Automatic pause control reset mechanism

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automatically resetting a pause control on an oral irrigator. The method uses a resilient device that stores potential energy when the oral irrigator is turned on or the pause control function is turned off. Then, when the oral irrigator is turned off or placed on its stand, the stored potential energy is released and the pause control function is turned on. The pause control assembly includes a slider coupled to a valve, wherein the slider has a first protrusion; a return portion that contacts the first protrusion of the slider; and a stopper that prevents the return portion from moving in a closed position. The automatic pause control reset may also include a pressure plate and a pressure chamber that respond to changes in fluid pressure to allow the pause control valve to open.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an automatic pause control reset mechanism and, more particularly, to use in a flusher. Background Art

[0002] Some personal care appliances, such as oral irrigators, include a pause mechanism that allows the user to temporarily stop use of the personal care appliance when the personal care appliance is turned on. Typically, the controller allows the user to start or stop the appliance using a button, slider, or some other control mechanism that is designed to be operated by the same hand that holds the personal care appliance or its handle. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates to automatically resetting a pause control valve in a pause control mechanism located on a personal care appliance, such as an oral irrigator. When the appliance is turned off or returned to its handle, the pause control is reset to a pause state, which prevents the appliance from operating until the user turns off the pause control when the user is ready to use the appliance and is holding the handle of the appliance.

[0004] In general, in one aspect, a method for resetting a pause control mechanism of an oral irrigator is provided. The method includes: providing an oral irrigator, the oral irrigator including a handle having a bistable pause control element; placing the oral irrigator in an activated state to allow fluid to flow through a fluid passage of the handle of the oral irrigator; operating the valve via the bistable pause control element to allow fluid to flow through a valve of the handle of the oral irrigator; compressing a resilient device from a first position to a second position; locking the resilient device in the second position by a locking mechanism; releasing the locking mechanism by placing the handle of the oral irrigator on a stand or by switching the oral irrigator to an off state.

[0005] In one aspect, the method further comprises the steps of expanding the resilient device from the second position to the first position after releasing the locking mechanism and setting a pause control element to inhibit fluid flow.

[0006] Generally, in one aspect, an oral irrigator system is provided, the oral irrigator system including an oral irrigator, the oral irrigator including an oral irrigator handle, the oral irrigator handle including a housing having a cavity arranged therein. The cavity includes a pause control assembly, the pause control assembly including: a valve; a sliding member coupled to the valve, wherein the sliding member is configured to move between a first position and a second position, the sliding member also including a first protrusion; a return portion; and a stopper. The return portion includes: a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the first portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end contacts the first protrusion of the sliding member; the second portion having a third end and a fourth end, wherein the second portion also includes a through hole, the through hole being arranged to accommodate a valve body; wherein the second end of the first portion and the third end of the second portion are interconnected to each other. The stopper has an open position and a closed position, wherein the stopper is arranged to prevent the return portion from moving in a third direction opposite to the first direction.

[0007] In one aspect, the system is further configured such that the pause control assembly is configured such that the first position of the slider corresponds to a closed state of the valve and the second position of the slider corresponds to an open state of the valve, wherein when the slider is moved from the first position to the second position, the return portion is moved from the first position to the second position, and when the return portion is moved to the second position, the stopper is arranged to engage and fix the fourth end of the return portion.

[0008] In one aspect, the system is further configured such that the pause control assembly further comprises a resilient device arranged to bias the return portion in a third direction opposite to the first direction.

[0009] In one aspect, the system is further configured such that the pause control assembly further comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge is configured to allow the stopper to rotate in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The hinge comprises a first hinge component disposed on the valve body and a second hinge component disposed on the stopper.

[0010] In one aspect, the system is further configured such that the stopper further includes a first portion extending from the second hinge member in the first direction and a second portion extending from the second hinge member in the third direction.

[0011] In one aspect, the system further comprises a valve body having a second biasing element arranged to bias the first portion of the stopper in a second direction. When the return portion is in the second position, the stopper is arranged to rotate about the hinge in the first rotational direction and engage and secure the fourth end of the return portion in a locked state. The first portion of the stopper further comprises a gripper protruding in the first direction and a ledge protruding in the second direction, wherein when the stopper is in the second position and when the return portion is in the locked state, the ledge is arranged to apply a force in the first direction and the gripper is arranged to apply a force in the second direction.

[0012] In one aspect, the system further includes a stand arranged to receive the oral irrigator handle and arranged to engage the stopper.

[0013] In one aspect, the stand comprises a magnet arranged to bias the second portion of the stop, or the stand comprises a mechanical protrusion arranged to engage the second portion of the stop.

[0014] Generally, in one aspect, an oral irrigator system is provided, the oral irrigator system having an oral irrigator with a handle, the handle including a housing having a cavity arranged therein. The cavity includes: a fluid channel, wherein when the oral irrigator is in an activated state, the fluid flow moves in a first direction substantially parallel to a first axis; a valve arranged to correspondingly inhibit and allow fluid flow through the fluid channel when in a closed state and an open state; a pressure plate arranged to move the pressure plate in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction or a third direction opposite to the second direction when the pressure in the fluid channel increases due to the fluid flow; an elastic device arranged to compress in the second direction or the third direction; and a gated path component. The gated path component has a body, the body including: a first channel arranged in the body and extending in the second direction or the third direction, the first channel having a first end and a second end; a second channel arranged in the body along the first direction and extending at a first angle relative to the first axis, the second channel having a third end and a fourth end; wherein the second end of the first channel and the third end of the second channel are connected to each other as one body.

[0015] In one aspect, the system is further configured such that the handle further comprises: a slider arranged to move from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position and the second position correspond to a closed state and an open state of the valve, respectively; a guide pin arranged in a cavity of the handle of the oral irrigator, the guide pin arranged to move in a first channel and a second channel of the gated path component; an ear fixedly fastened to the slider, the ear comprising a third channel extending in a second direction or a third direction and arranged to slidably engage the guide pin; wherein the fluid flow in the fluid channel generates a first force on the pressure plate along the second direction or the third direction to transform the oral irrigator into an unlocked state.

[0016] In one aspect, the system is further configured such that in an unlocked state, the slider is arranged to move from a first position to a second position, and the slider is arranged to move the guide pin along a second channel of the gating path component, wherein a transition of the slider from the first position to the second position corresponds to a transition of the valve from a closed state to an open state.

[0017] In one aspect, the system is further configured such that when the oral irrigator is in the off state, the slider is arranged to move from the second position to the first position, and the slider is arranged to move the guide pin along the second channel of the gated path component, wherein the transition of the slider from the second position to the first position corresponds to the transition of the valve from the open state to the closed state.

[0018] In one aspect, the system is further configured such that in the open state, the guide pin is further arranged to move in the first channel of the gated path component from the second end to the first end to transition to the locked state.

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

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

[0021] Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating steps for implementing an automatic pause control reset mechanism according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2 is an illustration of an oral irrigator system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a pause control assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 4 is an assembled view of a pause control assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the interior of a valve assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 6 is an illustration of a return portion according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 7 is an illustration of a stopper according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 8 is an illustration of a grip and ledge of a stopper in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a pause control assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] Fig.10 and Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of a stopper according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig.12 and Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of an oral irrigator stand according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0032] Fig.14 , Fig.15 , Fig.16 as well as Fig.17 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the components of the pause control assembly work together.

[0033] Fig.18 , Fig.19 as well as Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of a fluid pressure resettable pause control mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present disclosure relates to a mechanism for automatically resetting an oral irrigator to a paused state when the oral irrigator is turned off or returned to its handle. When the oral irrigator is in the paused state, a pause control button or other user contact located on the handle of the oral irrigator will be used to resume fluid flow through the nozzle of the oral irrigator. If the oral irrigator was not in the paused state when the oral irrigator was previously turned off, for example, if the oral irrigator needs to add more water to its reservoir, then when the oral irrigator is turned on or removed from the handle, liquid may accidentally flow out of the nozzle, possibly spraying water on walls, mirrors, floors, etc. By automatically resetting the oral irrigator to the paused state, when the user wants to resume using the oral irrigator and turns on the appliance or removes the appliance from the handle of the appliance, the user will have more control over the operation of the appliance. For example, the user can release the pause control when the handle of the oral irrigator is close to the mouth.

[0035] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for automatically resetting a pause control on an oral irrigator. The method uses a resilient device that stores potential energy when the oral irrigator is turned on or the pause control function is turned off. Then, when the oral irrigator is turned off or placed on its stand, the stored potential energy is released and turns on the pause control function. The system for automatically resetting the pause control has a pause control assembly that may include: a slider coupled to a valve, wherein the slider has a first protrusion; a return portion that contacts the first protrusion of the slider; and a stopper that prevents the return portion from moving in a closed position. The system for automatically resetting the pause control may also include a pressure plate and a pressure chamber that respond to changes in fluid pressure to allow the pause control valve to open.

[0036] Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 10 for resetting a pause control mechanism of an oral irrigator 104. At step 20, an oral irrigator 104 (eg, Figure 2 ). A bistable pause control is a pause control that can remain in an activated or deactivated state indefinitely without continued user input. For example, a non-bistable pause control would require the user to hold down the pause control to keep the system in a paused state, so that normal operation resumes when the user releases the control. A bistable pause control can include any mechanism that blocks or allows fluid flow through a fluid passage, including the use of valves and sliders or user contacts that allow fluid flow to remain inhibited or flowing until a user input is provided that changes the state of the pause control. This includes blocking and allowing fluid flow through valves to Figures 2 to 20The mechanism of the oral irrigator nozzle shown in FIG. At step 30, the oral irrigator 104 is turned on. The oral irrigator includes a device for generating a pressurized flow, for example, using a pump and a motor. The oral irrigator pump provides fluid flowing through the fluid channel of the oral irrigator handle, for example, as Figures 2 to 20 At step 40, the pause control mechanism is closed, which means that the pause control mechanism does not inhibit fluid flow. For example, the pause control valve is opened to allow fluid to flow through the fluid channel of the oral irrigator handle and through the valve to the nozzle, such as Figures 2 to 20 shown.

[0037] At step 50, a resilient device that can store potential energy as part of an oral irrigator system is compressed. For example, the resilient device can be compressed due to fluid pressure in a fluid channel of the oral irrigator, such as Figures 18 to 20 The resilient device may also be compressed due to movement of other components of the pause control assembly, for example due to mechanical forces of moving components such as a return portion, such as Figures 3 to 9 At step 60, the elastic device is locked in its compressed position. For example, the locking may involve using a mechanical device to apply a force along the compression direction of the elastic device. The force may be provided by Figures 3 to 11 The stopper shown is applied or in Figures 18 to 20 Fluid pressure generated during operation of the oral irrigator is shown. At step 70, the oral irrigator is turned off, such as by stopping power to the motor of the oral irrigator, or the oral irrigator is placed on its stand, and the locking mechanism is released. At optional step 80, after the locking mechanism holding the resilient device in a compressed state is released, the potential energy stored in the resilient device is used to switch a pause control element (e.g., a slider and / or a valve) to an activated state (meaning that the pause control element inhibits fluid flow) to prevent future fluid from flowing through the valve to the oral irrigator nozzle.

[0038] With reference to the accompanying drawings, Figure 2 1 is a diagram of an oral irrigator system 100. The system includes an oral irrigator 104. The oral irrigator 104 may include a water reservoir 101, a motor 103, a pump 105, a pressure relief valve 107, a mechanical strength control valve 111, a valve 140, and a nozzle 109. The water reservoir 101 contains a liquid that is released by the oral irrigator through the nozzle 109. The motor 103 and the pump 105 generate a pressurized flow from the water reservoir 101 to the oral irrigator handle 108 and the nozzle 109. Figure 2 As shown, the oral irrigator has a handle 108, 300 having a housing 112, 304 that surrounds a cavity 116, 306 in which a pause control assembly 120 is housed. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the pause control assembly 120 . Figure 4 is an assembly diagram of the components of the pause control assembly 120 .

[0039] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the pause control assembly 120 includes a valve assembly 124 having a valve body 128 with a first end 132 and a second end 136. The valve body 128 also has a valve 140 positioned between the first end 132 of the valve body 128 and the second end 136 of the valve body 128. Figure 5 1 is a schematic diagram of the interior of the valve body 128. The interior of the valve body 128 includes a fluid passage 144. When the oral irrigator 104 ( Figure 2 When the valve 140 is in the start state S1, the fluid flow 148 can flow from the first end 132 of the valve body to the second end 136 of the valve body through the fluid channel along the first direction dr1. When the valve 140 is closed, the valve 140 blocks the fluid channel 144 and blocks the fluid flow 148 from reaching the nozzle 109 through the fluid channel 144 ( Figure 1 ). The valve 140 may be arranged to completely block the flow of fluid 148 when the valve is fully closed, and to partially block the flow of fluid 148 when the valve 140 is partially closed.

[0040] refer to Figure 3 The pause control assembly 120 also has a slider 152, which is located outside the valve body 128 and has a first end 154 and a second end 158, and a first protrusion 164 on the first end 154. The first protrusion 164 extends along the second direction dr2. The slider 152 also has a user contact 162, which is a protrusion on a surface 163 of the slider facing away from the valve body 128. The user contact 162 is designed to be accessible to the user of the oral irrigator 104 from the outside of the housing 112. The user contact 162 can be a button, a slider, a protrusion, or any other feature that can be moved from one position to another to move the slider from the first position 156 to the second position 160 and / or from the second position 160 to the first position 156 (such as Fig.14 and Fig.15 shown).

[0041] The pause control assembly 120 also includes a return portion 168 positioned between the valve body 128 and the slider 152. Figure 6As shown, the first portion 172 of the return portion 168 extends in a first direction dr1, and the second portion 184 of the return portion 168 extends in a second direction dr2 orthogonal to the first direction dr1. The first portion 172 has a first end 176 and a second end 180 at opposite ends of the first portion 172. The second portion 184 has a third end 188 and a fourth end 192 at opposite ends of the second portion 184. The end 180 of the return portion 168 and the third end 188 of the return portion 168 are connected to each other and can be connected as a whole to create a unit. As shown in FIG. Figure 3 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the first protrusion 164 of the slider 152 contacts the first end 176 of the return portion 168. The second portion 184 of the return portion 168 has a through hole 196 through which the valve body 128 is positioned between the third end 188 and the fourth end 193 of the return portion.

[0042] Back to Figure 3 , the pause control assembly 120 also includes a stopper 208, which is located outside the valve body 128 and opposite the return portion 168 and the slider 152. The valve body 128 also includes a resilient device 220, which is located outside the valve body 128 and between the first end 132 and the second end 136 of the valve body 128. The resilient device 220 is positioned so that it contacts the return portion 168 at one end and contacts the valve body 128 at the opposite end. The resilient device 220 can be a spring, or the resilient device 220 can be any device that can store and release potential energy or compress and expand in response to the movement of the return portion 168.

[0043] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the pause control assembly 120 also includes a hinge 224 having a first hinge part 228 and a second hinge part 232. The first hinge part 228 is positioned on the valve body 128 and between the first end 132 and the second end 136 of the valve body. The first hinge part 228 is fastened to the valve body 128 and is oriented so that it can work in conjunction with the second hinge part 232 located on the stopper 208. The valve body 128 also includes a second biasing element 244, which is fixed to the valve body 128 and between the first end 132 and the second end 136. The second biasing element 244 is positioned so that it can contact the stopper 208. The second biasing element 244 can be a spring or any flexible material capable of storing and releasing potential energy. The second biasing element 244 is positioned so that it can apply a force 246 substantially along the second direction dr2.

[0044] like Figure 7As shown, the stopper 208 also includes a first portion 236 extending from the second hinge member 232 along a first direction dr1, and a second portion 240 extending from the second hinge member 232 along a third direction dr3 opposite to the first direction. The first portion 236 of the stopper has a grip 248 and a ledge 252 at an end of the first portion 236 opposite to the end of the first portion 236 having the hinge member 232. Figure 8 As shown, the gripper 248 extends along the first direction dr1 and has a first surface 250 extending along the first direction dr1 and facing the second direction dr2. The ledge 252 extends along the second direction dr2 and has a first surface 254 extending along the second direction dr2 and having a surface facing the first direction dr1. The first surface 254 of the ledge 252 does not extend beyond the first portion 236 of the stopper 208 along the second direction dr2. The first surface 250 of the gripper 248 and the first surface 254 of the ledge 252 are positioned so that they are adjacent and perpendicular to each other and a cavity is created in the space between and opposite to the first surface 250 and the first surface 254.

[0045] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of components of the pause control assembly 120. The slider 152 is in the second position 160 (which corresponds to the open valve 140). Adjacent the slider 152 in the second direction dr2 is the return portion 168. The return portion 168 is also in its second position 204. The first protrusion 164 of the slider 152 contacts the first end 176 of the return portion 168. The valve body 128 is received in the through hole 196 of the return portion 168 (not shown) and between the third end 188 and the fourth end 192 of the return portion 168. The stop 208 is in its second and closed position 216. The stop 208 is arranged so that the gripper 248 and the ledge 252 positioned on the first portion 236 of the stop 208 receive the fourth end 192 of the return portion 168. The gripper 248 exerts a force on the return portion 168 along the second direction dr2. The ledge 252 of the stopper 208 exerts a force on the return portion 168 along the first direction dr1 and prevents the return portion 168 from moving along the third direction dr3. The return portion 168 is in a locked state.

[0046] refer to Fig.10 and Fig.11 , along with the return section 168 ( Fig.10 and Fig.112 and 3. The fourth end of the return 192 (not shown) moves from its first position 200 to its second position 204 and moves along the first direction dr1, along the stop 208, which rotates about the hinge 224 along the first rotational direction RD1. This compresses the second biasing elements 244, 232, which apply a force to the stop 208 in the second direction dr2. As the fourth end of the return 192 moves in the first direction dr1, it falls into the cavity created by the grip 248 and the ledge 252 of the stop. The force from the second biasing element 244 against the stop 208 in the second direction dr2 and the force applied by the grip 248 in the second direction dr2 prevents the stop from rotating further in the first rotational direction rd1 and prevents the through hole 196 of the return 168 from extending beyond the ledge 252 of the stop 208. The return is prevented from moving in a third direction dr3 opposite to the first direction dr1. When the second portion 240 of the stopper 208 is further pulled in the second direction dr2 and the stopper 208 drives the hinges 224 and 232 to further rotate in the first rotation direction DR1, the through hole 196 of the return portion 168 moves through the ledge 252 of the stopper 208, and the return portion can move in the third direction dr3.

[0047] refer to Fig.12 and Fig.13 , the oral irrigator system 100 also includes a stand 264 that is arranged to accommodate the oral irrigator handle 108. The stand 264 is configured to have an exterior on which the oral irrigator handle 108 can be placed in a fixed and regular position. Fig.12 ), the stand 264 includes a magnet 268 that is disposed in or on the stand 264 so that it is proximate to the pause control assembly 120 located inside the housing 112 of the oral irrigator handle 108. The magnet 268 is disposed to exert a force Fma toward the magnet 268 on the second portion 240 of the stopper 208 of the pause control assembly 120 and in a second direction dr2 away from the valve body 128 of the pause control assembly 120 located in the housing 112. In another example (as Fig.13 ), the stand 264 includes a mechanical protrusion 272, which is located on the exterior of the stand 264 and is arranged so that it can contact the oral irrigator handle 108. The mechanical protrusion 272 contacts the stopper 208 of the pause control assembly 120 through the through hole 114 of the housing 112 and through the through hole 242 of the second portion 240 of the stopper 208, so that the mechanical protrusion exerts a force Fme on the stopper 208 along the second direction dr2 away from the valve body 128 of the pause control assembly 120 and toward the stand 264.

[0048] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the components of the pause control assembly 120 is provided. Using the slider 152 and the toothed contact member 276 on the valve 140 (see also Figure 3 ), the sliding member 152 contacts the valve 140, so that the valve 140 can move and open and close when the sliding member 152 moves. The sliding member 152 and the return portion 168 are also connected to each other, so that when the sliding member 152 moves along the first direction dr1, the return portion 168 can move with the sliding member 152. Figure 3 , Figure 4 as well as Fig. 9 As shown, the first protrusion 164 of the slider 152 contacts the first end 176 of the return portion 168, so that when the slider 152 moves from its first position 172 to its second position 176 along the first direction dr1 (as shown in FIG. Fig.15 ), the slider 152 moves the return portion 168 along the first direction dr1. When the slider 152 moves along the third direction dr3, the slider 152 does not move the return portion 168 along the third direction dr3. The contact between the first protrusion 164 of the slider 152 and the first end 176 of the return portion 168 does not generate a force on the return portion 168 in the third direction dr3.

[0049] like Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, when the slide 152 moves from the first position 156 to the second position 160 (as shown in FIG. Fig.15 As shown), the valve 140 also changes from a closed state to an open state (as shown Fig.15 The return portion 168 (which contacts the slide member 152 so as to move along the first direction dr1 with the slide member 152) also moves from its first position 200 to its second position 204 (as shown). Fig.15 When valve 140 is opened, fluid flow 148 through fluid passage 144 moves to nozzle 109. Fig.15 As shown, by moving the slider 152 from the second position 160 to the first position 156, the fluid flow 148 through the fluid passage 144 can be suspended, which changes the valve from an open state to a closed state. When the return portion 168 moves from the first position 200 to the second position 204, the return portion 168 compresses the elastic device 220 (such as Fig.15 ), the resilient device 220 now stores potential energy that can be released. Additionally, when the return portion 168 moves to the second position 204, the stopper moves from the first and open position 212 (as shown in FIG. Fig.14 as shown) moves to the closed and second position 216.

[0050] like Fig.16As shown, by moving the slider 152 from the first position 156 to the second position 160, fluid flow 148 through the fluid passage 144 to the nozzle 109 can be restored, which changes the valve 140 from the closed state to the open state. Fig.16 and Fig.17 As shown, after the slider 152 moves to the second position 160 , the stopper is in the second and closed position 216 , which locks the return portion 168 so that the return portion 168 does not move and the elastic device 220 remains in a compressed state storing potential energy. Fig.17 264. The detent is shown unlocked, or moved from the closed and second position 216 to the open and first position 212. Fig.12 and Fig.13 2, a force F is applied in the second direction dr2, toward the upright 264. This force moves the stopper 208 toward the upright 264 and from the closed position 216 to the open position 212. The return portion 168 is no longer blocked from moving. The potential energy stored in the compressed elastic device 220 is released and the elastic device 220 expands. The elastic device 220 (as shown in FIG. 2 ) in contact with the return portion 168 is Figure 3 264) moves the return portion 168 from the second position 204 to the first position 200. When the return portion 168 and the slider 152 are in contact at the point where the protrusion 164 of the slider 152 meets the first end 176 of the return portion 168, the force from the elastic device 220 on the return portion 168 along the third direction dr3 also moves the slider 152 from the second position 160 to the first position 156, which moves the valve 140 from the open state to the closed state. If the valve 140 is already in the closed state and the slider is in the first position 156, when the handle 108 is placed on the stand 264, the elastic device 220 exerts a force on the return portion 168 to move it from the second position 204 to the first position 200, so that the return portion 168 and the slider 152 are now in contact with each other, wherein the first protrusion 164 meets the first end 176 of the slider 152.

