An electric toothbrush and its shock-absorbing structure

Abstract

This invention provides an electric toothbrush and its shock-absorbing structure. The shock-absorbing structure includes: a counterweight bracket connected to the tail of the motor of the electric toothbrush; and two counterweights respectively connected to both sides of the counterweight bracket. The counterweight bracket is an elastic bracket configured to transmit the vibration of the tail of the motor to the two counterweights, causing the two counterweights to swing left and right when subjected to the vibration, thereby at least partially canceling the vibration. The advantage of this invention is that it can at least partially cancel the vibration of the motor tail, thereby reducing the transmission of vibration to the handle, reducing noise, and improving the user's grip experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electric toothbrushes, and in particular to an electric toothbrush and its shock-absorbing structure. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of the economy and technology, people's living standards are constantly improving, and their requirements for toothbrushes are also increasing. Currently, electric toothbrushes, as a convenient and efficient brushing tool, are gaining popularity among consumers.

[0003] Current electric toothbrushes typically have a motor installed inside the handle, with the brush head connected to the motor. The motor transmits vibrations to the brush head, causing it to vibrate and clean the teeth. However, due to space limitations inside the handle, the motor is in contact with the handle, resulting in noticeable vibration and noise when the user holds the handle during operation, leading to a poor user experience. Therefore, this aspect needs improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective of the first aspect of the invention is to at least partially counteract the vibration at the tail of the motor in order to reduce the transmission of vibration to the handle.

[0005] A further objective of the first aspect of the invention is to further reduce the transmission of vibration to the handle.

[0006] The second aspect of this invention is to provide an electric toothbrush.

[0007] In particular, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a shock-absorbing structure for an electric toothbrush, comprising:

[0008] The weight bracket connects to the tail of the electric toothbrush motor; and

[0009] Two counterweights are connected to both sides of the counterweight bracket, respectively;

[0010] The counterweight support is an elastic support, configured to transmit the vibration of the motor's tail to the two counterweights, causing the two counterweights to swing left and right when subjected to vibration, thereby at least partially offsetting the vibration.

[0011] Optionally, the counterweight support includes:

[0012] The first connecting part is inserted and fixed to the tail of the motor; and

[0013] The second connecting part extends along the longitudinal direction of the motor, and two counterweights are connected to each other on both sides of the second connecting part at a preset distance.

[0014] Optionally, a first positioning post is connected to the bottom of the first connecting part, and a first positioning groove is provided inside the lower cover of the motor, with the first positioning post inserted into the first positioning groove.

[0015] Optionally, the bottom of the first connector is connected to two buckles, and the two buckles have plugs facing opposite directions;

[0016] The motor has a plug inside the lower cover, and the plug has a downward through-hole.

[0017] The lower cover of the motor also has a clearance opening at the position corresponding to the socket, and the size of the clearance opening is larger than the size of the socket;

[0018] The two buckles are configured such that, as they pass through the plug from top to bottom, the plugs of the two buckles are squeezed by the plug and retract toward each other in a direction close to each other, until they pop out from the bottom of the plug and hook onto the bottom surface of the plug to form a limit.

[0019] Optionally, a boss is provided on the top of the first connecting part, and a mounting groove is provided on the boss. A shock-absorbing pad is provided in the mounting groove, and at least a portion of the shock-absorbing pad protrudes from the top surface of the boss and abuts against the upper cover of the motor.

[0020] Optionally, the second connecting part is provided with a hollow groove, which extends along the length direction of the second connecting part.

[0021] Optionally, the counterweight support also includes:

[0022] The third connecting part is U-shaped and is connected between the first connecting part and the second connecting part, with one side of its U-shaped port facing the first connecting part.

[0023] Optionally, the counterweight support also includes:

[0024] The third connecting part is disc-shaped and connects between the first connecting part and the second connecting part. The end of the first connecting part facing the third connecting part is connected to the second positioning post. The third connecting part is provided with a second positioning groove, and the second positioning post is inserted into the second positioning groove.

[0025] Optionally, the counterweight support is a flexible support made of POM material.

[0026] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an electric toothbrush is provided, comprising a handle, a motor disposed within the handle, and any of the above-described shock-absorbing structures.

