Toothbrush With Flexible Linkages For Dental Arch Conformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes fail to effectively clean all dental surfaces due to variations in the curvature of the dental arch, leading to incomplete brushing and inefficient oral hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush with multiple bristle arrangements and flexible linkages that conform to non-uniform arch curvatures, combined with an actuation mechanism for a compound motion of to-and-fro and oscillatory movements, allowing thorough brushing along the entire dental arch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a toothbrush is designed to surround multiple faces of a tooth and extend around a significant proportion of a dental arch, then the coverage area of dental surfaces is improved, but the device cannot perform significant brushing action along the length of the dental arch due to variations in curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The brush assembly is divided into multiple bristle arrangements (at least three) that are interconnected by flexible linkages. Each bristle arrangement can independently contact different surfaces of teeth, and the flexible linkages allow each segment to adapt to local curvature variations while maintaining relative spacing between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible linkages interconnecting the bristle arrangements allow variation of the effective curvature of the brush assembly. This dynamic structure enables the brush to conform to non-uniform curvature of the dental arch, transforming a rigid structure into an adaptable one that can maintain contact across varying tooth surfaces.
2Shape
If a toothbrush is designed with fixed curvature to match a specific dental arch, then the fit to that specific arch is improved, but the device cannot adapt to variations in curvature encountered along the dental arch
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible linkages enable the brush assembly to dynamically adjust its curvature along the dental arch. The structure transitions from a fixed-curvature design to a dynamic one where the effective curvature can vary to match the non-uniform curvature of different dental arches.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible linkages allow the effective curvature parameter of the brush assembly to change and adapt to the specific non-uniform curvature of the user's dental arch. This parameter change enables the brush to conform to individual variations in dental arch shape.
3Reliability
If manual brushing is performed to achieve thorough cleaning of all dental surfaces, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but it requires considerable care and ability which most people cannot consistently provide
Solution Approach 1:
The brush assembly is designed to automatically conform to the dental arch curvature through its flexible linkages and multiple bristle arrangements. The structure itself performs the adaptation function that would otherwise require skilled manual operation, enabling effective cleaning without requiring considerable user care or ability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible linkages and multiple bristle arrangements are configured to contact facial and lingual surfaces of teeth, utilizing curved surfaces to match the natural curvature of dental arches. This geometric design enables automatic adaptation to tooth surfaces, reducing the skill required for effective brushing.
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
Ensures uniform and efficient brushing of all dental surfaces, improving oral hygiene by maintaining effective contact with teeth surfaces through adaptive curvature conformity and enhanced motion mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
flexible linkages being configured to maintain a relative spacing between the bristle arrangements while allowing variation of an effective curvature of the brush assembly such that the at least three bristle arrangements can ride along, and conform to a non-uniform curvature of, the arch of teeth
Implementation Method 2
The actuation mechanism is configured to displace the brush assembly in a compound motion comprising the to-and-fro motion with a first amplitude and a first frequency and an oscillatory component with a second amplitude smaller than the first amplitude and a second frequency higher than the first frequency
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a
AI summary
A toothbrush (10) includes a brush assembly (16) with at least three bristle arrangements (12), each having opposing inwardly-directed bristles (122, 124, 126) for simultaneously contacting facial and lingual surfaces (52, 54), and preferably also occlusal surfaces (56) of the teeth (50). Flexible linkages (14), interconnecting the bristle arrangements (12), maintain a relative spacing between the bristle arrangements (12) while allowing variation of an effective curvature of the brush assembly (16) such that the bristle arrangements (12) can ride along, and conform to a non-uniform curvature of, the arch of teeth. The toothbrush (10) preferably also includes an actuation mechanism (22) for generating to-and-fro motion of the brush assembly (16) along the arch of teeth, most preferably combined with a more rapid small-amplitude oscillatory motion.