Abstract: A nodal-mounted spring arrangement for an electronic toothbrush includes a V-shaped spring member secured at both ends so that it can operate in out-of-phase torsion mode along the axial dimension thereof. In one embodiment, the V-shaped spring member includes two extended end regions, which extend below a longitudinal edge of the middle portion of the V-spring. The free ends of the extended portions are joined by a flat cross-piece. This “closed end” region is present at both ends of the V-spring.

Abstract: The mechanical system includes an interface for moving parts, with the mechanical system including a driving assembly and a driven assembly, wherein the driving assembly mates with the driven assembly at a mechanical joint (41). The driving assembly includes a rotating disc (16) and a drive arm (18) rotatably connected thereto. The driven assembly includes a pivot arm (40) which is driven by the drive arm and also a grounded member (44) fixed to the handle about which the pivot arm moves. A preload assembly, which includes a spring or springs (54, 56) is connected to the drive arm and the pivot arm so as to place a preload at the axis of rotation of the mechanical joint between the drive arm and the pivot arm.

Abstract: The hands-free dental appliance includes upper and lower tray members (12, 14) for receiving the teeth of the user, the tray members having teeth contact members such as bristles. A power assembly (28) moves the tray member in a reciprocal manner, resulting in cleaning of the surfaces of the teeth by the bristles. A grounding system (30) with bite portions (32, 34, 36) for biting contact whereby the user's teeth grounds the appliance to the user's mouth structure, reacting both static and dynamic forces, the grounding system being either separate from the tray members or flexibly connected to the tray members, allowing the tray members to move and clean the teeth without the user having to hold or otherwise manipulate the appliance.

Abstract: The toothbrush in FIG. 1 includes a toothbrush body (12) and a brushhead assembly (14) which includes a manual field of bristle tufts (16) and a single/small plurality of bristle tufts (18) at a forward end of the manual field of bristles. The single bristle tuft or tufts is driven axially in the direction of the teeth, and is suitable for cleaning interproximal regions of the teeth.

Abstract: A V-spring member (18) for use in a driving system for a personal care appliance has regions (34, 36) at the ends of the spring which are large enough to support a contact with an end clamping assembly, the spring member including a cross-piece (40) extending between the longitudinal edges of the spring at the end regions, such that the ends of the spring member define a closed line. End clamping assemblies (16, 24) provided for such a V-spring member include a body portion (64) having a lower support portion (66) on which the V-spring is supported and a mating clamping member (88) positioned in registry with the support portion on top of the V-spring.

Abstract: A brushhead assembly for use with a power toothbrush, comprising a toothbrush element (18), a mounting neck (22) on which the toothbrush element is mounted and a coupling member (24) which mates a driveshaft (from a drive system in a handle assembly portion (12) of the toothbrush to the mounting neck. A ring member (34) is positioned within a groove (30) at the proximal end (32) of the coupling member to create a desired brushhead assembly inertia. On an extending portion of the coupling member is mounted a spring member (28) which is configured and arranged and has such a spring rate that when the coupling member and mounting neck are installed into a driveshaft, a preload force is created between the brushhead assembly and the driveshaft sufficient to react the torque created by the rotating inertia movement of the brushhead assembly, without lost motion or noise.

Abstract: A magnetic spring arrangement for a resonant motor, comprising: a housing (12), magnets (14, 16) fixed in position at opposing ends (13, 15) of the housing, a magnet (18) positioned within the housing for movement toward and away from the fixed magnets in a reciprocal oscillating motion with a driving action produced by a stator coil (24) and an AC drive signal (26), wherein an applicator member (32) is attachable to the moving magnet for corresponding movement of a workpiece portion (34) of the applicator member.

Abstract: The brushhead/handle interface includes a brushhead assembly (20) which has a brush member (26) for cleaning teeth. A driveshaft (14) extends from a handle portion (12) of the toothbrush (10), which is driven in an oscillating manner through a selected rotational angle. The driveshaft includes one or more contact regions (49). The coupling member includes an interface portion or portions (46) which are forced against the contact regions of the driveshaft by a single spring member when the driveshaft is inserted into the coupling member. The single spring (34) exerts a sufficient force on the interface portions of the coupling member against the contact regions of the driveshaft to produce both a reliable torque transfer between the driveshaft and the brushhead assembly and to maintain axial retention of the brushhead assembly on the driveshaft during operation of the toothbrush.

Abstract: A workpiece system with a reciprocating motion which includes a motor assembly for producing an output drive signal with a periodic force pulse. The drive signal is coupled to a driven member assembly through a magnetic arrangement, wherein the driven member assembly has a workpiece mounted thereon with a return spring assembly. The driven member assembly has a resonant mechanical frequency. As the RPM of the motor increases from zero following startup, the drive signal frequency increases to the point very near resonance, where the energy from the drive signal is transferred into the reciprocating motion of the driven assembly, producing an effective amplitude of workpiece motion.

Abstract: The personal care appliance (10) comprises a handle/housing (20), a workpiece assembly (12), a motor assembly (18) which is mounted to the handle for driving the workpiece assembly and a secondary resonator (30) connected to the motor assembly or the handle, the secondary resonator comprising a spring mass assembly characterized in that at resonant operation thereof, vibrations produced by action of the motor assembly which would otherwise be transmitted to the handle, are significantly reduced/cancelled.

Abstract: A nodal-mounted spring arrangement for an electronic toothbrush includes a V-shaped spring member secured at both ends so that it can operate in out-of-phase torsion mode along the axial dimension thereof. A mounting plate is connected between a node point along the V-shaped spring member and the housing of the toothbrush. In one embodiment, the V-shaped spring member includes opposing slots on opposite sides of the node point, the slots extending in an axial direction, creating an integrated torsion bar node spring, while reducing stress in the vicinity of the nodal point.