Oral care device

Abstract

To provide an oral care device capable of suppressing tilting during use.SOLUTION: An oral care device comprises an electronic component, a housing for housing the electronic component, and a functional unit for functioning as oral care by using power supplied from the electronic component. The housing includes a shaft part extending in a longitudinal direction and a pair of branch parts connected to the shaft part. The functional unit is connected to a rear end of the shaft part and protrudes rearward from the shaft part. When viewed from a vertical direction, a portion of each of the pair of branch parts is spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction as it moves rearward from the shaft part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an oral care device.

Background Art

[0002] To prevent oral diseases such as periodontal disease and tooth decay, it is important to remove dental plaque. In recent years, oral care devices that clean the interdental spaces in the oral cavity by cavitation bubbles generated by ultrasonic vibration of a functional part (cleaning part) inserted into the oral cavity, oral care devices that promote blood flow in the oral cavity by heat transmitted from the functional part, and oral care devices that whiten teeth by light generated in the functional part have been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, an oral care device has been proposed that allows a user to clean the oral cavity hands-free (without manually operating the oral care device) by inserting the functional part into the oral cavity while holding the holding part of the oral care device with the biting force of the oral cavity such as the lips and teeth.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above oral care device, electronic components such as a drive motor, a battery, and a substrate that supply power to the functional part are housed in a housing part that protrudes forward from the oral cavity. Therefore, when the user holds the oral care device only by the biting force, the front part of the oral care device tends to tilt downward due to the gravity applied to the electronic components. When the user tries to suppress the front part of the oral care device from tilting downward, the burden on the user's oral cavity increases. Further, when the front part of the oral care device tilts downward, it is difficult to place the functional part at a predetermined position in the oral cavity, and there is a risk that the oral cavity cannot be sufficiently cleaned.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and one of its objects is to provide an oral care device that can be suppressed from tilting during use.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention includes the following configurations. [1] An oral care device comprising an electronic component, a housing that houses the electronic component, and a functional part that functions as oral care by power supplied from the electronic component, wherein the housing has a shaft part extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of branch parts connected to the shaft part, the functional part is connected to the rear end of the shaft part and protrudes rearward from the shaft part, and when viewed from the vertical direction, a part of each of the pair of branch parts moves away from each other in the left-right direction as it goes rearward from the shaft part. [2] The oral care device according to [1], wherein the maximum distance in the left-right direction between the pair of branch parts is longer than the distance between the front end of the shaft part and the rear end of the functional part. [3] The oral care device according to [1] or [2], comprising a plurality of the electronic components, the plurality of electronic components including a first group of electronic components housed in one of the branch parts and a second group of electronic components housed in the other branch part, and when viewed from the vertical direction, the angle formed by a first virtual line passing through the portion of the first group of electronic components that is farthest from the shaft part and the front end of the shaft part and a second virtual line passing through the portion of the second group of electronic components that is farthest from the shaft part and the front end of the shaft part is 50° or more and 120° or less. [4] The oral care device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the functional part has a holding part that is connected to the shaft part and held in the user's oral cavity, and the rear end of each of the pair of branch parts is located rearward of the rear end of the holding part. [5] The oral care device according to [4], wherein when the distance between the front end of the branch part and the rear end of the holding part is L1 and the distance between the rear end of the holding part and the rear end of the branch part is L2, the relationship L1 ≦ L2 ≦ 3 × L1 is satisfied. [6] The oral care device according to [4] or [5], comprising a plurality of said electronic components, wherein some of said electronic components are accommodated in a portion behind each of said holding portions of a pair of said branch portions. [7] Among the plurality of said electronic components, the weight of the electronic component disposed in front of the holding portion is heavier than the weight of the electronic component disposed behind the holding portion among the plurality of said electronic components. The oral care device according to any one of [4] to [6]. [8] When viewed from the vertical direction, the front-rear distance between the center of gravity and the front-rear center of the holding portion is 1.5 times or less the front-rear dimension of the holding portion, and the left-right distance between the center of gravity and the left-right center of the holding portion is 1.5 times or less the left-right dimension of the holding portion. The oral care device according to any one of [4] to [7].

Effect of the Invention

[0007] In the present invention, it is possible to provide an oral care device that can be suppressed from tilting during use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an example of the oral care device of the present invention will be shown and described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the dimensions and the like of the figures illustrated are merely examples, and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and it can be appropriately changed and implemented without changing the gist thereof. Further, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the actual structure and the scale, number, etc. in each structure may be made different.

[0010] In each drawing, the Z-axis is appropriately shown. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the Z-axis extends is the vertical direction. In the following description, the side in the vertical direction toward which the arrow of the Z-axis points (+Z side) is referred to as the "upper side", and the side opposite to the side toward which the arrow of the Z-axis points in the vertical direction (-Z side) is referred to as the "lower side".

[0011] In each drawing, the X-axis is appropriately shown. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the X-axis extends is the front-rear direction of the oral care device. In the following description, the front-rear direction of the oral care device is simply referred to as the "front-rear direction". The front-rear direction intersects the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is orthogonal to the vertical direction. In the following description, the side in the front-rear direction toward which the arrow of the X-axis points (+X side) is referred to as the "front side", and the side opposite to the side toward which the arrow of the X-axis points in the front-rear direction (-X side) is referred to as the "rear side". The front side is the front side of the user. The rear side is the back side of the user.

[0012] In each drawing, the Y-axis is shown as appropriate. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the Y-axis extends is the left-right direction of the oral care device. In the following description, the left-right direction of the oral care device is simply referred to as the "left-right direction". In the present embodiment, the left-right direction is orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-back direction. In the following description, the side to which the arrow of the Y-axis points in the left-right direction (+Y side) is referred to as the "right side", and the side opposite to the side to which the arrow of the Y-axis points in the left-right direction (-Y side) is referred to as the "left side". The right side is the right side of the user, and the left side is the left side of the user.

[0013] <Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the oral care device 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a first top view showing the oral care device 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a second top view showing the oral care device 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the oral care device 10 of the present embodiment, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the oral care device 10 of the present embodiment includes a housing 20, an electronic component 30, and a functional part 40.

[0014] The housing 20 houses the electronic component 30 inside. The housing 20 is cylindrical. The functional part 40 is attached to the housing 20. The housing 20 has a shaft part 21 and a pair of branch parts 22. The shaft part 21 is a part of the housing 20 that extends in the front-back direction. In the present embodiment, the shaft part 21 is a substantially square cylindrical shape that opens in the left-right direction. The functional part 40 is attached to the rear side (-X side) of the shaft part 21. Thereby, the functional part 40 is connected to the shaft part 21. In the present embodiment, the shaft part 21 is a part of the housing 20 that overlaps the functional part 40 when viewed from the front-back direction.

[0015] Each of the pair of branch portions 22 is connected to the shaft portion 21. In the present embodiment, with a plane (not shown) that is orthogonal to the left-right direction and passes through the center of the shaft portion 21 in the left-right direction as the symmetry plane, each of the pair of branch portions 22 has a shape that is symmetric with respect to the other. Each of the pair of branch portions 22 does not necessarily have a shape that is symmetric with respect to such a plane. Each branch portion 22 is cylindrical. The inside of each branch portion 22 is connected to the inside of the shaft portion 21. The pair of branch portions 22 includes a first branch portion 23 and a second branch portion 24. In the present embodiment, the first branch portion 23 is one of the branch portions 22, and the second branch portion 24 is the other branch portion 22. In the following description, the front end (+X side) of the branch portion 22 is the outer contour of the front side of the portion of the branch portion 22 that is connected to the shaft portion 21.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the first branch portion 23 is disposed on the right side (+Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The first branch portion 23 has a first extension portion 23a and a first curved portion 23b. The first extension portion 23a is a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape that extends to the right from the shaft portion 21. The inside of the first extension portion 23a is connected to the inside of the shaft portion 21.

