A vibration energy harvester for powering an electric toothbrush

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibration energy collector for power supply of an electric toothbrush, comprising a vibration beam (1) and a vibration amplification device, the vibration beam (1) is an arched iron sheet with MFC sheet (2) pasted on the inner side of several concaves, the vibration amplification device comprises an iron ball (3) and a spring (4). Compared with the prior art, the invention has the advantages of high system output power, long service life, stable work and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electric toothbrush technology, and more specifically to a vibration energy harvester for powering an electric toothbrush. Background Technology

[0002] To better protect people's dental health, various electric toothbrushes have emerged, using high-frequency vibration or sonic drive to achieve cleaning, thanks to continuous technological advancements. Electric toothbrushes can quickly break down toothpaste into fine foam through high-frequency vibration, thus deeply cleaning between teeth. Compared to ordinary toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes can remove up to 38% more plaque. Simultaneously, the vibration of electric toothbrushes can promote blood circulation in the mouth, massaging the gum tissue. However, most electric toothbrushes currently on the market are battery-powered, requiring regular replacement or charging, which is inconvenient, has a short lifespan, and can easily pollute the environment.

[0003] Currently, vibration energy harvesters mainly employ two conversion methods: piezoelectric and electromagnetic. Electromagnetic harvesters have lower output voltages and larger device sizes, resulting in lower harvesting efficiency under high-frequency, low-amplitude excitation. Piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters, on the other hand, offer advantages such as simple structure, higher power density, and higher output voltage. However, traditional piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters primarily use piezoelectric ceramic sheets, which are very brittle and prone to weathering, easily cracking during operation and thus affecting recovery efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vibration energy harvester for powering an electric toothbrush.

[0005] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solution: a vibration energy harvester for powering an electric toothbrush, comprising a vibration beam and a vibration amplification device, wherein the vibration beam is an arched iron sheet with several concave inner surfaces pasted with MFC sheets, and the vibration amplification device comprises an iron ball and a spring.

[0006] This invention employs a piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting device. It utilizes the piezoelectric effect to convert the vibration energy generated during the use of an electric toothbrush into electrical energy, thereby powering the toothbrush. The MFC (piezoelectric ceramic fiber sheet) provides higher performance, flexibility, and reliability; it is less prone to short circuits, weathering, and cracking; has a long service life; high electromechanical conversion efficiency; low stiffness; and internal electrodes ensure the stability of the harvester. The MFC sheet is adhered to the inner concave surface of the vibration beam, allowing for greater deformation during vibration and preventing it from detaching, thus extending the device's lifespan.

[0007] Preferably, the MFC sheet is selected from commercially available M2807-P2, M2814-P2, M2814-P3, etc.

[0008] Preferably, the vibration amplification device consists of two iron balls and a spring.

[0009] Preferably, the vibration amplification device includes two iron balls located at the upper and lower ends of the vibrating beam, connected by a spring. The vibration amplification device has a simple structure and high reliability. Furthermore, the iron balls are interconnected and mutually restrictive, enabling better amplification of vibrations generated during use, resulting in significant deformation of the vibrating beam and thus increasing the system's output power.

[0010] Preferably, the vibration amplification device is disposed between each vibration beam.

[0011] More preferably, the diameter of the spring is slightly smaller than the minimum diameter formed by the convex surfaces of each vibrating beam. By using a spring with a diameter slightly smaller than the minimum diameter formed by the convex surfaces of each vibrating beam for fixation, the vibration amplification device can be reliably displaced while simultaneously amplifying vibrations in multiple directions, thereby improving the energy harvesting efficiency of the device.

[0012] More preferably, the diameter of the iron ball is larger than the minimum diameter enclosed by the convex surfaces of each vibrating beam.

[0013] Preferably, the upper and lower ends of the vibration beam are fixed in the grooves inside the electric toothbrush housing.

[0014] More preferably, the height of the upper end of the groove is slightly greater than the thickness of the vibration beam, so as to ensure that the vibration beam can produce greater deformation when the electric toothbrush housing vibrates.

[0015] More preferably, the inner side of each groove is provided with a soft pad to reduce the frictional damping of the upper end of the vibrating beam during use, and to a certain extent reduce noise and extend the service life of the equipment.

[0016] Preferably, both ends of the electrodes of all MFC sheets are connected to the interface circuit via wires to convert the AC power output by the MFC sheets into DC power, which can be directly used by DC micro motors or stored in a battery, and used to power electric toothbrushes when necessary.

[0017] Preferably, two MFC sheets are attached to the inner side of the concave surface of each vibrating beam.

[0018] Preferably, the thickness of the MFC sheet is 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0019] Preferably, the thickness of the iron sheet is 0.1 to 1.3 mm.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0021] 1. This invention uses two small iron balls connected by springs at the upper and lower ends of a vibrating beam as a vibration amplification device. Its structure is simple and highly reliable. The small iron balls are interconnected and mutually restrictive, which can better amplify the vibration generated during use, causing the vibrating beam to deform significantly, thereby improving the system output power.

[0022] 2. The present invention uses MFC sheets to be pasted on the inner side of the concave surface of the arched vibrating beam. During the vibration process, the deformation of the MFC sheets is large and they are not easy to fall off, thus extending the service life of the device.

[0023] 3. This invention uses MFC (piezoelectric ceramic fiber sheet) instead of ordinary piezoelectric ceramic sheet, which can provide higher performance, flexibility and reliability. It is not easy to short circuit, weathering and cracking, has a long service life, high electromechanical conversion efficiency, low stiffness and built-in electrodes, which ensures the stability of the data collector.

[0024] 4. The present invention provides soft pads in the grooves inside the electric toothbrush housing to reduce the frictional damping of the upper end of the vibration beam during use, and to a certain extent reduce noise and extend the service life of the device.

[0025] 5. In this invention, the vibration amplification device is fixed by using a spring with a diameter slightly smaller than the minimum diameter formed by the convex surfaces of each vibration beam. This ensures that the vibration amplification device can be displaced within a reliable range while effectively amplifying vibrations in multiple directions, thereby improving the energy harvesting efficiency of the device.

[0026] 6. In this invention, the electrodes of all MFC sheets are connected to the interface circuit via wires to convert the output AC power into DC power, which can be directly used by DC micro motors or stored in a battery, and used to power electric toothbrushes when necessary.

[0027] 7. This invention can collect vibration energy in multiple directions with high energy collection efficiency;

[0028] 8. This invention, through the combined design of a vibrating beam and a vibration amplification device, enables the efficient and full recycling of vibrations generated in all directions during the use of an electric toothbrush. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vibration energy harvester structure for powering an electric toothbrush, as shown in the embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a front cross-sectional view of a vibration energy harvester that powers an electric toothbrush, as shown in the embodiment.

[0031] In the diagram: 1-Vibration beam, 2-MFC sheet, 3-Iron ball, 4-Spring, 5-Shell. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The following embodiments are implemented based on the technical solution of the present invention, providing detailed implementation methods and specific operating procedures; however, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] A vibration energy harvester for powering an electric toothbrush comprises two main parts: a vibration amplification device and a vibration beam 1. The vibration beam 1 consists of several arched iron sheets, fixed at their upper and lower ends to grooves inside the electric toothbrush housing 5. Each vibration beam 1 is affixed with several MFC sheets 2. The vibration amplification device consists of two small iron balls 3 located at the upper and lower ends of the vibration beam 1, connected by springs 4. This allows the small iron balls 2 to interact and restrain each other, amplifying the vibrations generated during use and causing significant deformation of the vibration beam 1. When the electric toothbrush housing 5 vibrates, the two small balls 3 in the vibration amplification device strike the vibration beam 1, causing deformation of the MFC sheets 2 attached to the vibration beam 1, thereby recovering vibration energy.

[0035] Example 2

[0036] A vibration energy harvester for powering an electric toothbrush includes a groove of a certain width inside the toothbrush housing, each groove containing a soft pad to reduce frictional damping. The upper and lower ends of a vibration beam 1 are respectively secured within the groove, with the upper groove height slightly greater than the thickness of the vibration beam 1 to ensure greater deformation during vibration. A vibration amplification device is fixed using a spring 4 with a diameter slightly smaller than the minimum diameter formed by the convex surfaces of each vibration beam 1. This ensures reliable displacement of the vibration amplification device while effectively converting multi-directional vibrations into deformation of the vibration beam 1, improving the energy harvesting efficiency of the device. The rest is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0037] Example 3

[0038] A vibration energy harvester for powering an electric toothbrush utilizes the piezoelectric effect of MFC to convert the vibration energy generated during the use of the electric toothbrush into electrical energy and store it for use, thereby achieving the purpose of powering the electric toothbrush.

[0039] Specifically, such as Figure 1As shown, this invention mainly includes a vibrating beam 1 and a vibration amplification device. The vibrating beam 1 is composed of several uniformly sized iron sheets bent into an arch shape, with MFC sheets 2 adhered to the concave surface of the arch. The electric toothbrush housing 5 has a groove of a certain width on its inner side, and the upper and lower ends of the vibrating beam 1 are respectively fixed in the groove. The height of the upper groove is slightly greater than the thickness of the vibrating beam 1 to ensure that the vibrating beam 1 can produce greater deformation during vibration. The vibration amplification device consists of two small iron balls 3 located at the upper and lower ends of the vibrating beam 1, connected by a spring 4. The vibration amplification device is fixed by using springs 4 with a diameter slightly smaller than the minimum diameter formed by the convex surfaces of each vibrating beam 1.

[0040] Furthermore, in this invention, the electrodes of all MFC sheets 2 attached to the vibrating beam 1 are connected to the interface circuit via wires to convert the AC power output by the MFC sheets 2 into DC power, which can be directly used by the DC micro motor or stored in the battery, and used to power the electric toothbrush when necessary.

[0041] Furthermore, soft pads are provided in the grooves inside the electric toothbrush housing 5 to reduce the frictional damping of the upper end of the vibration beam 1 during use, and to a certain extent reduce noise and extend the service life of the device.

[0042] The working principle of the vibration energy harvester of this invention is as follows:

[0043] The main power supply method is as follows: When in use, the user presses the electric toothbrush switch to activate the cleaning mode. The internal motor of the electric toothbrush starts working, causing the electric toothbrush housing 5 to vibrate at a high frequency and micro-amplitude. The two small iron balls 3 also begin to vibrate. Since the spring 4 connects the two small iron balls 3, they continuously generate interaction forces during vibration, which increases the amplitude of the small iron balls 3. This causes the vibrating beam 1 to continuously deform and vibrate, and the MFC sheet 2 attached to it also deforms. Due to the piezoelectric effect, as the MFC sheet 2 continuously deforms, the charge on the MFC sheet 2 continuously moves directionally to the electrodes on both sides, thereby generating a continuous and stable AC voltage output to the interface circuit connected to the two ends of the electrodes of the MFC sheet 2, which is then converted into DC voltage.

[0044] The auxiliary power supply method is that during use or travel, the electric toothbrush housing 5 will be displaced to a certain extent, which will cause the two small iron balls 3 inside to move and hit the vibration beam 1, causing the MFC sheet 2 to deform. Its charge will continuously move to the electrodes on both sides, generating a continuous and stable AC voltage output to the interface circuit.

[0045] This invention provides a vibration energy harvester for powering an electric toothbrush. By placing an MFC-based vibration energy harvesting device at the bottom of the electric toothbrush, voltage and current are generated by the deformation of the MFC (piezoelectric ceramic fiber sheet) during user use. These voltages and currents are then directly supplied to a DC micro motor via an interface circuit or stored in a micro battery to provide power to the electric toothbrush, thereby extending its usage time.

[0046] The above description of the embodiments is provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand and use the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to these embodiments, and the general principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without inventive effort. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and any improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vibration energy harvester for powering an electric toothbrush, characterized in that, It comprises a vibrating beam (1) and a vibrating amplification device, the vibrating beam (1) is a number of arched iron sheets with MFC sheets (2) pasted on the inner side of the concave surface, the vibrating amplification device comprises iron balls (3) and springs (4); The vibrating amplification device comprises two iron balls (3) at the upper and lower ends of the vibrating beam (1), the iron balls (3) are connected by springs (4); The vibrating amplification device is arranged between the vibrating beams (1); The diameter of the spring (4) is slightly smaller than the minimum diameter of the convex surface of the vibrating beam (1); The diameter of the iron ball (3) is larger than the minimum diameter of the convex surface of the vibrating beam (1).

2. The electrically powered toothbrush powered vibration energy harvester of claim 1, wherein, The upper and lower ends of the vibrating beam (1) are fixed in the grooves on the inner side of the electric toothbrush shell (5).

3. The electrically powered toothbrush powered vibration energy harvester of claim 2, wherein, The height of the upper end of the groove is slightly larger than the thickness of the vibrating beam (1).

4. The electrically powered toothbrush powered vibration energy harvester of claim 2, wherein, The inner side of the groove is provided with a soft gasket.

5. The electrically powered toothbrush powered vibration energy harvester of claim 1, wherein, The electrodes of all MFC sheets (2) are connected to the interface circuit through wires, and the output alternating current is converted into direct current.

6. The electrically powered toothbrush powered vibration energy harvester of claim 1, wherein, Two MFC sheets (2) are pasted on the inner side of the concave surface of each vibrating beam (1).

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