Electric toothbrush

Abstract

The present invention provides an electric toothbrush, which includes: a main body, the main body forming a cavity; a driving unit, the driving unit is disposed in the cavity, a toothbrush head is installed on the front side of the driving unit, the driving unit forms a fulcrum in the cavity, and the driving unit can swing around the fulcrum; an elastic member, the elastic member is disposed between the main body and the driving unit, so that the elastic member can prevent the driving unit from swinging towards the back side of the electric toothbrush; a first trigger part, the first trigger part is used to change the working state of the driving unit; a second trigger part, the second trigger part is located on the back of the driving unit, and when the driving unit swings towards the back side, the second trigger part can be triggered to change its state, so that the electric toothbrush gives a reminder about excessive force. By adopting the above solution, when the brushing force is too large, the driving unit swings around the fulcrum towards the back side to trigger the second trigger part, and the electric toothbrush gives a reminder about excessive force, reminding the user to adjust the brushing force and develop good brushing habits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of toothbrushes, and particularly to an electric toothbrush. Background Art

[0002] During the use of a toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, the brushing force of each user is different. However, excessive brushing force causes great damage to teeth and gums. Since ordinary toothbrushes cannot provide high-frequency vibration and rely entirely on the user's own force to ensure oral cleanliness, it is easy to overlook the damage caused by brushing to the oral cavity. When a user switches from an ordinary toothbrush to an electric toothbrush, the user will continue the bad habit of using an ordinary toothbrush when using the electric toothbrush, brushing the oral cavity with excessive force, which not only fails to exert the due cleaning effect of the electric toothbrush but may also cause damage to teeth and gums. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on the above problems of the prior art, the present invention aims to propose an electric toothbrush that can remind the user to adjust the brushing force when the brushing force is too large.

[0004] The present invention proposes an electric toothbrush, which comprises:

[0005] A main body that forms a cavity;

[0006] A driving unit that is at least partially disposed in the cavity of the main body, the front side of the driving unit is used for installing a toothbrush head, and the driving unit forms a fulcrum in the cavity, and the driving unit can swing towards the front and back sides of the electric toothbrush around the fulcrum, and the fulcrum is located at the rear side of the driving unit;

[0007] An elastic member that is disposed between the main body and the driving unit, so that the elastic member can prevent the driving unit from swinging towards the back side of the electric toothbrush;

[0008] A first trigger portion that is used to change the working state of the driving unit; and

[0009] A second trigger portion that is located on the back side of the driving unit, and when the driving unit swings towards the back side by a predetermined amount, the second trigger portion can be triggered to change its state, so that the electric toothbrush issues a reminder of excessive force, and the second trigger portion is located between the fulcrum and the elastic member.

[0010] Preferably, the electric toothbrush further comprises the toothbrush head, and the toothbrush head, the second trigger portion and the elastic member are all located on the front side of the fulcrum.

[0011] Preferably, a gap is left between the brush head and the main body to allow the brush head to bend relative to the main body.

[0012] Preferably, the second trigger portion includes a multi - gear switch.

[0013] Preferably, the second trigger portion includes a strain gauge, and the driving unit swinging towards the back side can deform the strain gauge.

[0014] Preferably, an elastic sheet is provided on the back surface of the driving unit. The driving unit swinging towards the back side can deform the elastic sheet, and the strain gauge is connected to the deformation area of the elastic sheet.

[0015] Preferably, the elastic sheet is provided with a bump protruding towards the driving unit.

[0016] Preferably, ribs are protrudingly provided in the cavity of the main body to prevent the driving unit from moving in the left - right direction of the electric toothbrush.

[0017] Preferably, the elastic member provides a gap between the second trigger portion and the driving unit.

[0018] Preferably, the electric toothbrush further includes a seal, and the seal fills the gap between the shaft portion of the driving unit and the main body.

[0019] By adopting the above - mentioned solution, when the brushing force is too large, the second trigger portion is triggered by the driving unit swinging around the fulcrum towards the back side, and the electric toothbrush gives a reminder about the excessive force, reminding the user to adjust the brushing force and develop good brushing habits.

[0020] By replacing different elastic members, the threshold value of the brushing force for triggering the reminder can also be easily adjusted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 FIG. shows a schematic structural diagram of an electric toothbrush according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 FIG. shows a partial cross - sectional view taken along line M - M of Figure 1 FIG.

[0023] Figure 3 FIG. shows Figure 2 a partial enlarged view of

[0024] Figure 4 FIG. shows an exploded schematic diagram of an electric toothbrush according to the first embodiment of the present invention (the brush head is not shown).

[0025] Figure 5 FIG. shows a cross - sectional view taken along line N - N of Figure 1 FIG.

[0026] Figure 6 Shows a schematic structural view of an electric toothbrush with the brush head removed according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 Shows a schematic diagram of the principle of an electric toothbrush according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 Shows a schematic structural view of an electric toothbrush according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9 Shows a partial cross-sectional view along Figure 8 line P-P.

[0030] Figure 10 Shows Figure 9 a partially enlarged view.

[0031] Figure 11 Shows an exploded view of an electric toothbrush (brush head not shown) according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 12 Shows a cross-sectional view along Figure 8 line Q-Q.

[0033] Figure 13 Shows a schematic structural view of the bracket and strain gauge of an electric toothbrush according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Description of the Reference Numerals

[0035] 1 Main body unit 11 Main body 12 Switch button 13 Bottom cover 14 Bracket 15 Elastic sheet 16 Bump

[0036] 2 Driving unit 21 Motor 22 Fixing member

[0037] 3 Brush head

[0038] 4 Circuit connection unit 41 Main board 42 Sub-board 43 First trigger part 44 Second trigger part 44a Tactile switch 44b Strain gauge 45 Battery

[0039] [[ID=5�]]5 Elastic member

[0040] 6 Sealing member

[0041] A Longitudinal direction U Front side D Rear side F Front face B Back face. Detailed implementation manners

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these specific descriptions are only used to teach those skilled in the art how to implement the present invention, rather than to exhaust all feasible ways of the present invention, nor to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0043] Unless otherwise specified, in the following description, the length direction A refers to the length direction of the electric toothbrush, the front side U refers to the front side (brush head side) in the length direction, and the rear side D refers to the rear side (bottom cover side) in the length direction. The front face F refers to the front face of the electric toothbrush, that is, the face where the bristle surface of the electric toothbrush is located, and the back face B refers to the back face of the electric toothbrush, that is, the back face of the bristle surface of the electric toothbrush.

[0044] First Embodiment

[0045] As Figures 1 to 6 shown, the present invention provides an electric toothbrush, which includes a main body unit 1, a drive unit 2, a brush head 3, a circuit connection unit 4, an elastic member 5, and a seal 6.

[0046] As Figures 1 to 5 shown, the main body unit 1 includes a main body 11, a switch button 12, a bottom cover 13, and a bracket 14. The main body 11 is generally cylindrical with a cavity formed therein. One end (rear end) in the length direction A of the main body 11 is provided with an installation port communicating with the cavity, and the bottom cover 13 is connected to the rear side of the main body 11 and closes the installation port. The switch button 12 can be disposed on the front face F of the main body 11, and the switch button 12 can be pressed downward to trigger a first trigger portion 43 installed in the cavity. The bracket 14 can be inserted into the cavity of the main body 11 from the installation port, and the drive unit 2 and the circuit connection unit 4 are installed on the bracket 14.

[0047] As Figures 2 to 4 shown, the drive unit 2 includes a motor 21 and a fixing member 22. The motor 21 is installed on the bracket 14 through the fixing member 22. The fixing member 22 is connected to the rear side D of the motor 21. The fixing member 22 abuts against the bracket 14 and the contact part forms a fulcrum. The motor 21 can swing in the front and back directions around the fulcrum. The shaft portion on the front side U of the motor 21 is used to connect the brush head 3, and the shaft portion of the motor 21 extends out of the cavity of the main body 11. The motor 21 can be a vibration motor. By driving the motor 21, the brush head 3 can be driven to vibrate, so as to obtain a better effect of cleaning teeth.

[0048] Raised ribs are provided in the cavity of the main body 11. The left and right sides of the motor 21 cooperate with the ribs to limit the motor 21, preventing the motor 21 from moving in the left and right directions, and the left and right directions are perpendicular to the front and back directions and the front and back directions.

[0049] As Figures 2 to 5As shown in the figure, the circuit connection unit 4 includes a main board 41, a sub-board 42, a first trigger part 43, a second trigger part 44, and a battery 45. The first trigger part 43 is arranged on the main board 41 and is used to control the working state of the motor 21. The second trigger part 44 is arranged on the sub-board 42 and is used to control the working state of the reminder component. The main board 41 is connected to the front surface F of the bracket 14, and the sub-board 42 is connected to the back surface B of the bracket 14. The main board 41 and the sub-board 42 are connected by wires, enabling signal transmission between the sub-board 42 and the main board 41. The reminder component can be at least one of a sound-emitting component, a light-emitting component, and the motor 21. By triggering the second trigger part 44, the reminder component can emit sound, light, and / or differential vibration to remind the user. The differential vibration can be different from the vibration frequency or vibration intensity used when the motor 21 drives the brush head 3 to clean teeth. The first trigger part 43 is located below the switch button 12. By pressing the switch button 12, the first trigger part 43 can be triggered to close or open.

[0050] The second trigger part 44 can be a touch switch 44a. The touch switch 44a is located on the back surface B of the motor 21. When the motor 21 swings around the fulcrum towards the back surface B, the touch switch 44a can be pressed and triggered to close, thereby controlling and changing the working state of the reminder component.

[0051] The battery 45 is connected to the bracket 14. The battery 45 can be located at the rear side D in the length direction A of the bracket 14. For example, the battery 45 is located at the rear side D of the motor 21.

[0052] The brush head 3 is detachably connected to the front side U of the motor 21. After the brush head 3 is used for a period of time, it can be detached and replaced with a new one. There is a gap between the rear end surface of the brush head 3 and the front end surface of the main body 11. For example, the gap is 2 millimeters. This gap can provide space for the motor 21 and the brush head 3 to swing around the fulcrum towards the front and back sides.

[0053] The elastic member 5 is arranged between the motor 21 and the main body 11 and is made of an elastic material. For example, the elastic member 5 can be annular and is sleeved on the front end of the motor 21. When an external force towards the back surface B acts on the brush head 3, the motor 21 swings around the fulcrum towards the back surface B, causing the motor 21 to compress the elastic member 5. The elastic member 5 can exert an elastic force towards the front surface F of the electric toothbrush on the motor 21. When no external force acts on the brush head 3, the elastic member 5 keeps a gap between the motor 21 and the touch switch 44a.

[0054] Further, the touch switch 44a is located between the elastic member 5 and the fulcrum, such that the distance of the touch switch 44a from the fulcrum is less than the distance of the elastic member 5 from the fulcrum. When the motor 21 swings towards the back surface B, the compression stroke of the elastic member 5 is larger and the stroke of the touch switch 44a is smaller. In this way, the spring constant of the elastic member 5 can be made smaller, and it is easy to select the pressure threshold for triggering the touch switch 44a by choosing elastic members 5 with different spring constants.

[0055] It can be understood that the smaller the spring constant of the elastic member 5, the smaller the force on the brush head 3 when triggering the second trigger portion 44; the larger the spring constant of the elastic member 5, the larger the force on the brush head 3 when triggering the second trigger portion 44. For example, the second trigger portion 44 is triggered when the pressure on the brush head 3 is 100 grams to 500 grams.

[0056] As Figure 3 and Figure 6 shown, the seal 6 is located on the front side U of the bracket 14. The seal 6 fills the gap between the shaft portion of the motor 21 and the main body 11, preventing liquid from entering the interior of the main body 11 and damaging the circuit connection unit 4 such as the main board 41.

[0057] As Figure 7 shown, the motor 21 and the brush head 3 are abstracted and simplified into an elongated rod. The abutting portion of the fixing member 22 and the bracket 14 is regarded as the fulcrum of the elongated rod. The elastic member 5 can be located at any position on the elongated rod, and the second trigger portion 44 is located between the elastic member 5 and the fulcrum. When no pressure is applied to the brush head 3 towards the back surface B, the elongated rod and the switch are separated by a certain distance, and the elongated rod does not trigger the second trigger portion 44. When pressure is applied to the brush head 3 towards the back surface B, the elongated rod rotates around the fulcrum, compressing the elastic member 5 and bringing the elongated rod closer to the second trigger portion 44. When the pressure on the brush head 3 is large and the deformation amount of the elastic member 5 exceeds the set value, the elongated rod can contact and trigger the second trigger portion 44. When the force on the brush head 3 decreases or disappears, the elastic member 5 returns the elongated rod to its original state, and the elongated rod and the second trigger portion 44 are separated, causing the second trigger portion 44 to return to its original state.

[0058] Further, the second trigger portion 44 can be a multi - gear switch. When different magnitudes of force are applied to the brush head 3, the second trigger portion 44 is pressed to different gears, which can feedback different signals, causing the reminder unit to make different feedbacks, such as different volumes of the reminder sound.

[0059] Second Embodiment

[0060] The overall structure of the electric toothbrush according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the overall structure of the electric toothbrush according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, components that are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment are labeled with the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions of these components are omitted.

[0061] As shown Figures 8 to 13 in the figure, the present invention provides an electric toothbrush, which includes a main body unit 1, a driving unit 2, a brush head 3, a circuit connection unit 4, an elastic member 5 and a sealing member 6.

[0062] As shown Figures 10 to 13 in the figure, the bracket 14 is provided with an elastic piece 15. For example, one end of the elastic piece 15 is connected to the bracket 14, and the other end is suspended. A bump 16 may be provided at the suspended end. The elastic piece 15 is located at the back surface B of the motor 21, and the bump 16 protrudes towards the motor 21. When the motor 21 swings towards the back surface B around the fulcrum, the motor 21 presses against the bump 16 to deform the elastic piece 15.

[0063] The second trigger portion 44 includes an elastic piece 15 and a strain gauge 44b. The strain gauge 44b is pasted on the deformable area of the elastic piece 15, and the strain gauge 44b is connected to the main board 41 through a wire. When the brush head 3 is subjected to a pressure towards the back, the driving unit 2 swings backward around the fulcrum, and the motor 21 pressing against the bump 16 can cause the strain gauge 44b to deform together with the elastic piece 15. The electrical signal generated by the deformation of the strain gauge 44b can be transmitted to the main board 41. The electrical signal generated by the strain gauge 44b is related to the degree of deformation of the strain gauge 44b. The chip connected to the main board 41 can process this signal and control the reminder element to make different feedbacks according to different degrees of deformation of the strain gauge 44b, such as different volumes of the reminder sound.

Claims

1. An electric toothbrush, characterized in that, The electric toothbrush includes: A main body (11) which forms a cavity; A driving unit (2) which is at least partially disposed in the cavity of the main body (11), the front side of the driving unit (2) is for mounting a brush head (3), and the driving unit (2) forms a fulcrum in the cavity, the driving unit (2) can swing towards the front and back sides of the electric toothbrush around the fulcrum, and the fulcrum is located at the rear side of the driving unit (2); An elastic member (5) which is disposed between the main body (11) and the driving unit (2) to enable the elastic member (5) to hinder the driving unit (2) from swinging towards the back side of the electric toothbrush, the elastic member (5) is annular, and the elastic member (5) is sleeved on the front end of the driving unit (2); A first trigger portion (43) which is used to change the working state of the driving unit (2); and A second trigger portion (44) which is located on the back side of the driving unit (2), when the driving unit (2) swings towards the back side by a predetermined amount, it can trigger the second trigger portion (44) to change its state, so that the electric toothbrush issues a reminder about excessive force. The second trigger portion (44) is located between the fulcrum and the elastic member (5). The electric toothbrush further includes the brush head (3), and the brush head (3), the second trigger portion (44) and the elastic member (5) are all located on the front side of the fulcrum, The distance between the second trigger portion (44) and the fulcrum is less than the distance between the elastic member (5) and the fulcrum, The second trigger portion (44) is a tactile switch (44a), or The second trigger portion (44) includes a strain gauge (44b), and when the driving unit (2) swings towards the back side, it can cause the strain gauge (44b) to deform, An elastic piece (15) is disposed on the back side of the driving unit (2), and when the driving unit (2) swings towards the back side, it can cause the elastic piece (15) to deform, and the strain gauge (44b) is connected to the deformation area of the elastic piece (15).

2. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein A gap is left between the brush head (3) and the main body (11) to allow the brush head (3) to bend relative to the main body (11).

3. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The tactile switch (44a) is a multi - gear switch.

4. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein, The elastic piece (15) is provided with a convex block (16) protruding towards the driving unit (2).

5. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the cavity of the main body (11), ribs are protruding to prevent the driving unit (2) from moving in the left - right direction of the electric toothbrush.

6. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The elastic member (5) provides a gap between the second trigger portion (44) and the driving unit (2).

7. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The electric toothbrush further includes a seal (6) which fills the gap between the shaft portion of the driving unit (2) and the main body (11).

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