Rotary valve for a tooth irrigator and tooth irrigator with two water tanks

Abstract

Rotary valve for a dental irrigator, characterized in that it comprises the following: a valve body (140), wherein the valve body (140) comprises a main section (141) and a first inlet section (120), a second inlet section (130) and an outlet section (110) extending from the main section (141), wherein the first inlet section (120) and the second inlet section (130) are located on a circumferential surface of the main section (141), wherein the first inlet section (120) and the second inlet section (130) are arranged axially adjacent to each other on the same circumferential surface of the main section (141); a valve core (150), wherein the valve core (150) comprises a first sealing section (151) and a second sealing section (152) arranged on its circumferential surface, wherein the first sealing section (151) serves to block the first inlet section (120) and the second sealing section (152) serves to block the second inlet section (130), wherein the first sealing section (151) and the second sealing section (152) are arranged offset both circumferentially and axially on the circumferential surface of the valve core (150) such that the valve core (150) selectively and completely blocks either the first inlet section (120) or the second inlet section (130).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of dental irrigators, in particular to a rotary valve for a dental irrigator and a dental irrigator with two water tanks. State of the art

[0002] Mouthwashes are oral cleaning devices that use a pulsating water stream to clean the teeth and interdental spaces. Mouthwashes have the primary function of cleaning the mouth, masking bad breath caused by bacteria or yeast that break down food debris, and leaving a pleasant, refreshing feeling in the mouth. These two functions complement each other, and users often rinse their mouths with mouthwash after rinsing their teeth with a mouthwash. However, both the mouthwash and the mouthwash (usually bottled) take up a lot of space, and portability while traveling could be improved.

[0003] The patent, granted under Chinese Patent Application No. CN213130038U, discloses a dual-tank dental irrigator, in which two water tanks and two water pipes are designed to contain different liquids to meet user needs. However, the structure of the dental irrigator is complicated, the water pipe occupies a large space, and the switching element for controlling the liquid flow is prone to wear on the water pipe of the dental irrigator, so there is still room for improvement in stability and durability. Contents of this utility model

[0004] To solve or mitigate at least one of the problems described in the prior art, the present application provides a rotary valve for a dental irrigator and a dental irrigator with two water tanks.

[0005] The rotary valve for a dental irrigator of the present application comprises: a valve body, the valve body comprising a main portion and a first inlet portion, a second inlet portion, and an outlet portion extending from the main portion, the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion being located on a circumferential surface of the main portion, the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion being arranged axially adjacent to one another on the same circumferential surface of the main portion; a valve core, the valve core comprising a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion arranged on its circumferential surface, the first sealing portion serving to block the first inlet portion and the second sealing portion serving to block the second inlet portion, the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion being arranged offset both circumferentially and axially on the circumferential surface of the valve core such that the valve core selectively and completely blocks one of the first inlet portion or the second inlet portion.

[0006] In at least one embodiment, the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are circumferentially offset by 60° to 120° on the circumferential surface of the valve core, wherein the valve core can simultaneously block part of the area of ​​the interface between the first inlet portion and the main portion and part of the area of ​​the interface between the second inlet portion and the main portion, so that the liquid in the first inlet portion and the liquid in the second inlet portion can enter the valve body simultaneously.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion are located at the bottom of the valve body.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are made of silicone.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the valve core is provided with shaft shoulders at the axial ends, wherein the shaft shoulders bear against the inner wall surface of the main section so that the axes of the valve core and the main section coincide.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the end of the valve core is connected to a handwheel.

[0011] The dual water tank dental irrigator of the present application comprises: a rotary valve above for a dental irrigator; a first water tank, wherein the first inlet portion is connected to the first water tank; a second water tank, wherein the second inlet portion is connected to the second water tank; a water drainage pipe, one end of the water drainage pipe being connected to the outlet portion; a pump assembly, the pump assembly being connected to the other end of the water discharge pipe and to the spray outlet of the dental irrigator; a nozzle, the nozzle being connected to the spray outlet.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the pump assembly comprises a pressure chamber, one end of the pressure chamber being connected to the water discharge pipe and introducing liquid from the rotary valve into the pressure chamber, a first shut-off valve being provided between the water discharge pipe and the pressure chamber, the other end of the pressure chamber being connected to the spray outlet and causing the liquid in the pressure chamber to be sprayed from the dental irrigator through the spray outlet, a second shut-off valve being provided between the pressure chamber and the spray outlet.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the pump assembly comprises: a transmission shaft; an eccentric bushing, the eccentric bushing being firmly connected to the transmission shaft; a transmission rod, one end of the transmission rod being connected to the eccentric bushing, while the other end of the transmission rod being connected to a diaphragm, the diaphragm being formed as one side of the pressure chamber.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the first water tank and the second water tank are each provided with a refill opening.

[0015] The rotary valve of the embodiment of the present application enables stable selection of the liquid flow in the valve and does not wear the water drainage pipe in the dental irrigator and has a stable and durable structure with a long service life.

[0016] The embodiment of the present application provides a first water tank for storing rinsing water and a second water tank for storing mouthwash. The user can use the rotary valve to select liquids, such as rinsing the mouth with mouthwash after rinsing, which is highly portable. In the present application, only one water drainage pipe is used instead of two pipes (water drainage pipes) as in the prior art, resulting in a relatively simple structure and a more reasonable space layout. Description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a front view of a dental irrigator with two water tanks according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 2 shows a side view of a dental irrigator with two water tanks according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a dental irrigator with two water tanks according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a first water tank and a second water tank of a dual water tank dental irrigator according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a pump assembly of a dental irrigator with two water tanks according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 6 shows a partially enlarged view of the dental irrigator with two water tanks from Fig. 3. Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a rotary valve for a dental irrigator according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a rotary valve for a dental irrigator according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a valve core of a rotary valve for a dental irrigator according to an embodiment of the present application. Reference list:

[0017] 100 Rotary valve; 110 Outlet section; 120 First inlet section; 130 Second inlet section; 140 Valve body; 141 Main section; 150 Valve core; 151 First sealing section; 152 Second sealing section; 153 Shaft shoulder 154 handwheel; 210 first water tank; 211 first refill opening; 220 second water tank; 221 second refill opening; 300 water drainage pipe; 400 Pump assembly; 410 Pressure chamber; 411 First shut-off valve; 412 Second shut-off valve; 420 Gear shaft; 421 Gear; 430 Eccentric bushing; 440 Transmission rod; 450 Diaphragm; 460 Transmission gear; 500 spray outlet; 510 nozzle; 610 battery; 620 engine. Detailed embodiment

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that these specific descriptions are intended only to illustrate how a person skilled in the art might practice the present application. They do not claim to be exhaustive of all practical ways in which the application may be practiced, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the present application.

[0019] Embodiments of the present application provide a rotary valve for a dental irrigator (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "rotary valve") and a dental irrigator having two water tanks that can be used with dental irrigators.

[0020] As in the Fig. 7, Fig. 8, and Fig. 9, the rotary valve for a dental irrigator may comprise a valve body 140 and a valve core (150).

[0021] The valve body 140 may comprise a main portion 141 and a first inlet portion 120, a second inlet portion 130, and an outlet portion 110 extending from the main portion 141, wherein the first inlet portion 120 and the second inlet portion 130 are located on a circumferential surface of the main portion 141, wherein the first inlet portion 120 and the second inlet portion 130 are arranged axially adjacent to each other on the same circumferential surface of the main portion 141;

[0022] The valve core 150 comprises a first sealing portion 151 and a second sealing portion 152 arranged on its circumferential surface, wherein the first sealing portion 151 serves to block the first inlet portion 120 and the second sealing portion 152 serves to block the second inlet portion 130, wherein the first sealing portion 151 and the second sealing portion 152 are arranged offset both in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction on the circumferential surface of the valve core 150, so that the valve core 150 selectively and completely blocks one of the first inlet portion 120 or the second inlet portion 130.

[0023] It is understood that in the present application, the rotary valve 100 is used in a dental irrigator in which switching of the liquid is easy, the water discharge pipe 300 of the dental irrigator with two water tanks (see Fig. 5, which will be described later) is not worn out and is structurally stable and durable.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present application, see Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the first sealing portion 151 and the second sealing portion 152 are circumferentially spaced from each other by 60° to 120° (e.g., 90°) around the circumference of the valve core 150; The valve core 150 can simultaneously block part of the area of ​​a part of the interface between the first inlet portion 120 and the main portion 141 and part of the interface between the second inlet portion 130 and the main portion 141, so that the liquid in the first inlet portion 120 and the liquid in the second inlet portion 130 can enter the valve body 140 at the same time.

[0025] That is, the rotation angle of the valve core 150 can be controlled so that the outlet portion 110 can be connected to the first inlet portion 120 and the second inlet portion 130 at the same time, and the user can control the proportion of the ejected liquid as desired.For example, such that the interface between the first inlet portion 120 and the main portion 141 is blocked by 20% of the valve core 150, and the interface between the second inlet portion 130 and the main portion 141 is blocked by 80% of the valve core 150, and such that the liquid (clean water) in the first water tank 210 (described later) connected to the first inlet portion 120 accounts for 80% of the liquid discharged from the dental irrigator; the liquid (mouthwash) in the second water tank 220 (described later) connected to the second inlet portion 130 accounts for 20% of the liquid discharged from the dental irrigator.Thereby, the liquid in the second water tank 220 can be filled with a high concentration of mouthwash, and the mouthwash can be diluted with water to an appropriate concentration by controlling the liquid proportion during use, which reduces the frequency of replacing the mouthwash in the second water tank, better meets the user's usage needs, and increases the stickiness for the user.

[0026] The valve core 150 can be rotated manually, or the rotation can be controlled by a motor. The motor controller can be connected to an application on the user's mobile device, allowing the user to individually adjust the doping ratio of the liquid. The motor drives the valve core 150 to rotate the valve core 150 by a corresponding angle to achieve its doping ratio.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present application, see Fig. 8, the first inlet section 120 and the second inlet section 130 are located at the bottom of the valve body 140. The arrangement of both the first inlet section 120 and the second inlet section 130 at the bottom facilitates installation of the rotary valve 100, for example, by inserting them vertically into the corresponding openings of the water tank, enabling a simple structure and easy installation. The interface of the outlet section 110 for connection to the water drainage pipe 300 can face upward, facilitating connection to the water drainage pipe 300.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present application, see Fig. 8, the inner cavity of the main portion 141 may be cylindrical, and the axial ends of the valve core 150 are provided with corrugated shoulders 153 that abut against the inner wall surface of the main portion 141, so that the axes of the valve core 150 and the main portion 141 overlap, which facilitates the sealing portion to smoothly seal the corresponding inlet portion. In one embodiment of the present application, the first sealing portion 151 and the second sealing portion 152 may be made of silicone. Of course, they may also be formed of other materials, such as other types of soft materials, that can achieve the sealing function.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present application, see Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, a handwheel 154 is connected to the end of the valve core 150. The rotation of the valve core 150 is achieved by the handwheel 154 to facilitate control of the flow of the corresponding fluid. A structure for limiting the rotation angle of the handwheel 154 may be provided on the handwheel 154, such as setting a limit for the clockwise rotation of the handwheel 154 to completely block the first inlet section 120 and a limit for the counterclockwise rotation to completely block the second inlet section 130.The rotation angle limiting structure may include a circular arc rail, the handwheel 154 is connected to the valve core via a connecting rod, the connecting rod is provided with a movable block disposed in the rail, and the position of the movable block is limited by the circular arc rail to achieve the rotation angle limiting of the handwheel 154.

[0030] As in the Fig. 1 to 6, the dual water tank dental irrigator may include a first water tank 210, a second water tank 220, a water discharge pipe 300, a pump assembly 400, and the aforementioned rotary valve 100. As shown in Fig. 6, a first inlet portion 120 is connected to the first water tank 210, a second inlet portion 130 is connected to the second water tank 220, and an outlet portion 110 is connected to one end of the water drainage pipe 300.

[0031] As in Fig. 5, the pump assembly 400 includes a pressure chamber 410, wherein one end of the pressure chamber 410 (e.g., the upper right end of the pressure chamber 410 in the view of Fig. 5) is connected to the water discharge pipe 300 and introduces liquid from the rotary valve 100 into the pressure chamber 410. The other end of the pressure chamber 410 (e.g., the upper left end of the pressure chamber 410 in the view of Fig. 5) is connected to the spray outlet 500 and causes the liquid in the pressure chamber 410 to be sprayed out of the dental irrigator through the spray outlet 500. A nozzle 510 (which is in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) may also be provided outside the spray outlet 500.

[0032] As the dashed arrows in Fig. 5, the liquid from the first water tank 210 or the second water tank 220 can be sprayed out of the spray outlet 500 after passing through the water discharge pipe 300, the pressure chamber 410. Optionally, the first water tank 210 can hold the rinsing water, and the second water tank 220 can hold the mouthwash, and the volume of the first water tank 210 can be larger than the volume of the second water tank 220. The user can use the mouthwash with the dental irrigator for rinsing after rinsing without having to carry two separate hygiene products, which is more portable. The present application uses only one water discharge pipe 300 instead of two water pipes (water discharge pipe 300) as in the prior art, which is relatively simple in structure and more reasonable in space layout. By switching the rotary valve 100, the water drainage pipe 300 is not worn out, which makes the dental floss robust and durable.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present application, see Fig. 5, a first shut-off valve 411 is provided between the water discharge pipe 300 and the pressure chamber 410, and a second shut-off valve 412 is provided between the pressure chamber 410 and the sniffer outlet 500. The second shut-off valve 412 may be a duckbill valve.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present application, see Fig. 3, the dual-tank dental irrigator may include a battery 610 and a motor 620. The battery 610 is connected to the motor 620, and the output shaft of the motor 620 is connected to the pump assembly 400 for pumping the liquid.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present application, see Fig. 5, the pump assembly 400 may include a gear shaft 420, an eccentric bushing 430, and a transmission rod 440. The eccentric bushing 430 is fixedly connected to the gear shaft 420, one end of the transmission rod 440 is connected to the eccentric bushing 430, and the other end of the transmission rod 440 is connected to a diaphragm 450 formed as one side of the pressure chamber 410. The operating principle may be as follows: The gear shaft 420 is driven by the motor 620 to rotate the eccentric bushing 430, and the transmission rod 440 forms a cam mechanism with the eccentric bushing 430 to reciprocate the transmission rod 440. When the transmission rod 440 moves upward, the liquid in the pressure chamber 410 is pumped out of the spray outlet 500.When the transmission rod 440 moves downward, the transmission rod 440 pumps the liquid in the first water tank 210 or the second water tank 220 into the pressure chamber 410.

[0036] Furthermore, the pump assembly 400 may include a transmission gear 460 to which an output shaft of the motor 620 is connected. The transmission gear 460 meshes with a gear 421 of the transmission shaft 420 to rotate the transmission shaft 420. The transmission gear 460 and the gear 421 of the transmission shaft 420 may be bevel gears with intersecting axes.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present application, as in Fig. 4, a first refilling port 211 is provided on the side of the first water tank 210 and a second refilling port 221 is provided on the side of the second water tank 220, and the corresponding liquids can be refilled for each water tank through each refilling port, respectively.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present application, as in Fig. 4, the first water tank 210 is arranged on a lower side of the second water tank 220.

[0039] The foregoing is a preferred embodiment of the present application, and it should be appreciated that a number of improvements and refinements may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the principles of the present application, and these improvements and refinements should also be considered to be within the scope of the present application. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 213130038U

[0003]

Claims

[1] Rotary valve for a dental irrigator, characterized by that it includes: a valve body (140), the valve body (140) comprising a main portion (141) and a first inlet portion (120), a second inlet portion (130) and an outlet portion (110) extending from the main portion (141), the first inlet portion (120) and the second inlet portion (130) being located on a circumferential surface of the main portion (141), the first inlet portion (120) and the second inlet portion (130) being arranged axially adjacent to one another on the same circumferential surface of the main portion (141); a valve core (150), wherein the valve core (150) has a first sealing portion (151) and a second sealing portion (152) arranged on its circumferential surface, wherein the first sealing portion (151) serves to block the first inlet portion (120) and the second sealing portion (152) serves to block the second inlet portion (130), wherein the first sealing portion (151) and the second sealing portion (152) are arranged offset both in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction on the circumferential surface of the valve core (150) so that the valve core (150) selectively and completely blocks one of the first inlet portion (120) or the second inlet portion (130). [2] Rotary valve for a dental irrigator according to claim 1, characterized byin that the first sealing section (151) and the second sealing section (152) are offset in the circumferential direction by 60° to 120° on the circumferential surface of the valve core (150), wherein the valve core (150) can simultaneously block part of the area of the interface between the first inlet section (120) and the main section (141) and part of the area of the interface between the second inlet section (130) and the main section (141), so that the liquid in the first inlet section (120) and the liquid in the second inlet section (130) can enter the valve body (140) at the same time. [3] Rotary valve for a dental irrigator according to claim 1, characterized by that the first inlet section (120) and the second inlet section (130) are located at the bottom of the valve body (140). [4] Rotary valve for a dental irrigator according to claim 1, characterized bythat the first sealing section (151) and the second sealing section (152) are made of silicone. [5] Rotary valve for a dental irrigator according to claim 1, characterized by that the valve core (150) is provided with shaft shoulders (153) at the axial ends, wherein the shaft shoulders (153) bear against the inner wall surface of the main section (141) so that the axes of the valve core (150) and the main section (141) coincide. [6] Rotary valve for a dental irrigator according to claim 1, characterized by that the end of the valve core (150) is connected to a handwheel (154). [7] Dental irrigator with two water tanks, characterized by that it includes: a rotary valve for a dental irrigator according to one of claims 1 to 6; a first water tank (210), wherein the first inlet portion (120) is connected to the first water tank (210); a second water tank (220), wherein the second inlet portion (130) is connected to the second water tank (220); a water drainage pipe (300), one end of the water drainage pipe (300) being connected to the outlet portion (110); a pump assembly (400), the pump assembly (400) being connected to the other end of the water discharge pipe (300) and to the spray outlet (500) of the dental irrigator; a nozzle (510), wherein the nozzle (510) is connected to the spray outlet (500). [8] Dental irrigator with two water tanks according to claim 7, characterized byin that the pump arrangement (400) comprises a pressure chamber (410), one end of the pressure chamber (410) being connected to the water discharge pipe (300) and introducing liquid from the rotary valve (100) into the pressure chamber (410), a first shut-off valve (411) being provided between the water discharge pipe (300) and the pressure chamber (410), the other end of the pressure chamber (410) being connected to the spray outlet (500) and causing the liquid in the pressure chamber (410) to be sprayed from the dental irrigator through the spray outlet (500), a second shut-off valve (412) being provided between the pressure chamber (410) and the spray outlet (500). [9] Dental irrigator with two water tanks according to claim 8, characterized by that the pump arrangement (400) comprises: a transmission shaft (420); an eccentric bushing (430), wherein the eccentric bushing (430) is fixedly connected to the gear shaft (420); a transmission rod (440), one end of the transmission rod (440) being connected to the eccentric bushing (430), while the other end of the transmission rod (440) is connected to a diaphragm (450), the diaphragm (450) being formed as one side of the pressure chamber (410). [10] Dental irrigator with two water tanks according to claim 7, characterized by that the first water tank (210) and the second water tank (220) are each provided with a refill opening.

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