Tooth treatment appliance

Abstract

A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, and a fluid delivery system for receiving the working fluid from the reservoir and for delivering the working fluid to an oral cavity of a user. The driving unit drives the bristle carrier to move relative to the handle. The fluid reservoir extends around at least a portion of the drive unit.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of April 23, 2019, application number 201980040202.X, and invention name “Tooth Treatment Device”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a treatment device. The treatment device is preferably a handheld treatment device, and preferably a surface treatment device. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device is a tooth treatment device. In a preferred embodiment, the device is an electric toothbrush with a fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid to the user's oral cavity. The fluid can be toothpaste, or a fluid for improving interproximal cleaning. Alternatively, the device may not include any bristles or other elements for brushing teeth, and may be in the form of a dedicated interproximal treatment device. Background Art

[0003] An electric toothbrush generally comprises a tool connected to a handle. The tool comprises a rod and a brush head with bristles for brushing teeth. The brush head comprises: a static section connected to the rod; and at least one movable section which is movable relative to the static section, for example in one of a reciprocating motion, an oscillating motion, a vibrating motion, a pivoting motion or a rotating motion, to impart a brushing motion to the bristles mounted thereon. The rod houses a drive shaft which is coupled to a transmission unit in the handle. The transmission unit is in turn connected to a motor which is driven by a battery housed in the handle. The drive shaft and the transmission unit convert the rotational or vibrating motion of the motor into a desired motion of the movable section of the brush head relative to the static section of the brush head.

[0004] It is known to incorporate a fluid delivery system into an electric toothbrush that produces a jet of a working fluid for interproximal cleaning. For example, WO2016 / 185166 describes a toothbrush having a handle and a brush head, the brush head including a nozzle from which a working fluid is delivered to the user's oral cavity. The nozzle is movable relative to the handle as the appliance moves along the user's teeth. The toothbrush can be operated in one of two different modes. In a first mode, a user presses a button to actuate delivery of a working fluid from the nozzle. In a second mode, a control circuit automatically actuates delivery of the working fluid to the nozzle based on a signal received from a sensor that is used to detect movement of the nozzle relative to the handle, such as when the nozzle moves into or out of the interproximal space of the user's teeth.

[0005] The toothbrush includes a fluid reservoir surrounding a rod extending between the handle and the brush head. The fluid reservoir includes a fluid port connectable to a fluid delivery system, and the handle includes a seal surrounding the fluid port to prevent leakage of the working fluid from the fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir can be rotated about the rod to expose the fluid port so that the fluid reservoir can be replenished. Summary of the invention

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a tooth cleaning device comprising:

[0007] handle;

[0008] a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, the fluid reservoir comprising a fluid port; and

[0009] a fluid delivery system for receiving the working fluid from the reservoir and delivering the working fluid to the oral cavity of the user;

[0010] The fluid reservoir is movable along the handle between a first position in which the fluid port is connected to the fluid delivery system and a second position in which the fluid port is exposed to replenish the fluid reservoir.

[0011] By varying the movement of the fluid reservoir relative to the handle, this aspect of the invention can increase the life of a seal that engages the fluid reservoir when the fluid reservoir is in its first position to prevent leakage of the working fluid from the fluid reservoir, compared to the apparatus disclosed in WO2016 / 185166. By moving the fluid reservoir along the length of the handle between the first position and the second position to expose the fluid port, rather than rotating the fluid reservoir about the rod, wear of the seal can be reduced.

[0012] The fluid reservoir can be freely moved to one of a plurality of different positions between the first position and the second position. Alternatively, the fluid reservoir can be urged towards the first position or the second position depending on the position of the fluid reservoir relative to the handle. For example, the appliance may include a spring mechanism, such as an eccentric mechanism, for urging the fluid reservoir towards the first position or the second position, or a magnet arrangement for attracting the fluid reservoir towards the first position or the second position, depending on the current position of the fluid reservoir relative to the handle. The fluid reservoir is preferably slidable along the handle.

[0013] In order to maximize the capacity of the fluid reservoir and provide a relatively even weight distribution around the longitudinal axis of the appliance, the fluid reservoir preferably extends around at least a portion of the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid reservoir surrounds the handle. The fluid reservoir is preferably annular.

[0014] The fluid delivery system preferably includes a nozzle for delivering the working fluid to the user's oral cavity. The fluid delivery system preferably also includes a pump and a controller, the controller being used to actuate the pump to draw the working fluid from the fluid reservoir and eject the working fluid toward the nozzle. When the nozzle moves between the adjacent teeth of the user, the user can press a button of a user interface provided on the handle to actuate the pump so that the working fluid ejects from the nozzle. Alternatively, the device may be configured to automatically actuate the delivery of the working fluid to the user's oral cavity at a fixed frequency, such as 0.5 to 5 Hz. The controller is preferably arranged to actuate the pump to eject a jet of the working fluid toward the nozzle. The volume of each jet of the working fluid generated by the fluid delivery system is preferably less than 1 ml, more preferably less than 0.5 ml. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the jet of the working fluid generated by the fluid delivery system is 0.1 to 0.4 ml. The fluid delivery system is preferably configured to deliver the jet of the working fluid to the nozzle at a static pressure in the range of 3 to 10 bars.

[0015] The handle preferably comprises a plurality of sections, which are preferably integral with one another. The handle preferably comprises a first section, or "grip section", which is held or gripped by a user during use of the appliance. The grip section preferably comprises a user interface, which is engaged by a user during use of the appliance, for example to actuate delivery of a working fluid from a fluid delivery system. The handle preferably also comprises a second section, which is spaced apart from the grip section, and along which the fluid reservoir moves relative to the handle. The second section of the handle is preferably located near an end of the handle, preferably near the end of the handle closest to the nozzle, and can therefore be referred to as an "end section" of the handle. The end section preferably at least partially defines the end of the handle closest to the nozzle. When in its first position, the fluid reservoir preferably surrounds the end section of the handle so that it is not visible to a user of the appliance.

[0016] In a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the cross section of the end section of the handle is preferably smaller than the cross section of the grip section of the handle. This can give the appliance a relatively uniform appearance when the fluid reservoir is in its first position, for example when the outer diameter of the fluid reservoir is the same as the outer diameter of the grip section of the handle. Alternatively or additionally, this can also minimize the width of the fluid reservoir for a given fixed capacity of the fluid reservoir.

[0017] The apparatus preferably includes means for preventing the fluid reservoir from rotating when the fluid reservoir is moved between the first position and the second position. This can ensure that the fluid port remains angularly aligned with the fluid inlet of the fluid delivery system when moving between the first position and the second position. For example, the fluid reservoir can be moved along an axially aligned slot or groove formed in the end section of the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the end section of the handle includes a tubular outer surface, and the fluid reservoir includes a tubular inner surface, which surrounds the outer surface of the end section of the handle when the fluid reservoir is in its first position. The tubular outer surface of the end section of the handle preferably has a shape substantially the same as the tubular inner surface of the fluid reservoir, which is preferably non-circular in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the end section has an irregular shape in this plane; two opposing parallel surfaces and two opposing curved surfaces define a "racetrack" shape. However, the outer surface can have any desired shape, such as a regular or irregular polygon, which prevents the fluid reservoir from rotating relative to the handle when matched with the inner surface of the fluid reservoir.

[0018] The handle preferably includes a seat for receiving the fluid reservoir when the fluid reservoir is in its first position. The seat preferably includes a fluid inlet of a fluid delivery system, which receives fluid from the fluid reservoir when the fluid reservoir is in its first position. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid port of the fluid reservoir is located in the base of the fluid reservoir facing the seat. The seat is preferably located between the gripping section and the end section of the handle and is preferably arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Each of the seat and the base of the fluid reservoir is preferably annular. The seat and the base of the fluid reservoir preferably have substantially the same outer diameter.

[0019] The seat preferably has a locally enlarged cross section compared to the gripping section of the handle. The adjoining outer surfaces of the seat and the fluid reservoir preferably have substantially the same curvature, so that when the fluid reservoir is in its first position, the fluid reservoir and the seat together behave as a single curved unit. In a preferred embodiment, the adjoining outer surfaces of the seat and the fluid reservoir preferably have a spherical or spheroidal curvature.

[0020] As described above, the fluid reservoir is preferably urged toward its first position in which the fluid port of the fluid reservoir is connected to the fluid delivery system. This can reduce the likelihood that the fluid reservoir will move away from its first position during use of the appliance if the fluid reservoir is accidentally knocked or otherwise impacted during use of the appliance. This, in turn, can reduce the risk of unwanted fluid leakage from the fluid reservoir during use of the appliance.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a tooth cleaning device comprising:

[0022] handle;

[0023] a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, the fluid reservoir comprising a fluid port; and

[0024] a fluid delivery system for receiving the working fluid from the reservoir and delivering the working fluid to the oral cavity of the user;

[0025] wherein the fluid reservoir is movable relative to the handle between a first position and a second position, wherein the fluid port is connected to the fluid delivery system and the fluid port is exposed to allow replenishment of the fluid reservoir, and the device includes a device for urging the fluid reservoir toward the first position.

[0026] Preferably, the pushing device is configured to magnetically attract the fluid reservoir toward the first position of the fluid reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, the pushing device includes at least one permanent magnet carried by the fluid reservoir. The fluid port and one or more magnets are preferably located on a common wall of the fluid reservoir, and in a preferred embodiment, the common wall is the base of the fluid reservoir. As described above, the base of the fluid reservoir is preferably annular, so the fluid port and the magnet are preferably spaced apart at an angle around the base of the fluid reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid reservoir includes two diametrically opposed magnets of the same polarity.

[0027] The pushing device may further include at least one permanent magnet of opposite polarity, which is located on the handle and to which the magnet of the fluid reservoir is attracted. Alternatively, the handle may include a ferromagnetic material, to which the magnet of the fluid reservoir is attracted. The ferromagnetic material is preferably located on or near the seat of the handle and is preferably in the form of a ring or annulus extending around the longitudinal axis of the handle.

[0028] When the fluid reservoir moves from its first position towards its second position, the fluid reservoir moves away from the seat and preferably towards the nozzle. The appliance preferably includes a rod extending between the handle and the nozzle. When the fluid reservoir is in its second position, preferably at least a portion of the fluid reservoir extends around the rod. In a preferred embodiment, when the fluid reservoir is in its second position, substantially only the base of the fluid reservoir continues to extend around the handle. In order to prevent the fluid reservoir from becoming completely disengaged from the handle when it moves away from the first position, the rod preferably includes means for inhibiting movement of the fluid reservoir beyond the second position.

[0029] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a tooth cleaning device comprising:

[0030] handle;

[0031] a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, the fluid reservoir comprising a fluid port;

[0032] a fluid delivery system for receiving the working fluid from the reservoir, the fluid delivery system comprising a nozzle for delivering the working fluid to an oral cavity of a user; and

[0033] a stem extending between the handle and the nozzle;

[0034] wherein the fluid reservoir is movable between a first position in which the fluid port is connected to a fluid delivery system and a second position in which the fluid port is exposed to allow replenishment of the fluid reservoir, and wherein the stem includes means for inhibiting movement of the fluid reservoir beyond the second position.

[0035] The inhibition device preferably includes a stop member protruding from the outer surface of the rod. When the fluid reservoir reaches the second position, the stop member engages a portion of the fluid reservoir to inhibit the fluid reservoir from moving beyond the second position. The stop member can be arranged to engage the inner wall of the fluid reservoir, for example, a wall defining the tubular inner surface of the fluid reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, the stop member is arranged to engage the outer wall of the fluid reservoir when the fluid reservoir is in its second position. As described above, the outer wall of the fluid reservoir preferably has a substantially spherical or spherical curvature. The outer wall is preferably shaped so that a portion of the outer wall defines an orifice through which the rod passes when the fluid reservoir is in its second position. The stop member is preferably arranged to engage the portion of the outer wall when the fluid reservoir is in its second position.

[0036] The rod is preferably removably connected to the handle. This allows, for example, the rod to be replaced when the nozzle has worn, to allow a replacement rod of a different size or shape to be connected to the handle, or to allow different users to connect personal rods to the handle. The rod preferably forms an interference fit with the handle.

[0037] The fluid reservoir is preferably detachably connected to the handle. The fluid reservoir can be removed from the handle, for example for replacement of the fluid reservoir. Preferably, the fluid reservoir is only removable from the handle after the rod has been removed from the handle.

[0038] The device may be in the form of a dedicated interproximal cleaning device for cleaning the spaces between the user's teeth. Alternatively, the device may be in the form of a toothbrush having the additional function of improving interproximal cleaning by ejecting a working fluid into the interproximal spaces. In the case where the device is in the form of a toothbrush, the cleaning tool or rod preferably includes a plurality of bristles. The bristles are preferably arranged around the nozzle and may be arranged circumferentially around the nozzle. A plurality of bristles may be attached to a static section of the cleaning tool that is immovable relative to the handle. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of bristles may be attached to a movable section of the cleaning tool that is movable relative to the handle.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the appliance comprises a brush unit comprising a bristle carrier and a plurality of bristles mounted on the bristle carrier, the bristle carrier being movable relative to a handle. The appliance comprises a drive mechanism for driving the movement of the bristle carrier relative to the handle. The drive mechanism preferably comprises a transmission unit connected to the bristle carrier and a drive unit for driving the transmission unit to move the bristle carrier relative to the handle. The drive unit is preferably located in the handle, and more preferably in an end section of the handle. The fluid reservoir extends around at least a portion of the drive unit. In a preferred embodiment, the drive unit comprises a motor, and the fluid reservoir extends around the motor of the drive unit. Accommodating the motor in the end section of the handle can reduce the number of components of the appliance accommodated in the grip section of the handle, and thus can optimize the shape of the grip section for gripping by the user.

