US20160183671A1

US20160183671A1 - Mounting system for an oscillating motor in a personal care appliance

Info

Publication number: US20160183671A1
Application number: US14/588,092
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph Eric Skidmore
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2014-12-31
Filing date: 2014-12-31
Publication date: 2016-06-30
Also published as: CN107105885A; EP3244865A1; JP2018503437A; WO2016109295A1; KR20170099941A

Abstract

Oscillating motor mounting systems for personal care appliances are disclosed that reduce vibration transmitted to the appliance handle. In order to reduce vibration in the handle, the oscillating motor is suspended within the personal care appliance via a suspension system.

Description

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a personal care appliance is provided. The appliance includes a handle having a longitudinal axis, a set of upper flexible mounts disposed within the handle, a set of lower flexible mounts disposed within the handle, and an oscillating motor suspended in a balanced manner between the set of upper flexible mounts and the set of lower flexible mounts, wherein the oscillating motor defines an oscillating axis.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a personal care appliance is provided. The appliance includes a handle having a handle base and a handle top, wherein the handle having a longitudinal axis, and an oscillating motor positioned between the handle base and the handle top. The oscillating motor is configured to impart oscillating motion to an object about an oscillating axis parallel with the longitudinal axis. The appliance also includes a first vibration isolator, a second vibration isolator and a third vibration isolator mounted between the oscillating motor and the handle top, and a fourth vibration isolator and a fifth vibration isolator mounted between the oscillating motor and the handle base. In one embodiment, the first vibration isolator, the second vibration isolator, the third vibration isolator, the fourth vibration isolator and the fifth vibration isolator are configured to suspend the oscillating motor within the handle. In this or other embodiments, the first vibration isolator, the second vibration isolator, the third vibration isolator, the fourth vibration isolator and the fifth vibration isolator are configured within the handle such that a preload force is applied to the oscillating motor from each vibration isolator. In these or other embodiments, the first vibration isolator, the second vibration isolator, the third vibration isolator, the fourth vibration isolator and the fifth vibration isolator are positioned within the handle and configured such that the sum of the preload forces parallel to the oscillating axis is zero and the sum of the moments generated by the preload forces about the axes orthogonal to the oscillating axis are zero.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a personal care appliance is provided. The appliance includes a handle having a longitudinal axis, a number of upper flexible mounts disposed within the handle, each upper flexible mount including an elastomeric vibration isolator, a number of lower flexible mounts disposed within the handle, each lower flexible mount including an elastomeric vibration isolator; and an oscillating motor suspended between the number of upper flexible mounts and the number of lower flexible mounts. In one embodiment, the upper flexible mounts and the lower flexible mounts are configured to apply a preload force on the oscillating motor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of one embodiment of a personal care appliance in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded top isometric view of one embodiment of a handle of the personal care appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded bottom isometric view of one embodiment of a handle of the personal care appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of several components of the personal care appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of one embodiment of an oscillating motor suitable for use in the personal care appliance of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the oscillating motor of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of one embodiment of an upper motor mounting assembly in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a lower motor mounting assembly in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a force diagram representing the forces placed on one embodiment of an oscillating motor by the upper motor mounting assembly of FIG. 7 and the lower motor mounting assembly of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings where like numerals reference like elements is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed.
The present disclosure relates generally to vibration reduction in a personal care appliance. Generally described, personal care appliances typically use a motor to produce a particular workpiece movement/action, which in turn, produces desired functional results. Examples of such appliances include power skin brushes, power toothbrushes and shavers, among others. In some currently available personal care appliances, the motor produces an oscillating (back and forth) action rather than a purely rotational movement, with the motion generated by a resonating electromagnetic motor. Examples of such oscillating motors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,786,626, or commercially available in Clarisonic® branded products, such as the Aria or the Mia personal skincare product. The disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 7,786,626, and the Clarisonic® branded products are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
