Oral Care Implement Handle Length Ratio for Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrush handles are neither comfortable nor easy to maneuver in the oral cavity due to their bending stiffness and shape, leading to reduced plaque removal efficiency and poor maneuverability, especially in hard-to-reach areas like the back molars and gingival groove.
Innovation Solution
An oral care implement with a handle and head combination having a specific overall length extension of 194 mm to 197 mm and a handle-to-head length ratio of 0.59 to 0.65, manufactured using polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomer materials, with a concave thumb rest and angled grip for improved ergonomics and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the handle length is increased to improve maneuverability in the oral cavity, then the bending stiffness decreases and the handle flexes easily, but if the cross-sectional area is increased to compensate for low bending stiffness, then the ease of rotating the brush in the hand decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the handle length to a specific range (100-130mm) and the overall brush length to (190-200mm), along with specific ratio parameters (handle length to overall length ratio of 0.59-0.65). These parameter optimizations resolve the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point where maneuverability is sufficient while maintaining adequate bending stiffness through precise dimensional control rather than increasing cross-sectional area.
2Strength
If the handle is made shorter to improve bending stiffness, then the maneuverability in hard-to-reach areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes by establishing an optimal handle length range of 100-130mm and overall length range of 190-200mm. This specific parameter optimization ensures the handle is long enough to reach hard-to-access areas like the back molars and gingival groove while maintaining sufficient bending stiffness for effective plaque removal, eliminating the need to choose between the two opposing requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
An oral care implement comprises a head and a handle, the head having a length extension and the handle having a length extension, the length extension of the head and the handle together defining an overall length extension of the oral care implement along a longitudinal axis. The overall length extension of the oral care implement is from about 194 mm to about 197 mm and the ratio of the length extension of the handle to the overall length extension of the oral care implement is from about 0.59 to about 0.65.