Load sensing for oral devices
First Claim
1. A toothbrush comprising:
- a handle;
a brush tip connected to the handle, wherein the brush tip includes a plurality of bristles operably connected thereto;
a power source;
a direct current motor in selective electrical communication with the power source, wherein the motor includes a drive shaft;
a drive assembly connected between the brush tip and the drive shaft, wherein the drive assembly converts rotation of the drive shaft into movement of the plurality of bristles; and
a control assembly in electrical communication with the motor and the power source;
whereinafter activation of the motor, the control assembly determines an initial current draw by the motor to determine a no-load condition of the motor; and
once the initial current draw is determined and the motor continues to operate, the control assembly monitors an operating current draw by the motor and adjusts a current applied to the direct current motor based on comparison of a delta between the initial current draw and the operating current draw to a predetermined threshold.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A toothbrush is disclosed. The toothbrush includes a handle, a brush tip connected to the handle, wherein the brush tip includes a plurality of bristles operably connected thereto, a power source, a direct current motor in selective electrical communication with the power source, wherein the motor includes a drive shaft, a drive assembly connected between the brush tip and the drive shaft, wherein the drive assembly converts rotation of the drive shaft into movement of the plurality of bristles, and a control assembly in electrical communication with the motor and the power source; wherein during operation of the motor, the control assembly monitors a current draw by the motor and adjusts a current applied to the direct current motor based on the current draw.
819 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A toothbrush comprising:
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a handle; a brush tip connected to the handle, wherein the brush tip includes a plurality of bristles operably connected thereto; a power source; a direct current motor in selective electrical communication with the power source, wherein the motor includes a drive shaft; a drive assembly connected between the brush tip and the drive shaft, wherein the drive assembly converts rotation of the drive shaft into movement of the plurality of bristles; and a control assembly in electrical communication with the motor and the power source;
whereinafter activation of the motor, the control assembly determines an initial current draw by the motor to determine a no-load condition of the motor; and once the initial current draw is determined and the motor continues to operate, the control assembly monitors an operating current draw by the motor and adjusts a current applied to the direct current motor based on comparison of a delta between the initial current draw and the operating current draw to a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A toothbrush comprising:
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a brush tip comprising a plurality of bristles operably coupled thereto; a driver that actuates movement of the brush tip, the plurality of bristles, or a combination thereof; a power source that provides current to the driver; a sensing module that detects an initial current provided to the driver within a no-load window after startup and that detects an operating current provided to the driver during normal operation; and a controller coupled to the driver and the sensing module, wherein the controller dynamically adjusts a provided current to the driver based on a comparison of a delta between the initial current provided to the driver within the no-load window and the operating current provided to the driver during normal operation to a predetermined current threshold, wherein the comparison determines an adjustment to the current provided to the driver. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a toothbrush comprising:
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determining an initial current provided to a motor driving a plurality of bristles on a brush tip wherein the initial current is determined prior to applying any pressure to the plurality of bristles; detecting, by a sensing module, a current provided to the motor, wherein the detected current is proportional to a pressure applied to the plurality of bristles and the detected current is determined relative to the initial current; determining, by a processor, a delta between the detected current and the initial current; determining, by the processor, whether the delta exceeds a threshold current; and responsive to determining that the delta exceeds the threshold current, providing an alert to a user responsive to determining that the delta exceeds the threshold or dynamically adjusting one of a current or a voltage provided to the motor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification