Oral Care System with Sensor-Based Brushing Time Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals who cannot conform to standard oral care routines face challenges in maintaining effective oral hygiene, as existing systems do not adapt to their unique brushing habits.

Innovation Solution

An oral care system comprising a device with sensors and a programmable processor that detects motion and brushing intensity, analyzing data to determine a personalized target brushing time, which can be adjusted in real-time to improve the efficacy of the user's brushing routine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a standard oral care routine is enforced, then oral health effectiveness is improved, but usability and adaptability deteriorate for users who cannot conform to the standard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoral health effectivenessVSAvoidadaptability to user habits

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the target brushing time based on real-time sensor data about user brushing habits. The programmable processor continuously monitors brushing motion, intensity, and duration, then modifies the target time accordingly, making the system adaptable rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user during the brushing routine by communicating the target brushing time based on detected habits. This feedback loop allows the system to guide users toward effective brushing while adapting to their individual patterns, resolving the contradiction between standard enforcement and user adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If brushing time is extended to improve efficacy, then oral health outcomes are improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoral health outcomesVSAvoidbrushing time duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the time parameter dynamically based on detected brushing habits and intensity. Rather than using a fixed brushing time, the processor adjusts the target time to optimize effectiveness while minimizing duration, achieving better outcomes without excessive time investment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines the minimum necessary brushing time required to achieve effective cleaning based on real-time habit detection. It avoids both insufficient brushing and excessive brushing by precisely calibrating the target time to what is actually needed for the user's specific routine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If real-time adjustment of brushing time is implemented, then adaptability and effectiveness are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment of the target brushing time based on its own sensor data without requiring external input or complex external processing. The programmable processor within the device itself handles the analysis and adjustment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining real-time adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If section-by-section target brushing time is determined, then manufacturing precision and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrushing time measurement precisionVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the brushing routine into section-by-section target times for different areas of the dentition. The sensor detects motion and the processor determines specific target times for each section based on local brushing habits, enabling precise measurement without requiring overly complex processing by breaking the problem into manageable segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The system enhances the effectiveness of the user's oral care by providing tailored brushing times based on their specific habits, ensuring better oral health outcomes even for those who deviate from standard routines.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensor configured to detect motion of the oral care device during a brushing routine of a user and to generate sensor data corresponding to the detected motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection:

Implementation Method 2

at least one sensor configured to detect a brushing intensity during a brushing routine of a user and to generate sensor data corresponding to the detected brushing intensity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce detection:

Data Source

PatentUS10582764B2Oral care system and method

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

AI summary

An oral care system may include: an oral care device including: at least one teeth cleaning element; and at least one sensor configured to detect a brushing intensity during a brushing routine of a user and to generate sensor data corresponding to the detected brushing intensity; and a programmable processor configured to: receive the sensor data generated by the at least one sensor; and determine a target brushing time based on the sensor data.