Oral Care Handle With Detachable Refill and Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toothbrushes, both manual and electric, require replacement of the entire unit when cleaning elements wear out, and there is no effective mechanism to prevent excessive brushing pressure that can damage teeth and gums.
Innovation Solution
An oral care implement with a detachable refill head and a rocker unit that detects excessive pressure, actuating a signal when the threshold is exceeded, using a motor, resilient elements, and a control unit to alert the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire toothbrush is replaced when cleaning elements wear out, then the cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but the cost and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush is divided into two separable parts: a reusable handle and a replaceable refill head containing the cleaning elements. This segmentation allows users to replace only the worn refill head rather than the entire toothbrush, reducing waste and cost while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The refill head is designed as a disposable component that can be easily discarded when worn, while the handle is recovered and reused. This approach optimizes resource utilization by maintaining the valuable handle component while replacing only the consumable cleaning elements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure detection system is added to toothbrush, then excessive pressure damage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure detection system is designed to automatically sense and respond to excessive pressure without requiring external intervention. The sensor detects pressure levels and triggers appropriate responses (visual, auditory, or haptic feedback) autonomously, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the pressure sensor continuously monitors brushing pressure and provides real-time information to the user through visual indicators, auditory signals, or haptic feedback. This closed-loop feedback enables users to adjust their brushing pressure to prevent damage while maintaining effective cleaning.
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 solution allows for cost-effective replacement of worn parts and provides real-time pressure feedback, preventing damage and extending the handle's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a first resilient element operably coupled to the motor chassis that biases the rocker unit into a normal position
Data Source
AI summary
An oral care implement handle (200) having a gripping portion (210) and an oral care refill head (300) that is detachably coupled thereto. The oral care implement handle (200) may include the gripping portion (210) and a rocker unit (400) which includes a stem (250), a motor (224), and a motor chassis (410). The rocker unit (400) may be pivotably mounted within the gripping portion (210) so that upon pressure being applied an oral care refill head (300) which is coupled to the stem (250) that exceeds a pressure threshold, the rocker unit (400) may be altered from a normal position to an excessive pressure position. When in the excessive pressure position, the rocker unit (400) may actuate an actuator element (265) of a control unit (260) to initiate generation of a user perceptible signal.