Abstract: An electric toothbrush (10) and method of operating an electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush includes a handle portion (14) having a shaft (38) configured to receive a brushing load from a bristled end (18) of a brush head (12). A sensor assembly (30) is configured to determine a deflection proportional to the brushing load with respect to a first direction (24) associated with the brushing load. The sensor assembly includes an air gap (32) and is configured to determine the deflection based on changes in the air gap. A mounting bracket (50) is connected between opposite sides of the air gap, the mounting bracket having a first bending stiffness with respect to the first direction, and a second bending stiffness with respect to a second direction (28) generally opposite to the first direction. The first bending stiffness is greater than the second bending stiffness.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush (10) and method of operating an electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush includes a handle portion (14) having a shaft (38) configured to receive a brushing load from a bristled end (18) of a brush head (12). A sensor assembly (30) is configured to determine a deflection proportional to the brushing load with respect to a first direction (24) associated with the brushing load. The sensor assembly includes an air gap (32) and is configured to determine the deflection based on changes in the air gap. A mounting bracket (50) is connected between opposite sides of the air gap, the mounting bracket having a first bending stiffness with respect to the first direction, and a second bending stiffness with respect to a second direction (28) generally opposite to the first direction. The first bending stiffness is greater than the second bending stiffness.

Abstract: A depilating device (1) comprises a depilating body (10) which is rotatable about a rotation axis (R) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) with respect to the depilating body (10) and which is provided with at least one hair-catching space (11). The depilating device (1) further comprises an actuating mechanism (30) configured to act on the depilating body (10) so as to cause compression and extension of the depilating body (10) in the longitudinal direction (L) during rotational movement of the depilating body (10) about the rotation axis (R), for the purpose of varying the size of the hair-catching space (11) of the depilating body (10) in the longitudinal direction (L), wherein the actuating mechanism (30) includes a force-inducing member (31) which is compressible and extensible in the longitudinal direction (L) and which has a function in determining the level of a hair-clamping force in the depilating body (10).

Abstract: A personal care cleaning device (10) including a housing (12), a resonant drive actuator (20), which includes a rotor (24) having a first moment of inertia (Jr) and a stator (22) having a second moment of inertia (Js); a first plurality of leaf spring elements (60) having a first spring constant (krh), each leaf spring element of the first plurality of leaf spring elements (60) being connected the housing (12) and to the rotor (24) such that each leaf spring element of the first plurality of leaf springs elements (60) extends radially from the rotor (24) to the housing (12), each leaf spring element of the second plurality of leaf spring elements (62) being connected to the housing (12) and engaging with the stator (22), wherein the ratio of the first (krh) and second (ksh) spring constants is sufficiently similar to the ratio of the first (Jr) and second moments (Js) of inertia such that there is substantially no resulting torque transmitted to the housing (12) during operation.

Abstract: A vibration reduction assembly (200) including: (i) a shaft (240); (ii) a first component (210) positioned along the shaft and having a first face (212) comprising a plurality of magnets (230) positioned to alternate between a magnet having a first magnetic pole (232) at the first face and a magnet having the opposite magnetic pole (234) at the first face; and (iii) a second component (220) positioned along the shaft and having a first face (222) comprising a plurality of ferromagnetic extensions (260), wherein the first face of the first component is separated from the first face of the second component by a gap (280) having an adjustable first distance, and wherein a pair of the plurality of magnets interact via magnetic force with a respective one of the ferromagnetic extensions to reduce vibrations from a drivetrain to a housing portion of the personal care device.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush (10) and method of operating an electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush includes a handle portion (14) having a shaft (38) configured to receive a brushing load from a bristled end (18) of a brush head (12). A sensor assembly (30) is configured to determine a deflection proportional to the brushing load with respect to a first direction (24) associated with the brushing load. The sensor assembly includes an air gap (32) and is configured to determine the deflection based on changes in the air gap. A mounting bracket (50) is connected between opposite sides of the air gap, the mounting bracket having a first bending stiffness with respect to the first direction, and a second bending stiffness with respect to a second direction (28) generally opposite to the first direction. The first bending stiffness is greater than the second bending stiffness.

Abstract: A vibration reduction assembly (200) including: (i) a shaft (240); (ii) a first component (210) positioned along the shaft and having a first face (212) comprising a plurality of magnets (230) positioned to alternate between a magnet having a first magnetic pole (232) at the first face and a magnet having the opposite magnetic pole (234) at the first face; and (iii) a second component (220) positioned along the shaft and having a first face (222) comprising a plurality of ferromagnetic extensions (260), wherein the first face of the first component is separated from the first face of the second component by a gap (280) having an adjustable first distance, and wherein a pair of the plurality of magnets interact via magnetic force with a respective one of the ferromagnetic extensions to reduce vibrations from a drivetrain to a housing portion of the personal care device.

Abstract: A power toothbrush apparatus may include a body having a cavity and an opening leading to the cavity. An electric motor may be situated within the cavity and may include first and second biasing members; a stator casing situated between, and linearly biased by, the first and second biasing members, the stator casing may further include at least one opening and at least one electromagnet to generate a magnetic field; and a rotor which may have opposed ends and which may extend through the at least one opening of the stator casing, the rotor may further include an output shaft. The power toothbrush may further include a workpiece having a brush head coupled thereto and which may be coupled to one of the opposed ends of the output shaft.

Abstract: A personal care cleaning device (10) including a housing (12), a resonant drive actuator (20), which includes a rotor (24) having a first moment of inertia (Jr) and a stator (22) having a second moment of inertia (Js); a first plurality of leaf spring elements (60) having a first spring constant (krh), each leaf spring element of the first plurality of leaf spring elements (60) being connected the housing (12) and to the rotor (24) such that each leaf spring element of the first plurality of leaf springs elements (60) extends radially from the rotor (24) to the housing (12), each leaf spring element of the second plurality of leaf spring elements (62) being connected to the housing (12) and engaging with the stator (22), wherein the ratio of the first (krh) and second (ksh) spring constants is sufficiently similar to the ratio of the first (Jr) and second moments (Js) of inertia such that there is substantially no resulting torque transmitted to the housing (12) during operation.

Abstract: A power toothbrush having a vibration compensation system, the toothbrush including a toothbrush housing (72), and an actuator which includes a stator (74) having a first moment of inertia and a rotor (76) having a second moment of inertia, at the end of said rotor is mounted a bristle member. A first spring element (86) having a first spring constant connects the stator to the housing, while a second spring element (88) having a second spring constant connects the rotor to the housing, wherein the ratio of the first and second spring constants is substantially the same as the ratio of the first and second moments of inertia.

Abstract: A power toothbrush apparatus may include a body having a cavity and an opening leading to the cavity. An electric motor may be situated within the cavity and may include first and second biasing members; a stator casing situated between, and linearly biased by, the first and second biasing members, the stator casing may further include at least one opening and at least one electromagnet to generate a magnetic field; and a rotor which may have opposed ends and which may extend through the at least one opening of the stator casing, the rotor may further include an output shaft. The power toothbrush may further include a workpiece having a brush head coupled thereto and which may be coupled to one of the opposed ends of the output shaft.

Abstract: An actuator (52) for a personal care appliance (50) comprises a housing (54), a spindle (64), a tangential actuator portion (70), and an axial actuator portion (72). The tangential actuator portion (70) includes first and second magnet and pole assemblies (76,78) that define a tangential spring function of the tangential actuator portion. The axial actuator portion (72) includes third and fourth magnet and pole assemblies (90,92) that define an axial spring function of the axial actuator portion. At least one of (i) the first and second magnet and pole assemblies (76,78) of the tangential actuator portion (70) and (ii) third and fourth magnet and pole assemblies (90,92) of the axial actuator portion are configured to enhance a corresponding spring function of the axial actuator portion or tangential actuator portion, respectively.

Abstract: A power toothbrush apparatus may include a body having a cavity and an opening leading to the cavity. An electric motor may be situated within the cavity and may include first and second biasing members; a stator casing situated between, and linearly biased by, the first and second biasing members, the stator casing may further include at least one opening and at least one electromagnet to generate a magnetic field; and a rotor which may have opposed ends and which may extend through the at least one opening of the stator casing, the rotor may further include an output shaft. The power toothbrush may further include a workpiece having a brush head coupled thereto and which may be coupled to one of the opposed ends of the output shaft.

Abstract: Actuator for a personal care appliance comprising a housing, a spindle, a tangential actuator portion, an axial actuator portion, and a controller. The tangential actuator portion comprises a first magnet and pole assembly having a first sequence of individual grouped magnet segments spaced apart within the housing in a first radial orientation and polarity order, and a first pole assembly of pole members in a first radial configuration about the spindle, a second magnet and pole assembly having a second sequence of individual grouped magnet segments spaced apart within the housing in a second radial orientation and polarity order, and a second pole assembly of pole members in a second radial configuration about the spindle, and an electromagnetic coil disposed about the spindle in-between the first and second magnet and pole assemblies. The tangential actuator portion rotationally displaces the spindle with respect to the housing about a principal axis.

Abstract: A power toothbrush apparatus may include a body having a cavity and an opening leading to the cavity. An electric motor may be situated within the cavity and may include first and second biasing members; a stator casing situated between, and linearly biased by, the first and second biasing members, the stator casing may further include at least one opening and at least one electromagnet to generate a magnetic field; and a rotor which may have opposed ends and which may extend through the at least one opening of the stator casing, the rotor may further include an output shaft. The power toothbrush may further include a workpiece having a brush head coupled thereto and which may be coupled to one of the opposed ends of the output shaft.

Abstract: Actuator for a personal care appliance comprising a housing, a spindle, a tangential actuator portion, an axial actuator portion, and a controller. The tangential actuator portion comprises a first magnet and pole assembly having a first sequence of individual grouped magnet segments spaced apart within the housing in a first radial orientation and polarity order, and a first pole assembly of pole members in a first radial configuration about the spindle, a second magnet and pole assembly having a second sequence of individual grouped magnet segments spaced apart within the housing in a second radial orientation and polarity order, and a second pole assembly of pole members in a second radial configuration about the spindle, and an electromagnetic coil disposed about the spindle in-between the first and second magnet and pole assemblies. The tangential actuator portion rotationally displaces the spindle with respect to the housing about a principal axis.

Abstract: An actuator (52) for a personal care appliance (50) comprises a housing (54), a spindle (64), a tangential actuator portion (70), and an axial actuator portion (72). The tangential actuator portion (70) includes first and second magnet and pole assemblies (76,78) that define a tangential spring function of the tangential actuator portion. The axial actuator portion (72) includes third and fourth magnet and pole assemblies (90,92) that define an axial spring function of the axial actuator portion. At least one of (i) the first and second magnet and pole assemblies (76,78) of the tangential actuator portion (70) and (ii) third and fourth magnet and pole assemblies (90,92) of the axial actuator portion are configured to enhance a corresponding spring function of the axial actuator portion or tangential actuator portion, respectively.

Abstract: A breast pump apparatus, including a vacuum pump and a variable-volume buffer volume coupled together in fluid communication, also includes a breast-receiving portion coupled to the vacuum pump and the buffer volume such that the vacuum pump is operable to generate negative pressure at the breast-receiving portion to stimulate milk expression, and the negative pressure generated at the breast-receiving portion can be controlled by controlling the buffer volume.

Abstract: A power toothbrush having a vibration compensation system, the toothbrush including a toothbrush housing (72), and an actuator which includes a stator (74) having a first moment of inertia and a rotor (76) having a second moment of inertia, at the end of said rotor is mounted a bristle member. A first spring element (86) having a first spring constant connects the stator to the housing, while a second spring element (88) having a second spring constant connects the rotor to the housing, wherein the ratio of the first and second spring constants is substantially the same as the ratio of the first and second moments of inertia.

Abstract: In a breast pump, milk expressed from a user's nipple may be drawn into the pumping mechanism used to create a vacuum. This can lead to unhygienic situations because pumping mechanisms are difficult or impossible to clean by a user. The present invention relates to a breast pump comprising first and second pressure chambers (22, 23) and an actuator (20) disposed to fluidly divide the two chambers (22, 23). The actuator (20) is movable to generate an inverse pressure differential in the second chamber (23) when a pressure differential is generated in the first pressure chamber (22), or a pressure differential is released from the first pressure chamber (22). Furthermore, the actuator (20) comprises a first piston element (30) and a second piston element (32), and wherein the first pressure chamber (22) is disposed between the first piston element (30) and the second piston element (32).