Electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure

Abstract

The application provides an electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure, which comprises a support provided with a hollow part, a driving frame elastically connected to the support, the driving frame being located in the hollow part, the driving frame being spaced apart from the support, the driving frame being capable of swinging or vibrating about a fulcrum relative to the support, the driving frame being provided with a reflection area capable of reflecting light, a circuit board provided with a light emitter and a light receiver, the light emitter and the light receiver both being directed to the reflection area, the light receiver being capable of receiving light emitted by the light emitter and reflected by the reflection area, when pressure applied to a brush head of the electric toothbrush deforms the driving frame relative to the support, the distance between the reflection area and the circuit board changes accordingly, so that the light intensity received by the light receiver changes accordingly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of electric toothbrush technology, and specifically relates to an electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure. Background Technology

[0002] When using an electric toothbrush, it is difficult for users to precisely control the pressure applied to their teeth and gums.

[0003] In existing technologies, the pressure of electric toothbrush heads can be detected by attaching strain gauges (such as piezoelectric or piezoresistive) to the motor shaft or motor. However, attaching strain gauges requires grinding and pasting the surface of the motor or motor shaft, which can damage the motor structure. The strain gauges are also susceptible to vibration interference. In addition, the positioning of the strain gauges requires high precision and the assembly is difficult.

[0004] CN113116580A discloses a dynamic adjustment system, method, and electric toothbrush, which calculates the pressure value of the brush head through the motor current. However, the motor current may be affected by factors such as motor aging, voltage fluctuations, and temperature changes, leading to a deviation in the correspondence between current and pressure. This is especially prone to detection errors after long-term use. Moreover, for slight pressure changes, the change in motor current may not be significant. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application aims to provide an electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure, thereby improving the user experience and protecting the user's oral health.

[0006] This application provides an electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure, comprising: a support with a hollow portion; a drive frame elastically connected to the support, the drive frame located in the hollow portion, the drive frame and the support being spaced apart, the drive frame being able to swing or vibrate relative to the support around a fulcrum, the drive frame having a reflective area capable of reflecting light; and a circuit board having a light emitter and a light receiver, both facing the reflective area, the light receiver being able to receive light emitted by the light emitter and reflected by the reflective area. When the pressure applied to the brush head of the electric toothbrush causes the drive frame to deform relative to the support, the distance between the reflective area and the circuit board changes accordingly, thereby changing the light intensity received by the light receiver.

[0007] In at least one possible implementation, the light emitter is an infrared light emitter, and the light receiver is an infrared light receiver.

[0008] In at least one possible implementation, the drive frame includes a frame body and a motor mounted on the frame body, the motor being used to drive the drive frame to swing or vibrate relative to the support, the reflective area being disposed on the frame body or the motor, the reflective area being configured as a smooth metal shell of the motor itself, or a smooth surface of the frame body, or a reflector disposed on the drive frame.

[0009] In at least one possible implementation, in the vertical direction of the electric toothbrush, at least one of the light emitter and the light receiver is located within the axial projection range of the motor or within the axial projection range of the frame body.

[0010] In at least one possible implementation, the light emitter and the light receiver are located at the tail end of the motor or the frame body, away from the fulcrum.

[0011] In at least one possible implementation, the bristles of the electric toothbrush head extend perpendicularly to the circuit board.

[0012] In at least one possible implementation, the bristles of the electric toothbrush head face the front side of the electric toothbrush, and the circuit board is located on the front side of the electric toothbrush.

[0013] In at least one possible implementation, the upper end of the drive frame is provided with a tenon for connecting the brush head, and the fulcrum is located between the tenon and the reflective area in the vertical direction of the electric toothbrush.

[0014] In at least one possible implementation, the light emitter is configured to emit a diverging light beam.

[0015] In at least one possible implementation, the circuit board further includes an overvoltage alarm circuit, which includes a pressure detection resistor connected in series with the photodetector. Within the linear response range of the photodetector, the greater the light intensity received, the greater the output current, and the greater the voltage of the pressure detection resistor.

[0016] The above technical solution involves placing a light emitter and a light receiver on a circuit board, and a reflective area on the drive frame. When the brush head is pressed, the distance between the reflective area and the circuit board changes, and the light intensity received by the light receiver changes accordingly. The magnitude of the pressure on the brush head is monitored by observing the response of the light receiver to the change in light intensity. This pressure monitoring design is simple in structure, low in cost, and highly sensitive. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1A cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of an electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 An exploded view of a portion of the structure of an electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the brush head of an electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to an embodiment of this application is shown when it is not under force.

