Patent Description:
Electric toothbrushes have been put into practical use. The electric toothbrushes vibrate during brushing to improve the brushing effect (hereinafter, simply referred to as the brushing effect) including removal and cleaning of plaque. Further, an ultrasonic toothbrush which improves brushing efficiency by using ultrasonic waves to realize good toothbrushing has been proposed, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>. As the frequency of the ultrasonic wave used in the ultrasonic toothbrush, for example, as in Patent Document <NUM> and Patent Document <NUM>, the frequency from <NUM> to <NUM>, for example, <NUM> or the like is usually used.

Each of <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> shows a device according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Compare to toothbrushes which don't use ultrasonic waves, excellent brushing effect peculiar to ultrasonic waves has been confirmed. On the other hand, the examination regarding the frequency with the highest brushing effect was not sufficiently carried out at present, and it was not clear how much the frequency should be set, even if we want to realize a suitable toothbrush with higher efficiency.

When the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is higher, the thickness of the vibrator is thinner. When the vibrators are mounted into the toothbrush, breakage due to the load applied to the vibrator easily occurs and the defect rate is increased. For example, when the vibrator at a position different from the predetermined position is moved to the correct position, extra force is applied to the vibrator. Breakage of the vibrator is likely to occur because such as cracking or breaking the vibrator due to the excess force. For example, when the vibrator is arranged by a method such as Patent Document <NUM>, this tendency becomes more remarkable because the vibrator is moved in, for example, an adhesive to be filled. Therefore, in order to avoid damage to the vibrator, even if the vibrator is disposed at a position different from the predetermined position, the vibrator may be fixed as it is. Since the position of the vibrator is not a predetermined position, a predetermined ultrasonic wave is not necessarily transmitted to the toothbrush, so that a situation in which a sufficient brushing effect cannot be obtained, causes.

Or, even at a predetermined position, the vibrator is easily fixed in a state where extra force is applied. For example, when the vibrator is fixed in a state of being curved, a situation in which the vibrator cannot output a predetermined ultrasonic wave. Furthermore, since it is easily mounted in a place different from the predetermined position, or when it is fixed in a state where extra force is applied, another problem such as predetermined durability cannot be obtained, occurs because the vibrator is easily cracked.

The above problem is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claim.

In order to solve the above problem, the following means were taken in the present invention. The toothbrush of the present invention comprises: an ultrasonic toothbrush at least comprising: a gripping portion having a signal generator for outputting a drive signal to be supplied to a vibrator that emits ultrasonic waves, a vibrating portion in which the vibrator is disposed, and a brush disposed at a position facing to the vibrating portion, wherein a frequency of the drive signal is <NUM> to <NUM>.

Further, the ultrasonic toothbrush of the present invention is characterized in that the vibrating portion has a space portion in which the vibrator is disposed, and has a flow path through which air in the space portion is discharged, and a cross section of the flow path has one or more corner portions.

The invention is as defined in independent claim <NUM>, with a further embodiment defined in its dependent claim <NUM>.

The present invention can provide an ultrasonic toothbrush that enhances cleaning effects such as brushing, e.g., removing plaque, more effectively by specifying the frequency of the ultrasonic waves used in the ultrasonic toothbrush.

Further, even when the thickness of the vibrator to be used become thinner by the higher frequency used, the easily and simple structure avoids damage during mounting the vibrator, and prevents a decrease in the non-defective rate, and can provide a product capable of maintaining the desired performance over a long period of time.

<FIG> show a main body <NUM> of the inventive ultrasonic toothbrush, showing a six-sided view of the main body <NUM>. <FIG> is a left side view, <FIG> is a front view, a 1C is a right side view, <FIG> is a rear view, <FIG> is a top view, <FIG> is a bottom view. <FIG> shows a brush portion <NUM> with a brush <NUM> at the tip, and <FIG> shows the main body <NUM> prior to mounting the brush portion <NUM>. The main body <NUM> has a gripping portion <NUM>, an operation portion <NUM>, a protruding portion <NUM> protruding from the tip of the gripping portion <NUM>, and a vibration portion A <NUM> at the tip of the protruding portion <NUM>. Each of the protruding portion <NUM> and the vibration portion A <NUM> may be configured as an independent component or they may be integrally configured. For example, the vibrating portion having a vibrator <NUM> for generating ultrasonic waves may be attached to the tip of the protruding portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the protruding portion may be lengthened to a position where the brush <NUM> is disposed when the brush portion <NUM> is mounted, and the vibrator <NUM> may be disposed at a position facing the brush <NUM> or corresponding to the brush <NUM> at a tip of the protruding portion, that is, the protruding portion and the vibrating portion may be integrally configured.

Inside the gripping portion <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM> for controlling the main body <NUM> in accordance with the operation of the operation portion <NUM> are provided. The battery <NUM> and the controller <NUM>, the controller <NUM> and the vibrator <NUM> are respectively connected by a harness A <NUM>, a harness B <NUM>.

A switch <NUM> a red LED <NUM> inside the switch <NUM> are disposed to the operation portion <NUM>. It is possible to perform the control including the emission or stop of the emitted ultrasonic wave by pressing the switch <NUM> of the operation portion <NUM> by the user, , the lighting state of LED <NUM> is changed in response to the operation of the switch <NUM>, for example, the switch <NUM> is turned on red by LED <NUM>, and it informs the user the driving state and the operating state of the main body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram of the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to include at least a part or all of a signal generator <NUM> outputting electric signals as drive signal to the vibrator18 in order to cause the vibrator <NUM> to vibrate ultrasonically, a timer <NUM>, a user IF unit <NUM>, a power supply unit <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>.

In addition to the CPU and the memory, the control unit <NUM> includes an interface unit for connection with each unit, and controls the main body <NUM>. Power supply unit <NUM> controls electric power supplied from the battery <NUM> to the predetermined constant voltage value, for example, 5V and supplies to each unit via a control unit <NUM>. The user IF unit <NUM> is connected to the operation portion <NUM>. And when the user operates the operation portion <NUM>, the user IF unit <NUM> notifies the information to the control unit <NUM>.

Battery <NUM> may be a dry cell, or may be a secondary battery that can be repeatedly used by charging, such as a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, instead of these batteries, a power adapter capable of outputting a predetermined voltage, e. , 5V, from, e. , a household outlet of 100V or the like may be disposed outside the main body <NUM> and used.

The timer <NUM> measures a predetermined time, for example, <NUM> minutes as the time for brushing, i.e., the time for driving the vibrator <NUM> in order to output the ultrasonic wave. The time is not limited to <NUM> minutes, and may be less than <NUM> minutes or more than <NUM> minutes, and may be configured to be set by the user as appropriate.

<FIG> shows the output of the signal generator <NUM> schematically. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the amplitude of the signal. Signal generator <NUM> outputs a signal having a frequency of, for example, <NUM> or <NUM> as a drive signal. As the drive signal, the operation of outputting a sine wave of, for example, <NUM> for time Tland stopping for time T2, is repeated in this embodiment When <NUM> see is set as T <NUM> and <NUM> sec is set as T2, <NUM>. <NUM> is output for <NUM> sec, then stopped for <NUM> sec, and then these are repeated thereafter as the drive signal. Although it is described schematically so as to easily see the sine wave in <FIG>, in practice output for T1 is a high frequency of <NUM> as described above.

In <FIG>, the drive signal is not always outputted but outputted at a duty <NUM>% as described above, or intermittently. Although there is no significant difference between the case of constant output and the intermittent output as shown in <FIG> due to the ultrasonic wave, the apparent battery life is improved since the substantial driving time of the vibrator <NUM> per unit time is halved. It is possible to lengthen time. In the time, brushing can be done with a single charge. Here, the driving signal is a signal that outputs <NUM> intermittently with a duty of <NUM>%, but the duty is not limited to <NUM>%, and may be, for example, <NUM>% or <NUM>%, as long as a desired brushing effect can be obtained.

When the user presses the switch <NUM>, the information is sent to the control unit <NUM> via the user IF unit <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> instructs the signal generator <NUM> to output an electrical signal as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to make the signal generator <NUM> start generating an electrical signal by supplying power to the signal generator <NUM>. Further, the control unit <NUM> notifies the timer <NUM> to start measurement of a predetermined time, for example, <NUM> minutes, and the timer <NUM> starts measurement of the predetermined time in accordance with the notification.

When a predetermined period of time, for example, three minutes, elapses, the timer <NUM> notifies the control unit <NUM> that, and the control unit <NUM> gives instructions to the signal generator <NUM> to stop the signal output based on the notification. Or the control unit <NUM> stops generating the signals by the signal generator <NUM> by stopping the supply of power to the signal generator <NUM>.

If the user presses the switch <NUM> again before a predetermined time has elapsed, the information is notified from the user IF unit <NUM> to the control unit <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> instructs the signal generator <NUM> to stop the signal output or stops generating a signal by the signal generator <NUM> by stopping the supply of power to the signal generator <NUM>. At the same time, the control unit <NUM> instructs the timer <NUM> to stop the time measurement, and resets the timer <NUM>.

