Dental Floss Holder Locking Mechanism for Toothpick Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental floss holders with pivotable toothpick elements face issues with handling and stability, as the protective elements can return to their protective position during use, preventing effective cleaning of interdental spaces.
Innovation Solution
A dental floss holder with a locking element and a V-shaped protective element that pivots 180° to fix the toothpick element in place, using film hinges and convex/concave surfaces for secure fixation, ensuring the toothpick element remains exposed for cleaning and improving grip and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the protective element is made pivotable to allow toothpick usage, then the toothpick element can be exposed for cleaning interdental spaces, but the protective element may return to protective position during use due to elastic stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a locking element that changes the state of the protective element from movable to fixed during use. The locking element engages with the protective element to prevent it from returning to the protective position, thereby stabilizing its position while maintaining accessibility of the toothpick element.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element acts as an intermediary between the protective element and the base body. It mediates the connection by providing a positive locking mechanism that prevents the protective element from moving back to its initial position, ensuring reliable positioning during toothpick usage.
2Reliability
If the protective element is fixed in position of use, then the toothpick element remains exposed for cleaning, but the handling and grip of the base body may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different qualities to different parts of the device. The protective element area is made rigid and fixed through the locking mechanism, while the base body maintains its original flexible and grippable characteristics. This local differentiation allows the protective element to be stable during use while the base body remains easy to handle.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to fix the protective element, then position stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed as a separate, extractable component that can be easily added or removed. This modular approach allows the locking function to be implemented without fundamentally redesigning the entire device structure, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity while achieving the desired position stability.
4Reliability
If the protective element is V-shaped to accommodate the locking element, then the fixing effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element is designed with a V-shape that is asymmetric in its functionality but can be symmetric in its basic geometry. The V-shape naturally guides the locking element into position, providing self-alignment that reduces the need for high-precision manufacturing. The asymmetry is functional rather than geometric, allowing for easier manufacturing while maintaining effective locking.
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 solution enhances user handling and prevents the protective element from interfering with the toothpick, allowing for effective cleaning of interdental spaces by securely fixing the protective element in the position of use, ensuring the toothpick element remains accessible and usable.
Implementation Method 1
The protective element is usually connected to the base body by at least one film hinge and can accordingly be pivoted from its protective position
Implementation Method 2
This definition can be a positive and/or frictional connection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dental floss holder with a base body (2) forming two arms (4) between which at least one dental floss thread (6) is stretched and from which a toothpick element (12) projects, surrounded by a protective element (14) in its protective position, which can be pivoted into a working position in which the toothpick element (12) projects freely from the base body (2). To improve usability, the present invention proposes a locking element (18) which secures the protective element (14) in the working position.