Replaceable Oral Care Head Snap-Fit Alignment for Secure Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an improved connection mechanism between the handle and replaceable heads of oral care implements to reduce plastic waste and facilitate easy attachment and detachment.

Innovation Solution

The oral care implement features a handle with a stem that includes alignment elements and a snap-lock mechanism, and a refill head with alignment grooves and snap elements, allowing for secure coupling and easy replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple insertion mechanism is used to attach the refill head to the handle, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of the connection is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidconnection security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: alignment ribs guide the insertion, while snap-fit protrusions and corresponding recesses provide secure locking. This segmentation allows the mechanism to independently perform both easy insertion and secure retention functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The refill head is inserted into and nested within the handle body, with the connection mechanism features (protrusions and recesses) nested within each other to form an interlocking assembly that secures the refill head to the handle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If alignment features are added to ensure proper positioning, then reliability is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment ribs are provided only at specific locations on the handle where positioning is needed, rather than throughout the entire connection interface. This localized approach ensures proper orientation while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment ribs and corresponding grooves are designed with asymmetric geometries that naturally guide the refill head into the correct rotational orientation during insertion, ensuring reliable positioning without complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP4203842B1Oral care implement, handle thereof, and oral care refill head therefor

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

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AI summary

An oral care implement (1000) that includes a handle (100) and an oral care refill head (200). The oral care refill head (200) is alterable between a first state in which it is separated from the handle (100) and a second state in which it is coupled to the handle (100) by inserting a stem (120) of the handle (100) inside of a cavity (221) of the oral care refill head (200). The oral care refill head (200) has at least one alignment groove (250, 260) that receives at least one alignment rib of the stem (120) of the handle (100). Furthermore, the stem (120) and the oral care refill head (200) include snap lock features that form a snap-fit interlock to secure the oral care refill head (200) to the handle (100).