Automated U-Shaped Toothbrush With Individual Brush Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes, both manual and electric, require proper technique and sufficient brushing time to effectively remove plaque, which most users fail to achieve, leading to issues like plaque buildup, oral health problems, and inefficient cleaning of tooth surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A smart, U-shaped toothbrush device with individually adjustable brushes and sensors that automate brushing, ensuring proper technique and coverage by aligning with the user's unique arch, providing intelligent control and adjustable flexibility to fit various mouth sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional toothbrushes are used, then users can brush their teeth, but users fail to brush properly or sufficiently due to lack of technique awareness and insufficient brushing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect brushing pressure, motion, and coverage area, providing real-time feedback to guide users on proper technique. This feedback mechanism ensures users brush effectively without requiring them to learn complex manual techniques, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush automatically monitors and evaluates brushing performance, providing self-guided instruction to users. The device serves itself by detecting brushing patterns and offering corrective feedback, eliminating the need for external supervision or complex user knowledge about proper technique.
2Reliability
If users brush for sufficient time with proper technique, then plaque removal is effective, but users only brush for thirty-seven seconds on average
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides real-time feedback on brushing coverage and duration, alerting users when they have not brushed long enough or have missed areas. This feedback ensures sufficient brushing time and effectiveness without requiring users to self-monitor, addressing the contradiction between reliable plaque removal and actual brushing duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush pre-programs optimal brushing routines and automatically guides users through the necessary duration and coverage areas. By preparing and enforcing the brushing protocol in advance, the device ensures sufficient brushing time without relying on user discipline or time management.
3Ease of operation
If electric toothbrushes automate brushing motion, then brushing becomes easier, but users still require two minutes of brushing and proper technique
Solution Approach 1:
The electric toothbrush automatically manages the entire brushing process, including motion control, timing, and coverage verification. The device serves itself by autonomously ensuring proper technique and duration without requiring user attention or effort beyond insertion, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The device maintains continuous automated brushing action throughout the required duration, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning coverage. By sustaining automated motion and monitoring continuously, the device eliminates the need for user intervention while ensuring sufficient brushing time and effectiveness.
4Area of stationary object
If full coverage brushes are used to clean all teeth simultaneously, then comprehensive cleaning is achieved, but brushes lack space to stroke back and forth and over-cover areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the brushing function into multiple independent brush modules, each capable of individual motion control. This segmentation allows each brush to maneuver independently with proper stroke space while collectively covering all teeth, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive coverage and individual brush maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush system dynamically adjusts the position and motion of individual brushes based on real-time detection of tooth locations and cleaning needs. This dynamic control ensures optimal spacing and stroke motion for each brush while maintaining comprehensive coverage, addressing the contradiction between area coverage and operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a method for a U-shaped teeth brush device having a conformable shape adjusting U-shaped teethbrush module and one or more individual tooth brushes coupled to the power drive mechanism, each brush having a sensor, piezoelectric crystal and transducer and each tooth brush having a block anchor coupled to the power drive, under smart controls, an electronic control system for sensing individual tooth pressure and controlling motor transmission of vibration to prior positioned brushes, whereby a users unique mouth features can be accounted for by adjusting U-shape distal ends to fit through the users mouth and align with users teeth arch for programmatically brushing more than one tooth simultaneously.