Dental Cleaning Appliance Fluid Delivery Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrushes lack an effective mechanism for automatically delivering bursts of fluid to interproximal gaps for enhanced cleaning, often relying on manual operation or inefficient fluid distribution systems.
Innovation Solution
A dental cleaning appliance with a motor-driven bristle carrier and a fluid delivery system that includes a moveable nozzle and sensor, allowing for automatic control of fluid bursts based on detected operational parameters, such as motor current, to ensure targeted interproximal cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a manual fluid delivery system is used in electric toothbrushes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning effectiveness and automation level deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit receives feedback from operational parameters (motor current, sensor signals) to automatically control the fluid delivery system. When the motor current indicates brush contact with teeth or sensor detects proximity to interproximal gaps, the control circuit automatically activates the fluid delivery, eliminating the need for manual user intervention while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush system monitors its own operational state through motor current sensing and sensor detection, then autonomously decides when to deliver fluid bursts. The system serves itself by detecting cleaning conditions and automatically activating the appropriate cleaning mode without requiring user input or complex manual controls.
2Quantity of substance
If fluid is continuously delivered to teeth, then cleaning coverage is improved, but water waste and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous fluid delivery, the system employs periodic burst delivery mode. The control circuit activates the fluid delivery system in short, targeted bursts synchronized with the brushing motion and detected cleaning needs. This periodic action delivers sufficient fluid for effective cleaning while minimizing overall water consumption and energy usage compared to continuous delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system delivers fluid in controlled partial bursts rather than continuous flow. By providing just enough fluid during specific moments when cleaning is most effective (detected through motor current and sensor feedback), the system achieves adequate cleaning coverage without the excessive water and energy consumption associated with continuous delivery.
3Ease of operation
If a simple operational mode system is used, then ease of operation is improved, but cleaning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the cleaning situation through motor current monitoring and sensor input, then self-determines the appropriate operational mode without requiring manual selection by the user. This self-service approach maintains simple ease of operation while achieving precise targeted fluid delivery to the specific areas needing cleaning based on real-time feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit continuously monitors operational parameters including motor current and sensor signals to automatically switch between operational modes. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of fluid delivery timing and location while keeping the user interface simple, as the system adapts its operation based on detected conditions rather than requiring complex manual mode selection.
4Device complexity
If motor current is used as the detected operational parameter, then measurement simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit merges multiple detection methods by combining motor current monitoring with sensor detection. This combination compensates for the limitations of using motor current alone, as the sensor provides additional spatial information about brush position relative to interproximal gaps. Together, these merged detection methods achieve precise operational parameter measurement without requiring overly complex individual sensing systems.
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 appliance effectively delivers controlled bursts of fluid to interproximal gaps, improving cleaning efficiency and preventing unnecessary fluid ejection, thereby enhancing oral hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a drive unit for moving the bristle carrier, the drive unit comprising a motor
Implementation Method 2
the control circuit is arranged to effect a transition between the first operational mode and the second operational mode automatically depending on a detected operational parameter of the appliance, wherein the detected operational parameter of the appliance is the magnitude of the current drawn by the motor
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A dental cleaning appliance (10) includes a fluid delivery system (100) for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user; and a control circuit for controlling the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user. The appliance has a first operational mode in which the delivery of the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is inhibited and a second operational mode in which the burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user is permitted. During use of the appliance, the control circuit is arranged to effect a transition between the first operational mode and the second operational mode automatically depending on a detected operational parameter of the appliance.