Adhesive Coupling for Hygiene Implement Motion Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal hygiene implements with movably mounted functional elements coupled to motion transmitter elements face issues of noise and wear due to mechanical connections and high costs associated with magnetic connections.
Innovation Solution
The use of an adhesive layer with a specific tensile strength range between the motion transmitter element and the drive shaft, such as 3M™ VHB™ Acrylic Foam Tape, provides a reliable and cost-effective coupling solution, reducing noise and wear while allowing for easy manual separation of worn-out components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a mechanical connection (snap-fit) is used to couple the motion transmitter element with the drive shaft, then the connection is simple and low cost, but it suffers from tolerances leading to noise and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical snap-fit connection with a magnetic connection between a permanent magnet on the drive shaft and a magnetizable element on the motion transmitter element. This substitution eliminates physical contact and mechanical tolerances, thereby eliminating noise and wear while maintaining coupling functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a magnetic connection is used to couple the motion transmitter element with the drive shaft, then noise and wear are reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies magnetic coupling only at the critical interface between the drive shaft and motion transmitter element, rather than using full magnetic coupling throughout the assembly. This localized application of magnetic principles achieves noise and wear reduction while controlling manufacturing costs through selective use of magnetic components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a strong adhesive connection is used to couple the motion transmitter element with the drive shaft, then noise and wear are reduced and cost is controlled, but the components become difficult to separate when worn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a push-button release mechanism that dynamically changes the coupling state. During normal operation, the adhesive provides strong bonding to eliminate noise and wear. When replacement is needed, pressing the button activates a release mechanism that overcomes the adhesive bond, enabling easy separation without breaking the components.
4Ease of repair
If a weak adhesive connection is used to allow easy separation, then component replacement is simple, but the connection strength is insufficient for durable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a push-button release mechanism as an intermediary that mediates between the strong adhesive bond and the need for easy separation. The button activates a release mechanism that temporarily overcomes the adhesive force, allowing controlled separation without compromising the strength of the adhesive connection during normal operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adhesive layer ensures a strong and durable connection with reduced noise and wear, enabling efficient transfer of motion while allowing for easy replacement of the personal hygiene implement without breaking, thus improving the overall performance and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive layer with a specific tensile strength range between the motion transmitter element and the drive shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is concerned with a personal hygiene implement attachable to a handle of a personal hygiene device having a housing, a functional element movably mounted at the housing such that it can be driven into a motion, a motion transmitter element coupled with the functional element, and an adhesive layer provided at the motion transmitter element for adhesively coupling the motion transmitter element with a drive shaft of the handle when being attached.