Flexible LED Circuit for Uniform Tooth Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tooth whitening systems are bulky and rigid, failing to emit radiation or light uniformly over the entire tooth surface, leading to ineffective whitening results.
Innovation Solution
An oral treatment device with a flexible circuit and printed light-emitting diode circuit, coupled to a mouthpiece with a lamp support structure, emits electromagnetic radiation uniformly onto the teeth, utilizing a flexible sheet body with electrical contacts and a control circuit for power distribution, and a lens plate with a different refractive index to enhance light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If current tooth whitening systems use rigid structures to emit radiation, then the device structure is stable, but the device becomes bulky and cannot emit radiation uniformly over the entire tooth surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible circuit board instead of a rigid structure to support multiple light-emitting diodes. The flexible circuit board can conform to the curved surface of teeth, enabling uniform radiation emission across the entire tooth surface while maintaining a compact device structure. This directly resolves the contradiction between achieving uniform illumination and avoiding bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the light-emitting function into multiple separate light-emitting diodes arranged on the flexible circuit board. Each LED emits radiation at a specific location, and collectively they provide uniform coverage across the tooth surface. This segmentation allows the device to achieve comprehensive illumination without requiring a large, bulky structure.
2Area of stationary object
If current systems use rigid lamp structures, then the lamp support is stable, but the radiation cannot effectively cover the entire tooth surface
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit board serves as both the support structure and the mounting surface for multiple LEDs. Its flexibility allows it to adapt to the contours of teeth, maximizing the coverage area on the tooth surface while maintaining structural stability through its circuit board construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional rigid, planar lamp support to a flexible, conformable structure that can wrap around the three-dimensional surface of teeth. This dimensional adaptation enables the radiation source to follow the tooth geometry, thereby increasing the effective coverage area without increasing device complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If a flexible circuit with printed LED is used, then uniform light emission is achieved, but electrical contact reliability becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit board integrates both structural support and electrical connection functions. The printed conductive traces on the flexible substrate provide reliable electrical pathways to each LED, ensuring stable operation while maintaining the flexibility needed for uniform light distribution across the tooth surface.
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 device provides a more effective and uniform emission of light, enhancing tooth whitening by ensuring consistent radiation coverage across the teeth, improving the convenience and comfort of the whitening process.
Implementation Method 1
The electromagnetic radiation source may comprise a flexible circuit and a plurality of illumination elements located thereon. In some aspects, the electromagnetic radiation source may be a printed light emitting diode circuit.
Implementation Method 2
a lens plate with a different refractive index to enhance light transmission
Data Source
AI summary
An oral treatment device that emits electromagnetic radiation onto surfaces of a user's teeth. The oral treatment device may include an intraoral mouthpiece and a handle extending therefrom, the handle containing the control circuitry required for operation of the device. The mouthpiece may include a lamp support structure, a lamp, a lens plate, and a guard component. The lamp may include an electromagnetic radiation source that includes a flexible sheet and a plurality of illumination elements located thereon. The illumination elements may be light emitting diodes printed with an electrically conductive. Additional electronic components such as a processor and a power source may also be included in the device.