Drive unit and oral care implement having drive unit

Abstract

The present application discloses a drive unit for an oral care implement, the drive unit comprising: a motor having a motor shaft, the motor configured to drive rotational movement of the motor shaft about a longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; the eccentric element is relatively connected to the motor shaft in a swinging manner and rotates along with the motor shaft in a first plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; the eccentric element is provided with an eccentric part which is eccentrically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; the inclined table is located above the motor, the motor shaft can penetrate through the inclined table, and the upper surface of the inclined table is obliquely arranged and used for supporting the eccentric element; and the transmission element is configured to be connected with the eccentric part and is driven by the eccentric part to change in a reciprocating manner along the height of the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft. Therefore, the driving unit can convert rotary motion into linear reciprocating motion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of personal hygiene products, and more specifically to a drive unit and an oral care appliance having such a drive unit. Background Technology

[0002] It is generally known that rotational motion provided by the shaft of a DC motor can be converted into oscillating motion by means of a suitable gear mechanism, such as the four-bar linkage described in DE3937854A1.

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a drive unit that is arranged to convert rotational motion provided by a motor into linear reciprocating motion for driving driven elements such as oral care appliances.

[0004] It should be noted that the above content is only used to help understand the technical solution of this application and does not represent an admission that the above content is prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a drive unit for an oral care appliance, configured to convert rotational motion into linear reciprocating motion during operation. The drive unit includes: a motor having a motor shaft configured to drive the motor shaft to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; an eccentric element relatively pivotally connected to the motor shaft and rotating with the motor shaft in a first plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; the eccentric element having an eccentric portion disposed eccentrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; a ramp located above the motor and through which the motor shaft passes, the upper surface of the ramp being inclined and used to support the eccentric element such that the height of the eccentric portion along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft reciprocates as the eccentric element rotates; and a transmission element configured to be connected to the eccentric portion and driven by the eccentric portion to reciprocate along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft.

[0006] Thus, through the above structure, the rotational motion of the motor is converted into the linear reciprocating motion of the transmission element, which is then used to drive oral care appliances.

[0007] According to one aspect of this application, the eccentric element is provided with a downward-facing connecting channel for insertion of the motor shaft; the connecting channel has insertion holes on opposite sidewalls corresponding to the position of the motor shaft, and the motor shaft has an insertion channel corresponding to the position of the insertion holes; the insertion holes and the insertion channels allow a connecting pin to be inserted to connect the eccentric element and the motor shaft. Thus, the eccentric element can rotate with the motor shaft.

[0008] According to one aspect of this application, in a second plane perpendicular to the connecting pin, the width of the connecting channel is greater than the width of the motor shaft so that the eccentric element can swing relative to the motor shaft in the second plane.

[0009] According to one aspect of this application, the motor shaft includes a motor shaft extension sleeved thereon; the motor shaft extension is configured to connect with the eccentric unit. This avoids directly drilling into the motor shaft, reducing the machining difficulty of the motor shaft.

[0010] According to one aspect of this application, in a second plane perpendicular to the connecting pin, the eccentric element has a first end and a second end in the lateral direction; the eccentric portion is configured to be located above the first end. Thus, the position of the eccentric portion makes it possible for it to swing relative to the connecting pin.

[0011] According to one aspect of this application, the first end and the second end are fitted with pulleys that roll in contact with the upper surface of the inclined platform. On the one hand, the rolling friction with the inclined platform makes it relatively easy for the eccentric element to rotate; on the other hand, it reduces noise.

[0012] According to one aspect of this application, the transmission element includes a coupling end universally connected to the eccentric element and an output end remote from the eccentric element; the oral care appliance includes a grip portion accommodating the drive unit, the grip portion having a limiting channel that allows only the output end to move along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft.

[0013] According to one aspect of this application, the gripping part is provided with a transmission rod and a guide post inside; the output end is universally connected to the transmission rod; the guide post is provided with a through hole along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft to form the limiting channel and slide with the transmission rod.