[0040] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a tooth cleaning device comprising:

[0041] handle;

[0042] a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid;

[0043] a fluid delivery system for receiving the working fluid from the reservoir and delivering the working fluid to the oral cavity of the user;

[0044] a brush unit including a bristle carrier and a plurality of bristles mounted on the bristle carrier; and

[0045] A drive unit for driving the bristle carrier to move relative to the handle;

[0046] Therein, the fluid reservoir extends around at least a portion of the drive unit.

[0047] The drive unit may be arranged to move the bristle carrier relative to the rod. Alternatively, the drive unit may be arranged to move the rod relative to the handle, and thereby move the bristle carrier. The rod is preferably mounted on the transmission unit. The fluid reservoir extends around at least a portion of the transmission unit.

[0048] The transmission unit is preferably in the form of a shaft which is moved, preferably vibrated, relative to the handle by the motor. The vibration frequency of the shaft is preferably in the range of 250-300 Hz. The motor preferably extends around the shaft so that the shaft vibrates relative to the handle under excitation by the motor.

[0049] The transmission unit preferably defines a part of a fluid delivery system.The shaft preferably comprises a bore defining a part of a fluid delivery system.

[0050] The fluid delivery system preferably includes a handle conduit system and a cleaning tool conduit system for receiving fluid from the handle conduit system. The cleaning tool conduit system preferably includes at least one conduit for delivering a jet of a working fluid to a nozzle. In a preferred embodiment, the rod includes a hole that defines a fluid conduit of the cleaning tool conduit system. The handle conduit system preferably includes: a fluid inlet for receiving a working fluid from a fluid port of a fluid reservoir; and a plurality of conduits for delivering working fluid between a fluid inlet port, a pump, and a fluid outlet of the handle. The plurality of conduits include a fluid inlet conduit for delivering fluid from the fluid inlet toward the pump and a fluid outlet conduit for delivering a jet of a working fluid from the pump to the fluid outlet. At least a portion of the fluid outlet conduit is preferably defined by the hole of the transmission unit, and therefore preferably extends through the motor. At least a portion of the fluid inlet conduit preferably extends from the fluid inlet to a pump adjacent to the outer surface of the motor. At least a portion of the inlet conduit is preferably defined by the seat of the handle.

[0051] The compactness of the device can be further improved by delivering the fluid to the pump along the outside of the motor and then delivering the fluid from the pump through the motor. In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a tooth cleaning device comprising:

[0052] handle;

[0053] a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid;

[0054] a fluid delivery system for receiving a working fluid from a reservoir, the fluid delivery system comprising a pump, an inlet conduit for delivering the working fluid from the reservoir to the pump, a nozzle for delivering the working fluid to an oral cavity of a user, and an outlet conduit for delivering the working fluid from the pump to the nozzle;

[0055] a brush unit including a bristle carrier and a plurality of bristles mounted on the bristle carrier; and

[0056] a drive unit for driving the movement of the bristle carrier relative to the handle, the drive unit comprising a motor;

[0057] Wherein at least a portion of the inlet conduit is adjacent to an outer surface of the motor and at least a portion of the outlet conduit extends through the motor.

[0058] Features described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention are equally applicable to the second to fifth aspects of the invention, and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Preferred features of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0060] Figure 1A is a perspective view from the front of the tooth cleaning appliance with the fluid reservoir in a first position, Figure 1B yes Figure 1A a perspective view from the rear of a teeth cleaning appliance;

[0061] Figure 2A yes Figure 1A Right side view of the apparatus, Figure 2B yes Figure 1A A front view of the apparatus, Figure 2C yes Figure 1A A left side view of the apparatus;

[0062] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a fluid delivery system of the apparatus;

[0063] Figure 4 is along Figure 2C A cross-sectional view taken along line AA;

[0064] Figure 5 is along Figure 2B A cross-sectional view taken along line BB;

[0065] Figure 6 is along Figure 2A A cross-sectional view taken along the CC line;

[0066] Fig. 7A is a perspective view from the front of the dental appliance with the fluid reservoir moved from a first position, Figure 7B yes Fig. 7A a perspective view from the rear of a teeth cleaning appliance;

[0067] Figure 8 yes Fig. 7A A front view of the device;

[0068] Fig.9A is a perspective view from the front of the dental appliance with the fluid reservoir in a second position, Fig. 9B yes Fig.9A a perspective view from the rear of a teeth cleaning appliance;

[0069] Fig. 10A yes Fig.9A Right side view of the apparatus, Fig. 10B yes Fig.9A A front view of the apparatus, Fig. 10C yes Fig.9A A left side view of the apparatus;

[0070] Fig.11 is along Fig. 10C A cross-sectional view taken along line AA;

[0071] Fig.12 is along Fig. 10B A cross-sectional view taken along line BB of ; and

[0072] Fig.13 is along Fig. 10A Cross-sectional view taken along line CC. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] Figures 1A to 2C Shown is an external view of an embodiment of a tooth cleaning appliance 10. In this embodiment, the appliance is in the form of a handheld appliance in the form of a powered toothbrush having an integrated component for dispensing a working fluid to improve interproximal cleaning.

[0074] The appliance 10 includes a handle 12 and a cleaning tool 14. The handle 12 includes an outer body 16, which is preferably formed of a plastic material. The body 16 includes a gripping section 18 that is gripped by a user during use of the appliance 10. The gripping section 18 is preferably generally cylindrical in shape. The handle 12 includes a user-operable button 20 that is located within an aperture formed in the body 16 so that it is accessible to the user. Optionally, the handle 12 may include a display that is positioned so that it is visible to the user during use of the appliance.

[0075] The cleaning tool 14 includes a stem 22 and a head 24. The stem 22 is an elongated shape that is used to space the head 24 from the handle 12 to facilitate user operability of the device 10. In this embodiment, the head 24 of the cleaning tool 14 includes a brush unit 26, which includes a bristle carrier 28 and a plurality of bristles 30 mounted on the bristle carrier 28. However, in other embodiments, the cleaning tool 14 can be configured without the brush unit 26, so that the device is in the form of a dedicated interproximal cleaning device for cleaning the spaces between the user's teeth.

[0076] The cleaning tool 14 also includes a fluid reservoir 32 for storing a working fluid and a nozzle 34 for delivering the working fluid to the user's oral cavity during use of the utensil 10. The working fluid is preferably a liquid working fluid, and in this embodiment is water. As described in more detail below, the fluid reservoir 32 is mounted on an end section 36 of the handle 12 so as to extend around the end section 36 of the handle 12. In this embodiment including the brush unit 26, the brush unit 26 extends at least partially around the nozzle 34.

[0077] The nozzle 34 forms part of a fluid delivery system 40 for receiving the working fluid from the fluid reservoir 32 and delivering a jet of the working fluid to the oral cavity of the user during use of the appliance 10. Each jet of the working fluid preferably has a volume of less than 1 ml, more preferably less than 0.5 ml. Figure 3Schematically shown in the fluid delivery system 40. The top of the nozzle 34 includes a fluid outlet 42, through which the jet of the working fluid is delivered to the user's oral cavity. In general, the fluid delivery system 40 includes a fluid inlet 44 for receiving the working fluid from the fluid reservoir 32. In this embodiment, the working fluid is a liquid working fluid, which is preferably water. The fluid delivery system 40 includes a pump assembly, which is used to draw the working fluid from the fluid reservoir 32 through the fluid inlet 44 and deliver the jet of the working fluid to the nozzle 34. The pump assembly is located in the grip section 18 of the handle 12 and includes a positive displacement pump 46 and a driver for driving the pump 46. The driver preferably includes a pump motor 48. A battery 50 for powering the pump motor 48 is also located in the handle 12. The battery 50 is preferably a rechargeable battery.

[0078] A first conduit 52 connects the fluid inlet 44 of the fluid delivery system 40 to the fluid inlet 54 of the pump 46. A first one-way valve 56 is located between the fluid inlet 44 and the pump 46 to prevent water from returning from the pump 46 to the fluid reservoir 32. A second conduit 58 connects the fluid outlet 60 of the pump 46 to the nozzle 34. A second one-way valve 62 is located between the pump 46 and the nozzle 34 to prevent water from returning to the pump 46. The control circuit 64 controls the actuation of the motor 48, so the pump motor 48 and the control circuit 64 provide a drive for driving the pump 46. The battery 50 provides power to the control circuit 64. The control circuit 64 includes a motor controller that provides power to the pump motor 48.

