Interdental Cleaner With Flexible Cover For Fiber Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interdental cleaners face challenges in achieving both stability and elasticity while securely fixing flock fibers, as plastic materials that provide stability do not allow for reliable fiber fixation.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve-shaped cover made of flexible plastic is interposed between the rod-shaped support and the flocking, allowing the support material to be optimized for stability and elasticity, while the cover material is chosen for secure fiber fixation, with the flocking arranged on the cover to ensure reliable attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the rod-shaped support is made of plastic material optimized for stability and elasticity, then the stability and elasticity of the interdental cleaner are improved, but the ability to securely fix flock fibers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interdental cleaner is divided into functionally distinct segments: a support element optimized for mechanical stability and elasticity, and a separate covering element optimized for securing flock fibers. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering element acts as an intermediary between the support and the flock fibers. It provides the necessary surface properties for secure fiber fixation while the support provides the mechanical backbone. The cover mediates between the conflicting requirements of stability and fiber retention.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rod-shaped support is made of hard plastic for stability, then the stability of the interdental cleaner is improved, but the risk of injury to the user increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible covering element is applied to the hard support, creating a soft outer layer that contacts the user's tissues. This flexible shell maintains the structural integrity provided by the hard support while eliminating the injury risk associated with rigid surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the interdental cleaner have different mechanical properties: the core support is hard and stable for structural integrity, while the outer covering is soft and flexible for user safety. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between stability and safety.
3Reliability
If a cover made of flexible plastic is interposed between the support and the flocking, then the fixing of flock fibers is improved and the risk of injury is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The covering element combines multiple functions into a single component: it secures the flock fibers, protects against injury, and may provide additional cleaning functionality. This merging reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An interdental cleaner has a rod-shaped support which is made of plastic and which, at a support rear end region, has a grip part. A support opposite front end region has a flocking with flock fibers made of plastic. The rod-shaped support is provided, in the support front end region, with a sleeve-shaped cover made of a flexible plastic. The flocking is arranged on the cover.