As the operation of the switch <NUM> by the user's in the above, pushing the switch <NUM> is not limited to simply pressing the switch <NUM>, pushing the switch <NUM> twice in a short time, so-called double click, or pressing the switch <NUM> for a few seconds, so-called long press may be available so that the double click may be used in order to start the output, and the long press may be used in order to stop the signal. That is, depending on the purpose of operating the switch <NUM>, it is good to change the operation method of the switch <NUM>. Such the configuration like that is desirable because it can avoid malfunction of the apparatus when the switch <NUM> is erroneously touched. In particular, in the case where the operation portion <NUM> is disposed in the gripping portion <NUM> as in the present embodiment, there are many cases where the user touches the operation portion <NUM> unintentionally. And even if the ultrasonic wave is unintentionally stopped when the switch <NUM> is pressed by mistake, the user cannot recognize the ultrasonic wave because it is difficult for the user to notice the ultrasonic wave. And even though the ultrasonic wave is stopped, the brushing is continued and a predetermined brushing effect cannot be easily obtained. Therefore, when the user stops the ultrasonic wave, as the switch operation, an operation which is difficult to be obtained without the user's intention, like the double-click or the long-press is desirable.

The signal generator <NUM> in this embodiment outputs <NUM> as a drive signal as described above. The frequency of the ultrasound used was determined as follows. All subjects were trained the correct brushing procedure prior to testing so that individual differences in brushing are minimized by equalizing brushing effect among subjects.

In addition to ultrasonic toothbrushes capable of using <NUM> as a frequency, ultrasonic toothbrushes capable of using <NUM>. <NUM> and ultrasonic toothbrushes capable of using <NUM>. <NUM> were prepared. And the group A uses the ultrasonic toothbrush that emits only <NUM>. <NUM> ultrasonic waves to brush, the group B uses the ultrasonic toothbrush that emits only <NUM>. <NUM> ultrasonic waves to brush, and the group C uses the ultrasonic toothbrush that emits only <NUM> ultrasonic waves. Each group consists of <NUM> or <NUM> persons. However, each subject in each group was not informed of the frequency of the ultrasonic wave emitted by the ultrasonic toothbrush to be used. Further, since the frequency to be used was in the ultrasonic band, any subjects could not hear the sound of each frequency, and it was not possible for each subject to judge which frequency the subject was using. <NUM> minutes brushing was performed twice a day for <NUM> consecutive weeks to test which group gave the greatest oral cleaning effect.

As an index for determining the effectiveness of brushing, the plaque index (hereinafter referred to as "PlI") was used. A small PlI indicates less plaque. In addition, the gingivitis index (hereinafter referred to as GI) was also used as another indicator of the effectiveness of brushing. A small GI indicates a low degree of gingivitis.

The PlI of Group A was <NUM>-<NUM>. <NUM> before the test, <NUM>-<NUM> after the test, <NUM>-<NUM>. <NUM> before the test in Group B, <NUM>-<NUM> after the test, <NUM>-<NUM>. <NUM> before the test in Group C, <NUM>-<NUM> after the test, and PlI for <NUM>. <NUM> and <NUM>. <NUM> was decreased more than <NUM>.

The GI of Group A was <NUM>-<NUM>. <NUM> before the test, <NUM>-<NUM>. <NUM> after the test, <NUM>-<NUM> before the test in Group B, <NUM>-<NUM> after the test, <NUM>-<NUM> before the test in Group C, and <NUM>-<NUM> after the test. The GI tended to decrease at <NUM> and <NUM> than <NUM>.

That is, it is understood that the brushing effect is higher at <NUM> or <NUM>. <NUM> than at <NUM>. However, the difference between <NUM>. <NUM> or <NUM>. <NUM> and <NUM> is respectively greater than difference between <NUM> and <NUM>. Regarding frequency, <NUM>. <NUM> or more is more desirable than <NUM>. <NUM> as the frequency used for brushing.

As described above, by setting the frequency of the ultrasonic wave to be used to <NUM> or more, for example, <NUM> or <NUM>, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic toothbrush that provides a higher brushing effect. Incidentally, the frequency of the ultrasonic wave to be used is not necessarily higher, because, for example, as the thickness of the vibrator to be used when exceeding <NUM> becomes very thin, not only the mass production of the vibrator becomes difficult even in the manufacturing stage of the ultrasonic toothbrush, but also, it is likely to cause cracks and breakage in particular, when mounting the vibrator to the ultrasonic toothbrush, i.e. when mounting it to the vibrating portion A <NUM> in the present embodiment. Alternatively, when a strong impact such as dropping the main body <NUM> during use is given, cracks are likely to occur in the vibrator, resulting in desired ultrasonic wave not to be oscillated and problems such as occurring the failure frequently. Thus, the vibrator for oscillating a frequency exceeding <NUM> as the frequency of the ultrasonic wave used is not suitable for mass production of the vibrator itself or the ultrasonic toothbrush and actual use of the toothbrush, eventually, of which about <NUM> to <NUM> is preferred, and <NUM>. <NUM> to <NUM>. <NUM> is the most desirable.