[0014] According to one aspect of this application, the eccentric element is provided with a downward-facing connection channel for inserting the motor shaft; the connection channel has snap-fit ​​holes on opposite sidewalls corresponding to the position of the motor shaft, and the motor shaft has snap-fit ​​protrusions corresponding to the positions of the snap-fit ​​holes; the snap-fit ​​holes and the snap-fit ​​protrusions cooperate to achieve the connection between the eccentric element and the motor shaft.

[0015] This application also provides an oral care appliance that includes the aforementioned drive unit.

[0016] According to one aspect of this application, the oral care appliance is configured as an electric toothbrush. Attached Figure Description

[0017] This application will also be explained in more detail with the aid of the following figures. These should be understood as examples only and are not intended to limit this application to the examples shown. Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of an oral care appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is shown; Figure 2 An exploded view of the driving unit according to a preferred embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 3 A front view of the drive unit in different positional states according to a preferred embodiment of this application is shown. List of reference numerals 1. Drive Unit 2 motors 20 motor shaft 201 Plug Channel 202 Motor shaft extension 203 Motor Shaft Body 3 Eccentric Units 30 Eccentric part 31 Connection Channel 311 Socket 312 Connecting Pin 32 First end 33 Second end 34 pulleys 4. Inclined platform 5. Transmission components 51 Connection end 52 Output terminal 6. Oral care appliances 60 Grip section 61 Limiting Channel 62 Transmission rod 621 Transmission Sleeve 63. Guide post. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present application will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. More details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can obviously be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar extensions and derivations based on actual application situations without departing from the spirit of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should not be limited by the content of this specific embodiment.

[0019] Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of an oral care appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is shown, while Figure 2 An exploded view of the driving unit according to a preferred embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 3A front view of the drive unit in different positional states according to a preferred embodiment of this application is shown.

[0020] like Figure 1 The drive unit 1 shown is used for an oral care appliance 6. The drive unit 1 includes a motor 2 having a motor shaft 20, the motor 2 being configured to drive the motor shaft 20 to rotate about the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20.

[0021] An eccentric element 3 is pivotally connected to the motor shaft 20 and rotates with the motor shaft 20 in a first plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20. Specifically, although the eccentric element 3 and the motor shaft 20 are in a pivotally connected state, they are relatively fixed in the first plane, so the rotational motion of the motor shaft 20 can be transmitted to the eccentric element 3. The eccentric element 3 has an eccentric portion 30 that is offset relative to the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20, and the eccentric portion 30 also rotates in the first plane.

[0022] An inclined platform 4 is located above the motor 2 and allows the motor shaft 20 to pass through. Specifically, the inclined platform 4 can be fixed to the housing of the motor 2 and will not rotate with the motor shaft 20. The upper surface of the inclined platform 4 is inclined and is used to support the eccentric element 3. Since the eccentric element 3 can swing relative to the motor shaft 20, the inclined upper surface of the inclined platform 4 will cause the eccentric element 3 to swing back and forth when it rotates. Therefore, the height of the eccentric part 30 along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20 will also change back and forth.

[0023] The transmission element 5 is configured to be connected to and driven by the eccentric part 30 to reciprocate along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20.

[0024] Thus, the above structure realizes the rotational motion of the motor shaft 20 → the rotational motion and oscillation of the eccentric element 3 → the linear reciprocating motion of the transmission element 5, making the conventional rotary motor 2 applicable to oral care appliances 6 that require reciprocating motion, thereby improving the versatility of the motor 2.

[0025] The principles and applications of this application will be further illustrated in the following embodiments.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, such as Figure 1 As shown, the eccentric element 3 is provided with a downward-facing connecting channel 31 for the motor shaft 20 to be inserted. Figure 2As shown, the connecting channel 31 has two insertion holes 311 on each side wall corresponding to the location of the motor shaft 20. The motor shaft 20 has an insertion channel 201 corresponding to the position of the insertion hole 311. The insertion channel 201 extends laterally, and the insertion hole 311 and insertion channel 201 allow the connecting pin 312 to be inserted to connect the eccentric element 3 and the motor shaft 20. This connection method allows the eccentric unit 3 to rotate with the motor shaft 20 in the first plane, while also allowing relative rotation between the eccentric unit 3 and the motor shaft 20 in the second plane perpendicular to the connecting pin 312.

