Patent Publication Number: US-2022211166-A1

Title: Method of attaching a brush head to an oral cleansing device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/822,935, entitled “Brush Head for an Oral Cleansing Device,” filed on Mar. 18, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to oral cleansing devices and more particularly, for example, to systems and methods for a removable brush head of an oral cleansing device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electric toothbrushes and/or combination units that provide a toothbrush function along with an irrigating function sometimes include a cleaning attachment removably connected to a drive system. The connection between the cleaning attachment and the drive system can break or wear out, such as due to repeated attachment and removal of the cleaning attachment to and from the drive system. This breakdown or wearing out of the connection between the cleaning attachment and the drive system may cause performance degradation over time. For example, the connection may lose its friction fit tolerances, leading to inefficient transfer of rotational motion of the drive system to the brush head. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for systems and methods for a removable brush head of an oral cleansing device that addresses the deficiencies noted above, other deficiencies known in the industry, or at least offers an alternative to current techniques. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a brush head for an oral cleansing device, such as an electric toothbrush, is provided. The brush head may include a shaft and a cantilevered beam positioned within the shaft. The cantilevered beam may be configured to press against a drive shaft of the oral cleansing device to transfer a rotational motion of the drive shaft to the brush head. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a brush head for an oral cleansing device is provided. The brush head may include a shaft and an adapter received within the shaft. The adapter may be configured to rotationally couple the brush head to a drive shaft of the oral cleansing device. The adapter may include a cantilevered beam configured to engage the drive shaft of the oral cleansing device to transfer a rotational motion of the drive shaft to the brush head. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method may include inserting a drive shaft of an oral cleansing device into a shaft of a brush head. The method may include causing, in response to inserting the drive shaft into the shaft of the brush head, a cantilevered beam inside the shaft to bend outward, creating a reactionary force that presses against the drive shaft. 
     Additional features are set forth in part in the description that follows and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification and drawings or may be learned by the practice of the disclosed subject matter. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, which forms a part of this disclosure. 
     One of skill in the art will understand that each of the various aspects and features of the disclosure may advantageously be used separately in some instances, or in combination with other aspects and features of the disclosure in other instances. Accordingly, individual aspects can be claimed separately or in combination with other aspects and features. Thus, the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the claimed invention or its applications or uses. It is to be understood that structural and/or logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail and no limitation as to the scope of the claimed subject matter is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, or the like in this summary. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. Moreover, for the purposes of clarity, detailed descriptions of certain features will not be discussed when they would be apparent to those with skill in the art so as not to obscure the description of the present disclosure. The claimed subject matter is not necessarily limited to the arrangements illustrated herein, with the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description will be more fully understood with reference to the following figures in which components may not be drawn to scale, which are presented as various embodiments of the brush head described herein and should not be construed as a complete depiction of the scope of the brush head. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric, partially exploded view of an oral cleansing device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a brush head in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top, rear exploded view of the brush head of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom, front exploded view of the brush head of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a brush head adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another perspective view of the brush head adapter of  FIG. 5  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the brush head adapter of  FIG. 5  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a brush head and showing a drive shaft partially inserted into a brush head adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the drive shaft fully inserted into the brush head adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom view of a shaft of a brush head in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a flow diagram of a process of attaching a brush head to a handle of an oral cleansing device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Embodiments of the invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     According to the present disclosure, a brush head is provided that improves rotational coupling of the brush head to an oscillating drive shaft. Specifically, the brush head includes a cantilevered beam configured to press against the drive shaft and transfer rotational motion of the drive shaft to the brush head. The cantilevered beam may press a flat portion of the drive shaft against a corresponding flat surface of the brush head to rotationally couple the brush head to the drive shaft. During insertion of the drive shaft within the brush head, the drive shaft may contact an intermediate portion of the cantilevered beam, causing the cantilevered beam to flex outward until a free end of the cantilevered beam contacts an interior surface or wall of the brush head. Continued flexing of the intermediate portion of the cantilevered beam towards the interior surface or wall of the brush head may cause an increasing force applied against the drive shaft to ensure rotational coupling of the brush head to the drive shaft. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric, partially exploded view of an oral cleansing device  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The oral cleansing device  100  may include many configurations. For example, the oral cleansing device  100  may be in the form of a handheld device and include a handle  102  and a brush head  104 . Depending on the application, the oral cleansing device  100  may be a toothbrush, an oral irrigator, a combination of a toothbrush and an oral irrigator, or any other handheld device designed for oral care. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the oral cleansing device  100  is an irrigating toothbrush having both a brushing function and an irrigating function. In other embodiments, however, the oral cleansing device  100  may be an electric toothbrush, a handheld oral irrigator, or other device with a cleaning attachment. In such embodiments, “brush head” may refer to any cleaning attachment that is securable to the handle  102  without intent to limit. 
     The handle  102  may include many configurations. For example, the handle  102  may be defined by a housing  110  that extends between a base end  112  and a brush end  114 . The housing  110  may be generally cylindrical in shape to ergonomically fit in the hand of a user, although the housing  110  may be formed in any other desirable ergonomic shape. In some embodiments, the cylindrical shape of the housing  110  may taper in the direction of the brush end  114  to define a smooth transition or taper to the brush head  104 . The base end  112  of the housing  110  may be generally flat such that the handle  102  may be stood upright on a level surface. 
     As shown, the handle  102  may include a drive shaft  120  extending from the brush end  114  of the housing  110  to drive operation of the brush head  104 . For example, the drive shaft  120  may oscillate to cause corresponding oscillation of the brush head  104 , as detailed more fully below. In such embodiments, the oral cleansing device  100  may include a power train assembly coupled to the drive shaft  120 . The power train assembly may include many configurations operable to oscillate the drive shaft  120  and the brush head  104  connected thereto. An example of a power train assembly that may drive the drive shaft  120  is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,449,023 entitled “Oral Cleansing Device with Energy Conservation,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
     The drive shaft  120  may include one or more features facilitating attachment of the brush head  104  to the drive shaft  120 . For example, the drive shaft  120  may include a tip  122  with a flat  124  defined thereon. In such embodiments, the tip  122  may include a non-circular cross-sectional shape that mates, at least partially, with a correspondingly-shaped structure of the brush head  104  to rotationally couple the brush head  104  to the drive shaft  120 , as explained below. The drive shaft  120  may include a base  128  having a circular or substantially circular cross-section. In such embodiments, a shoulder  130  may be defined at a transition between the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the tip  122  and the circular cross-sectional shape of the base  128 . In some embodiments, the drive shaft  120  may include a groove  134  defined circumferentially around its base  128  to axially couple the brush head  104  to the drive shaft  120 , as detailed below. 
     In some embodiments, the handle  102  may include a faceplate  140  supported on the housing  110 . Depending on the application, the faceplate  140  may be either a separate plate or an overmolded surface on the housing  110 . The faceplate  140  may expose one or more status indicators  142  for indicating a mode or status of operation of the oral cleansing device  100 . The status indicators  142  may be one or more light emitting diodes or the like. Example status indications may include low battery, charging, and fully charged battery. Example modes of operation may include low speed, high speed, and water flosser modes. 
     The handle  102  may include one or more control buttons  144  that control (e.g., selectively activate and deactivate) one or more functions and/or modes of the oral cleansing device  100 . For example, the one or more control buttons  144  may control a brushing function and/or an irrigating function of the oral cleansing device  100 . For instance, the one or more control buttons  144  may selectively activate and deactivate an oscillation of the brush head  104  associated with a brushing function of the oral cleansing device  100 . In some embodiments, the one or more control buttons  144  may selectively control a water pressure and/or a pulse length of an irrigating function of the brush head  104 . The number and function control of the control buttons  144  may be varied based on a desired functionality of the oral cleansing device  100 . As shown, the control buttons  144  may be connected to the handle  102  or any other convenient location for the user. For example, the one or more control buttons  144  may be located within the faceplate  140  supported on the housing  110 . 
     The brush head  104  may include many configurations to provide a brushing function and/or an irrigating function of the oral cleansing device  100 . Unless otherwise provided, the brush head  104  may be similar to the brush assembly shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,449,023. For instance, the brush head  104  may include shaft  150  and one or more cleaning elements  152 . Depending on the application, the one or more cleaning elements  152  may include a plurality of bristles  154  and/or a nozzle  156 . As shown, the nozzle  156  may be embedded in the bristles  154 , such as extending amongst the bristles  154  (e.g., within a center region or field of the bristles  154 ). As described herein, the brush head  104  is removably connected to the handle  102 . For instance, the shaft  150  of the brush head  104  may be removably connected to the drive shaft  120  of the handle  102 , as noted above and described below. The removability of the brush head  104  may provide many benefits. For instance, the removability of the brush head  104  may allow a user to replace the brush head  104  as desired, such as when the brush head  104  reaches its useful end of life, is damaged, or is contaminated, among others. In addition, the removability of the brush head  104  may allow multiple users to hygienically use the same handle  102 , with each user attaching a respective brush head  104  to the handle  102  for separate use. 
     In embodiments where the oral cleansing device  100  includes an irrigating function, the oral cleansing device  100  may include a fluid connector  160  for connecting the handle  102  to a fluid source. Depending on the application, the fluid connector  160  may be removably connected to the handle  102  or may be fixed to the handle  102 . For example, the fluid connector  160  may be removable from the handle  102  to allow the oral cleansing device  100  to be operated without a fluid source (e.g., in a brush only mode) and/or allow easier storage and traveling. In such embodiments, the fluid connector  160  may include a tip  162  that is releasably inserted within an aperture  164  of the handle  102 , such as defined within the base end  112  of the housing  110 . In some embodiments, the fluid connector  160  may be rotationally coupled to the handle  102  such that the fluid connector  160  may rotate about an axis relative to the handle  102 . The fluid connector  160  may be similar to the fluid connector shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,449,023. 
     The fluid connector  160  may be in fluid communication with a reservoir and/or pumping system, such as via a hose  166 , for pumping fluid through the oral cleansing device  100 . An example of a pumping system that may be fluidically connected to the fluid connector  160  is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,641,649 entitled “Pump for Dental Water Jet,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes. In some embodiments, the fluid connector  160  may be connected directly to a pressurized water source, such as a faucet or J-pipe. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the brush head  104  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 3  illustrates a top, rear exploded view of the brush head  104  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom, front exploded view of the brush head  104  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the shaft  150  of the brush head  104  includes a bristle base  170  and a drive shaft opening  172 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a fluid passage  174  may be defined through the shaft  150  from the drive shaft opening  172  to the bristle base  170 . For example, the shaft  150  may include an interior surface  178  defining an interior cavity  180  that defines, at least partially, the fluid passage  174  through the shaft  150 . The bristles  154  may be secured to the bristle base  170 . For example, the bristle base  170  may include a plurality of recesses  182  into which the bristles  154  are inserted and secured in place. 
     In some embodiments, the bristle base  170  may include a nozzle aperture  186  in fluid communication with the fluid passage  174 . The nozzle aperture  186  may be open in an area surrounded by the bristles  154 . The nozzle  156  may be positioned within the nozzle aperture  186 . Depending on the application, the nozzle  156  may extend from the bristle base  170  approximately the same distance as the bristles  154 . The nozzle  156  may include many configurations. For instance, the nozzle  156  may be elastomeric and include a fluid lumen  190  in fluid communication with the fluid passage  174  of the shaft  150 . In this manner, fluid may pass through the fluid passage  174  of the shaft  150  and exit through the fluid lumen  190  of the nozzle  156  to provide an irrigating function of the brush head  104 . In some embodiments, the nozzle  156  may be generally conical and taper in diameter from its base to its tip. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the brush head  104  may include an attachment assembly  200  configured to couple the brush head  104  to the handle  102 . The attachment assembly  200  may include one or more components that attach and seal the brush head  104  to the drive shaft  120  of the handle  102 . For example, the attachment assembly  200  may include an adapter  202 , a sealing element  204 , an end cap  206 , and a retainer clip  208  that couple and seal the drive shaft  120  to the brush head  104 . Each of the adapter  202 , sealing element  204 , end cap  206 , and retainer clip  208  may be secured within the interior cavity  180  of the shaft  150 . For instance, the adapter  202  may be inserted into and affixed within the fluid passage  174  via the drive shaft opening  172  of the shaft  150 . The sealing element  204  may be inserted into the fluid passage  174  after the adapter  202 , and the end cap  206  may be inserted into and affixed within the fluid passage  174  to hold the sealing element  204  in place against the adapter  202 . Depending on the application, the sealing element  204  may be a U-cup seal, although other configurations are contemplated. Each of the adapter  202 , sealing element  204 , and end cap  206  may define a lumen through which the drive shaft  120  is at least partially inserted when the brush head  104  is connected to the handle  102 . For instance, when the brush head  104  is connected to the handle  102 , the drive shaft  120  may pass at least partially through the end cap  206 , sealing element  204 , and adapter  202 . In such embodiments, the drive shaft  120  may be in fluid communication with the fluid passage  174  of the shaft  150  such that fluid pumped through the handle  102  exits the drive shaft  120  and into the fluid passage  174  of the brush head  104 . 
