Oral care device

Abstract

This oral care device is provided with: an electronic component; a housing that accommodates the electronic component; and a functional unit that exerts an oral care function using power supplied from the electronic component. The housing includes a shaft portion extending in a front-rear direction and a pair of branch portions connected to the shaft portion. The functional part is connected to the rear end of the shaft part and protrudes rearward from the shaft part. When viewed from the up-down direction, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions is separated from each other in the left-right direction toward the rear side from the shaft portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an oral care device.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-206369 filed in Japan on December 6, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Removing dental plaque is important for preventing oral diseases such as periodontal disease and corrosion. In recent years, there have been proposed oral care devices that use cavitation bubbles generated by ultrasonic vibration of a functional part (cleaning part) inserted into the oral cavity to clean between teeth in the oral cavity, oral care devices that use heat conducted from the functional part to promote blood flow in the oral cavity, and oral care devices that use light generated in the functional part to whiten teeth. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an oral care device in which the user inserts the functional part into the oral cavity while holding the holding part of the oral care device with the bite force of the oral cavity such as lips and teeth, thereby being able to clean the oral cavity without operating the oral care device by hand (hands-free).

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2018 / 056734 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] In the above-mentioned oral care device, electronic components such as a drive motor, a battery, and a substrate that supply power to the functional part are housed in a housing portion that protrudes forward relative to the oral cavity. Therefore, when the user holds the oral care device only by biting force, the front part of the oral care device tends to tilt downward due to the gravity of the electronic components. If the user wants to prevent the front part of the oral care device from tilting downward, the burden on the user's oral cavity increases. In addition, if the front part of the oral care device tilts downward, it is difficult to arrange the functional part at a predetermined position in the oral cavity, so the oral cavity may not be fully cleaned.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above point, and one of its objects is to provide an oral care device that can suppress tilting during use.

[0010] Solutions for solving problems

[0011] The present invention includes the following structures.

[0012] [1] An oral care device, wherein the oral care device comprises: an electronic component; a shell that accommodates the electronic component; and a functional part that uses power supplied from the electronic component to perform an oral care function, the shell having an axis extending in the front-to-back direction and a pair of branch parts connected to the axis, the functional part being connected to the rear end of the axis and protruding from the axis toward the rear, and when viewed from the top and bottom directions, a portion of each of the pair of branch parts separates from each other in the left-right direction as they move from the axis toward the rear.

[0013] [2] The oral care device according to [1], wherein the maximum distance between the pair of branch portions in the left-right direction is longer than the distance between the front end of the shaft portion and the rear end of the functional portion.

[0014] [3] An oral care device according to [1] or [2], wherein the oral care device comprises a plurality of electronic components, the plurality of electronic components comprising a first electronic component group housed in one of the branch portions and a second electronic component group housed in another of the branch portions, and when viewed from the top and bottom, an angle formed by a first imaginary line passing through a portion of the first electronic component group that is farthest from the shaft portion and an end portion on the front side of the shaft portion and a second imaginary line passing through a portion of the second electronic component group that is farthest from the shaft portion and an end portion on the front side of the shaft portion is greater than 50° and less than 120°.

[0015] [4] An oral care device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the functional portion has a retaining portion connected to the shaft portion and retained in the user's oral cavity, and the rear end portions of each of a pair of the branch portions are located further rearward than the rear end portions of the retaining portion.

[0016] [5] An oral care device according to [4], wherein when the distance between the front end of the branch portion and the rear end of the retaining portion is set to L1, and the distance between the rear end of the retaining portion and the rear end of the branch portion is set to L2, the relationship L1≦L2≦3×L1 is satisfied.

[0017] [6] The oral care device according to [4] or [5], wherein the oral care device comprises a plurality of the electronic components, and a portion of the electronic components is housed in a portion of each of a pair of the branch portions that is further rearward than the retaining portion.

[0018] [7] An oral care device according to any one of [4] to [6], wherein the weight of the electronic component among the plurality of electronic components that is arranged at a position closer to the front side than the retaining portion is heavier than the weight of the electronic component among the plurality of electronic components that is arranged at a position closer to the rear side than the retaining portion.

[0019] [8] An oral care device according to any one of [4] to [7], wherein, when viewed from the top and bottom, the distance in the front-to-back direction between the center of gravity and the center of the front-to-back direction of the retaining portion is less than 1.5 times the size of the retaining portion in the front-to-back direction, and the distance in the left-to-right direction between the center of gravity and the center of the left-to-right direction of the retaining portion is less than 1.5 times the size of the left-to-right direction of the retaining portion.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] The present invention can provide an oral care device that can suppress tilting during use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the oral care device according to the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a 1st top view which shows the oral care device which concerns on embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 It is a second plan view showing the oral care device according to the embodiment.

[0025] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an oral care device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 IV-IV section view in the figure.

[0026] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a first diagram for explaining a method of finding the center of gravity of the oral care device according to the embodiment.

[0027] Figure 6 FIG. 2 is a second diagram for explaining a method of finding the center of gravity of the oral care device according to the embodiment.

[0028] Figure 7 FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method of finding the center of gravity of the oral care device according to the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 8 It is a top view showing an oral care device according to a first modified example of the embodiment.

[0030] Fig. 9 It is a top view of the oral care device which shows the 2nd modification of embodiment.

[0031] Fig.10It is a top view of the oral care device which shows the 3rd modification of embodiment.

[0032] Fig.11 It is a perspective view showing an oral care device according to a fourth modified example of the embodiment.

[0033] Fig.12 It is a perspective view showing an oral care device according to a fifth modified example of the embodiment.

[0034] Description of Reference Numerals

[0035] 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, oral care device; 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, shell; 21, shaft; 22, 122, 222, 322, 422, branch; 30, electronic component; 31, first electronic component group; 32, second electronic component group; 40, 440, 540, functional part; 41, 441, 541, holding part; L1, first distance (distance between the end of the front side of the branch and the end of the rear side of the holding part); L2, second distance (distance between the end of the rear side of the holding part and the end of the rear side of the branch); V1, first imaginary line; V2, second imaginary line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, an example of the oral care device of the present invention is shown and described based on the accompanying drawings. In addition, the dimensions and the like of the drawings illustrated in the following description are examples, and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and can be implemented by appropriately changing the dimensions within the scope of the present invention. In addition, in the following drawings, in order to facilitate understanding of each structure, the actual structure and the scale, quantity, etc. of each structure are sometimes different.

[0037] In each of the drawings, the Z axis is appropriately shown. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the Z axis extends is the up-down direction. In the following description, the side to which the arrow of the Z axis in the up-down direction points (+Z side) is referred to as the "upper side", and the side opposite to the side to which the arrow of the Z axis in the up-down direction points (-Z side) is referred to as the "lower side".

[0038] In each of the accompanying drawings, the X-axis is appropriately indicated. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the X-axis extends is the front-to-back direction of the oral care device. In the following description, the front-to-back direction of the oral care device is referred to as the "front-to-back direction". The front-to-back direction intersects with the up-and-down direction. In the present embodiment, the front-to-back direction is orthogonal to the up-and-down direction. In the following description, the side to which the arrow of the X-axis in the front-to-back direction points (+X side) is referred to as the "front side", and the side opposite to the side to which the arrow of the X-axis points (-X side) in the front-to-back direction is referred to as the "rear side". The front side is the front side of the user. The rear side is the back side of the user.

[0039] In each of the accompanying drawings, the Y-axis is appropriately indicated. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the Y-axis extends is the left-right direction of the oral care device. In the following description, the left-right direction of the oral care device is referred to as the "left-right direction". In the present embodiment, the left-right direction is orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-back direction. In the following description, the side to which the arrow of the Y-axis in the left-right direction points (+Y side) is referred to as the "right side", and the side opposite to the side to which the arrow of the Y-axis points (-Y side) in the left-right direction is referred to as the "left side". The right side is the right side of the user, and the left side is the left side of the user.

[0040] <Implementation Method>

[0041] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the oral care device 10 according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 It is a first plan view showing the oral care device 10 according to the present embodiment. Figure 3 It is a second plan view showing the oral care device 10 according to the present embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the oral care device 10 of this embodiment. Figure 2 IV-IV section view in Fig. Figure 1 As shown, the oral care device 10 of the present embodiment includes a housing 20 , an electronic component 30 and a functional portion 40 .

[0042] The housing 20 accommodates the electronic components 30 therein. The housing 20 is cylindrical. The functional portion 40 is mounted on the housing 20. The housing 20 has a shaft portion 21 and a pair of branch portions 22. The shaft portion 21 is a portion of the housing 20 that extends in the front-to-back direction. In the present embodiment, the shaft portion 21 is a substantially square cylindrical shape that is open in the left-right direction. The functional portion 40 is mounted on the rear side (-X side) of the shaft portion 21. Thus, the functional portion 40 is connected to the shaft portion 21. In the present embodiment, the shaft portion 21 is a portion of the housing 20 that overlaps with the functional portion 40 when viewed from the front-to-back direction.

[0043] A pair of branch portions 22 are respectively connected to the shaft portion 21. In the present embodiment, a plane not shown in the figure which is orthogonal to the left-right direction and passes through the center of the shaft portion 21 in the left-right direction is used as a symmetry plane, and the pair of branch portions 22 are respectively symmetrical in shape with respect to each other. The pair of branch portions 22 may not be symmetrical in shape with respect to the plane. Each branch portion 22 is cylindrical. The interior of each branch portion 22 is connected to the interior of the shaft portion 21. A pair of branch portions 22 includes a first branch portion 23 and a second branch portion 24. In the present embodiment, the first branch portion 23 is one branch portion 22, and the second branch portion 24 is another branch portion 22. In addition, in the following description, the end portion of the front side (+X side) of the branch portion 22 is the outer contour of the front side of the portion of the branch portion 22 connected to the shaft portion 21.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the first branch portion 23 is arranged at a position closer to the right side (+Y side) than the shaft portion 21. The first branch portion 23 has a first extension portion 23a and a first curved portion 23b. The first extension portion 23a is a substantially square tube extending from the shaft portion 21 to the right. The interior of the first extension portion 23a is connected to the interior of the shaft portion 21.

[0045] The first curved portion 23b is a roughly square cylindrical shape extending from the end of the right side (+Y side) of the first extension portion 23a to the rear side (-X side). The interior of the first curved portion 23b is connected to the interior of the first extension portion 23a. When viewed from the top and bottom directions, the first curved portion 23b is curved in a manner that is convex to the right. The front side (+X side) portion of the first curved portion 23b is located on the right side as it goes toward the rear side. Thus, the front side portion of the first curved portion 23b is located on the right side as it goes from the shaft portion 21 toward the rear side. The rear side portion of the first curved portion 23b is located on the left side (-Y side) as it goes toward the rear side. The rear side portion of the first curved portion 23b may also extend to the rear side, or may be located on the right side as it goes toward the rear side.

[0046] The second branch portion 24 is arranged at a position on the left side (-Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The second branch portion 24 has a second extension portion 24a and a second curved portion 24b. The second extension portion 24a is a substantially square tube extending from the shaft portion 21 to the left. The interior of the second extension portion 24a is connected to the interior of the shaft portion 21. In the present embodiment, the second extension portion 24a is a shape that is plane-symmetrical with the first extension portion 23a, with a plane (not shown) that is orthogonal to the left-right direction and passes through the center of the shaft portion 21 in the left-right direction as a symmetry plane.

[0047] The second curved portion 24b is a generally square tube extending from the left end (-Y side) of the second extension portion 24a to the rear side (-X side). The interior of the second curved portion 24b is connected to the interior of the second extension portion 24a. When viewed from the top and bottom direction, the second curved portion 24b is curved in a convex manner to the left. The second curved portion 24b is a shape that is plane-symmetrical with the first curved portion 23b, with a plane (not shown) that is orthogonal to the left and right directions and passes through the center of the shaft portion 21 in the left and right directions as a symmetry plane. The front side (+X side) portion of the second curved portion 24b is located on the left side as it goes to the rear side. As described above, the front side portion of the first curved portion 23b is located on the right side (+Y side) as it goes from the shaft portion 21 to the rear side. Therefore, when viewed from the top and bottom direction, the front side portions of the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b are separated from each other in the left and right direction as they go from the shaft portion 21 to the rear side. That is, when viewed from the top and bottom, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 22 separates from each other in the left-right direction as it moves from the shaft portion 21 toward the rear side. The maximum interval between the pair of branch portions 22 in the left-right direction, that is, the maximum interval G between the branch portions, is the interval between the portion of the first curved portion 23b located on the far right and the portion of the second curved portion 24b located on the far left. The maximum interval G between the branch portions is the maximum interval in the left-right direction between the first branch portion 23 and the second branch portion 24. The maximum interval G between the branch portions is preferably greater than 10 cm and less than 25 cm. The portion on the rear side of the second curved portion 24b is located on the right side as it moves toward the rear side. The portion on the rear side of the second curved portion 24b may also extend toward the rear side, or may be located on the left side as it moves toward the rear side.

[0048] When the user uses the oral care device 10, the first extension portion 23a and the second extension portion 24a are located at the front side (+X side) of the user's face, the first curved portion 23b is located at the right side (+Y side) of the user's face, and the second curved portion 24b is located at the left side (-Y side) of the user's face. That is, when the oral care device 10 is used, the housing 20 is arranged around the user's face.

[0049] The electronic component 30 enables the functional part 40 to perform the function of oral care in the oral cavity. Oral care refers to cleaning the oral cavity, promoting blood flow in the oral cavity by warming, and whitening teeth by blue light. The electronic component 30 can make the functional part 40 vibrate in the oral cavity, generate heat or supply heat to the functional part 40, or emit blue light. In the present embodiment, the electronic component 30 supplies power to the functional part 40 to make the functional part 40 vibrate in the oral cavity. In more detail, in the present embodiment, the electronic component 30 makes the functional part 40 perform ultrasonic vibration in the oral cavity. The oral care device 10 has a plurality of electronic components 30. The plurality of electronic components 30 include, for example, a motor that makes the functional part 40 vibrate, a battery that supplies power to the motor, and a control substrate that controls the power supplied to the motor. In the present embodiment, the plurality of electronic components 30 include a first electronic component group 31, a second electronic component group 32, and a third electronic component group 33.

[0050] The first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first branch portion 23, that is, one branch portion 22. In the present embodiment, the first electronic component group 31 preferably includes a battery and a control substrate. The first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first curved portion 23b. The first electronic component group 31 may also be housed in the first extension portion 23a. In the present embodiment, the first electronic component group 31 is arranged at a position further back (-X side) than the functional portion 40. When viewed from the top and bottom direction, the imaginary straight line passing through the end portion on the right side (+Y side) and the end portion on the rear side, that is, the first end portion 31a, of the first electronic component group 31 and the end portion on the front side (+X side) of the shaft portion 21 is the first imaginary line V1. In the present embodiment, the first imaginary line V1 passes through the portion of the first electronic component group 31 that is farthest from the shaft portion 21 and the end portion on the front side of the shaft portion 21. In addition, in the present embodiment, the end portion on the front side of the shaft portion 21 is the central portion in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the edge portion on the front side of the shaft portion 21. Furthermore, when the first electronic component group 31 is stored in the storage member, the first imaginary line V1 passes through a portion of the storage member that is farthest from the shaft portion 21 .

