CLEANING APPLIANCE

• US 20180125621A1
• Filed: 11/03/2017
• Published: 05/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Inventors: TWEEDIE, Robert Lawrence, CARLYLE, Thomas Alexander, BOOTH, Andrew Steven
• Application Number:
  US15/802,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20180125621A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/0062 Brushes where the reservoir is specifically intended for being refilled when empty
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/02 Rinsing or air-blowing devices, e.g. using fluid jets or comprising liquid medication combined with receptacles for spittle A61C17/14; combined with power-driven cleaning or polishing devices A61C17/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/0202 Hand-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/221 Control arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/227 with reservoirs, e.g. for toothpaste
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3436 Rotation around the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3445 Translation along the axis of the toothbrush handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3454 Translation along the axis perpendicular of the axis of toothbrush handle and in the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3472 with combined movements of the brush body
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/36 with rinsing means

Abstract

A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle and a fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system includes a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user. The nozzle moves relative to the handle as the appliance is moved along the teeth of the user. A sensor provides an output which varies with movement of nozzle relative to the handle. A control circuit actuates the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on the output from the sensor. The control circuit is configured to adjust a parameter of the delivery to the teeth of the user, such as the volume of working fluid within a delivery, depending on the variation with time of the output from the sensor.

Claims

1. A dental cleaning appliance comprising:

a handle;

a fluid delivery system for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user;

a nozzle for contacting the teeth of the user or a contact member for contacting the teeth of the user, the nozzle or contact member being moveable relative to the handle as the appliance is moved along the teeth of the user;

a sensor for providing an output which varies with movement of the nozzle or contact member relative to the handle; and

a control circuit for actuating a delivery of at least one burst of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on the output from the sensor;

wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust a parameter of the delivery to the teeth of the user depending on the variation with time of the output from the sensor.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust a parameter of the delivery to the teeth of the user depending on the magnitude of the output from the sensor.

3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust a parameter of the delivery to the teeth of the user depending on the variation with time of the rate of change of the output from the sensor.

4. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust a parameter of the delivery to the teeth of the user when the rate of change of the output from the sensor remains within a predetermined range of values for a preset period of time.

5. The appliance of claim 4, wherein the range of values is delimited by a first, negative value and a second, positive value.

6. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the control circuit is configured to actuate the delivery to the teeth of the user automatically upon expiry of said preset period of time.

7. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the preset period of time is at least 1 second.

8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said parameter of the delivery to the teeth of the user is the volume of working fluid delivered to the teeth of the user in said delivery.

9. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said parameter of the delivery to the teeth of the user is the number of bursts of working fluid delivered to the teeth of the user in said delivery.