JP4775366B2 - toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toothbrush.

As a conventional toothbrush, a power source, a tip side electrode provided at a portion that is connected to one pole of the power source and enters the oral cavity when brushing, and a handle that is connected to the other pole of the power source and exposed on the surface of the handle When you brush your teeth, from one pole of the power source to the tip side electrode, liquid (water, dentifrice, saliva, etc.), the user's mouth, body, fingers, handle side electrode, and the other of the power source There is known a circuit in which a circuit extending to the pole of the mouth is formed and the oral cavity is energized. According to this toothbrush, a massage effect can be given to the gums by energizing the oral cavity (for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 2560162

  However, in the conventional toothbrush, the contact state between the tip side electrode and the liquid is insufficient, the circuit is interrupted at this portion, and the energization state in the oral cavity may become unstable.

  Then, an object of this invention is to obtain the toothbrush which can stabilize the electricity supply state in an oral cavity more.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the power source, the tip-side electrode connected to one pole of the power source and provided in a portion that enters the oral cavity when brushing teeth, and the other electrode of the power source are exposed to the surface of the handle. In the toothbrush having a handle-side electrode provided, a liquid storage chamber having a movable lid is formed in a portion of the toothbrush that enters the oral cavity, and the tip-side electrode is provided to face the liquid storage chamber, and the liquid The accommodation chamber is formed by a concave portion that opens toward the front end side of the hair bundle at the base portion of the hair bundle, and the root portion of the hair bundle is accommodated in the concave portion as the movable lid so as to be able to advance and retreat, and the root portion is In addition to providing an elastic body for biasing to the opening side of the recess, a retaining mechanism for suppressing the root portion from coming out of the opening is provided, and the tip side electrode is exposed at the bottom of the recess. To do.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the elastic body for urging the base portion in the liquid storage chamber is formed of a conductive member and used as the tip side electrode.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the elastic body is a coil spring accommodated in the recess.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the elastic body is a leaf spring in which a conductive plate provided in the base portion is cut and raised to protrude into the recess.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the liquid can be temporarily retained in the liquid storage chamber having the movable lid to obtain a more stable contact state between the liquid and the tip-side electrode. An energized state can be obtained more stably.

Further , according to the invention of claim 1 , since the hair bundle can be supported so as to protrude and retract on the base portion, the hair bundle easily fits the shape of the teeth and gums, and the toothbrush and teeth when brushing teeth. It is possible to improve the removal performance of plaque. And, when the parts are shared separately by the structure that supports the hair bundle so that it can protrude and retract on the base part and the structure that temporarily retains the liquid in the liquid storage chamber, Compared to the configuration, the configuration can be simplified.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the contact area between the tip electrode and the liquid can be easily increased in the liquid storage chamber, and a more stable energized state can be easily obtained.

According to the invention of claim 3, by using the elastic body as a coil spring, the contact area of the tip side electrode with the liquid is further increased in the liquid storage chamber as the surface area of the coil spring wound in a coil shape. By enlarging, it becomes easier to obtain a more stable energized state.

According to the invention of claim 4, the number of components can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified by using the plate spring obtained by cutting and raising the conductive plate as the elastic body.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each of the following embodiments includes similar components. The same constituent elements are given common reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Of these, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a toothbrush according to this embodiment, and FIG. It is an enlarged view of the A section.

  The toothbrush 1 is configured as a so-called electric toothbrush, and includes a main body 2c including a handle 2b and a distal end 2d including a base 2a and movably supported by the main body 2c. Then, the tip portion 2d is repeatedly vibrated in the axial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) through the movable shafts 14a and 14b by an electric actuator (for example, a linear motor) 7 as a vibration mechanism built in the main body 2c. So, the removal efficiency of meal and plaque when brushing teeth is increased. About this vibration mechanism, ON / OFF can be switched and an amplitude and a frequency can be switched by operation of the switch 16 provided in the handle 2b. Further, a speed reduction mechanism including a gear or the like may be provided so that the operation of the actuator is decelerated and output. In addition, the electric actuator may be provided with a gear, a link mechanism, or the like that converts the rotation output of the electric motor into a reciprocating output as a rotary electric motor, or as another actuator (an actuator having a magnetic circuit structure, etc.) Also good. Moreover, you may comprise so that the operating speed and movable range of the front-end | tip part 2d can be changed electrically or mechanically.

  The main body 2c includes a casing 2e made of an insulating material (for example, a synthetic resin material) formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In addition to the electric actuator 7, a battery 6 as a power source, a booster circuit, and a current limiter are provided. A circuit board 8 on which various circuits such as a circuit are formed is provided.