[0027] In one alternative embodiment, the eccentric element 3 is provided with a downward-facing connecting channel 31 for inserting the motor shaft 20. The connecting channel 31 has snap-fit ​​holes on opposite sidewalls corresponding to the location of the motor shaft 20. Generally, the snap-fit ​​holes are located at the lower edge of the sidewalls and have downward-facing openings. The motor shaft 20 has snap-fit ​​protrusions corresponding to the snap-fit ​​holes. These protrusions can be integrally formed on the outer peripheral wall of the motor shaft 20. The snap-fit ​​holes and the snap-fit ​​protrusions cooperate to achieve the connection between the eccentric element 3 and the motor shaft 20.

[0028] Furthermore, in order to allow the eccentric unit 3 in the second plane to swing relative to the motor shaft 20, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the width of the connecting channel 31 should be greater than the width of the motor shaft 20.

[0029] In an optional embodiment, the motor shaft 20 further includes a motor shaft extension 202 that passes through the ramp 4 and connects to the eccentric unit 3. This extension 202 is sleeved on the motor shaft body 203, and an insertion channel 201 is formed on the motor shaft extension 202. The connection method with the eccentric unit 3 will not be described in detail. This avoids directly drilling into the motor shaft 20, reducing the machining difficulty of the motor shaft 20.

[0030] In one alternative embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, in a second plane perpendicular to the connecting pin 312, the eccentric element 3 has a first end 32 and a second end 33 in the lateral direction. Normally, the eccentric portion 30 is positioned offset from the location of the connecting pin 312, and optionally it is configured to be located above the first end 32.

[0031] Taking the eccentric portion 30 located above the first end portion 32 as an example, such as Figure 3 As shown in Figure a, when the first end 32 rotates to the first position, which is the highest point of the ramp 4, the eccentric part 30 is also at its highest point in the longitudinal axis L1 direction of the motor shaft 20. As rotation continues, as... Figure 3As shown in b, when the first end 32 rotates to the second position, that is, the lowest point of the inclined platform 4, the eccentric part 30 is also located at the lowest point in the longitudinal axis L1 direction of the motor shaft 20. It can be seen that the height of the eccentric part 30 changes back and forth as the motor shaft 20 rotates.

[0032] In an optional embodiment, pulleys 34 are respectively fitted on the first end 32 and the second end 33. The pulleys 34 are rotatable relative to each end. Thus, when the eccentric unit 3 rotates with the motor shaft 20, the sliding friction between the eccentric unit 3 and the inclined platform 4 will be converted into rolling friction. On the one hand, this makes the rotation of the eccentric element 3 smoother, and on the other hand, it can reduce the noise generated by friction.

[0033] In one alternative embodiment, the transmission element 5 includes a coupling end 51 universally connected to the eccentric element 3 and an output end 52 located away from the eccentric element 3. The oral care appliance 6 includes a grip portion 60 housing the drive unit, and to prevent oscillation or deviation of the output end 52 during the upward motion transition, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the gripping part 60 has a limiting channel 61 that only allows the output end 52 to move along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20. Thus, the distance between the connecting end 51 and the output end 52 along the radial direction of the oral care appliance 6 is fixed, and when the height of the connecting end 51 along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20 changes with the reciprocating motion of the eccentric part 30, the output end 52 also reciprocates linearly in that direction.

[0034] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the gripping part 60 is internally equipped with a transmission rod 62 and a guide post 63. The output end 52 is universally connected to the transmission rod 62. Specifically, a transmission sleeve 621 is provided near the end of the transmission rod 62 close to the transmission element 5, and the output end 52 is universally connected to the transmission sleeve 621. The guide post 63 is engaged with the inner wall of the gripping part 60, and it has a through hole along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20, forming a limiting channel 61 that slides with the transmission rod 62. Thus, under the combined action of the output end 52 and the limiting channel 61, the transmission rod 62 reciprocates linearly along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, the distal end of the transmission rod 62 protrudes from the grip portion 60 and is connected to the head element of the oral care appliance 6. In an alternative embodiment, the distal end of the transmission rod 62 may also be located within the grip portion 60, with the head unit of the oral care appliance 6 inserted into the grip portion 60 and connected to the distal end of the transmission rod 62. Thus, the linear reciprocating motion of the transmission rod 62 can be transmitted to the head.

[0036] This application also provides an oral care appliance 6 including any of the above-mentioned drive units, wherein the oral care appliance 6 is an electric toothbrush. Thus, the drive unit 1 can transmit linear reciprocating motion to the cleaning unit of the electric toothbrush to achieve the corresponding cleaning effect.

[0037] It should be noted that all designations related to direction and orientation in this application, such as those above, pertain to the situation where the oral care appliance is upright.

[0038] While this application discloses preferred embodiments as described above, it is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Any changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the content of the technical solution of this application shall fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A drive unit for an oral care appliance, configured to convert rotational motion into linear reciprocating motion during operation, characterized in that: The driving unit includes: A motor having a motor shaft, the motor being configured to drive the motor shaft to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; An eccentric element is pivotally connected to the motor shaft and rotates with the motor shaft in a first plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; the eccentric element has an eccentric portion that is eccentrically disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft. An inclined platform is located above the motor and through which the motor shaft can pass. The upper surface of the inclined platform is inclined and used to support the eccentric element, so that the height of the eccentric part along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft changes back and forth when the eccentric element rotates. A transmission element, the transmission element being configured to be connected to and driven by the eccentric portion to reciprocate along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft.

2. The driving unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The eccentric element is provided with a downward-facing connection channel for the motor shaft to be inserted. The connecting channel is provided with insertion holes on the opposite sidewalls of the motor shaft, and the motor shaft is provided with insertion channels corresponding to the positions of the insertion holes. The insertion hole and the insertion channel allow a connecting pin to be inserted to connect the eccentric element and the motor shaft.

3. The driving unit as described in claim 2, characterized in that: In a second plane perpendicular to the connecting pin, the width of the connecting channel is greater than the width of the motor shaft so that the eccentric element can swing relative to the motor shaft.

4. The driving unit as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The motor shaft includes a motor shaft extension sleeved thereon; The motor shaft extension is configured to connect with the eccentric unit.

5. The driving unit as described in claim 3, characterized in that: In a second plane perpendicular to the connecting pin, the eccentric element has a first end and a second end in the lateral direction; The eccentric portion is configured to be located above the first end.

6. The driving unit as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The first end and the second end are fitted with pulleys that roll in contact with the upper surface of the inclined platform.

7. The driving unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission element includes a connecting end that is universally connected to the eccentric element and an output end that is away from the eccentric element; The oral care appliance includes a grip portion that houses the drive unit, the grip portion having a limiting channel that allows only the output end to move along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft.

8. The driving unit as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The gripping part is internally provided with a transmission rod and a guide post; The output end is universally connected to the transmission rod; The guide post is provided with a through hole along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft, which slides with the transmission rod to form the limiting channel.

9. The driving unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The eccentric element is provided with a downward-facing connection channel for the motor shaft to be inserted. The connecting channel is provided with snap-fit ​​holes on the opposite sidewalls of the motor shaft, and the motor shaft is provided with snap-fit ​​protrusions at the positions of the snap-fit ​​holes. The snap-fit ​​hole and the snap-fit ​​protrusion engage to connect the eccentric element and the motor shaft.

10. An oral care appliance, characterized in that: Includes the drive unit as described in claims 1-9: The oral care appliance is configured as an electric toothbrush.

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