Workpiece retention mechanism for oral care device

A connection mechanism (18) for connecting a workpiece (12) to a handle assembly (14) of an oral care device (10). A collet (30) has an axially extending beam (32) and a radially extending protrusion (34). The protrusion has a latching surface (44) that prevents disengagement of the workpiece from the handle assembly when in a locked configuration. A cam feature (40) is configured to convert an axial force exerted on the collet into radial deflection of the beam to transition the connection mechanism to an unlocked configuration in which the latching surface is disengaged from the corresponding surface of the workpiece. The beam is configured to return to the default position after the axial force is released due to strain energy in the beam resulting from the radial deflection.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed generally to oral care devices and more particularly to mechanisms for securing together components of oral care devices.

BACKGROUND

Oral care devices such as oral irrigators and fluid-based flossing devices can be used to improve oral health care. Some oral irrigators feature a removable workpiece or nozzle component that is secured to a handle while in use but can be detached and replaced when desired by the user. The workpiece component may be unlocked from the handle via user manipulation of a corresponding securing mechanism. For example, the securing mechanism may include a threaded outer diameter ring that is part of the handle assembly and a threaded interior locking feature located on the workpiece. However, existing securing mechanisms require additional moving parts, and must be manipulated by the user during both insertion and removal of the workpiece component.

Accordingly, there is a continued need in the art for additional connection mechanisms that provide cost effective solutions for components of oral care devices that do not leak during operation of the device, which may use fluid when operating, especially for use in oral care devices that have replaceable or interchangeable workpieces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to inventive connection mechanisms for oral care devices. The mechanism includes a first component having a male interface or insert and a second component having a female interface or socket. The first and second components can include a workpiece and/or nozzle component and a handle assembly of an oral care device, such as an oral irrigator or fluid-based flossing device. Connection of the male and female interfaces can detachably lock the first and second components together. The connection mechanism can include a collet having one or more axially extending fingers or beams having radially extending projections. Advantageously, the strain energy of the material of the collet can be used to generate a spring force that enables the protrusions to repeatedly transition between a locked configuration in which the protrusions are relatively radially inwardly positioned and an unlocked position in which the protrusions are relatively radially outwardly positioned. When radially outwardly positioned, a latching surface of the protrusions is disengaged from the male interface, which enables the male interface to be disconnected from the female interface. The spring force generated by the strain energy can also be used to enable the protrusions to shift radially outwardly to permit the male interface to be inserted and then to resiliently move back radially inwardly into engagement with one or more corresponding detents of the male interface. Advantageously, this provides a compact mechanism that contains few parts and that does not require user manipulation of the collet while forming the connection between the male and female interfaces.

A connection mechanism for an oral care device, including a handle assembly configured to receive a workpiece; a fluid pathway formed axially from the handle assembly through the workpiece when connected; a collet having an axially extending beam and a protrusion extending radially from the beam; a latching surface on the protrusion configured to prevent the workpiece from being withdrawn from the handle assembly in a first axial direction when the connection mechanism is in a locked configuration in which the latching surface is engaged with a corresponding surface of the workpiece; and a cam feature configured to convert an axial force exerted on the collet in a second axial direction, opposite to the first axial direction, into radial deflection of the beam from a default configuration to transition the connection mechanism to an unlocked configuration in which the latching surface is disengaged from the corresponding surface of the workpiece; wherein the beam is configured to return to the default position after the axial force is released due to strain energy in the beam resulting from the radial deflection.

In one embodiment, the protrusion includes a receiving surface axially opposite from the latching surface that is configured to receive the workpiece during insertion of the workpiece in the second axial direction. In one embodiment, the beam is configured to deflect radially in response to increased engagement of the workpiece against the receiving surface to transition the connection mechanism to the locked configuration when the latching surface is axially aligned with the corresponding surface of the workpiece at which the strain energy returns the beam to its default configuration.

In one embodiment, the beam is configured to deflect radially in response to the workpiece regardless of whether the axial force is applied to the collet. In one embodiment, the corresponding surface is defined by a detent of the workpiece. In one embodiment, the beam is arranged radially external to the handle assembly and the handle assembly includes an opening through which the protrusion extends radially inwardly.

In one embodiment, the connection mechanism further includes a collar configured to receive the axial force from a user of the oral care device and to transfer the axial force to the collet. In one embodiment, the cam feature includes a flared or angled surface engagable with an axial end of the collet. In one embodiment, the protrusion is configured to be received in a detent of the workpiece.

Generally, in another aspect, an oral care device is provided that includes a workpiece having a fluid workpiece connected to a handle assembly via a connection mechanism according to embodiments disclosed herein.

Generally, in another aspect, a connection mechanism for an oral care device is provided. The connection mechanism includes a workpiece; a handle assembly configured to receive the workpiece; a fluid pathway formed axially from the handle assembly through the workpiece when connected; a collet having a plurality of axially extending beams arranged radially external to the handle assembly, each beam having a protrusion extending therefrom through an opening in the handle assembly to a position radially inward of an inner surface of the handle assembly when in a default configuration; a latching surface on each protrusion configured to prevent the workpiece from being withdrawn from the handle assembly in a first axial direction when the connection mechanism is in a locked configuration in which the latching surface is engaged with a detent of the workpiece; a receiving surface on each protrusion axially opposite from the latching surface that is configured to receive a leading edge of the workpiece during insertion of the workpiece in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction; a collar arranged radially about the collet and configured to transfer an axial force exerted from a user of the oral care device in the second axial direction to the collet; and an angled surface of the handle assembly bordering the opening that is engageable with an axial end of the collet and configured to convert the axial force exerted on the collet into radially outward deflection of the beams to transition the connection mechanism to an unlocked configuration in which the protrusions are positioned radially outward from the detent and the latching surfaces are disengaged from the workpiece; wherein the beams are configured to return to the default configuration after the axial force is released due to strain energy in the beams resulting from the radially outward deflection.

Generally, in one aspect, a method of connecting a workpiece and a handle assembly of an oral care device together with a connection mechanism is provided. The method includes inserting a workpiece into a handle assembly in a first axial direction; engaging a latching surface of a protrusion extending radially from an axially extending beam of a collet of the connection mechanism with a corresponding surface of the workpiece when the connection mechanism is in a locked configuration; exerting an axial force on the collet in the first axial direction; engaging an axial end of the beam against an angled surface of the handle assembly; converting the axial force into a radial deflection of the beam from a default configuration of the beam via the angled surface; disengaging the latching surface from the workpiece as a result of the radial deflection; removing the workpiece from the handle assembly after the disengaging; and returning the beam to the default configuration due to strain energy in the beam resulting from the radial deflection.

In one embodiment, the method further includes, before engaging the latching surface with the protrusion: engaging a leading edge of the workpiece with a receiving surface of the protrusion, axially opposite from the latching surface; deflecting the beam of the collet radially from the default configuration in response to engaging the leading edge with the receiving surface; aligning a detent in the workpiece axially with the protrusion; and returning the beam to the default configuration due to strain energy in the beam resulting from radially deflecting the beam when the detent is aligned with the protrusion.

In one embodiment, deflecting the beam of the collet radially from the default configuration in response to engaging the leading edge with the receiving edge occurs regardless of whether the axial force is exerted on the collet.

In one embodiment, exerting the axial force includes exerting the axial force on a collar and transferring the axial force from the collar to the collet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of a connection mechanism for an oral care device. More generally, Applicant has recognized and appreciated that it would be beneficial to provide a connection mechanism having a collet that relies on strain energy of the material of the collet to transition between locked and unlocked configurations. A particular goal of utilization of certain embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a connection mechanism that can be cost-effectively manufactured, contains few components, and does not require manual user manipulation of the mechanism to create a connection between two components with the mechanism.

In view of the foregoing, various embodiments and implementations are directed to a connection mechanism for an oral care device. The mechanism includes a first component having a male interface or insert and a second component having a female interface or socket. The first and second components can include a workpiece and/or workpiece component and a handle assembly of an oral care device, such as an oral irrigator or fluid-based flossing device. Connection of the male and female interfaces can detachably lock the first and second components together. The connection mechanism can include a collet having one or more axially extending fingers or beams having radially extending projections. Advantageously, the strain energy of the material of the collet can be used to generate a spring force that enables the protrusions to repeatedly transition between a locked configuration in which the protrusions are relatively radially inwardly positioned and an unlocked position in which the protrusions are relatively radially outwardly positioned. When radially outwardly positioned, a latching surface of the protrusions is disengaged from the male interface, which enables the male interface to be disconnected from the female interface. The spring force generated by the strain energy can also be used to enable the protrusions to shift radially outwardly to permit the male interface to be inserted and then to resiliently move back radially inwardly into engagement with one or more corresponding detents of the male interface. Advantageously, this provides a compact mechanism that contains few parts and that does not require user manipulation of the collet while forming the connection between the male and female interfaces.

Referring toFIG.1, in one embodiment, an oral care device10is provided with an attachable workpiece12and a handle assembly14. The oral care device10may be an oral irrigator, a flossing device, an electric toothbrush, or other oral care device. The attachable workpiece12may be a component arranged for providing an oral care function when the oral care device is operated by a user, such as a nozzle, a toothbrush head, a flosser, a multi-purpose component, or other oral care component. For example, inFIG.1, the attachable workpiece12is a nozzle extending from the handle assembly14and arranged to deliver fluid (e.g., water, mouthwash, etc.), and/or a mix of fluid and gas, from a fluid reservoir (not shown) in the handle assembly14of the oral care device10through a fluid pathway29(seeFIG.2) in the workpiece via an exit16from the workpiece, to assist a user in performance of an oral care routine, such as interdental cleaning. The handle assembly14may correspondingly include components for enabling and/or controlling operation of the oral care device10, such as a processor, memory, wireless communication module, motor, pump, gearing, battery, fluid reservoir, fluid conduits, etc.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, the oral care device10includes a connection mechanism18that enables the workpiece12to be removably, releasably, or detachably connected from the handle assembly14. The connection mechanism18includes a collar20or other externally located element configured to be manipulated by a user to facilitate connection or disconnection of the workpiece12from the handle assembly14. For example, as discussed in more detail below, applying a force22on the collar20in the indicated direction will transition the mechanism18to an unlocked state or configuration in which application of a force24on the workpiece12in the opposite direction, as indicated, causes the workpiece12to be disconnected from the handle assembly14. As also discussed in more detail below, the connection mechanism18is configured to enable the workpiece12and the handle assembly14to form a connection when brought together, without the need to manipulate the collar20by means such as aligning threads, grooves, etc. and securing.

A cross-sectional view of the mechanism18in a locked configuration is shown inFIG.2, a portion of which is enlarged inFIG.3. As noted above, the mechanism18is configured to create a releasable connection between the workpiece12and the handle assembly14. More specifically, the mechanism18of the workpiece12and the handle assembly14together comprise a male component or insert26and a female component or socket28. For example, the workpiece12may include the insert26, while a housing of the handle assembly14includes the socket28, or vice versa. The insert26and socket28may include a fluid pathway29formed therethrough, e.g., enabling a fluid connection from a fluid reservoir in the handle assembly14to the workpiece12when the workpiece12is connected to the handle assembly14via the mechanism18. Although not illustrated, it is to be appreciated that a seal (e.g., o-ring) may be included between the insert26and the socket28to provide a fluid tight connection.

The mechanism18also includes the collar20, e.g., as noted with respect to inFIG.1, and a collet30. The collet30includes one or more fingers or beams32with latching geometry arranged annularly around the socket28. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the beams32is radially external to the socket28and includes a latching component formed as a protrusion34that extends radially inwardly though a corresponding slot or opening36in the socket28. In this way, the protrusions34are provided with access to a radially internal area of the socket28through which the insert26is inserted, i.e., the protrusions34extending radially inward of an inner surface35of the socket28. The collet30also includes an axial end38that is configured to engage against a cam feature40of the socket28, which borders the opening36. In the illustrated embodiment, the cam feature40includes a portion of the socket28that is formed as a ramp and/or includes an angled or flared surface42. The end of the beams32opposite to the axial ends38may be joined together by a common component, such as a ring encircling the socket28, which, in addition to the protrusions34in the openings36, secures the collet30with respect to the socket28.

In the locked configuration ofFIGS.2-3, a latching surface44of the protrusion34is engaged against a corresponding lip or surface of the insert26, such as formed by a detent46formed in the insert26(e.g., individual detents or a circumferential groove). In this way, the protrusions34grip, grab, hold, or otherwise engage with and/or against the insert26, thereby preventing the insert26from being axially withdrawn from connection with the socket28. In other words, the workpiece12and the handle assembly14are locked together by the mechanism18when it is in its locked configuration. Instead of the detent46, it is to be appreciated that the insert26may alternatively be arranged with a lip, flange, bulge, protrusion, etc., having a corresponding latching surface for engagement with the latching surfaces44of the protrusions34.

The mechanism18in an unlocked state is illustrated inFIG.4, a portion of which is enlarged inFIG.5. It can be appreciated that the collet30and the cam feature40are arranged such that when an axially directed force is exerted on the collet30(e.g., the force22, which may be exerted directly on the collet30and/or via the user manipulating the collar20), the beams32of the collet30deflect radially outwards as the axial end38rides along the flared surface42. In other words, the interaction of the axial end38of the collet30with the flared surface42of the cam feature40translates or converts an axial force on the collet30(e.g., via the collar20) into a radial movement of the protrusions34.

The opening36is larger than the protrusion34in the axial direction to simultaneously enable some degree of relative axial movement of the protrusions34with respect to the socket28as the beams32are radially outwardly deflected. As best shown inFIG.5, the radially outward deflection of the beams32disengages the latching surface44of the protrusions from the corresponding surface of the insert26, e.g., the detent46. Once released, the insert26can be removed or withdrawn from engagement with the socket28, and the workpiece12and the handle assembly14can be separated. This can be achieved by pulling the insert26away from the socket28in the direction of the force24as shown inFIG.6, and also shown in and discussed with respect toFIG.1. The outward radial deflection of the beams32and axial movement of the protrusions34may be limited by the latching surface44bottoming out against the leading edge of the cam feature40.

The deflection of the beams32can be maintained for as long as the user continues to exert the force22on the collet30, e.g., via the collar20. The collet30can be constructed from a relatively hard, resilient material, such as a metal, or a semi-crystalline plastic such as polypropylene. In this way, the strain energy of the material can provide a spring force on the beams32in the radially inward direction to return the collet30to its original or default configuration when the force22is released. For example,FIG.7shows the collet30returned to its natural configuration after the insert26has been pulled out of engagement with the protrusions34. It is to be appreciated that the value for the force22required to move the collet30from its locked to unlocked configuration can be varied by altering the material or material properties of the collet30, the length of the individual beams32, the thickness/width of the individual beams32, the angle of the flared surface42, etc.

With reference again toFIG.7, it is to be appreciated that external manipulation of the collar20or the collet30is not required to lock the insert26in the socket28. For example, when initially installing the workpiece12or when replacing one workpiece for another workpiece, the insert26can be inserted into the socket28until a leading edge48of the insert26engages against a receiving surface50of the protrusions34(axially opposite to the latching surface44). In this way, continued force on the insert26will cause the beams32to deflect radially outward similar to the above, but due to the receiving surfaces50sliding along the leading edge48of the insert26. When the insert26is inserted deep enough into the socket to align the protrusions34axially with the detent46, the resiliency of the material of the collet30will springingly return the beams32and the protrusions34back to the default configuration of the collet30, which corresponds to the locked configuration of the mechanism18, such as shown inFIG.2. Similar to that described above, it is to be appreciated that the value for the force required to stab the insert26into the socket28can be set by altering the material or material properties of the collet30, the length of the individual beams32, the thickness/width of the individual beams32, the angle of the leading edge48and/or the receiving surface50, etc.

As shown inFIGS.2-3, insertion of the insert26until the protrusions34are aligned with the detent46will cause the above-discussed engagement of the latching surface44with the corresponding surface of the insert26formed by the detent46, thereby axially locking the workpiece12and the handle assembly together via engagement of the insert26and socket28. Thus, the mechanism18as described herein advantageously minimizes the number of parts required to enable a quick-acting coupling or connection that occupies a small volume and requires few parts, and thus can be cost-effectively utilized by replaceable or disposable components such as the workpiece12of the oral care device10.

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above.