Interdental Brush Elastic Ball Solution Discharge Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current interdental toothbrushes often stimulate gums, lead to frequent bleeding, and have insufficient plaque removal, with complex structures and high manufacturing costs, and the cleaning solution is not easily controlled for convenient use.

Innovation Solution

A portable interdental toothbrush with a cleaning solution tube featuring an elastic ball that controls solution discharge through outflow grooves, allowing for easy operation and low-cost mass production, ensuring the solution is sealed during carrying and easily released during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a lid containing cleaning solution is coupled inside the toothbrush, then the cleaning solution can be stored and discharged, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning solution storageVSAvoidtoothbrush structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning solution tube is merged with the brush assembly structure, where the tube is inserted through the brush handle and integrated with the brush head. This eliminates the need for a separate lid structure while maintaining cleaning solution storage and discharge functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning solution storage function is extracted from a separate lid container and integrated directly into the brush assembly through the cleaning solution tube, simplifying the overall structure by removing unnecessary intermediate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a storage tank with discharge hole and complex valve mechanism is used, then cleaning solution can be controlled, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning solution discharge controlVSAvoidtoothbrush structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic ball automatically controls the discharge hole opening and closing based on the discharge pressure of the cleaning solution. When solution pressure builds up, the ball is pushed to open the hole; when pressure decreases, the ball returns to close the hole, eliminating the need for complex manual valve mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic ball acts as an intermediary between the cleaning solution pressure and the discharge hole opening/closing action, providing simple automatic control without requiring complex mechanical valve structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaning solution is stored in a separate lid, then the solution can be replenished, but it is troublesome to repeatedly put in and pull out the toothbrush

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning solution replenishmentVSAvoidtoothbrush usage convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning solution tube is permanently integrated into the brush assembly structure, merging the storage function with the brush itself. This eliminates the need to repeatedly insert and remove the brush from a separate lid, improving operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If a complex nozzle assembly with screw coupling and fixing rings is used, then the discharge can be controlled, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge controlVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The complex nozzle assembly with screw coupling, fixing rings, and cone-shaped discharge holes is extracted and replaced with a simple elastic ball mechanism that controls the discharge hole through elastic deformation, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge control mechanism changes from a complex mechanical assembly with multiple parts to a simple elastic ball whose opening/closing action is controlled by pressure parameter changes in the cleaning solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design allows for convenient use and carrying, prevents solution leakage, and reduces manufacturing costs while promoting effective oral hygiene by controlling solution discharge efficiently.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic ball 3 which can be expanded and contracted and is disposed on a tip of the cleaning solution tube 1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3020363B1Portable interdental brush
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 LEE SANG GEUN
  • EP3020363B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3020363B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3020363B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the portable interdental toothbrush in accordance with to the present invention, when the interdental toothbrush is carried without using it, the cleaning solution is not discharged since the elastic ball disposed on the assembly protrusion of the cleaning solution tube is closely adhered to the outflow grooves and passing grooves, and, when it is used, the cleaning solution is discharged through the discharge hole, passes through the passing grooves, and reaches the brush since the elastic ball is separated and apart from the outflow grooves, whereby it is convenient to use and carry, it has a simple structure to enable mass production at a low cost, and it allows any user to use, which promotes the dental and oral health for citizens.