US20090320221A1 - Electric toothbrush - Google Patents
Electric toothbrush Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090320221A1 US20090320221A1 US12/488,733 US48873309A US2009320221A1 US 20090320221 A1 US20090320221 A1 US 20090320221A1 US 48873309 A US48873309 A US 48873309A US 2009320221 A1 US2009320221 A1 US 2009320221A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- motor
- power supply
- supply voltage
- battery
- oscillation amplitude
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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
- A61C17/3409—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
- A61C17/3481—Vibrating brush body, e.g. by using eccentric weights
-
- 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
- A61C17/221—Control arrangements therefor
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Brushes (AREA)
- Control Of Direct Current Motors (AREA)
Abstract
An electric toothbrush is provided with a brush portion, a motor including a rotary shaft, a battery, which supplies the motor with power supply voltage, and an eccentric shaft, which rotates together with the rotary shaft. The eccentric shaft has a center of gravity located at a position deviated from an axis of the rotary shaft of the motor. An oscillation transmission mechanism transmits oscillations generated by the rotation of the eccentric shaft. An oscillation amplitude regulation circuit regulates an oscillation amplitude of the brush portion to be constant regardless of changes in the power supply voltage in a state in which the brush portion is free from external loads.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-168727, filed on Jun. 27, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush.
- A typical electric brush includes a brush portion that is oscillated by a motor. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 9-173360 describes an electric toothbrush including a motion conversion mechanism, which converts the rotation produced by a motor to two types of different motions that are transmitted to the brush portion so as to move the brush portion in constant oscillation amplitude. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-80099 describes an electric toothbrush including an eccentric shaft, which generates oscillations when rotated by a motor, and an oscillation transmission component, which transmits the oscillation of the eccentric shaft to the brush portion, so as to reduce power consumption and produce high-speed rotations.
- In the electric toothbrush of the '360 publication, the motion conversion mechanism mechanically converts the rotation of the motor to oscillation of the brush portion so as to oscillate the brush portion in constant oscillation amplitude. However, due to the external load applied by the brush portion, it is difficult for the motor to produce high-speed rotations. Further, this electric toothbrush consumes much power.
- In the electric toothbrush of the '099 electric toothbrush, the eccentric shaft is rotated to generate oscillations so as to produce high-speed rotations. However, as the power supply voltage decreases, the oscillation amplitude of the brush portion decreases and lowers the brushing performance.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric toothbrush that produces high-speed rotations with a motor and always moves the brush portion in constant oscillation amplitude even when the power supply voltage decreases.
- One aspect of the present invention is an electric toothbrush provided with a brush portion, a motor including a rotary shaft, a battery which supplies the motor with power supply voltage, and an eccentric shaft which rotates together with the rotary shaft. The eccentric shaft has a center of gravity located at a position deviated from an axis of the rotary shaft of the motor. An oscillation transmission mechanism transmits oscillations generated by the rotation of the eccentric shaft to the brush portion. An oscillation amplitude regulation circuit regulates an oscillation amplitude of the brush portion to be constant regardless of changes in the power supply voltage in a state in which the brush portion is free from external loads.
- Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
- The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1( a) is a cross-sectional side view andFIG. 1( b) is a cross-sectional plan view, each showing a first embodiment of an electric toothbrush; -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electric toothbrush shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the oscillation amplitude of a brush portion, the power supply voltage, and the rotation speed of a motor; -
FIGS. 4( a) to 4(c) are timing charts showing the relationship between the time power supply voltage is supplied and the rotation speed of the motor; -
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of an electric toothbrush; -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of an electric toothbrush; and -
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of an electric toothbrush. - A first embodiment of an electric toothbrush according to the present invention will now be discussed.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , anelectric toothbrush 10 includes a grip, orcase 11, and abrush unit 12, which is detachably attached to the distal end of thecase 11. Thecase 11 may be elongated and cylindrical. Thecase 11 accommodates amotor 13 and abattery 20, which supplies power supply voltage. Aswitch button 14 arranged on thecase 11 is used to switch themotor 13 ON and OFF. - The
motor 13 includes arotary shaft 13 a, which extends toward the distal end of thecase 11 in the longitudinal direction of thecase 11. Aneccentric shaft 15 is attached to therotary shaft 13 a. Theeccentric shaft 15 includes an elongatedmain shaft body 15 a and aweight 15 b, the center of gravity of which is deviated in the radial direction from the axis of therotary shaft 13 a. Theweight 15 b is attached to the distal end of themain shaft body 15 a. - The
eccentric shaft 15 is enclosed in anoscillation transmission member 16, which functions as an oscillation transmission mechanism. Theoscillation transmission member 16 is fixed to thecase 11 via a vibration suppression member, orresilient damper 17. Theeccentric shaft 15 has a distal end rotatably supported by abearing 16 a formed in theoscillation transmission member 16. Rotation of theeccentric shaft 15 oscillates theoscillation transmission member 16 relative to thecase 11. - The
oscillation transmission member 16 is enclosed in thebrush unit 12. Thebrush unit 12 includes atube 18, in which theoscillation transmission member 16 is arranged, and abrush portion 19, which is fixed to the distal end of thetube 18. Thebrush unit 12 is a consumable product and detachable from theoscillation transmission member 16 to enable replacement. Oscillation of theoscillation transmission member 16 oscillates thebrush portion 19. A user holds thecase 11, switches the power ON, and brushes his or her teeth with the oscillatingbrush portion 19 to clean the teeth. The oscillation amplitude S of thebrush portion 19 is shown by the double-headed arrow inFIG. 1( b). - An electrical circuit for oscillating the
brush unit 12 will now be discussed. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , themotor 13 is connected to atransistor 21, which serves as a switch element. A terminal of themotor 13 may be connected to the positive terminal of abattery 20 and another terminal of themotor 13 may be connected to the collector terminal of thetransistor 21. The emitter terminal of thetransistor 21 is connected to the negative terminal of thebattery 20. Thus, themotor 13 is connected in series with thebattery 20 via thetransistor 21. When the base terminal of thetransistor 21 is provided with a voltage signal (flow of current), themotor 13 is supplied with power supply voltage from thebattery 20. - The
battery 20 is connected to apower supply circuit 22. Thepower supply circuit 22 may include a booster circuit, which increases the power supply voltage from thebattery 20. Further, thepower supply circuit 22 is connected to acontrol unit 23, which functions as an oscillation amplitude regulation circuit. Thecontrol unit 23 detects the power supply voltage supplied to themotor 13 from thebattery 20. - The
control unit 23 is connected to the base terminal of thetransistor 21. Based on the value of the detected power supply voltage from thebattery 20, the control unit provides the base terminal with a predetermined voltage signal to switch ON and OFF the transistor 21 (duty-control). That is, thecontrol unit 23 outputs a voltage signal over pulse duration periods that are based on the value of the detected power supply voltage from thebattery 20. This supplies themotor 13 with the power supply voltage from thebattery 20 in pulses of a pulse duration period that is based on the value of the power supply voltage and thereby produces rotation with themotor 13. Such a process will now be discussed in further detail. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , the oscillation amplitude S of thebrush portion 19 usually decreases as the power supply voltage supplied to themotor 13 increases, and the oscillation amplitude S increases as the power supply voltage decreases. Further, the rotation speed of themotor 13 usually increases as the power supply voltage supplied to themotor 13 increases, and the rotation speed of themotor 13 decreases as the power supply voltage supplied to themotor 13 decreases. Factors such as the length and diameter of theeccentric shaft 15 and the heaviness of theweight 15 b vary the relationship between the power supply voltage supplied to themotor 13 and the rotation speed of themotor 13. For example, the rotation speed of themotor 13 may decrease as the power supply voltage increases. In other situation, the rotation speed of themotor 13 may reach a peak when the power supply voltage is intermediate. It is thus apparent that the oscillation amplitude S of thebrush portion 19 varies as the rotation speed of themotor 13 varies. In the first embodiment, the oscillation amplitude S of thebrush portion 19 decreases as the rotation speed of themotor 13 increases. - Based on the value of the detected power supply voltage from the
battery 20, thecontrol unit 23 provides the base terminal of thetransistor 21 with pulses of a voltage signal (pulse signal), which is generated to keep the rotation speed of themotor 13 constant. For example, when the value of the detected power supply voltage from thebattery 20 increases, thecontrol unit 23 shortens the pulse duration period during which the voltage signal is provided. When the value of the detected power supply voltage from thebattery 20 decreases, thecontrol unit 23 lengthens the pulse duration period during which the voltage signal is provided. - In one example, pulse duration periods set to keep the rotation speed of the
motor 13 constant based on the value of the power supply voltage from thebattery 20 are stored beforehand in a memory of thecontrol unit 23. A pulse duration period PD is illustrated inFIG. 4( a). Thecontrol unit 23 provides the base terminal with a voltage signal over a pulse duration period corresponding to the value of the detected power supply voltage from thebattery 20. - The
motor 13 applies drive force to therotary shaft 13 a over the pulse duration periods during which it is supplied with power supply voltage. The interval is extremely short between the pulse duration periods during which power supply voltage is supplied. Thus, fluctuations in the rotation produced by themotor 13 are subtle and ignorable, and the rotation may be approximated as rotation at a constant speed. When the pulse duration periods during which the power supply voltage is supplied are relatively short as shown inFIG. 4( a), the constant speed may be slightly lower than when themotor 13 is continuously supplied with the power supply voltage. - In the first embodiment, the
control unit 23 function to shorten the pulse duration period Pd during which themotor 13 is supplied with power supply voltage (refer toFIG. 4( a)) as the power supply voltage from the battery increases and lengthen the pulse duration period Pd during which themotor 13 is supplied with power supply voltage as the power supply voltage from the battery decreases. This regulates themotor 13 to a constant rotation speed. In this manner, the oscillation amplitude S of thebrush portion 19 is regulated to be constant. In the first embodiment, thecontrol unit 23 and thetransistor 21 function as a pulse generation circuit. -
FIG. 4 shows the power supply voltage, which is supplied in pulses, and the rotation speed of themotor 13.FIGS. 4( a), 4(b), and 4(c) show situations in which the state of charge of the battery (battery capacitance or remaining battery level) are respectively high, intermediate, and low, for example, 100%, 50%, and about 0%. The power supply voltage of thebattery 20 in the first embodiment is related to the state of charge of thebattery 20. - The
control unit 23, which is connected to theswitch button 14, starts themotor 13 when theswitch button 14 is switched ON. Thebattery 20 may be connected to a chargingcircuit 24. In such a case, the chargingcircuit 24 charges thebattery 20 when the chargingcircuit 24 is connected to an external power supply. - The first embodiment has the advantages described below.
- (1) The oscillation amplitude regulation circuit detects the value of the power supply voltage supplied from the
battery 20 and supplies themotor 13 with the power supply voltage in pulses of a pulse duration period set in accordance with the value of the power supply voltage. In one example, the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit regulates the rotation speed of themotor 13 to be constant by shortening the pulse duration period during which the power supply voltage is supplied when the value of the detected power supply voltage increases, and lengthening the pulse duration period during which the power supply voltage is supplied when the value of the detected power supply voltage decreases. Thus, the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit regulates the oscillation amplitude S of thebrush portion 19 to keep it constant regardless of changes in the power supply voltage of thebattery 20. This allows for the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit to produce high-speed rotations with themotor 13, while regulating the oscillation amplitude S of thebrush portion 19 to always be constant even when the power supply voltage decreases. Thus, even when used for a long time, the brushing performance of theelectric toothbrush 10 is not lowered. - A second embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed. Like or same reference numerals are given to those components that are the same as the corresponding components of the first embodiment. Such components will not be described below.
- Referring to
FIG. 5 , thebattery 20 is connected via theswitch button 14 to aconstant voltage circuit 31, which functions as an oscillation amplitude regulation circuit. When theswitch button 14 is switched ON, theconstant voltage circuit 31 is supplied with power supply voltage from thebattery 20. When theswitch button 14 is switched OFF, the supply of power supply voltage to theconstant voltage circuit 31 is stopped (cut). - The
constant voltage circuit 31 is connected to themotor 13. Theconstant voltage circuit 31 converts the power supply voltage supplied from thebattery 20 into a predetermined constant voltage and supplies themotor 13 with the constant voltage. The constant voltage supplied from theconstant voltage circuit 31 rotates therotary shaft 13 a of themotor 13. - In the second embodiment, the
constant voltage circuit 31 converts the power supply voltage to voltage C (constant voltage), which is shown inFIG. 3 . The voltage C is predetermined as a value that is lower than the maximum value A of the power supply voltage and drives themotor 13 at a rotation speed that is high and satisfactory. This allows for themotor 13 to produce high-speed rotations. When the value of the power supply voltage supplied from thebattery 20 is higher than the voltage C, theconstant voltage circuit 31 converts (lowers) the power supply voltage to the voltage C. When the value of the power supply voltage supplied from thebattery 20 decreases to the voltage C or lower, theconstant voltage circuit 31 converts (increases) the power supply voltage to the voltage C. This regulates the oscillation amplitude S of thebrush portion 19 to be constant regardless of the decrease in the power supply voltage of thebattery 20. - The second embodiment has the same advantages as the first embodiment.
- A third embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed.
- Referring to
FIG. 6 , themotor 13 has one terminal connected to the positive terminal of thebattery 20 and another terminal connected to the collector terminal of thetransistor 21. The emitter terminal of thetransistor 21 is connected to the negative terminal of thebattery 20. - The
battery 20 is connected to thepower supply circuit 22. Thepower supply circuit 22 is connected to thecontrol unit 23, which includes a CPU and a RAM. Thepower supply circuit 22 supplies thecontrol unit 23 with drive voltage that is suitable for driving thecontrol unit 23. Thecontrol unit 23 is connected to thebattery 20 and detects the power supply voltage supplied from thebattery 20 to themotor 13. A rotationspeed detection circuit 41 is connected to thecontrol unit 23 to detect the rotation speed of themotor 13. This allows for thecontrol unit 23 to detect the rotation speed of themotor 13. - Based on both the value of the detected power supply voltage from the
battery 20 and the rotation speed of themotor 13, thecontrol unit 23 provides the base terminal of thetransistor 21 with a predetermined voltage signal to switch ON and OFF thetransistor 21. This will now be described in further detail. - The
control unit 23 provides the base terminal of thetransistor 21 with a voltage signal over a pulse duration period that is in accordance with both the value of the detected power supply voltage from thebattery 20 and the rotation speed of themotor 13. This supplies themotor 13 with the power supply voltage from thebattery 20 in pulses of a pulse duration period that is in accordance with both the value of the detected power supply voltage from thebattery 20 and the rotation speed of themotor 13 and thereby produces rotation with themotor 13. - In one example, pulse duration periods set to keep the rotation speed of the
motor 13 constant in accordance with both the value of the detected power supply voltage from thebattery 20 and the rotation speed of themotor 13 are stored beforehand in a memory of thecontrol unit 23. Thecontrol unit 23 provides the base terminal with a voltage signal over a pulse duration period corresponding to both the value of the detected power supply voltage from thebattery 20 and the rotation speed of themotor 13. This supplies themotor 13 with the power supply voltage from thebattery 20 in pulses. Themotor 13 applies a drive force to therotary shaft 13 a over the pulse duration period during which it is supplied with power supply voltage. The interval is extremely short between the pulse duration periods during which power supply voltage is supplied. Thus, fluctuations in the rotation produced by themotor 13 are subtle and ignorable, and the rotation may be approximated as rotation at a constant speed. - In the third embodiment, the
control unit 23 shortens the pulse duration period during which themotor 13 is driven when the value of the power supply voltage from thebattery 20 is high. Further, thecontrol unit 23 lengthens the pulse duration period during which themotor 13 is driven when the value of the power supply voltage from thebattery 20 is low. When the rotation speed of themotor 13 becomes lower than a predetermined rotation speed, thecontrol unit 23 lengthens (prolongs) the pulse duration period during which themotor 13 is driven. This regulates the rotation speed of themotor 13 to be constant even when the power supply voltage of thebattery 20 decreases or when an external load applied to thebrush portion 19 impedes the rotation of therotary shaft 13 a. As a result, the oscillation amplitude S of thebrush portion 19 is regulated to be constant. - As discussed above in detail, in addition to the advantages of the first embodiment, the third embodiment has the advantages described below.
- (2) The oscillation amplitude regulation circuit supplies the
motor 13 with the power supply voltage in pulses of a pulse duration period set in accordance with the value of the power supply voltage from thebattery 20 and the rotation speed of themotor 13 detected by the rotationspeed detection circuit 41. Thus, thebrush portion 19 always continuously moves in constant oscillation amplitude even when the external load applied to thebrush portion 19 lowers the rotation speed of themotor 13. This prevents the brushing performance of theelectric toothbrush 10 from being lowered during use. Further, the power supply voltage of thebattery 20 is used without undergoing any conversions. This suppresses unnecessary drainage of thebattery 20 and prolongs the life of thebattery 20. - A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed.
- Referring to
FIG. 7 , themotor 13 has one terminal connected to the positive terminal of thebattery 20 and another terminal connected to the collector terminal of thetransistor 21. The emitter terminal of thetransistor 21 is connected to the negative terminal of thebattery 20. - The
battery 20 is connected to thepower supply circuit 22. Thepower supply circuit 22 is connected to thecontrol unit 23, which functions as the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit. Thecontrol unit 23 includes a CPU and a RAM. Thepower supply circuit 22 supplies thecontrol unit 23 with drive voltage that is suitable for driving thecontrol unit 23. Thecontrol unit 23 is connected to thebattery 20 and detects the power supply voltage supplied from thebattery 20 to themotor 13. A loadcurrent detection circuit 51 is connected to thecontrol unit 23 to detect the current flowing to themotor 13. This allows for thecontrol unit 23 to detect the load current of themotor 13. - Based on both the value of the detected power supply voltage from the
battery 20 and the load current of themotor 13, thecontrol unit 23 provides the base terminal of thetransistor 21 with a predetermined voltage signal to switch ON and OFF thetransistor 21. This will now be described in further detail. - Duration periods set to keep the rotation speed of the
motor 13 constant in accordance with both the value of the power supply voltage from thebattery 20 and the load current of themotor 13 are stored beforehand in a memory of thecontrol unit 23. Thecontrol unit 23 provides the base terminal with a voltage signal over a pulse duration period corresponding to both the value of the detected power supply voltage from thebattery 20 and the load current of themotor 13. This supplies themotor 13 with the power supply voltage from thebattery 20 in pulses. Themotor 13 applies a drive force to therotary shaft 13 a over the pulse duration periods during which it is supplied with power supply voltage. The interval is extremely short between the pulse duration periods during which power supply voltage is supplied. Thus, fluctuations in the rotation produced by themotor 13 are subtle and ignorable, and the rotation may be approximated as rotation at a constant speed. - In the fourth embodiment, the
control unit 23 shortens the pulse duration periods during which themotor 13 is driven when the value of the power supply voltage from thebattery 20 is high. Further, thecontrol unit 23 lengthens the pulse duration periods during which themotor 13 is driven when the power supply voltage is low. Extensions are set beforehand for the pulse duration periods during which themotor 13 is driven in accordance with the load current of themotor 13 and stored, for example, the memory of thecontrol unit 23. This regulates the rotation speed of themotor 13 to be constant even when the power supply voltage of thebattery 20 decreases or when an external load applied to thebrush portion 19 impedes the rotation of therotary shaft 13 a. As a result, the oscillation amplitude S of thebrush portion 19 is regulated to be constant. - As discussed above in detail, in addition to the advantages of the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment has the advantages described below.