[0051] The second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second branch portion 24, that is, the other branch portion 22. In the present embodiment, the second electronic component group 32 preferably includes a battery and a control substrate. The second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second curved portion 24b. The second electronic component group 32 may also be housed in the second extension portion 24a. In the present embodiment, the second electronic component group 32 is arranged at a position further back (-X side) than the functional portion 40. As described above, the first electronic component group 31 is arranged at a position further back than the functional portion 40. Thus, a portion of the electronic component 30 is housed in a portion further back than the functional portion 40 of each of the pair of branch portions 22. When viewed from the top and bottom direction, the imaginary straight line passing through the end portion on the left side (-Y side) and the rear side of the second electronic component group 32, that is, the second end portion 32a and the end portion on the front side (+X side) of the shaft portion 21 is the second imaginary line V2. In the present embodiment, the second imaginary line V2 passes through the portion of the second electronic component group 32 that is farthest from the shaft portion 21 and the end of the front side of the shaft portion 21. In addition, as described above, in the present embodiment, the end of the front side of the shaft portion 21 is the central portion of the edge portion of the front side of the shaft portion 21 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). In addition, when the second electronic component group 32 is stored inside the storage member, the second imaginary line V2 passes through the portion of the storage member that is farthest from the shaft portion 21. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the top and bottom directions, the angle formed by the first imaginary line V1 and the second imaginary line V2, i.e., the first angle α, is greater than 50° and less than 120°. The first angle α is preferably greater than 60° and less than 100°.

[0052] The third electronic component group 33 is accommodated across the interior of the shaft portion 21, the first extension portion 23a, and the second extension portion 24a. The third electronic component group 33 may be accommodated across only the shaft portion 21 and the first extension portion 23a, or may be accommodated across only the shaft portion 21 and the second extension portion 24a. In addition, the third electronic component group 33 may be accommodated only in the first extension portion 23a, or may be accommodated only in the second extension portion 24a. Preferably, when viewed from the top and bottom directions, a portion of the third electronic component group 33 is arranged overlapping with the shaft portion 21. In the present embodiment, the third electronic component group 33 preferably includes a drive motor. The third electronic component group 33 is arranged at a position closer to the front side (+X side) than the functional portion 40. That is, a portion of the electronic components 30 is accommodated in a portion of the housing 20 closer to the front side than the functional portion 40. In the present embodiment, the weight of the third electronic component group 33 is heavier than the weight obtained by adding the weight of the first electronic component group 31 to the weight of the second electronic component group 32. That is, the weight of the electronic component 30 arranged at the front side of the functional portion 40 among the plurality of electronic components 30 is heavier than the weight of the electronic component 30 arranged at the rear side (-X side) of the functional portion 40 among the plurality of electronic components 30.

[0053] The functional part 40 utilizes the power supplied from the electronic component 30 to perform the function of oral care in the oral cavity. As described above, oral care refers to cleaning in the oral cavity, promoting blood flow in the oral cavity by warmth, and whitening teeth by blue light. The functional part 40 can vibrate in the oral cavity, supply warmth to the oral cavity by generating heat in the oral cavity, and whiten the user's teeth by emitting blue light in the oral cavity. As a functional part that performs the function of oral care, a functional part that vibrates in the oral cavity can be listed. As the functional part that vibrates in the oral cavity, for example, an oral cleaning part (such as a horn and a mouthpiece, etc.) that vibrates in the oral cavity by using an ultrasonic vibrator and power supplied from a motor can be listed. In the present embodiment, the functional part 40 vibrates in the oral cavity of the user by using the power supplied from the electronic component 30. In the present embodiment, the functional part 40 performs ultrasonic vibration in the oral cavity of the user. Thus, cavitation bubbles are generated in the liquid by using the pressure difference generated in a liquid such as water in the oral cavity of the user. In addition, in the present embodiment, "water in the oral cavity, etc." may also include at least one of tap water, saliva, a stock solution of an oral preparation (mouthwash), and a diluted composition (toothpaste). In the oral care device 10 of the present embodiment, cavitation bubbles are used to clean the user's oral cavity, such as between the teeth. The functional portion 40 is connected to the end of the rear side (-X side) of the shaft portion 21. The functional portion 40 protrudes from the shaft portion 21 to the rear side. As shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the functional portion 40 is flat in shape, with the dimension in the up-down direction being smaller than the dimension in the front-rear direction.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, in the present embodiment, the distance between the end of the front side (+X side) of the shaft portion 21 and the end of the rear side (-X side) of the functional portion 40, i.e., the third distance L3, is shorter than the maximum interval G between the branches. That is, in the present embodiment, the maximum interval G between the branches is longer than the third distance L3. The ratio of the maximum interval G between the branches to the third distance L3 is preferably greater than 120% and less than 400%. In addition, the third distance L3 is preferably greater than 7 cm and less than 15 cm. The functional portion 40 includes a holding portion 41 and a vibrating portion 42.

[0055] like Figure 4 As shown, in the present embodiment, the holding portion 41 is composed of a portion on the front side (+X side) of the vibration portion 42 and a covering portion 43 covering the front side portion of the vibration portion 42. The holding portion 41 is connected to the shaft portion 21. The holding portion 41 is a flat shape whose dimension in the up-down direction is smaller than that in the front-back direction. When the oral care device 10 is used, the holding portion 41 is held by the user's oral cavity such as teeth and lips. Thus, the user holds the oral care device 10.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the covering portion 43 is made of a rubber material. The covering portion 43 may also be made of a soft resin material such as an elastomer. The hardness of the covering portion 43 is smaller than that of the vibrating portion 42. Therefore, when using the oral care device 10, even if the functional portion 40 vibrates, the user can hold the oral care device 10 to reduce the harmfulness to the teeth and other oral cavity. In particular, in the case where the functional portion 40 performs ultrasonic vibration as in the present embodiment, it is possible that the vibration and heat of the functional portion 40 may cause physical damage to the user's oral cavity. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the vibrating portion 42 is covered by the covering portion 43, the vibration and heat of the vibrating portion 42 can be absorbed by the covering portion 43. Therefore, the harmfulness to the teeth and other oral cavity of the user can be reduced. A first recess 41a and a second recess 41b are provided in the retaining portion 41.

[0057] The first recessed portion 41a is a recessed pit that is recessed from the surface of the holding portion 41 that faces the upper side (+Z side) toward the lower side (-Z side). Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first recess 41a extends in the left-right direction from the right end (+Y side) to the left end (-Y side) of the holding portion 41. Figure 4 As shown, the second recess 41b is a pit recessed upward from the surface of the retaining portion 41 facing downward. Although not shown in the figure, the second recess 41b extends in the left-right direction in the same range from the right end to the left end of the retaining portion 41 as the first recess 41a. The second recess 41b is provided at a position further back (-X side) than the first recess 41a. When the oral care device 10 is used, the inner surface of the first recess 41a contacts the upper front teeth of the user, and the inner surface of the second recess 41b contacts the lower front teeth of the user. Thus, the user holds the oral care device 10 by holding the retaining portion 41. It is also possible that at least one of the first recess 41a and the second recess 41b is not provided in the retaining portion 41.

[0058] When the weight of the portion of the oral care device 10 that is closer to the front side (+X side) than the retaining portion 41, i.e., the first weight W1, is heavier than the weight of the portion of the oral care device 10 that is closer to the rear side (-X side) than the retaining portion 41, i.e., the second weight W2, a torque is applied to the user's oral cavity in a counterclockwise direction around the retaining portion 41 when viewed from the left side (-Y side). As a result, the front portion of the oral care device 10 tends to tilt downward (-Z side). The greater the torque, the greater the burden on the user's oral cavity. In addition, when the second weight W2 is heavier than the first weight W1, a torque is applied to the user's oral cavity in a clockwise direction around the retaining portion 41 when viewed from the left side. As a result, the rear portion of the oral care device 10 tends to tilt downward. The greater the torque, the greater the burden on the user's oral cavity. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first weight W1 is Figure 2The weight W2 is the weight obtained by adding the weight of the first extension portion 23a, the weight of the second extension portion 24a, and the weight of the third electronic component group 33. In the present embodiment, the second weight W2 is the weight obtained by adding the weight of the first bent portion 23b, the weight of the second bent portion 24b, the weight of the first electronic component group 31, and the weight of the second electronic component group 32.

[0059] The vibrating unit 42 vibrates in the user's oral cavity using the power supplied from the electronic component 30. In this embodiment, the vibrating unit 42 performs ultrasonic vibration in the user's oral cavity. As a result, cavitation bubbles are generated in the liquid such as water in the user's oral cavity, and the bubbles can be used to clean the user's oral cavity such as between the teeth. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the vibration part 42 protrudes rearward from the shaft part 21. The vibration part 42 is flat in shape, with a dimension in the up-down direction being smaller than a dimension in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the vibration part 42 is made of metal.

