Cleaning appliance
A dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid delivery system for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user; and a control circuit for controlling the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user. The appliance has a first operational mode in which the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is inhibited and a second operational mode in which the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is permitted. During use of the appliance, the control circuit is arranged to effect a transition between the first operational mode and the second operational mode automatically depending on a detected operational parameter of the appliance.
1. A dental cleaning appliance comprising:
a fluid delivery system for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user; and
a control circuit for controlling the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user;
wherein the appliance has a first operational mode in which the appliance is operating and the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is inhibited and a second operational mode in which the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is permitted, and wherein, during use of the appliance, the control circuit is arranged to effect a transition between the first operational mode and the second operational mode automatically depending on a detected operational parameter of the appliance;
wherein the detected operational parameter of the appliance is the magnitude of a load applied to the appliance during use thereof.
2. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is arranged to effect a transition between the first operational mode and the second operational mode when the detected operational parameter of the appliance is above a non-zero threshold value.
3. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a valve, and wherein the control circuit is arranged to control the actuation of the valve depending on the detected operational parameter of the appliance.
4. The appliance of claim 3 , wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a pump, and wherein the valve is located downstream from the pump.
5. The appliance of claim 3 , wherein the valve is a solenoid valve.
6. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is arranged to actuate the delivery of fluid to the teeth of a user in response to a user action on the appliance during the second operational mode of the appliance.
7. The appliance of claim 6 , wherein the user action on the appliance is the actuation of a button of the appliance.
8. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is arranged to actuate the delivery of fluid to the teeth of a user automatically in response to an input received from a sensor during the second operational mode of the appliance.
9. The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the appliance comprises a handle and a cleaning tool connected to the handle, the cleaning tool comprising a plurality of bristles.
10. The appliance of claim 9 , wherein the cleaning tool comprises a moveable bristle carrier upon which the plurality of bristles is mounted, and the appliance comprises a drive unit for moving the bristle carrier, the drive unit comprising a motor.
11. The appliance of claim 10 , wherein the detected operational parameter of the appliance is the magnitude of the current drawn by the motor during use of the appliance.
12. The appliance of claim 10 , wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a nozzle through which a burst of working fluid is delivered to the teeth of a user, and the bristle carrier is moveable relative to the nozzle.