Oral cleaner

Abstract

The present invention relates to an oral cleaner. The oral cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a mouthpiece which has a supply passage in which cleaning water flows, and which sprays the cleaning water into the mouth; and a handle connected to the mouthpiece and having a supply passage formed therein, wherein at least one of the handle and the mouthpiece has formed therein a bubble-forming unit that reduces and then increases the supply passage.

Description

oral irrigator

[0001] The present invention relates to an oral irrigator, and more specifically, to an oral irrigator with improved ability to remove foreign substances from the oral cavity.

[0002] Bacteria thrive on leftover food particles, multiplying and forming dental plaque. Plaque blocks calcium ions from reaching damaged teeth, preventing them from reaching the teeth. These calcium ions, which are unable to reach the teeth, are absorbed by plaque and crystallize. This calcium absorption and crystallization hardens plaque, forming tartar. However, because the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa are very fragile, increasing the water pressure of the oral irrigator has been limited.

[0003] The problems that the present invention seeks to solve are as follows.

[0004] First, we provide an oral irrigator that increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in the irrigation water sprayed into the oral cavity.

[0005] Second, we provide an oral irrigator that improves the ability to remove foreign substances in the oral cavity by using the pressure generated when air bubbles contained in the cleaning water burst.

[0006] The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an oral irrigator according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a mouthpiece in which a supply path through which irrigation water flows is formed and which sprays irrigation water into the oral cavity; and a handle connected to the mouthpiece and in which the supply path is formed, wherein a bubble forming part for reducing and then increasing the supply path is formed in at least one of the handle and the mouthpiece.

[0008] In addition, an oral irrigator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a mouthpiece having a supply path through which irrigation water flows and spraying irrigation water into the oral cavity; a handle connected to the mouthpiece and having the supply path formed therein; a mouthguard formed on at least one of the handle and the mouthpiece and covering the user's mouth; and a bubble forming unit that increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply path with the mouthguard as a boundary.

[0009] In addition, an oral irrigator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a mouthpiece having a supply channel through which cleaning water flows and a discharge channel for sucking contaminated water from a user's oral cavity; a handle connected to the mouthpiece and having the supply channel and the discharge channel extended therefrom; and an internal partition formed in at least one of the mouthpiece and the handle to separate the supply channel and the discharge channel, wherein the internal partition is arranged in a form that increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply channel after shrinking.

[0010] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0011] According to the present invention, one or more of the following effects are achieved.

[0012] First, it is possible to provide an oral irrigator that increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in the irrigation water sprayed into the oral cavity.

[0013] Second, it is possible to provide an oral irrigator that improves the ability to remove foreign substances in the oral cavity by using the pressure generated when air bubbles contained in the irrigation water burst.

[0014] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an oral irrigator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the oral irrigator viewed from a different direction than Figure 1.

[0017] Figure 3 illustrates the exterior of the lower part of an oral irrigator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 illustrates the upper exterior of an oral irrigator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 shows the connection relationship between the lower part of the oral irrigator and the suction pipe according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 shows the connection relationship between the upper part of the oral irrigator and the suction pipe according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 7 illustrates the interior of the lower part of an oral irrigator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 illustrates the interior of the upper part of an oral irrigator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 9 is an enlarged representation of the dotted box area of ​​Figure 7.

[0024] Figure 10 shows the change in the flow area of ​​the supply path of Figure 9.

[0025] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings.

[0026] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0027] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an oral irrigator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the oral irrigator (100) viewed from a different direction from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 illustrates the exterior of the lower part (100a) of the oral irrigator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates the exterior of the upper part (100b) of the oral irrigator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 illustrates a coupling relationship between the lower part (100a) of the oral irrigator (100) and the suction pipe (170) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 illustrates a coupling relationship between the upper part (100b) of the oral irrigator (100) and the suction pipe (170) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, an oral irrigator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body (not shown) that supplies cleaning water and stores sucked contaminated water, a handle (110) connected to the main body, a mouthpiece (130) that is connected to the handle (110) and sprays cleaning water, and an upper suction hole (155) and a lower suction hole (159) formed in the mouthpiece (130) to suck contaminated water from within the oral cavity. The lower suction hole (159) is positioned above the tongue. The upper suction hole (155) is positioned toward the roof of the mouth. The mouthpiece (130) sprays cleaning water into the oral cavity. The mouthpiece (130) is formed with a spray hole (130a) that sprays cleaning water. The mouthpiece (130) sprays cleaning water toward the gums and teeth.

[0030] The body may include multiple water pumps. The multiple water pumps generate power to discharge cleaning water through the handle (110) or to suck up contaminated water from the upper suction hole (155) and the lower suction hole (159). The water pumps generate positive pressure to discharge cleaning water and generate negative pressure to suck up contaminated water. The contaminated water is a mixture of cleaning water, saliva, plaque, and waste.

[0031] The handle (110) and the mouthpiece (130) may be formed integrally. The handle (110) and the mouthpiece (130) may be formed separately into an upper portion (100b) and a lower portion (100a).

[0032] Washing water supplied from the main body flows through a supply path (101) formed in the handle (110). A supply path (101) is formed on one side of the handle (110), and a discharge path (107) is formed on the other side.

[0033] The upper suction hole (155) and the lower suction hole (159) suck in contaminated water. The contaminated water sucked in by the upper suction hole (155) and the lower suction hole (159) flows inside the handle (110) through the suction pipe (170). The contaminated water sucked in by the upper suction hole (155) and the lower suction hole (159) flows through the discharge path (107).

[0034] The exhaust passage (107) is connected to a suction pipe (170). The suction pipe (170) is placed inside the mouthpiece (130) and connected to the handle (110). The suction pipe (170) may be placed between the upper portion (100b) and the lower portion (100a).

[0035] The mouthpiece (130) includes a labial counterpart (131) formed at a position facing the labial surface of the teeth and a buccal counterpart (133) formed at a position facing the uccal surface of the teeth. The labial counterpart (131) and the buccal counterpart (133) are in a 'U' shape.

[0036] The handle (110) includes a mouth guard (119) formed on an outer surface and having a transverse end curved backward. The handle (110) includes an oval-shaped mouth guard (119) protruding along the outer surface. The mouth guard (119) is formed on the outer surface of the handle (110). The mouth guard (119) is curved toward the mouthpiece (130) to increase the contact area between the user's hand and the handle (110) when the user holds the handle (110). The mouth guard (119) allows the user to stably hold the handle (110) with the hand. The mouth guard (119) prevents contact between the hand and the lips. The mouth guard (119) prevents cleaning water from the mouth from being sprayed forward.

[0037] An oral irrigator according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a mouthpiece (130) for spraying cleaning water into the oral cavity; an upper suction port (155) and a lower suction port (159) for sucking contaminated water mixed with cleaning water and saliva from the oral cavity; and a handle (110) forming a supply path (101) through which cleaning water flows and a discharge path (107) through which contaminated water discharged from the upper suction port (155) and the lower suction port (159) flows, and the handle (110) is formed with an internal partition (129) that divides the supply path (101) and the discharge path (107). The internal partition (129) is formed to extend into the inside of the mouthpiece (130).

[0038] The suction pipe (170) includes a rear channel (173) connected to the exhaust passage (107) and a front channel (171) connected to the upper suction hole and the lower suction hole (159).

[0039] A vertical channel (177) is formed on one side of the front channel (171) to suck contaminated water from the upper suction hole (155). A spacer (175) is formed on the other side of the front channel (171) to form a gap with the inside of the mouthpiece (130). The gap is formed on both the upper and lower sides. The gap forms a space through which cleaning water flows. The cleaning water flows into the space between the mouthpiece (130) and the suction pipe (170).

[0040] Fig. 7 illustrates the interior of the lower part (100a) of an oral irrigator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 illustrates the interior of the upper part (100b) of an oral irrigator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the dotted box area of ​​Fig. 7.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, an oral irrigator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a mouthpiece (130) in which a supply path (101) through which cleaning water flows is formed and which sprays cleaning water into the oral cavity; and a handle (110) connected to the mouthpiece (130) and in which the supply path (101) is formed, and a bubble forming part (120) for reducing and then increasing the supply path (101) is formed in at least one of the handle (110) and the mouthpiece (130). The bubble forming part (120) induces a Venturi effect.

[0042] The bubble forming unit (120) induces a pressure reduction of the washing water in a portion of the supply path (101). The washing water containing bubbles is sprayed into the oral cavity through the spray hole (130a).

[0043] The handle (110) is formed with a discharge path (107) for discharging contaminated water sucked by the mouthpiece (130), and an internal partition wall (129) is formed to separate the supply path (101) and the discharge path (107), and the cross-sectional area of ​​the path of the bubble forming part (120) is formed to decrease and then increase by the internal partition wall (129). The internal partition wall (129) is formed at the upper portion (100b) and the lower portion (100a), respectively. The internal partition wall (129) is formed to extend from the handle (110) to the mouthpiece (130). The internal partition wall (129) is formed between the supply path (101) and the discharge path (107). The internal partition wall (129) determines the cross-sectional area of ​​the path.

[0044] An oral irrigator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a mouth guard (119) formed between a mouthpiece (130) and a handle (110) to cover a user's mouth, and a bubble forming portion (120) may have a flow path cross-sectional area that increases from a point where a supply flow path (101) passes through the mouth guard (119). The mouth guard (119) may be formed at the boundary between the handle (110) and the mouthpiece (130). The mouth guard (119) may be formed at the rear (hand direction) of the mouthpiece (130). The mouth guard (119) may be formed at a boundary that separates a region having the narrowest and largest flow path cross-sectional areas in the bubble forming portion (120). This boundary may be a point where the mouth guard (119) can be most firmly fixed.

[0045] The bubble forming part (120) has a larger cross-sectional area of ​​the supply path (101) of the mouthpiece (130) than the supply path (101) of the handle (110), and a bent step (127) is formed between the handle (110) and the mouthpiece (130). The step (127) may be a point formed by bending. The step (127) may be in an 'L' shape. The mouth guard (119) may be connected to the step (127).

[0046] An oral irrigator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a mouth guard (119) that covers the user's mouth, and the mouth guard (119) is formed to extend from a step (127). The mouth guard (119) may be formed to extend in the direction in which the step (127) is bent.

[0047] The step (127) forms turbulence or eddies. The step (127) has a sloped portion (127s) formed at the bent corner to facilitate eddy formation. The sloped portion (127s) creates a swirling flow in which the washing water rotates at the point where the flow path expands, thereby reducing random flow.

[0048] The mouthpiece (130) includes a U-shaped surface-matching portion and a buccal surface-matching portion, and the bubble-forming portion (120) has an expansion portion (125) formed at the rear of the surface-matching portion and the buccal surface-matching portion, in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply passage (101) is reduced and then increased. The cleaning water passing through the bubble-forming portion (120) is distributed into the mouthpiece (130). The cleaning water passing through the bubble-forming portion (120) is sprayed into the oral cavity through the spray hole (130a).

[0049] An oral irrigator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a mouthpiece (130) having a supply path (101) through which irrigation water flows and spraying irrigation water into the oral cavity; a handle (110) connected to the mouthpiece (130) and having a supply path (101) formed therein; a mouthguard (119) formed on at least one of the handle (110) and the mouthpiece (130) and covering the user's mouth; and a bubble forming part (120) that increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply path (101) with the mouthguard (119) as the boundary.

[0050] An oral irrigator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a mouthpiece (130) having a supply channel (101) through which cleaning water flows and a discharge channel (107) for sucking contaminated water from the user's oral cavity; a handle (110) connected to the mouthpiece (130) and having the supply channel (101) and the discharge channel (107) extended therefrom; and an internal partition (129) formed on at least one of the mouthpiece (130) and the handle (110) to separate the supply channel (101) and the discharge channel (107), wherein the internal partition (129) is arranged in a form that increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply channel (101) after shrinking.

[0051] Figure 10 shows the change in the flow path area of ​​the supply path (101) of Figure 9.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 10, a bubble forming unit (120) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a contraction unit (123) which is one section of a supply channel (101); an expansion unit (125) formed in front of the contraction unit (123) and having a wider cross-sectional area of ​​the channel than the contraction unit (123); and a step (127) formed by bending between the contraction unit (123) and the expansion unit (125).

[0053] The folded step (127) forms turbulence (T). Due to its folded shape, the step (127) causes a rapid change in the flow direction of the washing water, and generates turbulence (T) by causing an increase in the velocity gradient, a pressure difference, a separation phenomenon, and a local increase in the Reynolds number. The turbulence (T) may be, in particular, a vortex. The inclined portion (127s) promotes the formation of a vortex, thereby accelerating the transition of the washing water into turbulence.

[0054] Turbulence (T) has the property of breaking up wash water into small pieces, and during this process, pressure changes can cause bubbles to form. In areas of low pressure, the fluid may reach its boiling point or dissolved gases may be released, forming bubbles. Step (127) causes cavitation.

[0055] A bubble forming section (120) is formed in the supply passage (101). The bubble forming section (120) may be a part of the supply passage (101). The inlet section (121) is located most upstream from the supply passage (101), and a contraction section (123) and an expansion section (125) are formed in that order. This shape induces a Venturi effect.

[0056] The bubble forming section (120) includes a contraction section (123), which is a section of the supply passage (101); and an inlet section (121) formed in front of the contraction section (123) and having a wider cross-sectional area than the contraction section (123), and the handle (110) is formed with a discharge passage (107) for discharging contaminated water sucked by the mouthpiece (130), and an internal partition (129) separating the supply passage (101) and the discharge passage (107), and the cross-sectional areas of the contraction section (123) and the inlet section (121) are formed differently by the internal partition (129). The contraction section (123) is a section with the narrowest cross-sectional area in the supply passage (101).

[0057] A, B, C are the cross-sectional areas of each point. v A, v B, v C is the velocity of the fluid passing through each point. P A , P B , P C is the pressure of the fluid passing through each point.

[0058] The sizes of the cross-sectional areas are expressed in order as follows.

[0059] B <A<C

[0060] Due to the difference in cross-sectional area, the velocity of the washing water is the fastest at the constriction section (123), and the velocity of the washing water at the inlet section (121) is slower than that at the constriction section (123). The velocity of the washing water at the expansion section (125) is slower than that at the inlet section (121). The pressure distribution of the washing water is opposite to the velocity distribution. The washing water flows quickly through the constriction section (123) and the pressure decreases. At this time, the washing water is broken into fine particles and mixed with air. The washing water is discharged toward the injection hole (130a). The air bubbles collide with the epithelial cells and teeth in the oral cavity. The high-frequency pressure and force generated when the air bubbles burst vibrate foreign substances in the oral cavity.

[0061] The oral irrigator (100) according to the present invention can remove foreign substances even with relatively low water pressure by increasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the irrigation water.

[0062] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Furthermore, such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mouthpiece in which a supply path for washing water to flow is formed and which sprays washing water into the oral cavity; and It includes a handle connected to the above mouthpiece and having the above supply path formed therein, At least one of the above handle and the above mouthpiece, An oral irrigator having a bubble forming unit that reduces and then increases the above supply flow rate.

2. In paragraph 1, The above handle is, An exhaust path is formed to discharge the contaminated water inhaled by the above mouthpiece, An internal partition is formed to separate the supply path and the discharge path, An oral irrigator in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the above bubble forming part is formed to decrease and then increase by the internal partition wall.

3. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a mouth guard formed between the mouthpiece and the handle to cover the user's mouth, The above bubble forming part is, An oral irrigator in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply flow path increases from the point where the supply flow path penetrates the mouth guard.

4. In paragraph 1, The above bubble forming part is, The supply path of the mouthpiece has a larger cross-sectional area than the supply path of the handle, An oral irrigator having a bent step formed between the handle and the mouthpiece.

5. In paragraph 4, It further includes a mouth guard that covers the user's mouth, The above mouse guard, An oral irrigator formed as an extension from the above staff.

6. In paragraph 1, The above bubble forming part is, A contraction section, which is one section of the above supply path; An expansion portion formed in front of the above contraction portion and having a wider cross-sectional area than the above contraction portion; and An oral irrigator comprising a step formed by bending between the contraction portion and the expansion portion.

7. In paragraph 6, It further includes a mouth guard that covers the user's mouth, The above mouse guard, An oral irrigator formed as an extension from the above staff.

8. In paragraph 1, The above bubble forming part is, A contraction section, which is one section of the above supply path; and It is formed in front of the above contraction part and includes an inlet part with a wider cross-sectional area than the above contraction part, The above handle is, An exhaust path is formed to discharge the contaminated water inhaled by the above mouthpiece, An internal partition is formed to separate the supply path and the discharge path, An oral irrigator in which the cross-sectional areas of the above contraction portion and the above inlet portion are formed differently by the internal partition wall.

9. In paragraph 1, The above mouthpiece, Includes a 'U' shaped, pure cotton counterpart and a narrow cotton counterpart, The above bubble forming part is, An oral irrigator in which an expanded portion is formed at the rear of the above-mentioned cotton-like counterpart and the buccal-like counterpart, with the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply path being reduced and then increased.

10. A mouthpiece that forms a supply path through which cleaning water flows and sprays cleaning water into the oral cavity; A handle connected to the above mouthpiece and having the above supply passage formed therein; A mouth guard formed on at least one of the handle and the mouthpiece to cover the user's mouth; and An oral irrigator including a bubble forming unit that increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply path with the mouth guard as the boundary.

11. A mouthpiece having a supply path through which cleaning water flows and a discharge path through which contaminated water is sucked from the user's mouth; A handle connected to the mouthpiece and having the supply channel and the discharge channel extended therefrom; and An internal partition formed in at least one of the mouthpiece and the handle to separate the supply path and the discharge path is included. The above internal bulkhead is, An oral irrigator arranged in a form that increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the above supply path after contraction.

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