(51) Int Cl.: A61C 17/22 ( ) A61C 17/34 ( ) H02K 33/16 ( )

Transkript

1 (19) TEPZZ _79ZB_T (11) EP B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION (4) Date of publication and mention of the grant of the patent: Bulletin 1/39 (21) Application number: (22) Date of filing: (1) Int Cl.: A61C 17/22 (06.01) A61C 17/34 (06.01) H02K 33/16 (06.01) (86) International application number: PCT/IB/0348 (87) International publication number: WO 11/ ( Gazette 11/26) (4) POWER TOOTHBRUSH WITH ACTUATOR IN THE BRUSHHEAD ELEKTRISCHE ZAHNBÜRSTE MIT BETÄTIGER IM BÜRSTENKOPF BROSSE À DENTS ÉLECTRIQUE COMPORTANT UN ACTIONNEUR DANS LA TÊTE DE BROSSE (84) Designated Contracting States: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR () Priority: US P (43) Date of publication of application: Bulletin 12/44 (73) Proprietor: Koninklijke Philips N.V. 66 AE Eindhoven (NL) DE VRIES, Johannes Hotze Bernhard New York (US) (74) Representative: Coops, Peter Philips Intellectual Property & Standards P.O. Box AE Eindhoven (NL) (6) References cited: EP-A WO-A1-07/ DE-A US-A (72) Inventors: BAX, Pieter Johannes New York (US) EP B1 Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). Printed by Jouve, 7001 PARIS (FR)

2 1 EP B1 2 Description [0001] This invention relates generally to power toothbrushes, and more particularly to a power toothbrush using an electromagnetic actuator assembly, configured and arranged to be positionable in the brushhead of the toothbrush or useful in other personal care appliance arrangements. [0002] US 0/ A1 discloses a drive mechanism for a small electric appliance such as a dry shaving apparatus or a power toothbrush. The drive mechanism includes a first drive component, a second drive component, and a coil configured to produce a magnetic field extending from the first drive component and acting on the second drive component. The first drive component and the second drive component are movably arranged in the small electric appliance and adapted to oscillate in phase opposition to one another. [0003] Power toothbrushes are generally larger and heavier than corresponding manual toothbrushes, typically due to the size and weight of the driver mechanism for the brushhead, as well as the battery providing the power for the driver. Manual toothbrushes, due to their small size and relatively light weight, are convenient to use, particularly in portable use, since they are readily transportable in a purse, briefcase or the like, as well as being easy to manipulate during actual physical use. They are also generally less expensive than power toothbrushes. However, manual toothbrushes are generally significantly less effective in cleaning teeth than power toothbrushes. [0004] Hence, it is desirable to have a power toothbrush which is comparable in cleaning effectiveness with other power toothbrushes, but is significantly smaller and lighter than typical power toothbrushes, coming close to the size and weight of a conventional manual toothbrush. [000] According to the invention, the power toothbrush comprises: a handle; a brushhead assembly, including a brushhead member with bristles extending therefrom; a brushhead assembly actuator which comprises a spring mass system including a non-moving stator lower member and a moving upper member, the upper and lower members including spaced curved portions which are in registry; two roller members, each roller member captured between a curved portion of the upper member and the lower member; and a driving assembly for moving the upper member back and forth on the roller members, producing an oscillating action of the brushhead assembly and the bristles for cleaning of the teeth. Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the power toothbrush which is the subject of this application. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the power toothbrush of Figure 1, showing the brushhead portion thereof, with an actuator assembly. Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the actuator assembly shown in Figure Figure 4 is a circuit/functional diagram of a power toothbrush which includes an assembly for sensing the operation of the toothbrush. [0006] As mentioned above, power toothbrushes are generally effective in cleaning teeth. In one example, the power toothbrush shown in U.S. Patent No.,189,71 uses an electromagnetic actuator and operates in the sonic frequency range of approximately 10-0 Hz. The toothbrush of the present invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, also uses an electromagnetic actuator, and has an operating frequency in the range of Hz. The actuator assembly for the toothbrush of Figure 1 is structured such that it is capable of being located in a brushhead portion of the power toothbrush, permitting the handle portion thereof to more resemble the size and weight of a manual toothbrush. [0007] The power toothbrush referred to generally at in Figures 1 and 2 includes a handle portion 12 and a brushhead portion 14. Mounted on the brushhead 14 is a set of conventional bristles 16 for cleaning of the teeth. In the handle 12, as with other power toothbrushes, are located a battery 18, a microprocessor controller and an on/off switch 22, as well as other elements conventional in a power toothbrush, such as a timer, etc. An electromagnetic actuator, referred to generally at 24 in Figure 1, is positioned within brushhead 14. Electrical connections (not shown) extend between battery 18 and microprocessor in the handle and actuator 24 in conventional fashion. While actuator 24 is shown positioned in brushhead 14, it could be positioned in the handle, driving the brushhead 14 with the bristles through an electrical connecting element. [0008] Actuator 24 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3. Actuator 24 includes lower and upper elements 26 and 28. Lower element 26 is fixed in position and functions as the stator portion of the actuator. In the embodiment shown the lower element is a single piece of steel, approximately the size of a typical brushhead. Positioned at each end of the lower element are raised roller support portions 2, 27 which each have a curved upper surface, referred to at 34 and 36, respectively. The configuration of the curvature of the upper surface of the support portions 27, 27 is discussed in more detail below. Intermediate of and connecting the two raised support portions of the lower element is a plate portion 43. [0009] Upper element 28 is identical to lower element 26 in size and configuration but is positioned so that it is a mirror image of lower element 26. Upper element 28 includes two downwardly facing roller support portions and 42, with an intermediate plate portion 44 therebetween. Support portions and 42, respectively, include curved portions 46 and 48, which face downwardly. Typically, there will be a flexible seal, such as rubber, between the lower element (stator) and the upper element. The seal can be fixed to the lower and upper elements by various means, including gluing, welding and over molding, among others. 2

3 3 EP B1 4 [00] Captured between curved portions 34 and 46 at a distal end of the actuator is a first roller 2, while captured between curved portions 36 and 48 at the proximal end of the actuator is a second roller 4. In the embodiment shown, rollers 2 and 4 are made of metal, such as steel, or they can be made of plastic as well. In the embodiment shown, they are typically slightly shorter than the width of upper and lower elements 26 and 28. [0011] Mounted on immediate plate 43 of the lower element are two coils, 48, 0, each of which has a magnetizable core, such as iron. The coils are wound in the opposite direction. In the embodiment shown, each coil has 64 turns, and is slightly oval in shape, approximately 6 mm wide and 8. mm long, although these dimensions and the coil configuration can vary. Although two coils are shown, it is possible to use a single coil, or more coils, e.g. four coils. [0012] Positioned on the intermediate plate 44 of the upper element in the embodiment shown for two coils are three permanent magnet assemblies 60, 62 and 64. The number of permanent magnet assemblies will depend on the number of coils, since each coil should face a north/south separation line of adjacent permanent magnet assemblies. In one particular embodiment, the permanent magnet assemblies 60 and 64 each comprise a total of 6 individual magnets 68-68, arranged three deep laterally of the brushhead and two in the longitudinal direction of the brushhead. In this particular embodiment, each permanent magnet 68 is 2 mm square by 1 mm high. It should be understood, however, that the size of the individual magnets can vary significantly. [0013] The individual magnets are oriented so that the south poles of the permanent magnets in permanent magnet assemblies 62 and 64 are facing downwardly (toward the lower element), while the opposing poles face away from the lower element. The intermediate magnet assembly 62 is positioned between and abuts permanent magnet assemblies 60 and 64. The two coils 48 and 0 are positioned so that one coil faces the line of abutment (separation) between permanent magnet assemblies 60 and 62 and the other coil faces the line of abutment between permanent magnet assemblies 62 and 64. If additional coils are used, additional permanent magnet assemblies are necessary. In the particular embodiment shown, permanent magnet assembly 62 comprises a total of nine individual permanent magnets 70-70, three across laterally of the brushhead and three in the longitudinal direction of the brushhead, although four magnets in the longitudinal direction may be preferred. Each magnet in the magnet assembly 62 shown is 2 mm square by 1 mm thick. Again, however, the size of the magnets is simply illustrative. Various sizes of magnets can be used. Permanent magnet assembly 62 is oriented with the north poles of the individual magnets (or magnet) facing the lower element and the south poles facing away from the lower element. While the permanent magnet assemblies described each comprise a plurality of smaller individual permanent magnets, it should be understood that there could be three single permanent magnets forming the permanent magnet assemblies 60, 62 and 64, or other magnet combinations as well. [0014] Actuator 24 operates as a spring mass system with the moving upper element forming the mass, and rollers 2 and 4 are functioning as a spring, even though the rollers do not elongate like a typical spring. This is an advantage over conventional spring mass systems. The curvature of the curved portions 34 and 36 of the raised portions of the lower element and the corresponding curved portions 46 and 48 of the raised portions of the upper element contribute to the spring constant, as well as the magnetic attracting force. The rollers 2 and 4 are circular in cross-section, as shown most clearly in Figure 3, with a radius of 1-1/2 mm, although this can be varied. The curved portions which bracket each of the rollers each have a curvature which is close to circular near the center of the curved portion, with a radius of 2-1/2 mm at that point, for receiving the 1-1/2 mm radius roller. The same relationship is true for other roller sizes. However, the curvature of the curved portions increasingly flattens out consistently as the curved portions approach their respective opposing ends, where they intersect the flat surface of the upper or lower element. [001] In general operation, explained in more detail below, the lower element 26 remains fixed in position, while the upper element moves back and forth in reciprocating fashion by electromagnetic action produced by the coils and the permanent magnets. The curved portions of the upper element raised portions roll over the exterior surface of the rollers, with the rollers themselves also moving longitudinally relative to the handle. [0016] In electromagnetic operation, one coil, e.g. coil 6, is wound in one direction, e.g. clockwise, and is responsive to one half of an alternating current energizing signal from the microprocessor resulting in an electromagnetic field which attracts one end of the permanent magnet assembly, thereby moving the upper element. The same current, when applied to the other coil, creates a magnetic field which repels the other end of the permanent magnet assembly, adding to the effect of the first coil. [0017] During the other half of the sinusoidal energizing signal, the magnetic fields from the coils force the permanent magnet assemblies and the upper element in the opposing direction, so that the complete alternating current energizing signal results in a reciprocal back-andforth action of the upper element on rollers 2 and 4, producing a scrubbing action by the bristles. In the embodiment shown, the frequency of movement is within the range of 190 Hz to 260 Hz. [0018] The relationship between the curved portions of the upper and lower members and the diameter of the roller is important to proper operation of the toothbrush, as indicated above. Typically, the resulting movement of the upper element and the bristles is axial (longitudinal) due to the magnetic interaction between the magnetic field from the energized coils and the permanent mag- 3

4 EP B1 6 nets. When the upper element moves axially, the rollers themselves roll along the curved portions of the upper and lower elements. Because of the attraction force of the permanent magnets, however, an additional axial force results, attempting to drive the upper element back toward its original longitudinal position, assisting in the axial movement of the upper element and the bristles. By changing the curvature of the rollers, for example elliptical, and the arrangement of the coils and permanent magnets, movement in a direction orthogonal to (and in addition to) axial movement can be realized, resulting in a more complex bristle movement, with more effective cleaning. [0019] In a variation of the above, the rollers could be spherical, which in combination with a particular curvature of the curved portions, could result in an even more complex movement of the brushhead. [00] Figure 4 shows another feature of the power toothbrush. This feature includes a sensing assembly 77 with a separate sensing coil 79 which is positioned adjacent to the actuator coils. One actuator coil 81 is shown for illustration in Figure 4. When the upper element moves in operation, the magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnet assemblies (Figure 2) will produce a voltage across the ends of the sensing coil. The voltage signal contains information about the longitudinal movement (stroke) of the upper element, as well as the speed of the back-and-forth movement of the upper element. The voltage across the sensing coil can also contain components produced by the actuator coils, but these can be filtered out, such as with the circuit of Figure 4. [0021] Referring now to Figure 4, the signal from the sensing coil 79 is integrated at 80 and compared (87) with the measured current from actuator coil 81, which is energized by a full bridge circuit in the appliance electronics 8. The result from comparator 87 is then amplified at 84 and then peak-to-peak detected at 86 to produce stroke information. This value can be used in a normal feedback control system. The value can be compared with a set point value at comparator 88, with the result filtered at 89 to regulate the power output for the full bridge circuit by shifting the frequency or duty cycle at 90 of the feedback control signal to the full bridge. This circuit eliminates the unwanted voltage components present in the signal at In use of the appliance, the brushhead is disposable, connected in various ways, e.g. magnetic, mechanical, such as bayonet or slide and click connections, among others. If the actuator is in the handle, connecting brushhead assemblies can be disposable. [0022] Accordingly, a power toothbrush has been disclosed with an actuator which is arranged to provide an oscillating action by an electromagnetic driver. The actuator includes upper and lower elements which include raised portions with curved portions which bracket rollers to provide a spring mass driving action. The invention can be used in other personal care appliances, such as for example shavers, where an end effector for shaving is used. Claims 1. A power toothbrush () with an electromagnetic actuator comprising: a handle (12); a brushhead assembly including a brushhead member (14) with bristles (16) extending therefrom; a brushhead assembly actuator (24) which includes a lower element (26) having curved contacting portions (34, 36) at spaced locations along the length thereof and an upper element (28) spaced apart from the lower element (26) and having curved contacting portions (46, 48) at spaced locations along the length thereof which are in registry with the curved contacting portions (34, 36) of the lower element (26); at least one actuator coil (48, 0) mounted on the lower element (26) between the two spaced contacting portions (34, 36); a power assembly (18, ) for energizing the actuator coil (48, 0) with an alternating current signal; at least two permanent magnet assemblies (60, 62, 64) positioned between the curved contacting portions (46, 48) on the upper element (28), wherein the successive permanent magnet assemblies (60, 62, 64) are arranged with successive opposing polarities; and roller members (2, 4) captured between the curved contacting portions (34, 36, 46, 48) of the upper and lower elements (26, 28), wherein the coil (48, 0) and the permanent magnet assemblies (60, 62, 64) are arranged such that an application of an alternating current signal to the actuating coil (48, 0) results in reciprocal movement of the upper element (28) and the brushhead assembly for cleaning of the teeth. 2. The power toothbrush () of claim 1, including two actuator coils (48, 0) mounted on the lower element (26) between the curved contacting portions (34, 36) and three permanent magnet assemblies (60, 62, 64) arranged so that two permanent magnet assemblies (60, 62, 64) abut over approximately a centerline of each coil (48, 0). 3. The power toothbrush () of claim 1, wherein the curved contacting portions (34, 36, 46, 48) are located at opposing ends of the upper and lower element (26, 28) and are raised relative to an intermediate portion (43, 44) thereof. 4. The power toothbrush () of claim 1, wherein the 4

5 7 EP B1 8 three magnet assemblies (60, 62, 64) each comprise a plurality of individual magnets (68-68, 70-70).. The power toothbrush () of claim 1, wherein the three permanent magnet assemblies (60, 62, 64) comprise three individual magnets (68-68, 70-70). 6. The power toothbrush () of claim 1, wherein the roller members (2, 4) have a circular cross-section, and wherein a center section of the curved portions (34, 36, 46, 48) is approximately circular with the remainder of the curved portions (34, 36, 46, 48) flattening out to the opposing ends of the curved portions (34, 36, 46, 48). 7. The power toothbrush () of claim 1, wherein the roller members (2, 4) are approximately 1 mm in diameter and the center sections of the curved portions (34, 36, 46, 48) are approximately 2 mm in diameter. 8. The power toothbrush () of claim 1, wherein the roller members (2, 4) are elongated, extending for approximately the width of the brushhead member (14). 9. The power toothbrush () of claim 1, wherein the roller members (2, 4) are spherical.. The power toothbrush () of claim 1, including a sensing winding assembly (77) wherein magnetic flux from the permanent magnet assemblies (60, 62, 64) during operation of the power toothbrush () produces voltage signals which are indicative of the speed and/or stroke of the moving brushhead member (14). 11. The power toothbrush () of claim, wherein the sensing winding assembly (77) includes a feedback control circuit (88, 89, 90) for controlling the operation of the toothbrush (). 12. A power toothbrush (), comprising: a handle (12); a brushhead assembly, including a brushhead member (14) with bristles (16) extending therefrom; a brushhead assembly actuator (24) which comprises a spring mass system including a nonmoving stator lower member (26) and a moving upper member (28), the upper and lower members (26, 28) including spaced curved portions (34, 36, 46, 48) which are in registry; two roller members (2, 4), each roller member (2, 4) captured between a curved portion (34, 36, 46, 48) of the upper member (28) and the lower member (26); and a driving assembly (18,, 48, 0, 60, 62, 64) for moving the upper member (28) back and forth on the roller members (2, 4), producing an oscillating action of the brushhead assembly and the bristles (16) for cleaning of the teeth. 13. The power toothbrush () of claim 12, wherein the driving assembly (18,, 48, 0, 60, 62, 64) is an electromagnetic driver responsive to an alternating current drive signal. 14. The power toothbrush () of claim 12, wherein the frequency of the back-and-forth oscillating the brushhead movement is in the range of Hz. 1. The power toothbrush () of claim 12, wherein the exterior of the roller members (2, 4) is configured relative to the curvature of the curved portions (34, 36, 46,48) of the upper and lower members (26, 28) and the permanent magnet assemblies (60, 62, 64) are so arranged relative to the coils (48, 0) that the upper member (28) moves longitudinally of the toothbrush (), but also toward and away from the lower member (26). 16. A personal care appliance (), comprising: a handle (12); a workpiece assembly including an end effector (14) for accomplishing a personal care function; a workpiece assembly actuator (24) which comprises a spring mass system including a nonmoving stator lower member (26) and a moving upper member (28), the upper and lower members (26, 28) including spaced curved portions (34, 36, 46, 48) which are in registry; two roller members (2, 4), each roller member (2, 4) captured between a curved portion (34, 36, 46, 48) of the upper member (28) and the lower member (26); and a driving assembly for moving the upper member (28) back and forth on the roller members (2, 4), producing an oscillating action of the end effector (14). Patentansprüche 1. Elektrische Zahnbürste () mit einem elektromagnetischen Aktuator, umfassend: einen Griff (12); eine Bürstenkopfanordnung, umfassend ein Bürstenkopfelement (14) mit von diesem ausgehenden Borsten (16); einen Bürstenkopfanordnungsaktuator (24), der ein unteres Element (26) mit gewölbten Kontaktteilen (34, 36) an beabstandeten Stellen entlang

6 9 EP B1 der Länge desselben sowie ein oberes Element (28) enthält, das von dem unteren Element (26) beabstandet ist und gewölbte Kontaktteile (46, 48) an beabstandeten Stellen entlang der Länge desselben aufweist, die zu den gewölbten Kontaktteilen (34, 36) des unteren Elements (26) deckungsgleich sind; mindestens eine Aktuatorspule (48, 0), die auf dem unteren Element (26) zwischen den beiden beabstandeten Kontaktteilen (34, 36) angebracht ist; eine Leistungsanordnung (18, ), um die Aktuatorspule (48, 0) mit einem Wechselstromsignal anzusteuern; mindestens zwei Permanentmagnetanordnungen (60, 62, 64), die zwischen den gewölbten Kontaktteilen (46, 48) auf dem oberen Element (28) positioniert sind, wobei die aufeinanderfolgenden Permanentmagnetanordnungen (60, 62, 64) mit aufeinanderfolgenden, entgegengesetzten Polaritäten angeordnet sind; sowie Rollenelemente (2, 4), die zwischen den gewölbten Kontaktteilen (34, 36, 46, 48) des oberen und unteren Elements (26, 28) aufgenommen werden, wobei die Spule (48, 0) und die Permanentmagnetanordnungen (60, 62, 64) so angeordnet sind, dass ein Anlegen eines Wechselstromsignals an die Aktuatorspule (48, 0) in einer reziproken Bewegung des oberen Elements (28) und der Bürstenkopfanordnung zur Reinigung der Zähne resultiert. 2. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 1, umfassend zwei auf dem unteren Element (26) zwischen den gewölbten Kontaktteilen (34, 36) angebrachte Aktuatorspulen (48, 0) sowie drei Permanentmagnetanordnungen (60, 62, 64), die so angeordnet sind, dass zwei Permanentmagnetanordnungen (60, 62, 64) über in etwa einer Mittellinie jeder Spule (48, 0) aneinanderstoßen. 3. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 1, wobei die gewölbten Kontaktteile (34, 36, 46, 48) an gegenüberliegenden Enden des oberen und unteren Elements (26, 28) positioniert und gegenüber einem Zwischenteil (43, 44) derselben erhöht sind. 4. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 1, wobei die drei Magnetanordnungen (60, 62, 64) jeweils mehrere einzelne Magnete (68-68, 70-70) umfassen.. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 1, wobei die drei Permanentmagnetanordnungen (60, 62, 64) drei einzelne Magnete (68-68, umfassen. 6. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rollenelemente (2, 4) einen kreisförmigen Querschnitt haben, und wobei ein Mittelteil der gewölbten Teile (34, 36, 46, 48) mit dem Rest der zu den gegenüberliegenden Enden der gewölbten Teile (34, 36, 46, 48) sich verflachenden gewölbten Teile (34, 36, 46, 48) in etwa kreisförmig ist. 7. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rollenelemente (2, 4) in etwa 1 mm im Durchmesser sind und die Mittelteile der gewölbten Teile (34, 36, 46, 48) in etwa 2 mm im Durchmesser sind. 8. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rollenelemente (2, 4) länglich sind und sich dabei über in etwa die Breite des Bürstenkopfelements (14) erstrecken. 9. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rollenelemente (2, 4) kugelförmig sind.. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 1, umfassend eine Abtastwicklungsanordnung (77), wobei ein Magnetfluss von den Permanentmagnetanordnungen (60, 62, 64) während des Betriebs der elektrischen Zahnbürste () Spannungssignale erzeugt, die für die Geschwindigkeit und/oder die Hubbewegung des sich bewegenden Bürstenkopfelements (14) indikativ sind. 11. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch, wobei die Abtastwicklungsanordnung (77) einen Rückführregelkreis (88, 89, 90) zur Steuerung des Betriebs der Zahnbürste () enthält. 12. Elektrische Zahnbürste (), umfassend: einen Griff (12); eine Bürstenkopfanordnung, umfassend ein Bürstenkopfelement (14) mit von diesem ausgehenden Borsten (16); einen Bürstenkopfanordnungsaktuator (24), der ein Feder-Masse-System mit einem unteren, nicht beweglichen Statorelement (26) und einem oberen, beweglichen Element (28) umfasst, wobei das obere und untere Element (26, 28) beabstandete, gewölbte Teile (34, 36, 46, 48) enthalten, die deckungsgleich sind; zwei Rollenelemente (2, 4), wobei jedes Rollenelement (2, 4) zwischen einem gewölbten Teil (34, 36, 46, 48) des oberen Elements (28) und des unteren Elements (26) aufgenommen wird; sowie eine Antriebsanordnung (18,, 48, 0, 60, 62, 64), um das obere Element (28) auf den Rollenelementen (2, 4) hin und her zu bewegen, wobei eine Schwingbewegung der Bürstenkopfanordnung und der Borsten (16) zur Reinigung der Zähne erzeugt wird. 6

