Vibrational Frequency Adjustment Device for Oral Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sonic electric toothbrushes are not suitable for use as pump drive means in water flow type oral cavity cleaning devices due to insufficient discharge amount and high vibrational frequency requirements, making it difficult to adjust the vibrational frequency of the drive shaft to match the pump drive needs.
Innovation Solution
A vibrational frequency adjustment device with a one-way clutch and conversion mechanisms that allow for the adjustment of the vibrational frequency and amplitude of a reciprocating linear motion, enabling the use of a sonic electric toothbrush as a drive unit for a water flow type oral cavity cleaning device by converting reciprocating linear motion into rotational motion and vice versa.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a drive unit of a sonic electric toothbrush is used as pump drive means, then the vibrational frequency is high (5,000 to 11,000 cpm), but the stroke is too short (0.2 to 1.0 mm) to provide sufficient discharge amount of cleaning liquid
Solution Approach 1:
A motion conversion mechanism acts as an intermediary between the sonic drive unit and the pump. The mechanism includes a drive shaft receiving reciprocating motion from the toothbrush drive unit, a conversion mechanism that transforms this reciprocating motion into rotational motion, and a pump shaft that receives the rotational motion to drive the pump. This intermediary system enables the high-frequency drive unit to effectively drive the pump by converting the motion type rather than directly coupling the components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the motion parameters by converting reciprocating linear motion into rotational motion. The conversion mechanism transforms the high-frequency reciprocating motion (0.2 to 1.0 mm stroke) into rotational motion with sufficient amplitude to drive the pump effectively, thereby changing the critical parameters of motion type, amplitude, and frequency to match the pump's requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If gear wheels are used to reduce rotation speed of the face gear, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the vibrational frequency of the cleaning head is limited to 1,500 to 5,000 cpm
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional gear reduction mechanism with a motion conversion mechanism that transforms reciprocating linear motion into rotational motion. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple gear stages, allowing the system to achieve high vibrational frequencies (5,000 to 11,000 cpm) while maintaining ease of manufacture and low cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a motion conversion mechanism is added to convert reciprocating linear motion into rotational motion, then the drive unit can be used for both electric toothbrush and water flow type oral cavity cleaning device, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal drive system where the same drive unit from a sonic electric toothbrush can power both the toothbrush and a water flow type oral cavity cleaning device. The motion conversion mechanism enables this multi-functionality by adapting the reciprocating motion output of the toothbrush drive unit into rotational motion suitable for pump operation, allowing one drive unit to serve multiple purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a dynamic motion conversion mechanism that can adapt between different operating modes. The mechanism includes movable components that transform the high-frequency reciprocating linear motion into rotational motion with variable amplitude and frequency characteristics, enabling the system to maintain simplicity while achieving versatility across different applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the adjustment of vibrational frequency and amplitude of the reciprocating linear motion, allowing the use of a sonic electric toothbrush as a drive unit for a water flow type oral cavity cleaning device, reducing economic burden and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way clutch 44 which transfers only a rotational motion of the input-side rotational member 41 in one direction to the output-side rotational member 42
Implementation Method 2
a lever member 47 which converts a reciprocating linear motion of a drive shaft 10 into a reciprocating rotational motion of an input-side rotational member 41
Implementation Method 3
second conversion means 50 which converts a rotational motion of the output-side rotational member 42 into a reciprocating linear motion of a second shaft member 43
Data Source
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AI summary
A vibrational frequency adjustment device comprises, as a vibrational frequency adjustment means (22): a first conversion means (40) which is provided with an input-side rotating member (41), an output-side rotating member (42), and a one-way clutch (44) for transmitting only the rotational motion in one direction of the input-side rotating member (41) to the output-side rotating member (42) and which, by causing the input-side rotating member (41) to pivot in a reciprocating manner by a set angle by means of the reciprocating linear motion of an output shaft (10), transmits only the forward motion or the reverse motion of the input-side rotating member (41) to the output-side rotating member (42) through the one-way clutch (44) to thereby rotate the output-side rotating member (42) by a given angle; and a second conversion means (50) which converts the rotational motion of the output-side rotating member (42) into the reciprocating linear motion of a second shaft member (43).