KR20130078612A - Functional toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A functional toothbrush is provided to induce a biological reaction in a tooth brushing process, thereby including a function which is effective for dental hygiene. CONSTITUTION: A functional toothbrush includes a main body (100), a brush unit (110), a power unit, a control unit and a switch unit (140). The main body having a predetermined length includes a part gripped by a user. Toothbrush bristles and conductive bristles are mixed in the brush unit which is included in one side of the main body. The power unit supplies power to the conductive bristles. The control unit controls a power property which includes a current value and a voltage value of power supplied to the conductive bristles. The switch unit controls power stored in the power unit to supply the power to the conductive bristles. The functional toothbrush has a structure of being selectively separated from the main body and electrically contacts to the main body when combining to the main body.

Description

Functional toothbrush

The present invention relates to a functional toothbrush, and more particularly, to a functional toothbrush that can be more hygienic management of the tooth by biological reaction by applying a predetermined power to the tooth during the brushing process.

 In general, toothbrushes, which remove food debris and plaque between teeth, can prevent tooth decay and tooth disease, and offer a number of benefits in oral hygiene and whiten teeth by removing contaminated coatings from the surface of teeth. Help The toothbrush is roughly classified into a manual type in which the user manually brushes and an electric type in which the bristles rotate according to the driving of the motor.

Manual toothbrushes, which are widely known in the art, have a toothbrush holder and put the bristles into the mouth to move the teeth up, down, left, and right, so that the teeth are cleaned. In modern times, the spread of electric toothbrushes, which can clean teeth quickly, is rapidly spreading.

Oral hygiene products contain various chemical agents that perform a variety of functions. For example, toothpastes, dentifrices and whitening agents are provided with chemical agents that help clean teeth, kill bacteria, scent the mouth, and / or whiten teeth. Such products generally interact with instruments such as toothbrushes, applicator instruments, or tongue scrapers to perform their intended functions. In addition, the chemical agent in the product may exhibit a second benefit, such as to provide a pleasant scent or smell.

Many oral hygiene products are multifunctional and structured. For example, conventional toothpastes have been structured to assist in several actions such as brushing teeth, removing tartar, fluoride protection, freshening the mouth and whitening teeth. Thus, the type and concentration of chemical agents in toothpastes are limited by consideration of chemical interactions by chemically stable concentrations during long term storage.

Oral hygiene products for whitening teeth contain oxidants as the main active ingredient such as hydrogen peroxide. The product consists of a liquid, paste or gel applied to the user's teeth. If the product is stored, the efficiency of the whitening function of the product is lost over time. In addition, the product is effective only for a short time when applied to the teeth in the oral cavity. For example, saliva contains a high concentration of enzyme catalase. The enzyme catalase rapidly decomposes hydrogen peroxide with water and gaseous oxygen upon contact such that the tooth and the peroxide whitening agent are only in contact temporarily. In addition, the low viscosity water soluble peroxide solution prevents the peroxide whitening agent from remaining in contact with the teeth while it is necessary to perform a substantial whitening operation due to the flushing effects of certain secretory secretions. Thus, in this case it is desirable to have a high concentration of oxidant or an effective oxidant applied directly to the teeth.

Toothbrushes are known which generate beneficial agents containing oxidants when needed during brushing. U. S. Patent No. 5,921, 251 to Joshi describes such a toothbrush that generates a beneficial oral hygiene agent inside the toothbrush as needed during brushing and is delivered to the user's teeth once the agent has been generated in the toothbrush. will be. The toothbrush of Josie is a fluid containing an oxidant generated inside the toothbrush handle, and the fluid is transferred to the bristles. The agent is one generated by an electrochemical gas-generating cell inside the toothbrush handle or by a photoelectrochemical cell inside the handle.

By the way, the toothbrush of the Josh does not occur in place of the beneficial agent at the site of application, but instead occurs by sequentially delivering the agent internally. The toothbrush of the sieving either generates a beneficial agent in the catalyst stored in the toothbrush handle (using an electrochemical gas generator), or generates the agent from a catalyst stored inside the handle through a light application in an internal light source.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a toothbrush according to the prior art. In its configuration, an oral hygiene device that generates a chemical agent in situ outside the oral care device includes a head portion having an area of the cleaning element and a first source having a first potential between the electrode when receiving charge from the voltage source and the voltage source. A first set of electrodes electrically connected to a voltage source, the first cathode and a first anode, the first set of electrodes being disposed in the head portion within a region of the cleaning element, wherein the chemical agent comprises a water-soluble electrolyte and a first electrolyte when the first potential is applied; Characterized in that it is formed in contact with the position.

KR 10-2008-0055981

The present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a toothbrush having a function that can be more effective in dental hygiene by inducing a biological response in the process of brushing.

In particular, the present invention can effectively achieve dental care through a simple structure, the purpose is to provide a functional toothbrush that can be easily manufactured to lower the cost of consumption and consequently increase the customer satisfaction.

The present invention for achieving the above object, the body of a predetermined length provided with an area that can be gripped by the user, provided on one side of the main body, the bristles and conductive hair having conductivity is mixed ((在A control unit for controlling power characteristics including a brush part, a power supply unit for supplying power to the conductive hair, a current value and a voltage value of the power supplied to the conductive hair, and a switch for controlling the power stored in the power supply to be supplied to the conductivity. It includes.

In addition, the brush portion has a structure that can be selectively separated from the body, it is in electrical contact with the coupling.

In addition, the conductive hair is composed of a soft ceramic (ceramic) or a conductive polymer.

In addition, the conductive hairs are composed of 2 to 10 pieces.

In addition, the conductive hair has a regular or irregular arrangement between the bristles.

In addition, the conductive hair is configured such that any one of an anode or a cathode is applied together with the anode and the cathode.

The control unit outputs a voltage value of 0.1 to 0.5V and a current value of 0.1 to 0.5mA to the conductive hair.

In addition, the controller selectively controls the output voltage (V) value and the output current (A) value.

In addition, the control unit supplies the conductive hair with a pulse voltage.

In addition, the main body further includes a vibration unit for receiving power from the power supply unit to generate vibration by the rotation of the motor.

In addition, the conductive hair is shorter than the bristles and is formed lower than the bristles.

In addition, the conductive hair, any one of the anode (anodic) or the cathode (cathodic) is applied to either the electrode or the anode and the cathode, characterized in that the applied pole is continuously changed.

The present invention configured and acted as described above forms a dental calculus by applying a voltage to the tooth in the process of brushing the brush with the bristles mixed with the bristles to prevent the formation of biofilm to prevent the adhesion of bacteria. There is an advantage that can be minimized or eliminated.

In addition, by suppressing the growth of bacteria through a biological stimulation in an electrical manner and at the same time by implementing a mechanical effect vibration has the effect of improving the efficiency of brushing even higher.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a toothbrush according to the prior art,
2 is a perspective view of a functional toothbrush according to the present invention;
3 is an exploded perspective view of a functional toothbrush according to the present invention;
4 is a detailed configuration diagram of a functional toothbrush according to the present invention;
5 is a detailed view of the brush portion of the functional toothbrush according to the present invention;
Figure 6 is a side view showing several embodiments of the brush portion of the functional toothbrush according to the present invention;
7 is a detailed view showing a coupling portion of the brush unit according to the present invention;
8 is an enlarged view showing a friction phenomenon between a brush part and a tooth through a functional toothbrush according to the present invention;

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the functional toothbrush according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail as follows.

Functional toothbrush according to the present invention, a predetermined length of the main body 100 is provided with an area that can be gripped by the user, provided on one side of the main body, the bristles (hair 111) and a conductive hair (hair 112) having conductivity is A control unit for controlling a power characteristic including a mixed brush unit 110, a power unit for supplying power to the conductive hair, a current value and a voltage value of the power supplied to the conductive hair, and the power stored in the power unit And a switch for controlling to be supplied to.

In the functional toothbrush according to the present invention, the bristles having conductivity are mixed with the bristles constituting the brush part 110, unlike the general toothbrushes, and electrically controlled by applying power to the conductive hairs to the teeth. By controlling the adhesion of bacteria by preventing the formation of a biofilm that promotes bacterial adhesion that occurs, there is an advantage that can suppress dental calculus or bacterial growth.

Biofilm has already been medically verified through domestic and foreign studies, biofilm has a strong resistance to disinfectants and antimicrobials. Thus, the formation of biofilms promotes bacterial adhesion, thereby inducing activation of calculus generated in teeth. Therefore, in order to control the adhesion of bacteria, it is first to prevent the formation of the biofilm, and for this, an electrical method is applied.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a functional toothbrush according to the present invention, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a functional toothbrush according to the present invention.

