Dental Cleaning Appliance Nozzle Movement Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental cleaning appliances lack an efficient mechanism for delivering bursts of working fluid to interproximal gaps, often resulting in inadequate removal of matter due to limited movement and control of the fluid delivery system.
Innovation Solution
A dental cleaning appliance with a moveable nozzle and fluid conduit system that uses a sensor and control circuit to actuate the delivery of working fluid based on the movement of the nozzle relative to the handle, ensuring effective dislodgment of matter from interproximal gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a pump is actuated upon user operation to pump fluid from the fluid chamber to the nozzle, then fluid can be delivered to the nozzle, but the mechanism lacks automatic control based on nozzle movement relative to teeth
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor detects the position of the nozzle relative to the teeth and provides feedback signals to a control circuit. The control circuit automatically actuates the pump based on this feedback, enabling automatic fluid delivery control without requiring manual user operation for each burst.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the movement of the nozzle itself (caused by user manipulation during cleaning) as the triggering mechanism for fluid delivery. The sensor detects this natural movement and automatically initiates fluid delivery, making the system self-regulating without additional user actions.
2Measurement precision
If the nozzle is moved along the teeth during use, then interproximal gaps can be accessed, but precise control of fluid delivery timing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical position detection mechanisms with a sensor-based system. The sensor (which could be optical, capacitive, or other non-contact type) detects nozzle position and movement without requiring mechanical linkages or complex measurement apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in sensor output parameters as the nozzle moves. By detecting parameter changes (such as distance, position, or movement velocity) from the sensor, the control circuit can precisely determine when the nozzle is in the optimal position for fluid delivery to interproximal gaps.
3Productivity
If a static brush head is used, then the structure is simple, but the cleaning effectiveness in interproximal gaps is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The brush head is designed with moveable sections that can reciprocate, oscillate, vibrate, pivot, or rotate relative to the static section. This dynamic capability allows the bristles to effectively engage and clean interproximal gaps, significantly improving cleaning effectiveness compared to a completely static design.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush head is divided into a static section and one or more moveable sections. This segmentation allows different parts of the brush head to perform different functions: the static section provides structural support and connection to the handle, while the moveable sections provide the cleaning action in interproximal gaps.
Data Source
AI summary
A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid delivery system for delivering working fluid to the teeth of a user, and a control circuit for actuating the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on a received input. For each input, the control circuit is arranged to actuate the delivery of a series of bursts of working fluid to the teeth of the user.