Indexed Toothbrush Drive With Selectable Shaft Brushing Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric toothbrushes provide a single non-variable brushing motion, which is not effective or efficient for cleaning all parts of the teeth, gums, and tongue, as the direction of the brushing motion remains the same irrespective of the area being cleaned.
Innovation Solution
A drive system comprising concentric inner and outer rotatable shafts with an indexing assembly and converter mechanisms that allow for selective transmission of drive from the motor to the toothbrush head, enabling multiple brushing modes by translating linear displacement into angular displacement and synchronizing the rotation of the shafts to adapt to different oral cleaning tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single non-variable brushing motion is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different oral areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system enables dynamic switching between different brushing modes (first mode with outer shaft stationary, second mode with outer shaft rotating) to adapt to different oral cleaning needs. This allows the system to change its operational characteristics based on the cleaning task, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The indexing assembly with multiple indexed positions allows a single drive system to perform multiple brushing functions and accommodate different oral areas. By providing predefined orientations for the outer shaft, the system achieves versatility without requiring completely separate mechanisms for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple brushing modes are implemented, then the adaptability to different oral areas is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing assembly divides the continuous rotation into discrete indexed positions, allowing the outer shaft to be positioned at specific orientations for different brushing modes. This segmentation enables controlled multi-functionality while maintaining manageable system complexity through predefined positions rather than continuous adjustment mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the outer shaft is indexed to predefined orientations, then the productivity of oral cleaning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing assembly pre-positions the outer shaft at optimized orientations for different brushing modes before operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the shaft is already in the correct configuration for efficient cleaning of specific oral areas, eliminating the need for real-time adjustment during use and thereby improving productivity.
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 drive system allows for precise control of brushing motions, enabling effective cleaning of various oral areas by indexing the outer shaft to predefined orientations, allowing for both independent and synchronized rotation of the shafts, thereby improving the efficiency of toothbrush operation.
Implementation Method 1
the at least first converter comprises a cam and follower
Data Source
AI summary
An indexed drive system (10) for mechanised tools, in particular an electric toothbrush, for selectively imparting various drive modes to a pair of concentrically-arranged drive shafts (12, 14) thereby imparting various brushing modes to the head (H) of the mechanised tool, in particular an electric toothbrush.