A bath brush with kneading function

Abstract

A bath brush with a kneading function includes: a housing, comprising a handle portion and a base connected to the handle portion; a central cleaning component; a kneading component including a plurality of peripheral contact heads; and a drive mechanism having a single power output end, which is operatively connected to both the central cleaning component and the kneading component to convert the single rotational motion output by the single power output end into a rotational motion around an axis of the central cleaning component and a contracting or opening motion of the peripheral contact heads away from the base. The end of the peripheral contact head away from the housing forms a support surface, which provides radial stabilizing force when in contact with the skin to limit the radial displacement of the central cleaning component on the skin surface. During the high-speed rotation of the central cleaning component, the support surface, through the contact between the peripheral contact heads and the skin, forms a radial constraint on the entire brush head, effectively limiting the radial displacement or slippage of the central cleaning component on the skin surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of bath products technology, specifically to a bath brush with a kneading function. Background Technology

[0002] Bath brushes, as a common personal hygiene tool, are mainly used to clean hard-to-reach areas of the body, such as the back, during showering. There are many types of bath brushes available, primarily divided into manual and electric categories.

[0003] Traditional manual bath brushes typically consist of a handle and a brush head, with bristles embedded in the surface of the brush head. To use them, the user holds the handle and uses the reciprocating motion of their arm to move the bristles against the skin for cleaning. However, this cleaning method relies entirely on manual labor, resulting in low cleaning efficiency. Furthermore, prolonged use on large areas of skin, such as the back, can easily lead to arm pain and a poor user experience.

[0004] In the field of electric shower brushes, most existing products adopt a brush head structure with a single rotation or vibration mechanism. For example, some products, such as the electric shower brush disclosed in Chinese patent CN223930042U, achieve rotational cleaning by setting a rotatable bristle disc in the center of the brush head; while other products set fixed comb teeth or massage bumps around the brush head to provide a massage function while cleaning.

[0005] However, these products have the following technical problems: First, the drive mechanism is relatively simple, usually only able to drive the central cleaning component to make a single rotational movement, while the surrounding massage structure is mostly fixed and cannot achieve active kneading action, resulting in limited massage effect and difficulty in meeting users' needs for deep muscle relaxation and skin soothing.

[0006] Second, even if some products attempt to drive different components through multiple power sources, their structures are complex, their volumes are large, and their costs are high. Furthermore, there are difficulties in coordinating and controlling multiple power sources, as well as increased energy consumption, which is not conducive to the lightweighting and reliability improvement of the products.

[0007] Third, when the central cleaning component of the existing rotary electric shower brush rotates at high speed on the skin surface, radial displacement or slippage is likely to occur due to the friction between the bristles and the skin. Especially after applying lubricating media such as shower gel, the stability of the brush head is further reduced, which not only affects the cleaning effect, but may also reduce the user experience due to uncontrolled sliding, and even bring safety hazards.

[0008] The third point, in particular, has the greatest impact on the user experience. The cleaning effect is reduced: the brush head "drifts off course" uncontrollably, which means it cannot work stably on the body and requires repeated wiping, greatly reducing the cleaning effect, or even making it impossible to remove dirt at all; Shortened product lifespan: Users may subconsciously apply more force to try and control the slipping brush head. This abnormal force puts extra strain on the brush's rotating bearings and motor, accelerating the wear of internal parts and significantly shortening the product's lifespan. Triggers user anxiety: This unpredictable sense of loss of control can make users constantly anxious and on guard while showering, making it difficult for them to truly relax.

[0009] Inability to achieve deep cleansing: When "scrubbing" is needed, there usually needs to be a certain amount of resistance between the brush and the skin. However, if the brush head "slips" and shifts as soon as it touches the body, it cannot create effective friction and cannot achieve deep cleansing at all.

[0010] Therefore, existing bath brushes still have technical shortcomings that urgently need improvement in terms of achieving synergy between cleaning and kneading massage functions, simplifying the drive structure, and enhancing usage stability. Summary of the Invention

[0011] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide a bath brush with kneading function.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A bath brush with kneading function, comprising: The housing includes a handle portion and a base connected to the handle portion; A central cleaning component is located in the middle of the substrate and can rotate relative to the substrate about its axis; The kneading component includes several peripheral contact heads arranged around the outer periphery of the central cleaning component; A drive mechanism, installed within the housing, has a single power output end. This single power output end is connected to both the central cleaning component and the kneading component, thereby converting the single rotational motion output from the single power output end into a rotational motion around an axis of the central cleaning component and a contracting or opening motion of the peripheral contact head away from the base. The peripheral contact head forms a support surface at one end away from the housing. When the support surface contacts the skin, it provides a radial stabilizing force to limit the radial displacement of the central cleaning component on the skin surface.

[0013] The central cleaning component includes: The first rotating part is rotatably disposed on the base; Several central bristles are arranged in an array on the first rotating part.

[0014] The drive mechanism includes: The power source has a single power output end; The first transmission component is connected to the single power output end and is used to drive the central cleaning component to rotate relative to the substrate about its axis. The second transmission component is connected to the single power output end and is used to drive the end of the peripheral contact head away from the base to retract or open.

[0015] The second transmission component is a transmission element with an eccentric shaft, which is linked to the kneading component.

[0016] The kneading and grasping component also includes: The second rotating part is rotatably disposed in the base body, and the second rotating part is provided with a plurality of obliquely arranged guide grooves in the circumferential direction; The peripheral contact head includes several movable contact assemblies arranged around the outer periphery of the central cleaning assembly, and the bottom of each movable contact assembly is provided with a guide post corresponding to each guide groove. The second rotating part is configured to reciprocate under the drive of the drive mechanism to drive the end of each of the movable contact assemblies away from the base to retract or open.

[0017] The active contact assembly includes: The lever is used as the pivot point for the swing. The movable contact is located on the side of the lever buckle opposite to the guide post; The metal rings pass through each lever buckle in sequence and arrange the moving contacts in a circumferential distribution.

[0018] The substrate is provided with a mounting base around the central cleaning component. The movable contact component is movably disposed on the mounting base along the circumference of the mounting base. The second rotating part is rotatably disposed on the rear side of the mounting base. The surface of the mounting base is provided with a mounting groove for accommodating the movable contact component.

[0019] The second rotating part is provided with a linkage groove, which is linked to the eccentric shaft of the second transmission component of the drive mechanism.

[0020] For every N rotations of the central cleaning component, the peripheral contact head completes one complete cycle of closing and opening, where N is an integer greater than 1.

[0021] The plurality of peripheral contacts are configured as follows: Driven by the drive mechanism, the retracted state and the open state are executed alternately; In the retracted state, the plurality of peripheral contacts retract inward, approaching or abutting each other to form a blocking structure; In the open state, the plurality of peripheral contacts open outward and separate from each other to form a drainage gap.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. By setting a single power output end, the single rotational motion is simultaneously converted into the rotational motion of the central cleaning component around its axis and the retraction or opening motion of the peripheral contact heads, achieving a "one source, multiple uses" power distribution method. This structure significantly simplifies the drive system structure, reduces the number of parts, lowers manufacturing costs, and improves the overall machine's operational reliability and assembly convenience, while ensuring the simultaneous execution of the kneading and rotational cleaning functions.

[0023] 2. The peripheral contact heads, driven by the mechanism, actively contract and expand, mimicking the action of a human hand kneading the skin. This creates a rhythmic kneading and relaxing effect on the skin and subcutaneous tissue, enhancing the massage function of the bath brush. This kneading motion works in conjunction with the rotating cleaning action of the central cleaning component, providing users with a comfortable massage experience while cleansing their skin, effectively promoting blood circulation and relieving muscle fatigue.

[0024] 3. The end of the peripheral contact head furthest from the housing forms a support surface, which provides radial stabilizing force when in contact with the skin. During the high-speed rotation of the central cleaning component, this support surface, through the contact between the peripheral contact head and the skin, provides radial constraint on the entire brush head, effectively limiting radial displacement or slippage of the central cleaning component on the skin surface. This structure significantly improves the positioning stability of the brush head during operation, maintaining precise control of the cleaning path even in the presence of lubricating media such as shower gel, thus enhancing safety and cleaning effectiveness. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a simplified schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a front view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the comb in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the active contact assembly of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a front view of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of AA in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the kneading component according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the active contact assembly of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain a specific posture (as shown in the figure).

[0035] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, Embodiment 1 of the present invention discloses a bath brush with a kneading function, which includes a housing, a central cleaning component, a kneading component, and a drive mechanism 600.

[0036] The shell consists of two parts, including: The handle 200 is for the user to hold and is hollow inside to accommodate the drive mechanism 600. It is ergonomically designed for easy operation on the back or other areas.

[0037] The base 100 is connected to the front end of the handle 200 and serves as a mounting platform for the functional components, supporting the central cleaning component 400 and the kneading component.

[0038] The central cleaning component 400 is located in the middle of the base 100, and its rotation axis L2 coincides with the center of the base. This component can rotate relative to the base 100 around its own axis, serving as an execution component to realize the active cleaning function.

[0039] The central cleaning component 400, serving as the active cleaning unit of the bath brush, is installed in the central region of the base 100. The central cleaning component 400 includes a first rotating part 410 and a plurality of central bristles 420 disposed on the first rotating part.

[0040] The first rotating part 410 is rotatably disposed on the base 100. Specifically, the base has an installation space for accommodating the first rotating part, and a rotational support structure is provided between the first rotating part 410 and the base 100. In a preferred embodiment, a rotating shaft is provided at the bottom center of the first rotating part 410, and a corresponding shaft hole is provided in the base 100. The rotating shaft is inserted into the shaft hole and can rotate freely relative to the shaft hole. To further reduce rotational friction and improve operational stability, a rolling bearing or a sliding bearing can be provided between the rotating shaft and the shaft hole. Simultaneously, the axial direction of the first rotating part 410 is constrained by a limiting structure (such as a snap ring or a retaining ring) to prevent it from detaching from the base 100 during use. In this embodiment, a flexible covering is used to restrict its detachment.

[0041] The first rotating part 410 has a gear transmission assembly on the side facing away from the skin (i.e., the side facing the inside of the housing) that is connected to the drive mechanism 600 for receiving rotational torque from a single power output end of the drive mechanism 600. When the drive mechanism 600 is started, rotational power is transmitted to the first rotating part 410 through the bevel gear pair or worm gear pair, driving it to rotate continuously around its own axis.

[0042] In terms of material selection, the first rotating part 410 is preferably integrally injection molded from a plastic material with a certain degree of rigidity. The plastic material includes, but is not limited to, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) or polypropylene (PP). Using such materials can ensure that the shape of the first rotating part 410 remains stable during long-term rotational operation, and can uniformly transmit torque to each central bristle 420, avoiding uneven cleaning force or movement jamming caused by deformation.

[0043] The plurality of central bristles 420 serve as the working medium that directly contacts the skin, and are arranged in an array on the surface of the first rotating part 410 facing the skin to form a bristle cluster with a certain coverage area.

[0044] In terms of arrangement, the central bristles 420 are arranged in an array, that is, distributed according to a predetermined geometric pattern on the circular or near-circular end face of the first rotating part 410. The arrangement includes, but is not limited to, one or more combinations of the following: The bristles are arranged in a concentric ring shape, that is, the bristles are distributed in a ring shape along multiple circles with different radii with the center of the first rotating part 410 as the center; The bristles are arranged radially, meaning they are distributed in a straight line along the radial direction of the first rotating part 410. The bristles are evenly distributed across the entire end face.

[0045] The array design must comprehensively consider both cleaning efficiency and skin comfort. Too sparse a bristle distribution will result in insufficient cleaning power, failing to effectively remove dirt; too dense a bristle distribution will increase rotational resistance, increasing the load on the drive mechanism and potentially causing skin discomfort due to excessive friction. By optimizing the array density and distribution pattern, a good user experience can be maintained while ensuring effective cleaning.

[0046] Regarding the bristle shape, each central bristle 420 is slender and cylindrical, with a cross-sectional shape that can be circular or polygonal. To enhance user comfort, the bristle tips are preferably designed with a rounded or tapered tip. This design effectively reduces the scratching sensation on the skin while ensuring cleaning power, and avoids skin irritation or damage caused by overly sharp bristle tips.

[0047] Regarding the bristle height, the length of the central bristle 420 can be designed according to the specific usage scenario. As a preferred embodiment, in its natural state (i.e., when the first rotating part 410 is not under pressure), the free end of the central bristle 420 is lower than the support surface of the peripheral contact head 300. With this height setting, it can be ensured that when the bath brush is attached to the skin surface, the bristles of the peripheral contact head can form an effective support surface with the skin, and then the central bristles contact the skin, thereby performing the rotating cleaning function.

[0048] In terms of material selection, the central bristles 420 are preferably made of soft and elastic materials, including but not limited to thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), silicone, or nylon. These materials have good flexibility and resilience, and can produce moderate deformation when in contact with the skin, ensuring cleaning power while avoiding damage to the skin caused by hard friction.

[0049] To further optimize cleaning and care effects, as an improved implementation, the bristle clusters of the central brush 420 can be mixed with bristles of different hardness, thickness, or materials. For example, harder bristles can be placed in the central area of ​​the bristle cluster to enhance deep cleaning ability, while softer bristles can be placed in the outer area to provide gentle care; or bristles of different thicknesses can be arranged alternately to create a multi-layered contact effect during rotation. Through the combination of the above materials and structures, the dual needs of deep cleaning and gentle care can be met simultaneously.

[0050] The kneading component includes several peripheral contact heads 300, which are arranged in a ring around the outer periphery of the central cleaning component. Each peripheral contact head forms a support surface at the end away from the housing. This support surface can provide radial stabilizing force, i.e., constraint force along the tangential direction of the skin surface, when in contact with the skin, to prevent the central cleaning component from sliding laterally during operation. At the same time, through its own contraction or opening movement, it can achieve the pinching and relaxation of the skin, simulating the massage effect of human hand kneading.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, the kneading assembly also includes a second rotating part 120 and a peripheral contact head 300.

[0052] The second rotating part 120 is rotatably disposed inside the base 100. Specifically, the second rotating part 120 has an overall annular structure, and its axis is substantially coincident with the axis of the central cleaning component 400. The second rotating part 120 is provided with a plurality of obliquely extending guide grooves 121 in the circumferential direction, and the number of guide grooves 121 matches the number of movable contact components in the peripheral contact head 300.

[0053] The guide groove 121 is either a through groove extending through the thickness direction of the second rotating part 120, or a recessed groove formed on the surface of the second rotating part 120 facing the peripheral contact head 300. The guide grooves 121 are evenly distributed circumferentially, and the extending direction of each guide groove 121 forms a predetermined angle with the radial direction of the second rotating part 120. This angle can be set according to the required retraction / opening amplitude of the movable contact assembly, typically between 30° and 60°.

[0054] The second rotating part 120 is configured to perform reciprocating rotational motion under the drive of the drive mechanism 600. Specifically, the second rotating part 120 is provided with a linkage groove, which is linked to the eccentric shaft 621 of the second transmission component 620 of the drive mechanism 600. When the drive mechanism 600 is started, the eccentric shaft 621 rotates eccentrically under the drive of the second transmission component 620. The eccentric motion is converted into reciprocating rotational motion of the second rotating part 120 within a certain angle range through the linkage groove, that is, the second rotating part 120 alternately rotates at small angles in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

[0055] The peripheral contact head 300 includes a plurality of movable contact assemblies, which are arranged around the outer periphery of the central cleaning assembly 400 in a ring shape. Each movable contact assembly is an independent motion unit that can reciprocate relative to the base 100 in the radial direction, thereby achieving the closing or opening of the end away from the base 100.

[0056] Each movable contact assembly has a guide post 310 at its bottom, and the guide post 310 corresponds one-to-one with the guide groove 121 on the second rotating part 120. Specifically, the guide post 310 extends from the bottom of the movable contact assembly toward the interior of the base 100 and inserts into the corresponding guide groove 121. The guide post 310 and the guide groove 121 form a sliding fit, constituting a cam-type transmission structure.

[0057] When the second rotating part 120 reciprocates, the guide groove 121 rotates synchronously with it. Since the guide groove 121 is obliquely positioned, its wall exerts a radial force on the guide post 310 inserted within it, forcing the guide post 310 to move radially. The guide post 310 drives the entire movable contact assembly to move radially: when the second rotating part 120 rotates in one direction, each movable contact assembly synchronously retracts towards the center; when the second rotating part 120 rotates in the opposite direction, each movable contact assembly synchronously opens outwards. Through this transmission mechanism, the reciprocating rotation of the second rotating part 120 is precisely converted into the radial reciprocating movement of the movable contact assembly, thereby achieving the periodic retraction and opening of the peripheral contact head 300 away from the base 100.

[0058] The active contact assembly is preferably made of a material with a certain degree of elasticity and wear resistance, including but not limited to thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) or silicone, with its end forming a support surface for contact with the skin. The guide post 310 can be made of a plastic material with higher hardness (such as polyoxymethylene POM) to enhance wear resistance and ensure smooth sliding fit during long-term use.

[0059] The active contact can be a group of 3 to 5 hemispherical or short conical protrusions of varying sizes, with the overall outline mimicking the paw pad of a cat. The center of each group of protrusions is the highest, while the surrounding area is slightly lower, forming a natural curved surface. Multiple groups can be evenly distributed on the brush plate surface.

[0060] Each bump is thicker at the base and rounded at the tip. When pressure is applied, the silicone / TPE material deforms evenly in all directions, providing a "soft yet firm" rebound. Multiple small points contact the skin simultaneously, similar to fingertip pressure, reducing the pressure applied at a single point.

[0061] Alternatively, independent or semi-independent spheres or upright short columns can be used directly.

[0062] A mounting base 130 is provided within the base 100 surrounding the central cleaning component 400. The movable contact component is movably mounted on the mounting base 130 circumferentially. The second rotating part 120 is rotatably disposed on the rear side of the mounting base 130. The surface of the mounting base is provided with a mounting groove 140, which is annular and circumferentially spaced with latches. These latches have elastic or rigid limiting structures to confine the movable contact component within the mounting groove 140, preventing it from detaching while allowing it to swing at a certain angle within the groove. The mounting groove also has a through hole corresponding to a guide groove, allowing the guide post of the movable contact component to pass through this hole and enter the guide groove.

[0063] like Figure 4 As shown, the active contact assembly includes: Lever 340, used as a pivot point for oscillation, is spherical or cylindrical, serving as the rotational pivot point for the oscillation of the movable contact assembly. The lever 340 is hollow internally, allowing a metal ring 350 to pass through; alternatively, a perforation can be provided on the side wall of the lever 340 to allow the metal ring to be directly inserted. The movable contact 320 is located on the side of the lever buckle 340 facing away from the guide post 310. That is, with the lever buckle 340 as the dividing line, one side is the guide post 310 extending backward, and the other side is the movable contact 320 facing forward (the working surface of the brush head). The movable contact 320 can be designed as a column, claw, or other shape suitable for grasping and kneading the skin.

[0064] The metal ring 350 is a ring-shaped metal wire or metal ring with a certain strength and elasticity. The metal ring 350 passes through the lever buckle 340 of each movable contact assembly in sequence, connecting all movable contacts (320) in series, and arranging all movable contacts 320 in a circumferentially evenly distributed manner along the circumference of the mounting base 130.

[0065] By using the lever buckle 340 as the pivot axis and placing the guide post 310 and the movable contact 320 on either side of the lever buckle, a lever structure is formed. When the second rotating part 120 rotates, the guide post 310 is constrained by the guide groove and moves radially, thereby driving the movable contact 320 to perform regular reciprocating oscillations around the lever buckle 340. This oscillation simulates the action of fingers kneading the skin, effectively cleaning pores and massaging the skin.

[0066] The metal ring 350 passes sequentially through all the lever buckles 340, not only physically connecting the various moving contact components into a whole, but also forcing them to maintain the same circumferential spacing. Simultaneously, as the pivot axis, it offers higher reliability and greater strength. As a connecting component, the metal ring 350 has a smooth and high-strength surface, forming a sliding friction pair with the inner wall of the lever buckles 340, making it resistant to wear over long-term use. Compared to gear or linkage methods, this metal ring series structure is simpler, quieter, and has a lower failure rate.

[0067] like Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, Embodiment 2 of the present invention discloses a bath brush with a kneading function, which includes a housing, a central cleaning component, a kneading component, and a drive mechanism 600. The difference between this and Embodiment 1 lies in the installation method of the kneading component.

[0068] The base 100 is provided with a mounting base 130 surrounding the central cleaning component 400. The movable contact component is movably disposed on the mounting base 130 along the circumference of the mounting base 130, and the second rotating part 120 is rotatably disposed on the rear side of the mounting base 130, and a limiting space is formed between the two to fix the bottom of the movable contact component.

[0069] like Figure 7 As shown, specifically, the mounting base 130 is provided with a plurality of radially extending guide grooves or guide holes in its circumference. The body part of each movable contact assembly can be oscillatingly accommodated in the corresponding guide groove or guide hole, so that it can only reciprocate in the radial direction and cannot produce circumferential displacement or offset in other directions.

[0070] The second rotating part 120 is rotatably disposed on the rear side of the mounting base 130 (i.e., the side of the mounting base 130 facing away from the skin), and a limiting space is formed between the second rotating part 120 and the mounting base 130. This limiting space is used to fix the bottom of the movable contact assembly. Specifically, the bottom of the movable contact assembly (including the root area of ​​the guide post 310) is restricted within this limiting space, which can ensure the accurate fit between the guide post 310 and the guide groove 121, and prevent the movable contact assembly from falling off the mounting base 130 during use.

[0071] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the movable contact assembly includes a movable contact 320 and a swing seat 330. The swing seat 330 has a locking groove 331, and the bottom of the movable contact has a corresponding latch 321 that engages with the locking groove. The shape and size of the locking groove 331 match the latch 321. The movable contact 320 engages with the locking groove 331 on the swing seat 330 through the latch 321 on its bottom, achieving a detachable and fixed connection between the two.

[0072] The bottom of the swing seat 330 is provided with a guide post 310, and the entire swing seat is set in the guide groove, with each guide groove used to accommodate one swing seat 330. The two ends of the guide groove are provided with limiting pins 131. Specifically, the limiting pins 131 are cylindrical structures arranged perpendicular to the extension direction of the guide groove, fixed on the mounting base 130, and located at both ends of the guide groove.

[0073] The swing seat 330 has corresponding pin grooves 332 at both ends. The pin grooves 332 are open or closed grooves, and their shapes match the outer contours of the limiting pins 131. In the assembled state, the limiting pins 131 at both ends of the guide groove are respectively accommodated in the pin grooves 332 at both ends of the swing seat 330, forming a swing fulcrum structure.

[0074] During assembly, the movable contact assembly can be inserted into the corresponding guide groove from below the mounting base, and then the movable contact assembly can be limited by covering the second rotating part.

[0075] The substrate 100 has a flexible cover 110 on its surface, which covers the area between the outer edge of the substrate 100 and the outer edge of the central cleaning component 400, and the movable contact component passes through the flexible cover 110. The flexible cover 110 is made of a soft and elastic material, including but not limited to silicone or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0076] The flexible cover 110 covers the openings on the surface of the substrate 100 and the exposed parts of the internal structure, preventing liquids such as water stains and shower gel from seeping into the interior of the substrate 100, and providing effective protection for the drive mechanism 600 and the transmission components.

[0077] The flexible cover 110 acts as a buffer layer when the bath brush is attached to the skin, preventing the hard shell of the base 100 from directly contacting the skin and improving the comfort of use.

[0078] The movable contact assembly passes through the flexible cover 110. Specifically, the flexible cover 110 has perforations or slits corresponding to the positions of each movable contact assembly, and the body of the movable contact assembly extends outward through the perforations or slits. Because the flexible cover 110 has good elasticity, it can undergo adaptive deformation when the movable contact assembly moves radially, which neither affects the degree of freedom of movement of the movable contact assembly nor fails to maintain the seal of the interior of the substrate 100.

[0079] The drive mechanism 600 is installed within the housing, specifically within the cavity at the connection between the handle portion 200 and the base 100. The drive mechanism 600 has a single power output end, which is connected to both the central cleaning component 400 and the kneading component. This allows the single rotational motion output from the single power output end to be simultaneously converted into a rotational motion around an axis of the central cleaning component 400 and a contracting or opening motion of the peripheral contact head 300 away from the base 100. Through this configuration, only one power source is needed to drive two different forms of motion output, achieving a compact structure, coordinated movements, and controllable cost.

[0080] The drive mechanism 600 includes: Power source 630 has a single power output end; The first transmission component 610 is connected to the single power output end for driving the central cleaning component 400 to rotate relative to the substrate about its axis. The second transmission component 620 is connected to the single power output end and is used to drive the peripheral contact head 300 away from the base 100 to retract or open.

[0081] The power source 630 has a single power output end. In a preferred embodiment, the power source 630 employs a miniature DC motor, whose output shaft constitutes the single power output end, having a unique axis L1. This miniature DC motor is characterized by its small size, moderate torque, and adjustable speed, making it suitable for handheld personal care devices. The power source 630 is fixedly installed inside the housing, specifically within the handle portion 200 or the base 100 via a motor bracket or slot structure, ensuring its stable position during operation.

[0082] The first transmission component 610 is connected to the single power output end for driving the central cleaning component 400 to rotate relative to the base 100 about its axis L2.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment, the first transmission assembly 610 employs a gear transmission mechanism. Specifically, the first transmission assembly 610 includes a driving bevel gear disposed on the output shaft of the power source 630, and a driven bevel gear disposed on the back side of the first rotating part 410 of the central cleaning assembly 400, with the driving bevel gear and the driven bevel gear meshing with each other. When the power source 630 is started, the output shaft drives the driving gear to rotate, and the driving gear drives the driven gear to rotate through meshing transmission, thereby causing the first rotating part 410 and the central brush bristles 420 disposed thereon to continuously rotate around their own axis.

[0084] As another implementation, the first transmission component 610 can also be in the form of worm gear drive, belt drive, or friction wheel drive, as long as it can transmit the rotational motion of the power source 630 to the central cleaning component 400 and make it rotate around the axis. Regardless of the transmission form used, the first transmission component 610 must ensure that the central cleaning component 400 obtains sufficient rotational torque to overcome the frictional resistance when the bristles come into contact with the skin and achieve effective cleaning.

[0085] On the transmission path of the first transmission component 610, by setting gear pairs with different gear ratios, the high-speed, low-torque output of the power source 630 is converted into the low-speed, high-torque output required by the central cleaning component 400, so that the brush rotation speed matches the kneading frequency, while ensuring sufficient cleaning power.

[0086] The second transmission component 620 is connected to the single power output end for driving the peripheral contact head 300 away from the base 100 to retract or open.

[0087] The second transmission component 620 is a transmission member with an eccentric shaft 621, which is linked to the kneading component. Specifically, the second transmission component 620 includes an input portion that is drivenly connected to the output shaft of the power source 630, and an eccentric shaft 621 that serves as the output portion. The axis of the eccentric shaft 621 is parallel to and eccentrically positioned relative to the axis of the output shaft of the power source 630, meaning that there is a predetermined distance between the centerline of the eccentric shaft 621 and the centerline of the output shaft; this distance is the eccentricity.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment, the second transmission component 620 employs an eccentric wheel structure. This eccentric wheel is fixedly mounted on the output shaft of the power source 630 and rotates synchronously with the output shaft. An eccentric shaft 621 is provided on the eccentric wheel, extending outward from the end face of the eccentric wheel, with its axis offset relative to the output shaft axis. When the power source 630 is started, the output shaft drives the eccentric wheel to rotate, and the eccentric shaft 621 subsequently revolves around the output shaft axis.

[0089] The eccentric shaft 621 is linked to the second rotating part 120 of the kneading assembly. Specifically, the second rotating part 120 is provided with a linkage groove, which is a waist-shaped groove, an oblong groove, or a U-shaped groove structure. The end of the eccentric shaft 621 is inserted into the linkage groove and forms a sliding fit with the linkage groove. When the eccentric shaft 621 revolves around the output shaft axis, it slides back and forth in the linkage groove, and at the same time, it applies a driving force to the second rotating part 120 through the groove wall, converting the eccentric rotational motion of the eccentric shaft 621 into the reciprocating rotational motion of the second rotating part 120 within a certain angle range.

[0090] Both the first transmission assembly 610 and the second transmission assembly 620 are connected to the same single power output end of the power source 630. They are arranged in series, meaning they are sequentially arranged along the transmission path. In this embodiment, the single power output end of the power source is first connected to the second transmission assembly, and simultaneously, this single power output shaft passes through the second transmission assembly and is connected to the first transmission assembly, thus enabling both to achieve transmission through the same single power output end.

[0091] The peripheral contact head 300 forms a support surface at one end away from the housing. When the support surface contacts the skin, it provides a radial stabilizing force to limit the radial displacement of the central cleaning component 400 on the skin surface.

[0092] When a user applies pressure to the skin with the bath brush, the supporting surface of the peripheral contact head 300 first contacts the skin. At this time, the pressure applied by the user through the handle 200 is transmitted through the housing to the base 100, and then acts on the peripheral contact head 300. Under the action of pressure, the supporting surface is pressed against the skin surface, and the skin tissue undergoes elastic deformation, forming a reaction force on the supporting surface. This reaction force supports the bath brush in the normal direction perpendicular to the skin surface, while simultaneously generating a centripetal constraint force in the tangential direction.

[0093] Because the support surfaces of multiple peripheral contact heads 300 are evenly distributed circumferentially around the central cleaning component 400, the contact points between each support surface and the skin together form a continuous or multi-point distributed support ring. This support ring forms a stable constraint boundary in space, limiting the tendency of the entire bath brush to move in any radial direction within the working area.

[0094] The static friction generated when the support surface contacts the skin further enhances radial stability. When the central cleaning component 400 rotates and generates a tangential force, attempting to deflect the entire brush head along the skin surface, the static friction between the support surface and the skin provides a counterforce, working in conjunction with the radial stabilizing force to resist the tendency to deflect.

[0095] For every N rotations of the central cleaning component 400, the peripheral contact head 300 completes one full cycle of opening and closing, where N is an integer greater than 1. By setting this motion ratio, the cleaning action and the kneading massage action are coordinated in time, optimizing the user experience and care effect.

[0096] For every revolution of the output shaft of the power source 630, the number of revolutions the central cleaning component 400 makes is determined by the transmission ratio of the first transmission component 610, while the number of times the peripheral contact head 300 completes the closing and opening cycle is determined by the structural characteristics of the second transmission component 620 (usually once). By setting the transmission ratio of the first transmission component 610, the central cleaning component 400 rotates N revolutions while the peripheral contact head 300 completes one closing and opening cycle for every revolution of the output shaft of the power source 630, thus achieving the aforementioned motion ratio.

[0097] Existing rotary bath brushes face an inherent technical dilemma: if the central bristles rotate insufficiently (e.g., less than 150 times per single scrubbing cycle), they cannot effectively cut and peel away the oil buildup in deep skin textures (such as elbows and knees) or on the back, resulting in incomplete deep cleansing; conversely, if the rotation count is too high (e.g., more than 220 times), while cleansing power is improved, the high-frequency twisting friction can overstimulate the skin's peripheral nerves, causing discomfort such as stinging and redness, especially for users with sensitive skin. Therefore, the core problem this invention aims to solve is how to control skin friction stimulation within a comfortable threshold without sacrificing cleansing power. This invention, through extensive experimentation, has discovered that when the number of rotations N of the central brush bristles within a single stable kneading cycle is strictly limited to the range of 150 to 220, unexpected technical effects are produced: When N < 150 times, tests show that the bristles can only sweep across the skin's surface sebum, and the removal rate of micron-sized dirt (such as sunscreen and dead skin cells) embedded in the stratum corneum folds drops sharply to below 60%. Only when N reaches 150 times or more, the cumulative rotation angle of the central bristles is sufficient to generate 'vortex' micro-disturbances, forcing dirt out of the pores. 150 times is precisely the 'effective work threshold' for achieving deep cleansing.

[0098] When N>220 times, although the cleaning rate reaches its peak, monitoring of the skin friction coefficient and user subjective ratings revealed that the instantaneous tensile strain of the skin exceeded 15%, causing significant pulling pain and friction erythema. 220 times is the 'comfort limit' that ensures the vast majority of users (>95%) experience no discomfort.

[0099] Optimal balance range (150-220 times): Locking the N value within this range ensures that the central bristles complete a sufficient number of rotations within a stable kneading cycle. This guarantees thorough deep cleansing while avoiding skin discomfort caused by excessive kneading frequency. Especially when working in conjunction with surrounding massage structures, this number of rotations allows the massage bumps to press on the skin at an optimal rhythm, forming an alternating rhythm of 'rotational cleansing - pressure relaxation'. This achieves a precise balance between cleansing power and massage experience, which cannot be achieved by simply adjusting the speed or structure. This invention does not simply select a preferred parameter, but for the first time reveals that there is a 'cleaning-comfort balance window' (150-220 times / cycle) in a rotary bath brush. The boundary of this window is determined by the skin's biomechanical properties and the dynamics of dirt removal. Beyond this window, deep cleaning and high comfort cannot be achieved simultaneously.

[0100] When the peripheral bristles 300 retract, the support surface pinches the skin around the central cleaning component 400, thus restraining the skin. In this pinched state, the rotating cleaning of the central bristles 420 produces a more concentrated cleaning effect. When the peripheral bristles 300 open, the skin is released, and blood circulation is promoted. During the N rotations of the central cleaning component 400, the skin undergoes N rotational cleanings before experiencing a single grasping and releasing motion. This rhythm of "multiple cleanings - one release" allows the skin to rest briefly after cleaning, improving overall comfort.

[0101] Because the peripheral contact heads 300 exert radial constraint on the skin when in a retracted state, the rotational cleaning trajectory of the central cleaning component 400 is more stable and controllable during this phase. When the N value is large, the central cleaning component 400 rotates multiple times within one kneading cycle, which means that multiple rotational cleanings are completed under stable radial constraint conditions. This is beneficial for the even coverage of the cleaning trajectory and avoids cleaning blind spots caused by disturbances caused by kneading actions.

[0102] The plurality of peripheral contact heads 300 are configured as follows: Driven by the drive mechanism 600, the device alternately performs a retracted state and an open state; through the periodic switching between the two states, multiple functions such as cleaning area constraint, dirt removal, and water flow guidance are achieved. In the retracted state, multiple peripheral contacts 300 retract inward, approaching or abutting each other to form a blocking structure; in the open state, multiple peripheral contacts 300 open outward, separating from each other to form a drainage gap.

[0103] Specifically, when the drive mechanism 600 drives the second rotating part 120 to rotate in one direction via the second transmission assembly 620, each movable contact assembly moves synchronously radially toward the axis of the central cleaning assembly 400 under the cooperation of the guide groove 121 and the guide post 310. During this process, the ends of the multiple peripheral contact heads 300 that are away from the base 100 gradually converge inward and move closer to each other.

[0104] In one preferred embodiment, in the fully retracted state, adjacent peripheral contact heads 300 abut against each other, that is, the sidewalls of each movable contact contact contact each other, forming a continuous ring structure. In another embodiment, in the fully retracted state, adjacent peripheral contact heads 300 are close to each other but maintain a small gap, which is smaller than the bristle diameter of the central cleaning component 400, so as to still effectively perform the blocking function.

[0105] The "barrier structure" refers to a ring-shaped barrier formed by multiple peripheral contact heads 300 in their retracted state, surrounding the outer periphery of the central cleaning component 400. This barrier structure spatially separates the cleaning area where the central cleaning component 400 is located from the external area.

[0106] Meanwhile, the presence of the barrier structure creates a ring-shaped barrier around the central cleaning component 400, confining the rotating cleaning area within the space enclosed by the barrier. When the central brush bristles 420 rotate to clean, the removed dirt, dead skin cells, and shower gel foam are restricted within the cleaning area by the barrier structure, preventing them from spreading outward to the surrounding skin and avoiding secondary contamination of the cleaned area.

[0107] Meanwhile, the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the central brush bristles at 420° prevents the foam and dirt from escaping and forces them to remain within the cleaning area, increasing the contact time and concentration between the cleaning medium and the skin, thereby improving cleaning efficiency.

[0108] When entering the open state, the ends of the multiple peripheral contacts 300 that are away from the base 100 gradually open outward and separate from each other.

[0109] In the fully open state, a distinct gap is formed between adjacent peripheral contacts 300, which is the drainage gap. The width of the drainage gap is determined by the radial travel of the movable contact assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the drainage gap ranges from 1 mm to 5 mm. This width is sufficient for the smooth drainage of liquid and dirt without being too large, which would affect the formation of the next closed state.

[0110] When closed, dirt, dead skin cells, and residual shower gel are confined within the cleansing area; when open, they are expelled through the drainage gaps. This periodic drainage mechanism effectively prevents the continuous accumulation of dirt within the cleansing area and prevents removed dirt from re-adhering to the skin surface.

[0111] The drainage gap allows fresh water to flow into the cleaning area while simultaneously draining used liquid containing dirt, thus achieving a continuous cycle of cleaning media. This alternating inflow and outflow mechanism ensures that fresh liquid is always involved in the cleaning process, preventing a decrease in cleaning efficiency due to liquid contamination.

[0112] Furthermore, the peripheral contact head 300 employs an inner and outer ring design, alternating to form an M-shaped distribution. Specifically, the peripheral contact head 300 includes an inner ring of comb teeth and an outer ring of comb teeth. The inner ring of comb teeth is arranged in a ring around the outer periphery of the peripheral bristle assembly, has a smaller diameter, and is located closer to the central cleaning component. The outer ring of comb teeth is arranged in a ring around the outer periphery of the inner ring of comb teeth, has a larger diameter, and is located at the outermost edge of the entire brush head working surface.

[0113] The inner and outer comb teeth are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. Specifically: In the circumferential direction, the angle between two adjacent teeth of the inner ring comb group corresponds exactly to one tooth of the outer ring comb group.

[0114] Conversely, the angle between two adjacent teeth in the outer comb group corresponds exactly to one tooth in the inner comb group.

[0115] The alternating inner and outer comb teeth form a labyrinthine barrier. When fluid splashes, it must hit the side wall of the comb teeth multiple times, and the kinetic energy is attenuated layer by layer, making it difficult to penetrate the double-ring comb teeth. The splash prevention effect is far superior to that of a single-ring or non-alternating structure.

[0116] The handle 200 forms the user's grip area for holding during operation. To optimize the overall center of gravity and improve operational comfort and stability, the grip area of ​​the housing includes a drive mechanism 600, a battery 500, and a control circuit board 700. Through the rational layout of these components, the center of gravity of the entire device is located within the grip area.

[0117] The handle portion 200, which is the part directly held by the user, is ergonomically designed and is typically elongated or slightly curved to accommodate the gripping posture of the hand. The gripping area refers to the portion of the handle portion 200 that is available for the user's hand to hold, and usually covers the area from the front middle section to the rear middle section of the handle portion 200.

[0118] The battery 500 serves as the energy storage unit of the entire device, and its weight accounts for a significant portion of the overall weight. The battery 500 typically uses a rechargeable lithium battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0119] The battery 500 is located at the distal end of the handle portion 200 (i.e., the end furthest from the base 100), specifically at the tail end of the handle portion 200. Positioning this heavier component at one end of the handle portion 200 helps shift the overall center of gravity towards the handle portion 200, ensuring the center of gravity falls within the grip area. Furthermore, placing the battery 500 at the tail end of the handle portion 200 facilitates its installation and replacement; if a removable battery design is used, the user can easily replace the battery.

[0120] The drive mechanism 600 is located at the proximal end of the handle portion 200 (i.e., the end closest to the base 100), which is the connection point between the handle portion 200 and the base 100. Positioning the drive mechanism 600 at the front end of the handle portion 200, together with the battery 500 located at the rear end of the handle portion 200, creates a two-end weight distribution, placing the overall center of gravity between the two. This "heavy at both ends, light in the middle" layout helps stabilize the center of gravity in the middle section of the handle portion 200, i.e., within the grip area.

[0121] Simultaneously, the circuit board is positioned between the battery 500 and the drive mechanism 600, specifically in the middle section of the handle portion 200. This centralizes the center of gravity, placing the lighter control circuit board 700 between two heavier components (battery 500 and drive mechanism 600), further shifting the overall center of gravity towards the center of the grip area. Furthermore, the control switches (such as start / stop buttons and speed control knobs) on the control circuit board 700 can be positioned on the middle surface of the handle portion 200, within easy reach of the user's fingers, facilitating one-handed operation.

[0122] To facilitate the storage of the bath brush, a wall-mounted base can be installed. The back of the base should be a flat, wall-mounted surface, which can be fixed to the bathroom wall using adhesive tape, suction cups, or expansion screws (a height of 1.2-1.5 meters is recommended for comfortable use). To accommodate the wet environment, this surface should be designed with drainage channels to prevent water seepage down the wall.

[0123] Its front side is the functional support surface, with a contoured opening specifically designed to accommodate the brush's "neck" (the transition section connecting the handle and the brush head). The opening is oriented vertically upwards or tilted upwards, allowing the brush head to hang upwards and the handle downwards.

[0124] The opening is designed with a 45° chamfer or a flared opening to guide users to insert the brush blindly. At the same time, the asymmetrical shape of the opening (such as one side being flat and the other side being curved) ensures that the brush can only be inserted in one correct direction, preventing it from being inserted upside down.

[0125] To achieve "charging upon hanging," concealed metal contacts need to be placed in the contact area between the base opening and the brush neck. The contacts are located on the sides or back of the brush neck (avoiding the front area where the user grips it) and in corresponding positions on the inner wall of the base opening.

[0126] The embodiments should not be regarded as limitations on the present invention, but any improvements made based on the spirit of the present invention should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bath brush with a kneading function, characterized in that: It includes: The housing includes a handle portion (200) and a base (100) connected to the handle portion (200). A central cleaning component (400) is disposed in the middle of the substrate (100) and is rotatable relative to the substrate (100) about its axis; The kneading component includes a plurality of peripheral contact heads (300) arranged around the outer periphery of the central cleaning component (400); A drive mechanism (600) is installed inside the housing. The drive mechanism (600) has a single power output end, which is connected to the central cleaning component (400) and the kneading component for transmission, so as to convert the single rotational motion output by the single power output end into the rotational motion of the central cleaning component (400) around its axis and the contraction or opening motion of the peripheral contact head (300) away from the base (100). The peripheral contact head (300) forms a support surface at one end away from the housing, which provides a radial stabilizing force when in contact with the skin to limit the radial displacement of the central cleaning component (400) on the skin surface.

2. A bath brush with kneading function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central cleaning component (400) includes: The first rotating part (410) is rotatably disposed on the base (100); Several central bristles (420) are arranged in an array on the first rotating part (410).

3. A bath brush with kneading function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive mechanism (600) includes: The power source (630) has a single power output end; The first transmission assembly (610) is connected to the single power output end for driving the central cleaning assembly (400) to rotate relative to the substrate about its axis. The second transmission component (620) is connected to the single power output end for driving the peripheral contact head (300) away from the base (100) to retract or open.

4. A bath brush with kneading function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second transmission component (620) is a transmission component with an eccentric shaft (621), which is linked to the kneading component.

5. A bath brush with a kneading function according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The kneading and grasping component also includes: The second rotating part (120) is rotatably disposed within the base (100), and the second rotating part (120) is provided with a plurality of obliquely arranged guide grooves (121) in the circumferential direction. The peripheral contact head (300) includes several movable contact assemblies arranged around the outer periphery of the central cleaning assembly (400), and the bottom of each movable contact assembly is provided with a guide post (310) corresponding to each guide groove (121). The second rotating part (120) is configured to reciprocate under the drive of the drive mechanism (600) to drive the end of each of the active contact assemblies away from the base (100) to close or open.

6. A bath brush with kneading function according to claim 5, characterized in that: The active contact assembly includes: Lever buckle (340) is used as the pivot point for swinging; The movable contact (320) is located on the side of the lever buckle (340) opposite to the guide post (310); The metal ring (350) passes through each lever buckle (340) in sequence and arranges each movable contact (320) in a circumferential distribution.

7. A bath brush with kneading function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The base (100) is provided with a mounting base (130) surrounding the central cleaning component (400). The movable contact component is movably disposed on the mounting base (130) circumferentially. The second rotating part (120) is rotatably disposed on the rear side of the mounting base (130). The surface of the mounting base is provided with a mounting groove for accommodating the movable contact component.

8. A bath brush with kneading function according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second rotating part (120) is provided with a linkage groove, which is linked to the eccentric shaft (621) of the second transmission component (620) of the drive mechanism (600).

9. A bath brush with kneading function according to claim 1, characterized in that: For every N rotations of the central cleaning component (400), the peripheral contact head (300) completes one full cycle of closing and opening, where N is an integer greater than 1.

10. A bath brush with kneading function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of said peripheral contacts (300) are configured as follows: Driven by the drive mechanism (600), the retracted state and the open state are executed alternately; In the retracted state, the plurality of peripheral contact heads (300) retract inward, approach or abut against each other, forming a blocking structure; In the open state, the plurality of peripheral contacts (300) open outward and separate from each other to form a drainage gap.

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