WO2021157257A1

WO2021157257A1 - Electric toothbrush

Info

Publication number: WO2021157257A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/048906
Authority: WO
Inventors: 浩輝篠田; 真人布村; 真美筒井; 侑樹二之宮
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2020-02-07
Filing date: 2020-12-25
Publication date: 2021-08-12
Also published as: JP2021122617A; JP7262084B2

Abstract

An electric toothbrush (100) for brushing tooth surfaces, the electric toothbrush (100) comprising a shaft body (110), a grip part (120), a brush head part (130), and a first drive mechanism (150). The grip part (120) is connected to one axial-direction end of the shaft body (110). The brush head part (130) has a brush base (131), and a brush (133) having a tooth-brushing surface (133a), the brush head part (130) being connected to the other axial-direction end of the shaft body (110). The first drive mechanism (150) turns the brush head part (130). A control unit (140) specifies the positional relationship between the tooth surfaces and the tooth-brushing surface (133a), and causes the brush head (130) to be turned by the first drive mechanism (150) so that the tooth surfaces and the tooth-brushing surface (133a) reach the prescribed positional relationship.

Description

electric toothbrush

This disclosure relates to an electric toothbrush.

Conventionally, a toothbrush that can change the angle of the brush head portion with respect to the grip portion is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The toothbrush described in Patent Document 1 is configured so that the rear end of the grip portion can be bent. Specifically, the wire is arranged in the rod portion that connects the brush head portion and the grip portion. As a result, the brush head portion is rotatable with respect to the rod portion and is pressed by the spring.

That is, in the toothbrush described in Patent Document 1, when the rear end of the grip portion is bent, the wire is pulled and the brush head portion rotates. Therefore, the user can operate the rear end of the grip portion outside the oral cavity to control the angle of the brush head portion inside the oral cavity. As a result, the user can brush the teeth by applying the brush provided on the brush head portion at an angle along the tooth surface.

However, in the toothbrush described in Patent Document 1, the angle of the brush head portion in the oral cavity is determined by the user's feeling and the like. Therefore, it is difficult for the brush of the toothbrush to follow the shape of a fine tooth surface such as an interdental portion. In addition, the user holds the toothbrush and manually operates it while stroking. Therefore, it is difficult to adjust the amount of operation of the brush head portion. As a result, the user may not be able to effectively brush the tooth surface.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-204464

The present disclosure provides an electric toothbrush that can effectively brush the tooth surface.

The electric toothbrush according to the present disclosure is an electric toothbrush that wipes the tooth surface. The electric toothbrush has a shaft body, a grip portion connected to one end side of the shaft body in the axial direction, a brush base, and a brush provided on the brush base and provided with a sweeping surface for sweeping. Further, the electric toothbrush can rotate around the direction intersecting the axial direction of the shaft body as the axis of rotation, and rotates the brush head portion connected to the other end side of the shaft body in the axial direction and the brush head portion. It has a first drive mechanism that rotates around the axis of. Further, the electric toothbrush specifies the positional relationship between the tooth surface and the brush surface, and based on the specified positional relationship, the first drive mechanism is used so that the tooth surface and the brush surface have a predetermined positional relationship. A control unit for rotating the brush head unit is provided.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electric toothbrush that can effectively brush the tooth surface.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of an electric toothbrush according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the brush head portion according to the embodiment when viewed from the front of the sweeping surface. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the electric toothbrush according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic view for explaining the rotation of the brush head portion according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the electric toothbrush according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which the tooth surface is wiped with the electric toothbrush according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the brush head portion according to the modified example of the embodiment when viewed from the front of the sweeping surface. FIG. 8 is a schematic view for explaining the rotation of the brush head portion according to the modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the electric toothbrush according to the modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the configuration of an electric toothbrush according to another embodiment.

(Knowledge that led to this disclosure)
Generally, in order to clean the tooth surface by effective brushing, it is necessary to brush while changing the angle of the brush according to the shape of the tooth surface. The suitable angle is considered to be generally parallel to the tangential direction with respect to the roundness of the tooth surface. The toothbrush described in Patent Document 1 rotates the brush head portion with respect to the grip portion. As a result, the angle of the brush head portion with respect to the tooth surface is made variable, and the tooth surface is cleaned. At this time, in the above toothbrush, the contact between the tooth surface and the brush occurs mainly in the oral cavity. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the contact angle. That is, the user has no choice but to estimate the contact state from the sensation of the tooth surface and gums, and the amount of force transmitted to the handle via the grip portion. Therefore, even if the user changes the angle of the brush head portion, the brush sweep surface is not always in contact with the tooth surface at an appropriate angle. Further, in order to wipe the tooth surface, it is necessary to reciprocate the brush in small steps while keeping the brush surface in contact with the tooth surface. Therefore, it is more difficult for the user to reciprocate while adjusting the angle of the brush head portion suitable for the shape of the tooth surface in a timely manner. In view of the above situation, the present disclosure provides an electric toothbrush that is automatically changed to an angle that follows the shape of the tooth surface without the user having to change the angle of the brush by himself / herself. As a result, the tooth surface can be effectively brushed.

Hereinafter, the electric toothbrush according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below show a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement of components, connection forms, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

Further, in the present specification, terms indicating relationships between elements such as parallel and vertical, terms indicating the shape of elements such as rectangles, and numerical ranges are not expressions that express only strict meanings, but substantially. It is an expression meaning that an equivalent range, for example, a difference of about several percent is included.

In addition, each figure is a schematic view and is not necessarily exactly illustrated. Further, in each figure, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the electric toothbrush according to the present embodiment will be described in terms of terms with reference to the drawings.

(1-1. Configuration)
First, the configuration of the electric toothbrush 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the electric toothbrush 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the brush head portion 130 of the electric toothbrush 100 when viewed from the front of the cleaning surface 133a. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the electric toothbrush 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electric toothbrush 100 of the present embodiment includes a shaft body 110, a grip portion 120, a brush head portion 130, a control unit 140, a first drive mechanism 150, a plurality of sensors 160a, and a plurality of sensors 160a. It includes a sensor 160b, a cover 170, a second drive mechanism 180, a battery unit 190, a switch 200a, a switch 200b, and the like. The electric toothbrush 100 wipes the tooth surface 210 (see FIG. 4).

The shaft body 110 is composed of a long shaft body, for example, made of resin or the like. In the shaft body 110, the grip portion 120 is connected to one end side in the axial direction, and the brush head portion 130 is connected to the other end side.

The grip portion 120 is a portion connected to one end side of the shaft body 110 in the axial direction and gripped by the user. Further, the grip portion 120 is formed of a material such as resin or metal to form a housing. The grip unit 120 houses, for example, a control unit 140, a rotating device 151, a stroke device 181 and a battery unit 190, and the like.

The brush head portion 130 includes a brush base 131, a rotating shaft body 132, a brush 133, and the like. The brush head portion 130 is rotatably connected to the other end side of the shaft body 110 in the axial direction with the direction intersecting the axial direction of the shaft body 110 as the axis of rotation. Specifically, the brush head portion 130 has an axial direction of the shaft body 110 with a direction parallel to the cleaning surface 133a of the brush 133, which will be described later, and a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft body 110 as the axis of rotation. It is rotatably connected to the other end side of the. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the direction in which the brush head portion 130 is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the shaft body 110 due to rotation is the longitudinal direction (specifically, the longitudinal directions of the flocked surface 131a and the sweeping surface 133a described later). It is formed in a long shape that is (direction). Here, the longitudinal direction is specifically the longitudinal direction of the flocked surface 131a and the sweeping surface 133a, which will be described later. The brush head portion 130 may be detachably connected to the shaft body 110.

The brush base 131 is a base having a flocked surface 131a. The flocked surface 131a includes a plurality of sensors 160a and sensors 160b arranged along the array of brushes 133. The brush base 131 is formed of, for example, resin. The flocked surface 131a is, for example, an elongated rectangle. The shape of the flocked surface 131a is not limited to the above-mentioned long rectangle, and may be, for example, a square or a circle.

The rotating shaft body 132 is fixed to the brush base 131, and one end side of the shaft body 110 in the axial direction is rotatably supported. As a result, the entire brush head portion 130 is rotatably connected to the shaft body 110. The brush head portion 130 is rotated by the first drive mechanism 150, which will be described later, with the rotating shaft body 132 as the axis of rotation. That is, the rotating shaft body 132 functions as a rotating shaft of the brush head portion 130. The rotating shaft body 132 is arranged near the center of the brush base 131 on the opposite side of the flocked surface 131a in the longitudinal direction of the brush base 131. The rotating shaft body 132 may be arranged at the end of the brush base 131 in the longitudinal direction of the flocked surface 131a.

Further, the axial direction of the rotating shaft body 132 is parallel to the flocked surface 131a and the brushing surface 133a and perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft body 110 (orthogonal direction).

The brush 133 is arranged on the brush base 131. The brush 133 is a bundle of fibers formed of, for example, a resin such as nylon. The brush 133 is planted on the brush base 131 so as to extend vertically from the flocking surface 131a of the brush base 131. Further, the brush 133 has a sweeping surface 133a for sweeping on the tip end side of the fiber from which the brush 133 extends from the flocked surface 131a. The scavenging surface 133a and the flocked surface 131a are arranged in parallel with each other, for example. The brushing surface 133a is formed in an elongated shape like the flocked surface 131a, and the longitudinal direction of the flocked surface 131a and the longitudinal direction of the brushing surface 133a are arranged in parallel.

The control unit 140 specifies the positional relationship between the tooth surface and the sweeping surface 133a, for example, based on the information from the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b. That is, the control unit 140 receives information regarding the measured distances of the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b. The control unit 140, the sensor 160a, and the sensor 160b are connected by, for example, wireless communication or wired communication of a known communication method. That is, as described above, the control unit 140 specifies the positional relationship between the tooth surface and the sweeping surface 133a, for example, based on the distances measured by the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b, respectively.

Further, the control unit 140 controls the rotation of the brush head unit 130 by the first drive mechanism 150. Specifically, the control unit 140 makes the tooth surface and the brushing surface 133a have a predetermined positional relationship based on the positional relationship between the specified tooth surface and the brush 133a. 1 The drive mechanism 150 rotates the brush head portion 130. Specifically, the control unit 140 is, for example, in a predetermined positional relationship so that the brushing surface 133a is parallel to the tangential direction of the tooth surface of the portion facing the central portion of the cleaning surface 133a. The drive mechanism 150 rotates the brush head portion 130. In the following, the tangential direction of the tooth surface at the portion facing the central portion of the sweep surface 133a may be simply referred to as the “tangential direction of the tooth surface” and described.

Further, the control unit 140 stores information such as the positional relationship between the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b and the cleaning surface 133a of the brush 133, and the rotation direction of the brush head unit 130. The control unit 140 is realized by, for example, a dedicated circuit, a processor, a memory, and the like.

The first drive mechanism 150 includes a rotating device 151, a torque transmission rod 152, a worm gear 153, a brush rotating gear 154, a rod support portion 155, and the like. The first drive mechanism 150 rotates the brush head portion 130 around the axis of rotation of the rotating shaft body 132.

The rotating device 151 is, for example, a motor that rotates the output shaft. The rotating device 151 is not limited to the motor, and may be any device as long as it has a mechanism for rotating the output shaft. The rotating device 151 is provided inside the grip portion 120. The rotating device 151 is fixed to, for example, a stroke member 182, which will be described later. When the electric toothbrush 100 is not provided with the second drive mechanism 180, the rotating device 151 may be fixed to the grip portion 120.

The torque transmission rod 152 is formed of, for example, a long rod-shaped member made of resin or metal. The torque transmission rod 152 connects the rotating device 151 and the worm gear 153, and transmits the power of the rotating device 151 to the worm gear 153. That is, one end side of the torque transmission rod 152 in the axial direction is fixed to the output shaft of the rotating device 151, and the other end side is fixed to the worm gear 153.

The worm gear 153 is a gear provided with spiral teeth. The worm gear 153 is arranged so as to mesh with the brush rotation gear 154. The worm gear 153 rotates the brush rotation gear 154 by the rotation torque of the torque transmission rod 152 powered by the rotation device 151.

The brush rotation gear 154 is a disk-shaped gear provided with a plurality of teeth. The brush rotation gear 154 is arranged so as to mesh with the worm gear 153. As a result, the brush rotation gear 154 is rotated by the rotation of the worm gear 153. The center of the brush rotation gear 154 is fixed to one end of the rotation shaft body 132 in the axial direction. Then, the rotation of the brush rotation gear 154 causes the rotation shaft body 132 to rotate. That is, the rotational torque of the torque transmission rod 152 generated by the rotating device 151 is converted into the rotational torque of the rotating shaft body 132 by the engagement between the worm gear 153 and the brush rotating gear 154.

As described above, the rotation of the brush rotation gear 154 causes the rotation shaft body 132 to rotate, and the entire brush head portion 130 to rotate. At this time, for example, the control unit 140 controls the rotation of the rotating device 151. As a result, the angle of the brush head portion 130 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the axial direction of the shaft body 110 is changed.

The rod support portion 155 is a member that rotatably supports the torque transmission rod 152. The rod support portion 155 is provided on the side surface (plane parallel to the axial direction) of the shaft body 110.

The sensor 160a and the sensor 160b are sensors that measure the distance to the tooth surface, respectively. The sensor 160a and the sensor 160b are arranged on the brush head portion 130. Specifically, the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b are arranged on the flocked surface 131a. The sensor 160a and the sensor 160b measure, for example, the distance from the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b to the tooth surface in the direction perpendicular to the flocked surface 131a. The direction for measuring the distance may be changed according to the purpose. Further, the number of sensors is not limited to two in the example shown in FIG. 1, and may be three or more.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b sandwich, for example, the central position L1 having a length perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft body 132 on the flocked surface 131a (longitudinal direction). They are placed facing each other. That is, the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b are arranged side by side along the direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotating shaft body 132 on the flocked surface 131a. As a result, the accuracy of specifying the positional relationship between the tooth surface and the sweeping surface 133a in the control unit 140 is improved. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b are parallel to the axial direction of the rotating shaft body 132 along the longitudinal direction of the flocked surface 131a, which is the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft body 132. They are arranged side by side at the central position L2 of the length in the lateral direction of the flocked surface 131a, which is the direction. Further, the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the central position L1 of the flocking surface 131a, that is, at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the flocking surface 131a. Further, the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b are arranged outside the brush 133 in the longitudinal direction of the flocked surface 131a.

Further, the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b are each composed of a light-reflecting sensor such as an infrared sensor or a non-contact sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor that can measure a distance longer than the distance to the sweeping surface 133a. Will be done. As a result, the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b can more reliably measure the distance between the cleaning surface 133a and the tooth surface 210 even when the cleaning surface 133a and the tooth surface 210 are separated from each other. Therefore, even before the user brings the brush surface 133a into contact with the tooth surface 210, the control unit 140 uses the first drive mechanism 150 so that the tooth surface 210 and the brush surface 133a are in a predetermined positional relationship. , The brush head portion 130 can be rotated.

The cover 170 is arranged so as to cover a part of the shaft body 110. The cover 170 is a protective cover for preventing the constituent members of the first drive mechanism 150 from coming into contact with the inside of the oral cavity.

The second drive mechanism 180 reciprocates the brush head portion 130 in the axial direction of the shaft body 110 via the shaft body 110. The second drive mechanism 180 includes a stroke device 181 and a stroke member 182.

The stroke device 181 is composed of, for example, a linear actuator in which the output shaft reciprocates. The stroke device 181 is not limited to the linear actuator, and may be any device having a mechanism for reciprocating the output shaft. The stroke device 181 is arranged inside the grip portion 120 and is fixed to the grip portion 120.

The stroke member 182 is fixed to the output shaft of the stroke device 181 and reciprocates in the axial direction of the shaft body 110. The stroke member 182 is arranged so that at least a part thereof is located inside the grip portion 120.

Further, the other end side of the shaft body 110 in the axial direction is fixed to the stroke member 182. Therefore, the grip portion 120 and the shaft body 110 are connected via the stroke device 181 and the stroke member 182. The stroke member 182 transmits the driving force of the stroke device 181 to the shaft body 110. That is, when the shaft body 110 reciprocates in the axial direction of the shaft body 110, the brush head portion 130 connected to the shaft body 110 also reciprocates.

Further, the rotating device 151 is also fixed to the stroke member 182. As a result, the rotating device 151, the torque transmission rod 152, and the worm gear 153 also reciprocate in the axial direction of the shaft body 110 in synchronization with the brush head portion 130. Therefore, the meshing between the worm gear 153 and the brush rotating gear 154 fixed to the rotating shaft body 132 of the brush head portion 130 is maintained.

The battery unit 190 houses the battery. The battery unit 190 supplies electric power to the control unit 140, the rotating device 151, the

sensors

160a and 160b, the stroke device 181 and the like via wiring (not shown).

The switch 200a is a switch that turns on and off the drive of the first drive mechanism 150 by the control unit 140. When the user turns on the switch 200a, the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130 by the first drive mechanism 150.

The switch 200b is a switch that turns on and off the drive of the second drive mechanism 180. When the user turns on the switch 200b, the second drive mechanism 180 reciprocates the brush head portion 130.

(1-2. Operation)
Next, an operation example of the electric toothbrush 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In this operation example, the brush head portion 130 is rotated so that the brush head portion 133a is parallel to the tangential direction of the tooth surface 210 facing the cleaning surface 133a as the above-mentioned predetermined positional relationship. The case of making the device will be described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view for explaining the rotation of the brush head portion 130. In addition, in FIG. 4, in order to show the rotation of the brush head portion 130 in an easy-to-understand manner, the first drive mechanism 150 is omitted. Specifically, FIG. 4A shows a state in which the brush head portion 130 has a brush head portion 130 that is inclined with respect to the tangent line of the tooth surface 210 at a portion facing the central portion of the brush head portion 130. There is. On the other hand, in FIG. 4B, the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130 to the first drive mechanism 150, and the cleaning surface 133a of the brush head unit 130 becomes parallel to the tangent line of the tooth surface 210. Indicates the state of. Note that FIG. 4 shows the distance from the sensor 160a to the tooth surface 210 as the distance A and the distance from the sensor 160b to the tooth surface 210 as the distance B.

First, in the state shown in FIG. 4A, the sensor 160a measures the distance A, and the sensor 160b measures the distance B. The control unit 140 identifies the positional relationship between the tooth surface 210 and the cleaning surface 133a based on the distance A and the distance B measured by the

sensors

160a and 160b. In this case, specifically, the distance A is longer than the distance B. Therefore, in the control unit 140, the cleaning surface 133a is tilted so that the sensor 160b side of the cleaning surface 133a is closer to the tooth surface 210 with respect to the tangential direction of the tooth surface 210, and the cleaning surface 133a and the tooth surface 210 are inclined. Identify that and are not parallel.

Next, the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130 by the first drive mechanism 150 so that the tooth surface 210 and the cleaning surface 133a have a predetermined positional relationship based on the positional relationship specified above. Move it. Specifically, the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130 by the first drive mechanism 150 in the direction in which the distance A becomes shorter. The shortening direction is a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the direction shown in FIG. 4A. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the distance A and the distance B are equal, and the sweeping surface 133a is positioned parallel to the tangential direction of the tooth surface 210. As a result, the tooth surface 210 can be effectively brushed.

Hereinafter, the operation of rotating the brush head portion 130 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the electric toothbrush 100 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the user first turns on the switch 200a. As a result, the control unit 140 starts controlling the operation of the first drive mechanism 150.

Next, the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b each measure the distance to the tooth surface (step S11). Here, as in FIG. 4, the distance from the sensor 160a to the tooth surface 210 is defined as the distance A, and the distance from the sensor 160b to the tooth surface 210 is defined as the distance B.

Next, the control unit 140 receives information on the distance A and the distance B from the

sensors

160a and 160b, and determines whether or not the distance A is larger than the distance B (step S12). In step S12, the control unit 140 may determine whether or not the distance A is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold and greater than or equal to the distance B. The predetermined threshold value is arbitrarily set according to, for example, the adjustment accuracy of the position of the cleaning surface 133a of the target brush head portion 130.

At this time, when the distance A is larger than the distance B (Yes in step S12), the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130 by the first drive mechanism 150 in the direction in which the distance A becomes shorter (step). S13). For example, when it is specified that the sensor 160b side of the sweeping surface 133a is inclined so as to be close to the tooth surface 210, the control unit 140 uses the first drive mechanism 150 to shorten the distance A in the shaft body 110. The longitudinal angle of the brush head portion 130 with respect to the axial direction of the brush head portion 130 is rotated by 1 °. The angle of rotation is not limited to the above 1 °, and is set to an arbitrary angle depending on, for example, the adjustment accuracy and the adjustment time of the positional relationship. Then, after executing step S13, the process returns to step S11 again, and the subsequent operations are executed. That is, when the distance A is larger than the distance B, the operations from step S11 to step S13 are repeatedly executed. As a result, the distance A becomes shorter, and the difference between the distance A and the distance B becomes smaller. As a result, the longitudinal angle of the brush head portion 130 with respect to the axial direction of the shaft body 110 is adjusted.

On the other hand, when the distance A is not larger than the distance B (No in step S12), the control unit 140 determines whether or not the distance A is smaller than the distance B (step S14). In step S14, the control unit 140 may determine whether or not the distance A is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and smaller than the distance B. The predetermined threshold value is set to an arbitrary value according to, for example, the adjustment accuracy of the angle of the target brush head portion 130.

At this time, when the distance A is smaller than the distance B (Yes in step S14), the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130 by the first drive mechanism 150 in the direction in which the distance B becomes shorter (step). S15). For example, when it is specified that the sensor 160a side of the sweeping surface 133a is inclined so as to be close to the tooth surface 210, the control unit 140 uses the first drive mechanism 150 to shorten the distance B in the shaft body 110. The longitudinal angle of the brush head portion 130 with respect to the axial direction of the brush head portion 130 is rotated by 1 °. The angle of rotation is not limited to the above 1 °, and is set to an arbitrary angle depending on, for example, the adjustment accuracy and the adjustment time of the positional relationship. Then, after executing step S15, the process returns to step S11 again, and the subsequent operations are executed. That is, when the distance A is smaller than the distance B, the operations from step S11 to step S15 are repeatedly executed. As a result, the distance B becomes shorter, and the difference between the distance A and the distance B becomes smaller. As a result, the longitudinal angle of the brush head portion 130 with respect to the axial direction of the shaft body 110 is adjusted.

On the other hand, when the distance A is not smaller than the distance B (No in step S14), the control unit 140 determines that the distance A and the distance B are equal. That is, the control unit 140 identifies that the sweeping surface 133a is parallel to the tangential direction of the tooth surface 210 facing the cleaning surface 133a. Then, the control unit 140 ends the control operation of the first drive mechanism 150.

The operation of rotating the brush head portion 130 as described above is repeatedly executed, for example, at regular intervals.

Note that in step S14, even if the determination result is No, the operation does not have to end. For example, the control unit 140 may be configured to execute the operation from step S11 again and constantly control the rotation of the brush head unit 130.

Further, in step S13 and step S15, the control unit 140 has been described with an example in which the angle is rotated by 1 °, for example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 140 first calculates the amount of rotation of the brush head unit 130 at which the distance A and the distance B are equal. Then, the control unit 140 may be configured to rotate the brush head unit 130 by the first drive mechanism 150 based on the calculated rotation amount.

As described above, in the electric toothbrush 100 according to the present embodiment, the positional relationship between the sweeping surface 133a and the tooth surface 210 is specified by the operations of steps S12 and S14 shown in FIG. Therefore, the control unit 140 can specify the positional relationship between the tooth surface 210 and the brushing surface 133a without specifying the absolute position of the brush head unit 130 in the oral cavity and the posture of the electric toothbrush 100 itself. Further, the control unit 140 is brushed by the first drive mechanism 150 so that the tooth surface 210 and the cleaning surface 133a have a predetermined positional relationship based on the specified positional relationship by the operations of steps S13 and S15. The head portion 130 is rotated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the position of the sweeping surface 133a is adjusted according to the shape of the tooth surface 210.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing how the electric toothbrush 100 wipes the tooth surface 210.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the electric toothbrush 100 of the present embodiment, even if the position of the tooth surface 210 with which the cleaning surface 133a abuts changes, for example, the cleaning surface 133a The brush head portion 130 is rotated so as to be parallel to the tangential direction of the tooth surface 210. As a result, the electric toothbrush 100 can effectively brush the tooth surface 210.

(1-3. Effects, etc.)
As described above, the electric toothbrush 100 according to the present embodiment is an electric toothbrush that wipes the tooth surface 210. The electric toothbrush 100 includes a shaft body 110, a grip portion 120, a brush head portion 130, and a first drive mechanism 150. The grip portion 120 is connected to one end side of the shaft body 110 in the axial direction. The brush head portion 130 has a brush base 131 and a brush 133 provided on the brush base 131 and provided with a brushing surface 133a for wiping. The brush head portion 130 is rotatably connected to the other end side of the shaft body 110 in the axial direction so as to be rotatable about a direction intersecting the axial direction of the shaft body 110 as a rotation axis. The first drive mechanism 150 rotates the brush head portion 130. The control unit 140 specifies the positional relationship between the tooth surface 210 and the cleaning surface 133a. Then, the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130 by the first drive mechanism 150 so that the tooth surface 210 and the brush surface 133a have a predetermined positional relationship based on the specified positional relationship. ..

According to this configuration, even if the user cannot recognize (visually recognize) the position (angle) of the brush head portion 130 in the oral cavity, the control unit 140 can perform the position (position of the brush head portion 130 with respect to the axial direction of the shaft body 110). The angle) can be adjusted to keep the tooth surface 210 and the brush surface 133a in a predetermined positional relationship. Therefore, the position of the cleaning surface 133a can be automatically made to follow the tooth surface 210 without changing the position (angle) of the brush head portion 130 by the user himself / herself. As a result, the tooth surface 210 can be effectively brushed with the electric toothbrush 100.

Further, the brush head portion 130 rotates toward the other end side of the shaft body 110 in the axial direction with the direction parallel to the sweeping surface 133a and the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft body 110 as the axis of rotation. Can be connected.

According to this configuration, the brush head portion 130 can be rotated so that the angle of the sweeping surface 133a with respect to the axial direction of the shaft body 110 is inclined. Therefore, even if the user himself / herself does not change the position (angle) of the brush head portion 130, the brushing surface 133a can be brought into contact with the brush head portion 130a so as to follow the roundness of each tooth for brushing. As a result, the tooth surface 210 can be effectively brushed with the electric toothbrush 100.

Further, the electric toothbrush 100 is provided on the brush head portion 130 and includes a plurality of sensors 160a and sensors 160b for measuring the distance from the tooth surface 210. The control unit 140 identifies the positional relationship between the tooth surface 210 and the scavenging surface 133a based on the distances measured by each of the plurality of sensors 160a and the sensors 160b.

According to this configuration, the positional relationship between the tooth surface 210 and the cleaning surface 133a is specified based on the distances measured by the plurality of

sensors

160a and 160b provided on the brush head portion 130. Therefore, the control unit 140 can specify the positional relationship between the tooth surface 210 and the brushing surface 133a without specifying the absolute position of the brush head unit 130 in the oral cavity and the posture of the electric toothbrush 100 itself. This makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the electric toothbrush 100.

Further, each of the plurality of

sensors

160a and 160b is a non-contact type sensor capable of measuring a distance longer than the distance to the cleaning surface 133a.

According to this configuration, even when the sweeping surface 133a and the tooth surface 210 are separated from each other, the plurality of sensors 160a and the sensor 160b can measure the distance from the tooth surface 210. Therefore, even before the user brings the brush surface 133a into contact with the tooth surface 210, the control unit 140 uses the first drive mechanism 150 so that the tooth surface 210 and the brush surface 133a are in a predetermined positional relationship. , The brush head portion 130 can be rotated. As a result, the electric toothbrush 100 can smoothly brush the tooth surface 210.

Further, the electric toothbrush 100 includes a second drive mechanism 180 that reciprocates the brush head portion 130 in the axial direction of the shaft body 110.

According to this configuration, the electric toothbrush 100 can wipe the tooth surface 210 by the reciprocating operation of the brush head portion 130 only by bringing the brushing surface 133a into contact with the tooth surface 210.

(1-4. Modification example)
Next, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the brush head portion 130A as viewed from the front of the sweep surface 133a.

As shown in FIG. 7, the electric toothbrush according to this modification includes a brush head portion 130A instead of the brush head portion 130. The brush head portion 130A differs from the brush head portion 130 in that the sensor 160c is further provided in addition to the

sensors

160a and 160b.

That is, the electric toothbrush according to the present modification further includes the sensor 160c in addition to the plurality of

sensors

160a and 160b. The sensor 160c is, for example, a sensor of the same type as the

sensors

160a and 160b. In this modification, the number of sensors is three, but the number is not limited to three, and may be four or more.

The sensor 160a, the sensor 160b, and the sensor 160c are provided on the flocked surface 131a of the brush base 131. The sensor 160a and the sensor 160b are arranged at the same positions as in the above embodiment. On the other hand, the sensor 160c is arranged at a position between the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft body 132 (see FIG. 1) on the flocked surface 131a. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the sensor 160c is arranged at the midpoint position between the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b. Further, the sensor 160a, the sensor 160b, and the sensor 160c are arranged side by side at the central position L2 of the flocked surface 131a along the longitudinal direction of the flocked surface 131a.

Next, an operation example of the electric toothbrush 100 according to this modification will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view for explaining the rotation of the brush head portion 130A. In addition, in FIG. 8, in order to show the rotation of the brush head portion 130A in an easy-to-understand manner, the first drive mechanism 150 is omitted. Further, in FIG. 8, the inter-tooth 220 is a recess of a plurality of tooth surfaces 210 of the arranged teeth.

Specifically, FIG. 8A shows a state in which the brush head portion 130A has the sweeping surface 133a facing the inter-tooth 220. On the other hand, in FIG. 8B, the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130A to the first drive mechanism 150, and the sweep surface 133a of the brush head unit 130A becomes parallel to the tangent line of the tooth surface 210. Indicates the state of. Note that FIG. 8 shows the distance from the sensor 160a to the tooth surface 210 as the distance A, the distance from the sensor 160b to the tooth surface 210 as the distance B, and the distance from the sensor 160c to the tooth surface 210 as the distance C. ing.

First, in the state shown in FIG. 8A, the sensor 160a measures the distance A, the sensor 160b measures the distance B, and the sensor 160c measures the distance C. The control unit 140 detects the unevenness of the tooth surface 210, for example, the interdental 220 on the tooth surface 210, based on the distance A, the distance B, and the distance C measured by the

sensors

160a, 160b, and 160c. In this case, specifically, the distance A and the distance B are the same, and the distance C is longer than the distance A and the distance B. Therefore, in the control unit 140, the tooth surface 210 at the position where the sensor 160c faces is recessed from the tooth surface 210 at the position where the cleaning surface 133a faces the sensor 160a and the sensor 160b. Identify that you are.

Next, the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130A by the first drive mechanism 150 based on the unevenness of the specified tooth surface 210. Specifically, the control unit 140 causes the first drive mechanism 150 to rotate the angle of the brush head unit 130A with respect to the shaft body 110 in the longitudinal direction by a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is, for example, the angle at which the sweeping surface 133a does not face the inter-tooth 220. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the sweeping surface 133a is at a position where it does not face the inter-tooth 220. As a result, the position of the brush head portion 130A can be readjusted while avoiding a state in which the brushing surface 133a does not properly abut on the tooth surface 210 when facing the tooth spacing 220.

Then, after adjusting the position, the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130A by the first drive mechanism 150 by the operation of steps S11 to S15 shown in FIG. 5 described above. Thereby, the tooth surface 210 and the scavenging surface 133a can be adjusted so as to have a predetermined positional relationship.

Hereinafter, the operation of rotating the brush head portion 130A will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the electric toothbrush according to this modification.

As shown in FIG. 9, the user first turns on the switch 200a. As a result, the control unit 140 starts controlling the operation of the first drive mechanism 150.

Next, the

sensors

160a, 160b and 160c measure the distance to the tooth surface 210 (step S21). Here, as in FIG. 8, the distance from the sensor 160a to the tooth surface 210 is defined as the distance A, the distance from the sensor 160b to the tooth surface 210 is defined as the distance B, and the distance from the sensor 160c to the tooth surface 210 is defined as the distance C. And.

Next, the control unit 140 receives information on the distance A, the distance B, and the distance C from the sensor 160a, the sensor 160b, and the sensor 160c, and determines whether or not the distance A is larger than the distance B (step S22). .. At this time, when the distance A is larger than the distance B (Yes in step S22), the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130A by the first drive mechanism 150 in the direction in which the distance A becomes shorter (step). S23). Then, after executing step S23, the process returns to step S21 again to execute the subsequent operations.

On the other hand, when the distance A is not larger than the distance B (No in step S22), the control unit 140 determines whether or not the distance A is smaller than the distance B (step S24). At this time, when the distance A is smaller than the distance B (Yes in step S24), the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130A by the first drive mechanism 150 in the direction in which the distance B becomes shorter (step). S25). Then, after the execution of step S25, the process returns to step S21 again to execute the subsequent operations. The operation from step S22 to step S25 is the same as the operation from step S12 to step S15 shown in FIG. 5 described above.

On the other hand, when the distance A is not smaller than the distance B (No in step S24), the control unit 140 determines whether or not the distance A is smaller than the distance C (step S26). In step S26, the control unit 140 may determine whether or not the distance A is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and smaller than the distance C. Here, the predetermined threshold value is set to an arbitrary value according to, for example, the shape of the user's teeth.

At this time, if the distance A is smaller than the distance C (Yes in step S26), the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130A by the first drive mechanism 150 at a predetermined angle (step S27). Specifically, for example, the control unit 140 specifies that the portion facing the cleaning surface 133a is recessed. Then, the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130A by, for example, 30 ° by the first drive mechanism 150.

The angle of rotation is not limited to the above 30 °, but is set in advance in consideration of the shape of the brush head portion 130A, for example, setting an angle larger than that of step S23 and step S25. Further, the direction of rotation may be any direction. Further, for example, when the longitudinal direction of the brush head portion 130A is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the shaft body 110, the brush head portion 130A may be rotated in a direction of reducing the inclination.

Then, after the execution of step S26, the process returns to step S21 again to execute the subsequent operations.

At this time, when the distance A is not smaller than the distance C (No in step S27), the control unit 140 states that the distance A and the distance B are equal and the distance C is equal to or greater than the distance A and the distance B. judge. In this case, in the control unit 140, the cleaning surface 133a is parallel to the tangential direction of the tooth surface 210 facing the cleaning surface 133a, and the tooth surface 210 facing the cleaning surface 133a is convex or flat. Identify as. Then, the control unit 140 ends the control of the operation of the first drive mechanism 150.

The operation of rotating the brush head portion 130A as described above is repeatedly executed, for example, at regular intervals.

If the determination result is No in step S26, the operation does not have to end. For example, the control unit 140 may be configured to execute the operation from step S21 again and constantly control the rotation of the brush head unit 130A.

Further, step S26 may be configured to be executed before the execution of step S22. In this case, if the distance A is shorter than the distance C, step S27 may be executed. Further, step S27 may be executed when both the distance A and the distance B are shorter than the distance C.

As described above, the electric toothbrush according to this modification has three or more sensors. The control unit 140 identifies the unevenness of the tooth surface 210 based on the distances measured by each of the plurality of sensors 160a, the sensor 160b, and the sensor 160c, and the first drive mechanism is based on the unevenness of the specified tooth surface 210. The brush head portion 130A is rotated by the 150.

According to this configuration, the control unit 140 determines whether or not the portion of the tooth surface 210 facing the cleaning surface 133a is a concave portion such as an inter-tooth 220, or a convex portion due to the roundness of the tooth surface 210. It is possible to specify whether or not it is. For example, when the control unit 140 identifies that the sweeping surface 133a and the tooth spacing 220 are facing each other, the brush head unit 130A is rotated. As a result, the state in which the sweeping surface 133a and the tooth spacing 220 face each other can be eliminated. Therefore, brushing in a state where the printing surface 133a and the convex portion of the tooth surface 210 are not properly in contact with each other can be avoided.

(Other embodiments)
The electric toothbrush according to the present disclosure has been described above based on the above-described embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

For example, in the above embodiment, the brush head portion 130 is rotatable about the direction parallel to the sweeping surface 133a and the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft body 110 as the axis of rotation. The configuration connected to the other end side in the axial direction of the above has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the brush head portion 130 may be rotatably connected to the other end side of the shaft body 110 in the axial direction with the direction intersecting the axial direction of the shaft body 110 other than the above as the axis of rotation. good. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the brush head portion 130 has a direction perpendicular to the sweeping surface 133a (orthogonal direction) and a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft body 110 as the axis of rotation. , May be rotatably connected to the other end side of the shaft body 110 in the axial direction.

in short. The electric toothbrush 100A shown in FIG. 10 has a different direction in which the brush head portion 130 is pivotally supported by the shaft body 110 as compared with the electric toothbrush 100. The axial direction of the rotating shaft body 132 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft body 110. Therefore, in the electric toothbrush 100A, the brush head portion 130 rotates so that the angle of the sweeping surface 133a with respect to the axial direction of the shaft body 110 does not change. In this case, for example, the control unit 140 first identifies whether the sweeping surface 133a and the tooth surface 210 are facing each other. Then, the control unit 140 rotates the brush head unit 130 by the first drive mechanism 150 so that the entire cleaning surface 133a faces the tooth surface 210.

Further, in the above embodiment, the electric toothbrush 100 has been described as an example of a configuration including the second drive mechanism 180, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the electric toothbrush 100 may be configured not to include the second drive mechanism 180. That is, the electric toothbrush 100 may be configured such that the brush head portion 130 only rotates.

Further, in the above embodiment, the electric toothbrush 100 has been described as an example of a configuration including a plurality of sensors 160a and sensors 160b as sensors for measuring the distance, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the configuration may not include a plurality of

sensors

160a and 160b. Specifically, the electric toothbrush 100 may be configured to include, for example, at least one image sensor instead of the sensor for measuring the distance. In this case, the control unit 140 may be configured such that, for example, an external device such as a mobile terminal receives information obtained by an image sensor or the like and specifies the positional relationship between the tooth surface 210 and the cleaning surface 133a.

Further, the electric toothbrush 100 may be configured to include, for example, an operation unit for switching the rotation of the brush head portion 130 from automatic to manual and manually operating the rotation amount.

Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the first drive mechanism 150 has a mechanism for converting the rotational torque of the rotating device 151 into the rotational torque of the rotating shaft body 132 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first drive mechanism may be composed of a drive mechanism including a cam mechanism, a crank mechanism, a link mechanism, and the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the brush head portion 130 is rotatably connected to the shaft body 110 via the rotating shaft body 132 fixed to the brush base 131 has been described as an example. Not limited to this. For example, both the brush head portion 130 and the shaft body 110 may be rotatably connected to the rotating shaft body 132. Further, the brush head portion 130 may be connected to the shaft body 110 via, for example, a resin hinge. Further, the brush head portion 130 may be configured to be bendable, for example, connected to the shaft body 110 by a bellows member.

In addition, it is realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment within the range obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment and the purpose of the present disclosure. Forms are also included in the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is applicable to a device that always keeps a constant angle with respect to a cleaning symmetric plane. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to electric toothbrushes, car wash machines, grinding machines, and the like.

100,100A Electric toothbrush 110 Shaft body 120

Grip part

130, 130A Brush head part 131 Brush stand 131a Fleece surface 132 Rotating shaft body 133 Brush 133a Brushing surface 140 Control part 150 First drive mechanism 151 Rotating device 152 Torque transmission rod 153 Worm gear 154 Brush rotation gear 155

Rod support

160a, 160b, 160c Sensor 170 Cover 180 Second drive mechanism 181 Stroke device 182 Stroke member 190

Battery part

200a, 200b Switch 210 Tooth surface 220 Tooth spacing

Claims

An electric toothbrush that wipes the tooth surface
Axis and
A grip portion connected to one end side of the shaft body in the axial direction,
The brush base has a brush base and a brush provided on the brush base and provided with a sweeping surface for wiping, and the brush base is rotatable around a direction intersecting the axial direction of the shaft body as a rotation axis. The brush head part connected to the other end side of the shaft body in the axial direction,
A first drive mechanism that rotates the brush head portion around the axis of rotation, and
The positional relationship between the tooth surface and the brush surface is specified, and based on the specified positional relationship, the first drive mechanism is used so that the tooth surface and the brush surface have a predetermined positional relationship. , The control unit that rotates the brush head unit, and
To prepare
electric toothbrush.
The brush head portion can rotate to the other end side in the axial direction of the shaft body with the direction parallel to the sweeping surface and the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft body as the axis of rotation. Connected to,
The electric toothbrush according to claim 1.
The electric toothbrush
A plurality of sensors provided on the brush head portion and measuring the distance to the tooth surface are provided.
The control unit identifies the positional relationship between the tooth surface and the scavenging surface based on the distance measured by each of the plurality of sensors.
The electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 and 2.
The number of the plurality of sensors is three or more.
The control unit identifies the unevenness of the tooth surface based on the distance measured by each of the plurality of sensors, and based on the specified unevenness of the tooth surface, the brush head is provided by the first drive mechanism. Rotate the part,
The electric toothbrush according to claim 3.
Each of the plurality of sensors is a non-contact type sensor capable of measuring a distance longer than the distance to the cleaning surface.
The electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 3 and 4.
The electric toothbrush includes a second drive mechanism that reciprocates the brush head portion in the axial direction of the shaft body.
The electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5.