Oral irrigator

Abstract

An oral irrigator includes various components that can result in improved cleaning and user experience. In one example, the oral irrigator can include a control panel that can be easily accessible to a user and can provide a visual display of irrigator information such as user settings and output settings. In another example, the oral irrigator can include a hose storage structure having a shape and configuration that reduces interference between the structure and the hose during use.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications This application claims the benefit of priority to Provisional Application No. 63 / 538,261 entitled “ORAL IRRIGATOR”, filed on September 13, 2023, pursuant to 35 USC §119 and 37 CFR §1.78, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to oral health devices, such as oral irrigators. Background Technology

[0003] Many people use mouth irrigators to maintain and improve oral health. Many mouth irrigators include an electrically driven pump that pumps fluid from a reservoir to a handle. The pump assembly and the drive assembly for operating the pump typically include a motor, pump and / or gear housing, and various linkages. Pump assembly components and connectors can be difficult to assemble, requiring multiple different parts, and / or separate fittings to connect them together. Accordingly, there is a need for improved pump and / or drive assemblies for mouth irrigators and other oral health devices. Furthermore, the control and storage of the handle can be inconvenient or difficult to access / use. Therefore, there is a need for improved hose storage, control features, etc., for mouth irrigators. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one or more embodiments, an oral irrigator is disclosed, comprising: a base; a drive assembly positioned within the base; and a control assembly operatively coupled to the base and in electronic communication with the drive assembly, wherein the control assembly includes a controller for changing the operating characteristics of the drive assembly and a display for visually outputting operating information.

[0005] According to one or more embodiments, an oral irrigator is disclosed, comprising: a handle; a base; a hose connected between the handle and the base; and a spindle connected to the base and configured to receive part of the hose, the spindle having a sidewall surface area smaller than the front wall surface area.

[0006] According to one or more embodiments, an oral irrigator is disclosed, comprising: a handle; a base fluidly connected to a reservoir; a handle coupled between the handle and the base; and a spindle for receiving a portion of a hose, the spindle including a handle recess configured to selectively engage the handle, a body configured to hold the portion of the hose on the spindle, and a support rib extending from the body to the handle recess to engage the body to the handle recess.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments, an oral irrigator is disclosed, comprising: a handle; a base in fluid communication with the handle; a reservoir in fluid communication with the base; and a pump configured to pump fluid from the reservoir to the handle, wherein the pump is coupled to the base via one or more dampers.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, an oral irrigator is disclosed, comprising: a handle; a base in fluid communication with the handle; a reservoir in fluid communication with the base; and a pump assembly positioned within the base and configured to pump fluid from the reservoir to the handle, wherein the base includes an inner surface defining one or more fastening features to limit movement of components of the pump assembly.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments, an oral irrigator is disclosed, comprising: a drive assembly; a cable electrically connected to the drive assembly; and a base including an integrally formed protrusion; wherein the cable is wound around the protrusion to restrict movement of the cable within the base.

[0010] According to one or more embodiments, an oral irrigator is disclosed, comprising: a handle; a base; a reservoir fluidly connected to the base and the handle and coupled to the base; and a cap coupled to a top portion of the reservoir. The cap includes a fixed portion, an edge coupled to the fixed portion, and a movable portion, wherein the movable portion pivots relative to the fixed portion and the edge, and an outer periphery of the cap is positioned within an inner periphery of the reservoir such that the top surface of the edge is not visible when the movable portion is in a closed position.

[0011] According to many embodiments, the oral irrigator emits less than 65 dBA of noise during operation.

[0012] According to many embodiments, the oral irrigator includes: a housing; a motor including a motor body and a drive shaft projecting from the motor body; and a drive gear positioned adjacent to the motor body to minimize the cantilever length of the drive shaft, wherein the oral irrigator operates at a noise level of less than 65 dBA.

[0013] Optionally, according to some embodiments, the oral irrigator includes support structures at two or more locations on the drive shaft to eliminate the cantilever length of the drive shaft.

[0014] Alternatively, according to some embodiments, the oral irrigator includes a pump driven by a motor and includes a reinforced pump housing.

[0015] Optionally, according to some embodiments, the oral irrigator includes one or more flexible conduits for transferring fluid from a reservoir to a pump and / or from the pump to a handle.

[0016] Optionally, according to some embodiments, the oral irrigator includes a pressure reducing valve capable of operating in the pause mode of the oral irrigator.

[0017] Optionally, according to some embodiments, the oral irrigator includes a plurality of elastomeric isolators coupled to the housing and the motor and configured to reduce vibration transmission from the motor and pump assembly to the housing.

[0018] In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing an oral irrigator includes: connecting a drive assembly to a pump assembly, the pump assembly including: a pump plate, a pump housing, and a pump assembly; connecting an upper housing to the pump housing; connecting the pump plate to a pump fitting; connecting a reservoir conduit to the pump assembly; assembling a damper to the pump housing; assembling a valve to the pump assembly; assembling a handle to the upper housing; assembling a controller to the housing; and assembling a reservoir to the housing.

[0019] Those skilled in the art will understand that each of the aspects and features of this disclosure may be used advantageously alone in some cases, or in combination with other aspects and features of this disclosure in others. Therefore, each aspect may be claimed individually or in combination with other aspects and features. Consequently, this disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the claims or their application or use. It should be understood that structural and / or logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0020] This disclosure is set forth at various levels of detail, and the inclusion or exclusion of elements, components, etc., in this invention is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. In some cases, details that are unnecessary for understanding this disclosure or that would obscure other details have been omitted. Furthermore, for clarity, detailed descriptions of certain features that are obvious to those skilled in the art will not be discussed so as not to obscure the description of this disclosure. The claimed subject matter is not necessarily limited to the arrangement shown herein; the scope of this disclosure is defined only by the appended claims. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The description will be more fully understood with reference to the following figures, in which components may not be drawn to scale. These figures are presented as various embodiments of the oral irrigator and / or pump construction described herein and should not be construed as a complete depiction of the scope of the claimed features.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a front isometric view of the oral irrigator.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a front elevation view of an oral irrigator.

[0024] Figure 3This is a side elevation view of an oral irrigator with the lid in the open position.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a top view of an oral irrigator.

[0026] Figure 5A This is a bottom-view plan view of an oral irrigator.

[0027] Figure 5B This is a bottom view of the oral irrigator with the accessory cover removed.

[0028] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of an oral irrigator.

[0029] Figure 7A It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the oral irrigator taken from line 7A-7A.

[0030] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A An enlarged view of the sectional view.

[0031] Figure 8A This is a front view of the base of the oral irrigator.

[0032] Figure 8B This is a side elevation view of the base of the oral irrigator.

[0033] Figure 8C This is a side isometric view of the hose mandrel used in an oral irrigator.

[0034] Figure 8D yes Figure 8C Front elevation view of the flexible mandrel.

[0035] Figure 9A This is an isometric view from below of the cap assembly for an oral irrigator.

[0036] Figure 9B This is an isometric view of the lid assembly in the open position, taken from below.

[0037] Figure 9C This is an exploded view of the lid assembly.

[0038] Figure 10A It is a top-down isometric view of the control components.

[0039] Figure 10B yes Figure 10A An exploded view of the control components.

[0040] Figure 10C yes Figure 10A The exploded view of the control components.

[0041] Figure 11AThis is a side elevation view of the base of the oral irrigator, with selected components hidden for clarity.

[0042] Figure 11B yes Figure 11A A sectional view.

[0043] Figure 12A This is a top isometric view of the lower housing of an oral irrigator.

[0044] Figure 12B yes Figure 12A Top view of the lower shell.

[0045] Figure 13A This is a side elevation view of the valve assembly used in an oral irrigator.

[0046] Figure 13B It is along Figure 13A The valve assembly is a cross-sectional view taken from line 13B-13B in the figure.

[0047] Figure 14 This is a top view of the base of the lower housing of an oral irrigator.

[0048] Figure 15 This is a partial isometric view of the oral irrigator.

[0049] Figure 16A This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the control component.

[0050] Figure 16B yes Figure 16A A partial detail view of a control component from below.

[0051] Figure 17 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing an oral irrigator.

[0052] Embodiments of the invention and their advantages will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description. It should be understood that the same reference numerals are used to identify the same elements shown in one or more of the figures. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to an improved oral irrigator. The oral irrigator may include a control component comprising a display and one or more control input devices (e.g., buttons) to allow a user to control the oral irrigator (e.g., turn it on / off, change pressure, settings, etc.). In one example, the control component includes an electronic display that communicates electronically with the control input devices. The electronic display provides feedback to the user regarding specific settings, timing, etc. The control component may allow storage of different user preferences, such as cleaning power or energy settings, to allow the oral irrigator to be shared among different users, but with quick reversion to the preferred settings for a particular user. Additionally, the control component may be configured to allow easy access to the control input devices based on different points of operation; for example, with the handle removed, the control input devices may be more easily accessible to prevent accidental activation of specific controllers (such as a power button). Relatedly, the control component may be angled to allow the user to quickly visualize output, such as output presented on the electronic display, before and during use, and to enable easy selection of control inputs, such as accessible surfaces.

[0054] Oral irrigators may include a hose storage assembly. The hose storage assembly may include a mandrel with recesses or cutouts configured to reduce the surface area that could potentially intersect with the hose during use. For example, the mandrel may include recesses on its sidewalls to help reduce the contact area and provide more clearance for the hose during operation, such as when a user is guiding the handle to different locations within his or her mouth. The cutouts may be angled along one or both axes to provide sufficient support for the hose in the storage configuration but also to reduce the impact area during use. In one example, the mandrel may include two recesses on the right and left sides that extend along the height of the mandrel (e.g., along a longitudinal axis). The recesses may also bend along different axes to facilitate repositioning the hose back onto the mandrel during storage. In some embodiments, the front surface of the mandrel may also include a handle recess to allow the handle to be positioned against the mandrel during storage. In some embodiments, the hose storage assembly may include a coupling feature, such as a magnet, that interacts with a corresponding magnet within the handle to hold the handle in place during storage.

[0055] The oral irrigator may also include a reservoir cap that allows the reservoir to be filled without complete removal of the cap; for example, a portion of the cap may be pivotable relative to a fixed portion to allow access to the reservoir. In some embodiments, the cap may also be configured to be seated within the inner wall of the reservoir such that the outer portion of the cap is flush with the outer wall of the reservoir. Such a configuration can be aesthetically pleasing and helps to secure the cap in place.

[0056] Various components of an oral irrigator can also be configured to reduce vibration transmission and / or limit noise. For example, the pump assembly may include a vibration damper that supports one or more components of the pump assembly to isolate noise and allow slight movement of the pump assembly during operation, which can help reduce noise transmission to the user. As another example, various collars may be used to secure the hose in place to help prevent movement of the hose relative to the fittings. As yet another example, buffers and other features may be formed on the inner surface of the housing to anchor components in place.

[0057] It should be noted that although certain components and features are discussed as part of an oral irrigator, various components may be used together or in separate devices.

[0058] Figure 1 The illustrated oral irrigator 100 may include a reservoir 102 that holds a fluid, such as water or mouthwash, to supply the fluid to a pump. In the case of a countertop unit, the reservoir 102 may be coupled to a housing or base 104, and in the case of a handheld unit, the reservoir 102 may be coupled to a handle or handheld component. The base 104 may define a compartment 105 for receiving various components. Accordingly, the size and volumetric capacity of the reservoir 102 may be based on the type and construction of the oral irrigator 100. The reservoir 102 may include a reservoir outlet (such as a port or plug, valve, etc.) fluidly coupled to other components of the oral irrigator 100 (e.g., a pump assembly).

