Adjustable Flosser Arm Angles for Posterior Tooth Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flossing devices often struggle to effectively maneuver dental floss between teeth, particularly for posterior teeth, due to anatomical limitations, leading to ineffective flossing and potential tooth decay.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable flosser device with a handle and flosser arm assembly that can be removably connected at multiple angular orientations, allowing the user to adjust the angle of the flosser arm relative to the handle to improve accessibility and maneuverability, including features like snap-fit connections and rotatable joints for ergonomic use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-angle flosser arm assembly is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot effectively access posterior teeth due to anatomical limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The flosser arm assembly is designed with movable and adjustable characteristics, allowing it to change angular orientation relative to the handle. The connection mechanism enables the arm to be repositioned between multiple angular positions (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°) to adapt to different oral anatomy requirements, particularly for accessing posterior teeth that require specific angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separable components: a handle and a flosser arm assembly that can be disconnected and reconnected at different angles. This segmentation allows the arm assembly to be independently positioned at optimal angles for different flossing scenarios, improving versatility without requiring complete redesign of the entire device.
2Ease of operation
If the flosser arm assembly is fixed to the handle, then the device structure is simple, but the user cannot adjust the angle for ergonomic use and accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism provides dynamic adjustability, allowing users to change the angular orientation of the flosser arm assembly relative to the handle during use. This enables ergonomic positioning tailored to individual user needs and oral anatomy, improving ease of operation despite the added complexity of the removable connection system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple angular positions are provided, then the device can access various tooth areas effectively, but the connection mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into discrete angular positions defined by slots in the handle and corresponding flanges on the arm assembly. This segmentation provides specific, pre-determined angular positions (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°) that deliver the necessary versatility for accessing different tooth areas while keeping the connection mechanism relatively simple through standardized geometric features.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism utilizes circular or arc-shaped slot geometries to define angular positions. This curved geometry allows the flange to engage at multiple discrete angles around the handle, providing multi-angular positioning capability through a compact and relatively simple mechanical design.
Data Source
AI summary
A flosser device comprises a handle configured to be held by a user, the handle extending along a longitudinal axis of the flosser device, the handle comprising a first slot extending into the handle at a first angle and a second slot extending into the handle at a second angle that is different from the first angle. The flosser device can further comprise a flosser arm assembly configured to support dental floss during use by the user, the flosser arm assembly configured to removably connect to the handle, the flosser arm assembly comprising a connection flange configured to removably engage with the first and second slots to position the flosser arm assembly at the respective first and second angles.