CA2425307A1 - Electrical toothbrush - Google Patents
Electrical toothbrush Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2425307A1 CA2425307A1 CA002425307A CA2425307A CA2425307A1 CA 2425307 A1 CA2425307 A1 CA 2425307A1 CA 002425307 A CA002425307 A CA 002425307A CA 2425307 A CA2425307 A CA 2425307A CA 2425307 A1 CA2425307 A1 CA 2425307A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bristle carrier
- disc
- carrier disc
- toothbrush
- cam
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/222—Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/32—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
- A61C17/34—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor
- A61C17/3409—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor characterized by the movement of the brush body
- A61C17/3436—Rotation around the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/32—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
- A61C17/34—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor
- A61C17/349—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor with multiple brush bodies
Abstract
The invention relates to an electrical toothbrush wherein an eccentric disk (5) arranged on the free end of a toothbrush shaft (4) is engaged between two driving pins (13, 14) of a bristle carrying disk (10). Said eccentric disk (5) is approximately elliptically shaped and thus forces the bristle carrying disk (10) to move in a pendular manner when the toothbrush shaft (4) is driven in a rotating manner.
Description
Description Electric toothbrush The invention relates to an electric toothbrush with a toothbrush shaft rotating in a brush casing and a bristle carrier disc which are connected to each other by s gear that converts the one-way rotary motion of the toothbrush shaft into a reciprocating rotary motion of the bristle carrier disc, wherein the toothbrush shaft has at its end lying towards the rotatably mounted bristle carrier disc an eccentric which engages:
in a gap in the bristle carrier disc bounded by two bearing surfaces.
Such a toothbrush is known from WO 96137164. The gap is formed by a slot in the bristle carrier disc, and the eccentric is formed by a double crank at the end of the toothbrush shaft, The free end of the crank must be aligned with the centre of the bristle carrier disc in order for the eccentric to operate without play m the slot in all angular positions. To obtain adequate resistance to wear end the requisite absence of play and at the same time low friction in the known toothbrush, it is necessary that the toothbrush shat! be formed as a metal part, which greatly increases the cost or manufacture of the electric toothbrush.
The fundamental problem of the invention is to design an electric toothbrush of the kind stated at the outset so that a11, or as nearly as. possible all, of its ~parts'can be produced as injection moulded parts.
In accordance with. the iwention this problem is solved by forming the eccentric as a cam disc which is arranged on the toothbnrsh shaft and bridges the gap In every angular position.
This configuration enables the toothbrush shaft and cam disc to be formed as simple injection moulded parts, yr even to be combined as one injection moulding. It means that sufficient absence of play can be achieved with standard manufacturing ac:curacies as the cam disc (disregarding its necessary eccentricity) does not need to be aligned with the centre of the bristle carrier disc. Furthermore, if the toothbrush shaft and the cam disc are made as two parts, different angles of sweep of the bristle carrier disc can be obtained by fitting different cam discs.
tn a particularly simple embodiment, the two bearing surfaces e~dend parallel with each other and bear against the eccentric, and the eccentric is formed as a non-circular, approximately elliptical cam disc. The effect of this configuration is to compensate for the variation in the distance between the two bearing surfaces (viewed m projection) in the course of the reciprocating motion.
The toothbrush will operate with particularly low Ievels of play and friction if th~ bearing surfaces present a convex curvature to the lateral face of the eccentric, This ensures that the bearing surface extends tangentially to the lateral face of the cam disc at all times.
Further configurations of the inventive idea follow tram the dependent cracms, in one that is especially advantageous, the cam disc has a surrounomg-hetical groove which extends obliquely with respect to the rrar~-t disc, and thsgroove bottom ionns the eccentric and bridges the,qap between the two follower pins. This configuration results in, not paint contact, but tine contact between tire follower pins and the cam disc, and hence in a considerable reduction in wear.
In the embodiments which have so far been described, a cam disc engages in a slot in the bristle carrier disc on one side of the axis of rotation of the bristle carrier disc. A
symmetrical and therefore torsionless application of force can be obtained if the bfistle carrier disc has daps disposed symmetrically and diametrically with respect to its axis of rotation and the toothbrush shaft accordingly has two cam discs orientated in opposite directions and each engaging in one of the gaps. 'fhe result is a quieter oscillating action of the bristle carrier disc. Furthermore, a~daliy directed forces an the toothbrush shaft are avoided.
In one particularly simple construction of the electric toothbrush, the bristle carrier disc [is] rotatably seated in the barrel by its lateral cylindrical face and the toothbrush shaft passes underneath the bristle carrier disc to 8 bearing in the brush head on the same side as the free end of the brush casing. Such an embodiment can be manufactured at much lower cost than the embodiments which have so far been Qescribed.
The invention also makes it possible to impaR different mottons to different sets of bristles In the bnrsh part, by rotatably mounting, conCentricalry within the bristle carrier disc, a further bristle carrier disc which likewise has an extension with opposing gaps in each of which, in a similar fashion to the cam discs far the outer bristle carrier disc, a cam disc of the toothbrush shaft engages, so that the toothbrush shaft has four cam discs altogether.
The invention admits of various embodiments. Several of these are shown in the drawing, and wilt now be described. In the drawing Fig. 1 shows a casing and head of a toothbrush, in an exploded view, Fig. 2 shows the components of Fig. 1 in a section view, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the gear between the toothbrush shaft and the brush head, Fig. 4 shows a section through the gear with the bnish head at the central point of its recipnxatin8 path, Fig. 5 shows a section through the gear with the brush head rotated away from the central point, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the toothbrush, In the region of the toothbrush shaft, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the brush casing with components mounted therein in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, 1'ig. 8 shows a longitudinal section through the region of the brush head of a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 9 shows the arrangerr~ent of Figure 8 in a perspective exploded view, s F(g. 10 is a perspective view of the bristle carrier disc according to Figures 8 and 9, Fig. 11 shows a longitudinal section through the region of the brush head of a further embodiment of the (nventian, Fig. '(2 shows the arcangement of Figure 11 in a perspective exploded view.
Figure 1 shows a brush casing 1 of a clip-on brush of an electric toothbrush.
The brush casing 1 (s farmed as an elongated hollow cylinder which is connectable at one end to a handpiece of the electric toothbrush (not shown here) and merges at the other end into a bowl-shaped brush head 2 for a brush part 3. Mounted inside the brush casing 1 is a toothbrush shaft 4 which can be coupled at one end with a motor in the handp(ece of the toothbrush, and carries at its other end an eccentric cam disc 5 whose precise shape will be described in detail presently. Located behind the cam disc 5 on the toothbfush shaft 4 is a bearing collar 6 which is held in a bearing shell 7 of the brush casing 1.
The brush head 2 has a barrel 8 which Is open ai the top and is partly closed underneath by a bottom 9. The brush part 3 has bristles 25 set in a bristle carrier disc 10. When fined, the bristle carrier disc 10 is rotatab(y held in the barrel 8.
A journal 11 passes through the bottom 9, and is retained externally by a ~ci~clip 12.
Two follower pins 13, 14 project downwards from the bristle carrier disc 10.
They extend parallel w(th but at a certain d(stance from the journal 11. A sector of~the bottom 9 corresponding to the angle of sweep of the bristle carrier disc 10~ is relieved.
A portion of the barrel 8 and of the brush casing 1 is cut away, and is closed by a lid 15 completely covering the cutaway areas; the significance of this lid 15 will become apparent in particular from the description of Figure 2 which will now ba given.
Fig. 2 shows a forward region of the assembled clip-on brush viewed in longitudinal section. The toothbrush shaft 4 (s ln$erted into the brush casing 1 tram the °plug-in"
end. As the lid 15 has not yet been closed, the bearing collar 8 located just behind the cam disc S can be placed in the bearing shell 7. The lid 15 has a shoulder 22 which fits over the toothbrush shaft 4 above the bearing shell 7 thereby fixing the shaft In the position shown.
Further away from the brush head 2, the toothbrush shaft 4 has a bearing collar 16 over which a. slot 23 of the lid 15 fits, thereby additionally fixing the toothbrush shaft 4 in the axial direction. The actual cam disc 5 is inside the brush head 2 for the brush part 3.
After assembly of the bristle caller disc 10, the follower pins 13, 14, of which only the pin 13 can be seen in Figure 2, fit over the cam disc 5 on opposrte sides, The journal 17 passes through a bearing sleeve 17 Inserted in the bottom 9 and s5 retained by a circlip 12, whicr lies in a recess, clased by a cap 18, on the outside of the bottom 9. Assembly is completed by closing the brush casing 1 by means of the lid 15.
Fig. 3 shows details of the gear formed from the cam disc 5 at the end of the toothbrush shaft a and the two follower pins 13, 14 on the bristle carrier disc 10. It will be seen that the cam disc 5 is attached to be toothbrush shaft 4 with extreme eccentricity;
it is this eccentricity which determines the angle of sweep of the bristle carrier disc 10 as it turns to and fro. The crucial feature is that the cam disc 5 taridges this gap between the follower pins i3, 14,, substantially without play, at all times, so that there is a smooth and Jolt-free transition from one direction of motion to the other.
Because the follower pins 13, 14 move on circular paths about the journal 11, there are some special features that should be noted. First of all, there is variation in the orientation of the follower pins 13, 14 with respect to the lateral face 20 of the cam disc 5. This is clearly seen by comparing Figs. 4 and 5: as the follower nuns 13, 14 move away from the shaft 4 the angle at which they rest on the lateral fare 20 becomes more acute. The sides of the follower pins 13, 14 forming the bearing surfaces are therefore curved, so that the lateral face 20 forms a tangent to the bearing face concerned at all times. Also, they move back and forth with respect to the cam disc 5. For this reason, the tern disc 5 has a certain thickness, and its lateral face 20 therefore has a certain longitudinal extent.
Moreover it should be noted that the gap between the follower pins 13, 14, when viewed in the direction parallel with the toothbrush shaft 4, varies with the angular position of the bristle carrier disc 10. This has implications for the outer contour of the cam disc. Fig. 4 shows the section through the theoretically circular cam disc 5 when its radius of eccentricity 21 (shown in Fig. 3), that is the line joining the centre of the disc and the axis of rotation determined by the toothbrush shaft 4, is parallel wnh the follower pins 13, 14. The projection of the cam disc is equal on either side of the line of the radius of eccentricity 21. Hence the bristle carrier disc 10 is in its central position.
The diameter of the cam disc 5 perpendicular to the line of the radius of eccentricity 21 will be referred to as the major diameter.
After a rotation through 90°, the radius of eccentricity 21 lies perpendicular to the foNower pins 13, 14 and the bristle carrier disc 10 has now been rotated to the furthest position from its central position. This situation is shown in Fig. 3 and Fig.
5. The gap between the follower pins 13, 14 has decreased, in the projection plane formed by the cam disc 5.
The diameter of the cam disc in this direction must else be decreased. This diameter is therefore smaller on the line of the radius of eccentricity than the major diameter defined above. The transition between the diameters is a Continuous one, giving the cam disc an approximately elliptical outer contour.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, an oblique surrounding helical groove 19 is provided Jn the lateral face of the earn disc 5. 'fhe bottom of this helical groove 19 forms the eccentric of the cam disc 5 in this embodiment.
Figure 7 shows that the two foJJower pins 13, 74 of the bristle carrier disc 10 engage in this helical groove 19. Therefore the rotary motion of the toothbrush shaft 4 again causes a reciprocating motion of the bustle carrier disc 10.
In the embodiment Shawn in Figure 8, the bristle carrier disc 10 is rotatsbly seated by Its lateral cylindrical face 28 in the ban-ei 8 of the brash head 2. The toothbrush shaft 4 passes under the bristle carrier disc 10 to a bearing 27 in the, outer side of the brush head. The bristle carrier disc 10 has on the side towards the toothbrush shaft d a ring-shaped extension 28 in which a gap 29 is provided, in addition to the gap 24 on the opposite side. The toothbrush shaft 4 engages by a cam disc 5 in the gap 24, just as in the embodiments previously described. However, the toothbrush shaft 4 has a second cam disc 30 close to the bearing 27. This second cam disc 30 is orientated the opposike way to the earn disc 5, and engages in the second gap 29 The purpose of the perspective exploded view in Figure 9 is to further elucidate the construction of the embodiment shown in Figure 8. The toothbrush shaft 4 is seen, with its two cam discs 30 and 5. Also to be seen in Figure 9 is the bristte caller disc 10 with its extension 28 and with the gap 24 in which the cam disc 5 engages. The brush head 2 consists of two shells 2a, 2b. Two rings 31, 32 are inserted in the upper shelf 2a.
These rings determine the axial position of the bristle carrier disc 10 within the barrel 8 of the brush head 2.
The detail drawing of the brtstle carrier disc 10 In Figure 10 reveals the two opposing gaps 29, 24 in the extension 28 of the bristle carrier disc 10, in which the corn discs 30, respectively engage.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, a further bristle carrier disc 33 Is rotatably inserted inside the bristle carrier disc 10. The outer bristle carrier cSisc l~ is, therefore, ring-shaped. Just like the outer bristle carrier disc 10, the inner bristle carrier disc 33 has an extension 34 with two gaps 35, 36 in each of which a cam disc 37, 38 of the toothbrush shaft 4 engages, producing a reciprocating motion. The toothbrush shaft 4 in this embodiment therefore has a total of four cam discs 5, 37, 38, 30.
The perspective exploded view in Figure 12 shows the ring-sr~a~ed bristle carrier disc 10 with its extension 2B and a gap 24. Also visible is the bristle carrier disc 33 with its extension 34 and a gap 35.The toothbrush shaft 4 of Figure 12 is shown in the same way as that of Figure 9 but now has four cam discs 5, 37, 38, 30. Also to be seen in Figure 12 is one half of the bearing 27 in which the tree end of the taalhbrush shaft 4 is mounted in the brush head 2.
List of reference symbals 1 brush Casing 21 radius of eccentricity 2 brush head 22 shoulder 3 brush part 23 slot 4 toothbrush shaft 24 gap 5 cam disc 25 bristles B bearins collar 28 lateral face 7 bearing shell 27 bearing 8 barrel 28 extension 8 bottom 29 gap 10 bristle carrier disc 30 cam disc 11 joumel 31 ring 12 circlip 32 ring 13 follower pin 33 bristle can-ier disc 14 follower pin 34 extension lid 35 gap 18 bearing collar 36 gap 17 bearing sleeve 3~ cam disc 18 cap 38 cam disc 19 helical groove lateral face
in a gap in the bristle carrier disc bounded by two bearing surfaces.
Such a toothbrush is known from WO 96137164. The gap is formed by a slot in the bristle carrier disc, and the eccentric is formed by a double crank at the end of the toothbrush shaft, The free end of the crank must be aligned with the centre of the bristle carrier disc in order for the eccentric to operate without play m the slot in all angular positions. To obtain adequate resistance to wear end the requisite absence of play and at the same time low friction in the known toothbrush, it is necessary that the toothbrush shat! be formed as a metal part, which greatly increases the cost or manufacture of the electric toothbrush.
The fundamental problem of the invention is to design an electric toothbrush of the kind stated at the outset so that a11, or as nearly as. possible all, of its ~parts'can be produced as injection moulded parts.
In accordance with. the iwention this problem is solved by forming the eccentric as a cam disc which is arranged on the toothbnrsh shaft and bridges the gap In every angular position.
This configuration enables the toothbrush shaft and cam disc to be formed as simple injection moulded parts, yr even to be combined as one injection moulding. It means that sufficient absence of play can be achieved with standard manufacturing ac:curacies as the cam disc (disregarding its necessary eccentricity) does not need to be aligned with the centre of the bristle carrier disc. Furthermore, if the toothbrush shaft and the cam disc are made as two parts, different angles of sweep of the bristle carrier disc can be obtained by fitting different cam discs.
tn a particularly simple embodiment, the two bearing surfaces e~dend parallel with each other and bear against the eccentric, and the eccentric is formed as a non-circular, approximately elliptical cam disc. The effect of this configuration is to compensate for the variation in the distance between the two bearing surfaces (viewed m projection) in the course of the reciprocating motion.
The toothbrush will operate with particularly low Ievels of play and friction if th~ bearing surfaces present a convex curvature to the lateral face of the eccentric, This ensures that the bearing surface extends tangentially to the lateral face of the cam disc at all times.
Further configurations of the inventive idea follow tram the dependent cracms, in one that is especially advantageous, the cam disc has a surrounomg-hetical groove which extends obliquely with respect to the rrar~-t disc, and thsgroove bottom ionns the eccentric and bridges the,qap between the two follower pins. This configuration results in, not paint contact, but tine contact between tire follower pins and the cam disc, and hence in a considerable reduction in wear.
In the embodiments which have so far been described, a cam disc engages in a slot in the bristle carrier disc on one side of the axis of rotation of the bristle carrier disc. A
symmetrical and therefore torsionless application of force can be obtained if the bfistle carrier disc has daps disposed symmetrically and diametrically with respect to its axis of rotation and the toothbrush shaft accordingly has two cam discs orientated in opposite directions and each engaging in one of the gaps. 'fhe result is a quieter oscillating action of the bristle carrier disc. Furthermore, a~daliy directed forces an the toothbrush shaft are avoided.
In one particularly simple construction of the electric toothbrush, the bristle carrier disc [is] rotatably seated in the barrel by its lateral cylindrical face and the toothbrush shaft passes underneath the bristle carrier disc to 8 bearing in the brush head on the same side as the free end of the brush casing. Such an embodiment can be manufactured at much lower cost than the embodiments which have so far been Qescribed.
The invention also makes it possible to impaR different mottons to different sets of bristles In the bnrsh part, by rotatably mounting, conCentricalry within the bristle carrier disc, a further bristle carrier disc which likewise has an extension with opposing gaps in each of which, in a similar fashion to the cam discs far the outer bristle carrier disc, a cam disc of the toothbrush shaft engages, so that the toothbrush shaft has four cam discs altogether.
The invention admits of various embodiments. Several of these are shown in the drawing, and wilt now be described. In the drawing Fig. 1 shows a casing and head of a toothbrush, in an exploded view, Fig. 2 shows the components of Fig. 1 in a section view, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the gear between the toothbrush shaft and the brush head, Fig. 4 shows a section through the gear with the bnish head at the central point of its recipnxatin8 path, Fig. 5 shows a section through the gear with the brush head rotated away from the central point, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the toothbrush, In the region of the toothbrush shaft, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the brush casing with components mounted therein in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, 1'ig. 8 shows a longitudinal section through the region of the brush head of a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 9 shows the arrangerr~ent of Figure 8 in a perspective exploded view, s F(g. 10 is a perspective view of the bristle carrier disc according to Figures 8 and 9, Fig. 11 shows a longitudinal section through the region of the brush head of a further embodiment of the (nventian, Fig. '(2 shows the arcangement of Figure 11 in a perspective exploded view.
Figure 1 shows a brush casing 1 of a clip-on brush of an electric toothbrush.
The brush casing 1 (s farmed as an elongated hollow cylinder which is connectable at one end to a handpiece of the electric toothbrush (not shown here) and merges at the other end into a bowl-shaped brush head 2 for a brush part 3. Mounted inside the brush casing 1 is a toothbrush shaft 4 which can be coupled at one end with a motor in the handp(ece of the toothbrush, and carries at its other end an eccentric cam disc 5 whose precise shape will be described in detail presently. Located behind the cam disc 5 on the toothbfush shaft 4 is a bearing collar 6 which is held in a bearing shell 7 of the brush casing 1.
The brush head 2 has a barrel 8 which Is open ai the top and is partly closed underneath by a bottom 9. The brush part 3 has bristles 25 set in a bristle carrier disc 10. When fined, the bristle carrier disc 10 is rotatab(y held in the barrel 8.
A journal 11 passes through the bottom 9, and is retained externally by a ~ci~clip 12.
Two follower pins 13, 14 project downwards from the bristle carrier disc 10.
They extend parallel w(th but at a certain d(stance from the journal 11. A sector of~the bottom 9 corresponding to the angle of sweep of the bristle carrier disc 10~ is relieved.
A portion of the barrel 8 and of the brush casing 1 is cut away, and is closed by a lid 15 completely covering the cutaway areas; the significance of this lid 15 will become apparent in particular from the description of Figure 2 which will now ba given.
Fig. 2 shows a forward region of the assembled clip-on brush viewed in longitudinal section. The toothbrush shaft 4 (s ln$erted into the brush casing 1 tram the °plug-in"
end. As the lid 15 has not yet been closed, the bearing collar 8 located just behind the cam disc S can be placed in the bearing shell 7. The lid 15 has a shoulder 22 which fits over the toothbrush shaft 4 above the bearing shell 7 thereby fixing the shaft In the position shown.
Further away from the brush head 2, the toothbrush shaft 4 has a bearing collar 16 over which a. slot 23 of the lid 15 fits, thereby additionally fixing the toothbrush shaft 4 in the axial direction. The actual cam disc 5 is inside the brush head 2 for the brush part 3.
After assembly of the bristle caller disc 10, the follower pins 13, 14, of which only the pin 13 can be seen in Figure 2, fit over the cam disc 5 on opposrte sides, The journal 17 passes through a bearing sleeve 17 Inserted in the bottom 9 and s5 retained by a circlip 12, whicr lies in a recess, clased by a cap 18, on the outside of the bottom 9. Assembly is completed by closing the brush casing 1 by means of the lid 15.
Fig. 3 shows details of the gear formed from the cam disc 5 at the end of the toothbrush shaft a and the two follower pins 13, 14 on the bristle carrier disc 10. It will be seen that the cam disc 5 is attached to be toothbrush shaft 4 with extreme eccentricity;
it is this eccentricity which determines the angle of sweep of the bristle carrier disc 10 as it turns to and fro. The crucial feature is that the cam disc 5 taridges this gap between the follower pins i3, 14,, substantially without play, at all times, so that there is a smooth and Jolt-free transition from one direction of motion to the other.
Because the follower pins 13, 14 move on circular paths about the journal 11, there are some special features that should be noted. First of all, there is variation in the orientation of the follower pins 13, 14 with respect to the lateral face 20 of the cam disc 5. This is clearly seen by comparing Figs. 4 and 5: as the follower nuns 13, 14 move away from the shaft 4 the angle at which they rest on the lateral fare 20 becomes more acute. The sides of the follower pins 13, 14 forming the bearing surfaces are therefore curved, so that the lateral face 20 forms a tangent to the bearing face concerned at all times. Also, they move back and forth with respect to the cam disc 5. For this reason, the tern disc 5 has a certain thickness, and its lateral face 20 therefore has a certain longitudinal extent.
Moreover it should be noted that the gap between the follower pins 13, 14, when viewed in the direction parallel with the toothbrush shaft 4, varies with the angular position of the bristle carrier disc 10. This has implications for the outer contour of the cam disc. Fig. 4 shows the section through the theoretically circular cam disc 5 when its radius of eccentricity 21 (shown in Fig. 3), that is the line joining the centre of the disc and the axis of rotation determined by the toothbrush shaft 4, is parallel wnh the follower pins 13, 14. The projection of the cam disc is equal on either side of the line of the radius of eccentricity 21. Hence the bristle carrier disc 10 is in its central position.
The diameter of the cam disc 5 perpendicular to the line of the radius of eccentricity 21 will be referred to as the major diameter.
After a rotation through 90°, the radius of eccentricity 21 lies perpendicular to the foNower pins 13, 14 and the bristle carrier disc 10 has now been rotated to the furthest position from its central position. This situation is shown in Fig. 3 and Fig.
5. The gap between the follower pins 13, 14 has decreased, in the projection plane formed by the cam disc 5.
The diameter of the cam disc in this direction must else be decreased. This diameter is therefore smaller on the line of the radius of eccentricity than the major diameter defined above. The transition between the diameters is a Continuous one, giving the cam disc an approximately elliptical outer contour.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, an oblique surrounding helical groove 19 is provided Jn the lateral face of the earn disc 5. 'fhe bottom of this helical groove 19 forms the eccentric of the cam disc 5 in this embodiment.
Figure 7 shows that the two foJJower pins 13, 74 of the bristle carrier disc 10 engage in this helical groove 19. Therefore the rotary motion of the toothbrush shaft 4 again causes a reciprocating motion of the bustle carrier disc 10.
In the embodiment Shawn in Figure 8, the bristle carrier disc 10 is rotatsbly seated by Its lateral cylindrical face 28 in the ban-ei 8 of the brash head 2. The toothbrush shaft 4 passes under the bristle carrier disc 10 to a bearing 27 in the, outer side of the brush head. The bristle carrier disc 10 has on the side towards the toothbrush shaft d a ring-shaped extension 28 in which a gap 29 is provided, in addition to the gap 24 on the opposite side. The toothbrush shaft 4 engages by a cam disc 5 in the gap 24, just as in the embodiments previously described. However, the toothbrush shaft 4 has a second cam disc 30 close to the bearing 27. This second cam disc 30 is orientated the opposike way to the earn disc 5, and engages in the second gap 29 The purpose of the perspective exploded view in Figure 9 is to further elucidate the construction of the embodiment shown in Figure 8. The toothbrush shaft 4 is seen, with its two cam discs 30 and 5. Also to be seen in Figure 9 is the bristte caller disc 10 with its extension 28 and with the gap 24 in which the cam disc 5 engages. The brush head 2 consists of two shells 2a, 2b. Two rings 31, 32 are inserted in the upper shelf 2a.
These rings determine the axial position of the bristle carrier disc 10 within the barrel 8 of the brush head 2.
The detail drawing of the brtstle carrier disc 10 In Figure 10 reveals the two opposing gaps 29, 24 in the extension 28 of the bristle carrier disc 10, in which the corn discs 30, respectively engage.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, a further bristle carrier disc 33 Is rotatably inserted inside the bristle carrier disc 10. The outer bristle carrier cSisc l~ is, therefore, ring-shaped. Just like the outer bristle carrier disc 10, the inner bristle carrier disc 33 has an extension 34 with two gaps 35, 36 in each of which a cam disc 37, 38 of the toothbrush shaft 4 engages, producing a reciprocating motion. The toothbrush shaft 4 in this embodiment therefore has a total of four cam discs 5, 37, 38, 30.
The perspective exploded view in Figure 12 shows the ring-sr~a~ed bristle carrier disc 10 with its extension 2B and a gap 24. Also visible is the bristle carrier disc 33 with its extension 34 and a gap 35.The toothbrush shaft 4 of Figure 12 is shown in the same way as that of Figure 9 but now has four cam discs 5, 37, 38, 30. Also to be seen in Figure 12 is one half of the bearing 27 in which the tree end of the taalhbrush shaft 4 is mounted in the brush head 2.
List of reference symbals 1 brush Casing 21 radius of eccentricity 2 brush head 22 shoulder 3 brush part 23 slot 4 toothbrush shaft 24 gap 5 cam disc 25 bristles B bearins collar 28 lateral face 7 bearing shell 27 bearing 8 barrel 28 extension 8 bottom 29 gap 10 bristle carrier disc 30 cam disc 11 joumel 31 ring 12 circlip 32 ring 13 follower pin 33 bristle can-ier disc 14 follower pin 34 extension lid 35 gap 18 bearing collar 36 gap 17 bearing sleeve 3~ cam disc 18 cap 38 cam disc 19 helical groove lateral face
Claims (11)
1. Electric toothbrush with a toothbrush shaft rotating in a brush casing and a bristle carrier disc which are connected to each other by a gear that converts the one-way rotary motion of the toothbrush shaft into a reciprocating rotary motion of the bristle carrier disc, wherein the toothbrush shaft has at its end lying towards the rotatably mounted bristle carrier disc an eccentric which engages in a gap in the bristle carrier disc bounded by two bearing surfaces, characterized in that the eccentric is formed by a cam disc (5) which is arranged on the toothbrush shaft (4) and bridges the gap (24) in every angular position.
2. Electric toothbrush according to Claim 1, characterized in that the two bearing surfaces extend parallel with each other and bear against the eccentric and in that the eccentric is formed as a non-circular, approximately elliptical cam disc (5).
3. Electric toothbrush according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bearing surfaces present a convex curvature to the lateral face (20) of the cam disc (5).
4. Electric toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gap (24) is formed between two follower pins (13, 14) projecting from a lower end face of the bristle carrier disc (10) and the bearing surfaces are provided on these follower pins (13, 14).
5. Electric toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that close to its cam disc the toothbrush shaft (4) has a rotating collar (6) which fits into a bearing shell (7) in the brush casing (1).
6. Electric toothbrush according to Claim 5, characterized in that a section of the brush casing (1) is formed by a lid (15) which is removably inserted in an opening in the brush casing (1) and forms part of the bearing shell (7).
7. Electric toothbrush according to Claim 8, characterized in that the lid (15) also forms a section of a holder (2) for the bristle carrier disc (10).
8. Electric toothbrush according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cam disc (5) has a surrounding helical groove (19) extending obliquely with respect to the cam disc (5), with a groove bottom. which forms the eccentric and bridges the gap (24) between the two follower pins (13, 14).
9. Electric toothbrush according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristle carrier disc (10) has gaps (24, 29) disposed symmetrically and diametrically with respect to its axis of rotation and the toothbrush shaft (4) accordingly has two cam discs (5, 30) orientated In opposite directions and each engaging in one of the gaps (24, 29).
10. Electric toothbrush according to Claim 9, characterized In that the bristle carrier disc (10) [is] rotatably seated in the barrel (8) by its lateral cylindrical face (26) and the toothbrush shaft (4) passes underneath the bristle carrier disc (10) to a bearing (27) in the brush head (2) on the same side as the free end of the brush casing (1).
11. Electric toothbrushes according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a further bristle carrier disc (33) is rotatably mounted concentrically inside the bristle carrier disc (10), and likewise has an extension (34) with two opposing gaps (35, 36) in each of which a cam disc (37, 38) of the toothbrush shaft (4) engages in a similar manner to the cam discs (5, 30) for the outer bristle carrier disc, so that the toothbrush shaft (4) has a total of four cam discs (5, 30; 37, 38).
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE10051256.9 | 2000-10-16 | ||
| DE10051256 | 2000-10-16 | ||
| DE10106665 | 2001-02-12 | ||
| DE10106665.1 | 2001-02-12 | ||
| DE10108373 | 2001-02-21 | ||
| DE10108373.3 | 2001-02-21 | ||
| PCT/EP2001/011898 WO2002032342A1 (en) | 2000-10-16 | 2001-10-15 | Electrical toothbrush |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2425307A1 true CA2425307A1 (en) | 2003-04-08 |
Family
ID=27214115
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002425307A Abandoned CA2425307A1 (en) | 2000-10-16 | 2001-10-15 | Electrical toothbrush |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6829801B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1326553B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2004511296A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1220472C (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE267562T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2002219038A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2425307A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE50102437D1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2218464T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2002032342A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (24)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6836918B1 (en) * | 2002-04-10 | 2005-01-04 | Ying Kau Wong | Electric toothbrush |
| US6931688B2 (en) * | 2002-08-09 | 2005-08-23 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
| US7320691B2 (en) * | 2003-01-15 | 2008-01-22 | Pacific Bioscience Laboratories, Inc. | Apparatus and method for acoustic/mechanical treatment of early stage acne |
| JP4396992B2 (en) * | 2003-04-23 | 2010-01-13 | ザ プロクター アンド ギャンブル カンパニー | electric toothbrush |
| US7302726B2 (en) | 2003-05-23 | 2007-12-04 | Braun Gmbh | Toothbrushes |
| US20050144744A1 (en) * | 2004-01-02 | 2005-07-07 | Pn, Llc | Cleaning apparatus with reciprocating or rotating brush head |
| US7360269B2 (en) * | 2004-01-02 | 2008-04-22 | Sonicscrubbers, Llc | Cleaning apparatus with reciprocating brush head |
| US7614107B2 (en) * | 2004-01-02 | 2009-11-10 | Sonicscrubbers, Llc | Cleaning apparatus with reciprocating brush head |
| US20060010623A1 (en) * | 2004-07-14 | 2006-01-19 | Crossman Scott P | Electric toothbrush with three dimensional motion |
| JP4998012B2 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2012-08-15 | オムロンヘルスケア株式会社 | electric toothbrush |
| US7735174B2 (en) * | 2007-01-19 | 2010-06-15 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Powered toothbrush with multi-action movement |
| US8032967B2 (en) * | 2007-02-09 | 2011-10-11 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Powered toothbrush with two-sided moving head |
| ITTO20110129A1 (en) * | 2011-02-15 | 2012-08-16 | Mario-Filippo Bartalesi | DEVICES FOR DENTAL CARE APPLICABLE TO MOTORIZED HANDPIECES AND MOTORIZED HANDPIECES FOR THE APPLICATION OF SUCH DEVICES |
| WO2012151259A1 (en) | 2011-05-02 | 2012-11-08 | Water Pik, Inc. | Mechanically-driven, sonic toothbrush |
| US9468511B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-10-18 | Water Pik, Inc. | Electronic toothbrush with vibration dampening |
| WO2014145890A2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-18 | Water Pik, Inc. | Mechanically driven, sonic toothbrush and water flosser |
| EP2826441B1 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2017-02-01 | Braun GmbH | Oral hygiene implement |
| EP4233639A3 (en) * | 2015-05-04 | 2023-11-29 | Trisa Holding AG | Electric appliance for personal care |
| CN205568226U (en) | 2015-07-08 | 2016-09-14 | 洁碧有限公司 | Device of brushing teeth |
| US10561480B2 (en) | 2016-05-09 | 2020-02-18 | Water Pik, Inc. | Load sensing for oral devices |
| CN105877861B (en) * | 2016-06-11 | 2017-12-12 | 淮阴工学院 | Multi-freedom intelligent oral cleaning systems |
| USD844997S1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2019-04-09 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
| WO2018112309A1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2018-06-21 | Water Pik, Inc. | Brushing device with illumination features |
| USD845636S1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2019-04-16 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1255028A (en) * | 1917-08-03 | 1918-01-29 | Omer Leonard | Massage implement. |
| US4479516A (en) * | 1982-02-08 | 1984-10-30 | Hunter Frank M | Electrically driven toothbrush |
| IT1261901B (en) * | 1993-02-26 | 1996-06-03 | Ariete Srl | TOOTHBRUSH, ANTI-PLAQUE, MOTORIZED. |
| US5625916A (en) | 1995-05-24 | 1997-05-06 | Mcdougall; Greg | Toothbrush |
| US5617603A (en) * | 1996-07-23 | 1997-04-08 | Mei; Tzeng J. N. | Brush head assembly of an electric toothbrush |
| US5732432A (en) * | 1996-11-20 | 1998-03-31 | Addway Engineering Limited | Electric toothbrushes |
| US5784743A (en) * | 1996-12-30 | 1998-07-28 | Addway Engineering Limited | Electric toothbrushes |
| DE29819500U1 (en) * | 1998-11-02 | 2000-05-25 | Hofmann Joerg | Brush part for electric toothbrush |
| DE19934805C2 (en) * | 1999-07-28 | 2001-10-18 | Moser Elektrogeraete Gmbh | Toothbrush with eccentric drive |
-
2001
- 2001-10-15 EP EP01987647A patent/EP1326553B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-10-15 CN CNB018204406A patent/CN1220472C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-10-15 WO PCT/EP2001/011898 patent/WO2002032342A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-10-15 CA CA002425307A patent/CA2425307A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-10-15 DE DE50102437T patent/DE50102437D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-10-15 AT AT01987647T patent/ATE267562T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-10-15 AU AU2002219038A patent/AU2002219038A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-10-15 JP JP2002535581A patent/JP2004511296A/en active Pending
- 2001-10-15 ES ES01987647T patent/ES2218464T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-10-16 US US09/977,576 patent/US6829801B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2004511296A (en) | 2004-04-15 |
| ES2218464T3 (en) | 2004-11-16 |
| AU2002219038A1 (en) | 2002-04-29 |
| US20020066147A1 (en) | 2002-06-06 |
| CN1479595A (en) | 2004-03-03 |
| DE50102437D1 (en) | 2004-07-01 |
| ATE267562T1 (en) | 2004-06-15 |
| US6829801B2 (en) | 2004-12-14 |
| EP1326553B1 (en) | 2004-05-26 |
| WO2002032342A1 (en) | 2002-04-25 |
| EP1326553A1 (en) | 2003-07-16 |
| CN1220472C (en) | 2005-09-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |