Multi-Surface Toothbrush Head for Simultaneous Upper-Lower Brushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes are designed for self-brushing and lack the ability to efficiently brush both upper and lower teeth surfaces simultaneously, requiring repositioning within or outside the mouth during use, which can be uncomfortable for subjects, especially disabled individuals.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush design featuring a dual-brushing portion head with orientations that allow simultaneous brushing of upper and lower teeth surfaces without removing the brush from the mouth, facilitated by a handle that enables rotation by an acute angle to switch between orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional toothbrush with a single brushing surface is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot brush both upper and lower teeth surfaces simultaneously, requiring repeated repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush head is divided into multiple independent brushing surfaces (first brushing surface, second brushing surface, third brushing surface, fourth brushing surface) that can simultaneously contact different tooth surfaces. Each brushing surface is segmented to brush specific areas (inner upper teeth, outer lower teeth, inner lower teeth, outer upper teeth) concurrently, enabling multi-surface brushing in a single operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush transitions from a single-plane brushing approach to a multi-dimensional configuration where brushing surfaces are arranged in three-dimensional space. The handle can rotate about a longitudinal axis to orient different brushing surfaces toward upper or lower teeth, adding rotational freedom to the brushing motion and enabling comprehensive coverage without repeated insertions.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional toothbrush requires full repositioning from within or outside the mouth during usage, then the brush can maintain proper contact with teeth, but it causes discomfort to the subject and requires repeated insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush incorporates dynamic repositioning capability through rotation of the handle about its longitudinal axis. This allows the brush to change the orientation of brushing surfaces while remaining inserted in the mouth, enabling smooth transitions between brushing upper and lower teeth without removal. The dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for repeated insertion and removal, improving comfort and efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a toothbrush is designed for self-brushing, then the handle configuration is optimized for individual use, but it cannot efficiently brush teeth of another person (provider usage)
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush is designed with universal functionality to serve both self-brushing and provider usage scenarios. The multi-surface head configuration with rotatable handle allows the same brush to efficiently brush teeth of another person by positioning different brushing surfaces to contact upper and lower teeth simultaneously, while still maintaining proper ergonomics for individual use.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects include a toothbrush and related methods of brushing teeth. In some cases, a toothbrush includes: a head including an approximately dumbbell-shaped core and a set of brushing portions extending from the approximately dumbbell-shaped core, the set of brushing portions including an upper brushing portion and a lower brushing portion, wherein the upper brushing portion and the lower brushing portion are oriented and spaced apart relative to one another to enable a provider to brush upper teeth and lower teeth of another person without removing the head from the mouth of the other person, and a handle coupled with the head, the handle including at least one longitudinal portion positioned relative to the head such that a hand of the provider is oriented at a distinct angle from the head while brushing the teeth of the other person and holding the at least one longitudinal portion.