JP2008029659A - Electric toothbrush and oral cavity cleaning device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric toothbrush having a high usability for an operator, allowing the operator to secure a sufficient operative field, and exchanging a brush at low cost. <P>SOLUTION: This electric toothbrush 30 is provided with a trunk part 33 gripped by a user, a case body 32 consisting of a brush support part 51 to be connected to the trunk part 33, a cup-shaped toothbrush 65 supported to the tip of the brush support part and a driving mechanism 36 reciprocatingly rotating the cup-shaped toothbrush 65. The cup-shaped toothbrush 65 is formed with a water supply opening part 71 at its central part, and the brush support part 51 is formed with suction opening parts in the periphery of the cup-shaped toothbrush 65. The case part 32, in its inside, is disposed with inner water supply pipes 44 and 45 and inner drains 46 and 47. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush suitable for oral care of a care recipient and an intraoral cleaning device provided with the same.

  Conventionally, what was disclosed by Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 11-103938 is known as an electric toothbrush and an intraoral cleaning apparatus used for oral care of a care recipient.

  This intraoral cleaning device includes an electric toothbrush including a body portion that has a substantially cylindrical shape and a toothbrush head that is detachably inserted at the tip of the body portion. The toothbrush head reciprocates linearly along the longitudinal direction of the trunk, and the flocked surface is scraped off by the brush with a liquid supply hole for supplying cleaning liquid to the brush planted on the flocked surface. A suction hole is provided for collecting food residues, saliva, and dirty cleaning fluid.

  A nipple having a suction pipe connector and a liquid supply pipe connector is fixed on the back surface of the toothbrush head, and a double tube including a liquid supply pipe and a suction pipe is connected to the connector.

  The liquid supply pipe is connected to a tube pump of the apparatus main body, and the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid container is fed into the liquid supply pipe by the tube pump. The suction pipe is connected to a suction pump, and a negative pressure generated by the suction pump acts in the suction pipe.

  Thus, in this intraoral cleaning device, first, the suction pump is operated to apply a negative pressure to the suction tube, and a negative pressure is applied to the suction hole of the toothbrush head leading to the suction tube. Next, the tube pump is driven to feed the cleaning liquid into the liquid supply pipe, and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the liquid supply hole of the toothbrush head through the liquid supply pipe, and the cleaning liquid is discharged from the liquid supply hole.

  Then, the practitioner applies the negative pressure to the suction hole in this way, uses the electric toothbrush in a state where the cleaning liquid is discharged from the liquid supply hole, and reciprocates the toothbrush head, so that the operator (care-requiring care is required). The person's mouth is treated (toothpaste).

  By treating the brush while supplying cleaning solution, it is possible to effectively remove food residues, and by applying negative pressure to the suction holes, the removed food residues, saliva, etc. are aspirated. They can be sucked into the holes and discharged from the oral cavity.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-103938

  However, in the conventional electric toothbrush described above, a suction pipe that applies a negative pressure to the suction hole and a liquid supply pipe that supplies the cleaning liquid to the liquid supply hole are provided outside, and these are provided on the back surface of the toothbrush head. In addition, since it is structured to be connected to each connector, it is not easy to operate an electric toothbrush in a narrow oral cavity, and a liquid supply pipe and a suction pipe (double tube) are provided as the toothbrush head reciprocates. In order to vibrate, the practitioner has to grip and operate the double tube in addition to the electric toothbrush, and the handling is extremely bad.

  Further, in the above-described conventional electric toothbrush, the intermediate portion of the toothbrush head, that is, the portion connected to the body portion and the portion provided with the brush at the tip are formed into a narrow and narrow shape. For this reason, there is a problem that the recipient can easily close the mouth, that is, from the viewpoint of the practitioner, it is difficult to visually recognize the brush portion (the surgical field cannot be sufficiently secured), and a sufficient brushing effect cannot be obtained. It was. In this case, the practitioner needs to move the lips using his / her finger, but as described above, the practitioner has to operate the double tube in addition to the electric toothbrush, thus expanding such a surgical field. It is difficult to work.

  Further, when the brush portion is worn out by use, it is necessary to replace the entire toothbrush head with a new one, and there is a problem that the cost for replacement is high.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an electric toothbrush that is easy to handle for a practitioner, can easily secure a sufficient surgical field, and has a low cost for brush replacement. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an intraoral cleaning device equipped with

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a hollow cylindrical body that is gripped by a user during use, and a hollow cylinder that is provided so as to extend outward from one end of the body. A container body comprising a molded brush support,
A cup-type toothbrush that is supported rotatably at the center of the shaft, and is supported at the tip of the brush support so that the axis intersects the longitudinal direction of the container body;
A drive mechanism housed in the container body, comprising an electric motor, and an electric mechanism comprising a drive mechanism that transmits the power of the electric motor to the cup-type toothbrush and reciprocally rotates in the lateral direction of the shaft center. In the toothbrush
The cup-type toothbrush has an opening for water supply at the center, and the brush support part of the container body is the periphery of the cup-type toothbrush and is around the trunk side An opening for suction is formed on the
Further, in the container body, one end is connected to a water supply opening formed in the cup-type toothbrush, and the other end protrudes outward from the other end of the body portion, and one end is The electric toothbrush is connected to a suction opening formed in the brush support portion, and is provided with a drain pipe having the other end protruding outward from the other end portion of the body portion.

  Further, the present invention is an intraoral cleaning device provided with the above electric toothbrush, wherein the cleaning liquid supply means supplies a pressurized cleaning liquid connected to the other end of the water supply pipe, and the other of the drain pipe. The present invention relates to an intraoral cleaning device comprising suction means connected to an end and applying a negative pressure to the drain pipe.

  According to this intraoral cleaning device, first, the suction means is driven to apply a negative pressure to the drain pipe of the electric toothbrush, and at the same time, the cleaning liquid supply means is driven to pressurize the water supply pipe of the electric toothbrush. Supply cleaning solution. As a result, negative pressure acts on the suction opening of the electric toothbrush and the cleaning liquid is discharged from the water supply opening formed in the center of the cup-type toothbrush.

  Then, using the electric toothbrush in this state, the practitioner reciprocates the cup-type toothbrush and treats (toothpaste) the oral cavity of the recipient (care recipient). Thus, by discharging the cleaning liquid from the water supply opening of the cup-type toothbrush and performing the treatment while supplying the cleaning liquid to the treatment section, it is possible to effectively remove food residues and the like by the toothbrush, By applying a negative pressure to the suction opening, the removed food residue, saliva, and the like can be sucked from the suction suction opening and discharged from the oral cavity.

  At that time, since the water supply pipe and the drain pipe are accommodated in the container body, the practitioner only has to operate the electric toothbrush, and the operation in the narrow oral cavity can be performed as compared with the conventional electric toothbrush described above. It can be done easily and its handling is very good.

  Further, in the present invention, as described above, the water supply pipe and the drain pipe are accommodated in the container body constituted by the trunk part and the brush support part, and therefore the brush support part accommodates the water supply pipe and the drain pipe. An internal volume that can be used is necessary. For this reason, the brush support portion does not have a narrow and narrow shape as in the prior art, but naturally has a thickness that is approximately the same as the diameter of the cup-type toothbrush.

  Therefore, in the electric toothbrush of the present invention, compared to the conventional one, it is difficult for the recipient to close the mouth during the operation, in other words, it is easy to secure the surgical field of the operator, and it is easy to obtain a sufficient brushing effect. There are also benefits.

  In this sense, the electric toothbrush according to the present invention includes an axis of the cup-type toothbrush, and bulges bulge outward on both sides of the brush support portion with respect to a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container body. It is preferable that the protruding portion is formed.

  The bulging portions formed on both sides of the brush support portion serve to push the lips apart when the brush support portion is inserted into the oral cavity. Therefore, it is possible to secure a sufficient surgical field for the practitioner and perform a more effective brushing effect.

  In order to secure a wider surgical field, it is preferable that the brush support portion is tilted to the side opposite to the side on which the cup-type toothbrush is mounted. In this way, when the practitioner grips the electric toothbrush and applies the cup-type toothbrush to the tooth part of the recipient, the treatment that grips the electric toothbrush because the brush support part is tilted. Because the operator's own hand and the body of the electric toothbrush are removed from the operator's line of sight, the operator can directly view the operation part in the same posture and perform accurate processing. .

  Moreover, the electric toothbrush according to the present invention may include a lamp that illuminates the cup-type brush by irradiating light toward the cup-type brush. Since the inside of the recipient's oral cavity is dim, it is difficult to accurately view the surgical part as it is, but since the surgical part can be illuminated by the lamp, the surgical part can be accurately visually confirmed. Accurate processing can be performed.

  Moreover, the electric toothbrush which concerns on this invention may be supported by the brush support part so that a cup type toothbrush can be attached or detached. In this way, when the cup-type toothbrush is worn out by use, only the cup-type toothbrush needs to be replaced with a new one, so that the brush-supporting portion and the cup-type toothbrush supported by the brush-supporting toothbrush are replaced. Compared to the conventional one configured as described above, the cost for brush replacement can be reduced.

  Further, the cleaning liquid supply means in the present invention includes an external water supply pipe having flexibility connected to the other end of the water supply pipe, and a pressing member that contacts and presses the external water supply pipe, You may provide the flow volume adjustment means which consists of an adjustment mechanism which advances and retracts a press member with respect to the said external water supply pipe, and adjusts the degree of the press with respect to the said external water supply pipe.

  If the amount of the cleaning liquid discharged from the electric toothbrush is too large, it cannot be completely sucked and drained from the suction opening, and gradually accumulates in the recipient's oral cavity. In addition to being a burden, there is a problem that the cleaning liquid leaks from the oral cavity and the surroundings become dirty. On the other hand, if the amount is too small, the expected cleaning effect cannot be obtained. Therefore, the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid needs to be an appropriate amount that can obtain a sufficient cleaning effect and can be completely sucked and drained from the suction opening.

  If the flow rate adjusting means having the above configuration is provided, the supply flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied to the water supply pipe, that is, the cleaning liquid discharged from the water supply opening by adjusting the degree of pressing of the pressing member against the external water supply pipe. Can be finely adjusted, and the appropriate amount of the cleaning liquid can be discharged from the water supply opening.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, since the water supply pipe and the drain pipe of the electric toothbrush are housed in the container body, the practitioner only has to operate the electric toothbrush, and the conventional electric toothbrush described above. Compared to the above, operation in a narrow oral cavity can be easily performed, and the handling is very good.

  In addition, since the brush support portion naturally has a thickness approximately the same as the diameter of the cup-type toothbrush, it is difficult for the recipient to close his / her mouth during the operation, in other words, to secure the surgical field for the operator. Since it is easy, there is also a merit that it is easy to obtain a sufficient brushing effect.

  If the bulges are provided on both sides of the brush support part, the bulges will play a role of expanding the lips, so that a sufficient surgical field can be secured and a more effective brushing effect can be achieved. it can.

  Further, if the brush support part is tilted, the operator's own hand holding the electric toothbrush and the body of the electric toothbrush when the operator applies the cup-type toothbrush to the recipient's tooth part. Thus, it is possible to prevent the surgical site from becoming a blind spot, and the practitioner can directly view the surgical site in the same posture and perform accurate processing.

  In addition, if a lamp that illuminates and illuminates the cup-type brush is provided on the trunk, the surgical site can be illuminated by this lamp, so that the surgical site can be accurately confirmed and accurately Can be processed.

  Further, when the cup-type toothbrush is provided so as to be detachable from the brush support portion, only the cup-type toothbrush needs to be replaced with a new one, so that the cost for brush replacement can be reduced.

  Further, if a flow rate adjusting means configured to adjust the supply flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied to the water supply pipe by adjusting the degree of pressing of the pressing member against the external water supply pipe is discharged from the water supply opening. The amount of cleaning liquid discharged can be finely adjusted, and an appropriate amount of cleaning liquid can be discharged from the water supply opening.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram partially showing a schematic configuration of an intraoral cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the intraoral cleaning device 1 of this example includes an electric toothbrush 30, a cleaning liquid supply unit 3 that supplies a cleaning liquid pressurized to the electric toothbrush 30, and a suction that applies a negative pressure to the electric toothbrush 30. The unit 21 and the controller 2 are provided.

  The cleaning liquid supply unit 3 includes a container 4 that stores the cleaning liquid, a pressure pump 5 that pressurizes and discharges the cleaning liquid in the container 4, an electric motor 6 that drives the pressure pump 5, and an electric toothbrush 30 at one end. The other end of the external water supply pipe 7 is connected to the discharge portion of the pressurizing pump 5 and the flow rate adjusting device 10 is provided in the middle of the external water supply pipe 7.

  The container 4 may have any shape, but a cup-shaped one is simply applied. Further, the rotation speed of the electric motor 6 is steplessly changed by the controller 2, and the discharge of the cleaning liquid discharged from the pressure pump 5 is controlled by controlling the rotation speed of the electric motor 6. The flow rate is adjusted steplessly.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the flow rate adjusting device 10 includes a base member 11, a cover member 15 engaged with the base member 11, and a pressing member 17. The base member 11 is formed with grooves 12 that open on the upper surface and both end surfaces in the longitudinal direction, and both side surfaces 12b and 12c have a predetermined gradient with respect to the bottom surface 12a along the longitudinal direction of the groove 12, respectively. Grooves 13 and 14 are formed in the first and second grooves.

  The pressing member 17 includes an operation disk 18 and center shafts 19 and 19 provided at the center of the operation disk 18 so as to extend outward from both end faces thereof. , 19 are inserted into the grooves 13, 14 of the base member 11, respectively.

  And the external water supply pipe | tube 7 provided with said softness | flexibility is arrange | positioned between the operation disc 18 and the bottom face 12a, is pressed between the said operation disc 18 and the bottom face 12a, and has deform | transformed flatly. It has become.

  Thus, when the operation disk 18 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow a, the operation disk 18 rises in the direction indicated by the arrow c, that is, the bottom surface 12a due to the frictional resistance between the external water supply pipe 7 and the operation disk 18. By moving in the inclined direction, the distance between the operation disk 18 and the bottom surface 12a is narrowed, the external water supply pipe 7 is deformed more flatly, the pipe diameter is reduced, and the inside of the external water supply pipe 7 is circulated. The flow rate of the cleaning liquid is reduced.

  On the contrary, when the operation disk 18 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow b, the operation disk 18 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow d, that is, in the downward inclination direction with respect to the bottom surface 12a, and the operation disk 18 and the bottom surface 12a are moved. The interval widens, the external water supply pipe 7 is restored in the direction of recovery to a circle, the pipe diameter is increased, and the flow rate of the cleaning liquid flowing through the external water supply pipe 7 is increased.

  As described above, according to the flow rate adjusting device 10, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid flowing through the external water supply pipe 7 can be adjusted by moving the operation disk 18 in the arrow ab direction, The degree of pressing of the operation disk 18 against the external water supply pipe 7, in other words, the degree of deformation of the external water supply pipe 7 is adjusted by the gradient between the grooves 13, 14 and the bottom surface 12 a, so that the flow rate is finely adjusted. Can do.

  The suction unit 21 includes a suction box 22 having a sealed space, a vacuum pump 23 that exhausts the air in the suction box 22 to the outside, an electric motor 24 that drives the vacuum pump 23, and one end connected to the electric toothbrush 30. The external drain pipe 25 is connected to the suction box 22 at the other end.

  When the air in the suction box 22 is exhausted to the outside by the vacuum pump 23 driven by the electric motor 24, the inside of the suction box 22 becomes negative pressure, and this negative pressure is passed through the external drain pipe 25 to the electric toothbrush 30. Act on.

  Similarly to the electric motor 6 described above, the electric motor 24 is changed steplessly by the controller 2, and by controlling the electric motor 24, the inside of the suction box 22 is controlled. The pressure of can be adjusted steplessly.

  The container 4, the pressure pump 5, the electric motor 6, the suction box 22, the vacuum pump 23, and the electric motor 24 are accommodated in an appropriate box 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the electric toothbrush 30 includes a hollow cylindrical body 33 and a brush support section having a hollow cylindrical shape that is detachably connected to one end of the body 33. 51, a cup-type toothbrush 65 supported at the tip of the brush support 51, a drive mechanism 36 provided in the container 32, a first internal water supply pipe 44, a second internal A water supply pipe 45, a first internal drain pipe 46, a second internal drain pipe 47, and the like are provided.

  The body portion 33 includes a hollow tubular tubular member 34, a sealing member 50 for sealing the end portion on the connection side, and an end member 35 for sealing the end portion on the opposite side. A frame 31 is provided. Further, the end member 35 is provided with a water supply connector 62, a drainage connector 63, and a power input terminal 64, and the sealing member 50 has a water supply connector 48, a drainage connector 49, and a hollow shaft-like connecting portion (see FIG. Not shown).

  A first internal water supply pipe 44 is provided between the water supply connector 62 of the end member 35 and the water supply connector 48 of the sealing member 50, and an end portion of the first internal water supply pipe 44 is provided. A first internal drain pipe 46 is provided between the drain connector 63 of the end member 35 and the drain connector 49 of the sealing member 50, respectively. The ends of the first internal drain pipe 46 are connected to drain connectors 63 and 49, respectively. The other end of the external water supply pipe 7 is connected to the outer end of the water supply connector 62, and the other end of the external drain pipe 25 is connected to the outer end of the drainage connector 63.

  The drive mechanism 36 includes an electric motor 37 and a bevel gear 38b supported by the frame 31, a bevel gear 38a fixed to an output shaft of the electric motor 37, and meshed with the bevel gear 38b, and one end of the bevel gear 38b. A crank arm 39 pivotally attached to the end face by a pin 42, a crank rod 40 having one end connected to the other end of the crank arm 39 by a pin 43, and the other end of the crank rod 40 are detachably provided. Drive rod 41. The electric motor 37 is electrically connected to the power input terminal 64, and power is supplied from the controller 2 through the power input terminal 64 to rotate the bevel gear 38 a.

  The brush support 51 includes a hollow cylindrical support main body 52 having an opening on the upper surface, a lid member 54 that seals the opening of the support main body 52, and an end on the connection side of the support main body 52. And a sealing member 55 for sealing the portion.

  The support portion main body 52 is formed in a state of being warped (tilted) on the upper surface side with respect to the axis (longitudinal direction) of the body portion 33. As shown in FIGS. A circular opening 61 having a flange-like edge is formed. In the opening 61, two key groove-shaped holes 61 a penetrating up and down the edge are formed at 180 ° intervals along the longitudinal direction of the brush support portion 51. Further, an arcuate opening 60 along the opening 61 is formed at a position near the body 33 of the opening 61.

  Further, bulging portions 53 and 53 bulging outward are formed on the side surfaces of both sides of the support portion main body 52, respectively.

  The sealing member 55 is provided with a water supply connector 56, a drainage connector 57 and a hollow shaft-like connecting portion 58, and a connecting portion (not shown) of the body portion 33 is formed in the hollow portion of the connecting portion 58. By being inserted, both connecting portions are connected, and the brush support portion 51 is attached and connected to the body portion 33. And the brush support part 51 is connected with the trunk | drum 33, the outer end surfaces of the said water supply connectors 48 and 56 are joined and connected, and the outer end surfaces of the drainage connectors 49 and 57 are joined and connected. .

  Note that the other end of the crank rod 40 and one end of the drive rod 41 are inserted into the hollow portions of the connecting portion (not shown) of the sealing member 50 and the connecting portion 58 of the sealing member 55, respectively. When the brush support portion 51 is detached from the body portion 33, the engagement is released, and when the brush support portion 51 is attached to the body portion 33, the both are engaged. To do.

  One end of a second internal water supply pipe 45 is connected to the water supply connector 56, and one end of a second internal water discharge pipe 47 is connected to the drainage connector 57.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lid member 54 has a hollow support shaft 59 that hangs downward on the lower surface thereof. The lower surface of the support shaft 59 is opened, and a through hole 59a penetrating the inner peripheral surface is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

  When the lid member 54 is attached to the support portion main body 52, the support shaft 59 and the other end of the second internal water supply pipe 45 fixed to the support portion main body 52 come into contact with each other. A through hole 45a drilled in the water supply pipe 45 and a through hole 59a of the support shaft 59 communicate with each other.

  The cup-type toothbrush 65 includes a base portion 66 having a stepped columnar shape with an upper portion 68 having a small diameter and a lower portion 67 having a large diameter, and a brush 70 implanted on the lower surface of the base portion 66. A supported hole 69 into which the support shaft 59 is inserted is formed in the upper surface of the base 66, and a discharge hole 71 that penetrates from the lower surface of the supported hole 69 to the lower surface of the base 66 is formed. ing.

  In addition, a key-like shape that can pass through the inside of the hole 61a is located above the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 68 at a position separated from the upper surface of the large-diameter portion 67 by a distance equal to or greater than the thickness of the edge of the opening 61. Two protrusions 68a are formed at 180 ° intervals in the circumferential direction.

  In addition, a pin 72 is erected on the upper surface of the base 66 at the same phase position as that of the one protrusion 68a, and the other end of the drive rod 41 is axially releasably connected by the pin 72. .

  Thus, the cup-type toothbrush 65 has the lid member 54 removed from the support body 52, and the drive rod 41 is removed from the pin 72. Thereafter, the hole 61a formed in the opening 61, When the cup-type toothbrush 65 is rotated so as to coincide with the protrusion 68 a of the cup-type toothbrush 65 and moved downward, it can be removed from the support body 52.

  On the contrary, when the coffin hole 61a formed in the opening 61 and the protruding portion 68a of the cup-type toothbrush 65 are made to coincide with each other and moved upward, the upper portion of the small diameter portion 68 becomes the support portion main body 52. Then, when this is rotated around the central axis, the edge of the opening 61 enters between the upper surface of the large diameter portion 67 and the lower surface of the protruding portion 68a. The drop-out is prevented and the cup-type toothbrush 65 is attached to the support body 52.

  Next, after the drive rod 41 is engaged with the pin 72 and the lid member 54 is attached to the support body 52, the support shaft 59 contacts the other end of the second internal water supply pipe 45 as described above. The cup-shaped toothbrush 65 is inserted into the supported hole 69 of the cup-type toothbrush 65 and supported by the support shaft 59 in a rotatable manner.

  Only the cup-type toothbrush 65 can be replaced by the above operation.

Further, the other end of the second internal drain pipe 47 is fixed to the support body 52 so that the opening 47 a communicates with the opening 60 formed in the support body 52. Then, the thickness of the large diameter portion 67 of the cup-shaped toothbrush 65 is in the state shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the thickness t ₂ of the body portion 33 side, thinner than the thickness t ₁ of the distal ing.

  In addition, a lamp 75 that irradiates and illuminates light toward the cup-type toothbrush 65 is provided on the lower side of the sealing member 50, and this lamp 75 is electrically connected to the power input terminal 64. Then, power is supplied from the outside through the power input terminal 64. The lamp 75 is covered with a bulging portion 34 a of the tubular member 34.

  The trunk portion 33 is provided with switches 76 and 77. The switch 76 is interposed between the lamp 75 and the power input terminal 64 to turn on and off the power to the lamp 75. The electric motor 37 is interposed between the electric motor 37 and the power input terminal 64 to turn on and off the electric motor 37.

  When electric power is supplied to the electric motor 37 of the drive mechanism 36, the bevel gear 38a is rotated by the electric motor 37, whereby the bevel gear 38b meshing with the bevel gear 38b is rotated, and the bevel gear 38b is rotated. Is converted into a reciprocating linear motion along the longitudinal direction of the body portion 33 by the link relationship between the crank arm 39 and the crank rod 40, and this reciprocating linear motion is transmitted to the drive rod 41 by the engagement relationship with the crank rod 40. Then, the cup-type toothbrush 65 engaged with the drive rod 41 via the pin 72 reciprocates around the axis of the support shaft 59 by the reciprocating linear motion of the drive rod 41.

  Thus, according to the intraoral cleaning device 1 of the present example having the above configuration, the practitioner firstly operates the electric motor 6 of the cleaning liquid supply unit 3 and the electric motor of the suction unit 21 under the control of the controller 2. 6 is activated.

  When the electric motor 6 is driven, the pressurizing pump 5 is operated thereby, and the cleaning liquid stored in the container 4 is pressurized by the pressurizing pump 5 and discharged to the external water supply pipe 7. The flow rate of the cleaning liquid supplied to the external water supply pipe 7 is adjusted by the flow rate adjusting device 10, and the cleaning liquid having the adjusted flow rate is supplied to the electric toothbrush 30.

  On the other hand, when the electric motor 24 is driven, the vacuum pump 23 is actuated, and the vacuum pump 23 causes negative pressure in the suction box 22, and negative pressure acts on the electric toothbrush 30 through the external drain pipe 25. . The negative pressure generated in the suction box 22 by the vacuum pump 23 is also adjusted steplessly by the controller 2.

  In the electric toothbrush 30 supplied with the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid flows into the first internal water supply pipe 44 from the water supply connector 62, and thereafter, the water supply connectors 48 and 56 and the second internal water supply pipe 45 are sequentially passed through. Then, it flows into the internal space 59b of the support shaft 59 from the through hole 45a, and is discharged to the outside from the discharge hole 71 formed in the center portion of the cup type toothbrush 65.

  The negative pressure acting on the drainage pipe 25 is finally passed through the drainage connector 63, the first internal drainage pipe 46, the drainage connectors 49 and 57, and the second internal drainage pipe 47 sequentially. The opening 47 a acts on the opening 59 of the support body 52.