[0059] Continue to refer to Figures 1 to 5B The oral irrigator 100 may include a base 104 or a housing, in Figure 1 In the embodiments illustrated, the base 104 or housing is used to support the oral irrigator 100 on a surface (e.g., a countertop) and optionally supports the reservoir 102. In some cases, the base 104 may be configured as a countertop support, but in other variations, the base 104 may be formed as a handle portion or a portion held in the user's hand during use. The base 104 supports and / or encloses one or more components of the oral irrigator 100, such as the pump assembly and / or drive assembly. Additionally, the base 104 may include fluid pathways (e.g., tubes, hoses) that guide fluid between different components of the oral irrigator 100, such as guiding fluid between the reservoir 102 and the pump assembly and / or between the pump assembly and an outlet (such as the handle 108).

[0060] The handle 108 may be fluidly coupled to the reservoir 102, such as via a hose 112 or other fluid connector. The handle 108 may include a tip 110 or other outlet device that directs fluid from the reservoir 102 into the user's mouth. The handle 108 may be configured to be held in the user's hand, and in embodiments where the oral irrigator 100 is configured as a handheld device, features of the base 104 may be coupled to or located within the handle 108, such as a pump assembly and / or drive assembly. The handle 108 may include one or more actuators 109, such as a pause button, which activates a valve or other component to pause or alter the flow out of the handle 108. As will be appreciated, the handle 108 may be generally elongated and configured to be held in the user's hand as the user guides the handle 108 to direct fluid output to different areas of his or her mouth.

[0061] The handle 108 may also include features for securing the tip 110 thereto and optionally allowing the tip 110 to be released thereto. The tip 110 may be in the form of a jet tip or other tip configuration, for example, it may include bristles (e.g., a nozzle integrated with a brush head), a tongue scraper, etc. The handle 108 may also include a holding element such as a magnet that can be secured to the housing to allow a user to releasably position the handle 108 on the base 104.

[0062] Figure 6 The illustration shows an exploded view of an oral irrigator. (Refer to...) Figure 5B and Figure 6 The oral irrigator 100 may include a hose fitting 118 coupled to a first end of a hose 112, wherein the other end of the hose 112 is coupled to a handle 108 (e.g., coupled to an inlet of the handle 108). The hose fitting 118 may include a mounting plate 136, which may be in the form of a bracket and include one or more ribs 134 extending across at least a portion of the mounting plate 136. In one example, the ribs 134 may resemble spokes positioned around a hub, extending radially outward from a central region of the mounting plate 136 to provide structural rigidity to the mounting plate 136 around an internal fluid passage; however, in other embodiments, the ribs 134 may be constructed differently. The tip portion of the hose fitting 118 may include an extension 138, such as a cylindrical post, which may include recesses around an outer surface to receive a seal, such as an O-ring. The hose fitting 118 (which may be referred to as a handle valve fitting) may define a fluid path through it and fluidly connect the hose 112 to a pump assembly, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0063] Hose fitting 118 may include barbs 140 (see Figure 7BThe device is configured to receive the end of the hose 112 and / or retaining collar 142. The retaining collar 142 helps to relieve strain on the hose 112 and secures the hose 112 to the hose fitting 118 in place, thereby helping to reduce vibration or movement of the hose 112 relative to the hose fitting 118.

[0064] Base and hose storage Figure 8A and Figure 8B The figures show enlarged front and side views of the oral irrigator 100 with the handle 108 and hose 112 removed. The base 104 may form a housing for various components of the oral irrigator 100 and may define an internal compartment 105 to accommodate these components. The exterior of the base 104 may define the shape of the oral irrigator and may include a control panel shelf 144 extending outward and downward from the top edge 150 of the base and outward and upward from the front sidewall of the base 104, for example, sloping downward from the top and upward from the side to define a generally triangular protrusion. The shelf 144 may include an upper edge 146 supporting control components. The upper edge 146 may be angled downward relative to the top edge of the base 104 and toward the user, such angle being configured to allow easy observation and access to the control components when attached to the base 104. The upper edge 146 may be positioned and configured to allow a desired angled configuration of the control panel assembly, as discussed in more detail below, but may be in the range of 0 to 60 degrees relative to the top edge 150 of the base 104, and in some embodiments may be in the range of 20 to 50 degrees, and in other embodiments may be approximately 40 degrees (e.g., plus or minus 5 to 10 degrees). In some embodiments, an angle greater than 60 degrees may cause the unit to tip over unintentionally when the user is applying force against the control panel to provide input.

[0065] Shelf 144 may include a hose cutout 148, which in one example may be in the form of an upwardly extending arcuate recess in shelf 144. When handle 108 is stored on base 104, hose cutout 148 creates space therein for hose 112 to be placed. Hose cutout 148 is generally configured to correspond to hose mandrel 116, for example, the curvature generally matches the curvature of mandrel 116, which produces a pleasing aesthetic appearance and helps ensure that mandrel 116 can be easily attached to base 104.

[0066] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 8A and Figure 8BThe hose mandrel 116 may be coupled to the base 104 and configured to receive part of the hose 112, for example, the hose 112 may be wound around the mandrel 116 during storage. The mandrel 116 or boss may be configured to be fixed to the base 104, for example, below the shelf 144. The mandrel 116 may be a generally cylindrical member and include a body 152, which may be defined as a cylindrical tube and have a uniform curvature around its outer surface. Although in some embodiments the body 152 may be formed as a rib or structural surface extending generally outward from the front sidewall of the base 104, for example, additional side surfaces curved around it may not be included (see example...). Figure 8C and Figure 8D In this way, the body 152 can form a storage shelf or surface for receiving the hose 112.

[0067] The inlet portion 154, or transition surface, extends outward from the body 152 and may have a transition portion or an angled bend, for example, an angled downward or a narrowing convex bend as it extends outward from the body 152. In this way, the inlet portion 154 can facilitate the movement of the hose 112 onto and off the body 152, and the body 152 can act as a “support” or a relatively straighter surface for housing the hose 112. In one example, the inlet portion 154 may be formed tangentially to the body 152 and then sloped downward from the point of tangency, thereby allowing a smooth transition between two surfaces of different shapes. It should be noted that although the inlet portion 154 is shown extending on the top and bottom sides of the mandrel, in some embodiments, the inlet portion 154 may be included only on the top surface to reduce the potential area for hose interference during movement of the hose 112, such as during use of the oral irrigator 100.

[0068] The spindle 116 may also include a shank recess 158 defined on its front surface. The shank recess 158, or bracket, may be defined as a generally elliptical recess extending inwardly along its centerline to define a recessed seat for receiving the shank 108. The shank recess 158 may be configured to generally match (e.g., correspond to) the curvature of the shank 108. The top and bottom portions of the shank recess 158 may extend rearward at an angle toward the base 104, for example, into the inlet 154, which allows the shank 108 to be more easily positioned in the recess 158, for example, reducing interference when the shank 108 slides into or out of the shank recess 158.

[0069] refer to Figure 8A and Figure 8BThe mandrel 116 may also include one or more hose recesses 156a, 156b or interference recesses 156a, 156b, which may be defined on opposite sidewalls of the mandrel (which may be connected together, for example, via support ribs or other structures and extend from the inlet and / or body). The hose recesses 156a, 156b may be defined on opposite sides of the mandrel 116, for example, on either side of the shank recess 158. The hose recesses 156a, 156b may be generally shaped as elliptical recesses extending toward the center of the mandrel 116. The hose recesses 156a, 156b are configured to reduce the wall surface area that may impact the hose 112 during use, for example, to prevent or reduce impact of the hose 112 on the sidewalls of the mandrel 116 during use. The hose recesses 156a, 156b may have concave bends along one or both axes (e.g., along the x and y (height and length) axes).

[0070] Magnet 126 may be fixed to the inner surface of mandrel 116 and positioned to align with shank recess 158. Magnet 126 or other holding member is configured to interact with shank 108, such as interacting with a corresponding magnet, to fix shank 108 to mandrel 116. In other embodiments, another type of fixing, such as mechanical clamps or fasteners, may be used.

[0071] Figure 8C and Figure 8D The illustration shows another embodiment of the mandrel, which is more streamlined and includes less material, for example, further reducing the area of ​​hose interference, but may be less aesthetically pleasing in some constructions. (See reference...) Figure 8C and Figure 8D In this embodiment, the mandrel 416 may include a cylindrical tube as the body 418, and the introduction surface 422 may be angled in a similar manner to the mandrel 116. However, the mandrel 416 may omit additional material (e.g., excluding sidewalls arranged generally perpendicular to the base wall) instead of having a surface extending to define the hose recess. Instead, a support rib 420 may extend outward from the body 418 and the introduction 422 to connect to the handle support surface 426. A magnet housing 424 may be defined in the central region of the support rib 420 and aligned with and adjacent to the handle support 426. The handle support 426 may be constructed similarly to the handle recess 158 and may include a recessed surface receiving the handle 108. In this embodiment, the mandrel 416 may be configured with sufficient material to support the hose 112 when it is in the storage position, as it may be wound around and positioned on the body 418. However, by eliminating the sidewalls on the sides of the mandrel 416, the hose 112 can have fewer possible surfaces that could come into contact with or interfere with during use. This helps prevent the hose 112 from getting caught during use and prevents contact materials from engaging.

[0072] Container lid Figure 9A , Figure 9B and Figure 9C The illustration shows various views of the reservoir lid assembly 106. (Refer to...) Figure 3 , Figure 9A and Figure 9B The lid assembly 106 is configured to be positioned on the reservoir 102 and cover the reservoir cavity 172, for example, to prevent debris from falling into the reservoir cavity 172. The lid assembly 106 may be removable, or in some examples, partially movable, to allow access to the reservoir cavity 172 without requiring removal of the lid assembly 106. In one example, the lid assembly 106 may include a first or fixed portion 120a and a second or hinge portion 120b. The hinge portion 120b may pivot relative to the fixed portion 120a to define an access opening for the reservoir cavity 172, for example, to allow a user to refill the reservoir 102 without removing the entire lid assembly 106.

[0073] The retaining portion 120a may include a cover or top surface 174 and an edge 160 extending from and recessed from the outer edge of the top surface 174. The edge 160 may extend around the entirety of the cover assembly 106 (e.g., the periphery of both the retaining portion 120a and the hinge portion 120b). As mentioned, the edge 160 may be radially recessed or positioned relative to the outer edges of the two cover portions 120a, 120b, which allows the edge 160 to be positioned within the inner surface of the reservoir 102 such that the side edges of the retaining portion 120a and the hinge portion 120b are flush with the outer surface of the reservoir 102. However, in other configurations, the cover assembly 106 may be configured differently; for example, the edge 160 may be positioned on the top edge of the reservoir 102 instead of inside the inner surface of the reservoir 102. In some embodiments, the outer periphery of the edge is positioned inside the inner periphery of the reservoir (e.g., toward the center of the reservoir), and the top surface of the edge 160 is not visible when the lid is closed (e.g., hinge portion 120b is closed).

[0074] Edge 160 may include one or more positioning portions 170 extending outward from edge 160 and configured to engage with one or more retaining recesses formed on the inner surface of reservoir 102. Positioning portions 170 secure the cap assembly 106 in place, but are also flexible to allow the user to apply force to remove the entire cap assembly 106 if needed.

[0075] The fixed portion 120a may include one or more hinge posts 168, for example, two sets of two posts 168 extending from the bottom surface and configured to receive a hinge for the hinge portion 120b. In one example, the two hinge posts 168 may include a rod 176 extending between them, which receives a connector for the hinge.

[0076] Reference Figure 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 9B The hinge portion 120b may include one or more hinge arms 162. In one example, the hinge portion 120b may include two hinge arms 162 that extend downward from the bottom surface of the hinge portion 120b and are angled forward toward the fixed portion along an arcuate curve. The hinge arms 162 may include a straight extension 173 that extends upward from a bottom point to engage with the fixed portion 120a. The arcuate shape of the hinge arms 162 may define a gap when the hinge is open, and the end of the top surface 174 of the fixed portion 120a may be received within the gap defined by the arcuate curve. The inflection point of the upward extension 173 may act as a stop to limit the movement of the hinge portion 120b, for example, to limit the range of pivotable movement of the hinge portion 120b when it is open relative to the fixed portion 120a. The hinge may also include a lever 176, which may be defined as a pivoting surface, such as a curved surface, and the lever 176 may be coupled to a hinge post 168, for example on the lever 176, to allow the hinge portion 120b to rotate on the hinge post 168.

[0077] Control components The oral irrigator 100 may include a control assembly 180 that allows a user to activate the irrigator 100 and modify one or more of its operating characteristics. The control assembly 180 may be coupled to a base 104 and communicate electronically with a pump assembly. Figure 10A and Figure 10B Various views of the control assembly 180 are illustrated. The control assembly 180 may include a housing 182 to which various components of the assembly 180 may be fixed, and the housing may connect the assembly 180 to a base 104. In one example, the housing 182 may be configured as the top portion of the base 104 and form the top surface of the base 104; for example, a reservoir 102 may be disposed on the top surface 200 of the housing 182. In these embodiments, the housing 182 may include a raised peripheral wall 210 extending around the top surface 200 to help hold the reservoir 102 in place. Additionally, a reservoir port 202 may be defined through the housing 182 to allow fluid connection of the reservoir 102 to various components within the base 104.

[0078] Reference Figure 10BA panel bracket 206 may extend from the front edge of the housing 182. The panel bracket 206 may be configured to rest on a shelf 144 of the base 104 and thus may extend outward and downward at corresponding angles (e.g., between 0 and 60 degrees, such as approximately 40 degrees (for similar reasons as discussed above regarding the base housing)). The panel bracket 206 may define a hollow region or include openings to allow electrical connections to extend through the housing 182. In these cases, the panel bracket 206 may include one or more ribs 208a, 208b, 208c spanning the width of the panel bracket 206 to provide structural support and rigidity to the panel bracket 206, for example, to withstand user forces pressing down on the control panel. Ribs 208a, 208b, 208c may extend relative to the top surface 200 of the housing 182 at an angle similar to that of the panel bracket 206.

[0079] Reference Figure 7A and Figure 10B The motor wall 204 may extend downward from the bottom surface 212 of the housing 182. The motor wall 204 may define a substantially closed or fully closed shape, for example, as... Figure 7A As shown, motor wall 204 is defined as a cylindrical extension with an opening, such as a discontinuous curved wall. In this way, motor wall 204 may be able to more easily receive certain components, such as a motor, and secure them in place. However, in other embodiments, motor wall 204 will be completely continuous and configured to wrap around the corresponding drive component component (e.g., motor 228). Motor wall 204 may be particularly helpful where motor 228 may not be rigidly mounted to the housing, as motor 228 may be able to move more flexibly within base 104, and motor wall 204 helps ensure that motor 228 does not move too much and remains aligned, even after experiencing large forces (e.g., if a user drops the unit due to the force of the drop).

[0080] Refer again Figure 10B The control assembly 180 may include a display mount 184 configured to be coupled to the housing 182. The display mount 184 may be configured to support a display 186 and includes one or more actuators 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d. In one example, the actuators 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d are flexible members, such as those formed of rubber, and configured to deform to actuate protrusions of a switch. In other examples, the actuators 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d may be movable or otherwise variable to allow activation of the switch. The display mount 184 may also include a display aperture 214 that allows the display 186 to be visible or at least substantially unobstructed by the display mount 184.

[0081] Display 186 may be configured to provide output to a user, such as visual output. In one example, display 186 is a liquid crystal display and is configured to display operational and / or setting information to a user. For example, display 186 may include output values, such as kinetic energy values ​​that may be associated with the amount of force experienced by the user during use at a specific value. Display 186 may also include user information, such as settings indicating a first or second user, and output regarding cleaning methods, such as providing quadrants or cleaning times for different areas of the oral cavity. Generally, display 186 may be configured to output operational information useful to the user. In some embodiments, display 186 may be configured to receive user input, such as as a touchscreen or capacitive screen, but in other embodiments, display 186 may be configured to provide only output information. For the latter, display 186 may be less expensive, and control component 180 may include other actuators, such as buttons, that are more easily activated in humid environments, such as those that may occur during use of an oral irrigator.

[0082] A display connector 188 may be included to electrically connect the display 186 to a circuit board, such as circuit board 190. The display connector 188 may also be configured to compress to enable electrical connection, for example, configured as a zebra connector for a display.

[0083] Circuit board 190 may be a printed circuit board, which may include various electrical components for controlling the oral irrigator 100, including a display 186. For example, circuit board 190 may include a controller 217 such as a processor or microcontroller and a storage device or memory (e.g., for storing user settings) (which may be integrated with the processor as a chip), and may include one or more switches 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d. Switches 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d may be coupled to the processor and configured to provide user instructions, such as turning the oral irrigator 100 on / off, changing output values, storing user settings, etc.

[0084] Reference Figure 10B The control assembly 180 may include a cover layer 193 configured to be positioned on top of the display mount 184 and provide aesthetic features, and includes icons for various control devices. Additionally, a membrane or other sealing element may be included above an opening within the display 186 and the cover layer 193.

[0085] For assembling the control assembly 180, the display 186 is angled to slide into the display aperture 214 and positioned to rest on a support on the front surface of the display mount 184. A connector 188 is positioned between the rear surfaces of the display 186 (which includes electrical connections) and connected to a corresponding electrical connection on the top surface of the circuit board 190. Switches 216a, 216b, 216c, 216d are aligned with and positioned such that a user force can deform the actuators 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d to extend toward and reach the switches 216a, 216b, 216c, 2126d and return to an undeformed state where the switches are not activated (e.g., compressed back to a shorter length) when the force is removed.

[0086] Circuit board 190 is positioned on ribs 208a, 208b, 208c of housing 182 and panel bracket 206. Display mount 184 is then positioned above the top of circuit board 190, and one or more barbs 219a, 219b extending from display mount 184 engage panel bracket 206. This applies a clamping force that compresses display mount 184, which may be a flexible material such as rubber, and clamps connector 188 for connection to electrical connections on the back of display 186 and the front surface of circuit board 190. Cover 193 can then be positioned above display mount 184, with control button portions of cover 193 aligned with actuators 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d. Cover seal 220 can be placed between cover 193 and panel bracket 206. Orifices 221a, 221b, 221c, and 221d are aligned with display orifice 214 (and display 186) and actuators 213a, 213b, 213c, and 213d. Cover seal 220 may have adhesive on both sides to bond cover 193 to panel bracket 206 and provide a seal. Optionally, a membrane or other cover may be positioned over display 186 to seal the cover and other orifices. Similarly, one or more seals may be positioned as needed along different interfaces of control assembly 180, for example, between display mount 184 and panel bracket 206 and / or between circuit board 190 and display mount 184. The number and configuration of seals may depend on the coupling features and component construction of control assembly 180.

[0087] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the control component 180 may be located in other areas of the oral irrigator 100. For example, in one embodiment, the control component 180 may be mounted or coupled to the cover 106 to allow unobstructed visibility of the control component 180 to the user. In these cases, the control component 180 may also include a power source, such as a small battery (e.g., a coin cell battery), to provide power to the controller and display. Additionally, wireless components such as Bluetooth or other radio frequency transmitters / receivers may be included to provide electronic control signals to the motor 228 or drive components based on user input.

[0088] Figure 16A and Figure 16B An embodiment of a control assembly 1600 suitable for use with an oral irrigator 100 is shown. The control assembly 1600 is similar in many respects to the control assembly 180 described herein. For example, the control assembly 1600 allows a user to activate the irrigator 100 and modify one or more of its operating characteristics. The control assembly 1600 may be coupled to a base 104 and communicate electronically with a pump assembly.

[0089] Figure 16A and Figure 16B Various views of the control assembly 1600 are illustrated. The control assembly 1600 may include a housing 182 similar to the housing 182 of the control assembly 100. Various components of the assembly 1600 may be fixedly connected and may be coupled to a base 104. In one example, the housing 182 may be configured as a top portion of the base 104 and form a top surface of the base 104; for example, a reservoir 102 may be disposed on the top surface 200 of the housing 182. In these embodiments, the housing 182 may include a raised peripheral wall 210 extending around the top surface 200 to help hold the reservoir 102 in place. Additionally, a reservoir port 202 may be defined through the housing 182 to allow fluid connection of the reservoir 102 to various components within the base 104. As described herein, the housing 182 includes a panel support 206. The panel support 206 may include one or more ribs 208a, 208b and / or 208c.

[0090] Control component 1600 may include a cover 1602 that provides a portion of the user interface to the user of oral irrigator 100. Cover 1602 may include an aperture 221a or window that exposes a portion of display 1612. Display 1612 is as described with respect to display 186 and provides the dynamic portion of the user interface of oral irrigator 100.

[0091] Overlay 1602 may provide one or more buttons suitable for receiving user input. For example, overlay 1602 may include buttons 1640a-1640e. For example, button 1640a may provide the user with a control to turn the oral irrigator 100 on or off. Button 1640b may allow the user to select a user profile, which includes one or more stored or configurable user settings or preferences. Button 1640c may provide mode selection for the oral irrigator 100. For example, button 1640c may provide access to flossing, massage, or other modes of the oral irrigator 100. Buttons 1640d and 1640e may provide the user with navigation functionality to navigate through menus on the user interface or select one or more user settings.

[0092] Circuit board 1610 is disposed beneath cover layer 1602. Circuit board 1610 includes one or more switches 1618a-1618e. Switch 1618a corresponds in position and function to button 1640a. Switch 1618b corresponds in position and function to button 1640b, and so on. In many examples, switches 1618a-1618e are momentary contact switches.

[0093] One or more actuators may be disposed between cover layer 1602 and circuit board 1610. For example, actuator 1650 may be disposed between buttons 1640a, 1640b, and 1640c and their corresponding switches 1618a, 1618b, and 1618c. Similarly, actuator 1652 may be disposed between switch 1618d and switch 1618e. Other arrangements of switches, buttons, and actuators are contemplated in this disclosure.

[0094] Actuators 1650 and 1652 may each have central ribs 1666 and 1668, respectively. The actuators may include actuating surfaces 1678 extending laterally from the central ribs 1666 and 1668. Actuating surfaces 1678 may have one or more protrusions projecting therefrom. For example, actuator 1650 includes protrusions 1656a, 1656b, and 1656c, respectively, corresponding in position and function to buttons 1640a, 1618a, 1640b, and 1618b, and buttons 1640c and 1618c. Similarly, actuator 1652 may include protrusions 1656d and 1656e, corresponding in position and function to buttons 1640d and 1618d, and buttons 1640e and 1618e. Other arrangements and relationships between the switches, buttons, and protrusions are contemplated.

[0095] Especially refer to Figure 16BThe bracket 206 may include a bracket housing 1680 and a bracket protrusion 1682. Ribs 1666 and 1668 may include a corresponding shaft 1672, a transverse member 1674, and / or a fork portion 1676 extending from their central rib. The shaft 1672 can be received in the bracket housing 1680. When the shaft is received in the bracket housing 1680, the transverse member 1674 can abut against an adjacent portion of the bracket 206. The fork portion 1676 forms a housing 1670 in which the bracket protrusion 1682 can be received. Thus, actuators 1650 and 1652 are confined between the cover layer 1602 and the bracket 206.

[0096] Actuators 1650 and 1652 offer several benefits. First, the protrusions on them act as interfaces between buttons 1640a-e and corresponding switches 1618a-e. The actuators can alter the user feel and actuation force of the buttons, thereby providing positive user feel or tactile feedback when the buttons are actuated. Additionally, actuators 1650 and 1652 clamp the circuit board 1610 into the assembly of the oral irrigator 100 without the use of screws or other fasteners, thus simplifying the assembly of the oral irrigator 100 and reducing cost and weight.

