Adjustable Arc Mouthpiece With Flexible Screw Spindle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mouthpiece appliances for teeth cleaning struggle to accommodate varying oral geometries without professional customization, which is costly and time-consuming, and lack effective user-adjustable features for width and length adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A mouthpiece design featuring an arcuate-shaped base assembly with rotatable side portions, a flexible screw thread spindle, and motor-driven cleaning carriages that adjust to fit individual oral geometries, ensuring comprehensive tooth cleaning without requiring professional intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mouthpiece is customized to fit individual oral geometries by a dental professional, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the cost and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mouthpiece incorporates movable side portions that can be adjusted between different positions to accommodate varying oral geometries. The side portions are connected via hinges to the central portion, allowing users to dynamically adjust the width of the mouthpiece to fit their specific oral cavity dimensions without requiring professional customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouthpiece enables users to perform their own customization by simply adjusting the movable side portions to the appropriate width for their oral geometry. This eliminates the need for professional dental professionals to take scans and fit custom mouthpieces, allowing users to independently customize the appliance to their needs.
2Reliability
If the mouthpiece is customized to fit individual oral geometries by a dental professional, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mouthpiece incorporates movable side portions that can be adjusted between different positions to accommodate varying oral geometries. The side portions are connected via hinges to the central portion, allowing users to dynamically adjust the width of the mouthpiece to fit their specific oral cavity dimensions without requiring professional customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouthpiece enables users to perform their own customization by simply adjusting the movable side portions to the appropriate width for their oral geometry. This eliminates the need for professional dental professionals to take scans and fit custom mouthpieces, allowing users to independently customize the appliance to their needs.
3Ease of manufacture
If the mouthpiece uses a fixed structure, then the manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot accommodate a range of oral geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The mouthpiece is divided into distinct segments including a central portion and two side portions that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured separately with standard components, while the hinge connections enable the assembly to adapt to different oral geometries by adjusting the relative positions of the segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouthpiece incorporates movable side portions that can be adjusted between different positions to accommodate varying oral geometries. The side portions are connected via hinges to the central portion, allowing users to dynamically adjust the width of the mouthpiece to fit their specific oral cavity dimensions without requiring professional customization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the mouthpiece is designed for user adjustment, then the adaptability to oral geometries is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mouthpiece is divided into distinct segments including a central portion and two side portions that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured separately with standard components, while the hinge connections enable the assembly to adapt to different oral geometries by adjusting the relative positions of the segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouthpiece incorporates movable side portions that can be adjusted between different positions to accommodate varying oral geometries. The side portions are connected via hinges to the central portion, allowing users to dynamically adjust the width of the mouthpiece to fit their specific oral cavity dimensions without requiring professional customization.
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 design allows for user-friendly customization of the mouthpiece to fit different oral widths and lengths, ensuring consistent and thorough cleaning of all teeth surfaces, eliminating the need for operator control and professional involvement.
Implementation Method 1
a first flexible screw thread spindle member connected at the free ends thereof to the rear ends of the side portions of the base assembly
Implementation Method 2
forward ends of the two side portions are connected rotatably to opposing ends of the central portion
Data Source
AI summary
The mouthpiece includes an arcuate base assembly (12), comprising two side pieces (14, 16) and an intermediate center piece (18), the two side pieces (14, 16) being connected rotatably to opposing ends of the center piece (18), such that the rear ends of the side pieces move outwardly and inwardly. A flexible screw thread spindle (30) having two side portions and a front portion is connected at the free ends thereof (33, 35) to the rear ends of the side pieces of the base assembly, such that the flexible spindle member follows the arcuate shape of the base assembly. Two side carriages (40, 42) are mounted on opposing side portions of the spindle (30), the carriages having bristles (43) mounted thereon for cleaning teeth. A motor and gear box assembly (36) are mounted at the front of the appliance for moving the two carriages along the respective side portions of the spindle (30), which have opposing screw threads. A front carriage (48) is mounted on and moves along a front spindle by a front motor and gear box (36).