what the?

[Gan]

Ok, I consider myself of average intelligence and all... I know the basic theory and properties behind electricity and conductivity. However, I have stumbled upon something that has boggled me.

I just recently bought a Sonicare toothbrush. It has 2 NiCad batteries in the handle and it has a seperate charger base. To charge the unit you place it on the base. Here's the tricky part. There are no metal contacts on the base or the unit for which electrical current can pass through in which to charge the batteries. Both the unit and the charger base are seamless moulded plastic.

Last time I checked, most plastic was non-conducive to electrical current... and furthermore you couldnt use radio frequencies to pass electric current through with regards to re-charging dry cell batteries.

Can someone enlighten me on how this bloody thing gets charged if there is no direct contact between base and unit that isnt seamless moulded plastic?

:?::?::?:

[Toxicvixen]

Sounds like dark magic to me!

[Gan]

Its almost spooky.

:weird:

[Toxicvixen]

Burn it! Its EVIL! Get yourself one of those old school ones. You know the kind that ACTUALLY makes you move the brush to clean your teeth. No demons in those bristles!

Edited to add: Not that I have room to talk, I too own a battery powered toothbrush. MMMMMM... Vibrating Toothbrush.... :D

[Edited on 2-26-2005 by Toxicvixen]

[ieva]

One word: Jesus.

Yes - this toothbrush harnesses the divine powers of our Lord and Savior! It is a testment to God's all-prevailing power and presence! Bow before your sonic care for it is of the divine essance.

Praise the Lord!

[Jazuela]

Short answer: Inductive charging.

Explanation:

http://home.howstuffworks.com/question292.htm

[Geoff]

As a Philips employee I can't give away our patented secret electricity transfer methods. (Plus I work in Philips Medical so I don't know.)

You think that's weird, we also have an all plastic memery chip coming out.
How does this work? (http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?duid=mtfh7734 8_2005-02-24_14-47-45_l2457623_newsml)

[Tsa`ah]

It's really nothing new. I've used the oral-b cordless systems since the late 80's and the system hasn't changed since.

Never knew how it worked, but I always assumed magnetics of some sort.

[Gan]

Well...

After 2 margaritas with a hefty shot of Grand Marnier on top I had sumrised that there might be magnetic properties involved, and had resolved myself to see if I could deduce any activity with one of the magnets I have on the fridge... but all I could deduce was that there was enough metal inside the plastic housing to generate an attraction.

Then I come here, to the well of the all knowing and find alas that with the aid of tequilla I was getting close to the mark. Now I'm going to do some reading up on inductive electronics. For that has really caught my fascination.

As for vibrating things being put in your mouth... hmmmm, I had always heard it was more productive to place them elsewhere. But the sonicare toothbrush does feel quite refreshing indeed. Perhaps more experimentation is needed on that front too.

:whipit: