Connecting Element for Oral Care Appliance Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dental cleaning devices face issues with loose connections between detachable brushing heads and handles, leading to poor grip, noise, and leakage, which can cause cross-contamination and damage to the device.

Innovation Solution

A connecting element with distinct first and second connection interfaces, featuring mechanical and electronic arrangements, ensures a stronger connection between the cleaning head and handle, allowing easy engagement and disengagement while preventing cross-contamination through a sealing mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If detachable brushing heads are used to enable easy replacement and sharing, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but connection reliability deteriorates due to loose connections and fitting issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of replacement and sharingVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into separate coupling arrangements on the brush head and handle, allowing independent design and optimization of each interface while ensuring reliable connection through complementary mechanical features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling arrangement uses asymmetric mechanical features such as angled surfaces, offset pins, and non-circular geometries that prevent improper alignment and ensure proper orientation during connection, eliminating loose connections caused by symmetric but misaligned interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If detachable connections are made stronger to prevent loose connections and noise, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in engagement and disengagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidease of engagement and disengagement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling arrangement incorporates dynamic mechanical features such as spring-loaded lugs, movable locking elements, and progressive engagement surfaces that automatically adjust during connection to provide strong secure connection while allowing easy manual release when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate functional element from the basic connection interface, allowing the connection to be strengthened through dedicated locking features while maintaining ease of operation through independent release mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If connection interfaces are made more secure to prevent leakage and cross-contamination, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sealing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of leakage and cross-contaminationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged with the mechanical coupling arrangement, where the same mechanical features that provide strong connection also create sealed interfaces through integrated sealing surfaces and contact points, eliminating the need for separate sealing components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A sealing element or gasket is introduced as an intermediary component between the brush head and handle connection interfaces, providing leakage prevention through simple elastic deformation under compression rather than complex mechanical sealing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12090014B2Connecting element, a base unit and a cleaning head for use in an oral care appliance

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 WILLO 32 SAS

AI summary

A connecting element, a base unit and a cleaning head for use in an oral care appliance are disclosed. The connecting element is configured to engage operatively with the cleaning head and the base unit to form a first connection and a second connection respectively.