Cleaning appliance

• US 9,820,563 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2016
• Issued: 11/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Inventors: Follows, Thomas James Dunning, Bex-Russell, William John, Stickney, Timothy Nicholas, Courtney, Stephen Benjamin, Lemon, Graham Charles, Jones, Jason Godfrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiang, Jennifer C
• Application Number:
  US15/152,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20160331117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/04 with reservoir or other means for supplying substances
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/0095 Removable or interchangeable brush heads
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 7/08 as a rotating disc
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/04 Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
• 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 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/227 with reservoirs, e.g. for toothpaste
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/40 orbiting, e.g. nutating

Abstract

A dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid delivery system for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user; and a control circuit for controlling the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user. The appliance has a first operational mode in which the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is inhibited and a second operational mode in which the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is permitted. During use of the appliance, the control circuit is arranged to effect a transition between the first operational mode and the second operational mode automatically depending on a detected operational parameter of the appliance.

Claims

1. A dental cleaning appliance comprising:

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

a control circuit for controlling the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user;

wherein the appliance has a first operational mode in which the appliance is operating and the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is inhibited and a second operational mode in which the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is permitted, and wherein, during use of the appliance, the control circuit is arranged to effect a transition between the first operational mode and the second operational mode automatically depending on a detected operational parameter of the appliance;

wherein the detected operational parameter of the appliance is the magnitude of a load applied to the appliance during use thereof.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is arranged to effect a transition between the first operational mode and the second operational mode when the detected operational parameter of the appliance is above a non-zero threshold value.

3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a valve, and wherein the control circuit is arranged to control the actuation of the valve depending on the detected operational parameter of the appliance.

4. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a pump, and wherein the valve is located downstream from the pump.

5. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the valve is a solenoid valve.

6. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is arranged to actuate the delivery of fluid to the teeth of a user in response to a user action on the appliance during the second operational mode of the appliance.

7. The appliance of claim 6, wherein the user action on the appliance is the actuation of a button of the appliance.

8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is arranged to actuate the delivery of fluid to the teeth of a user automatically in response to an input received from a sensor during the second operational mode of the appliance.

9. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises a handle and a cleaning tool connected to the handle, the cleaning tool comprising a plurality of bristles.

10. The appliance of claim 9, wherein the cleaning tool comprises a moveable bristle carrier upon which the plurality of bristles is mounted, and the appliance comprises a drive unit for moving the bristle carrier, the drive unit comprising a motor.

11. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the detected operational parameter of the appliance is the magnitude of the current drawn by the motor during use of the appliance.

12. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a nozzle through which a burst of working fluid is delivered to the teeth of a user, and the bristle carrier is moveable relative to the nozzle.