[0017] The first curved portion 23b is a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape that extends rearward (-X side) from the right end (+Y side) of the first extension portion 23a. The inside of the first curved portion 23b is connected to the inside of the first extension portion 23a. When viewed from the up-down direction, the first curved portion 23b curves so as to protrude to the right. The front portion (+X side) of the first curved portion 23b is located on the right side as it goes toward the rear side. As a result, the front portion of the first curved portion 23b is located on the right side as it goes rearward from the shaft portion 21. The rear portion of the first curved portion 23b is located on the left side (-Y side) as it goes toward the rear side. The rear portion of the first curved portion 23b may extend rearward or may be located on the right side as it goes toward the rear side.

[0018] The second branch portion 24 is disposed on the left side (-Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The second branch portion 24 has a second extension portion 24a and a second curved portion 24b. The second extension portion 24a is a substantially rectangular prism extending leftward from the shaft portion 21. The interior of the second extension portion 24a is connected to the interior of the shaft portion 21. In the present embodiment, the second extension portion 24a has a shape that is plane-symmetric with the first extension portion 23a with a plane (not shown) that is orthogonal to the left-right direction and passes through the center of the shaft portion 21 in the left-right direction as the plane of symmetry.

[0019] The second curved portion 24b is a substantially rectangular prism extending rearward (-X side) from the left end (-Y side) of the second extension portion 24a. The interior of the second curved portion 24b is connected to the interior of the second extension portion 24a. When viewed from the up-down direction, the second curved portion 24b curves so as to protrude to the left. The second curved portion 24b has a shape that is plane-symmetric with the first curved portion 23b with a plane (not shown) that is orthogonal to the left-right direction and passes through the center of the shaft portion 21 in the left-right direction as the plane of symmetry. The front side (+X side) portion of the second curved portion 24b is located on the left side as it goes toward the rear side. As described above, the front side portion of the first curved portion 23b is located on the right side (+Y side) as it goes toward the rear side from the shaft portion 21. Therefore, when viewed from the up-down direction, the front side portions of the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b are separated from each other in the left-right direction as they go toward the rear side from the shaft portion 21. That is, when viewed from the up-down direction, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 22 is separated from each other in the left-right direction as it goes toward the rear side from the shaft portion 21. The maximum branch portion interval G, which is the maximum interval in the left-right direction between the pair of branch portions 22, is the interval between the rightmost portion of the first curved portion 23b and the leftmost portion of the second curved portion 24b. The maximum branch portion interval G is the maximum interval in the left-right direction between the first branch portion 23 and the second branch portion 24. The maximum branch portion interval G is preferably 10 cm or more and 25 cm or less. The rear side portion of the second curved portion 24b is located on the right side as it goes toward the rear side. The rear side portion of the second curved portion 24b may extend rearward or may be located on the left side as it goes toward the rear side.

[0020] When the user uses the oral care device 10, the first extension portion 23a and the second extension portion 24a are located on the front side (+X side) of the user's face, the first curved portion 23b is located on the right side (+Y side) of the user's face, and the second curved portion 24b is located on the left side (-Y side) of the user's face. That is, when using the oral care device 10, the housing 20 is arranged around the user's face.

[0021] The electronic component 30 causes the functional part 40 to function as oral care in the oral cavity. Oral care includes cleaning in the oral cavity, promoting blood flow in the oral cavity by heat, whitening teeth by blue light, and the like. The electronic component 30 may vibrate the functional part 40 in the oral cavity, or may heat the functional part 40 or supply heat to the functional part 40, or may emit blue light from the functional part 40. In the present embodiment, the electronic component 30 supplies power to the functional part 40 to vibrate the functional part 40 in the oral cavity. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the electronic component 30 ultrasonically vibrates the functional part 40 in the oral cavity. The oral care device 10 includes a plurality of electronic components 30. The plurality of electronic components 30 includes, for example, a motor that vibrates the functional part 40, a battery that supplies power to the motor, a control board that controls the power supplied to the motor, and the like. In the present embodiment, the plurality of electronic components 30 includes a first electronic component group 31, a second electronic component group 32, and a third electronic component group 33.

[0022] The first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first branch portion 23, i.e., one of the branch portions 22. In the present embodiment, the first electronic component group 31 preferably includes a battery and a control board. The first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first curved portion 23b. The first electronic component group 31 may be housed in the first extending portion 23a. In the present embodiment, the first electronic component group 31 is disposed on the rear side (-X side) of the functional portion 40. When viewed from the vertical direction, a virtual straight line passing through the first end portion 31a, which is the right side (+Y side) end portion and the rear side end portion of the first electronic component group 31, and the front side (+X side) end portion of the shaft portion 21 is the first virtual line V1. In the present embodiment, the first virtual line V1 passes through the portion of the first electronic component group 31 that is farthest from the shaft portion 21 and the front side end portion of the shaft portion 21. In the present embodiment, the front side end portion of the shaft portion 21 is the central portion in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the front side edge portion of the shaft portion 21. Further, when the first electronic component group 31 is housed inside the housing member, the first virtual line V1 passes through the portion of the housing member that is farthest from the shaft portion 21.

[0023] The second electronic component group 32 is accommodated in the second branch portion 24, that is, the other branch portion 22. In the present embodiment, the second electronic component group 32 preferably includes a battery and a control board. The second electronic component group 32 is accommodated in the second curved portion 24b. The second electronic component group 32 may be accommodated in the second extending portion 24a. In the present embodiment, the second electronic component group 32 is disposed on the rear side (-X side) of the functional portion 40. As described above, the first electronic component group 31 is disposed on the rear side of the functional portion 40. Therefore, some of the electronic components 30 are accommodated in the portions on the rear side of the functional portion 40 of each of the pair of branch portions 22. When viewed from the vertical direction, the virtual straight line passing through the second end portion 32a, which is the left end portion (-Y side) and the rear end portion of the second electronic component group 32, and the front end portion (+X side) of the shaft portion 21 is the second virtual line V2. In the present embodiment, the second virtual line V2 passes through the portion of the second electronic component group 32 that is farthest from the shaft portion 21 and the front end portion of the shaft portion 21. As described above, in the present embodiment, the front end portion of the shaft portion 21 is the central portion in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the front edge portion of the shaft portion 21. Further, when the second electronic component group 32 is accommodated inside the accommodating member, the second virtual line V2 passes through the portion of the accommodating member that is farthest from the shaft portion 21. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the vertical direction, the first angle α, which is the angle formed by the first virtual line V1 and the second virtual line V2, is 50° or more and 120° or less. The first angle α is preferably 60° or more and 100° or less.

[0024] The third electronic component group 33 is housed across the inside of the shaft portion 21, the first extension portion 23a, and the second extension portion 24a respectively. The third electronic component group 33 may be housed across only the shaft portion 21 and the first extension portion 23a, or may be housed across only the shaft portion 21 and the second extension portion 24a. Also, the third electronic component group 33 may be housed only in the first extension portion 23a, or may be housed only in the second extension portion 24a. When viewed from the vertical direction, it is preferable that a part of the third electronic component group 33 is arranged to overlap with the shaft portion 21. In the present embodiment, the third electronic component group 33 preferably includes a drive motor. The third electronic component group 33 is arranged on the front side (+X side) of the functional portion 40. That is, among the housing 20, a part of the electronic components 30 is housed in the portion on the front side of the functional portion 40. In the present embodiment, the weight of the third electronic component group 33 is heavier than the weight obtained by adding the weight of the second electronic component group 32 to the weight of the first electronic component group 31. That is, among the plurality of electronic components 30, the weight of the electronic components 30 arranged on the front side of the functional portion 40 is heavier than the weight of the electronic components 30 arranged on the rear side (-X side) of the functional portion 40 among the plurality of electronic components 30.

[0025] The functional part 40 functions as oral care in the oral cavity by the power supplied from the electronic component 30. As described above, oral care includes cleaning in the oral cavity, promoting blood flow in the oral cavity by heating, and whitening teeth by blue light. The functional part 40 may vibrate in the oral cavity, may supply heat to the oral cavity by generating heat in the oral cavity, or may whiten the user's teeth by emitting blue light in the oral cavity. Examples of the functional part that functions as oral care include a functional part that vibrates in the oral cavity. Examples of such a functional part that vibrates in the oral cavity include an oral cleaning part (such as a horn and a mouthpiece) that vibrates in the oral cavity by the power supplied from an ultrasonic vibrator and a motor. In the present embodiment, the functional part 40 vibrates in the user's oral cavity by the power supplied from the electronic component 30. In the present embodiment, the functional part 40 ultrasonically vibrates in the user's oral cavity. As a result, cavitation bubbles are generated in the liquid such as water in the user's oral cavity due to the pressure difference generated in the liquid. In the oral care device 10 of the present embodiment, the cavitation bubbles clean the inside of the user's oral cavity such as between the teeth. The functional part 40 is connected to the end portion on the rear side (-X side) of the shaft portion 21. The functional part 40 protrudes rearward from the shaft portion 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the functional part 40 has a flat shape in which the dimension in the vertical direction is smaller than the dimension in the front-rear direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the third distance L3, which is the distance between the end portion on the front side (+X side) of the shaft portion 21 and the end portion on the rear side (-X side) of the functional part 40, is shorter than the maximum distance G between the branch portions. That is, in the present embodiment, the maximum distance G between the branch portions is longer than the third distance L3. The ratio of the maximum distance G between the branch portions to the third distance L3 is preferably 120% or more and 400% or less. Further, the third distance L3 is preferably 7 cm or more and 15 cm or less. The functional part 40 includes a holding part 41 and a vibrating part 42.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, in the present embodiment, the holding portion 41 is composed of a portion on the front side (+X side) of the vibrating portion 42 and a covering portion 43 that covers the portion on the front side of the vibrating portion 42. The holding portion 41 is connected to the shaft portion 21. The holding portion 41 has a flat shape in which the dimension in the vertical direction is smaller than the dimension in the front-rear direction. When the oral care device 10 is in use, the holding portion 41 is held by the oral cavity of the user, such as the teeth and lips. Thereby, the user holds the oral care device 10.

[0028] In the present embodiment, the covering portion 43 is made of a rubber material. The covering portion 43 may be made of a soft resin material such as an elastomer. The hardness of the covering portion 43 is smaller than the hardness of the vibrating portion 42. Therefore, when the oral care device 10 is in use, even if the functional portion 40 vibrates, the user can hold the oral care device 10 while reducing the harmfulness to the oral cavity such as the teeth. In particular, when the functional portion 40 vibrates ultrasonically as in the present embodiment, there is a risk of physical damage to the user's oral cavity due to the vibration and heat of the functional portion 40. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the vibrating portion 42 is covered by the covering portion 43, the covering portion 43 can absorb the vibration and heat of the vibrating portion 42. Therefore, the harmfulness to the oral cavity such as the teeth of the user can be reduced. The holding portion 41 is provided with a first concave portion 41a and a second concave portion 41b.

[0029] The first recess 41a is a depression that sinks downward (-Z side) from the surface facing the upper side (+Z side) of the holding portion 41. As shown in FIG. 3, the first recess 41a extends in the left-right direction from the right-side (+Y side) end to the left-side (-Y side) end of the holding portion 41. As shown in FIG. 4, the second recess 41b is a depression that sinks upward from the surface facing the lower side of the holding portion 41. Although illustration is omitted, the second recess 41b extends in the left-right direction from the right-side end to the left-side end of the holding portion 41 in the same manner as the first recess 41a. The second recess 41b is provided on the rear side (-X side) of the first recess 41a. When the oral care device 10 is in use, the inner surface of the first recess 41a contacts the upper front teeth of the user, and the inner surface of the second recess 41b contacts the lower front teeth of the user. Thereby, the user holds the oral care device 10 by holding the holding portion 41. At least one of the first recess 41a and the second recess 41b may not be provided in the holding portion 41.

[0030] When a first weight W1, which is the weight of the portion of the oral care device 10 on the front side (+X side) of the holding portion 41, is heavier than a second weight W2, which is the weight of the portion of the oral care device 10 on the rear side (-X side) of the holding portion 41, a rotational moment that turns counterclockwise around the holding portion 41 is applied to the user's oral cavity when viewed from the left side (-Y side). Thereby, the front portion of the oral care device 10 tends to tilt downward (-Z side). The greater such a rotational moment becomes, the greater the burden on the user's oral cavity. Further, when the second weight W2 is heavier than the first weight W1, a rotational moment that turns clockwise around the holding portion 41 is applied to the user's oral cavity when viewed from the left side. Thereby, the rear portion of the oral care device 10 tends to tilt downward. The greater such a rotational moment becomes, the greater the burden on the user's oral cavity. In the present embodiment, the first weight W1 is the sum of the weight of the first extension portion 23a, the weight of the second extension portion 24a, and the weight of the third electronic component group 33 shown in FIG. 2. Also, in the present embodiment, the second weight W2 is the sum of the weight of the first curved portion 23b, the weight of the second curved portion 24b, the weight of the first electronic component group 31, and the weight of the second electronic component group 32.

[0031] The vibrating part 42 vibrates within the user's oral cavity by the power supplied from the electronic component 30. In the present embodiment, the vibrating part 42 vibrates ultrasonically within the user's oral cavity. As a result, cavitation bubbles are generated in a liquid such as water within the user's oral cavity, and the oral cavity such as between the user's teeth can be cleaned by such bubbles. As shown in FIG. 4, the vibrating part 42 protrudes rearward from the shaft part 21. The vibrating part 42 has a flat shape in which the dimension in the vertical direction is smaller than the dimension in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the vibrating part 42 is made of metal.

[0032] As described above, in the present embodiment, the holding part 41 covers the front side (+X side) portion of the vibrating part 42 with the rubber coating part 43, and the vibrating part 42 is made of metal. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the boundary between the holding part 41 and the vibrating part 42 is the portion where the material of the surface of the functional part 40 changes. When the materials of the surfaces of the holding part 41 and the vibrating part 42 are the same, the rear end (-X side) of the holding part 41 is the rear end of the depression or groove located most rearward among the depressions or grooves provided in the holding part 41. Also, in the case where the functional part 40 is of a mouthpiece type or the like, when the functional part 40 is constituted by one member, the rear end of the holding part 41 is the rear end of the functional part 40. When the configuration of the functional part 40 does not correspond to these, the rear end of the holding part 41 is located at the center in the front-rear direction of the functional part 40.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the rear (-X side) ends of each of the pair of branch portions 22 are located further rearward than the rear end of the holding portion 41. In the present embodiment, the ratio of the front-rear dimension Ds of the holding portion 41 to the front-rear dimension Df of the functional portion 40 is preferably 50% or less. In the present embodiment, when the distance between the front (+X side) end of the branch portion 22 and the rear end of the holding portion 41 is defined as the first distance L1, and the distance between the rear end of the holding portion 41 and the rear end of the branch portion 22 is defined as the second distance L2, the first distance L1 and the second distance L2 satisfy the relationship of L1≦L2≦3×L1. Note that the first distance L1 is preferably 3 cm or more and 5 cm or less. Also, the second distance L2 is preferably 9 cm or more and 15 cm or less. In the front-rear direction, when the positions of the rear ends of the first branch portion 23 and the second branch portion 24 are different from each other, the one located further rearward among the rear ends of the first branch portion 23 and the second branch portion 24 is defined as the rear end of the branch portion 22.

[0034] As described above, some of the electronic components 30 are housed in the portion behind (-X side) the functional portion 40 of each of the pair of branch portions 22. Therefore, in the present embodiment, some of the electronic components 30 are housed in the portion behind the holding portion 41 of each of the pair of branch portions 22. Also, as described above, among the plurality of electronic components 30, the weight of the electronic components 30 arranged on the front side (+X side) of the functional portion 40 is heavier than the weight of the electronic components 30 arranged on the rear side of the functional portion 40 among the plurality of electronic components 30. Therefore, in the present embodiment, among the plurality of electronic components 30, the weight of the electronic components 30 arranged on the front side of the holding portion 41 is heavier than the weight of the electronic components 30 arranged on the rear side of the holding portion 41 among the plurality of electronic components 30. It is preferable that the weight of the lightest electronic component 30 among the electronic components 30 included in the third electronic component group 33 arranged on the front side of the holding portion 41 is heavier than the weight of the heaviest electronic component 30 among the electronic components 30 included in the first electronic component group 31 and the second electronic component group 32 arranged on the rear side of the holding portion 41.

[0035] The virtual region Va shown in FIG. 3 is a region centered on the center in the front-rear direction of the holding portion 41 and the center in the left-right direction of the holding portion 41 when viewed from the up-down direction. When viewed from the up-down direction, the virtual region Va is a rectangular region. The distance between the front end (+X side) of the virtual region Va and the center of the virtual region Va is 1.5 times the dimension Ds in the front-rear direction of the holding portion 41. The distance between the rear end (-X side) of the virtual region Va and the center of the virtual region Va is 1.5 times the dimension Ds in the front-rear direction of the holding portion 41. The distance between the right end (+Y side) of the virtual region Va and the center of the virtual region Va is 1.5 times the dimension Ws in the left-right direction of the holding portion 41. The distance between the left end (-Y side) of the virtual region Va and the center of the virtual region Va is 1.5 times the dimension Ws in the left-right direction of the holding portion 41. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the up-down direction, the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 is located inside the virtual region Va. That is, when viewed from the up-down direction, the front-rear direction distance between the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 and the center in the front-rear direction of the holding portion 41 is 1.5 times or less the dimension Ds in the front-rear direction of the holding portion 41, and the left-right direction distance between the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 and the center in the left-right direction of the holding portion 41 is 1.5 times or less the dimension Ws in the left-right direction of the holding portion 41.

[0036] Hereinafter, a method for obtaining the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. For the center of gravity CG, the oral care device 10 is suspended at any two points, respective images are obtained, and perpendicular lines are drawn on the obtained images. In image processing, the oral care devices 10 in the two images are overlapped, and the intersection point of the two perpendicular lines is taken as the center of gravity CG. For example, first, as shown in FIG. 5, a string 50 is attached to an arbitrary point of the oral care device 10, and the oral care device 10 is suspended by the string 50. In this example, the string 50 is attached to the shaft portion 21 of the oral care device 10 to suspend the oral care device 10. In a state where the oral care device 10 is suspended, a perpendicular line Q1 passing through the contact point between the string 50 and the oral care device 10 is drawn (step 1). Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the string 50 is attached to another arbitrary point of the oral care device 10, and the oral care device 10 is suspended by the string 50. In this example, the string 50 is attached to the first curved portion 23b of the oral care device 10 to suspend the oral care device 10. In a state where the oral care device 10 is suspended, a perpendicular line Q2 passing through the contact point between the string 50 and the oral care device 10 is drawn (step 2). As shown in FIG. 7, the images obtained in step 1 and step 2 are overlapped to overlap the oral care devices 10. In a state where the oral care devices 10 are overlapped, the intersection point of the perpendicular line Q1 and the perpendicular line Q2 is taken as the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10.

[0037] According to the present embodiment, the oral care device 10 includes an electronic component 30, a housing 20 that houses the electronic component 30, and a functional part 40 that vibrates in the oral cavity by the power supplied from the electronic component 30. The housing 20 has a shaft part 21 extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of branch parts 22 connected to the shaft part 21. The functional part 40 is connected to the end part on the rear side (-X side) of the shaft part 21 and protrudes rearward from the shaft part 21. When viewed from the up-down direction, a part of each of the pair of branch parts 22 moves away from each other in the left-right direction as it goes rearward from the shaft part 21. Therefore, since a part of each of the pair of branch parts 22, specifically, each of the first curved part 23b and the second curved part 24b in the present embodiment, can be arranged on the rear side of the functional part 40, compared with the case where all of the pair of branch parts 22 are arranged on the front side (+X side) of the functional part 40, the difference between the first weight W1, which is the weight of the part of the oral care device 10 in front of the holding part 41, and the second weight W2, which is the weight of the part of the oral care device 10 behind the holding part 41, can be reduced. As a result, when viewed from the left side (-Y side), it faces counterclockwise around the holding part 41, and the rotational moment of the oral care device 10 applied to the user's oral cavity can be reduced. Therefore, when the oral care device 10 is in use, the inclination of the oral care device 10 can be suppressed, so that the burden on the user's oral cavity can be reduced. Also, since the inclination of the oral care device 10 can be suppressed, it becomes easier for the user to place the functional part 40 at a predetermined position in the oral cavity. Thereby, the cleaning ability in the oral cavity such as between the user's teeth can be enhanced.

[0038] Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the front side (+X side) parts of the first curved part 23b and the second curved part 24b move away from each other in the left-right direction as they go rearward (-X side) from the shaft part 21. Thereby, the maximum interval G between the branch parts can be easily made 10 cm or more. Therefore, when the oral care device 10 is in use, since the first curved part 23b and the second curved part 24b can be arranged outside the user's face in the left-right direction, it is easy to suppress contact between the user's face and the first curved part 23b and the second curved part 24b. Thereby, the usability of the oral care device 10 can be enhanced.

[0039] According to the present embodiment, the maximum distance G between the branch portions, that is, the maximum distance in the left - right direction between the pair of branch portions 22, is longer than the third distance L3, that is, the distance between the end portion on the front side (+X side) of the shaft portion 21 and the end portion on the rear side (-X side) of the functional portion 40. If the maximum distance G between the branch portions is too short, the rotational moment for rotating the oral care device 10 around the holding portion 41 when viewed from the front - rear direction becomes too small, so that it becomes difficult for the user to balance the oral care device 10 in the left - right direction. If the third distance L3 is too long, the distance in the front - rear direction between the shaft portion 21 and the portion of the holding portion 41 held by the user tends to be long, so there is a risk that the rotational moment for rotating the oral care device 10 around the holding portion 41 when viewed from the left - right direction becomes too large. Therefore, there is a risk that the burden on the user's oral cavity increases. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the maximum distance G between the branch portions is longer than the third distance L3, it is possible to suppress the maximum distance G between the branch portions from becoming too short. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the rotational moment for rotating the oral care device 10 around the holding portion 41 when viewed from the front - rear direction from becoming too small, so that it becomes easier for the user to balance the oral care device 10 in the left - right direction. Also, since it is possible to suppress the third distance L3 from becoming too long, it is possible to suppress the rotational moment for rotating the oral care device 10 around the holding portion 41 when viewed from the left - right direction from becoming too large. Therefore, the burden on the user's oral cavity can be more suitably reduced.

[0040] According to the present embodiment, the oral care device 10 includes a plurality of electronic components 30. The plurality of electronic components 30 include a first branch portion 23, that is, a first group of electronic components 31 housed in one of the branch portions 22, and a second branch portion 24, that is, a second group of electronic components 32 housed in the other branch portion 22. When viewed from the up - down direction, a first virtual line V1 passing through the portion of the first group of electronic components 31 that is farthest from the shaft portion 21 and the end portion on the front side (+X side) of the shaft portion 21, and a second virtual line V2 passing through the portion of the second group of electronic components 32 that is farthest from the shaft portion 21 and the end portion on the front side of the shaft portion 21, the first angle α formed by the two virtual lines is 50° or more and 120° or less. If the first angle α becomes too small, it is difficult to increase the maximum interval G between the branch portions, that is, the maximum interval between the first branch portion 23 and the second branch portion 24 in the left - right direction. Therefore, when using the oral care device 10, the user's face is likely to come into contact with the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b. As a result, the usability of the oral care device 10 deteriorates. If the first angle α becomes too large, when the user rotates the head during the use of the oral care device 10, the centrifugal force applied to the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b increases. As a result, when the user moves the head, the force applied to the user's oral cavity via the holding portion 41 increases, so the burden on the user's oral cavity increases. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the first angle α is 50° or more and 120° or less, it is possible to suppress the first angle α from becoming too small. Thereby, it is easy to make the maximum interval G between the branch portions 10 cm or more. Therefore, since it is possible to suppress the contact between the user's face and the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b, the usability of the oral care device 10 can be more preferably improved. Also, since it is possible to suppress the first angle α from becoming too large, even when the user rotates the head, it is possible to suppress an increase in the centrifugal force applied to the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b. Therefore, when the user moves the head, it is possible to suppress an increase in the force applied to the user's oral cavity via the holding portion 41, so that the burden on the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced.

[0041] According to the present embodiment, the functional portion 40 is connected to the shaft portion 21 and has a holding portion 41 that is held in the user's oral cavity. The end portions on the rear side (-X side) of each of the pair of branch portions 22 are located on the rear side of the end portion on the rear side of the holding portion 41. Therefore, it becomes easier to arrange the positions of the centers of gravity of each of the pair of branch portions 22 on the rear side of the holding portion 41. Thus, when viewed from the left side (-Y side), it faces the counterclockwise side around the holding portion 41, and the rotational moment of the oral care device 10 applied to the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced. Therefore, the burden on the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced.

[0042] According to the present embodiment, when the distance between the front (+X side) end of the branch portion 22 and the rear (-X side) end of the holding portion 41 is defined as the first distance L1, and the distance between the rear end of the holding portion 41 and the rear end of the branch portion 22 is defined as the second distance L2, the relationship of L1≤L2≤3×L1 is satisfied. If the second distance L2 is too short, it becomes difficult to arrange the positions of the centers of gravity of the pair of branch portions 22 behind the holding portion 41. Therefore, when viewed from the left side (-Y side), it faces counterclockwise around the holding portion 41, and it becomes difficult to reduce the rotational moment of the oral care device 10 applied to the user's oral cavity. If the second distance L2 is too long, when the user rotates the head during use of the oral care device 10, the centrifugal force applied to the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b increases. As a result, when the user moves the head, the force applied to the user's oral cavity via the holding portion 41 increases, so the burden on the user's oral cavity increases. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the first distance L1 and the second distance L2 satisfy the relationship of L1≤L2≤3×L1, it is possible to suppress the second distance L2 from becoming too short. Therefore, since it is easy to arrange the positions of the centers of gravity of the pair of branch portions 22 behind the holding portion 41, when viewed from the left side, it faces counterclockwise around the holding portion 41, and the rotational moment of the oral care device 10 applied to the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced. Therefore, the burden on the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced. Also, since it is possible to suppress the second distance L2 from becoming too long, even when the user rotates the head, it is possible to more preferably suppress an increase in the centrifugal force applied to the first curved portion 23b and the second curved portion 24b. Therefore, even when the user moves the head, it is possible to more preferably suppress an increase in the force applied to the user's oral cavity via the holding portion 41, so the burden on the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced.

[0043] According to the present embodiment, the oral care device 10 includes a plurality of electronic components 30. A part of the electronic components 30 is accommodated in a portion on the rear side (-X side) of each of the pair of branch portions 22 with respect to the holding portion 41. Therefore, since a part of the electronic components 30, specifically the second electronic component group 32 and the third electronic component group 33 in the present embodiment, can increase the second weight W2, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 can be made smaller. As a result, the rotational moment of the oral care device 10 applied to the user's oral cavity can be more suitably reduced, and thus the burden on the user's oral cavity can be more suitably reduced. In addition, since the inclination of the oral care device 10 can be more suitably suppressed, it becomes easier to more suitably arrange the functional portion 40 at a predetermined position in the oral cavity. Thereby, the cleaning ability in the oral cavity such as between the user's teeth can be more suitably enhanced.

[0044] According to the present embodiment, among the plurality of electronic components 30, the weight of the electronic components 30 arranged on the front side (+X side) of the holding portion 41 is heavier than the weight of the electronic components 30 arranged on the rear side (-X side) of the holding portion 41 among the plurality of electronic components. In the present embodiment, the distance in the front-rear direction between the electronic components 30 arranged on the front side of the holding portion 41, that is, between the third electronic component group 33 and the holding portion 41, is shorter than the distance in the front-rear direction between the electronic components 30 arranged on the rear side of the holding portion 41, that is, between each of the first electronic component group 31 and the second electronic component group 32 and the holding portion 41. Therefore, by making the weight of the third electronic component group 33 heavier than the sum of the weights of the first electronic component group 31 and the second electronic component group 32, the rotational moment for rotating the oral care device 10 around the holding portion 41 when viewed from the left-right direction can be reduced. Therefore, the burden on the user's oral cavity can be more suitably reduced.

[0045] According to the present embodiment, when viewed from the vertical direction, the front-rear distance between the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 and the front-rear center of the holding portion 41 is 1.5 times or less the front-rear dimension Ds of the holding portion 41, and the left-right distance between the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 and the left-right center of the holding portion 41 is 1.5 times or less the left-right dimension Ws of the holding portion 41. Therefore, when viewed from the vertical direction, it is possible to suppress the displacement between the position of the center of gravity CG of the oral care device 10 and the position of the holding portion 41 from becoming too large, so that it is possible to more preferably suppress the oral care device 10 from tilting during use. Accordingly, it is possible to more preferably reduce the burden on the user's oral cavity.

[0046] <First Modified Example> FIG. 8 is a top view showing the oral care device 110 of this modified example. In this modified example, the oral care device 110 includes a housing 120, an electronic component 30, and a functional portion 40. In the following description, components having the same aspects as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0047] The housing 120 houses the electronic component 30 therein. The housing 120 is cylindrical. The housing 120 has a shaft portion 21 and a pair of branched portions 122. Each of the pair of branched portions 122 is connected to the shaft portion 21. Each of the branched portions 122 is cylindrical. The inside of each branched portion 122 is connected to the inside of the shaft portion 21. The pair of branched portions 122 includes a first branched portion 123 and a second branched portion 124. In this modified example, the first branched portion 123 is one of the branched portions 122, and the second branched portion 124 is the other branched portion 122.

