Electric instrument

Abstract

To provide an electric instrument such as an electric toothbrush including a functional member with an operating part provided on one end side of a shaft body, the electric instrument preventing damage of an object such as a human body surface, when the operating part is pressed against the object with force stronger than necessary, and preventing wear on an unintended location by avoiding concentration of reaction force acting from the object on the functional member, in the unintended location.SOLUTION: At least one end of a functional member 2 is configured to be tiltable around a tilt shaft 34, and is held in a prescribed operation attitude in a normal state. In a case where an operating part 3 is pressed against an object, when reaction force F acting on the operating part 3 from the object becomes an overload state exceeding holding force for holding the functional member 2 in the operation attitude, the functional member 2 is displaced from the operation attitude to a retreat attitude around the tilt shaft 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric device such as an electric toothbrush including a functional member having an acting portion provided on one end side of a shaft body.

Background Art

[0002] An electric toothbrush, which is one of this type of electric device, includes, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a vertically long hollow cylindrical casing, a motor built in the casing, a brush mounting shaft protruding from the upper end of the casing, a brush body (functional member) detachably attached to the brush mounting shaft, and the like. The brush body is composed of a brush shaft (shaft body) having a connection hole into which the brush mounting shaft is inserted, and a tuft of bristles (acting portion) composed of innumerable bristles implanted on the upper end side of the brush shaft. Between the base end portion of the brush mounting shaft and the output shaft of the motor in the casing, a motion direction conversion cam portion is provided which converts the rotational motion of the output shaft into a linear reciprocating motion or a swinging reciprocating motion and transmits it to the brush mounting shaft.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, it is desirable that the tuft of bristles of an electric toothbrush gently presses against the teeth. Pressing the tuft of bristles against the teeth with an overly strong force is not preferable for both the electric toothbrush and the user's teeth. In particular, if the time during which the tuft of bristles is strongly pressed against the teeth becomes long, there is a risk of damaging the tooth surface.

[0005] Also, when the tuft of the electric toothbrush is pressed against the teeth, a force, i.e., a reaction force, due to the reaction from the teeth acts on the brush body including the tuft. This reaction force tends to concentrate on parts with relatively low strength in the electric toothbrush, such as the brush mounting shaft for connecting the brush body to the casing, or the motion direction conversion cam portion provided between the brush mounting shaft and the output shaft of the motor. If a strong reaction force concentrates on these parts with low strength, there is a risk of causing wear and tear on the relevant parts.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to prevent damage to an object when the acting part is pressed against the object, such as the human body surface, with a force stronger than necessary in an electric device such as an electric toothbrush provided with a functional member having an acting part provided on one end side of a shaft body, and to avoid concentration of the reaction force acting from the object on the functional member at unintended locations and prevent wear and tear at those locations.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The electric device according to the present invention includes a functional member 2·102·122 having an acting part 3·103·123 provided on one end side of a shaft body 4·104·124. At least one end side of the functional member 2·102·122 is configured to be tiltable around a tilt axis 34 and is held in a predetermined operating posture in a normal state. When the reaction force F acting on the acting part 3·103·123 from the object exceeds the holding force for keeping the functional member 2·102·122 in the operating posture when the acting part 3·103·123 is pressed against the object, the functional member 2·102·122 is configured to be displaced from the operating posture to a retracted posture around the tilt axis 34.

[0008] It includes a motor 5 that serves as a drive source for the functional member 2·102·122. The acting part 3·103·123 is provided on the upper end side of the shaft body 4·104·124 extending in the vertical direction, and the output shaft 18 of the motor 5 is connected to the lower end side of the shaft body 4·104·124. The functional member 2·102·122 is configured to be tiltable back and forth around the tilt axis 34 integrally with the motor 5.

[0009] The central axis of the tilting shaft 34 passes through the motor 5.

[0010] The central axis of the tilting shaft 34 passes below the center of gravity G of the motor 5.

[0011] An upper holder 68 for holding the functional member 2 in the operating position is provided, and the upper holder 68 elastically biases the motor 5 above the tilting shaft 34.

[0012] A lower holder 69 for holding the functional member 2 in the operating position is provided, and the lower holder 69 elastically biases the motor 5 below the tilting shaft 34.

[0013] An arm portion 27 that can tilt integrally with the motor 5 is provided below the motor 5, and the lower holder 69 biases the motor 5 via the arm portion 27.

[0014] It includes a motor holder 25 for housing the motor 5 and a pressing frame 28 for holding the motor 5 so that it cannot come out of the motor holder 25. The upper holder 68 is provided integrally with the pressing frame 28 and elastically contacts the inner surface of the casing 1 that constitutes the outer shell of the electrical equipment.

[0015] It includes a motor unit 31 with the motor 5 as the base and an internal frame 32 that pivotally supports the motor unit 31 so that it can tilt around the tilting shaft 34. The upper holder 68 extends from the internal frame 32 and elastically contacts the motor unit 31.

[0016] The arm portion 27 is formed so as to widen back and forth as it approaches the motor 5.

[0017] When the functional member 2 tilts backward from the operating position to the retracted position, the arm portion 27 is configured to tilt forward. When the functional member 2 is in the operating position, the front surface of the lower end portion of the arm portion 27 slopes downward to the rear.

[0018] A motor unit 31 including a motor 5 and an arm portion 27, an inner frame 32 pivotally supporting the motor unit 31 so as to be tiltable about a tilt axis 34, and a casing 1 housing the motor unit 31 and the inner frame 32 are provided. A lower holder 69 is connected to the arm portion 27 and the inner frame 32, respectively.

[0019] A motor unit 31 including a motor 5 and an arm portion 27, and an inner frame 32 pivotally supporting the motor unit 31 so as to be tiltable about a tilt axis 34 are provided. A rod-shaped movable rod 71 is provided on the arm portion 27, and a rod-shaped fixed rod 72 is provided on the inner frame 32. Hook portions that can be hooked on the movable rod 71 or the fixed rod 72 are provided at both ends of the lower holder 69, respectively.

[0020] Another electric device according to the present invention includes a functional member 2·102·122 having an acting portion 3·103·123 and a motor 5 serving as a drive source for the functional member 2·102·122. The functional member 2·102·122 is held in a predetermined operating posture under normal conditions, and when a reaction force F acting on the acting portion 3·103·123 from the object exceeds the holding force for holding the functional member 2·102·122 in the operating posture when the acting portion 3·103·123 is pressed against the object, the functional member 2·102·122 is configured to be displaced from the operating posture to a retracted posture. And a detection means for detecting that the functional member 2·102·122 has been displaced to the retracted posture, and a notification means for operating when the displacement is detected are provided.

[0021] The output shaft 18 of the motor 5 is connected to the functional member 2·102·122, and the functional member 2·102·122 is configured to be tiltable back and forth integrally with the motor 5 about the tilt axis 34. The detection means is composed of a pressing body 79 that tilts integrally with the motor 5 and a sensing switch 78 that is pressed by the pressing body 79 when the functional member 2·102·122 is displaced to the retracted posture.

[0022] It includes a motor holder 25 that houses a motor 5. The motor holder 25 is integrally provided with an arm portion 27 that extends in a direction away from the tilting axis 34, and a pressing body 79 is provided on the arm portion 27.

[0023] A sensing switch 78 is mounted on a control board 7 that controls the entire electrical device.

[0024] A spacer 82 is disposed between the back side of the sensing switch 78 on the control board 7 and the inner surface of a casing 1 that constitutes the outer shell of the electrical device.

[0025] The spacer 82 protrudes significantly toward the inner surface of the casing 1 compared to each element on the control board 7.

[0026] A display portion 12 including a plurality of LEDs 11 is provided on the control board 7, and a spacer 82 is disposed between adjacent LEDs 11.

[0027] The spacer 82 is disposed over the entire length in the width direction of the control board 7.

[0028] A recess 92 is provided on the outer surface of the spacer 82 that is received by the inner surface of the casing 1.

[0029] The spacer 82 is fixed to the control board 7 by press-fitting a fixing protrusion 84 protruding from the spacer 82 into a fixing hole 85 provided in the control board 7.

[0030] Each LED 11 is surrounded by the spacer 82 from a plurality of directions.

[0031] It includes a lower holding body 69 that elastically biases the arm portion 27 to hold the functional member 2 in an operating posture, and the lower holding body 69 is composed of a spring that extends in a direction away from the detection means starting from the arm portion 27.

[0032] The starting point of the lower holding body 69 on the arm portion 27 is farther from the tilting axis 34 than the pressing body 79.

[0033] It includes an inner frame 32 that pivotally supports a motor holder 25 so as to be pivotable around a tilting axis 34. A rod-shaped movable rod 71 is provided on an arm portion 27, and a rod-shaped fixed rod 72 is provided on the inner frame 32. Hook portions that can be hooked on the movable rod 71 or the fixed rod 72 are respectively provided at both ends of a lower holder 69. The inner frame 32 is provided with a spring opening 75 that allows the insertion of the lower holder 69. From the opening edge of the spring opening 75, a pair of fixing plate portions 74 that support the fixed rod 72 project in a direction away from the arm portion 27.

[0034] It includes a power receiving board 8 that receives power non - contact from an external power supply board S. The inner frame 32 is configured to include a sub - frame 44 that supports the power receiving board 8, and an upper holder 68 is composed of a leaf spring extending from the sub - frame 44.

[0035] It includes a battery 6 that supplies power to a motor 5 and a control board 7 that controls the entire electrical device. The inner frame 32 is configured to include a main frame 43 that supports the battery 6, the control board 7, and a motor unit 31, and the upper holder 68 is composed of a leaf spring extending from the main frame 43.

[0036] The upper holder 68 integrally includes a base end portion that extends in parallel with the side surface of the motor unit 31 from the sub - frame 44 and a tip end portion that elastically contacts the side surface. A pair of spring restricting portions 90 project on the side surface of the motor unit 31, and the base end portion of the upper holder 68 is sandwiched between the pair of spring restricting portions 90.

[0037] When the functional member 2 tilts backward from the operating posture to the retracted posture, the arm portion 27 is configured to tilt forward, and a sensing switch 78 is arranged in front of the tilting axis 34.

[0038] It includes a casing 1 that constitutes the outer shell of the electrical device. The tilting axis 34 is arranged behind the axis of the casing 1, and the sensing switch 78 is arranged in front of the axis.