     The end cap  206  may include one or more clip slots  214  to receive the retainer clip  208 . For example, the end cap  206  may include a plurality of clip slots  214  configured to retain the retainer clip  208  therein to secure the drive shaft  120  to brush head  104 . The retainer clip  208  may be formed from wire and may include a pair of clip arms  220  that oppose each other and are joined at a clip arch  222 . The free ends of the clip arms  220  may each form a reverse curve that opens away from the other. When the retainer clip  208  is installed in the clip slots  214  of the end cap  206 , the clip arch  222  may extend external to the end cap  206  on a first side, a middle portion of each clip arm may extend within one or more of the clip slots  214  and at least partially internal to the end cap  206  from the first side to an opposing second side of the end cap  206 , and the free ends of the clip arms  220  may extend external to the end cap  206  on the second side. In such embodiments, the middle portions of the clip arms  220  may engage the groove  134  defined in the drive shaft  120  to retain the brush head  104  to the drive shaft  120 , as detailed more fully below. 
     The brush head  104  may include other features for convenience. For example, the brush head  104  may include a trim ring  226  attached to the shaft  150  adjacent to the drive shaft opening  172 . The trim ring  226  may allow for multiple users of the oral cleansing device  100  to easily identify their personal brush head  104  for attachment to the handle  102 . For instance, the trim ring  226  may be various colors to associate a brush head  104  to a user. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the base of the shaft  150  may define a retention groove  230 . The inner wall of the trim ring  226  may define one or more retention detents  232  configured to snap into the retention groove  230  to retain the trim ring  226  around the base of the shaft  150 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the adapter  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 6  illustrates another perspective view of the adapter  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the adapter  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , the adapter  202 , which may be referred to as a brush head adapter, may include various configurations to couple the brush head  104  to the drive shaft  120  of the oral cleansing device  100 . As described herein, the adapter  202  is configured to rotationally couple the brush head  104  to the drive shaft  120 . For example, the adapter  202  may include a cantilevered beam  250  configured to press against the drive shaft  120  of the oral cleansing device  100  to ensure the flat  124  on the drive shaft  120  remains in engagement with a corresponding surface of the brush head  104  to transfer a rotational motion of the drive shaft  120  to the brush head  104 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the adapter  202  includes an internal surface  252 , which may be sized and shaped to engage the flat  124  of the drive shaft  120  such that rotational motion of the drive shaft  120  is transferred to the brush head  104 . The surface  252  may be a planar surface and may be referred to as a flat  254 . In such embodiments, the flat  124  of the drive shaft  120  may be in facing engagement with the flat  254  of the adapter  202  to transfer rotational motion of the drive shaft  120  to the adapter  202 . The flat  254  of the adapter  202  may extend to a leading edge of the adapter  202 . To ensure the surface  252  of the adapter  202  remains in engagement with the flat  124  of the drive shaft  120 , the cantilevered beam  250  may engage an opposing side of the drive shaft  120 , relative to the flat  124 , to thereby press the flat  124  of the drive shaft  120  against the surface  252  of the adapter  202 . 
     The cantilevered beam  250  may include a fixed end  260 , an opposite free end  262 , and an intermediate portion  264  between the fixed end  260  and the free end  262  configured to contact the drive shaft  120 . The cantilevered beam  250  may resiliently flex, bend, or otherwise deform relative to the fixed end  260  as the brush head  104  is connected to the drive shaft  120 . For instance, insertion of the drive shaft  120  within the adapter  202  may resiliently deform the cantilevered beam  250 , such as causing the free end  262  of the cantilevered beam  250  to move relative to the fixed end  260  (e.g., laterally relative to the fixed end  260 ). As best illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the cantilevered beam  250  may include an inward curvature. The inward curvature may be defined by the intermediate portion  264  extending inward from the fixed end  260  towards the surface  252 . The free end  262  may extend outward from the intermediate portion  264  away from the surface  252 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the cantilevered beam  250  may extend lengthwise along a longitudinal direction of the adapter  202 , such as lengthwise along a longitudinal direction of the shaft  150 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the fixed end  260  of the cantilevered beam  250  may be positioned proximate the drive shaft opening  172  of the shaft  150 , and the free end  262  of the cantilevered beam  250  may be positioned distal the drive shaft opening  172 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-8B , the cantilevered beam  250  may include an inner surface  261  that contacts the drive shaft  120  during insertion of the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202 . The inner surface  261  may include one or more segments that facilitate bending/flexing of the cantilevered beam  250  during insertion of the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the inner surface  261  may include a first segment  263  that extends inward from the fixed end  260  of the beam  250 . The first segment  263  may transition into a second segment  265  of the inner surface  261 , and the second segment  265  may extend inward relative to the fixed end  260  of the beam  250  at a smaller angle or slope than the first segment  263 . The second segment  265  may transition into a third segment  267  of the inner surface  261 , and the third segment  267  may extend outward relative to the second segment  265 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , during insertion of the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202 , the drive shaft  120  initially contacts the first segment  263  of the inner surface  261  of the cantilevered beam  250 , causing the beam  250  to bend outward about its fixed end  260  substantially as a rigid body. Because the beam  250  is bending substantially as a rigid body, the insertion force required to insert the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202  is relatively low. 
     The length and angle or slope of the first segment  263  may be configured such that the drive shaft  120  contacts the second segment  265  of the inner surface  261  of the beam  250  substantially at the same time as the free end  262  of the beam  250  contacts the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150 . After the free end  262  of the beam  250  contacts the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150 , further insertion of the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202  causes the intermediate portion  264  of the beam  250  to bend outward, in turn causing the free end  262  of the beam  250  to slide in a longitudinal direction along the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150 . The bending of the intermediate portion  264  of the beam  250  may require a larger insertion force of the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202 . As previously mentioned, the second segment  265  may have a smaller angle or slope than the first segment  263  of the inner surface  261  of the beam  250 , thereby reducing the insertion force required to insert the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202  during this second phase of drive shaft insertion. As the drive shaft  120  is continued to be inserted into the adapter  202 , the drive shaft  120  contacts the third segment  267  of the inner surface  261  of the cantilevered beam  250 . As previously mentioned, the third segment  267  may extend outward relative to the second segment  265 , and thus the insertion force required to insert the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202  may be reduced as the drive shaft  120  contacts the third segment  267 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8B , when the drive shaft  120  is fully inserted into the adapter  202 , the cantilevered beam  250  may be extend substantially rectilinear. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , the adapter  202  may include other features. For example, the adapter  202  may include one or more alignment features to align the adapter  202  within the shaft  150 . The alignment features may be positioned opposite of the cantilevered beam  250 . In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , the alignment features may include an alignment rib  270 , which may be defined by a pair of alignment notches  272  defined in the exterior surface of the adapter  202 . In such embodiments, the alignment rib  270  and alignment notches  272  may mate with corresponding features of the shaft  150  to properly align the adapter  202  within the shaft  150 . 
     In some embodiments, the adapter  202  may include one or more features that indicate full insertion of the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202 , or vice versa. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the adapter  202  may include a shoulder  276  (e.g., a ramp or angled surface) extending from the flat  254  of the adapter  202 . The shoulder  276  may engage a portion of the drive shaft  120  to define a fully inserted position of the brush head  104  on the drive shaft  120 . For example, the shoulder  276  may be configured to engage the shoulder  130  of the drive shaft  120  to define the fully inserted position of the brush head  104  on the drive shaft  120 . 
     In some embodiments, the adapter  202  may include one or more securement features configured to secure (e.g., fix) the adapter  202  to the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150 . For instance, the base of the adapter  202  may include a flange  280  that seats into the shaft  150 . Additionally, or alternatively, the adapter  202  may include one or more outwardly extending posts  282  that seat into the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150 . The flange  280  and the posts  282  may secure the adapter  202  to the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150  through an interference fit, sonic welding, or a combination thereof. For instance, during or after insertion of the adapter  202  into the shaft  150 , the adapter  202  may be sonic or friction welded to the shaft  150  such that the flange  280  and/or posts  282  at least partially melt to the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150  to secure the components together. The adapter  202  may be attached to the shaft  150  in various manners. 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the brush head  104  and showing the drive shaft  120  partially inserted into the adapter  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 8B  illustrates a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the drive shaft  120  fully inserted into the adapter  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , insertion of the drive shaft  120  into the brush head  104  will now be described in detail. Referring to  FIG. 8A , the brush head  104  may be inserted onto the drive shaft  120  of the handle  102  until the drive shaft  120  engages the adapter  202 . During insertion of the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202 , the drive shaft  120  contacts the intermediate portion  264  of the cantilevered beam  250 , causing the cantilevered beam  250  to flex and move outward. For example, contact of the drive shaft  120  with the intermediate portion  264  of the cantilevered beam  250  may cause the cantilevered beam  250  to flex outward towards the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150 . In such embodiments, a gap  290  may be defined between the intermediate portion  264  of the cantilevered beam  250  and the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150 , the gap  290  providing clearance for outward flexing of the cantilevered beam  250  during insertion of the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8B , outward flexing of the cantilevered beam  250  during insertion of the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202  may cause the free end  262  of the cantilevered beam  250  to engage a second portion of the brush head  104 . For instance, the free end  262  of the cantilevered beam  250  may engage the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150  when the drive shaft  120  is further inserted into the adapter  202 . As the free end  262  engages the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150 , the intermediate portion  264  of the cantilevered beam  250  flexes or bends towards the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150 , reducing the gap  290  between the intermediate portion  264  and the interior surface  178 . This outward flexing of the cantilevered beam  250  may create a counter or reactionary force on the drive shaft  120  that grips the drive shaft  120  to transfer rotational motion of the drive shaft  120  to the brush head  104 . Because the free end  262  is unsupported, the free end  262  may slide or otherwise move along the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150 , such as defining a sliding contact point with the interior surface  178 . 
     Such configurations may reduce the stresses in the cantilevered beam  250  compared to other designs in which the beam is rigidly supported on both ends. For example, the cantilevered arrangement of the cantilevered beam  250  may reduce or eliminate tension and/or compression loads within the beam. In some embodiments, the cantilevered arrangement of the cantilevered beam  250  may apply only bending loads within the beam. Compared to other designs in which the beam is rigidly supported on both ends, the cantilevered arrangement may allow higher forces to be applied to the drive shaft  120  (e.g., to push the flats  124 ,  254  together) and/or may accommodate larger part dimensional tolerances. 
     In some embodiments, the force may press the drive shaft  120  against the surface  252  of the adapter  202  to grip the adapter  202  to the drive shaft  120 . In some embodiments, the flat  124  of the drive shaft  120  may be pressed against the flat  254  of the adapter  202 . For example, when the brush head  104  is connected to the drive shaft  120 , the cantilevered beam  250  may press the flat  124  of the drive shaft  120  against the opposing flat  254  of the adapter  202  such that rotational motion of the drive shaft  120  is transferred to the brush head  104 . As shown in  FIG. 8B , the drive shaft  120  may be inserted into the adapter  202  until the shoulder  130  of the drive shaft  120  engages the shoulder  276  of the adapter  202 , at which point the retainer clip  208  may be seated within the groove  134  of the drive shaft  120  to limit axial movement of the brush head  104  relative to the drive shaft  120 . 
     The cantilevered beam  250  may be configured to grip the drive shaft  120  to transfer all or nearly all rotational motion of the drive shaft  120  to the brush head  104 , while also allowing for easy insertion and removal of the drive shaft  120  from the adapter  202 . For example, as the cantilevered beam  250  outwardly flexes, the force applied to the drive shaft  120  by the cantilevered beam  250  increases, increasing the pressing action of the drive shaft  120  against the surface  252  of the adapter  202 , until a maximum force against the drive shaft  120  is achieved after initial insertion of the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202 . The force applied to the drive shaft  120  may be concentrated midway or approximately midway between the fixed end  260  and the free end  262  of the cantilevered beam  250 . The concentration of the force midway or approximately midway between the fixed end  260  and the free end  262  of the cantilevered beam  250  may be facilitated by the shape of the intermediate portion  264  itself, such as the intermediate portion  264  including a high point midway or approximately midway between the fixed end  260  and the free end  262  of the cantilevered beam  250  as defined at least partially by the inward curvature of the cantilevered beam  250 . The shape of the intermediate portion  264  may also provide easy insertion of the drive shaft  120  into the adapter  202  and/or easy removal of the drive shaft  120  from the adapter  202 . For instance, the shape of the intermediate portion  264  (e.g., the inward curvature of the cantilevered beam  250 ) may reduce the friction between the cantilevered beam  250  and the drive shaft  120  for easy insertion and removal of the drive shaft  120 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom view of the shaft  150  of the brush head  104  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the interior surface  178  of the shaft  150  may include one or more features facilitating alignment of the attachment assembly  200  within the shaft  150 . For instance, the shaft  150  may include a pair of alignment tabs  300  that fit within the alignment notches  272  of the adapter  202  to at least partially surround the alignment rib  270 . The shaft  150  may also include a ledge  302  that engages the flange  280  of the adapter  202  to set the position (e.g., depth) of the adapter  202  within the shaft  150 . The shaft  150  may also include an alignment bar  304  that nests within a portion of the end cap  206  to ensure alignment of the end cap  206  within the shaft  150 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a flow diagram of a process  1000  of attaching a brush head to a handle of an oral cleansing device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. It should be appreciated that any step, sub-step, sub-process, or block of process  1000  may be performed in an order or arrangement different from the embodiments illustrated by  FIG. 10 . For example, one or more blocks may be omitted from or added to the process  1000 . Although process  1000  is described with reference to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-9 , process  1000  may be applied to other embodiments. 
     In Block  1002 , process  1000  includes providing a brush head for an oral cleansing device, the brush head including a shaft and a cantilevered beam positioned within the shaft. In some embodiments, the brush head may include an adapter positioned within the shaft to rotationally couple the brush head to at least a drive shaft of the oral cleansing device. The adapter may include the cantilevered beam and a first flat configured to mate with the drive shaft. The oral cleansing device, brush head, shaft, cantilevered beam, and adapter may be similar to the oral cleansing device  100 , brush head  104 , shaft  150 , cantilevered beam  250 , and adapter  202  of  FIGS. 1-9 , described above. 
     In Block  1004 , process  1000  includes inserting a drive shaft of the oral cleansing device within the shaft of the brush head. For instance, the drive shaft may be inserted within the adapter positioned within the shaft, such as in a manner described above. In Block  1006 , process  1000  includes causing, in response to inserting the drive shaft within the shaft of the brush head, the cantilevered beam to bend outward, creating a force pressing the drive shaft against a portion of the brush head. In some embodiments, the force created in response to inserting the drive shaft within the brush head may press a flat of the drive shaft against a flat of the adapter to transfer a rotational motion of the drive shaft to the brush head. In some embodiments, the force may be concentrated midway or approximately midway between a fixed end of the cantilevered beam and a free end of the cantilevered beam. 
     In Block  1008 , process  1000  may include causing, in response to the cantilevered beam bending outward, a free end of the cantilevered beam to contact an interior surface of the shaft. For example, insertion of the drive shaft within the brush head may cause the drive shaft to contact an inwardly bending intermediate portion of the cantilevered beam, causing the cantilevered beam to flex and move the free end of the cantilevered beam outward until the free end contacts the interior surface of the shaft, such as in a manner described above. 
     In Block  1010 , process  1000  may include causing, in response to the free end of the cantilevered beam contacting the interior surface of the shaft, an intermediate portion of the cantilevered beam to flex outward towards the interior surface, the intermediate portion pressing the drive shaft against the portion of the brush head. For example, the intermediate portion may outwardly flex within a gap defined between the intermediate portion of the cantilevered beam and the interior surface of the shaft, as described above. The outward flexing of the intermediate portion may create a counter or reactionary force on the drive shaft that grips the drive shaft to transfer rotational motion of the drive shaft to the brush head. 
     All relative and directional references (including top, bottom, side, front, rear, and so forth) are given by way of example to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the examples described herein. They should not be read to be requirements or limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use unless specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other, unless specifically set forth in the claims. 
     The present disclosure teaches by way of example and not by limitation. Therefore, the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.