Fluid-Actuated Adjustable Interdental Brush for Variable Gap Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interdental brushes require multiple sizes to accommodate varying interproximal gaps, leading to user confusion and increased costs, discouraging frequent and efficient cleaning, which contributes to periodontal disease.
Innovation Solution
An interdental brushing system with adjustable girth resizing means, using hydraulic or pneumatic mechanisms to expand or contract the brushing girth to fit different gap sizes, facilitated by control means and a handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sized interdental brushes are provided to accommodate varying interproximal gaps, then the ability to clean different gap sizes is improved, but the device complexity and user confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interdental brush incorporates a dynamic girth adjustment mechanism that allows the brush to change its circumference from smallest to largest. This is achieved through a collapsible handle design with telescopic sections that can be compressed and extended, enabling a single brush to adapt to various interproximal gap sizes without requiring multiple separate brushes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal interdental brush that can perform the function of multiple brush sizes (0.5mm to 3mm girth) within a single device. The collapsible handle mechanism allows one brush to serve multiple purposes across different gap dimensions, eliminating the need for users to maintain a collection of specialized brushes
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sized interdental brushes are provided to accommodate varying interproximal gaps, then the ability to clean different gap sizes is improved, but the cost and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates waste by designing a single brush that can be adjusted to fit different gap sizes throughout its service life. Instead of discarding brushes when they no longer fit the current gap size, users can simply adjust the girth to match the changing needs of their teeth, recovering the utility of the same brush across multiple stages
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sized interdental brushes are provided to accommodate varying interproximal gaps, then the ability to clean different gap sizes is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The brush transitions from a static design requiring user selection to a dynamic design where the user adjusts the girth to match the gap size. The collapsible handle with telescopic sections allows intuitive adjustment through simple compression and extension motions, making the operation more straightforward than selecting from multiple pre-sized options
Solution Approach 2:
The brush enables the user to self-adjust the girth size based on the specific cleaning need, eliminating the confusion of selecting from multiple standardized options. The mechanism allows the user to directly configure the brush to the required size without external guidance or decision-making complexity
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
Enables effective cleaning across varying interproximal gaps without needing multiple brushes, reducing waste and user complexity, thereby improving oral hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
girth resizing means (3) comprises hydraulic means or pneumatic means comprising at least one fluid chamber which is divided into reservoir region (3A) and girth region (3B)
Implementation Method 2
girth resizing means (3) comprises hydraulic means or pneumatic means comprising at least one fluid chamber which is divided into reservoir region (3A) and girth region (3B)
Implementation Method 3
control means (4) may comprise a flexible material which is positioned in, or surrounds, reservoir region (3A), such that it can be squeezed using finger pressure to displace a sufficient amount of fluid from reservoir region (3A) into girth region (3B) thus expanding the size of brushing girth (2)
Data Source
AI summary
An interdental brushing system (1), comprising: brushing girth means (2); girth resizing means (3); and control means (4), wherein girth resizing means (3) comprises hydraulic means or pneumatic means comprising at least one fluid chamber which is divided into reservoir region (3A) and girth region (3B), which are collectively arranged such that control means (4) is used to adjust girth resizing means (3), which is configured to expand or contract brushing girth (2) to suit the different sizes of gaps in-between the teeth.