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: 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 power appliance (10) for cleaning teeth includes a drive system (16) and a substrate (10) for supporting a field of bristles (14) which contact teeth for cleaning. The drive system is connected to the substrate, moving the substrate in operation to produce an action of the bristle field against the teeth. The assembly, which includes internal stiffeners (60, 62, 64) in one embodiment, has two physical states, including a first state in which the substrate is softened so as to be formable to conform to the geometry of the teeth, and a second hardened state following its conformance to the teeth in which the substrate is sufficiently rigid to effectively transmit a driving motion to the bristles.

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 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 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: A nodally mounted spring arrangement for a drive train which is used in an electronic toothbrush which includes a housing. A V shaped spring member (15) is secured at both ends thereof, wherein the spring member has a node point (30) along a ridge line, approximately halfway along the length of the spring member. A mounting plate (26) member is fixedly connected to the node point of the spring member and also fixedly connected to the housing of the toothbrush.

Abstract: The mouthpiece appliance includes an assembly for receiving teeth (12) which includes a plurality of cleansing portions, typically two opposing side portions (14, 16) and an intermediate center portion (18). The brushing portions include bristle sections which are adapted to clean teeth. The appliance includes at least one DC motor assembly (26) with an output shaft with an eccentric mass of crankshaft (28). The appliance further includes a mechanical motor cover comprising a plurality of arm members which are arranged to connect the DC motor assembly to the cleansing portions of the appliance so that as the unbalanced weight on the output shaft rotates, movement of the cleansing portions, toward and away from the teeth or along the surfaces of the teeth occurs, producing cleansing of the teeth.

Abstract: A magnetic spring arrangement for a resonant motor including a housing, magnets fixed in position at opposing ends of the housing, a magnet 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 and an AC drive signal, wherein an applicator member is attachable to the moving magnet for corresponding movement of a workpiece portion of the applicator member.

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: A nodally mounted spring arrangement for a drive train which is used in an electronic toothbrush which includes a housing. A V shaped spring member (15) is secured at both ends thereof, wherein the spring member has a node point (30) along a ridge line, approximately halfway along the of the spring member. A mounting plate (26) member is fixedly connected to the node point of the spring member and also fixedly connected to the housing of the toothbrush.

Abstract: The mouthpiece appliance includes an assembly for receiving teeth (12) which includes a plurality of cleansing portions, typically two opposing side portions (14, 16) and an intermediate center portion (18). The brushing portions include bristle sections which are adapted to clean teeth. The appliance includes at least one DC motor assembly (26) with an output shaft with an eccentric mass of crankshaft (28). The appliance further includes a mechanical motor cover comprising a plurality of arm members which are arranged to connect the DC motor assembly to the cleansing portions of the appliance so that as the unbalanced weight on the output shaft rotates, movement of the cleansing portions, toward and away from the teeth or along the surfaces of the teeth occurs, producing cleansing of the teeth.

Abstract: A mouthpiece appliance includes an assembly for receiving teeth which includes cleansing portions, such as two opposing side portions and an intermediate center portion. The brushing portions include bristle sections which are adapted to clean teeth. The appliance also includes at least one DC motor assembly with an output shaft with an eccentric mass of crankshaft. The appliance further includes a mechanical motor cover including arm members which are arranged to connect the DC motor assembly to the cleansing portions of the appliance so that as the unbalanced weight on the output shaft rotates, movement of the cleansing portions, toward and away from the teeth or along the surfaces of the teeth occurs, producing cleansing of the teeth.

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: 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: 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: The power appliance (10) for cleaning teeth includes a drive system (16) and a substrate (10) for supporting a field of bristles (14) which contact teeth for cleaning. The drive system is connected to the substrate, moving the substrate in operation to produce an action of the bristle field against the teeth. The assembly, which includes internal stiffeners (60, 62, 64) in one embodiment, has two physical states, including a first state in which the substrate is softened so as to be formable to conform to the geometry of the teeth, and a second hardened state following its conformance to the teeth in which the substrate is sufficiently rigid to effectively transmit a driving motion to the bristles.

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 mouthpiece appliance includes an assembly for receiving teeth (12) which includes a plurality of cleansing portions, typically two opposing side portions (14, 16) and an intermediate center portion (18). The brushing portions include bristle sections which are adapted to clean teeth. The appliance includes at least one DC motor assembly (26) with an output shaft with an eccentric mass of crankshaft (28). The appliance further includes a mechanical motor cover comprising a plurality of arm members which are arranged to connect the DC motor assembly to the cleansing portions of the appliance so that as the unbalanced weight on the output shaft rotates, movement of the cleansing portions, toward and away from the teeth or along the surfaces of the teeth occurs, producing cleansing of the teeth.

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.