Angled Electric Toothbrush Head for Inner Arch Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrushes face challenges in accessing hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, such as the inner dental arch and back teeth, due to the straight alignment of the neck and head with the handle, which can be uncomfortable and difficult to maneuver, especially for those with manual dexterity issues.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush design featuring a replaceable head with three angled linear segments, allowing for improved maneuverability and access to all mouth regions, comprising a first segment with bristles, a second segment for attachment to the handle, and a third segment forming specific angles with respect to the handle's reference planes, enabling ergonomic and comfortable brushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the neck and head of the brush are in line with the handle (straight alignment), then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it is difficult to access hard-to-reach areas of the mouth such as the inner dental arch and back teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The head assembly is divided into three separate linear segments (first segment with bristles, second segment defining the neck, third segment positioned between them), each angled relative to the others. This segmentation allows the segments to be independently positioned at optimal angles to access different mouth regions while maintaining structural integrity through the angled connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional straight alignment to a three-dimensional angled configuration. The first segment forms an angle α with the third segment, the second segment forms an angle β with the third segment, and the second segment's reference plane forms an angle γ with the handle's reference plane, creating multi-dimensional access capability.
2Reliability
If the brush head vibrates considerably to clean (vibrating brush design), then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the handle vibrates as much as the head making it uncomfortable for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The head assembly is segmented into three separate linear segments (first segment with bristles, second segment defining the neck, third segment positioned between them), connected at specific angles. This segmentation isolates the vibration generation at the bristle-tuft level while the angled segment connections and flexible neck material absorb and dampen vibration transmission to the handle, reducing user discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The neck portion is formed from flexible material that can bend and absorb vibration. The flexible neck material acts as a vibration dampener, allowing the head to achieve necessary vibration for cleaning while preventing excessive vibration from transmitting to the handle and causing user discomfort.
3Ease of operation
If the neck portion is curved and angled (as in US 2015/289639), then accessibility to inner dental arch is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single curved neck portion, the invention uses three distinct linear segments connected at defined angles. The first segment (with bristles) forms angle α with the third segment, and the second segment (defining the neck) forms angle β with the third segment. This segmented angular design achieves the accessibility benefits of curvature while maintaining simpler, more manufacturable linear components with precise angular relationships.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a replaceable head (3) is provided for removable attachment to a handle (2) of an electric toothbrush (1). The head comprises three linear segments (4, 5, 6) angled with respect to each other. A first segment (4) at a remote end (7) carries tufts of bristles (8). A second segment (5) at a proximate end (9) defines a neck and includes attachment means for removable coupling to the handle. A third segment (6) lies between the first and second segments. The third segment forms an angle (α) of 1 to 30° with a reference plane of the first segment and an angle (β) of 1 to 40° with a reference plane of the second segment, and defines an internal angle (δ) of 130 to 179° relative to the reference plane of the second segment. The first and second segments project upwardly and inwardly with respect to the third segment to define the angled profile.