  The toothbrush 1 also includes an energization mechanism that energizes the oral cavity when brushing teeth. That is, the tip side electrode 9 (see FIG. 2) provided at a portion (tip portion 2d) that is connected to one electrode of the battery 6 and enters the oral cavity when brushing teeth and the other electrode of the battery 6 are connected to the handle 2b. And a handle-side electrode 10 provided to be exposed on the surface 2f.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the handle-side electrode 10 is formed in a strip shape along the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the handle 2 b, and comes into close contact with the user's hand when the user holds the handle 2 b. It is like that. The handle-side electrode 10 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery 6 through the conductive path 12 including the terminal 12a and the circuit board 8. Note that both the tip side electrode 9 and the handle side electrode 10 are formed of a conductive material (for example, a conductive resin material, a metal, or the like).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the base portion 2a of the distal end portion 2d is formed with a concave portion 21a that opens toward the distal end side of the hair bundle 2j, and the distal electrode 9 is formed by the concave portion 21a. The liquid storage chamber 20 is provided so as to face the inside.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the distal end portion 2d includes a distal end side main body portion 2h and a lid plate 2i that closes a concave portion 2k that is elongated in the longitudinal direction formed in the distal end side main body portion 2h. Then, a substantially strip-shaped conductive plate 13 placed on the bottom of the recess 2k is sandwiched and fixed by the front end side main body portion 2h and the lid plate 2i.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tip 13b of the conductive plate 13 is exposed at the bottom of the recess 21a (liquid storage chamber 20) formed in the base 2a, and constitutes a part of the tip-side electrode 9. ing. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a base end side portion (portion on the main body portion 2c side) of the conductive plate 13 is bent in a substantially bowl shape to form a terminal 13a, and this terminal 13a is connected to the tip end side. It is elastically brought into contact with the movable shaft 14a.

  The tip electrode 9 as the tip 13b of the conductive plate 13 is connected to the terminal 13a, the movable shaft 14a fitted in the hole 17 formed in the tip 2d, and the movable shaft 14a in the main body 2c. The battery 6 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery 6 through the movable shaft 14 b, the conductive path 11 formed including the conductive plate 15, and the circuit board 8.

  Therefore, when the user holds the handle 2b with his hand and puts the tip 2d into the oral cavity, the positive electrode of the battery 6, the circuit board 8, the conductive path 12, the handle-side electrode 10, the user's fingers, the user's body, A circuit is formed in the user's oral cavity (teeth, gums, water, saliva, dentifrice, etc.), the distal electrode 9, the conductive path 11, the circuit board 8, and the negative electrode of the battery 6 to energize the oral cavity. Can do. Thereby, a massage effect, a plaque removal effect, etc. can be acquired. In the present embodiment, the energizing mechanism for brushing teeth is not provided with a switch for switching between opening and closing of the circuit. Therefore, the circuit is closed when the user puts the tip 2d of the toothbrush 1 into the oral cavity, and the circuit is opened when the user takes it out of the oral cavity. However, of course, a switch may be provided to limit the case where the circuit is closed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the liquid storage chamber 20 is formed in the base portion 2a of the hair bundle 2j, and the distal end portion 13b of the conductive plate 13 as the distal end side electrode 9 is replaced with the liquid storage chamber 20. It is provided to face inside.

  The liquid storage chamber 20 is formed by a recess 21a that opens toward the distal end side of the hair bundle 2j in the base portion 2a that is inserted into the oral cavity when brushing teeth. And the base part 22 of the hair | bristle bundle 2j is accommodated in the recessed part 21a which makes this liquid storage chamber 20 so that advancing and retreating is possible, and the opening part 21b side of the recessed part 21a is interrupted | blocked by this root part 22. FIG. That is, in the present embodiment, the root portion 22 functions as a movable lid of the liquid storage chamber 20.

  In such a liquid storage chamber in which the movable lid is not set and the opening is opened, it becomes difficult for the liquid to stay in the liquid storage chamber. However, in the present embodiment, the root portion 22 as the movable lid does not confine the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 20 and seal it, but temporarily holds the liquid once entering the liquid storage chamber 20 during brushing. It is set for the purpose of suppressing immediate outflow from the liquid storage chamber 20. For this reason, the clearance between the side surface 22b of the root portion 22 and the inner surface of the recess 21a is set to a required size, and the root portion 22 is loosely inserted into the recess 21a. In this case, a groove extending in the sliding direction may be provided on the inner surface of the side surface 22b or the concave portion 21a in order to ensure the circulation of the liquid.

  On the other hand, a coil spring 23 is accommodated between the bottom surface 22a of the root portion 22 and the surface of the front end portion 13b of the conductive plate 13 which becomes the bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber 20, and the root portion 22 is opened to the opening portion of the recess 21a. It is biased toward the 21b side.

  The coil spring 23 is made of a conductive member such as a conductive metal or a conductive resin, and contacts the tip portion 13b of the conductive plate 13 exposed at the bottom of the liquid storage chamber 20 in a conductive state. A part of the distal electrode 9 is formed together with the portion 13b.

  The opening 21b of the recess 21a that forms the liquid storage chamber 20 protrudes inwardly in a radially inward direction and is narrower than the back side of the recess 21a. The peripheral portion 22c of the base portion 22 urged by the coil spring 23 is engaged with the distal end side of the bundle 2j to prevent the root portion 22 from coming out of the recess 21a. That is, in this embodiment, the retaining mechanism 24 is configured by the peripheral portions 21c and 22c. The retaining mechanism 24 does not need a function of sealing the liquid.

  With the above configuration, the root portion 22, that is, the hair bundle 2j is held in the recess 21a so as to be able to advance and retreat in the extending direction of the hair bundle 2j. For this reason, at the time of brushing, the tip of the hair bundle 2j is pressed in a state that fits the shape of the teeth and gums, so that it is possible to more efficiently remove freckle and plaque.

  The hair bundle 2j protrudes from the base portion 2a according to the shape and contact of the teeth and gums. The root portion 22 of the hair bundle 2j extends into the recess 21a according to the protrusion and protrusion of the hair bundle 2j. Move forward and backward. In the present embodiment, the inflow of the liquid into the liquid storage chamber 20 is promoted by the advance / retreat of the root portion 22. Further, as described above, the root portion 22 functions as a movable lid that suppresses the liquid from flowing out from the opening 21b, so that the liquid once taken into the liquid storage chamber 20 immediately flows out. It will stay temporarily.

  Therefore, according to the above configuration, contact / conduction between the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 20 and the front end portion 13b of the conductive plate 13 and the coil spring 23 as the front end side electrode 9 exposed in the liquid storage chamber 20 is achieved. A state becomes easy to be maintained.

  In addition, after tooth brushing is completed, the inside of the liquid storage chamber 20 can be washed with water by, for example, applying the tip 2d to running water while the hair bundle 2j protrudes and sinks with fingers or the like. That is, it is easy to keep the inside of the liquid storage chamber 20 clean.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the battery 6, the tip-side electrode 9 provided at the tip 2 d as a part that is connected to one electrode of the battery 6 and enters the oral cavity when brushing teeth, and the other of the battery 6 In the toothbrush 1 having the handle-side electrode 10 that is connected to the pole of the handle and is exposed on the surface of the handle 2b, a liquid storage chamber 20 having a movable lid (base portion 22 in the present embodiment) is provided at the tip 2d. The tip electrode 9 was formed so as to face the liquid storage chamber 20.

  For this reason, the liquid can be temporarily retained in the liquid storage chamber 20 having the movable lid to obtain a more stable contact state between the liquid and the distal electrode 9. It can be obtained more stably. Furthermore, when the tip side electrode is provided so as to be exposed in the oral cavity, the user may feel uncomfortable with the touch of the tip side electrode. Because it is provided, this is not the case.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid storage chamber 20 is formed by the concave portion 21a that opens toward the distal end side of the hair bundle 2j at the base portion 2a of the hair bundle 2j, and the root portion 22 of the hair bundle 2j is used as a movable lid. An elastic body (coil spring 23 in the present embodiment) that accommodates the recess 21a so as to be able to advance and retract and urges the root 22 toward the opening 21b of the recess 21a is provided, and the root 22 is the opening 21b. A retaining mechanism 24 that suppresses slipping out of the container is provided.

  For this reason, it is possible to support the hair bundle 2j so that it can protrude and retract on the base portion 2a, and the hair bundle 2j can easily fit into the shape of the teeth and gums, thereby improving the removal performance of toothpaste and plaque when brushing teeth. be able to. In addition, the structure that supports the hair bundle 2j so that it can protrude and retract on the base portion 2a and the structure that temporarily retains the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 20 can share parts separately. The configuration can be simplified as compared with the case where it is provided.

  In the present embodiment, the elastic body (coil spring 23 in the present embodiment) that urges the root portion 22 toward the opening 21b side of the recess 21a in the liquid storage chamber 20 is configured by a conductive member, and the tip side electrode 9 is used.

  For this reason, it becomes easy to enlarge the contact area with the liquid of the front end side electrode 9 in the liquid storage chamber 20, and it becomes easy to obtain a more stable energization state.

  In the present embodiment, the elastic body is a coil spring 23 housed in the recess 21a.

  That is, by using the coil spring 23 as the elastic body, the surface area of the coil spring 23 wound in a coil shape, the contact area of the tip electrode 9 with the liquid is further expanded in the liquid storage chamber 20. This makes it easier to obtain a more stable energized state. Moreover, the structure which urges | biases the base part 22 as a movable lid with an elastic body can be obtained as a comparatively simple structure.

  (Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of only the tip of the toothbrush according to this embodiment.

  Also in the toothbrush 1A according to the present embodiment, the base portion 2a is formed with a concave portion 21a that opens toward the distal end side of the bristle bundle 2j, and the root portion 22 of the bristle bundle 2j is accommodated in the concave portion 21a so as to advance and retreat. is there. The root portion 22 of the hair bundle 2j is used as a movable lid of the liquid storage chamber 20.

  However, in this embodiment, the conductive plate 13A is cut and raised to the distal end side of the hair bundle 2j as an elastic body that biases the root portion 22 toward the distal end side of the hair bundle 2j (opening portion 21b side of the recess 21a). A flat spring 23A is provided. In the present embodiment, at least the bottoms of the recesses 21a adjacent to each other are communicated with each other so as to secure an appropriate length of the leaf spring 23A and obtain an elastic force.

  In such a configuration, the leaf spring 23A forms a part of the conductive plate 13A, and thus naturally has conductivity, and thus functions as the distal electrode 9 as well.

  In the above embodiment, the elastic body that urges the root portion 22 as the movable lid toward the distal end side of the hair bundle 2j is cut out and raised in the conductive plate 13A provided in the base portion 2a and protrudes into the recess 21a. It was set as the leaf | plate spring 23A made to do. For this reason, since the leaf spring 23A can be provided as a part of the conductive plate 13A, the number of parts can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified. In addition, since the elastic body (plate spring 23A) that also functions as the distal electrode 9 is integrated with the conductive plate 13A, the conductive resistance is compared with the case where the elastic body and the conductive plate are separated. There is also an advantage that (contact resistance) is reduced.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, the power source may be any power source (battery, component, circuit, etc.) that can serve as a circuit formed during sterilization processing or a circuit including the user's body when brushing teeth, such as a capacitor (for example, a capacitor). Etc.) may be used. Further, the conductive path between the power source and each electrode is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be variously changed. For example, the power source and each electrode can be connected without using a circuit board.

  Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a toothbrush having no vibration mechanism. Each electrode, the liquid container, the movable lid, the elastic body, the retaining mechanism, and other detailed specifications (structure, dimensions, material, etc.) can be changed as appropriate. For example, the elastic body may be conductive rubber.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toothbrush concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the A section of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front-end | tip part of the toothbrush concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1,1A toothbrush 2a base 2b handle 2c main body 2d tip 2f surface 2j hair bundle 6 battery (power supply)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Tip side electrode 10 Handle side electrode 11 Conductive path 12 Conductive path 13, 13A Conductive plate 20 Liquid storage chamber 21a Recessed part 21b Opening part 22 Root part (movable lid)
23 Coil spring (elastic body)
23A leaf spring (elastic body)
24 retaining mechanism

Claims (4)

A power source, a tip-side electrode provided at a portion that enters the oral cavity when brushed and connected to one pole of the power source, and a handle-side electrode that is connected to the other pole of the power source and exposed on the surface of the handle In the toothbrush
Forming a liquid storage chamber having a movable lid in the portion of the toothbrush that enters the oral cavity;
Providing the tip side electrode so as to face the liquid storage chamber ;
The liquid storage chamber is formed by a concave portion that opens toward the hair bundle tip side at the base portion of the hair bundle, and the root portion of the hair bundle is accommodated in the concave portion as the movable lid so as to advance and retreat,
While providing an elastic body that urges the root portion toward the opening side of the recess, a retaining mechanism is provided that suppresses the root portion from slipping out of the opening portion,
The tip brush is exposed at the bottom of the recess . The toothbrush according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic body that urges the root portion in the liquid storage chamber is formed of a conductive member and is used as the tip side electrode. The elastic body, toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a coil spring which is accommodated in the recess. The toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the elastic body is a leaf spring obtained by cutting and raising a conductive plate provided in the base portion and projecting the conductive plate into the recess.

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