Optical Treatment Force Measurement in Hygiene Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal hygiene devices lack effective means to accurately measure and indicate the correct range of treatment force applied to the treatment head, which is crucial for achieving optimal hygiene results without distracting the user with visible light.
Innovation Solution
A personal hygiene device equipped with a treatment-force-measurement unit comprising a light-emitting element, a light-sensitive element, and a light-changing element, where the light-changing element interacts with the light path between the two, allowing for relative movement that changes light absorption or reflection, enabling precise measurement of treatment force through calibrated light intensity signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light-emitting element and light-sensitive element are used to measure treatment force, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional optical components and calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct mechanical force detection to optical intensity detection. The light-changing element translates mechanical displacement (caused by treatment force) into optical intensity variations, which are then detected by the light-sensitive element. This parameter transformation enables more precise measurement while using standard optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-changing element serves as an intermediary between the mechanical treatment force and the optical detection system. It converts mechanical displacement into optical signal modifications, bridging the gap between the physical quantity to be measured and the detection mechanism, thereby enabling indirect but accurate force measurement.
2Ease of operation
If visible light is used to indicate treatment force, then ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to user distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes in the light emitted by the light-emitting element to indicate different treatment force levels. By varying the color (wavelength) of the light rather than using visible intensity variations, the system provides clear feedback while minimizing distraction, as color changes are perceptible but less attention-grabbing than bright light fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of visible light distraction into a beneficial indication system. By using subtle color variations rather than intense light changes, the system maintains visibility and feedback functionality while eliminating the distracting effect, turning a potential harm into an acceptable or even beneficial feature.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides an unambiguous and user-friendly indication of the applied treatment force, ensuring effective hygiene practices by correlating movement of the treatment head with light intensity signals, thus enhancing the accuracy and reliability of force measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a light-changing element arranged at least partly in the light path between the light-emitting element and the light-sensitive element, wherein the light-changing element and at least one of the light-emitting element or light-sensitive element are arranged to be moved relatively to each other when at least the portion of the treatment head is moved
Data Source
AI summary
A personal hygiene device has a handle, a treatment head mounted for relative movement of at least a portion thereof with respect to the handle against a restoring force when a treatment force is applied in at least one direction onto the treatment head, a treatment-force-measurement unit for determining the applied treatment force comprising a light-emitting element, a light-sensitive element, and a light-changing element arranged at least partly in the light path between the light-emitting element and the light-sensitive element, wherein the light-changing element and at least one of the light-emitting element and light-sensitive element are arranged to be moved relatively to each other when at least the portion of the treatment head is moved.