Abstract: The toothbrush includes a handle portion which includes a power drive system (14) and further includes a brushhead assembly (20), which includes a brushhead arm having a brush element (21) at a distal end thereof A drive train assembly (12) is responsive to a drive signal from the power assembly for converting the action of the power assembly to a motion of the brushhead assembly. A magnet (30) is secured to the rear of the drive train, with a Hall effect sensor (32) mounted within the magnetic field produced by the magnet as the toothbrush moves in operation. Pressure on the brush element produces a phase shift of the Hall sensor output. A processor (15) determines the value of the phase shift of the Hall sensor signal as pressure is applied to the brush member and produces a signal indicative of the pressure applied by using stored information (71) which relates phase shift to pressure for the particular appliance.

Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a handle portion which includes a power drive assembly and a brushhead assembly (32) which includes a brushhead arm (36) and a brush element (38) at a distal end thereof. A V-spring assembly (14) converts the action of the power drive assembly to drive the brushhead assembly in a back-and-forth action. A mounting member (55) at the rear end of the V-spring assembly provides a base for a magnet (56). The V-spring assembly and the brushhead assembly comprises a unit which moves about a pivot point at the forward end of the V-spring assembly, so that the back end of the V-spring assembly is displaced in accordance with pressure applied to the brush member. A Hall effect sensor (58) is mounted within the changing magnetic field produced by the magnet as the rear end of the V-spring assembly is displaced due to pressure on the brushhead.

Abstract: The toothbrush includes a brushhead (24) having a multi-layer bristle field assembly (30), which includes alternate thin base layers (32) and thin bristle layers (34) which are bonded together to form the bristle field assembly. The base layers provide support for the bristle field assembly while the bristle layers are configured to provide bristle elements therealong for brushing of the teeth.

Abstract: The toothbrush includes a brushhead (24) having a multi-layer bristle field assembly (30), which includes alternate thin base layers (32) and thin bristle layers (34) which are bonded together to form the bristle field assembly. The base layers provide support for the bristle field assembly while the bristle layers are configured to provide bristle elements therealong for brushing of the teeth.