Apparatus for cleaning surfaces, and parameter field for same

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for cleaning surfaces using a cleaning head fitted with filament bundles, wherein the cleaning head is guided by a drive at a specified feed rate over the surface and the filaments are moved such that they perform one or more of the following motions: stabbing, wiping, rotating, and so soiling can be removed by abrasion; characterised in that the cleaning is carried out in the optimal range between the three related cleaning parameters: filament area, length of the filaments, and stiffness of the arms (7); wherein the cleaning head comprises arms which are fitted with filament bundles and can engage around a three-dimensional cleaning surface; wherein the combination of the parameters also defines the cleaning intensity; wherein the overall stiffness k of the filaments and filament bundles in the case of cylindrical filaments and cylindrical filament bundles of an arm is calculated by the following formula: k = 1 / 8 * E * (d * D)2 * N * P / L 3, where E is the modulus of elasticity, d is the diameter of the filaments, D is the diameter of the filament bundle, N is the number of filament bundles abutting the cleaning surface, P is the packing density of the filament bundles, and L is the length of the filaments. The invention also relates to the use of the method and to a cleaning head.

Description

[0001] Procedure for cleaning surfaces and parameter field for this

[0002] The invention relates to a method for cleaning surfaces and a parameter field therefor.

[0003] In the field of dental cleaning, improvements are constantly being sought. Conventional cleaning with a toothbrush and toothpaste has numerous disadvantages.

[0004] Conventional toothpastes contain up to 20% abrasive ingredients, which, combined with excessive brushing pressure, can lead to significant tooth wear over time. With increasing average life expectancy, this now leads to teeth being virtually worn away by brushing in old age, causing problems.

[0005] Another disadvantage of toothbrushes is that they can damage the gums, especially if brushed improperly, making periodontal disease a common problem. The majority of the biofilm that creates contamination is located directly above or below the gums, making cleaning at or near the gums particularly important. This is particularly difficult for toothbrushes because the brush comes into contact with the gums and irritates them.

[0006] Manual tooth cleaning involves the user removing plaque using filaments on brush heads of various designs, in which the individual bristles abrasively scrub the tooth surface. This abrasive cleaning method is associated with a continuous reduction in tooth enamel. Incorrect use leads to increased enamel erosion and poor cleaning results.

[0007] The main cause of incorrect use is the limited space in the mouth, which means that a toothbrush does not reach all areas of the mouth equally well.

[0008] Many users find it easier to clean one side of the mouth than the other, but cleaning the lower jaw is also typically easier for the user because the pressure is created almost automatically by gravity, while on the upper jaw you have to fight against it.

[0009] Another problem is that users are forced to move the toothbrush blindly over their teeth without receiving any feedback on the cleaning process. Modern electric toothbrushes, with their brush head making circular or vibrating movements, often have pressure control and apps that reduce human error, but this approach cannot completely eliminate it without significantly increasing cleaning time.

[0010] In addition, users' cleaning practices are not very systematic, resulting in areas that are over-plastered while others are under-cleaned. Furthermore, there is often little variation in cleaning practices, so such cleaning errors are not corrected.

[0011] The plaque (oral biofilm) that forms as a result of bacterial processes and from which tartar forms in later stages is a comparatively well-adhering and well-coherent film of dirt that cannot be easily removed, even if it is cleaned off in direct contact with the toothbrush, and certainly not in the interdental spaces, into which the toothbrush can only penetrate to a limited extent or not at all.

[0012] In addition, many attempts have been made to develop so-called ultrasonic toothbrushes, in which the vibration of the toothbrush, which serves to clean and ultimately, together with toothpaste, produces an abrasive cleaning effect, is superimposed with ultrasonic vibrations that supposedly produce a cleaning effect. However, it has been shown that such toothbrushes are not capable of coupling the ultrasound into the oral cavity in such a way that any cleaning effect would be detectable. Such so-called ultrasonic toothbrushes are therefore not significantly better than a conventional manual toothbrush.

[0013] Other electric toothbrushes, in which the brush head makes circular or vibrating movements, often have pressure control, but ultimately these movements also lead to abrasive brushing.

[0014] DE 20 2016 101 191 U1 discloses a brush head for an electric toothbrush, which is designed to encompass the tooth on all sides and on which bristles are arranged for cleaning. US 3,401,690 A discloses a cleaning device in which ultrasound is applied to a surface via a fluid via a clamp that encompasses at least one tooth.

[0015] From US 2005 / 091,770 A, a toothbrush is known which works like a normal electric toothbrush, but also has an ultrasonic generator which is intended to introduce acoustic energy into a cleaning fluid.

[0016] US 2017 / 0189,149 A1 discloses a system for whitening teeth using an ultrasonic device. A mouthpiece is provided for this purpose, each with a volume for the upper and lower jaws. Ultrasonic generators are arranged in the mouthpiece, facing the teeth, and can apply ultrasonic energy to the tooth surface.

[0017] As already described, the state of the art in daily tooth cleaning is the scraping off of plaque using brush heads of various designs, in which the individual bristles abrasively scrub the tooth surface. This abrasive cleaning method is associated with a continuous reduction in tooth enamel. Incorrect use leads to increased enamel erosion and poor cleaning results.

[0018] The main cause of incorrect use is the limited space in the mouth, which means that a toothbrush doesn't reach all areas equally well. Another problem is that the user has to move the toothbrush almost blindly over their teeth, without receiving any feedback on the cleaning process.

[0019] Modern electric toothbrushes, in which the brush head makes circular or vibrating movements, often have pressure control, vibration detection to determine when to switch to another quadrant, and apps that reduce human error. However, whether and how the user behaves cannot be controlled, and thus the error cannot be completely eliminated in this way without increasing the cleaning time many times over.

[0020] The object of the invention is to make partially or fully automated cleaning of a surface more effective and safer.

[0021] This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are characterized in the subclaims. The method according to the invention for cleaning surfaces provides for the use of a parameter space that describes the optimal combination of parameters such as filament length, filament diameter, and stiffness of the arms of a cleaning head that surrounds the tooth on three sides, so that optimal automated tooth cleaning with the lowest possible energy consumption can be guaranteed. By adhering to this parameter space, advantageous selective cleaning of the teeth is possible, since the optimal range within this parameter space can be selected depending on the tooth size and biofilm. This is particularly advantageous because it allows cleaning time and energy consumption to be optimized, and also because the intensity can be adjusted to the medically acceptable limits of the respective cleaning surface.

[0022] Contaminants such as biofilm, tartar, or other contaminants such as food residue are removed by applying shear and pressure forces, or their gradients, that overcome the cohesive forces within the contaminant and the adhesive forces between the contaminant and the cleaning surface. The shear and pressure forces are transferred to the surfaces by the movement of the filaments. These movements are generated by the shuttle's movements. The shear forces can be increased by placing particles, referred to as cleaning particles, between the filaments and the cleaning surface. This can be achieved using liquids or toothpaste, referred to as cleaning fluid.

[0023] The invention comprises a parameter space for optimal automated and selective tooth cleaning with the lowest possible energy consumption when using a cleaning head that surrounds the teeth and cleans from three sides simultaneously.

[0024] The cleaning head, for example, has 4 arms on each of which filament bundles are arranged.

[0025] In such an embodiment, the arms are particularly arranged symmetrically and evenly distributed on the lingual and buccal sides of a three-dimensional surface to be cleaned, such as the teeth.

[0026] The arms themselves are flexible and, in particular, spring-loaded, or have a spring-loaded connection to the cleaning head. For example, the spring-loaded connection to the cleaning head or each arm has a stiffness between 25 and 200 N / m. Preferably, each arm has a series of filament bundles whose consecutive arrangement corresponds in height to the maximum height of a three-dimensional surface to be cleaned, such as the height of a tooth, but can be higher.

[0027] For example, one arm is equipped with 3-8 filament bundles. These can be arranged in a single row or in several rows offset from each other.

[0028] The filament bundles, for example, have a diameter of l-3mm.

[0029] The area described or formed by a filament bundle at its free end is, for example, 0.75 mm 2 up to 7 mm 2 .

[0030] Additional filament bundles are located on the occlusal plate of the cleaning head for cleaning the occlusal surface of the three-dimensional surface, i.e. a surface that connects the lingual surface and the buccal surface, in particular the occlusal surface of the teeth.

[0031] In the preferred embodiment, such a cleaning head is guided at a certain feed rate by a drive over a three-dimensional surface to be cleaned, in particular the user's teeth, so that the shuttle equipped with filaments can remove contaminants and biofilm on the teeth.

[0032] During this guidance over the teeth, the cleaning head performs cleaning movements at a certain frequency.

[0033] Optimized cleaning can be ensured by moving within an adjusted range between the three related parameters: area of ​​the filaments, length of the filaments and stiffness of the cleaning head or stiffness of the arms or their connection.

[0034] The entire cleaning head or parts of the shuttle, especially the arms or filament carriers, can move.

[0035] If the cleaning head moves, this is ensured by a drive for the entire cleaning head. If the arms move, the arms can be moved via a common drive or by individual drives for each arm. Oscillating movements are particularly possible. The mechanical means for this are diverse, including spur or bevel gears.

[0036] Of course, the cleaning head and the arms can also each perform a movement. The movements can thus be combined and superimposed. Furthermore, different movement patterns can also be superimposed.

[0037] In addition, the drive can perform additional controlled up / down and left / right movements. This ensures optimal pressure on the surface to be cleaned, such as the tooth surfaces.

[0038] Optimal selective cleaning can be ensured by moving within the triangle of parameters depending on the tooth geometry in order to optimally respond to the existing degree of contamination.

[0039] The data regarding the degree of contamination may have already been determined beforehand using a detection device.

[0040] These data may have already been converted or processed into control data for the device or method in question.

[0041] The total stiffness k of the filaments and filament bundles for cylindrical filaments and cylindrical filament bundles of an arm is calculated by the following formula where E is the Young's modulus, d is the diameter of the filaments, D is the diameter of the filament bundles, N is the number of filament bundles adjacent to the cleaning surface, P is the packing density of the filament bundles and L is the length of the filaments.

[0042] For optimal cleaning, the stiffness of the arms or their connection (K) should be between 0.2 and 5 times the stiffness of the filaments. A range of 1 to 3 times the stiffness of the filaments is particularly preferable. Ideally, the stiffness of the arms should be between 1.5 and 2 times that of the filaments. A range between 80 and 150 μm is advantageous for the filament thickness. The ideal range is between 80 and 100 μm.

[0043] For filament length, a range between 3mm and 12mm is advantageous. The ideal range is between 4mm and 6mm.

[0044] As for the number of arms, it is ideal to stay between 2 and 4 arms and arrange them symmetrically.

[0045] For the number of filament bundles per arm, a range between 3 and 8 is advantageous. Ideally, between 4 and 6 filament bundles are used. The area per bundle should be between 0.75 mm 2 and 7 mm 2 advantageous. Ideally, between 0.75 and 2.5 mm 2 .

[0046] The specified ranges of the parameters, especially the number of arms and the number of filament bundles and their area or the length of the filaments, can be exceeded or undershot.

[0047] However, it should be noted that, especially when the arms or filament bundles are raised, the entire surface is no longer actively involved in cleaning. This reduces cleaning performance and user comfort.

[0048] Due to tooth geometry, it can be advantageous if the filament lengths are not uniform. The filament length can be shortened toward the gums, both to provide less intensive cleaning and to accommodate the widening of the teeth.

[0049] This can result in not all filament bundles resting on the teeth at the same time, which means that the stiffness of the arms must be set in comparison to the stiffness of the resting filament bundles and not to the stiffness of all filament bundles.

[0050] The stiffness of the filament bundles is thus reduced by

[0051] The optimal stiffness range is thus reduced by the calculated factor. Depending on the humidity and age of the filaments, the modulus of elasticity of the filaments can change, which reduces their stiffness. For optimal cleaning, it is therefore advantageous to adjust the stiffness of the arms to the relative humidity.

[0052] For the feed speed of the cleaning head, a range between 1 and 8 mm / s is advantageous.

[0053] The ideal range here is between 2 and 4mm / s.

[0054] For the frequency, a range between 15 and 120Hz is advantageous.

[0055] The ideal range here is between 30 and 60Hz.

[0056] As for the number of arms, it is ideal to stay between 2 and 4 arms and arrange them symmetrically.

[0057] For the number of filament bundles per arm, a range between 3 and 8 is advantageous.

[0058] Between 4 and 6 filament bundles are ideal here.

[0059] These numbers apply to the occlusal as well as the lingual and buccal surfaces of the teeth.

[0060] Due to the number of arms, the area of ​​the filament bundles on the occlusal side of the teeth should be in a ratio of 1:1 to 3:1 to the lingual or buccal surface.

[0061] The ideal range here is between 1.5: 1 and 2: 1.

[0062] In principle, the following process variants are conceivable:

[0063] Variant 1:

[0064] The cleaning head is guided over the teeth by the user, and a motor sets it in an oscillatory, rotating motion with a certain intensity, which performs macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth. The cleaning head surrounds the tooth on three sides and consists of several small arms. The arms, equipped with filaments, move alternately toward and away from the tooth, resulting in one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm per period. With each wiping movement, the filament bundles break the cohesive forces of the biofilm and lead to cleaning.

[0065] Variant 2:

[0066] The cleaning head is automatically moved over the teeth and, driven by a motor, moves in an oscillatory, rotating motion with a certain intensity, which performs macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth. The cleaning head surrounds the tooth on three sides and consists of several small arms. The arms, equipped with filaments, move alternately toward and away from the tooth, resulting in one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm per period. With each wiping movement, the filament bundles break the cohesive forces of the biofilm and lead to cleaning.

[0067] Variant 3:

[0068] The cleaning head is automatically guided over the teeth and, driven by a motor, moves in an oscillatory, rotating motion, which performs macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth. The intensity is automatically adjusted to each individual tooth using a predefined pattern and changes continuously. The cleaning head surrounds the tooth on three sides and consists of several arms. The arms, equipped with filaments, move alternately toward and away from the tooth, resulting in one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm. With each wiping movement, the filament bundles break the cohesive forces of the biofilm and lead to cleaning.

[0069] Variant 4:

[0070] The cleaning head is automatically moved over the teeth and, thanks to a motor, is set into an oscillatory, rotating motion that performs macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth. The degree of soiling is automatically detected by the device, and the intensity is automatically adjusted to each individual tooth. The cleaning head surrounds the tooth on three sides and consists of several small arms. The filament-equipped arms move alternately toward and away from the tooth.which results in one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm per period. With each wiping movement, the filament bundles break the cohesive forces of the biofilm and lead to cleaning. The invention thus relates in particular to a method for cleaning surfaces with a cleaning head equipped with filament bundles, wherein the cleaning head is guided over the surface by a drive at a predetermined feed rate, and the filaments are moved in such a way that they perform one or more of the following movements: piercing, wiping, or circling, so that contaminants are removed by abrasion. Cleaning is carried out in the optimal range between the three related cleaning parameters: filament area, filament length, and arm stiffness. The cleaning head has arms equipped with filament bundles that can encompass a three-dimensional cleaning surface.where the combination of the parameters defines the cleaning intensity, where the total stiffness k of the filaments and filament bundles for cylindrical filaments and cylindrical filament bundles of an arm is calculated by the following formula, where E is the Young's modulus, d is the diameter of the filaments, D is the diameter of the filament bundles, N is the number of filament bundles adjacent to the cleaning surface, P is the packing density of the filament bundles and L is the length of the filaments.

[0071] A further development provides that the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 0.2 and 5 times the stiffness of the filaments.

[0072] A further development provides that the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 1 and 3 times the stiffness of the filaments.

[0073] A further development provides that the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 1.5 times and 2 times that of the filaments.

[0074] A further development stipulates that the filament thickness is between 80pm and 150pm.

[0075] A further development stipulates that the filament thickness is between 80pm and 100pm.

[0076] A further development stipulates that the filament length is between 3mm and 12mm.

[0077] A further development stipulates that the filament length is between 4 mm and 6 mm. A further development stipulates that the area per filament bundle, with which the filament bundle can rest on a surface to be cleaned, is between 0.75 mm 2 and 7 mm 2 lies.

[0078] A further development provides that the area per filament bundle is between 0.75 mm 2 and 2.5 mm 2 lies.

[0079] A further development provides for the length of the filaments to be different.

[0080] A further development provides that the filament length is shorter towards the gums.

[0081] A further development provides that if not all filament bundles lie on the surface to be cleaned at the same time, the stiffness of the arms is set in relation to the stiffness of the lying filament bundles, whereby the stiffness of the filament bundles is reduced by kactive = (number of filament bundles that touch the surface) / (number of all filament bundles) * k.

[0082] A further development provides that the modulus of elasticity of the filaments changes depending on the humidity and age of the filaments, whereby the stiffness of the arms is adapted to the relative humidity.

[0083] A further development provides that the arms are arranged symmetrically and distributed evenly on the lingual and buccal sides of the surface.

[0084] A further development provides that each arm has a series of filament bundles that are equal to or greater than the maximum lateral lingual and buccal height of the three-dimensional surface.

[0085] A further development provides for the use of arms with 3-8 filament bundles.

[0086] A further development provides for the use of a cleaning head which has an occlusal plate, with filament bundles being located on the occlusal plate for cleaning the occlusal surface of the surface.

[0087] A further development provides that the entire cleaning head or parts of the cleaning head, in particular the arms or the occlusal plate or the arms and the occlusal plate move or the entire cleaning head and parts of the cleaning head, in particular the arms or the occlusal plate or the arms and the occlusal plate move, wherein the movements are combined and, if necessary, different movement patterns are superimposed.

[0088] A further development provides that each arm hits a surface during each period of a cleaning movement.

[0089] Further training involves performing additional controlled up / down and left / right movements.

[0090] A further development stipulates that the feed rate is between 1 and 8 mm / s.

[0091] A further development stipulates that the feed rate is between 2 and 4 mm / s.

[0092] Further training stipulates that the frequency is between 15 and 120Hz.

[0093] Further training stipulates that the frequency is between 30 and 60Hz.

[0094] A further development provides that the number of arms is between 2 and 4 and that these are arranged symmetrically.

[0095] A further development stipulates that the number of filament bundles per arm is between 4 and 6.

[0096] A further development provides that the area of ​​the filament bundles on the occlusal side of the surface is in a ratio of 1: 1 to 3: 1 to the lingual or buccal surface.

[0097] A further development provides that the area of ​​the filament bundles on the occlusal side of the surface is in a ratio between 1.5: 1 and 2: 1.

[0098] A further development provides that the filament density in the bundles is close to the densest packing, in particular between 20 and 150 filaments per mm 2 lies.

[0099] A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a method as described above for cleaning the oral cavity and in particular teeth and adjacent gums, wherein at least one cleaning head is guided over the teeth by the user and is set into an oscillatory, rotary movement with a certain intensity by a motor, which carries out macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth, wherein the cleaning head encloses the tooth from three sides and has a plurality of arms, wherein the arms equipped with filaments alternately move towards the tooth and away from the tooth, which leads to one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm per period.

[0100] A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a method as described above for cleaning the oral cavity and in particular teeth and adjacent gums, wherein at least one cleaning head is automatically guided over the teeth and is set into an oscillatory, rotary movement with a certain intensity by a motor, which carries out macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth, wherein the cleaning head encloses the tooth from three sides and has a plurality of arms, wherein the arms equipped with filaments alternately move towards the tooth and away from the tooth, which leads to one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm per period.

[0101] A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a previously described method for cleaning the oral cavity and in particular teeth and adjacent gums, wherein at least one cleaning head is automatically guided over the teeth and is set into an oscillatory, rotary movement with a certain intensity by a motor, which carries out macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth, the intensity being automatically adapted to the individual teeth via a prefabricated pattern and changing continuously, the cleaning head enclosing the tooth from three sides and having a plurality of arms, the arms equipped with filaments alternating towards the tooth and away from the tooth, which leads to one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm per period.

[0102] A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a method as described above for cleaning the oral cavity and in particular teeth and adjacent gums, wherein at least one cleaning head is automatically guided over the teeth and is set in an oscillatory, rotary movement with a certain intensity by a motor, which carries out macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth, wherein the degree of contamination is automatically detected by the device and the intensity is automatically adapted to the individual teeth, wherein the cleaning head encloses the tooth from three sides and has a plurality of arms, wherein the arms equipped with filaments alternately move towards the tooth and away from the tooth, which leads to one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm per period.

[0103] A further aspect of the invention relates to a cleaning head for use in a device for the automated cleaning of three-dimensional surfaces, such as teeth and the adjacent gums, wherein the cleaning head has arms equipped with filament bundles which can encompass the three-dimensional cleaning surface and delimit a cleaning space, wherein the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 0.2 times and 5 times the stiffness of the filaments and the filament thickness is between 80pm and 150pm, wherein the filament length is between 3mm and 12mm and the area per filament bundle with which the filament bundle can rest on a surface to be cleaned is between 0.75 mm2 and 7 mm2.

[0104] A further development provides that the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 1 and 3 times the stiffness of the filaments.

[0105] A further development provides that the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 1.5 times and 2 times the stiffness of the filaments.

[0106] A further development stipulates that the filament thickness is between 80pm and 100pm.

[0107] A further development stipulates that the filament length is between 4mm and 6mm.

[0108] A further development provides that the area per filament bundle is between 0.75 mm 2 and 2.5 mm 2 lies.

[0109] A further development provides for the length of the filaments to be different.

[0110] A further development provides that the filament length or the filament bundle is shorter towards the gum.

[0111] A further development provides that the arms are arranged symmetrically and distributed evenly on the lingual and buccal sides of the surface.

[0112] A further development provides that each arm has a series of filament bundles that are equal to or greater than the maximum lateral lingual and buccal height of the three-dimensional surface.

[0113] A further development provides for the use of arms with 3-8 filament bundles.

[0114] A further development provides for the cleaning head to have an occlusal plate, with bundles of filaments located on the occlusal plate for cleaning the occlusal surface. A further development provides for the number of arms to be between two and four, and these are arranged symmetrically.

[0115] A further development stipulates that the number of filament bundles per arm is between 4 and 6.

[0116] A further development provides that the area of ​​the filament bundles on the occlusal side of the surface is in a ratio of 1: 1 to 3: 1 to the lingual or buccal surface.

[0117] A further development provides that the area of ​​the filament bundles on the occlusal side of the surface is in a ratio between 1.5: 1 and 2: 1.

[0118] A further development provides that the filament density in the bundles is close to the densest packing, in particular between 20 and 150 filaments per mm2.

[0119] The invention is explained by way of example with reference to a drawing. It shows:

[0120] Figure 1: schematically shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a

[0121] cleaning head;

[0122] Figure 2: the cleaning head according to Figure 1 in a view from below;

[0123] Figure 3: the cleaning head according to Figure 1 in a side view;

[0124] Figure 4: the cleaning head according to Figure 3 in a side view perpendicular to the

[0125] View according to Figure 3;

[0126] Figure 5: schematically shows a filament bundle for use in the cleaning head;

[0127] Figure 6: another embodiment of a cleaning head from the side;

[0128] Figure 7: the cleaning head according to Figure 6 in a side view perpendicular to the

[0129] View according to Figure 6;

[0130] Figure 8: the cleaning head according to Figure 6 in a view from above;

[0131] Figure 9: the cleaning head according to Figure 6 in an isometric view;

[0132] Figure 10: the relationship between stiffness tangential mode and relative

[0133] Humidity of different filaments; Figure 11: the parameter triangle for intensity calculation.

[0134] Figure 1 shows an example of the cleaning-active area of ​​a cleaning head, but without drive units.

[0135] The cleaning head 1 has an occlusal plate 2. The occlusal plate 2 has front edges 3 and side edges 4 as well as a top side 5 and a bottom side 6.

[0136] The top side 5 and bottom side 6 run essentially parallel, while the front edges 3 run perpendicular to the side edges and perpendicular to the top and bottom sides. The front edges 3 and side edges 4 delimit the top side 5 and the bottom side 6.

[0137] From the side edges 4, adjacent to the front edges 3, a small arm 7 extends beyond the underside 6. The arms 7, which are arranged on a common side edge 4, are spaced apart from one another.

[0138] The arms 7 can initially run from the side edge 4 with a bend 8 in order to increase the distance between opposite arms 7.

[0139] The arms 7 are flat, plate-like in design with an inner surface 9 and an outer surface 10 and a circumferential front edge 11. The circumferential front edge 11 thus begins at the side edge 4 and runs along the bent portion 8 and then around the actual plate-shaped arm 7.

[0140] In the present example, the arms 7 are thus arranged firmly on the occlusal plate 2 via the offsets 8, wherein the arms 7 or only the offsets 8 can be made of a flexible plastic material or metal material.

[0141] The inner surfaces 9 of the arms 7, which are arranged on a common side edge 4, can be designed to diverge outwards, ie in the direction of the end edges 3, and inwards, so that they enclose an angle of 20° - 50° (Figure 2).

[0142] A vertical axis 19 of the cleaning head (shown in Figures 6, 8) runs perpendicular to the top side 5 and bottom side 6 through the occlusal plate, with the cleaning head moving around this vertical axis (the movement mechanism is not shown). In a further development not shown, the small arms 7 are also driven separately and can perform an oscillating movement in the plane of their planes defined by the inner sides 9 and 10, respectively, or perpendicular thereto, or both movements.

[0143] The arms 7, with their inner sides 9, together with the underside 6 of the occlusal plate, define a cleaning space 12 for a three-dimensional surface to be cleaned with occlusal, lingual and buccal surfaces.

[0144] Such a surface can be, for example, a tooth and adjacent gum.

[0145] For cleaning purposes, the cleaning head 1 also has one or more filament bundles 14 on the underside 6 of the occlusal plate 2, which protrude into the cleaning chamber 12. The filament bundles 14 on the occlusal plate 2 can, for example, be designed as flat plates with a pointed roof or V-shape (Figure 1) or as round or rod-shaped filament bundles 14.

[0146] Filament bundles 15 are also formed on the arms 7, wherein the filament bundles

[0147] 15 protrude from the inner side 9 of the arms 7 into the cleaning chamber 12. Such a filament bundle 15 is shown, for example, in Figure 5 and has a filament bundle shaft

[0148] 16 and at a free end of a contact surface 17, which is in particular circular.

[0149] In an embodiment shown in Figure 1, the filament bundles 15 with the filament bundle shaft 16 pass through a corresponding opening (not shown) in the arm 7 and rest on the outer side 10 with the contact surface 17, while the filament bundle shaft 16 passes through the arm 7 and reaches into the cleaning chamber.

[0150] Preferably, a plurality of filament bundles 15 are arranged on each arm 7 and also a plurality of occlusal filament bundles 14 are arranged on the occlusal plate 2.

[0151] This allows a corresponding height of a surface to be cleaned to be cleaned safely and in all places.

[0152] The filament bundles 15 and the occlusal filament bundles 14, which are distributed, can have different hardnesses. Furthermore, to achieve a specific bending behavior, they can also be formed from filaments with different hardnesses and / or different bending behaviors. For example, it is conceivable that filaments arranged centrally within a filament bundle could have greater hardness or flexural rigidity to support the entire filament bundle.

[0153] If the entire cleaning head 1 is rotated, it can be seen that the filament bundles 15 and the occlusal filament bundles 14 are moved in a wiping and piercing manner across a surface to be cleaned, since rotating the cleaning head 1 about the aforementioned vertical axis reduces the distance between one of the arms 7 and the surface to be cleaned, while increasing the distance between the adjacent arm and the opposite arm. An oscillating movement results in a wiping and rubbing movement of the corresponding filament bundles 15 and occlusal filament bundles 14, respectively. Furthermore, up and down movements, either of the entire cleaning head 1 or just of the arms 7—assuming a suitable drive—can be superimposed on this, resulting in a circular movement.Such movements can be realized, for example, with separate eccentric drives for both the cleaning head and the arms 7.

[0154] Figures 6 to 9 show a further embodiment of the cleaning head, wherein identical parts are provided with identical reference numerals.

[0155] In contrast to the first embodiment shown, the arms 7 are not arranged at an angle, so that the filament bundles 15 point towards each other.

[0156] In order to accommodate a drive shaft (not shown), a cylindrical receiving socket 18 is arranged concentrically on the upper side 5 of the occlusal plate 2 around a vertical axis 19, which is also an axis of symmetry.

[0157] Figure 10 shows the influence of relative humidity (in %) on the stiffness of the filaments in the filament bundle. Different materials are shown in comparison. In particular, polyamide filaments show a significant decrease with increasing relative humidity, which must therefore be taken into account in the relevant calculations.

[0158] Figure 11 shows the parameter triangle that determines the intensity described above. The determining parameters are the filament area, i.e., the contact area of ​​the filaments on the surface to be cleaned; the length of the filaments, which determines the flexibility at a given R-modulus; and the stiffness of the arms, which also refers to a flexible connection of otherwise rigid arms.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for cleaning surfaces with a cleaning head equipped with filament bundles, wherein the cleaning head is guided over the surface by a drive at a predetermined feed rate and the filaments are moved in such a way that they carry out one or more of the following movements: piercing, wiping, circling so that contaminants are removed by abrasion, characterized in that the cleaning is carried out in the optimal range between the three related cleaning parameters filament area, length of the filaments and stiffness of the arms (7), wherein the cleaning head has arms equipped with filament bundles which can encompass a three-dimensional cleaning surface, wherein the combination of the parameters defines the cleaning intensity,where the total stiffness k of the filaments and filament bundles for cylindrical filaments and cylindrical filament bundles of an arm is calculated by the following formula: where E is the Young's modulus, d is the diameter of the filaments, D is the diameter of the filament bundles, N is the number of filament bundles adjacent to the cleaning surface, P is the packing density of the filament bundles and L is the length of the filaments.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 0.2 times and 5 times the stiffness of the filaments.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 1 times and 3 times the stiffness of the filaments.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 1.5 times and 2 times that of the filaments.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filament thickness is between 80pm and 150pm.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filament thickness is between 80pm and 100pm.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filament length is between 3 mm and 12 mm.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filament length is between 4 mm and 6 mm.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area per filament bundle with which the filament bundle can rest on a surface to be cleaned is between 0.75 mm 2 and 7 mm2 lies.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area per filament bundle is between 0.75 mm 2 and 2.5 mm 2 lies.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the filaments is different.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filament length is shorter towards the gum.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that if not all filament bundles lie on the surface to be cleaned at the same time, the stiffness of the arms must be set in relation to the stiffness of the lying filament bundles, whereby the stiffness of the filament bundles is reduced by kactive = (number of filament bundles touching the surface) / (number of all filament bundles) * k.

14. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modulus of elasticity of the filaments changes depending on the humidity and age of the filaments, whereby the stiffness of the arms is adapted to the relative humidity.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arms are arranged symmetrically and are evenly distributed on the lingual and buccal sides of the surface.

16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each arm has a series of filament bundles which in height correspond to or exceed the maximum lateral lingual and buccal height of the three-dimensional surface.

17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that arms with 3-8 filament bundles are used.

18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cleaning head is used which has an occlusal plate, wherein filament bundles are located on the occlusal plate for cleaning the occlusal surface of the surface.

19. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire cleaning head or parts of the cleaning head, in particular the arms or the occlusal plate or the arms and the occlusal plate move or the entire cleaning head and parts of the cleaning head, in particular the arms or the occlusal plate or the arms and the occlusal plate move, wherein the movements are combined and, if necessary, different movement patterns are superimposed.

20. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that per period of a cleaning movement all arms impact on one surface.

21. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that additional controlled up / down movements and left / right movements are carried out.

22. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed rate is between 1 and 8 mm / s.

23. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed rate is between 2 and 4 mm / s.

24. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frequency is between 15 and 120 Hz.

25. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frequency is between 30 and 60 Hz.

26. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of arms is between 2 and 4 arms and these are arranged symmetrically.

27. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of filament bundles per arm is between 4 and 6.

28. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area of ​​the filament bundles on the occlusal side of the surface is in a ratio of 1: 1 to 3: 1 to the lingual or buccal surface.

29. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area of ​​the filament bundles on the occlusal side of the surface is in a ratio of between 1.5: 1 to 2:

1.

30. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filament density in the bundles is close to the densest packing, in particular between 20 and 150 filaments per mm 2 lies.

31. Use of a method according to one of the preceding claims for cleaning in the oral cavity and in particular of teeth and adjacent gums, wherein at least one cleaning head is guided by the user over the teeth and is thereby set by a motor into an oscillatory rotary movement with a certain intensity, which carries out macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth, wherein the cleaning head encloses the tooth from three sides and has several arms, wherein the arms equipped with filaments are alternately on the Towards and away from the tooth, resulting in one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm per period.

32. Use of a method according to one of claims 1 to 30 for cleaning in the oral cavity and in particular of teeth and adjacent gums, wherein at least one cleaning head is automatically guided over the teeth and is set by a motor in an oscillatory rotary movement with a certain intensity, which carries out macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth, wherein the cleaning head encloses the tooth from three sides and has a plurality of arms, wherein the arms equipped with filaments alternately move towards the tooth and away from the tooth, which leads to one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm per period.

33. Use of a method according to one of claims 1 to 30 for cleaning in the oral cavity and in particular of teeth and adjacent gums, wherein at least one cleaning head is automatically guided over the teeth and is set into an oscillatory rotary movement with a certain intensity by a motor, which carries out macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth, the intensity being automatically adapted to the individual teeth via a prefabricated pattern and changing continuously, the cleaning head enclosing the tooth from three sides and having a plurality of arms, the arms equipped with filaments alternating towards the tooth and away from the tooth, which leads to one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm per period.

34. Use of a method according to one of claims 1 to 30 for cleaning in the oral cavity and in particular of teeth and adjacent gums, wherein at least one cleaning head is automatically guided over the teeth and is set by a motor in an oscillatory rotary movement with a certain intensity, which carries out macroscopic wiping movements over the tooth, wherein the degree of soiling is automatically detected by the device and the intensity is automatically adapted to the individual teeth, wherein the cleaning head encloses the tooth on three sides and has a plurality of arms, wherein the arms equipped with filaments alternately move towards the tooth and away from the tooth, which leads to one wiping movement per filament bundle per arm per period.

35. Cleaning head for use in a device for the automated cleaning of three-dimensional surfaces, such as teeth and the adjacent gums, wherein the cleaning head has arms equipped with filament bundles, which can encompass the three-dimensional cleaning surface and delimit a cleaning space (12), wherein the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 0.2 times and 5 times the stiffness of the filaments and the filament thickness is between 80 μm and 150 μm, wherein the filament length is between 3 mm and 12 mm and the area per filament bundle, with which the filament bundle can rest on a surface to be cleaned, is between 0.75 mm 2 and 7 mm 2 lies.

36. Cleaning head according to claim 35, characterized in that the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 1 and 3 times the stiffness of the filaments.

37. Cleaning head according to claim 36, characterized in that the stiffness of the arms or their connection K is in the range between 1.5 times and 2 times the stiffness of the filaments.

38. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 37, characterized in that the filament thickness is between 80pm and 100pm.

39. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 38, characterized in that the filament length is between 4 mm and 6 mm.

40. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 39, characterized in that the area per filament bundle is between 0.75 mm2 and 2.5 mm2.

41. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 40, characterized in that the length of the filaments is different.

42. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 41, characterized in that the filament length or the filament bundle is shorter towards the gums.

43. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 42, characterized in that the arms are arranged symmetrically and are evenly distributed on the lingual and buccal sides of the surface.

44. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 43, characterized in that each arm has a series of filament bundles which in height correspond to or exceed the maximum lateral lingual and buccal height of the three-dimensional surface.

45. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 44, characterized in that arms with 3-8 filament bundles are used.

46. ​​Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 45, characterized in that the cleaning head has an occlusal plate, wherein filament bundles are located on the occlusal plate for cleaning the occlusal surface of the surface.

47. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 46, characterized in that the number of arms is between 2 and 4 arms and these are arranged symmetrically.

48. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 47, characterized in that the number of filament bundles per arm is between 4 and 6.

49. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 48, characterized in that the area of ​​the filament bundles on the occlusal side of the surface is in a ratio of 1: 1 to 3: 1 to the lingual or buccal surface.

50. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 49, characterized in that the area of ​​the filament bundles on the occlusal side of the surface is in a ratio of between 1.5: 1 to 2:

1.

51. Cleaning head according to one of claims 35 to 50, characterized in that the filament density in the bundles is close to the densest packing, in particular between 20 and 150 filaments per mm2.

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