System and method for determining the resonant frequency and/or amplitude of an oscillating appliance such as a power toothbrush
First Claim
1. A system for determining the resonant frequency and/or amplitude of an oscillating appliance, such as a toothbrush, having a drive assembly with a stator portion and an armature portion and a circuit for supplying a driving signal to the stator portion, comprising:
- a control circuit for temporarily interrupting the driving signal from the stator portion of the drive assembly for a selected period of time, wherein the selected period of time is long enough that a sufficient signal is induced into the stator, by continuing movement of the armature following interruption of the driving signal, that the frequency and/or amplitude of the induced signal can be determined; and
a measurement circuit for determining at least one of;
(1) the frequency of the induced signal; and
(2) the amplitude of the induced signal, wherein the induced signal provides useful information concerning operation of the appliance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and corresponding method for determining the frequency and/or amplitude of an oscillating apparatus, which includes a driving assembly having a stator portion and an armature portion, and a driving signal circuit which supplies a driving signal to the stator portion. A control circuit interrupts the drive signal momentarily, for at least a quarter of a cycle, at periodic intervals, resulting in a signal being induced into the stator coil from continuing movement of the armature. A measurement/read circuit is connected to the stator coil for determining one or both of the frequency of the induced signal and the amplitude of the induced signal. The frequency or amplitude information is then compared against pre-established values and any differences are used to change the driving signal so as to provide maximum performance of the appliance.
33 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for determining the resonant frequency and/or amplitude of an oscillating appliance, such as a toothbrush, having a drive assembly with a stator portion and an armature portion and a circuit for supplying a driving signal to the stator portion, comprising:
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a control circuit for temporarily interrupting the driving signal from the stator portion of the drive assembly for a selected period of time, wherein the selected period of time is long enough that a sufficient signal is induced into the stator, by continuing movement of the armature following interruption of the driving signal, that the frequency and/or amplitude of the induced signal can be determined; and
a measurement circuit for determining at least one of;
(1) the frequency of the induced signal; and
(2) the amplitude of the induced signal, wherein the induced signal provides useful information concerning operation of the appliance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for determining the frequency and/or amplitude of an oscillating apparatus which has a drive assembly with a stator portion and an armature portion and a circuit for applying a driving signal to the stator portion, comprising the steps of:
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interrupting the application of the driving signal in the stator portion for a selected period of time, at least for one-half cycle of the driving signal, resulting in a signal being induced into the stator from movement of the armature following interruption of the driving signal;
determining at least one of;
the frequency of the induced signal and the amplitude of the induced signal, wherein the induced signal provides useful information concerning the operation of the device;
comparing the determined frequency and/or amplitude with pre-established values and determining any differences therebetween; and
changing the driving frequency/amplitude of the drive signal in accordance with said differences. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification