Tooth Bleaching Device with Bite-Activated Self-Stabilizing Mouthpiece

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing teeth whitening devices that generate radicals for whitening teeth without using oxygen bleach can be inconvenient to use due to the need for manual control of the plasma discharge port, leading to potential movement and inefficiency in applying the whitening active ingredients.

Innovation Solution

A teeth whitening device comprising a generator that produces charged microparticle water with radical species, coupled with a mouthpiece featuring an outer curved element and occluded elements to guide the active ingredients along the teeth, ensuring consistent and efficient delivery without requiring manual alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user manually holds the applicator tube to direct plasma discharge port toward teeth, then the device can be operated, but the hand may move causing the discharge port to move away from teeth reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual control of applicator tubeVSAvoidpositioning accuracy of plasma discharge port

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mouthpiece is designed to be held between the user's lips and secured by biting down on the occluded element, allowing the device to self-position and self-stabilize without requiring manual holding. The occluded element engages between upper and lower teeth to secure the mouthpiece in place, eliminating hand movement issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical control system is replaced with a bite-activated system. The act of biting down mechanically secures the mouthpiece between teeth, automatically positioning the supply port against the teeth and activating the plasma discharge without requiring hand coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If the supply port is positioned to supply active ingredients directly onto teeth, then whitening effectiveness improves, but the user must maintain precise manual alignment which is difficult to sustain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precision of supply port with teethVSAvoiddifficulty of maintaining alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mouthpiece automatically aligns itself with the teeth through the bite mechanism. When the user bites down, the occluded element is compressed between upper and lower teeth, which automatically positions the supply port in correct alignment with the tooth surfaces without requiring manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The occluded element is designed with a curved surface that conforms to the natural curvature of teeth. This curved geometry ensures that when bitten down, the supply port automatically aligns with the curved tooth surfaces, maintaining consistent contact and distribution across multiple teeth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the mouthpiece includes structures to guide active ingredients along teeth, then distribution uniformity improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of active ingredient distributionVSAvoidstructural complexity of mouthpiece

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer curved element and occluded element are designed with curved surfaces that guide the flow of active ingredients along the natural contour of the teeth. This curvature ensures uniform distribution without requiring complex internal channels or multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The occluded element serves multiple functions: it secures the mouthpiece in place through biting, guides the active ingredients along the teeth through its curved surface, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate guiding components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device allows for easy and efficient teeth whitening, reducing user fatigue and enabling hands-free operation, ensuring consistent distribution of active ingredients across all teeth surfaces, thereby improving the whitening process.

Implementation Method 1

The generator generates active ingredients for whitening teeth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadical species generation:

Implementation Method 2

the mouthpiece includes an outer curved element that guides the active ingredients supplied from the supply port into the mouth along the teeth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid guidance along curved surface:

Implementation Method 3

The outlet-side passage and the inlet-side passage are formed so that a flow speed of gas flowing through the outlet-side passage is lower than a flow speed of gas flowing through the inlet-side passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow speed reduction:

Data Source

PatentUS10245129B2Tooth bleaching device

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A tooth bleaching device provided with: a production device that produces an active component for bleaching a tooth; a mouthpiece in which a supply opening, through which the active component produced by the production device is supplied inside the oral cavity, is formed; and a connecting part that connects the production device and the mouthpiece.