[0048] The first branch portion 123 is disposed on the right side (+Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The first branch portion 123 has a first curved portion 123a and a first extending portion 123b. The first curved portion 123a is cylindrical and extends from the shaft portion 21 between the right side and the rear side (-X side). When viewed from the vertical direction, the first curved portion 123a curves so as to be convex between the right side and the front side (+X side). The first curved portion 123a is located on the right side as it goes toward the rear side. The first extending portion 123b is cylindrical and protrudes rearward from the rear end of the first curved portion 123a.

[0049] The second branch portion 124 is disposed on the left side (-Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The second branch portion 124 has a second curved portion 124a and a second extending portion 124b. The second curved portion 124a is cylindrical and extends from the shaft portion 21 between the left side and the rear side (-X side). When viewed from the vertical direction, the second curved portion 124a curves so as to be convex between the left side and the front side (+X side). The second curved portion 124a is located on the left side as it goes toward the rear side. Therefore, when viewed from the vertical direction, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 122 moves away from each other in the left-right direction as it goes from the shaft portion 21 toward the rear side. The second extending portion 124b is cylindrical and protrudes rearward from the rear end of the second curved portion 124a. Other configurations of the housing 120 of this modification example are the same as those of the housing 20 of the above-described embodiment.

[0050] The first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first branch portion 123. The first electronic component group 31 is disposed on the rear side (-X side) of the holding portion 41. The second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second branch portion 124. The second electronic component group 32 is disposed on the rear side of the holding portion 41. Thus, some of the electronic components 30 are housed in the portion of each of the pair of branch portions 122 that is on the rear side of the holding portion 41.

[0051] The third electronic component group 33 is accommodated across the inside of the shaft portion 21, the first curved portion 123a, and the second curved portion 124a respectively. The third electronic component group 33 is disposed on the front side (+X side) of the holding portion 41. That is, among the housing 120, some of the electronic components 30 are accommodated in the portion on the front side of the holding portion 41. Other configurations of the oral care device 110 of this modified example are the same as those of the oral care device 10 of the above-described embodiment.

[0052] According to this modified example, the housing 120 has a shaft portion 21 extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of branch portions 122 connected to the shaft portion 21. When viewed from the up-down direction, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 122 separates from each other in the left-right direction as it goes from the shaft portion 21 toward the rear side (-X side). Therefore, similar to the above-described embodiment, since a part of each of the pair of branch portions 122 can be disposed on the rear side of the functional portion 40, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 of the oral care device 110 can be reduced. As a result, when viewed from the left side (-Y side), it faces the counterclockwise side around the holding portion 41, and the rotational moment of the oral care device 110 applied to the user's oral cavity can be reduced. Therefore, when using the oral care device 110, it is possible to suppress the oral care device 110 from tilting, and thus the burden on the user's oral cavity can be reduced.

[0053] Also, according to this modified example, some of the electronic components 30 are accommodated in the portion on the rear side (-X side) of each of the pair of branch portions 122 with respect to the holding portion 41. Therefore, since the second weight W2 can be increased by some of the electronic components 30, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 can be made more preferably small. As a result, the rotational moment of the oral care device 110 applied to the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced, and thus the burden on the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced.

[0054] <Second Modified Example> FIG. 9 is a top view showing the oral care device 210 of this modified example. In this modified example, the oral care device 210 includes a housing 220, an electronic component 30, and a functional unit 40. In the following description, components having the same configuration as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0055] The housing 220 houses the electronic component 30 inside. The housing 220 is cylindrical. The housing 220 has a shaft portion 21, a pair of branch portions 222, and a front projecting portion 225. Each of the pair of branch portions 222 is connected to the shaft portion 21. Each of the branch portions 222 is cylindrical. The inside of each branch portion 222 is connected to the inside of the shaft portion 21. The pair of branch portions 222 includes a first branch portion 223 and a second branch portion 224. In this modified example, the first branch portion 223 is one of the branch portions 222, and the second branch portion 224 is the other branch portion 222.

[0056] The first branch portion 223 is disposed on the right side (+Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The first branch portion 223 has a first projecting portion 223a and a first extending portion 223b. The first projecting portion 223a is a cylindrical shape extending to the right from the shaft portion 21. The first extending portion 223b is a cylindrical shape extending to the rear side (-X side) from the right end of the first projecting portion 223a. The rear portion of the first extending portion 223b is disposed on the rear side of the functional unit 40.

[0057] The second branch portion 224 is disposed on the left side (-Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The second branch portion 224 has a second projecting portion 224a and a second extending portion 224b. The second projecting portion 224a is a cylindrical shape extending to the left from the shaft portion 21. The second extending portion 224b is a cylindrical shape extending to the rear side (-X side) from the left end of the second projecting portion 224a. The rear portion of the second extending portion 224b is disposed on the rear side of the functional unit 40. Therefore, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 222 is disposed on the rear side of the functional unit 40.

[0058] The front protrusion 225 protrudes forward (+X side) from the shaft portion 21, the first protrusion 223a, and the second protrusion 224a. When viewed from the vertical direction, the surface facing the front side of the front protrusion 225 is a curved surface that is convex forward. The front protrusion 225 is hollow. The interior of the front protrusion 225 is connected to the interiors of the shaft portion 21, the first protrusion 223a, and the second protrusion 224a, respectively. Other configurations of the housing 220 of this modification are the same as those of the housing 20 of the above-described embodiment.

[0059] The first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first branch portion 223. More specifically, the first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first extension portion 223b. The first electronic component group 31 is disposed on the rear side (-X side) of the holding portion 41. The second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second branch portion 224. More specifically, the second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second extension portion 224b. The second electronic component group 32 is disposed on the rear side of the holding portion 41. Therefore, some of the electronic components 30 are housed in the portions of each of the pair of branch portions 222 that are on the rear side of the holding portion 41.

[0060] The third electronic component group 33 is housed across the interiors of the shaft portion 21, the first protrusion 223a, the second protrusion 224a, and the front protrusion 225. The third electronic component group 33 is disposed on the front side (+X side) of the holding portion 41. That is, some of the electronic components 30 are housed in the portion of the housing 220 that is on the front side of the holding portion 41. Other configurations of the oral care device 210 of this modification are the same as those of the oral care device 10 of the above-described embodiment.

[0061] According to this modification example, the housing 220 has a shaft portion 21 extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of branch portions 222 connected to the shaft portion 21. When viewed from the vertical direction, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 222 is disposed on the rear side (-X side) of the functional portion 40. Therefore, similar to the above-described embodiment, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 of the oral care device 210 can be reduced. As a result, when viewed from the left side (-Y side), it faces the counterclockwise side around the holding portion 41, and the rotational moment of the oral care device 210 applied to the user's oral cavity can be reduced. Therefore, when the oral care device 210 is used, it is possible to suppress the oral care device 210 from tilting, and thus the burden on the user's oral cavity can be reduced.

[0062] Further, according to this modification example, some of the electronic components 30 are accommodated in the portion of each of the pair of branch portions 222 on the rear side (-X side) of the holding portion 41. Therefore, since the second weight W2 can be increased by some of the electronic components 30, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 can be more preferably reduced. As a result, the rotational moment of the oral care device 210 applied to the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced, and thus the burden on the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced.

[0063] <Third Modification Example> FIG. 10 is a top view showing the oral care device 310 of this modification example. In this modification example, the oral care device 310 includes a housing 320, electronic components 30, and a functional portion 40. In the following description, components having the same aspects as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0064] The housing 320 houses the electronic components 30 therein. The housing 320 is cylindrical. The housing 320 has a shaft portion 21 and a pair of branch portions 322. Each of the pair of branch portions 322 is connected to the shaft portion 21. Each of the branch portions 322 is cylindrical. The inside of each branch portion 322 is connected to the inside of the shaft portion 21. The pair of branch portions 322 includes a first branch portion 323 and a second branch portion 324. In this modification example, the first branch portion 323 is one of the branch portions 322, and the second branch portion 324 is the other branch portion 322.

[0065] The first branch portion 323 is disposed on the right side (+Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The first branch portion 323 has a first extension portion 323a, a first curved portion 323b, and a first protruding portion 323c. The first extension portion 323a is a cylindrical shape extending rightward from the shaft portion 21. The first curved portion 323b is a cylindrical shape extending between the right side and the rear side (-X side) from the right end of the first extension portion 323a. When viewed from the vertical direction, the first curved portion 323b curves so as to be convex on the right side. The first curved portion 323b is located on the right side as it goes toward the rear side. The rear portion of the first curved portion 323b is disposed on the rear side of the functional portion 40. The first protruding portion 323c is a cylindrical shape protruding between the right side and the front side (+X side) from the right end of the first extension portion 323a.

[0066] The second branch portion 324 is disposed on the left side (-Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The second branch portion 324 has a second extension portion 324a, a second curved portion 324b, and a second protruding portion 324c. The second extension portion 324a is a cylindrical shape extending leftward from the shaft portion 21. The second curved portion 324b is a cylindrical shape extending between the left side and the rear side (-X side) from the left end of the second extension portion 324a. When viewed from the vertical direction, the second curved portion 324b curves so as to be convex on the left side. The second curved portion 324b is located on the left side as it goes toward the rear side. Therefore, when viewed from the vertical direction, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 322 moves away from each other in the left-right direction as it goes from the shaft portion 21 toward the rear side. The rear portion of the second curved portion 324b is disposed on the rear side of the functional portion 40. Thus, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 322 is disposed on the rear side of the functional portion 40. The second protruding portion 324c is a cylindrical shape protruding between the left side and the front side (+X side) from the left end of the second extension portion 324a. Other configurations of the housing 320 of this modification are the same as those of the housing 20 of the above-described embodiment.

[0067] The first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first branch portion 323. More specifically, the first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first curved portion 323b. The first electronic component group 31 is arranged on the rear side (-X side) of the holding portion 41. The second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second branch portion 324. More specifically, the second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second curved portion 324b. The second electronic component group 32 is arranged on the rear side of the holding portion 41. Therefore, some of the electronic components 30 are housed in the portions of the pair of branch portions 322 that are on the rear side of the holding portion 41 respectively.

[0068] The third electronic component group 33 is housed across the inside of the shaft portion 21, the first extension portion 323a, and the second extension portion 324a respectively. The third electronic component group 33 is arranged on the front side (+X side) of the holding portion 41. That is, some of the electronic components 30 are housed in the portion of the housing 320 that is on the front side of the holding portion 41. Other configurations of the oral care device 310 of this modified example are the same as those of the oral care device 10 of the above-described embodiment.

[0069] According to this modified example, the housing 320 has a shaft portion 21 extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of branch portions 322 connected to the shaft portion 21. When viewed from the up-down direction, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 322 is arranged on the rear side (-X side) of the functional portion 40. Therefore, similar to the above-described embodiment, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 of the oral care device 310 can be reduced. As a result, when viewed from the left side (-Y side), it faces the counterclockwise side around the holding portion 41, and the rotational moment of the oral care device 310 applied to the user's oral cavity can be reduced. Therefore, when the oral care device 310 is in use, the inclination of the oral care device 310 can be suppressed, and thus the burden on the user's oral cavity can be reduced.

[0070] Also, according to this modification example, some electronic components 30 are accommodated in a portion on the rear side (-X side) of each holding portion 41 of the pair of branch portions 322. Therefore, since the second weight W2 can be increased by some of the electronic components 30, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 can be made more preferably small. As a result, the rotational moment of the oral care device 310 applied to the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced, and thus the burden on the user's oral cavity can be more preferably reduced.

[0071] <Fourth Modification Example> FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the oral care device 410 of this modification example. In this modification example, the oral care device 410 includes a housing 420, electronic components 30, and a functional portion 440. In the following description, components having the same aspects as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0072] The housing 420 houses the electronic components 30 therein. The housing 420 is cylindrical. The housing 420 has a shaft portion 21 and a pair of branch portions 422. Each of the pair of branch portions 422 is connected to the shaft portion 21. Each of the branch portions 422 is cylindrical. The pair of branch portions 422 includes a first branch portion 423 and a second branch portion 424. In this modification example, the first branch portion 423 is one of the branch portions 422, and the second branch portion 424 is the other branch portion 422.

[0073] The first branch portion 423 is disposed on the right side (+Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The first branch portion 423 is a cylindrical shape extending from the shaft portion 21 toward the right side and the rear side (-X side). When viewed from the vertical direction, the first branch portion 423 curves so as to protrude between the right side and the front side (+X side). The rear portion of the first branch portion 423 is disposed on the rear side of the functional portion 440.

[0074] The second branch portion 424 is disposed on the left side (-Y side) of the shaft portion 21. The second branch portion 424 is cylindrical and extends from the shaft portion 21 toward the space between the left side and the rear side (-X side). When viewed from the vertical direction, the second branch portion 424 curves so as to bulge toward the space between the left side and the front side (+X side). The rear portion of the second branch portion 424 is disposed on the rear side of the functional portion 440. Therefore, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 422 is disposed on the rear side of the functional portion 440. Other configurations of the housing 420 of this modification example are the same as those of the housing 20 of the above-described embodiment.

[0075] The first electronic component group 31 is housed in the first branch portion 423. The first electronic component group 31 is disposed on the rear side (-X side) of the holding portion 441. The second electronic component group 32 is housed in the second branch portion 424. The second electronic component group 32 is disposed on the rear side of the holding portion 441. Therefore, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 422 on the rear side of the holding portion 441 houses some of the electronic components 30.

[0076] The third electronic component group 33 is housed across the inside of the shaft portion 21, the first branch portion 423, and the second branch portion 424. The third electronic component group 33 is disposed on the front side (+X side) of the holding portion 441. That is, some of the electronic components 30 are housed in the portion of the housing 420 on the front side of the holding portion 441.

[0077] The functional part 440 functions as oral care in the user's oral cavity by the power supplied from the electronic component 30. The functional part 440 is connected to the end part on the rear side (-X side) of the shaft part 21. The functional part 440 protrudes rearward from the shaft part 21. The functional part 440 has a holding part 441. In this modification example, the holding part 441 functions as oral care in the oral cavity by the power supplied from the electronic component 30. The holding part 441 may vibrate in the oral cavity, may promote blood flow in the oral cavity by heat, or may emit blue light to whiten teeth. In this modification example, the holding part 441 ultrasonically vibrates by the power supplied from the electronic component 30. Thereby, cavitation bubbles are generated in a liquid such as water in the user's oral cavity, and the oral cavity such as between the user's teeth can be cleaned by such bubbles. The holding part 441 has a connection part 441a, a first holding part 441b, and a second holding part 441c.

[0078] The connection part 441a is plate-shaped with the plate surface facing the front-rear direction. The connection part 441a is connected to the end part on the rear side (-X side) of the shaft part 21. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the connection part 441a is substantially elliptical in shape. When viewed from the up-down direction, the connection part 441a curves so as to be convex on the front side (+X side).

[0079] The first holding part 441b is arranged on the rear side (-X side) of the connection part 441a. The first holding part 441b is connected to the end part on the right side (+Y side) of the connection part 441a. The first holding part 441b is arranged on the right side of the shaft part 21. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the first holding part 441b is a semi-annular shape convex on the right side. The first holding part 441b has a first concave part 441e. The first concave part 441e is a recess that depresses inward from the outer peripheral surface of the first holding part 441b. The first concave part 441e extends along the outer periphery of the first holding part 441b.

[0080] The second holding part 441c is arranged on the rear side (-X side) with respect to the connection part 441a. The second holding part 441c is connected to the end part on the left side (-Y side) of the connection part 441a. The second holding part 441c is arranged on the left side of the shaft part 21. The second holding part 441c faces the first holding part 441b in the left-right direction. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the second holding part 441c is in a semi-annular shape that protrudes to the left. The second holding part 441c has a second recess 441f. The second recess 441f is a depression that indents inward from the outer peripheral surface of the second holding part 441c. The second recess 441f extends along the outer periphery of the second holding part 441c.

[0081] When the oral care device 410 is in use, by pulling the user's lips to open in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) from the first recess 441e and the second recess 441f, the user holds the holding part 441. Thereby, the user holds the oral care device 410. Other configurations of the oral care device 410 in this modification are the same as those of the oral care device 10 in the above-described embodiment.

[0082] According to this modification, the housing 420 has a shaft part 21 extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of branch parts 422 connected to the shaft part 21. When viewed from the up-down direction, a part of each of the pair of branch parts 422 is arranged on the rear side (-X side) with respect to the functional part 440. Therefore, similar to the above-described embodiment, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 of the oral care device 410 can be reduced. Thereby, when viewed from the left side (-Y side), it faces the counterclockwise side around the holding part 441, and the rotational moment of the oral care device 410 applied to the user's oral cavity can be reduced. Therefore, when the oral care device 410 is in use, it is possible to suppress the oral care device 410 from tilting, and thus the burden on the user's oral cavity can be reduced.

[0083] <Fifth Modification> FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the oral care device 510 of this modification. In this modification, the oral care device 510 includes a housing 420, electronic components 30, and a functional part 540. In the following description, components having the same aspect as those in the fourth modification of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0084] The functional unit 540 has a light-emitting unit (not shown). In the present embodiment, the light-emitting unit is a light-emitting diode (LED). The light-emitting unit irradiates blue light by the power supplied from the electronic component 30. The functional unit 540 is connected to the end portion on the rear side (-X side) of the shaft portion 21. The functional unit 540 has a holding unit 541. In the present modification, the holding unit 541 has the above-described light-emitting unit (not shown). The holding unit 541 irradiates blue light onto the user's teeth by the power supplied from the electronic component 30. Thereby, the holding unit 541 whitens the user's teeth. When viewed from the vertical direction, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 422 is disposed on the rear side of the functional unit 540. The holding unit 541 has an extension portion 541a and a curved portion 541b.

[0085] The extension portion 541a is plate-shaped and extends upward. The plate surface of the extension portion 541a faces the front-rear direction. The extension portion 541a is connected to the end portion on the rear side (-X side) of the shaft portion 21. When viewed from the vertical direction, the extension portion 541a curves so as to be convex toward the front side (+X side).

[0086] When viewed from the left-right direction, the curved portion 541b has a substantially U-shaped convex upward. The lower end portion of the front side (+X side) portion of the curved portion 541b is connected to the upper end portion of the extension portion 541a. When the oral care device 510 is in use, the outer surface of the curved portion 541b contacts the upper teeth of the user. Also, the inner surface of the curved portion 541b contacts the lower teeth of the user. Thereby, the user holds the oral care device 510 by holding the holding unit 541. Other configurations and the like of the oral care device 510 of the present modification are the same as those of the oral care device 410 of the fourth modification of the above-described embodiment.

[0087] According to this modification example, similar to the fourth modification example of the above-described embodiment, the housing 420 has a shaft portion 21 extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of branch portions 422 connected to the shaft portion 21. When viewed from the up-down direction, a part of each of the pair of branch portions 422 is disposed on the rear side (-X side) of the functional portion 540. Therefore, the difference between the first weight W1 and the second weight W2 of the oral care device 510 can be reduced. As a result, when viewed from the left side (-Y side), it faces counterclockwise around the holding portion 541, and the rotational moment of the oral care device 510 applied to the user's oral cavity can be reduced. Therefore, when the oral care device 510 is in use, it is possible to suppress the oral care device 510 from tilting, and thus the burden on the user's oral cavity can be reduced.

[0088] As described above, the preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to such examples. As long as it is possible to suppress the oral care device from tilting during use, those skilled in the art can obtain the above-described effects based on this index. Further, the various shapes and combinations of the respective constituent members shown in the above-described examples are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0089] 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510... Oral care device, 20, 120, 220, 320, 420... Housing, 21... Shaft portion, 22, 122, 222, 322, 422... Branch portion, 30... Electronic component, 31... First group of electronic components, 32... Second group of electronic components, 40, 440, 540... Functional portion, 41, 441, 541... Holding portion, L1... First distance (distance between the front end of the branch portion and the rear end of the holding portion), L2... Second distance (distance between the rear end of the holding portion and the rear end of the branch portion), V1... First virtual line, V2... Second virtual line

Claims

1. An electronic component, a housing for housing the electronic component, a functional part that functions as oral care in the oral cavity by power supplied from the electronic component, and is provided with, the housing has a shaft portion extending in the front-rear direction and a pair of branch portions connected to the shaft portion, the functional part is connected to the rear end of the shaft portion and protrudes rearward from the shaft portion, An oral care device, wherein, when viewed from the vertical direction, a part of each of the pair of branch portions moves away from each other in the left-right direction as it goes rearward from the shaft portion.

2. The oral care device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum distance in the left-right direction between the pair of branch portions is longer than a distance between the front end of the shaft portion and the rear end of the functional part.

3. comprising a plurality of the electronic components, the plurality of electronic components include a first group of electronic components housed in one of the branch portions and a second group of electronic components housed in the other branch portion, An oral care device according to claim 1, wherein an angle formed by a first virtual line passing through the portion of the first group of electronic components farthest from the shaft portion and the front end of the shaft portion and a second virtual line passing through the portion of the second group of electronic components farthest from the shaft portion and the front end of the shaft portion is 50° or more and 120° or less when viewed from the vertical direction.

4. the functional part is connected to the shaft portion and has a holding part held in a user's oral cavity, The oral care device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein rear ends of each of the pair of branch portions are located rearward of a rear end of the holding part.

5. When a distance between the front end of the branch portion and the rear end of the holding part is L1 and a distance between the rear end of the holding part and the rear end of the branch portion is L2, L1 ≤ L2 ≤ 3 × L1 The oral care device according to claim 4, which satisfies the relationship of.

6. comprising a plurality of the electronic components, The oral care device according to claim 4, wherein a part of the electronic components are accommodated in a portion behind each of the pair of the branching portions and behind the holding portion.

7. Among the plurality of the electronic components, the weight of the electronic component disposed in front of the holding portion is heavier than the weight of the electronic component disposed behind the holding portion among the plurality of the electronic components. The oral care device according to claim 4.

8. When viewed from the vertical direction, the front-rear direction distance between the center of gravity and the front-rear direction center of the holding portion is 1.5 times or less of the front-rear direction dimension of the holding portion, and the left-right direction distance between the center of gravity and the left-right direction center of the holding portion is 1.5 times or less of the left-right direction dimension of the holding portion. The oral care device according to claim 4.

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