Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle and a fluid delivery system for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user. Part of the fluid delivery system is moveable 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 that part of the fluid delivery system 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.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid chamber, a piston, and a drive. Magnets, connected respectively to the piston and the drive, enable the drive to couple to the piston and move it within the fluid chamber to draw fluid into the fluid chamber. A stop prevents the piston from being pulled beyond a stop position so that through continued actuation of the drive the magnets separate to allow a spring to push the piston away from the stop position to urge a burst of fluid from the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system of a dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid inlet, a pump for drawing a working fluid through the fluid inlet, a hydraulic accumulator for receiving working fluid from the pump, a nozzle having a fluid outlet, and a valve located between the accumulator and the nozzle. The valve has an open position for enabling the accumulator to deliver a burst of working fluid to the nozzle, and a closed position for enabling the accumulator to be replenished under the action of the pump. A control circuit actuates the pump and controls the position of the valve.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system of a dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid inlet, a pump for drawing a working fluid through the fluid inlet, a hydraulic accumulator for receiving working fluid from the pump, a nozzle having a fluid outlet, and a valve located between the accumulator and the nozzle. The valve has an open position for enabling the accumulator to deliver a burst of working fluid to the nozzle, and a closed position for enabling the accumulator to be replenished under the action of the pump. A control circuit actuates the pump and controls the position of the valve.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle and a fluid delivery system for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user. Part of the fluid delivery system is moveable 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 that part of the fluid delivery system 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.

Abstract: A pump assembly for a dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid chamber, a piston, and a drive. Magnets, connected respectively to the piston and the drive, enable the drive to couple to the piston and move it within the fluid chamber to draw fluid into the fluid chamber. A stop prevents the piston from being pulled beyond a stop position so that through continued actuation of the drive the magnets separate to allow a spring to push the piston away from the stop position to urge a burst of fluid from the fluid chamber.

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.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid delivery system for delivering working fluid to the teeth of a user, and a control circuit for actuating the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on a received input. For each input, the control circuit is arranged to actuate the delivery of a series of bursts of working fluid to the teeth of the user.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid delivery system for delivering working fluid to the teeth of a user, and a control circuit for actuating the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on a received input. For each input, the control circuit is arranged to actuate the delivery of a series of bursts of working fluid to the teeth of the user.

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.