Toothbrush with automatic actuation
US8966696B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/962
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The power toothbrush includes a handle (12) and a brushhead (18) having a conductive electrode sensing element (25) therein. The toothbrush includes a driver assembly (14) for the brushhead and a sensor system (28) for measuring the capacitance between the sensing element on/in the brushhead and an electronics ground (27) in the handle of the toothbrush. A microprocessor/controller (26) is programmed to determine whether the measured capacitance is above a threshold value, which indicates that the toothbrush is near or within the mouth of the user. The microprocessor actuates the driver assembly for operation of the toothbrush when the capacitance value is above the threshold value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.