A detection system and an electric toothbrush
By incorporating a detection conductive plate and circuitry into the USB interface of the electric toothbrush, the problem of water ingress into the electric toothbrush in humid environments is solved, enabling timely alarms and preventing device damage.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- WUXI QINGHE XIAOBEI TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
AI Technical Summary
In the existing technology, electric toothbrushes and other devices are prone to water ingress when charging in humid environments, which can lead to circuit failures. This makes it difficult to effectively detect and prompt users to handle the problem, resulting in poor charging performance or device damage.
A detection conductive plate and detection circuit are set in the USB interface of the electric toothbrush. The connection between the conductive plate and the ground or power conductive plate is detected to determine whether the interface is wet. Under the control of the controller, an alarm is issued, including sound wave motor vibration, buzzer or voice prompt.
It enables timely alerts to users when water enters the interface, preventing equipment damage and improving the equipment's waterproofness and safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN224366180U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of connector technology, and specifically relates to a detection system and an electric toothbrush. Background Technology
[0002] In the existing technology, wired rechargeable electrical appliances are all charged through USB interfaces. For cleaning appliances that are often placed in the bathroom, such as electric toothbrushes and water flossers, due to the special nature of their use environment, such devices are often in a humid or watery environment, which can cause water to enter the corresponding charging port, easily leading to circuit failures that affect the charging effect or the lifespan of the appliance.
[0003] In the prior art, in order to avoid short circuits in USB interfaces, there are technical solutions that involve setting up a charging conductive sheet at a distance and covering the areas without the conductive sheet with insulating material to prevent electrical loss. However, this solution cannot determine whether the interface environment is damp or water has entered, nor can it provide a warning when water enters to prompt the user to take appropriate action and prevent further damage. Utility Model Content
[0004] This utility model is proposed based on the above-mentioned needs of the prior art. The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a detection system and an electric toothbrush to indicate whether water has entered the interface and effectively prevent interface damage.
[0005] To solve the above problems, the technical solution provided by this utility model includes:
[0006] A detection system is provided, comprising: a substrate, consisting of a grounding area, a power supply area, and a remaining area, wherein at least one grounding conductive sheet is disposed in the grounding area, at least one power supply conductive sheet is disposed in the power supply area, and at least one detection conductive sheet is disposed in the remaining area; a water ingress detection module, including an input terminal connected to the detection conductive sheet, an output terminal connected to an alarm module, and a detection circuit disposed between the input terminal and the output terminal, wherein when the interface environment is dry, the detection conductive sheet outputs a safe state at the output terminal through the detection circuit; when the interface environment is humid, the power supply conductive sheet or the grounding conductive sheet is connected to the detection conductive sheet, and an alarm state is output at the output terminal through the detection circuit; and an alarm module, which sends alarm information according to the input alarm state.
[0007] Preferably, the remaining area with the detection conductive sheet is adjacent to the grounding area with the grounding conductive sheet or the power area with the power supply conductive sheet.
[0008] Preferably, the corresponding position of the detection conductive sheet in the remaining area is set to position A8 or position B8 on the substrate.
[0009] Preferably, when the detection conductive sheet is disposed at A8 on the substrate, the conductive sheet in the power supply area is disposed at position A9; when the detection conductive sheet is disposed at B8 on the substrate, the conductive sheet in the power supply area is disposed at position B9.
[0010] Preferably, the detection circuit includes an NMOS, the drain of the NMOS is connected to the VCC terminal of the controller which provides the internal voltage through a first resistor, the source of the NMOS is connected to the GND terminal, the gate of the NMOS is connected to a second resistor, and the other end of the second resistor is divided into two branches and connected to the detection conductive plate and a third resistor respectively, and the other end of the third resistor is connected to the GND terminal.
[0011] Preferably, the corresponding position of the detection conductive sheet in the remaining area is set to position A2 or position B2 on the substrate.
[0012] Preferably, the detection circuit includes a PMOS, the drain of the PMOS is connected to the GND terminal through a resistor, the source of the PMOS is connected to the VCC terminal on the controller that provides the internal voltage, and the gate is connected to the detection conductive plate through another resistor.
[0013] Preferably, the detection system further includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the output terminal of the water inlet detection module and the input terminal of the alarm module, respectively. The controller controls the alarm module to perform alarm actions according to the output status.
[0014] Preferably, the alarm module includes a sonic motor, and the controller outputs a drive signal to the sonic motor to cause the sonic motor to vibrate and / or sound as a prompt.
[0015] An electric toothbrush is also provided, which includes any of the detection systems described above. Attached Figure Description
[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this specification or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the embodiments of this specification. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the electrical connection structure of the detection system in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the partitioning and pin position structure of the substrate in this embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a detection circuit in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a detection circuit in an environment where the interface is infiltrated, according to an embodiment of this utility model.
[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another detection circuit in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of another detection circuit in an environment where the interface is infiltrated by water, as described in this utility model embodiment. Detailed Implementation
[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0024] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connected" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0025] Throughout the text, the terms “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” and “on top” refer to the relative positions of components of the device, such as the relative positions of the top and bottom substrates within the device. It is understood that the device is multifunctional and independent of its spatial orientation.
[0026] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this utility model, the following will provide further explanation and description with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. These embodiments do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this utility model.
[0027] Example 1
[0028] This embodiment provides a detection system, such as Figures 1-5 As shown.
[0029] The detection system includes a USB interface, a water ingress detection module, a controller, and an alarm module. Figure 1As shown, the USB interface includes a substrate, a conductive sheet on the substrate is electrically connected to a water ingress detection module, the water ingress detection module is electrically connected to a controller to output the status of whether water has entered the substrate to the controller, and the controller is electrically connected to an alarm module to control the alarm module to perform the operation.
[0030] The substrate is divided into multiple regions, including a ground region, a power region, and a remaining region. The remaining region is the area other than the ground and power regions where conductive sheets can be disposed. Further, the remaining region includes a signal transmission region, a channel configuration region, and an auxiliary conductive region. Even further, as... Figure 2 As shown, the substrate has 24 regions, with 12 individual regions on each side of the substrate.
[0031] Specifically, the grounding areas are distributed at the outermost edges of the upper and lower sides of the substrate, corresponding to positions A1, A12, B1, and B12.
[0032] The power supply areas are distributed on the substrate at positions A4, A9, B4, and B9.
[0033] The pins corresponding to the signal transmission area are designated as TX1+, TX1-, TX2+, TX2-, RX1+, RX1-, RX2+, RX2-, D+, and D-. Among them, TX1+, TX1-, TX2+, TX2-, RX1+, RX1-, RX2+, and RX2- are SuperSpeed differential signals, while D+ and D- are USB 2.0 differential signals used for data transmission. This configuration is compatible with USB 2.0 devices. The signal output area corresponds to positions A2, A3, B2, B3, B11, B10, A11, A10, A6, A7, B6, and B7 on the socket.
[0034] The pin corresponding to the channel configuration area is designated CC, or Configuration Channel, which performs many functions, such as cable connection and removal detection, socket / plug orientation detection, and current broadcast; it is also used for communication required for Power Delivery and Alternate Mode. The channel configuration areas correspond to conductive plate positions A5 and B5, respectively.
[0035] The pins corresponding to the auxiliary signal areas are designated SBU1 and SBU2, which stand for Side Band Use. These are used for reset in specific transmission modes and serve as low-speed signal paths for standby mode. The auxiliary signal areas correspond to conductive plates A8 and B8, respectively.
[0036] The aforementioned areas are equipped with fixed positions for conductive sheets, which are used to place the conductive sheets. Correspondingly, the conductive sheets in the power supply area are power supply conductive sheets, the conductive sheets in the grounding area are grounding conductive sheets, and the conductive sheets in the remaining areas include detection conductive sheets.
[0037] To enable water detection in the Type-C socket, at least one detection conductive sheet is set in the remaining area of the substrate. That is, at least one conductive sheet is selected and fixed in the remaining area as the detection conductive sheet.
[0038] The water ingress detection module includes an input terminal, an output terminal, and a detection circuit. The input terminal is electrically connected to a detection conductive plate, and the output terminal is electrically connected to an alarm module via a controller. The principle of water detection is based on introducing a detection conductive plate other than the one used for normal power supply. When the environment inside the socket is dry, the detection conductive plate and its adjacent grounding conductive plate are disconnected, forming an open circuit, and the detection circuit outputs a safe state. When water enters the socket, the detection conductive plate connects to the grounding or power conductive plate, and the detection circuit outputs an alarm state. In other words, the continuity between the detection conductive plate and the grounding or power conductive plate determines whether the interface is wet.
[0039] Furthermore, to improve the accuracy and timeliness of detection, detection conductive plates will be installed in selected areas within the remaining region adjacent to either the power supply area or the grounding area where the conductive plates are located. Specifically, positions A2, A11, B11, and B2 adjacent to the grounding area can be selected, corresponding to pins TX1+, TX2+, RX1+, and RX2+, determined based on the location of the grounding conductive plate within the grounding area. Alternatively, positions A3, A8, A10, B3, B8, and B10 adjacent to the power supply area can be selected, corresponding to pins TX1-, SBU1, RX2-, TX2-, SBU2, and RX1-, again determined based on the location of the power supply conductive plate within the power supply area.
[0040] In Type-C, the SBU plays an auxiliary role, and in most cases, this pin is not actually used. Furthermore, the SBU's corresponding position is adjacent to the power supply area. Therefore, preferably, SBU1 at position A8 or SBU2 at position B8 is selected as the area for setting the detection conductive plate. Correspondingly, the power supply conductive plate is set at position A9, which is adjacent to A8, or position B9, which is adjacent to B8.
[0041] Specifically, in the grounding area of the socket substrate, at least one conductive sheet is fixedly positioned to provide a conductive sheet, and in the power area, at least one conductive sheet is fixedly positioned at positions A9 and B9. If a conductive sheet is selected to be positioned at A9, a detection conductive sheet is simultaneously positioned at position A8 corresponding to SBU1; if a conductive sheet is selected to be positioned at B9, a detection conductive sheet is simultaneously positioned at position B8 corresponding to SBU2; if conductive sheets are selected to be positioned at both A9 and B9, a detection conductive sheet can be positioned at one or both of positions A8 and B8.
[0042] All VBUS pins in the power supply area of the socket are connected in parallel, all GND pins in the ground area are connected in parallel, and if SBU1 and SBU2 are retained at the same time, they are also connected in parallel (after being connected in parallel, they are called SBU). The socket is electrically connected to the controller to form the corresponding detection circuit.
[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, the detection circuit includes an NMOS transistor with a drain, source, and gate. The drain (D) is connected to the VCC terminal via a first resistor R1 for pull-up, which is the terminal providing the internal voltage to the controller. The source (S) is connected to the GND terminal. The gate (G) is connected to the SBU terminal via a second resistor R3 for current limiting. Additionally, the end of the second resistor away from the gate is connected to a third resistor R2 for voltage division or pull-down, which is also connected to the GND terminal. The controller's detection terminal ALERT is connected between the drain (D) and resistor R1.
[0044] When the environment inside the socket is dry, SBU and VBUS remain disconnected when an external charging cable is plugged in. In the first connection circuit, the gate of the NMOS is grounded through R2, the drain and source are cut off, and ALERT is pulled up to VCC (high level) by R1.
[0045] If water gets into the socket, such as Figure 4 As shown, since the SBU pin is next to the VBUS pin, when an external charging cable is inserted, the SBU is connected to VBUS through water. Water typically becomes conductive with even a slight amount of dissolved impurities, changing the connection from the original gate G to the SBU pin via current-limiting resistor R3 to the NMOS gate G being connected to the VBUS pin via current-limiting resistor R3 and its equivalent resistance Rw. Here, Rw is the equivalent resistance of the water between the SBU and VBUS. In this case, R2 and Rw divide the voltage, making the NMOS gate voltage higher than its turn-on voltage, causing the drain (D) and source (S) to conduct, and ALERT to be pulled down to GND, i.e., low level. Furthermore, the value of R2 cannot be too small; otherwise, the gate voltage will be too low, preventing the NMOS from conducting. Typically, R2 is selected between 100kΩ and 1MΩ.
[0046] The controller is set to maintain a stable state when ALERT is high, and to issue a warning when ALERT is low, thereby achieving water detection.
[0047] In addition to the SBU terminal, a detection conductive sheet is provided in the area corresponding to RX+ for water detection. Specifically, at least one conductive sheet is provided in the grounding area of the substrate at positions A12 and B12, and at least one conductive sheet is provided in the power area at positions A4, A9, B4, and B9. If a conductive sheet is provided at A12, a detection conductive sheet is also provided at position A11; if a conductive sheet is provided at B12, a detection conductive sheet is also provided at position B11; if conductive sheets are provided at both A12 and B12, detection conductive sheets can be provided in one or both positions of A11 and B11.
[0048] All VBUS pins in the power supply area of the socket are connected in parallel, all GND pins in the ground area are connected in parallel, and if RX1+ and RX2+ are retained at the same time, they are also connected in parallel (after being connected in parallel, they are called RX+). The socket and the controller are electrically connected through the detection circuit.
[0049] like Figure 5 As shown, the detection circuit includes a PMOS, which has a drain, a source, and a gate. The drain D is connected to the GND terminal through a resistor R1, the source S is connected to the VCC terminal, and the gate G is connected to the RX+ terminal through a resistor R3.
[0050] When an external charging cable is plugged in, if the environment inside the socket is dry, RX+ and GND remain disconnected. The PMOS is off, and ALERT is pulled down to GND by resistor R1, resulting in a low input level.
[0051] If water gets into the socket, such as Figure 6 As shown, because the GND and RX+ pins are adjacent, when an external charging cable is inserted, RX+ is connected to GND through the water. The original detection circuit's gate G is connected to the RX+ terminal via R3; this changes to: the PMOS gate G is connected to the RX+ terminal via R3 and its equivalent resistance Rw. Here, Rw is the equivalent resistance of the water between GND and RX+. At this point, R3 and Rw divide the voltage, making the PMOS gate voltage higher than its turn-on voltage. The drain D and source S are turned on, and ALERT is connected to VCC through the turned-on PMOS, resulting in a high-level input.
[0052] The controller is set to maintain a stable state when ALERT is low, and to issue a warning when ALERT is high, thereby achieving water detection.
[0053] The alarm module includes a sonic motor. When water enters the socket, the controller activates the sonic motor to produce different responses to provide an alert. These responses include, but are not limited to:
[0054] a. Through vibration
[0055] The controller sends a drive signal with a slightly lower frequency to the acoustic motor, ranging from 100Hz to 400Hz, which causes the acoustic motor to vibrate.
[0056] b. via buzzer
[0057] The controller sends a drive signal with a slightly higher frequency to the acoustic motor, with a frequency range of 1000Hz to 3000Hz. Since the vibration characteristics of the acoustic motor are poor in a high-frequency environment, the vibration amplitude of the acoustic motor is small under the drive in this frequency range. However, due to the high frequency, the sound emitted by the motor when it vibrates is relatively sharp, similar to the sound effect of a buzzer, which can serve as a warning.
[0058] c. via voice
[0059] From an audio response perspective, a sonic motor approximates a speaker with slight distortion. Directly driving the sonic motor with voice commands can produce corresponding sound effects. For example, when water is detected entering the socket, the sonic motor can issue a warning voice prompt, such as "Water has entered the charging port; please unplug the charging cable."
[0060] d. By combining the above prompts
[0061] The three methods above can also be alternated, such as alternating between vibration and beeping, or beeping first followed by a voice prompt. For example, first use a 200Hz drive signal to make the motor vibrate for 0.5 seconds; then use a 2000Hz drive signal to make the motor beep for 0.5 seconds; and so on. Another example is to first use a 2000Hz drive signal to make the motor beep for 1 second; then use a voice signal saying "Water in the charging port, please unplug the charging cable" to drive the motor, causing it to emit a corresponding voice prompt; and so on.
[0062] In addition, the alarm module can also be a buzzer or an LED light to serve as a notification.
[0063] The aforementioned detection system can provide alerts and alarms when a humid environment is created within the interface. It utilizes the conductivity of water in a humid environment to change the circuit's output level, thereby driving the acoustic motor to operate based on different output levels, thus serving as a warning.
[0064] Example 2
[0065] This embodiment provides an electric toothbrush.
[0066] The electric toothbrush includes the detection system described in Example 1.
[0067] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this utility model. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.
Claims
1. A detection system, characterized in that, include: A USB interface includes a substrate, comprising a grounding region, a power supply region, and a remaining region. The grounding region contains at least one grounding conductive plate, the power supply region contains at least one power supply conductive plate, and the remaining region contains at least one detection conductive plate. The water ingress detection module includes an input terminal connected to the detection conductive sheet, an output terminal connected to the alarm module, and a detection circuit disposed between the input terminal and the output terminal. When the interface environment is dry, the detection conductive sheet outputs a safe state at the output terminal through the detection circuit; when the interface environment is humid, the power conductive sheet or the ground conductive sheet is connected to the detection conductive sheet, and an alarm state is output at the output terminal through the detection circuit. The alarm module sends alarm information based on the input alarm status.
2. The detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The remaining area with the detection conductive sheet is adjacent to the grounding area with the grounding conductive sheet or the power area with the power conductive sheet.
3. The detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the remaining area, the corresponding position of the detection conductive sheet is set to position A8 or position B8 on the substrate.
4. The detection system according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the detection conductive sheet is set at A8 on the substrate, the conductive sheet in the power supply area is set at position A9; when the detection conductive sheet is set at B8 on the substrate, the conductive sheet in the power supply area is set at position B9.
5. The detection system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The detection circuit includes an NMOS transistor. The drain of the NMOS transistor is connected to the VCC terminal of the controller, which provides the internal voltage, through a first resistor. The source of the NMOS transistor is connected to the GND terminal. The gate of the NMOS transistor is connected to a second resistor. The other end of the second resistor is divided into two branches, which are respectively connected to the detection conductive plate and a third resistor. The other end of the third resistor is connected to the GND terminal.
6. The detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the remaining area, the corresponding position of the detection conductive sheet is set to position A2 or position B2 on the substrate.
7. The detection system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The detection circuit includes a PMOS, the drain of which is connected to the GND terminal through a resistor, the source of which is connected to the VCC terminal on the controller that provides the internal voltage, and the gate of which is connected to the detection conductive plate through another resistor.
8. The detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection system also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the output terminal of the water inlet detection module and the input terminal of the alarm module. The controller controls the alarm module to perform alarm actions according to the output status.
9. The detection system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The alarm module includes a sonic motor, and the controller outputs a drive signal to the sonic motor to cause the sonic motor to vibrate and / or sound as a prompt.
10. An electric toothbrush, characterized in that, Includes the detection system as described in any one of claims 1-9.