Brush body and toothbrush

Abstract

A brush body has bristle bundles embedded in a brush head. A bristle contained in the bristle bundles includes a core which consists of a conductive member, and a sheath which consists of an insulating member and covers the core. The core is exposed at the tip portion of the bristle and functions as an electrode for passing current into the mouth. The embedding of the bristle bundles in an electrically conductive base arranged in the brush head electrically connects the core to the base.

1 . A brush body comprising a plurality of bristle bundles on a brush head, wherein:
 the plurality of bristle bundles includes a bristle that includes a core, which is formed by a conductive member, and a sheath, which covers the core and is formed by an insulative member, wherein the core is exposed from the sheath at a tip portion of the bristle to function as an electrode that energizes an oral cavity; and   the bristle bundles are embedded in a base, which is arranged in the brush head and formed by a conductive member, thereby electrically connecting the core to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is arranged in the brush head and thereby covered by the insulative member. 
     
     
         3 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is formed by a conductive elastic member. 
     
     
         4 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is formed to press against a connection portion of the core in a state in which the bristle bundles are embedded. 
     
     
         5 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein the base is an assembly including a fastening portion, which fastens the bristle bundles, and a connection portion, which is electrically connected to the core. 
     
     
         6 . The brush body according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the bristle bundle is fastened by ultrasonic welding to the fastening portion; and   the fastening portion includes a welding piece, which is used for ultrasonic welding, and a peripheral wall, which surrounds the welding piece.   
     
     
         7 . The brush body according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the sheath is formed from an insulative resin and defines a side surface of the bristle bundle; and   the welding piece of the fastening portion is welded to the sheath.   
     
     
         8 . The brush body according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the sheath is formed from an insulative resin and defines a side surface of the bristle bundle; and   the welding piece of the fastening portion is an annular piece surrounding the side surface of the bristle bundle.   
     
     
         9 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein each of a plurality of bristles forming each of the bristle bundles includes the core and the sheath. 
     
     
         10 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the bristles in selected ones of the bristle bundles includes the core and the sheath. 
     
     
         11 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein the bristle bundle is folded in a U-shaped manner to include a folding portion, and the core is exposed from the sheath at the folded portion and electrically connected to the base. 
     
     
         12 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the core includes a distal projection, which functions as the electrode, and a basal projection, which is connected to the base; and   the sheath covers a side surface of the core excluding a side surface of the distal projection and side surface of the basal projection in the core.   
     
     
         13 . The brush body according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrode generates chlorine having a sterilization effect through electrolysis of oral cavity fluid that is proximal to the electrode. 
     
     
         14 . A toothbrush comprising:
 the brush body according to  claim 1 ; and   an energizing means for supplying the electrode of the bristle with current for local energizing.   
     
     
         15 . The toothbrush according to  claim 14 , comprising an oscillation actuator that oscillates the brush head.