Portable Interdental Toothbrush with Integrated Cleaning Solution Tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current interdental toothbrushes often stimulate gums, lead to frequent bleeding, and have inadequate plaque removal, with issues of bacterial growth and inconvenient handling of cleaning solutions, and existing solutions are either complex or costly, limiting their practicality and continuous use.

Innovation Solution

A portable interdental toothbrush design where the brush body's fixing portion is press-fitted into a cleaning solution tube, maintaining a pressure difference to prevent solution discharge, allowing for easy manufacturing, low cost, and convenient use with controlled solution delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a lid containing cleaning solution is coupled inside the toothbrush, then the toothbrush can be soaked with cleaning solution, but the cleaning solution can be discharged outside if the lid is open and it is troublesome to repeatedly put in and pull out the toothbrush in the lid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of soaking brushVSAvoidstructure of cleaning solution storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning solution tube is directly integrated with the brush body, merging the storage function into the brush structure itself. The tube is formed as an integral part of the brush handle, eliminating the need for a separate lid or container that needs to be opened and closed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The brush body automatically receives cleaning solution through its own structure. When the user applies pressure to the brush, the cleaning solution is dispensed directly to the brush bristles without requiring manual intervention to open lids or transfer solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a storage tank with discharge hole, spring, coupling socket, nozzle, and nozzle cap is used, then the cleaning solution can be controlled to discharge, but the structure is complicated and the manufacturing cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of cleaning solution dischargeVSAvoidstructure of cleaning solution tube
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from the cleaning solution discharge system. Instead of using springs, coupling sockets, nozzles, and caps, the patent uses a simple tube structure with a discharge hole that opens directly, removing complex mechanisms while maintaining discharge control through direct user pressure on the brush.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the cleaning solution is stored in a complex structure with multiple parts, then the discharge can be controlled, but the manufacturing cost is high and mass production is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of cleaning solution dischargeVSAvoidmanufacturing of toothbrush
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The brush is divided into functional segments: the brush body with integrated cleaning solution tube, the discharge hole positioned at the tip, and the reservoir space within the handle. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured independently and assembled simply, facilitating mass production while maintaining controlled discharge functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If a simple brush structure is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the gums become stimulated and bleeding occurs frequently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing cost of toothbrushVSAvoidgum stimulation and bleeding
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The brush applies cleaning solution locally and directly to the interdental spaces where it is needed. The discharge hole is positioned to deliver solution precisely to the brush bristles contacting the teeth and gums, providing targeted cleaning that reduces the need for aggressive brushing motions that cause gum stimulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 ensures effective cleaning without solution leakage, simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, and allows for mass production, promoting dental health with a convenient and affordable product.

Implementation Method 1

maintaining a pressure difference to prevent solution discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3153130B1Portable interdental toothbrush
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 LEE SANG GEUN
  • EP3153130B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3153130B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3153130B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The portable interdental toothbrush according to the present invention has a simple structure enabling mass production at a low cost, thereby allowing consumers to use at a low price, which promotes the dental and oral health for citizens.