US3809977A

US3809977A - Ultrasonic kits and motor systems

Info

Publication number: US3809977A
Application number: US00119298A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Balamuth; A Kuris; M Karatjas
Original assignee: Ultrasonic Systems Inc
Current assignee: Ultrasonic Systems Inc
Priority date: 1971-02-26
Filing date: 1971-02-26
Publication date: 1974-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 1991-05-07

Abstract

The invention discloses various embodiments of an ultrasonic kit adapted to be used in the home or for industrial purposes, as well as a variety of ultrasonic motor constructions and ultrasonic converter designs to be used either individually or in combination with each other. The ultrasonic motor is generally of a piezoelectric material having a removable tip or of a design in which the complete motor is contained in a housing, which housing has electrical contact means adapted to be plugged into an adapter which, in turn, is connected to a converter. The motor may be designed such that frequency sensing is provided therein and the feedback signal is utilized by the generator to adjust itself thereto.

Description

128*240H AU 335 EX United States Patent 1191 1111 3,809,977 Balamuth et al. May 7, 1974 [54] ULTRASONIC KITS AND MOTOR SYSTEMS 591,160 10/1897 Dow 128/l72.1

2,874,470 2/1959 Richards 1. [75] Inventors: Lewis Balamuth, New York; Arthur 3'488'788 1/1970 Robinson Kuris, Riverdale; Manual Karatjas, 3,518,766 7/1970 Burt Glen a ll of Y. 2,846,874 8/1958 Horn 3,176,167 3/1965 Vosseler [73] Assigneez Ultrasonic Systems, Inc., 3.421480 2/1969 Robinson" Farmillgdale, 3,375,583 4/1968 Blank et a1 22 i 2 197 3,368,280 2/1968 Friedman et a1 310/26 X [21] Appl. No; 119,298 1 Primary Examiner-D. F. Duggan [52] US. Cl 318/116, 32/58, 128/24, [57] ABSTRACT 206/16 R The invention discloses various embodiments of an ul [51] Int. Cl H01v 7/00 trasonic kit adapted to be used in the home or for Field of Search 26; 318/116 H8; dustrial purposes, as well as a variety of ultrasonic 15/22; 32/56 581 1310- 91 128/24 A; motor constructions and ultrasonic converter designs 206/16 16 S1 1721 172 A; 228/] to be used either individually or in combination with each other. The ultrasonic motor is generally of a pi [56] References Cited ezoelectric material having a removable tip or of a de- UNITED STATES PATENTS sign in which the complete motor is contained in a 3,447,051 5/1969 Attwood et al. 318/118 x housing, which housing has electrical Contact means 2.911691 12/1959 DePrisco et al. 318/118 apted to e plugged in o n p e hich. in n, 3,539.888 11/1970 DePrisco et al. 310/8.1 is connected to a converter. The motor'may be de- 3 689,78l 9/1972 Kawada 3l0/8.l signed such that f eg gggx sgnsing is provided [herein 3.432.691 3/1969 Shoh 318/118 X and the f db k signal is ili db'y' fi h to 3.703,037 ll/l972 Robinson 32/DlG. 4 X itself h t 3,544,866 l2/l970 McLeroy 1 1 1 318/118 3.5116,936 6/1971 McLeroy 310/8.1 X 34 Claims, 32 Drawing Figures I -3 36 1 [11 119 3 41 [I 2 1111/ 1 1 U 1 y I 1 I 45 20 MTENTEDHM 71914 $809,977

saw D10F14 46 INVENTORS ARTHUR KURiS LEWIS BALAMUTH BY MANUAL KARA JAS ATTORNEY PATENIEDHAY 11914 3.809.977

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saw '07 or 14 ENTORS ARTHU URIS LEWIS BALAMUTH BY MANU KAR TJAS ATTORNEY I PATENTEDHAT 7 m2 saw 08 or 14 RATENTED MAY 7 I874 saw us or 14 INVENTORS 5 A N BW RAR R U 0 KA T B R L T U HM T REA AL BY M RATENTEDMAY 7 1974 2603 25 5 n I 258a 1 //7 256e F G 27 I 22c 269a 266 2678 254= 265:. r

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sum

11 or 14 MAN wmw

INVENTORS ARTHUR KURIS LEWIS BALAMUTH BY MANUAL KARATJAS ATTORNEY FIG. 30

msmenm H914 3.809.977

INVENTORS ARTHUR KURIS LEWlS BALAMUTH BY MANUAL KARATJAS w yw ATTORNEY "ATENTEBM 7 I974 sum 13 07 MANUAL KARATJAS PATENTED W 7 FIG. 32

ARTHUR LEWIS MANUAL INVEN TORS KURIS BALAMUTH KARATJAS ULTRASONIC KITS AND MOTOR SYSTEMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ultrasonic unit adapted to be used for home, professional and industrial applications to perform a variety of functions, as well as motor designs and power sources available therefore.

Heretofore, the use of ultrasonic energy has been directed towards the medical and industrial markets without'any major attempt to enter the home consumer field via products incorporating an ultrasonic motor adapted'to be hand held with a complimentary converter for increasing the normal (SO-cycle per second house current to an ultrasonic range, of say 40,000 cycles per second, to energize the motor.