[0027] The electric toothbrush and its shock-absorbing structure of this invention have an elastic counterweight bracket with two counterweights on both sides. When the motor drives the brush head to swing left and right, the vibration is concentrated at the tail of the motor and transmitted to the two counterweights through the counterweight bracket, causing the counterweights to swing simultaneously. This at least partially cancels out the vibration, reduces the transmission of vibration to the handle, ensures that the torque of the handle remains unchanged, reduces noise, and improves the user's grip experience.

[0028] Furthermore, in the electric toothbrush and its shock-absorbing structure of this embodiment, the top of the first connecting part may be provided with a boss, and a mounting groove is provided on the boss. A shock-absorbing pad is provided in the mounting groove, and at least a portion of the shock-absorbing pad protrudes from the top surface of the boss and abuts against the upper cover of the motor. The shock-absorbing pad can play a better role in shock absorption and buffering, further reducing the transmission of vibration to the upper cover.

[0029] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of a shock-absorbing structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the lower cover, motor, and shock-absorbing structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of a shock-absorbing structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of a shock-absorbing structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of an electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0038] The present invention provides a shock-absorbing structure for an electric toothbrush and an electric toothbrush including the shock-absorbing structure.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 An electric toothbrush generally includes a handle (including an upper cover 110 and a lower cover 120), a motor 200, and a brush head. The upper cover 110 is fastened to the lower cover 120, and together with the lower cover 120, they define a mounting cavity. The motor 200 is disposed in the mounting cavity, and its output shaft is connected to the brush head for transmitting vibrations to the brush head to make the brush head vibrate and thus clean the teeth.

[0040] The electric toothbrush may further include a shock-absorbing structure, which is set in the mounting cavity and connected to the tail of the motor 200. The shock-absorbing structure can partially offset the vibration of the tail of the motor 200, reduce the transmission of vibration to the handle, reduce noise, and improve the user's grip experience.

[0041] Reference Figure 2 Specifically, the shock-absorbing structure may include a counterweight bracket and two counterweights 400, wherein the counterweight bracket is connected to the tail end of the motor 200. The two counterweights 400 are respectively connected to both sides of the counterweight bracket. The counterweight bracket is an elastic bracket configured to transmit the vibration of the tail end of the motor 200 to the two counterweights 400, causing the two counterweights 400 to swing left and right when subjected to vibration, thereby at least partially offsetting the vibration.

[0042] The shock-absorbing structure for an electric toothbrush in this embodiment of the invention features an elastic counterweight bracket with two counterweights 400 positioned on either side. When the motor 200 drives the brush head to swing left and right, the vibration is concentrated at the tail of the motor 200 and transmitted to the two counterweights 400 through the counterweight bracket, causing the counterweights 400 to swing simultaneously, thus at least partially canceling out the vibration. In other words, the shock-absorbing structure effectively creates a resonant frequency domain at the tail of the motor 200. During the operation of the motor 200, the two counterweights 400 resonate, reducing the transmission of vibration to the handle, ensuring constant torque on the handle, reducing noise, and improving the user's grip experience.

[0043] The counterweight support may include a first connecting part 310 and a second connecting part 320. The first connecting part 310 is inserted and fixed to the tail of the motor 200, making it easy to assemble and disassemble. The second connecting part 320 extends along the longitudinal direction of the motor 200 to ensure the overall length of the counterweight support. Two counterweights 400 are connected to the two sides of the second connecting part 320 at a preset distance to prevent the counterweights 400 from colliding with the upper cover 110 or the lower cover 120 during left and right swinging.

[0044] In an optional embodiment, support arms 321 are connected to both sides of the second connecting portion 320, and two counterweights 400 are respectively fixed to the ends of the two support arms 321 away from the second connecting portion 320. The counterweights 400 may be cylindrical, and the support arms 321 are fixedly connected to the end faces of the counterweights 400. The length of the support arms 321 can be set according to the actual situation.

[0045] Reference Figure 3 The motor 200 has a locking block 210 at its tail end. The locking block 210 can be a rectangular block. The first connecting part 310 has a slot 311 on the side facing the motor 200, and the shape of the slot 311 matches the shape of the locking block 210. It can be understood that during the operation of the motor 200, the center of the locking block 210 is equivalent to the vibration source transmitting vibration to the counterweight support, and the distance between the midpoint of the line connecting the two counterweights 400 and the center of the locking block 210 is equivalent to the lever arm.

[0046] In one optional embodiment, a first positioning post 312 is connected to the bottom of the first connecting part 310, and a first positioning groove 121 is provided in the lower cover 120 of the motor 200. The first positioning post 312 is inserted into the first positioning groove 121. The first connecting part 310 can be quickly installed in place through the cooperation of the first positioning post 312 and the first positioning groove 121. In the actual installation process, the first connecting part 310 can be inserted and fixed together with the tail of the motor 200 firstly, then the first positioning post 312 can be aligned with the first positioning groove 121, and the motor 200 and the first connecting part 310 can be placed in the lower cover 120 as a whole, so that the first positioning post 312 is inserted into the first positioning groove 121. Finally, a screw is screwed in from the bottom of the lower cover 120, so that the screw passes through the lower cover 120 and is tightened into the first positioning post 312, thereby fixing the first positioning post 312 to the lower cover 120.

[0047] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5In another alternative embodiment, the bottom of the first connecting portion 310 is connected to two snap fasteners 313, and the two snap fasteners 313 have plugs facing opposite directions. A plug block 122 is provided inside the lower cover 120 of the motor 200, and a socket 123 is provided on the plug block 122, extending downwards through the plug block 122. A clearance opening 124 is also provided on the lower cover 120 of the motor 200 at the position corresponding to the socket 123, and the size of the clearance opening 124 is larger than the size of the socket 123. The two snap fasteners 313 are configured such that, as they pass through the plug block 122 from top to bottom, the plugs of the two snap fasteners 313 are squeezed by the socket 123 and retract towards each other until they pop out from the bottom of the plug block 122 and hook onto the bottom surface of the plug block 122 to form a limit. This method is easy to assemble and disassemble, and has a good fixing effect.

[0048] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 Furthermore, a boss 315 may be provided on the top of the first connecting part 310. A mounting groove 316 is provided on the boss 315, and a shock-absorbing pad 317 is disposed within the mounting groove 316. The shock-absorbing pad 317 may be made of silicone material, and at least a portion of the shock-absorbing pad 317 protrudes from the top surface of the boss 315 and abuts against the upper cover 110 of the motor 200. The shock-absorbing pad 317 can provide good shock absorption and buffering, further reducing the transmission of vibration to the upper cover 110.

[0049] In this embodiment, a hollow groove 322 is provided on the second connecting part 320, and the hollow groove 322 extends along the length direction of the second connecting part 320. The hollow groove 322 can significantly improve the elastic coefficient of the second connecting part 320, increase the vibration amplitude of the two counterweights 400, and improve the shock absorption effect.

[0050] Reference Figure 3 In one optional embodiment, the counterweight support further includes a third connecting portion 330, which is U-shaped and connected between the first connecting portion 310 and the second connecting portion 320, with one side of its U-shaped port facing the first connecting portion 310. The third connecting portion 330 not only increases the elastic coefficient of the counterweight support but also extends the vibration transmission path, causing some vibration to be attenuated during transmission.

[0051] Reference Figure 5In another optional embodiment, the counterweight bracket further includes a third connecting portion 330, which is disc-shaped and connects between the first connecting portion 310 and the second connecting portion 320. A second positioning post 314 is connected to one end of the first connecting portion 310 facing the third connecting portion 330. A second positioning groove 331 is provided on the third connecting portion 330, and the second positioning post 314 is inserted into the second positioning groove 331. During actual installation, after the second positioning post 314 is inserted into the second positioning groove 331, screws can be used to pass through the second positioning groove 331 and the second positioning post 314 from the bottom of the third connecting portion 330 to fix the second connecting portion 320 and the third connecting portion 330 together. This method facilitates the replacement of the second connecting portion 320 and the two counterweights 400, allowing for the replacement of a longer second connecting portion 320 or a heavier counterweight 400 when the vibration at the vibration source increases.

[0052] In this embodiment, the counterweight support is an elastic support made of POM (Polyoxymethylene) material. This elastic support has the characteristics of high strength and high hardness, as well as good elasticity and good wear resistance. It is less affected by temperature and is therefore suitable for use in electric toothbrushes.

[0053] In this embodiment, each counterweight 400 weighs approximately 2g to 3g. The counterweight 400 is relatively light and will not significantly affect the overall weight of the electric toothbrush.

[0054] According to any one or a combination of the above optional embodiments, the embodiments of the present invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0055] The shock-absorbing structure for an electric toothbrush in this embodiment of the invention features an elastic counterweight bracket with two counterweights 400 positioned on either side. When the motor 200 drives the brush head to swing left and right, the vibration is concentrated at the tail of the motor 200 and transmitted to the two counterweights 400 through the counterweight bracket, causing the counterweights 400 to swing simultaneously, thus at least partially canceling out the vibration. In other words, the shock-absorbing structure effectively creates a resonant frequency domain at the tail of the motor 200. During the operation of the motor 200, the two counterweights 400 resonate, reducing the transmission of vibration to the handle, ensuring constant torque on the handle, reducing noise, and improving the user's grip experience.

[0056] Furthermore, in the electric toothbrush and its shock-absorbing structure of this embodiment, the top of the first connecting part 310 may be provided with a boss 315, and a mounting groove 316 is provided on the boss 315. A shock-absorbing pad 317 is provided in the mounting groove 316, and at least a portion of the shock-absorbing pad 317 protrudes from the top surface of the boss 315 and abuts against the upper cover 110 of the motor 200. The shock-absorbing pad 317 can play a better shock-absorbing and buffering role, further reducing the transmission of vibration to the upper cover 110.

[0057] Therefore, those skilled in the art should recognize that although numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be understood and construed as covering all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A shock-absorbing structure for an electric toothbrush, comprising: A counterweight bracket is connected to the tail of the motor of the electric toothbrush; and Two counterweights are connected to both sides of the counterweight bracket, respectively; The counterweight support is an elastic support, configured to transmit the vibration of the motor's tail to the two counterweights, so that the two counterweights swing left and right when subjected to the vibration, thereby at least partially offsetting the vibration. The counterweight support includes: The first connecting part is inserted and fixed to the tail of the motor; The second connecting part extends along the longitudinal direction of the motor. The two counterweights are connected to each other on both sides of the second connecting part at a preset distance. The second connecting part is provided with a hollow groove that extends along the length direction of the second connecting part. The third connecting part is U-shaped and connected between the first connecting part and the second connecting part, with one side of its U-shaped port facing the first connecting part. Alternatively, the third connecting part is disc-shaped and connected between the first connecting part and the second connecting part, with a second positioning post connected to one end of the first connecting part facing the third connecting part. The third connecting part is provided with a second positioning groove, and the second positioning post is inserted into the second positioning groove.

2. The damping structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the first connecting part is connected to a first positioning post, and the lower cover of the motor is provided with a first positioning groove, in which the first positioning post is inserted.

3. The damping structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the first connector is connected to two buckles, and the two buckles have plugs facing opposite directions; The motor has a plug inside its lower cover, and the plug has a downward through-hole. The lower cover of the motor is also provided with a clearance opening at the position corresponding to the socket, and the size of the clearance opening is larger than the size of the socket; The two buckles are configured such that, as they pass through the plug from top to bottom, the plugs of the two buckles are squeezed by the plug opening and retract toward each other in a direction close to each other, until they pop out from the bottom of the plug and hook onto the bottom surface of the plug to form a limit.

4. The damping structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the first connecting part is provided with a boss, and a mounting groove is provided on the boss. A shock-absorbing pad is provided in the mounting groove. At least a portion of the shock-absorbing pad protrudes from the top surface of the boss and abuts against the upper cover of the motor.

5. The damping structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The counterweight support is an elastic support made of POM material.

6. An electric toothbrush, comprising a handle, wherein a motor is disposed within the handle and a shock-absorbing structure according to any one of claims 1-5.

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