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 silica gel piece, a pressure sensor and a control circuit board, the silica gel piece is used for being arranged at the end of a shell of the electric toothbrush and arranged on a motor shaft of the electric toothbrush in a sleeving mode. The pressure sensor is arranged on the silica gel piece; the control circuit board is used for being fixed to a support of a shell of the electric toothbrush. When the motor shaft is bent under stress, the silica gel piece is driven to be bent and deformed, so that the pressure sensor is deformed under stress to generate a pressure signal, and the pressure signal is transmitted to the control circuit board to achieve 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 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 solution for brush head pressure detection in 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 solution requires machining of the motor and has high requirements for bonding technology, making manufacturing complex. Furthermore, the sensor needs to be customized depending on the specific electric toothbrush structure, making standardization difficult and resulting in a high overall cost. In servo motors, the motor shaft can rotate 360 ​​degrees.

[0004] The method of rotating the sensor to a fixed position on the motor shaft becomes impossible, as the sensor's signal wires would be damaged by the rotation.

[0005] Another existing brush head pressure detection solution involves a top-pressure structure at the bracket and a fulcrum at the motor. When the brush head is pressed down, the motor's tail moves upward due to the fulcrum, pressing against the sensor. The sensor generates an electrical signal, which is transmitted to the PCBA chip, thus enabling brush head pressure detection. This top-pressure structure is relatively complex and places significant demands on component tolerances.

[0006] A new type of vibrating electric toothbrush has emerged on the market, which uses a servo motor. The motor shaft can rotate 360°. The conventional method of attaching the motor shaft cannot be applied to this type of product. The method of pressing the motor tail is complex in structure and has high space requirements. Both methods have high assembly requirements and high production costs.

[0007] 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

[0008] 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.

[0009] One aspect of this disclosure provides a pressure detection structure, including a silicone component, a pressure sensor, and a control circuit board;

[0010] The silicone component is used to be disposed at the end of the housing of the electric toothbrush and sleeved on the motor shaft of the electric toothbrush;

[0011] The pressure sensor is disposed on the silicone component;

[0012] The control circuit board is used to fix the bracket to the housing of the electric toothbrush; wherein,

[0013] When the motor shaft is subjected to force and bending, it causes the silicone component to bend and deform, so that the pressure sensor is deformed by force and generates a pressure signal, which is then transmitted to the control circuit board to realize pressure detection.

[0014] Optionally, the silicone component includes a first sub-silicone component and a second sub-silicone component;

[0015] The first silicone component is used to fit onto the motor shaft of the electric toothbrush;

[0016] The second sub-silicone component is sleeved on the outside of the first sub-silicone component and fits against the inside of the housing;

[0017] The pressure sensor is located in the gap between the first sub-silicone component and the second sub-silicone component, and is in contact with the first sub-silicone component.

[0018] Optionally, the sensing area located in the central region of the pressure sensor is reused as a top pressure area, which is in contact with the first sub-silicone component.

[0019] Optionally, the pressure sensor is attached and fixed to the first sub-silicone component.

[0020] Optionally, both ends of the pressure sensor are inserted into the second sub-silicone component so that the pressure sensor is in contact with the first sub-silicone component.

[0021] Optionally, the pressure sensor is located on the side of the silicone part opposite to the direction of force applied to the electric toothbrush head.

[0022] Optionally, the pressure sensor is located on the side of the silicone part facing the direction of force applied to the electric toothbrush head.

[0023] Optionally, the silicone element is interference-fitted with the pressure sensor.

[0024] Optionally, the pressure sensor is a piezoresistive pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or a strain gauge pressure sensor.

[0025] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an electric toothbrush employing the pressure detection structure described above.

[0026] This disclosure discloses a pressure detection structure and an electric toothbrush. In the pressure detection structure, a silicone component is mounted on the end of the toothbrush housing and fitted onto the motor shaft. A pressure sensor is mounted on the silicone component. When the motor shaft is subjected to bending force, the silicone component bends and deforms, causing the pressure sensor to deform and generate a pressure signal. This pressure signal is then transmitted to the control circuit board to achieve 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

[0027] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the assembly structure of a pressure detection structure in an electric toothbrush according to one embodiment of this disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the assembly structure of a pressure detection structure in an electric toothbrush according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a silicone component according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0030] 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.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, one aspect of this disclosure provides a pressure detection structure 100, including a silicone element 110, a pressure sensor 120, and a control circuit board 130.

[0032] The silicone part 110 is used to be disposed at the end of the housing 210 of the electric toothbrush and sleeved on the motor shaft 220 of the electric toothbrush.

[0033] Specifically, the silicone component 110 is assembled on the end of the electric toothbrush housing 210 facing the toothbrush head, serving a waterproof sealing function. The outer surface of the silicone component 110 is attached to the housing 210, and the inner layer of the silicone component 110 covers the end of the motor shaft 220 near the motor.

[0034] Pressure sensor 120 is mounted on silicone part 110.

[0035] The control circuit board 130 is used to fix the bracket 230 of the housing 210 of the electric toothbrush.

[0036] When the motor shaft 220 is bent under force, it causes the silicone part 110 to bend and deform, so that the pressure sensor 120 is deformed under force to generate a pressure signal, and transmits the pressure signal to the control circuit board 130 to realize pressure detection.

[0037] This disclosure discloses a pressure detection structure and an electric toothbrush. In the pressure detection structure, a silicone component is mounted on the end of the toothbrush housing and fitted onto the motor shaft. A pressure sensor is mounted on the silicone component. When the motor shaft is subjected to bending force, the silicone component bends and deforms, causing the pressure sensor to deform and generate a pressure signal. This pressure signal is then transmitted to the control circuit board to achieve 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.

[0038] For example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the silicone component 110 includes a first sub-silicone component 111 and a second sub-silicone component 112.

[0039] The first silicone component 111 is used to fit over the motor shaft 220 of the electric toothbrush. In other words, the first silicone component 111 is used to wrap around the motor shaft 220 of the electric toothbrush, providing a waterproof seal for the motor shaft 220.

[0040] The second silicone component 112 is fitted onto the outside of the first silicone component 111 and adheres to the inside of the housing 210. The second silicone component 112 serves to waterproof and seal the housing 210.

[0041] The pressure sensor 120 is located in the gap between the first sub-silicone component 111 and the second sub-silicone component 112, and is in contact with the first sub-silicone component 111.

[0042] Specifically, when the motor shaft 220 is bent under force, it causes the first sub-silicone component 111 to bend and deform, so that the pressure sensor 120, which is in contact with the first sub-silicone component 111, is deformed under force to generate a pressure signal, and transmits the pressure signal to the control circuit board 130 to realize the pressure detection of the electric toothbrush head.

[0043] For example, in this embodiment, the sensing area located in the central region of the pressure sensor 120 is reused as a top pressure area, and the top pressure area is in contact with the first sub-silicone component 111. That is, the first sub-silicone component 111 presses against the sensing area in the central region of the pressure sensor 120, so that the pressure sensor 120 can better generate a pressure signal based on the deformation of the first sub-silicone component 111.

[0044] For example, the contact connection between the pressure sensor 120 and the first sub-silicone component 111 can be in the following two ways:

[0045] On the one hand, the pressure sensor 120 can be fixed to the first sub-silicone component 111 by adhesive.

[0046] On the other hand, both ends of the pressure sensor 120 can be inserted into the second sub-silicone component 112 so that the pressure sensor 120 is in contact with the first sub-silicone component 111. That is to say, the pressure sensor 120 is not fixed to the first sub-silicone component 111, but is only in contact with the first sub-silicone component 111.

[0047] It should be noted that this embodiment does not specifically limit the contact connection method between the pressure sensor 120 and the first sub-silicone component 111. It can be selected according to actual needs. As long as the first sub-silicone component 111 is bent and deformed by the force of the motor shaft, so that the pressure sensor 120 is deformed by the force and generates a pressure signal.

[0048] In this embodiment, the pressure sensor 120 can be set in different directions of the motor shaft 220 according to different pressure detection directions. The specific position of the pressure sensor 120 is not limited and can be selected according to actual needs.

[0049] In one embodiment, the pressure sensor 120 may be disposed on the side of the silicone element 110 opposite to the direction of force applied to the electric toothbrush head. That is, as Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the pressure sensor 120 is mounted on the silicone part 110 below the motor shaft 220. This maximizes the deformation of the motor shaft 220 when the electric toothbrush head is subjected to pressure, thereby improving the detection sensitivity of the pressure sensor 120.

[0050] In another embodiment, the pressure sensor 120 may be disposed on the side of the silicone part 110 facing the direction of force applied to the electric toothbrush head. That is, in this embodiment, the pressure sensor 120 is disposed on the silicone part 110 above the motor shaft 220.

[0051] It should be noted that when the pressure sensor 120 is mounted on the silicone part 110 above the motor shaft 220, the silicone part 110 and the pressure sensor 120 are interference-fitted. That is, there is a certain interference preload between the silicone part 110 and the pressure sensor 120. In this way, when the motor shaft 220 is subjected to bending force, the amount of compression of the pressure sensor 120 by the motor shaft 220 is reduced, causing a change in the signal of the pressure sensor 120, thereby also realizing the function of detecting the pressure of the electric toothbrush head.

[0052] In another embodiment, the pressure sensor 120 can also be disposed on the silicone part 110 on the side of the motor shaft 220. It should be noted that when the pressure sensor 120 is disposed on the silicone part 110 on the side of the motor shaft 220, the silicone part 110 and the pressure sensor 120 also need to be interference-fitted so that the pressure sensor 120 can better realize the pressure detection of the electric toothbrush head.

[0053] For example, in this embodiment, the pressure sensor 120 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.

[0054] It should be noted that there is no limitation on the specific type of pressure sensor 120 used; it can be selected according to actual needs.

[0055] It needs to be further explained that, such as Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the control circuit board 130 is disposed on the bracket 230 at the top of the housing 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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 silicone components, pressure sensors, and control circuit boards; The silicone component is used to be disposed at the end of the housing of the electric toothbrush and sleeved on the motor shaft of the electric toothbrush; The pressure sensor is disposed on the silicone component; The control circuit board is used to fix the bracket to the housing of the electric toothbrush; wherein, When the motor shaft is subjected to force and bending, it causes the silicone component to bend and deform, so that the pressure sensor is deformed by force and generates a pressure signal, which is then transmitted to the control circuit board to realize pressure detection.

2. The pressure detection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The silicone component includes a first sub-silicone component and a second sub-silicone component; The first silicone component is used to fit onto the motor shaft of the electric toothbrush; The second sub-silicone component is sleeved on the outside of the first sub-silicone component and fits against the inside of the housing; The pressure sensor is located in the gap between the first sub-silicone component and the second sub-silicone component, and is in contact with the first sub-silicone component.

3. The pressure detection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sensing area located in the central region of the pressure sensor is reused as a top pressure area, which is in contact with the first sub-silicone component.

4. The pressure detection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pressure sensor is attached and fixed to the first silicone part.

5. The pressure detection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The two ends of the pressure sensor are inserted into the second sub-silicone component so that the pressure sensor is in contact with and connected to the first sub-silicone component.

6. The pressure detection structure according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The pressure sensor is located on the side of the silicone part opposite to the direction of force applied to the electric toothbrush head.

7. The pressure detection structure according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The pressure sensor is located on the side of the silicone component facing the direction of force applied to the electric toothbrush head.

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

9. The pressure detection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The pressure sensor is a piezoresistive pressure sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, or a strain gauge pressure sensor.

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

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