[0051] Fig.18 and Fig.19 An exemplary oral irrigator handle 300 having a pause control reset mechanism is shown. The oral irrigator handle 300 includes a housing 304 having a cavity 306 containing a fluid passage 308. Fig.19 , when the oral irrigator 104 ( Figure 1 When the fluid flow 312 is in the activated state S1, it moves along the first direction dr1 substantially parallel to the first axis 316. The oral irrigator handle 300 includes a valve 320, which is arranged to close 396 ( Fig.18312 is blocked from flowing through the fluid passage 308 to the nozzle 109, and when the valve 320 is opened 392 ( Fig.18 The cavity 306 includes a pressure plate 324 and a pressure chamber 328 adjacent to the fluid channel 308 (as shown). Fig.19 312 ), which are arranged to respond to pressure changes in the fluid channel 308 caused by the fluid flow 312. The pressure plate 324 extends in a first direction dr1 and has a surface facing a second direction dr2 or a third direction dr3, both of which are orthogonal to the first direction dr1. Adjacent to the pressure plate 324 and on the opposite side of the fluid channel 308 of the pressure plate 324, there is an elastic device 332, which is arranged to compress in the second direction dr2 or the third direction dr3 in response to the fluid pressure in the fluid channel 308 to generate a first force Fp against the surface of the pressure plate 324 in the second direction dr2 or the third direction dr3. When the first force Fp is applied to the pressure plate 324 and the pressure plate 324 moves, the elastic device 332 is compressed. The elastic device 332 can be a spring or any device capable of storing and releasing potential energy.

[0052] like Fig.19 As shown, the gated path component 336 is positioned in the cavity 306 adjacent to the pressure plate 324, and the elastic device 332 is along a fourth direction dr4 orthogonal to the first direction dr1, the second direction dr2, and the third direction dr3. Fig. 20 As shown, the gated path component 336 has a body 340 having a first channel 344 and a second channel 356. The first channel 344 extends along the second direction dr2 or the third direction dr3, and has a first end 348 and a second end 352. The second channel 356 extends along the first direction dr1 and at a first angle 382 relative to the first axis 316, and has a third end 360 and a fourth end 364. The second end 352 of the first channel 344 and the third end 360 of the second channel 356 are connected to each other as a whole.

[0053] refer to Fig.18 and Fig.19, a guide pin 372 extending in a fourth direction dr4 is arranged between the pressure plate 324 and the elastic device 332 and in the body 340 of the gated path component 336. The guide pin 372 is located in the body 340 of the gated path component 336 and can move along the first channel 344 and the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336. Since the guide pin 372 is located between the pressure plate 324 and the elastic device 332, the movement of the guide pin 372 is limited by the pressure plate 324 and the elastic device 332. On the outside of the oral irrigator housing 304, there is a sliding member 368, which can be moved from the first position 400 (such as Fig.18 404 (as shown) Fig.19 The first position 400 of the slider 368 corresponds to the closed state 396 of the valve 320 (as shown in FIG. Fig.18 The second position 404 of the slider 368 corresponds to the open state 392 of the valve 320, which allows the fluid flow 312 to pass through the valve 320 (as shown). Fig.19 ). The ear protector 376 is located in the cavity 306 of the oral irrigator handle 300 and is fixedly fixed to the slider 368. The ear protector 376 has a third channel 380 extending in the second direction dr2 or the third direction dr3, and the guide pin 372 is arranged so that it can slide along the third channel 380.

