TOOTHBRUSH WITH VARIABLE TOUCH SELECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF

摘要

An oral cavity apparatus includes a body portion (802) having first and second ends (820, 822) and a grip portion situated between the first and second ends; an oral cleaning tool (808) coupled to the first end and including a toothbrush head (814) having a first and second groups of bristles (850, 852) of different firmness. The second group of bristles has an adjustable extension. An actuator (862) is coupled to the second group of bristle (852) and is configured to control an extension of the second group of bristles (852) relative to the first group of bristles (850). At least one touch-sensitive (TS) sensor (104, 106) is mounted upon the body portion and outputs a sensor value indicative of a force applied thereto. In addition, a controller (807) may be configured to compare the sensor value with a threshold value and actuate the actuator (862) to extend the second group of bristles relative to the first group of bristles based upon the results of the determination.

主权项

1. An oral cleaning apparatus, comprising:
a body portion having first and second ends and a grip portion situated between the first and second ends; an oral cleaning tool coupled to the first end of the body portion and comprising a toothbrush head having first and second groups of bristles of different firmness, the second group of bristles having an adjustable extension; an actuator coupled to the second group of bristle and configured to control an extension of the second group of bristles relative to the first group of bristles; at least one touch-sensitive (TS) sensor mounted upon the body portion and which outputs a sensor value indicative of a force applied thereto; and a controller configured to compare the sensor value with a threshold value and actuate the actuator to extend the second group of bristles relative to the first group of bristles based upon the results of the determination.