Angled Tuft Toothbrush Head for Bass Method Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes with tuft assemblies are not well-suited for the 'Bass method' of brushing, which requires a circular or vertical motion, and struggle to effectively clean interproximal and gingival marginal regions, limiting plaque removal and debris removal in hard-to-reach areas.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush head design featuring two outer rows of tufts inclined at an angle of 20° to 65°, preferably 45°, and an arc-shaped toe at the distal end, providing an outer arc-shaped envelope that allows for a pulsing outward/inward motion of filaments during brushing, enhancing cleaning in interdental and gingival areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tufts are arranged in conventional straight or simple inclined patterns, then manufacturing is simple, but cleaning effectiveness in interproximal and gingival areas is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an arc-shaped toe at the distal end of the brush head, where tufts are arranged in a curved pattern rather than straight lines. This curvature allows the brush to better conform to the natural arc of the gum line and tooth contours, significantly improving cleaning effectiveness in interproximal and gingival areas while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard molding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements different tuft inclination angles in different regions of the brush head. Outer rows have tufts inclined at 20°-65° relative to the longitudinal axis, while inner rows have different orientations. This localized variation in tuft geometry allows each region to optimize its cleaning function for specific anatomical areas, improving overall cleaning effectiveness without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tufts are arranged to clean outer buccal faces adequately, then horizontal scrubbing works well, but vertical and circular Bass method brushing is not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-row tuft arrangement with an arc-shaped toe that can effectively perform multiple brushing functions. The combination of straight and curved tuft patterns allows the brush to work effectively with both horizontal scrubbing motions and vertical/circular Bass method motions, making the brush adaptable to various brushing techniques while maintaining reliable plaque removal across different tooth surfaces including hard-to-reach interproximal and gingival areas.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional tuft assemblies are used, then the brush head structure is simple, but the cleaning area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped toe extends the cleaning coverage by conforming to the natural curvature of the gum line and tooth arch. This curved configuration at the distal end allows the brush to reach interproximal spaces and gingival margins that would be inaccessible with a straight-edged brush head, significantly expanding the effective cleaning area without requiring a completely complex multi-component structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the brush head into distinct functional zones with different tuft arrangements: outer rows with inclined tufts for general cleaning, and an arc-shaped toe with curved tufts for interproximal and gingival cleaning. This segmentation allows each zone to target specific areas, expanding overall cleaning coverage while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure that can be manufactured as a single piece.
Data Source
AI summary
A head for an oral-care implement, having an elongated mounting surface with an outer circumference, includes two outer rows of tufts extending from the mounting surface along a longitudinal axis and in proximity to the outer circumference and an arc-shaped toe arranged at a distal end and composed of filaments or a plurality of tufts of filaments. The tufts of the outer rows have a longitudinal extension and an elongated cross-sectional area extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, the elongated cross-sectional area having a longer axis and a shorter axis, wherein the longer axis defines an angle α of from about 20° to about 65° with respect to the longitudinal axis, so that the tufts of the outer rows and the arc-shaped toe define an outer arc-shaped envelope.