Brush Head Assembly Bristle Retention and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brush head assemblies face challenges in retaining bristles securely while maintaining flexibility and conforming to the complex topography of teeth and gums, and in effectively transmitting lateral forces for efficient plaque removal.
Innovation Solution
The brush head assembly features bristle tufts retained within a sandwich of flexible material between two layers of stiffer material, or using shear-thickening material, which allows for improved retention and adaptation to tooth and gum surfaces while transmitting lateral forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If anchor-free tufting of bristles is used, then flexibility of bristles is improved, but bristle retention and positioning stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The brush head is divided into multiple tuft retention elements, each independently holding a bristle tuft. This segmentation allows each tuft to flex independently while being securely retained, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and retention.
Solution Approach 2:
Tuft retention elements act as intermediary components between the bristle tufts and the brush head body. These elements provide secure anchoring while allowing controlled movement, enabling both retention and flexibility simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If longer bristles are used, then ability to splay over tooth topography is improved, but brush head bulkiness and manoeuvrability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The brush head is segmented into multiple tuft retention elements distributed across the brush head surface. This allows longer bristles to be accommodated in a compact arrangement, maintaining splaying ability while reducing overall bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending bristle length in one dimension which increases bulk, the tuft retention elements are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern on the brush head surface, allowing long bristles to splay outwards without increasing brush head length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If elastomer material is used in brush head, then conformity to tooth surface is improved, but lateral force transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brush head uses a composite structure combining elastomer material for conformity with rigid tuft retention elements for force transmission. This composite approach allows the elastomer to conform to tooth surfaces while the rigid retention elements transmit lateral forces effectively to the bristles.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the brush head have different material properties: the elastomer provides local conformity to tooth surfaces, while the rigid tuft retention elements provide local strength for force transmission. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between conformity and force transmission.
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
This design enhances bristle retention, improves conformity to oral topography, and ensures effective plaque removal by maintaining flexibility and stiffness as needed, leading to improved oral care performance.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible matrix, at least partially comprised of a shear-thickening material for coupling the plurality of bristle tufts to the hard platen
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A brush head assembly (100) comprising a sandwich assembly (200) comprising a flexible matrix (30") positioned between two layers of stiff or stiffer material (220), a plurality of bristle tufts (21), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end (23) and a free end (25), a bristle tuft retention element (250) for each bristle tuft (21), the bristle tuft retention elements (250) connecting the proximal end of the bristle tufts (21) to the sandwich assembly.