Pressure detection structure and electric toothbrush

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a pressure detection structure and an electric toothbrush. The pressure detection structure comprises a pressure sensor, an elastic body and a control circuit board, the pressure sensor is arranged on a bracket of the electric toothbrush; a first end of the elastic body is connected with the pressure sensor, and a second end of the elastic body is connected with a motor of the electric toothbrush or a structural member on the motor; the control circuit board is arranged on the bracket; when the motor shaft is pressed, the motor shaft is pressed to drive the motor to generate displacement, so that the elastic body deforms, the pressure sensor deforms to generate a pressure signal, and the pressure sensor transmits the pressure signal to the control circuit board to realize pressure detection. The pressure detection structure is simple to assemble, low in production cost, capable of being applied to a sound wave motor and a servo motor with a 360-degree rotating shaft, and wide in application, and a pressure sensor does not need to be pasted on a processing plane of the motor shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure pertains to the field of pressure sensing technology, specifically relating to a pressure detection structure and an electric toothbrush. Background Technology

[0002] Electric toothbrushes are becoming increasingly popular due to their effectiveness in cleaning teeth. The working principle of an electric toothbrush is that it uses a motor to drive the brush head to vibrate and sweep back and forth to clean teeth. Currently, most brands of electric toothbrushes do not have a pressure detection function. This function is used to alert users if they brush too hard, preventing wear and tear. Only a few high-end brands offer this feature.

[0003] The current common brush head pressure detection solution for electric toothbrushes involves machining a flat surface at the motor shaft and attaching a pressure sensor. When the brush head is subjected to force, the deformation of the handle and motor shaft is transmitted to the pressure sensor, generating a pressure signal to detect the brush head pressure. This method has the following problems: the motor requires machining, and the bonding process is demanding, making production complex; depending on the different electric toothbrush structures, the sensor needs to be customized, making standardization difficult and costly; in servo motors, the motor shaft can rotate 360°, making the method of attaching the sensor to the motor shaft impractical, as the sensor's signal wires would be damaged by rotation and pulling.

[0004] A new type of vibratory electric toothbrush has recently appeared on the market. It uses a servo motor, and the motor shaft can rotate 360°. Conventional sensor-attached-to-motor-shaft solutions cannot be applied to this type of product.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, it is necessary to propose a reasonably designed pressure detection structure and an electric toothbrush that can effectively improve these problems. Utility Model Content

[0006] The present disclosure aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and to provide a pressure detection structure and an electric toothbrush.

[0007] This disclosure provides a pressure detection structure, including a pressure sensor, an elastomer, and a control circuit board;

[0008] The pressure sensor is used to mount on the bracket of the electric toothbrush;

[0009] The first end of the elastomer is connected to the pressure sensor, and the second end of the elastomer is used to connect to the motor of the electric toothbrush or a structural component on the motor.

[0010] The control circuit board is used to mount on the bracket; wherein...

[0011] When the motor shaft is subjected to pressure, the pressure causes the motor to move, which in turn causes the elastic body to deform. This deformation causes the pressure sensor to generate a pressure signal, which is then transmitted to the control circuit board to detect the pressure.

[0012] Optionally, the bracket has a mounting groove on the side facing the motor, and the pressure sensor is disposed in the mounting groove.

[0013] Optionally, a receiving groove is provided within the mounting groove corresponding to the pressure sensor, the receiving groove being used to provide deformation space for the pressure sensor; wherein,

[0014] The depth of the receiving groove is greater than the depth of the mounting groove.

[0015] Optionally, the bracket has a fixing groove on the side opposite to the motor, and the fixing groove has a hollow area.

[0016] The pressure sensor is disposed in the fixed groove and covers the hollow area;

[0017] The first end of the elastomer passes through the hollow area and is connected to the pressure sensor, and the second end of the elastomer is used to connect to the motor.

[0018] Optionally, the pressure sensor is disposed on the bracket along the direction of force application away from the electric toothbrush head.

[0019] Optionally, the pressure sensor is disposed on the bracket along the force direction toward the electric toothbrush head.

[0020] Optionally, the elastomer is interference-fitted with the pressure sensor.

[0021] Optionally, the pressure sensor is a simply supported beam top-pressure structure; wherein,

[0022] The pressure sensor is provided with a fixed part at both ends and a sensing part in the central area, and the sensing part is reused as a top pressure part.

[0023] The fixing part is connected to the bracket, and the pressing part is connected to the elastomer.

[0024] Optionally, the pressure sensor is a cantilever top-pressure structure; wherein,

[0025] The pressure sensor has a fixed area, which is connected to the bracket.

[0026] The sensing area of ​​the pressure sensor is located at the root of the cantilever, and the pressure-pressing area of ​​the pressure sensor is located at the tail of the cantilever; wherein,

[0027] The pressure zone is connected to the elastomer to cause deformation of the sensing zone.

[0028] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an electric toothbrush employing the pressure detection structure described above.

[0029] This disclosure discloses a pressure detection structure and an electric toothbrush. The pressure detection structure mounts a pressure sensor on the toothbrush's bracket, connects a first end of an elastic body to the pressure sensor, and connects a second end of the elastic body to the toothbrush's motor or a structural component on the motor. When pressure is applied to the motor shaft, the pressure causes displacement of the motor, deforming the elastic body. This deformation, in turn, causes the pressure sensor to deform and generate a pressure signal. The pressure sensor transmits this signal to the control circuit board for pressure detection. This pressure detection structure is simple to assemble, eliminates the need to machine a flat surface on the motor shaft to attach the pressure sensor, has low production costs, and can be widely applied to acoustic motors and servo motors with 360° rotating axes. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a pressure detection structure assembled in an electric toothbrush according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a pressure detection structure assembled in an electric toothbrush according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a pressure sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a pressure sensor according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the embodiments of this disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, one aspect of this disclosure provides a pressure detection structure 100, including a pressure sensor 110, an elastomer 120, and a control circuit board 130.

[0036] The pressure sensor 110 is used to mount the holder 210 of the electric toothbrush.

[0037] The first end of the elastic body 120 is connected to the pressure sensor 110, and the second end of the elastic body 120 is used to connect to the motor 220 of the electric toothbrush or a structural component on the motor 220. In this embodiment, the connection of the second end of the elastic body 120 to the motor 220 of the electric toothbrush is used as an example for illustration.

[0038] The control circuit board 130 is used to mount the bracket 210.

[0039] When the motor shaft 230 is subjected to pressure, the motor shaft 230 is compressed and drives the motor 220 to move, causing the elastic body 120 to deform, which in turn causes the pressure sensor 110 to deform and generate a pressure signal. The pressure sensor 110 transmits the pressure signal to the control circuit board 130 to realize pressure detection.

[0040] The pressure detection structure of this disclosure is simple to assemble, does not require machining a flat surface on the motor shaft to attach the pressure sensor, has low production cost, and can be applied to acoustic motors and servo motors with 360° rotating shafts, making it widely applicable.

[0041] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the bracket 210 has a mounting groove on the side facing the motor 220, and the pressure sensor 110 is disposed in the mounting groove. That is, in this embodiment, the bracket 210 has a mounting groove inside, and the pressure sensor 110 is disposed in the mounting groove inside the bracket 210.

[0042] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, a receiving groove 211 is provided in the mounting groove corresponding to the pressure sensor 110. The receiving groove 211 is used to provide deformation space for the pressure sensor 110. The depth of the receiving groove 211 is greater than the depth of the mounting groove.

[0043] Specifically, when the electric toothbrush is working, when the motor shaft 230 is subjected to pressure, the pressure on the motor shaft 230 causes the motor 220 to displace, which in turn causes the elastic body 120 to deform. This deformation, in turn, causes the pressure sensor 110 to deform within the receiving groove 211, generating a pressure signal. The pressure sensor 110 transmits the pressure signal to the control circuit board 130 for pressure detection. The greater the pressure on the brush head, the greater the pressure on the motor shaft 230, and the greater the signal change detected by the pressure sensor 110.

[0044] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, a fixing groove 212 is provided on the side of the bracket 210 away from the motor 220, and a hollow area 213 is provided within the fixing groove 212. That is to say, as Figure 2 As shown, a fixing groove 212 is provided on the outer side of the bracket 210, and a hollow area 213 is provided inside the fixing groove 212.

[0045] The pressure sensor 110 is disposed in the fixing groove 212 and covered in the hollow area 213.

[0046] The first end of the elastomer 120 passes through the hollow area 213 and is connected to the pressure sensor 110, and the second end of the elastomer 120 is used to connect to the motor 220.

[0047] Specifically, when the electric toothbrush is working, when the motor shaft 230 is subjected to pressure, the pressure on the motor shaft 230 causes the motor 220 to shift, which in turn causes the elastic body 120 to deform. This allows the elastic body 120 to move within the hollow area 213, thereby causing the pressure sensor 110 to deform and generate a pressure signal. The pressure sensor 110 transmits the pressure signal to the control circuit board 130 to detect the pressure. The greater the pressure on the brush head, the greater the pressure on the motor shaft 230, and the greater the change in the signal detected by the pressure sensor 110.

[0048] For example, in this embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, preferably, the pressure sensor 110 is disposed at the end of the bracket 210 near the motor shaft 230.

[0049] For example, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the pressure sensor 110 is disposed on the bracket 210 in a direction opposite to the force direction of the electric toothbrush head. That is, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the pressure sensor 110 is mounted on the bracket 210 below the motor 220, so that the pressure sensor 110 deforms to the maximum extent when the brush head is subjected to downward pressure.

[0050] For example, in another embodiment, the pressure sensor 110 is disposed on the bracket 210 along the direction of force applied toward the electric toothbrush head. That is, the pressure sensor 110 is disposed on the bracket 210 above the motor 220.

[0051] Furthermore, when the pressure sensor 110 is mounted on the bracket 210 above the motor 220, the elastic body 120 is interference-fitted with the pressure sensor 110. Because the pressure sensor 110 is interference-fitted with the elastic body 120, when the motor 220 moves downwards, the pressure exerted by the elastic body 120 on the pressure sensor 110 decreases, and the pressure sensor 110 detects the change in pressure signal.

[0052] For example, such as Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment, the pressure sensor 110 is a simply supported beam top-pressure structure. The pressure sensor 110 has fixed portions 111 at both ends and a sensing portion 112 located in its central region. The sensing portion 112 is also used as the top-pressure portion. The fixed portions 111 are connected to the bracket 210 to fix the pressure sensor 110. The top-pressure portion is connected to the elastic body 120. When the elastic body 120 deforms, it causes the top-pressure portion to deform, thereby detecting the pressure signal.

[0053] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, in another embodiment, the pressure sensor 110 is a cantilevered pressure structure. The pressure sensor 110 has a fixing area 113, and the fixing area 112 is connected to the bracket 210 for fixing the pressure sensor 110.

[0054] The sensing area 114 of the pressure sensor 110 is located at the root of the cantilever, and the top pressure area 115 of the pressure sensor 110 is located at the tail of the cantilever; wherein, the top pressure area 115 is connected to the elastic body 120 so that the sensing area 114 is deformed, thereby detecting the pressure signal.

[0055] It should be noted that the type of pressure sensor 110 is not limited to the above embodiment, and can also be other structures. This embodiment does not make specific limitations, and can be selected according to actual needs.

[0056] For example, in this embodiment, the elastomer 120 may be silicone, rubber, TPU, TPE, etc. The material of the elastomer 120 is not specifically limited and can be limited according to actual requirements.

[0057] For example, in this embodiment, the pressure sensor 110 can be a piezoresistive pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or a strain gauge pressure sensor, etc. The piezoresistive pressure sensor can have a single-bridge, half-bridge, or full-bridge Wheatstone bridge structure.

[0058] It should be noted that there is no limitation on the specific type of pressure sensor 110 used; it can be selected according to actual needs.

[0059] It needs to be further explained that, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the control circuit board 130 is disposed on the top of the bracket 210. The control circuit board 130 can be a PCBA board. This embodiment does not specifically limit the specific location and type of the control circuit board 130, and it can be selected according to actual needs.

[0060] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an electric toothbrush employing the pressure detection structure 100 described above. The specific structural features of the pressure detection structure 100 have been described in detail above and will not be repeated here.

[0061] The electric toothbrush of this embodiment adopts the pressure detection structure described above. The electric toothbrush is easy to assemble, does not require machining a flat surface on its motor shaft to attach a pressure sensor, has low production cost, and can be applied to sonic motors and servo motors with 360° rotating axes, making it widely applicable.

[0062] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary implementations used to illustrate the principles of the embodiments of this disclosure, and the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of the embodiments of this disclosure, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the protection scope of the embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A pressure detection structure, characterized in that, Includes pressure sensors, elastomers, and control circuit boards; The pressure sensor is used to mount on the bracket of the electric toothbrush; The first end of the elastomer is connected to the pressure sensor, and the second end of the elastomer is used to connect to the motor of the electric toothbrush or a structural component on the motor. The control circuit board is used to mount on the bracket; wherein... When the motor shaft is subjected to pressure, the pressure causes the motor to move, which in turn causes the elastic body to deform. This deformation causes the pressure sensor to generate a pressure signal, which is then transmitted to the control circuit board to detect the pressure.

2. The pressure detection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket has a mounting groove on the side facing the motor, and the pressure sensor is installed in the mounting groove.

3. The pressure detection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, A receiving groove is provided within the mounting groove corresponding to the pressure sensor location; the receiving groove is used to provide deformation space for the pressure sensor. The depth of the receiving groove is greater than the depth of the mounting groove.

4. The pressure detection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket has a fixing groove on the side away from the motor, and the fixing groove has a hollow area. The pressure sensor is disposed in the fixed groove and covers the hollow area; The first end of the elastomer passes through the hollow area and is connected to the pressure sensor, and the second end of the elastomer is used to connect to the motor.

5. The pressure detection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The pressure sensor is mounted on the bracket in a direction opposite to the force direction applied to the electric toothbrush head.

6. The pressure detection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The pressure sensor is mounted on the bracket along the direction of force applied to the electric toothbrush head.

7. The pressure detection structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The elastomer is interference-fitted with the pressure sensor.

8. The pressure detection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The pressure sensor is a simply supported beam top-pressure structure; wherein... The pressure sensor is provided with a fixed part at both ends and a sensing part in the central area, and the sensing part is reused as a top pressure part. The fixing part is connected to the bracket, and the pressing part is connected to the elastomer.

9. The pressure detection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The pressure sensor is a cantilever top-pressure structure; wherein... The pressure sensor has a fixed area, which is connected to the bracket. The sensing area of ​​the pressure sensor is located at the root of the cantilever, and the pressure-pressing area of ​​the pressure sensor is located at the tail of the cantilever; wherein, The pressure zone is connected to the elastomer to cause deformation of the sensing zone.

10. An electric toothbrush, characterized in that, The pressure detection structure described in any one of claims 1 to 9 is adopted.

Images