Oral Care Controller Using Orientation Data for Fluid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral care systems with combined brushing and flossing functionality face challenges in effectively targeting interdental spaces during simultaneous brushing and flossing, leading to inefficient fluid delivery and excessive spillage due to limited directional control of flossing fluid.
Innovation Solution
A controller for generating control signals based on orientation data from sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes, which adjusts the oral care procedure by comparing received orientation data with pre-defined conditions to optimize fluid delivery and nozzle orientation for improved targeting and reduced pressure on gums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fluid flossing is performed outside of interdental space, then the oral care system can operate continuously along the tooth arch, but the fluid flossing has limited effectiveness and causes excessive spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) to continuously monitor the orientation and position of the oral care system, providing real-time feedback to the controller. The controller compares this feedback data with pre-defined orientation conditions to determine when the system is correctly positioned in an interdental space, enabling accurate timing of fluid flossing activation and deactivation to prevent spillage while maintaining continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the activation of fluid flossing based on real-time orientation data. The controller continuously evaluates whether the current orientation meets pre-defined conditions for interdental space positioning, and dynamically activates or deactivates the fluid flossing function accordingly, allowing the system to adapt to changing positions during continuous operation along the tooth arch
2Ease of operation
If fluid flossing is activated continuously, then the oral care procedure can be simplified, but excessive spillage and undesired dispense of liquid occur
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives continuous orientation feedback from sensors and uses this information to automatically control fluid flossing activation. This eliminates the need for manual user control, simplifying the operation for the user while preventing spillage through automated, condition-based fluid delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines when to activate or deactivate fluid flossing based on its own sensor data and pre-defined orientation conditions. The controller self-regulates the fluid delivery without requiring user intervention, making the procedure easier to operate while preventing excessive fluid dispense through intelligent, condition-based control
3Measurement precision
If the oral care system uses sensors and orientation detection, then fluid delivery can be precisely targeted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions using the same sensor system: it detects orientation, determines position relative to interdental spaces, triggers fluid flossing activation, and monitors continuous movement along the tooth arch. By making the controller multi-functional, the system achieves precise measurement capabilities without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) into an integrated orientation detection system, and merges the control logic for fluid flossing activation with the existing brushing control in a single controller. This consolidation reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate systems for each function
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is directed to a controller (100) for generating a control signal for an oral care system (200), wherein the controller (100) is configured for receiving orientation data generated by the oral care system (200), wherein the orientation data describes at least one angle (102) between the oral care system (200) and a target tissue surface (300) in an oral cavity (400) or the angle relative to a reference vector, for instance the gravity vector, wherein the controller (100) is configured for comparing the received orientation data with at least one pre-defined orientation condition, and wherein the controller (100) is configured for generating a first control signal to trigger or adapt an oral care procedure performed by the oral care system (200) if the received orientation data fulfills the pre-defined orientation condition.