Deformable Bristle Toothbrush Actuation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional toothbrush designs are ineffective in cleaning the back and sides of molars due to their flat or slightly curved bristle components, which fail to contour to the naturally curved shape of the mouth.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush with a deformable bristle component featuring a flexible membrane and an actuation mechanism, comprising an actuator lever and switch, that allows the bristle component to deform along the handle, forming an arc to better reach and clean the molars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional flat or slightly curved bristle components are used, then the toothbrush structure is simple, but the cleaning effectiveness on curved surfaces like molars is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The bristle component transitions from a static flat structure to a dynamic deformable structure that can change shape during use. The flexible membrane allows the bristle component to dynamically adapt its curvature to match the contours of teeth and gums, improving cleaning effectiveness while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of flexible materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the bristle component from rigid to flexible by using a flexible membrane material. This parameter change enables the bristle component to deform and conform to curved surfaces, directly addressing the cleaning effectiveness issue without complicating the manufacturing process.
2Productivity
If a deformable flexible membrane is used to contour to the mouth shape, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the device complexity increases due to the actuation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The bristle component is designed to be self-deforming through its inherent flexibility rather than requiring complex external actuation systems. The flexible membrane naturally conforms to the mouth's curvature when applied, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or complex control mechanisms, thus maintaining device simplicity while achieving the desired deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a flexible membrane as the core component to achieve deformation. This thin film structure naturally adapts to curved surfaces through its material properties, providing the needed contouring capability without requiring additional actuation mechanisms, thereby resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the bristle component is fixed rigidly to the handle, then structural stability is high, but adaptability to different mouth shapes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The bristle component uses a flexible membrane that maintains structural integrity through its material properties while allowing deformation. The flexible membrane is secured to the handle in a manner that provides stable attachment at the base while allowing the distal portions to deform and adapt to different mouth shapes, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bristle component transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The flexible membrane allows different portions of the bristle component to have different degrees of freedom - stable at the attachment point, deformable at the working end - enabling both structural stability and adaptability to various mouth geometries.
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 flexible bristle component effectively contours to the curved shape of the mouth, enhancing cleaning efficiency, especially for hard-to-reach areas like the back and sides of molars.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible membrane having a first end fixedly secured to the handle... The bristle containing component may be configured to be deformable along a length of the handle... an actuator lever having a first end fixedly secured to a second end of the flexible membrane... allow the actuator lever to translate and deform the flexible membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A toothbrush is provided. The toothbrush includes a handle, a bristle containing component coupled to a first end of the handle, and an actuation mechanism connected to the bristle containing component. The actuation mechanism includes an actuator lever fixedly secured to a periphery of the flexible membrane and an actuator switch coupled to an end of the actuator lever. configured, upon actuation, to allow the actuator lever to translate and deform the flexible membrane along the length of the handle. The actuator lever is configured, upon actuation, to allow the actuator lever to translate and deform the flexible membrane along the length of the handle.