Flexible Toothbrush Neck Adjustment for Limited Shoulder Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic toothbrushes do not facilitate users with limited shoulder mobility to effectively brush the back side of their teeth without requiring them to position their shoulder in an orientation they cannot achieve.

Innovation Solution

A flexible electronic toothbrush with a bendable neck and a straightening unit that allows the brushing head to be oriented at a preferred angle for brushing the back side of the teeth, using a drive unit to rotate the brushing head and a straightening unit to adjust the neck orientation, enabling users to brush without needing to manually adjust their shoulder position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the toothbrush has a curved neck design, then it can accommodate users with limited shoulder mobility, but the brushing head cannot be positioned at the preferred angle for brushing the back side of teeth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of brushing back teethVSAvoidneck orientation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The neck of the toothbrush is designed to be dynamically adjustable through a bendable section that can be positioned at different angles. Users can manipulate the bendable section to achieve the desired neck orientation, transforming the static curved design into a dynamic, adaptable structure that provides both accessibility and positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The toothbrush incorporates a bendable section with changeable curvature parameters. By adjusting the bendable section, users can modify the neck's angle and shape to suit different brushing needs, allowing the same toothbrush to adapt to various user requirements and tooth geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the toothbrush neck is made rigid, then structural stability is maintained, but users cannot adjust the neck angle to brush the back side of teeth effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneck angle adjustabilityVSAvoidneck structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The toothbrush neck is segmented into distinct portions: a rigid section providing structural stability and a bendable section providing adjustability. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function - the rigid section maintains overall structure while the bendable section enables angle adjustment without compromising the entire neck's stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the neck have different mechanical properties. The rigid section provides structural integrity, while the bendable section provides flexibility and adjustability. This local differentiation of material properties allows the neck to simultaneously maintain stability and enable user-adjustable positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the toothbrush is designed for general use, then it appeals to broader audience, but it does not specifically accommodate users with limited shoulder mobility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for physically limited usersVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The toothbrush is designed with multi-functionality to serve both general users and users with limited shoulder mobility. The bendable section can be positioned in different configurations to accommodate various user needs, making the same device universally applicable to different populations without requiring separate specialized designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Users with limited shoulder mobility can independently adjust the neck angle by manipulating the bendable section without requiring external assistance. The design enables self-service adjustment, allowing users to position the toothbrush at the optimal angle for their own needs without needing help from others or specialized adaptive equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260026922A1Flexible electronic toothbrush device

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 BOLDEN DAMIAN

AI summary

A flexible electronic toothbrush device includes a toothbrush that has a handle, a tube extending away from the handle and a mounting head attached to the tube. The tube has a flexible portion which is biased into a gentle curve. A brushing head is removably attachable to the mounting head for brushing a user's teeth. A drive unit is integrated into the toothbrush for rotating the brushing head rotated back and forth to brush the user's teeth in a motion preferred by dental health professionals. A straightening unit is movably integrated into the toothbrush for straightening the tube. In this way the straightening unit orients the brushing head at a preferred orientation for brushing the user's teeth without requiring the user to position their shoulder in an orientation that the user cannot achieve.