Oral irrigator

Abstract

The present invention relates to an oral irrigator. The oral irrigator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water supply passage through which cleaning water flows, a tip that sprays the cleaning water into an oral cavity, and a handle that is connected to the tip and in which the water supply passage is formed. At least one of the handle and the tip includes a bubble forming portion that narrows and then widens a cross-sectional area of the water supply passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an oral irrigator, and more specifically, to an oral irrigator with improved ability to remove foreign objects from the oral cavity. Background Technology

[0002] Bacteria multiply by ingesting leftover food debris after meals, forming dental plaque. Plaque interferes with calcium ions in saliva, preventing them from reaching the teeth—calcium ions essential for repairing damaged teeth. The calcium ions that fail to reach the teeth are absorbed by the plaque and crystallize, eventually hardening and adhering to the tooth surface to form tartar. However, because the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa are extremely fragile, there are limitations to increasing the water pressure of oral irrigators for effective cleaning. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The problem to be solved

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an oral irrigator that can increase the dissolved oxygen content of the cleaning water sprayed into the oral cavity and enhance the removal of foreign objects in the oral cavity by utilizing the pressure generated when the air bubbles in the cleaning water burst.

[0005] The above objectives are not limited thereto, and other additional objectives will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0006] Problem-solving methods

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, an oral irrigator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an interface and a handle. The interface has a water supply channel formed inside for the flow of cleaning water, and sprays the cleaning water into the oral cavity. The handle is connected to the interface and also has a water supply channel formed inside it. At least one of the handle and the interface includes a bubble-forming region, which causes the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel to first decrease and then increase.

[0008] In another embodiment, the oral irrigator includes an interface, a handle, an oral cavity baffle, and a bubble-forming area. The interface sprays cleaning water into the oral cavity. The handle is connected to the interface and has a water supply channel formed therein. The oral cavity baffle is formed on at least one of the handle and the interface, covering the user's mouth. The bubble-forming area increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel at the boundary of the oral cavity baffle.

[0009] Another embodiment includes an interface, a handle, and an internal partition. The interface has an internal water supply channel for the flow of clean water and a drainage channel for drawing out contaminated water from the user's mouth. The handle is connected to the interface, and the water supply and drainage channels extend within the handle. The internal partition is formed within at least one of the interface and the handle to separate the water supply and drainage channels, wherein the structure of the internal partition causes the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel to first decrease and then increase.

[0010] Specific details of other embodiments are set forth in the embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to the present invention, the dissolved oxygen content of the cleaning water sprayed into the oral cavity can be increased, and an oral irrigator that enhances the removal effect of foreign objects in the oral cavity is provided.

[0013] The effects of this invention are not limited to those described above; those skilled in the art will be able to understand other additional effects from the scope of the patent application. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an oral irrigator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 These are perspective views of an oral irrigator from different angles.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the external structure of the lower part of an oral irrigator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the external structure of the upper part of an oral irrigator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the connection between the lower part of the oral irrigator and the straw.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the connection between the upper part of the oral irrigator and the straw.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the lower part of an oral irrigator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the upper part of an oral irrigator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 9 It is shown Figure 7 Enlarged view of the area within the dashed box.

[0023] Figure 10It is shown Figure 9 A diagram showing the change in the flow area of ​​the central water supply channel.

[0024] (Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram)

[0025] 100: Oral Irrigator 100a: Lower Part

[0026] 100b: Upper part 101: Water supply channel

[0027] 107: Drainage channel 110: Grip

[0028] 119: Oral baffle 120: Bubble formation area

[0029] 121: Entrance segment; 123: Contraction segment

[0030] 125: Expansion stage; 127: Bending stage

[0031] 127s: Inclined section; 129: Internal partition.

[0032] 130: Interface component; 131: Lip contact part

[0033] 133: Cheek contact area; 130a: Water jet hole

[0034] 155: Upper suction hole; 159: Lower suction hole

[0035] 170: Suction tube 171: Anterior channel

[0036] 173: Rear passage; 175: Spacer.

[0037] 177: Vertical channels A, B, C: Cross-sectional area

[0038] P A ,P B ,P C Fluid pressure T: Turbulence

[0039] v A ,v B ,v C Fluid velocity Detailed Implementation

[0040] The advantages, features, and methods for achieving these advantages and features will become clear by referring to the following detailed embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0041] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various forms. The embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the full scope of the invention. The invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0042] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same components.

[0043] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Referring to Figures 1 through 6, an oral irrigator (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body (not shown), a handle (110) connected to the body, and an interface (130) connected to the handle (110). The body is used to supply cleaning water and store inhaled contaminated water. The interface (130) is used to spray cleaning water. The interface (130) includes an upper suction hole (155) and a lower suction hole (159) for drawing contaminated water from the oral cavity. The lower suction hole (159) is located on the tongue, while the upper suction hole (155) faces the roof of the oral cavity. The interface (130) sprays cleaning water into the oral cavity through the spray hole (130a) and guides it to the gums and teeth.

[0045] The main body may include multiple water pumps that either discharge cleaning water through a handle (110) or generate suction to draw contaminated water from an upper suction port (155) and a lower suction port (159). These water pumps generate positive pressure to discharge cleaning water and negative pressure to draw in contaminated water. The contaminated water consists of a mixture of cleaning water, saliva, dental plaque, and debris.

[0046] The handle (110) and the interface (130) can be integrally formed, or they can be configured as an upper part (100b) and a lower part (100a) respectively. Clean water supplied from the main body flows through a water supply channel (101) formed in the handle (110). The water supply channel (101) is formed on one side of the handle (110), while a drainage channel (107) is formed on the other side.

[0047] Upper suction hole (155) and lower suction hole (159) draw in contaminated water, which then flows through a suction tube (170) located within the handle (110). The drawn-in contaminated water flows through a drain channel (107) and connects to the suction tube (170), which is located within an interface (130) and connected to the handle (110). The suction tube (170) may be located between the upper part (100b) and the lower part (100a).

[0048] The interface component (130) includes a labial contact portion (131) and a buccal contact portion (133), the labial contact portion (131) facing the labial surface of the teeth and the buccal contact portion (133) facing the buccal surface of the teeth. The labial contact portion (131) and the buccal contact portion (133) are U-shaped.

[0049] The grip (110) includes a mouth baffle (119) disposed on its outer surface, the lateral end of which is curved rearward. The grip (110) also includes an elliptical mouth baffle (119) protruding along its outer surface. The mouth baffle (119) is formed on the outer surface of the grip (110) and curves toward the interface member (130) to increase the gripping area when held by the user. The mouth baffle (119) allows the user to hold the grip (110) stably, prevents contact between the hand and lips, and blocks cleaning water from being sprayed forward from the mouth.

[0050] An oral irrigator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an interface (130), an upper suction port (155), a lower suction port (159), and a handle (110). The interface (130) is used to spray clean water into the oral cavity. The upper suction port (155) and the lower suction port (159) are used to aspirate contaminated water mixed with saliva from the oral cavity. The handle (110) forms a water supply channel (101) for clean water and a drainage channel (107) for draining contaminated water from the upper suction port (155) and the lower suction port (159). The handle (110) includes an internal partition (129) that separates the water supply channel (101) and the drainage channel (107). The internal partition (129) extends into the interior of the interface (130).

[0051] The suction pipe (170) includes a rear channel (173) and a front channel (171). The rear channel (173) is connected to the drain channel (107). The front channel (171) is connected to the upper suction hole (155) and the lower suction hole (159).

[0052] A vertical channel (177) is provided on one side of the front channel (171) for drawing contaminated water from the upper suction hole (155). A spacer (175) is provided on the other side of the front channel (171) for creating a gap inside the interface (130). The gap is formed on both the upper and lower sides to provide space for the flow of cleaning water. The cleaning water flows through the space between the interface (130) and the suction pipe (170).

[0053] Referring to Figures 7 through 9, an oral irrigator (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water supply channel (101), an interface (130), and a handle (110) connected to the interface (130). Cleaning water flows through the water supply channel (101). The interface (130) sprays the cleaning water into the oral cavity. The water supply channel (101) is formed in the handle (110). At least one of the handle (110) and the interface (130) includes a bubble-forming region (120). The bubble-forming region (120) causes the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel (101) to first decrease and then increase. The bubble-forming region (120) induces the Venturi effect.

[0054] The bubble-forming zone (120) reduces the pressure of the clean water in a portion of the water supply channel (101). The clean water containing bubbles is sprayed into the oral cavity through the spray nozzle (130a).

[0055] The handle (110) includes a drain channel (107) and an internal partition (129). The drain channel (107) is used to discharge contaminated water drawn in by the interface (130). The internal partition (129) separates the water supply channel (101) from the drain channel (107). The cross-sectional area of ​​the bubble forming zone (120) is designed to first shrink and then expand due to the presence of the internal partition (129). The internal partition (129) is formed in both the upper (100b) and lower (100a) portions and extends from the handle (110) to the interface (130). The internal partition (129) determines the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel.

[0056] The oral irrigator (100) includes an oral baffle (119) formed between the interface (130) and the handle (110) to cover the user's mouth. An air-forming zone (120) increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel (101) at the point of passage through the oral baffle (119). The oral baffle (119) may be formed at the boundary between the handle (110) and the interface (130), or on the rear side of the interface (130) (the side facing the hand). The oral baffle (119) may be positioned at the boundary where the minimum and maximum cross-sectional areas of the air-forming zone (120) intersect, thereby ensuring the most secure fixation.

[0057] Compared to the grip (110), the bubble-forming area (120) has a larger cross-sectional area at the interface (130) and includes a bending stage (127) between the grip (110) and the interface (130). The bending stage (127) may be a curved area or have an "L" shape. The oral cavity baffle (119) may be connected to the bending stage (127).

[0058] The oral irrigator (100) includes an oral baffle (119) extending from a bending stage (127), the oral baffle (119) being formed in the direction of bending of the bending stage (127).

[0059] The bend stage (127) generates turbulence or eddies. The bend stage (127) includes an inclined section (127s) formed at the bend edge to promote eddy formation. The inclined section (127s) generates a vortex flow of clean water within the enlarged flow channel, thereby reducing random flow disturbances.

[0060] The interface (130) includes a U-shaped lip contact portion and a buccal contact portion. A bubble-forming region (120) is formed behind these portions, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel (101) first narrows and then expands to form an expansion section (125). Clean water passing through the bubble-forming region (120) is distributed inside the interface (130) and sprayed into the oral cavity through the water spray hole (130a).

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an oral irrigator (100) includes a water supply channel (101) for the flow of clean water, an interface (130), a handle (110), and an oral cavity baffle (119). The interface (130) sprays clean water into the oral cavity. The handle (110) is connected to the interface (130), and the water supply channel (101) is formed within the interface (130). The oral cavity baffle (119) is used to cover the user's mouth. An air bubble forming area (120) increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel (101) at the boundary of the oral cavity baffle (119).

[0062] Another embodiment includes an interface (130) in which a water supply channel (101) for clean water flow and a drain channel (107) for absorbing contaminated water are formed. The interface (130) is connected to a handle (110), and the water supply channel (101) and the drain channel (107) extend in the handle (110). An internal partition (129) is provided inside at least one of the interface (130) or the handle (110) to separate the water supply channel (101) from the drain channel (107). The internal partition (129) is structured such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel (101) first decreases and then increases.

[0063] Figure 10 illustrates the change in the flow area of ​​the water supply channel (101) shown in Figure 9.

[0064] Referring to Figure 10, the bubble forming zone (120) includes a contraction section (123) located in the water supply channel (101), an expansion section (125) with a large cross-sectional area formed in front of the contraction section (123), and a bending stage (127) formed between the contraction section (123) and the expansion section (125).

[0065] The bend (127) generates turbulence (T). Due to the bend shape of the bend (127), the flow direction of the clean water changes abruptly, leading to an increase in velocity gradient, pressure difference, separation, and local Reynolds number, thus generating turbulence (T). Turbulence (T) can especially form eddies. The inclined section (127s) promotes eddy formation and accelerates the transformation of clean water into turbulence.

[0066] Turbulence (T) has the property of breaking down clean water into smaller particles, during which pressure changes lead to bubble formation. In regions of reduced pressure, the fluid may reach its boiling point or release dissolved gases, thus forming bubbles. The tortuous stage (127) induces cavitation.

[0067] A bubble-forming zone (120) is formed within the water supply channel (101). The bubble-forming zone (120) may be part of the water supply channel (101). The upstream portion of the water supply channel (101) is the inlet section (121), followed by a contraction section (123) and an expansion section (125) in sequence. This structure induces the Venturi effect.

[0068] The bubble forming zone (120) includes a contraction section (123) located within the water supply channel (101) and an inlet section (121) formed upstream of the contraction section (123) with a larger cross-sectional area than the contraction section (123). The handle (110) includes a drain channel (107) and an internal partition (129). The drain channel (107) discharges contaminated water drawn from the interface (130). The internal partition (129) separates the water supply channel (101) from the drain channel (107). The cross-sectional areas of the contraction section (123) and the inlet section (121) are different by means of the internal partition (129). The contraction section (123) has the smallest cross-sectional area within the water supply channel (101).

