37 ° C.), and It has a general configuration provided with a pump or the like for sending temperature-regulated water, and a deformable pipe 41 for supplying temperature-regulated water to the brushing portion is connected to the temperature-regulated water supply means 15. . An intermediate portion of the pipe 41 is fixed to the holder 25, and the tip side of the pipe 41 moves together with the toothbrush 1, so that the temperature control water is always supplied to the brush 3.

When the brushing evaluation test and the durability test are performed while supplying the temperature-regulated water to the brush 3 as described above,
Increased reliability of test results. In other words, the filament used for the toothbrush is nylon or PBT
(Polybutylene terephthalate). As shown in Table 1, at 30 ° C., the tensile modulus and the yield strength are lower than at 20 ° C., and the yield elongation is higher.
Moreover, as shown in Table 2, when immersed in water for 3 minutes, the tensile elastic modulus and the yield strength are reduced and the elongation at break is increased as compared with the case of the dried state (immersion time: 0 minutes). For this reason,
It can be seen that by performing the test under conditions close to the temperature conditions in the oral cavity, the reliability of the test results is improved. However, Tables 1 and 2 relate to nylon, but show the same tendency for PBT.

[0021]

[Table 1]

[0022]

[Table 2]

The control means 11 is mainly composed of a general microcomputer. As shown in FIG. 5, the control means 11 performs control for a brushing evaluation test and a durability test of the toothbrush 1 stored in advance. Based on the program, four encoders 36 of the holding means 13;
Signals from the encoder 27 attached to each of the four actuators MX, MY, MZ, and Mθ, the measuring means 14, the keyboard 42, and the input means 43 for teaching are input, and a display is performed according to these input signals. 44, temperature control water supply means 15 and four actuators M
It is configured to control X, MY, MZ, and Mθ. However, a past test method or a standard test method may be stored in an external storage medium such as a floppy disk (not shown) in advance, and the actuator or the like may be controlled based on the stored test method or standard test method.

The control program basically comprises a condition setting program for setting brushing conditions, a teaching program for teaching, and a brushing program for causing the toothbrush 1 to perform a brushing motion. In the condition setting program, the brushing method, the X-axis direction of the toothbrush 1,
Stroke amount and moving speed in the axial direction and Z-axis direction, X
Various test conditions such as the rotation angle and rotation speed in the θ direction around the axis, the number of times of brushing, the position of the tooth to be brushed, and the like are displayed on the display 44 so that the test conditions can be input smoothly. ing.

In the teaching program, the operating means 10 is driven based on a command from the input means 43 for teaching so that the starting position of the brushing movement of the toothbrush 1 can be taught based on the output from the encoder 36. It is configured. The start position of the brushing motion may be set by the control means 11 by counting the output of the encoder 36 based on the initial position of the operation means 10, but a specific position where the toothbrush 1 can be moved is set as a reference position, A positioning pin is arranged at this reference position, or a laser beam is irradiated, the toothbrush 1 is moved so that the center of the tip of the brush 3 is located at the reference position, and the encoder 36 is moved from the reference position to the start position. It is preferable to set the outputs by counting them, because it is possible to prevent a decrease in position accuracy due to a mechanical error of the operation unit 10.

Further, in the brushing program, when the test is executed, the temperature-regulated water supply means 15 is operated to supply the temperature-regulated water to the brushing portion, and four times in accordance with the input test conditions. Actuator M
It is configured to drive the toothbrush 1 while controlling X, MY, MZ, and Mθ in a feedback manner. However, when a pulse motor is used as the actuators MX, MY, MZ, and Mθ, it is possible to omit the encoder 27 and configure an open loop circuit.

Next, a specific method for evaluating the brushing of the toothbrush 1 using a test apparatus will be described. First, brushing conditions are sequentially input while looking at the display 44. Next, the toothbrush 1 is set on the holder 25 with the brush 3 facing backward, and
The jaw model 12 is set at 3.

Next, the operating means 10 is driven by the input means 43, the posture of the jaw model 12 is adjusted by manual operation, and the brush 3 of the toothbrush 1 is moved while the brushing pressure is checked by the measuring means 14. Adjust so that it is pressed against the twelve desired teeth at a pressure of, for example, 300 grams. Accordingly, the position data in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, the Z-axis direction at the start position of the brushing motion of the toothbrush 1 and θ
Direction angle data and θ from the origin position of the jaw model 12
The angle data in the x, θy, θz, and θy ′ directions are taught and input and stored in the control unit 11.
Then, the next time a test is performed with the same type of toothbrush 1, the evaluation test of the toothbrush 1 can be performed under the same conditions as the previous test by adjusting the posture of the jaw model 12 based on the angle data. From the second time, the toothbrush 1 can be driven using the data that has been previously taught, so that it is not necessary to teach each time.

Next, after artificial plaque is applied to the desired teeth of the jaw model 12 to be brushed, the toothbrush 1 is moved to the starting position of the brushing motion, and the temperature is supplied while adjusting the water under the previously input brushing conditions. The toothbrush 1 is to be brushed. The basic brushing motion of the toothbrush 1 that can be performed by this test device includes:
There are four exercises as shown in FIG. As shown in (a), the movement of moving the toothbrush 1 in the vertical direction, as shown in (b), the movement of moving the toothbrush 1 in the left and right direction, as shown in (c), the two actuators MX,
A motion for controlling the MY to rotate the toothbrush 1 substantially in parallel to the tooth surface As shown in (d), a motion for controlling the actuator Mθ to rotate the toothbrush 1 up and down.

Then, by combining these movements, the rolling method, the scrubbing method, the Fawns method,
The toothbrush 1 is moved in accordance with various brushing methods such as a bath method or a new brushing method. For example, the rolling method controls two actuators MZ and Mθ, and as shown in FIG. 7, firstly, brushes 3 are pressed against the teeth, and the tip side of the teeth (in the illustrated example, the upper teeth are brushed). Therefore, the brush 3 is rotated to the lower side and the upper side when brushing the teeth of the lower jaw). Then, with the brush 3 retracted, the brush 3 is rotated to the opposite side to the above, and again. This is performed by repeating the motion of moving the brush 3 forward and pressing the brush 3 against the teeth. After brushing in this manner, the peeling state of the artificial plaque is measured, the brushing performance of the toothbrush 1 is evaluated, and the same test is performed on each tooth of the jaw model 12 to evaluate the brushing performance of the toothbrush 1 as a whole. Will do.

In this embodiment, the attitude of the jaw model 12 is switched by manually operating the operation unit 35. However, the attitude is switched by rotating the jaw model 12 in the θx, θy, θz, θy ′ directions by an electric motor or the like. It is also possible to configure. In this case, once the test conditions are set, from the next time, based on the set conditions, the designated tooth is operated by the operation on the display 44 without manually switching the posture of the jaw model 12. Brushing can be performed automatically under the same conditions as the test conditions. In addition, if the position data of all the teeth of the jaw model 12 is input in advance, the position of one tooth can be taught to automatically switch the teeth to be brushed sequentially. .

Next, an evaluation test performed to evaluate the performance of the test apparatus will be described. Using a commercially available toothbrush, the plaque removal rate was measured for the case where the teeth of the jaw model were brushed by the scrubbing method using a test device under the following conditions, and the case where a clinical test was conducted by the scrubbing method with 10 subjects. <Test conditions>-Stroke width-6.5 mm-Stroke speed-300 rpm-Brushing pressure-300 g-Brushing time-7 seconds / 1 tooth

The plaque removal rate was 90.4 in the test apparatus.
± 3.4% and 92.4 ± 18.0% in clinical trials. Both the brushing evaluation test and the clinical test using the test apparatus show similar values, and it can be seen that proper evaluation can be performed even when the test is performed using the test apparatus. In addition, brushing evaluation tests using test equipment are much less frequent in terms of plaque removal rates than clinical tests, so testing with test equipment may provide higher reliability for test data. I understand.

[0034]

According to the toothbrush testing apparatus of the present invention, the toothbrush and the jaw model are relatively moved in three directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, and the toothbrush is relatively rotated in the θ direction around the X axis. Because of the movement, the degree of freedom in the direction of movement during brushing is increased, and the toothbrush can be tested by various brushing methods. In addition, since the toothbrush and the jaw model are moved relative to each other mechanically by the operating means, the brushing evaluation test and the durability test can be performed under stable conditions with no variation compared to the case of manual evaluation, and the reliability of the test results can be improved. Will be higher. Furthermore, the same test can be reproduced by setting various test conditions such as brushing method, brushing pressure, toothbrush movement amount and rotation angle, so that data can be standardized and standardized, and toothbrush can be properly evaluated. become. Furthermore, this test apparatus can be utilized as a device for instructing a user on ideal brushing or analyzing an operation necessary for performing ideal brushing.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the variation in the brushing pressure is reduced, the reliability of the test result is further improved. When configured as described in claim 3,
Temperature-regulated water at a temperature approximately the same as the temperature in the oral cavity is supplied to the brushing portion, so that brushing evaluation tests and durability tests can be performed under conditions closer to the actual oral cavity. The result is more reliable.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the light toothbrush is moved by the operating means, a small driving mechanism for the toothbrush can be employed, and the entire test apparatus can be made small. Yes, and production costs are lower. In addition, the posture of the jaw model is switched by the holding means, and all the teeth of the jaw model are sequentially brushed in a procedure similar to the actual one, so that a brushing evaluation test and a durability test of the toothbrush can be performed.

According to the fifth aspect, the posture of the jaw model from the origin position is quantified by the detection means, so that the jaw model can be moved to the same posture as the test performed in the past to perform the test. This makes it possible to reproduce past tests more accurately.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means controls the holding means so that the output from the detection means conforms to the previously input test condition data or the newly input test condition data. By controlling the driving means and the opening / closing means, the posture of the jaw model is automatically switched sequentially and all the teeth of the jaw model can be sequentially brushed, so that the brushing evaluation test and the durability test can be automated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a test apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the test apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the movement of the toothbrush by the test apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of movement of a jaw model by holding means of the test apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the test apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a brushing motion by the test apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram when the rolling method is performed.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a brushing motion by a conventional test apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toothbrush 2 Handle part 4 Brush 10 Operating means 11 Control means 12 Jaw model 13 Holding means 14 Measurement means 15 Temperature control water supply means 16 Base table 20 Support table 21 Guide rail 22 Movable base 23 Movable plate 24 Shaft 25 Holder 26 Wire 27 Encoder MX actuator MY actuator MZ actuator Mθ actuator 30 Support base 31 Shaft member 32 L-shaped arm 33 Bifurcated arm 34 Support rod 35 Operation unit 36 Encoder 40 Strain gauge 41 Pipe 42 Keyboard 42 Keyboard 43 Input means 44 Display

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A toothbrush and a jaw model are X-axis and Y-axis, with an axis of a handle portion of a toothbrush to be tested being an X-axis direction.
Operating means for performing relative movement in three directions of an axis and a Z axis and θ direction about the X axis; control means for controlling the operating means so that the toothbrush performs a brushing motion by a desired brushing method; A measuring device for measuring a brushing pressure of the toothbrush, and a toothbrush testing device comprising: 2. The toothbrush testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the operation means based on a signal from the measurement means so as to keep the brushing pressure constant. 3. The toothbrush testing device according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature-regulated water supply means for supplying temperature-regulated water having substantially the same temperature as the temperature in the oral cavity to the brushing portion. 4. A holding means for holding the jaw model so that the posture can be switched, a toothbrush being held by the operating means, and switching the posture of the jaw model by the holding means, so that a desired tooth of the jaw model is transferred to the toothbrush brush. The toothbrush testing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device is capable of facing. 5. The jaw model is held at least X by the holding means.
Axes, Y-axes, and Z-axes from the origin position of the jaw model are supported on the holding means while being rotatably supported around the axes, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, respectively.
5. The toothbrush testing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising detecting means for detecting a rotation angle around the axis, wherein the test posture of the jaw model can be reproduced based on an output from the detecting means. 6. The holding means is provided with driving means for driving the jaw model around the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively, and at least one of an upper jaw and a lower jaw of the jaw model is opened and closed with respect to the other. The apparatus for testing a toothbrush according to claim 5, further comprising means.