Inductive Force Measurement in Personal Hygiene Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal hygiene devices lack an effective alternative for measuring treatment force applied at the treatment head, which is crucial for achieving optimal hygiene results and providing feedback to users.
Innovation Solution
A personal hygiene device equipped with a treatment-force-measurement unit utilizing an electrically powered coil and a coil core element, where the coil core element moves relative to the coil to change inductance, allowing a control circuit to determine the applied treatment force through measured voltage changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a strain gauge sensor is used to measure treatment force, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical strain gauge sensor with an electromagnetic measurement system consisting of a coil and movable core. This substitution uses electromagnetic induction principles to detect treatment force through changes in coil inductance, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention measures treatment force by detecting changes in electrical parameters (coil inductance) rather than mechanical strain. The movable core's position changes the coil's magnetic field characteristics, transforming mechanical force into an electrical signal that is easier to process and less complex to implement
2Reliability
If treatment force measurement is added to the personal hygiene device, then treatment quality control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the control circuit continuously monitors coil inductance changes and provides real-time information about treatment force application. This feedback enables users to maintain optimal treatment force levels, improving treatment quality control through an added value feature
Solution Approach 2:
The coil assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the treatment head and a sensing element for force measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
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 precise measurement and feedback of treatment force, improving hygiene device usage by indicating correct force application, providing statistical reports, and offering tips for enhanced performance.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically powered coil, a coil core element, and a control circuit for determining a parameter indicative of the inductance of the coil, wherein the coil core element is arranged to be moved with respect to the coil when the treatment head is moved
Data Source
AI summary
A personal hygiene device, in particular a toothbrush, has a handle, a treatment head mounted for relative movement with respect to the handle against a spring force when a treatment force is applied in at least one direction onto the treatment head, a treatment-force-measurement unit for determining the applied treatment force comprising an electrically powered coil, a coil core element, and a control circuit for determining a parameter indicative of the inductance of the coil, wherein the coil core element is arranged to be moved with respect to the coil when the treatment head is moved.