Interdental Cleaner With Segmented Elastic Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interdental cleaners face challenges in achieving variable positioning within interdental spaces due to uniform elasticity, leading to difficulties in aligning the cleaning part at an angle, which results in material stress and reduced cleaning effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A rod-shaped interdental cleaner with a deformable section that allows for controlled deformation, where the carrier is divided into sections with varying rigidity, allowing for targeted absorption of loads and enhanced flexibility at the deformation section, reducing stress on the rest of the material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the interdental cleaner has uniform elasticity along its length, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cleaning part cannot be positioned at variable angles within the interdental space
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into three distinct sections along its longitudinal axis: a first section with first elasticity, a second section with second elasticity (different from the first), and a third section with third elasticity. This segmentation allows different parts of the carrier to have different mechanical properties, enabling the cleaning part to be positioned at variable angles while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a modular design approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier exhibits non-uniform elasticity distribution along its length, with each section having specifically tailored elastic properties. The second section, in particular, has elasticity that differs from the first and third sections, creating localized mechanical characteristics that enable angular adjustment of the cleaning part while the other sections maintain structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire carrier is made elastic to allow deformation, then the cleaning part can be positioned flexibly, but material stress increases and reduces the service life
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the carrier into sections with different elasticity values, the deformation is localized primarily to the second section which has intermediate elastic properties. The first and third sections with different elasticity values maintain higher structural integrity, reducing overall material stress while still allowing the cleaning part to achieve variable positioning through the compliant second section.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier has locally optimized elastic properties where the second section provides the necessary flexibility for positioning adjustments, while the first and third sections maintain higher stiffness to bear structural loads. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows flexibility where needed while preserving strength and durability in critical structural regions.
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
This design enables more precise and variable positioning of the cleaning part within interdental spaces, reducing material stress and improving the cleaning efficiency by concentrating deformations in the deformable section, thereby increasing the tool's service life.
Implementation Method 1
the carrier has a deformation section outside the cleaning part which shows a significantly greater deformation under the following conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an interdental cleaner with a rod-shaped support which is made of a first plastic and extends along a longitudinal axis. The rod-shaped support has, at its front end, a cleaning part in the form of a cover made of a flexible plastic. A grip part is arranged at the rear end of the support, which is opposite the front end. A connection portion of the support is formed between the grip part and the cover, which connection portion shows significantly greater deformation under certain conditions.