  The discharge flow rate of the cleaning liquid discharged from the pressurizing pump 5 can be adjusted steplessly under the control of the controller 2, and the discharge flow rate of the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge hole 71 of the cup-type toothbrush 65 is a flow rate. Fine adjustment can be performed by the adjusting device 10. Further, the negative pressure generated in the suction box 22 by the vacuum pump 23 can be adjusted steplessly by the controller 2, and therefore the negative pressure acting on the opening 59 of the electric toothbrush 30 is also adjusted steplessly. can do.

  When the cleaning liquid is supplied to the electric toothbrush 30 and negative pressure is applied in this way, the practitioner next uses the electric toothbrush 30 in this state to turn on the switch 76 and turn on the lamp 75. Then, the switch 77 is turned on to reciprocate the cup-type toothbrush, thereby treating (tooth brushing) the oral cavity of the recipient (care recipient).

  At that time, the cleaning liquid can be discharged from the discharge hole 71 of the cup-type toothbrush 65 and the treatment can be performed while the cleaning liquid is supplied to the treatment portion. Therefore, the removal of food residues and the like by the brush 70 can be effectively performed, Further, since negative pressure is applied to the opening 59, the removed food residue, washing liquid, saliva and the like are sucked from the opening 59 by the negative pressure and discharged from the oral cavity.

  Note that food residues and the like sucked from the opening 59 are sucked into the second internal drain pipe 47 from the opening 47a of the second internal drain pipe 47, and thereafter, the first internal drain pipe 44, the external It is collected in the suction box 22 through the drain pipe 25.

  Further, since the first water supply pipe 44 and the first drain pipe 46 are accommodated in the body portion 33, and the second water supply pipe 45 and the second drain pipe 47 are accommodated in the brush support portion 51. The practitioner only needs to operate the electric toothbrush 30 and can easily operate in a narrow oral cavity as compared with the conventional electric toothbrush, and the handling is very good.

  Further, since the second water supply pipe 45 and the second drain pipe 47 are housed in the brush support part 51 in this way, the brush support part 51 includes the second water supply pipe 45 and the second drain pipe. Therefore, the brush support 51 does not have a narrow constricted shape as in the prior art, but naturally has a thickness approximately the same as the diameter of the cup-type toothbrush 65. It has become. Furthermore, bulging portions 53, 53 bulging outward are provided on both side surfaces. The bulging portions 53 and 53 serve to push and spread the lips when the brush support portion 51 is inserted into the oral cavity.

  Thus, in the electric toothbrush 30 of this example, since the thickness of the brush support portion 51 is thicker than that of the conventional one, it is difficult for the recipient to close his / her mouth during the operation, and it is easy to secure the surgical field of the operator. Therefore, there is a merit that it is easy to obtain a sufficient brushing effect. Further, if the lip is spread using the bulging portions 53, 53, the surgical field of the practitioner can be sufficiently secured, and a more effective toothbrushing effect can be performed.

  Moreover, in the electric toothbrush 30 of this example, since the brush support portion 51 is inclined to the side opposite to the side on which the cup-type toothbrush 65 is mounted, the practitioner grasps the electric toothbrush 30, When the cup-type toothbrush 65 is applied to the tooth portion of the recipient, the brush support portion 51 is tilted, so that the operator's own hand holding the electric toothbrush 30 and the body portion 33 of the electric toothbrush 30 Since the operator's line of sight deviates from the outside, the practitioner can directly view the surgical part in the same posture, and can perform more accurate processing.

  Further, in the electric toothbrush 30 of the present example, a lamp 75 that irradiates and illuminates light toward the cup-type brush 65 is provided in the body portion 33, and the surgical site is illuminated by the lamp 75, thereby the surgical site. Can be accurately recognized, and more accurate processing can be performed.

  Moreover, in the intraoral cleaning apparatus 1 of this example, since the discharge flow rate of the cleaning liquid discharged from the electric toothbrush 30 can be finely adjusted by the flow rate adjusting device 10, an appropriate amount necessary for cleaning is supplied to the surgical site. Can do. Therefore, because the amount of water supply is too large, the cleaning liquid accumulates in the oral cavity of the recipient and leaks out of the oral cavity, and conversely, because the amount is small, the expected cleaning effect cannot be obtained. Problems can be prevented from occurring.

The thickness of the large diameter portion 67 of the cup-shaped toothbrush 65 has a thickness t ₂ of the body portion 33 side, since thinner than the distal thickness t _1, an electric toothbrush 30 is turned upside down, the cup-shaped When the cleaning operation is performed with the toothbrush 65 facing upward, the brushed surface of the base 66 has a downward slope toward the body 33 side, so that the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge hole 71 is opened by the inclination. 59, and is easily discharged from the opening 59.

  Further, in the electric toothbrush 30 of this example, when the cup-type toothbrush 65 is worn out, only the cup-type toothbrush 65 can be replaced with a new one, so that the brush support portion 51 and the cup-type supported by this are supported. Compared to the conventional one configured to replace the toothbrush 65, the cost for brush replacement can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, the specific aspect which this invention can take is not limited to this.

  In particular, in the above example, the bulging portion 53 is formed in the support portion main body 52 of the brush support portion 51. However, in the case where a sufficient surgical field for the practitioner can be secured, FIG. 12 and FIG. As shown, this need not be provided.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitable as an electric toothbrush for oral care of a care recipient and an intraoral cleaning device equipped with the same.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the schematic structure of the intraoral cleaning apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention with a partial block diagram. It is the front view which showed the electric toothbrush which concerns on this embodiment. It is a top view of the electric toothbrush which concerns on this embodiment. It is a bottom view of the electric toothbrush which concerns on this embodiment. It is a side surface of the electric toothbrush which concerns on this embodiment. It is the fracture | rupture sectional view seen from the bottom face side of the electric toothbrush which concerns on this embodiment. It is a plane sectional view of the tip part of the electric toothbrush concerning this embodiment, and is an arrow CC sectional view in Drawing 8. It is sectional drawing of the arrow AA direction in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the arrow BB direction in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the flow volume adjustment apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, and is sectional drawing of the arrow EE direction in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the arrow DD direction in FIG. It is the front view which showed the electric toothbrush which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is the top view which showed the electric toothbrush which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Oral cleaning apparatus 2 Controller 3 Cleaning liquid supply part 7 External water supply pipe 10 Flow rate adjustment apparatus 21 Suction part 25 External drain pipe 30 Electric toothbrush 32 Container body 33 trunk | drum 36 Drive mechanism 44 1st internal water supply pipe 45 2nd inside Water supply pipe 46 First internal drain pipe 47 Second internal drain pipe 51 Brush support part 53 Swelling part 60 Opening part 65 Cup type toothbrush 71 Discharge hole 75 Lamp

Claims (7)

A container body comprising a hollow cylindrical body gripped by a user during use, and a brush support portion having a hollow cylindrical shape provided so as to extend outward from one end of the body. When,
A cup-type toothbrush that is supported rotatably at the center of the shaft, and is supported at the tip of the brush support so that the axis intersects the longitudinal direction of the container body;
A drive mechanism housed in the container body, comprising an electric motor, and an electric mechanism comprising a drive mechanism that transmits the power of the electric motor to the cup-type toothbrush and reciprocally rotates in the lateral direction of the shaft center. In the toothbrush
The cup-type toothbrush has an opening for water supply at the center, and the brush support part of the container body is the periphery of the cup-type toothbrush and is around the trunk side An opening for suction is formed on the
Further, in the container body, one end is connected to a water supply opening formed in the cup-type toothbrush, and the other end protrudes outward from the other end of the body portion, and one end is An electric toothbrush comprising: a drain pipe connected to a suction opening formed in the brush support portion and having the other end protruding outward from the other end portion of the body portion.   2. A bulging portion that bulges outward is formed on both sides of the brush support portion on the basis of a plane that includes the axis of the cup-type toothbrush and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container body. The electric toothbrush according to 1.   3. The electric toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the brush support portion is formed so as to tilt to a side opposite to a side on which the cup-type toothbrush is mounted.   The electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a lamp that irradiates and illuminates light toward the cup-type brush is provided in the body portion.   The electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cup-type toothbrush is detachably supported by the brush support portion. The electric toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Cleaning liquid supply means for supplying pressurized cleaning liquid connected to the other end of the water supply pipe;
An intraoral cleaning apparatus comprising: suction means connected to the other end of the drain pipe to apply a negative pressure to the drain pipe. The cleaning liquid supply means comprises an external water supply pipe having flexibility connected to the other end of the water supply pipe,
Furthermore, flow rate adjusting means comprising a pressing member that contacts and presses against the external water supply pipe, and an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the degree of pressing against the external water supply pipe by advancing and retracting the pressing member with respect to the external water supply pipe. The intraoral cleaning device according to claim 6, comprising:

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