WO2019107489A1

WO2019107489A1 - Replacement brush for electric toothbrush, and electric toothbrush

Info

Publication number: WO2019107489A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/043970
Authority: WO
Inventors: 智史畠田; 徹弥阿部; 真衣子菊地
Original assignee: ライオン株式会社
Priority date: 2017-11-30
Filing date: 2018-11-29
Publication date: 2019-06-06
Also published as: JP7270551B2; CN111343944A; SG11202004600XA; TWI826404B; JPWO2019107489A1; TW201924622A; KR20200088274A

Abstract

A replacement brush for an electric toothbrush is provided which, by making the head thinner, makes the back teeth feel cleaner and which can diminish the unpleasantness caused by vibration in the buccal cavity. This replacement brush (1B) for an electric toothbrush includes a neck (3) detachably attached to a toothbrush body that includes the handle of the electric toothbrush, and a head (4). The maximum thickness (T) of the head (4) is 2-4 mm, the minimum thickness (D) of the neck (3) is 3-5 mm, the relation D ≥ T is satisfied, and, on the back surface side of the head (4) and the neck (3) on the side opposite of the front surface where the bristled surface (4a) is provided, the head (4) is provided biased in the direction from the back surface towards the front surface with respect to the neck (3).<u/> <u/>

Description

Replacement brush for electric toothbrush and electric toothbrush

The present invention relates to a replacement brush for an electric toothbrush and an electric toothbrush.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-231177, filed Nov. 30, 2017, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The electric toothbrush can provide a high cleaning feeling that can not be obtained with a normal hand-brushed toothbrush (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). For this reason, the use of an electric toothbrush is effective in brushing teeth.

The electric toothbrush is roughly classified into a reverse vibration type and a sonic vibration type. Among them, the sonic vibration type is configured to transmit the vibration generated by rotating the eccentric weight directly connected to the motor at high speed to the head portion to vibrate the hair bundle (see, for example, Patent Document 2 below). ). Moreover, in a general electric toothbrush, it has a replacement structure in which a replacement brush including a neck portion and a head portion is detachably attached to a handle portion accommodating a battery and a motor.

In such a sonic vibration type electric toothbrush, the tip of the hair bundle (the tip of the brush) vibrates at high speed and minutely, so that it is expected to improve the feeling of cleaning on the tooth surface, between the teeth and the tooth neck. On the other hand, with a toothbrush by ordinary hand-grinding, the thickness of the head portion is reduced in order to secure the feeling of cleaning a narrow part such as the back teeth while enhancing the operability in the oral cavity (for example, See Patent Document 3).

However, in the sonic vibration type electric toothbrush, when the thickness of the head portion is reduced, the vibration width in the direction perpendicular to the flocked surface of the head portion is increased, and the user may feel the vibration unpleasant in the oral cavity there were. Specifically, the main sites that feel uncomfortable in the oral cavity include oral tissues (such as the inside of the cheek) with which the back of the head portion comes in contact. In particular, at narrow places such as the back teeth, the back surface of the head portion tends to come in contact with the oral tissue, which tends to make the user feel more uncomfortable.

In addition, the increase in the vibration width due to the reduction of the thickness of the head is due not only to the back of the head but also to contact with the oral tissue (such as gums) of the hair bundle implanted on the front (flocked surface) of the head. Also affect. That is, when part of the hair bundle contacts the gum, depending on how the user applies the hair bundle, the user may feel uncomfortable due to vibration transmitted to the gum.

Therefore, in the electric toothbrush in which the thickness of the head portion is reduced, it is required to achieve both the above-mentioned "the feeling of cleaning the back teeth" and "the reduction of the discomfort caused by the vibration".

Utility model registration 3148337 gazette Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 8-257043 JP, 2011-4852, A

The present invention has been proposed in view of such conventional circumstances, and by reducing the thickness of the head, it is possible to obtain a high feeling of cleaning of the back teeth and to reduce the discomfort due to the vibration in the oral cavity It is an object of the present invention to provide a replacement brush for an electric toothbrush that has made it possible, and an electric toothbrush provided with such a replacement brush for an electric toothbrush.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
That is, the invention according to claim 1 includes a handle portion, a neck portion extended from the tip of the handle portion, and a head portion provided at the tip of the neck portion, and generates vibration by electrical drive. The neck portion and the head portion removably attached to the toothbrush main body including the handle portion of the electric toothbrush for cleaning the inside of the oral cavity by a plurality of hair bundles implanted on the flocked surface of the head portion; The replacement brush for the electric toothbrush, wherein the maximum thickness T of the head portion is 2 to 4 mm, the minimum thickness D of the neck portion is 3 to 5 mm, and the relationship D ≧ T is satisfied, The head portion is biased in a direction from the back side toward the front side with respect to the neck portion on the back side of the head portion and the neck portion opposite to the front side provided with the flocked surface It is replaceable brushes for an electric toothbrush, characterized in that.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that a step H is provided between the back surface of the head portion and the back surface of the neck portion, and the step H is 0.5 to 3 mm. It is a replacement brush for electric toothbrushes as described in.

In the invention according to claim 3, the head portion is provided to be inclined in a direction from the back side to the front side with respect to the neck portion, and the axis line of the head portion parallel to the flocked surface and The replacement brush for an electric toothbrush according to

claim

1 or 2, wherein an angle formed by an axis line of the neck portion parallel to the mounting and demounting direction with respect to the handle portion is 1 to 5 °.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, in a state of being attached to the tip of a support shaft provided so as to project in the axial direction from the tip of the handle portion, the distance between the end of the head portion and the tip of the support shaft is The replacement brush for an electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has a size of 40 to 60 mm.

In the invention according to claim 5, the head portion is biased in a direction from the back side toward the front side with respect to the neck portion on the front side of the head portion and the neck portion on the side on which the flocked surface is provided. 5. The replacement brush for an electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is provided.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the back surface side of the head portion and the neck portion has a vibration suppressing portion which is partially connected from the tip of the neck portion to the back surface of the head portion. 1 is a replacement brush for an electric toothbrush according to any one of items 1 to 5.

The invention according to claim 7 includes a handle portion, a neck portion extended from the tip of the handle portion, and a head portion provided at the tip of the neck portion, and generates vibration by electrical drive. An electric toothbrush for cleaning the inside of the oral cavity by a plurality of hair bundles implanted on the flocked surface of the head portion, wherein the neck portion and the head portion are included in the toothbrush main body including the handle portion. An electric toothbrush having a structure to which a replacement brush is removably attached, comprising the replacement brush for an electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6 as the replacement brush. .

As described above, according to the present invention, by reducing the thickness of the head portion, it is possible to obtain a feeling of high cleaning of the back teeth and to reduce discomfort due to vibration in the oral cavity. It is possible to provide a replacement brush, as well as an electric toothbrush provided with such a replacement brush for an electric toothbrush.

It is a side view showing the composition of the electric toothbrush provided with the exchange brush for electric toothbrush concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the replacement brush for electric toothbrushes shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows the structure of the replacement brush for electric toothbrushes shown in FIG. It is a rear view which shows the structure of the replacement brush for electric toothbrushes shown in FIG. It is the front view which looked at the head part of the replacement brush for electric toothbrushes shown in FIG. 1 from the flocked surface side. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the head section taken along line XX shown in FIG. 5; It is a front view which shows another example of arrangement | positioning of the hair tress in a flocked surface. It is a side view which shows the state by which the hair | bristle bundle was implanted by the flocked surface of the head part shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows another example of arrangement | positioning of the hair tress in a flocked surface.

Hereinafter, a replacement brush for an electric toothbrush and an electric toothbrush to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The drawings used in the following description may, for the sake of clarity of the features, sometimes schematically show the features that are the features for the sake of convenience, and the dimensional ratio of each component may be limited to the same as the actual Absent. Moreover, illustration of a hair | bristle bundle may be abbreviate | omitted depending on the case, and only the flocking hole where a hair | bristle bundle | plant is planted shall be shown.

Further, in the following description, the side on which the flocked surface 4a of the head portion 4 described later is provided is the front (front) side of the replacement brush 1B (electric toothbrush 1), and the flocked surface 4a of the head portion 4 is provided. The side opposite to the side is described as the back (rear surface) side of the replacement brush 1B (electric toothbrush 1).

As one embodiment of the present invention, for example, the electric toothbrush 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided at the handle portion 2, the neck portion 3 axially extended from one end (tip end) of the handle portion 2, and the tip of the neck portion 3 The interior of the oral cavity is cleaned with a plurality of hair bundles 5 implanted on the flocked surface 4 a of the head unit 4 while generating vibration by electrical drive.

In the electric toothbrush 1 of the present embodiment, a replacement brush (hereinafter referred to as a replacement brush) 1B for the electric toothbrush including the neck 3 and the head 4 is attached to and detached from the toothbrush main body 1A including the handle 2. It has a replacement structure that can be attached freely.

The handle portion 2 constituting the toothbrush main body 1A is a portion held by the user, and the shape thereof is not particularly limited, but is, for example, substantially cylindrical. Although not shown in the drawing, inside the handle portion 2 is a battery accommodating portion in which a battery (for example, AA or AAA dry battery) serving as an internal power source is accommodated, and a motor rotationally driven by electricity supplied from the battery And an eccentric weight directly connected to the motor.

The toothbrush main body 1A adopts a sound wave vibration type in which vibration is generated by rotating the eccentric weight at high speed by driving of a motor, and vibration is applied to the support shaft 6 provided protruding from the tip of the handle portion 2 in the axial direction. It is a mechanism to communicate the

The number of revolutions of the motor is preferably 6000 to 16000 rpm, and more preferably 7000 to 15000 rpm. If the number of revolutions of the motor is less than 6000 rpm, the feeling of cleaning by the electric toothbrush 1 will be insufficient. On the other hand, when the number of revolutions of the motor exceeds 16000 rpm, discomfort due to vibration is promoted.

Although the toothbrush main body 1A is not shown, the battery can be replaced with respect to the battery storage unit by removing the cap that is detachably attached to the bottom of the handle portion 2. Further, in the toothbrush main body 1A, when the user operates the power button provided on the front surface of the handle portion 2, it is possible to switch power supply / shut off (power on / power off) from the battery to the motor It has become.

The toothbrush main body 1A is not limited to the configuration using the above-described battery (primary battery) as an internal power supply, but uses, for example, a battery (secondary battery) such as a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, or a lithium ion battery It is good also as composition. When a battery is mounted as an internal power supply, charging from the external power supply (commercial power supply) to the internal power supply may be possible via a charger. In this case, it is preferable to use the non-contact charging method in terms of usability and safety.

Further, in the toothbrush main body 1A, in addition to the configuration in which the power ON / OFF is switched by the operation of the power button described above, for example, the configuration may be configured to switch the strength / weakness of the vibration by the operation of the operation button.

The replacement brush 1B, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, has a neck portion 3 and a head portion 4 integrally formed of a thermoplastic resin, and the support shaft 6 of the toothbrush main body 1A By connecting the proximal ends, they are integrally attached to the tip of the toothbrush main body 1A. An axial hole (not shown) into which the support shaft 6 of the toothbrush main body 1A is inserted is provided at the base end of the neck portion 3 in the axial direction. The replacement structure for detachably attaching the replacement brush 1B to the toothbrush main body 1A is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known structure can be employed.

In the electric toothbrush 1, in a state where the replacement brush 1B is attached to the toothbrush main body 1A, the vibration transmitted from the support shaft 6 can be transmitted to the head 4 via the neck 3 to vibrate the hair bundle 5 It has become.

Here, it is preferable to use resin (for example, polyacetal (POM), a polypropylene (PP), etc.) with high mechanical strength for the replacement brush 1B (neck part 3 and head part 4). As a result, the insertion strength of the support shaft 6 with respect to the shaft hole described above becomes strong, and the vibration width in the direction perpendicular to the flocked surface 4 a of the head portion 4 increases even when the thickness of the head portion 4 is reduced. It can be suppressed.

The flexural modulus (JIS K 7171) of the resin forming the neck portion 3 and the head portion 4 is preferably 1000 to 3000 MPa, more preferably 1500 to 3000 MPa, and 2000 to 3000 MPa. Is more preferred.

The neck portion 3 has a tapered shape which is gradually reduced in diameter from the proximal side to the distal side. Thereby, the tip of the neck portion 3 is a portion whose diameter is reduced most. In addition, regarding the shape of the neck portion 3, at least the front surface 3a side of the neck portion 3 may have a gentle curved surface (curved) shape in order to make it easier to polish the back teeth.

The minimum thickness D of the neck portion 3 is preferably 3 to 5 mm, and more preferably 3.5 to 4.5 mm. The thickness of the neck portion 3 refers to the thickness between the front surface 3 a and the back surface 3 b of the neck portion 3. Therefore, the minimum thickness D of the neck portion 3 is the thickness of the tip of the neck portion 3 which is most reduced in diameter (in the extending direction of the neck portion 3 based on the point P on the back surface 3b forming the portion in FIG. The thickness of the cross section in the vertical direction is adopted.

If the minimum thickness D of the neck portion 3 is less than 3 mm, the vibration width in the direction perpendicular to the flocked surface 4 a of the head portion 4 becomes large, and the vibration transmitted from the neck portion 3 to the head portion 4 also becomes large. The discomfort associated with On the other hand, when the minimum thickness D of the neck portion 3 exceeds 5 mm, the opening of the lips becomes large at the time of brushing teeth, the operability in the oral cavity can not be secured, and the feeling of cleaning the back teeth is reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the head portion 4 is a portion for cleaning the inside of the oral cavity with a plurality of hair bundles 5, and by vibrating the plurality of hair bundles 5 at the time of brushing, the tooth surface and the neck It is possible to enhance the plaque removing effect in details such as parts and interdental parts.

The head portion 4 may have any shape or size that facilitates the cleaning of the inside of the oral cavity, and the shape is not particularly limited, but generally has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has rounded corner portions. ing. Further, the head portion 4 may have a shape in which the width is gradually narrowed from the base end side to the tip end side. The flocked surface 4 a of the head portion 4 and the back surface 4 b thereof form a flat surface.

The back surface 4b of the head unit 4 may have a tapered shape in which the thickness gradually decreases from the base end side to the tip end side, and the center of the back surface 4b side of the head unit 4 is a rounded shape. May be

The head portion 4 of the present embodiment spreads in the width direction as it goes from the tip toward the neck portion 3 in front view, then extends with an equal width, and then narrows in the width direction to reach the boundary R with the neck portion 3 Have.

The boundary R is an end point of a curve forming a cornering from the neck portion 3 in the front view shape of the head portion 4, that is, a position where the bending direction of the curve forming the cornering changes. More specifically, from the curves or straight lines forming the two edges where the width of the cornering portion from the neck portion 3 in the head portion 4 in front view narrows, the curves or straight lines whose width widens or straight lines with the same width It is a changing position. Further, in the case of the electric toothbrush 1 in which the width becomes wider as the neck portion 3 moves toward the handle portion 2 in a front view, the boundary R coincides with the smallest position in the head portion 4 and the neck portion 3 in a front view. The minimum width of the neck portion 3 in a front view is preferably 3 to 5 mm, and more preferably 3.5 to 4.5 mm.

On the flocked surface 4 a of the head portion 4, a plurality of flocked holes 7 having the same diameter are arranged in a staggered manner. The tufts 5 are formed by bundling a plurality of brushes (filaments) and folding them in two, and sandwiching a metal retaining stopper (not shown) called flat wire between them, and driving them into the flocking holes 7 for each flocked hole It is planted on 7th. In Drawing 5, illustration of hair bundle 5 is omitted and only flocking hole 7 is illustrated.

The flocking holes 7 are not limited to the configuration in which the plurality of the flocking holes 7 are arranged side by side in a staggered manner, and the plurality of the flocking holes 7 may be arranged in a plurality in a grid shape. In addition, the inner diameter of the flocking hole 7 has a correlation with the number of the hair bundles 5 to be flocked, so it affects the hardness and feeling of use of the hair bundles 5, but depending on the thickness and hair length of the hair bundles 5 used when flocking. Although the feeling in use is adjustable to some extent, in general, the range of 1.0 to 3.0 mm is preferable.

The hair bundle 5 is not particularly limited as to the material of the brush, but, for example, polyamide (eg 6-12 nylon, 6-10 nylon), polyester (eg polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate), polyolefin Examples include synthetic resin materials such as (e.g. polypropylene) and elastomers (e.g. olefin based and styrene based). In addition, a plurality of these resin materials may be used in combination, and for example, different resin materials can be used for the core portion and the sheath portion as in a core-sheath structure.

The cross-sectional shape of the brush is usually circular, but is not limited to such a shape, for example, oval, triangular, square, hexagonal, star, three-leaf clover, four-leaf It can be in any shape such as a clover shape.

The hair length of the hair bundle 5 is preferably 8 mm to 13 mm for adults and 6 mm to 9 mm for children from the flocked surface 4 a of the head portion 4. The thickness (maximum diameter) of the brush is preferably 0.12 mm to 0.26 mm in terms of usability in the oral cavity and feeling of use. Further, in consideration of the feeling of use, the feeling of brushing, the cleaning effect, the durability, etc., a plurality of brushes having different thicknesses may be used in arbitrary combination.

As a method of flocking the hair bundle 5, in addition to the flat-line flocking method in which the hair bundle 5 of the above-mentioned brush is folded in two and the flat wire is sandwiched between them, the lower end of the hair bundle 5 is headed The heat fusion method of pressing and fixing into the molten resin to be the part 4 or heating the lower end of the hair bundle 5 to form a molten mass, the molten resin is filled in the cavity of the mold to form the head part 5 In-mold method etc. which are integrally molded with can be used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the width W of the head portion 4 is preferably 6 to 16 mm, more preferably 8 to 15 mm, and still more preferably 10 to 12 mm. If it is below the upper limit value, it can be inserted even in a narrow place such as the back teeth without causing discomfort due to vibration. The smaller the width W of the head unit 4 is, the smaller the discomfort caused by the vibration of the head unit 4 is. Moreover, if it is more than a lower limit, since a hair bundle 5 of sufficient quantity can be planted, cleaning feelings, such as a back tooth, can be secured. Furthermore, even if the head portion 4 vibrates, the brush can be firmly applied to the cleaning site, and stable oral cleaning can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the length V of the head portion 4 is preferably 20 to 35 mm, and more preferably 20 to 30 mm. If it is less than the upper limit value, the displacement of the head end due to the vibration of the head unit 4 is not large, which leads to the reduction of discomfort. Moreover, if it is more than a lower limit, since a hair bundle 5 of sufficient quantity can be planted, cleaning feelings, such as a back tooth, can be secured.

When the width W of the head unit 4 is 12 to 16 mm, by setting the length V of the head unit 4 to 28 to 33 mm, it is possible to reduce the discomfort caused by the vibration of the head unit 4. For example, in the case of a wide head having a wide width, by shortening the length V of the head portion 4, the unnaturalness can be further reduced while securing the advantage of efficiently polishing the cleaning site over a wide area.

By the way, in the replacement brush 1B of this embodiment, by making the head portion 4 thinner, whether the maximum thickness T of the head portion 4 is the same as the minimum thickness D of the neck portion 3 (D = T) or the neck portion 3 Is smaller than the minimum thickness D of (D> T).

The maximum thickness T of the head portion is preferably 2 to 4 mm, and more preferably 2.5 to 3.5 mm. The thickness of the head portion 4 refers to the thickness between the front surface (flocked surface) 4 a and the back surface 4 b of the head portion 4. By reducing the thickness of the head portion 4, the operability in the oral cavity can be enhanced, and the feeling of cleaning in a narrow place such as the back teeth can be secured.

On the back side of the head portion 4 and the neck portion 3, the head portion 4 is provided to shift (shift) in a direction from the back side to the front side with respect to the neck portion 3. That is, in the replacement brush 1B of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the extension line L1 in the axial direction along the back surface 4b of the head portion 4 passes the tip P of the back surface 3b of the neck portion 3 and extends It is located on the front side of the extension line L2 parallel to L1.

The tip end P of the neck portion 3 represents a starting point (inflection point) when the back surface 3b of the neck portion 3 is biased from the back surface side toward the front surface side. That is, the tip end P of the neck portion 3 is at a position where its inclination changes from the straight line or curve forming the back surface 3 b of the neck portion 3 to the straight line or curve forming the back surface 4 b of the head portion 4. When the back surface 4b of the head unit 4 forms a curve, the extension line L1 passes through a point on the back surface 4b side forming the maximum thickness T of the head unit 4 and adopts an extension line parallel to the flocked surface 4a do it.

Further, a step H is provided between the back surface 4 b of the head portion 4 and the back surface 3 b of the neck portion 3. The level difference H corresponds to the amount of deviation (shift) of the extension line L1 with respect to the extension line L2.

The height difference H is preferably 0.5 to 3.0 mm, and more preferably 0.5 to 2.0 mm. Thereby, a space can be secured between the back surface 4b of the head portion 4 and the oral tissue (such as the inner side of the cheek), and the contact of the back surface 4b of the head portion 4 with the oral tissue can be suppressed. It is possible to reduce

On the other hand, the effect by making the back surface 4b side of the head part 4 mentioned above thinner than the back surface 3b side of the neck part 3 as the level | step difference H is less than 0.5 mm becomes inadequate. On the other hand, when the step H exceeds 2.0 mm, the head 4 is excessively positioned on the front side with respect to the axis of the handle 2, and the operability in the oral cavity is reduced, and the cleaning of the back teeth is felt Decreases.

The distance A between the end of the head portion 4 and the end of the support shaft 6 is preferably 40 to 60 mm, and more preferably 45 to 55 mm. The distance A refers to the length of a line connecting the tip of the head 4 and the tip of the support shaft 6. When the distance A is less than 40 mm, the vibration is strongly transmitted to the head portion 4, which leads to discomfort due to excessive vibration. On the other hand, when the distance A exceeds 60 mm, the vibration transmitted to the head portion 4 becomes weak, so that the feeling of cleaning becomes insufficient.

In the replacement brush 1B of the present embodiment, by reducing the thickness on the back surface 4b side of the head unit 4, a space is formed between the back surface 4b of the head unit 4 and the oral tissue (such as the inside of the cheek) at the time of brushing. Can be secured.
Thereby, the contact of the back surface 4b of the head portion 4 with the oral tissue can be suppressed, and discomfort due to vibration can be reduced.

Further, on the front side of the head portion 4 and the neck portion 3, the head portion 4 is provided to shift (shift) in a direction from the back side to the front side with respect to the neck portion 3. That is, in the replacement brush 1B of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the axial extension line L3 along the flocked surface 4a of the head portion 4 passes the tip Q of the front surface 3a of the neck portion 3 and extends It is located on the front side of the extension line L4 parallel to the line L3. The tip Q represents a start point (inflection point) when the front surface 3a of the neck portion 3 is biased from the rear side to the front side.

The amount of deviation (shift) of the extension line L3 with respect to the extension line L4 is preferably more than 0 mm and 1 mm or less, and more preferably more than 0 mm and 0.5 mm or less. In the replacement brush 1B of the present embodiment, by biasing the flocked surface 4a of the head portion 4 to the front side, the transmission of vibration from the neck portion 3 to the head portion 4 can be suppressed as compared to the case where it is not offset.

Thereby, even when the thickness of the head portion 4 is reduced, the vibration width in the direction perpendicular to the flocked surface 4 a of the head portion 4 can be reduced, and discomfort caused by vibration in the oral cavity can be reduced. . On the other hand, when the amount of deviation (shift) becomes larger than necessary, the head 4 is excessively separated from the axis straight of the handle 2, so the operability in the oral cavity is reduced and the feeling of cleaning the back teeth is reduced. .

In the replacement brush 1B of the present embodiment, the flocked surface 4a of the head portion 4 described above is provided with a shift (shift) in the direction from the back side to the front side with respect to the front surface 3a of the neck portion 3 However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. In some cases, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the flocked surface 4a of the head portion 4 and the front surface 3a of the neck portion 3 are connected continuously (straight).

Further, the head portion 4 is provided to be inclined with respect to the neck portion 3 in a direction from the back side to the front side. That is, in the replacement brush 1B of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the axis line T1 (the extension line of the extension line L3) of the head 4 parallel to the flocked surface 4a With respect to an axis line T2 (an extension line along the central axis of the axial hole) of the neck portion 3 which is parallel to the above, and is inclined toward the front side.

In this case, the angle α between the axial line T1 of the head 4 and the axial line T2 of the neck 3 (hereinafter referred to as the inclination of the head 4) α is preferably 1 to 5 °, and 2 to 4 ° It is further preferred that As a result, not only the contact of the back surface 4b of the head portion 4 with the oral tissue (such as the inside of the cheek) can be suppressed, but also the feeling of cleaning the back teeth and the back of the teeth can be enhanced.

On the other hand, when the inclination α of the head portion 4 is less than 1 °, not only the above-described effects become insufficient, but also the vibration from the brush main body 1A is easily transmitted to the head portion 2. The vibration width in the vertical direction is increased, and the sense of discomfort associated with the vibration during use is promoted. On the other hand, when the inclination α of the head portion 4 exceeds 5 °, not only the reachability to the back teeth of the head portion 4 is reduced, but also the position of the head portion 4 is excessively separated from the axis straight of the handle portion 2 The vibration width in the direction perpendicular to the surface 4a is increased, and the discomfort caused by the vibration during use is promoted.

In the replacement brush 1B of the present embodiment, the above-described head portion 4 is provided to be inclined in a direction from the back side to the front side with respect to the neck portion 3; It is not necessarily limited to In some cases, the axial line T1 of the head 4 and the axial line T2 of the neck 3 may be configured to be parallel (α = 0 °).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the replacement brush 1 </ b> B of this embodiment is a vibration that is partially connected from the tip of the neck portion 3 to the back surface 4 b of the head portion 4 on the back surface side of the head portion 4 and the neck portion 3. The control unit 8 is provided.

The vibration suppression portion 8 is integrally formed with the head portion 4 and the neck portion 3 and has a gradually narrower width and a gradually smaller height from the tip P of the back surface 3 b of the neck portion 3 to the back surface 4 b of the head portion 4. It has the following shape. Moreover, the vibration suppression part 8 forms the inclined surface which connects between back 4b of the head part 4 mentioned above, and the back 3b of the neck part 3 smoothly. Moreover, the front end of the vibration suppression part 8 is located on the line of the width direction which passes along the rear end of the 2nd hair bundle 5b located in the rear end (proximal end) side of outer side planting area | region S2 mentioned later.

The vibration suppression unit 8 suppresses excessive vibration in the direction perpendicular to the flocked surface 4 a of the head unit 4.
Further, it is possible to increase the strength of the connection portion between the head portion 4 and the neck portion 3 by the vibration suppressing portion 8 while reducing the thickness on the back surface 4 b side of the head portion 4 described above. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the discomfort due to the vibration while suppressing the contact of the back surface 4b of the head portion 4 with the oral tissue (such as the inner side of the cheek).

On the flocked surface 4a of the head portion 4, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a central flocked region S1 formed by arranging a plurality of flocked holes 11 in the longitudinal direction of the head portion 4 in the central portion thereof An outer flocked region S2 configured by arranging a plurality of flocking holes 11 in the length direction of the head portion 4 on both sides across the region S1 is provided.

In the present embodiment, for example, among the plurality of flocked holes 11 arranged in a staggered fashion on the flocked surface 4 a of the head portion 4, three rows of flocked holes aligned in the longitudinal direction of the head portion 4 in the central part of the flocked surface 4 a A central flocked area S1 is configured by 11. On the other hand, on both sides sandwiching this central flocked region S1, a pair of outer flocked regions S2 is constituted by two rows of flocked holes 11 aligned in the length direction of the head portion 4, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6, in each of the flocking holes 11 in the central flocked area S1, a hair bundle constituted by a tapered brush (hereinafter referred to as a first taper hair) whose diameter decreases toward the tip of the hair. 5 (hereinafter referred to as the first hair bundle 5a) are implanted. On the other hand, in each of the flocking holes 11 of the outer flocked area S2, a hair bundle 5 (hereinafter referred to as a second taper hair) having a tapered brush whose tip diameter is smaller than that of the first taper hair. Hereinafter, the second hair bundle 5b is implanted.

Moreover, the 2nd hair bundle 5b is implanted by the hair-planting

holes

7a and 7b located in the front end side and back end side of center hair-implanting area | region S1, respectively. As a result, on the flocked surface 4a of the head portion 4, the second hair bundle 5b implanted on the front end side and the rear end side of the central flocked region S1 and the second hair bundle implanted on the outer flocked region S2. The hair bundle 5b is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the first hair bundle 5a implanted in the central flocked area S1. That is, on the flocked surface 4 a of the head unit 4, the plurality of second hair bundles 5 b are provided along the periphery of the central flocked region S 1 together with the plurality of second hair bundles 5 b implanted in the outer flocked region S 2. The peripheral flocking area S3 implanted in line in the circumferential direction is provided.

Furthermore, the flocking density of the first hair bundle 5a implanted in the central flocked area S1 is set to be higher than the flocking density of the second hair bundle 5b implanted in the outer flocked area S2. In addition, "flock density" said here is a value given by [sum of area of flock holes] ÷ [flock area], and "sum of area of flock holes" means each flocked area S1, A value obtained by adding the areas of the flocked holes 11 constituting S2, “flocked area” is in accordance with “JIS S 3016-1995” and each planting located on the outer periphery of each flocked area S1, S2 It represents by the area of the enclosed area which connected the outer side of the pore 11 by a straight line.

In the present embodiment, by the first hair bundle 5a of the central flocked area S1 formed of the first taper hair having a higher flocked density than the outer flocked area S2 and a tip diameter larger than that of the second taper hair. The tooth surface is efficiently cleaned, and the implanted density is lower than that of the central implanted area S1 with respect to the outer implanted area S2 that is relatively easy to hit the gums, and the tip diameter is smaller than that of the first taper bristles. By implanting the second hair bundle 5b made of the second taper hair, the strength of vibration transmitted to the gums at the time of brushing can be alleviated, and discomfort due to vibration in the oral cavity can be reduced.

Further, since the first hair bundle 5a of the central flocked area S1 having a high flocking density is constituted by the first taper hair having a tip diameter larger than that of the second taper hair, the first hair bundle 5a The strength of the hair pelvis produces a good vibration transmission, which makes it possible to improve the feeling of cleaning by vibration.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second hair bundle 5b is implanted in the outer peripheral flocked area S3 surrounding the periphery of the first hair bundle 5a implanted in the central flocked area S1. This makes it easier for the second hair bundle 5b to contact the gums in all directions when brushing the back teeth, making it possible to further improve the comfort when the tips of the hairs hit the gums.

Further, in the present embodiment, the hair length of the second hair bundle 5b implanted in the outer flocked area S2 is higher than the hair length of the first hair bundle 5a implanted in the central flocked area S1. There is. Specifically, when the maximum height of the first hair bundle 5a is t ₁ [mm] and the maximum height of the second hair bundle 5b is t ₂ [mm], 0.5 mm ≦ t ₂ −t It is preferable to satisfy the relationship of ₁ ≦ 3.0 mm.

That is, by making the maximum height t2 of the _second hair bundle 5b higher than the maximum height t1 of the _first hair bundle 5a, the hair of the second hair bundle 5b with respect to the neck and interdental region It is possible to improve the approachability first. In addition, when the tip of the hair hits the tooth surface, the second long hair bundle 5b opens naturally and the tip of the hair fits the tooth neck, so the tip of the hair cares about the angle at which the tip hits the tooth neck It is possible to improve the brushing effect of the cervix with a simple operation without doing. Furthermore, when the long second hair bundle 5b is brought into contact with the gums, the second hair bundle 5b plays a role of a cushion, thereby buffering vibrations and causing discomfort in the oral cavity. Can be reduced.

Therefore, the difference in hair height t ₂ -t ₁ between the first hair bundle 5 a in the central hair-planted area S 1 and the second hair bundle 5 b in the outer hair-implanted area S 2 is in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 mm, By setting preferably in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 mm, it is possible to improve the cleanability of the tooth surface and the contact feeling with the gums. is there.

In the present embodiment, the tip diameter of the first taper bristles is 40 to 80 μm, and the tip diameter of the second taper bristles is 5 to 30 μm. It is possible to balance cleanability with a good balance. Furthermore, it is possible to achieve both cleaning of the tooth surface and reduction of discomfort associated with vibration.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that a plurality of flocking holes 11 be provided in the central flocking area S1 so as to be aligned in at least two rows in the longitudinal direction of the head portion 4. As a result, the first hair bundle 5a is implanted in two or more rows in the central flocked area S1 in the lengthwise direction of the head portion 4. These first hair bundles 5a provide sufficient teeth to the tooth surface. It is possible to obtain wrinkle removing power and sufficient cleaning feeling by vibration.

In the present embodiment, the flocked density of the first hair bundle 5a implanted in the central flocked area S1 is ρ ₁ , and the flocked density of the second hair bundle 5b implanted in the outer flocked area S2 is ρ ₂ It is preferable to satisfy the relationship of 0.40 ≦ ρ ₁ ≦ 0.70, 0.20 ≦≦ ₂ ≦ 0.40, and 1.2 ≦ ρ ₁ / ρ ₂ ≦ 2.4.

In this embodiment, the central flocking is performed by setting the flocking density ₁ 1 of the central flocking area S1 in the range of 0.40 ≦≦ ₁ ≦ 0.70, and more preferably in the range of 0.50 ≦ _{1 1} ≦ 0.60. While making the waist of the first hair bundle 5a in the region S moderately strong, the flocking density ₂ 2 of the outer flocked region S2 is in the range of 0.20 ρ ₂ 0.4 0.40, more preferably 0.30 ρ ρ _By setting it as the range of ₂ <= 0.40, it becomes possible to bend the 2nd hair bundle 5b in outer side flocking area | region S2 moderately.

The ratio of flocking density [rho ₂ of the second hair bundle 5b planted outside flocked region S2 for flocking density [rho ₁ of the first hair bundle 5a planted in these central bristles region S1 (hereinafter, flocked When the ratio of _{1 1} / ρ ₂ is in the range of 1.2 to 2.4, the first hair bundle 5a of the central flocking area S1 having a higher flocking density than the outer flocked area S2 Since the surface is efficiently cleaned, and the second hair bundle 5b of the outer flocked area S2 having a lower flocking density than the central flocked area S1, the tooth neck and interdental areas are efficiently cleaned. Plaque removing power can be enhanced in details such as tooth flanks, necks and interdentals.

In the present embodiment, the second hair bundle 5b is implanted in the flocked

holes

7a and 7b located on the front end side and the rear end side of the central flocked area S1, respectively. Instead of the hair bundle 5b, the first hair bundle 5a may be implanted. In addition, the first hair bundle 5a and the second hair bundle 5b are not limited to the above-described configuration using the taper hair, but may be any brush such as a straight hair whose diameter becomes constant toward the hair tip It is possible to use.

As described above, in the electric toothbrush 1 provided with the replacement brush 1B of the present embodiment, by making the thickness of the head portion 4 thin, it is possible to obtain a high feeling of cleaning the back teeth and make the thickness of the head portion 4 thin. It is possible to reduce discomfort due to vibration in the oral cavity because excessive vibration due to

In addition, this invention is not necessarily limited to the thing of the said embodiment, It is possible to add a various change in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.
For example, the arrangement of the hair bundle 5 on the flocked surface 4a is not necessarily limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described above, and appropriate changes can be made.

For example, in another arrangement example shown in FIG. 7, among the plurality of flocked holes 11 arranged in a staggered manner on the flocked surface 4 a of the head portion 4, three rows aligned in the longitudinal direction of the head portion 4 in the central part of the flocked surface 4 a The central flocking area S1 is configured by the flocking holes 11 of the second embodiment. On the other hand, on both sides sandwiching the central flocked region S1, a pair of flocked holes 11 arranged in the length direction of the head portion 4 constitute a pair of outer flocked regions S2.

Moreover, the diameter of each flocked hole 11 of outer side flocked region S2 is larger than the diameter of each flocked hole 11 of central flocked region S1. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, the diameter of the first bundle of hair bundles 5c implanted in each of the flocked holes 11 in the central flocked region S1 is implanted in each of the flocked holes 11 of the outer flocked region S2. The diameter of the hair bundle of the second hair bundle 5d is increased.

Further, the hair length of the first hair bundle 5c is higher than the hair length of the second hair bundle 5d. For the first hair bundle 5c and the second hair bundle 5d, taper hairs can be used. In addition, about the 1st hair bundle 5c and the 2nd hair bundle 5d, not only the composition using the hair for taper mentioned above but arbitrary brushes, such as hair for straight which becomes uniform in diameter toward the hair tip It is possible to use.

In addition, although not shown, the first flocked surface 4a of the head unit 4 is firstly implanted with the plurality of second hair bundles 5d implanted in the above-mentioned outer flocked region S2. A peripheral flocking area may be provided in which a plurality of second hair bundles 5d are implanted side by side in the circumferential direction of the head portion 4 so as to surround the hair bundle 5c.

In such a configuration, by making the diameter of the second bundle of hairs 5 d larger than the diameter of the first bundle of hairs 5 c, the second bundle of hairs 5 d easily contacts the gums. Therefore, it is possible to relieve pressure on the gums by the second hair bundle 5d and to obtain a gentle hit on the gums. Moreover, it is possible to reduce the discomfort of the vibration transmitted to the gums at the time of brushing. Furthermore, by making the hair length of the first hair bundle 5c higher than the hair length of the second hair bundle 5d, it is possible to achieve both gentle contact with the gum and cleanability of the tooth neck. is there.

Further, for example, in another arrangement example shown in FIG. 9, a central flocked area in which a plurality of first hair bundles 5 e are implanted side by side in the length direction of the head portion 4 on the tip side of the central portion of the flocked surface 4 a S1, a central hairless region S4 having no hair bundle on the proximal end side of the central portion of the flocked surface 4a, and a plurality of second hair bundles 5f on both sides of the central haired region S1 and the central hairless region S4 An outer flocked region implanted in line in the longitudinal direction of the part 4 is provided.

For the first hair bundle 5e and the second hair bundle 5f, taper hairs can be used. In addition, about the 1st hair bundle 5e and the 2nd hair bundle 5f, not only the composition using the hair for taper mentioned above but arbitrary brushes, such as hair for straight which becomes uniform in diameter toward the hair tip It is possible to use.

In such a configuration, the second hair bundle 5f on both sides of the central hairless region S4 is easily bent, and the approachability of the hair tip to the tooth neck becomes high. On the other hand, since it is possible to suppress the reduction in stiffness of the first hair bundle 5e and the second hair bundle 5f and the hair loss feeling, it is possible to sufficiently secure the scraping ability of dental plaque. Furthermore, by bending the second hair bundle 5 f on both sides of the central hairless region S <b> 3, vibration can be buffered and discomfort due to vibration in the oral cavity can be reduced.

Hereinafter, the effects of the present invention will be made more apparent by examples. The present invention is not limited to the following examples, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without changing the gist of the invention.

(Examples 1 to 12 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4)
In the present embodiment, as shown in Table 1 below, "maximum thickness T [mm] of head portion", "minimum thickness D [mm] of neck portion", "step H [mm]", "tip of head portion" Distance [A] [mm] between the end of the spindle and the head, [inclination α [°] of head section], [amount of deviation of L3 to L4 [mm]], “material of head and neck”, “head width The exchange brushes of Examples 1 to 12 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 with different W [mm] "and" head length V [mm] "were produced. The number of revolutions of the motor was 9000 rpm in each case. Further, in each of Examples 1 to 12 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, the “flat line flocking method” was used.
Moreover, the "diameter" in the flocking hole of the head part was 1.6 mm, the "row pitch" was 2.5 mm, and the "row pitch" was 2.2 mm (the distance between hole centers). Based on the above pitch, the number of columns and the number of rows are set according to each head width and head length, and 4 to 6 columns in the width direction and 7 to 9 rows in the length direction are set.
For the bristles, ST bristles of PBT resin, and those with a base diameter of 7.5 mil were flocked 23 per flocking hole. Because it is flat-line flocking, the substance is 46 pieces. In addition, the hair length was 12 mm.

And about the electric toothbrush using the replacement brush of these Examples 1-12 and Comparative Examples 1-4, the evaluation test about "the cleaning feeling of a back tooth" and "discomfort with vibration" was done. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1 below.

In addition, about the evaluation test of "the cleaning impression of the back teeth", the sensory evaluation by 10 expert panelists was performed, and the cleaning perception of the back teeth (second molar) was evaluated according to the following criteria.
5 points: very easy to polish.
4 points: Slightly easy to polish.
3 points: neither is it.
2 points: somewhat difficult to polish.
1 point: It is very difficult to polish.

And the average value of the evaluation point by ten expert panelists was calculated, and the following four-step evaluation was performed.
◎: 4.5 or more, 5.0 or less
○: 3.5 or more, less than 4.5 points
:: 2.5 or more, less than 3.5 points
X: less than 2.5 points

Moreover, about the evaluation test of "discomfort with vibration", the sensory evaluation by 10 expert panelists was performed, and the discomfort based on vibration at the time of brushing was evaluated according to the following criteria.
5 points: I do not mind vibration at all.
4 points: Vibration hardly bothers.
3 points: I can not say either.
2 points: The vibration is somewhat anxious.
1 point: The vibration is very annoying.

From the evaluation results shown in Table 1, the electric toothbrushes of Examples 1 to 12 are compared with the electric toothbrushes of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 in any of the evaluations of "the feeling of cleaning of the back teeth" and "discomfort with vibration". Good results were obtained, and good results were obtained for the overall evaluation.
In addition, although the arrangement pattern of the flocking holes in the head part is set according to the head width and the head length, the same evaluation was obtained in any arrangement pattern.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electric toothbrush 1A ... Toothbrush main body 1B ... (For electric toothbrush) Replacement brush 2 ... Handle part 3 ... Neck part 4 ... Head part 4a ... Flocked surface 5 ...

Hair bundle

5a, 5c, 5e ...

1st hair bundle

5b , 5d, 5f ... second hair bundle 6 ... support shaft 7 ... flocking hole 8 ... vibration suppression part S1 ... central flocked area S2 ... outer flocked area S3 ... outer peripheral flocked area S4 ... central hairless area

Claims

A handle portion, a neck portion extended from the tip end of the handle portion, and a head portion provided at the tip end of the neck portion, and generating vibration by electrical drive, the flocked surface of the head portion A replacement brush for an electric toothbrush including the neck portion and the head portion detachably attached to a toothbrush main body including the handle portion of the electric toothbrush cleaning the inside of the oral cavity by a plurality of implanted hair bundles ,
The maximum thickness T of the head portion is 2 to 4 mm, the minimum thickness D of the neck portion is 3 to 5 mm, and the relationship of DTT is satisfied.
On the back side of the head portion and the neck portion opposite to the front side where the flocked surface is provided, the head portion is provided to be biased in a direction from the back side to the front side with respect to the neck portion Replacement brush for electric toothbrushes characterized by having.
A step H is provided between the back of the head and the back of the neck,
The step H is 0.5 to 3 mm;
The replacement brush for an electric toothbrush according to claim 1.
The head portion is provided to be inclined in a direction from the back side to the front side with respect to the neck portion,
An angle between an axis line of the head portion parallel to the flocking surface and an axis line of the neck portion parallel to the attaching / detaching direction with respect to the handle portion is 1 to 5 °.
The replacement brush for an electric toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2.
The distance between the tip of the head portion and the tip of the support shaft is 40 to 60 mm in a state of being attached to the tip of a support shaft provided so as to project in the axial direction from the tip of the handle portion. ,
The replacement brush for an electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
In the front side of the head portion and the neck portion on the side where the flocked surface is provided, the head portion is provided to be biased in a direction from the back side to the front side with respect to the neck portion. Do,
The replacement brush for an electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The rear side of the head portion and the neck portion has a vibration suppression portion that is partially connected from the tip of the neck portion to the rear surface of the head portion.
The replacement brush for an electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A handle portion, a neck portion extended from the tip end of the handle portion, and a head portion provided at the tip end of the neck portion, and generating vibration by electrical drive, the flocked surface of the head portion An electric toothbrush for cleaning the inside of the oral cavity by a plurality of implanted hair bundles, comprising:
The replacement brush including the neck portion and the head portion is detachably attached to the toothbrush main body including the handle portion,
An electric toothbrush comprising the electric toothbrush replacement brush according to any one of claims 1 to 6 as the replacement brush.