[0079] In this embodiment, the control circuit 64 receives a signal generated when a user presses a button on the handle 12 of the appliance 10. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuit 64 may receive a signal generated by a sensor located within the appliance 10, or a signal received from a remote device such as a display or a personal device. For simplicity, in the following description, the control circuit 64 receives a signal generated when the user operates the button 20.

[0080] The cleaning tool 14 is removably connected to the handle 12. Figures 4 to 6 , the handle 12 includes a male connector, preferably in the form of a plug 66, which is received by a complementary female connector (preferably in the form of a female connector 68) of the cleaning tool 14. The plug 66 projects outwardly from the end section 36 of the handle 12 and preferably in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle 12 and more preferably in line therewith.

[0081] The device 10 includes a drive mechanism for driving the rod 22 and thus the movement of the bristle carrier 28 relative to the handle 12. The drive mechanism includes a transmission unit and a drive unit for driving the transmission unit to move the rod 22 relative to the handle 12. The drive unit includes a drive motor 70 located in the end section 36 of the handle 12. The transmission unit includes a shaft 72, which is driven by the drive motor 70 to vibrate relative to the handle 12. The plug 66 is connected to the shaft 72 and is preferably integral with the shaft 72. The control circuit 64 includes a motor controller that supplies power to the drive motor 70. The button 20 can also be used to activate and deactivate the drive motor 70, for example by pressing the button 20 for a predetermined duration to stop the cleaning process using the device 10. Alternatively, a separate button (not shown) can be provided for activating and deactivating the drive motor 70. The drive motor 70 is preferably arranged to vibrate the rod 22 so that the bristles 30 sweep in a transverse motion, ie perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle 12, at a frequency in the range of 250 to 300 Hz and thus the angular displacement of the bristles 30 is in the range of 5 to 15°.

[0082] The handle 12 includes a seat 74 for receiving the fluid reservoir 32. The seat 74 is located between the grip section 18 and the end section 36 of the handle 12. The seat 74 includes the fluid inlet 44 of the fluid delivery system 40. The fluid inlet 44 receives fluid from the fluid port 76 of the fluid reservoir 32. The first conduit 52 of the fluid delivery system includes an inlet section 78 that extends from the fluid port 76 through the seat 74 toward the pump 46. Therefore, the inlet section 78 of the first conduit 52 passes along the exterior of the drive motor 70, near the outer surface of the drive motor 70, toward the pump 46.

[0083] The second conduit 58 connecting the pump 46 to the nozzle 34 includes a handle conduit section located in the handle 12 and a cleaning tool conduit section located in the cleaning tool 14. The handle conduit section extends from the fluid outlet 60 of the pump 46 to the handle fluid outlet 80 located at the end of the plug 66. The handle conduit section includes an outlet section 82 defined by the hole of the shaft 72, which passes through the drive motor 70 toward the cleaning tool 14. Therefore, the working fluid passes through the outside of the drive motor 70 toward the pump 46 in a first direction, and then passes through the drive motor 70 away from the pump 46 in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The cleaning tool conduit section extends from the cleaning tool fluid inlet port defined by the concave connector 68 of the cleaning tool 14 toward the nozzle 34. The cleaning tool conduit section includes a conduit 84, which is defined by the hole of the rod 22 of the cleaning tool 14.

[0084] The fluid reservoir 32 preferably has a capacity in the range of 5 to 50 ml, and in this embodiment has a capacity of 10 ml. The fluid reservoir 32 includes a base 90 in which the fluid port 76 is formed. The base 90 is annular and extends outwardly from a tubular inner wall 92 of the fluid reservoir 32. With particular reference to Figure 6 , the inner wall 92 of the fluid reservoir 32 has a tubular inner surface that surrounds the outer surface of the end section 36 of the handle 12. Each of these surfaces preferably has a non-circular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle 12. In this embodiment, each of these surfaces has a "racetrack" shaped cross-section as long as the cross-sectional shape includes two parallel opposing side surfaces and two curved opposing side surfaces.

[0085] like Figure 4 and 5 As shown, the cross section of the end section 36 of the handle 12 is preferably smaller than the cross section of the grip section 18 of the handle 12 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle 12. For a given fixed capacity of the fluid reservoir 32, this can minimize the width of the fluid reservoir 32.

[0086] The fluid reservoir 32 also includes an outer wall 94 that extends from the edge of the base 90 to the end of the inner wall 92 that is distal from the base 90. At least a portion of the outer wall 94 of the fluid reservoir 32 is preferably transparent to allow a user to observe the contents of the fluid reservoir 32 and thereby assess whether the fluid reservoir 32 needs to be refilled before the device 10 is intended to be used. The outer wall 94 preferably has a shape that is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the handle 12. The outer wall 94 preferably has a curved shape, more preferably a convex curved shape, but alternatively, the outer wall 94 can have a polygonal or faceted shape. In this embodiment, the outer wall 94 has a spherical curvature. The adjacent portion of the outer side surface of the seat 74 also has a similar spherical curvature, so that if Figures 2A to 2C As shown, the fluid reservoir 32 and seat 72 together appear to the user as a single spherically curved unit. The end of the outer wall 94 remote from the base 90 defines a circular aperture 96 through which the shaft 72 of the drive mechanism passes.

[0087] The fluid reservoir 32 also includes a diaphragm 98. The diaphragm 98 is tubular and surrounds the inner wall 92 of the fluid reservoir 32. The upper end of the diaphragm 98 (eg Figure 4 and 5The diaphragm 98 is held between the inner wall 92 and the outer wall 94, while the lower end of the diaphragm 98 is held by the annular seal 100 extending on the base 90 of the fluid reservoir 32. The annular seal 100 includes an orifice 102 that allows fluid to enter the fluid delivery system 40 from the fluid reservoir 32; an O-ring seal 104 forms a seal between the base 90 and the annular seal 100 to prevent fluid from leaking from between the base 90 and the annular seal 100.

[0088] Thus, the diaphragm 98 has an outer surface that faces the outer wall 94 of the fluid reservoir 32 and that, together with the outer wall 94 and the annular seal 100, defines the volume of the fluid reservoir 32. When the diaphragm 98 is visible to the user through at least a portion of the outer wall 94, the outer surface of the diaphragm 98 may carry an identifier for the user to identify the cleaning tool 14.

[0089] As described in WO2016 / 185166, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, the thickness of the diaphragm 98 and the material forming the diaphragm 98 are selected so that when the working fluid is drawn from the fluid reservoir 32 by the pump 46, at least a portion of the diaphragm 98 can move relative to the outer wall 94 in response to the pressure differential established across the diaphragm 98. An expansion chamber located between the inner wall 92 and the diaphragm 98 is open to the atmosphere to allow atmospheric air to enter the expansion chamber when the diaphragm 98 moves toward the outer wall 94 when the working fluid is supplied to the fluid delivery system 40. One or more orifices (not shown) are formed on the inner wall 92 to allow atmospheric air to enter the expansion chamber, for example, from an air flow path extending between the fluid reservoir 32 and the end section 36 of the handle 12. When the diaphragm 98 expands toward its fully expanded configuration, the size and shape of the diaphragm 98 approaches the size and shape of the outer wall 94. In other words, when the diaphragm 98 is in the fully expanded configuration (which occurs when the fluid reservoir 32 is substantially empty), the size and shape of the diaphragm 98 is substantially the same as the size and shape of the outer wall 94 of the fluid reservoir 34. Therefore, the maximum volume of the expansion chamber is preferably substantially the same as the maximum volume of the fluid reservoir 32.

[0090] The fluid reservoir 32 does not have a dedicated fluid inlet for replenishing the working fluid to the fluid reservoir 32. Instead, the fluid reservoir 32 is replenished through the fluid port 76. In view of this, the fluid reservoir 32 can be located along the end 36 of the handle 12, such as Figures 1A to 6 The first position shown and Figures 9A to 13 The fluid port 76 can be moved between a first position in which the fluid port 76 is connected to the fluid delivery system 40 and a second position in which the fluid port 76 is exposed to allow replenishment of the fluid reservoir 32. Figure 8 The fluid reservoir 32 is shown between a first position and a second position.

[0091] In this embodiment, when the fluid reservoir 32 moves between the first position and the second position, it can slide along the end section 36 of the handle 12. By using a non-circular cross-sectional shape for the outer surface of the end section 36 of the handle 12 and the inner surface of the inner wall 92 of the fluid reservoir 32, the fluid reservoir 32 is inhibited from rotating relative to the handle 12. This maintains the angular alignment of the fluid port 76 and the fluid inlet 44, and thus ensures that when the fluid reservoir 32 returns to its first position, it is reconnected to the fluid delivery system 40.

[0092] In order to reduce the risk of the fluid reservoir 32 being accidentally moved from its first position during use of the device 10, the device 10 is arranged to apply a biasing force to the fluid reservoir 32, which biases the fluid reservoir 32 toward its first position. In this embodiment, the fluid reservoir 32 is urged toward its first position by a magnetic force. Figure 4 , two permanent magnets 106, 108 of the same polarity are mounted on the base 90 of the fluid reservoir 32. These magnets 106, 108 are attracted to a ring 110 of ferromagnetic material located on the seat 74. The magnetic attraction between the magnets 106, 108 and the ring 100 is selected to reduce the risk of accidental displacement of the fluid reservoir 32 from its first position, while enabling the user to pull the fluid reservoir 32 away from its first position without damage when the fluid reservoir 32 needs to be refilled.

[0093] When the fluid reservoir 32 moves toward its second position, the base 90 of the fluid reservoir 32 moves along the end 36 of the handle 12 toward the rod 22. Fig.11 and 12 As shown, when in its second position, only the base 90 and seal 100 of the fluid reservoir 32 still extend around the end 36 of the handle 12; now, a portion of the fluid reservoir 32 extends around the rod 22. To prevent the fluid reservoir 32 from becoming completely separated from the handle 12 when it moves away from its first position, the utensil 10 includes a stop member 112 that engages with the fluid reservoir 32 when the fluid reservoir 32 is in the second position to prevent the fluid reservoir 32 from moving beyond its second position. The stop member 112 protrudes from the rod 22 and is arranged to engage with a peripheral portion of the outer wall 94 that defines the aperture 96 through which the shaft 72 passes.

[0094] To fill the fluid reservoir 32 with a working fluid (water in this embodiment), the user moves the appliance 10 from Figures 1A to 2CThe orientation shown is flipped and the fluid reservoir 32 is pulled toward the head 24 of the appliance 10 so that the fluid reservoir 32 moves to its second position. The user can place the exposed fluid port 76 under the spout of a faucet and turn on the faucet to allow water from the spout to enter the fluid reservoir 32 through the fluid port 76. Because the outer wall 94 of the fluid reservoir 32 is transparent, the user can observe the filling of the fluid reservoir 32 and the contraction of the diaphragm 98 of the fluid reservoir 32 under the weight of the water within the fluid reservoir 32. As the fluid reservoir 32 fills with water, air is expelled from the expansion chamber. When the fluid reservoir 32 is full, the user returns the fluid reservoir 32 to its first position, which is maintained by the magnetic attraction between the magnets 106, 108 and the ring 110. The user then returns the appliance 10 to Figures 1A to 2C Orientation shown for use.

[0095] To operate the appliance 10, the user turns the appliance 10 on by pressing the button 20, the movement of which is detected by the control circuit 64. The control circuit 64 activates the drive motor 70 to move the brush unit 26 relative to the handle 12. When the button 20 is pressed again, a jet of water is ejected from the nozzle 34. The control circuit 64 activates the pump 46 to push a certain amount of water from the fluid chamber of the pump 46 toward the nozzle 34 and replenishes the fluid chamber by drawing a certain amount of water from the fluid reservoir 32. This continues until the user turns the appliance 10 off using the button 20 or the fluid reservoir 32 is exhausted.

[0096] To replace the fluid reservoir 32 , the user first pulls the rod 22 out of the plug 66 . The user can then slide the fluid reservoir 32 from the end section 36 of the handle 12 .

Claims

1. A tooth cleaning device, comprising: handle; a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid; a fluid delivery system for receiving the working fluid from the reservoir and delivering the working fluid to the oral cavity of the user; A brush unit includes a bristle carrier and a plurality of bristles mounted on the bristle carrier; and A driving unit, for driving the bristle carrier to move relative to the handle, the driving unit comprising a motor; A transmission unit, the drive unit drives the transmission unit to move the bristle carrier relative to the handle, wherein the transmission unit includes a shaft, the shaft is driven by a motor, and the motor extends around the shaft, wherein the handle comprises a gripping section gripped by a user when using the appliance and an end section proximate to the brush unit, and wherein the end section of the handle accommodates the motor; And wherein the fluid reservoir extends around the motor.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The fluid reservoir surrounds an end section of the handle.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: An end section of the handle has a reduced cross section relative to a grip section of the handle.

4. An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a rod extending between the brush unit and the handle, and wherein: The drive unit is arranged to move the rod relative to the handle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The rod is mounted on the transmission unit, and wherein a portion of an outer wall of the fluid reservoir defines an aperture through which the transmission unit passes.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The outer wall of the fluid reservoir has a substantially spherical or spheroidal curvature.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The transmission unit houses a portion of the fluid delivery system.

Images