[0069] A, B, and C represent the cross-sectional areas at different locations. vA, vB, and vC represent the fluid velocities at these locations. PA, PB, and PC represent the fluid pressures at these locations. The relationships between the cross-sectional areas are as follows: B <A<C。

[0070] Due to the different cross-sectional areas, the flow velocity of the cleaning water is highest in the contraction section (123), while it is lower in the inlet section (121). The flow velocity in the expansion section (125) is lower than that in the inlet section (121). The pressure distribution of the cleaning water is inversely proportional to the flow velocity distribution. When the cleaning water flows rapidly through the contraction section (123), the pressure decreases. At this time, the cleaning water is broken down into fine particles and mixed with air. Subsequently, the cleaning water is discharged through the spray hole (130a). The air bubbles collide with the epithelial cells and teeth in the oral cavity. The high-frequency pressure and impact force generated when the air bubbles burst can cause foreign objects in the oral cavity to vibrate.

[0071] The oral irrigator (100) of the present invention can increase the dissolved oxygen content of the cleaning water and effectively remove foreign matter even under relatively low water pressure.

[0072] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications and variations can be made to the invention by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claims, and such modifications should not be considered as a departure from the technical spirit or prospect of the invention.

Claims

1. An oral irrigator, comprising: An interface having a water supply channel for the flow of cleaning water and spraying the cleaning water into the oral cavity; as well as A handle is connected to the interface component, and the water supply channel is formed therein; Wherein, at least one of the grip and the interface includes a bubble forming region, which causes the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel to first shrink and then expand.

2. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein: The grip includes a drainage channel for discharging contaminated water drawn in by the interface; An internal partition forms a separation between the water supply channel and the drainage channel; and The cross-sectional area of ​​the bubble-forming region is designed to first shrink and then expand by means of the internal separator.

3. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, further comprising: An oral cavity baffle is formed between the interface and the handle for covering the user's mouth; The bubble-forming zone increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel at the point where it passes through the oral cavity baffle.

4. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein: The cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel within the interface is larger than the cross-sectional area within the handle; and A bending stage is formed between the grip and the interface component.

5. The oral irrigator according to claim 4, further comprising: An oral cavity baffle that covers the user's mouth, wherein the oral cavity baffle extends from the bending phase.

6. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein the bubble-forming zone comprises: A contraction section is located within a portion of the water supply channel; An expansion section is formed in front of the contraction section and has a larger cross-sectional area than the contraction section; as well as A bending stage is formed between the contraction segment and the expansion segment.

7. The oral irrigator according to claim 6, further comprising: An oral cavity baffle that covers the user's mouth, wherein the oral cavity baffle extends from the bending phase.

8. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein: The bubble forming zone includes a contraction section and an inlet section. The contraction section is located in the water supply channel, and the inlet section is formed upstream of the contraction section and has a larger cross-sectional area than the contraction section. The grip includes a drainage channel for discharging contaminated water drawn in by the interface; An internal partition is formed to separate the water supply channel and the drainage channel; and The cross-sectional areas of the contraction section and the inlet section are different by means of the internal partition.

9. The oral irrigator according to claim 1, wherein: The interface component includes a U-shaped lip contact portion and a cheek contact portion; The bubble forming area includes an expansion section formed behind the lip contact portion and the cheek contact portion, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel first decreases and then increases.

10. An oral irrigator, comprising: An interface having a water supply channel for the flow of cleaning water and spraying the cleaning water into the oral cavity; A handle is connected to the interface component, and the water supply channel is formed therein; A mouth guard, formed on at least one of the grip and the interface, is used to cover the user's mouth; as well as A bubble forming zone is provided, which increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel at the boundary of the oral cavity baffle.

11. An oral irrigator, comprising: An interface device has a water supply channel and a drainage channel, through which clean water flows and the drainage channel is used to draw out contaminated water from inside the user's mouth; A handle is connected to the interface, through which the water supply channel and the drainage channel extend; An internal partition is formed in at least one of the interface and the handle to separate the water supply channel and the drainage channel; The structure of the internal separator causes the cross-sectional area of ​​the water supply channel to first decrease and then increase.

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