Wear sensor device and method

• US 20020088068A1
• Filed: 12/15/2000
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arthur D. Little Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Arthur D. Little Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Coriat, Daniel S., Levy, David H.
• Application Number:
  US09/736,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20020088068A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/22.1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/001 with means indicating the remaining useful life of brush
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/221 Control arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3436 Rotation around the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3481 Vibrating brush body, e.g. by using eccentric weights

Abstract

A vibrating toothbrush having an indicator which changes in response to vibration is arranged to provide an indication directly related to the cumulative duration of the vibrations.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing an indication of duration of vibrations produced in a device comprising:

indicator means coupled to said device to continually change in response to said vibrations to provide an indication directly related to the cumulative duration of said vibrations.

A toothbrush system comprising;

a base unit for generating an alternating magnetic field;

a head unit adapted for mounting by hand on said base unit including a toothbrush located near one end of the base unit and a magnet near the other end, the magnet being mechanically linked to the toothbrush, the magnet being located in the alternating field when the head unit is mounted on the base unit so as to vibrate said toothbrush; and

an indicator on said head unit which continually changes in response to said vibrations to generate a signal perceptible to the user of said system that the head unit should be replaced.