Patent · US Expired

Vibrating toothbrush using a magnetic driver

US5263218A · kind A · utility

118Cited by
15References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 25, 1993
Grant dateNov 23, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 25, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61C2204/002
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A toothbrush which includes a toothbrush body (12) and a lever arm (14) having toothbrush bristles (18) at one end thereof. The lever arm (14) is mounted for pivotal movement at a pivot member (16) which is in the vicinity of the other end of the lever arm (14). In one embodiment, a pair of permanent magnets (44, 46) are provided at the other end of the lever arm (14), positioned side-by-side with opposite polarities. An electromagnet (24) is provided to the rear of the lever arm (14). The electromagnet (24) includes an E-core having top, bottom and center legs (30, 31, 33) with a coil (36) wound around its center leg (33) which receives an alternating current driving signal from an oscillator/battery section (38). The frequency of operation is in the range of 150-400 Hz. The action of the alternating current in the electromagnet (24) causes the lever arm (14) to move about the pivot member (16), first in one direction and then in an opposing direction to provide the desired vibrating effect.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.