U.S. patent application number 13/741403 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for head portion and handle portion of an oral care device.
This patent application is currently assigned to BRAUN GMBH (A GERMAN CORPORATION). The applicant listed for this patent is BRAUN GMBH (A GERMAN CORPORATION). Invention is credited to Thomas Fritsch, Philip Jung, Martin Simeth.
Application Number | 20130180061 13/741403 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47520830 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130180061 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Simeth; Martin ; et
al. |
July 18, 2013 |
Head Portion And Handle Portion Of An Oral Care Device
Abstract
An oral care device is disclosed. The oral care device includes
a housing being at least partly formed of an electrically isolating
material; a capacitor having a first electrode and a second
electrode, the first and second electrodes being electrically
isolated by the electrically isolating material of the housing such
that they are not exposed to an outside environment of the oral
care device; and a processor unit being electrically connected to
the first and second electrodes. The processor unit is arranged
such that during operation of the oral care device it determines a
capacitance (x) of the capacitor in order to determine whether the
oral care device is within a user's oral cavity or not.
Inventors: |
Simeth; Martin; (Konigstein,
DE) ; Jung; Philip; (Griesheim, DE) ; Fritsch;
Thomas; (Eppstein, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BRAUN GMBH (A GERMAN CORPORATION); |
Kronberg |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
BRAUN GMBH (A GERMAN
CORPORATION)
Kronberg
DE
|
Family ID: |
47520830 |
Appl. No.: |
13/741403 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/22.1 ;
15/167.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/34 20130101;
A61C 17/16 20130101; A61C 17/221 20130101; A46B 15/0004 20130101;
A46B 15/0008 20130101; A61C 17/225 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/22.1 ;
15/167.1 |
International
Class: |
A61C 17/16 20060101
A61C017/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 17, 2012 |
EP |
12151340.2 |
Claims
1. A head portion for an oral care device comprising: a housing
being at least partly formed of an electrically isolating material;
a moveable drive member; a first electrode for forming part of a
capacitor; and a first electrically conducting path for connecting
the first electrode to a processor; wherein the first electrode is
electrically isolated by the electrically isolating material of the
housing such that it is not exposed to an outside environment of
the head portion; and wherein the drive member forms at least part
of the first electrode, the drive member including a mechanical and
electrical coupling for attachment to a handle portion of the oral
care device.
2. A head portion according to claim 1, further comprising a second
electrode and a second electrically conducting path for connecting
the second electrode to a power source, wherein the first electrode
and the second electrode form a capacitor; and wherein the second
electrode is electrically isolated by the electrically isolating
material of the housing such that it is not exposed to an outside
environment of the head portion.
3. A head portion according to claim 2, wherein the head portion
further comprises at least a first connector being arranged for
providing a removable electric connection to the handle portion;
and wherein the electrically conducting path electrically connects
the first electrode and the first connector.
4. A head portion according to claim 3, further comprising a second
connector being arranged for electrically connecting the second
electrode to the handle portion, and the second electrically
conducting path electrically connecting the second electrode and
the second connector.
5. A handle portion for an oral care device comprising: a processor
unit being connectable to a first electrode and a second electrode
of a capacitor; a motor; and a drive shaft for the transfer of
rotating motion of the motor to an oscillating pivoting motion of a
bristle carrier; wherein the processor unit is arranged such that
during operation of the handle portion it determines a capacitance
of a capacitor formed by the first electrode and the second
electrode in order to determine whether the oral care device is
within a user's oral cavity or not; and wherein the drive shaft
provides both mechanical coupling to a head portion and electrical
coupling to the first electrode of the head portion.
6. A handle portion according to claim 5, further comprising: a
housing being at least partly formed of an electrically isolating
material; and at least one electrode being electrically connected
to the processor unit; wherein the second electrode is located such
that it is electrically isolated by the electrically isolating
material of the housing such that it is not exposed to an outside
environment of the handle portion.
