Adjustable Tension Dental Flosser for Tooth Contour Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental flossers have fixed floss tension, which limits their ability to curve around tooth profiles, making it difficult to effectively clean surfaces other than interdental areas, thus failing to provide comprehensive dental hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A dental flosser with a U-shaped design and a handle that includes a floss strand attachment member, allowing for adjustable tension by pivoting or rotating mechanisms, enabling the floss to be securely fastened between arms and adjusted for better cleaning of interdental, front, and back tooth surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed tension is used in conventional dental flossers, then the structure is simple, but the floss cannot curve around tooth profiles effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the floss tension adjustable rather than fixed. The floss strand attachment member can be moved along the handle between multiple positions, allowing the tension to be dynamically changed according to different cleaning needs. This enables the floss to curve around tooth profiles when needed while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the floss tension parameter to be varied through moving the attachment member to different positions on the handle. This change in tension parameter enables the floss to adapt to different tooth surfaces and cleaning requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If high tension is applied to insert floss between teeth, then insertion is effective, but the floss cannot curve around the tooth profile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by enabling dynamic adjustment of floss tension. Users can set high tension for effective insertion between teeth, then adjust to lower tension for curving around the tooth profile, making both actions possible with the same device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between different tension levels during the flossing process - high tension for insertion, then lower tension for curving and cleaning the tooth profile, allowing both functions to be performed effectively in sequence.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed tension flossers are used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but comprehensive cleaning of all tooth surfaces is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves comprehensive cleaning capability through the movable attachment member that allows tension adjustment. This dynamic feature enables the floss to be adapted for cleaning different tooth surfaces (interdental, front, back) while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the same flosser device to perform multiple cleaning functions - cleaning interdental surfaces with high tension and curving around tooth profiles with adjusted tension - thereby achieving comprehensive cleaning without requiring multiple specialized devices.
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 adjustable tension mechanism allows for effective cleaning of multiple tooth surfaces, improving dental hygiene by enabling the floss to curve around tooth contours, enhancing plaque removal and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The floss strand attachment member includes a contact member that is pivotable between an engaged position and a disengaged position
Data Source
AI summary
A dental flosser that includes a U-shaped portion having a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from each other, a handle portion and a floss strand. The first arm includes an outer surface, an inner surface and first and second opposing side surfaces. The first arm defines a first arm width between the inner and outer surfaces. The second arm includes an outer surface, an inner surface and first and second opposing side surfaces. The second arm defines a second arm width between the inner and outer surfaces. A first inner portion of the floss strand extends through the inner surface of the first arm and toward the outer surface of the first arm. The first inner portion has a first length and is exposed through at least one of the first and second opposing side surfaces of the first arm along a portion of the first length.