In such appliances described above, the oscillating motor is mounted directly to the appliance handle. Vibration generated by the oscillating motor results in vibration transmitted to the handle through its mounts. These vibrations can at the least be bothersome, and in some cases, quite uncomfortable to the user, particularly in an appliance with a small form factor. Additionally, such vibration may result in variations in performance depending on how rigidly the handle is held by the user.
The following discussion provides examples of oscillating motor mounting systems for personal care appliances that reduce vibration transmitted to the appliance handle. In these examples, the oscillating motor generates suitable oscillating motion to an associated workpiece. The workpiece of the personal care appliance can include but is not limited to cleansing brushes, composition applicators, exfoliating brushes, exfoliating discs, toothbrushes, shaving heads, etc. In order to reduce vibration in the handle, the oscillating motor in one embodiment is suspended within the personal care appliance via a suspension system. One embodiment of the suspension system utilizes compressed elastomeric vibration isolators to suspend the oscillating motor within the handle. In one embodiment, the vibration isolators locate and align the oscillating motor within the housing. In this embodiment, the suspension system is configured to provide equal compression against the top and bottom of the oscillating motor and is configured to provide zero moments about the axes orthogonal to the oscillating axis of the workpiece. As such, the oscillating motor in one embodiment is suspended in the handle in a balanced manner. In one embodiment, the suspension system is preloaded when the components of the personal care appliance are assembled. In many of the examples set forth herein, the oscillating action generated by the oscillating motor may be rotational, translational, or a combination thereof.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.
FIG. 1 is a partially exploded isometric view of one representative embodiment of a personal care appliance, generally designated 20, formed in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the personal care appliance 20 includes a handle 24 detachably coupled to a workpiece, such as brush head 28. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the handle 24 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the handle 24 includes a handle base 30, an oscillating motor 32, and a handle top 36. A workpiece mount 40 is also included, and is coupled to the oscillating motor 32 for movement thereby. In one embodiment, the workpiece mount 40 together with the handle top 36, are configured to be detachably coupled to the brush head 28. The workpiece is shown as a brush head in the embodiment of FIG. 1, but can alternatively include a composition applicator, an exfoliating disc, shaving head, etc. Once attached, the workpiece in one embodiment is oriented coaxially with the handle 24. The personal care appliance 20 also includes a vibration reducing mounting system, sometimes referred to herein as a suspension system, for suspending the oscillating motor 32 within the handle 24, as will be described in more detail below.
The handle base 30 is generally cylindrical in one embodiment, and houses the operating structure of the appliance. As shown in block diagrammatic form in FIG. 4, the operating structure in one embodiment includes the oscillating motor 32, a power storage source, such as a battery 44, and a drive circuit 48 configured and arranged to selectively generate alternating current at a selected duty cycle from power stored in the battery 44 and to deliver alternating current to the oscillating motor 32. In one embodiment, the drive circuit 48 can include an on/off button 50 (See FIG. 1) and optionally includes a power adjust or mode control button 52 (See FIG. 1) coupled to control circuitry, such as a programmed microcontroller or processor, which is configured to control the delivery of alternating current to the oscillating motor 32.
Referring now to FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, one embodiment of the oscillating motor 32 is shown, although other configurations of an oscillating motor can be practiced with embodiments of the personal care appliance 20. As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the oscillating motor 32 includes a motor base 60, a stator 64, and an armature assembly 66. The stator 64, sometimes referred to as an electromagnet or field magnet, is mounted against movement between the armature assembly 66 and the motor base 60. In the embodiment shown, the stator 64 includes an E-core 70 having a center leg (hidden in FIG. 5) upon which a stator coil 74 is wound and two outer legs (hidden in FIG. 5). The coil 74 is connected to a source of alternating current, such as the battery powered drive circuit 48. In operation, the coil 74 generates a magnetic field of reversing polarity when alternating current is passed through the coil 74 and around center leg.
Referring to FIG. 5, the armature assembly 66 includes a somewhat curved armature 80 mounted for movement about an axis 82 (see FIG. 2). The armature 80 includes a back iron 84, which is made from a ferromagnetic material. Two or more spaced magnets 86 and 88 are magnetically coupled to the back iron 84, with magnetization in the radial direction. The magnets 86 and 88 are arranged such that the north pole of one magnet 86 faces outwardly while the north pole of the other magnet 88 faces inwardly. It should be understood, however, that the orientation could be reversed as long as the magnet poles point in opposite directions. In the embodiment shown, the armature 80 includes two surfaces disposed at an angle to one another onto which the two or more magnets 86 and 88 are mounted. As assembled, the position and orientation of the magnets 86 and 88 are such that a line normal to the face of the magnets passing through the midpoint of the magnet face also passes through the axis 82.
The armature assembly 66 also includes an armature mount 90, which is secured to the handle base 30 (See FIG. 1) via motor base 60, thus becoming a mechanical reference for the oscillating system. As shown in FIG. 5, the armature 80 is coupled to the armature mount 90 by a pair of fixture elements, shown as flexure elements 92 and 94, in a crossed configuration. In that regard, the flexure elements 92 and 94 overlap at axis 82, which is the functional pivot point about which armature 80 oscillates. In one embodiment, the armature mount 90 includes extensions 100 and 102 that extend from the ends of a cross member 106 outwardly around the flexure elements 92 and 94 and terminate at ends positioned adjacent outer legs of the E-core 70, as shown in FIG. 5. The bottom of extensions 100 and 102 form an interface that is cooperatively matable with the top peripheral surface of the motor base 60. In one embodiment, the motor base 60 (see FIG. 6) is fastened to the armature assembly 66 via fasteners, such as screws or press fittings, among others. Once mated, the stator 64 is fixedly mounted therebetween.
The armature assembly 66 further includes a mounting arm 116 extending from the side of armature 80. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, the mounting arm 116 extends outwardly from the armature 80 and then extends horizontally (orthogonal to the pivot axis of the workpiece) until it reaches the axis 82, where the mounting arm 116 extends outwardly again approximately coaxially with the axis 82. Mounted on the free end of mounting arm 116 is a workpiece, such as the brush head 28 (See FIG. 1). The configuration of the mounting arm 116 is thus such that the workpiece oscillates about axis 82, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the personal care appliance. In some embodiments, the location/orientation of the mounting arm 116 can be changed, for instance, by moving the location of the tip away from axis 82, to produce a combined rotational/translational movement of the workpiece.
When assembled, the oscillating motor 32 is mounted within the handle 24. In one embodiment, the oscillating motor 32 is mounted between the handle top 36 and the handle bottom 30. In that regard, the armature mount 90 in one embodiment is formed with a first set of motor mounts, shown as three mounting posts 120A-120C in FIGS. 2 and 5. The mounting post 120A extends upwardly from the cross member 106 and mounting posts 120B and 120C extend upwardly from the ends of extensions 100 and 102, respectively. In one embodiment, the mounting posts 120A-120C are in the form of cylindrical bosses, the tops of which lie in the same plane. In one embodiment, the mounting post 120A lies on the X axis of the oscillating motor 32, and the mounting posts 120B and 120C are positioned equidistant from the X-axis, the benefits of which will be described in more detail below. When assembled, the top of the oscillating motor 32 is mounted to the handle top 36 via mounting posts 120A-120C, as will be described in more detail below.
Similarly, one or more motor mounts are associated with the motor base 60. In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the one or more motor mounts includes a splined ring 128, disposed coaxially with the axis 82 and extending downwardly from the motor base 60. When assembled, the bottom of the oscillating motor 32 in one embodiment is mounted to the handle base 30 via a handle mounting structure 140, as will be described in more detail below.
As was briefly stated above, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide techniques or methodologies for reducing vibration transmitting to the handle. In that regard, to reduce vibration transfer to the handle 24, the oscillating motor 32 in one embodiment is mounted in a suspended manner by a suspension system, sometimes referred to herein as a vibration isolation system. As shown in FIG. 7, the suspension system includes a set of vibration isolators 150 disposed between the armature mount 90 and the handle top 36 (not shown in FIG. 7). In one embodiment, the vibration isolators 150A-150C are a set of bushings, which are configured to be disposed over the mounting posts 120A-120C, respectively. The bushings in one embodiment are formed as elastomeric cylinders, constructed out of, for example, rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), such as polyurethane, polyamide, copolyester, and polyolefin blends, to name a few. In one embodiment, the vibration isolators 150B and 150C are the same size and are smaller than the vibration isolator 150A. The bushings and mounting posts are received by cooperatingly configured cups 154A-154C fixedly coupled to the handle top. Together, the vibration isolators 150, the mounting posts 120 and the cups 154 form an upper motor mounting assembly. In one embodiment, the upper motor mounting assembly is located within the motor envelop. In operation, the vibration isolators 150 allow relative movement between the oscillating motor 32 and the handle top 36, thereby forming a first set of flexible mounts, sometimes referred to as upper flexible mounts.
In the embodiment shown, the cups 154 are integrally formed by a discrete component. Alternatively, the cups 154 are integrally formed or otherwise fixedly secured to the handle top. While the embodiment of FIG. 7 shows the mounting posts 120 formed by the armature mount 90 and the cups 154 formed or associated with the handle top, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the location of the cooperating structure of the upper flexible mounts can be reversed.
As shown in FIG. 8, the suspension system further includes a second set of vibration isolators 160 disposed between the motor base 60 and the handle base 30 (not shown in FIG. 8). In one embodiment, vibration isolators 160A and 160B are configured as elastomeric bushings connected via legs 162 to a central hub 164 that defines a splined bore 166. The elastomeric bushings, the legs 162, and the central hub 164 are integrally formed in the embodiment shown, and are formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), such as those listed above, or a natural or synthetic rubber. In one embodiment, the vibration isolators 150 (see FIG. 7) and the vibration isolators 160 are constructed with the same material.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the elastomeric bushings are configured to be retained over cylindrical mounting posts 168A and 168B and the splined bore 166 is configured to mesh with the splined ring 128 of the motor base 60 (see FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the central bore of the vibration isolator 160B is larger than the central bore of the vibration isolator 160A. In the embodiment shown, the mounting posts 168A and 168B are formed by the handle mounting structure 140 and lie on the X axis. Together, the vibration isolators 160 and the posts 168A and 168B form a lower motor mounting assembly. In another embodiment, the vibration isolators 160, the posts 168A and 168B, and the splined interface of the splined ring 128 and the splined bore 166 form the lower motor mounting assembly. In yet another embodiment, the handle mounting structure 140 also includes a splined ring 180, which is coaxially with the axis 82 and configured to mesh with the splined bore 166. In one embodiment, the lower motor mounting assembly is located within the motor envelop. In operation, the vibration isolators 160 allow relative movement between the oscillating motor 32 and the handle base 30, thereby forming a second set of flexible mounts, sometimes referred to as lower flexible mounts. In one embodiment, the splined bore 166 also allows relative movement between the oscillating motor 32 and the handle base 30.
In one embodiment, the handle mounting structure 140 is integrally formed with the handle base 30. Alternatively, the handle mounting structure 140 in the embodiment shown is a discrete component, which is detachably mounted to the handle base 30 via press fittings or other suitable fastening techniques, such as a central King screw. The handle mounting structure in one embodiment includes alignment posts 170, which can serve as part of the press fittings, or in another embodiment, can serve as an anti-rotation feature for resisting torque of the King screw. While the embodiment of FIG. 8 shows the mounting posts 168A and 168B formed by the handle mounting structure 140, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the mounting posts can be integrally formed or otherwise fixedly connected to the motor base.
One assembly method will now be described with regard to FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 8. The handle 24 is assembled in one embodiment by positioning the oscillating motor 32 between the upper and lower motor mounting assemblies. Upper and lower threaded fastener mounts 172 and 176 (See FIGS. 2, 3, and 8) are used with screws to draw the handle top 36 together with the handle mounting structure 140 of the handle base 30. Once drawn together and coupled, the oscillating motor 32, handle top 36, and the handle mounting structure 140 are then lowered into the handle base 30 until the handle mounting structure 140 is aligned with and supported by the handle base 30 via alignment posts 170 and their cooperating components (not shown) formed in the handle base 30. Once aligned and supported, the handle base 30 is secured to the handle mounting structure 140 by, for example, a central King screw.