Applicants have now discovered that it is possible to produce home oriented products, by supplying to the consumer a basic kit that permits the user a major degree of flexibility in the application of ultrasonic energy to a number of areas. Accordingly, the present invention comprises one or more kits which may be variously designated as:

I. An ultrasonic hobby kit.

2. An ultrasonic multi-duty home service kit.

3. An ultrasonic universal chores kit.

4. An ultrasonic home workshop and the like.

spect of the ultrasonic motor technology today requires an electrical converter to increase the frequency of the normal house current to an ultrasonic rate, which rate for purposes of this invention is defined within the range of approximately 5,000 to l,000,000 cycles per second. Accordingly, the present invention in each of its various forms provides a converter, either adapted to be plugged directly into an electrical outlet through .an electrical cord or connected to a battery. The converter is electrically connected to the motor which is designed to convert the electrical energy into mechanical vibrations at an ultrasonic rate. The present invention provides various converters adapted to be used in connection with variously housed motors adaptable for a number of applications.

a In connection with the home consumer market particularly, the cost to date of the ultrasonic motorconverter systems has hindered the introduction of ultrasonics into the consumer field in any sizeable scale. This invention provides a way for producing the ultrasonic system with the versatility necessary for practical application thereof on an economical basis.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel ultrasonic motor converter system for multi-purpose use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel ultrasonic converter.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, includes a home consumer unit adapted for use for cosmetic purposes, having a plurality of interchangeable accessories to permit the user to carry out various functions with the ability of quick interchangeability and replacement so that various members of the household may have access to the ultrasonic energy imparted to the accessory with a single power source or converter being employed.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the ultrasonic instrumentation is contained within a wall unit such that the accessory may be manually withdrawn therefrom during usage and then returned to the wall cabinet when the user has completed such usage.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an ultrasonic kit is provided to permit the user to use ultrasonic energy for various hobby purposes; and the kit includes the ultrasonic motor, converter, and a series of interchangeable accessory elements that function in various manners to carry out the hobbycraft functions. The word hobbycraft" is used to include various household functions, and is not limited to hobbies per se. 'Iihekitfurther may include various plastic, wood, or metallic parts of various shapes and configurations to be assembled by, or used with, the ultrasonic instrument.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a novel ultrasonic motor is disclosed, which provides for the first time an interchangeability within the ultrasonic field of an entire motor that may be plugged or otherwise quickly coupled to a power source such that quick interchangeability is available for various uses.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a novel converter design is disclosed that is-battery powered so as to be able to drive an ultrasonic motor for a variety of functions.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a novel motor-converter system is disclosed in which driving crystals are utilized for powering the motor and a sensing crystal is utilized for monitoring the frequency of the motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be made and used, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1, is a perspective view of an ultrasonic hygenic kit in use;

FIG. 2, is a perspective view of the ultrasonic kit as adapted for use;

FIG. 3, is a side elevational view of ultrasonic instrument means for use in the present invention;

FIG. 4, is a side elevational view in cross-section of the instrument means in assembled relationship taken along a medial plane;

FIG. 5, is a view in cross-section taken along the plane indicated by the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6, is a view in cross-section taken along the plane indicated by the line '6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7, is a perspective view of an ultrasonic hygenic kit in use;

FIG. 8, is a side elevational view in section of the kit illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9, is a side elevationalview of ultrasonic instrument means for use in the present invention;

FIG. 10, is a side elevational view in cross-section of the instrument means in assembled relationship taken along a medial plane; I

FIG. 11, is a view in cross-section taken along the plane indicated by the line 11-11 in FIG.

FIG. 12, is-a view in cross-section taken along the plane indicated by the line 12-12 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13, is a view in cross-section taken along the plane indicated by the line 13-13 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14, is a side elevational view of ultrasonic instrument means for use in present invention;

FIG. 15, is a side elevational view in cross-section of the instrument means in assembled relationship taken along a medial plane;

FIG. 16, is a view in cross-section taken along the plane indicated by the line 16-16 in FIG.

FIG. 17, is a view in cross-section taken along the plane indicated by the line' 17-17 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18, is a view in cross-section taken along the plane indicated by the line 18-18 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 19, is a form of kit that is primarily intended for the hobbyist;

FIG. 20, .illustrates the instrument means of the kit used for assembly of a plastic model;

FIG. 21, illustrates an ultrasonic system having a converter adapted to be plugged into a wall outlet;

FIG. 22, illustrates the system for use in another hobbycraft;

FIG. 23, illustrates another form of hobby kit;

FIG. 24, illustrates the instrument means of the kit in FIG. 23 in assembled relation;

FIG. 25, is an enlarged view partially in section, of a removable element for use in assembly of component parts;

FIG. 26, is a view similar to FIG. 25 showing the completed assembly operation;

FIG. 27, is a view similar to FIG. 25 of a novel fastener being assembled;

FIG. 28, is a view illustrating the removal of the head formed on the fastener; and

FIGS. 29-32 illustrate various electrical schematics of converters that can be used to drive the various ultrasonic motors described herein.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Turning now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, we have disclosed an ultrasonic system or kit generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, for use by one or more users 11, seen to include a cabinet 12, on table 19, which contains therein an ultrasonic converter 15, as well as a tray or reservoir 16 forming a reservoir on the top I3 thereof, and containing a supply of liquid 18, which, in a conventional manner, is pumped from the reservoir 16 by pumping means 20 contained within the cabinet 12 and connected to the tray 16 to permit the flow of liquid 18 through the pumping means 20. Ultrasonic instrument means 22 is coupled to the converter means 15 and pumping means 20 by cable means 24 which contains a current supply line and a liquid supply line. The ultrasonic instrument 22 is comprised of accessory or implement means 25, that may have various shapes and configurations, and adapted to be removably secured to adapter or coupling means 26. The cabinet 12 contains power control means in the form of a switch 28 having an On and position and a variable switch 30 to regulate the power of converter 15. A liquid means regulator includes a switch 32 that contains a dial to vary the rate of the pump 20, which pumps the fluid from the reservoir 16 through the cable 24 in a manner which is well known in the art.

The cabinet 12 is seen to include support means 35 which may extend from the side wall thereof in the form of bent arms 36 to support the adapter 26 when not in use. The upper surface 13 of the cabinet 12 includes retaining means in the form of a plurality of recesses 33 adapted to receive therein in vertical relationship a plurality of accessories 25, each adapted to be interchangeable with and readily connected to the adapter 26 as hereinafter more fully described with respect to FIGS. 3-6 and FIGS. 9-18. The actual accessory 25 may consist of an ultrasonic toothbrush 38, an ultrasonic water-pick 40, or an ultrasonic prophylaxis unit 41; said water-pick, toothbrush and prophylaxis unit may be made in accordance with US. Pat. No. 3,547,l 10 issued Dec. 15, 1970, by Lewis Balamuth and entitled, Methods and Apparatus for Maintaining Tooth and Gingival Structures with Ultrasonic Energy, and which patent is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Another accessory in the form of an ultrasonic razor 42 may also be interchangeable with the adapter 26 and said razor may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 872,927, filed Oct. 31, I969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,6l0,080, issued Oct. 5, I97 I by Arthur Kuris and entitled, Ultrasonic Method and Apparatus for Shaving," and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Another accessory 25 may be in the form of a container 43 adapted to receive therein a fluid which accessory may be used by the user by inserting their finger therein for doing their nails, to perform a cleansing or other operation thereon. Another accessory 44 may be in the form of a polishing head for polishing and performing other beauty care treatments.

The ultrasonic kit 10, as seen with respect to FIG. 1, and for which the user 11 is using an ultrasonic toothbrush in the mirror 17 on wall 14, permits each family to have their own accessory 25 available to them such that it may be readily interchangeable and connected to the adapter 26 so that when the connection is made electrical energy is transmitted to the working end of the accessory which, as indicated above, may take various shapes and forms and there is disclosed herein are only a sampling of those that might be used in accordance with the present invention. The kit illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is seen to include an electrical plug 46 which is in a conventional manner plugged into a wall outlet and connected by cable to the generator or converter 15 that converts the normal -cycle house current to an ultrasonic rate, which as herein designed,

is to include the frequency range of 5,000 cycles to 1,000,000 cycles per second. Obviously, the converter may be battery powered as hereinafter described, or the type in which it is battery powered, as hereinafter described, or the type in which it is battery powered for traveling but having a feature in which case a plug would still be utilized.

Accordingly, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a new and novel ultrasonic instrumentation that affords the user, for the first time, to have a variety of ultrasonic implements 25 available to him in a compact manner, to be useable with minimum effort by an entire family in the home. In use, the user 11 merely selects the particular accessory 25 desired for a particular need and then sets out to manually insert the accessory 25 into the adapter 26 in a simple easy manner. The power may then be energized by the On" and Off" switch 28 and the amount of liquid 18 from the reservoir 16, if any is desired, may then be selected by the variable switch 32, and the power level selected by variable control switch 30. When the user has completed the use of the accessory 25, he or she may then remove the accessory 25 from the adapter 26, replacing it in the selected retaining means 33 provided therefor and return the adapted to its support means 35.

FlGS. 4-6 illustrate one form of accessory 25, and adapter 26, construction that may be utilized in accordance with the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The accessory 25 includes an ultrasonic motor or transducer means 50 contained in a tubular housing 52 having a front end 54 and a rear end 56 with the outer wall 58 of the housing 52 having any desired contoured shape or configuration to facilitate it being handled by the user, and a tapered section 59 terminating at the front end 54 of the housing 52 with a chamber or cavity means 60 extending from the rear end 56 of the housing 52 and connected to an axial opening 62 which in turn terminates at the front end 54.

As seen with respect to FIG. 4, the ultrasonic'motor 50 is contained within the housing cavity 60 and the hand piece housing 52 may be of plastic or any other suitable material.

The ultrasonic motor 50 includes a transmission member 65 terminating at a working output end or tip 66 at one end thereof and having a rear surface or face 68 at its opposite end. The transmission member 65 may be designed in the form of an acoustical impedance transformer so that there is an increase in the amplitude of mechanical vibration from its rear face 68 to its front tip 66. The actual variations of cross sectional area to obtain the amplitude magnification is well known in the art. The transmission member 65 may be made of a metallic or plastic material depending upon its desired use, for example, if the implement as shown in FIG. 4 has a water feed associated therewith then the unit may be used for dentistry in the form of a dental prophylaxis unit by the dentist or in turn may be of a home consumer design to be used by the user in the home for maintaining tooth and gingival surfaces free of deposits normally contained on the teeth of the user. Essentially, the motor construction, as hereinafter described, for professional and home use, may be of similar design except that the relativepower for a home consumer unit would be less than that of a prefessional unit which is used by the dentist since in the home the user is in a sense doing over a 6-month period what the dentist might be doing at one sitting in the dentist's office. Accordingly, the tip 66 may be of a plastic or metallic material depending upon the use thereof and the magnitude of ultrasonic mechanical vibrations to be imparted thereto.

The transmission member has a circular rear section 70 and front section 75, with an internally threaded bore 71 extending from its rear face 68 and terminating in a seat 72 adapted to contain therein sealing means as in the form of an o-ring 74 as hereinafter explained. Communicating with the bore 71 is a longitudinally extending passageway 76 that extends to the front tip 66 of the transmission 65 through the front section 75, which is illustrated tohave a curved or contoured portion 78 to permit ready access within the oral cavity. Obviously, the shape, contour and cross sectional area of the passageway 76 may be designed to obtain various spray patterns or flow rates and further, the tip 66 may be designed so as to obtain flexural, lateral, torsional, elliptical, linear or longitudinal motion, by proper control of the shape of the front section of the transmission member which has the bent tip portion 78 formed therewith.

The transmission member 65 has a contoured radius 79 connecting together the front section 75 and the rear section 70 of the transmission member 65, which sections may be both of circular cross sectional area such that the front section 75 extends out beyond the front end 54 of the housing 52 a sufiicient distance and through the opening 62 provided therefor. The transmission member 65 may contain an annular depression 80 for motor mounting means, illustrated to be in the form of an o-ring 81, but it may take other forms and shapes as desired. Extending from the rear face 68 of the transmission member 65 is a support member or shaft 82 having a threaded portion 84 which engages the threaded portion 71 of the transmission member 65 and an axially extending passageway or opening 83. The rear end of the support member 82 also has a threaded portion 86 which receives locking means in the form of a nut threaded thereon and adapted to sandwich therebetween under a selected compressive static load a pair of piezoelectric crystals 88 and 89 that i may be of a lead zirconate or I ead'titanate ceramic tive crystals 88 and 89 have a diameter which permits an insulating tubular sleeve 96 to be positioned in surrounding relationship over the support member 82, and extends the length from the front face 98 of crystal 88 to the rear face 101 of the crystal 89. The sleeve 96 is made preferably from an insulative material such as plastic so as to isolate the crystals from the electrode that extends between the rear face 99 of crystal 88 and the front face of crystal 100 of crystal 89.

To permit wiring of the motor, wire lead 104 extends through the passageway 83 with the'support member 82 having a longitudinally extending opening 102 through the support member wall and through an opening 105 in the insulator sleeve 96 and terminating in a pocket 106 within the disc shaped electrode 90. The

wire 104 is soldered or otherwise attached to the electrode 90 for electrical purposes. The rear member 91 fits in telescopic relationship to the support member 82 and has an external diameter 108 which is less than the internal diameter of the chamber 60.

The mounting means for the motor in the housing means 52 consists of spaced apart o-

rings

81 and 110 such that the vibrational energy of the motor when energized, remains substantially isolated therein without the energy being transmitted to the housing 52. A peripheral o-ring seat 109 is provided for o-ring 110 in the housing 52.

Locking means in the form of a nut 85 is secured to the rear threaded portion 86 on shaft 82 and is tightened to the point where an axial compressive force is sufficient to compress the crystal 88, electrode 90, crystal 89, and rear section 91 with a predetermined amount of torque. Depending upon the size of the crystals and power of the motor, an epoxy material may be used to bond the parts and crystals together and form the locking means.

As' part of the electrical connecting means, a ground lead or conductor 112 is connected to a lug 114, a portion of which extends beneath the nut 85, such that the power leads 104 and 112 are in turn connected to a power source as hereinafter explained.

The ultrasonic motor 50 although shown as piezoelectric may be one of a variety of electromechanical types, such as electrodynamic, piezoelectric or magnetostrictive. and designed for effecting ultrasonic vibrations through hand directed tools of suitable configuration, or larger ones, which are readily replaceable or interchangeable with other work performing tools or accessories such as for use as acoustically vibrated material treating devices. The motor 50 has components rigidly joined, in end-to-end relationship to form a unit or assembly which is removably supported in a housing containing electrical coupling means to the transducer and receiving alternating current.

The ultrasonic motor 50 is longitudinally dimensioned so as to have lengths which are generally whole multiples of half-wavelengths of .the compressional waves established therein at the frequency of the combined longitudinal length of the components so that longitudinal loops or other components of motion occur at the end 66 of the output surface of the transmission member 65. Thus, the optimum amplitude of longitudinal vibration and hyper-accelerations of transmission or coupling member is achieved, and such amplitude is determined by the relationship of the masses of the rear section and front section which may be made effective to either magnify or reduce the amplitude of the vibrations received from the transducer crystals. The front section 75 may be permanently attached to the rear section 70, or the front section 75, or part thereof, may be provided with a threaded stud adapted to be screwed into a tapped hole in the end of the transmission member 65 for effecting rigid connection of a removable element thereto.

The rear end 56 of the casing or housing 52 has an electric connector or plug 115 connected thereto by means of a bushing 116, which extends beyond the rear end of the housing 52 and may be secured thereto in any conventional manner. The connector 115 is seated at one end of the bushing 116 and adapted to mate with an opposite type connector 120; i.e., female, such that electrical energy may be transmitted to the motor 50.

The adapter 26 is designed to match the rear end of the housing 52 and includes a cavity 121 having a front end 122 which abuts the rear end 56 with a wall portion 123 having an external diameter 124 that may be of the same outside diameter as the housing 52. The female connector 120 is contained within a counterbore 125 having

electrical contacts

126 and 128 and may be seated therein by a press fit such that the electrical terminals or

prongs

129 and 130 and water feed 131 of the connector 115, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, are adapted to mate with the female receptacle 120 having receiving prongs or

contacts

133, 134 and 138. The

terminals

129, 130 and 131 extend from the front of the connector 115 and the two power leads 104 and 112 are connected to 129 and 130 respectively and, in turn, to

prongs

133 and 134 which connect to

contacts

126 and 128 respectively. The sleeve 116 extends in telescopic relation to the adapter 26 and by a frictional fit extends within a seat 132 on the front of adapter housing 26. The present embodiment of the ultrasonic motor system is adapted to have a fluid pass therethrough such that the instrument may be used as a water pick or dental prophylaxis unit and accordingly, fluid supply means 135 is provided in the form of a flexible tube or conduit 136 that extends through the sleeve 116 and is coupled to the receptacle 115 which in turn has its prong 131 that mates with prong 134 in receptacle 120 in a conventional manner. The conduit 136 extends from the receptacle 115 and through the axial bore 83 in the shaft 82 to be in axial alignment with the passageway 76 extending from the bottom surface or seat 72 to the tip 66 of the transmission member 65. The conduit 136 may abut the bottom of the seat 72 and be retained in place by sealing means in the form of an oring 137 to afford a structurally fluid tight seal. Other means of coupling the front to the fluid connecting member 136 may be utilized in order to have a continuous flow of fluid, such as water, from a desired source, which may be from a tap or a mechanical pump as discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, for maintaining a stream of fluid on a continuous or intermittent basis.

The vibratory mechanical energy generated in the motor is in turn transmitted to the fluid through the front member as discussed in accordance with US. Pat. No. 3,547,l IO. 1*{bb DIE/w t 6;}?

The

contacts

126 and 128 have

wires

40 and 141 connected thereto and liquid conduit 142 connects to terminal 134, with all being contained within a flexible sheath 145 and together forming cable 24. A stop member 146 firmly grips the sheath 145 and memers therein.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an ultrasonic kit 10a of a similar nature to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the entire kit 10a is situated within a cabinet 12a that is built within the wall 14a of the home of the user 11a and access to the accessories 25a as well as the power On-Off switch 28a, power regulation 30a and fluid regulator switch 320 are obtained by opening the door 1500 to the cabinet 12a. As seen in particular with respect to FIG. 8, the cabinet 120 contains a lower shelf 130 or wall having a plurality of openings 33a and each opening adapted to receive therein an accessory 250 which may be of the type discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The upper portion of the cabinet 12a contains an upper wall 151a and a front panel 152a through which the

knob control switches

28a, 30a and 32a extend with the converter a positioned on the upper wall 151a and connected to the normal house current via cable 45a and plug 46a. An electrical power cable 154a extends from the converter 15a through the upper wall 151a and through a middle wall 155a, which latter wall supports the reservoir 16a which, as seen in FIG-3 may be readily removed for replenishing the supply of liquid therein. The bottom of the reservoir 16a is coupled to a fitting 156a in which the power cable [540 is connected to, and fluid supply and power supply merge into cable 240, and are then wound on a spring loaded or other commercially type available take-up or retracting means in the form of a reel 1600 such that the adapter 260 from its retracted position as seen in FIG. 8 is retained in place by supporting means 35 with support arms or clips 36a, mounted on panel 1610 to its extended position as seen in FIG. 7 so that it is ready for use by the user lla. The manner of operation is similar to that described in FIGS. 1 and 2, and by supplying a spring loaded take-up reel 160a, the problems of a loose cable 240 are eliminated.

FIGS. 9-13 illustrate another form of accessory 25b and adapter 26b thatmay be utilized in accordance with the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and 7 and 8, and having an added feature of a removable element l65b. The accessory 25b includes an ultrasonic motor or transducer means 50b contained in a tubular housing 52b having a front end 54!; and a rear end 56b with the outer wall 58b of the housing 52b having any desired contoured shape or configuration to facilitate it being handled by the user, and a tapered section 59b terminating at the front end 54b of the housing 52b with a chamber or cavity means 60b extending from the rear end 56b of the housing 52b and connected to an axial opening 62b which in turn terminates at the front end 54b.

As seen with respect to FIG. 10, the ultrasonic motor 50b is contained within the housing cavity 60b and the hand piece housing 52b may be of plastic or any other suitable material. The ultrasonic motor 50b includes a transmission member 65b terminating at a working output end or tip 66b at one end thereof and having a rear surface or face 68b at its opposite end. The transmission member 65b may be designed in the form of an acoustical impedance transformer so that there is an increase in the amplitude of mechanical vibration from its rear face 68b to its front tip 66b. The actual variations of cross sectional area to obtain the amplitude magnification is well known in the art. The transmission member 65b may be of a metallic or plastic material depending upon its desired use with the removable element l65b having a water feed through as shown in F IG. 4; then the unit may be used for dentistry in the form of a dental prophylaxis unit by the dentist or in turn may be of a home consumer design to be used by the user in the home for maintaining tooth and gingival surfaces free of deposits normally contained on the teeth of the user. Essentially, the motor construction, as hereinafter described, for professional and home use, may be of similar design except that the relative power for a home consumer unit would be less than that of a professional unit which is used by the dentist, since in the home the user is in a sense doing over a 6- month period what the dentist might be doing at one sitting in the dentist's office. Accordingly, the removable element 165b may be of a plastic or metallic material depending upon the use thereof and the magnitude of ultrasonic mechanical vibrations to be imparted thereto.

The transmission member 65b has a contoured radius 79b connecting together the front section 75b and the rear section 70!) of the transmission member 65b, which sections may be both of circular cross sectional area such that the front section b extends out beyond the front end 54b of the housing 52b a sufficient distance and through the opening 62b provided therefor.

The transmission member 65b may contain an annular depression b and casing 52b with an annular depression 166b, for motor mounting means, illustrated to be in the form of an o-ring 81, positioned in each of said depressions. Extending from the rear face 68b of the transmission member 65b is a support member or shaft 82b that may be integrally formed therewith, and having an axially extending passageway or opening 83b. The rear end of the support member 82b has a threaded portion 86b which receives locking means in the form of a nut b threaded thereon and adapted to sandwich therebetween under a selected compressive static load a pair of driving piezoelectric crystals 88b and 89b and a third crystal 168b forming part of the sensing means, that may be of a lead zirconator'or lead titanate ceramic crystal material, formed so as to be either capable of ultrasonic vibrational activity in its longitudinal direction when activated by high frequency electrical impulses delivered to it, or detecting the frequency of the motor, as will be described. The driving crystals have an external diameter 92b and 93b respectively, which is smaller than the internal diameter of the chamber 60b such that sufficient clearance therebetween is obtained. The internal diameters 94b and 95b of the respective crystals 88b and 89b have a diameter which permits an insulating tubular sleeve 96b to be positioned in surrounding relationship over the support member 82b, and extends the length from the front face 98b of crystal 88b to at least the rear face l0lb of the crystal 89b. The sleeve 96b is made preferably from an insulative material such as plastic so as to isolate the crystals from the electrode b that extends between the rear face 99b of crystal 88b and the front face of crystal 10% of crystal 89b.

To permit wiring of the motor, wire lead l04b extends through the passageway 83b with the support member 82b having a longitudinally extending opening l02b through the support member wall and through an opening l05b in the insulator sleeve 96b and terminating in a pocket 106b within the disc shaped electrode 90b. The wire 104k is soldered or otherwise attached to the electrode 90b for electrical purposes. The rear member 91b tits in telescopic relationship to the support member 82b and has an external diameter'l08b which is less than the internal diameter of the chamber 60b.

A peripheral o-ring seat 10% is provided on the support member 82b and an o-ring seat 16% is provided in the cavity 80b for o-ring l10b such that the mounting means for the motor 50b in the housing means 52b consists of spaced apart o-

rings

81b and 11% such that the vibrational energy of the motor when energized, remains substantially isolated therein without the energy being transmitted to the housing 52b. By providing 0- ring seats in the housing 52b as well as on the motor 50b axial movement of the motor relative to the hous-

Claims

1. An ulTrasonic system including A. a cabinet; B. driving circuit means for providing an electrical driving signal of a desired ultrasonic frequency including tuned circuit means tuned to said desired frequency for controllng the frequency of said driving signal; C. adapter means including a first connector coupled to said driving circuit means for transmission of said driving signal; D. a plurality of means each adapted to be interchangeable with each other and releasably connected to said adapter means and forming part thereof to permit a variety of applications to be performed, said adapter means and interchangeable means when assembled being adapted to be hand held by a user and including: 1. a housing means capable of being hand held, 2. an ultrasonic motor capable of vibration at more than one frequency including said desired frequency mounted within at least a portion of said housing means and having a portion extending outside of said housing means portion for transmission of high frequency mechanical vibrations, said ultrasonic motor including: a. a transmission member having a rear section and a front section with an output end for transmitting the generated mechanical vibrations, b. transducer means connected to said rear section, said interchangeable means being in the form of an accessory forming part of said instrument means when assembled therewith and including said motor, said housing means portion, and a second connector mounted on said housing means portion adapted to be releasably connected to said adapter means first connector for electrically coupling said driving circuit means and said transducer means when in its assembled position through said connectors, E. means for applying to said tuned circuit means a detected signal representative of the frequencies of vibration of said motor, said tuned circuit means responding to the desired frequency portion of said detected signal to cause said driving signal means to produce a driving signal of said desired frequency; and F. support means associated with said cabinet for holding said assembled adapter means and interchangeable means in fixed positive relative to said cabinet when not in use.

2. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, including a plurality of interchangeable elements adapted to be removably secured to said transmission member front section of at least one of said interchangeable means for transmission of the ultrasonic mechanical vibrations.

2. an ultrasonic motor capable of vibration at more than one frequency including said desired frequency mounted within at least a portion of said housing means and having a portion extending outside of said housing means portion for transmission of high frequency mechanical vibrations, said ultrasonic motor including: a. a transmission member having a rear section and a front section with an output end for transmitting the generated mechanical vibrations, b. transducer means connected to said rear section, said interchangeable means being in the form of an accessory forming part of said instrument means when assembled therewith and including said motor, said housing means portion, and a second connector mounted on said housing means portion adapted to be releasably connected to said adapter means first connector for electrically coupling said driving circuit means and said transducer means when in its assembled position through said connectors, E. means for applying to said tuned circuit means a detected signal representative of the frequencies of vibration of said motor, said tuned circuit means responding to the desired frequency portion of said detected signal to cause said driving signal means to produce a driving signal of said desired frequency; and F. support means associated with said cabinet for holding said assembled adapter means and interchangeable means in fixed positive relative to said cabinet when not in use.

3. An ultrasonic system defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said interchangeable means includes a razor connected to said motor for driving said razor at an ultrasonic rate.

4. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said interchangeable means includes a toothbrush connected to said motor for driving said toothbrush at an ultrasonic rate.

5. An ultrasonic system as defined by claim 1, wherein at least one of said interchangeable means includes an applicator having a passageway extending therethrough for a stream of liquid and adapted for use in the oral cavity for treating the gingival and tooth structures for hygienic control thereof.

6. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, and further including liquid reservoir means in said cabinet communicating with said adapter means to provide a supply of liquid to the accessory connected to said adapter means.

7. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, wherein A. said transmission means is elongated, said front section having a smaller cross-sectional area than said rear section to act as an acoustical impedance transformer to amplify the mechanical vibrations transmitted to said rear section and transmitted by said front section, B. said ultrasonic motor including support means extending longitudinally from said rear section, C. said transducer means being piezoelectric, positioned on said support means and electrically connected to said first connector, D. said Ultrasonic motor further including a rear member mounted in telescopic relation to said transducer means, and E. locking means to maintain said transmission means, transducer means, and rear member under compression.

8. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 7, wherein said locking means includes a nut threadably engaged on said support means to compress said transmission means, transducer means and rear member to maintain said compression.

9. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 8, and further including mounting means for said motor to maintain said motor in fixed position relative to said housing means.

10. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 7: a. wherein said transducer means includes a pair of piezoelectric discs mounted on said support means, b. a disc-shaped electrode mounted between said crystal discs, and c. means for insulating said piezoelectric discs and said electrode from said support means.

11. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, wherein said driving circuit means includes a power supply for producing a power signal; switch means for controlling the transmission of said power signal as a driving signal to said transducer means; and transformer means having a primary and a secondary winding; said tuned circuit means including capacitor means connected in parallel with said secondary winding; said means for applying said detected signal including said primary winding and means for electrically coupling said power supply through said primary winding to said transducer means.

12. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for applying said detected signal includes sensing means mechanically coupled to said motor for detecting the frequencies of vibration thereof and producing said detected signal, and electrical conductor means for transmitting said detected signal through said first and second connectors to said driving circuit means, said driving circuit means including amplifier means having an input and an output, said tuned circuit means being connected intermediate said conductor means and said amplifier means input and being adapted to filter said detected signal and pass to said amplifier means input the component of said detected signal of said desired frequency, said driving circuit means further including means operatively coupling said amplifier means output and said first connector for transmission of said driving signal.

13. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, and further including power switching means contained on said housing means and adapted to be engaged by a user during operation of the system.

14. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 13, wherein said switching means is contained on the interchangeable means.

15. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 13, wherein said switching means is contained on the adapter means.

16. An ultrasonic system as defined in claim 1, and further including electrical coupling means extending between said motor and said second connector, said coupling means being at least in part embedded within said housing means wall and exposed at at least one end thereof to engage said motor to make electrical contact therewith.

17. An ultrasonic kit, including: A. ultrasonic instrument means adapted to be hand held by the user thereof and having an ultrasonic motor capable of vibrating at more than one frequency; B. driving circuit means for providing an ultrasonic driving signal of a desired frequency for energizing said ultrasonic instrument means, and adapted to be connected to said motor, said driving circuit means including tuned circuit means tuned to said desired frequency for controlling the frequency of said driving signal; C. means for applying to said tuned circuit means a detected signal representative of the frequencies of vibration of said motor, said tuned circuit means responding to the desired frequency portion of said detected signal to cause said driving circuit means to produce a driving sIgnal of said desired frequency; D. interchangeable means each adapted to be removably secured to the front end of said ultrasonic instrument means to permit a variety of applications of ultrasonic mechanical vibrations to selected objects for various results, and E. a container for retaining said ultrasonic instrument means, driving circuit means, and interchangeable means.

18. An ultrasonic kit as defined in claim 17, including electrical plug means for connection to an electrical outlet, said driving circuit means being mounted in said plug means.

19. An ultrasonic kit as defined in claim 17, including a battery for powering said converter, said battery being mounted in said container.

20. An ultrasonic kit as defined in claim 17, and further including plastic parts to be assembled by said ultrasonic instrument means.

21. An ultrasonic kit as defined in claim 20, wherein said plastic parts form a plastic hobby model.

22. An ultrasonic kit as defined in claim 20, wherein said plastic parts are in the form of fasteners.

23. An ultrasonic kit as defined in claim 17, wherein said ultrasonic instrument means includes manual control switch means for selectively actuating said motor.

24. An ultrasonic kit as defined in claim 17, wherein said interchangeable means includes a cutting tool.

25. An ultrasonic kit as defined in claim 17, wherein said interchangeable means includes a heating tool.

26. An ultrasonic kit as defined in claim 17, wherein said driving circuit means includes a power supply for producing a power signal; switch means for controlling the transmission of said power signal as a driving signal to said motor; and transformer means having a primary and a secondary winding; said tuned circuit means including capacitor means connected in parallel with said secondary winding; said means for applying said detected signal including said primary winding and means for electrically coupling said power supply through said primary winding to said motor.

27. An ultrasonic kit as defined in claim 17, wherein said means for applying said detected signal includes sensing means mechanically coupled to said motor and electrically coupled to said driving circuit means for detecting the frequencies of vibration thereof and producing said detected signal, said driving circuit means including amplifier means having an input and an output, said tuned circuit means being connected intermediate said sensing means and said amplifier means input and being adapted to filter said detected signal and pass to said amplifier means input the component of said detected signal of said desired frequency, said driving circuit means further including means operatively coupling said amplifier means output and said motor for transmission of said driving signal.

28. A system for use in the home for hygienic purposes, comprising: A. a housing adapted to be mounted on a wall in the home having an access opening; B. a door connected to said housing and adapted to close the access opening and being movable to open the access opening; C. driving circuit means in said housing for converting conventional home electrical current to an electrical driving signal oscillating at a desired ultrasonic frequency, including tuned circuit means tuned to said desired frequency for controlling the frequency of said driving signal; and D. ultrasonic instrument means in said housing adapted to be hand held by the user, and having an electrical cable connected to said converter, said ultrasonic instrument means being removable through the access opening when said door is opened to permit use of said ultrasonic means with the inner end of the cord being retained within said housing, said instrument means being adapted to be used for hygienic purposes, and having a motor capable of vibrating at more than one frequency including said desired frequency.

29. The system as defined in claim 28, and further including a reel on which said cable is wound to Provide retractable means therefore.

30. The system as defined in claim 28, wherein said instrument means includes an adapter having said cable connected thereto and an accessory removably connected to said adapter and having one end thereof for said hygienic purpose, said accessory including: A. an ultrasonic motor for producing mechanical vibrations; B. an output section coupled to said motor for transmitting the generated mechanical vibrations; C. housing means enclosing said motor; and D. electrical connecting means mounted on said housing means and connected to said motor, said connecting means being adapted to be releasably connected to said adapter for the transmission of electrical energy to said motor, when in its assembled position. E. means for applying to said tuned circuit means a detected signal representative of the frequencies of vibration of said motor, said tuned circuit means responding to the desired frequency portion of said detected signal to cause said driving circuit means to produce a driving signal of said desired frequency.

31. A system as defined in claim 30, wherein said accessory is in the form of a razor and includes an ultrasonic motor electrically connected through said adapter to said driving circuit means for driving said razor at an ultrasonic rate.

32. A system as defined in claim 30, wherein said accessory is in the form of a toothbrush and includes an ultrasonic motor electrically connected through said adapter to said driving circuit means, for driving said toothbrush at an ultrasonic rate.

33. The system as defined in claim 30, and further including reservoir means contained in said housing for containing a liquid, said reservoir means being coupled to said cable, said cable and adapter including a passageway to supply liquid to said accessory, and pumping means in communicating relationship to said reservoir means for supplying said liquid to said instrument means, said accessory being in the form of an applicator having a passageway extending therethrough for a stream of liquid and adapted for use in the oral cavity for treating the gingival and tooth structures for hygienic control thereof, said accessory containing an ultrasonic motor electrically connected through said adapter to said driving circuit means to inpart vibratory energy to said applicator.

34. The system as defined in claim 28, and further including power switching means on said instrument means for manual operation by the user during use.