Composite Toothbrush Handle Structure for Stiffness and Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal care implements, particularly manual toothbrushes with light handles made of common plastic materials, offer low product quality perception, poor handling, and reduced plaque removal efficiency due to low bending stiffness and weight, which can be exacerbated by frequent head replacements.
Innovation Solution
A handle comprising a core structure made from fiber-reinforced material and a second component with an inorganic filler, providing improved weight, heat conductivity, and stability, along with a snap-fit locking mechanism for secure head attachment, ensuring durability and ergonomic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the handle is made of light plastic materials to reduce weight, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but handling comfort and quality perception deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The handle employs a composite structure consisting of an inner core made from fiber-reinforced material (such as glass fiber or carbon fiber reinforced polymer) and an outer layer made from polymer material. This composite construction increases the handle's weight and bending stiffness to improve handling comfort and quality perception, while the outer polymer layer maintains manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.
2Strength
If the handle cross-sectional area is increased to improve bending stiffness, then plaque removal efficiency is improved, but ease of rotating the brush in the hand deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber-reinforced core structure provides high bending stiffness with a relatively small cross-sectional area, enabling the handle to maintain rigidity for effective plaque removal while keeping the outer dimensions compact enough for easy rotation and maneuverability in the hand.
3Loss of substance
If the handle is made with less material to reduce weight, then waste is reduced, but handling comfort and quality perception deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber-reinforced core structure provides high mechanical strength and stiffness with minimal material usage, while the outer polymer layer provides the necessary surface properties for handling. This composite construction achieves handling comfort and quality perception with reduced overall material consumption compared to solid plastic handles.
4Loss of substance
If a replaceable head system is implemented to reduce waste, then environmental sustainability is improved, but connection reliability between head and handle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush is divided into a reusable handle and a replaceable head, allowing the head to be replaced periodically while the handle remains in use. This segmentation reduces waste by keeping the handle in circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism uses a snap-fit design with elastic deformation parameters, where the locking elements can be inserted and locked reliably. The fiber-reinforced core structure of the handle provides the necessary rigidity to maintain stable mechanical connection between the head and handle during repeated attachment and detachment cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
A handle for a personal care implement includes a core structure as a first component, and a second component, the second component at least partially covering the core structure, wherein the core structure is made from a fiber-reinforced material, and the second component is made from a polymer material comprising an inorganic filler.