As assembled, the first and second sets of flexible mounts are preloaded in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the preload placed on the flexible mounts is selected so as to provide a suitable resistance when the user attaches the workpiece 28 to the workpiece mount 40 in a downward motion. Preloading the flexible mounts can be accomplished by various configurations and/or techniques. For example, the vibration isolators 150 and 160 in one embodiment are configured such that when the handle top 36 is drawn together with the handle mounting structure 140, a preload force at each flexible joint, generally designated F₁-F₅(see FIG. 9), is imparted on the oscillating motor 32. In one embodiment, the vibration isolators 150 and 160 are oversized along the Z axis of the appliance (i.e.,. the height of each vibration isolator is greater than its associated cup or mounting post) thereby compressing the vibration isolators 150 between handle top 36 and the armature mount 90 and compressing the vibration isolators 160 between the handle base 30 (via mounting structure 140) and the motor base 60. Compression of the vibration isolators 150A-150C and vibration isolators 160A and 160B generates preload forces F₁-F₅, respectively. The forces in this embodiment are a product of the spring rate of the vibration isolator and the amount of compression (i.e., compression distance). In one embodiment, the compression distance for each vibration isolator is the same.
In one embodiment, the oscillating motor 32 is suspended between the upper motor mounting assembly and the lower motor mounting assembly in a balanced manner. To balance the oscillating motor 32, the upper flexible mounts and the lower flexible mounts are configured such that together the preload forces applied against the oscillating motor 32 cancel out. In other words, the upper flexible mounts and the lower flexible mounts are configured such that the sum of the forces F₁-F₅(see FIG. 9) against the oscillating motor 32 along the Z axis when assembled is zero (ΣF_Z=0). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the upper flexible mounts impart forces F₁-F₃downwardly on the oscillating motor 32 while the lower flexible mounts impart forces F₄and F₅upwardly on the oscillating motor 32. As such, the suspension system in one embodiment is configured such that the following equation (1) is satisfied.
F ₁ +F ₂ +F ₃ =F ₄ +F ₅ (1)
It will be appreciated that in one embodiment, the materials and/or dimensions can be selected for each vibration isolator for varying the magnitude of the forces F₁-F₅in order to satisfy equation (1) above. In one embodiment, the compression distance for each isolator is the same. In another embodiment, the isolators are constructed from the same material but the size of the isolators are different. In still another embodiment, the size of the isolators are the same but the isolators are constructed from different materials. In one embodiment, the vibration isolators 150B and 150C are configured such that F₂and F₃are equal in magnitude.
In addition to satisfying equation (1) above, to balance the oscillating motor 32 the location of the upper flexible mounts and the lower flexible mounts are also selected such that the moments generated by forces F₁-F₅about the X axis cancel out and the moments generated by forces F₁-F₅about Y axis cancels out. In other words, the location of the upper flexible mounts and the lower flexible mounts are selected such that sum of the moments orthogonal to the Z axis of the motor 32 (oscillating axis of the work piece) when the handle is assembled are zero (ΣM_X=0; and ΣM_Y=0).
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the upper flexible mounts formed by isolators 150B and 150C are located equidistant from the X axis of the oscillating motor 32 (Y₁=Y₂). In this embodiment, the upper flexible mount formed by isolator 150A and the lower flexible mounts formed by isolators 160A and 160B lie on the X axis of the oscillating motor 32. As such, no moments are produced about the X-axis when the handle is assembled when F₂.and F₃.are equal.
In another embodiment when F₂.and F₃are not equal, the distances from the X axis are modified in order to satisfy the following equation (2).
(F ₂)(Y ₂)=(F ₃)(Y ₃) (2)
Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the upper flexible mounts formed by isolators 150A, 150B and 150C are located a distance X₁, X₂and X₃, respectively, from the Y axis of the oscillating motor. In this embodiment, the lower flexible mounts formed by isolators 160A and 160B are located distances X₄and X₅, respectively, from the Y axis of the oscillating motor 32. As such, the suspension system in one embodiment is configured such that forces F₂.and F₃are equal and that both equation (1) above and the following equations (3) and (4) are satisfied.
(F ₂)(X ₂)+(F ₃)(X ₃)−(F ₁)(X ₁)=(F ₄)(X ₄)−(F ₅)(X ₅); (3)
X₂=X₃ (4)
It will be appreciated that in another embodiment, the vibration isolators are configured such that forces F₂.and F₃are not equal. In this embodiment, the suspension system is configured such that that only equation (1) and equation (3) above are satisfied.
It should be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, terminology such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” etc., should be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings.
The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A personal care appliance, comprising:

a handle having a longitudinal axis;

a set of upper flexible mounts disposed within the handle;

a set of lower flexible mounts disposed within the handle; and

an oscillating motor suspended in a balanced manner between the set of upper flexible mounts and the set of lower flexible mounts, wherein the oscillating motor defines an oscillating axis.

2. The personal care appliance of claim 1, wherein the set of lower flexible mounts includes a quantity of lower flexible mounts and wherein the set of upper flexible mounts includes a quantity of upper flexible mounts, wherein the quantity of lower flexible mounts is different than the quantity of upper flexible mounts.

3. The personal care appliance of claim 2, wherein the quantity of lower flexible mounts is less than the quantity of upper flexible mounts.

4. The personal care appliance of claim 3, wherein each of the upper flexible mounts and each of the lower flexible mounts are configured with a preload force.

5. The personal care appliance of claim 4, wherein the lower flexible mounts and the upper flexible mounts are cooperatively positioned within the handle and configured such that the sum of the moments caused by the preload forces orthogonal to the oscillating axis is approximately zero and the sum of the preload forces along the oscillating axis is zero.

6. The personal care appliance of claim 1, wherein each of the upper flexible mounts and each of the lower flexible mounts include compressible elastomeric vibration isolators.

7. The personal care appliance of claim 1, wherein the lower flexible mounts lie on the X axis of the oscillating motor, the X axis being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

8. The personal care appliance of claim 1, wherein the upper flexible mounts include a three vibration isolators, one vibration isolator lies on the X axis of the oscillating motor while the other two vibration isolators are positioned an equivalent distance on opposite sides of the X axis from one another, the X axis being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

9. The personal care appliance of claim 1, wherein the set of upper flexible mounts includes three upper flexible mounts and wherein the set of the lower flexible mounts includes two flexible mounts.

10. A personal care appliance, comprising:

a handle having a handle base and a handle top, the handle having a longitudinal axis;

an oscillating motor positioned between the handle base and the handle top, the oscillating motor configured to impart oscillating motion to an object about an oscillating axis parallel with the longitudinal axis;

a first vibration isolator, a second vibration isolator and a third vibration isolator mounted between the oscillating motor and the handle top;

a fourth vibration isolator and a fifth vibration isolator mounted between the oscillating motor and the handle base;

wherein the first vibration isolator, the second vibration isolator, the third vibration isolator, the fourth vibration isolator and the fifth vibration isolator are configured to suspend the oscillating motor within the handle, and wherein the first vibration isolator, the second vibration isolator, the third vibration isolator, the fourth vibration isolator and the fifth vibration isolator are configured within the handle such that a preload force is applied to the oscillating motor from each vibration isolator, and wherein the first vibration isolator, the second vibration isolator, the third vibration isolator, the fourth vibration isolator and the fifth vibration isolator are positioned within the handle and configured such that the sum of the preload forces parallel to the oscillating axis is zero and the sum of the moments generated by the preload forces about the axes orthogonal to the oscillating axis are zero.

11. The personal care appliance of claim 10, wherein each vibration isolator is configured to be compressed an equivalent amount when the handle is assembled.

12. The personal care appliance of claim 10, wherein the first vibration isolator and the second vibration isolator are different sizes.

13. The personal care appliance of claim 10, wherein the fourth vibration isolator and the fifth vibration isolator are different sizes.

14. A personal care appliance, comprising:

a handle having a longitudinal axis;

a number of upper flexible mounts disposed within the handle, each upper flexible mount including an elastomeric vibration isolator;

a number of lower flexible mounts disposed within the handle, each lower flexible mount including an elastomeric vibration isolator; and

an oscillating motor suspended between the number of upper flexible mounts and the number of lower flexible mounts;

wherein the upper flexible mounts and the lower flexible mounts are configured to apply a preload force on the oscillating motor.

15. The personal care appliance of claim 14, wherein the oscillating motor is suspended in a balanced manner.

16. The personal care appliance of claim 14, wherein the number of upper flexible mounts is different than the number of lower flexible mounts.

17. The personal care appliance of claim 16, wherein the number of upper flexible mounts is greater than the number of lower flexible mounts.

18. The personal care appliance of claim 14, wherein each of the upper flexible mounts and each of the lower flexible mounts are configured to be compressed an equivalent amount when the handle is assembled.

19. The personal care appliance of claim 18, wherein each upper flexible mount of the number of upper flexible mounts includes an elastomeric bushing, at least two of the elastomeric bushings being of different size.

20. The personal care appliance of claim 18, wherein each lower flexible mount of the number of lower flexible mounts includes an elastomeric bushing, at least two of the elastomeric bushings being of different size.