Reusable Dental Floss Pick With Rotating Handle And Spring-Loaded Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental flossing methods require manual tensioning, which can be difficult for users, especially those with hard-to-reach teeth spaces, and result in single-use disposable picks.
Innovation Solution
A dental flossing pick with a body and lever mechanism that rotates to form a handle and fork, allowing for easy clamping and release of dental floss, and a case with a dispenser for convenient floss management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual tensioning of dental floss is used, then the flossing function is achieved, but it is difficult for users with hard-to-reach teeth spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic lever mechanism that allows the flossing pick to transition between open and closed states. The lever arm rotates about a pivot point, enabling the jaws to dynamically adjust their position and apply force to the dental floss. This dynamic action allows users to easily manipulate the floss into hard-to-reach spaces without manual tensioning, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If single-use disposable picks are used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but it results in waste and is not reusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flossing device into distinct functional components: a reusable body with lever mechanism and jaws, and replaceable dental floss. This segmentation allows the durable structural elements to be manufactured once and reused, while only the consumable floss is discarded. The lever arm, pivot, and jaw assembly form a permanent fixture that maintains its functionality across multiple uses, significantly reducing waste compared to single-use picks while keeping manufacturing relatively simple.
3Reliability
If a lever mechanism is added to the flossing pick, then tension maintenance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring element that acts as a counterweight or biasing force within the lever mechanism. The spring maintains a predetermined force on the lever arm, ensuring that the jaws consistently apply tension to the dental floss during the flossing action. This spring-loaded mechanism provides reliable tension maintenance without requiring complex active control systems, achieving improved reliability with moderate complexity through passive mechanical means.
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 pick allows for efficient and reusable flossing, reducing waste and improving user convenience by maintaining tension and facilitating easy handling of dental floss.
Implementation Method 1
at least one torsion spring coupled to the body and the lever, the first arm and the second arm rotatable toward one another, against a resistance force of the at least one torsion spring
Implementation Method 2
the locking mechanism includes a linear spring and a pin, the linear spring and the pin are supported along the first arm of the body, the linear spring biases the pin into the recess defined by the first arm of the body
Data Source
AI summary
A dental flossing pick includes a body, a lever, and at least one torsion spring. The body may include a first arm and a first jaw, and the lever may include a second arm and a second jaw. The lever may be rotatably coupled to the body, and the at least one torsion spring may be coupled to the body and the lever. The first arm and the second arm may be rotatable toward one another, against a resistance force of the at least one torsion spring, from an open state to a closed state to form a handle. In the closed state, the first jaw and the second jaw may be clamped to one another to form a fork distal to the handle. The fork may include a first prong and a second prong defining therebetween a gap in which a length of dental floss material may be secured.