FROM ltaya&Associates 06-5244-5972
`
`,
`
`(
`W fl
`
`20055 5511301017:17/Efil7:05/K3fi5306128465 P 16
`01534713
`.1005 “ed g’CT/PTO 12 MAY 2005
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH
`
`
`Technical Field
`
`The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush, in
`particular, a mechanism for reciprocally rotating a disk-like brush
`
`body about an axis intersecting at an optional angle including right
`
`angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of a grip portion of the
`
`electric toothbrush.
`
`Background Art
`
`An electric toothbrush for performing brushing by putting a
`
`brush implanted in a brush body on teeth while reciprocally rotating
`the disk-like brush body about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal
`
`direction of a grip portion of the electric toothbrush has been known
`
`conventionally.
`
`Such an electric toothbrush requires converting
`
`rotating motion of a driving shaft of a motor into reciprocal rotating
`
`motion of the brush body as well as converting direction of the
`
`rotating shaft into substantially right angle.
`
`In a conventional electric toothbrush described, for example,
`
`in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 5-137615 (a first
`
`conventional example), a motor and a driving mechanism for
`
`converting rotating motion of a driving shaft of the motor into
`
`reciprocal rotating motion are provided in the grip portion of the
`
`
`
`,
`
`(
`W fl
`
`20055 5511301017:17/Efil7:05/K3fi5306128465 P 16
`01534713
`.1005 “ed g’CT/PTO 12 MAY 2005
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH
`
`
`Technical Field
`
`The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush, in
`particular, a mechanism for reciprocally rotating a disk-like brush
`
`body about an axis intersecting at an optional angle including right
`
`angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of a grip portion of the
`
`electric toothbrush.
`
`Background Art
`
`An electric toothbrush for performing brushing by putting a
`
`brush implanted in a brush body on teeth while reciprocally rotating
`the disk-like brush body about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal
`
`direction of a grip portion of the electric toothbrush has been known
`
`conventionally.
`
`Such an electric toothbrush requires converting
`
`rotating motion of a driving shaft of a motor into reciprocal rotating
`
`motion of the brush body as well as converting direction of the
`
`rotating shaft into substantially right angle.
`
`In a conventional electric toothbrush described, for example,
`
`in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 5-137615 (a first
`
`conventional example), a motor and a driving mechanism for
`
`converting rotating motion of a driving shaft of the motor into
`
`reciprocal rotating motion are provided in the grip portion of the
`
`
`
`.
`
`FROM Itaya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055 53118“)l7217/?fi17105/Xfi‘35306128465 P 17
`
`electric toothbrush. A coupling shaft is coupled to an output shaft of
`
`the driving mechanism through an increasing angle mechanism for
`
`increasing rotating angle of reciprocal rotating motion of the output
`
`shaft, and a miter gear mechanism is further provided between a front
`end of the coupling shaft and the disk-like brush body. The brush
`
`body is reciprocally rotated about an axis orthogonal to the coupling
`
`shaft.
`
`In the first conventional example, since the miter gear
`mechanism is provided at the front end of the electric toothbrush and I
`
`the increasing angle mechanism is provided between the output shaft
`
`of the driving mechanism and the coupling shaft, there is a certain
`
`limit in making a head portion put into a user’s mouth smaller or
`
`thinner. Furthermore, due to structural restriction of the miter gear
`mechanism and the increasing angle mechanism, the rotating shaft of
`the brush body needs to be orthogonal to the output shaft of the
`
`driving mechanism, and it is practically impossible to incline the head
`portion at an optional angle with respect to the grip portion. For this
`
`reason, operability during brushing is slightly poor.
`
`In a conventional electric toothbrush described in National
`
`Publication of International Patent Application No. 11-505742
`
`(W096/37164) (a second conventional example), a front end of a
`
`coupling shaft coupled to a driving shaft of a motor is bent in a shape
`of a crank, and the crank-like front end is engaged in a groove of a
`cylindrical brush body which is supported so as to freely rotate about
`
`a rotating shafi orthogonal to the rotating center of the coUpling shaft.
`
`
`
`.
`
`FROM ltaya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055 55115(1)l7:iii/3&17205/X§§%5306128465 P 18
`
`The crank-like front end rotates like drawing a circle due to rotation
`
`of the motor. However, since the crank-dike front end slides while
`
`rotating in the groove of the brush body, the brush body itself is
`
`reciprocally rotated abOut the rotating shaft within a certain extent.
`
`According to the configuration of the second conventional
`
`example, since the groove of the cylindrical brush body must be
`
`longer than at least revolving diameter of the crank—like front end of
`the coupling shaft, the brush body must be upsized, Therefore, as in
`
`the case of the first conventional example, there is a certain limit in
`
`making the head portion put in the user’s mouth smaller or thinner.
`
`Further, since the coupling shaft is directly connected to the driving
`
`shaft of the motor, it is practically impossible to incline the head
`
`portion at an optional angle with respect to the grip portion, so that
`
`operability during brushing is slightly poor. Moreover, since the
`
`coupling shaft and its bearing must be processed with high accuracy,
`
`when accuracy of these portions are poor, transmission efficiency of
`
`driving force is lowered or it causes the occurrence of noise.
`
`In a conventional electric toothbrush described in Japanese
`
`Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-121710 (a third conventional
`
`example), a motor and a driving mechanism for converting rotating
`motion of a driving shaft of the motor into reciprocal linear motion
`
`are provided in the grip portion of the electric toothbrush. A
`coupling shaft, on which a rack is formed at its front end, is
`
`connected to the output shaft of the driving mechanism. By
`
`engaging the rack at the front end of the coupling shaft which moves
`
`
`
`
`
`'
`
`FROM |taya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`2005i 55118(*)17219/§fil7205/X§§%5306128465 P 19
`
`reciprocal-linearly with a pinion provided at a rotating shaft of a
`
`brush body, the brush body is reciprocally rotated about an axis
`
`orthogonal to the coupling shaft. I
`
`According to the configuration of the third conventional
`
`example, since only the rack and the pinion are provided to rotate the
`
`brush body reciprocally at the front end of the head portion, in
`
`comparison with the first or second embodiment, it is possible to
`
`make the head portion put into the user’s mouth smaller or thinner.
`
`However, since the coupling shaft is directly connected to the output
`
`shaft of the driving mechanism, it is practically impossible to incline
`
`the head portion at an optional angle with respect to the grip portion,
`
`and operability during brushing is slightly poor. Furthermore, since
`
`rotation of the motor is temporarily converted into reciprocal motion
`
`of the output shaft and then converted into reciprocal rotating motion
`of the brush body, transmission efficiency of driving force is slightly
`
`low.
`
`Disclosure of Invention
`
`To solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, an
`
`object of the present invention is to provide an electric toothbrush
`
`with higher transmittance efficiency of the driving force, which is
`
`capable of inclining arotating shaft of a brush body and a head
`
`portion at an optional angle with respect to a grip portion and making
`
`the head portion put into a user's mouth smaller or thinner in order to
`
`improve operability during brushing.
`
`
`
`FROM ltaya&Associa1es 06-6244-5972
`
`2005555115“)17:19/3E17105/23fi‘5306128465 P 20
`
`To achieve the above-mentioned object, an electric toothbrush
`
`in accordance with an aspect of the present invention comprises a
`
`motor, a brush body pivoted so as to freely swing about a rotating
`
`shaft which forms a predetermined angle with a driving shaft of the
`
`motor, a lever member which is provided between the motor and the
`
`brush body and is pivoted so as to freely swing about a predetermined
`
`swinging shaft, a first motion converting mechanism which is
`
`provided between the driving shaft of the motor and a first end
`
`portion of the lever member positioned at the side of the motor and
`
`converts rotating motion of the driving shaft of the motor into
`
`swinging motion of the lever member and a second motion converting
`
`mechanism which is provided between the brush body and a second
`
`end portion of the lever member positioned at the side of the brush
`
`body and converts swinging motion of the lever member into
`
`reciprocal rotating motion of the brush body.
`
`With such a configuration, since the rotating motion of the
`
`driving shaft of the motor is temporarily converted into the swinging
`
`motion of the lever member and then the swinging motion of the lever
`
`member is converted into the reciprocal rotating motion of the brush
`
`body, the brush body can be made thinner in comparison with the first
`
`and second conventional examples using the miter mechanism or the
`
`crank mechanism. Furthermore, since the lever member which
`
`swings about the predetermined swinging shaft is used as a coupling
`
`member for transmitting driving force of the motor to the brush body,
`
`inner dimension (height of inner space) of the head portion can be
`
`
`
`_
`
`FROM |taya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055 551180”17120/§fil7:05/K§§%5306128465 P 21
`
`reduced to the height obtained by adding a predetermined clearance to
`
`the thickness of the lever member. As a result, the head portion put
`
`in the user's mouth can be made smaller or thinner.
`
`Furthermore, since the swinging lever member is coupled to
`
`the driving shafi of the motor through the first motion converting
`
`mechanism, as distinct from the coupling shaft which makes rotating
`
`motion, reciprocal linear motion or reciprocal rotating motion in the
`
`conventional examples, there is no need to provide the lever member
`
`in the same direction as the driving shaft or the output shaft of the
`
`driving mechanism.
`
`Still furthermore, since the lever member is
`
`coupled to the brush body through the second motion converting
`
`mechanism, the rotating shafi of the brush body needs not be
`
`orthogonal to the swinging plane of the lever member. As a result, it
`
`becomes possible to incline the rotating shaft of the brush body and
`
`the head portion at an optional angle with respect to the grip portion,
`
`thereby improving operability during brushing.
`
`Furthermore, in comparison with the first or third embodiment,
`
`since the driving mechanism for temporarily converting rotating
`
`motion of the driving shaft of the motor into reciprocal rotating
`
`motion or reciprocal linear motion is not required, and rotating
`
`motion of the driving shaft of the motor is directly converted into
`
`swinging motion of the lever member by the first motion converting
`
`mechanism, transmittance efficiency of driving force can be enhanced.
`
`Moreover, as in the second conventional example, high accuracy in
`
`processing of parts is not required and oscillation or noise can be
`
`
`
`FROM ltaya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055 55113(7K)1YZZU/EEl7205/X§§%5306128465 P 22
`
`reduced.
`
`Brief Description of Drawings
`
`FIG. 1A is a front sectional view showing a driving mechanism
`
`of an electric toothbrush in accordance with a first embodiment of the
`
`present invention.
`
`FIG. 1B is a side sectional view showing configuration of a
`
`front end of the electric toothbrush in accordance with the first
`
`embodiment.
`
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of
`
`the electric toothbrush in accordance with the first embodiment from
`
`which a housing is removed.
`
`FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a
`configuration of a first motion converting mechanism in the first
`
`embodiment.
`
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a shape in the vicinity of
`
`a second end portion-of a lever member.
`
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a brush
`
`body in the first embodiment.
`
`FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C are views respectively showing a
`
`configuration and a motion converting operation of a second motion
`
`converting mechanism in the first embodiment.
`
`FIG. 7A and FIG 7B are partial sectional views showing a
`
`configuration of a modification example of the first motion
`
`converting mechanism in the first embodiment.
`
`
`
`.
`
`FROM ltaya&Associaies 06-6244-5972
`
`2005i5H1180K)l7221/¥fi17205/K§§%5306128465 P 23
`
`FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C are front views re5pectively
`
`showing a configuration and an operation of another modification
`
`example of the second motion converting mechanism in the first
`
`embodiment.
`
`FIG. 9 is a side view showing an appearance of an electric
`
`toothbrush in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
`
`invention.
`
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of
`
`the electric toothbrush in accordance with the second embodiment
`
`from which a housing is removed.
`
`FIG. lllis a perspective view showing a shape of a lever
`
`member of a modification example in accordance with the second
`
`embodiment.
`
`FIG 12 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of
`
`the electric toothbrush of another modification example in accordance
`
`with the second embodiment from which a housing is removed.
`
`FIG. 13 is a front sectional view showing a configuration of the
`electric toothbrush of still another modification example in
`i
`
`accordance with the second embodiment.
`
`F1G 14 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a
`
`front end of an electric toothbrush in accordance with a third
`
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`FIG. 15 is a view showing relationship between rotation angle
`
`of the brush body and pressure of a brush, a thin line A shows
`
`characteristics of a conventional electric toothbrush and a thick line B
`
`
`
`.
`
`FROM Itaya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055 55118(1017121/EE17205/X§§%5306128465 P 24
`
`shows characteristics of the electric toothbrush in accordance with the
`
`third embodiment.
`
`.
`
`FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are side views showing an outer
`
`structure of an electric-toothbrush in accordance with a fourth
`
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B are a front sectional view and its partial
`
`enlarged sectional view showing a driving mechanism of an electric
`
`toothbrush in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present
`invention, respectively.
`I
`
`FIG. 18A to FIG. 18D are views respectively showing an
`
`operation of a first motion converting mechanism in accordance with
`
`the fifth embodiment.
`
`Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
`
`First Embodiment
`
`A first embodiment of the present invention will be described
`
`with reference to figures.
`FIG. 1A is a front sectional view showing
`a driving mechanism of an electric toothbrush in accordance With the
`
`first embodiment and FIG. 18 is a side sectional view of its front end.
`
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the
`
`electric toothbrush from which a housing is removed.
`
`FIG. 3 is an
`
`exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a first motion
`
`converting mechanism. FIG 4 is a perspective view showing a
`
`shape in the vicinity of a second end portion of a lever member.
`
`FIG.
`
`5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a brush body.
`
`
`
`.
`
`FROM ltaya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`2005K 53118(71017:22/3E17205/X§§%5306128465 P 25
`
`10
`
`FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C are views showing a configuration and
`
`a motion converting operation of a second motion converting
`
`mechanism.
`
`As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2, an electric toothbrush l in
`
`accordance with the first embodiment comprises a motor 3 as a
`
`driving source, and a driving force transmitting mechanism for
`
`transmitting driving force to a brush body 4 in a housing 2. The
`brush body 4 is formed like a disk and detachably attached to a main
`
`body (a grip portion 40 and a head portion 41) of the electric
`
`toothbrush 1 together with a front end 42.
`
`In the first embodiment,
`
`the grip portion 40 and the head portion 41 among the housing 2 are
`
`formed integrally. The head portion 41 is not inclined with respect
`
`to the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 40.
`
`As shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 5, a brush 8 is implanted in an
`
`outer face of the brush body 4. A rotating shaft 10 and a pin 14
`
`engaged with a lever member 5 described later are provided on an
`inner face of the brush body 4.
`In the first embodiment, the rotating
`
`shaft 10 of the brush body 4 is formed in a direction substantially
`
`orthogonal to a swinging plane of the lever member 5 which couples a
`
`driving shaft 3a of the motor 3 to the brush body 4.
`
`In addition, the
`
`swinging plane of the lever member 5 is parallel to the driving shaft
`
`3a of the motor 3.
`
`The driving force transmitting mechanism is comprised of the
`
`lever member 5 pivoted by the head portion 41 so as to freely swing
`
`about an swinging shaft 9, a first motion converting mechanism 5]. for
`
`
`
`
`
`FROM |taya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055 5H11B(*)17:22/§fil7:05/Y§§%5306128465 P 26
`
`11
`
`converting rotation of the driving shaft 33 of the motor 3 into
`
`swinging of the lever member 5, and a second motion converting
`
`mechanism 52 for converting swinging of the lever member 5_'into
`
`reciprocal rotating motion of the brush body 4.
`
`In addition, the lever
`
`member 5 serves as a ecupling member for coupling the driving shaft
`
`38. of the motor 3 to the brush body 4.
`The first motion converting mechanism 51 is comprised of an
`eccentric member 6 press-fitted to the driving shaft 3a of the motor 3,
`
`and a joint portion 7 which is formed at a first end portion 5a of the
`
`lever member 5 positioned at the side of the motor 3 and engaged
`
`with an eccentric shaft 68 of the eccentric member 6. The second
`
`motion converting mechanism 52 is comprised of a groove 13 formed
`
`at a second end portion 5b of the lever member 5 positioned at the
`
`side of the brush body 4 and the pin 14 of the brush body 4 engaged
`
`with the groove 13.
`
`The eccentric member 6 and the lever member 5 are formed of
`
`a material which has a small friction coefficient and is excellent in
`
`abrasion resistance, for example, polyacetal resin. The eccentric
`
`shaft 6a of the eccentric member 6 is formed so as to be located at a
`
`predetermined distance from the center of the driving shafi 3a in the
`
`state where the eccentric member 6 is press-fitted to the driving shaft
`
`3a of the motor 3. Accordingly, when the driving shaft 3a of the
`
`motor 3 rotates, the eccentric shaft 6a of the eccentric member 6
`
`rotates about the driving shaft 38 with a radius of the predetermined
`
`distance. Meanwhile, a pair of protrusions 7a each having a
`
`
`
`FROM ltaya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`2005i 53118“)17223/Efi17:05/X§§%5306128465 P 27
`
`12
`
`substantially triangular cross section are formed at the joint portion 7
`
`of the lever member 5 so as to be brought into point-contact with a
`
`cylindrical face of the eccentric shaft 6a of the eccentric member 6
`
`from both sides.
`
`As described above, since the lever member 5 is pivoted so as
`
`to freely swing about the swinging shaft 9, when the eccentric shaft
`
`6a of the eccentric member 6 rotates, the eccentric shaft 6a rotates
`
`while sliding between a pair of the protrusions 7a. With rotating
`
`motion, since the center of the eccentric shaft 6a reciprocates in a
`
`direction parallel to the paper sheet of FIG. 1A, for example, the lever
`
`member 5 swings about the swinging shaft 9 as a center while
`
`changing contact position between the eccentric shaft 6a and the
`
`protrusions 7a. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 6B, the pin 14 of the
`
`brush body 4 is slidably engaged in the groove 13 formed at the
`
`second end portion 5b of the lever member 5. Thus, as shown in FIG.
`
`60, the brush body 4 is reciprocally rotated at a constant angle with
`
`swinging of the second end portion 5b of the lever member 5.
`
`As described above, according to the first embodiment,
`
`although rotation of the driving shaft 3a of the motor 3 is temporarily
`
`converted into swinging of the lever member 5 and then the swinging
`
`of the lever member 5 is converted into reciprocal rotation of the
`brush body 4, friction area contributing to a decrease in transmission
`
`efficiency of driving force is smaller, and therefore, driving force of
`
`the motor 3 can be transmitted to the brush body 4 efficiently.
`
`Further, since the pin 14 formed at the inner face of the brush body 4
`
`
`
`.
`
`FROM ltaya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055 55118(1)l7:23/Efil7205/X§§%5305128465 P' 28
`
`13
`
`is only engaged in the groove 13 of the lever member 5, as shown in
`
`FIG. 1B, an amount of protrusion from the inner face of the brush
`
`body 4 can be reduced to the height of the pin 14, that is, the height
`
`obtained by adding a predetermined clearance to the thickness of the
`
`lever member 5.
`
`Similarly, the inner height (thickness) of the head
`
`portion 41 among the housing 2, in which the lever member 5 is
`provided, can be also reduced to the height obtained by adding a
`
`predetermined clearance to the thickness of the lever member 5. As
`
`a result, the head portion 41 including the front end 42 that is put into
`
`a user's mouth can be made smaller or thinner.
`
`Subsequently, an example of modification of the first
`
`embodiment is shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.
`
`In this modification
`
`example, the eccentric shaft 6a of the eccentric member 6 is
`
`comprised of a roller 11 and a shaft 12.
`
`Specifically, the eccentric
`
`member 6 is comprised of a base portion 6b press-fitted to the driving
`
`shaft 3a of the motor 3, the shaft 12 press-fitted to a hole formed on
`
`the base portion 6b and the roller 11 rotatably pivoted by the shaft 12.
`
`A flange is formed at the opposite side to the side where the shaft 12
`
`is press—fitted so that the roller 11 does not remove therefrom. With
`
`such a configuration, although sliding friction occurs between the
`
`roller 11 and the shaft 12, friction between the roller 11 and the
`
`protrusion 7a of the joint portion 7 of the lever member 5 is decreased
`
`greatly. Accordingly, although the number of parts is increased,
`
`relatively low-priced general resin material can be adopted as
`
`materials for the base portion 6b and the roller 11 constituting the
`
`
`
`.
`
`FROM ltaya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055“1118(1)1YIN/3&17:05/X§§%5306128465 P 29
`
`14
`
`eccentric member 6 and the lever member 5 without need for using
`
`expensive material having small friction coefficient and excellent
`
`abrasion resistance.
`
`In addition, since sliding friction between the
`
`roller 11 and the shaft 12 is generated in line contact, wear becomes
`
`relatively small.
`
`Furthermore, another example of modification of the first
`
`embodiment is shown in FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C.
`
`In this
`
`modification example, a substantially circular protrusion 14'
`
`(correSponding to the pin 14) is formed at the second end portion 5b
`
`of the lever member 5 as the second motion converting mechanism 52
`
`and a substantially U-shaped groove 13' to which the protrusion 14' is
`
`engaged is formed at the brush body 4. The similar effects to the
`
`above-mentioned ones can be achieved by such configuration.
`
`Second Embodiment
`
`A second embodiment of the present invention will be
`
`In the second embodiment, the
`described with reference to figures.
`rotating shaft 10 of the brush body 4 and a central axis of the head
`
`portion 41 are inclined by inclining the swinging plane of the second
`
`end portion 5b of the lever member-5 at a predetermined angle not
`
`parallel to the driving shafi 3a of the motor 3. '
`
`FIG. 9 is a side view showing an appearance of an electric
`
`toothbrush 1 in accordance with the second embodiment, FIG. 10 is a
`
`perspective View showing an internal structure of the electric
`
`toothbrush 1 from which a housing is removed, and FIG. 11 is a
`
`
`
`.
`
`FROM ltaya&Associates 05-6244-5972
`
`20055 55118W)17:24/EE17:05/X§§%5306128465 P 30
`
`15
`
`persPective view showing a shape of the lever member 5 in a
`
`modification example.
`
`As can be seen from FIG. 9, in the second embodiment, the
`
`lever member 5 for coupling a driving shafi 38 of a motor 3 to a brush
`
`body 4 and a head portion 41 at which the lever member 5 is provided
`
`(the axis is referred to as C2) are inclined to any angle a (for example,
`
`about 10 degrees) with respect to the longitudinal direction of a main.
`
`body of the electric toothbrush 1 (a grip portion 40) (the axis is
`referred to as C1). Thus, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the cross
`
`section of the lever member 5 orthogonal to the rotating plane is
`
`formed substantially in the dog-legged shape. An inflected portion
`
`15 of the lever member 5 may be provided between a first end portion
`
`5a and a swinging shafi 9 as shown in FIG. 10 or between a second
`
`’ end portion 5b and the swinging shaft 9 as shown in FIG. 11.
`
`In the
`
`former case, the swinging shaft 9 of the lever member 5 is, for
`
`example, provided so as to form a predetermined angle other than
`
`right angle with the driving shafi 3a of the motor 3.
`
`Since rotating motion of the driving shaft 3a of the motor 3 is
`
`temporarily converted into swinging motion and then the swinging
`
`motion is converted into reciprocal rotating motion of the brush body
`
`4 by using the swinging lever member 5 in this manner, even when
`
`the plane orthogonal to the rotating plane of the lever member 5 is
`
`inflected substantially in the dig-legged shape, driving force of the
`
`motor 3 can be transmitted to the brush body 4 reliably.
`
`Furthermore, by inclining the central axis C2 of the head
`
`
`
`.
`
`FROM ltaya&Associaies 06-6244-5972
`
`20055 551180K)17225/EE17205/Y§§%5306128465 P 31
`
`16
`
`portion 41 having the brush body 4 at the predetermined angle a with
`
`respect to the central axis C1 of the grip portion 40 held by the user
`
`for hand motion, the front end of the brush 8 can easily be put to
`
`every corner of teeth, thereby enabling improvement in operability
`
`and removal of plaque with high efficiency.