[0039] It includes a motor holder 25 that houses a motor 5, and an internal frame 32 that pivotally supports the motor holder 25 so as to be pivotable around a pivot axis 34. A pair of pivot axes 34 project from the outer surface of the motor holder 25. The internal frame 32 includes a pair of motor support walls 33 provided with shaft holes 35 for pivotally supporting the pivot axes 34. A flange body 39 having a diameter larger than that of the shaft hole 35 is fixed to the protruding end surface of each pivot axis 34 with a screw 40.

[0040] It includes a casing 1 that constitutes the outer shell of the electrical device. A receiving groove 41 for receiving the flange body 39 is provided on the inner surface of the casing 1.

[0041] An arm portion 27 is provided integrally with a case portion 26 that houses the motor 5.

[0042] Above and below the arm portion 27, the motor 5 and a battery 6 that supplies power to the motor 5 are arranged. In front of and behind the arm portion 27, a control board 7 that controls the entire electrical device and a power receiving board 8 that receives power non - contact from an external power supply board S are arranged.

[0043] It includes a vertically long casing 1 that also serves as a grip, and a battery 6 that supplies power to the motor 5. The motor 5 and the battery 6 are dispersedly housed above and below the casing 1.

Advantages of the Invention

[0044] The electrical device according to the present invention includes a functional member 2·102·122 provided with an acting portion 3·103·123 on one end side of a shaft body 4·104·124. At least one end side of the functional member 2·102·122 is configured to be pivotable around a pivot axis 34 and is held in a predetermined operating posture in a normal state. When a reaction force F acting on the acting portion 3·103·123 from an object exceeds the holding force for holding the functional member 2·102·122 in the operating posture when the acting portion 3·103·123 is pressed against the object and enters an overload state, the functional member 2·102·122 is configured to be displaced from the operating posture to a retracted posture around the pivot axis 34.

[0045] According to the electrical device configured as described above, even if the user strongly presses the acting portions 3, 103, 123 against an object such as the human body surface and a strong pressing force acts on the object from the acting portions 3, 103, 123, the functional members 2, 102, 122 are displaced from the operating posture to the retracted posture and the acting portions 3, 103, 123 are separated from the object, so that the state in which a strong pressing force acts on the object can be immediately eliminated. That is, it is possible to prevent damage to the object caused by a strong pressing force acting on the object from the acting portions 3, 103, 123 over a long period of time. Further, when a tilting shaft 34 serving as a fulcrum is provided when the functional members 2, 102, 122 in the overload state are displaced, the reaction force F acting on the functional members 2, 102, 122 including the acting portions 3, 103, 123 is prevented from concentrating on an unintended location of the electrical device, for example, a connection portion having a relatively low strength, and wear of the location can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0046]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0047] (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment in which the electric device of the present invention is applied to an electric toothbrush. In the present embodiment, front and rear, left and right, and up and down follow the cross arrows shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the front and rear, left and right, and up and down indications marked in the vicinity of each arrow. The same applies to the second and subsequent embodiments.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the electric toothbrush includes an elongated casing 1 that also serves as a grip, and a brush body (functional member) 2 that is detachably connected to the upper surface side of the casing 1. The brush body 2 is composed of a tuft of bristles (acting portion) 3 formed of countless bristles and a brush shaft (shaft body) 4 that supports the tuft of bristles 3. The lower part of the brush shaft 4 is formed in a downwardly expanding frustum shape, and the upper part of the brush shaft 4 is formed in a vertical plate shape with the front-rear direction as the plate thickness direction, and the tuft of bristles 3 is implanted on the front surface side thereof. When the tuft of bristles 3 deteriorates due to use, the brush body 2 can be removed from the casing 1 and replaced with a new one.

[0049] At the upper part of the hollow casing 1, a motor 5 is accommodated, and at the lower part, a battery 6 composed of a secondary battery is accommodated. If the relatively heavy motor 5 and battery 6 are dispersedly arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the casing 1, the center of gravity of the electric toothbrush can be positioned at the center of the casing 1 or in its vicinity, avoiding the burden when the user grips the center of the casing 1. As shown in FIG. 3, at the front part of the casing 1, a control board 7 for controlling the entire electric toothbrush is accommodated, and at the rear part, a power receiving board 8 for charging the battery 6 is accommodated. When a non-contact charger C shown by a virtual line is brought close to the power receiving board 8 and a current is passed through the power feeding coil on the power feeding board S provided in the charger C, a current flowing through the power receiving coil on the power receiving board 8 is generated by electromagnetic induction, and the current is used to charge the battery 6 via the control board 7. Note that the battery 6 may be a replaceable primary battery, in which case the power receiving board 8 can be omitted.

[0050] At the upper part of the front surface of the control board 7, a momentary power switch 10 is arranged, and below it, a display section 12 composed of three LEDs (light emitting diodes) 11 arranged vertically is arranged. As shown in FIG. 4, on the front wall of the casing 1, a vertically long switch window 13 facing the power switch 10 is opened, and a push button 14 and a switch packing 15 are arranged in the switch window 13 in order from the front side (outer side). The switch packing 15 seals the switch window 13 in a watertight manner from the inside to prevent water from entering the casing 1.

[0051] The user of the electric toothbrush can switch the driving state of the motor 5 and the like by pressing the power switch 10 via the push button 14 and the switch packing 15. In this embodiment, every time the power switch 10 is pressed, the output of the motor 5 is switched in the order of weak → medium → strong → off, and the display content of the display section 12 is switched accordingly. At least the part of the front wall of the casing 1 facing the display section 12 has a light transmissivity that allows the light emission of the LED 11 to pass through. When the battery 6 is being charged, the display section 12 emits light in a color different from the normal time, for example, orange.

[0052] The motor 5 is composed of an ultrasonic linear motor that vibrates its output shaft 18 in the left - right direction. The output shaft 18 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the casing 1 and also serves as a connecting shaft for connecting the brush body 2 to the casing 1. A vertically long connecting hole 19 is recessed in the lower surface of the brush shaft 4. By inserting the output shaft 18 into this connecting hole 19, the brush body 2 can be connected to the casing 1, and the left - right vibration of the output shaft 18 can be transmitted to the brush body 2. The center of gravity G of the motor 5 is located at the center of the main body of the motor 5 (the part excluding the output shaft 18). Note that the vibration direction of the output shaft 18 and the brush body 2 is not limited to the left - right direction and may be, for example, the up - down direction.

[0053] On the upper wall of the casing 1, a shaft through - hole 20 that permits the insertion of the output shaft 18 is provided, and the diameter of the shaft through - hole 20 is formed to be sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the output shaft 18. To prevent water from entering the casing 1 from the shaft through - hole 20, the space between the output shaft 18 and the opening edge of the shaft through - hole 20 is sealed in a watertight manner with a shaft packing 21. The peripheral edge of the shaft packing 21 is clamped from above and below by the upper wall of the casing 1 and an annular packing ring 22 fixed to its outer surface.

[0054] Inside the casing 1, the motor 5 is supported by a motor holder 25. The motor holder 25 integrally includes a case portion 26 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open upper surface and an arm portion 27 extending downward from the bottom surface of the case portion 26. The motor 5 is housed in the case portion 26 from above and is held in a non - removable manner from the case portion 26 by a pressing frame 28 that presses the motor 5 from above. The pressing frame 28 is formed in a U - shape in side view, and the lower parts of its front and rear walls are engaged and fixed to the outer surface of the case portion 26 of the motor holder 25. The significance of providing the arm portion 27 will be described later.

[0055] The motor unit 31 is composed of a motor 5, a motor holder 25, and a pressing frame 28. This motor unit 31 is supported by an internal frame 32 disposed within the casing 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the internal frame 32 includes a pair of motor support walls 33 that sandwich the motor unit 31 from the left and right. On the outer surface of the motor holder 25, a pair of tilting shafts 34 project in the left - right direction, and shaft holes 35 for pivotally supporting the tilting shafts 34 are formed in each of the motor support walls 33. That is, the motor unit 31 is supported by the internal frame 32 so as to be tiltable back and forth around the tilting shafts 34. The tilting shafts 34 are disposed near the lower end of the rear half of the case portion 26 of the motor holder 25 (see FIG. 4).

[0056] Around each tilting shaft 34, an annular washer 38 sandwiched between the outer surface of the motor holder 25 and the inner surface of the motor support wall 33 is provided. On the outer side of each tilting shaft 34, a flange body 39 having a larger diameter than the shaft hole 35 is provided. A screw 40 is screwed into the tilting shaft 34 through a through - hole formed in the flange body 39, and thereby the flange body 39 is fixed to the tilting shaft 34. The flange body 39 fixed to the tilting shaft 34 can prevent the tilting shaft 34 from coming out of the shaft hole 35. The opening edge of the shaft hole 35 in the motor support wall 33 is sandwiched from the left and right by the motor holder 25 and the flange body 39. According to this, deformation in the thickness direction of the motor support wall 33 can be restricted by the motor holder 25 and the flange body 39, and the overall rigidity of the internal frame 32 can be enhanced.

[0057] The flange body 39 constitutes the left and right ends of the internal structure accommodated in the casing 1. The outer surface of the flange body 39 consists of a flat surface orthogonal to the axis of the tilting shaft 34, and the screw 40 is a flat head screw whose operating head does not protrude from the outer surface of the flange body 39. According to the above configuration, the left and right widths of the internal structure in the casing 1 can be minimized as much as possible, contributing to the thinning of the casing 1 that accommodates the internal structure. The casing 1 is formed in a polygonal cylindrical shape with rounded tops, and each of the left and right flange bodies 39 faces the inner surface of the flat surface portion connecting the adjacent tops of the casing 1. A U-shaped accommodation groove 41 for receiving the flange body 39 is provided on the inner surface, and its bottom surface is composed of a flat surface parallel to the outer surface of the flange body 39. By providing such an accommodation groove 41, it is possible to thin the casing 1 while ensuring sufficient wall thickness of the casing 1 in the portion adjacent to the accommodation groove 41.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, the internal frame 32 is formed by connecting a main frame 43 and a sub-frame 44 made of plastic molded products in the front-rear direction, and is formed in an elongated shape vertically as a whole, similar to the casing 1. The main frame 43, which occupies most of the internal frame 32, is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross-section with a vertically long front wall and left and right walls, and the upper halves of the left and right walls constitute the motor support walls 33. The motor unit 31 is assembled to the motor support walls 33 of the main frame 43 from the rear. Specifically, the motor unit 31 with a washer 38 mounted around the tilting shaft 34 in advance is pushed in from the rear while elastically deforming the main frame 43 to expand the opposing interval between the motor support walls 33, so that each tilting shaft 34 can be inserted into the shaft hole 35. Then, by fixing the flange body 39 to the outside of each tilting shaft 34 with a screw 40, the motor unit 31 can be assembled to the main frame 43.

[0059] After the motor unit 31 is assembled to the main frame 43, a sub-frame 44 is fixed between the rear end portions of the pair of motor support walls 33. The sub-frame 44 has an up-and-down dimension approximately half that of the main frame 43, is formed in a substantially square block shape with the front-to-rear direction as the thickness direction, and is fixed to the main frame 43 with a plurality of frame screws 45. The arm portion 27 of the motor holder 25 is disposed within a space surrounded on four sides by the main frame 43 and the sub-frame 44.

[0060] In addition to the motor unit 31, a control board 7, a power receiving board 8, and a battery pack 47 are assembled to the inner frame 32. The control board 7 is mounted on the outer surface side of the front wall of the main frame 43, and the power receiving board 8 is mounted on the rear surface side of the sub-frame 44. The battery pack 47 is composed of a battery 6 and a protection board 48, and a battery cover 49 that holds these, and is assembled to the lower part of the main frame 43 from the rear. The protection board 48 controls the magnitude of the current for charging the battery 6 and the like.

[0061] The inner frame 32 is inserted into the casing 1 through an insertion port 52 provided on the lower surface of the casing 1. At the lower end of the main frame 43, a fixing ring 53 for fixing it within the casing 1 is integrally provided, and an engaging convex portion 54 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of this fixing ring 53 engages with an engaging concave portion 55 recessed in the inner peripheral surface of the casing 1, whereby the inner frame 32 is held within the casing 1 so as not to come out.

[0062] After the insertion of the inner frame 32, the insertion port 52 of the casing 1 is closed with a bottom cover 58. This bottom cover 58 is fixed to the inner frame 32 with a bottom screw 59. At the lower end of the main frame 43, a screw boss 60 surrounded by the fixing ring 53 is integrally provided, and the bottom screw 59 is screwed into the screw boss 60 through a through hole opened at the center of the bottom cover 58. A rubber O-ring 61 is disposed on the inner surface side of the bottom cover 58, and when this O-ring 61 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casing 1, the opening edge of the insertion port 52 and the bottom cover 58 are sealed in a watertight manner.

[0063] In addition to the fixed ring 53, the inner frame 32 contacts the casing 1 via a vibration isolation sheet 62 disposed on the outer surface of each motor support wall 33 (see FIG. 6). The vibration isolation sheet 62 is formed of a material such as rubber with a high vibration absorption rate, thereby suppressing the transmission of vibrations from the motor unit 31 to the inner frame 32 to the casing 1 and reducing the discomfort of the user holding the casing 1. Also, by providing the vibration isolation sheet 62, when the casing 1 receives an external impact due to dropping or the like, it is possible to suppress the transmission of the impact to the inner frame 32 and thus to the control board 7 and the power receiving board 8 supported thereby.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, the brush body 2 is integrally formed with the motor unit 31 and can tilt back and forth around the tilting axis 34 with respect to the casing 1 between the operating posture indicated by the virtual line and the retracted posture indicated by the solid line. In the operating posture of the brush body 2, the brush shaft 4 stands upright and the vertical axis of the brush shaft 4 overlaps (becomes parallel to) the vertical axis of the casing 1. In the retracted posture of the brush body 2, the axis of the brush shaft 4 tilts backward with respect to the axis of the casing 1. Further, when the brush body 2 is in the operating posture, a regulated body 65 provided on the rear surface of the arm portion 27, specifically, below the tilting axis 34 in the motor holder 25, is received by a regulating body 66 provided on the front surface (inner surface) of the sub-frame 44 (inner frame 32) (see FIG. 4), thereby regulating the brush body 2 from tilting forward beyond the operating posture.

[0065] Above and below the motor unit 31, holding members 68 and 69 are provided which bias it in the direction in which the brush body 2 tilts forward (counterclockwise in FIG. 1). The upper holding member 68, which is located above the tilting axis 34, consists of a leaf spring provided integrally with the pressing frame 28 and slopes downward and rearward from the lower end of the rear wall of the pressing frame 28. When the upper holding member 68 elastically contacts the inner surface of the rear wall of the casing 1, the upper part of the motor unit 31 (above the tilting axis 34) is biased forward. The lower holding member 69, which is located below the tilting axis 34, consists of a coil tension spring. One end thereof is connected to the tip (lower end) of the arm portion 27 of the motor holder 25, and the other end is connected to the sub-frame 44 (inner frame 32) (see FIG. 4). When the lower holding member 69 pulls the tip of the arm portion 27 toward the sub-frame 44, the lower part of the motor unit 31 (below the tilting axis 34) is biased rearward.

[0066] The biasing forces exerted by the upper and lower holding members 68 and 69 act in the direction of holding the brush body 2 in the operating position. That is, a holding force that attempts to hold the brush body 2 in the operating position acts on the brush body 2. Therefore, the brush body 2 is held in the operating position when the electric toothbrush is not in use. Also, when the user properly uses the electric toothbrush, that is, when the tuft 3 is gently pressed against the teeth, the backward reaction force F received by the tuft 3 from the teeth does not exceed the above holding force. Therefore, the brush body 2 is held in the operating position. However, when the tuft 3 is pressed against the teeth with an excessive force and the reaction force F acting on the tuft 3 exceeds the above holding force, resulting in an overload state, the brush body 2 is displaced from the operating position to the retracted position integrally with the motor unit 31.

[0067] If the motor unit 31 is tilted integrally with the brush body 2 as described above, it is possible to prevent the load from concentrating on the connecting portion between the two, i.e., the output shaft 18 of the motor 5, during tilting. Thus, it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as the motor 5 being locked unintentionally. Further, since the tilting shaft 34 is arranged in the case portion 26 of the motor holder 25, the forward and backward movement stroke when the motor unit 31 tilts can be reduced compared to the case where the tilting center is vertically separated from the motor unit 31, and the outer shape of the casing 1 surrounding it can be made thinner (slimmed down).

[0068] Since the tilting shaft 34 is arranged below the center of gravity G of the motor 5, an inertial moment that attempts to keep the motor 5 stationary (makes it difficult to rotate) acts on the motor 5 when the brush body 2 is in the operating position, thereby increasing the holding force that attempts to keep the brush body 2 in the operating position by that much. As a result, it is possible to prevent the brush body 2 from being inadvertently displaced to the retracted position by a small reaction force F. Further, since the tilting shaft 34 is arranged behind the vertical axis of the casing 1 passing through the center of gravity G of the motor 5, a rotational moment in the forward tilting direction around the tilting shaft 34 acts on the motor 5, increasing the force required to tilt the motor 5 backward. Thereby, the holding force that attempts to keep the brush body 2 in the operating position can be increased.

[0069] Since the upper holding body 68 is constituted by a leaf spring integrated with the pressing frame 28, the number of parts of the electric toothbrush can be reduced compared to the case where the upper holding body 68 is constituted by a spring separate from the pressing frame 28, and the labor and cost of assembly during manufacturing can be reduced. Since one end of the lower holding body 69 is connected to the tip (lower end) of the arm portion 27 of the motor holder 25, the distance from the tilting shaft 34 to the lower holding body 69 can be made as long as possible, and the biasing force exerted by the lower holding body 69 on the motor unit 31 can be increased by the principle of a lever, whereby the holding force for holding the brush body 2 in the operating posture can be further enhanced. It can contribute to the miniaturization of the lower holding body 69. Since the other end of the lower holding body 69 is connected to the internal frame 32 (sub-frame 44) housed in the casing 1, when the casing 1 receives an external impact due to dropping or the like, the impact transmitted from the casing 1 to the lower holding body 69 can be reduced by the internal frame 32, and it is possible to prevent problems such as the lower holding body 69 becoming detached.

[0070] In this embodiment, the motor holder 25 is not essential, and the arm portion 27 can be directly attached to the outer surface (lower surface) of the motor 5 by omitting it. However, if the motor 5 is housed in the case portion 26 of the motor holder 25 and the arm portion 27 is provided integrally with this case portion 26, the motor 5 and the arm portion 27 can be firmly integrated without the need for labor such as adhesion of the arm portion 27 to the motor 5. The base end portion (upper end portion) of the arm portion 27 is formed thicker than its tip portion (lower end portion) or intermediate portion. According to this, the connection strength of the arm portion 27 to the case portion 26 can be increased, and deformation of the arm portion 27 due to being pulled by the lower holding body 69 can be prevented.

[0071] The arm portion 27 is located near the center inside the casing 1, with the motor 5 and the battery 6 (battery pack 47) arranged above and below it, and the control board 7 and the power receiving board 8 arranged in front of and behind it. As described above, it is desirable to arrange the motor 5 and the battery 6 in a vertically dispersed manner. Further, since the control board 7 has the power switch 10 and the display portion 12 on the front surface, it is necessary to bring it close to the front wall of the casing 1, and the power receiving board 8 is also brought close to the rear wall of the casing 1 to shorten the distance from the non-contact charger C (see FIG. 3) facing the outer surface of the rear wall. Against this background, the vicinity of the center of the casing 1 is likely to become a dead space, but in this embodiment, the arm portion 27 is arranged here to effectively utilize the space.

[0072] When the brush body 2 is in the operating posture, the front surface of the tip (lower end portion) of the arm portion 27 of the motor holder 25 is inclined downward to the rear (see FIG. 7). When the brush body 2 is displaced to the retracted posture and the arm portion 27 is tilted forward, the front surface becomes substantially parallel to the control board 7. According to this, when the arm portion 27 tilts forward, the tip portion does not protrude greatly forward, and interference of the tip portion with elements on the control board 7 can be avoided.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, one end of the lower holder 69 is connected to a movable rod 71 provided on the arm portion 27, and the other end is connected to a fixed rod 72 provided on the sub-frame 44 (inner frame 32). The movable rod 71 and the fixed rod 72 are each formed in a round bar shape extending in the left-right direction, and hook portions that are hooked on the movable rod 71 or the fixed rod 72 are provided at both ends of the lower holder 69. In this way, by providing hook portions at both ends of the lower holder 69 and hooking them on the round bar-shaped movable rod 71 and fixed rod 72 provided on the arm portion 27 and the inner frame 32, the lower holder 69 can be firmly connected to each of the arm portion 27 and the inner frame 32, the spring force of the lower holder 69 can be surely exerted, and accidental detachment of the lower holder 69 can be prevented.

[0074] Specifically, the movable rod 71 is supported by a pair of left and right movable plate portions 73 provided at the tip of the arm portion 27. In the center of each movable plate portion 73, a round hole into which the end of the movable rod 71 is inserted is provided. The pair of movable plate portions 73 face each other left and right with a space therebetween, and one end of the lower holder 69 is hooked on the movable rod 71 between these pair of movable plate portions 73. Similarly, the fixed rod 72 is also supported by a pair of left and right fixed plate portions 74 provided on the sub-frame 44. In the center of each fixed plate portion 74, a round hole into which the end of the fixed rod 72 is inserted is provided respectively. The pair of fixed plate portions 74 face each other left and right with a space therebetween, and the other end of the lower holder 69 is hooked on the fixed rod 72 between these pair of fixed plate portions 74. A spring opening 75 that allows the insertion of the lower holder 69 is provided in the front wall of the sub-frame 44, and the fixed plate portion 74 protrudes rearward from the opening edge of the spring opening 75. According to this, compared with the case where the fixed plate portion 74 protrudes forward from the rear wall of the sub-frame 44, the distance between the fixed rod 72 and the movable rod 71 can be increased, and a longer and stronger lower holder 69 can be used accordingly.

[0075] As described above, it is desirable for the user of the electric toothbrush to gently press the bristle tufts 3 of the brush body 2 against the teeth. Pressing the bristle tufts 3 against the teeth with a force stronger than necessary is not preferable for both the electric toothbrush and the user's teeth. The electric toothbrush of the present embodiment is configured such that when the bristle tufts 3 are in an overload state where they are pressed against the teeth with a force stronger than necessary, the brush body 2 is displaced from the operating posture to the retracted posture. If the tilting angle at this time is sufficiently large, the user can notice that the brush body 2 is tilted, that is, in an overload state. However, the tilting angle of the brush body 2 in the present embodiment is as small as 1 to 2°, and the user cannot easily notice that the brush body 2 is tilted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a detection means for detecting that the brush body 2 has been displaced to the retracted posture and a notification means for notifying the user that the displacement has been detected are provided.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 1, the detection means is composed of a sensing switch 78 mounted on the inner surface (rear surface) side of the control board 7 and a pressing body 79 protruding forward from the tip (lower end) of the arm portion 27 of the motor holder 25 toward the control board 7. The sensing switch 78 is composed of a momentary tactile switch (tact switch) and is arranged on the back side of the display portion 12 composed of three LEDs 11. When the brush body 2 is in the operating posture, the pressing body 79 faces the sensing switch 78 back and forth with a slight gap therebetween. When the brush body 2 is displaced to the retracted posture and the arm portion 27 tilts forward, the pressing body 79 contacts the sensing switch 78 and presses it.

[0077] The notification means is composed of a display portion 12 mounted on the control board 7, a buzzer (not shown in the figure), and a motor 5 whose vibration frequency can be controlled. When the sensing switch 78 is pressed by the pressing body 79, the control board 7, that is, the control unit of the electric toothbrush, causes the display portion 12 to emit light in a color different from the normal color, for example, red, sounds the buzzer, and further reduces the output of the motor 5 to be even smaller than the three levels of strong, medium, and weak, thereby notifying the user that the brush body 2 is in an overload state where it is tilted. It should be noted that the notification means in the present invention is not limited to the above three combinations. For example, the notification means may be constituted by one or two of these three.

[0078] As described above, by providing the detection means for detecting that the brush body 2 has been displaced to the retracted posture and the notification means that operates when the displacement is detected, it is possible to surely notify the user that the brush body 2 is in an overload state where it is tilted and prompt the user to weaken the force pressing the tuft 3 against the teeth. When the sensing switch 78 constituting the detection means is mounted on the control board 7, wiring and the like between the two, which are required when the sensing switch 78 is separated from the control board 7, can be omitted, and the internal structure of the electric toothbrush can be simplified.

[0079] According to the configuration in which the motor unit 31 tilts integrally with the brush body 2 and the pressing body 79 provided on the motor unit 31 presses the detection switch 78, a load is prevented from concentrating on the connecting portion of the two, i.e., the output shaft 18 of the motor 5, during tilting, thereby avoiding inconveniences such as an unintentional lock of the motor 5. Further, when the pressing body 79 is provided on the arm portion 27 of the motor holder 25 in the motor unit 31, the moving distance of the pressing body 79 in the front-rear direction when the motor unit 31 tilts can be made longer than when the pressing body 79 is provided in the vicinity of the case portion 26 or the tilting shaft 34 of the motor 5. Thereby, when the brush body 2 is in the operating position, the pressing body 79 is isolated from the detection switch 78, or the pressing body 79 lightly touches the surface of the detection switch 78, and the pressing body 79 can be reliably pressed against the detection switch 78 only when the brush body 2 is displaced to the retracted position. That is, the reliability of the detection means including the detection switch 78 and the pressing body 79 can be enhanced.

[0080] The pressing body 79 that presses the detection switch 78 is provided on the front surface of the arm portion 27, i.e., on the side of the control board 7, whereas the lower holding body 69 that biases the arm portion 27 extends in a direction away from the control board 7, i.e., rearward, starting from the movable rod 71. According to this, interference of the lower holding body 69 with the elements on the control board 7 can be avoided. Further, the movable rod 71 is disposed below the pressing body 79. According to this, the distance from the tilting shaft 34 to the lower holding body 69 can be made as long as possible, and the biasing force exerted by the lower holding body 69 on the motor unit 31 can be increased by the lever principle. When the biasing force of the lower holding body 69 is increased in this way, when the brush body 2 is displaced from the operating position to the retracted position and then the force with which the user presses the tuft 3 against the teeth weakens, the brush body 2 can be quickly returned to the operating position by the biasing force of the lower holding body 69.

[0081] The detection switch 78 is disposed in front of the tilting shaft 34 provided in the case portion 26 of the motor holder 25. According to this, when the brush body 2 is displaced from the operating posture to the retracted posture, the movement locus until the pressing body 79 contacts the detection switch 78 can be inclined obliquely upward rather than horizontally. In this way, when the pressing body 79 presses the detection switch 78 obliquely upward, a part of the pressing force acting on the control board 7 from the pressing body 79 via the detection switch 78 is directed in a direction parallel to the control board 7 (upward), and accordingly, the pressing force in the direction of deflecting the control board 7 orthogonally thereto can be reduced. Further, when the tilting shaft 34 is disposed behind the vertical axis of the casing 1 and the detection switch 78 is disposed in front of the axis, the distance in the front-rear direction between the tilting shaft 34 and the detection switch 78 can be made longer, and the inclination angle of the movement locus of the pressing body 79 with respect to the horizontal plane can be made larger, whereby the pressing force in the direction of deflecting the control board 7 orthogonally thereto can be further reduced.

[0082] A spacer 82 is disposed on the back side of the detection switch 78 on the outer surface (front surface) of the control board 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the front surface of the spacer 82 abuts against the inner surface of the casing 1, and the rear surface of the spacer 82 abuts against the outer surface of the control board 7. While the rear surface of the spacer 82 is flat, the front surface of the spacer 82 is curved in a convex shape and is in surface contact with the inner surface of the top portion of the casing 1 formed in a polygonal tubular shape. By providing such a spacer 82, when the detection switch 78 is pressed by the pressing body 79, the pressing force acting on the control board 7 can be received by the spacer 82, and the deflection of the control board 7 can be prevented, whereby a load can be prevented from being applied to the elements on the control board 7.

[0083] When the front surface of the spacer 82 is curved outwardly and brought into planar contact with the inner surface of the top of the casing 1 formed in a polygonal tubular shape, the contact area between the spacer 82 and the casing 1 can be increased, and the function of the spacer 82 to prevent the control board 7 from flexing can be surely exerted. Also, the space inside the top of the casing 1, which is likely to become a dead space, can be effectively utilized. Each element on the control board 7 is located inward (rearward) of the front surface of the spacer 82 that contacts the inner surface of the casing 1. According to this, contact of each element with the inner surface of the casing 1 can be surely prevented. Further, the spacer 82 has the same left - right width as the control board 7, and the outer surface of the control board 7 is received by the spacer 82 over the entire length in the left - right direction. According to this, flexure of the control board 7 can be surely prevented also at the left and right ends of the control board 7. Note that the spacer 82 may be formed wider than the control board 7.

[0084] The spacer 82 is made of a plastic molded product formed in a substantially "eye" shape in a front view, and as shown enlarged in FIG. 1, includes three upper and lower window holes 83 corresponding to the three LEDs 11 that constitute the display portion 12. One LED 11 is accommodated in each window hole 83, and each LED 11 is surrounded by the spacer 82 in the up, down, left, and right directions. That is, the spacer 82 functions as a light - shielding wall that surrounds each LED 11 and prevents light diffusion. According to this spacer 82, the directivity of the light emission of each LED 11 can be enhanced, and the light emission of the display portion 12 can be made clear on the outer surface of the casing 1. Also, the spacer 82 functions as a partition between the vertically adjacent LEDs 11. According to this spacer 82, the light emissions of the adjacent LEDs 11 on the wall surface of the casing 1 can be prevented from mixing, and the display content of the display portion 12 can be accurately transmitted to the user.

[0085] As described above, when the spacer 82 functions as a light-shielding wall and a partition wall for the LED 11, compared with the case where these are separate components from the spacer 82, the number of parts of the electric toothbrush can be reduced, and the labor and cost of assembly during manufacturing can be reduced. Further, the spacer 82 is fixed to the control board 7 by press-fitting the fixing protrusions 84 protruding upward and downward on the rear surface thereof into the fixing holes 85 provided in the control board 7. According to the fixing structure including the fixing protrusion 84 and the fixing hole 85, inadvertent detachment of the spacer 82 from the control board 7 is prevented, and when the spacer 82 is attached to the control board 7 during the manufacture of the electric toothbrush, the relative position of the spacer 82 with respect to each LED 11 on the control board 7 is made precise, and problems such as the LED 11 being blocked by the spacer 82 due to misalignment of the spacer 82 can be avoided.

[0086] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment in which the electric device of the present invention is applied to an electric toothbrush. In this second embodiment, it is different from the first embodiment in that the upper holder 68 is supported by the inner frame 32. Specifically, the upper holder 68 is composed of a leaf spring extending upward from the sub-frame 44 of the inner frame 32, and integrally includes a lower base end portion parallel to the rear surface of the case portion 26 of the motor holder 25 and an upper tip portion elastically contacting the rear surface. By the action of the upper holder 68, the upper part of the motor unit 31 (above the tilting shaft 34) is biased forward. The base end portion of the upper holder 68 is sandwiched from the left and right by a pair of left and right spring regulating portions 90 protruding from the rear surface of the case portion 26, thereby regulating the lateral displacement of the upper holder 68 with respect to the motor unit 31.

[0087] When the upper holder 68 is supported by the inner frame 32 as in the present embodiment, compared with the case where a member for supporting this is prepared separately from the inner frame 32, the number of parts of the electric toothbrush can be reduced, and the labor and cost of assembly during manufacturing can be reduced. Further, even when the casing 1 receives an external impact due to dropping or the like, the impact does not directly act on the inner frame 32, and it is possible to prevent the upper holder 68 from falling off. Furthermore, since the upper holder 68 is configured by a leaf spring integrally provided with a base end portion extending in parallel with the rear surface of the motor unit 31 from the sub-frame 44 and a tip end portion elastically contacting the rear surface, the structure of the upper holder 68 can be simplified and the manufacturing cost of the electric toothbrush can be reduced. Since the rest is the same as in the first embodiment, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0088] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment in which the electric device of the present invention is applied to an electric toothbrush. In this third embodiment, it is different from the second embodiment in that the upper holder 68 is supported by the main frame 43 of the inner frame 32. Specifically, the upper holder 68 is composed of a leaf spring extending rearward from at least one of a pair of left and right motor support walls 33, and its rear end portion elastically contacts the rear surface of the case portion 26 of the motor holder 25 above the tilt axis 34 to bias the upper portion of the motor unit 31 forward. Since the rest is the same as in the second embodiment, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0089] In the above second and third embodiments, the upper holder 68 may be either integral with or separate from the inner frame 32 (main frame 43, sub-frame 44), and can be formed of any material such as synthetic resin or metal. In addition, in each of the first to third embodiments, it is not essential to provide both the upper holder 68 and the lower holder 69, and either one of them may be omitted.

[0090] (Fourth Embodiment) Figure 10 shows a fourth embodiment in which the electric device of the present invention is applied to an electric toothbrush. In this fourth embodiment, the form of the spacer 82 disposed on the outer surface of the control board 7 is different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, two recesses 92 arranged vertically are provided on the front surface of the spacer 82 that curves outwardly, and each recess 92 is constituted by a groove with a flat bottom running in the left-right direction on the front surface of the spacer 82. When such recesses 92 are provided on the front surface of the spacer 82, it is possible to reduce the weight of the spacer 82 and the material constituting the same, and to prevent the occurrence of so-called sink marks on the front surface of the spacer 82.

[0091] The spacer 82 of this embodiment is formed smaller than that of the first embodiment and is disposed between adjacent LEDs 11. Further, in addition to the original function of the spacer 82 for preventing the control board 7 from flexing, the spacer 82 also functions as a partition for preventing the light emissions of adjacent LEDs 11 from being mixed. Since the rest is the same as in the first embodiment, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0092] (Fifth Embodiment) Figure 11 shows a fifth embodiment in which the electric device of the present invention is applied to a handheld massager. This massager includes an elongated casing 1 that also serves as a grip, and a treatment member (functional member) 102 that protrudes from the upper surface of the casing 1. The treatment member 102 is composed of a rod-shaped treatment shaft (shaft body) 104 that vertically penetrates the upper wall of the casing 1, and a spherical treatment head (acting portion) 103 provided at the upper end of the treatment shaft 104. Inside the casing 1, the lower end of the treatment shaft 104 is connected to the motor unit 31, and when the motor 5 is driven, its vibration is transmitted to the treatment head 103 via the treatment shaft 104. By pressing the vibrating treatment head 103 against the human body surface such as the shoulder, it is possible to apply a massage stimulus to the human body surface.

[0093] The treatment member 102 is integrally with the motor unit 31 and can tilt forward and backward about the tilt axis 34 with respect to the casing 1. While the brush body 2 of the first embodiment could only tilt backward, the treatment member 102 of the present embodiment can tilt forward in addition to tilting backward. Further, the shaft hole 35 that pivotally supports the tilt axis 34 is configured as a vertically long hole, and thus the treatment member 102 can move vertically integrally with the motor unit 31 with respect to the casing 1. That is, the treatment member 102 starts from an operating posture in which it stands upright at the upper end of the vertical stroke and the vertical axis of the treatment shaft 104 overlaps with the vertical axis of the casing 1, and has a first retracted posture in which the axis of the treatment shaft 104 tilts backward with respect to the axis of the casing 1, a second retracted posture in which the axis of the treatment shaft 104 tilts forward with respect to the axis of the casing 1, and a third retracted posture at the lower end of the vertical stroke, and can be displaced between them.

[0094] A pair of front and rear upper holders 68 are disposed between the inner surface of the casing 1 and the treatment shaft 104. Each upper holder 68 is composed of a coil-type compression spring, one end of which is joined to the outer surface of the treatment shaft 104, and the other end of which is elastically in contact with the inner surface of the casing 1. In the operating posture in which the treatment shaft 104 stands upright, the spring forces of the front and rear upper holders 68 are balanced. The rear upper holder 68 is compressed when the treatment shaft 104 is in the first retracted posture of tilting backward, and exerts a biasing force to return the treatment shaft 104 forward, that is, to the operating posture. The front upper holder 68 is compressed when the treatment shaft 104 is in the second retracted posture of tilting forward, and exerts a biasing force to return the treatment shaft 104 backward, that is, to the operating posture.

[0095] A pair of front and rear lower holders 69 extending from the inner surface of the casing 1 are connected to the arm portion 27 that constitutes the lower part of the motor unit 31. Each lower holder 69 is composed of a coil-type tension spring. The front lower holder 69 biases the arm portion 27 obliquely upward forward, and the rear lower holder 69 biases the arm portion 27 obliquely upward backward. The resultant force of the biasing forces exerted by the pair of lower holders 69 acts directly upward on the treatment member 102, that is, in the direction of holding the treatment member 102 in the operating posture.

[0096] That is, a holding force that attempts to hold the treatment member 102 in its operating position acts on the treatment member 102. Therefore, the treatment member 102 when the massager is not in use is biased to the operating position. Also, when the user presses the treatment element 103 against the human body surface with an appropriate force, the reaction force F received from the human body surface does not exceed the holding force. Therefore, the treatment member 102 is held in the operating position. However, when the treatment element 103 is pressed with a force stronger than necessary and the reaction force F acting on the treatment element 103 exceeds the holding force, resulting in an overload state, the treatment member 102 is displaced together with the motor unit 31 to one of the retracted positions according to the direction of the reaction force F.

[0097] The fact that the treatment member 102 has been displaced to one of the retracted positions due to an overload state is detected by a detection means comprising three detection switches 78 and a pressing body 79. Specifically, the pressing bodies 79 are respectively provided protruding from the front and rear surfaces and the lower surface of the lower end portion of the arm portion 27, and one detection switch 78 faces each pressing body 79. The front detection switch 78 is mounted on the control board 7 and is pressed by the pressing body 79 when the treatment member 102 is displaced to the first retracted position. The rear detection switch 78 is mounted on a switch board 112 separate from the control board 7 and is pressed by the pressing body 79 when the treatment member 102 is displaced to the second retracted position. The lower detection switch 78 is also mounted on the switch board 112 separate from the control board 7 and is pressed by the pressing body 79 when the treatment member 102 is displaced to the third retracted position.

[0098] Similar to the spacer 82 for preventing the control board 7 from flexing being disposed on the back side of the sensing switch 78 on the control board 7, a spacer 113 for preventing the switch board 112 from flexing is also disposed on the back side of the sensing switch 78 on the switch board 112. The rear spacer 113 is disposed between the switch board 112 and the inner surface of the casing 1, and the lower spacer 113 is disposed between the switch board 112 and the upper surface of the battery 6. The spacer 82 for preventing the control board 7 from flexing is arranged so as to surround the LED 11 and also functions as a light-shielding wall for preventing the diffusion of the light of the LED 11. Since the rest is the same as in the first embodiment, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0099] (Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 12 shows a sixth embodiment in which the electric device of the present invention is applied to a stick-type shaver. This shaver includes an elongated casing 1 that also serves as a grip, and a shaving member (functional member) 122 that protrudes from the upper surface of the casing 1. The shaving member 122 includes a rod-shaped shaving shaft (shaft body) 124 that vertically penetrates the upper wall of the casing 1, and a blade portion (acting portion) 123 provided on the front side of the upper end portion of the shaving shaft 124. The blade portion 123 includes a fixed blade 125 fixed to the upper portion of the shaving shaft 124, and a movable blade 126 supported by the shaving shaft 124 so as to be vertically movable with respect to the fixed blade 125.

[0100] Inside the casing 1, a motor unit 31 is connected to the lower end portion of the shaving shaft 124. The output shaft 18 of the motor 5 that constitutes the motor unit 31 is connected to the movable blade 126 of the blade portion 123 via a transmission mechanism (not shown) built into the shaving shaft 124. The transmission mechanism converts the rotational power of the output shaft 18 into reciprocating power and transmits it to the movable blade 126. That is, when the motor 5 is driven, the movable blade 126 is configured to reciprocate with respect to the fixed blade 125. By pressing the blade portion 123 in this state against the human body surface such as the face, the hair growing therefrom can be shaved.

[0101] The shaving member 122 can tilt forward and backward about the tilting axis 34 integrally with the motor unit 31 with respect to the casing 1. Specifically, the shaving member 122 can tilt forward and backward between an operating posture in which the axial center in the vertical direction of the shaving shaft 124 coincides with the axial center of the casing 1 and a retracted posture in which the axial center of the shaving shaft 124 tilts backward with respect to the axial center of the casing 1. The forward tilting of the shaving member 122 beyond the operating posture is regulated by a regulating structure (not shown). An upper holder 68 extending from the inner surface of the casing 1 is connected to the rear surface of the lower part of the shaving shaft 124. The upper holder 68 is composed of a coil-type compression spring and biases the shaving shaft 124 forward above the tilting axis 34, whereby the shaving member 122 is biased in the forward tilting direction. Further, a lower holder 69 extending from the inner surface of the casing 1 is connected to the rear surface of the arm portion 27 constituting the lower part of the motor unit 31. The lower holder 69 is composed of a coil-type tension spring and biases the arm portion 27 backward below the tilting axis 34, whereby the shaving member 122 is biased in the forward tilting direction.

[0102] The biasing forces exerted by the upper holder 68 and the lower holder 69 act in the direction of holding the shaving member 122 in the operating posture. That is, a holding force that attempts to hold the shaving member 122 in the operating posture acts on the shaving member 122. Therefore, the shaving member 122 is biased in the operating posture when the shaver is not in use. Also, when the user presses the blade portion 123 against the human body surface with an appropriate force, the backward reaction force F received from the human body surface does not exceed the above holding force. Therefore, the shaving member 122 is held in the operating posture. However, when the blade portion 123 is pressed with a force stronger than necessary and the reaction force F acting on the blade portion 123 exceeds the above holding force and enters an overload state, the shaving member 122 is displaced integrally with the motor unit 31 from the operating posture to the retracted posture.

[0103] The detection means for detecting that the shaving member 122 has become overloaded and displaced to the retracted position is composed of a sensing switch 78 mounted on the inner surface (rear surface) side of the control board 7 and a pressing body 79 protruding forward from the tip (lower end) of the arm portion 27 of the motor holder 25 toward the control board 7. When the shaving member 122 is in the operating position, the pressing body 79 faces the sensing switch 78 with a slight gap therebetween in the front-rear direction. When the shaving member 122 is displaced to the retracted position and the arm portion 27 tilts forward, the pressing body 79 contacts the sensing switch 78 and presses it. A spacer 82 for preventing the control board 7 from flexing is disposed on the back side of the sensing switch 78 on the control board 7. The spacer 82 is arranged so as to surround the LED 11 and also functions as a light-shielding wall for preventing the diffusion of the light of the LED 11. Since the rest is the same as in the first embodiment, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0104] (Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 13 shows a seventh embodiment in which the electric device of the present invention is applied to a rotary shaver. This shaver includes a hollow block-shaped casing 1 that also serves as a grip, and a shaving member (functional member) 122 protruding from the upper surface of the casing 1. A blade portion (acting portion) 123 is provided at the upper end portion of the shaving member 122. The blade portion 123 is composed of a fixed blade 125 having an arcuate shape in side view and a movable blade 126 rotatably supported along the inner surface of the fixed blade 125 around a horizontal axis.

[0105] Inside the casing 1, a motor unit 31 is connected to the lower end portion of the shaving member 122. The motor 5 that constitutes the motor unit 31 is disposed in a lying posture in which its output shaft 18 is parallel to the rotation shaft of the movable blade 126, and the rotational power of the output shaft 18 is transmitted to the movable blade 126 via a transmission mechanism (not shown). By pressing the blade portion 123 in the driving state in which the movable blade 126 rotates against the human body surface such as the face, the hair growing therefrom can be shaved.

[0106] The shaving member 122 is vertically movable relative to the casing 1, integrally with the motor unit 31, between an operating position at the upper end of the vertical stroke and a retracted position at the lower end of the vertical stroke. The protrusion of the shaving member 122 upward from the casing 1 beyond the operating position is restricted by a restricting structure (not shown). The case portion 26 of the motor holder 25 is pushed upward by a pair of holding members 110 each formed of a coil-type compression spring, whereby the shaving member 122 is biased upward.

[0107] The biasing force exerted by the holding member 110 acts in a direction to hold the shaving member 122 in the operating position. That is, a holding force that attempts to hold the shaving member 122 in the operating position acts on the shaving member 122. Therefore, when the shaver is not in use, the shaving member 122 is biased to the operating position. Also, when the user presses the blade portion 123 against the human body surface with an appropriate force, the downward reaction force F received from the human body surface does not exceed the holding force. Therefore, the shaving member 122 is held in the operating position. However, when the blade portion 123 is pressed with an overly strong force and the reaction force F acting on the blade portion 123 exceeds the holding force, resulting in an overload state, the shaving member 122 is displaced integrally with the motor unit 31 from the operating position to the retracted position.

[0108] The detecting means for detecting that the shaving member 122 has entered an overload state and has been displaced to the retracted position includes a pressing body 79 protruding downward from the lower surface of the arm portion 27 and a sensing switch 78 facing the lower surface of the pressing body 79. The sensing switch 78 is mounted on the upper surface of a horizontally arranged control board 7. A spacer 82 for preventing the control board 7 from flexing is disposed between the lower surface of the control board 7 and the battery 6. An LED 11 serving as a display portion 12 is disposed on the lower surface of the control board 7. The LED 11 irradiates light in one direction parallel to the lower surface of the control board 7, for example, forward, and the wall surface of the casing 1 irradiated with the light has translucency. The spacer 82 is arranged so as to surround the LED 11 from three sides (for example, left, right, and rear), and also functions as a light-shielding wall for preventing the diffusion of the light of the LED 11. Since the rest is the same as in the first embodiment, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0109] As described above, the electric appliances (electric toothbrush, massager, shaver) according to the embodiments of the present invention include functional members 2, 102, and 122 provided with acting portions 3, 103, and 123 on one end side of shaft bodies 4, 104, and 124. At least one end side of the functional members 2, 102, and 122 is configured to be tiltable around a tilt axis 34 and is held in a predetermined operating posture in a normal state. When a reaction force F acting on the acting portion 3, 103, and 123 from the object exceeds the holding force for holding the functional member 2, 102, and 122 in the operating posture when the acting portion 3, 103, and 123 is pressed against the object, the functional member 2, 102, and 122 is configured to be displaced from the operating posture to a retracted posture around the tilt axis 34.

[0110] According to the electric appliance configured as described above, even if the user strongly presses the acting portion 3, 103, and 123 against an object such as the human body surface and a strong pressing force acts on the object from the acting portion 3, 103, and 123, the functional member 2, 102, and 122 is displaced from the operating posture to the retracted posture, and the acting portion 3, 103, and 123 is separated from the object. Therefore, even when the object falls into a state where a strong pressing force acts thereon, the state can be immediately eliminated. In other words, it is possible to prevent the object from being damaged by a strong pressing force acting on the object from the acting portion 3, 103, and 123 over a long period of time. Further, when a tilt axis 34 serving as a fulcrum is provided when the functional member 2, 102, and 122 in an overload state is displaced, the reaction force F acting on the functional member 2, 102, and 122 including the acting portion 3, 103, and 123 can be prevented from concentrating on an unintended location of the electric appliance, for example, a connection portion having a relatively low strength, and the location can be prevented from being worn out. The electric appliance according to the present invention can contribute to Goal 9 (Build the infrastructure for industry and innovation) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations.

[0111] If the functional member 2·102·122 is configured to be tiltable back and forth integrally with the motor 5, it is possible to avoid a situation where a load concentrates on the connecting portion of the shaft bodies 4·104·124 and the motor 5, that is, the output shaft 18 during tilting, and prevent inconveniences such as the motor 5 being locked unintentionally.

[0112] If the central axis of the tilting shaft 34 passes through the motor 5, compared with the case where the central axis is vertically separated from the motor 5, when the motor 5 tilts, the forward and backward movement stroke can be reduced, and the outer contour of the electrical equipment surrounding it can be made thinner.

[0113] If the central axis of the tilting shaft 34 passes below the center of gravity G of the motor 5, an inertial moment that attempts to keep the motor 5 stationary (makes it difficult to rotate) acts on the motor 5 when the functional member 2 is in the operating position, and accordingly, the holding force that attempts to hold the functional member 2 in the operating position can be increased. As a result, it is possible to prevent the functional member 2 from being inadvertently displaced to the retracted position by a small reaction force F.

[0114] If the upper holding body 68 for holding the functional member 2 in the operating position elastically biases the motor 5 above the central axis of the tilting shaft 34, the holding force with which the upper holding body 68 attempts to hold the functional member 2 in the operating position can be increased according to the vertical distance from the upper holding body 68 to the tilting shaft 34. Thereby, it is possible to more reliably prevent the functional member 2 from being inadvertently displaced to the retracted position.

[0115] If the lower holding body 69 for holding the functional member 2 in the operating position elastically biases the motor 5 below the central axis of the tilting shaft 34, the holding force with which the lower holding body 69 attempts to hold the functional member 2 in the operating position can be increased according to the vertical distance from the lower holding body 69 to the tilting shaft 34. Thereby, it is possible to more reliably prevent the functional member 2 from being inadvertently displaced to the retracted position.

[0116] When an arm portion 27 is provided below the motor 5 and the lower holder 69 is configured to bias the motor 5 via the arm portion 27, the vertical distance from the lower holder 69 to the tilting shaft 34 can be made longer than when the lower holder 69 directly biases the motor 5. Thereby, the holding force with which the lower holder 69 attempts to hold the functional member 2 in the operating position can be increased, and displacement of the functional member 2 to an unintended retracted position can be further prevented. It can also contribute to miniaturization of the lower holder 69.

[0117] When a motor holder 25 that houses the motor 5 and a pressing frame 28 that holds the motor 5 so that it cannot come out of the motor holder 25 are provided, and the upper holder 68 is provided integrally with the pressing frame 28, compared to the case where the upper holder 68 is configured by a spring separate from the pressing frame 28, the number of parts of the electric device can be reduced, and the labor and cost of assembly during manufacturing can be reduced.

[0118] When a motor unit 31 having the motor 5 as a base and an internal frame 32 that pivotally supports the motor unit 31 so that it can tilt back and forth around the tilting shaft 34 are provided, and the upper holder 68 is extended from the internal frame 32, compared to the case where a member that supports this is prepared separately from the internal frame 32, the number of parts of the electric device can be reduced, and the labor and cost of assembly during manufacturing can be reduced.

[0119] When the arm portion 27 is formed so as to widen back and forth as it approaches the motor 5, the connection strength of the arm portion 27 to the motor 5 or the case portion 26 that houses it can be increased, and deformation of the arm portion 27 due to being biased by the lower holder 69 can be prevented.

[0120] When the functional member 2 is in the operating position, if the front surface of the lower end portion of the arm portion 27 is inclined downward to the rear, when the arm portion 27 tilts forward, the lower end portion thereof does not protrude greatly forward, and interference of the lower end portion with a member arranged in front of the arm portion 27 can be avoided.

[0121] When the lower holder 69 is connected to the internal frame 32 housed in the casing 1, when the casing 1 receives an external impact such as a fall, the impact transmitted from the casing 1 to the lower holder 69 can be reduced by the internal frame 32, preventing problems such as the detachment of the lower holder 69.

[0122] Provided are a motor unit 31 including a motor 5 and an arm portion 27, and an internal frame 32 that pivotally supports the motor unit 31 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 34. A rod-shaped movable rod 71 is provided on the arm portion 27, a rod-shaped fixed rod 72 is provided on the internal frame 32, and hook portions that can be hooked on the movable rod 71 or the fixed rod 72 are respectively provided at both ends of the lower holder 69. In this way, the lower holder 69 can be firmly connected to each of the arm portion 27 and the internal frame 32, and the spring force of the lower holder 69 can be reliably exerted. Also, it is possible to surely prevent the lower holder 69 from accidentally detaching.

[0123] Another electrical device according to the present invention includes a functional member 2·102·122 having an acting portion 3·103·123 and a motor 5 that serves as a drive source for the functional member 2·102·122. The functional member 2·102·122 is normally held in a predetermined operating posture. When the reaction force F acting on the acting portion 3·103·123 from the object exceeds the holding force that attempts to hold the functional member 2·102·122 in the operating posture when the acting portion 3·103·123 is pressed against the object and an overload state occurs, the functional member 2·102·122 is configured to be displaced from the operating posture to a retracted posture. And a detection means for detecting that the functional member 2·102·122 has been displaced to the retracted posture, and a notification means that operates when the displacement is detected are provided. According to this electrical device, when the functional member 2·102·122 is in an overload state and is displaced to the retracted posture, the user can be surely informed of this, and the user can be prompted to weaken the force of pressing the acting portion 3·103·123 against an object such as the human body surface. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the object from being damaged due to a strong pressing force acting on the object from the acting portion 3·103·123 over a long period of time.

[0124] When the functional members 2, 102, and 122 are configured to be tiltable back and forth integrally with the motor 5, it is possible to prevent the load from concentrating on the connecting portion between the functional members 2, 102, and 122 and the motor 5, that is, the output shaft 18, during tilting. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as the motor 5 being locked unintentionally.

[0125] Assuming that the motor holder 25 that houses the motor 5 integrally includes an arm portion 27 that extends in a direction away from the tilting shaft 34, and a pressing body 79 is provided on this arm portion 27, the moving distance of the pressing body 79 in the front-rear direction when the motor 5 tilts can be made longer compared to the case where the pressing body 79 is provided in the vicinity of the tilting shaft 34. Thereby, when the functional member 2 is in the operating posture, the pressing body 79 is isolated from the detection switch 78, or the pressing body 79 lightly touches the surface of the detection switch 78, and only when the functional member 2 is displaced to the retracted posture, the pressing body 79 can be reliably pressed against the detection switch 78. Therefore, the reliability of the detection means composed of the detection switch 78 and the pressing body 79 can be enhanced.

[0126] When the detection switch 78 is mounted on the control board 7, wiring between the two, which is required when the detection switch 78 is separated from the control board 7, can be omitted, and the internal structure of the electric device can be simplified.

[0127] When a spacer 82 is disposed between the back side of the detection switch 78 on the control board 7 and the inner surface of the casing 1 that constitutes the outer shell of the electric device, the pressing force acting on the control board 7 when the detection switch 78 is pressed by the pressing body 79 can be received by the spacer 82, and the bending of the control board 7 can be prevented. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the elements on the control board 7.

[0128] When the spacer 82 protrudes significantly toward the inner surface of the casing 1 more than each element on the control board 7, it is possible to surely prevent each element from coming into contact with the inner surface of the casing 1.

[0129] When the spacer 82 is disposed between adjacent LEDs 11, the light emissions of the LEDs 11 can be prevented from mixing, and the display content of the display unit 12 can be accurately transmitted to the user. That is, the spacer 82 also functions as a partition wall between the LEDs 11, and compared with the case where a partition wall is provided separately from the spacer 82, the number of parts of the electric device can be reduced, and the labor and cost of assembly during manufacturing can be reduced.

[0130] When the spacer 82 is disposed over the entire length in the width direction of the control board 7, the deflection can be reliably prevented also at both end portions in the width direction of the control board 7.

[0131] When the recess 92 is provided on the outer surface of the spacer 82, the weight of the spacer 82 can be reduced and the material constituting the same can be reduced, and the occurrence of so-called sink marks on the outer surface of the spacer 82 can be prevented.

[0132] According to the fixing structure in which the fixing protrusion 84 protruding from the spacer 82 is press-fitted into the fixing hole 85 provided in the control board 7 to fix the spacer 82 to the control board 7, accidental detachment of the spacer 82 from the control board 7 can be prevented, and when the spacer 82 is attached to the control board 7 during manufacturing of the electric device, the relative position of the spacer 82 with respect to each element on the control board 7 can be made precise, and for example, it is possible to avoid problems such as the LED 11 being blocked by the spacer 82 due to misalignment of the position of the spacer 82.

[0133] When each LED 11 is surrounded by the spacer 82 from a plurality of directions, the directivity of the light emission of each LED 11 can be enhanced, and the light emission of the display unit 12 can be made clear on the outer surface of the casing 1. That is, the spacer 82 also functions as a light shielding wall for the LED 11, and compared with the case where a light shielding wall is provided separately from the spacer 82, the number of parts of the electric device can be reduced, and the labor and cost of assembly during manufacturing can be reduced.

[0134] If the lower holder 69 that holds the functional member 2 in the operating position is constituted by a spring that extends from the arm portion 27 in a direction away from the detection means, interference of the lower holder 69 with the detection means can be avoided.

[0135] When the starting point of the lower holder 69 on the arm portion 27 is farther from the tilting axis 34 than the pressing body 79, the distance from the tilting axis 34 to the lower holder 69 can be made as long as possible, and the biasing force that the lower holder 69 exerts on the motor holder 25 can be increased by the lever principle. When the biasing force of the lower holder 69 is increased in this way, when the functional member 2 is displaced from the operating position to the retracted position and then the force with which the user presses the operating portion 3 against the object weakens, the functional member 2 can be quickly returned to the operating position by the biasing force of the lower holder 69.

[0136] If hook portions are provided at both ends of the lower holder 69 and are hooked on the arm portion 27 and the rod-shaped movable rod 71 and fixed rod 72 provided on the inner frame 32, the lower holder 69 can be firmly connected to each of the arm portion 27 and the inner frame 32, the spring force of the lower holder 69 can be reliably exerted, and accidental detachment of the lower holder 69 can be prevented. Further, if a spring opening 75 that permits insertion of the lower holder 69 is provided in the inner frame 32, and a pair of fixing plate portions 74 that support the fixed rod 72 project from the opening edge of the spring opening 75 in a direction away from the arm portion 27, the distance between the fixed rod 72 and the movable rod 71 can be made longer compared to the case where the fixing plate portions 74 project in a direction approaching the arm portion 27, and a longer and stronger lower holder 69 can be used accordingly.

[0137] If the inner frame 32 includes a sub-frame 44 that supports the power receiving substrate 8 and the upper holder 68 is constituted by a leaf spring extending from the sub-frame 44, compared with the case of preparing a dedicated frame for supporting the upper holder 68 separately from the sub-frame 44, the number of members constituting the inner frame 32 can be reduced, and the labor and cost of assembly during manufacturing can be reduced.

[0138] The inner frame 32 includes a main frame 43 that supports the battery 6, the control board 7, and the motor unit 31. When the upper holder 68 is composed of a leaf spring extending from the main frame 43, compared with the case of preparing a dedicated frame for supporting the upper holder 68 separately from the main frame 43, the number of members constituting the inner frame 32 can be reduced, and the labor and cost of assembly during manufacturing can be reduced.

[0139] When the upper holder 68 is composed of a leaf spring integrally provided with a base end portion extending in parallel with the side surface of the motor unit 31 from the sub-frame 44 and a tip end portion elastically contacting the side surface, the structure of the upper holder 68 can be simplified and the manufacturing cost of the electric device can be reduced. When the base end portion of the upper holder 68 is sandwiched between a pair of spring regulating portions 90 protruding from the side surface of the motor unit 31, the displacement of the upper holder 68 with respect to the motor unit 31 can be regulated, and the spring force of the upper holder 68 can be surely exerted.

[0140] When the sensing switch 78 is arranged in front of the tilting shaft 34, when the functional member 2 is displaced from the operating position to the retracted position, the movement locus until the pressing body 79 contacts the sensing switch 78 can be inclined obliquely upward rather than horizontally. Thus, when the pressing body 79 presses the sensing switch 78 obliquely upward, a part of the pressing force acting on the substrate on which the sensing switch 78 is mounted from the pressing body 79 via the sensing switch 78 is directed in the direction parallel to the substrate (upward), and the pressing force in the direction of deflecting the substrate orthogonally thereto can be reduced accordingly.

[0141] When the tilting shaft 34 is arranged behind the axis of the casing 1 and the sensing switch 78 is arranged in front of the axis, the distance in the front-rear direction between the tilting shaft 34 and the sensing switch 78 can be made longer, and the inclination angle of the movement locus of the pressing body 79 can be made larger. As a result, the pressing force in the direction of deflecting the substrate on which the sensing switch 78 is mounted orthogonally thereto can be further reduced.

[0142] A pair of tilting shafts 34 protruding from the outer surface of the motor holder 25 are pivotally supported by shaft holes 35 of a pair of motor support walls 33 provided on the inner frame 32. When a flange body 39 having a diameter larger than that of the shaft hole 35 is fixed to the protruding end surface of each tilting shaft 34, it is possible to prevent the tilting shaft 34 from coming out of the shaft hole 35. Further, by sandwiching the motor support wall 33 between the motor holder 25 and the flange body 39, deformation of the motor support wall 33 in the thickness direction can be restricted, and the overall rigidity of the inner frame 32 can be enhanced.

[0143] When a housing groove 41 for receiving the flange body 39 is provided on the inner surface of the casing 1, the portion of the casing 1 facing the flange body 39 is thinned by the amount of the housing groove 41 provided, so that the portion does not protrude greatly in the axial direction of the tilting shaft 34, and the casing 1 can be made thinner.

[0144] When the arm portion 27 is provided integrally with the case portion 26 that houses the motor 5, the motor 5 and the arm portion 27 can be firmly integrated as compared with the case where the arm portion 27 is directly attached to the outer surface of the motor 5.

[0145] When the motor 5 and the battery 6 are arranged above and below the arm portion 27, and the control board 7 and the power receiving board 8 are arranged in front of and behind the arm portion 27, the space surrounded by the motor 5, the battery 6, the control board 7, and the power receiving board 8 in all four directions (above, below, front, and back) can be effectively utilized for the arm portion 27.

