Customized Mouthpiece With Multi-Point Drive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes struggle to effectively clean all surfaces of the teeth, particularly the backs of molars, due to design limitations that hinder uniform vibrational motion transmission and user discomfort issues.
Innovation Solution
A customized toothbrush device with a mouthpiece that couples to a drive assembly via multiple connection points, utilizing asymmetrical motion from multiple motors to ensure efficient energy transmission and customized cleaning tips tailored to individual dentition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the mouthpiece couples to the drive mechanism at the front only, then the structure is simple, but sufficient vibrational movement cannot be transmitted to portions far from the connection point (molars and back teeth)
Solution Approach 1:
The single connection point is segmented into multiple connection points distributed along the mouthpiece. This allows the drive mechanism to transmit vibrational movement to multiple locations simultaneously, ensuring adequate vibration reaches both front teeth and molars without requiring a single complex connection structure
Solution Approach 2:
The connection approach transitions from a single-point (0D) connection to a distributed multi-point (1D/2D) connection along the mouthpiece length. This dimensional expansion enables vibrational energy to be transmitted along the length of the mouthpiece, reaching distant regions effectively
2Reliability
If the vibrational motion strength is increased to reach distant regions, then sufficient vibration reaches molars, but user discomfort increases in regions closer to the drive mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrational drive is segmented into multiple connection points, allowing the total vibrational energy to be distributed across several locations. This prevents excessive vibration concentration at any single point, reducing user discomfort while ensuring adequate vibration reaches distant molars
Solution Approach 2:
Different connection points can provide different vibrational characteristics tailored to local needs. Connection points near the front can provide gentler vibration, while points toward the back can provide stronger vibration, optimizing both comfort and cleaning effectiveness in different regions
3Ease of operation
If a single brush head is used, then the device is simple to operate, but it takes 2-5 minutes to clean all teeth surfaces adequately
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cleaning elements are merged into a single mouthpiece structure, allowing simultaneous cleaning of multiple tooth surfaces. This combines the functionality of multiple brush heads into one device, reducing cleaning time while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The extended mouthpiece with multiple cleaning elements enables continuous cleaning across all tooth surfaces in a single pass, eliminating the need to repeatedly reposition a single brush head. This creates a more continuous and efficient cleaning action
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional brush head width is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it cannot clean all tooth surfaces uniformly and efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is segmented into multiple cleaning elements distributed along the mouthpiece, each targeting specific tooth surfaces. This segmentation enables comprehensive coverage of all tooth surfaces, significantly improving cleaning efficiency while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular element design
Solution Approach 2:
Different cleaning elements can be tailored with specific properties (bristle stiffness, length, spacing) optimized for local cleaning needs of different tooth regions, improving overall cleaning efficiency while using standard manufacturing techniques for each element
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 provides thorough and efficient whole-mouth cleaning, reduces user discomfort, and collects personalized data for guided treatment plans, enhancing dental health maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The vibrational motion is critical to moving the bristles and/or other cleaning elements to clean a user's teeth
Data Source
AI summary
The dental care device comprises a drive mechanism and a customized mouthpiece. The drive mechanism comprises a first motor connection point, a second motor connection point, and one or more motors. The customized mouthpiece is configured to couple with the drive mechanism, and comprises: a first region including a first mouthpiece connection point configured to engage with the first motor connection point; a second region including a second mouthpiece connection point configured to engage with the second motor connection point; and a third region connection the first region and the second region, such that the first region can be moved independently of the second region.