7. A handle portion according to claim 6, further comprising an
electrically conducting functional element, wherein the functional
element forms at least one of the first electrode or the second
electrode.
8. A handle portion according to claim 6, wherein the processor
unit is arranged such that during operation of the handle portion
it compares a capacitance (x) of a capacitor formed by a first
electrode and a second electrode to a threshold value (z).
9. A handle portion according to claim 8, wherein the processor
unit is arranged such that during operation of the handle portion
it prevents switching on of a drive in the handle portion once the
capacitance determined is above or below the threshold value.
10. A handle portion according to claim 8, wherein the processor
unit is arranged such that during operation of the handle portion
it outputs a warning signal once the capacitance determined is
above or below the threshold value.
11. An oral care device comprising: a housing being at least partly
formed of an electrically isolating material; a capacitor having a
first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second
electrodes being electrically isolated by the electrically
isolating material of the housing such that they are not exposed to
an outside environment of the oral care device; and a processor
unit being electrically connected to the first and second
electrodes; wherein the processor unit is arranged such that during
operation of the oral care device it determines a capacitance (x)
of the capacitor in order to determine whether the oral care device
is within a user's oral cavity or not.
12. The oral care device according to claim 11, further comprising
a head portion according to claim 1 and a handle portion according
to claim 5.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of head portions
and handle portions for oral care devices and generally to the
field of oral care devices. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to the field of methods for determining the
position of an oral care device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known that oral care devices may have an on/off switch
by which a user can switch on or off the oral care device. The
on/off switch can be operated independent from the location of the
oral care device, in particular of the location of a head portion
of the oral care device, which is intended for location in a users
oral cavity.
[0003] In some instances, an appliance material may be applied to
the head portion of the oral care device. In case the oral care
device is switched on with the head portion being outside of a
user's oral cavity, the appliance material may be splashed around
by a movement of the head portion. It is thus a desire to provide
an oral care device that is improved over the known oral care
devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one embodiment, a head portion for an oral care device is
provided. The head portion includes a housing being at least partly
formed of an electrically isolating material; a moveable drive
member; a first electrode for forming part of a capacitor; and a
first electrically conducting path for connecting the first
electrode to a processor. The first electrode is electrically
isolated by the electrically isolating material of the housing such
that it is not exposed to an outside environment of the head
portion; and wherein the drive member forms at least part of the
first electrode, the drive member including a mechanical and
electrical coupling for attachment to a handle portion of the oral
care device.
[0005] In another embodiment, a handle portion for an oral care
device is provided. The handle portion includes a processor unit
being connectable to a first electrode and a second electrode of a
capacitor; a motor; and a drive shaft for the transfer of rotating
motion of the motor to an oscillating pivoting motion of a bristle
carrier. The processor unit is arranged such that during operation
of the handle portion it determines a capacitance of a capacitor
formed by the first electrode and the second electrode in order to
determine whether the oral care device is within a user's oral
cavity or not. The drive shaft provides both mechanical coupling to
a head portion and electrical coupling to the first electrode of
the head portion.
[0006] In another embodiment, an oral care device is provided. The
oral care device includes a housing being at least partly formed of
an electrically isolating material; a capacitor having a first
electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes
being electrically isolated by the electrically isolating material
of the housing such that they are not exposed to an outside
environment of the oral care device; and a processor unit being
electrically connected to the first and second electrodes. The
processor unit is arranged such that during operation of the oral
care device it determines a capacitance (x) of the capacitor in
order to determine whether the oral care device is within a user's
oral cavity or not.
[0007] In another embodiment, a method for determining whether a
part of an oral care device is located within a user's oral cavity
is provided. The method includes the steps of determining a
capacitance (x) of a capacitor formed by a first electrode and a
second electrode; and comparing the determined capacitance (x) with
a predetermined threshold value (z).
