Drive units and oral care appliances with drive units
By combining eccentric and transmission components, the rotational motion of the motor is converted into linear reciprocating motion, solving the problem of low drive efficiency in existing technologies and achieving efficient and stable linear motion transmission, which is suitable for oral care appliances such as electric toothbrushes.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHANGHAI XUEFU INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies struggle to effectively convert the rotational motion of a motor into the linear reciprocating motion of an oral care appliance, resulting in low and unstable drive efficiency.
The combination structure of eccentric element and transmission element converts the rotational motion of the motor into linear reciprocating motion. The eccentric element drives the connecting end to rotate and reciprocate around the fixed shaft, and the limit channel ensures that the output end moves linearly along the longitudinal direction of the motor shaft. The crank structure made of elastic material achieves smooth conversion.
It achieves efficient conversion from motor rotary motion to linear reciprocating motion, improving drive stability and efficiency, and is suitable for oral care appliances such as electric toothbrushes.
Smart Images
Figure CN224289512U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of personal hygiene products, and more specifically to a drive unit and an oral care appliance having such a drive unit. Background Technology
[0002] It is generally known that rotational motion provided by the shaft of a DC motor can be converted into oscillating motion by means of a suitable gear mechanism, such as the four-bar linkage described in DE3937854A1.
[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a drive unit that is arranged to convert rotational motion provided by a motor into linear reciprocating motion for driving driven elements such as oral care appliances.
[0004] It should be noted that the above content is only used to help understand the technical solution of this application and does not represent an admission that the above content is prior art. Summary of the Invention
[0005] This application provides a drive unit for an oral care appliance, configured to convert rotational motion into linear reciprocating motion during operation. The drive unit includes: a motor having a motor shaft configured to drive the motor shaft to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; a motor shaft extension including an eccentric element arranged eccentrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft, the eccentric element moving along a circle about the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; and a transmission element having a fixed shaft perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft, the transmission element being configured to be connected to and driven by the eccentric element; wherein the transmission element includes a connecting end connected to the eccentric element and an output end remote from the eccentric element, the connecting end being driven by the eccentric element to rotate and reciprocate about the fixed shaft and the output end to reciprocate linearly along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft.
[0006] Thus, through the above structure, the rotational motion of the motor is converted into linear reciprocating motion at the output end of the transmission element, which is then used to drive oral care appliances.
[0007] According to one aspect of this application, the oral care appliance includes a grip portion that houses the drive unit, the grip portion having a limiting channel that allows only the output end to move along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft. This further ensures linear movement of the output end, preventing oscillation or vibration in other directions.
[0008] According to one aspect of this application, the transmission element is configured as a crank structure and includes a crank body located between the connecting end and the output end; the crank body is configured to be at least partially made of an elastic material. The provision of the elastic material portion allows the crank body to bend to a certain extent, which facilitates the conversion from rotational motion to linear motion.
[0009] According to one aspect of this application, the crank body includes a first crank neck and a second crank neck connected to the connecting end and the output end, respectively; the first crank neck and the second crank neck are made of an elastic material. Providing elastic material at the connection points of the major components of the transmission element ensures both the rigidity of each component and allows the transmission element as a whole to bend and deform.
[0010] According to one aspect of this application, the connecting end includes a connecting hole rotatably fitted onto the fixed shaft and a connecting channel into which the eccentric element can be inserted; the connecting channel is configured to allow the eccentric element to move in a circle around a longitudinal axis of the motor shaft and be driven by the eccentric element to cause the connecting end to reciprocate about the fixed shaft.
[0011] According to one aspect of this application, the connecting end has a periodically changing first position state and a second position state; the output end has a different position along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft corresponding to the different position states of the connecting end.
[0012] According to one aspect of this application, in a direction parallel to the fixed axis, the depth of the connecting channel is not less than the rotational diameter of the eccentric element. This ensures that the eccentric element is always within the connecting channel, improving the reliability and continuity of the drive.
[0013] According to one aspect of this application, in a plane perpendicular to the fixed axis, the connecting channel is configured such that its width is just sufficient to accommodate the eccentric element; the eccentric element is configured such that its extending axis is set at a first angle to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft, the first angle being the maximum angle by which the connecting end deviates from the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft during rotation. This ensures that the eccentric element and the connecting channel will never interfere or jam.
[0014] According to one aspect of this application, in a plane perpendicular to the fixed axis, the connecting channel is configured to include a bayonet with a width just wide enough for the eccentric element to pass through and a clearance cavity with a width greater than that of the eccentric element; the eccentric element is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft. This ensures that the eccentric element and the connecting channel will never interfere or jam.
[0015] According to one aspect of this application, the transmission element is configured as a linkage structure and includes a linkage body located between the connecting end and the output end; the linkage body is rotatably connected to the connecting end and the output end respectively.
[0016] According to one aspect of this application, the connecting rod body includes a first end connected to the connecting end; the first end is not coaxial with the fixed shaft. Thus, when the connecting end performs a reciprocating rotational motion, the position of the first end changes reciprocally along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft.
[0017] This application also provides an oral care appliance including the aforementioned drive unit, wherein the oral care appliance is an electric toothbrush; the drive unit is mounted on the grip portion of the electric toothbrush; and the output end is connected to the cleaning unit of the electric toothbrush. Thus, the drive unit can transmit linear reciprocating motion to the cleaning unit of the electric toothbrush, achieving the corresponding cleaning effect. Attached Figure Description
[0018] This application will also be explained in more detail with the aid of the following figures. These should be understood as examples only and are not intended to limit this application to the examples shown.
[0019] Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of an oral care appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is shown;
[0020] Figure 2 A perspective view of the driving unit according to a preferred embodiment of this application is shown;
[0021] Figure 3 A front view of the drive unit in different positional states according to a preferred embodiment of this application is shown;
[0022] Figure 4 A perspective view of a driving unit according to yet another preferred embodiment of this application is shown;
[0023] Figure 5 A perspective view of a driving unit according to yet another preferred embodiment of this application is shown;
[0024] Figure 6 A perspective view of a drive unit according to yet another preferred embodiment of this application is shown.
[0025] List of reference numerals
[0026] 1. Drive Unit
[0027] 2 motors
[0028] 20 motor shaft
[0029] 21 Motor shaft extension
[0030] 22 Eccentric elements
[0031] 3. Transmission components
[0032] 30 Fixed shaft
[0033] 31 Connecting part
[0034] 311 Connecting hole
[0035] 312 Connection Channel
[0036] 312a checkpoint
[0037] 312b relocation cavity
[0038] 32 Output terminals
[0039] 33 Crank body
[0040] 331 First curve neck
[0041] 332 Second curve neck
[0042] 4. Oral care appliances
[0043] 40 Limiting Channels
[0044] 41. Grip section
[0045] 42 Mounting bracket Detailed Implementation
[0046] The present application will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. More details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can obviously be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar extensions and derivations based on actual application situations without departing from the spirit of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should not be limited by the content of this specific embodiment.
[0047] Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of an oral care appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the present application is shown, while Figure 2 A perspective view of the driving unit according to a preferred embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 3 A front view of the drive unit in different positional states according to a preferred embodiment of this application is shown.
[0048] like Figure 1 The drive unit 1 shown is used for the oral care appliance 4. The drive unit 1 includes a motor 2 having a motor shaft 20, the motor 2 being configured to drive the motor shaft 20 to rotate about the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20.
[0049] The drive unit 1 includes a motor shaft extension 21, which includes an eccentric element 22 eccentrically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20. The eccentric element 22 moves along a circle around the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft 20. Optionally, the motor shaft extension 21 is coaxially sleeved on the motor shaft 20 and rotates with it, and the eccentric element 22 is eccentrically disposed on the motor shaft extension 21. Specifically, as shown... Figure 3 As shown, the eccentric element 22 can be a shaft protruding from the motor shaft extension 21. The motor shaft extension 21 and the eccentric element 22 can be integrally formed.
[0050] The drive unit 1 also includes a transmission element 3 with a fixed shaft 30, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20. The transmission element 3 is configured to be connected to and driven by the eccentric element 22. Further, the transmission element 3 includes a connecting end 31 connected to the eccentric element 22 and an output end 32 away from the eccentric element 22. The connecting end 31 is driven by the eccentric element 22 to perform a reciprocating rotational motion around the fixed shaft 30, and the output end 32 performs a linear reciprocating motion along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20.
[0051] Thus, the above structure realizes the rotational motion of the motor shaft 20 → the reciprocating rotation of the connecting end 31 → the linear reciprocating motion of the output end 32, making the conventional rotary motor 2 applicable to oral care appliances 4 that require reciprocating motion function, thereby improving the versatility of the motor 2.
[0052] Furthermore, to prevent oscillation or deviation of the output terminal 32 during the aforementioned motion conversion process, such as Figure 1 As shown, the oral care appliance 4 is provided with a limiting channel 40 that only allows the output end 32 to move along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20. Optionally, the oral care appliance 4 has a gripping part 41 that accommodates the drive unit 1, and the drive unit 1 is mounted on the gripping part 41 via a mounting bracket 42. The limiting channel 40 is formed by the mounting bracket 42. Optionally, the limiting channel 40 is formed by the inner wall of the oral care appliance 4.
[0053] The principles and applications of this application will be further illustrated in the following embodiments.
[0054] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, the transmission element 3 is constructed as a crank structure and includes a crank body 33 located between the connecting end 31 and the output end 32. The crank body 33 is constructed to be at least partially made of an elastic material. When the connecting end 31 rotates, the output end 32 should also tend to rotate. However, the output end 32 is restricted to linear movement only along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20. Therefore, constructing the crank body 33 between the two as an elastic material serves both as a buffer to prevent damage to the transmission element 3 and to make the transition from rotation to linear motion smoother.
[0055] In one optional embodiment, the crank body 33 includes a first crank neck 331 and a second crank neck 332, which are respectively connected to the connecting end 31 and the output end 32. The first crank neck 331 and the second crank neck 332 are made of elastic material. Providing elastic material at the connection points of the main components of the transmission element 3 ensures the rigidity of each component for force transmission, while also allowing the transmission element 3 as a whole to bend and deform.
[0056] In one alternative embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the crank body 33 is constructed as a spring plate structure 333. When the connecting end 31 rotates, the spring plate structure 333 can transmit force to the output end 32 and can also undergo a certain degree of deformation so that the output end 32 can move linearly.
[0057] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, such as Figure 1 As shown, the connecting end 31 includes a connecting hole 311 rotatably fitted onto the fixed shaft 30 and a connecting channel 312 into which the eccentric element 22 can be inserted. When the eccentric element 22 moves along a circle around the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20, the engagement relationship between the connecting channel 312 and the eccentric element 22 allows the connecting end 31 to rotate and reciprocate around the fixed shaft 30.
[0058] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, an example is taken with the eccentric element 22 completing a full circular motion. Within the projection plane perpendicular to the fixed axis 30, Figure 3 a, Figure 3 c shows the first and second position states of the connecting end 31 when the projection of the eccentric element 22 is farthest from the projection of the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20. Figure 3 b shows the third position state of the connecting end 31 when the projection of the eccentric element 22 coincides with the projection of the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20. For example... Figure 3 As shown in Figure a, the connecting end 31 is in the first position, and the output end 32 has the highest position along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20; as Figure 3As shown in Figure c, the connecting end 31 is in the second position, and the output shaft 32 has the lowest position along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20. As the eccentric element 22 continuously performs circular motion, the position of the output end 32 along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20 changes periodically, that is, it performs linear reciprocating motion.
[0059] The following will further illustrate the cooperation relationship between the connecting channel 312 and the eccentric element 22 with reference to some embodiments.
[0060] As can be seen from the above embodiments, as the eccentric element 22 is in different positions, the connecting end 31 will deflect at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20. In order to ensure that the connecting end 31 always rotates with the motor shaft 20, at least a portion of the connecting channel 312 and the eccentric element 22 should always be in close contact in the plane perpendicular to the fixed shaft 30.
[0061] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, such as Figure 1 As shown, in a plane perpendicular to the fixed axis 30, the connecting channel 312 is configured such that its width is just enough to accommodate the eccentric element 22. This close fit allows the connecting channel 312 to always rotate with the axis.
[0062] Meanwhile, the eccentric element 22 is configured such that its extending axis is set at a first angle to the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20. This first angle is the maximum angle by which the connecting end 31 deviates from the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20 during rotation. Specifically, the first angle is... Figure 3 The angle at which the connecting end 31 deviates from the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20 is such that the eccentric element 22 interferes with and gets stuck in the connecting channel 312.
[0063] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, such as Figure 5 As shown, in a plane perpendicular to the fixed axis 30, the connecting channel 312 is constructed to include a bayonet 312a with a width just wide enough for the eccentric element 22 to pass through, and a clearance cavity 312b with a width greater than that of the eccentric element 22. The tight fit between the eccentric element 22 and the bayonet 312a ensures that the connecting channel 312 always rotates with it, while the clearance cavity 312b prevents the eccentric element 22 from interfering with and getting stuck in the connecting channel 312. In this embodiment, the eccentric element 22 can be eccentrically arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20.
[0064] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, such as Figure 6 As shown, the transmission element 3 is constructed as a linkage structure and includes a linkage body 34 located between the connecting end 31 and the output end 32. The linkage body 34 is rotatably connected to the connecting end 31 and the output end 32, respectively. When the connecting end 31 reciprocates, the position of the linkage body 34 along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20 changes, and the output end 32 undergoes linear reciprocating motion.
[0065] Specifically, the connecting rod body 34 includes a first end 341 connected to the connecting end 31 and a second end 342 connected to the output end 32. The first end 341 is not coaxial with the fixed shaft 30. Therefore, when the connecting end 31 reciprocates, the position of the first end 341 along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20 will inevitably change back and forth. The second end 342, together with the output end 32, is confined within the limiting channel 40 and will not deviate. Therefore, the second end 342 will inevitably follow the first end 341 in reciprocating motion along the longitudinal axis L1 of the motor shaft 20, thereby driving the output end 32 to perform the same motion.
[0066] This application also provides an oral care appliance 4 including the aforementioned drive unit 1. The oral care appliance 4 is an electric toothbrush, with the drive unit 1 mounted on the handle 40 of the electric toothbrush and its output end 32 connected to the cleaning unit (not shown) of the electric toothbrush. Thus, the drive unit 1 can transmit linear reciprocating motion to the cleaning unit of the electric toothbrush to achieve the corresponding cleaning effect.
[0067] While this application discloses preferred embodiments as described above, it is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Any changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the content of the technical solution of this application shall fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of this application.
Claims
1. A drive unit for an oral care appliance, configured to convert rotational motion into linear reciprocating motion during operation, characterized in that: The driving unit includes: A motor having a motor shaft, the motor being configured to drive the motor shaft to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; A motor shaft extension, the motor shaft extension including an eccentric element arranged eccentrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft, the eccentric element moving along a circle about the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft; A transmission element having a fixed shaft perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft, the transmission element being configured to be connected to and driven by the eccentric element; The transmission element includes a connecting end connected to the eccentric element and an output end away from the eccentric element. The connecting end is driven by the eccentric element to rotate and reciprocate around the fixed axis, and the output end reciprocates linearly along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft.
2. The driving unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The oral care appliance includes a grip portion that houses the drive unit, the grip portion having a limiting channel that allows only the output end to move along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft.
3. The driving unit as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The transmission element is configured as a crank structure and includes a crank body located between the connecting end and the output end; The crank body is constructed to be at least partially made of an elastic material.
4. The driving unit as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The crank body includes a first crank neck and a second crank neck connected to the connecting end and the output end, respectively. The first and second curved necks are made of elastic material.
5. The driving unit as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting end includes a connecting hole that can be rotatably fitted onto the fixed shaft and a connecting channel into which the eccentric element can be inserted; The connection channel is configured to allow the eccentric element to move in a circle around the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft and to be driven by the eccentric element to cause the connection end to reciprocate about the fixed axis.
6. The driving unit as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The connection end has a periodically changing first position state and a second position state; The output terminal has different positions along the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft corresponding to different position states of the connection terminal.
7. The driving unit as described in claim 5, characterized in that: In a direction parallel to the fixed axis, the depth of the connecting channel is not less than the rotation diameter of the eccentric element.
8. The driving unit as described in claim 5, characterized in that: In a plane perpendicular to the fixed axis, the connecting channel is configured such that its width is just enough to accommodate the eccentric element; The eccentric element is configured such that its extended axis is set at a first angle to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft, the first angle being the maximum angle by which the connecting end deviates from the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft when it rotates.
9. The driving unit as described in claim 5, characterized in that: In a plane perpendicular to the fixed axis, the connecting channel is configured to include a bayonet with a width just wide enough for the eccentric element to pass through and a clearance cavity with a width greater than that of the eccentric element. The eccentric element is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft.
10. The driving unit as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The transmission element is constructed as a linkage structure and includes a linkage body located between the connecting end and the output end; The main body of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the connecting end and the output end, respectively.
11. The driving unit as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that: The connecting rod body includes a first end connected to the connecting end; The first end is not coaxial with the fixed shaft.
12. An oral care appliance comprising the drive unit as described in claims 1-11, characterized in that: The oral care appliance is an electric toothbrush; The drive unit is mounted on the grip of the electric toothbrush; The output terminal is connected to the cleaning unit of the electric toothbrush.