[0097] Drive components and pump components Reference Figure 6 , Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 11A and Figure 11B The oral irrigator 100 may include a drive assembly 122 and a pump assembly 123 to pump fluid from a reservoir 102 to a handle 108. The drive assembly 122 may include a drive element, such as a motor 228. The motor 228 may include a drive shaft 230 and is configured to convert electrical energy into rotational motion or another type of mechanical motion, such as rotating the drive shaft 230 about an axis.

[0098] Reference Figure 7B and Figure 11B The drive gear 232 may be configured to be coupled to the drive shaft 230. The drive gear 232 may be formed as a pinion or another gear that moves another drive element (such as a linkage or additional gear) accordingly. For this purpose, the drive gear 232 may include one or more teeth that can mesh with a corresponding drive element (e.g., another gear). In some embodiments, the drive gear 232 is configured to be received directly on the drive shaft 230, but in other embodiments, the drive gear 232 may be coupled to the drive shaft 230 in other ways.

[0099] Continue to refer to Figure 7B and Figure 11BThe driven gear 234 may be configured to engage with the drive gear 232 or another drive element to be rotated by the motor 228. The driven gear 232 may include one or more teeth that mate and engage with corresponding teeth on the drive gear 232. The driven gear 234 may also include a cam 248 extending from its surface. In various embodiments, the driven gear 234 may include a shaft bore that may be defined along a central axis or other axis of the driven gear 234 and configured to couple the driven gear 234 to another drive element (e.g., gear shaft 250) to support the driven gear 234 and optionally define an axis of rotation for the driven gear 234 (e.g., the driven gear 234 is rotatably coupled to the gear shaft 250). In some embodiments, the motor 228 and the linkage (e.g., the drive gear 232 and the driven gear 234) may form a drive assembly to operate the pump assembly of the oral irrigator 100.

[0100] Pump assembly 123 is configured to be activated by drive assembly 122 to pump fluid from reservoir 102 to tip 110 of handle 108. Pump housing 244 may enclose various aspects (e.g., one or more gears) of pump assembly 123 and / or drive assembly 122. Pump housing 244 may include a first or upper housing 244a and a second or lower housing 244b that may be coupled to the first housing 244a. Pump chamber 246 may be defined by the second pump housing 244, for example, formed as an extension extending from the sidewall of the second pump housing 244b.

[0101] The pump housing 244 (also referred to as a gear housing) may be configured to support the motor 228, and therefore, in some cases may include a motor mount having a shaft bore 252 that receives a drive shaft 230 passing through it. Additionally, the pump housing 244 may include a portion of or fully define a shaft support 254. For example, the shaft support 254 may be defined as a lug, projection, stop, etc., which may define a shaft bore, shaft recess, or a portion thereof. Figure 11B In the example shown, the shaft support 254 may be defined as a protrusion extending from the top surface of the first housing 244a; however, as shown in other figures, the position and configuration of the shaft support 254 may vary. The second pump housing 244b may also include a corresponding shaft support.

[0102] The pump housing 244 may include one or more fastening supports 256a, 256b, such as protrusions or brackets, which may receive one or more fasteners to fasten the pump housing 244 together, for example, fastening the first pump housing 244a to the second pump housing 244b.

[0103] Reference Figure 12A and Figure 12BThe pump housing 244 is integrally formed to define a gear housing that supports the drive elements (such as one or more gears, motors, linkages, and / or gear shafts) of the drive assembly 122. More specifically, the second pump housing 244b may include an outer wall 258, which may be defined as a continuous wall and extends around a periphery to define both a drive element or gear element compartment 260 and a pump chamber 246. The gear compartment 260 may be shaped and sized to receive various elements of the drive assembly 122 and / or the pump assembly 123. The gear compartment 260 may be connected to the pump chamber 246 such that fluid can flow between the gear compartment 260 and the pump chamber 246 without the presence of sealing elements for components such as those of the pump assembly 122.

[0104] The outer wall 258 transitions to define the outer periphery of the second gear housing 244b. The outer wall 258 may form a pump extension 262, which may extend from a portion of the outer wall 258. The pump extension 262 includes the outer wall and defines a pump chamber 246 therein. The pump chamber 246 may be open at either end, one end leading to the gear compartment 260, and the other end—the piston end 268—may form an end portion of the pump chamber 246 extending away from the outer wall 258.

[0105] Optionally, the pump housing 244b may include one or more connection features, such as a pump plate 264 and / or one or more fastening supports. The pump plate 264 may be formed at the piston end 268 of the pump chamber 246, or as... Figure 12B As shown, such a portion of the pump extension 262 extends through the pump plate 264, slightly retracting from the piston end 268. However, in different embodiments, the construction and orientation of the pump plate 264 may differ.

[0106] The fastening sleeves 266a and 266b may be configured to extend parallel to the pump chamber 246 and the pump extension 262, such that fasteners used to secure fittings to the pump extension 262 may be configured to extend in the same direction as the force generated by the pump assembly 123 during operation. In one embodiment, the fastening sleeves 212a and 212b may define a cavity or recess configured to receive a fastener, but may be configured differently in other embodiments.

[0107] Reference Figure 12A and Figure 12BThe pump housing 244b may also include one or more mounting supports 280 to connect components of the pump housing 244b and / or the drive assembly 122 and the pump assembly 123 to the base 104. In one example, the mounting support 280 may include a first arm 282 and a second arm 284, wherein the two arms 282, 284 may be configured to receive around a mounting element (e.g., a rubber mounting element). In one example, the second arm 284 may include a recess 286 defined on a top surface facing the first arm 282. The recess 286 may be configured to receive a portion of the mounting element, as discussed in more detail below. The two arms 282, 284 may extend parallel to each other and may extend from an outer wall 258 of the pump housing 244b, for example, perpendicularly from a side wall of the pump housing 244b. In one example, the first arm 282 may have a smaller width than the second arm 284; however, in other configurations, the arms 282, 284 may be configured differently. The pump housing 244b may include three sets of mounting supports 280, each set including two arms, two of which extend from the outer wall 258 and one of which extends from a shaped bracket 288 extending downward from the top edge of the pump housing 244b. The number and configuration of the pump mountings 280 may vary based on the desired configuration of the pump assembly 123, the drive assembly 122, and the housing supports.

[0108] Reference Figure 7B One or more dampers 428 may be used to connect pump housings 244a, 244b to base 104. The damper 428 may be configured to absorb vibrations to reduce forces transmitted to base 104. In one example, the damper 428 is configured to connect to mounting support 280 and may include a body having slots 430 formed in its sidewalls to define an engaging arm 432 and a bottom arm 434. The two arms 432, 434 may extend parallel to each other and are separated by the thickness of the slot 430. Protrusions 436a, 436b may be formed on the inner surfaces of one or both of the engaging arm 432 and the bottom arm 434. Figure 7A and Figure 7B In the example shown, each of the inner surfaces of the connecting arm 432 and the bottom arm 434 may include adjacently arranged protrusions 436a, 436b.

[0109] Mounting head 438 may extend from bottom arm 434 and may include a neck and flange portion, and may be configured to deform to fit through an aperture in base 104 and expand back to its original configuration to secure damper 428 to base 104. As will be understood, damper 428 may be formed generally of a flexible material such as rubber.

[0110] In one example, the oral irrigator 100 may include three dampers 428 that can be coupled to different distribution areas of the pump housings 244a, 244b, but in other configurations, a different number of dampers 428 may be used. In the example including three dampers 428, the assembly may be configured to be supported within the base 104, but the inclusion of three anchor points (instead of four or more) also allows for slight movement of the pump housings 244a, 244b, introducing some instability. This can further help prevent vibrations from being transmitted to the base 104, as movement may reduce the total energy available for transmission to the base 104.

[0111] Pump assembly A piston and connecting rod are disclosed, which can be used as part of the pump assembly 123 of the oral irrigator 100. See Figure 7 and... Figure 11B The piston 238 may be included in the pump assembly 123 and configured to be positioned within the pump housing 242 and specifically within the pump chamber 246. The piston 238 may include a rod cutout 270b defined in the piston sidewall 272. In one example, the rod cutout 270b extends upward from the bottom edge of the piston toward a sealing end 274 and may terminate before the end portion. The rod cutout 270b is configured to allow the connecting rod 236 to be inserted into the piston cavity without causing permanent damage to the piston 1238, for example, without causing the piston 238 to deform inelastically.

[0112] In one example, the rod cutout 270b may have a keyhole or Y-shaped shape, including a wider base portion that may define a truncated cone shape extending into the rectangular portion. The rod cutout 270b may also be partially defined by other features in the piston sidewall, such as one or more coupling orifices and / or bearings.

[0113] In one embodiment, piston 238 may include at least one coupling port 270a, wherein coupling ports 270b may be defined on opposite sides of piston sidewalls. In one embodiment, one or both coupling ports 270a may extend into rod cutout 270b; however, in other variations, coupling ports may be constructed differently, for example, positioned on different sides of rod cutout 270b or positioned above and not intersecting rod cutout 270b. Coupling ports 270a may be defined by one or more bearing surfaces to define bearings. In this way, piston 238 may include one or more bearings that may be defined on opposite sides of piston 238 but at the same location along the length of piston 238. In some embodiments, two bearings may be desirable to ensure balanced loads and prevent torque formation. However, depending on the construction of connecting rod 236, other types of constructions, such as piston 238 with a single bearing, are possible.

[0114] The sealing end of piston 238 may include a sealing feature (e.g., a seal or flexible skirt) that abuts against a portion of pump chamber 246. Sealing end 274 is configured to seal against the inner wall of pump chamber 246 to generate a vacuum force and completely expel fluid from pump chamber 246, as discussed in more detail below. Sealing end 274 may be defined as a flared and flexible skirt having a diameter in its undeformed configuration that is the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of pump chamber 246, such that when positioned in pump chamber 246, the skirt can flex to allow insertion into pump chamber 246 and then expand outward to return to a wall seal.

[0115] The connecting arm 236 is engageable with the cam 248 and configured to be driven by the driven gear 234. The connecting arm 236 may include an open end portion received around the cam 248 and an elongated portion or shaft extending outward from the end portion. A connecting pin or piston end 240 may be formed as a head at the end of the connecting arm 236 and configured to engage the connecting arm 236 with the piston 238, for example, via a rod cutout 270b and a connecting hole 270a. The piston 238 is configured to engage with and move together with the connecting arm 236.

[0116] Although the connecting rod 236 is shown as including piston ends 240 extending axially outward in both directions, forming a T-shape at the end of the shaft, in other embodiments, the piston ends 240 may be constructed differently. For example, in one embodiment, the piston end 240 may include a single branch or protrusion extending from one side of the shaft to define an inverted L-shape or similar structure at the end of the shaft. However, in embodiments with balanced piston ends, the shaft can be better protected from bending during use, and therefore, a "T"-shaped piston end 240 may be preferred under selected operating forces.

[0117] The driven end forms the first end of the connecting rod 236 and is configured to mechanically connect the connecting rod 236 to a drive element of the drive assembly 122. For example, in one embodiment, the driven end may be defined as a cam follower and configured to position and receive the cam 248 about the cam 248. In these embodiments, the driven end may be defined as an annulus. However, in other embodiments, the connecting rod 236 may include other engagement features that engage with the drive element and convert motion from the drive element.

[0118] To insert the connecting rod 236 into the piston 238, the piston end 240 is aligned with and moved into the rod cutout 270b until the piston end 240 is positioned within the opposing engagement orifice 270a. In this way, the piston end 240 can extend across the width of the piston 238. The piston end 240 can be coupled to the piston 238 without requiring separate elements such as pins or other fasteners to be inserted into the connecting rod 236 and / or the piston 238.

