Monolithic Oral Care Bristle Orientation for Cleaning Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes with injection molded bristles have fewer end points for cleaning due to larger bristle size, leading to reduced effectiveness and bristle splay when brushed too hard, and lack an optimized bristle pattern for oral cavity cleaning.
Innovation Solution
An oral care implement with a monolithic cleaning unit featuring a base portion and bristles that include peripheral and central bristles, where the peripheral bristles extend obliquely and central bristles perpendicularly from the head, providing a more effective and durable cleaning surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If injection molded bristles are used, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but bristle splay occurs when brushed too hard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the bristles by providing them with a tapered configuration where the diameter varies along the length. The bristles have a larger diameter at the base and a smaller diameter at the tip, which modifies their mechanical properties to resist splay while maintaining injection molded manufacturing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs bristles made from elastomeric material with specific durometer ranges (Shore A 40-70), creating a composite structure that combines the benefits of injection molded manufacturing with enhanced resistance to splay through carefully selected material properties
2Device complexity
If larger injection molded bristles are used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the number of cleaning end points decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cleaning head into multiple discrete bristle elements arranged in specific patterns (e.g., 3-5 rows with 5-10 bristles per row). This segmentation provides numerous cleaning end points while maintaining the manufacturing simplicity of injection molding by forming all bristles as a single integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different bristle configurations in different regions of the cleaning head, with peripheral bristles angled at 45-60 degrees and central bristles perpendicular to the head surface. This local variation optimizes cleaning effectiveness across different areas while maintaining overall manufacturing efficiency
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional bristle patterns are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but oral cavity cleaning optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different bristle orientations in different locations: peripheral bristles are angled at 45-60 degrees relative to the head surface to access side surfaces of teeth, while central bristles are perpendicular for primary surface cleaning. This localized differentiation enhances overall cleaning effectiveness while maintaining injection molded manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds angular orientation as a new dimension to bristle configuration, with bristles extending at various angles (45-60 degrees for peripheral, 90 degrees for central) from the head surface. This dimensional variation enables multi-directional cleaning action that optimizes oral cavity coverage
Data Source
AI summary
An oral care implement (100) having a head (120). The head (120) has a support structure (130) and a monolithic cleaning unit (140) that is coupled to the support structure (130). The head (120) has a side surface (123) that includes a first lateral portion (124) and a second lateral portion (125). The monolithic cleaning unit (140) includes a base portion (141) that is coupled to the support structure (130) and a plurality of bristles (150) extending from the base portion (141). The plurality of bristles (150) include a plurality of first peripheral bristles (171) positioned adjacent to the first lateral portion (124) of the head (120), a plurality of second peripheral bristles (172) positioned adjacent to the second lateral portion (125) of the head (120), and a plurality of central bristles (175). The first and second peripheral bristles (171,172) all extend obliquely from the front surface (121) of the head (120) and the central bristles (175) extend perpendicularly from the front surface (121) of the head (120).