Flexible Grip Switch for Toothbrush Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Children often struggle to activate the illumination circuit in existing light-emitting toothbrushes, requiring mechanical efficiency and dexterity that they may not possess, making it difficult to ensure proper brushing duration.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush design featuring a pliant base with a flexible member that contacts a stationary contact member upon compression or bending, completing a circuit to initiate illumination for a set period, allowing for easy activation without requiring significant strength or dexterity, along with a foldable design that uses the rotation of parts to engage the activation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical activation mechanism is used in existing light-emitting toothbrushes, then the illumination circuit can be activated, but children may struggle to activate it due to insufficient mechanical efficiency and dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the activation mechanism by using a pliant base that requires only compression or bending to activate. This reduces the force and dexterity needed compared to existing mechanisms, making it accessible to children while reliably completing the circuit to illuminate the light.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a pliant base with flexible members and contact members. The pliant base material allows easy deformation under minimal force, while the flexible member with contact members ensures reliable electrical connection, creating a mechanism that is both easy to operate and dependable.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a complex activation mechanism is designed to ensure proper brushing duration, then brushing time can be monitored, but the device becomes more difficult for children to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential activation function from complex mechanisms, using only the basic elements needed: a pliant base, flexible member, and contact members. This simplified mechanism still achieves the goal of initiating illumination for monitoring brushing duration without adding unnecessary complexity that would hinder children's ability to operate it.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid activation mechanism is used, then the structure is stable, but it requires significant strength and dexterity to activate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pliant base with flexible members instead of rigid structures. The flexible member can deform easily when the base is compressed or bent, requiring minimal activation force while maintaining structural integrity and stability during normal use. This flexible design contrasts with rigid mechanisms that would require significant force to activate.
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 ensures that children can easily activate the toothbrush's light, encouraging longer brushing times by providing a user-friendly mechanism that is accessible and easy to operate, promoting improved oral hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible member that extends around the first contact member and is coupled to the second contact member such that the second contact member contacts the first contact member as the pliant base is compressed or bent
Data Source
AI summary
A toothbrush (10') comprising: a handle (12') having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a cavity positioned between the first end and the second end, and a grip surrounding the longitudinal axis and at least a portion of the handle, with at least a portion of the grip being made of a flexible material; a head (26') positioned at the first end of the handle; a plurality of bristles (80') attached to the head (26'); a light (60') positioned in the cavity; a power source 66') positioned in the cavity and configured to provide power to the light; a circuit positioned in the cavity and configured to supply the light with power from the power source; a switch mechanism including a protrusion (112') that is separate from and unconnected to the grip and has a first end and a second end, with the grip surrounding the protrusion, and the first end of the protrusion extending away from the second end of the protrusion in a direction towards the flexible material of the grip such that the flexible material of the grip covers the protrusion, the switch mechanism configured such that a force applied to the flexible material of the grip in a direction towards the first end of the protrusion moves the protrusion in a direction away from the flexible material of the grip to complete the circuit to cause the light to blink for a set period of time.