Oral irrigator control circuit, control method and oral irrigator

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of oral irrigators, and discloses an oral irrigator control circuit, a control method and an oral irrigator, the control circuit comprises a position detection module, a motor and a control module, the position detection module is arranged on a water pump of the oral irrigator and is used for detecting reciprocating motion of a piston in the water pump and outputting a corresponding detection signal; the motor is electrically connected with the water pump and is used for carrying out driving control on the water pump; the control module is electrically connected with the motor and the position detection module, and is configured to calculate the piston movement times of the water pump based on the detection signal, calculate the deviation between the piston movement times and the corresponding preset action times, and control the water pump when the deviation exceeds a preset deviation range. And adjusting a driving control signal of the motor to enable the deviation to be within the preset deviation range. Therefore, the repeatability precision of water pressure output and the gear controllability are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of oral irrigator technology, and in particular to an oral irrigator control circuit, control method and oral irrigator. Background Technology

[0002] With increased awareness of oral hygiene and the widespread use of water flossers, electric water flossers have become an important tool for daily oral cleaning. Their core working principle typically employs a miniature plunger pump structure, where a motor drives a linkage mechanism to move a piston reciprocating, thereby generating periodic pulsed water flow. In existing technologies, the duty cycle parameter of the drive signal is generally fixed according to preset massage levels. This control method relies on the theoretical linear relationship between motor speed and PWM duty cycle, assuming that under fixed power supply voltage and constant load conditions, a specific duty cycle can correspond to a stable piston movement frequency and water pressure.

[0003] However, in real-world operating scenarios, the battery voltage gradually decreases during discharge. The water system faces challenges such as nozzle blockage, fluid resistance changes due to declining tank water levels, efficiency losses from long-term wear of mechanical transmission components, and characteristic drift caused by temperature-induced changes in motor winding resistance. These dynamic variables cause significant fluctuations in the actual piston movement frequency and output water pressure under the same PWM duty cycle. Ultimately, this manifests as a noticeable difference in the perceived water flow impact intensity at the same speed across different usage cycles or environmental conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the embodiments of this application provide a water flosser control circuit, control method and water flosser, which can effectively solve the technical problems of inaccurate water pressure output, inconsistent gear response and large fluctuations in user experience that are common in existing water flossers.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a water flosser control circuit, including: A position detection module is installed on the water pump of the water flosser to detect the reciprocating motion of the piston inside the water pump and output a corresponding detection signal. An electric motor, electrically connected to the water pump, is used to drive and control the water pump; The control module is electrically connected to the motor and the position detection module respectively. The control module is configured to calculate the number of piston movements of the water pump based on the detection signal, calculate the deviation between the number of piston movements and the corresponding preset number of movements, and adjust the drive control signal of the motor to make the deviation within the preset deviation range when the deviation exceeds the preset deviation range.

[0006] In some embodiments, the control module is further configured to: When the number of piston movements is less than the preset number of actions, the duty cycle of the control signal is increased according to the first adjustment rule based on the current deviation. When the number of piston movements exceeds the preset number of actions, the duty cycle of the control signal is reduced according to the second adjustment rule based on the current deviation.

[0007] In some embodiments, the control module is further configured to: During the startup phase, the motor is started with an initial duty cycle, and the duty cycle of the motor is increased according to a preset slope until the duty cycle of the motor reaches the preset startup duty cycle.

[0008] In some embodiments, the unit time period of the massage level of the oral irrigator includes a first sub-time period and a second sub-time period, and the control module is further configured to: During the first sub-time period, a control signal with a first duty cycle is output so that the number of piston movements is within a first preset number range; During the second sub-time period, a control signal with a second duty cycle is output so that the number of piston movements is within a second preset number range. The maximum value of the first preset number interval is lower than the maximum value of the second preset number interval.

[0009] In some embodiments, the circuit further includes an energy storage module electrically connected to the control module, the energy storage module being used to supply power to the water flosser control circuit.

[0010] In some embodiments, the system further includes a motor drive module, one end of which is connected to the energy storage module, the other end of which is connected to the motor, and the control terminal of which is connected to the control module.

[0011] In some embodiments, a charging management module is further included, which is electrically connected to the energy storage module and the control module respectively.

[0012] In some embodiments, the position detection module includes at least one of a Hall sensor, a photoelectric encoder, and a magnetic encoder.

[0013] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a water flosser control method, the control method being applied to the control circuit described in the first aspect above, including: Acquire the detection signal output by the position detection module installed on the water pump of the oral irrigator; The number of piston movements of the water pump is calculated based on the detection signal; Calculate the deviation between the number of piston movements and the preset number of movements; When the deviation exceeds the preset deviation range, the drive control signal of the motor is adjusted so that the deviation is within the preset deviation range.

[0014] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a water flosser, the water flosser including the water flosser control circuit as described in the first aspect above.

[0015] The embodiments of this application have the following beneficial effects: The control circuit of this application includes a position detection module, a motor, and a control module. The position detection module is mounted on the water pump of the oral irrigator and is used to detect the reciprocating motion of the piston inside the water pump and output a corresponding detection signal. The motor is electrically connected to the water pump and is used to drive and control the water pump. The control module is electrically connected to both the motor and the position detection module and is configured to calculate the number of piston movements of the water pump based on the detection signal, calculate the deviation between the number of piston movements and the corresponding preset number of movements, and adjust the drive control signal of the motor when the deviation exceeds the preset deviation range so that the deviation is within the preset deviation range. This solution integrates a position detection module on the water pump to capture the axial movement of the piston in real time and feed it back to the control module, constructing a dynamic control loop of detection, deviation calculation, and closed-loop adjustment. This allows the control module to actively identify and compensate for piston movement deviations caused by external disturbances, thereby ensuring that the water pump can stably maintain the target number of movements under various operating conditions, fundamentally improving the repeatability and controllability of water pressure output, and achieving truly intelligent and adaptive oral irrigation control. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A first structural schematic diagram of the water flosser control circuit according to an embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the water pump and position detection module according to an embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 3 A second structural schematic diagram of the water flosser control circuit according to an embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 4 A schematic flowchart of a water flosser control method according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0018] Explanation of key component symbols: 10: Water pump; 101: Piston; 20: Position detection module; 201: Hall sensor; 202: Permanent magnet; 30: Motor; 40: Control module; 50: Energy storage module; 60: Charging management module; 70: Motor drive module. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0020] The components of the embodiments of this application described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0021] In the following text, the terms "comprising," "having," and their cognates, which may be used in various embodiments of this application, are intended only to indicate a particular feature, number, step, operation, element, component, or combination thereof, and should not be construed as primarily excluding the presence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, or adding the possibility of one or more combinations thereof. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used only for distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0022] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the various embodiments of this application pertain. Terms (such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries) shall be interpreted as having the same meaning as in their contextual meaning in the relevant technical field and shall not be construed as having an idealized or overly formal meaning, unless clearly defined in the various embodiments of this application.

[0023] The following detailed description of some embodiments of this application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other.

[0024] Considering the common technical problems of inaccurate water pressure output, inconsistent gear response, and large fluctuations in user experience in existing oral irrigators, this application provides an oral irrigator control circuit, control method, and oral irrigator. This solution integrates a position detection module 20 on the water pump 10 to capture the axial movement of the piston in real time and feed it back to the control module 40. This constructs a dynamic control loop of detection, deviation calculation, and closed-loop adjustment, enabling the system to actively identify and compensate for piston movement deviations caused by external disturbances. This ensures that the water pump 10 can stably maintain the target number of actions under various operating conditions, fundamentally improving the repeatability and controllability of water pressure output, and achieving truly intelligent and adaptive oral irrigation control.

[0025] The control circuit of the water flosser will be described below with reference to some specific embodiments.

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a water flosser control circuit according to an embodiment of this application is shown. It is understood that the water flosser control circuit of this application is integrated inside a handheld battery-powered water flosser. Its core lies in constructing a closed-loop feedback system with the number of strokes of piston 101 as the direct control target, thereby overcoming problems in the prior art such as unstable water pressure due to battery voltage decay, overload of motor 30, or starting shock. Exemplarily, the water flosser control circuit includes: a position detection module 20, a motor 30, and a control module 40. These modules work collaboratively to form a complete control chain of perception, calculation, decision-making, and execution.

[0027] Specifically, the water pump 10 of the oral irrigator has a piston 101 that reciprocates axially. Each complete push-back cycle of the piston 101 corresponds to one effective water jet. Therefore, stabilizing the number of piston 101 movements is equivalent to stabilizing the water pressure output frequency and energy. The water pump 10 can be a conventional electromagnetically driven or piezoelectric miniature plunger pump, suitable for the compact space of handheld devices, and the piston 101 movement has sufficient mechanical response bandwidth to support millisecond-level closed-loop regulation.

[0028] The position detection module 20 is mounted on the water pump 10 and physically coupled to the piston 101. It is used to sense and output a detection signal characterizing the reciprocating motion state of the piston 101 in real time. The position detection module 20 can be any one of a Hall sensor, photoelectric encoder, or magnetic encoder. Example, such as... Figure 2As shown, a Hall sensor 201 is used as the position detection module 20. A permanent magnet 202 is fixed to the connecting rod of the piston 101 and moves synchronously with the piston 101. The Hall sensor 201 is positioned directly opposite the magnet's movement path. Each time the magnet passes the sensing surface of the Hall element, a rising edge pulse signal is triggered. This installation method ensures that the detection signal strictly corresponds to the actual displacement of the piston 101, rather than the indirectly calculated speed of the motor 30, fundamentally avoiding measurement errors introduced by factors such as transmission clearance, gear wear, and no-load slip of the motor 30.

[0029] The motor 30 is electrically connected to the water pump 10 and is used to convert electrical energy into the reciprocating mechanical motion of the piston 101, thereby driving and controlling the water pump 10. The exemplary motor 30 is a DC brushed motor 30. The rotor shaft of the motor 30 drives the piston 101 through a crank-slider mechanism, realizing the conversion from rotary motion to linear motion. The input terminal of the motor 30 is used to input the drive control signal output by the control module 40. The output torque and speed are linearly controlled by the duty cycle of the control signal. By adjusting the duty cycle to control the average terminal voltage of the motor 30, the output torque and speed are adjusted, ultimately affecting the speed and frequency of the piston 101.

[0030] The control module 40 can be an embedded controller based on a microcontroller, electrically connected to the control terminal of the motor 30 and the signal output terminal of the position detection module 20. The control module 40 is used to perform closed-loop deviation adjustment. Specifically, multiple high and low gears can be set for the water flosser. The control module 40 continuously collects the detection signal output by the position detection module 20, calculates the number of piston 101 movements per unit time, and compares it with the preset number of actions corresponding to the current gear. For example, the preset number of actions for the high gear is 1250 times per minute, for the medium gear it is 700 times per minute, and for the low gear it is 500 times per minute. The control module 40 has a built-in counter and timer that accumulates the pulse signal per unit time; the resulting value is the number of piston 101 movements. When the absolute deviation between the number of piston 101 movements and the corresponding preset number of actions exceeds the preset deviation range, the control module 40 immediately adjusts the drive control signal output to the motor 30 to bring the deviation back within the preset deviation range. The preset deviation range can be set according to the actual application. Different gears can correspond to the same deviation range or different deviation ranges, which is not limited here.

[0031] Specifically, when the number of piston 101 movements is less than the preset number of actions, the control module 40 increases the duty cycle of the control signal according to the first adjustment rule based on the current deviation. When the number of piston 101 movements is greater than the preset number of actions, the control module 40 decreases the duty cycle of the control signal according to the second adjustment rule based on the current deviation. It is understood that the first and second adjustment rules can be proportional regulation, integral regulation, or a combination of proportional and integral regulation. This adjustment logic directly affects the voltage at the motor 30 terminals, causing the water pressure output by the pump 10 to quickly converge to the target level. Throughout the process, there is no need to introduce a water pressure sensor, flow meter, or back EMF detection from the motor 30, significantly reducing system cost and failure risk.

[0032] Furthermore, during the startup phase, the control module 40 executes a soft-start strategy, starting the motor 30 with an initial duty cycle and gradually increasing the duty cycle of the motor 30 according to a preset slope until the duty cycle of the motor 30 reaches the preset startup duty cycle for the corresponding gear. Startup parameters such as the initial duty cycle, slope, and preset startup duty cycle can be set according to actual application conditions. For example, the high-gear startup process starts from 40% duty cycle and slowly increases to 80% in 1% increments; the low-gear startup process starts from 30% duty cycle and adjusts to 40% in 1% increments, or remains constant depending on the load. This soft-start strategy ensures reliable oscillation of the piston 101 and effectively suppresses startup current peaks, preventing overheating of the motor 30 coil, sudden drop in battery voltage, and unstable system power supply, significantly improving product safety and lifespan.

[0033] The water flosser can also be set with multiple operating modes, including a gentle mode, a cleaning mode, and a massage mode, each corresponding to a different preset number of movements and control strategy. Exemplarily, in the massage mode, the control module 40 divides a unit time period into a first sub-period and a second sub-period, where each unit time period is 1 second. The first sub-period is the first 400 milliseconds within that second, and the second sub-period is the last 600 milliseconds. During the first sub-period, the control module 40 outputs a control signal with a first duty cycle, keeping the piston 101's movement frequency within a lower, first preset range, generating a gentle water flow to stimulate the gums. During the second sub-period, it outputs a control signal with a second duty cycle, causing the piston 101's movement frequency to jump to a higher, second preset range, forming a stronger pulsed water flow for deep cleaning. The maximum value of the first preset number interval is lower than the maximum value of the second preset number interval. It can be set according to the actual application. For example, the first duty cycle is 51% and the second duty cycle is 82%. The two frequencies are output alternately to form a pulse water flow with alternating high and low pressure, so that the total number of piston 101 movements per unit time is maintained in the massage interval, thereby achieving effective massage of the gum tissue.

[0034] In this embodiment, the Hall sensor 201 is installed on the pump body of the water pump 10, directly detecting the number of linear movements of the piston 101. The frequency of the output detection signal is completely consistent with the reciprocating frequency of the piston 101, eliminating the need for conversion based on the motor 30 speed and the need for additional devices such as water pressure sensors or flow meters. The control system directly uses the number of piston 101 movements as the controlled variable, and achieves precise, robust, and adaptive water pressure control through closed-loop adjustment of the control signal duty cycle. Furthermore, the motor 30's efficiency is improved, avoiding insufficient power due to a fixed duty cycle at low voltage and overload heating caused by an excessively high duty cycle at high voltage. Simultaneously, soft start eliminates harsh noise and body vibration, and the dual-time massage mode provides a differentiated cleaning experience, greatly improving the reliability of the water flosser.

[0035] Furthermore, based on the above embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the oral irrigator control circuit also includes an energy storage module 50. The energy storage module 50 can be a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a nominal voltage of 3.7 volts. The energy storage module 50 is electrically connected to the control module 40 and provides a stable DC power supply to the control module 40, the position detection module 20, and the motor drive module 70. Furthermore, the control circuit also includes a charging management module 60, which is electrically connected to both the energy storage module 50 and the control module 40. When an external power source is connected, the charging management module 60 performs constant current and constant voltage charging on the energy storage module 50 and monitors the battery voltage, charging current, and temperature in real time. The charging management module 60 can also control the energy storage module 50 to provide stable power signals to each module, further ensuring circuit stability.

[0036] By setting the position detection module 20, the control module 40 can actively identify and compensate for the movement deviation of the piston 101 caused by external disturbances, thereby ensuring that the output of the water pump 10 is not affected by the energy storage module 50. Even if the energy storage module 50 is low on power, it can still stably maintain the operation of the water pump 10 at the target number of operations, thereby maintaining the stability of the water pressure.

[0037] Furthermore, based on the above embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown, the oral irrigator control circuit also includes a motor drive module 70. One end of the motor drive module 70 is connected to the output terminal of the energy storage module 50, and the other end is connected to the motor 30. The control terminal of the motor drive module 70 is connected to the control module 40. The core function of this module is to convert the low-voltage logic level PWM signal output by the control module 40 into a high-current switching signal required to drive the motor 30. Exemplarily, the motor drive module 70 consists of a switching transistor and its peripheral drive circuit. The drain of the switching transistor is connected to the motor 30, the source is grounded, and the gate receives the PWM signal output by the control module 40. When the PWM signal is high, the switching transistor is turned on, and the motor 30 is connected to the power supply; when it is low, the switching transistor is turned off, and the motor 30 is de-energized. This achieves efficient chopping control of the voltage at the motor 30, ensuring that the average voltage actually obtained by the motor 30 depends only on the PWM duty cycle and is independent of the current voltage of the energy storage module 50.

