Linear-Adjustment Dental Flosser Attachment With Articulating Arms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Orthodontic treatments and existing oral care tools are difficult to clean and maintain, and existing tools for spot cleaning are not sufficiently reusable or of sufficient quality to meet user needs.

Innovation Solution

A double-ended dental tool with interchangeable and durable tool attachments, including scrapers, mirrors, and brushes, equipped with a light source for illumination, allowing users to customize their tool configuration and use it multiple times before replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing oral care tools are used, then basic cleaning function is provided, but they are difficult to clean and maintain, and not sufficiently reusable

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereusabilityVSAvoidcleaning and maintenance difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The oral care device is divided into separate components: a handle and interchangeable attachments. The attachments can be removed and cleaned separately from the handle, making maintenance easier. The detachable design allows each component to be cleaned independently, addressing the difficulty of cleaning integrated tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses universal interchangeable attachments that can be swapped between different handles. Each attachment serves multiple functions (cleaning, polishing, flossing) and can be used with different handle types, increasing reusability and versatility while maintaining ease of cleaning through standardized designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If existing spot cleaning tools are used, then basic cleaning is possible, but they are not of sufficient quality to meet user needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning qualityVSAvoidtool quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different attachments are designed with specific local qualities for different cleaning needs. Some attachments have bristles for brushing, others have smooth surfaces for polishing, and flosser attachments have flexible filaments. Each attachment is optimized for its specific function, providing high-quality cleaning where needed without requiring a complex multi-tool system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The device offers multiple attachments with varying parameters such as bristle hardness, surface texture, and flexibility. Users can select attachments with appropriate parameters for different oral care needs, achieving high cleaning quality through parameter optimization rather than device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable attachments are added to the dental tool, then customization and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization optionsVSAvoidinterchangeable attachment system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A universal attachment interface is designed that works with multiple handle types and configurations. The standardized coupling mechanism allows various attachments to be interchangeably mounted on different handles, providing extensive customization without requiring complex proprietary systems for each combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functional elements (brushing, flossing, polishing capabilities) are merged into a single interchangeable attachment system. Rather than requiring separate tools for each function, the unified attachment design consolidates multiple functions into replaceable components that work with a common handle interface, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4120956B1Flosser attachment for dental tool
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 ONVI INC
  • EP4120956B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4120956B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4120956B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A dental flosser includes a flosser member configured to secure a piece of dental floss. The flosser member includes a shoulder portion comprising a hinge and two arms coupled to the shoulder portion, each arm configured to secure a respective end of the piece of dental floss. The flosser also includes an adjustment body coupled to the flosser member, whereby linear movement of the adjustment body causes the flosser member arms to articulate about the hinge.