REMOVABLE HEAD MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC CLEANING DEVICE

摘要

REMOVABLE HEAD MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC CLEANING DEVICE A cleaning apparatus 10 is provided for transmitting powered motion to an operating member having a removable head mechanism 14 contained within a hollow housing 13. A motorized base 12, including a base drive shaft 30, is locked onto a head drive shaft 170 of the removable head mechanism 14 in response to axial movement of the base drive shaft 30 into the housing 13. The head mechanism 14 comprises a collet 180 having outwardly radiating arms 184 and inwardly extending feet 186 at the lower end of the collet 180 and a rack 170 at the upper end. The rack 170 engages rotatable gears 130 containing tufts of filaments 138. The base drive shaft 30 defines a shoulder 38 and a tip 36 at the upper end 32 which is received into the collet 180. A sleeve 190, retained within the head mechanism 14 by the inner dimensions of the hollow housing 13, receives the outwardly radiating arms 184 and compresses them over the tip 36 of the base drive shaft 30 causing the feet 186 to engage the shoulder 38. Once locked onto the head mechanism 14, the axial movement of the base drive shaft 30 causes rotation and counterrotation of the gears 130 and the tufts 138 mounted within the gears. Unlocking of the shafts is accomplished by pulling the head mechanism 14 away from the base 12. The rotational movement of the tufts 138 is useful for cleaning surfaces such as teeth.