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of specific
embodiments will become evident to those skilled in the art from a
reading of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative
in nature and not intended to limit the invention defined by the
claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative
embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the
following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like
reference numerals and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an oral
care device in accordance with a first embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an oral
care device in accordance with a second embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a
combination of a detachable head portion and a handle portion
according to embodiments shown and described herein; and
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method in accordance with at
least one aspect of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The following text sets forth a broad description of
numerous different embodiments of the present disclosure. The
description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not
describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible
embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. It will be
understood that any feature, characteristic, component,
composition, ingredient, product, step or methodology described
herein can be deleted, combined with or substituted for, in whole
or part, any other feature, characteristic, component, composition,
ingredient, product, step or methodology described herein. Numerous
alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current
technology or technology developed after the filing date of this
patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. All
publications and patents cited herein are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0015] According to the present disclosure, an oral care device and
in particular a head portion of an oral care device may be provided
with at least one cleaning element attached to a housing or
carrier. In some embodiments, two or more cleaning elements may be
provided. In some embodiments, at least one cleaning element may be
realized as a bristle tuft comprising at least one filament. In
some embodiments at least one cleaning element may be realized as
an elastomeric cleaning element.
[0016] The cleaning element may be driven into a motion during
operation. A motion of the cleaning element may cause tooth paste
or liquid, such as water, to be sprayed around when the cleaning
element is located outside the mouth of the operator or user.
[0017] Generally, oral care devices as disclosed herein may provide
the user with information about the time a treatment such as
cleaning of the user's oral cavity has already taken and how long
it should still take. However, corresponding timers may be started
when the oral care device is switched on, disregarding the fact
that a switching on of an oral care device does not necessarily
imply that the oral care device is already treating the user's oral
cavity. Thus the time measured by a timer between switching on and
switching off of the oral care device may not correspond to the
actual time used for treating the user's oral cavity.
[0018] In the accompanying figures identical elements have been
denoted by identical reference numbers. While the embodiments
depicted in the figures are described with particular
configurations shown, the embodiments shown are only given as
examples.
[0019] While an oral care device may be formed by any device
suitable for treating, in particular cleaning a user's teeth, gum
or oral cavity it may, for example, be realized as a toothbrush, a
tongue cleaner, a flossing device or an oral irrigator. The oral
care device may also be any combination of a toothbrush, a tongue
cleaner or an oral irrigator.
[0020] A head portion in the sense of the present application may
be the front part of an oral care device intended for insertion
into the user's oral cavity. In some embodiments, the head portion
carries at least one cleaning element.
[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 show embodiments in accordance with the
present disclosure, wherein the head portion 2 and the handle
portion 3 are integrally formed to provide an oral care device
realized as a toothbrush 1, and wherein the head portion 2 and the
handle portion 3 may not be separated from each other, i.e. they
are not removably attached to each other. The head portion 2 may
form the front portion of the toothbrush 1.
[0022] While in FIGS. 1 and 2 the head portion and the handle
portion are integrally formed they may in some embodiments be
formed as separate elements being removably attachable to each
other. In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the head
portion 2 may be a replaceable head portion that is detachably
mounted to the handle portion 3.
[0023] The housing of the head portion may be a housing having a
hollow inner space accommodating mechanical or electrical elements.
In some embodiments however, the housing may be a solid part
operating as a carrier for the at least one cleaning element
without providing any hollow space inside.
[0024] In the embodiment of a toothbrush 1 as depicted in FIGS. 1
and 2, the housing 4 of the head portion 2 may be a massive piece
of plastic, which may be injection molded together with the handle
portion 3.
[0025] The exact form and shape of the cleaning element may depend
on the type of oral care device considered. A cleaning element
arranged thereon may, for example, be a filament, a bristle (of a
toothbrush), a jet nozzle (of an oral irrigator) or a scrubbing
element (of a tongue cleaner). In some embodiments, the oral care
device may be realized as a current emitting device intended for
directing a current through the oral cavity during operation. In
such an embodiment, the oral care device does not necessarily carry
a cleaning element.
[0026] While in some embodiments of an oral care device forming a
toothbrush, a at least one cleaning element may be a filament
formed of an elastic plastic material, for example, a bristle,
other forms of cleaning elements for forming a toothbrush may be
available. An example for another form of a cleaning element may be
a rubber made protrusion extending from the housing of the head
portion.
[0027] While any suitable material may be utilized in order to form
a bristle for a toothbrush, one example for a plastic material
suitable for forming a cleaning element or bristle may be
polyamide.
[0028] In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 4
of the head portion 2 acts as a carrier for a plurality of cleaning
elements. The cleaning elements in the embodiments depicted may be
bristles 5 arranged in tufts. The discussion of embodiments showing
cleaning elements arranged at the head portion of the oral care
device shall not be limiting for the interpretation of the present
disclosure. As was said above, in some embodiment no cleaning
element is provided.
[0029] A first electrode and a second electrode may form part of a
capacitor. The first and/or the second electrode may have different
forms and shapes as long as they are made of an electrically
conductive material. A simple form may be an extended metallic pad
located in or at the head portion. However, the first electrode as
well as the second electrode may have other forms and shapes. In
some embodiments, the first electrode or the second electrode may
be a separate element being dedicated for forming an electrode.
[0030] However, there may be some embodiments wherein at least one
of the first and second electrodes may be formed by an element
simultaneously providing an additional functionality. Such an
element in the context of the present disclosure is denoted a
functional element. A functional element may form an electrode as
long as it comprises an electrically conductive material.
[0031] Examples of a functional element also forming an electrode
may be a driveshaft of an electric toothbrush located at least
partially in the head portion. Another example of a functional
element forming an electrode may be a battery for powering the
toothbrush located in the handle portion.
[0032] In some embodiments, a first electrically conducting path or
a second electrically conductive path may be an electrically
conductive wire for connecting one of the first or second
electrodes to a processor unit. Other examples for electrically
conducting paths in the sense of the present disclosure may be an
electrically conducting driveshaft or other electrically conducting
parts of the head portion or the handle portion.
[0033] While in some embodiments an electrode and/or an
electrically conducting path may be formed from metal, there may be
other examples of electrically conductive material which may be
used in order to establish an electrode and/or an electrically
conducting path in the sense of the present disclosure. Examples of
such other materials may, for example, be electrically conducting
plastic materials, electrically conductive coatings applied to
plastic material, etc.
[0034] In an embodiment, at least one of the first or second
electrodes may be formed by a functional element being made of
plastic material coated with an electrically conducting
coating.
[0035] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the first electrode 6
may be formed by a metal plate being connected by a wire 7 to a
processor 8. The second electrode according to this embodiment may
be formed by the battery 9 powering the processor 8. In some
embodiments, the processor unit may be an integrated electronic
circuit which may be freely programmable. However, there may be
embodiments wherein the processor unit according to the present
disclosure is a dedicated electronic circuit provided for
performing the necessary functionalities as described below.
[0036] A housing of the head portion and/or a housing of the handle
portion may at least partly be formed of an electrically isolating
material. In some embodiments, at least one of the first electrode
and the second electrode is located such that it is isolated by the
electrically isolating material of the housing such that it is not
exposed to the outside environment of the toothbrush.
[0037] This arrangement effectively reduces if not avoids an
electrically conducting contact between the electrode and a user's
skin or mouth. While the isolation of the electrode by an
electrically non-conductive material at least reduces a current
flow into the user's body, it nevertheless allows for a measurement
of a capacitance formed between the first and second
electrodes.
[0038] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the first electrode 6
as well as the electrically conducting path formed by the wire 7
are molded directly into the plastic material forming the housing 4
of the head portion 2.
