Flat-Head Manual Toothbrush With Tapered Head for Lower Gum Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual toothbrushes are perceived as less pleasant due to their thickness and often apply excessive force on the gums, leading to irritation and discomfort during brushing.
Innovation Solution
A manual toothbrush design featuring a brush head with a tapered thickness that decreases from a first transition area to a free end, combined with a neck section and handle that also reduce in thickness and width, providing a springy feel and preventing excessive pressure on the gums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the brush head is made thin to improve comfort in the mouth, then the thickness is reduced, but the structural integrity and spring properties may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The brush head employs non-uniform thickness distribution where the distal end is thinner (1.0-3.0 mm) for comfort while the proximal end maintains greater thickness (2.0-4.0 mm) for structural integrity. This local variation in quality allows different regions to serve different functions: the thin distal end provides comfort and flexibility, while the thicker proximal end ensures strength and spring properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush head is segmented into distinct functional zones with different thickness characteristics. The proximal third maintains greater thickness for structural support and spring action, while the distal two-thirds taper to thinner sections for comfort. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its properties independently.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the brush head is made thin to reduce gum irritation, then the thickness is reduced, but the spring properties to prevent excessive force may be weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The brush head employs non-uniform thickness distribution where the distal end is thinner (1.0-3.0 mm) for comfort while the proximal end maintains greater thickness (2.0-4.0 mm) for structural integrity. This local variation in quality allows different regions to serve different functions: the thin distal end provides comfort and flexibility, while the thicker proximal end ensures strength and spring properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush head is designed with dynamic flexibility through its tapered geometry, allowing it to adapt its stiffness along its length. The thinner distal end provides gentle contact with gums, while the thicker proximal end maintains spring properties for force regulation. This dynamic characteristic enables the brush head to respond appropriately to varying pressures during brushing.
3Strength
If the handle and neck section are made thicker to maintain structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the overall size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle and neck section employ non-uniform thickness distribution where the proximal handle portion maintains greater thickness (10-15 mm) for structural integrity and grip, while the distal neck section tapers to thinner dimensions (5-10 mm) to reduce weight. This local variation allows the handle to be robust where needed while minimizing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle and neck are segmented into distinct functional zones: the proximal handle portion maintains greater thickness for structural support and comfort, while the distal neck section tapers to reduce weight. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its properties independently.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a manual toothbrush with an elongated handle and a brush head. The brush head has bristles consisting of a plurality of bristle filaments. The handle and the brush head are connected to each other via a neck section. The thickness of the brush head decreases in the direction of the extension of the bristle filaments from a first transition region between the neck section and the brush head to a free end of the brush head, such that the thickness at the free end of the brush head is less than 80% of the thickness at the first transition region.