[0119] Pump assembly 123 may include pump fitting 276, which may define a pump inlet and a pump outlet (or fitting inlet and fitting outlet) and is configured to deliver and receive fluid from pump chamber 246. (See reference...) Figure 11A and Figure 11B Fitting 276 can be constructed as an integral or one-piece part, such that the pump inlet 310 and pump outlet 312 are integrally connected together, for example, defined by an uninterrupted wall or a continuous wall. For example, fitting 276 can be formed as an injection-molded part (e.g., plastic injection molding), defining both the pump inlet 310 and pump outlet 312 in a single piece. Conventionally, pump fittings for oral irrigators define two separate components for the pump inlet and pump outlet, requiring multiple separate parts, increasing assembly difficulty, and requiring more space within the housing of the oral irrigator 100.

[0120] Pump fitting 276 may include a hub 300 that defines a fluid passage 314 communicating with a pump inlet 310 and a pump outlet 312. (See reference...) Figure 7B , Figure 11A and Figure 11B In some configurations, the pump inlet 310 and pump outlet 312 may be positioned at different locations along the length of the longitudinal axis of the hub 300. For example, the pump outlet 312 may be positioned closer to the pump plate 264 of the pump housing 244b than the pump inlet 310, and both may be along the longitudinal axis of the hub 300. In this configuration, the pump inlet 310 and pump outlet 312 may be configured in a laterally stacked orientation such that they are aligned on the same axis but at different horizontal locations relative to that axis. Alternatively, the hub 300 may include a valve retainer, which may be defined as a separate element received within the hub 300 or formed as a sidewall or protrusion extending from the inner wall of the hub 300 and may be arranged in the central region of the fitting 276. The valve retainer may be configured to secure the position and orientation of the valve 278 once positioned within the fitting 276.

[0121] Pump inlet 310 may be defined by a connector and may be oriented at an angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of hub 300. Similarly, pump outlet 312 may be defined by a connector extending from hub 300 and may extend at an angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of hub 300. The angular orientation of inlet connector 316 and outlet connector 318 may vary, and both may be oriented in the same direction and angular orientation. Inlet connector 316 and outlet connector 318 may be configured to connect to corresponding fluid passages (such as hoses or pipes) and include connectors (such as hose barbs) or other connecting elements, for example, connected to reservoir hose 320 and pump hose 322, respectively.

[0122] Continue to refer to Figure 11A The fitting 276 may also include a fitting plate 281 for engaging and attaching to the pump housing 244b. The fitting plate 281 may be in the form of a relatively flat extension defining a mating surface to engage the pump plate 264. The fitting plate 281 may include one or more fastening orifices defined therethrough to receive one or more fasteners, and optionally, a reinforcing collar may be positioned around the fastening orifices, such as extending from an outer surface of the fitting plate 281 (opposite to the pump plate 264), to protect the fasteners from disengagement and reinforce the mating area on the fitting plate 281.

[0123] Continue to refer to Figure 11A In one example, the reservoir hose 320 may be fluidly connected to the reservoir 102, for example, via the reservoir valve assembly 290 and / or valve assembly 132. The reservoir hose 320 may define a fluid passage that fluidly connects the reservoir 102 to the pump inlet 310, for example, to the inlet connector 316 connected to the pump fitting 276. In one example, the reservoir hose 320 may be flexible and deformable to fit within a base cavity and be connected between corresponding connections (e.g., valve assembly 132 and pump fitting 276).

[0124] Pump hose 322 is fluidly connected to pump chamber 246 (and specifically, pump outlet 312) and valve assembly 132. In one example, pump hose 322 may be connected to outlet connector 318, such as via collar 292 or other fastening features, and may also be connected to valve assembly 132 via collar 294. Collars 292 and 294 help limit movement of pump hose 322 at the connection point, especially when the line is under pressure, which can lead to noise, vibration, and / or potential leakage. In some embodiments, pump hose 322 may be more rigid than reservoir hose 320 because pump hose 322 can experience more pressure as fluid is pressurized as it leaves pump chamber 246. In some embodiments, pump hose 322 may have a length longer than the point-to-point distance between the two connection points; for example, a much shorter hose length can be used to connect valve assembly 132 and pump outlet 312 based on the straight-line distance between the two components. However, by including an additional length in the pump hose 322 that can be coiled or otherwise wound (e.g., including one or more loops within its length as it extends between the connectors), the pump hose 322 can be more flexible and absorb more vibration, helping to reduce noise in the pump assembly 123 during operation. Furthermore, flexibility helps hold the connectors in place and prevent leaks. In one example, the pump hose 322 may be at least 1.25 times the direct point-to-point distance between the two connectors, but in other examples it may be 1.5 to 2.5 times the point distance length. In one example, the pump hose 322 may be made of polyethylene, but in other examples, different materials may be used.

[0125] Valve assembly Figure 13A and Figure 13B Various views of valve assembly 132 are illustrated. Valve assembly 132 fluidly connects reservoir 102, pump assembly 123, and handle 108. Valve assembly 132 may also be configured to allow bypass flow of fluid back to reservoir 102, such as when flow through the outlet (e.g., handle 108) is blocked, such as due to activation of the handle actuator or pause button 109. For this purpose, it should be noted that valve assembly 132 may be omitted where bypass flow may not be needed or used. In these cases, reservoir 102 may be connected to pump fitting 276 via a direct hose connection or other fluid structure, and similarly, hose fitting 118 may be directly connected to pump fitting 276 or connected via a hose connection or other structure.

[0126] However, refer to Figure 13A and Figure 13BTo include a bypass fluid path, valve assembly 132 may include a valve housing 324 that receives pressure reducing valve 336. Valve housing 324 may be defined as a generally hollow cylindrical structure and defines a first chamber or reservoir chamber 356 and a second chamber or valve chamber 358. Reservoir chamber 356 may be in fluid communication with reservoir outlet 326, which may be defined within connector 328 or a barb. Similarly, valve chamber 358 may be in fluid communication with pump chamber 246 via inlet 330, which may be defined by connector 332 (such as a barb) (e.g., for connection to a fluid line or hose). Depending on the location of pressure reducing valve 336, the two chambers 356, 358 may selectively be in direct fluid communication. In the first configuration, the two chambers 356, 358 are in fluid communication via the pump assembly 123, but in the second configuration, the neck 334 or passage between the two chambers 356, 358 is unsealed by the pressure reducing valve 336, and fluid can flow between them, for example, to allow fluid to return from the valve chamber 358 to the reservoir 102.

[0127] Brief reference Figure 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 13A Valve housing 324 may terminate in valve housing surface 360, which may define one or more fastener sleeves to receive fasteners. In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, three fastener sleeves may be present for securing to hose fitting 118; however, the number and configuration of fastener sleeves or other types of securing features may vary in particular construction and mounting configuration.

[0128] Refer again Figure 13B The pressure reducing valve 336 may be defined as an elongated member and may include a sealing head 342 at its first end. In some embodiments, the pressure reducing valve 336 may taper toward its top end and may expand outward at the sealing head 342 to define an area for receiving and securing a seal 340, for example, the seal 340 may be received around the pressure reducing valve 336 and positioned below and secured in place via the sealing head 342. One or more valve ports 344a, 344b may extend through the body of the pressure reducing valve 336 and may communicate with a valve cavity 366 defined within the center of the pressure reducing valve 336. Notably, the valve cavity 366 does not extend the entire length of the pressure reducing valve 336, and the top end of the pressure reducing valve 336 is sealed but may be open at opposite ends. The pressure reducing valve 336 may optionally include one or more spring retainers that extend outward from the body and may be configured to hold and position a spring (such as spring 338) and / or a seal (such as seal 362).

[0129] A one-way valve 348 may be coupled to a pressure reducing valve 336 and may be positioned above an opening into a valve cavity 366. In one example, the one-way valve 348 is a reed valve with a flap that opens to allow flow in a single direction. Optionally, a sealing gasket 346 may be positioned between the bottom surface of the pressure reducing valve 336 and the one-way valve 348.

[0130] Valve retainer 364 may be positioned between pressure reducing valve 336 and hose fitting 119. Valve retainer 364 may include a fluid port 368 defined therethrough. One or more ribs 370 may extend from the bottom surface of valve retainer 364; in one embodiment, a Y-shaped rib formation is used, however, many other rib configurations are contemplated.

[0131] The spring retainer 350 may be configured to secure a seal and / or a spring to an assembly. The spring retainer 350 may include a lip 372 to receive one or more coils of a spring 352 and may be configured to hold a seal 354 in place.

[0132] Base shell and cover Reference Figures 7A to 7B , Figure 14 The base 104 may include an upper housing 400 and a lower housing 124, or a base cover forming the bottom portion of the oral irrigator 100. The lower housing 124 may also serve as a base frame to receive and secure various aspects of the oral irrigator 100, such as the pump assembly 123 and the drive assembly 122. In some embodiments, the drive assembly 122 and the pump assembly 123 may be secured to the lower housing 124, and the upper housing 400 (which may be a hollow, sleeve-like structure, such as a continuous sidewall) may be coupled to the lower housing 124 and a control assembly cover positioned on the top side to close the lower housing compartment 105. The hose passage 388 may be defined as a curved recess within the sidewall 398 (e.g., recessed from the top surface of the sidewall 398), or it may be defined as a hose orifice through the sidewall 398.

[0133] Figure 14 The figure shows a top plan view of the lower housing 124. (Refer to...) Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 14 The lower housing 124 may include an inner surface 376 and an outer surface 378. A sidewall 398 may extend upward from the periphery of the inner surface 376 and may optionally be convexly curved to define an inclined sidewall for the lower housing 124. One or more fastener bosses 384a, 384b, 384c, 384d may be defined as protruding sleeves entering the inner surface 376 and configured to receive one or more fasteners (e.g., screws) to engage the lower housing 124 to the upper housing 400.

[0134] At least one fastener boss 384a, 384b, 384c, 384d may be configured to further secure the cable, for example, the cable may be at least partially (if not completely) wrapped around the boss (e.g., around fastener boss 384a or 384b). In this way, the fastener boss or structure 384a, 384b can act as a cable anchor and help prevent the cable from shifting (e.g., due to the oral irrigator 100 falling off) and / or moving during use, which helps eliminate the need for additional anchoring parts such as zipper straps.

[0135] For example, refer to Figure 15 The wire 414 can be connected to the strain eliminator 133 and can be wound around the boss 384a such that it extends around the surface of the boss 384a and beneath itself, so as to then extend to connect to the circuit board and / or the motor 190, for example, to provide power to the circuit board 190. In other examples, the wire 414 can be otherwise secured to the boss 384a, which can serve as a wire anchor, for example, by wrapping it around the surface of the boss 384a and then wrapping the two ends around each other and securing them together.

[0136] Reference Figure 14 One or more buffers 374a, 374b, 374c may extend upward from the inner surface 376. Buffers 374a, 374b, 374c may be shaped as slightly angled or curved walls, such as U-shapes, and may have a height less than (e.g., shorter than) that of the isolator for pump assembly 123, as discussed in more detail below. Buffers 374a, 374b, 374c may be positioned around isolator orifices 386a, 386b, 386c, for example, curved around isolator orifices 386a, 386b, 386c, and in some cases, three isolator orifices 386a, 386b, 386c may be present. Similarly, one or more foot orifices 380a, 380b, 380c, 380d may be present, configured to receive a foot (e.g., a rubber foot). The foot holes 380a, 380b, 380c, and 380d can define the passage through the lower base 124.

