Disassembling Your Oral-B Electric Toothbrush: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to disassemble oral b electric toothbrush

Braun Oral-B electric toothbrushes are popular devices for maintaining oral hygiene. However, like all electronic devices, they may require maintenance or repairs over time. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a malfunctioning toothbrush or a need for battery replacement. This guide will provide a step-by-step process on how to safely disassemble the Braun Oral-B electric toothbrush, specifically focusing on the Type 3754 and 3756 models, to facilitate necessary repairs or replacements.

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Removing the battery

Preparing the Toothbrush:

Before beginning any disassembly, it is important to understand the construction of your toothbrush. Most Oral B electric toothbrushes have a sealed body with a twist mechanism or a seam at the base. Some models may have a cork at the bottom that can be twisted with the edge of the charger to open. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specific details about your toothbrush model.

Disassembling the Toothbrush:

  • Removing the Brush Head: Start by pulling or prying the brush head away from the base. This will expose the inner mechanism of the toothbrush.
  • Accessing the Inner Mechanism: On some models, you may need to use a small adjustable spanner to twist and disengage the white plastic part from the main body. Carefully perform this step to avoid damaging the internal components.
  • Handling the Spring: Take note of the spring at the bottom of the mechanism (inside the copper coil). Set it aside or take care not to lose it during the disassembly process.
  • Releasing the Internals: Apply pressure on the brush shaft to release the internals of the toothbrush. You may need to use a flat-head screwdriver to carefully pry open the end cap and access the internals.
  • Detaching the Power Button: Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the power button pressure plate. This will provide better access to the internals and the battery.
  • Locating the Battery: With the internals exposed, you should be able to spot the battery nestled within the mechanism. It is often located near the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) or the motherboard.
  • De-soldering the Connections: If your toothbrush has a soldered battery, you will need a soldering iron to detach the connections. Heat up the soldering iron and carefully de-solder the tabs or wires holding the battery in place. Be cautious not to short the positive and negative terminals during this process.
  • Sliding Out the Battery: Once the connections are detached, gently slide the battery out of its housing. Pay attention to its orientation and memorize how it was placed for the new installation.
  • Measuring the Battery: Before installing a new battery, measure the length of the old battery. If it is 42mm long, you may have the option to upgrade to a longer, higher-capacity battery (e.g., 49mm).

Installing a New Battery:

  • Inserting the New Battery: Place the new battery into the battery housing, ensuring it is securely seated and oriented correctly.
  • Soldering the Connections: If your toothbrush requires soldering, heat up the soldering iron again and make clean, firm connections to attach the new battery in place.
  • Reassembling the Toothbrush: Carefully snap or screw the handle back together. Ensure that all parts are tightly secured to maintain the waterproof integrity of the toothbrush.

By following these detailed steps, you can successfully remove and replace the battery in your Oral B electric toothbrush. Remember to work carefully and patiently throughout the process to avoid any damage to the toothbrush or its internal components.

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Using a spanner

To disassemble an Oral B electric toothbrush using a spanner, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure you have the correct tools. You will need a small adjustable spanner. It is also helpful to have some prior knowledge of soldering, as this may be required during the reassembly process.

Next, locate the white plastic part of the toothbrush. Place the spanner around the flat section of this plastic component. You should then twist the spanner in an anticlockwise direction. After twisting approximately 30 degrees, the white plastic section should become disengaged from the main body of the toothbrush.

Once the white plastic component is released, carefully slide out the inner mechanism. Be cautious not to lose the spring located at the bottom of the mechanism, inside the copper coil.

At this point, you may need to use the spanner to push down the top clip to ensure the toothbrush remains watertight. This step may vary depending on the specific model of the toothbrush.

Finally, you can proceed to replace the battery or perform any other necessary maintenance or repairs. Remember to follow these steps in reverse order to reassemble your Oral B electric toothbrush.

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Soldering and de-soldering

For example, when replacing the battery in the Oral-B White Pro 1000, it is necessary to desolder the coil wire from the motherboard. Similarly, when repairing the Oral-B Type 3765, it is recommended to redo the affected solder joints with generous amounts of flux and then clean the flux afterwards.

To desolder the coil wire from the motherboard in the Oral-B White Pro 1000, a soldering tool that reaches high temperatures and a desoldering pump are required. The process involves carefully desoldering the two battery terminals on the circuit board, with the negative terminal being the nearest to the coil of copper wire. It is important to be cautious and not short the positive and negative terminals when handling the battery. Additionally, it is advised to bend the metal tabs vertically away from the board with a knife to ensure no solder remains joining the solder tag to the board.

When working with soldering irons and applying heat to terminals, it is crucial to exercise caution to avoid damaging the toothbrush's components. For instance, when soldering battery tabs, it is important to be gentle with the amount of heat applied to prevent damaging the cell. Furthermore, it is recommended to use a desoldering pump, as it is much easier to use than a desoldering wick and can help avoid melting the plastic battery compartment.

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Disengaging the white plastic

To disengage the white plastic of your Oral-B electric toothbrush, you will need a small adjustable spanner. Place the spanner around the flat of the white plastic part of the toothbrush. Twist the spanner anticlockwise. After twisting about 30 degrees, the white plastic should disengage from the main body of the toothbrush.

Once the white plastic is released, the inner mechanism should slide out easily. Be careful not to lose the spring at the bottom of the mechanism (inside the copper coil). Set aside the main body and the spring, as you won't need these until you reassemble the toothbrush.

On one side of the mechanism is the PCB (Printed Circuit Board), which controls the charging of the cell (battery) and drives the motor. The PCB also has the momentary push button near the top. Turn the mechanism over to see the cell (it should be yellow in colour).

Now, you can de-solder the four tabs that hold the PCB and cell in position. Two of the tabs go to the motor, and the other two go to the positive and negative of the cell. The negative tab on the cell needs to be bent up to enable the PCB to be removed. Once this is done, the PCB can be lifted away from the rest of the mechanism. After the PCB is removed, the cell can be slid out of the body of the mechanism.

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Twisting the cork

To disassemble an Oral-B electric toothbrush by twisting the cork, you will need to follow a few careful steps. Firstly, identify the cork at the bottom of the toothbrush. This is usually located about a centimetre from the base, and you should see a visible pin with a diameter of around 1.5mm.

Next, take the charger and insert its edge into the cut in the cork. Twist gently. This action will help to pry and release the mechanism inside. Be very gentle, as over-twisting can cause the wires from the coil in the plug to break. You only need to twist enough to be able to pull out the plug.

Once you have twisted the cork and released the mechanism, you can slide out the inner workings of the toothbrush. Be careful not to lose the spring at the bottom of the mechanism, inside the copper coil. You can then set aside the main body and the spring, and focus on the mechanism itself.

On one side of the mechanism, you will see the PCB (Printed Circuit Board). This controls the charging of the cell (battery) and drives the motor. De-solder the four tabs that hold the PCB and cell in position. Two tabs connect to the motor, and the other two go to the positive and negative of the cell.

Frequently asked questions

There are a few ways to disassemble your Oral B electric toothbrush. One way is to use a small adjustable spanner and place it around the flat of the white plastic part of the toothbrush, then twist the spanner anticlockwise. After twisting about 30 degrees, the white plastic should disengage from the main body of the toothbrush.

To remove the battery from your Oral B electric toothbrush, you will need to de-solder the four tabs that hold the PCB and cell in position. Two of the tabs go to the motor, and the other two go to the positive and negative sides of the cell.

PCB stands for Printed Circuit Board. It controls the charging of the cell (battery) and drives the motor.

To put your toothbrush back together, slide the new cell back into the body of the mechanism, ensuring that the positive tab of the cell is aligned with the slot so that it will line up with the PCB. Then, re-solder the four joints that you previously de-soldered, ensuring that the negative tab is bent at a 90-degree angle so that it can be soldered to the PCB. Finally, insert the spring at the base into the coil and slide the assembly back into the body.

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