Further in the present invention, with the simple configuration of even the vibrator for outputting the frequency of <NUM> and <NUM>, the mounting method of the vibrator in the ultrasonic toothbrush and the configuration of the ultrasonic toothbrush are offered which does not reduce the non-defective ratio and the durability.

<FIG> schematically shows a cross section of the vibrating portion A <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. <FIG> shows a state of the vibrating portion A <NUM> prior to the arrangement of the vibrator <NUM> in the vibrating portion A <NUM>. A space portion A <NUM> in which the vibrator <NUM> is disposed is provided in the vibrating portion A <NUM>. The vibrator <NUM> is disposed in the space portion A <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and the brush <NUM> and the vibrator <NUM> face each other when the brush portion <NUM> is mounted. That is, the vibrator <NUM> is disposed at a position facing the brush <NUM>. By the adhesive layer A <NUM> provided on the surface of the vibrator <NUM> (hereinafter, referred to as the brush surface) facing the brush <NUM> and the adhesive layer B <NUM> provided on the surface of the back surface side of the vibrator <NUM> with respect to the brush surface (hereinafter, referred to as the brush back surface) the vibrator <NUM> is fixed to the inside of the space portion A <NUM> at the tip of the vibrating portion A <NUM>. Although the vibrator <NUM> is connected to the harness B <NUM> is not shown because the figure becomes complicated, may be omitted later.

In the present embodiment, the thickness of the vibrator <NUM> is, for example, about <NUM> µ m. The thickness of the vibrator <NUM> varies depending on the frequency used. For example, when the frequency is <NUM>, it is about <NUM> µ m, and when the frequency is <NUM>, it is about <NUM>. The thickness of the vibrator <NUM> easily varies depending on the frequency, and may also vary depending on the material and manufacturing method used. However, the thickness tends to be thinner at higher frequencies, which is most pronounced and tends to be dominant for the thickness of the vibrator.

When the thickness of the vibrator <NUM> is reduced, the strength of the vibrator <NUM> is reduced, consequently, the breakage is likely to occur, for example, when mounting the vibrator <NUM> to the space portion A <NUM>. The reason for this is as follows. When inserting the vibrator <NUM> into the space portion A <NUM>, an adhesive is applied to the brush surface and the back surface of the brush of the vibrator <NUM>, and before the adhesive is solidified, the vibrator <NUM> is inserted into the space portion A <NUM>, for example, from the left side of the drawing in the <FIG> and pushed into the depth of the space portion A <NUM>, and the adhesive is solidified to fix the vibrator <NUM> to the space portion A <NUM>. When the vibrator <NUM> is inserted into the space portion A <NUM>, the vibrator <NUM> pushes air inside the space portion A <NUM>, so that there is no escape of air in the space portion A <NUM>, and the vibrator <NUM> is pushed back by the air to receive a large resistance when inserting the vibrator <NUM>. As the vibrator <NUM> is inserted against this resistance, the work becomes difficult and by applying a further large force to the vibrator <NUM>, or by applying an excessive load such as twisting the vibrator <NUM> is cracked or broken, as a result, not only the defect rate is increased, but also the predetermined ultrasonic wave cannot be output, which may be a product failure. Further in the fixed vibrator <NUM> with an excessive load, breakage such as cracks by the vibration given, for example, dropping the main body <NUM> is likely to occur, therefore such as by shortening the life of the vibrator <NUM> it will reduce the durability such as to reduce the life of the goods.

In addition, when the vibrator <NUM> is inserted into the space portion A <NUM>, air in the space portion A <NUM> may lose its place and push away the adhesive, and may be discharged, for example, by pushing away the adhesive applied to the brush surface, so that the desired adhesive layer A <NUM> is not formed. If the adhesive is solidified as it is, a void, an air layer or a bubble is formed in the adhesive layer A <NUM>, and even if the vibrator <NUM> oscillates the predetermined ultrasonic wave, the predetermined ultrasonic wave is not transmitted to the brush portion <NUM> due to the void, the air layer or the bubble, and the predetermined ultrasonic wave is not emitted from the brush <NUM>, thereby causing a problem in which an ultrasonic wave effect cannot be obtained.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the vibrator <NUM> is inserted into the space portion A <NUM>, the flow path of the air pushed out by the vibrator <NUM> is secured in advance, whereby the air in the space portion A <NUM> is discharged by the flow path at the time of mounting the vibrator <NUM>, and the vibrator <NUM> is smoothly inserted into the space portion A <NUM> without being pushed back by the air. Therefore, without applying an excessive force to the vibrator <NUM>, breakage of the vibrator <NUM> at the time of mounting of the vibrator <NUM> does not occur. The air flow path not only facilitates the insertion of the vibrator <NUM> to increase the non-defective product rate, but also the vibrator <NUM> is fixed to the space portion A <NUM> in a state in which no excessive load is applied to it by the flow path, so that predetermined ultrasonic waves are output satisfactorily and the product life, reliability, and durability are not lowered.

Further, since the air discharged at the time of inserting the vibrator is suitably discharged from the air flow path, the desired positions of the adhesive layer A <NUM> and the adhesive layer B <NUM> can be easily formed without any influence on the adhesive layer A <NUM> and the adhesive layer B <NUM>, and, an ultrasonic toothbrush capable of transmitting a predetermined ultrasonic wave to the brush <NUM> and sufficiently obtaining the ultrasonic effect can be provided so that the vibrator <NUM> can be correctly arranged and fixed consequently.

<FIG> shows a cross section of the vibrating portion A <NUM>. <FIG> schematically shows a cross-sectional view taken along the broken line A of <FIG>, and <FIG> schematically shows a cross-sectional view taken along the broken line B of <FIG> and a cross-sectional view of the state A 19in which the vibrator <NUM> is disposed in the vibrating portion A <NUM> respectively. The space portion A <NUM> is provided with the flow path A <NUM> and the flow path B <NUM> serving as a flow path of air, respectively, on both sides of the vibrator <NUM>. Since neither the vibrator <NUM> nor the adhesive layer is disposed in these flow paths as shown in <FIG>, when the vibrator <NUM> is inserted into the space portion A <NUM>, the air filled in the space portion A <NUM> is discharged through these flow paths and does not hinder the insertion of the vibrator <NUM>.

When the vibrator <NUM> is inserted into the space portion A <NUM>, the air filled in the space portion A <NUM> is discharged through these flow passages, so that the adhesive layer A <NUM> and the adhesive layer B <NUM> provided on the brush surface and the back surface of the brush are not pushed away, and the adhesive layer A <NUM> and the adhesive layer B <NUM> can be formed satisfactorily.

Due to the flow path A <NUM> and B <NUM>, the vibrator <NUM> can be easily inserted into the space portion A <NUM> without imposing an excessive load on the vibrator <NUM> at the time of mounting the vibrator <NUM>, and moreover, a desired adhesive layer can be formed, so that not only the decrease in the quality rate can be prevented, but also a predetermined ultrasonic wave can be output and the product defect does not occur. Further fixed vibrator <NUM> without applying an excessive load, of which the breakage due to the given vibration is less likely to occur, does not reduce the life of the product, the durability and reliability without shortening the life of the vibrator <NUM>.

The above flow passages is suitably disposed on both side surfaces of the vibrator <NUM> that have the least influence on the oscillation of the vibrator <NUM> or may be disposed on both sides of the vibrator <NUM> as shown in the above <FIG>, or on one side of the side surface of the space portion A <NUM>, that is, on at least one of both side surfaces of the vibrator <NUM>. However, as long as the desired vibration can be supplied to the brush <NUM>, the flow path C <NUM> may be disposed on the back surface side of the brush of the vibrator <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, or the flow path D <NUM> may be provided as a through hole at all the way back of the space portion A <NUM> or at the distal end of the vibrating portion A <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In this way, regarding the air flow path, at least one flow path may be disposed other than the irradiation surface which is the surface of the vibrator <NUM> for irradiating the ultrasonic wave to the brush <NUM>, in other words, other than the surface facing the brush of the vibrator, or a position other than the area sandwiched between the vibrator and the brush path.

Alternatively, a plurality of flow passages may be provided at positions other than the region sandwiched between the vibrator and the brush, the flow path A <NUM> and the flow path C <NUM> may be arranged, the flow path B <NUM> and the flow path C <NUM> may be arranged, or the flow path A <NUM>, the flow path B <NUM>, and the flow path C <NUM> may be arranged. In the configuration in which a plurality of flow passages are arranged as described above, even when the vibrator <NUM> is inserted into the space portion A <NUM> and the flow passage is blocked by the adhesive unintentionally entering the flow passage, for example, even when the flow path A <NUM> is blocked, air can be discharged by other flow passages, for example, by the flow path B <NUM> or the flow path C <NUM>, so that the mounting of the vibrator <NUM> is not hindered by the air in the space portion A <NUM>. That is, the configuration in which a plurality of flow passages are provided is more desirable.

Further, the flow passage is configured such that the cross section as shown in <FIG> is rectangular or square, or cross section has corner portions. When the vibrator <NUM> is inserted into the space portion A <NUM>, even when the adhesive enters the flow path unintentionally, it is less likely to completely block the flow path due to the presence of, for example, corner portions in the cross section of the flow path, so that the flow path is easily secured, which is desirable. Therefore, the cross section of the flow passage may have any corner, for example, a cross section having a triangle or a polygon having a pentagon or more may be used.

On the other hand, if the cross section of the flow passage is, for example, a quadrangle, the manufacturing cost may be high, and in this case, the cross section may be configured to be a semicircle or a part of a circle, for example, an arc, but when the adhesive unintentionally enters the flow passage, the flow passage is likely to be blocked, and therefore, it is better to provide a plurality of flow passages in consideration of this point.

<FIG> shows the vibrating portion B <NUM> which is another example as a vibrating portion. Space portion B <NUM> is provided in the vibration portion B <NUM>, in which by a step provided on the bottom surface of the space portion B <NUM> as shown in FIG, so that the pedestal portion A <NUM> for maintaining the desired position of the vibrator is formed. The vibrator <NUM> is disposed on the pedestal portion A <NUM>. For example, the adhesive layer A <NUM> and the adhesive layer B <NUM> may be disposed on the surfaces of the vibrator <NUM> in the same manner as in the <FIG>, but in the vibrating portion B <NUM>, as shown in the <FIG>, the adhesive layer B <NUM> fixes a sponge <NUM> which is the sponge layer to the vibrator <NUM>, and the vibrator <NUM> is disposed on the pedestal portion A <NUM> via the sponge <NUM>.

The vibrator <NUM> is inserted into the space portion B <NUM> while being fixed to the sponge <NUM> as shown in the <FIG>, and is disposed in the pedestal portion A <NUM> as shown in the <FIG>. The vibrator <NUM> is fixed by the sponge <NUM> in a state of being pressed against an upper surface <NUM> which is a surface close to the brush <NUM> of the space portion B <NUM>. That is, the sponge <NUM> functions as a pressing means for pressing the vibrator <NUM> against the upper surface <NUM>, which is the inner wall of the space portion B <NUM> in the direction of the brush <NUM> when mounting the brush portion <NUM>. Instead of the sponge <NUM>, a rubber other than a sponge, a resin having elasticity, or an elastic member such as a leaf spring may be used.

The sponge <NUM>, which is a pressing means, is very effective for forming the good adhesive layer A <NUM> on the surface of the vibrator as in this embodiment. As described above, the vibrator <NUM> is inserted into the space portion A <NUM> before the adhesive applied to the surface solidifies. At this time, the adhesive on the surface of the vibrator <NUM> comes into contact with the upper surface <NUM> and the like of the space portion A <NUM> and is scraped off unevenly to form unevenness in the adhesive layer A <NUM> on the surface of the vibrator <NUM>, and an air layer may be formed on the surface of the vibrator <NUM>, and as described above, a problem due to the air layer, voids, bubbles, or the like formed on the surface of the vibrator <NUM> occurs. However, since the vibrator <NUM> is pressed against the upper surface <NUM> by the pressing means as in the present embodiment, it is possible to make the adhesive that is temporarily non-uniform at the stage of insertion of the vibrator <NUM> into a uniform layer without unevenness and to obtain a good adhesive layer A <NUM>.

Since the pressing means is very effective for forming the uniform adhesive layer A <NUM>, for example, it can also be used for the vibrating portion A <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and the configuration may be that the sponge <NUM> is fixed to the vibrator <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and it is mounted on the vibrating portion A <NUM>. The cross section of the vibrating portion A <NUM> in this case is as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a cross section in the broken line C of the diagram 6B, it shows another example of the flow path. As shown in the figure, by constituting to make the width of the sponge <NUM>, the adhesive layer A <NUM>, the adhesive layer B <NUM>, the pedestal portion A <NUM> and the like into narrower than the width of the vibrator <NUM>, the flow path is formed in a different form from the flow path described above. That is, by making the width of the adhesive layer or the pressing means, the width in the direction different from the insertion direction to the space portion of the vibrator, for example, the orthogonal direction to the insertion direction into narrower than the width of vibrator, the air flow path is formed by a gap formed between the side surface of the space portion and them. Although a plurality of flow paths may be secured by reducing the width of each adhesive layer and sponge as shown in the FIG. , the flow paths may be formed by reducing the width of only a part of a layer, a pedestal, or the like provided on the brush surface side or the brush back surface side of the vibrator <NUM> so that the width of other layers is not reduced. For example, by reducing the width of only the adhesive layer A <NUM>, only the adhesive layer B <NUM> disposed on the back side of the brush, only the sponge <NUM>, or only the pedestal portion A <NUM>, or using only a part of them, the flow path may be formed. For example, the flow path may be formed by reducing only the widths of the adhesive layer B <NUM> and the sponge <NUM>, or various configurations are possible, such as a configuration in which the widths of the adhesive layer A <NUM> and the adhesive layer B <NUM> are narrowed, or a configuration in which the widths of the adhesive layer A <NUM> and the sponge <NUM> are reduced. In the <FIG>, the width of the adhesive layer A <NUM> and the sponge <NUM> is equal to that of the vibrator <NUM>, but the width is not limited to this, and the air flow path may be formed by making the width of at least one of the adhesive layer A <NUM>, the adhesive layer B <NUM>, or the sponge <NUM> into narrower than the width of the vibrator <NUM> as in the <FIG>.

In the above, the adhesive layer A <NUM> and the adhesive layer B <NUM> may be a layer of a curable fluidizing agent, and it is sufficient that the vibrator <NUM> can be reliably fixed to the space portion A <NUM>, the sponge <NUM>, or the like. In addition to adhesives, thermosetting resins, thermoplastics, or other curable resins can be used, such as epoxy resins, rubbers, or adhesives based thereon. Incidentally, since the adhesive layer B <NUM> fixes the vibrator <NUM> and the sponge <NUM> in the <FIG>, a double-sided tape or the like may be used instead of the adhesive layer B <NUM>, and the flow path may be formed as described above by narrowing the width of the double-sided tape to be used to be smaller than the width of the vibrator <NUM>.

The flow path is formed by adjusting the width of the layer used for fixing the vibrator <NUM> in the configuration of the <FIG>, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured such that the flow path is disposed on the side surface of the vibrator <NUM> as in the <FIG> to the <FIG>, and the width of the layer or member used for fixing the vibrator <NUM> is reduced to form a flow path as in the <FIG> to the <FIG>, and at the same time, for example, at least one of the flow path A <NUM>, the flow path B <NUM>, or the flow path C <NUM> may be provided on the side surface of the space portion B <NUM> that is both sides of the vibrator <NUM> or the surface of the space portion B <NUM> that faces the brush back surface of the vibrator <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another exemplary configuration of a vibrating part. The cross section of the vibrating portion C <NUM> in which the vibrator <NUM> is disposed is schematically shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows a condition prior to placing the vibrator <NUM> in the vibrating portion C <NUM>. The space portion C <NUM> is provided inside the vibrating portion C <NUM>, and the gripping portion <NUM> is on the left side when facing the figure, and the brush <NUM> is disposed at the right end part, that is, the distal end part to the gripping portion <NUM> when the brush portion <NUM> is mounted. The opening A <NUM> into which the vibrator <NUM> can be inserted is provided at the distal end of the space portion C <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a configuration of the conventional vibrating portion D <NUM> of a toothbrush having the opening B <NUM> at its distal end. In order to mount the vibrator <NUM> in a configuration as in <FIG>, a curable resin, e.g., the adhesive <NUM>, is filled from the opening B <NUM> as in <FIG>. Incidentally, the adhesive <NUM> is filled in a state in which the harness B <NUM> is inserted into the inside from the opening B <NUM> in advance. Successively, the vibrator <NUM> is inserted from the opening B <NUM>, or by pulling the harness B <NUM> which has been inserted in advance, the vibrator <NUM> is pulled in from the opening B <NUM>, and when the adhesive <NUM> is cured in this state, the vibrator <NUM> is fixed. Although such a configuration can arrange the vibrator with a simple configuration, there are the following problems.

In the configuration as shown in the <FIG>, it is difficult to insert the vibrator <NUM> correctly. For example, it is inserted closer to the brush <NUM> than a predetermined position, or on the contrary, inserted in a far position, or inserted too deep, or on the contrary, too shallow, or shifted in a orthogonal direction to the insertion direction (the direction of the front side or the back side to the paper plane), or tilted to the brush <NUM>, of which the situation can easily occur. The <FIG> show an example of these states, that is, the <FIG> shows the case where the vibrator <NUM> is inserted too deep, and the <FIG> shows the state where the vibrator <NUM> is tilted. Even if the insertion itself is performed correctly, eventually it is difficult for vibrator <NUM> to maintain and arrange in the predetermined place as exemplified in <FIG> or the like because the vibrator <NUM> inserted until the adhesive <NUM> is cured is moved. In this case, it causes the problem that the ultrasonic wave is not correctly supplied to the brush <NUM>.

In contrast, in <FIG>, the following configuration resolves the defect relating to a configuration for inserting the vibrator <NUM> from the opening provided at the edge d. The diagram viewed from the direction of the arrow A in the <FIG> is shown in <FIG>, and a cross-sectional view taken along the broken line D of <FIG> is shown in <FIG>. An insertion path A <NUM> and an insertion path B <NUM> in which the vibrator <NUM> is inserted are provided in the opening A <NUM> as shown in the figure as maintenance means for maintaining the position of the vibrator. The insertion path A <NUM> and the insertion path B <NUM> are provided on the side surface of the space portion C <NUM> up to a predetermined position of the vibrator <NUM> along the insertion direction of it, for example, a position where the vibrator <NUM> is disposed so as to face the brush <NUM> when the brush portion <NUM> is mounted. The width from the side surface of the insertion path A <NUM> to the side surface of the insertion path B <NUM> is equal to or slightly larger than the width of the vibrator <NUM>, and the vibrator <NUM> is inserted into this width and maintained at a predetermined position. The way of inserting the vibrator <NUM> is substantially the same as that shown in the <FIG> to the <FIG>. First, the harness B <NUM> is inserted into the space portion C <NUM> through the opening A <NUM>, and the space portion C <NUM> is filled with the adhesive <NUM> as shown in the <FIG>, while the vibrator <NUM> is outside the space portion C <NUM>. In the <FIG> to the 7F the protrusion <NUM> is provided so that the filled adhesive <NUM> does not flow out, which is possible to minimize the outflow of the adhesive <NUM>. In the upper portion of the protrusion <NUM> the gap <NUM> is provided for passing the harness B <NUM>, through which the harness B <NUM> is connected to the controller <NUM> inside the gripping portion <NUM>. Since the vibrator <NUM> is pulled by pushing it along the insertion path A <NUM> and the insertion path B <NUM> from the opening A <NUM> or pulling the harness B <NUM>, it can be reliably moved to a predetermined position along the insertion path A <NUM> and the insertion path B <NUM>.

Since a part of the adhesive <NUM> can flow out through the gap <NUM> by the insertion of the vibrator <NUM>, the adhesive can be prevented or reduced from overflowing from the opening A <NUM>, and the adhesive <NUM> can also be avoided or reduced from adhering to the outer periphery of the vibrating portion C <NUM>. After insertion of the vibrator <NUM>, the vibrator <NUM> is fixed in the predetermined place by solidification of the adhesive <NUM>. Incidentally, since the portion without the adhesive <NUM> in the opening A <NUM> by the movement of the vibrator <NUM> occurs as shown in the <FIG>, the opening A <NUM> may be closed by replenishing the adhesive <NUM> to this portion as shown in the <FIG>. In such a configuration, the vibrator <NUM> is correctly, reliably, and easily inserted into a predetermined position, and the predetermined position of the vibrator <NUM> is reliably maintained until the adhesive <NUM> is solidified, so that a problem does not occur when the vibrator <NUM> is mounted, and the non-defective product rate can be improved.

The <FIG> show other examples of the maintenance means. In the <FIG>, the pedestal portion B <NUM> is formed as a maintenance means at the bottom surface of the space portion D <NUM> of the vibrating portion E <NUM>, that is, the location where the vibrator <NUM> is disposed. <FIG> shows a configuration in which a maintenance means is provided in the vibrator <NUM> rather than in the vibrating portion or the space portion, and the pedestal portion C <NUM> is provided in the vibrator <NUM>. The pedestal portion C <NUM> is fixed to the vibrator <NUM> by the adhesive layer B <NUM>, but may be fixed by double-sided tape. The pedestal portion C <NUM> may be an elastic material such as rubber, sponge, or the like, or may be an inelastic material such as resin. The pedestal portion B <NUM> is provided with a step in the space portion D <NUM>, and is constituted by the step, on the other hand, the pedestal portion C <NUM> is a member of a rectangular parallelepiped is used, but the shape of the pedestal portion as a maintenance means is not limited to this and may be a plurality of protrusions, plate-shaped, dome-shaped, or semi cylindrical-shaped as long as the vibrator is properly maintained. Regarding these, first, the adhesive <NUM> is filled in the same manner as in <FIG>, and subsequently the vibrator <NUM> is inserted, and the adhesive <NUM> is solidified to fix the vibrator <NUM>. Also in the <FIG> and the <FIG>, it is desirable to provide the protrusion <NUM> or the gap <NUM> as shown in <FIG> to the <FIG>.

Claim 1:
An ultrasonic toothbrush at least comprising:
a gripping portion (<NUM>) having a signal generator (<NUM>) for outputting a drive signal to be supplied to a vibrator (<NUM>) that emits ultrasonic waves,
a vibrating portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in which the vibrator (<NUM>) is disposed, and
a brush (<NUM>) disposed at a position facing to the vibrating portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
wherein a frequency of the drive signal is <NUM> to <NUM>, characterized in that the vibrating portion has a space portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in which the vibrator (<NUM>) is disposed, and has a flow path (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) through which air in the space portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is discharged, and a cross section of the flow path (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) has one or more corner portions.