7 11 EP B Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Antriebsanordnung (18,, 48, 0, 60, 62, 64) ein auf ein Wechselstrom-Treibersignal ansprechender elektromagnetischer Treiber ist. 14. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Frequenz der hin und her schwingenden Bürstenkopfbewegung in dem Bereich von Hz liegt. 1. Elektrische Zahnbürste () nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Außenfläche der Rollenelemente (2, 4) relativ zu der Wölbung der gewölbten Teile (34, 36, 46, 48) des oberen und unteren Elements (26, 28) konfiguriert ist und die Permanentmagnetanordnungen (60, 62, 64) relativ zu den Spulen (48, 0) so angeordnet sind, dass sich das obere Element (28) in Längsrichtung der Zahnbürste (), jedoch ebenfalls zu dem unteren Element (26) hin und von diesem weg bewegt. 16. Körperpflegegerät (), umfassend: einen Griff (12); eine Werkstückanordnung mit einem Endeffektor (14) zur Durchführung einer Körperpflegefunktion; einen Werkstückanordnungsaktuator (24), der ein Feder-Masse-System mit einem unteren, nicht beweglichen Statorelement (26) und einem oberen, beweglichen Element (28) umfasst, wobei das obere und untere Element (26, 28) beabstandete, gewölbte Teile (34, 36, 46, 48) enthalten, die deckungsgleich sind; zwei Rollenelemente (2, 4), wobei jedes Rollenelement (2, 4) zwischen einem gewölbten Teil (34, 36, 46, 48) des oberen Elements (28) und des unteren Elements (26) aufgenommen wird; sowie eine Antriebsanordnung, um das obere Element (28) auf den Rollenelementen (2, 4) hin und her zu bewegen, wobei eine Schwingbewegung des Endeffektors (14) erzeugt wird. Revendications 1. Brosse à dents électrique () avec un actionneur électromagnétique comprenant : un manche (12) ; un ensemble de brossette incluant un élément de brossette (14) avec des poils (16) s étendant depuis celui-ci ; un actionneur d ensemble de brossette (24) qui inclut un élément inférieur (26) présentant des parties de contact courbées (34, 36) à des endroits espacés le long de la longueur de celuici et un élément supérieur (28) espacé de l élément inférieur (26) et présentant des parties de contact courbées (46, 48) à des endroits espacés le long de la longueur de celui-ci qui sont en repérage avec les parties de contact courbées (34, 36) de l élément inférieur (26) ; au moins une bobine d actionnement (48, 0) montée sur l élément inférieur (26) entre les deux parties de contact espacées (34, 36) ; un ensemble électrique (18, ) pour fournir un signal de courant alternatif à la bobine d actionnement (48, 0) ; au moins deux ensembles d aimant permanent (60, 62, 64) positionnés entre les parties de contact courbées (46, 48) sur l élément supérieur (28), dans laquelle les ensembles d aimant permanent (60, 62, 64) sont agencés avec des polarités opposées successives ; et des éléments rouleaux (2, 4) capturés entre les parties de contact courbées (34, 36, 46, 48) des éléments supérieurs et inférieurs (26, 28), dans laquelle la bobine (48, 0) et les ensembles d aimant permanent (60, 62, 64) sont agencés de sorte qu une application d un signal de courant alternatif à la bobine d actionnement (48, 0) résulte en un mouvement réciproque de l élément supérieur (28) et de l ensemble de brossette pour le nettoyage des dents. 2. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 1, incluant deux bobines d actionnement (48, 0) montées sur l élément inférieur (26) entre les parties de contact courbées (34, 36) et trois ensembles d aimant permanent (60, 62, 64) agencés de sorte que deux ensembles d aimant permanent (60, 62, 64) butent sur approximativement une ligne centrale de chaque bobine (48, 0). 3. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les parties de contact courbées (34, 36, 46, 48) sont situées sur des extrémités opposées de l élément supérieur et inférieur (26, 28) et sont levées par rapport à une partie intermédiaire (43, 44) de celles-ci. 4. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les trois ensembles d aimant (60, 62, 64) comprennent chacun une pluralité d aimants individuels (68-68, 70-70).. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les trois ensembles d aimant permanent (60, 62, 64) comprennent trois aimants individuels (68-68, 70-70). 6. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les éléments rouleaux (2, 4) ont une section transversale circulaire et dans laquelle 7