[0137] Reference Figure 5A and Figure 14One or more drain orifices 382a, 382b, 382c, 382d may extend through the lower housing 124. The drain orifices 382a, 382b, 382c, 382d are configured to allow fluid to exit the base compartment 105 through the lower housing 124. In one embodiment, each of the drain orifices 382a, 382b, 382c, 382d may be positioned adjacent to foot mounts 380a, 380b, 380c, 380d or other internal features formed on the lower housing 124, and preferably may be positioned such that the drain orifices 382a, 382b, 382c, 382d abut against the peripheral edge of the inner surface 376 and optionally are partially concealed by the foot mounts. Positioning the drain orifices 382a, 382b, 382c, and 382d in this manner helps reduce noise escape through the lower housing 124, as the fastener bosses 384a, 384b, 384c, and 384d act as blocking members to prevent or absorb sound waves from reaching and then exiting the drain orifices 382a, 382b, 382c, and 382d. It should be noted that the number and positioning of the drain orifices 382a, 382b, 382c, and 382d can vary as needed, and in some examples, the oral irrigator 100 may include a single drain orifice or more than those shown in the figures. However, in many conventional oral irrigator units, a single, centrally located drain orifice may be used, but in such cases, this orifice may cause noise to escape from the housing, potentially increasing the overall noise experienced by the user.

[0138] Cable recess 410 may be formed in the sidewall 398 of the lower housing 124 and configured to receive and connect to the strain eliminator 133 or other portions of the cable, for example, to provide power to the oral irrigator 100.

[0139] The fitting housing 390 may be defined as a raised projection extending upward from the inner surface 376, and conversely, the fitting housing 390 may define a fitting recess 402 on the outer surface 378 of the lower housing 124. The fitting housing 390 may be shaped to correspond to the hose fitting 118, and in one embodiment may have a generally triangular shape, for example, including rounded edges to help position the hose fitting 118 in place. The valve wall 392 may extend upward from the top surface of the fitting housing 390 and may be defined as a straight wall having curved end walls on either side. The base outlet 394 may extend through the inner surface 376, for example, defined through the top wall of the fitting housing 390. One or more fastener orifices 396a, 396b, 396c may also be defined through the fitting housing 390 and configured to receive fasteners to secure the hose fitting 118 to the lower housing 124.

[0140] Reference Figures 5A to 6In some embodiments, the oral irrigator 100 may include an accessory cover 128 configured to engage with a lower housing 124 and close or partially close an accessory recess defined by an accessory housing 390. In one example, the accessory cover 128 may include a planar portion 404 configured to align with an outer surface 378 of the lower housing 124 and an edge portion 406 curved upward and angled to the planar portion 404. The edge portion 406 includes a curvature matching the curvature of the sidewall 398 such that, when engaged with the lower housing 124, the accessory cover 128 may be flush with both the outer surface 378 and the sidewall 398. The accessory cover 128 may also include a hose recess 408 formed in the edge portion 406, configured to engage with a hose passage 388 of the lower housing 124 to define a hose path or channel, allowing the hose 112 to be connected to the accessory 118. The accessory cover 128 may include a snap-fit ​​engagement or other fastening element to allow the accessory cover 128 to be releasably attached to the lower housing 124. The accessory cover 128 can be configured to conceal the accessory 118 and can also be used to reduce the transmission of sound from the interior of the lower housing 124, and provide aesthetic benefits to the oral irrigator 100.

[0141] Assembly of oral irrigator An illustrative example of assembling the oral irrigator 100 will now be discussed. It should be noted that the discussion of any particular order or steps is merely illustrative, and many other orders and steps may be used. (See reference...) Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 11A , Figure 11B and Figure 17 The drive shaft 230 of the motor 228 can be inserted through an opening in the upper housing 244a, and the drive gear 232 can be positioned around the drive shaft 230 of the motor 228.

[0142] Figure 17 The illustration depicts an example method 1700 for assembling an oral irrigator 100. Although the example method depicts a specific sequence of operations, this sequence may be modified without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, some of the depicted operations may be performed in parallel, in discontinuous portions, or in different sequences that do not substantially affect the functionality of the routine.

[0143] In operation 1702 of method 1700, drive assembly 122 and pump assembly 123 may be connected together. In one example, piston 238 may be inserted into pump chamber 246 of pump housing 244b until the bottom edge extends into gear element compartment 260. Connection orifices 270a, 270b may be accessible, and connecting rod 236 may be coupled to piston 238, for example, piston end 240 or connecting pin of connecting rod 236 may be inserted into one of connection orifices 270a, 270b and span the width of piston 238. For example, one of connection orifices 270a, 270b may extend along a length and define a slot, such as a keyhole or extended slot, to allow connecting rod 236 to be inserted into the slot. Once inserted, the piston end 240 of the connecting rod 236 can be placed in the connecting holes 270a, 270b, and the piston 238 can be inserted into the pump chamber 246, wherein the wall of the pump chamber 246 helps to constrain the movement of the connecting rod 236 relative to the piston 238.

[0144] The driven end of the connecting rod 236, which may be formed as a cylindrical tube, can be received around the cam 248 of the driven gear 234. The driven gear 232 can then be arranged within the pump housing 244b and aligned with the drive gear 232 to mesh with it. A gear shaft 250 can be inserted through the driven gear 234 and then fixed to a suitable location on the gear housing 244b (e.g., in a support).

[0145] In operation 1704 of method 1700, and continuing to refer to... Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 11A , Figure 11B and Figure 17 The upper housing 244a can be positioned above the pump housing 244b, and the gear shaft 250 can be coupled to and secured in place to the shaft support 254. Fastening supports 256a and 256b can be aligned, and one or more fasteners can be used to secure the first pump housing 244a to the second pump housing 244b. In this way, the motor 228 can be positioned on the top surface of either the first pump housing 244a or the gear housing.

[0146] In operation 1706 of method 1700, pump fitting 276 can be coupled to pump plate 264 of pump housing 244B. Valve 278 is positioned on hub 300 and aligned to be positioned between the outlet of pump chamber 246 and pump inlet 310, but may be downstream of pump outlet 312. In this way, valve 278 can control the flow entering pump chamber 246 from reservoir 102, but may not be positioned to control the flow leaving pump chamber 246. However, in different configurations, pump fitting 276 may be constructed differently.

[0147] Fastening sleeves 266a and 266b on pump housing 244b are aligned with corresponding features on pump fitting 276, and fasteners are used to secure pump fitting 276 to pump plate 268. One or more seals may be positioned between the two components, for example, around piston end 268 of pump chamber 246, to aid in sealing the connection when needed.

[0148] In operation 1708 of method 1700, a first end of the reservoir hose 320 may be coupled to the inlet connector 316 of the pump fitting 276 and fluidly connected to the pump inlet 310. In some embodiments, the reservoir hose 320 may be received around a portion of the inlet connector 316. Similarly, the pump hose 322 may be coupled to the outlet connector 318 of the pump fitting 276 and fluidly connected to the pump outlet 312. In one embodiment, a collar 292 may be received around the pump hose 322 to further secure it to the pump fitting 276 and help restrain movement of the hose 322 relative to the fitting 276.

[0149] In operation 1710 of method 1700, and referring to Figure 7B , Figure 12A and Figure 17 The damper 428 may be coupled to the pump housing 244, such as the lower pump housing 244b. In one embodiment, the damper 428 may be coupled to the mounting support 280, for example, an engaging arm 432 may be received between the first arm 282 and the second arm 284 of the mounting support 280. In one embodiment, a protrusion 436a may be positioned within a recess 286 defined on the upper surface of the second arm 284. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second arm 284 of the pump mounting 280 may be configured such that it does not engage the bottom arm 434 of the damper 428. In other words, a space may exist between the bottom surface of the second arm 284 of the pump mounting 280 and the top surface of the bottom arm 434 of the damper 428. This gap may help absorb energy by the damper 428, thereby reducing the transmission to the base 104. In some examples, the connection between the pump housing 244, the motor 228, and the damper 428 can be used to effectively suspend the motor 228 and multiple components of the drive assembly 122 and the pump assembly 123, which helps to reduce vibration transmission during use because some movement is permitted by the components.

[0150] Reference Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 14 and Figure 17Operation 1710 can continue, and the pump assembly 123 and drive assembly 122 can be secured to the appropriate position of the lower housing 124 of the base 104. For example, the mounting head 438 of the damper 428 can be inserted into the isolator orifices 386a, 386b, 386c of the lower housing 124. The mounting head 438 can deform to be pushed through the orifices 386a, 386b, 386c, and then, once on the outside of the lower housing 124, can expand outward to reset and secure the damper 428 in place. Buffers 374a, 374b, 374c can be positioned around the outer sidewall of the damper 428 to help provide lateral support for the damper 428 within the lower housing 124. In some embodiments, buffers 374a, 374b, 374c extend around and follow the shape of damper 428, for example, having a slight bend to change direction with the outer sidewall of damper 428, and having a height configured to be less than half the height of the body of damper 428 (e.g., the portion of damper 428 extending into the inner side of lower housing 124 and excluding the height of mounting head 438). Furthermore, due to the angled ramps of the damper-facing sides of buffers 374a, 374b, 374c, and the sidewalls of damper 428 are not parallel and may be spaced apart from each other. This defines a movement space, wherein damper 428 includes additional space for movement abutting buffers 374a, 374b, 374c (see...). Figure 7B The wall of the damper is deformed beforehand, for example, to increase or maximize the deflection of the damper, which allows the damper to absorb more vibrations than in other configurations. Additionally, when the damper 428 deflects or moves during use or transport of the unit, the angled surface of the buffer facing the damper side can help reposition the damper 428. For example, the angled surface is tilted downwards to encourage the damper 428 to slide back into place.

[0151] In operation 1712 of method 1700, and referring to Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 13B and Figure 17 A valve assembly 132 can be assembled. For example, a seal 340 may be received around a pressure reducing valve 336 adjacent to the head 342. The pressure reducing valve 336 may be coupled to a spring 338, for example, a spring 338 may be received around the pressure reducing valve 336. A seal 362 may be coupled to the pressure reducing valve 336, such as being positioned between adjacent lips or walls extending outward from the body of the pressure reducing valve 336. A sealing gasket 346 may be positioned within the base of the pressure reducing valve 336 and configured to abut against the bottom wall of the body of the pressure reducing valve 336 adjacent to the orifice entering the valve cavity 366. A check valve 348 may be positioned adjacent to the sealing gasket 346, and a valve retainer 364 may be positioned to engage the check valve 348 and secure the check valve 348 and the sealing gasket 346 in place.

[0152] Operation 1712 can continue, and the pressure reducing valve 336 assembly can be inserted into the valve housing 324 and into the valve chamber 358, with a portion of the pressure reducing valve 336 (e.g., head 342) extending through the neck 334 of the valve housing 324 and into the reservoir chamber 356. A spring 352 can be positioned to engage the valve retainer 364, and the spring retainer 350 can be inserted into the valve housing 324 below the pressure reducing valve 336 to hold the spring 352 in place. The spring 352 can apply a biasing force to the check valve 348, the valve retainer 364, and the pressure reducing valve 336 to ensure a sealing connection between the check valve 348 and the pressure reducing valve 336. The spring 352 can be received around the lip 372 of the spring retainer 350. A seal 354 can be positioned on the bottom surface of the spring retainer 350.

[0153] Reference Figure 5B , Figure 7B , Figure 14 and Figure 17 Operation 1712 can continue, and valve assembly 132 can be positioned on lower housing 124, for example, on fitting housing 390, wherein the bottom end of valve housing surface 360 ​​abuts against valve wall 392 and spring retainer 350 is aligned with base outlet 394. A portion of spring retainer 350 (e.g., a portion of pressure reducing valve assembly) can be partially received within base outlet 394 and fluidly connected to base outlet 394.

[0154] Operation 1712 can continue, and the hose fitting 118 can be fluidly connected to the valve assembly 132 and to the lower housing 124. For example, the hose fitting 118 can be aligned with the outer surface 378 of the lower housing 124 and positioned within a fitting recess 402 defined by the fitting housing 390. The fitting inlet 440 is aligned with the base outlet 394 and is fluidly connected to the valve assembly 132 and the valve chamber 358 via a spring retainer 350. Fasteners can then be received in a sleeve on the valve housing surface 360 ​​and pass through the hose fitting 118. The fasteners are secured in place, thereby securing the hose fitting 118 to the lower housing 124 and the valve assembly 132. In one example, three fasteners may be present (see...). Figure 5B These fasteners can be spaced equidistantly from each other and positioned between the ribs 134 of the mounting plate 136. The fastening operation can also be used for the compression valve assembly 132 springs 352 and / or springs 338, thereby reducing the number of operation steps, and the connection steps can be made easier because the housing 124 can be positioned to help compress the springs.

