Vibrating toothbrush using a magnetic driver
First Claim
1. A vibrating toothbrush, having a magnetic driver, comprising:
- a toothbrush body;
a lever arm having toothbrush bristles at one end thereof;
means for mounting the lever arm for vibrating action; and
an electromagnetic means for driving the lever arm about said mounting means, including permanent magnet means located on said lever arm in the vicinity of the other end thereof, and further including an electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet includes a first inductance to which a driving signal is applied and an energy recovery circuit for storing reactive energy which comprises a series connection of a second inductance and a capacitor, wherein the first and second inductances are arranged such that energy from the first inductance produced by application thereto of the driving signal is coupled into the second inductance, and wherein the second inductance and the electromagnet cooperate with the permanent magnet means to drive said lever arm.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
165 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vibrating toothbrush, having a magnetic driver, comprising:
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a toothbrush body; a lever arm having toothbrush bristles at one end thereof; means for mounting the lever arm for vibrating action; and an electromagnetic means for driving the lever arm about said mounting means, including permanent magnet means located on said lever arm in the vicinity of the other end thereof, and further including an electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet includes a first inductance to which a driving signal is applied and an energy recovery circuit for storing reactive energy which comprises a series connection of a second inductance and a capacitor, wherein the first and second inductances are arranged such that energy from the first inductance produced by application thereto of the driving signal is coupled into the second inductance, and wherein the second inductance and the electromagnet cooperate with the permanent magnet means to drive said lever arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An appliance having a vibrating lever arm, using a magnetic driver, comprising;
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an appliance body; a lever arm having an operating element at one end thereof; means for mounting the lever arm for vibrating action; and electromagnetic means for driving the lever arm about said mounting means, including permanent magnet means located on said lever arm in the vicinity of the other end thereof and further including an electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet includes a first inductance to which a driving signal is applied and an energy recovery circuit for storing reactive energy which comprises a series connection of a second inductance and a capacitor, wherein the first and second inductances are arranged such that energy from the first inductance produced by application thereto of the driving signal is coupled into the second inductance, and wherein the second inductance and the electromagnet cooperate with the permanent magnet means to drive said lever arm. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification