Flexible Toothbrush Head Plate via Segmented Resilient Hinges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toothbrush designs with rigid cleaning elements lack flexibility, which hinders effective cleaning of teeth and gums due to their complex contours.

Innovation Solution

A toothbrush design featuring a mounting plate with a gap and groove structure, where a molten resilient material is injected to form flexible resilient hinges and cleaning elements, allowing for enhanced flexibility and improved cleaning action.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If cleaning elements are rigidly attached to the head, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) separated by gaps, with each section capable of independent movement. This segmentation allows the cleaning elements to adapt to complex tooth contours while maintaining overall structural integrity through the modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plate transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure by incorporating resilient hinges that enable movement between sections. The resilient material allows the mounting plate to deform and adapt to different brushing surfaces, providing both strength and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If a rigid head structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but cleaning effectiveness is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate sections are integrally formed as a single piece with resilient hinges built-in, combining multiple functions (support, flexibility, movement) into one component. This merging simplifies manufacturing compared to assembling multiple separate parts while ensuring reliable cleaning effectiveness through the flexible design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plate is made from resilient material that combines the properties of rigidity (for structural support) and flexibility (for adaptation to tooth contours). This composite material approach allows a single manufacturing process to produce both strength and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If cleaning elements are made flexible, then adaptability to tooth contours is improved, but structural stability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to contoursVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the mounting plate into discrete sections connected by resilient hinges, the design achieves flexibility at the segment level while maintaining overall structural stability through the interconnected modular architecture. Each section can move independently to adapt to contours.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plate has different properties in different locations: resilient hinges provide flexibility at connection points, while the solid mounting plate sections provide structural stability. This local differentiation of properties allows simultaneous achievement of adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 flexible design of the toothbrush head provides better adaptation to the intricate contours of teeth and gums, enhancing cleaning efficacy and comfort during brushing.

Implementation Method 1

injecting a molten resilient material onto the mounting plate so that the molten resilient material fills the gap, flows through the groove, and forms a resilient cleaning element extending from the mounting plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInjection molding:

Implementation Method 2

The method includes injecting a molten resilient material onto the mounting plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change (solidification): Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP2822422B1Method of forming a head plate and formation of oral care implement using the same

Publication Date: 2019.05.15 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

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Figure 3A

AI summary

A method of forming a head plate for enhanced cleaning action during brushing. In one embodiment, the invention can be a method of forming a head plate comprising: a) forming a mounting plate comprising a first section and a second section, the first section separated from the second section by a gap, a groove formed into the second section that extends from the gap to a cleaning element location; b) positioning the mounting plate in a mold cavity; c) injecting a molten resilient material into the mold cavity so that the molten resilient material: (1) flows into the gap; (2) flows into the groove; and (3) flows into a cleaning element chamber; and d) solidifying the molten resilient material, the solidified resilient material in the gap coupling the first and second sections of the plate together, the solidified resilient material in the cleaning element chamber forming a first resilient tooth cleaning element.