WO2020245245A1

WO2020245245A1 - System and methods for operating and repairing a personal care appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2020245245A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/065423
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolter F. Benning
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Priority date: 2019-06-05
Filing date: 2020-06-04
Publication date: 2020-12-10

Abstract

A system and method of operating and repairing a personal care appliance including storing a first set of optimal drive parameters with a first drive motor, the first drive motor arranged within a housing of the personal care appliance; retrieving, via a drive controller arranged within the housing of the personal care appliance, the first set of optimal drive parameters from the first drive motor; and, driving, via the drive controller, the first drive motor utilizing the first set of optimal drive parameters.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR OPERATING AND

REPAIRING A PERSONAL CARE APPLIANCE

Field of the Disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure is directed generally to personal care appliances, more specifically to oral care appliances, even more specifically, to methods of repairing oral care appliances.

Background

[0002] Personal care appliances, for example, power toothbrushes, contain components which generate rotational motion of a drive shaft which creates a proportional rotational motion or a translational motion of a brushhead arranged to contact the teeth and gums of a user. One component provided within these systems may be a resonant drive motor capable of generating reciprocal or oscillating motion to drive the drive shaft and ultimately the brushhead. During operation, it may be necessary to replace or repair a resonant drive motor. As these motors are finely tuned during manufacture to operate within certain parameters, replacing a resonant drive motor may result in the new motor operating with the old motors parameters and therefore may result in decreased efficiency and user experience.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0003] The present disclosure is related to a system and methods for repairing and/or replacing a drive motor within a personal care appliance such that after the repair or replacement operation has been completed, the new motor will operate with its corresponding optimal parameters. Importantly, while the system and some of the methods described herein require significantly less special skills or specialized repair training to accomplish the repair or replacement operation, some methods may not require any special skills or specialized repair training. As such the system may include a personal care appliance, a first motor and a second motor where the first resonant motor is replaced with the second resonant motor such that the second resonant motor may automatically operate with a second set of optimal drive parameters specific to the second resonant drive motor.

[0004] Generally, in one aspect, a method of operating a personal care appliance is provided, the method including: storing a first set of optimal drive parameters with a first drive motor, the first drive motor arranged within a housing of the personal care appliance; retrieving, via a drive controller arranged within the housing of the personal care appliance, the first set of optimal drive parameters from the first drive motor; and, driving, via the drive controller, the first drive motor utilizing the first set of optimal drive parameters.

[0005] In one example, the first set of optimal drive parameters are stored within a memory element of the first drive motor.

[0006] In one example, the first set of optimal drive parameters are stored within a memory of a first motor controller, the first motor controller electrically connected to the first drive motor and the drive controller.

[0007] In one example, the first set of optimal drive parameters are selected from a frequency, a duty cycle, an operating voltage, an operating current, an operating current limit.

[0008] In one example, the method further includes measuring a response curve of a first drive motor; and obtaining the first set of optimal drive parameters for the first drive motor at least in part based on the measured response curve.

[0009] In one example, the method further includes removing the first drive motor from the housing of the personal care appliance; and installing a second drive motor within the housing of the personal care appliance.

[0010] In one example, the method further includes obtaining a second set of optimal drive parameters for the second drive motor automatically from a second memory element of the second drive motor.

[0011] In one example, the method further includes obtaining a second set of optimal drive parameters for the second drive motor automatically from a second memory of a second motor controller, the second motor controller electrically connected to the second drive motor and the drive controller.

[0012] In one example, the method further includes obtaining a second set of optimal drive parameters for the second drive motor from a marking located on an exterior surface of the second drive motor.

[0013] In one example, the method further includes obtaining a second set of optimal drive parameters for the second drive motor wherein the second set of optimal drive parameters are selected from a frequency, a duty cycle, an operating voltage, operating current, operating current limit. [0014] In one example, the marking may comprise alphanumeric characters, Quick Response code (QR), a barcode, a 2-dimensional barcode, or an RFID tag.

[0015] In one example, the method further includes inputting a second set of optimal drive parameters into the drive controller via a drive motor interface.

[0016] In one example, the drive motor interface includes a plurality of circuit connectors.

[0017] In one example, the method further includes connecting a first circuit connector with a second circuit connector to form a first circuit, wherein the first circuit corresponds with the second set of optimal drive parameters.

[0018] In another aspect, a method of repairing a personal care appliance is provided, the method including: driving, via a drive controller of the personal care appliance, a first drive motor arranged within a housing of the personal care appliance utilizing a first set of optimal drive parameters; removing the first drive motor from the housing of the personal care appliance; installing a second drive motor within the housing of the personal care appliance; obtaining a second set of optimal drive parameters for the second drive motor automatically from a memory element of the second drive motor; and, driving, via the drive controller of the oral care appliance, the second drive motor utilizing the second set of optimal drive parameters.

[0019] These and other aspects of the various embodiments will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the various embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic front perspective view of a system according to the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a personal care appliance according to the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a graph representing a response curve of a personal care appliance according to the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 4A illustrates a personal care appliance having a first resonant drive motor according to the present disclosure. [0025] FIG. 4B illustrates a personal care appliance having a first resonant drive motor according to the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 5A illustrates a personal care appliance having a second resonant drive motor according to the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 5B illustrates a personal care appliance having a second resonant drive motor according to the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 6A illustrates a personal care appliance having a first resonant drive motor according to the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 6B illustrates a personal care appliance having a second resonant drive motor according to the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 7A illustrates a personal care appliance having a first resonant drive motor according to the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 7B illustrates a personal care appliance having a second resonant drive motor according to the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates a personal care appliance having a second resonant drive motor according to the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates a drive motor interface according to the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method according to the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 11 illustrates a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method according to the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 12 illustrates a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method according to the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 13 illustrates a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0038] The present disclosure is related to a system and methods for repairing and/or replacing a resonant drive motor within a personal care appliance such that after the repair or replacement operation has been completed, the new motor will operate with its corresponding optimal parameters. Importantly, while the system and some of the methods described herein require significantly less special skills or specialized repair training to accomplish the repair or replacement operation, some methods may not require any special skills or specialized repair training. As such the system may include a personal care appliance, a first resonant motor and a second resonant motor where the first resonant motor is replaced with the second resonant motor such that the second resonant motor may automatically operate with a second set of optimal drive parameters specific to the second resonant drive motor.

[0039] Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates system 100 according to the present disclosure. System 100 includes personal care appliance 102. Personal care appliance 102 includes housing 104 having a handle 106 and a neck 108. Housing 104 is arranged such that it completely encloses the working components of the personal care appliance 102. It should be appreciated that, although personal care appliance 102 is illustrated as a power toothbrush, the disclosure can relate to any personal care appliance or tool that utilizes an oscillating motor or resonant drive motor as will be discussed herein. Handle 106 is arranged at a distal end of housing 104 and is arranged to receive the hand of a user during operation of personal care appliance 102. Neck 108 is removably secured to a proximate end of the hosing 104 and is arranged to transfer the oscillating motion generated by, for example, first resonant motor 116 or second resonant motor 134 (discussed below), to a plurality of bristles 112 arranged on a brushhead 110 at a first end of neck 108. Plurality of bristles 112 are arranged to contact, oscillate, and clean the surfaces of a user’s teeth during operation of personal care appliance 102. For the sake of clarity, at least some of the working parts of personal care appliance 102 which transmit the oscillating/resonant drive motion of the various motors discussed herein will not be discussed in detail within the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 2, is a schematic representation of a personal care appliance 102 according to the present disclosure. Personal care appliance 102 can include a cavity 114 arranged to receive the various working components of personal care appliance 102 as will be discussed herein. Cavity 114 of personal care appliance 102 can include a first drive motor 116, a drive controller 118, and a power source 120. Although the disclosure refers to first motor 116 (and second motor 134) as resonant a drive motor, i.e., first resonant drive motor 116 (and second resonant drive motor 134), it should be appreciated that first drive motor 116 (and second drive motor 134) can be selected from any motor capable of generating a reciprocating or oscillating motion that have a response curve RC as will be discussed below, but do not necessarily utilize a resonant element or characteristic. First resonant drive motor 116 is intended to be an electrically or mechanically driven motor which utilizes a flexible spring member to generate reciprocating rotational oscillations at high frequencies (e.g., between 150-400 Hz); however, it should be appreciated that any other resonantly driven powered motor capable of generating a reciprocating rotational oscillation of brushhead 110 and/or plurality of bristles 112 can be utilized. Drive controller 118 is arranged to obtain data and/or information from, for example, first resonant drive motor 116 and utilize that data and/or information to drive first resonant drive motor 116 at an voltage/current that would allow first resonant drive motor to operate in an optimal state where the optimal state corresponds to the first resonant drive motor’s optimal drive parameters. Power source 120 is intended to be a battery capable of providing electrical power to the various electronic components discussed within the present disclosure, for example, at least first resonant drive motor 116 and drive controller 118.

[0041] Resonant drive motors, for example, first resonant drive motor 116, which utilizes vibrating motions or oscillations to drive brush head 110 may operate with a range of drive frequencies provided by drive controller 118. By operating first resonant drive motor 116 across a range of frequencies and measuring the resonance frequency response as a function of amplitude of first resonant motor 116, a response curve RC may be generated, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Within the response curve RC, is a band of amplitude values corresponding to optimal amplitude OA of first resonant motor 116. By running resonant drive motor 116 through the range of available frequencies and measuring the amplitude response, it can be determined which frequency provides optimal amplitude OA, i.e., optimal frequency OF. Other parameters may be tested in this way, for example, frequency, duty cycle, operating voltage, operating current, and operating current limits may be selected during this initial testing and stored within, for example, first resonant drive motor 116. These parameters, once tested and stored, are referred to throughout the present disclosure as first set of optimal drive parameters 122. It should also be appreciated that throughout the present disclosure it is intended that first set of optimal drive parameters 122 and second set of optimal drive parameters 138 (discussed below) are obtained from testing and measurements taken at the time of manufacturing of each respective motor; however, it is also contemplated herein that a sensor, e.g., a Hall-effect sensor, may be utilized during operation of personal care appliance to obtain, alter or otherwise fine-tune the optimal drive parameters for a given motor.

[0042] In one example, illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, personal care appliance 102 includes first resonant motor 116 and drive controller 118. As discussed above, first resonant drive motor 117 has a first set of optimal drive parameters 122. First set of optimal drive parameters may include optimal tuning settings for first resonant drive motor 116, for example, first set of optimal drive parameters may be selected from: a frequency, a duty cycle, an operating voltage, an operating current, and an operating current limit. The optimal parameters of first set of optimal drive parameters 122 may be obtained via testing that utilizes, for example, a response curve RC as discussed above, or any other method capable of determining at least one optimal parameter of first set of optimal drive parameters 122, such that first resonant drive motor 116 may be driven or operate using at least one optimal parameter of first set of optimal drive parameters 122. Personal care appliance 102 may further include an integrated memory element, i.e., memory element 124. As illustrated, memory element 124 may be integrally connected to first resonant motor 116. Memory element 124 is arranged to receive first set of optimal drive parameters 122 for first resonant drive motor 116 and store them within its internal memory. It should be appreciated that memory element 124 is intended to include non-transitory computer readable memory, such that first set of optimal drive parameters 122 may be stored and accessed via a computing device, for example, drive controller 118. To that end, drive controller 118 may include a first data connector 126 and a first power connector 128. First data connector 126 may create a connection between drive controller 118 and, for example, first resonant drive motor, or more specifically, between drive controller 118 and first memory element 124, such that data corresponding to the first set of optimal drive parameters 122, i.e., first setting data 130, may automatically be exchanged over a data protocol to drive controller 118. It should be appreciated that the data protocol may be selected from, for example, I2C, SPI, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth Class, Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE), USB, USART, UART, RS-232, RS-485, or any other wired or wireless protocol capable of transmitting data relating to first set of optimal drive parameters 122. Similarly, first power connector 128 may create a connection between drive controller 118 and, for example, first resonant drive motor 116 such that drive controller 118 may drive first resonant drive motor 116 according to first set of optimal drive parameters 122 received via data connector 126. Drive controller 118 may send, via first power connector 128, a first power signal 132, via the first power connector 128 to first resonant drive motor 116 utilizing a current or voltage necessary to operate first resonant drive motor 116 according to the first set of optimal drive parameters 122.

[0043] During operation of personal care appliance 102, first set of optimal drive parameters 122 are stored within memory element 124, i.e., as an integral part of first resonant drive motor 116. First set of optimal drive parameters 122 may be obtained, for example, at the time of manufacture of first resonant drive motor 116 or may be obtained at a later point in time when testing is performed, as discussed above, and first set of optimal drive parameters 122 can be stored within the non-transitory computer readable memory of memory element 124. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, for example, drive controller 118 is arranged to automatically obtain first set of optimal drive parameters 122 in the form of first setting data 130, via first data connector 126 over at least one of the data protocols discussed above. Drive controller 118 may then automatically utilize first set of optimal drive parameters 122, as well as electrical power derived from power source 120, to generate first power signal 132. First power signal 132 may then be transmitted to first resonant drive motor 116, via first power connector 128 at the appropriate voltage/current to drive first resonant drive motor 116 within its specifically tuned optimal drive parameters, i.e., first set of optimal drive parameters 122.

[0044] As discussed above, during the normal operation of personal care appliance 102, it may be necessary to replace or repair a resonant drive motor within cavity 114. To that end, system 100 may include a second resonant drive motor 134 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Similarly to first resonant drive motor 116, second resonant drive motor 134 includes an integral memory element, i.e., second integral memory element 136 which is intended to be a computer readable medium capable of storing in a set of non-transitory computer readable instructions corresponding to a set of optimal drive parameters specific to second resonant drive motor 134, i.e., second set of optimal drive parameters 138. Second set of optimal drive parameters 138 may include optimal tuning settings for second resonant drive motor 134, for example, second set of optimal drive parameters 138 may be selected from: a frequency, a duty cycle, an operating voltage, an operating current, and an operating current limit. The optimal parameters of second set of optimal drive parameters 138 may be obtained via testing that utilizes, for example, a response curve RC as discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 3, or any other method capable of determining at least one optimal parameter of second set of optimal drive parameters 138, such that second resonant drive motor 134 may be driven or operated using at least one optimal parameter of second set of optimal drive parameters 138.

[0045] Once it has been determined that personal care appliance 102 is in need of repair, for example, needs a replacement motor, a user or a licensed technician, may open housing 104 of personal care appliance 102, exposing cavity 114 and the electrical components discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The user or technician may then disconnect first resonant drive motor 116 at, for example, first data connector 126 and first power connector 128, and remove first resonant drive motor 116 from cavity 114. The user or technician may then install a new motor, i.e., second resonant drive motor 134 within cavity 114 in place of first resonant drive motor 116. The user or technician may then connect second resonant drive motor 134 to drive controller 118 via first data connector 126 and first power connector 128. As second memory element 136 of second resonant drive motor 134 contains a second set of optimal drive parameters specific to second resonant drive motor 134, i.e., second set of optimal drive parameters 138, drive controller 118 may automatically obtain second set of optimal drive parameters 138, from a second setting data 140 automatically sent to drive controller 118 via first data connector 126 over one of the protocols discussed above, and use the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 to drive second resonant drive motor 134 with a second power signal, i.e., second power signal 142.

[0046] The replacement operation discussed above and illustrated within FIGS. 4A-5B, allows for replacement of a resonant drive motor, i.e., replacement of first resonant drive motor 116 with second resonant drive motor 134, such that no further action is needed on the part of the user or technician to allow personal care appliance 102 to operate in an optimal state, i.e., utilizing the optimal drive parameters of the particular resonant drive motor installed. As drive controller 118 is arranged to automatically, obtain the optimal drive parameters from any motor connected to first data connector 126, connected to first power connector 128, and which utilizes an integrated memory element which contains optimal drive parameters for that given motor, no special knowledge or skill is necessary to replace a given resonant drive motor with a replacement motor. In other words, as the tuning information for a given motor is stored with that motor, a user or technician with no special technical skills may replace a first resonant drive motor 116 with a second resonant drive motor 134 and personal care appliance 102 may continue to operate in an optimal state, i.e., automatically use the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 to drive second resonant drive motor 134.

[0047] In one example, illustrated in FIG. 6A, personal care appliance 102 includes first resonant drive motor 116, drive controller 118, and power source 120. Similarly to the example illustrated above with respect to FIGS. 4A-5B, first resonant drive motor 116 can be associated with a first set of optimal drive parameters 122 which can include parameters selected from: a frequency, a duty cycle, an operating voltage, an operating current, and an operating current limit. Additionally, drive controller 118 may be capable of forming a plurality of connections with first resonant drive motor 118 via, for example, first data connector 126 and first power connector 128 to exchange first setting data 130 and first power signal 132, respectively to drive first resonant drive motor 116 in conformance with first set of optimal drive parameters 122.

[0048] In the example illustrated in FIG. 6A, instead of an integrated memory element, first resonant drive motor 116 may include a first motor controller 144 having a first memory 146. Additionally, drive controller 118 may be electrically connected to a user interface 148. First memory 146 is intended to be a computer readable medium capable of storing a set of non- transitory computer readable instructions corresponding to, for example, first set of optimal drive parameters 122 and a plurality of operating modes 150 (discussed below).

[0049] First motor controller 144 may utilize mode information obtained via user interface 148, i.e., first mode data 152, sent from drive controller 118 to first motor controller 144 via, for example, first data connector 126. Plurality of operating modes 150 corresponds to a plurality of drive settings, establishable by a user interface 148 when using personal care appliance 102. In an example, plurality of operating modes 150 may include: a cleaning mode, a whitening mode, a gum health mode, a sensitive teeth mode, a polishing mode, and a deep clean mode. Each operating mode of plurality of operating modes 150 can be achieved by, for example, increasing, decreasing, or altering the amplitude of brushhead 110 oscillations, the motion of the brushhead 110 or plurality of bristles 112, or length of time of operation of personal care appliance 102 which correspond to different user desired modes of operation. These modes may be cycled through and selected by a user via user interface 148 during operation of personal care appliance 102. It should be appreciated that, although not illustrated, user interface 148 may include one or more mechanical inputs, i.e., a button or switch, one or more capacitive inputs, i.e., touch-capacitive sensors, a touch screen capable of receiving a touch input from the finger of a user, or any other input capable of allowing a user to cycle through and select a particular mode of plurality of operating modes 150.

[0050] During operation of personal care appliance 102, first set of optimal drive parameters 122 are stored within first memory 146 of first motor controller 144, i.e., as an integral part of first resonant drive motor 116. First set of optimal drive parameters 122 may be obtained, for example, at the time of manufacture of first resonant drive motor 116 or may be obtained at a later point in time when testing is performed, as discussed above, and first set of optimal drive parameters 122 can be stored within first memory 146. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, for example, first motor controller 144 is arranged to automatically obtain first set of optimal drive parameters 122 from first memory 146. First motor controller 144 may then automatically utilize first set of optimal drive parameters 122, as well as electrical power derived from power source 120, to drive first resonant drive motor 116 at the appropriate voltage/current to within its specifically tuned optimal drive parameters, i.e., first set of optimal drive parameters 122. Additionally, a user may select, via user interface 148, a desired mode of operation of personal care appliance 102, i.e., a mode of operation from plurality of operating modes 150. Drive controller 118 may then send mode data 152 to first motor controller 144 via first data connector 126, and first motor controller, using stored data corresponding to plurality of operating modes 150, may drive first resonant drive motor 116 using the first set of optimal drive parameters and the selected mode from plurality of operating modes 150 selected by the user.

[0051] As discussed above, during the normal operation of personal care appliance 102, it may be necessary to replace or repair a resonant drive motor within cavity 114. To that end, system 100 may include a second resonant drive motor 134 shown in FIG. 6B. Similarly to first resonant drive motor 116, second resonant drive motor 134 includes a second motor controller 154 having a second memory 156. Second memory 156 is intended to be a computer readable medium capable of storing in a set of non-transitory computer readable instructions corresponding to a set of optimal drive parameters specific to second resonant drive motor 134, i.e., second set of optimal drive parameters 138. Second set of optimal drive parameters 138 may include optimal tuning settings for second resonant drive motor 134, for example, second set of optimal drive parameters 138 may be selected from: a frequency, a duty cycle, an operating voltage, an operating current, and an operating current limit. The optimal parameters of second set of optimal drive parameters 138 may be obtained via testing that utilizes, for example, a response curve RC as discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 3, or any other method capable of determining at least one optimal parameter of second set of optimal drive parameters 138, such that second resonant drive motor 134 may be driven or operated using at least one optimal parameter of second set of optimal drive parameters 138.

[0052] Once it has been determined that personal care appliance 102 is in need of repair, for example, needs a replacement motor, a user or a licensed technician, may open housing 104 of personal care appliance 102, exposing cavity 114 and the electrical components discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The user or technician may then disconnect first resonant drive motor 116 at, for example, first data connector 126 and first power connector 128, and remove first resonant drive motor 116 from cavity 114. The user or technician may then install a new motor, i.e., second resonant drive motor 134 within cavity 114 in place of first resonant drive motor 116. The user or technician may then connect second resonant drive motor 134 to drive controller 118 via first data connector 126 and first power connector 128. As second memory 156 of second motor controller 154 contains a second set of optimal drive parameters specific to second resonant drive motor 134, i.e., second set of optimal drive parameters 138, second motor controller 154 is arranged to automatically drive second resonant drive motor 134 use the second set of optimal drive parameters 138. Additionally, the user may continue to cycle through and select a mode of operation from plurality of operating modes 150 via user interface 148 to operate personal care appliance 102 in any desired operating mode.

[0053] The replacement operation discussed above and illustrated within FIGS. 6A-6B, allows for replacement of a resonant drive motor, i.e., replacement of first resonant drive motor 116 with second resonant drive motor 134, such that no further action is needed on the part of the user or technician to allow personal care appliance 102 to operate in an optimal state, i.e., utilizing the optimal drive parameters of the particular resonant drive motor installed. As second motor controller 154 is arranged to automatically obtain the optimal drive parameters from second memory 156 of second resonant drive motor 116, no special knowledge or skill is necessary to replace a given resonant drive motor with a replacement motor. In other words, as the tuning information for a given motor is stored with that motor, a user or technician with no special technical skills may replace a first resonant drive motor 116 with a second resonant drive motor 134 and personal care appliance 102 may continue to operate in an optimal state, i.e., automatically use the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 to drive second resonant drive motor 134.

[0054] In one example, illustrated in FIGS 7A-7B, personal care appliance 102 includes first resonant drive motor 116, drive controller 118, and power source 120. First resonant drive motor 116 has a first exterior surface 158 which can include first marking 160. Additionally, drive controller 118 may include a drive interface 162. First exterior surface 158 of the housing that encloses the working components of first resonant drive motor 116. First marking 160 can be selected from: alphanumeric characters; a Quick Response code (QR), a barcode, or a 2- dimensional barcode imprinted, painted, engraved, etched or otherwise secured to first exterior surface 158. Additionally first marking may also include an RFID tag embedded on or within first resonant drive motor 116. First marking 160 is intended to identify one set of optimal drive parameters, e.g., at least first set of optimal drive parameters 122 and second set of optimal drive parameters (as discussed above) from a predetermined plurality of sets of optimal drive parameters. In other words, first marking is intended to correspond to a predetermined set of optimal drive parameters for the specific resonant drive motor it is printed on. First marking 160 may be utilized by a user or technician to look up the appropriate optimal drive parameters for that given motor and input the optimal drive parameters associated with first marking 160 into drive controller 118 via a drive motor interface 162. As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, drive motor interface 162 may be any interface capable of receiving an input from the user or technician related to a given set of optimal drive parameters from the predetermined list of optimal drive parameters. It should be appreciated that drive motor interface may be a wired or wireless interface, i.e., the drive motor interface 162 may be capable of sending/receiving data via an external computing device, e.g., a smart phone, a personal computer, a personal computer arranged to receive data from a server computer over a cloud network, or other handheld computing device capable of sending data via a wired or wireless data protocol to drive motor interface.

[0055] As discussed above, during the normal operation of personal care appliance 102, it may be necessary to replace or repair a resonant drive motor within cavity 114. To that end, system 100 may include a second resonant drive motor 134 shown in FIG. 7B. Similarly to first resonant drive motor 116, second resonant drive motor 134 includes a second exterior surface 164 having a second marking 166 secured thereon, where the second marking 166 corresponds second set of optimal drive parameters 138. Second set of optimal drive parameters 138 may include optimal tuning settings for second resonant drive motor 134, for example, second set of optimal drive parameters 138 may be selected from: a frequency, a duty cycle, an operating voltage, an operating current, and an operating current limit. The optimal parameters of second set of optimal drive parameters 138 may be obtained via testing that utilizes, for example, a response curve RC as discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 3, or any other method capable of determining at least one optimal parameter of second set of optimal drive parameters 138, such that second resonant drive motor 134 may be driven or operated using at least one optimal parameter of second set of optimal drive parameters 138. [0056] Once it has been determined that personal care appliance 102 is in need of repair, for example, needs a replacement motor, a user or a licensed repair technician RT, may open housing 104 of personal care appliance 102, exposing cavity 114 and the electrical components discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The user or repair technician RT may then disconnect and remove first resonant drive motor 116. The user or repair technician RT may then install a new motor, i.e., second resonant drive motor 134 within cavity 114 in place of first resonant drive motor 116. The user or repair technician RT may then connect second resonant drive motor 134 to drive controller 118 via, for example, first data connector 126 and first power connector 128. The user or repair technician RT may then utilize a public database DB to lookup second marking 166 and determine that second marking 166 corresponds with, for example, second set of optimal drive parameters of second resonant drive motor 134. After determining from public database DB what parameters second resonant drive motor 134 requires, the user or repair technician RT may then, via, for example, a wired or wireless connection with one of the computing devices discussed above, input the second set of optimal drive parameters into drive controller 118 via drive motor interface 162 such that drive controller 118 may drive second resonant motor 134 with second set of optimal drive parameters 138. It should be appreciated that the database within which the user or repair technician RT determines the optimal drive parameters which correspond with the marking on the exterior surface of a given motor, does not need to be a public database instead the parameter information may be obtained from a private database accessed via the internet by the computing device used, may be stored directly on the computing device used, or may be stored and accessed from within the memory of drive controller 118.

[0057] The replacement operation discussed above and illustrated within FIGS. 7A-7B, allows for replacement of a resonant drive motor, i.e., replacement of first resonant drive motor 116 with second resonant drive motor 134, such that no specific tuning needs to be done after the user or repair technician RT inputs the new tuning settings into drive controller 118 to allow personal care appliance 102 to operate in an optimal state, i.e., utilizing the optimal drive parameters of the particular resonant drive motor installed. In other words, as the tuning information for a given motor is stored with that motor, a user or technician may easily determine the required set of optimal drive parameters from the exterior surface of the new motor and set the drive controller 118 with those parameters such that personal care appliance 102 may continue to operate in an optimal state, i.e., use the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 to drive second resonant drive motor 134.

[0058] Alternatively, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 8, first marking 160 and/or second marking 166 secured to first exterior surface 158 and/or second exterior surface 164, respectively, may contain all of the information needed by a user or repair technician RT to manually set the optimal drive parameters for the new motor, i.e., second resonant drive motor 134. For example, second marking 166 may contain the optimal frequency, the optimal duty cycle, the optimal operating voltage, the optimal operating current, and the optimal operating current limit to drive second resonant drive motor 134 in its optimal state. The technician may then, using drive motor interface 162 input these optimal parameters, i.e., second set of optimal drive parameters 138 into drive controller 118 for use in driving second resonant drive motor 134. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the manual setting of the optimal drive parameters via drive motor interface 162 may not include a wired or wireless connection with drive motor interface 162 and/or drive controller 118, and instead may require the user or repair technician to manually, using some form of physical connection, connect at least one of a plurality of first circuit connectors 168A-168F to at least one of a plurality of second circuit connectors 170A-170F to form at least one circuit of a plurality of circuits 172A-172F. To this end, second marking 160 may indicate at least one optimal parameter of second set of optimal drive parameters 138, for example, that second resonant drive motor 134 should operate at an optimal frequency of 256 Hz. The user or repair technician RT may obtain this information directly from the marking, i.e., the number 256 Hz is visually apparent on the second exterior surface 164 of second resonant drive motor 134, or may be obtained through a lookup table of some form, i.e., using a public or private database DB as discussed above. The user or repair technician RT may then determine that in order to set drive motor interface 162 with this optimal parameter, circuit 172D must be closed, i.e., the user or repair technician RT must solder or otherwise connect first circuit connector 168D with second circuit connector 170D to form circuit 172D corresponding with an operating frequency of 256 Hz. It should be appreciated that any form of connection may be appropriate, i.e., circuit breakers or switches may be employed in place of directly soldering the connectors for a given circuit. Additionally, it should be appreciated that a single circuit may correspond to more than one parameter, i.e., a single circuit may correspond to a particular frequency, current, duty cycle, etc., such that only one connection needs to be made on the printed circuit board of drive motor controller 162 to set the drive controller 118 with the appropriate drive parameters for a given motor.

[0059] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a flow chart including the steps of method 200 according to the present disclosure. Method 200 may include, for example: measuring a response curve RC of a first resonant drive motor 116 (step 202); obtaining a first set of optimal drive parameters 122 for the first resonant drive motor 116 at least in part based on the measured response curve RC (step 204); storing a first set of optimal drive parameters 122 with a first resonant drive motor 116, the first resonant drive motor 116 arranged within a housing 104 of the personal care appliance 102 (step 206); retrieving, via a drive controller 118 arranged within the housing 104 of the personal care appliance 102, the first set of optimal drive parameters 122 from the first resonant drive motor 116 (step 208); driving, via the drive controller 118, the first resonant drive motor 116 utilizing the first set of optimal drive parameters 122 (step 210); measuring a response curve RC of a second resonant drive motor 134 (step 212); storing a second set of optimal drive parameters 138 obtained at least in part based on the response curve RC of the second resonant drive motor 134 with the second resonant drive motor 134 (step 214); removing the first resonant drive motor 116 from the housing 104 of the personal care appliance 102 (step 216); installing the second resonant drive motor 134 within the housing 104 of the personal care appliance 102 (step 218). Following paths B-D, method 200 further includes optional steps 220A-220E, i.e., obtaining the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 for the second resonant drive motor 134 automatically from a second memory element 136 of the second resonant drive motor 134 (step 220 A); obtaining the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 for the second resonant drive motor 134 automatically from a second memory 156 of a second motor controller 154, the second motor controller 154 electrically connected to the second resonant drive motor 134 and the drive controller 118 (step 220B); or obtaining the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 for the second resonant drive motor 118 from a marking 166 located on an exterior surface 164 of the second resonant drive motor 134 (step 220C). Optional path D further includes inputting the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 into the drive controller 118 via a drive motor interface 162 (step 220D); and connecting a first circuit connector 168D with a second circuit connector 170D to form a first circuit 172D, wherein the first circuit 172D corresponds with the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 (step 220E). Method 200 may further include, retrieving, via the drive controller 118, the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 (step 222); and driving the second resonant motor 134 with the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 (step 224).

[0060] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of method 300 according to the present disclosure. Method 300 may include, for example: driving, via a drive controller 118 of the personal care appliance 102, a first resonant drive motor 116 arranged within a housing 104 of the personal care appliance 102 utilizing a first set of optimal drive parameters 122 (step 302); removing the first resonant drive motor 116 from the housing 104 of the personal care appliance 102 (step 304); installing a second resonant drive motor 134 within the housing 104 of the personal care appliance 102 (step 306); obtaining a second set of optimal drive parameters 138 for the second resonant drive motor 134 automatically from a memory element 136 of the second resonant drive motor 136 (step 308); and, driving, via the drive controller 118 of the oral care appliance 102, the second resonant drive motor 134 utilizing the second set of optimal drive parameters 138 (step 310).

[0061] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0062] The indefinite articles“a” and“an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean“at least one.”

[0063] The phrase“and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean“either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e.,“one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the“and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0064] As used herein in the specification and in the claims,“or” should be understood to have the same meaning as“and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list,“or” or“and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as“only one of’ or“exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims,“consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term“or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e.“one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as“either,”“one of,”“only one of,” or“exactly one of.”

[0065] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase“at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase“at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0066] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0067] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases“consisting of’ and“consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0068] While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A method (200) of operating a personal care appliance (102) comprising:

storing a first set of optimal drive parameters (122) with a first drive motor (116), the first drive motor arranged within a housing (104) of the personal care appliance;

retrieving, via a drive controller (118) arranged within the housing of the personal care appliance, the first set of optimal drive parameters from the first drive motor; and,

driving, via the drive controller, the first drive motor utilizing the first set of optimal drive parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of optimal drive parameters are stored within a memory element (124) of the first drive motor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of optimal drive parameters are stored within a memory (146) of a first motor controller (144), the first motor controller electrically connected to the first drive motor and the drive controller.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of optimal drive parameters are selected from a frequency, a duty cycle, an operating voltage, an operating current, an operating current limit.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

measuring a response curve (RC) of a first drive motor; and,

obtaining the first set of optimal drive parameters for the first drive motor at least in part based on the measured response curve.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

removing the first drive motor from the housing of the personal care appliance; and, installing a second drive motor (134) within the housing of the personal care appliance.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

obtaining a second set of optimal drive parameters (138) for the second drive motor automatically from a second memory element (136) of the second drive motor.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

obtaining a second set of optimal drive parameters (138) for the second drive motor automatically from a second memory (156) of a second motor controller (154), the second motor controller electrically connected to the second drive motor and the drive controller.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

obtaining a second set of optimal drive parameters (138) for the second drive motor from a marking (166) located on an exterior surface (164) of the second drive motor.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

obtaining a second set of optimal drive parameters (138) for the second drive motor wherein the second set of optimal drive parameters are selected from a frequency, a duty cycle, an operating voltage, operating current, operating current limit.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the marking may comprise alphanumeric characters, Quick Response code (QR), a barcode, a 2-dimensional barcode, or an RFID tag.

12. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

inputting a second set of optimal drive parameters (138) into the drive controller via a drive motor interface (162).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the drive motor interface includes a plurality of circuit connectors (168A-168F, 170A-170F).

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

connecting a first circuit connector (168D) with a second circuit connector (170D) to form a first circuit (172D), wherein the first circuit corresponds with the second set of optimal drive parameters.

15. A method (300) of repairing a personal care appliance (102) comprising: driving, via a drive controller (118) of the personal care appliance, a first drive motor (116) arranged within a housing (104) of the personal care appliance utilizing a first set of optimal drive parameters (122);

removing the first resonant drive motor from the housing of the personal care appliance; installing a second drive motor (134) within the housing of the personal care appliance; obtaining a second set of optimal drive parameters (138) for the second drive motor automatically from a memory element (136) of the second drive motor; and,

driving, via the drive controller of the oral care appliance, the second drive motor utilizing the second set of optimal drive parameters.