`
`Another example of modification of the second embodiment is
`
`shown in FIG. 12.
`
`In this modification example, as in the first
`
`embodiment, the lever member 5 includes no inflected portion 15 and
`
`has the substantially rectangular cross section orthogonal to the
`
`rotating plane.
`
`As described above, a first motion converting mechanism 51 is
`
`comprised of an eccentric member 6 and a joint portion 7 engaged
`
`with an eccentric shaft 6a of the eccentric member 6, and the
`
`eccentric shaft 63. and the protrusion 7a of the joint portion 7 are
`
`brought into point-contact with each other. Thus, the direction of
`
`the joint portion 7 with respect to the eccentric shaft 6a is not limited
`
`specifically. As shown in FIG. 12, there occurs no problem even
`'when a main axis C4 orthogonal to the rotating axis of the lever
`
`member 5 is inclined with respect to a central axis C3 of the driving
`
`shaft 3a of the motor 3.
`
`A second motion converting mechanism 52 is comprised of a
`
`groove 13 formed at a second end portion 5b of the lever member 5
`
`and a pin 14 of the brush body 4 engaged in the groove 13, and side
`
`walls of the groove 13 and the pin 14 are brought into line-contact
`
`with each other. Thus, as far as the groove 13 and the pin 14 are
`
`
`
`FROM |taya&Associates 06-5244-5972
`
`200W SHHBUK)17225/EE17205/233ii5306128465 P 32
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`17
`
`engaged with each other, an axial direction of the pin 14, that is, an
`
`axis C5 of the brush body 4 need not intersect at right angles and can
`
`be inclined at any angle with respect to the main axis C4 orthogonal to
`
`the swinging shaft 9 of the lever member 5.
`
`In other words, the pin
`
`14 can form an Optional angle including right angle with the
`
`longitudinal direction of the groove 13.
`
`Taking from these matters, the rotating shaft 10 of the brush
`
`body 4 can form an predetermined angle other than right angle with
`
`the rotating plane of the second end portion of the lever member 5.
`
`That is, the angle of the brush 8 with respect to the grip portion 40
`
`can optionally be set within a certain extent and Operability can be
`
`further improved. With such a configuration, it is needless to say
`
`that driving force of the motor 3 can be transmitted to the brush body
`
`4 certainly.
`
`Still another example of modification of the second
`
`embodiment is shown in FIG. 13.
`
`In this modification example,
`
`driving force of the motor 3 is transmitted to the brush body 4.by .
`
`using a swinging first lever member 35 and a second lever member 36
`
`instead of the single lever member 5.
`
`The first lever member 35 is-pivoted so as to swing about a
`
`swinging shaft 9a, formed at a first end portion 35a at the side of the
`
`motor 3 and has a joint portion 37 engaged with the eccentric shaft 6a
`
`of the eccentric member 6 and a groove 16 formed at a second end
`
`portion 35b at the side of the second lever member 36.
`
`The second lever member 36 is pivoted so as to swing about a
`
`
`
`FROM ltaya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055 55113“)17126/EE17205/X§§%5306128465 P 33
`
`18
`
`swinging shaft 9b, formed at a first end portion 36a at the side of the
`
`first lever member 35 and has a pin 17 engaged in the groove 16 and
`
`the groove 13 formed at the second end portion 36b of the second
`
`lever member 36.
`
`.
`
`The first motion converting mechanism 51 is comprised of the
`
`eccentric member 6 and the joint portion 37 of the first lever member
`
`35. The second motion converting mechanism 52 is comprised of
`
`the groove 13 formed at a second end portion 36b of the second lever
`
`member 36 and the pin 14 of the brush body 4. A third motion
`
`converting mechanism 53 is comprised of the groove 16 formed at the
`
`first end portion 35a of the first lever member 35 and the pin 17 of the
`
`second lever member 36.
`
`With such a configuration, in spite of an increase in the
`
`number of parts, flexibility of design is improved.
