US 12,376,949 B2
Bristle driven pulsation
Karen Lynn Claire-Zimmet, Kronberg (DE); Niclas Altmann, Niddatal (DE); Thomas Fritsch, Eppstein (DE); and Norbert Schaefer, Frankfurt Am Main (DE)
Assigned to Braun GmbH, Kronberg (DE)
Filed by Braun GmbH, Kronberg (DE)
Filed on May 19, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/878,330.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/850,303, filed on May 20, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0367638 A1, Nov. 26, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61C 17/34 (2006.01); A46B 13/02 (2006.01); A46B 15/00 (2006.01); A61C 17/26 (2006.01); A46B 9/02 (2006.01)
CPC A61C 17/3436 (2013.01) [A46B 13/023 (2013.01); A46B 15/0012 (2013.01); A46B 15/0044 (2013.01); A61C 17/26 (2013.01); A61C 17/3472 (2013.01); A61C 17/3481 (2013.01); A46B 9/025 (2013.01); A46B 15/0008 (2013.01); A46B 2200/1066 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric toothbrush comprising:
a brush head including a plurality of angled bristles attached to the brush head at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the brush head; and
a handle removably attached to the brush head and including a linear motor coupled to and driving a gearing structure configured to transform a linear movement along a longitudinal axis of the linear motor into rotation of the plurality of angled bristles about an axis of rotation normal to a mounting surface of the brush head, the plurality of angled bristles being rotatable at at least one rotation frequency, clockwise and counterclockwise with respect to the brush head, wherein the at least one rotation frequency is at or above a frequency threshold,
wherein the brush head moves toward and away from a contact surface solely via bristle-driven pulsation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and in synchronization with the rotation of the plurality of angled bristles, wherein the bristle-driven pulsation results from the rotating plurality of angled bristles contacting the contact surface.
 
18. A method for providing bristle driven pulsation of an electric toothbrush, the method comprising:
providing the electric toothbrush comprising a brush head with a plurality of angled bristles, the toothbrush having a linear motor, a gearing structure coupled to and driven by the linear motor to transform a linear movement of the linear motor along a longitudinal axis into an oscillating rotating movement of the plurality of angled bristles at a rotation frequency which is at or above a frequency threshold, wherein the plurality of angled bristles are attached to the brush head at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the brush head; and
bristle-driven pulsation results as the plurality of angled bristles rotate and contact a contact surface, causing the brush head to move toward and away from the contact surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and in synchronization with the oscillating rotating movement of the plurality of angled bristles,
wherein the bristle-driven pulsation is the only cause of the brush head moving toward and away from the contact surface.