Hand-Held Dental Flosser With Floating Spool Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental flossing devices are cumbersome, require both hands to operate, and struggle with inadequate floss tensioning, stretching, and tangling, making them uncomfortable and inefficient for daily use.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held dental flossing device with a floating platform and non-linear spring mechanism that allows for single-handed operation, adjustable tension control, and easy spool replacement, featuring a clutch system to maintain constant floss tension and prevent tangling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional dental floss holders with spaced arms are used, then floss can be held and tensioned, but the device requires two hands to operate and is difficult to maneuver in the back of the mouth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the floss-holding function and tensioning function into a single integrated head assembly that attaches to one handle, eliminating the need for a second hand to stabilize or operate a separate tensioning mechanism. The head includes integrated components (arms, spool, tensioning elements) that work together as one unit operable with a single hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The head assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it holds the floss, provides tensioning control, enables spool rotation for floss dispensing, and facilitates maneuverability. This multi-functional design allows single-handed operation while maintaining all necessary flossing capabilities.
2Reliability
If dental floss is strung tightly between spaced arms, then floss tension is provided, but the floss stretches and becomes loose, and requires constant restringing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic tensioning system where the spool can rotate to dispensing the floss as needed, and the tensioning elements can adjust to maintain optimal floss tension throughout use. This dynamic mechanism allows the floss to remain taut and effective for extended periods without stretching loose or requiring restringing.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning mechanism allows for adjustment of floss tension parameters during use, maintaining optimal tension levels despite floss consumption or minor stretching. The spring-loaded or adjustable tensioning elements compensate for floss elongation, keeping the effective tension within the optimal range for the entire duration of floss usage.
3Productivity
If reciprocating motion of arms within the mouth is used for flossing, then cleansing action is achieved, but the arms can hit and irritate the gums and cheeks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flexible, soft-coated arms with rounded edges that can flex and conform to the contours of teeth and gums. The flexible material allows the arms to follow the natural curves of the dental arch without making rigid contact that could irritate soft tissues, while still providing effective flossing action.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are designed with curved, spheroidal contours rather than sharp angles or flat surfaces. This curvature allows the arms to glide smoothly along gum lines and between teeth without creating pressure points or irritation, while maintaining the mechanical advantage needed for effective flossing motion.
4Ease of manufacture
If commonly available dental floss is used in reusable holders, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but the design requires tie-down, knotting, loop-making, or other special treatment of floss ends
Solution Approach 1:
The spool-based design allows the floss to feed onto itself automatically as the spool rotates during dispensing. The floss ends are secured through the spool's natural winding action rather than requiring manual knotting or tying, enabling easy loading of standard floss without special treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool is pre-configured with a receptacle or guide that automatically captures and secures the floss end as it is fed onto the spool. This preliminary preparation of the spool structure eliminates the need for users to perform knotting or loop-making operations, simplifying the loading process while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
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
Enables efficient, comfortable, and effective dental flossing with constant tension, preventing floss stretching and tangling, and allowing easy spool loading and replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a floating platform movable along the solid core member towards or away from the head when the first spool rotates in response to a user pulling on the floss at the head
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held dental flossing device facilitates a user to control feed and tension of a dental floss during the flossing of teeth. The hand-held dental flossing device comprises a body having a handle, a head with plurality of arms, and a floating platform. The plurality of arms comprises one or more closed loops to facilitate a passage of a dental floss. The floating platform comprises a first spool, and a second spool. The first spool is configured for unwinding the dental floss for discharging upon rotation by a user. The second spool is adapted to wind a used portion of the dental floss upon rotation of the first spool and the second spool simultaneously by the user. The hand-held dental flossing device enables the user to control the tension of the dental floss at various modes by operating the first spool and the second spool.