The shape of the functional toothbrush according to the present invention is largely composed of a main body 100 provided with an area that can be gripped by a user and a brush part 110 which is coupled to one side of the main body and provided with bristles.

The main body 100 has a predetermined circumference so that the user can grip while wrapping with a hand, the length is also approximately the size of a general toothbrush. The interior of the main body is provided with a space for accommodating various mechanical and electronic devices such as a power supply, a control unit, a switch unit in order to implement a functional toothbrush according to the present invention. The main body may be molded through general injection molding, and the material may be made of a metal or plastic-based synthetic resin.

 Brush portion 110 is composed of a hair to implement brushing by friction with teeth, it is coupled in one direction of the body. At this time, when the brush portion is coupled to the main body is designed to be in electrical contact. This will be described in more detail below.

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the brush portion of the functional toothbrush according to the present invention. In order to apply the electrical method in the brushing process as the main technical gist of the present invention, the bristle is composed of a general bristle 111 and a conductive bristle 112 having conductivity.

The general bristle 111 can be implemented in a variety of shapes or materials that have been developed as a known bristle ever.

On the other hand, the conductive hair 112 is to implement the role of one electrode (electrode) for the power supply to the human when the bristles in contact with the teeth, is arranged regularly or irregularly between the bristles. Since the conductive hair should be electrically energized, suitable materials are preferably composed of soft ceramics or conductive polymers.

In the process of brushing the conductive hair, the general bristles usually have a contact rate of 90 to 95% or more with the teeth, but some contact rates have a random voltage and current electrically connected to the teeth by the contact with the teeth. It is implemented to apply electricity.

Although the foregoing has described that the conductive hair is composed of a soft ceramic or a conductive polymer, in consideration of the contact rate with the teeth, it is preferable that the conductive hair is formed to be shorter than the general bristles, and other hard materials (metal, ceramic, etc.) If it is applied to the general brush head 20 to 30% height can be formed in the electrical control (electrical contact) within the range without difficulty of brushing.

It is preferable that the size of the power applied through the conductive hair has a voltage value of 0.1 to 0.5 V and a current value of 0.1 to 0.5 mA, and the electrical characteristics applied to the conductive hair are any of an anode or a cathode. One electrode or the positive electrode and the negative electrode may be applied together or the polarity is continuously switched. The current applied through the conductive hair is formed on the surface of the tooth to prevent the production of biofilm (biofilm) to induce bacterial adhesion by controlling the adhesion of the bacteria, in particular, can be removed while suppressing the formation of tartar. .

Next, looking at the overall configuration for the toothbrush control according to the invention, Figure 5 is a detailed configuration of the functional toothbrush according to the invention. The accommodating space provided inside the main body is provided with a power supply unit 120 for providing electricity to be supplied to the conductive mother, a controller 130 composed of electronic parts for electrical control, and a switch 140 for manipulation.

The power supply unit 120 is for storing electricity to be supplied to the conductive mother, which may be implemented as a general disposable battery or a rechargeable battery, such a design change can be implemented by any person skilled in the art. In the case of a rechargeable battery type, a charging terminal to be supplied from the outside should be designed, and a solar module, which is recently spotlighted, may be designed on the rear side or the front side of the main body to manufacture solar charge.

The controller 130 controls the electrical drive of the functional toothbrush. It converts the rated capacity of the power supply to determine the rated voltage and current value to be supplied to the conductive hair, and controls to change the output voltage and current adjusted according to the user's choice. In addition, the control unit may be configured to control the supply of the pulse voltage so that the voltage is applied to the teeth in a pulse manner through the conductive hair. When applied at a pulse voltage with a high repetition rate, biodegradation may be improved to further suppress biofilm production.

Figure 6 is a side view showing several embodiments of the brush portion of the functional toothbrush according to the present invention. The conductive hair, which is the main technique according to the present invention, may be arranged regularly or irregularly between general bristles, and preferably, the number may be 2 to 10. As shown in (a) two conductive hairs are arranged in the longitudinal direction based on the general bristles, and in the case of (b), the general bristle and conductive hairs are alternately arranged. In the case of (c), one conductive hair is composed between two bristles. In addition to those shown in the drawings, the general bristle and the conductive bristle can be configured in various ways, and in the present invention, any form can be used as long as the structure applies a current to the tooth through the conductive bristle.

In addition, the conductive hair is preferably configured to implement only contact with the teeth, unlike the general bristles to form a shorter than the general bristles to implement physical brushing. In terms of material, elastic deformation is possible in the soft bristle can be formed 20 ~ 40% shorter than the general bristles, and in the case of the material does not cause elastic deformation can be configured to achieve only 80 to 90% shorter than the general bristle. .

On the other hand, the main body further receives a power supply from the power supply unit further includes a vibration unit for generating vibration by the rotation of the motor. The vibration unit 150 is a means generated in the eccentric rotation of the motor is configured on one side of the main body to generate vibration for the entire body and the brush. In this case, the vibration generated when the brush head comes in contact with the tooth during the brushing process enables fine brushing through finer brushing friction.

The control of the vibration unit can be selectively controlled through the operation of the switch unit according to the present invention, it can be blocked if not necessary.

7 is a detailed view showing the engaging portion 113 of the brush unit according to the present invention. 7 shows an example of a coupling structure of the main body and the brush. Brush part should be replaceable according to abrasion, deformation, and damage of bristles when used for a long time. At this time, the electrical structure of the conductive hair should be implemented so that the structure of the coupling portion should have a structure capable of electrical connection. Although the mechanical coupling of the coupling portion is shown in a threaded manner, it can be easily implemented by fitting or simply detachable.

On the other hand, a contact terminal 121 corresponding to each of the main body and the brush portion is provided on the inner side of the coupling portion. The contact terminal is for electrical conduction, the terminal is in contact when coupling through the coupling portion. Through this, the power controlled by the controller is applied to the conductive hair.

Figure 8 is an enlarged view showing the friction between the brush portion and the tooth through the functional toothbrush in accordance with the present invention. When brushing using a functional toothbrush, when the power output is selected through a switch operation, power is applied to the conductive hair to supply continuous current / voltage. At this time, when brushing is performed after setting a desired current / voltage value by the operation of the switch 140, the positive and negative charges move to the tooth surface by the current applied to the conductive hair, and the charged charge reacts with the biofilm formed on the tooth surface. By suppressing the formation of biofilms, as a result, more hygienic dental care can be achieved.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. And all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the present invention are therefore to be regarded as being within the scope of the present invention.

100: body 10: brush portion
111: brush head 112: conductive hair
113: coupling portion 120: power supply portion
121: contact terminal 130: control unit
140: switch 150: vibrating unit

Claims (12)

A main body having a predetermined length provided with an area for holding by the user;
A brush part provided at one side of the main body and having bristles having bristles and conductive hairs having conductivity;
A power supply unit supplying power to the conductive hair;
A controller for controlling a power characteristic including a current value and a voltage value of the power supplied to the conductive mother; And
And a switch for controlling the power stored in the power supply unit to be supplied to the conductivity. The method of claim 1, wherein the brush unit,
A functional toothbrush having a structure that is selectively detachable from the body, wherein the functional toothbrush is electrically contacted when engaged. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductive hair,
Functional toothbrush consisting of soft ceramic or conducting polymer. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductive hair,
Functional toothbrush consisting of two to ten. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductive hair,
Functional toothbrush having a regular or irregular arrangement between the bristles. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conductive hair,
A functional toothbrush configured to apply an electrode or an anode and a cathode of either an anode or a cathode together. The apparatus of claim 1,
Functional toothbrush for outputting a voltage value of 0.1 ~ 0.5V and a current value of 0.1 ~ 0.5mA to the conductive hair. 7. The apparatus of claim 6,
Functional toothbrush to selectively control output voltage (V) and output current (A). The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein the control unit,
A functional toothbrush that supplies the conductive hair with a pulse voltage. The apparatus of claim 1,
Functional toothbrush further comprises a vibration unit for receiving power from the power source to generate a vibration by the rotation of the motor. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductive hair,
A functional toothbrush that is shorter than the bristles and formed lower than the bristles. The method of claim 6, wherein the conductive hair,
A functional toothbrush in which either the anode or the cathode is applied together, or the anode and the cathode are applied together, but the applied pole is continuously changed.

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