JPH029801B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush holder, and more particularly to a toothbrush mounting structure for an electric toothbrush device that can be used to detachably attach various types of commercially available manual toothbrushes. It is something.

[Conventional technology] For the prevention and treatment of gingivitis in children and pyorrhea in adults, a brushing method called the bath method is used, in which the toothbrush is placed at an angle of about 45 degrees at the border between the teeth and the gums, and the brushing is applied horizontally in small steps. When brushing, it is necessary to vibrate the bristles to the extent that they do not slide sideways.

Performing this bus method manually is very tedious and difficult, and typically tends to result in large horizontal lateral movements.

Therefore, there are electric toothbrushes on the market that move their toothbrushes automatically, but these conventional electric toothbrushes come with their own special toothbrushes, so you can choose the best one for your teeth and gums. It is not possible to select a toothbrush based on its bristle quality, shape, size, processing method, etc. It is extremely difficult to completely clean the inside of one person's mouth with one type of toothbrush, and it is said that it is necessary to use multiple different toothbrushes to ensure a thorough cleaning. ing.

Next, the shapes and dimensions of the handles of manual toothbrushes vary widely. It is required that handles of various shapes and sizes can be quickly and easily attached, that the attached handles will not move or come off during power-driven brushing, and that they can be removed easily and quickly. Ru.

Therefore, in the past, there is an electric toothbrush in which a pair of leaf springs are arranged in a housing that is reciprocated by a motor, and this is fixed to the housing by being held between the leaf springs of the toothbrush handle. . (Special Publication No. 42-27372).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, since this electric toothbrush has a structure in which the toothbrush is fixed to the housing by being held between a pair of leaf springs, a plate is required to prevent the toothbrush from accidentally falling off. The clamping force of the spring must be strong, and therefore considerable pushing and pulling force is required when attaching and detaching the toothbrush. Further, since various commercially available toothbrushes have different handle thicknesses, when using a toothbrush with a thin handle or a toothbrush with an uneven handle, there is a possibility that the toothbrush cannot be securely fixed to the housing.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is capable of extremely easily attaching and detaching all types of commercially available toothbrushes (excluding those with special irregular dimensions), and which ensures that all types of toothbrushes can be attached and detached reliably regardless of the dimensions of the toothbrush handle. To provide an electric toothbrush holder that can hold a toothbrush.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The electric toothbrush holder of the present invention includes an electric drive device housed in a cylindrical main body, and a toothbrush receiver movably held in the main body and reciprocated by the electric drive device. In the electric toothbrush holder, a locking ring is pivotally supported to the top of the opening of the attachment so as to be swingable around a substantially horizontal axis, and the locking ring is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the attachment. The retaining ring is biased by a spring in the direction of the upright position, the inner diameter of the retaining ring is larger than the handle of the toothbrush held by the attachment, and the retaining ring is covered with a friction member.

[Function] With this configuration, when installing the toothbrush,
After the locking ring is swung to a substantially horizontal position against the biasing force and the toothbrush is inserted into the attachment while passing through the locking ring, the locking ring is moved in the opposite direction, that is, toward the upright position, by the biasing force. All you have to do is swing it and press the handle of the toothbrush. As a result, the toothbrush has its lower end pressed against the bottom inner wall of the attachment, its center pressed against the mouth of the attachment in opposite directions, and its upper portion directly pressed by the locking ring. Therefore, with this holding structure, even if the thickness of the toothbrush handle changes, the holding force does not change, and the attachment/detachment operation remains the same. Since the locking ring is coated with a friction member, even if an external force that causes the toothbrush to slip out is applied, the locking ring will strengthen the toothbrush handle due to the frictional force between the locking ring and the toothbrush handle due to the spring biasing force. Press down to increase frictional force and prevent the toothbrush from slipping out.

When the bristles of the toothbrush are held with the tips facing outward, if the bristles come into contact with the tooth surface and a pressing force is generated in the lateral direction, the toothbrush will move in a direction centered around the mouth of the attachment to release the pressing force. It is rotatable and prevents excessive pressure from being applied to tooth surfaces and gums.

[Example] An example of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 8, 1 indicates a cylindrical gripping part made of resin such as ABS, and the top opening of its main body 26 has a large diameter opening 34, a small diameter opening 35, and a horizontal part 37 in between. A stepped opening is formed.
And on the upper surface of the horizontal part 37, an annular mountain-shaped protrusion 2 is formed.
5 is formed, and several recesses 36 are provided in the upper inner circumferential wall of the small diameter opening 35 facing outward in the radial direction.
A through hole 27 is provided at the bottom of the main body 26, and a pair of vertical protrusions 30, 31 are provided at a predetermined height from the bottom of the inner wall at diametrically opposed positions. A vertical elongated hole 32 is provided projecting above the outer wall in a direction perpendicular to the protrusions 30, 31, and elongated grooves 33 are provided on the outer surface on both sides of this elongated hole.

The skirt portion of the elastic retaining ring 5 is tightly fitted into the small diameter opening 35, and several protrusions 28 are formed on its upper outer periphery as shown in FIG. It fits tightly into the recess 36, and several protrusions 29 are formed on the inner periphery.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 9, 2 indicates an attachment supporter made of a resin such as polyacetal, which is inserted into the gripping part 1, and its outer peripheral surface is generally between the inner peripheral surface of the gripping part 1. A space 52 is formed, and there is an annular upper flange 38 supported by the retaining ring 5 on the upper part, and a recessed groove 51 into which the inner protrusion 29 of the retaining ring 5 is fitted is formed on the outer periphery of the flange 38. It also has an annular lower flange 40 attached at a predetermined interval between this flange 38 and several side plates 39, and this flange 40 has a recessed part 41 of the flange 38. , 47 are provided with recessed notches 41', 4
7' is provided (Fig. 5). The flange 38 has a protrusion 42 that fits into the longitudinal groove between the protrusions 29 of the retaining ring 5 to hold the supporter 2 in a predetermined position relative to the grip part 1, and the lower flange 40 has a leg part 43,
44 are installed. Two slits 45 are provided on the outer periphery of one side of the protrusion 42 of the flange 38, and a recess 45 is provided on the top surface of the flange 38, connecting at right angles to the top 45 of the slit.
6 is provided. Further, on the inner periphery of the upper flange 38, recessed portions 41 and 4 are provided on the same diameter line.
7 is provided. The lower flange 40 is provided with a slit 48 at a position opposite to the slit 45, a through hole 49 is provided between the legs 43 and 44, and a recess 50 is provided at the lower end.

Particularly with reference to FIGS. 3 and 10, reference numeral 3 designates an attachment made of resin such as nylon, which is slidably fitted into the supporter 2, and has an opening 5 at the top.
5, has a cylindrical body 54 whose lower part is closed by a bottom plate 56, and has an annular flange 57 at the top.
An annular groove 58 is formed in the lower part thereof, a bearing part 60 having a horizontal through hole 59 is established in the flange 57, and holes 61 are bored in the flange 57 on both sides of this bearing part 60. There is. On the outer periphery of the main body 54 facing the concave notches 41 and 47 of the supporter 2, there is a vertical protrusion 62 that slides into the concave notches 41 and 47.
(Fig. 2), 63 is formed, and the protrusion 63 is cut out in the middle and divided into upper and lower parts. A leg portion 64 is provided vertically from the bottom plate 56, and a horizontal oval hole 65 is formed in the leg portion 64.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a bellows made of an elastic material, and is provided with upper and lower annular flanges 68 and 69 facing inward, the upper flange 68 being tightly fitted into the annular groove 58 of the attachment 3, and the lower flange 69 being fitted into the opening 34 of the gripping part 1.
The holding ring 16 is tightly fitted into the opening 35 of the gripping part 1, and is firmly held in the gripping part 1. The bellows 4 seals the upper opening of the grip 1.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a toothbrush receiver made of an elastic material that is tightly fitted to the attachment 3, and the bottom plate 71 is an inclined surface that gradually rises from the bearing portion 60 side of the attachment 3 to the opposite side.

Particularly with reference to FIG. 11, reference numeral 7 denotes a locking ring made of an elastic material, the leg of which is pivoted to the bearing 60 of the attachment 3 with a pin 75, and the lower part of a spring 77 embedded in the main body 76. is wrapped around the pin 75, and its tip 78 protrudes to the outside to form a hole 61 bored in the annular flange 57 of the attachment 3.
The ring 7 is always urged to assume the upright position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a motor supporter made of an elastic material, and includes a bottom plate 80 having a through hole 82 at the bottom of a cylindrical portion 81 having an outer periphery that fits into the lower inner periphery of the grip portion 1 and an inner periphery that accommodates the motor 9. is provided, and this bottom part 8
0 indicates protrusions 30 and 31 provided at the lower part of the grip part 1
placed on top.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a motor, to which a cord 87 that fits into the motor supporter 8 and passes through a cord support 86 attached to a through hole 27 at the bottom of the grip portion 1 is connected. A pinion 88 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 9.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 12, 10 indicates a drive part supporter, and a through hole 9 into which the head of the motor 9 is fitted and protrudes.
0 is secured to the top of the motor 9 by a set screw 93. A pair of upright pieces 95 are provided on the upper peripheral edge of the substrate 91, the outer sides of which abut the inner sides of the protrusions 43 and 44 of the supporter 2, and each of which has a through hole 94 formed at a position opposite to the through hole 49. A hanging piece 96 is provided connected to this upright piece 95, and the top of this hanging piece 96 is attached to the supporter 2.
It is positioned by fitting into the recess 50 at the lower end of the protrusions 43, 44.

Through hole 49 of supporter 2 and drive part supporter 10
A drive shaft 100 is pivotally supported by the through hole 94 (FIG. 2), and this drive shaft has a bevel gear 101 that meshes with the pinion 88 and an oval hole 6 of the attachment 3.
Drive member 1 with an eccentric body 102 slidably fitted into 5
1 is fixed, and an idler wheel 10 is fixed to the body 102.
3 is fitted externally.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 13, 12 indicates a switch attached to the main body 26 of the grip part 1, and a square column part 106 protruding from the back of a knob 105 curved similarly to the outer circumferential surface of the main body 26 is attached to the main body 26. The projections 108 provided on both sides of the prismatic portion 106 slide into the long grooves 33 arranged on both sides of the long hole 32 (Fig. 2). It is inserted and positioned. A substantially elliptical groove 109 is formed on the back surface of the knob 105 and passes through the middle part of the prismatic portion 106 and the protrusion 108.
A ring 110 is arranged, and this ring 11
0 is in contact with the surface of the main body 26 for sealing. A square hole on the back surface of a movable contact support member 111 made of a non-conductive material fits into the square column part 106, and is fixed to the knob 105 by a set screw 112. This supporting member 111 has chevron-shaped protrusions 107 formed on both sides thereof, and a movable contact piece 113 having a contact portion is wound around the center of one of the inclined surfaces.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a pair of fixed contacts made of a conductive material, which are installed in the circuit of the motor 9;
Its upper straight part is the upper flange 3 of the contact piece holder 2.
8, the bent portion is supported in the recess 46, and the lower end portion is fitted into the slit 48 of the lower flange 40 and held there. A chevron-shaped projection 115 is formed on the opposing inner side of this contact piece 13, and this
07, and in the open position shown by the solid line in FIG.
In the closed position shown in chain lines, the protrusion 107 is connected to the protrusion 11.
The contact pieces 13 and 113 are engaged with the upper inclined surface of the contact piece 5 and come into contact with each other.

With particular reference to FIG. 14, the state of use of the foregoing will be described. To attach the toothbrush 14 to the holder, the toothbrush retaining ring 7 pivotally attached to the attachment 3 is laid down against the force of the spring 77, and then the toothbrush receiver 6 is inserted through the ring 7.
Insert the handle 15 of the toothbrush 14 inside and release the ring 7. Here, the force of the spring 77 causes the ring 7 to return to the upright position, at which time the handle 15
The ring 7 locks on the upper part of the toothbrush 7, and the rear end of the toothbrush 7 moves until it engages with one of the inner surfaces of the receiver 6 as shown by the solid line and chain line in FIG. will be retained.

After doing this, when the toothbrush 14 is placed in the mouth and the knob 105 of the switch 12 is moved to the chain line position in FIG. As the eccentric body 102 of 11 rotates, the attachment 3 and the toothbrush receiver 6 inserted therein reciprocate, and this becomes the movement of the toothbrush 14 to brush the teeth. At this time, in this embodiment, since the idler wheel 103 is loosely fitted into the eccentric body part 102, the idler wheel 103 is connected to the body part 102 and the hole 65.
Since it moves freely across the surface, it is possible to improve output and reduce noise.

In FIG. 14A, when the toothbrush 14 is in the solid line position, the rear end of the handle 15 is at the highest point of the bottom plate 71 of the receiving tube 6, and the bearing part 60 serves as a fulcrum.
In addition to the short distance from the rear end to the spring 77
Since the pressing force is the weakest, the reaction force against the teeth of the toothbrush 14 in the direction of the arrow is the weakest.On the other hand, when the handle 15 is in the chain line position, the handle 15 is in contact with the inner wall of the receiving tube 6, and the spring 77 Since the pressing force is the strongest, the reaction force against the teeth of the toothbrush 14 is the strongest. The solid line in Figure B indicates that the toothbrush 14 is at an intermediate position between the two positions, and the chain line indicates that the lower end of the handle 15 is further up, where the reaction force is the weakest. By changing the position of the toothbrush 14 depending on the type of toothbrush 14, the condition of the teeth and gums, etc., the required pressure can be appropriately selected and applied to the gums.

When an external force is applied that causes the toothbrush 14 to come off during use, the locking ring 7 tends to further swing toward the upright position using the pin 75 as a fulcrum due to the frictional force between the toothbrush handle and the inner edge of the locking ring 7. ,
The frictional force between the toothbrush handle and the locking ring 7 is further increased to prevent the toothbrush 14 from slipping out.

When removing the toothbrush, the toothbrush 14 is released by pushing down the retaining ring 7 to a substantially horizontal position against the spring force, and can be easily removed.

When saliva, toothpaste paste, etc. generated during tooth brushing flow along the handle 15 toward the holder, the opening is sealed by the bellows 4, and the switch 12 is also sealed by the O-ring 110. Therefore, these do not enter into the grip part 1 and enter into the receiving tube 6. Therefore, by cleaning this receiving cylinder 6, the entire holder will always be kept clean, and there is no risk of water entering the inside during this cleaning.

Further, the attachment 3 and the motor 9 are supported by the grip part 1 via the elastic retaining ring 2 and the elastic supporter 8, and a space 52 is formed between the grip part 1, the attachment 3, and the drive member 11. , noise generation during use is significantly reduced, and vibrations are also reduced.

[Effect] As explained above, according to the present invention, all kinds of commercially available manual toothbrushes (excluding specially shaped ones) can be attached and detached very easily, and the brushes can be swiveled in the upright position. Since the toothbrush is held on the attachment by pressing the toothbrush handle with the biased locking ring, it is possible to prevent the toothbrush from accidentally falling off, and
Since the toothbrush itself is also rotatably held, it is possible to prevent excessive force from acting on tooth surfaces and gums.

Further, according to the present invention, even if the thickness of the toothbrush handle changes, the force for holding the toothbrush does not change, and the operating force for attaching and removing the toothbrush also changes as the toothbrush changes. There will be nothing to do.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line - shown above, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line - shown above, and FIGS.
, -, -, -, an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the lines, Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the gripping portion of the above, Fig. 9 A, B, and C are a plan view, a front view, and a left side view of the contact piece holder of the above, FIG. 10 is a front view of the same attachment as above, FIG. 11 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional front view of the toothbrush locking ring same as above, FIGS. 12 A and B are front views and plan views of the drive part supporter same as above, and FIG. 13 A ,B
14A and 14B are a front view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line B--B of the switch showing the above switch in an installed state, and FIGS. 14A and 14B are partial longitudinal sectional front views showing the switch in use. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Gripping part, 2... Attachment supporter, 3... Attachment, 4... Bellows, 5...
...Retaining ring, 6...Toothbrush receiver, 7...Toothbrush locking ring, 8...Motor supporter, 9...Motor, 10...Drive part supporter, 11...Drive member, 12...Switch, 13... ...Fixed contact piece, 14
...Toothbrush, 15...handle.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 an electric drive device housed in a cylindrical main body;
In an electric toothbrush holder comprising a toothbrush receiving attachment movably held in a main body and reciprocated by the electric drive device, a locking ring is swingable about a substantially horizontal axis with respect to an opening top of the attachment. The locking ring is pivotably supported, and the locking ring is spring-biased in a direction of an upright position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the attachment, and the inner diameter of the locking ring is formed to be larger than the handle of the toothbrush held by the attachment; An electric toothbrush holder in which the locking ring is coated with a friction member.