[0060] As described above, in the present embodiment, the front side (+X side) of the vibrating portion 42 of the holding portion 41 is covered by the rubber covering portion 43, and the vibrating portion 42 is made of metal. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the boundary between the holding portion 41 and the vibrating portion 42 is a portion where the material of the surface of the functional portion 40 changes. In addition, when the materials of the surfaces of the holding portion 41 and the vibrating portion 42 are the same, the end of the rear side (-X side) of the holding portion 41 is the end of the rear side of the pit or groove located at the rearmost side of the pit or groove provided in the holding portion 41. In addition, when the functional portion 40 is a braces type, etc., and the functional portion 40 is composed of one component, the end of the rear side of the holding portion 41 is the end of the rear side of the functional portion 40. When the structure of the functional portion 40 does not belong to this case, the end of the rear side of the holding portion 41 is located in the center of the front-to-back direction of the functional portion 40.

[0061] like Figure 2As shown, in the present embodiment, the end of each rear side (-X side) of a pair of branch portions 22 is located at a position further rearward than the end of the rear side of the retaining portion 41. In the present embodiment, the ratio of the dimension Ds in the front-to-back direction of the retaining portion 41 to the dimension Df in the front-to-back direction of the functional portion 40 is preferably 50% or less. In the present embodiment, when the distance between the end of the front side (+X side) of the branch portion 22 and the end of the rear side of the retaining portion 41 is set as the first distance L1, and the distance between the end of the rear side of the retaining portion 41 and the end of the rear side of the branch portion 22 is set as the second distance L2, the first distance L1 and the second distance L2 satisfy the relationship of L1≦L2≦3×L1. In addition, the first distance L1 is preferably greater than 3 cm and less than 5 cm. In addition, the second distance L2 is preferably greater than 9 cm and less than 15 cm. In addition, when the positions of the rear end of the first branch portion 23 and the rear end of the second branch portion 24 in the front-to-back direction are different from each other, the rear end of the first branch portion 23 and the rear end of the second branch portion 24 is set as the rear end of the branch portion 22.

[0062] As described above, a portion of the electronic components 30 is stored in the portion of each of the pair of branch portions 22 that is on the rear side (-X side) of the functional portion 40. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a portion of the electronic components 30 is stored in the portion of each of the pair of branch portions 22 that is on the rear side of the holding portion 41. In addition, as described above, the weight of the electronic components 30 disposed at the front side (+X side) of the functional portion 40 among the plurality of electronic components 30 is heavier than the weight of the electronic components 30 disposed at the rear side of the functional portion 40 among the plurality of electronic components 30. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the weight of the electronic components 30 disposed at the front side of the holding portion 41 among the plurality of electronic components 30 is heavier than the weight of the electronic components 30 disposed at the rear side of the holding portion 41 among the plurality of electronic components 30. Preferably, the weight of the lightest electronic component 30 among the electronic components 30 included in the third electronic component group 33 arranged at a position closer to the front side than the retaining portion 41 is heavier than the weight of the heaviest electronic component 30 among the electronic components 30 included in the first electronic component group 31 and the second electronic component group 32 arranged at a position closer to the rear side than the retaining portion 41.

[0063] When viewed from above and below, Figure 3The imaginary area Va shown is an area centered at the center of the front-to-back direction of the holding portion 41 and the center of the left-to-right direction of the holding portion 41. When viewed from the top-to-bottom direction, the imaginary area Va is a rectangular area. The distance between the end of the front side (+X side) of the imaginary area Va and the center of the imaginary area Va is 1.5 times the dimension Ds in the front-to-back direction of the holding portion 41. The distance between the end of the rear side (-X side) of the imaginary area Va and the center of the imaginary area Va is 1.5 times the dimension Ds in the front-to-back direction of the holding portion 41. The distance between the end of the right side (+Y side) of the imaginary area Va and the center of the imaginary area Va is 1.5 times the dimension Ws in the left-to-right direction of the holding portion 41. The distance between the end of the left side (-Y side) of the imaginary area Va and the center of the imaginary area Va is 1.5 times the dimension Ws in the left-to-right direction of the holding portion 41. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the top-to-bottom direction, the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 is located inside the imaginary area Va. That is, when viewed from the top and bottom, the distance in the front-to-back direction between the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 and the center of the front-to-back direction of the retaining portion 41 is less than 1.5 times the dimension Ds of the retaining portion 41 in the front-to-back direction, and the distance in the left-to-right direction between the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 and the center of the left-to-right direction of the retaining portion 41 is less than 1.5 times the dimension Ws of the left-to-right direction of the retaining portion 41.

[0064] The following is a method for determining the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 of this embodiment. The oral care device 10 is suspended at two arbitrary points, and respective images are obtained. A vertical line is drawn in the obtained images. By using image processing, the oral care device 10 in the two images is overlapped, and the intersection of the two vertical lines is set as the center of gravity CG. For example, first, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , a rope 50 is installed at any point of the oral care device 10, and the oral care device 10 is suspended by the rope 50. In this example, the rope 50 is installed at the shaft 21 of the oral care device 10, and the oral care device 10 is suspended. A vertical line Q1 passing through the connection point between the rope 50 and the oral care device 10 is drawn in the state where the oral care device 10 is suspended (step 1). Next, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 2 , a rope 50 is installed at any other point of the oral care device 10, and the oral care device 10 is suspended by the rope 50. In this example, the rope 50 is installed at the first curved portion 23b of the oral care device 10, and the oral care device 10 is suspended. A vertical line Q2 passing through the connecting point of the rope 50 and the oral care device 10 is drawn in the state where the oral care device 10 is suspended (process 2). Figure 7 As shown, the images obtained in step 1 and step 2 are overlapped to overlap the oral care device 10. The intersection of the vertical line Q1 and the vertical line Q2 in the state where the oral care device 10 is overlapped is set as the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10.

[0065] According to the present embodiment, the oral care device 10 includes an electronic component 30, a housing 20 for housing the electronic component 30, and a functional portion 40 that vibrates in the oral cavity using power supplied from the electronic component 30. The housing 20 includes a shaft portion 21 extending in the front-to-back direction and a pair of branch portions 22 connected to the shaft portion 21, the functional portion 40 is connected to the end portion of the rear side (-X side) of the shaft portion 21 and protrudes from the shaft portion 21 to the rear side, and when viewed from the top-bottom direction, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 22 separates from each other in the left-right direction as it moves from the shaft portion 21 toward the rear side. Thus, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 22, in this embodiment, the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b, can be respectively arranged at a position behind the functional portion 40, so that the difference between the weight of the portion of the oral care device 10 that is ahead of the retaining portion 41, i.e., the first weight W1, and the weight of the portion of the oral care device 10 that is behind the retaining portion 41, i.e., the second weight W2, can be reduced compared to the case where the pair of branch portions 22 are all arranged at a position ahead of the functional portion 40. Thus, the torque of the oral care device 10 applied to the user's oral cavity in the counterclockwise direction around the retaining portion 41 when viewed from the left side (-Y side) can be reduced. Thus, the oral care device 10 can be prevented from tilting when using it, so the burden on the user's oral cavity can be reduced. In addition, since the oral care device 10 can be prevented from tilting, it is easy for the user to arrange the functional portion 40 at a predetermined position in the oral cavity. Thus, the cleaning ability of the user's oral cavity, such as between teeth, can be improved.

[0066] In addition, in the present embodiment, as described above, the front side (+X side) of each of the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b is separated from each other in the left-right direction as it goes from the shaft portion 21 toward the rear side (-X side). Thus, the maximum interval G between the branches can be easily set to be greater than 10 cm. Therefore, when using the oral care device 10, the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b can be arranged on the outside of the user's face in the left-right direction, so it is easy to prevent the user's face from contacting the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b. Thus, the ease of use of the oral care device 10 can be improved.