[0146] When the relatively heavy motor 5 and battery 6 are dispersed and housed above and below the casing 1, the center of gravity of the electric device is positioned at or near the central portion of the casing 1, and the burden when the user grips the central portion of the casing 1 can be avoided.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0147] 1 Casing 2 Functional member (brush body) 3 Acting portion (tuft of hair) 4 Shaft body (brush shaft) 5 Motor 6 Battery 7 Control board 8 Power receiving board 11 LED 12 Display part 18 Output shaft 25 Motor holder 26 Case part 27 Arm part 28 Pressing frame 31 Motor unit 32 Inner frame 33 Motor support wall 34 Tilt shaft 35 Shaft hole 39 Flange body 40 Screw 41 Accommodation groove 43 Main frame 44 Sub-frame 68 Upper holder 69 Lower holder 71 Movable rod 72 Fixed rod 73 Movable plate part 74 Fixed plate part 75 Spring opening 78 Sensing switch 79 Pressing body 82 Spacer 90 Spring regulating part 92 Concave part 102 Functional member (treatment member) 103 Acting part (treatment son) 104 Shaft body (treatment shaft) 122 Functional member (shaving member) 123 Acting part (blade part) 124 Shaft body (shaving shaft)

Claims

1. A functional member (2, 102, 122) having an acting portion (3, 103, 123) provided at one end side of a shaft body (4, 104, 124), the functional member (2, 102, 122) is configured such that at least one end side thereof is tiltable around a tilt axis (34) and is held in a predetermined operating posture in a normal state, when a reaction force (F) acting on the acting portion (3, 103, 123) from the object when the acting portion (3, 103, 123) is pressed against the object exceeds the holding force for holding the functional member (2, 102, 122) in the operating posture, the functional member (2, 102, 122) is configured to be displaced from the operating posture to a retracted posture around the tilt axis (34). An electric device characterized by this.

2. Comprising a motor (5) serving as a drive source for the functional member (2, 102, 122), an acting portion (3, 103, 123) is provided at the upper end side of a shaft body (4, 104, 124) extending in the vertical direction, and an output shaft (18) of the motor (5) is connected to the lower end side of the shaft body (4, 104, 124), The electric device according to claim 1, wherein the functional member (2, 102, 122) is configured to be tiltable back and forth integrally with the motor (5) around the tilt axis (34).

3. The electric device according to claim 2, wherein the central axis of the tilt axis (34) passes through the motor (5).

4. The electric device according to claim 3, wherein the central axis of the tilt axis (34) passes below the center of gravity (G) of the motor (5).

5. Comprising an upper holding body (68) for holding the functional member (2) in the operating posture, The upper holding body (68) elastically biases the motor (5) above the tilt axis (34). The electric device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. Comprising a lower holding body (69) for holding the functional member (2) in the operating posture, The lower holding body (69) elastically biases the motor (5) below the tilt axis (34). The electric device according to claim 3 or 4.

7. An arm portion (27) tiltable integrally with the motor (5) is provided below the motor (5), The electric device according to claim 6, wherein the lower holding body (69) biases the motor (5) via the arm portion (27).

8. Comprising a motor holder (25) for housing the motor (5) and a pressing frame (28) for holding the motor (5) so that it cannot come out of the motor holder (25), The electrical device according to claim 5, wherein the upper holding body (68) is provided integrally with the pressing frame (28) and is elastically in contact with the inner surface of the casing (1) constituting the outer shell of the electrical device.

9. A motor unit (31) having a motor (5) as a base body, and an inner frame (32) pivotally supporting the motor unit (31) so as to be tiltable about a tilt axis (34). The electrical device according to claim 5, wherein the upper holding body (68) extends from the inner frame (32) and is elastically in contact with the motor unit (31).

10. The electrical device according to claim 7, wherein the arm portion (27) is formed so as to widen back and forth as it approaches the motor (5).

11. When the functional member (2) tilts backward from the operating position to the retracted position, the arm portion (27) is configured to tilt forward. The electrical device according to claim 7, wherein when the functional member (2) is in the operating position, the front surface of the lower end portion of the arm portion (27) slopes downward to the rear.

12. A motor unit (31) including a motor (5) and an arm portion (27), an inner frame (32) pivotally supporting the motor unit (31) so as to be tiltable about a tilt axis (34), and a casing (1) housing the motor unit (31) and the inner frame (32). The electrical device according to claim 7, wherein the lower holding body (69) is connected to the arm portion (27) and the inner frame (32), respectively.

13. A motor unit (31) including a motor (5) and an arm portion (27), and an inner frame (32) pivotally supporting the motor unit (31) so as to be tiltable about a tilt axis (34). A rod-shaped movable rod (71) is provided on the arm portion (27), and a rod-shaped fixed rod (72) is provided on the inner frame (32). The electrical device according to claim 7, wherein hook portions that can be hooked on the movable rod (71) or the fixed rod (72) are provided at both ends of the lower holding body (69).

14. A functional member (2 / 102 / 122) having an acting portion (3 / 103 / 123), and a motor (5) serving as a drive source for the functional member (2 / 102 / 122). The functional member (2 / 102 / 122) is held in a predetermined operating position in a normal state. When the reaction force (F) acting on the acting part (3, 103, 123) from the object exceeds the holding force that tries to hold the functional member (2, 102, 122) in the operating position when the acting part (3, 103, 123) is pressed against the object, the functional member (2, 102, 122) is configured to displace from the operating position to the retracted position. An electric device, characterized in that it is provided with a detection means for detecting that the functional member (2, 102, 122) has been displaced to the retracted position, and a notification means that operates when the displacement is detected.

15. The output shaft (18) of the motor (5) is connected to the functional member (2, 102, 122). The functional member (2, 102, 122) is configured to be tiltable back and forth around the tilt axis (34) integrally with the motor (5). The electric device according to claim 14, wherein the detection means is composed of a pressing body (79) that tilts integrally with the motor (5) and a sensing switch (78) that is pressed by the pressing body (79) when the functional member (2, 102, 122) is displaced to the retracted position.

16. It is provided with a motor holder (25) for housing the motor (5). The motor holder (25) is integrally provided with an arm portion (27) extending in a direction away from the tilt axis (34). The electric device according to claim 15, wherein the pressing body (79) is provided on the arm portion (27).

17. The electric device according to claim 15, wherein the sensing switch (78) is mounted on a control board (7) that controls the entire electric device.

18. The electric device according to claim 17, wherein a spacer (82) is disposed between the back side of the sensing switch (78) on the control board (7) and the inner surface of the casing (1) that constitutes the outer shell of the electric device.

19. The electric device according to claim 18, wherein the spacer (82) protrudes significantly toward the inner surface of the casing (1) compared to each element on the control board (7).

20. A display portion (12) including a plurality of LEDs (11) is provided on the control board (7). The electric device according to claim 18, wherein a spacer (82) is disposed between adjacent LEDs (11).

21. The electric device according to claim 18, wherein the spacer (82) is disposed over the entire length in the width direction of the control board (7).

22. The electric device according to claim 18, wherein a recess (92) is provided on the outer surface of the spacer (82) received by the inner surface of the casing (1).

23. The electric device according to claim 18, wherein a fixing projection (84) protruding from the spacer (82) is press-fitted into a fixing hole (85) provided in the control board (7), and the spacer (82) is fixed to the control board (7).

24. The electric device according to claim 20, wherein each LED (11) is surrounded by the spacer (82) from a plurality of directions.

25. The electric device includes a lower holder (69) that elastically biases the arm portion (27) to hold the functional member (2) in an operating posture, The electric device according to claim 16, wherein the lower holder (69) is composed of a spring that extends in a direction away from the detection means starting from the arm portion (27).

26. The electric device according to claim 25, wherein the starting point of the lower holder (69) on the arm portion (27) is farther from the tilting axis (34) than the pressing body (79).

27. The electric device includes an inner frame (32) that pivotally supports the motor holder (25) so as to be tiltable around the tilting axis (34), A rod-shaped movable rod (71) is provided on the arm portion (27), and a rod-shaped fixed rod (72) is provided on the inner frame (32), Hook portions that can be hooked on the movable rod (71) or the fixed rod (72) are respectively provided at both ends of the lower holder (69), The inner frame (32) includes a spring opening (75) that allows the lower holder (69) to pass through, The electric device according to claim 25, wherein a pair of fixing plate portions (74) that support the fixed rod (72) project from the opening edge of the spring opening (75) in a direction away from the arm portion (27).

28. The electric device includes a power receiving board (8) that receives power in a non-contact manner from an external power supply board (S), The inner frame (32) is configured to include a sub-frame (44) that supports the power receiving board (8), The electric device according to claim 9, wherein the upper holder (68) is composed of a leaf spring extending from the sub-frame (44).

29. The electric device includes a battery (6) that supplies power to the motor (5) and a control board (7) that controls the entire electric device, The inner frame (32) is configured to include a main frame (43) that supports the battery (6), the control board (7), and the motor unit (31), The electric device according to claim 9, wherein the upper holder (68) is composed of a leaf spring extending from the main frame (43).

30. The upper holding body (68) integrally includes a base end portion extending parallel to the side surface of the motor unit (31) from the sub-frame (44) and a tip end portion elastically contacting the side surface. A pair of spring restricting portions (90) project from the side surface of the motor unit (31). The electric device according to claim 28, wherein the base end portion of the upper holding body (68) is sandwiched between the pair of spring restricting portions (90).

31. When the functional member (2) tilts rearward from the operating position to the retracted position, the arm portion (27) is configured to tilt forward. The electric device according to claim 16, wherein the detection switch (78) is disposed in front of the tilt axis (34).

32. The electric device includes a casing (1) constituting the outer shell of the electric device. The electric device according to claim 31, wherein the tilt axis (34) is disposed behind the axis of the casing (1), and the detection switch (78) is disposed in front of the axis.

33. The electric device includes a motor holder (25) that houses the motor (5), and an inner frame (32) that pivotally supports the motor holder (25) so as to be tiltable around the tilt axis (34). A pair of tilt axes (34) project from the outer surface of the motor holder (25). The inner frame (32) includes a pair of motor support walls (33) provided with shaft holes (35) for pivotally supporting the tilt axes (34). The electric device according to claim 2, wherein a flange body (39) having a diameter larger than that of the shaft hole (35) is fixed to the protruding end surface of each tilt axis (34) by a screw (40).

34. The electric device includes a casing (1) constituting the outer shell of the electric device. The electric device according to claim 33, wherein a housing groove (41) for receiving the flange body (39) is provided on the inner surface of the casing (1).

35. The electric device according to claim 7, wherein the arm portion (27) is provided integrally with a case portion (26) that houses the motor (5).

36. Above and below the arm portion (27), the motor (5) and a battery (6) that supplies power to the motor are arranged. In front of and behind the arm portion (27), a control board (7) that controls the entire electric device and a power receiving board (8) that receives power non-contact from an external power supply board (S) are arranged.

37. The electric device includes a vertically long casing (1) that also serves as a grip, and a battery (6) that supplies power to the motor (5). The electrical device according to claim 2, wherein the motor (5) and the battery (6) are dispersedly accommodated above and below the casing 1.

Images