Moveable Nozzle Fluid Delivery for Interproximal Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental cleaning appliances lack an efficient mechanism to deliver bursts of working fluid precisely to interproximal gaps, often resulting in incomplete cleaning and potential discomfort due to inadequate fluid delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
A dental cleaning appliance featuring a moveable nozzle and fluid conduit system that uses sensors and control circuits to actuate the delivery of working fluid based on the nozzle's movement relative to the handle, ensuring targeted fluid delivery to interproximal gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pump and nozzle system is incorporated into the toothbrush for interproximal cleaning, then fluid delivery capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump, fluid reservoir, and nozzle system are integrated into the toothbrush handle, combining multiple functions (fluid storage, pumping, and delivery) into a single unified structure. This merging approach improves fluid delivery capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by consolidating components rather than adding separate systems.
2Reliability
If the nozzle is made resilient and moveable to adapt to tooth contours, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed with resilient material properties that allow it to dynamically adapt its shape and position in response to contact with tooth surfaces. This dynamic flexibility enables the nozzle to conform to varying tooth contours during use, improving cleaning effectiveness without requiring complex manufacturing precision, as the adaptation occurs through material elasticity rather than精密 mechanical adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If sensor and control circuit are added to actuate fluid delivery based on nozzle movement, then fluid delivery precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detects the position and movement of the nozzle relative to the handle, providing feedback signals to the control circuit. The control circuit processes this information and actuates fluid delivery accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system. This enables precise fluid delivery triggered by actual nozzle movement and contact with interproximal spaces, ensuring fluid is delivered only when and where needed, thereby improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through intelligent control.
Data Source
AI summary
A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle and a fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system includes a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, and a moveable fluid conduit which is moveable about an axis relative to the handle. The nozzle is moveable with the fluid conduit, which is biased for movement about the axis in a direction which urges the nozzle against a user's teeth during use of the appliance.