Elastomeric Refill Head for Powered Toothbrushes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral care implements, particularly powered toothbrushes, have limited development in improving the comfort and performance of refill heads and tooth cleaning elements, which are crucial for effective plaque removal and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A refill head design featuring a sleeve portion with a sleeve cavity, a head portion made of rigid material, and an integrally formed monolithic mass of elastomeric material, including an elastomeric pad, protrusions, and an elastomeric anchor portion, which allows for detachable coupling with a handle component and transmits vibrational energy for enhanced cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If substantial research and development is directed towards vibrational, rotary, and translational movement technology in the handle component, then the cleaning performance of powered toothbrushes is improved, but the comfort and performance of the refill head and tooth cleaning elements remain underdeveloped
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush system is divided into two independent parts: the handle component containing motor technology and the refill head containing cleaning elements. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component, enabling advanced motor technology in the handle while simultaneously improving refill head design with elastomeric materials and multiple cleaning surfaces without compromising either aspect.
Solution Approach 2:
The refill head incorporates elastomeric materials combined with rigid head portions to create a composite structure. The elastomeric portion provides comfort and adaptability to gum contours, while the rigid head portion maintains structural integrity and bristle positioning, thereby improving both comfort and cleaning performance simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the refill head is designed with complex elastomeric structures including pads, protrusions, and anchor portions, then the comfort and cleaning effectiveness are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple elastomeric components (pad, protrusions, anchor portions) are merged into a single integrally formed elastomeric portion. This consolidation maintains the complex functional features needed for comfort and effectiveness while simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps required.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrally formed elastomeric portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides gum comfort through cushioning, secures the refill head to the handle via anchor portions, and maintains structural connection between components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining comfort benefits.
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 design enhances the comfort and performance of the refill head by providing effective vibrational movement to bristle tufts, improving plaque removal and user experience while allowing for interchangeable configurations to suit different cleaning needs.
Implementation Method 1
vibrational energy generated by the vibratory source imparts vibrational movement to the bristle tufts, and the elastomeric tooth contact element
Data Source
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AI summary
An oral care implement and a refill head therefor. The refill head may include a sleeve portion and a head portion, a passageway extending through the head portion from a rear surface of the head portion to a front surface of the head portion, a plurality of bristle tufts mounted to the head portion and extending from the front surface of the head portion, and an integrally-formed monolithic mass of an elastomeric material comprising: (1) an elastomeric pad portion located on the rear surface of the head portion; (2) an elastomeric tooth contact element extending from the front surface of the head portion; and (3) an elastomeric anchor portion in the passageway connecting the elastomeric tooth contact element and the elastomeric pad portion.