Food Texture Probe With Human Tooth Forms And Jaw Motion Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing probe devices for analyzing food texture lack accuracy due to their simple forms, which do not replicate the human teeth structure, and fail to mimic the natural chewing motion, making it difficult to objectively measure food properties.
Innovation Solution
A probe device with upper and lower jaw models featuring tooth forms similar to those of the human mouth, allowing for the attachment of probes corresponding to molars, canine teeth, and front teeth, and a mechanism that interlocks the vertical motion of the press with the chewing motion of the jaw joint, enabling a more natural chewing simulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple cylinder form, pin form, conical form, or blade form probe is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the measurement precision of food texture by specific teeth types (molar, front tooth, canine tooth) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The probe device is segmented into multiple independent probes, each shaped to correspond to a specific tooth type (molar, front tooth, canine tooth). This segmentation allows each probe to independently simulate the function of its corresponding tooth, enabling accurate measurement of food texture as processed by different teeth types without requiring complex manufacturing of a single multi-functional probe.
Solution Approach 2:
The probes are designed as simplified copies of actual human teeth, replicating the essential geometric features (crown shape, occlusion surface) of molars, front teeth, and canine teeth. This copying approach captures the functional characteristics of real teeth for texture analysis while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of creating exact anatomical replicas, thus balancing measurement precision with ease of manufacture.
2Measurement precision
If a probe device with teeth form is used, then the measurement precision of food texture analysis is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device complexity is managed by segmenting the probe system into separate, standardized probes for each tooth type. Each probe is an independent component with a simple geometric form corresponding to its tooth type, allowing them to be manufactured separately and assembled into the testing device without requiring complex integrated structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating multiple probes that can be selectively used for different tooth types. This universal design allows a single device to perform texture analysis simulating various chewing functions (cutting by front teeth, tearing by canine teeth, grinding by molars) without requiring multiple specialized devices, thus managing complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Productivity
If a vertical motion press is used, then the ease of operation is improved and productivity is increased, but the reliability of simulating natural chewing motion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The probe device incorporates a dynamic motion mechanism that transforms the simple vertical motion of the press into a complex chewing-like motion pattern. The mechanism includes components that generate rotational and reciprocating movements, allowing the probes to simulate the dynamic characteristics of actual chewing (opening/closing jaw motion, lateral movement) while maintaining the high-speed advantages of automated press operation.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary mechanical linkage system is introduced between the vertical press and the probes. This intermediary mechanism converts the vertical pressing motion into the complex multi-axis motion required for realistic chewing simulation, acting as a mediator that preserves the productivity benefits of vertical pressing while achieving the reliability needed for accurate chewing motion simulation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having a teeth form, and more specifically, to a probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having a teeth form, capable of objectively analyzing various physical properties felt by a person when chewing food, selecting and using a probe corresponding to a molar, a front tooth or a canine tooth, allowing a vertical motion of a press to be interlocked with a motion of the jaw joint, and allowing chewing experiments similar to real chewing of the human body to be carried out by enabling smooth occlusion of the upper jaw and the lower jaw.