Deformable Toothbrush Head with Elastic Wings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes often fail to effectively clean the teeth, particularly the interdental spaces, and can be harsh due to inadequate adaptation to the tooth surface, leading to inefficient plaque removal and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush design featuring a deformable element with a wedge-shaped structure, comprising a first flexible wing closer to the cleaning zone and a second wing further away, held together by guide elements, made of compressible elastic materials, allowing the cleaning zone to adapt to the tooth surface shape, ensuring gentle and thorough cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the toothbrush uses a rigid structure, then it maintains stability and ease of control, but it cannot adapt to the shape of tooth surfaces and effectively reach interdental spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush is divided into a rigid handle portion and a deformable head portion with wings that can independently flex and adapt to tooth surfaces. This segmentation allows the handle to remain stable and controllable while the head adapts to various tooth geometries including interdental spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing structure incorporates elastic material that allows dynamic deformation during brushing. The wings can flex and curve to match the contours of teeth and gum lines, providing adaptability while the overall toothbrush structure remains manageable and controllable in the user's hand.
2Productivity
If the toothbrush applies concentrated cleaning force to specific points, then it can effectively remove plaque, but it may cause discomfort and damage to tooth surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning force is distributed across multiple dimensions by extending the cleaning zone into interdental spaces through the deformable wing structure. The bristles are arranged to engage with tooth surfaces from multiple angles and positions, spreading the cleaning action across a broader three-dimensional area rather than concentrating it at single points.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cleaning zone are designed with specific bristle arrangements and deformability characteristics to address local cleaning needs. The wings can adapt to apply appropriate cleaning force to specific areas such as interdental spaces, gum lines, and occlusal surfaces while maintaining gentleness on sensitive areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the toothbrush uses a deformable element with compressible elastic material, then it can adapt to tooth surfaces and reach interdental spaces, but it may reduce the cleaning force effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush structure is segmented into the rigid handle that transmits user-applied force and the deformable wing section that adapts to tooth surfaces. This segmentation ensures that cleaning force is not lost but rather transmitted efficiently through the rigid portion and then distributed by the deformable portion across multiple contact points including interdental spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material in the wings provides dynamic response to applied cleaning force. When pressure is applied, the wings deform to engage with tooth surfaces and maintain contact, ensuring that cleaning force is effectively transmitted to all accessible areas including interdental spaces without force loss.
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 deformable element allows the toothbrush to curve around teeth, effectively reaching interdental spaces and providing a gentle cleaning experience by distributing pressure evenly, improving access and cleaning efficiency while maintaining ease of control during brushing.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of said wings, and/or at least one guide element is made of a compressible elastic material
Implementation Method 2
as a result of the cleaning force during brushing, which is exerted as a counterforce by the tooth on the wing, the wing and thus also the cleaning zone may be caused to curve concavely
Data Source
AI summary
A toothbrush with a cleaning zone with bristles, and with a deformable element by which the cleaning zone can be adapted to the shape of the tooth surface by the cleaning force, where the deformable element comprises flexible wings tapering in a wedge shape toward the cleaning zone and with guide elements between them, at least one of the wings and/or guide element is made of a compressible elastic material.