[0067] According to this embodiment, the maximum interval G between the branch portions, that is, the maximum interval in the left-right direction between a pair of branch portions 22, is longer than the third distance L3, that is, the distance between the front end (+X side) of the shaft portion 21 and the rear end (-X side) of the functional portion 40.

[0068] If the maximum interval G between the branch portions is too short, the torque for rotating the oral care device 10 about the holding portion 41 when viewed from the front-back direction becomes too small, so it is difficult for the user to balance the oral care device 10 in the left-right direction.

[0069] If the third distance L3 is too long, the distance in the front-to-back direction between the shaft portion 21 and the portion of the holder 41 held by the user tends to be long, so that the torque for rotating the oral care device 10 around the holder 41 when viewed from the left and right direction may increase. Therefore, the burden on the user's oral cavity may increase.

[0070] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the maximum interval G between the branch portions is longer than the third distance L3, it is possible to prevent the maximum interval G between the branch portions from becoming too short. As a result, it is possible to prevent the torque that rotates the oral care device 10 around the retaining portion 41 when viewed from the front-back direction from becoming too small, so that the user can easily balance the oral care device 10 in the left-right direction. In addition, since it is possible to prevent the third distance L3 from becoming too long, it is possible to prevent the torque that rotates the oral care device 10 around the retaining portion 41 when viewed from the left-right direction from becoming too large. Therefore, the burden on the user's oral cavity can be better reduced.

[0071] According to the present embodiment, the oral care device 10 includes a plurality of electronic components 30, and the plurality of electronic components 30 include a first electronic component group 31 housed in a first branch portion 23, i.e., one branch portion 22, and a second electronic component group 32 housed in a second branch portion 24, i.e., another branch portion 22. When viewed from the top and bottom directions, an angle formed by a first imaginary line V1 passing through a portion of the first electronic component group 31 that is farthest from the shaft portion 21 and an end portion of the front side (+X side) of the shaft portion 21 and a second imaginary line V2 passing through a portion of the second electronic component group 32 that is farthest from the shaft portion 21 and an end portion of the front side of the shaft portion 21, i.e., a first angle α, is greater than 50° and less than 120°.

[0072] If the first angle α becomes too small, it is difficult to extend the maximum interval G between the branches, that is, the maximum interval in the left-right direction between the first branch 23 and the second branch 24, so the user's face is easy to contact the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b when using the oral care device 10. As a result, the convenience of use of the oral care device 10 is reduced.

[0073] If the first angle α becomes too large, when the user turns his head while using the oral care device 10, the centrifugal force applied to the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b becomes larger. As a result, when the user shakes his head, the force applied to the user's oral cavity via the retaining portion 41 becomes larger, thereby increasing the burden on the user's oral cavity.

[0074] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the first angle α is greater than 50° and less than 120°, it is possible to prevent the first angle α from becoming too small. As a result, it is easy to set the maximum interval G between the branches to be greater than 10 cm. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user's face from contacting the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b, thereby better improving the ease of use of the oral care device 10. In addition, since it is possible to prevent the first angle α from becoming too large, even if the user turns his head, it is possible to prevent the centrifugal force applied to the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b from increasing. Therefore, when the user shakes his head, it is possible to prevent the force applied to the user's oral cavity via the retaining portion 41 from increasing, thereby better reducing the burden on the user's oral cavity.

[0075] According to the present embodiment, the functional portion 40 has a holding portion 41 connected to the shaft portion 21 and held in the user's oral cavity, and the end of each of the pair of branch portions 22 on the rear side (-X side) is located at a position further back than the end of the rear side of the holding portion 41. As a result, it is easy to arrange the position of the center of gravity of each of the pair of branch portions 22 at a position further back than the holding portion 41, so that the torque of the oral care device 10 applied to the user's oral cavity in the counterclockwise direction around the holding portion 41 when viewed from the left side (-Y side) can be better reduced. Therefore, the burden on the user's oral cavity can be better reduced.

[0076] According to this embodiment, when the distance between the front side (+X side) end of the branch portion 22 and the rear side (-X side) end of the retaining portion 41 is set to the first distance L1, and the distance between the rear side end of the retaining portion 41 and the rear side end of the branch portion 22 is set to the second distance L2, the relationship L1≦L2≦3×L1 is satisfied.

[0077] If the second distance L2 is too short, it is difficult to arrange the center of gravity of each of the pair of branch portions 22 at a position further back than the holding portion 41. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the torque of the oral care device 10 applied to the user's oral cavity in the counterclockwise direction around the holding portion 41 when viewed from the left side (-Y side).

[0078] If the second distance L2 is too long, when the user turns his head while using the oral care device 10, the centrifugal force applied to the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b increases. As a result, when the user shakes his head, the force applied to the user's oral cavity via the holding portion 41 increases, thereby increasing the burden on the user's oral cavity.

[0079] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the first distance L1 and the second distance L2 satisfy the relationship of L1≦L2≦3×L1, the second distance L2 can be prevented from becoming too short. As a result, it is easy to arrange the position of the center of gravity of each of the pair of branch portions 22 at a position further back than the retaining portion 41, so that the torque of the oral care device 10 applied to the user's oral cavity in the counterclockwise direction around the retaining portion 41 when viewed from the left side can be better reduced. Therefore, the burden on the user's oral cavity can be better reduced. In addition, since the second distance L2 can be prevented from becoming too long, even if the user turns his head, the increase in the centrifugal force applied to the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b can be better suppressed. Therefore, even if the user shakes his head, the increase in the force applied to the user's oral cavity via the retaining portion 41 can be better suppressed, so the burden on the user's oral cavity can be better reduced.

[0080] According to the present embodiment, the oral care device 10 includes a plurality of electronic components 30, and a portion of the electronic components 30 is housed in a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 22 that is closer to the rear side (-X side) than the retaining portion 41. Thus, the second weight W2 can be increased by utilizing a portion of the electronic components 30, in the present embodiment, the second electronic component group 32 and the third electronic component group 33, so that the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 can be further reduced. Thus, the torque of the oral care device 10 applied to the user's oral cavity can be better reduced, so that the burden on the user's oral cavity can be better reduced. In addition, since the oral care device 10 can be better suppressed from tilting, it is easy to better arrange the functional portion 40 at a predetermined position in the oral cavity. Thus, the cleaning ability in the user's oral cavity, such as between the teeth, can be better improved.

[0081] According to the present embodiment, the weight of the electronic component 30 disposed at the front side (+X side) of the holding portion 41 among the plurality of electronic components 30 is heavier than the weight of the electronic component 30 disposed at the rear side (-X side) of the holding portion 41 among the plurality of electronic components 30. In the present embodiment, the distance in the front-to-back direction between the electronic component 30 disposed at the front side of the holding portion 41, i.e., the third electronic component group 33, and the holding portion 41 is shorter than the distance in the front-to-back direction between the electronic component 30 disposed at the rear side of the holding portion 41, i.e., the first electronic component group 31 and the second electronic component group 32, respectively, and the holding portion 41. Thus, by making the weight of the third electronic component group 33 heavier than the weight obtained by adding the weight of the first electronic component group 31 and the weight of the second electronic component group 32, the torque that rotates the oral care device 10 around the holding portion 41 when viewed from the left and right direction can be reduced. Therefore, the burden on the user's oral cavity can be better reduced.

[0082] According to the present embodiment, when viewed from the top and bottom, the distance in the front-to-back direction between the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 and the center of the front-to-back direction of the holding portion 41 is 1.5 times or less of the dimension Ds in the front-to-back direction of the holding portion 41, and the distance in the left-to-right direction between the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 and the center of the left-to-right direction of the holding portion 41 is 1.5 times or less of the dimension Ws in the left-to-right direction of the holding portion 41. Thus, since the position of the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 and the position of the holding portion 41 when viewed from the top and bottom can be prevented from being excessively offset, the oral care device 10 can be more effectively prevented from tilting when the oral care device 10 is used. Therefore, the burden on the user's oral cavity can be more effectively reduced.