[0054] When the oral irrigator is turned off and in the off state S2, no fluid flows 312 through the fluid passage 308 ( Fig.18 ).like Fig.19As shown, when the oral irrigator is turned on and is in the start-up state S1, the fluid flow 312 begins to pass through the fluid channel 308 causing a first force Fp to be generated in the fluid channel 308. The first force Fp pushes against the surface of the pressure plate 324 and moves the pressure plate 324 in the second direction dr2 or the third direction dr3, which is orthogonal to the first direction dr1 along which the fluid flow 312 moves. The first force Fp moves the pressure plate 324 and compresses the elastic device 332. The guide pin 372 is positioned between the pressure plate 324 and the elastic device 332 and is also subjected to Fp. The guide pin 372 is arranged to move along the third channel 380 of the earmuff and the first channel 344 and the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336. When the oral irrigator is in the off state S2 and the slider 368 is in the first position 400 (corresponding to the closed valve 396), the third channel 380 of the ear protector 376 is aligned with the first channel 344 of the gated path component 336, so that the guide pin 372 can move along the third channel 380 in the second third direction dr2 or dr3 and can move along the first channel 344 of the gated path component 336 from the first end 348 to the second end 352 (see FIG. Fig.18 and Fig. 20 ).

[0055] refer to Fig.18 and Fig.19 , when the oral irrigator is in the activated state S1 and the first force Fp in the fluid channel 308 increases, the pressure plate 324 moves away from the fluid channel 308, and the guide pin 372 can move along the third channel 380 in the second or third direction dr2 or dr3, and can move along the first channel 344 of the gated path component 336 from the first end 348 to the second end 352. Once the guide pin 372 reaches the second end 352 of the first channel 344 of the gated path component 336, the guide pin 372 can move along the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336. This (the guide pin 372 is able to move along the second channel 356) corresponds to the unlocked state S3. Because the slider 368 is connected to the guide pin 372 by the ear 376, the slider 368 can move from the first position 400 ( dr1 ) to the second end 352 of the first channel 344 of the gated path component 336. Fig.18 ) moves to the second position 404 ( Fig.19 ). Thus, when the power to the oral irrigator is activated S1, and after the first force Fp moves the guide pin 372 to the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336, the slider can only move to the second position 404 corresponding to the open state of the valve 392. As the slider is moved from the first position 400 to the second position 404 (which opens the valve 320 and allows fluid flow 312 to pass through the fluid channel 308 and enter the nozzle 109 (as shown in FIG. 1 ), the slider 302 is moved to the second position 404 corresponding to the open state of the valve 392. Figure 2 364 ), the guide pin 372 moves along the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336 from the third end 360 to the fourth end 364. When there is fluid in the fluid channel 308 that generates the first force Fp against the pressure plate 324, and the guide pin 372 can move along the second channel 356 of the gated path component, the user can move the slider between the first position 400 and the second position 404 and return to the first position 400 to pause and unpause the flow of fluid to the nozzle 109 (see Fig.19 and Fig. 20 ).

[0056] When the oral irrigator is turned off and the slider 368 is in the second position 404 (corresponding to the open valve 392), the fluid flow 312 through the fluid passage 308 is reduced and the force Fs (eg, Fig.18 ), moving the pressure plate 324 toward the fluid channel 308. The force Fs from the expanded elastic device 332 moves the guide pin 372 along the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336 from the fourth end 364 to the third end 360 (as shown). Fig. 20 316). The second channel 356 is positioned at a first angle 382 relative to the first axis 316, and when the guide pin 372 moves toward the fluid channel 308 along the second or third direction dr2 or dr3, the guide pin 372 also moves in a direction opposite to the first direction due to the oblique orientation of the second channel 356. The force Fs of the expanded elastic device 332 causes the guide pin 372 to move along the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336 to the first channel 344. The guide pin 372 is connected to the ear 376 connected to the slider 368, and the slider 368 moves from the second position 404 to the first position 400 (corresponding to the closed valve 396). Once the guide pin 372 is in the first channel 344, it can move from the second end 352 to the first end 348 along the second or third direction dr2 or dr3 along the third channel 380 of the ear 376 and along the first channel 344 of the gated path component 336 toward the fluid channel 308. The guide pin 372 is positioned between the pressure plate 324 and the resilient device 332 such that as the resilient device 332 expands and moves the guide pin 372, the pressure plate 324 also moves toward the fluid passage 308. When the resilient device 332 has expanded and the guide pin 372 is located at the first end 348 of the gated path component, this corresponds to the locked state S4 (eg, Fig.18 When the oral irrigator is activated, the slider 368 cannot be moved to the second position 404 corresponding to the open valve 392 until a first force Fp is generated in the fluid passage 308 due to the fluid flow 312.

[0057] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0058] The indefinite articles "a" and "an" as used in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "at least one" unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

[0059] The phrase "and / or" as used herein in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "one or both" of the elements so coupled, i.e., the elements are present in combination in some cases and not in combination in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be interpreted in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so coupled. In addition to the elements explicitly identified by the "and / or" phrase, other elements, whether related or unrelated to those explicitly identified elements, may optionally be present.