- (3) The oscillation amplitude regulation circuit detects the value of the power supply voltage supplied from the
battery 20 and supplies themotor 13 with the power supply voltage in pulses of a pulse duration period set beforehand in accordance with the load current of themotor 13 detected by the loadcurrent detection circuit 51. Thus, thebrush portion 19 always continuously moves in constant oscillation amplitude even when external load is applied to thebrush portion 19. This prevents the brushing performance of theelectric toothbrush 10 from being lowered during use. Further, the power supply voltage of thebattery 20 is used without undergoing any conversions. This suppresses unnecessary drainage of thebattery 20 and prolongs the life of thebattery 20. - It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in the following forms.
- In the second and third embodiments, the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit detects the rotation speed or load current of the
motor 13, measures the external load applied to themotor 13, and varies (prolongs) the pulse duration periods during which power supply voltage is supplied in accordance with the measured external load. Instead of the rotation speed or load current, the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit detects back electromotive force. More specifically, if a external load is produced, the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit may detect the back electromotive force generated when themotor 13 is not supplied with power supply voltage, measure the external load applied to themotor 13, and vary (prolong) the pulse duration periods during which power supply voltage is supplied in accordance with the value of the measured back electromotive force. - The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.
Claims (7)
1. An electric toothbrush comprising:
a brush portion;
a motor including a rotary shaft;
a battery which supplies the motor with power supply voltage;
an eccentric shaft which rotates together with the rotary shaft, in which the eccentric shaft has a center of gravity located at a position deviated from an axis of the rotary shaft of the motor;
an oscillation transmission mechanism which transmits oscillations generated by the rotation of the eccentric shaft to the brush portion; and
an oscillation amplitude regulation circuit which regulates an oscillation amplitude of the brush portion to be constant regardless of changes in the power supply voltage in a state in which the brush portion is free from external loads.
2. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1 , wherein the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit includes a pulse generation circuit which supplies the motor with the power supply voltage in pulses of a predetermined pulse duration period set to regulate the oscillation amplitude of the brush portion to be constant in accordance with the value of the power supply voltage supplied from the battery.
3. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1 , wherein the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit converts the power supply voltage supplied from the battery into constant voltage for regulating the oscillation amplitude of the brush portion to be constant, and supplies the motor with the constant voltage.
4. The electric toothbrush according to claim 2 , wherein the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit:
detects load current applied to the motor when external load is applied to the motor; and
supplies the motor with the power supply voltage in pulses of the predetermined pulse duration period set to regulate the oscillation amplitude of the brush portion to be constant in accordance with both the value of the power supply voltage supplied from the battery and the value of the detected load current.
5. The electric toothbrush according to claim 2 , wherein the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit:
detects rotation speed of the motor when external load is applied to the motor; and
supplies the motor with the power supply voltage in pulses of the predetermined pulse duration period set to regulate the oscillation amplitude of the brush portion to be constant in accordance with both the value of the power supply voltage supplied from the battery and the detected rotation speed.
6. The electric toothbrush according to claim 2 , wherein the oscillation amplitude regulation circuit:
detects back electromotive force of the motor when external load is applied to the motor; and
supplies the motor with the power supply voltage in pulses of the predetermined pulse duration period set to regulate the oscillation amplitude of the brush portion to be constant in accordance with both the value of the power supply voltage supplied from the battery and the value of the detected electromotive force.
7. The electric toothbrush according to claim 2 , wherein the pulse generation circuit includes:
a memory which stores the value of the power supply voltage supplied from the battery in association with the predetermined pulse duration period set to regulate the oscillation amplitude of the brush portion to be constant; and
a switch element which functions in accordance with a pulse signal having a pulse duration period stored in the memory;
wherein the power supply voltage is supplied in pulses to the motor via the switch element.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2008168727A JP2010005187A (en) | 2008-06-27 | 2008-06-27 | Electric toothbrush |
JP2008-168727 | 2008-06-27 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20090320221A1 true US20090320221A1 (en) | 2009-12-31 |
Family
ID=41119967
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/488,733 Abandoned US20090320221A1 (en) | 2008-06-27 | 2009-06-22 | Electric toothbrush |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20090320221A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2138126A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2010005187A (en) |
CN (1) | CN101612069A (en) |
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US20100269275A1 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2010-10-28 | Omron Heaalthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US20110010874A1 (en) * | 2009-07-16 | 2011-01-20 | Dickie Robert G | Vibrating toothbrush and a replaceable brush head for use with the same |
US20130125320A1 (en) * | 2010-08-09 | 2013-05-23 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Flexible drive shaft for an eccentric weight-driven personal care appliance |
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US8631532B2 (en) | 2011-07-25 | 2014-01-21 | Braun Gmbh | Oral hygiene device |
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US9154025B2 (en) | 2010-07-23 | 2015-10-06 | Braun Gmbh | Personal care device |
US9226808B2 (en) | 2011-07-25 | 2016-01-05 | Braun Gmbh | Attachment section for an oral hygiene device |
US9820563B2 (en) | 2015-05-15 | 2017-11-21 | Dyson Technology Limited | Cleaning appliance |
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EP2747699B1 (en) * | 2011-10-24 | 2017-09-20 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | System for determining amplitude of a power toothbrush brushhead in the mouth |
CN202277395U (en) * | 2011-10-27 | 2012-06-20 | 时新(上海)产品设计有限公司 | Toothbrush device related to electronic vibration |
CN102379751A (en) * | 2011-11-18 | 2012-03-21 | 吴江诚达电子科技有限公司 | Electric toothbrush |
KR101261910B1 (en) * | 2012-08-02 | 2013-05-09 | (주)아모레퍼시픽 | Working vibration cosmetic container by sensing the skin pressure |
JP6807181B2 (en) * | 2016-07-15 | 2021-01-06 | マクセルホールディングス株式会社 | Electric razor |
CN110327127A (en) * | 2019-08-08 | 2019-10-15 | 上海飞科电器股份有限公司 | Electric toothbrush prevents spatter control system and electric toothbrush |
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US20100269275A1 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2010-10-28 | Omron Heaalthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US8793829B2 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2014-08-05 | Omron Healthcare Company Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US9439742B2 (en) | 2006-08-29 | 2016-09-13 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
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US10470857B2 (en) | 2010-07-23 | 2019-11-12 | Braun Gmbh | Personal care device |
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US9084659B2 (en) * | 2010-08-09 | 2015-07-21 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Flexible drive shaft for an eccentric weight-driven personal care appliance |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP2138126A2 (en) | 2009-12-30 |
JP2010005187A (en) | 2010-01-14 |
EP2138126A3 (en) | 2010-05-26 |
CN101612069A (en) | 2009-12-30 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS, CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MASUKO, YOSHINORI;REEL/FRAME:022854/0791 Effective date: 20090528 |
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Owner name: PANASONIC CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO.,LTD.,;REEL/FRAME:027697/0525 Effective date: 20120101 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |