Compact Electric Toothbrush with Segmented Handle and Replaceable Brush Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric toothbrushes are large, cumbersome, and require frequent recharging, making them inconvenient for portable use and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A compact electric toothbrush design featuring a finger-coupled housing with a flexible strap or elastic ring for secure fit, a rechargeable or replaceable battery, and a vibrating motor that transfers vibrational force to a brush head, allowing for efficient teeth brushing without the need for extensive finger insertion, with components such as a removable cap and brush head for easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional electric toothbrushes use large motors and batteries, then they provide sufficient power for brushing, but they become large and cumbersome requiring frequent recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush is divided into modular components: a reusable handle containing the motor and electronics, and replaceable brush heads. This segmentation allows the power-intensive motor to be concentrated in a small handle while the brush heads can be replaced without recharging, effectively separating power provision from brushing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic vibration frequencies and speeds that adjust during operation. The motor operates at variable speeds depending on the brushing mode and pressure detected, allowing sufficient cleaning power when needed while reducing power consumption during normal operation, thus extending battery life and reducing size requirements.
2Reliability
If conventional electric toothbrushes are designed for home use, then they provide effective cleaning, but they are not convenient for portable or on-the-go use
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the brush head from the handle and making the brush head replaceable, the system allows users to carry only the small handle with multiple brush heads stored separately. This modular approach maintains cleaning effectiveness while dramatically improving portability for travel and on-the-go use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates multiple brushing modes with different vibration frequencies and speeds that can be selected based on the specific cleaning need. This allows the device to provide home-level cleaning effectiveness in a compact form by optimizing power delivery for different situations rather than requiring constant high-power operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional electric toothbrushes require recharging through a base station, then they maintain power supply, but they require frequent maintenance and wall socket connection
Solution Approach 1:
The replaceable brush head design allows users to replace worn brush heads without needing to recharge or service the handle. This separates the consumable component (brush head) from the durable component (handle with battery and motor), making maintenance simpler and more convenient.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush heads are designed as disposable or easily replaceable components with a limited lifespan. Instead of maintaining and recharging the entire toothbrush system, users simply replace the inexpensive brush heads when worn, reducing maintenance complexity and eliminating the need for base station recharging infrastructure.
4Reliability
If conventional electric toothbrushes require extensive finger insertion, then they reach all teeth, but they are uncomfortable and require large size
Solution Approach 1:
The brush heads are designed with different bristle configurations, densities, and lengths optimized for specific口腔 regions. This allows effective cleaning of all teeth surfaces without requiring the handle to be large or the user to insert their finger deeply, as the brush head geometry is optimized for local access to different tooth areas.
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 compact design enables convenient on-the-go use, improved brushing efficiency with increased brush strokes per minute, and easy maintenance of components, addressing the inconvenience and bulkiness of conventional electric toothbrushes.
Implementation Method 1
a rechargeable or replaceable battery
Implementation Method 2
a vibrating motor that transfers vibrational force to a brush head
Data Source
AI summary
An electric toothbrush disclosed herein includes a vibrator having a housing and a motor. The housing encloses the motor and a portion of a switch operably coupled to the motor. The electric toothbrush also includes a head portion including a brush. A cap is coupled to the head portion. The head portion and the end cap enclose the vibrator.