[0083] <First Modification>

[0084] Figure 8 1 is a top view of an oral care device 110 according to this modification. In this modification, the oral care device 110 includes a housing 120, an electronic component 30, and a functional unit 40. In the following description, components identical to those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

[0085] The housing 120 accommodates the electronic component 30 therein. The housing 120 is cylindrical. The housing 120 has an axis portion 21 and a pair of branch portions 122. The pair of branch portions 122 are respectively connected to the axis portion 21. Each branch portion 122 is cylindrical. The interior of each branch portion 122 is connected to the interior of the axis portion 21. The pair of branch portions 122 includes a first branch portion 123 and a second branch portion 124. In this variation, the first branch portion 123 is one branch portion 122, and the second branch portion 124 is another branch portion 122.

[0086] The first branch portion 123 is arranged at a position closer to the right side (+Y side) than the shaft portion 21. The first branch portion 123 has a first curved portion 123a and a first extension portion 123b. The first curved portion 123a is a cylinder extending from the shaft portion 21 toward the right side and the rear side (-X side). When viewed from the top and bottom directions, the first curved portion 123a is curved in a manner convex toward the right side and the front side (+X side). The first curved portion 123a is located on the right side as it goes toward the rear side. The first extension portion 123b is a cylinder protruding toward the rear side from the rear end of the first curved portion 123a.

[0087] The second branch portion 124 is arranged at a position closer to the left side (-Y side) than the shaft portion 21. The second branch portion 124 has a second curved portion 124a and a second extension portion 124b. The second curved portion 124a is a cylinder extending from the shaft portion 21 toward the left side and the rear side (-X side). When viewed from the top and bottom directions, the second curved portion 124a is curved in a manner convex toward the left side and the front side (+X side). The second curved portion 124a is located on the left side as it goes toward the rear side. Therefore, when viewed from the top and bottom directions, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 122 separates from each other in the left-right direction as it goes from the shaft portion 21 toward the rear side. The second extension portion 124b is a cylinder protruding toward the rear side from the rear end of the second curved portion 124a. The other structures of the shell 120 of this modified example are the same as the other structures of the shell 20 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0088] The first electronic component group 31 is stored in the first branch portion 123. The first electronic component group 31 is arranged at a position further back (at the -X side) than the holding portion 41. The second electronic component group 32 is stored in the second branch portion 124. The second electronic component group 32 is arranged further back than the holding portion 41. Thus, a portion of the electronic components 30 is stored in each of the pair of branch portions 122 further back than the holding portion 41.

[0089] The third electronic component group 33 is accommodated across the shaft portion 21, the first curved portion 123a, and the second curved portion 124a. The third electronic component group 33 is arranged at a position closer to the front side (+X side) than the retaining portion 41. That is, a portion of the electronic component 30 is accommodated in the portion of the housing 120 closer to the front side than the retaining portion 41. The other structures of the oral care device 110 of this modified example are the same as the other structures of the oral care device 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0090] According to this variation, the housing 120 has a shaft portion 21 extending in the front-to-back direction and a pair of branch portions 122 connected to the shaft portion 21, and when viewed from the top-bottom direction, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 122 separates from each other in the left-right direction as it moves from the shaft portion 21 toward the rear side (-X side). Thus, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 122 can be arranged at a position further back than the functional portion 40, thereby reducing the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 of the oral care device 110. Thus, the torque of the oral care device 110 applied to the user's oral cavity in the counterclockwise direction around the retaining portion 41 when viewed from the left side (-Y side) can be reduced. Therefore, when the oral care device 110 is used, the oral care device 110 can be suppressed from tilting, thereby reducing the burden on the user's oral cavity.

[0091] Furthermore, according to this modification, a portion of the electronic component 30 is accommodated in the portion of each of the pair of branch portions 122 that is closer to the rear side (-X side) than the holding portion 41. Thus, the second weight W2 can be increased by using a portion of the electronic component 30, so the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 can be reduced more effectively. Thus, the torque of the oral care device 110 applied to the user's oral cavity can be reduced more effectively, so the burden on the user's oral cavity can be reduced more effectively.

[0092] <Second Modification>

[0093] Fig. 9 2 is a top view of an oral care device 210 according to this modification. In this modification, the oral care device 210 includes a housing 220, an electronic component 30, and a functional unit 40. In the following description, components having the same form as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

[0094] The housing 220 accommodates the electronic component 30 therein. The housing 220 is cylindrical. The housing 220 has a shaft 21, a pair of branch portions 222, and a front protrusion 225. The pair of branch portions 222 are respectively connected to the shaft 21. Each branch portion 222 is cylindrical. The interior of each branch portion 222 is connected to the interior of the shaft 21. The pair of branch portions 222 includes a first branch portion 223 and a second branch portion 224. In this modified example, the first branch portion 223 is one branch portion 222, and the second branch portion 224 is another branch portion 222.

[0095] The first branch portion 223 is arranged at a position closer to the right side (+Y side) than the shaft portion 21. The first branch portion 223 includes a first protrusion 223a and a first extension portion 223b. The first protrusion 223a is a tubular shape extending from the shaft portion 21 to the right side. The first extension portion 223b is a tubular shape extending from the right end of the first protrusion 223a to the rear side (-X side). The rear side portion of the first extension portion 223b is arranged at a position closer to the rear side than the functional portion 40.

[0096] The second branch portion 224 is arranged at a position on the left side (-Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The second branch portion 224 has a second protrusion 224a and a second extension portion 224b. The second protrusion 224a is a cylinder extending from the shaft portion 21 to the left side. The second extension portion 224b is a cylinder extending from the left end of the second protrusion 224a to the rear side (-X side). The rear side portion of the second extension portion 224b is arranged at a position on the rear side of the functional portion 40. Thus, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 222 is arranged at a position on the rear side of the functional portion 40.

[0097] The front protrusion 225 protrudes from the shaft 21, the first protrusion 223a and the second protrusion 224a toward the front side (+X side). When viewed from the top and bottom directions, the surface of the front protrusion 225 facing the front side is a curved surface convex to the front side. The front protrusion 225 is hollow. The interior of the front protrusion 225 is connected to the interior of the shaft 21, the first protrusion 223a and the second protrusion 224a. The other structures of the housing 220 of this modified example are the same as the other structures of the housing 20 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0098] The first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first branch portion 223. More specifically, the first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first extension portion 223b. The first electronic component group 31 is arranged at a position further back (at the -X side) than the holding portion 41. The second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second branch portion 224. More specifically, the second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second extension portion 224b. The second electronic component group 32 is arranged further back than the holding portion 41. Thus, a portion of the electronic components 30 is housed in a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 222 further back than the holding portion 41.

[0099] The third electronic component group 33 is accommodated across the shaft portion 21, the first protrusion 223a, the second protrusion 224a, and the front protrusion 225. The third electronic component group 33 is arranged at a position closer to the front side (+X side) than the holding portion 41. That is, a portion of the electronic component 30 is accommodated in the portion of the housing 220 closer to the front side than the holding portion 41. The other structures of the oral care device 210 of this modification are the same as the other structures of the oral care device 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0100] According to this variation, the housing 220 has a shaft portion 21 extending in the front-to-back direction and a pair of branch portions 222 connected to the shaft portion 21, and when viewed from the top-to-bottom direction, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 222 is arranged at a position further back (-X side) than the functional portion 40. Thus, as in the above-described embodiment, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 of the oral care device 210 can be reduced. Thus, the torque of the oral care device 210 applied to the user's oral cavity in the counterclockwise direction around the retaining portion 41 when viewed from the left side (-Y side) can be reduced. Therefore, when the oral care device 210 is used, the oral care device 210 can be suppressed from tilting, thereby reducing the burden on the user's oral cavity.

[0101] Furthermore, according to this modification, a portion of the electronic component 30 is accommodated in the portion of each of the pair of branch portions 222 that is closer to the rear side (-X side) than the holding portion 41. Thus, the second weight W2 can be increased by using a portion of the electronic component 30, so the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 can be reduced more effectively. Thus, the torque of the oral care device 210 applied to the user's oral cavity can be reduced more effectively, so the burden on the user's oral cavity can be reduced more effectively.

[0102] <Third Modification>

[0103] Fig.10 3 is a top view showing an oral care device 310 of this modification. In this modification, the oral care device 310 includes a housing 320, an electronic component 30, and a functional unit 40. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0104] The housing 320 accommodates the electronic component 30 therein. The housing 320 is cylindrical. The housing 320 has an axis 21 and a pair of branch portions 322. The pair of branch portions 322 are respectively connected to the axis 21. Each branch portion 322 is cylindrical. The interior of each branch portion 322 is connected to the interior of the axis 21. The pair of branch portions 322 includes a first branch portion 323 and a second branch portion 324. In this variation, the first branch portion 323 is one branch portion 322, and the second branch portion 324 is another branch portion 322.

[0105] The first branch portion 323 is arranged at a position closer to the right side (+Y side) than the shaft portion 21. The first branch portion 323 includes a first extension portion 323a, a first curved portion 323b, and a first protruding portion 323c. The first extension portion 323a is a tubular shape extending from the shaft portion 21 to the right side. The first curved portion 323b is a tubular shape extending from the right end of the first extension portion 323a toward the right side and the rear side (-X side). When viewed from the top and bottom directions, the first curved portion 323b is curved in a manner convex to the right side. The first curved portion 323b is located on the right side as it goes toward the rear side. The rear side portion of the first curved portion 323b is arranged at a position closer to the rear side than the functional portion 40. The first protruding portion 323c is a tubular shape protruding from the right end of the first extension portion 323a toward the right side and the front side (+X side).

[0106] The second branch portion 324 is arranged at a position on the left side (-Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The second branch portion 324 has a second extension portion 324a, a second curved portion 324b and a second protruding portion 324c. The second extension portion 324a is a tubular shape extending from the shaft portion 21 to the left side. The second curved portion 324b is a tubular shape extending from the left end of the second extension portion 324a toward the left side and the rear side (-X side). When viewed from the top and bottom direction, the second curved portion 324b is curved in a convex manner to the left side. The second curved portion 324b is located on the left side as it goes to the rear side. Therefore, when viewed from the top and bottom direction, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 322 separates from each other in the left-right direction as it goes from the shaft portion 21 to the rear side. The rear side part of the second curved portion 324b is arranged at a position on the rear side of the functional portion 40. Thus, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 322 is arranged at a position on the rear side of the functional portion 40. The second protrusion 324c is a tubular shape that protrudes from the left end of the second extension 324a toward the left side and the front side (+X side). The other structures of the housing 320 of this modification are the same as those of the housing 20 of the above-described embodiment.

[0107] The first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first branch portion 323. More specifically, the first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first curved portion 323b. The first electronic component group 31 is arranged at a position further back (-X side) than the holding portion 41. The second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second branch portion 324. More specifically, the second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second curved portion 324b. The second electronic component group 32 is arranged further back than the holding portion 41. Thus, a portion of the electronic components 30 is housed in a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 322 further back than the holding portion 41.

[0108] The third electronic component group 33 is accommodated across the shaft portion 21, the first extension portion 323a, and the second extension portion 324a. The third electronic component group 33 is arranged at a position closer to the front side (+X side) than the holding portion 41. That is, a portion of the electronic component 30 is accommodated in the portion of the housing 320 closer to the front side than the holding portion 41. The other structures of the oral care device 310 of this modification are the same as the other structures of the oral care device 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0109] According to this variation, the housing 320 has a shaft portion 21 extending in the front-to-back direction and a pair of branch portions 322 connected to the shaft portion 21, and when viewed from the top-to-bottom direction, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 322 is arranged at a position further back (-X side) than the functional portion 40. Thus, as in the above-described embodiment, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 of the oral care device 310 can be reduced. Thus, the torque of the oral care device 310 applied to the user's oral cavity in the counterclockwise direction around the retaining portion 41 when viewed from the left side (-Y side) can be reduced. Therefore, when the oral care device 310 is used, the oral care device 310 can be suppressed from tilting, thereby reducing the burden on the user's oral cavity.

[0110] Furthermore, according to this modification, a portion of the electronic component 30 is accommodated in the portion of each of the pair of branch portions 322 that is closer to the rear side (-X side) than the holding portion 41. Thus, the second weight W2 can be increased by using a portion of the electronic component 30, so the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 can be reduced more effectively. Thus, the torque of the oral care device 310 applied to the user's oral cavity can be reduced more effectively, so the burden on the user's oral cavity can be reduced more effectively.

[0111] <Fourth Modification>

[0112] Fig.11 4 is a perspective view showing an oral care device 410 of this modification. In this modification, the oral care device 410 includes a housing 420, an electronic component 30, and a functional unit 440. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0113] The housing 420 accommodates the electronic component 30 therein. The housing 420 is cylindrical. The housing 420 has an axis 21 and a pair of branch portions 422. The pair of branch portions 422 are respectively connected to the axis 21. Each branch portion 422 is cylindrical. The pair of branch portions 422 includes a first branch portion 423 and a second branch portion 424. In this variation, the first branch portion 423 is one branch portion 422, and the second branch portion 424 is another branch portion 422.

[0114] The first branch portion 423 is arranged at a position closer to the right side (+Y side) than the shaft portion 21. The first branch portion 423 is a cylindrical shape extending from the shaft portion 21 toward the right side and the rear side (-X side). When viewed from the top and bottom directions, the first branch portion 423 is curved in a manner convex toward the right side and the front side (+X side). The rear side portion of the first branch portion 423 is arranged at a position closer to the rear side than the functional portion 440.

[0115] The second branch portion 424 is arranged at a position closer to the left side (-Y side) than the shaft portion 21. The second branch portion 424 is a cylinder extending from the shaft portion 21 toward the left side and the rear side (-X side). When viewed from the top and bottom directions, the second branch portion 424 is curved in a manner convex toward the left side and the front side (+X side). The rear portion of the second branch portion 424 is arranged at a position closer to the rear side than the functional portion 440. Thus, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 422 is arranged at a position closer to the rear side than the functional portion 440. Other structures of the shell 420 of this modified example are the same as other structures of the shell 20 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0116] The first electronic component group 31 is stored in the first branch portion 423. The first electronic component group 31 is arranged at a position further back (at the -X side) than the holding portion 441. The second electronic component group 32 is stored in the second branch portion 424. The second electronic component group 32 is arranged further back than the holding portion 441. Thus, a portion of the electronic components 30 is stored in each of the pair of branch portions 422 further back than the holding portion 441.

[0117] The third electronic component group 33 is accommodated across the shaft portion 21, the first branch portion 423, and the second branch portion 424. The third electronic component group 33 is arranged at a position closer to the front side (+X side) than the holding portion 441. That is, a portion of the electronic component 30 is accommodated in a portion of the housing 420 closer to the front side than the holding portion 441.

[0118] The functional part 440 performs the function of oral care in the user's oral cavity using the power supplied from the electronic component 30. The functional part 440 is connected to the end of the rear side (-X side) of the shaft 21. The functional part 440 protrudes from the shaft 21 to the rear side. The functional part 440 has a retaining part 441. In this modification, the retaining part 441 performs the function of oral care in the oral cavity using the power supplied from the electronic component 30. The retaining part 441 can vibrate in the oral cavity, promote blood flow in the oral cavity using warmth, and emit blue light to whiten teeth. In this modification, the retaining part 441 performs ultrasonic vibration using the power supplied from the electronic component 30. As a result, cavitation bubbles are generated in the liquid such as water in the user's oral cavity, and the bubbles can be used to clean the user's oral cavity such as between the teeth. The retaining part 441 has a connecting part 441a, a first retaining part 441b, and a second retaining part 441c.

[0119] The connecting portion 441a is a plate-shaped plate with the plate surface facing the front-back direction. The connecting portion 441a is connected to the end of the rear side (-X side) of the shaft portion 21. When viewed from the front-back direction, the connecting portion 441a is a substantially elliptical shape. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the connecting portion 441a is curved in a manner that protrudes toward the front side (+X side).

[0120] The first retaining portion 441b is arranged at a position on the rear side (-X side) of the connecting portion 441a. The first retaining portion 441b is connected to the end of the right side (+Y side) of the connecting portion 441a. The first retaining portion 441b is arranged at a position on the right side of the shaft portion 21. When viewed from the front-to-back direction, the first retaining portion 441b is a semicircular ring convex to the right side. The first retaining portion 441b has a first recess 441e. The first recess 441e is a pit recessed inward from the outer peripheral surface of the first retaining portion 441b. The first recess 441e extends along the outer periphery of the first retaining portion 441b.

[0121] The second retaining portion 441c is arranged at a position closer to the rear side (-X side) than the connecting portion 441a. The second retaining portion 441c is connected to the end of the left side (-Y side) of the connecting portion 441a. The second retaining portion 441c is arranged at a position closer to the left side than the shaft portion 21. The second retaining portion 441c is opposite to the first retaining portion 441b in the left-right direction. When viewed from the front-to-back direction, the second retaining portion 441c is a semicircular ring convex to the left side. The second retaining portion 441c has a second recessed portion 441f. The second recessed portion 441f is a pit recessed inward from the outer peripheral surface of the second retaining portion 441c. The second recessed portion 441f extends along the outer periphery of the second retaining portion 441c.

[0122] When using the oral care device 410, the user opens the user's lips from the first recess 441e and the second recess 441f to open in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), thereby holding the holding portion 441. In this way, the user holds the oral care device 410. The other structures of the oral care device 410 of this modification are the same as the other structures of the oral care device 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0123] According to this variation, the housing 420 has a shaft portion 21 extending in the front-to-back direction and a pair of branch portions 422 connected to the shaft portion 21, and when viewed from the top-to-bottom direction, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 422 is arranged at a position further back (-X side) than the functional portion 440. Thus, as in the above-described embodiment, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 of the oral care device 410 can be reduced. Thus, the torque of the oral care device 410 applied to the user's oral cavity in the counterclockwise direction around the retaining portion 441 when viewed from the left side (-Y side) can be reduced. Therefore, when the oral care device 410 is used, the oral care device 410 can be suppressed from tilting, thereby reducing the burden on the user's oral cavity.

[0124] <Fifth Modification>

[0125] Fig.124 is a perspective view showing an oral care device 510 of this modification. In this modification, the oral care device 510 includes a housing 420, an electronic component 30, and a functional unit 540. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those of the fourth modification of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0126] The functional portion 540 has a light-emitting portion not shown in the figure. In the present embodiment, the light-emitting portion is a light-emitting diode (LED). The light-emitting portion irradiates blue light using the power supplied from the electronic component 30. The functional portion 540 is connected to the end portion on the rear side (-X side) of the shaft portion 21. The functional portion 540 has a retaining portion 541. In the present variation, the retaining portion 541 has the above-mentioned light-emitting portion not shown in the figure. The retaining portion 541 irradiates blue light to the user's teeth using the power supplied from the electronic component 30. Thus, the retaining portion 541 whitens the user's teeth. When viewed from the top and bottom directions, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 422 is arranged at a position closer to the rear side than the functional portion 540. The retaining portion 541 has an extension portion 541a and a bending portion 541b.

[0127] The extension portion 541a is a plate-shaped portion extending upward. The plate surface of the extension portion 541a faces the front-rear direction. The extension portion 541a is connected to the end portion of the rear side (-X side) of the shaft portion 21. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the extension portion 541a is curved so as to protrude toward the front side (+X side).

[0128] When viewed from the left and right directions, the curved portion 541b is roughly U-shaped and protrudes upward. The lower end of the front side (+X side) of the curved portion 541b is connected to the upper end of the extension portion 541a. When the oral care device 510 is used, the outer surface of the curved portion 541b contacts the upper teeth of the user. In addition, the inner surface of the curved portion 541b contacts the lower teeth of the user. Thus, the user holds the oral care device 510 by holding the retaining portion 541. The other structures of the oral care device 510 of this variant are the same as the other structures of the oral care device 410 of the fourth variant of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0129] According to this variation, similar to the fourth variation of the above-mentioned embodiment, the housing 420 has a shaft portion 21 extending in the front-to-back direction and a pair of branch portions 422 connected to the shaft portion 21, and when viewed from the top-to-bottom direction, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions 422 is arranged at a position further back (-X side) than the functional portion 540. Thus, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 of the oral care device 510 can be reduced. Thus, the torque of the oral care device 510 applied to the user's oral cavity in the counterclockwise direction around the retaining portion 541 when viewed from the left side (-Y side) can be reduced. Therefore, when the oral care device 510 is used, the oral care device 510 can be suppressed from tilting, thereby reducing the burden on the user's oral cavity.

[0130] The above describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but it is self-evident that the present invention is not limited to these examples. As long as the oral care device can be prevented from tilting during use, those skilled in the art can obtain the above-mentioned effects based on this indicator. In addition, the shapes and combinations of the various components shown in the above examples are examples, and various changes can be made based on design requirements, etc. without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0131] For example, the oral care device may include a sub-branch portion that protrudes backward from a pair of branch portions and is inserted into the oral cavity when in use, a first magnet that is respectively mounted on the sub-branch portion, and a second magnet that is mounted on a portion of each of the pair of branch portions that is outside the user's oral cavity in the left-right direction. In the oral care device of this structure, the position of the oral care device relative to the oral cavity can be determined by the magnetic force between the first magnet located in the oral cavity and the second magnet located outside the oral cavity. Therefore, even if the functional portion vibrates during use, the misalignment of the oral care device can be suppressed.

[0132] Industrial Applicability

[0133] The oral care device of the present invention can suppress tilting during use and can therefore be preferably used as an oral care device.

Claims

1. An oral care device, wherein: The oral care device has: Electronic components; a housing for housing the electronic components; and a functional part that performs an oral care function in the oral cavity using power supplied from the electronic component, The housing has a shaft portion extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of branch portions connected to the shaft portion. The functional portion is connected to the rear end of the shaft portion and protrudes rearward from the shaft portion. When viewed from the top and bottom direction, a portion of each of the pair of branch portions is separated from each other in the left-right direction as it moves from the shaft portion toward the rear side.

2. The oral care device according to claim 1, wherein: A maximum distance between the pair of branch portions in the left-right direction is longer than a distance between a front end of the shaft portion and a rear end of the functional portion.

3. The oral care device according to claim 1, wherein: The oral care device comprises a plurality of the electronic components. The plurality of electronic components include a first electronic component group housed in one of the branch portions and a second electronic component group housed in another of the branch portions. When viewed from the top and bottom, an angle formed by a first imaginary line passing through a portion of the first electronic component group that is farthest from the axis and an end portion on the front side of the axis and a second imaginary line passing through a portion of the second electronic component group that is farthest from the axis and an end portion on the front side of the axis is greater than 50° and less than 120°.

4. The oral care device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The functional part has a holding part connected to the shaft part and held in the user's mouth. The rear end of each of the pair of branch portions is located rearward of the rear end of the holding portion.

5. The oral care device according to claim 4, wherein: When the distance between the front end of the branch portion and the rear end of the holding portion is L1, and the distance between the rear end of the holding portion and the rear end of the branch portion is L2, the relationship L1≦L2≦3×L1 is satisfied.

6. The oral care device according to claim 4, wherein: The oral care device comprises a plurality of the electronic components. A portion of the electronic component is housed in a portion of each of the pair of branch portions that is located rearward of the holding portion.

7. The oral care device according to claim 4, wherein: The weight of the electronic component disposed at a position forward of the holding portion among the plurality of electronic components is heavier than the weight of the electronic component disposed at a position rearward of the holding portion among the plurality of electronic components.

8. The oral care device according to claim 4, wherein: When viewed from the top and bottom, the distance in the front-to-back direction between the center of gravity and the center of the front-to-back direction of the retaining part is less than 1.5 times the size of the retaining part in the front-to-back direction, and the distance in the left-to-right direction between the center of gravity and the center of the left-to-right direction of the retaining part is less than 1.5 times the size of the left-to-right direction of the retaining part.

Images