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the brush head of an electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to an embodiment of this application is shown when the brush head is under force.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0022] 1. Support 11. Hollowed-out section

[0023] 2. Drive frame 21. Tenon joint 22. Frame body

[0024] 3 Motor 31 Reflection Area

[0025] 4 Circuit Boards 41 Optical Emitter 42 Optical Receiver

[0026] P fulcrum Detailed Implementation

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application, specific embodiments of this application are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in this section. Besides the embodiments described in this section, this application can also be implemented in other different ways. Those skilled in the art can make corresponding improvements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit of this application; therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in this section. The scope of protection of this application should be determined by the claims.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, embodiments of this application propose an electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure, comprising an electric toothbrush handle and a brush head (not shown), the brush head being detachably and replaceably connected to the head of the electric toothbrush handle. Figure 1 (The upper part of the middle).

[0029] Understandable. Figure 1 The left and right directions in the text represent the front-back direction X of the electric toothbrush, meaning the bristles of the brush head can extend along the front-back direction X. Figure 1 The vertical direction in the text represents the vertical direction Y of the electric toothbrush, and the electric toothbrush as a whole can extend along the vertical direction Y.

[0030] The electric toothbrush handle may include a housing (not shown), a bracket 1, a drive frame 2, a motor 3, and a circuit board 4, with the bracket 1, drive frame 2, and circuit board 4 all located inside the housing.

[0031] The bracket 1 may be provided with a hollow part 11, which may be located on the upper part of the bracket 1 (the part near the head of the brush head or the handle of the electric toothbrush), and the hollow part 11 may extend in the front-back direction X.

[0032] The drive frame 2 can be elastically connected to the bracket 1 through the elastic part. The drive frame 2 can be located in the hollow part 11. The drive frame 2 and the bracket 1 are spaced apart. The upper end of the drive frame 2 can be provided with a tenon 21 for connecting the brush head. The brush head can be inserted and fixed to the tenon 21.

[0033] The drive frame 2 may include a frame body 22 and a motor 3 mounted on the frame body 22. The motor 3 may be located on the drive frame body 22, and an eccentric block may be mounted on the output shaft of the motor 3 so that vibration can be generated when the motor 3 rotates. The elastic part can cause the motor 3 to drive the drive frame 2 to swing or vibrate relative to the bracket 1, so that the tenon 21 can drive the brush head to swing or vibrate.

[0034] The tenon 21 may have a fulcrum P. When the motor 3 drives the drive frame 2 to swing or vibrate, the drive frame 2 can swing or vibrate around the fulcrum P. It can be understood that the fulcrum P is a virtual position defined by humans, and is not a physical / solid support point existing on the tenon 21.

[0035] Reference Figure 3 In the vertical direction Y of the electric toothbrush, the fulcrum P can be located between the tenon 21 and the reflective area 31.

[0036] Circuit board 4 can be fixedly connected to bracket 1. Circuit board 4 is used to integrate the control system and overvoltage alarm circuit. Circuit board 4 can be equipped with a light emitter 41 and a light receiver 42. The light emitter 41 and the light receiver 42 can be located on the side of circuit board 4 facing motor 3, and the light emitter 41 and the light receiver 42 can be aligned with the cutout part 11. The overvoltage alarm circuit can include the light receiver 42, a pressure detection resistor, and an alarm. The light receiver 42 and the pressure detection resistor are connected in series. Within the linear response range of the light receiver 42, the greater the light intensity it receives, the greater the output current, and the greater the voltage of the pressure detection resistor.

[0037] See Figure 4 When the pressure F applied to the brush head of the electric toothbrush deforms the drive frame 2 relative to the bracket 1, the distance between the reflective area 31 and the circuit board 4 changes accordingly, and thus the light intensity received by the light receiver 42 changes accordingly.

[0038] The alarm can sound when the voltage across the pressure sensing resistor exceeds a threshold. The alarm can take many forms; for example, it can be an indicator light on circuit board 4, using a bright color (such as red or yellow) to attract the user's attention. The indicator light can flash to provide a visual cue. Alternatively, the alarm can be a buzzer, emitting an audible alert. The buzzer's sound can be set to a specific frequency and rhythm, such as a rapid, short beep, reminding the user that the brushing pressure is too high and needs to be reduced to avoid gum damage.

[0039] An alarm is preferred, but not mandatory. In one example of this application, the detected pressure values ​​can be stored or sent to an electronic device connected to the toothbrush, such as a mobile phone. This allows information including brushing pressure, such as pressure curves, to be displayed on the electronic device, generating summary reports and / or usage recommendations.

[0040] The light emitter 41 can be an infrared light emitter, and the light receiver 42 can be an infrared light receiver, such as a photodiode. The light emitter 41 can emit infrared light, and the light receiver 42 can receive infrared light and generate a corresponding electrical signal. The greater the light intensity received by the infrared light receiver, the greater its output current.

[0041] The drive frame 2 may be provided with a reflective area 31, which reflects the infrared light emitted by the light emitter 41 to the light receiver 42. The reflective area 31 may be provided on the frame body 22 or the motor 3. The reflective area 31 may be the smooth metal shell of the motor 3 itself, the smooth surface of the frame body 22, or a reflective sheet additionally attached to the drive frame 2. It is understood that the reflective sheet may be attached to the motor 3 or to the frame body 22 used to fix the motor 3. The reflective sheet may be a substrate with a coating (e.g., aluminum-plated, gold-plated, or coated with a dielectric reflective film on the surface of a PET or PC substrate).

[0042] The light emitter 41 is configured to emit a diverging light beam, and the light emitted by the light emitter 41 can be conical. The energy density of infrared light (i.e., the light power per unit area, or light intensity) is inversely proportional to the square of the propagation distance, and infrared light attenuates as the propagation distance increases.

[0043] The light emitter 41 can be installed at a location where the infrared light it emits can be reflected by the reflective area 31. The reflective area 31 is located within the field of view of the light emitter 41, and the infrared light emitted by the light emitter 41 has sufficient radiation intensity to be reflected by the reflective area 31, and thus can be received by the light receiver 42. The light receiver 42 can be installed within the distance where the infrared light can be effectively received.

[0044] Optionally, at least one of the light emitter 41 and the light receiver 42 is located within the axial projection range of the motor 3 or the axial projection range of the frame body 22. The axial projection range of the motor 3 refers to the projection interval of the main body of the motor 3 (excluding the part of the motor's eccentric block) along the front-rear direction X and in the vertical direction Y. The axial projection range of the frame body 22 refers to the projection interval of the frame body 22 (excluding the part of the drive frame 2's tenon 21) along the front-rear direction X and in the vertical direction Y. For example, the light emitter 41 is located within the axial projection range of the motor 3 (or the frame body 22) in the vertical direction Y, and the light receiver 42 is located outside the axial projection range of the motor 3 (or the frame body 22); or, the light emitter 41 is located outside the axial projection range of the motor 3 (or the frame body 22), and the light receiver 42 is located within the axial projection range of the motor 3 (or the frame body 22); or, both the light emitter 41 and the light receiver 42 are located within the axial projection range of the motor 3 (or the frame body 22). This allows more of the light emitted by the light emitter 41 to be reflected by the reflection area 31, making it easier for the light receiver 42 to stably receive the reflected light.

[0045] Preferably, both the light transmitter 41 and the light receiver 42 can be located at the rear of the motor 3 or the frame body 22, away from the fulcrum P. Figure 2 (Lower part of the middle), so when the brush bristles (i.e., the tenon 21) of the brush head are subjected to a large pressure F, the distance of the reflective area 31 from its original position is large, the distance between the reflective area 31 and the light emitter 41 and the light receiver 42 changes significantly, and the light intensity received by the light receiver 42 changes significantly.

[0046] The bristles of the brush head can extend perpendicularly to the circuit board 4. In the front-to-back direction X of the electric toothbrush, the circuit board 4 and the bristles of the brush head are positioned on the same side, with the bristles of the brush head facing the front of the electric toothbrush and the circuit board 4 located at the front of the electric toothbrush. When the brush head is subjected to pressure F along the bristle extension direction, the drive frame 2 rotates around the fulcrum P, and the reflective area 31 can move closer to the light emitter 41 and light receiver 42 of the circuit board 4. The distance between the light emitter 41 and the reflective area 31 decreases, the distance between the light receiver 42 and the reflective area 31 decreases, and the light intensity at the location of the light receiver 42 increases.

[0047] It is understood that in other possible implementations, the brush head bristles can face the front of the electric toothbrush, and the circuit board 4 can be located at the rear of the electric toothbrush. In this way, when the brush head is pressed while brushing, the distance between the reflective area 31 and the circuit board 4 can increase, thereby reducing the light intensity received by the light receiver 42. This can trigger an alarm when the voltage of the pressure detection resistor is less than a threshold.

[0048] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 This application explains the working principle of pressure monitoring.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, when the tenon 21 (or brush head) is not under force, the surfaces of the circuit board 4 and the reflective area 31 can be approximately parallel, and the distance between the circuit board 4 and the reflective area 31 is d.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, when the tenon 21 (or brush head) is pressed by pressure F, the drive frame 2 rotates around the fulcrum P, and the reflective area 31 moves closer to the circuit board 4. The distance between the circuit board 4 and the reflective area 31 is d1, where d1 is less than d. The distance between the reflective area 31 and the light emitter 41 and the light receiver 42 on the circuit board 4 decreases, the light intensity irradiated by the light emitter 41 onto the reflective area 31 increases, the light intensity reflected by the reflective area 31 onto the light receiver 42 increases, and the light receiver 42 is able to receive more infrared light.

[0051] This application converts the positional shift of the reflective area 31 into a change in light intensity at the location of the light receiver 42. The brushing pressure F is sensed by the light receiver 42 and the pressure detection resistor. When the pressure F exceeds the threshold, the alarm sounds to remind the user to brush too hard.

[0052] The electric toothbrush of this application, capable of monitoring brush head pressure, can have the following beneficial effects.

[0053] (1) This application monitors the pressure of the brush head by light intensity. Compared with contact pressure sensors, it does not require the sensor to physically contact the motor, thus avoiding mechanical wear problems. Moreover, it has a fast response speed and can complete the detection and feedback of deformation in milliseconds.

[0054] (2) Compared with contact pressure sensors, this application does not require the installation of complex pressure sensors at the brush head or brush handle. The motor or frame body itself can be used as the reflection area of ​​the optical path, which simplifies the product structure and reduces production costs.

[0055] (3) Compared with contact pressure sensors, this application eliminates friction and vibration noise caused by mechanical contact, making the pressure monitoring process quiet and accurate.

[0056] (4) Compared to monitoring the brush head pressure by the changes in the incident and exit angles of light, if the brush head pressure is monitored by the changes in the incident and exit angles of light, even a slight deviation in the installation angle will affect the performance. This application has lower requirements for the installation and manufacturing precision of the light emitter 41, the light receiver 42, and the reflection area.

[0057] It should be understood that at least some aspects or features of the above-described implementation methods, embodiments, or examples can be appropriately combined.

[0058] It is understood that, in this application, when the number of parts or components is not specifically limited, the number can be one or more, where multiple refers to two or more. For cases where the number of parts or components shown in the drawings and / or described in the specification is, for example, two, three, four, etc., this specific number is generally exemplary and not restrictive, and can be understood as multiple, i.e., two or more; however, this does not mean that this application excludes the case of one.

[0059] In this application, unless otherwise expressly stated or limited, terms such as "installation," "assembly," "connection," "linking," "joining," "linking," "abutment," "communication," "connection," "conduction," "fixing," and "fastening" should be interpreted broadly, for example, they can be direct or indirect. For instance, regarding connection, it can be 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; it can be the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly stated or limited. For instance, regarding communication / conduction, it can be direct communication / conduction or indirect communication / conduction through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0060] In this application, unless otherwise expressly stated or limited, a component being disposed / installed / located / enclosed / placed within, inside, or incorporated in another component can be either of the following two situations: a portion or a majority of the one component is located within the other component; or the one component is completely enclosed within the other component.

[0061] Although the present application has been described in detail using the above embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present application is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present application can be modified and implemented as alternative embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is for illustrative purposes only and does not have any limiting meaning for the present application.

Claims

1. An electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure, characterized in that, include: The bracket has a hollowed-out section; A drive frame is elastically connected to the bracket. The drive frame is located in the hollowed-out portion and is spaced apart from the bracket. The drive frame can swing or vibrate relative to the bracket around a fulcrum. The drive frame has a reflective area that can reflect light. A circuit board is provided with a light emitter and a light receiver, both of which face the reflecting area. The light receiver is capable of receiving light emitted by the light emitter and reflected by the reflecting area. When the pressure applied to the brush head of the electric toothbrush deforms the drive frame relative to the bracket, the distance between the reflective area and the circuit board changes accordingly, thereby changing the light intensity received by the light receiver.

2. The electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light emitter is an infrared light emitter, and the light receiver is an infrared light receiver.

3. The electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive frame includes a frame body and a motor mounted on the frame body. The motor is used to drive the drive frame to swing or vibrate relative to the support. The reflective area is disposed on the frame body or the motor. The reflective area is configured as a smooth metal shell of the motor itself, or a smooth surface of the frame body, or a reflector disposed on the drive frame.

4. The electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the vertical direction of the electric toothbrush, at least one of the light emitter and the light receiver is located within the axial projection range of the motor or within the axial projection range of the frame body.

5. The electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light emitter and the light receiver are located at the tail end of the motor or the main frame, away from the fulcrum.

6. The electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bristles of the electric toothbrush head extend perpendicularly to the circuit board.

7. The electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bristles of the electric toothbrush head face the front of the electric toothbrush, and the circuit board is located on the front of the electric toothbrush.

8. The electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end of the drive frame is provided with a tenon for connecting the brush head, and the fulcrum is located between the tenon and the reflective area in the vertical direction of the electric toothbrush.

9. The electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light emitter is configured to emit a diverging light beam.

10. The electric toothbrush capable of monitoring brush head pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit board also includes an overvoltage alarm circuit, which includes a pressure detection resistor connected in series with the optical receiver. Within the linear response range of the optical receiver, the greater the light intensity received, the greater the output current, and the greater the voltage of the pressure detection resistor.

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