Water pick and double-trigger control method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a water pick and a double-trigger control method thereof. Comprising a shell, a supporting cylinder arranged in the shell, an elastic inserting sleeve arranged in the supporting cylinder in a sleeved mode, a plurality of pressure sensing units arranged between the inserting sleeve and the supporting cylinder in the circumferential direction, a spray head connected with the inserting sleeve in an inserted mode, a water pump communicating with the spray head through a pipeline and a controller electrically connected with the pressure sensing units and the water pump. The nozzle is inserted to enable the plug sleeve to generate uniform expansion deformation, when the plug sleeve is stressed in the oral cavity, the hole wall of the nozzle via hole forms a fulcrum to trigger non-uniform secondary deformation, and the pressure sensing unit respectively senses and outputs different pressure signals to the controller. The controller starts the water pump to spray water only after sequentially receiving the second pressure signal representing the installation of the spray head and the third pressure signal representing the contact use of the spray head, so that the problems of high mistaken starting risk, easiness in mistaken spraying of water flow and waste of water resources caused by single detection dimension of a traditional oral irrigator are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of oral hygiene equipment technology, and more specifically to a water flosser and its dual-trigger control method. Background Technology

[0002] Water flossers are becoming increasingly popular as an effective oral hygiene tool. However, traditional water flossers have a relatively simple start-up logic: the water pump starts spraying water immediately after the user turns it on. If the nozzle is not properly aimed at the mouth at this time, it can easily cause accidental water spraying, leading to inconvenience, water waste, and even safety hazards. To improve this problem, the industry has proposed several technical solutions to prevent accidental start-up by detecting the nozzle status. These solutions can be mainly summarized into the following three categories:

[0003] 1. Position or orientation-based detection technology.

[0004] These technologies determine user intent by sensing changes in the overall position of the device. For example, some solutions integrate gravity or inertial sensors into the water flosser handle, waking the device by detecting acceleration and angular velocity signals when it is picked up or moved. Other products use built-in gyroscopes or other sensors to automatically shut down when the device is accidentally tilted, preventing accidental activation. The limitation of these methods is that they detect the overall macroscopic movement of the device and cannot accurately distinguish between the crucial states of "the nozzle is inserted into the body" and "the nozzle is being used in the mouth." Users may pick up or move the device in preparation, but if the nozzle is not installed or in the mouth, there is still a risk of accidental activation.

[0005] 2. Single-state detection technology based on the presence or absence of the nozzle.

[0006] This is currently a more direct solution to the problem of water flossers malfunctioning. Its core is detecting whether the nozzle is physically installed on the device. The main methods of implementation include: Distance / Inductive Detection: A sensor (such as an infrared sensor) is installed on the machine body, and a corresponding trigger is installed on the printhead. When the printhead is inserted into the mounting bracket on the machine body, the trigger enters the sensor's recognition area, and the system determines that the printhead is installed and allows the equipment to start.

[0007] Contact detection: A signal indicating the presence of the nozzle is generated when the nozzle is inserted, triggered by a simple mechanical switch or electrical contact point.

[0008] However, this type of technology can only determine whether the nozzle is in place. Once the nozzle is inserted, the detection condition is met, and the device can start spraying water. It cannot further determine whether the nozzle is placed in the mouth and in the correct position to be cleaned. If the user accidentally touches the switch after inserting the nozzle but before placing it in the mouth, water will still spray outwards, failing to completely solve the problem of accidental spraying.

[0009] 3. Detection technology based on the relative distance between the nozzle and the oral cavity.

[0010] To achieve greater safety, more advanced technologies attempt to directly determine whether the nozzle has entered the mouth. A representative approach integrates a distance sensor at the top of the water flosser's handle to detect the distance between the nozzle tip and the mouth (or face) in real time. When the distance reaches a set threshold, it is determined that the water has entered the mouth, allowing water to flow. This method goes a step further than the two methods mentioned above, but its detection relies on a preset, fixed distance threshold, which may lead to misjudgments in complex real-world usage scenarios. For example, if a user holds the device and the nozzle is unintentionally aimed at the cheek or other body part at close range, the activation condition may be met, resulting in accidental water spraying. Furthermore, this technology also cannot sense whether the nozzle is pressed against the teeth or gums and ready to receive water flow, i.e., it cannot confirm the "usage status."

[0011] In addition, some solutions circumvent the issue through operational logic, such as setting a device lock via a mobile application or using buttons with special shapes and layouts to reduce the probability of accidental touches. However, these are auxiliary or passive designs and do not achieve intelligence at the core startup control logic level.

[0012] In summary, existing anti-misoperation technologies share the following shortcomings: First, they rely on a single detection dimension, often depending on only one signal (such as position movement, nozzle presence, or distance from the inlet), resulting in lenient conditions and insufficient reliability. Second, their status assessments are imprecise, failing to establish a continuous, progressive judgment logic between "installation" and "use," particularly lacking effective detection methods for the crucial "usage state" of the nozzle within the oral cavity (such as contact with teeth). Therefore, developing a water flosser control scheme capable of continuous, dual-state verification to more intelligently and reliably prevent misoperation is both necessary and has significant market value.

[0013] Therefore, how to provide a new oral irrigator and its dual trigger control method, which can reliably avoid accidental water spraying while accurately sensing the usage status of the nozzle in the oral cavity, is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0014] In view of this, the present invention provides a water flosser and its dual trigger control method, aiming to solve the above-mentioned technical problem of high risk of false start-up caused by single detection dimension and inaccurate state judgment.

[0015] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A dental flosser, comprising: The housing has a nozzle through-hole at the top that communicates with the interior. A support cylinder is fixedly connected inside the housing at the position corresponding to the nozzle through-hole. A standby button is installed on the side wall of the housing. The insert sleeve is an elastic body. The insert sleeve is fitted inside the support cylinder, and the inner cavity of the insert sleeve is an insertion hole, which corresponds to the nozzle through hole. The pressure sensing unit is installed between the plug sleeve and the support cylinder, and its multiple sensing ends are evenly arranged along the circumference of the plug sleeve. The nozzle is inserted into the insertion hole. The nozzle can expand and deform when inserted into the insertion hole. The deformation is transmitted to the pressure sensing unit through the insertion sleeve. The water pump is connected to the nozzle via a pipeline; The controller is electrically connected to the standby button, the pressure sensing unit, and the water pump. The controller controls the water pump to start and stop by collecting different pressure signals from the pressure sensing unit.

[0016] As can be seen, by setting up an elastic plug sleeve, a support cylinder, and pressure sensing units evenly arranged circumferentially at the detection end, the present invention enables the expansion and deformation of the plug sleeve when the nozzle is inserted into the plug hole to be directly transmitted to the pressure sensing unit, thereby achieving high-precision detection of the nozzle insertion state and solving the problem of insufficient detection reliability caused by traditional oral irrigators relying on a single mechanical or capacitive sensing method.

[0017] Preferably, it also includes a sleeve, which is fitted inside the support cylinder and its outer tube surface contacts and abuts against the sensing end of the pressure sensing unit. A plug sleeve is fitted on the inner tube surface of the sleeve. The sleeve has a preset structural stiffness to constrain the excessive and nonlinear deformation of the plug sleeve and directly transmit the deformation to the pressure sensing unit, thereby avoiding deformation transmission distortion caused by the elastic material of the plug sleeve.

[0018] Preferably, the sleeve is made of plastic.

[0019] Preferably, the inner surface of the support cylinder has a mounting groove that extends through its free end, and the pressure sensing unit is installed in the mounting groove.

[0020] Preferably, the mounting groove is an annular groove arranged coaxially with the support cylinder.

[0021] Preferably, the nozzle through-holes are arranged with a uniform gap to the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle.

[0022] Preferably, the nozzle orifice is configured such that when the nozzle is subjected to an external lateral force, the orifice wall constitutes a fulcrum for the nozzle to deflect.

[0023] A dual-trigger control method based on the above-mentioned oral irrigator includes: S1. When the oral irrigator is in standby mode, the controller collects the signal from the pressure sensing unit in real time. S2. Nozzle insertion detection: When the nozzle is not inserted into the insertion hole, the pressure sensing unit outputs a first pressure signal X1; when the nozzle is inserted into the insertion hole and causes the insertion sleeve to expand, the pressure sensing unit outputs a second pressure signal X2 representing the insertion state; if only the first pressure signal X1 or the second pressure signal X2 is detected, the controller locks the water pump to prevent it from starting. S3. Usage Status Detection: When the inserted nozzle contacts the teeth or gaps in the mouth, the insertion sleeve undergoes uneven secondary deformation, and the pressure sensing unit outputs a third pressure signal X3 representing the usage status; when the controller detects the third pressure signal X3 after acquiring and detecting the second pressure signal X2, the controller starts the water pump to spray water.

[0024] As can be seen, the present invention collects the pressure sensing unit signal in real time through the controller and designs a dual trigger logic: the water pump is activated only after the second pressure signal X2 of nozzle insertion and the third pressure signal X3 of use in the oral cavity are detected at the same time. This effectively prevents the situation of accidental activation due to nozzle not being inserted or not actually being used, and solves the safety hazards caused by accidental triggering of the oral irrigator.

[0025] Preferably, the water flosser enters standby mode after being activated by the user pressing the standby button.

[0026] Preferably, in S3, after the controller receives the second pressure signal X2, it needs to press the standby button again before the controller can automatically control the water pump to spray water according to the third pressure signal X3 it receives.

[0027] As can be seen from the above technical solution, compared with the prior art, the present invention discloses a water flosser and its dual trigger control method, which has the following beneficial effects: The present invention creatively uses the cooperation of an elastic plug sleeve and a pressure sensing unit evenly arranged circumferentially at the detection end to convert the physical state of the nozzle into a distinguishable electrical signal, and designs a dual electronic trigger logic of "installation detection" and "use contact detection" that must be satisfied in sequence, thereby fundamentally eliminating the safety hazards and water waste caused by accidental contact or accidental start-up of water spraying in the non-use state of traditional water flossers; at the same time, its structure cleverly utilizes a tiny gap to form a lever fulcrum, so that the tiny deflection of the nozzle against the teeth in the oral cavity can be sensitively captured and converted into a clear start signal, realizing intelligent control of instant spraying and instant stop upon removal from the teeth, significantly improving the safety, accuracy and convenience of use. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 The attached figure is a schematic diagram of the structure of a water flosser provided by the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of part A in the middle.

[0030] Wherein: 1-housing; 2-insertion sleeve; 3-pressure sensing unit; 4-nozzle; 5-sleeve; 11-nozzle through hole; 12-support cylinder; 21-insertion hole; 121-mounting groove. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] Example 1: See appendix Figure 1 To be continued Figure 2 The present invention discloses a dental flosser, comprising: a housing 1, a plug sleeve 2, a pressure sensing unit 3, a nozzle 4, a water pump, and a controller; The top of the housing 1 has a nozzle through hole 11 that communicates with the interior. A support cylinder 12 is fixedly connected inside the housing 1 at the position corresponding to the nozzle through hole 11. A standby button is installed on the side wall of the housing 1. The plug sleeve 2 is an elastic body. The plug sleeve 2 is sleeved inside the support cylinder 12, and the inner cavity of the plug sleeve 2 is the plug hole 21, which corresponds to the nozzle through hole 11. The pressure sensing unit 3 is installed between the plug sleeve 2 and the support cylinder 12, and its multiple detection ends are evenly arranged along the circumference of the plug sleeve 2. The nozzle 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 21. The nozzle 4 can be inserted into the insertion hole 21 to cause it to expand and deform. The deformation is transmitted to the pressure sensing unit 3 through the insertion sleeve 2. The water pump and nozzle 4 are connected by a pipeline; The controller is electrically connected to the standby button, pressure sensing unit 3 and water pump. The controller controls the water pump to start and stop by collecting different pressure signals from the pressure sensing unit.

[0033] Specifically, the pressure sensing unit 3 can be a ring-shaped pressure sensor, sleeved on the outer periphery of the plug sleeve 2 and having multiple detection ends; it can also be a single sheet-shaped pressure sensor arranged along the outer periphery of the plug sleeve 2 and having a single unidirectional detection end; or it can be multiple sheet-shaped pressure sensors evenly arranged along the circumference of the plug sleeve 2 on the outer periphery of the plug sleeve 2.

[0034] In this embodiment, a sleeve 5 is also included. The sleeve 5 is fitted inside the support cylinder 12 and its outer tube surface is in contact with the sensing end of the pressure sensing unit 3. The insertion sleeve 2 is fitted on the inner tube surface of the sleeve 5. The sleeve 5 has a preset structural stiffness to constrain the excessive and nonlinear deformation of the insertion sleeve 2 and directly transmit the deformation to the pressure sensing unit 3, thereby avoiding deformation transmission distortion caused by the elastic material of the insertion sleeve 2.

[0035] In one embodiment, the sleeve 5 is made of plastic.

[0036] Specifically, the insert sleeve 2 is made of medical-grade thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a Shore hardness of A50, an elastic modulus of approximately 8 MPa, and a radial compressive stiffness of approximately 18 N / mm. The sleeve 5 is made of glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate, with an elastic modulus of approximately 3.2 GPa and a bending stiffness approximately 25 times that of the insert sleeve. Through this fit, the uniform deformation generated by the insertion of the nozzle 4 and the uneven deflection caused by the force in the oral cavity can be sensitively detected and linearly transmitted to the pressure sensing unit 3, thereby providing the controller with pressure signals that accurately distinguish different states.

[0037] In one embodiment, the inner surface of the support cylinder 12 is provided with a mounting groove 121 that extends through its free end, and the pressure sensing unit 3 is installed in the mounting groove 121.

[0038] In some embodiments, the mounting groove 121 is an annular groove arranged coaxially with the support cylinder 12.

[0039] In other embodiments, the nozzle through-hole 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle 4 are arranged with uniform gaps.

[0040] In some other specific embodiments, the nozzle through-hole 11 is configured such that when the nozzle 4 is subjected to an external lateral force, the hole wall of the nozzle through-hole 11 constitutes a fulcrum for the nozzle 4 to deflect.

[0041] Specifically, the difference between the inner diameter of the nozzle through-hole 11 and the outer diameter of the nozzle 4 rod, i.e., the radial clearance on one side, is configured to be 0.1mm ± 0.05mm. This clearance is sufficient to ensure that the nozzle 4 can be freely centered when not subjected to lateral force, and that when subjected to lateral force applied from inside the oral cavity, its tip can quickly contact the wall of the nozzle through-hole 11 to form an effective lever fulcrum P.

[0042] Example 2: A dual-trigger control method based on the above-mentioned oral irrigator includes: S1. When the oral irrigator is in standby mode, the controller collects the signal from the pressure sensing unit 3 in real time. S2. Nozzle insertion detection: When the nozzle 4 is not inserted into the insertion hole 21, the pressure sensing unit 3 outputs a first pressure signal X1; when the nozzle 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 21 and causes the insertion sleeve 2 to expand, the pressure sensing unit 3 outputs a second pressure signal X2 representing the insertion state; if only the first pressure signal X1 or the second pressure signal X2 is detected, the controller locks the water pump so that it cannot start. S3. Usage status detection: When the inserted nozzle 4 contacts the teeth or gaps in the mouth, the insertion sleeve 2 undergoes uneven secondary deformation, and the pressure sensing unit 3 outputs a third pressure signal X3 representing the usage status; when the controller detects the third pressure signal X3 after acquiring and detecting the second pressure signal X2, the controller starts the water pump to spray water.

[0043] In this embodiment, the water flosser enters standby mode after being activated by the user pressing the standby button.

[0044] Specifically, users can activate the water flosser by long-pressing or double-clicking the standby button.

[0045] In one embodiment, in S3, after the controller receives the second pressure signal X2, the user can click the standby button, and the controller can then automatically control the water pump to spray water according to the third pressure signal X3 it receives.

[0046] The specific principle of the dual-trigger control method based on the above-mentioned water flosser provided in this embodiment is as follows: 1. The principle of mapping states to signals; First state (idle): When the nozzle (4) is not inserted, the plug sleeve (2) is in a natural relaxed state, and the pre-pressure applied to the pressure sensing unit (3) is minimal and uniform, thereby generating a reference first pressure signal X1.

[0047] Second state (installation): When the nozzle (4) is inserted into the insertion hole (21) along the axis, it generates a uniform radial expansion on the insertion sleeve (2). This expansion deformation is uniformly transmitted to all pressure sensing units (3) through the sleeve (5), so that the readings of each sensor rise synchronously and stably to a higher level, forming a second pressure signal X2. The characteristic of this signal is that the data amplitudes of each channel are similar and change synchronously.

[0048] Third state (use): When the inserted nozzle (4) is pressed against the teeth or gums in the oral cavity, it is subjected to a lateral force (F). This force causes the nozzle (4) to contact the wall of the nozzle orifice (11) to form a fulcrum (P), causing a slight lever-like deflection of the fixed end of the nozzle (4). This deflection produces uneven compression on the insertion sleeve (2), resulting in differential changes in the readings of each pressure sensing unit (3): the pressure increases significantly on the deflection compression side, while it may remain unchanged or decrease on the other side. This pattern of significant differences in the signals of each sensor is defined as the third pressure signal X3.

[0049] 2. The logic decision principle of the controller; The controller has a pre-set recognition algorithm and judgment logic for the above signal characteristics. Its workflow begins with the activation of the standby button and includes a crucial secondary confirmation step: Activation and monitoring: After the user presses the standby button, the controller starts up and continuously monitors the pressure sensing unit signal.

[0050] Installation Status Confirmation and Preparation: When the controller detects the second pressure signal X2, it determines that the sprinkler head has been installed. At this time, the controller enters a ready state, but the water pump remains locked, preventing its start. To proceed to the next step, the system design requires the user to perform a secondary confirmation by clicking the standby button. This operation indicates that the user is ready and authorizes the controller to begin monitoring the usage status.

[0051] Usage status trigger: After the user completes the second confirmation, the controller begins to monitor for the appearance of the third pressure signal X3. Only after successfully detecting X2 and receiving the user's second confirmation, and then detecting the X3 signal, will the controller finally determine that the device is in a safe state of "nozzle installed, user confirmed, and in use in the mouth," and then start the water pump to spray water.

[0052] Dynamic Maintenance and Interruption: During water spraying, the controller continuously monitors the X3 signal. If the X3 signal disappears (e.g., the nozzle moves away from the teeth), the water pump immediately stops; when the X3 signal reappears, water spraying resumes. This principle achieves intelligent control with "touch to spray, remove to stop."

[0053] 3. The principles of system problem-solving; This invention, through the aforementioned multi-electronic triggering mechanism—starting with the user's operation of the standby button and including a secondary user confirmation process—comprises "installation detection (X2) + usage contact detection (X3)," constructing multiple safety conditions that must be met sequentially at the logical and operational levels. This not only eliminates the inherent risk of accidental spraying due to activation based on a single condition, but also effectively prevents misjudgment activation caused by accidental contact of the nozzle with objects outside the mouth after installation by introducing the user's active confirmation step. Thus, it achieves a higher level of reliability, prevention of accidental activation, and accurate status perception.

[0054] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus disclosed in the embodiments, since it corresponds to the method disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the method section.

[0055] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A dental flosser, characterized in that, include: The housing (1) has a nozzle through hole (11) at the top end that communicates with the interior. A support cylinder (12) is fixedly connected inside the housing (1) at the position corresponding to the nozzle through hole (11). A standby button is installed on the side wall of the housing (1). Insert sleeve (2), the insert sleeve (2) is an elastic body, the insert sleeve (2) is sleeved inside the support cylinder (12), and the inner cavity of the insert sleeve (2) is an insertion hole (21), the insertion hole (21) corresponds to the nozzle through hole (11); Pressure sensing unit (3), the pressure sensing unit (3) is installed between the plug sleeve (2) and the support cylinder (12), and its multiple detection ends are evenly arranged along the circumference of the plug sleeve (2); The nozzle (4) is inserted into the insertion hole (21). The nozzle (4) is inserted into the insertion hole (21) so that it can expand and deform. The deformation is transmitted to the pressure sensing unit (3) through the insertion sleeve (2). A water pump, which is connected to the nozzle (4) via a pipeline; The controller is electrically connected to the standby button, the pressure sensing unit (3) and the water pump. The controller controls the water pump to start and stop by collecting different pressure signals from the pressure sensing unit.

2. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a sleeve (5), which is fitted inside the support cylinder (12) and its outer tube surface contacts the sensing end of the pressure sensing unit (3). The plug sleeve (2) is fitted on the inner tube surface of the sleeve (5). The sleeve (5) has a preset structural stiffness to constrain the excessive and nonlinear deformation of the plug sleeve (2) and directly transmit the deformation to the pressure sensing unit (3), thereby avoiding deformation transmission distortion caused by the elastic material of the plug sleeve (2).

3. A water flosser according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sleeve (5) is made of plastic.

4. A dental flosser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner surface of the support cylinder (12) is provided with an installation groove (121) that extends through its free end, and the pressure sensing unit (3) is installed in the installation groove (121).

5. A dental flosser according to claim 4, characterized in that, The mounting groove (121) is an annular groove arranged coaxially with the support cylinder (12).

6. A dental flosser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle through-hole (11) and the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle (4) are arranged with a uniform gap.

7. A dental flosser according to claim 6, characterized in that, The nozzle through-hole (11) is configured such that when the nozzle (4) is subjected to an external lateral force, the hole wall of the nozzle through-hole (11) constitutes the fulcrum for the nozzle (4) to deflect.

8. A dual-trigger control method based on the oral irrigator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, include: S1. When the oral irrigator is in standby mode, the controller collects the signal from the pressure sensing unit (3) in real time. S2, Nozzle Insertion Detection: When the nozzle (4) is not inserted into the insertion hole (21), the pressure sensing unit (3) outputs a first pressure signal X1; when the nozzle (4) is inserted into the insertion hole (21) and causes the insertion sleeve (2) to expand, the pressure sensing unit (3) outputs a second pressure signal X2 representing the insertion state; if only the first pressure signal X1 or the second pressure signal X2 is detected, the controller locks the water pump so that it cannot start. S3. Usage status detection: When the inserted nozzle (4) contacts the teeth or gaps in the oral cavity, the insertion sleeve (2) undergoes uneven secondary deformation, and the pressure sensing unit (3) outputs a third pressure signal X3 representing the usage status; when the controller detects the third pressure signal X3 after detecting the second pressure signal X2, the controller starts the water pump to spray water.

9. The dual-trigger control method for a water flosser according to claim 8, characterized in that, The water flosser enters standby mode after being activated by the user pressing the standby button.

10. A dual-trigger control method for a water flosser according to claim 9, characterized in that, In S3, after the controller receives the second pressure signal X2, it needs to operate the standby button again before the controller can automatically control the water pump to spray water according to the third pressure signal X3 it receives.

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