Guidance Tip Assembly for Liquid Droplet Spray Teeth Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing droplet spray teeth cleaning systems face challenges in accurately positioning the spray tip, particularly in interproximal spaces, due to the inability to directly feel the spray, and require precise control of the spray nozzle's distance from the teeth to ensure effective cleaning without damaging gums or tissues, especially when using teeth braces.

Innovation Solution

A guidance tip assembly with a soft pliable material, such as rubber, is integrated into the spray nozzle, providing a safe stand-off distance and allowing for precise location of the spray nozzle relative to the teeth, including interproximal areas, through a conical or spherical element with venting openings, and flexible designs that accommodate various configurations and teeth shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the spray nozzle is positioned close to the teeth for effective cleaning, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but damage to gums and tissues may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficacyVSAvoiddamage to gums and tissues

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A guidance tip assembly made of soft pliable material is introduced as an intermediary component between the spray nozzle and the teeth. This mediator provides a safe stand-off distance to prevent direct contact and potential damage to gums and tissues, while still allowing the spray to effectively reach the teeth surface for cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the spray nozzle is positioned far from the teeth to ensure safety, then tissue damage is prevented, but cleaning efficacy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damage preventionVSAvoidcleaning efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The soft guidance tip acts as a mediator that defines a precise safe distance. It allows the nozzle to maintain an optimal stand-off distance that is far enough to prevent tissue damage but close enough to ensure effective cleaning, resolving the trade-off between safety and efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the spray tip location is not directly felt by the user, then the spray system is simpler, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray system simplicityVSAvoidspray tip positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance tip assembly serves as a tactile intermediary that the user can directly feel and use for positioning. The soft pliable material provides sensory feedback to the user, enabling accurate positioning of the spray tip relative to the teeth without requiring complex sensing systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guidance tip may incorporate visual indicators such as color changes or visual cues that help the user determine proper positioning. This provides a visual measurement system that complements the tactile feedback, improving positioning accuracy without adding electronic complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Measurement precision

If a rigid guidance structure is used for precise positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but adaptability to various teeth shapes and braces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidaccommodation of teeth shapes and braces

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance tip assembly is made from soft pliable material that can flex and adapt to various teeth shapes, sizes, and configurations including braces. This flexibility maintains positioning accuracy while accommodating the diversity of dental anatomies without requiring multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

5Strength

If the guidance tip is made from hard material for durability, then structural strength is improved, but safety and comfort for gums and tissues deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidsafety and comfort for gums

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance tip is constructed from soft pliable material that provides both safety and comfort for gums and tissues. The material is durable enough to withstand repeated use while remaining gentle on oral tissues, eliminating the need to choose between strength and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9204946B2Locating/guidance tip assembly for a liquid droplet spray teeth cleaning system

Publication Date: 2015.12.08 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

The spray assembly for a droplet spray teeth cleaning system includes a guidance member at the end thereof. The spray assembly includes a nozzle through which a spray of liquid is directed to the teeth for cleaning. The guidance member is configured and mounted relative to the nozzle to provide a selected standoff distance between the nozzle and the teeth and includes a portion which is configured to fit in the interproximal space between adjacent teeth and gums, or against the frontal portions of the teeth, so that the user knows the location of the spray relative to the teeth.