Handle Vibration Isolation via Pivot Lever for Electric Toothbrush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically operated personal care implements, such as toothbrushes, face challenges in maintaining consistent vibration amplitude regardless of how the handle is held, leading to reduced cleaning efficacy due to user-dependent grip behavior and potential gum irritation from excessive force application.
Innovation Solution
A handle design featuring a pressure sensor and pivot lever system within the housing, allowing vibrations to be transmitted independently of the user's grip, with a motor and eccentric weight configuration that ensures consistent vibration delivery and a soft elastomeric material for watertight sealing and feedback indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the motor vibrates the entire handle, then vibrations are transmitted to the brush head, but the vibration amplitude depends on user grip behavior and is significantly damped when held tightly
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into separate functional components: a vibration isolation element positioned between the motor and the handle housing, and a pivot lever mechanism that decouples the motor's vibration from the handle structure. This segmentation allows vibrations to be transmitted to the brush head while preventing the handle itself from vibrating, thereby eliminating grip-dependent damping.
Solution Approach 2:
A vibration isolation element (such as a flexible membrane or elastomeric material) is introduced as an intermediary between the motor and the handle housing. This intermediary selectively transmits vibrations to the brush head while isolating the handle from excessive vibrations, thus maintaining consistent vibration delivery regardless of user grip.
2Productivity
If users apply more force to increase cleaning efficacy, then cleaning performance may improve, but gum irritation and tooth enamel abrasion occur
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure sensor is integrated into the handle to detect the force applied by the user during brushing. The sensor provides real-time feedback to the control circuit, which then adjusts the motor's vibration parameters (such as amplitude or frequency) to maintain optimal cleaning force. This closed-loop feedback system prevents excessive force application, thereby avoiding gum irritation and tooth damage while maintaining high cleaning efficacy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a soft bristled toothbrush is used to reduce gum irritation, then gum health is protected, but users may still apply high brushing forces reducing cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor and control circuit work together to monitor and regulate the force applied to the brush head. Even with soft bristles, the system detects when excessive force is applied and adjusts vibration parameters to maintain optimal cleaning effectiveness. This ensures that gum health is protected while preventing cleaning ability from deteriorating due to user error.
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 handle provides consistent vibrations and user feedback, reducing gum irritation risks by maintaining optimal cleaning performance and enhancing user experience through independent vibration delivery and pressure sensing.
Implementation Method 1
a motor (34) comprising an eccentric weight for operating the personal care implement
Implementation Method 2
the pivot lever (28) is attached to the proximal end of the housing (20) via a pivot axis
Implementation Method 3
The ring structure may be filled with a soft elastomeric material (56)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A handle for an electrically operated personal care implement comprises: - a housing comprising an inner cavity, the housing having a proximal end closest to a head repeatably attachable to and detachable from the handle, and a distal end, the distal end being opposite the proximal end, - a pressure sensor comprising a pivot lever accommodated within the inner cavity, - a motor comprising an eccentric weight for operating the personal care implement, wherein the pivot lever is attached to the proximal end of the housing via a pivot axis, the pivot lever extending with a distal end towards the distal end of the housing, and the motor comprising the eccentric weight is attached to the distal end of the pivot lever.