[0039] While there may be some embodiments wherein the first and
second electrodes forming the capacitor may be both located in the
head portion, there may be some other embodiments wherein the first
and second electrodes may both be supported in the handle portion.
In some other embodiments the first electrode may be located in the
head portion and the second electrode may be located in the handle
portion.
[0040] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first and second
electrodes may both be located in the head portion 2. Both
electrodes 6', 21 may be made of metal sheets and may be covered by
molded insulating plastic. The two electrodes 6', 21 may be
connected to the processor unit 8 by wires 7, which are also molded
in the plastic material of the head portion 2 and the handle
portion 3.
[0041] While there may be embodiments in which the head portion and
the handle portion of the toothbrush may be made of a single piece,
there may be some embodiments in which the head portion and the
handle portion are two separate parts being removably attachable to
each other. In such an embodiment, the head portion may be a
replaceable portion of an oral care device, wherein its housing may
have a mounting section being arranged for removably attaching the
housing of the head portion to a handle portion.
[0042] Further, the head portion may comprise a first connector
being arranged for providing a separable electrical connection to a
handle portion. Further, the electrically conducting path may be
electrically connecting the first electrode and the first
connector. This may allow for detachably mounting the head portion
to a handle portion and replacing the head portion once it is worn
off.
[0043] In some embodiments, the head portion may comprise a second
electrode, and a second electrically conductive path for
electrically connecting the second electrode to a handle portion.
In an embodiment in which the head portion having two electrodes is
a replaceable head portion, it may comprise a second connector
being arranged for electrically connecting the second conductive
path to a handle portion.
[0044] In an embodiment of the handle portion according to the
present disclosure, the handle portion may further comprise a
second electrode being electrically connected to the processor.
Thus, the processor may determine a capacitance of a capacitor
formed by a first electrode located in the head portion and a
second electrode located in the handle portion.
[0045] In an embodiment, the handle portion may further comprise a
housing, wherein the housing is at least partly formed of an
electrically non-conductive material. This may allow for a second
electrode being located in the housing such that it is isolated by
the electrically isolating material of the housing. This way the
second electrode is not exposed to the outside environment of the
handle portion.
[0046] In some embodiments, the processor unit provided in the
handle portion may be arranged such that during operation of the
handle portion it compares the capacitance of the capacitor formed
by the first electrode and the second electrode with a
predetermined threshold value.
[0047] According to some embodiments, the value of the capacitance
provided by a capacitor formed of the first and second electrodes
is used as an indication for whether the head portion is inserted
in a user's oral cavity or not. One may assume that inserting the
head portion of an oral care device into a user's oral cavity may
change the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the first
electrode and the second electrode. This may be the case
disregarding the question whether the first and second electrodes
may be located in the head portion or in the handle portion, but
the change in capacitance may be larger and thus better measurable
in case at least one of the first and/or second electrodes is
arranged in the head portion or extends into a hollow provided in
the head portion. In an embodiment, a drive shaft mounted in the
handle is used as functional element forming the first electrode
and extends into the head portion to drive, for example, a
carrier.
[0048] In some embodiments, the processor unit may be arranged such
that during operation of the handle portion it prevents switching
on of a drive in the handle portion once the capacitance determined
is above or below a predetermined threshold value.
[0049] Assuming that the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the
first and second electrodes may change once the head portion is
located outside the user's mouth compared to a situation where it
is in the mouth, switching on of an oral care device having a drive
may be inhibited when the head portion is outside of the user's
mouth. This at least reduces the risk that an oral care device may
be operated outside of the user's oral cavity and thus at least
reduces the risk of splattering appliance material such as
toothpaste or mouth rinse or fluids in the surrounding of the user.
In particular spoiling of clothing and furniture may thus be
reduced.
[0050] A drive in an oral care device may be an electric motor for
providing a motion of part of the head portion, in particular a
carrier carrying that may carry at least one cleaning element.
However, a drive in the sense of the present disclosure may also be
a pump for an oral irrigator.
[0051] In some embodiments, the processor unit may be arranged such
that during operation of the handle portion it outputs a trigger
signal for a timer once the capacitance of the capacitor formed by
the first and second electrodes determined is above or below a
threshold value.
[0052] An oral care device or a handle portion according to some
embodiments may provide a timer for indicating to the user that a
certain time period for cleaning the teeth has expired and the user
may stop the cleaning procedure. In order to do so, the timer may
only consider the time during which the head portion of the oral
care device is inserted in the user's oral cavity. Thus in one
embodiment, the determined capacitance of the capacitor formed by
the first and second electrodes may be used as indication for
whether the oral care device has been actively operated or not. In
some embodiments, the processor unit outputs a trigger signal for a
timer once the determined capacitance is above a threshold value,
i.e. it is determined that the oral care device has been inserted
into the user's mouth. In some embodiments, the processor unit may
output a trigger signal for a timer once the capacitance determined
is below a threshold value, i.e. it is determined that the oral
care device has been withdrawn from the user's mouth.
[0053] In some embodiments, the processor unit may be arranged such
that during operation of the handle portion it outputs a warning
signal once the determined capacitance is above or below a
threshold value. A warning signal in the sense of the present
disclosure could be any type of signal enabling further processing
in another equipment.
[0054] In some embodiments, the handle portion may include a
mounting section being arranged for removably attaching the handle
portion to a head portion and a first connector being arranged for
electrically connecting the handle portion to a first electrode
located in a head portion. In some embodiments, the combination of
a head portion as described before and a handle portion as
described before form an oral care device. In some embodiments, the
threshold value for the capacitance may be adjusted actively during
usage of the toothbrush in order to compensate for any drift.
[0055] In some embodiments, in addition to a measurement of the
capacitance of the capacitor formed by the first and second
electrodes, the drive current may be measured in order to determine
different mechanical load on the motor helping to identify
situations in which the head portion and in particular the cleaning
element is in proximity of the user's oral cavity.
[0056] FIG. 3 shows an electric toothbrush, i.e. an oral care
device, in which at least one part of the head portion 2 may be
actuated by a motor 10 and via a drive train comprising a drive
shaft 15 provided at the handle portion and a drive member 11
provided in the head portion.
[0057] In the embodiment of FIG. 3 the part which during operation
of the device may be moving is a bristle carrier 13 carrying a
plurality of bristles 5. During operation of the toothbrush 1 the
bristle carrier 13 and thus the bristles 5 may perform an
oscillation pivoting motion around an axis of rotation. The axis of
rotation may essentially be perpendicular to the longitudinal
extension direction of the head portion 2, i.e. the axis of
rotation of the bristle carrier 13 may be essentially parallel to
the extension of the bristles 5.
[0058] In order to be able to detachably mount the head portion 2
to the handle portion 3 the housing 14 of the head portion 2 may
comprise a mounting section being arranged for removably attaching
the housing 14 to the handle portion 3. In order to provide for a
transfer of the rotating motion of the motor 10 to an oscillating
pivoting of the bristle carrier 13 the drive shaft of the motor 10
is attached to a gear and further to a shaft, which may be brought
into engagement with the drive member 11 of the head portion 2 when
the head portion 2 is attached to the handle portion 3.
[0059] Furthermore the head portion 2 may comprise a gear 20 for
translating a pivoting oscillation of the drive member 11 around
the axis of rotation which is essentially parallel to the
longitudinal extension direction of the head portion 2 into an
oscillating pivoting around an axis of rotation which is
essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive
member 11.
[0060] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the drive member 11 may
be made of metal and thus is electrically conducting. The drive
member 11 may not only be used in order to transfer the oscillating
pivoting of the driveshaft 15 of the handle portion 3 to the
bristle carrier 13, but it may also form the first electrode in
accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0061] Simultaneously the drive member 11 may form an electrically
conductive path connecting the electrode to the driveshaft 15 of
the handle portion 3, i.e. in an embodiment the first electrode and
the electrically conducting path may be identical. The engagement
of the driveshaft 15 of the handle portion 3 and the drive member
11 of the head portion 2 may not only provide for a mechanical
coupling, but may also form two electrical connectors being
connected to each other once the head portion 2 is attached to the
handle portion 3.
[0062] In order to connect the drive member 11 and the drive shaft
15 to the processor unit 8 a brush 16 may be in engagement with the
driveshaft 15 of the handle portion 3 and connected by a wire 17 to
the processor 8. The second electrode in the embodiment as depicted
in FIG. 3 may be formed by the battery 9, while in other
embodiments it may be formed by any other conductive object inside
the handle, for example, by the motor 10. Therefore, in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the casing 18 of the battery 9 is
connected by a further wire or conductive path 19 to the processor
8. The battery 9 can be used as a power source not only for
supplying the required power to the motor 10 but also to the
processor unit 8.
[0063] The functionality which is described with reference to the
flowchart depicted in FIG. 4 in the following is valid for powered
and for not powered oral care devices, for example, for powered
toothbrushes and for manual toothbrushes.
[0064] In step 100 the processor unit 8 may measure the capacitance
x of a capacitor formed by a first electrode and a second
electrode. This measured capacitance may then be compared in step
101 to a predetermined value z which has been determined in step
102. This predetermined value z for a capacitance may correspond to
a threshold value set for distinguishing between a situation in
which the head portion is inserted in a user's mouth and a
situation in which the head portion is located outside a user's
mouth.
[0065] Once the head portion is inserted in a user's mouth, wherein
at least the first electrode is brought near a dielectric, i.e. the
user's teeth and gum, the capacitance may x rise when compared to a
situation wherein the head portion is located outside the user's
mouth. Accordingly, once the measured capacitance x is larger than
the predetermined threshold value z then a warning signal is
produced in step 103. This warning signal may start or trigger a
timer counting the time during which the toothbrush is used, i.e.
the head portion is inserted into the user's mouth.
[0066] Once it is determined that the measured capacitance x is
smaller than the predetermined threshold value z then in step 104 a
trigger signal may be generated for stopping the timer, i.e. to
interrupt the counting of the time during which the toothbrush is
used. This assumes that when the oral care device, in particular
the head portion is not located inside of the user's oral cavity it
is not used for cleaning the user's mouth.
[0067] After steps 103 and 104 the method as depicted in the
flowchart of FIG. 4 may be repeated by beginning with step 100
again. In addition to the functionality as described with reference
to FIG. 4, a further functionality may be implemented for an
embodiment for example as depicted in FIG. 3. In order to avoid
that a drive is switched on when the head portion 2 is not inserted
into the user's oral cavity in step 104 as depicted in the flow
chart of FIG. 4 not only a trigger signal for stopping the timer
may be generated, but also the drive may be prevented from being
switched on once the measured capacitance x drops below the
predetermined threshold value z, i.e. it is determined that the
head portion has been removed from the user's oral cavity.
[0068] Correspondingly in step 103 the drive may be switched
active, i.e. may be switched on to provide an automated operation
of the oral care device. While the predetermined threshold value
may be a fixed value stored in a memory associated to the processor
unit 8 it may also be a value which is initialized by first
switching on the toothbrush during a cleaning cycle. As typically a
first switching on occurs in the mouth the capacitance measured
when the toothbrush is first switched on during a cleaning cycle
may be used as the threshold value. In some embodiments, triggering
of the initialization of the threshold value may be done by a
particular initialization button to be pushed by the user or a
certain pattern of one or more buttons to be pushed.
[0069] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".
[0070] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it
is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed
herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of
a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of
the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning
or definition assigned to that term in this document shall
govern.
[0071] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
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