Pressure sensing system and method for electric toothbrush
阅读说明:本技术 用于电动牙刷的压力感测系统和方法 (Pressure sensing system and method for electric toothbrush ) 是由 B.J.迪松 于 2019-08-02 设计创作,主要内容包括:本发明涉及用于电动牙刷的压力感测系统和方法。一种压力反馈系统连续地监测刷头上的压力或力的水平,并且被编程为基于压力的量向用户提供反馈信号。根据驱动轴的速度变化来监测压力水平。该系统包括壳体、马达、用于附接到刷头的驱动轴、反馈装置、能够检测驱动轴的旋转速度的变化的传感器以及微处理器。该微处理器被编程为根据测量的旋转速度变化来激活反馈装置。该传感器可以是霍尔效应传感器,或者响应于磁场的另一传感器。磁体可位于该驱动轴上,或者该系统的根据该驱动轴移动的另一部分上。(The invention relates to a pressure sensing system and method for a power toothbrush. A pressure feedback system continuously monitors the pressure or level of force on the brushhead and is programmed to provide a feedback signal to the user based on the amount of pressure. The pressure level is monitored as a function of the speed change of the drive shaft. The system includes a housing, a motor, a drive shaft for attachment to the brushhead, a feedback device, a sensor capable of detecting a change in the rotational speed of the drive shaft, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed to activate the feedback means in dependence on the measured change in rotational speed. The sensor may be a hall effect sensor, or another sensor responsive to a magnetic field. The magnet may be located on the drive shaft or another portion of the system that moves in accordance with the drive shaft.)
1. A system for determining the amount of pressure applied to a brushhead and for providing feedback to a user when the measured pressure reaches a predetermined threshold, the system comprising:
a brush head;
a drive unit connected to the brushhead, the drive unit having a drive shaft that is activated to move the brushhead relative to the drive unit;
a magnet that moves in a repeated manner according to the movement of the drive shaft;
a Hall effect sensor that generates a signal based on the movement of the magnet;
a feedback device; and
a microprocessor connected to the Hall effect sensor and the feedback device, the microprocessor programmed to activate the feedback device as a function of a change in speed of the movement of the magnet.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the movement of the drive shaft is rotational.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the movement of the drive shaft is a rotational oscillation about an axis.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the microprocessor generates a signal based on a change in the rotational speed of the drive shaft.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the microprocessor is programmed with a threshold change in rotational speed such that the microprocessor generates a signal based on the change in rotational speed satisfying the predetermined threshold.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the threshold is between about 5000RPM and about 7000 RPM.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the threshold is about 6000 RPM.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the feedback device is one of a light emitting device, an auditory device, and a haptic device.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the feedback device is located on the drive unit.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the brush head includes a neck having a first end connected to the drive unit and a second end supporting a bristle carrier, the brush head including a brush shaft driven by the drive shaft to rotate about a first axis, the bristle carrier being driven by the brush shaft to rotate about a second axis.
11. A pressure feedback system for a brushhead, comprising:
a brush head;
a drive unit connected to the brushhead, the drive unit having a drive shaft that is activated to oscillate the brushhead relative to the drive unit;
a magnet oscillating according to movement of the drive shaft;
a sensor that generates a signal based on an oscillation speed of the magnet;
a feedback device; and
a microprocessor connected to the sensor and the feedback device, the microprocessor programmed to activate the feedback device as a function of a change in speed of movement of the magnet.
12. The pressure feedback system of claim 11, wherein the brush head includes a brush shaft and a bristle carrier, the brush shaft being connected between the drive shaft and the bristle carrier.
13. The pressure feedback system of claim 11, wherein the magnet is coupled to the drive shaft and the sensor is fixed in position relative to the magnet.
14. The pressure feedback system of claim 11 wherein the movement of the drive shaft is rotational.
15. The pressure feedback system of claim 14, wherein the microprocessor is programmed with a threshold change in rotational speed of the drive shaft such that the microprocessor activates the feedback device based on the change in rotational speed satisfying a predetermined threshold.
16. The pressure feedback system of claim 15 wherein the threshold is a speed variation between about 5000RPM and about 7000 RPM.
17. A pressure feedback system for a brushhead, comprising:
a housing;
a motor within the housing;
a drive shaft connected to the motor and having a portion extending from the housing for attachment to a brush head, the drive shaft operable to rotate at a rotational speed when the motor is activated;
a feedback device;
a sensor capable of detecting a change in the rotational speed of the drive shaft; and
a microprocessor connected to the sensor and the feedback device, the microprocessor being programmed to send a signal to activate the feedback device in accordance with a change in the rotational speed of the drive shaft detected by the sensor.
18. The pressure feedback device of claim 17, wherein the brush head includes a brush shaft connected to the drive shaft and a bristle carrier connected to the brush shaft, wherein rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the brush shaft and the bristle carrier.
19. The pressure feedback device of claim 18, wherein the sensor detects a change in rotational speed of the drive shaft caused by a force on the bristle holder.
20. The pressure feedback device of claim 19, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to send the signal to the feedback device when a change in the rotational speed of the drive shaft exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Background
It is known to provide one or more sensing mechanisms in powered and manual toothbrushes to determine the pressure applied to the bristle field during brushing. Typically, some type of sensor measures the force applied to the bristles. In some cases, the sensor includes a spring, a moment arm, and a switch, wherein a force applied to the bristle field acts on the spring, which in turn drives the moment arm. When the force reaches a threshold or trigger value, a switch is operated which signals to the user that the applied force has exceeded a threshold level. The user then has the opportunity to reduce the stress to an acceptable level.
These systems can also be used to ensure that the user also applies at least a minimum amount of pressure to the bristle field. However, pressure sensing systems are often difficult to implement in typical powered or manual toothbrushes. Such systems can also add significantly to the overall cost of the toothbrush and often suffer from inaccuracies.
Typically, in such pressure sensing systems, there is no continuous monitoring of pressure information, but only an indication of when the applied pressure reaches a threshold value indicative of overpressure. There is a need for a compact, simple and inexpensive sensor system for a toothbrush, in particular a sensor system that: the sensor system provides continuous monitoring of pressure so that it can be customized to provide the desired feedback.
Disclosure of Invention
The present invention provides a pressure feedback system for a brushhead that continuously monitors the pressure or level of force on the brushhead, and is programmed to provide a feedback signal to the user based on the amount of pressure.
In one embodiment, the system monitors the pressure level on the brushhead as a function of the speed of a drive shaft extending from the motor. The system comprises: a housing; a motor within the housing; a drive shaft connected to the motor and having a portion extending from the housing for attachment to a brush head; a feedback device; a sensor capable of detecting a change in the rotational speed of the drive shaft; and a microprocessor connected to the sensor and the feedback device, the microprocessor being programmed to send a signal to activate the feedback device in accordance with a change in the rotational speed of the drive shaft detected by the sensor.
In one embodiment, the system comprises: a magnet that moves in a repeated or oscillating manner according to the movement of the drive shaft; and a sensor that generates a signal based on movement of the magnet. The sensor may be a hall effect sensor, or another sensor responsive to a magnetic field. The magnet may be located on the drive shaft or another portion of the system that moves in accordance with the drive shaft.
The drive shaft is connected to the motor and provides motion to the system. In one embodiment, the drive shaft is a rotating drive shaft, and in a more specific embodiment, the drive shaft oscillates about an axis of rotation. The rotary oscillating movement may be provided by a cam or gear mechanism within the housing, which is arranged between the motor and the drive shaft.
The microprocessor may be programmed to activate the feedback device at a predetermined threshold to provide an alert to the user. In one embodiment, the threshold is based on a measured change in the rotational speed of the drive shaft or other movable part. For example, the drive shaft may be operated at a first rotational speed when no load is applied to the brush head and at a second rotational speed when the brush head is in use and a force is applied to the brush head or bristle carrier. The microprocessor may be programmed to signal the feedback device when a speed variation between the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed exceeds a predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, the threshold is between about 5000RPM and about 7000RPM, and in another embodiment, the threshold is about 6000 RPM. In one embodiment, the system continuously monitors the change in rotational speed from the first rotational speed while the brushhead is in operation, and signals the feedback device to activate for those time periods that exceed the threshold value and deactivate for those time periods that do not meet the threshold value.
In one embodiment, the feedback device is located on the housing. In another embodiment, the feedback device is at least one of a light emitting device, an auditory device, and a tactile device.
The brush head may include a neck having a first end connected to a portion of the housing and a second end supporting a bristle carrier, the brush head may include a brush shaft driven by the drive shaft to rotate about a first axis, the bristle carrier driven by the brush shaft to rotate about a second axis.
Drawings
FIG. 1 is a partial top perspective view with a magnet in a first position according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top perspective thereof with the magnet in a second position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment according to the present invention in a test fixture;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof with the brush head subjected to a high pressure condition;
FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of test results using a test (text) fixture;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a brush head according to one embodiment; and
fig. 7 is an exploded view of an exemplary brushhead and drive unit.
Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of implementation in various other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. The use of lists should not be construed as limiting the invention to any particular order or number of parts unless explicitly stated otherwise. The use of enumeration also should not be interpreted as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that may be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.
Detailed Description
The embodiments of the invention described herein relate to a
In one embodiment, the
A motion conversion mechanism between the
Referring now to fig. 7, the
The
Fig. 1-4 illustrate the structure and operation of a system for sensing the amount of pressure applied to the
Fig. 1 shows a
The
As shown, the pressure sensor system includes two LED bulbs as feedback devices. When the
Figures 3 and 4 show a prototype embodiment of the
In one embodiment, when the pressure on the
The
Referring now to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the
The above description is that of the current embodiment of the invention. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. The present disclosure is provided for purposes of illustration and should not be construed as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the particular elements illustrated or described in connection with such embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element of the described invention may be replaced with an alternative element that provides substantially similar functionality or otherwise provides suitable operation. This includes, for example: alternative elements that are currently known, such as those that may be currently known to those of skill in the art; as well as alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that may be identified as alternatives by those skilled in the art at the time of development. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a number of features that are consistently described and that can cooperatively provide a number of benefits. The present invention is not limited to those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the described benefits, unless expressly stated otherwise in the claims that follow. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the terms "a," "an," or "the," "said," is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
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