Alternating Wavelength Light Toothbrush for Bacterial Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vibrating toothbrushes using light emit only white light and lack an effective method for removing oral bacteria, relying on chemical antibacterial agents for plaque and tartar removal.
Innovation Solution
A light irradiating toothbrush with a head containing brushing bristles made of waveguides and a light source unit featuring alternately arranged LEDs or laser diodes emitting short-wavelength (blue) and long-wavelength (red) light, positioned to optimize light transmission and intensity through constructive interference, along with a vibrating motor and vibration attenuator for efficient light delivery and reduced vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vibrating toothbrushes use only white light sources, then the device structure is simple, but the effectiveness of removing oral bacteria is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The light source unit is segmented into multiple individual light sources (first light source emitting blue light, second light source emitting red light, third light source emitting green light) arranged in alternating sequence. Each light source targets different bacterial mechanisms, with blue light for direct killing, red light for metabolic inhibition, and green light for photosensitive bacterial disruption, thereby enhancing overall bacterial removal effectiveness while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
Different wavelengths of light are applied to different locations within the oral cavity through the alternating arrangement of light sources. The brush head structure with multiple light-emitting sections allows specific wavelength regions to target specific areas, optimizing the local antibacterial effect in different zones of the mouth while managing the overall system complexity
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources with different wavelengths are arranged alternately, then light transmission effectiveness is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light sources emitting different wavelengths (blue, red, green) are merged into a single integrated light source unit housed within the brush head. The alternating arrangement of these light sources in sequence allows them to function as a unified system, improving overall light transmission effectiveness and antibacterial performance while containing the structural complexity within a compact, integrated unit rather than requiring separate external devices
Solution Approach 2:
The light source unit is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple light sources that serve different purposes: blue light for direct bacterial killing, red light for metabolic inhibition, and green light for photosensitive bacterial disruption. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple antibacterial mechanisms simultaneously, improving light transmission effectiveness while avoiding the need for multiple separate devices or complex external systems
3Illumination intensity
If light sources are positioned closer to brushing bristles, then light intensity at bristles is increased, but the risk of light loss before reaching target is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light sources are positioned in close proximity to the brushing bristles before the actual brushing action occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that light is already at maximum intensity when it reaches the bristles and the oral cavity, preventing energy loss that would occur with longer transmission distances. The alternating arrangement of light sources and bristles in the brush head structure ensures optimal light delivery from the moment the device is activated
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 toothbrush efficiently transmits light with different wavelengths into the mouth, enhancing bacterial removal and providing effective light transmission, while the vibration attenuator reduces vibration intensity, improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a light source unit disposed under the brushing bristles inside the head and including a plurality of light sources radiating light through the waveguides
Implementation Method 2
brushing bristles made of at least one waveguide
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of alternatively arranged light sources radiating light with different wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a light irradiated toothbrush, in which light sources, irradiating light having mutually different wavelengths, are arranged in alternation at the bottom of waveguide bristles so that light of different wavelengths give rise to constructive interference which strengthens the intensity of the irradiated light, and the height of the light sources are varied on the basis of the wavelength of the light irradiated therefrom so as to effectively transmit light of short wavelengths to the waveguide bristles, and light having mutually different wavelengths are transmitted by means of the waveguide bristles, thereby effectively transmitting the light to the mouth of a user.