8 13 EP B1 14 une section centrale des parties courbées (34, 36, 46, 48) est approximativement circulaire, le reste des parties courbées (34, 36, 46, 48) s aplatissant vers les extrémités opposées des parties courbées (34, 36, 46, 48). 7. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les éléments rouleaux (2, 4) font approximativement 1 1/2 mm de diamètre et les sections centrales des parties courbées (34, 36, 46, 48) font approximativement 2 1/2 mm de diamètre. 8. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les éléments rouleaux (2, 4) sont allongés s étendant sur approximativement la largeur de l élément de brossette (14). 9. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les éléments rouleaux (2, 4) sont sphériques.. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 1, incluant un ensemble d enroulement de détection (77), dans laquelle le flux magnétique des ensembles d aimant permanent (60, 62, 64) pendant le fonctionnement de la brosse à dents électrique () produit des signaux de tension qui indiquent la vitesse et/ou la course de l élément de brossette mobile (14). 11. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication, dans laquelle l ensemble d enroulement de détection (77) inclut un circuit de rétroaction (88, 89, 90) pour la commande du fonctionnement de la brosse à dent (). 12. Brosse à dents électrique () comprenant : un manche (12) ; un ensemble de brossette incluant un élément de brossette (14) avec des poils (16) s étendant depuis celui-ci ; un actionneur d ensemble de brossette (24) qui comprend un système de masse à ressort incluant un élément inférieur de stator immobile (26) et un élément supérieur mobile (28), les éléments supérieur et inférieur (26, 28) incluant des parties courbées espacées (34, 36, 46, 48) qui sont en repérage ; deux éléments rouleaux (2, 4), chaque élément rouleau (2, 4) étant capturé entre une partie courbée (34, 36, 46, 48) de l élément supérieur (28) et l élément inférieur (26) ; et un ensemble d entraînement (18,, 48, 0, 60, 62, 64) pour le déplacement de l élément supérieur (28) en avant et arrière sur les éléments rouleaux (2, 4), produisant une action oscillante de l ensemble de brossette et des poils (16) pour le nettoyage des dents. 13. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle l ensemble d entraînement (18,, 48, 0, 60, 62, 64) est un entraîneur électromagnétique sensible à un signal d entraînement de courant alternatif. 14. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle la fréquence de l oscillation en avant et arrière du mouvement de la brossette est dans la plage de 190 à 260 Hz. 1. Brosse à dents électrique () selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle l extérieur des éléments rouleaux (2, 4) est configuré par rapport à la courbure des parties courbées (34, 36, 46, 48) des éléments supérieur et inférieur (26, 28) et les ensembles d aimant permanent (60, 62, 64) sont agencés par rapport aux bobines (48, 0) de sorte que l élément supérieur (28) se déplace le long de la brosse à dents () mais aussi vers et loin de l élément inférieur (26). 16. Appareil d hygiène personnelle () comprenant : un manche (12) ; un ensemble de pièce de travail incluant un effecteur final (14) pour accomplir une fonction d hygiène personnelle ; un actionneur d ensemble de pièce de travail (24) qui comprend un système de masse à ressort incluant un élément inférieur de stator immobile (26) et un élément supérieur (28) mobile, les éléments supérieur et inférieur (26, 28) incluant des parties courbées espacées (34, 36, 46, 48) qui sont en repérage ; deux éléments rouleaux (2, 4), chaque élément rouleau (2, 4) étant capturé entre une partie courbée (34, 36, 46, 48) de l élément supérieur (28) et l élément inférieur (26) ; et un ensemble d entraînement pour le déplacement de l élément supérieur (28) en avant et arrière sur les éléments rouleaux (2, 4), produisant une action oscillante de l effecteur final (14). 8

9 EP B1 9

10 EP B1

11 EP B1 REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard. Patent documents cited in the description US A1 [0002] US A [0006] 11