[0060] As used herein in the specification and claims, "or" shall be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" shall be interpreted as inclusive, i.e., including at least one, but also more than one or a certain number of elements or a series of elements, as well as optional other unlisted items. Only terms that are clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of" or "exactly one of", or when used in the claims, "consisting of...", will refer to including exactly one of a plurality of elements or list elements. In general, when "or" is preceded by an exclusive term, such as "any one", ""one of", "only one of", or "exactly one of", the term "or" used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., "one or the other but not both").

[0061] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "at least one" with respect to a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each element specifically listed in the list of elements, nor excluding any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows for the optional presence of elements other than those explicitly identified in the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those explicitly identified elements.

[0062] It should also be understood that in any method claimed herein that includes more than one step or action, the order of the steps or actions of the method is not necessarily limited to the order of the steps or actions described in the method unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

[0063] In the claims and the above specification, all transitional phrases such as "comprising", "including", "carrying", "having", "containing", "involving", "holding", "composed of", etc. should be understood as open-ended, i.e., meaning including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0064] Although several creative embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily conceive of various other means and / or structures for performing functions and / or obtaining results and / or one or more advantages described herein, and each of such changes and / or modifications is considered to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are intended to be exemplary and that actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the specific application for which the teachings of the present invention are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to determine many equivalents of the specific inventive embodiments described herein using only routine experiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented only by way of example, and within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, embodiments of the present invention may be practiced in a manner different from that specifically described and claimed. The inventive embodiments of the present disclosure relate to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods is included in the inventive scope of the present invention if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods do not contradict each other.

Claims

1. An oral irrigator system (100), comprising an oral irrigator (104), the oral irrigator (104) comprising an oral irrigator handle (108), the oral irrigator handle (108) comprising a housing (112), the housing having a cavity (116) disposed therein, the cavity comprising a pause control assembly (120), the pause control assembly (120) comprising: Valve (140); a slider (152) coupled to the valve, wherein the slider is configured to move between a first position (156) and a second position (160), the slider further comprising a first protrusion (164); A return portion (168), the return portion (168) comprising: a first portion (172) extending along a first direction, the first portion comprising a first end (176) and a second end (180), wherein the first end contacts the first protrusion of the sliding member; and a second portion (184) extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the second portion having a third end (188) and a fourth end (192), wherein the second portion further comprises a through hole (196) arranged to receive a valve body; wherein the second end of the first part and the third end of the second part are connected to each other; A stopper (208) has an open position (212) and a closed position (216), wherein the stopper (208) is arranged to prevent movement of the return portion (168) in a third direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The oral irrigator system (100) of claim 1, wherein the pause control assembly is configured such that the first position of the slider (152) corresponds to a closed state of the valve (140), and the second position (160) of the slider corresponds to an open state of the valve, wherein when the slider is moved from the first position to the second position, the return portion (168) is moved from a first position (200) to a second position (204), and when the return portion is moved to the second position, the stopper (208) is arranged to engage and secure the fourth end (192) of the return portion.

3. The oral irrigator system (100) of claim 1, wherein the pause control assembly further comprises a resilient device (220) arranged to bias the return portion (168) in a third direction opposite to the first direction.

4. The oral irrigator system (100) of claim 1, wherein the pause control assembly further comprises a hinge, the hinge comprising: A first hinge member (228) disposed on the valve body (128); as well as a second hinge member (232) disposed on the stopper (208); The hinge is configured to allow the stopper to rotate in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

5. The oral irrigator system (100) of claim 4, wherein the stopper (208) further comprises a first portion (236) and a second portion (240), the first portion (236) extending from the second hinge member (232) along the first direction, and the second portion (240) extending from the second hinge member along the third direction.

6. The oral irrigator system (100) of claim 5, further comprising a valve body (128) having a second biasing element (244) arranged to bias the first portion (236) of the stopper in the second direction; and wherein when the return portion (168) is in the second position (204), the stopper is arranged to rotate about the hinge (224) along the first rotational direction and engage and secure the fourth end (192) of the return portion in a locked state; and The first portion of the stop member (208) further includes a gripper (248) and a ledge (252), wherein the gripper (248) protrudes along the first direction and the ledge (252) protrudes along the second direction, wherein when the stop member (216) is in the second position (216) and the return portion is in a locked state, the ledge is arranged to apply force along the first direction and the gripper is arranged to apply force along the second direction.

7. The oral irrigator system (100) of claim 1, further comprising a stand (264) arranged to receive the oral irrigator handle and arranged to engage the stop (208).

8. The oral irrigator system (100) of claim 7, wherein the stand (264) includes a magnet (268) arranged to bias the second portion of the stop (240); or, The stand comprises a mechanical projection (272) arranged to engage with the second portion of the stop.

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