JP2020114546A - Oral cavity washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an oral cavity washing device 1 improved in usability in operation.SOLUTION: An oral cavity washing device 1 includes: a body unit 10 including a pump 31 ejecting washing fluid; a tube 80 connected to the body unit 10 so that the ejected washing fluid flows therethrough; and a washing unit 100 connected to the tube 80 so as to eject the washing fluid. The oral cavity washing device 1 further includes: a first operation part 110 provided in a washing unit 100; a control part 33 controlling the pump 31 according to the operation by the first operation part 110; and a communication part 130 connecting the first operation part 110 and the control part 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to an oral cavity cleaning device that cleans the oral cavity with a cleaning liquid.

As an example of a conventional oral cavity cleaning device, a main body unit including a tank for storing the cleaning liquid and a pump for discharging the cleaning liquid, a tube connected to the main body unit so that the cleaning liquid discharged by the pump flows, and supplied from the tube BACKGROUND ART An oral cavity cleaning device including a cleaning unit that discharges a cleaning liquid is well known. The main body unit includes a first operation unit for switching the power on and off, and a second operation unit for adjusting the water pressure of the cleaning liquid discharged by the pump. The user can select the state of the power supply of the main body unit by operating the first operation unit, and can adjust the water pressure of the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning unit by operating the second operation unit. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional oral cavity cleaning device.

JP, 2005-217174, A

When the user holds the cleaning unit with one hand and cleans the oral cavity with the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning unit, it is difficult to operate the operation unit of the main unit.

The oral cavity cleaning device of the present disclosure is connected to a main body unit including a pump that discharges a cleaning liquid, a tube that is connected to the main body unit so that the discharged cleaning liquid flows, and a tube that is capable of discharging the cleaning liquid. A cleaning unit, a first operation unit provided in the cleaning unit, a control unit that controls the pump according to an operation of the first operation unit, and communication that connects the first operation unit and the control unit by communication. A first wireless communication unit provided in the cleaning unit so as to transmit a wireless signal according to an operation of the first operation unit, and the main body so as to receive the wireless signal. A second wireless communication unit provided in the unit, wherein the control unit controls the pump according to the wireless signal received by the second wireless communication unit, and the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit. If the communication with the unit is bad, the operation of the pump is stopped.

According to the oral cavity cleaning device of the present disclosure, usability regarding operation is improved.

The perspective view of the oral cavity cleaning device of an embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the oral cavity cleaning apparatus of FIG.

(An example of a form that the oral cleaning device can take)
[1] An aspect of the oral cavity cleaning device according to the present disclosure is that a main body unit including a pump for discharging a cleaning liquid, a tube connected to the main body unit so that the discharged cleaning liquid flows, and the cleaning liquid can be discharged. A cleaning unit connected to the tube, a first operation unit provided in the cleaning unit, a control unit for controlling the pump according to an operation of the first operation unit, the first operation unit and the control And a communication unit for communicatively connecting to the unit. Since the first operating unit capable of operating the pump is provided in the cleaning unit, it is possible to easily adjust the water pressure and the like of the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning unit when cleaning the oral cavity with the cleaning unit.

[2] According to an example of the oral cavity cleaning device, the communication unit includes a first wireless communication unit provided in the cleaning unit so that the communication unit can transmit a wireless signal according to an operation of the first operation unit, and the wireless signal. A second wireless communication unit provided in the main body unit so that the pump can be received. The control unit controls the pump according to the wireless signal received by the second wireless communication unit. Therefore, it is possible to communicate between the cleaning unit and the main body unit without connecting the cleaning unit and the main body unit by a communication line, and it is possible to simplify the configuration related to the wiring in the oral cavity cleaning device.

[3] According to an example of the oral cavity cleaning device, the cleaning unit further includes a power supply capable of supplying power to the first wireless communication unit. Therefore, the first wireless communication unit can be operated without connecting the cleaning unit and the external power source by the power line, and the configuration related to the wiring in the oral cavity cleaning device can be simplified.

[4] According to an example of the oral cavity cleaning device, the cleaning unit further includes a display unit that displays information according to the operation of the first operation unit. Therefore, the user can easily recognize how the operating state of the oral cavity cleaning device has changed due to the operation of the first operation unit.

[5] According to an example of the oral cavity cleaning device, the cleaning unit further includes a power receiving unit that constitutes a non-contact power transmission system. For this reason, the communication unit can be operated without connecting the cleaning unit and the external power source by the power line, and the configuration related to the wiring in the oral cavity cleaning device can be simplified.

[6] According to an example of the oral cavity cleaning device, the main body unit further includes a second operation unit for selecting an operation of the pump. Since the operation unit for operating the pump is provided in each of the cleaning unit and the main body unit, operability is improved.

[7] According to an example of the oral cavity cleaning device, the control unit stops the operation of the pump when communication between the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit is poor. When the operation of the first operation unit of the cleaning unit may not be accurately reflected in the operation of the pump, the operation of the pump is stopped, so that the cleaning liquid having a pressure not intended by the user is unlikely to be discharged from the cleaning unit.

[8] According to an example of the oral cavity washing device, the washing unit includes a grip portion, and the first wireless communication unit is provided at an end portion of the grip portion or a portion of the grip portion near the end portion. Therefore, it is easy to maintain a good communication state between the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external view of the oral cavity cleaning device 1. The oral cavity cleaning device 1 is used for cleaning the oral cavity, and is mainly used for cleaning the teeth and gums in the oral cavity. The oral cavity cleaning device 1 is used by being installed on a flat installation surface such as a washstand (not shown). The oral cavity cleaning device 1 is driven by electric power supplied from an external power source (not shown) such as a commercial power source, and discharges the cleaning liquid into the oral cavity. An example of the cleaning liquid is tap water mixed with a detergent, or tap water.

The oral cavity cleaning device 1 includes a main body unit 10, a tube 80, a cleaning unit 100, and a power cord PC. The shape of the main body unit 10 is preferably an elliptic cylinder or a substantially elliptic cylinder. In one example, the shape of the main body unit 10 is an elliptic cylinder. The elliptic cylinder includes a cylinder whose plane view is a circle. The main body unit 10 includes an apparatus main body 20 and a tank 70. The function of the tank 70 is to store the cleaning liquid. The tank 70 is provided, for example, detachably on the apparatus body 20.

The device main body 20 houses various elements for driving the oral cavity cleaning device 1. The device body 20 includes a housing 21, a pump 31, a motor (not shown), and a body circuit 32 (see FIG. 2). The pump 31, the motor, and the main body circuit 32 are housed in the housing 21. The function of the pump 31 is to discharge the cleaning liquid stored in the tank 70. The function of the motor is to drive the pump 31. The main body circuit 32 includes a control unit 33 and a power supply circuit 34 (see FIG. 2). The function of the control unit 33 is to control the pump 31. The function of the power supply circuit 34 is to supply electric power to the electric elements constituting the oral cavity cleaning device 1. The electrical elements that make up the oral cavity cleaning device 1 include a motor, a control unit 33, and the like. The power cord PC is electrically connected to the power circuit 34. By connecting the plug PG of the power cord PC to the external power source, the power of the external power source is supplied to the power source circuit 34.

The tube 80 is connected to the main body unit 10 so that the cleaning liquid discharged by the pump 31 flows. The cleaning unit 100 is connected to the tube 80 so that the cleaning liquid can be discharged. The cleaning unit 100 can be attached to and detached from the main body unit 10. In one example, the cleaning unit 100 is magnetically coupled to the body unit 10. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the cleaning unit 100 is attached to the main body unit 10. When the cleaning unit 100 is used for cleaning the inside of the oral cavity, the cleaning unit 100 is detached from the main body unit 10.

The housing 21 of the apparatus body 20 is configured by connecting a plurality of parts 22. An example of the material forming the housing 21 is ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin. The plurality of parts 22 include an upper lid 23, a case body 30, a bottom lid 24, and an arrangement portion 40. Each part 22 is a molded product that is individually formed of a resin material. The upper lid 23, the bottom lid 24, and the arrangement portion 40 are connected to the case body 30. The upper lid 23 constitutes a flat upper surface 23A of the device body 20.

The arranging section 40 is coupled to the case main body 30 so that the tube 80 can be arranged in the state where the cleaning unit 100 is attached to the main body unit 10. The arrangement portion 40 includes a recess 41. The recess 41 is configured to be able to accommodate the tube 80. The recess 41 includes an opening 41A that is open to the front surface 30A of the case body 30. The apparatus main body 20 may have a form in which the placement portion 40 is omitted.

The tube 80 is, for example, a curl tube that is curled so that it can expand and contract. The type of material forming the tube 80, the diameter of the tube 80, and the wall thickness of the tube 80 are determined by the ease of movement of the cleaning unit 100 when the cleaning unit 100 is moved around the main body unit 10, and the tube 80. It is preferably determined from the viewpoint of durability. An example of the material forming the tube 80 is a resin material having high flexibility. An example of this resin material is EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate copolymer). An example of a preferable range for the diameter of the tube 80 is 3.0 to 5.0 mm. In one example, the tube 80 has a diameter of 4.0 mm. An example of a preferable range for the wall thickness of the tube 80 is 0.5 to 1.5 mm. In one example, the wall thickness of the tube 80 is 1.0 mm.

The cleaning unit 100 includes a case 101 and a nozzle 105. The nozzle 105 is provided in the case 101 so that the cleaning liquid can be discharged. An example of the material forming the case 101 is ABS resin. The case 101 includes a grip portion 102. The grip portion 102 is configured so that the user can grip it with one hand. The case 101 includes a first end 103 and a second end 104. The first end portion 103 includes a first end surface 103A. 103 A of 1st end surfaces are comprised so that the nozzle 105 can be attached. The second end 104 is an end of the case 101 opposite to the first end 103. The second end portion 104 includes a second end surface 104A. The tube 80 is inserted into the case 101 from the second end surface 104A, for example, and is connected to the inlet of the passage of the cleaning liquid provided in the case 101. The nozzle 105 is connected to the outlet of the passage.

The cleaning unit 100 further includes a first operation unit 110 and a first display unit 120. The first operation unit 110 and the first display unit 120 are provided on the grip unit 102. The function of the first operation unit 110 is to select the operation of the oral cavity cleaning device 1 mainly related to the discharge of the cleaning liquid. The first operation unit 110 is electrically connected to the control unit 33 of the main body unit 10. The first operation unit 110 includes a plurality of buttons. The plurality of buttons include a first button 111, a second button 112, a third button 113, and a fourth button 114. The buttons 111 to 114 are provided, for example, on the front surface 102A of the grip 102, and are arranged in order in the height direction of the cleaning unit 100.

The function of the first button 111 is to switch the power of the main unit 10 on and off. The function of the second button 112 is to open and close a water shutoff valve (not shown) provided in the case 101. When the water stop valve is opened by operating the second button 112, the cleaning liquid flowing through the tube 80 is discharged from the discharge port 105A of the nozzle 105. When the water stop valve is closed by operating the second button 112, the cleaning liquid is not discharged from the discharge port 105A of the nozzle 105. The function of the third button 113 is to increase the water pressure of the cleaning liquid discharged from the pump 31. The function of the fourth button 114 is to weaken the water pressure of the cleaning liquid discharged from the pump 31. The water pressure of the cleaning liquid discharged from the pump 31 is adjusted within the range of the discharge pressure of the pump 31 by operating the third button 113 and the fourth button 114. An example of a preferable range for the discharge pressure of the pump 31 is 3.0 to 8.0 kgf/cm 2. The water pressure of the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 105A of the nozzle 105 changes according to the water pressure of the cleaning liquid discharged from the pump 31.

The function of the first display unit 120 is to display information according to the operation of the first operation unit 110. The first display unit 120 is provided on the grip unit 102. In one example, the first display unit 120 is provided below the first operation unit 110 on the front surface 102A of the grip unit 102 in the height direction of the cleaning unit 100. The first display unit 120 includes a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display displays, for example, the power supply state of the main body unit 10 and the water pressure of the cleaning liquid discharged from the pump 31. Therefore, the user can easily recognize how the operating state of the oral cavity cleaning device 1 has been changed by operating the first operation unit 110.

The main body unit 10 further includes a second operation unit 50 and a second display unit 60. The function of the second operation unit 50 is to select the operation of the pump 31 mainly related to the discharge of the cleaning liquid. The second operation unit 50 is provided, for example, on the upper surface 23A of the device body 20. The second operation unit 50 is electrically connected to the control unit 33. The second operation unit 50 includes a plurality of buttons. The plurality of buttons include a first button 51, a second button 52, and a third button 53. The function of the first button 51 is substantially the same as the function of the first button 111 of the cleaning unit 100. The function of the second button 52 is substantially the same as the function of the third button 113 of the cleaning unit 100. The function of the third button 53 is substantially the same as the function of the fourth button 114 of the cleaning unit 100. Since the operating units 50 and 110 for operating the pump 31 are provided in each of the cleaning unit 100 and the main body unit 10, the operability of the oral cavity cleaning device 1 is improved.

The second display unit 60 is to display information according to the operation of the operation units 50 and 110. The second display unit 60 is provided, for example, on the upper surface 23A of the device body 20. The second display unit 60 includes a plurality of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamps. The lighting state of each LED lamp changes according to the water pressure of the cleaning liquid adjusted by the second button 52 and the third button 53. The first display unit 120 of the cleaning unit 100 changes the information displayed by operating the second operating unit 50 in addition to operating the first operating unit 110.

FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the oral cavity cleaning device 1. The oral cavity cleaning device 1 further includes a communication unit 130. The function of the communication unit 130 is to communicatively connect the first operation unit 110 of the cleaning unit 100 and the control unit 33. The communication unit 130 includes a first wireless communication unit 131 and a second wireless communication unit 132. The first wireless communication unit 131 is provided in the cleaning unit 100 so as to transmit a wireless signal according to the operation of the first operation unit 110. It is preferable that the first wireless communication unit 131 is provided in a portion of the grip 102 that is away from a portion that the user's hand touches in a normal use state. In one example, the first wireless communication unit 131 is provided in a portion of the grip unit 102 near the first end 103. Therefore, the first wireless communication unit 131 and the second wireless communication unit 132 can easily maintain a good communication state.

The second wireless communication unit 132 is electrically connected to the main body circuit 32 of the main body unit 10. The second wireless communication unit 132 is provided in the main body unit 10 so as to be able to receive the wireless signal transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 131. In one example, the second wireless communication unit 132 is provided on the front surface 30A side of the case body 30. Therefore, the first wireless communication unit 131 and the second wireless communication unit 132 are brought closer to each other, and the first wireless communication unit 131 and the second wireless communication unit 132 can easily maintain a good communication state.

The cleaning unit 100 includes a control circuit 106 and a power supply 107. The control circuit 106 is electrically connected to the first operation unit 110 of the cleaning unit 100. In one example, the control circuit 106 is electrically connected to the first button 111, the third button 113, and the fourth button 114. The control circuit 106 outputs a signal according to the operation of the first operation unit 110 to the second wireless communication unit 132 via the first wireless communication unit 131. The second wireless communication unit 132 outputs the wireless signal received from the first wireless communication unit 131 to the control unit 33 of the main unit 10. The control unit 33 controls the pump 31 according to the wireless signal received by the second wireless communication unit 132. For this reason, the cleaning unit 100 and the main body unit 10 can communicate with each other without connecting the cleaning unit 100 and the main body unit 10 with a communication line, and the configuration related to the wiring in the oral cavity cleaning device 1 can be simplified.

For example, when communication between the first wireless communication unit 131 and the second wireless communication unit 132 is poor, the control unit 33 controls the operation of the pump 31 as follows. In the first example, the control unit 33 stops the operation of the pump 31. According to this example, since the operation of the pump 31 is stopped when the operation of the first operation unit 110 of the cleaning unit 100 may not be accurately reflected in the operation of the pump 31, the cleaning liquid having a pressure not intended by the user is cleaned. It is unlikely that the unit 100 will be discharged. In the second example, the control unit 33 invalidates the operation of the first operation unit 110 of the cleaning unit 100. According to this example, substantially the same effect as that obtained by the first example can be obtained.

The function of the power supply 107 is to supply electric power to the electric elements that form the cleaning unit 100. The electrical elements that form the cleaning unit 100 include the control circuit 106, the first wireless communication unit 131, and the like. Therefore, the first wireless communication unit 131 can be operated without connecting the cleaning unit 100 and the external power source by the power line, and the configuration related to the wiring in the oral cavity cleaning device 1 can be simplified. The power supply 107 is detachably provided in the case 101 of the cleaning unit 100, for example. An example of the power supply 107 is a secondary battery.

The mouth washing device 1 further includes a power transmission unit 35 and a power reception unit 108. The power transmission unit 35 and the power reception unit 108 form a contactless power transmission system. The power transmission unit 35 is provided inside the case body 30 of the body unit 10. In one example, the power transmission unit 35 is provided on the front surface 30A side of the case body 30. The power receiving unit 108 is provided inside the case 101 of the cleaning unit 100. In one example, the power receiving unit 108 is provided on the back surface 102B side of the grip unit 102. The power transmitting unit 35 and the power receiving unit 108 are provided at substantially the same position in the height direction of the oral cavity cleaning device 1 when the cleaning unit 100 is attached to the main body unit 10. Therefore, the distance between the power transmission unit 35 and the power reception unit 108 is reduced in the state where the cleaning unit 100 is attached to the main body unit 10.

The power transmission unit 35 is electrically connected to the power supply circuit 34. The power transmission unit 35 includes a primary coil (not shown). The power receiving unit 108 includes a secondary coil (not shown). In an example, when the cleaning unit 100 is attached to the main body unit 10, the magnetic flux of the primary coil of the power transmission unit 35 is linked to the secondary coil of the power reception unit 108, so that power is transmitted from the power transmission unit 35 to the power reception unit 108. Transmitted. Then, the secondary battery is charged by the power transmitted to the power receiving unit 108 being supplied to the power source 107. When the cleaning unit 100 takes the form in which the power source 107 is omitted, the electric power transmitted to the power receiving unit 108 is supplied to the electrical elements forming the cleaning unit 100. Therefore, the first wireless communication unit 131 can be operated without connecting the cleaning unit 100 and the external power source by the power line, and the configuration related to the wiring in the oral cavity cleaning device 1 can be simplified.

An example of a procedure for using the oral cavity cleaning device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
The mouth washing device 1 is used by a user as follows, for example. In the first procedure, a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid is poured into the tank 70, and the tank 70 is attached to the apparatus body 20. In the second procedure, the cleaning unit 100 is removed from the main body unit 10. In the third procedure, the oral cavity cleaning device 1 is powered on by operating the first button 111 of the cleaning unit 100, for example. When the power of the oral cavity cleaning device 1 is set to ON, the pump 31 (see FIG. 2) starts driving. The third procedure may be executed before the second procedure. In the fourth procedure, the ejection port 105A of the nozzle 105 is directed into the oral cavity. In the fifth procedure, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the discharge port 105A by operating the second button 112 of the cleaning unit 100. Therefore, the inside of the oral cavity is cleaned with the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 105A.

When the water pressure of the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 105A is felt to be weak or strong in the fifth procedure, for example, the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 105A is operated by operating the third button 113 or the fourth button 114 of the cleaning unit 100. Water pressure is adjusted. Since the first operation unit 110 that can operate the pump 31 is provided in the cleaning unit 100, it is possible to easily adjust the water pressure of the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning unit 100 when the cleaning unit 100 is cleaning the inside of the mouth. As described above, according to the oral cavity cleaning device 1, usability regarding operation is improved. The power supply of the oral cavity cleaning device 1 and the water pressure of the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 105A can also be operated by the second operation unit 50 of the main body unit 10.

(Modification)
The description regarding the embodiments is an example of the form that the oral cavity cleaning device according to the present disclosure can take, and is not intended to limit the form. In addition to the embodiment, the present disclosure can take a form in which, for example, a modified example of the following embodiment and a combination of at least two modified examples that do not contradict each other are combined.

The arrangement of the first wireless communication unit 131 in the cleaning unit 100 can be changed arbitrarily. In the first example, the first wireless communication unit 131 is provided on the first end 103 of the grip 102. In the second example, the first wireless communication unit 131 is provided at the second end 104 of the grip 102. In the third example, the first wireless communication unit 131 is provided in a portion of the grip unit 102 near the second end 104.

-The form of the 1st operation part 110 can be changed arbitrarily. In the first example, at least one of the buttons 111 to 114 of the first operation unit 110 is a slide type switch. In the second example, the first operation unit 110 includes a voice input unit. According to this example, the control unit 33 controls the pump 31 based on the voice of the user input by the voice input unit. Note that the same modified example is also established in the second operation unit 50.

-The number of operation units included in the oral cavity cleaning device 1 can be arbitrarily changed. In the first example, one or two of the first button 111, the third button 113, and the fourth button 114 are omitted from the first operation unit 110. According to this example, the second operation unit 50 may omit the buttons 51 to 53 having substantially the same functions as the buttons not omitted from the first operation unit 110. In the second example, at least one of the first button 51, the second button 52, and the third button 53 is omitted from the second operation unit 50.

The oral cavity cleaning device 1 may have a form in which at least one of the first display unit 120 and the second display unit 60 is omitted.
The arrangement of the power transmission section 35 in the main body unit 10 can be arbitrarily changed. In one example, the power transmission unit 35 is provided on a part of the side surface of the case body 30 different from the front surface 30A. According to this example, electric power is transmitted from the power transmission unit 35 to the power reception unit 108 in a state where the cleaning unit 100 is brought close to the portion of the side surface of the case body 30 where the power transmission unit 35 is arranged. The mouth washing device 1 may have a configuration in which the power transmission unit 35 and the power reception unit 108 are omitted.

The form of the communication unit 130 can be arbitrarily changed. In one example, the communication unit 130 includes a communication line that connects the cleaning unit 100 and the main body unit 10 by wire. The communication line is provided so as to pass through, for example, the tube 80 or a tube different from the tube 80.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The oral cavity cleaning device according to the present disclosure can be used for various oral cavity cleaning devices including those for home use and commercial use.

1: Oral cleaning device 10: Main body unit 31: Pump 33: Control part 50: Second operation part 80: Tube 100: Cleaning unit 102: Grip part 103: First end part (end part)
104: Second end (end)
107: Power supply 108: Power receiving unit 110: First operation unit 120: First display unit (display unit)
130: communication unit 131: first wireless communication unit 132: second wireless communication unit

Claims (6)

A main body unit including a pump for discharging the cleaning liquid,
A tube connected to the main body unit so that the discharged cleaning liquid flows,
A cleaning unit connected to the tube so that the cleaning liquid can be discharged,
A first operation unit provided in the cleaning unit;
A control unit that controls the pump according to an operation of the first operation unit;
A communication unit that communicatively connects the first operation unit and the control unit,
The communication unit includes a first wireless communication unit provided in the cleaning unit so as to transmit a wireless signal according to an operation of the first operation unit, and a first wireless communication unit provided in the main body unit so as to receive the wireless signal. Including two wireless communication units,
The control unit controls the pump according to the wireless signal received by the second wireless communication unit, and when the communication between the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit is poor, the operation of the pump is stopped. Stop mouthwash equipment. The oral cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit further includes a power supply capable of supplying electric power to the first wireless communication unit. The oral cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit further includes a display unit that displays information according to an operation of the first operation unit. The oral cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit further includes a power receiving unit that constitutes a non-contact power transmission system. The oral cavity cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the main body unit further includes a second operation unit for selecting an operation of the pump. The cleaning unit includes a grip portion,
The oral cavity cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication unit is provided at an end portion of the grip portion or a portion of the grip portion near the end portion.