[0038] This application constructs a complete energy supply, status monitoring, and power execution chain through the coordinated operation of the energy storage module 50, charging management module 60, and motor drive module 70. This chain not only supports a closed-loop control strategy centered on the number of piston 101 movements, but also enables the entire machine to maintain constant water pressure output, reliable soft start, and precise massage rhythm under different battery states. It fundamentally solves common problems in existing oral irrigators, such as water pressure drop, experience gap, and shortened motor 30 lifespan due to battery degradation, significantly improving product practicality, safety, and user satisfaction.

[0039] Figure 4 This paper illustrates a flowchart of a water flosser control method according to an embodiment of this application. Exemplarily, the water flosser control method provided in this application is applied to the control circuit of the above embodiment, including: Step S101: Obtain the detection signal output by the position detection module 20 installed on the water pump 10 of the oral irrigator; Step S102: Calculate the number of times the piston 101 of the water pump 10 moves based on the detection signal; Step S103: Calculate the deviation between the number of piston 101 movements and the preset number of movements; Step S104: When the deviation exceeds the preset deviation range, adjust the drive control signal of the motor 30 to make the deviation within the preset deviation range.

[0040] The oral irrigator control method provided in this application embodiment can realize the function of the oral irrigator control circuit corresponding to the above embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0041] This application also provides a water flosser, exemplary of which includes the water flosser control circuit described above.

[0042] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can also be implemented in other ways. The apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings show the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatus, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this application. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that, in alternative implementations, the functions marked in the blocks may occur in a different order than those marked in the drawings. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagram and / or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram and / or flowchart, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or action, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0043] In addition, the functional modules or units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated together to form an independent part, or each module can exist independently, or two or more modules can be integrated to form an independent part.

[0044] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a smartphone, personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0045] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An oral irrigator control circuit, characterized by, include: A position detection module is installed on the water pump of the water flosser to detect the reciprocating motion of the piston inside the water pump and output a corresponding detection signal. An electric motor, electrically connected to the water pump, is used to drive and control the water pump; The control module is electrically connected to the motor and the position detection module respectively. The control module is configured to calculate the number of piston movements of the water pump based on the detection signal, calculate the deviation between the number of piston movements and the corresponding preset number of movements, and adjust the drive control signal of the motor to make the deviation within the preset deviation range when the deviation exceeds the preset deviation range.

2. The water flosser control circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module is also configured to: When the number of piston movements is less than the preset number of actions, the duty cycle of the control signal is increased according to the first adjustment rule based on the current deviation. When the number of piston movements exceeds the preset number of actions, the duty cycle of the control signal is reduced according to the second adjustment rule based on the current deviation.

3. The oral irrigator control circuit of claim 1, wherein, The control module is also configured to: During the startup phase, the motor is started with an initial duty cycle, and the duty cycle of the motor is increased according to a preset slope until the duty cycle of the motor reaches the preset startup duty cycle.

4. The oral irrigator control circuit of claim 1, wherein, The unit time period of the massage level of the oral irrigator includes a first sub-time period and a second sub-time period, and the control module is further configured to: During the first sub-time period, a control signal with a first duty cycle is output so that the number of piston movements is within a first preset number range; During the second sub-time period, a control signal with a second duty cycle is output so that the number of piston movements is within a second preset number range. The maximum value of the first preset number interval is lower than the maximum value of the second preset number interval.

5. The oral irrigator control circuit of claim 1, wherein, The circuit also includes an energy storage module, which is electrically connected to the control module and is used to supply power to the water flosser control circuit.

6. The oral irrigator control circuit of claim 5, wherein, It also includes a motor drive module, one end of which is connected to the energy storage module, the other end of which is connected to the motor, and the control terminal of the motor drive module is connected to the control module.

7. The oral irrigator control circuit of claim 5, wherein, It also includes a charging management module, which is electrically connected to both the energy storage module and the control module.

8. The oral irrigator control circuit of claim 1, wherein, The position detection module includes at least one of a Hall sensor, a photoelectric encoder, and a magnetic encoder.

9. A method of controlling a waterpik, the method comprising: The control method is applied to the control circuit as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: Acquire the detection signal output by the position detection module installed on the water pump of the oral irrigator; The number of piston movements of the water pump is calculated based on the detection signal; Calculate the deviation between the number of piston movements and the preset number of movements; When the deviation exceeds the preset deviation range, the drive control signal of the motor is adjusted so that the deviation is within the preset deviation range.

10. An oral irrigator characterized by, The oral irrigator includes the oral irrigator control circuit as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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