[0155] Method 1700 can proceed to operation 1714, and the hose 112 for the handle 108 can be inserted around the hose barb 140 of the hose fitting 118, and fluidly connected to the fitting inlet 440 and fluidly connected to the valve assembly 132. Optionally, a collar 142 can be received around the hose 112 to clamp the hose onto the hose barb 140, thereby adding additional force to help restrain the hose 112 and prevent the end from moving or falling off from the hose fitting 118. The hose 112 can extend through the hose passage 388 of the lower housing 124. Optionally, and referring to Figure 5A The accessory cover 128 may be positioned on the lower housing 124 to conceal the hose fitting 118 and fasteners. The accessory cover 128 may extend upward to capture the hose 112, thereby defining a hose path through the base 104, such as by forming a hose channel in the lower base 124 corresponding to the hose channel 388. As mentioned, the accessory cover 128 may be easily removed to allow access to the fitting 118, for example, to allow replacement of the fitting 118 and / or the hose 112 and the handle 108 without having to disassemble the entire oral irrigator 100.

[0156] Reference Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 6 , Figure 14 and Figure 17 Method 1700 may proceed to operation 1716, and one or more support feet 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d may be received within foot mounting openings 380a, 380b, 380c, 380d. For example, the necks of the support feet 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d may be inserted through the openings, and the edges of the lower housing 124 defining the foot mounting openings 380a, 380b, 380c, 380d may be captured around a portion of the feet 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d. The feet may extend downward through the outer surface 378 of the lower housing 124 and define a support structure for the oral irrigator 100, for example, a support surface such as a countertop may engage to support the oral irrigator 100.

[0157] Reference Figure 11A , Figure 13B and Figure 17Method 1700 can proceed to operation 1718, and the reservoir is assembled with the oral irrigator. For example, the reservoir hose 320 can be connected to the barb 328 of the valve housing 324 to fluidly connect the valve outlet 326 to the pump inlet 310. Similarly, the pump hose 322 can be connected to the barb 332 of the valve housing 324 to fluidly connect the valve inlet 330 to the pump outlet 312. In some embodiments, a collar 294 can be received around the end of the pump hose 322 to clamp it in place on the barb 332 to secure the hose 322 and prevent movement of the hose 322 relative to the valve housing 324. In some embodiments, the pump hose 322 may include securing clamps (collars 292, 294) at both ends because the pump hose 322 includes pressurized fluid exiting the pump outlet 312, and compared to the reservoir hose 320, which can be pressurized by gravity and is less likely to move or disconnect from the barb, the pump hose 322 may be more prone to detachment or vibration due to pressurization. However, in other embodiments, different types of hose connections or anchoring features may be used.

[0158] Reference Figure 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 17 Operation 1718 can continue, and the reservoir valve assembly 290 can be connected to the top of the valve assembly 132 and mounted on the valve housing 324. The reservoir valve 290 may include a tip configured to abut against the reservoir valve 442 to open the reservoir valve 442 and allow fluid to flow from the reservoir 102 to the valve assembly 132 when the reservoir 102 is positioned on the base 104.

[0159] Refer to Figure 7. Figure 10A , Figure 16A and Figure 16B Method 1700 can proceed to operation 1720, and control assembly 180 or 1600 can be coupled to base 104. For example, the motor wall 204 of the bottom surface 212 of housing 182 can be positioned around at least a portion of the outer wall of motor 228. Reservoir valve assembly 290 can be positioned within a corresponding reservoir valve wall, and housing 182 can span the compartment 105 of base 104 to cover and seal the base. Shelf 144 of base 104 receives and supports control assembly 180, including a user interface.

[0160] Referring to Figure 7, method 1700 can proceed to operation 1722, and the mandrel 116 can be coupled to the outer wall of the base 104, for example, by fastening it to the wall via one or more fasteners. Alternatively, the mandrel 116 can be fastened by acoustic welding or adhesive without fasteners. The magnet 126 can be positioned or trapped within a recess defined on the inner surface of the mandrel 116. The hose 112 can then be wound around the outer surface of the mandrel 116 and stored on the body 152, wherein the shank 108 is positioned within the shank recess 158 and fastened in place via the magnet 126.

[0161] As part of operation 1718, reservoir 102 may be positioned on the top surface of housing 182, and reservoir valve 442 may be forced into an open configuration by reservoir valve assembly 290 within base 104. (Refer to...) Figure 9A , Figure 9B and Figure 9C The lid 106 is positioned above and attached to the reservoir 102. An edge 160 is positioned within the inner wall of the reservoir 102, and a positioning portion 170 is disposed within a corresponding recess in the inner surface of the reservoir 102. This configuration allows the lid 106 to be mechanically attached to the reservoir 102, with the top portion of the lid 106 flush with the outer wall of the reservoir 102, resulting in an aesthetically desirable appearance while providing structural support that allows one portion of the lid to pivot relative to another. When the tab 166 is lifted by the user, the hinge portion 120b pivots, causing the hinge 162 to pivot about the rod 176, thereby allowing the hinge portion 120b to move and provide access to the reservoir 102, for example, to allow the user to refill the reservoir 102 without removing the entire lid 106. Note that the edge 160 remains in place as the hinge portion 120b moves relative to the reservoir 102 and the edge 160.

[0162] Operation of oral irrigator Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 10A To operate the irrigator 100, the user lifts the handle 108 from the spindle 116. This requires a force exceeding the holding force exerted by the magnet 126 in the spindle 116 on the corresponding magnetic element in the handle 108. Once lifted, the user can more easily access the control buttons 194 of the oral irrigator 100, such as the power button. The display 186 presents the user with visual information about the operating characteristics or other settings of the oral irrigator 100. For example, the display 186 may display icons or other information (e.g., numbers) corresponding to energy settings (e.g., pressure values), and whether the current setting corresponds to a specific user (e.g., User One or User Two). Optionally, a cleaning schedule, such as a quadrant diagram, may be displayed.

[0163] The user then selects button 194, for example, by pressing down on button 194. This force causes the cover 193 to flex and transmits the force to actuator 213a. Actuator 213a deforms and impacts switch 216a. Switch 216a changes state and activates controller 217 on circuit board 190, which in turn activates motor 228. Activation of motor 228 also activates the cleaning cycle of display 186, for example, starting a first quadrant timer. In one example, the cleaning program may be selected to have equal time periods for the four quadrants of the user's mouth, for example, 30 seconds per quadrant, and the first quadrant timer is activated once cleaning begins, and then the display icon changes to indicate to the user that after the initial 30 seconds, the program moves to the second quadrant.

[0164] It should be noted that before cleaning begins, the user can select the user button 196, which allows the user to cycle through user profiles and select a stored user profile for use, wherein when activated by the user, the cleaning energy level associated with the profile can be provided to the motor 228.

[0165] The controller supplies power to motor 228. Motor 228 then begins to rotate drive shaft 230, which in turn causes drive gear 232 to rotate. As drive gear 232 rotates, driven gear 234 rotates, which in turn causes cam 248 to rotate. Cam 248 causes connecting rod 236 to move, and in some embodiments, cam 248 may be eccentric, thereby converting the rotational motion of driven gear 234 into reciprocating motion of connecting rod 236. As connecting rod 236 moves, piston 238 moves within pump chamber 246.

[0166] Reference Figure 11A and Figure 11B When cam 248 pulls connecting rod 236 away from pump chamber 246, piston 238 is pulled, thereby generating a vacuum force, such as a vacuum stroke. The vacuum force pulls fluid from reservoir 102 into reservoir chamber 356 of valve housing 324. The head 342 and seal 340 of pressure reducing valve 336 prevent fluid from flowing from reservoir chamber 356 into valve chamber 358.

[0167] The fluid then exits the reservoir chamber 356 and flows into the valve outlet 326, then through the reservoir hose 320 into the pump assembly 276. The force of the fluid opens the check valve 278, allowing fluid to flow into the fluid passage 314 and into the pump chamber 246. As the cam 248 continues to rotate, the connecting rod 236 is forced further into the pump chamber 246, thereby generating a compressive force on the fluid (e.g., completing a vacuum stroke). This force closes the valve 278, preventing fluid from entering the pump inlet 310 and allowing fluid to exit from the pump chamber 246 into the pump outlet 312. From the pump outlet 312, the fluid enters the pump hose 322 and proceeds in parallel to the valve assembly 132.

[0168] Reference Figure 13B Fluid enters valve assembly 132 through inlet 330 and flows into valve portions 344a, 344b of pressure reducing valve 336 (seal 362 prevents fluid from flowing around pressure reducing valve 336 to exit valve housing 324). Fluid from valve cavity 366 opens check valve 348 and flows through fluid port 368 to exit via spring retainer 350. (See reference...) Figure 7B The fluid then exits and enters the fitting inlet 440, and exits the fitting outlet of the hose barb 140 and enters the hose 112. The fluid from the hose 112 travels through the handle 108 and exits the tip 110, for example, being expelled into the user's mouth. As the user continues to rinse his or her mouth, the controller on the circuit board 190 continues to circulate through the cleaning procedure, and as the user continues cleaning, different sections of the display 186 can be activated, for example, to present different information, such as instructing the user to move to different areas of his or her mouth when a particular quadrant segment is completed. Once all segments are completed, the icon on the display 186 can change to indicate that the entire cleaning procedure has been completed.

[0169] If the user wishes to increase or decrease the cleaning force during use, the user can select control buttons 198a, 198b, which (similar to power button 194) causes the cover 193 to flex, transmitting force to actuators 213c, 213d, which in turn activate switches 216c, 216d. The controller can then change the voltage level applied to motor 228, such as through pulse width modulation, to alter the cleaning force experienced by the user, such as increasing or decreasing that force. Electronic control of the voltage to motor 228 allows the oral irrigator to omit mechanical pressure control components and instead allow electronic control that enables output pressure setting. Of course, in other embodiments, mechanical pressure control components can be readily included, such as fluidly connected to valve assembly 132.

[0170] Once cleaning is complete, the user can select control button 194 (which is easily accessible while the user holds handle 108 in his or her hand), which in turn deactivates motor 228, thereby shutting down the unit. The user can also optionally select control button 196, which operates in a similar manner to other buttons on control assembly 180, to save specific settings, such as cleaning force, to a specific user profile, such as a first or second user. When this is activated, the controller can store setting information (e.g., voltage values) in memory for retrieval at a later time. As an example, the control panel can utilize different input characteristics to alter input to the controller; for example, a long press can indicate to the controller that a new setting is desired, in which case the user icon may flash or change, and the current setting will be saved to the identified user profile. In some cases, the processing can be relatively simple and reliant on a less expensive controller, such as cyclic input that loops through profiles or settings and receives user input at the desired setting, or it can be more complex and involve additional user input to change or update settings in different ways.

[0171] Reference Figure 13B If, during operation, a blockage occurs in the handle 108 or hose 112, for example, due to user activation of the actuator 109 in the handle 108, fluid pressure will build up, flow, and overcome the biasing force of the spring 338. This allows the pressure reducing valve 336 to move longitudinally within the valve chamber 358 and toward the reservoir chamber 356. The seal 340 disengages from the inner wall of the neck 334, thereby allowing fluid to flow between the valve chamber 358 and the reservoir chamber 356. When the pressure reducing valve 336 reaches the open position, the check valve 348 closes and traps fluid in the hose 112. The trapped fluid holds the valve in the open position by applying force to the seal until the flow path to the tip 110 is unobstructed. New fluid, such as that introduced into the valve chamber 358 due to the continuous operation of the pump assembly 123, is directed back into the reservoir chamber 356 and output to the reservoir 102 via the reservoir valve assembly 290. Pump assembly 123 can continue to operate even when actuator 109 is activated or another obstruction exists in hose 112, because fluid can circulate back to reservoir 102, thus preventing overpressure of valve assembly 132. This allows the flow path to remain unobstructed because pressure reducing valve 336 remains in the open position, which minimizes the load on the motor and therefore minimizes the pump and motor noise audible to the user when actuator 109 is activated.

[0172] In many embodiments, the oral irrigator 100 disclosed herein includes a feature that reduces the sound output from the unit compared to conventional oral irrigators. For example, as shown in Table 1, tests of the embodiments disclosed herein have resulted in noise levels below 65 dBA (e.g., between 56.2 and 64.6 dBA), which is significantly quieter than conventional oral irrigators. For comparison, conventional oral irrigators typically have an average sound level of 67.4 dBA, with some reaching as high as 70 dBA. Since decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale, the difference in noise emissions between the disclosed irrigator and conventional irrigators is significant. For example, the average noise emission reduction of the test samples of the disclosed oral irrigator was 7 dBA (67.4 dBA - 60.4 dBA) compared to conventional oral irrigators. For reference, if a first sound has a sound pressure level 10 dBA lower than a second sound, the first sound is perceived as half the second sound.

[0173] Table 1 - Noise Emission Test Results For example, in some embodiments, noise can be reduced relative to conventional oral irrigators by decreasing the deflection of the drive shaft 230 of the motor 228. For example, the drive gear 232 can be moved closer to the motor 228 body to minimize the length of the cantilever shaft 230. In another example, the two ends of the motor 230 shaft can be supported instead of placing the shaft in a cantilever arrangement.

[0174] In another example, portions of the oral irrigator 100 can be reinforced to reduce deflection by adding ribs such as ribs 208a-208c or by adding more fasteners than would be used in a conventional oral irrigator. Additionally or alternatively, movement or vibration of the pump housing 244 or gear housing can be reduced by reinforcing parts, reducing the number of connectors / parts, and / or creating more robust connectors compared to conventional oral irrigators. For example, the increased number of screws, the orientation of the fasteners, and the stiffness of the connections can all enhance performance relative to a conventional oral irrigator.

[0175] In another example, a quiet pressure relief valve 336 can be used, which operates when the oral irrigator 100 is in pause mode (e.g., when the pause button 109 is pressed), rather than operating on each pump cycle.

[0176] In another example, noise can be reduced by using an elastomeric (e.g., rubber) isolator to prevent vibrations from being transmitted from the motor / pump assembly to the housing 182.

[0177] In another example, noise can be reduced by using flexible conduits (e.g., hoses and / or tubes) to transfer fluid from the reservoir to the motor / pump assembly and / or from the motor / pump assembly to the handle 108, while reducing vibration transmission between these parts and assemblies.

[0178] in conclusion It should be noted that any embodiment, example, or component of the drive assembly and / or pump assembly in any of the accompanying drawings may be used with different embodiments, examples, or components. Accordingly, it should be understood that various components may be modular and interchangeable, depending on the space within the housing of the oral irrigator and fluid connections, etc. Therefore, any description of a particular component as part of a particular embodiment is intended to be illustrative only and should not be construed as requiring use with the particular embodiment or requiring other elements as shown in the depicted embodiments.

[0179] All relative and directional references (including top, bottom, side, front, rear, etc.) are given by way of example to aid the reader in understanding the examples described herein. They should not be construed as requirements or limitations, particularly regarding location, orientation, or use, unless specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attachment, coupling, connection, joining, etc.) should be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate members between connected elements and relative movement between elements. Therefore, unless specifically set forth in the claims, a connection reference does not necessarily mean that two elements are directly connected and fixed to each other.

[0180] This disclosure is taught by way of example and not limitation. Therefore, what is contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative rather than restrictive. The following claims are intended to cover all general and specific features described herein, as well as all statements within the scope of the methods and systems of the invention, and linguistically speaking, these statements fall between them.

Claims

1. An oral irrigator, the oral irrigator comprising: Base; A drive assembly, the drive assembly being positioned within the base; as well as A control component operatively coupled to the base and in electronic communication with the drive component, wherein the control component includes a controller for changing the operating characteristics of the drive component and a display for visually outputting operating information.

2. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein, The oral irrigator also includes a reservoir connected to the base, and the control components are connected to the base via the reservoir.

3. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein, The base also includes a platform extending at an angle from the sidewall of the base, wherein the control assembly is connected to the platform.

4. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein, The control component is positioned at an angle relative to the top edge of the base, wherein the angle is between 20 and 50 degrees.

5. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein, The control component is configured to: Receive user input to retrieve user profile; The operational characteristics of the driver component are updated based on the retrieved user profile; and Activate the driver component.

6. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein, The display includes the operating level.

7. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein, The display includes a cleaning cycle.

8. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein, The display includes the operating level and cleaning cycle.

9. The oral irrigator according to claim 5, wherein, The display includes a user profile icon.

10. The oral irrigator according to claim 5, wherein, The display includes user profile icons for the operating level.

11. The oral irrigator according to claim 5, wherein, The display includes the operating level and user profile icons.

12. The oral irrigator according to claim 5, wherein, The display includes the operating level, user profile icons, and cleaning cycle.

13. The oral irrigator according to claim 5, wherein, The display includes a user profile icon and a cleaning cycle.

14. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein, The control component is configured to receive user input.

15. The oral irrigator according to claim 14, wherein, The oral irrigator also includes a handle, and when the handle is mounted on the base, one or more mechanisms for receiving user input to the control components are positioned behind the handle.

16. The oral irrigator according to claim 5, wherein, The oral irrigator also includes a handle, and when the handle is mounted on the base, one or more mechanisms for receiving user input are positioned on the base and behind the handle.

17. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein, The display is a liquid crystal display (LCD).

18. An oral irrigator, the oral irrigator comprising: Handle; Base; A flexible hose, which is connected between the handle and the base; as well as A mandrel, which is coupled to the base and configured to receive a portion of the hose, wherein the mandrel has a sidewall surface area smaller than the front wall surface area.

19. The oral irrigator according to claim 18, wherein, The mandrel includes a body configured to receive the portion of the hose and a shank recess defined on the front wall surface configured to receive the shank.

20. An oral irrigator, the oral irrigator comprising: Handle; Base, which is fluidly connected to the reservoir; A handle portion, the handle portion being connected between the handle portion and the base portion; as well as A mandrel for receiving a portion of a hose, wherein the mandrel comprises: A handle recess configured to selectively engage the handle; The body, configured to hold the portion of the hose on the mandrel; and A support rib extends from the body to the handle recess to connect the body to the handle recess.

21. The oral irrigator according to claim 20, wherein, The mandrel also includes an inlet surface that connects to and extends from the body, wherein the inlet surface is convexly curved.

22. The oral irrigator according to claim 20, wherein, The mandrel further includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are connected to the support rib and the shank recess.

23. The oral irrigator according to claim 22, wherein, The first sidewall includes a first hose recess, and the second sidewall includes a second hose recess.

24. The oral irrigator according to claim 23, wherein, The first hose recess and the second hose recess are bent along two axes.

25. An oral irrigator, the oral irrigator comprising: Handle; The base is in fluid communication with the handle. A reservoir, which is in fluid communication with the base; as well as A pump configured to pump fluid from the reservoir to the handle, wherein the pump is connected to the base via one or more dampers.

26. The oral irrigator according to claim 25, wherein, The base includes an inner surface, wherein one or more buffers are defined on the inner surface, wherein the buffers are positioned around and partially surround the one or more buffers.

27. The oral irrigator according to claim 26, wherein, The one or more buffers include an angled surface extending away from the one or more dampers.

28. The oral irrigator according to claim 26, wherein, The inner surface also includes one or more damper orifices, wherein the one or more dampers extend through the one or more damper orifices to be coupled to the inner surface.

29. The oral irrigator according to claim 25, further comprising: A motor, which is connected to the pump and configured to drive the pump; as well as A base cover that extends over a portion of the base, wherein a motor wall extends downward from the base cover and extends around a portion of the circumference of the motor.

30. An oral irrigator, the oral irrigator comprising: Handle; The base is in fluid communication with the handle. as well as A reservoir, which is in fluid communication with the base; A pump assembly located within the base and configured to pump fluid from the reservoir to the handle, wherein the base includes an inner surface defining one or more fastening features to restrict movement of components of the pump assembly.

31. The oral irrigator according to claim 30, wherein, The base also includes one or more fastener bosses and one or more drainage holes positioned adjacent to the one or more fastener bosses.

32. The oral irrigator according to claim 31, wherein, The one or more fastener bosses prevent noise from escaping from the base via the one or more drainage holes.

33. The oral irrigator according to claim 30, wherein, The one or more fixed features include a curved wall configured to close off part of a valve assembly in fluid communication with the pump assembly.

34. The oral irrigator according to claim 30, further comprising: A flexible tube extending from the handle; A hose fitting that is attached to the end of the hose and configured to fluidly and mechanically connect the hose to the base; as well as A fitting recess is defined on the outer surface of the base, wherein the hose fitting is positioned within the fitting recess.

35. The oral irrigator of claim 34, further comprising a base cap, wherein, The base cap is configured to attach to the outer surface of the base to conceal the hose fitting.

36. An oral irrigator, the oral irrigator comprising: Driver components; Cable, which is electrically connected to the drive assembly; as well as The base includes an integrally formed protrusion, wherein the cable is wound around the protrusion to restrict movement of the cable within the base.

37. An oral irrigator, the oral irrigator comprising: Handle; Base; A reservoir, the reservoir being fluidly connected to the base and the handle and coupled to the base; as well as A lid, attached to the top of the reservoir, wherein the lid comprises: Fixed part; Edge, the edge being connected to the fixed portion; and A movable portion, wherein the movable portion pivots relative to the fixed portion and the edge, and the outer periphery of the cover is positioned within the inner periphery of the reservoir such that the top surface of the edge is not visible when the movable portion is in the closed position.

38. The oral irrigator according to claim 37, wherein, The lid also includes one or more positioning portions extending from the edge, wherein the one or more positioning portions are configured to secure the lid to the reservoir.

39. The oral irrigator according to any one of the preceding claims, which emits noise of less than 65 dBA during operation.

40. An oral irrigator, the oral irrigator comprising: case; A motor, the motor including a motor body and a drive shaft projecting therefrom; A drive gear is positioned adjacent to the motor body to minimize the cantilever length of the drive shaft, wherein the oral irrigator operates at a noise level of less than 65 dBA.

41. The oral irrigator of claim 40, further comprising support structures at two or more locations of the drive shaft to eliminate the cantilever length of the drive shaft.

42. The oral irrigator of claim 40 further includes a pump, the pump being driven by the motor and including a reinforced pump housing.

43. The oral irrigator of claim 42 further comprises one or more flexible conduits for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the pump and / or from the pump to the handle.

44. The oral irrigator of claim 40, further comprising a pressure reducing valve capable of operating in the pause mode of the oral irrigator.

45. The oral irrigator according to any one of claims 40 or 42, further comprising a plurality of elastomeric isolators coupled to the housing and the motor and configured to reduce vibration transmission from the motor and pump assembly to the housing.

46. ​​A method of manufacturing an oral irrigator, the method comprising: Connecting a drive assembly to a pump assembly, the pump assembly comprising: Pump plate, pump housing, and pump assembly; Connect the upper housing to the pump housing; Connect the pump plate to the pump fitting; Connect the reservoir conduit to the pump assembly; Assemble the damper with the pump housing; Assemble the valve with the pump assembly; Assemble the handle to the upper housing; Assemble the controller with the housing; and Assemble the reservoir with the housing.

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