JPH09252843A - Electric toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric toothbrush having no mechanical loss on power, miniaturized, and finely finished easily in particular. SOLUTION: A linear type reciprocating motor 2 provided with a stator 20 having a coil 22 and needles 21 made of a permanent magnet 25 or a magnetic substance and straightly reciprocating the needles 21 against the stator 20 is used as a drive source. A brush 6 connected to the needles 21 of the motor 2 and reciprocated is arranged in the extension line direction of the reciprocation axis of the needles 21 of the motor 2, aligned substantially on the same axis as the needles 21, and reciprocated substantially in the same direction. The drive source itself is straightly reciprocated, and no motion converting member is required. This toothbrush has a proper shape as a toothbrush provided with a brush at the tip of a handle.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush, and more particularly to an electric toothbrush of the type in which a brush reciprocates linearly and a rotary brush type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electric toothbrush that causes a brush to make a reciprocating linear motion, the rotating motion of an electric motor is converted into a reciprocating motion by using a motion converting mechanism to cause the brush to reciprocate. Further, in the rotating brush type electric toothbrush, since the rotating shaft direction of the electric motor and the rotating shaft direction of the brush are orthogonal to each other, the rotary motion of the electric motor is once converted into a reciprocating linear motion by using the motion converting mechanism, and the reciprocating linear motion is Is further converted into rotary motion to rotate the brush, and various motion conversion mechanisms in this case are used.

[0003]

However, when a motion conversion mechanism is used, mechanical loss in this mechanism portion is always a problem. In addition, since there is a need for an installation space for the motion conversion mechanism, there are many restrictions in terms of downsizing. Especially in the part that will be the handle of the toothbrush, the motor and the motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the motor into a reciprocating linear motion will be housed, but in this case,
The handle is more slender and easier to use, but the movement conversion mechanism makes it impossible to make it thinner.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electric toothbrush which has no mechanical loss related to power and is small in size, and particularly easy to be finished finely. It is in.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, however, a linear type having a stator provided with a coil and a mover made of a permanent magnet or a magnetic body and linearly reciprocating the mover with respect to the stator. A reciprocating electric motor is used as a driving source, and a brush that is reciprocally driven by being connected to a mover of the electric motor is arranged in an extension line direction of a reciprocating axis of the mover of the electric motor and is arranged substantially coaxially with the mover. Another feature is that it is reciprocally driven in substantially the same direction as the mover.

Since the drive source itself does not need a motion converting member to perform reciprocating linear motion, there is no mechanical loss associated with the motion conversion, a space for installing the motion converting member is not required, and a brush is used. Are arranged in the extension line direction of the reciprocating axis of the mover and are arranged substantially coaxially with the mover, and are reciprocally driven in the same direction as the mover,
It has a form suitable as a toothbrush in which a brush is provided at the tip of the handle.

The present invention also includes a stator provided with a coil,
A linear type reciprocating electric motor, which has a mover made of a permanent magnet or a magnetic body and moves the mover linearly with respect to the stator, is used as a drive source. The brush driven by the electric motor is a reciprocating mover of the electric motor. It is characterized in that it is arranged on the extensional direction side of the moving axis and is rotated by the reciprocating linear motion of the drive shaft mounted on the mover.

In this case, it is possible to cause the brush to perform the rotational movement required by one-time motion conversion, whereas the conventional two-time motion conversion is required. In any case, it is preferable that the linear reciprocating electric motor has a cylindrical outer shape in which a movable element that reciprocates in the axial direction of the cylindrical stator is arranged in the inner space of the cylindrical stator. When there is one mover inside the stator and it is cylindrical or cylindrical, and there are two movers inside the stator and both movers are opposite What is driven in phase can be preferably used. In the latter type, the two movable elements are a first movable element having a cylindrical shape and a cylindrical or cylindrical second movable element concentrically arranged inside the first movable element. It is possible to preferably use the one having a semicircular cross section and the two movable elements arranged in parallel and in parallel with each other in the inner space of the stator.

Further, the movers are driven in opposite phases to each other. 2
In this case, the brush may be connected to one of the movers, and the counterweight may be attached to the other mover. Further, it is also preferable to connect two movers that are driven in opposite phases with each other by reciprocal interlocking means. In this case, the reciprocal interlocking means includes a rack provided on each of the movers and a rotary shaft arranged at a fixed position. A pinion that is supported and meshes with both racks, or a link that has both ends connected to each mover and whose center is pivotally supported by a shaft arranged at a fixed position can be preferably used.

In the brush rotating type, two movable elements driven in opposite phases are provided with drive shafts respectively, and a brush located between the two drive shafts is provided with both drive shafts. It is preferable to provide a pinion that meshes with the rack and drive the rotation by a rack and pinion mechanism. It is also preferable that the mover is connected to the stator side via a spring member that can bend only in the reciprocating direction, and the stator and the mover are kept in a non-contact state by the spring member. . As the spring member, leaf springs mounted on both axial ends of the stator can be preferably used.

When the linear reciprocating electric motor has a cylindrical outer shape, it is preferable that the linear reciprocating electric motor is housed coaxially in a hand-held cylindrical housing.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The electric toothbrush shown in FIG. 2 is of a type in which the brush 6 reciprocates linearly. A battery 11 as a power source, a motor 2 and a motor are provided in a cylindrical housing 1 having a small diameter. The circuit board 12 having the drive circuit 2 mounted therein is housed therein, and the brush 6 is mounted on the shaft 31 protruding from one end of the housing 1. In the figure, reference numeral 60 is a brush cover connected to the housing 1.

The electric motor 2 is shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. This electric motor 2 is not one that can obtain a rotational output, and is one that can cause two movers 21 and 21 to perform reciprocating linear motions in opposite phases. The two movable elements 21 and 21 arranged inside the stator 20 and the permanent magnet 25 arranged between the movable elements 21 and 21 are the main components.

The stator 20 has a ring-shaped magnetic material 24, 2 at both ends of a cylindrical coil 22 wound around a coil frame 23.
It is formed as a fixed unit of 4 and is housed in a cylindrical outer case 29. The two movers 21 and 21 are both made of a magnetic material and have a semicircular cross section as shown in FIG. 3 and are arranged in parallel and parallel to the inner space of the stator 20. 25 has both side edges fixed to the inner peripheral side of the coil frame 23 so that both movable elements 2
It is arranged between the facing surfaces of 1, 21. This permanent magnet 25
Is magnetized with the surface facing the one movable element 21 as the N pole and the surface facing the other movable element 21 as the S pole.

Both ends of each of the movers 21 and 21 are connected to support springs 32 and 32 fixed to the stator 20 through flanges 26 and 26 and shafts 31 and 31, respectively. The stator 20 and the permanent magnet 25 are held in the inner space of the stator 20 in a non-contact state by 32, and the shafts of the cylindrical stator 20 (coil 22) are bent by bending both support springs 32, 32. It is movable in any direction.

Here, two shafts 31, 31 are projected from the end surface of each mover 21, but this also serves as a member for fixing the support spring 32, which is a leaf spring, to the mover 21. And support spring 3
This is only done in order to secure the spring length for exhibiting the required spring characteristic in 2 and if the spring characteristic can be satisfied, one shaft 31 is provided for each mover 21. It may be.

On one end of the electric motor 2 in the axial direction, the shafts 31 and 31 projecting from one of the two movers 21 and 21 are formed into a bifurcated shape, and the bifurcated side is fixed to the mover 21. The brush 6 is attached to the end side. Since the shaft 31 is projected along the reciprocating axis of the mover 21, the brush 6 is located in the direction of the extension of the reciprocating axis of the mover 21 and is arranged substantially coaxially with the mover 21 and at the same time. 21 is reciprocally driven in the same direction.

The electric motor 2 includes a coil 22 of the stator 20.
Both movers 21 and 21 are moved when a DC voltage is applied to the coil. The voltage applied to the coil 22 is such that the polarity is periodically inverted by the square wave generating circuit in the drive circuit as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the mover 21 reciprocates by reversing its moving direction, as shown in FIG. 6 (a shows the current waveform, and b shows the displacement of the one mover 21). In addition, both movers 21 and 21 reciprocate in opposite phases.

That is, if an electric current is applied to the coil 22 with a polarity as shown in FIG. 7A, it is shown in relation to the magnetic polarity of the permanent magnet 25 located between the two movers 21 and 21. Since such a magnetic circuit is configured, when one of the movers 21 is driven to the left in the figure, the other mover 21 is driven to the right, and if the flow of current is reversed, the state shown in FIG. ), One of the movers 21 is driven to the right and the other mover 21 is driven to the left. By alternately generating these two states, the two movers 21 and 21 have opposite phases. It performs a reciprocating linear motion. Support spring 3 during this reciprocating motion
If the resonance frequencies of 2 and 32 are made substantially equal to the frequency of the mover 21, efficient driving can be performed.

When both the movers 21 and 21 are driven and reciprocate in this way, the brush 6 performs the same movement as the mover 21. In addition, the support springs 32, 32 are
Since it is formed of a leaf spring that can be bent only in the reciprocating direction, the movable element 21 connected to the stator 20 side via the support spring 32 includes the stator 20 and the permanent magnet 25.
The movable element 21 smoothly reciprocates even when a force in a direction intersecting with the reciprocating direction is applied to the brush 6 side.

In addition, of the two movers 21 and 21 that reciprocate in opposite phases to each other, the mover 21 to which the brush 6 is not mounted is provided with a counterweight 4 for counterbalancing the brush 6. I am wearing it so that I can balance the movement. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the two movable elements 21, 21 driven in opposite phases are connected by the reciprocal interlocking means 5, and the driving force of the movable element 21 to which the brush 6 is not attached is brushed. 6 is shown so that it can be transmitted to the movable element 21 to which 6 is attached. In the structure shown in FIG. 8, the racks 50 and 50 provided on the two movable elements 21 and 21 as the reciprocal interlocking means 5 respectively.
And a pinion 51 which is supported by a rotary shaft supported by a member on the side of the stator 20 and which is meshed with both racks 50, 50. In the structure shown in FIG. The link 52 is connected to the shaft 21 and is supported by a shaft 53 at the center. Since the driving force of the other movable element 21 is also applied to the movable element 21 to which the brush 6 is attached, it is easy to obtain a driving force comparable to the driving resistance of the brush 6 when brushing teeth.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the brushes 6 and 6 may be mounted on the movable elements 21 and 21 which reciprocate in mutually opposite phases. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, two brushes 6 and 6 which are parallel and parallel are attached to one mover 21 to make a total of four brushes 6, and the brush 6 attached to one mover 21 and the brush 6 attached to the other mover 21. The brushes 6 may be arranged alternately.

FIG. 13 shows a rotary brush type electric toothbrush. The electric motor 2 itself is the same as that described above, but the two movers 21 and 2 that reciprocate in mutually opposite phases are used.
Racks 37, 37 are provided on the mutually opposing surfaces of the tips of the shafts 31, 31 projecting from 1, respectively, and a pinion 38 provided on the base portion of the brush 6 is meshed with both racks 37, 37. When the two movers 21 and 21 of the electric motor 2 reciprocate in opposite phases, the brush 6 reciprocally rotates on the spot.

14 to 17 show another example. In the electric motor 2 here, a permanent magnet 25, which is divided into a plurality in the circumferential direction via an insulating component 27, is arranged on the inner peripheral side of a cylindrical stator 20 provided with a cylindrical coil 22, and is fixed. A cylindrical mover 21 made of a magnetic material and arranged in the axial direction of the child 20 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the permanent magnet 25. The shaft 31 passes through the center of the mover 21.
Both ends of are connected to the stator 20 via support springs 32, and the brush 6 is attached to one end of the shaft 31. The permanent magnet 25 in the electric motor 2 is magnetized so that the inner and outer circumference sides have different magnetic poles, and when an alternating current is passed through the coil 22, a magnetic circuit as shown in FIG. Since the direction in which the movable element 21 is formed and is driven is reversed by the current direction, the movable element 21 reciprocates in the axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 22, as the electric motor 2, a cylindrical mover 21 is provided on the inner peripheral side of a cylindrical stator 20 having a cylindrical coil 22, and this mover 21 is provided.
Cylindrical permanent magnet 25, which is located inside the
The three movable elements 21, which are cylindrical and located inside, are arranged concentrically with each other.
The permanent magnet 25 is supported by the stator 20 at both axial ends thereof by the support springs 32, 32 and the fixing plate 33.

Further, at both ends of the stator 20, convex portions 34, 34 are provided.
The magnetic material plates 35, 35 for constituting the magnetic circuit are attached via the shafts, and the shafts 31, 31 are attached to the end faces of the movers 21, 21 respectively. As shown in FIG. 19, each of the shafts 31 and 31 is bifurcated on one end side, and the bifurcated one end side is provided on the mover 2 side.
The other ends of the electric motors 1 and 21 located near the shaft in the radial direction of the electric motor 2 are connected to the brushes 6 and 61.

In this electric motor 2, a cylindrical permanent magnet 25 is used.
Is magnetized so that the magnetic polarities are opposite between the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side, and when an alternating current is passed through the cylindrical coil 22, FIG.
The magnetic circuits as shown in 2 are formed alternately, and as a result,
The two movers 21 and 21 arranged concentrically move in opposite directions and reciprocate in opposite phases. And each mover 2
The two brushes 6 and 6 mounted on the Nos. 1 and 21 reciprocate in opposite phases. Of course, even in this type, the brush 6 can be rotated.

FIG. 23 shows another example of the electric motor 2 when the number of the movers 21 is one. The electric motor 2 used here is cylindrical and has a plurality of central magnetic pole teeth 20a projecting toward the inner peripheral side at the central portion in the axial direction and side magnetic pole teeth 20 at both ends.
A coil 22 is wound around each of the central magnetic pole teeth 20a of the stator 20 provided with b and 20b, and the mover 21 disposed inside the stator 20 has a cylindrical shape and permanent magnets having different magnetic polarities in the axial direction. The magnet 25 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface. In the figure, 28 is a back yoke, and coil springs are used for the support springs 32.

If the magnetic polarity of the central magnetic pole tooth 20a of the stator 20 is changed by switching the direction of the current flowing through the coil 22, the permanent magnet 25 provided on the mover 21 will change the magnetic pole tooth 20a of the stator 20 to In order to reverse the moving direction by the suction repulsive force between the brush 20b and 20b, linear reciprocating motion in the axial direction is performed to cause the brush 6 to perform reciprocating linear motion. The electric motor 2 shown in FIG. 24 operates in the same principle as that of the linear electric motor 2 of the type shown in FIG. 23, though the form thereof is different, and is 2 with respect to the stator 20 having the magnetic pole teeth 20a and 20b. Two movers 21 and 21 are provided in parallel, and the shaft 3 is moved from each mover 21 and 21 in the reciprocating axis direction.
Brushes 6 and 6 are attached to the shafts 31 and 31, respectively, by projecting 1 and 31. Two movers 21, 21
If the two movers 21 and 21 are operated in opposite phases by reversing the polar directions of the permanent magnets 25 of the two brushes 6 and 6,
Will perform a reciprocating linear motion in the opposite phase. Both movers 2
It is also possible to make the reciprocating motions of 1 and 21 in the same phase, but it is preferable to set them in opposite phases because the driving reaction forces of the brushes 6 cancel each other out.

In each of the above examples, when the brush 6 is to perform a reciprocating linear motion, the brush 6 is arranged in the direction of the extension of the reciprocating axis of the mover 21, and the brush 6 is driven in the same direction as the mover 21. However, the reciprocating direction of the brush 6 and the reciprocating direction of the mover 21 may be slightly deviated from each other.

[0031]

As described above, in the present invention, the linear reciprocating electric motor is used as the drive source, and the brush is allowed to perform the reciprocating linear motion because the drive source itself performs the reciprocating linear motion. Does not require a motion conversion member at all, there is no power loss due to motion conversion, and because a brush can be directly connected to the mover, it can be driven at high speed and it is quiet with less driving noise. In addition, since the brushes are arranged in the direction of the extension of the reciprocating axis of the mover and arranged substantially coaxially with the mover and reciprocally driven in the same direction as the mover, the toothbrush provided with the brush at the tip of the handle It is suitable for the form and can be assembled very compactly.

Further, a brush driven by a linear type reciprocating electric motor receives a reciprocating linear motion of a drive shaft which is arranged on the extension line side of the reciprocating axis of the mover of the electric motor and mounted on the mover. When it is supposed to rotate, it is possible to make the brush perform the rotational motion required by one motion conversion, whereas it was necessary to convert the motion twice in the past, so the power loss accompanying the motion conversion is small. The driving noise can be reduced and the noise can be reduced.

In any case, the linear reciprocating electric motor has a cylindrical outer shape in which a movable element that reciprocates in the axial direction of the cylindrical stator is arranged in the inner space of the cylindrical stator. It is preferable for the above-mentioned forms. At this time, when there is only one mover arranged in the stator and a cylindrical or cylindrical mover, a simple structure of the electric motor can be used, which is advantageous in terms of cost. , When using two movers arranged in the stator and both movers being driven in opposite phases, it is possible to reciprocate two brushes in opposite phases. It can be.

In the latter type in which the two movers are driven in opposite phases to each other, the two movers are concentrically arranged inside the first mover having a cylindrical shape and the inside of the first mover. A second movable element having a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical shape, and
It is possible to preferably use a structure in which both of the two movers have a semicircular cross section and are arranged in parallel and parallel in the inner space of the stator.

Further, the movers are driven in opposite phases to each other. 2
In this case, when the brush is connected to one of the movers and the counter weight is attached to the other mover, it is possible to obtain a good operation because the operation balance can be achieved. By connecting two movers, which are driven in opposite phases to each other, by reciprocal interlocking means, the linear reciprocating motions of both movers are always in opposite phases regardless of the load condition, and stable driving can be performed. Since the driving force of the other movable element can be transmitted to the one movable element to which the brush is attached, the driving force of the brush can be increased. In this case, the reciprocal interlocking means includes a rack provided on each of the movers and a pinion supported by a rotary shaft arranged at a fixed position and meshing with the racks, and both ends are connected to each mover. In addition, a link whose center is supported by a shaft arranged at a fixed position can be preferably used.

In the brush rotating type, two movable elements driven in opposite phases are provided with drive shafts respectively, and the brush located between both drive shafts is provided with both drive shafts. It is preferable to provide a pinion that meshes with the rack and drive it to rotate by a rack-and-pinion mechanism, because the rotational drive force of the brush can be increased and the space required for the mechanism for motion conversion can be small.

It is assumed that the mover is connected to the stator side via a spring member that can bend only in the reciprocating direction, and that the spring member keeps the stator and the mover in a non-contact state. Even if the direction of the force applied to the brush intersects with the reciprocating direction, it is possible to obtain a smooth operation, and this spring member is preferably a leaf spring attached to each axial end of the stator. Can be used.

Further, when the linear type reciprocating electric motor has a cylindrical outer shape, it is preferable that the linear reciprocating electric motor is housed substantially coaxially in a hand-held cylindrical housing. It is easy to make the slender body preferable in terms of usability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the same as above.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the above electric motor.

4 (a) and 4 (b) are a plan view and a bottom view of the above electric motor.

FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram of the same.

FIG. 6 is a chart for explaining the same operation as above.

7 (a) and 7 (b) are explanatory views of the operation of the above electric motor.

FIG. 8 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing another example.

FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of still another example.

FIG. 10 is a cutaway perspective view of another example.

FIG. 11 is a cutaway front view of the above.

FIG. 12 is a cutaway front view of yet another example.

FIG. 13 is a cutaway front view of another example.

FIG. 14 is a cutaway side view of another example.

FIG. 15 is a horizontal sectional view of the electric motor of the above.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the above electric motor.

17 (a) and 17 (b) are operation explanatory views of the above electric motor.

FIG. 18 is a cutaway front view showing another example.

FIG. 19 is a horizontal sectional view of the electric motor of the above.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the electric motor of the above.

21 (a) and (b) are front views of the shaft of the above.

FIG. 22 is an operation explanatory diagram of the above electric motor.

FIG. 23 is a cutaway perspective view of still another example.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an example of another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 electric motor 6 brush 20 stator 21 mover

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A linear-type reciprocating electric motor that includes a stator having a coil and a mover made of a permanent magnet or a magnetic body, and moves the mover linearly with respect to the stator is used as a drive source. The brush, which is connected to the movable element and is reciprocally driven, is arranged in the extension line direction of the reciprocating axis of the movable element of the electric motor, is arranged substantially coaxially with the movable element, and is reciprocally driven in substantially the same direction as the movable element. An electric toothbrush characterized by being used. 2. A linear reciprocating electric motor, which comprises a stator having a coil and a mover made of a permanent magnet or a magnetic body and which causes the mover to reciprocate linearly with respect to the stator, is used as a drive source. The brush driven by the motor is arranged on the extension line side of the reciprocating axis of the mover of the electric motor and rotates by receiving the reciprocating linear motion of the drive shaft mounted on the mover. Electric toothbrush to do. 3. A linear type reciprocating electric motor has a cylindrical outer shape in which a movable element that reciprocates in the axial direction of the cylindrical stator is disposed in the inner space of the cylindrical stator. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The electric toothbrush according to claim 3, wherein the number of the movable elements arranged in the stator is one, and is cylindrical or cylindrical. 5. The electric toothbrush according to claim 3, wherein there are two movers arranged in the stator, and both movers are driven in opposite phases. 6. The two movable elements are a first movable element having a cylindrical shape and a second movable element having a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical shape and concentrically arranged inside the first movable element. The electric toothbrush according to claim 5, wherein 7. The electric toothbrush according to claim 5, wherein both of the two movers have a semicircular cross section and are arranged in parallel and in parallel in the inner space of the stator. 8. The electric toothbrush according to claim 5, wherein the brush is connected to one of the movers, and a counterweight is attached to the other mover. 9. The electric toothbrush according to claim 5, wherein the two movers that are driven in mutually opposite phases are connected by reciprocal interlocking means. 10. The reciprocal interlocking means comprises a rack provided on each of the movers and a pinion supported by a rotary shaft arranged at a fixed position and meshing with the racks. electric toothbrush. 11. The electric toothbrush according to claim 9, wherein the reciprocal interlocking means is a link whose both ends are connected to each movable element and whose center is pivotally supported by a shaft arranged at a fixed position. 12. A movable element is provided with two movable elements that are driven in mutually opposite phases, and each movable element is provided with a drive shaft.
3. The electric toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the brush located between both drive shafts is provided with a pinion that meshes with a rack provided on both drive shafts and is driven to rotate by a rack and pinion mechanism. 13. The mover is connected to the stator side via a spring member that can bend only in the reciprocating direction, and the stator and the mover are kept in a non-contact state by the spring member. The electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 14. The electric toothbrush according to claim 13, wherein the spring member is a leaf spring attached to each axial end of the stator. 15. The electric toothbrush according to claim 3, wherein a cylindrical linear type reciprocating electric motor is housed substantially coaxially in a handheld cylindrical housing.