`
`For example, the
`
`main axis orthogonal to the swinging shaft 9a of the first lever
`
`member 35 may be inclined with respect to the driving shaft 33. of the
`
`motor 3 and the main -axis orthogonal to the swinging shaft 9b of the
`
`second lever member 36 may be inclined with respect to the main axis
`
`of the first lever member 35. By inclining the axis in two steps, the
`
`inclination angle of the housing 2 in the vicinity of the brush body 4
`
`can be increased. Alternatively, only the main axis of the second
`
`lever member 36 may be inclined with respect to the main axis of the
`
`first lever member 35 without inclining the main axis of the first lever
`
`member 35 with respect to the center of the driving shaft 3a of the
`
`motor 3. Further, although not shown, three or more lever members
`
`
`
`-
`
`FROM Itaya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055- 551150“17:27/5fi17:05/X§§%5306128465 P 34
`
`19
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`may be provided.
`
`As described above, according to the second embodiment,
`
`since the swinging plane of the second end portion 5b of the lever
`
`member 5 is inclined at an optional angle with respect to the
`
`longitudinal direction of the driving shaft 3a of the motor 3 or the
`
`grip portion 40, the head portion 41 including the front end 42 can be
`
`inclined with respect to the grip portion 40. Moreover, since the
`
`rotating shaft 10 of the brush body 4 can be also inclined at any angle
`
`including right angle with respect to the rotating plane of the lever
`
`member 5, it is possible to improve to operability during brushing and
`
`remove plaque efficiently.
`
`Third Embodiment
`
`A third embodiment of the present invention will be described
`
`with reference to figures.
`
`In the third embodiment, to achieve more
`
`efficient brushing, a rotating shafi 10 of a brush body 4 is supported
`swingably. Other configuration- except for a front end 42 of an
`electric toothbrush may be either one described in the first
`
`embodiment or the second embodiment.
`
`As shown in FIG. 14, the rotating shaft 10 of the brush body 4
`
`is rotatably pivoted by ,a holding member 18 having a spherical side
`
`face 18a. and the holding member 18 is engaged with a cotyloid
`
`portion 19 formed at the inner side of the front end 2c of the housing
`
`2 so as to freely rotate in the three-dimensional direction to form a
`
`spheroid joint. With SuCh a configuration, the brush body 4 which
`
`
`
`FROM |taya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055 53113010l7227/§§l7:05/X§§%5306128465 P 35
`
`20
`
`rotates about the rotating shaft 10 can freely change orientation in the
`
`three-dimensional direction, integrally with the holding member 18
`
`holding the rotating shaft 10. Thus, the brush body 4 is inclined
`
`freely depending on the angle at which the brush 8 comes into contact
`
`with teeth during use and the tooth surface matches with the brush
`
`surface. As a result,‘smooth and efficient brushing can be achieved.
`
`Even when the brush body 4 is inclined in any direction, driving force
`
`is surely transmitted to the brush body 4 through the second motion
`
`converting mechanism 52.
`
`To improve safety of brushing, it is possible to make rotation
`
`angle of the brush body 4 smaller when the brush 8 is pressed strongly.
`Specifically, bending rigidity of the lever member 5 is set so that
`
`swinging range of the second end portion 5b located at the side of the
`
`brush body 4 of the lever member 5 becomes smaller as a load
`
`transmitted from the brush body 4 to the lever member 5 through the
`
`second motion converting mechanism 52 is increased. The bending
`
`rigidity of the lever member 5 can be set by properly selecting
`
`strength of the used material and geometrical moment of inertia.
`
`The relationship between rotation angle of the brush body 4
`
`and pressure of the brush 8 is shown in FIG. 15.
`
`In FIG. 15, a thin
`
`line A represents characteristics of a conventional electric toothbrush
`
`and a thick line B represents characteristics of the electric toothbrush
`
`in accordance with the third embodiment.
`
`In the conventional
`
`electric toothbrush, as represented by the thin line A, when pressure is
`
`increased, the number of revolutions is reduced, but rotation angle is
`
`
`
`FROM ltaya&Associates 06-6244-5972
`
`20055 5511801017228/?fi17105/K3fi5306128465 P 36
`
`21
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`ke
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