Multi-Material Toothbrush Head for Interdental Plaque Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes fail to adequately remove plaque and bacteria from interdental spaces, and people do not floss frequently enough to address this issue effectively.
Innovation Solution
An oral care implement with a head featuring three types of tooth cleaning elements made of different materials, including bristles, lamella, and interdental cleaning elements, each designed to enhance cleaning efficacy by targeting various aspects of oral hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional toothbrushes with single material bristles are used, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but interdental cleaning effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush head is segmented into multiple zones with different cleaning elements: traditional bristle tufts for general cleaning, elastomeric lamella for polishing, and interdental cleaners for gap cleaning. Each segment targets specific oral hygiene needs, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness by dividing the cleaning function into specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials and structures are applied to different locations on the toothbrush head based on specific cleaning requirements. Bristles are placed on the outer surfaces for general cleaning, elastomeric lamella are positioned for polishing surfaces, and interdental cleaners are located for accessing gaps between teeth. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each area for its specific function while maintaining overall device simplicity.
2Reliability
If multiple types of cleaning elements are incorporated, then cleaning efficacy is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cleaning element types (bristles, elastomeric lamella, interdental cleaners) are merged into a single integrated toothbrush head structure. The elements are arranged in specific patterns and attached to a common head, combining multiple functions into one device. This merging approach enhances plaque removal effectiveness while managing manufacturing complexity through integrated design rather than separate components.
3Reliability
If elastomeric lamella are added for polishing function, then surface cleaning is improved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric lamella serve multiple functions: they provide surface polishing through their wiping action, adapt to tooth contours due to their flexibility, and work in conjunction with bristles and interdental cleaners. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by adding a single element type that performs multiple cleaning tasks rather than requiring separate specialized components.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An oral implement and a method of forming an oral care implement. The oral care implement may include a head having a front surface and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from the front surface. In one embodiment, the plurality of tooth cleaning elements may include three different types of tooth cleaning elements, each type of tooth cleaning element being formed of a different material. In one embodiment each of the materials has a different hardness and thus the oral care implement includes three different types of tooth cleaning elements each having a different hardness. In another embodiment, the oral care implement may include bristles and a molded cleaning element that may function as an interdental cleaner. Such a molded cleaning element may include a body and tines extending therefrom.