Oral Care Refill Head Asymmetric Coupling Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an improved coupling mechanism for oral care implements that ensures secure attachment and alignment of replaceable oral care devices to the handle, particularly for devices like electric toothbrushes, to prolong the life of the handle while allowing for easy replacement of worn-out refill heads.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a handle with a stem featuring a non-circular post and protuberances that fits into a sleeve with radially extending slots in the refill head, providing a secure and detachable connection that allows for vibration transmission, ensuring proper alignment and locking, and facilitating the reuse of the handle with different refill heads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a simple cylindrical post is used for coupling, then the manufacturing is easier, but the alignment precision and secure attachment are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric coupling features including a non-circular post cross-section and corresponding recess geometry in the refill head. This asymmetric design ensures precise alignment during attachment while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes. The non-circular profile prevents rotational misalignment and ensures proper orientation of the refill head on the handle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism uses a nested structure where the post fits into a recess, and additional locking features are nested within the basic coupling structure. The retention members are positioned within the coupling interface, creating a multi-level nested arrangement that provides secure attachment without significantly increasing external complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the ease of replacement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidease of replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including spring-loaded retention members that automatically engage with corresponding features on the post. These retention members provide continuous securing force during use but can be easily disengaged by applying outward pressure, enabling simple replacement. The dynamic nature of the locking mechanism balances security during operation with ease of replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the post, the recess, and separate retention members. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the post and recess provide alignment and basic coupling, while the retention members provide secure locking. The modular segmented design enables reliable attachment while maintaining ease of replacement through independent component interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Power

If vibration transmission is optimized, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmission efficiencyVSAvoidvibration mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the vibration transmission function with the existing coupling structure. The post and recess are designed to provide direct mechanical coupling that efficiently transmits vibrations from the handle to the refill head. By integrating vibration transmission into the basic coupling mechanism rather than adding separate vibration transmission components, the patent achieves effective power transfer while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 ensures a secure and efficient attachment of the refill head to the handle, allowing for the transmission of vibrations and easy replacement, thereby extending the life of the oral care implement and enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

The stem may include a post located at a distal end of the stem... configured to be detachably coupled to a replaceable oral care device... allowing for vibration transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11833004B2Oral care implement and handle and refill head thereof
Publication Date: 2023.12.05 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO
  • US11833004B2 patent drawing
  • US11833004B2 patent drawing
  • US11833004B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An oral care implement handle or a refill head therefor. The refill head may include a sleeve portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the sleeve portion having an inner surface that defines an internal cavity. The internal cavity may extend along a sleeve axis from an open bottom end at the proximal end of the sleeve portion to a closed top end, the internal cavity being configured to receive an attachment portion of a stem of an oral care implement handle. The internal cavity may have a proximal section adjacent the open bottom end and a distal section adjacent the closed top end. The distal section of the internal cavity may include a central portion located on the sleeve axis and at least one slot portion radially extending from the central portion.