Oral Care Wick Applicator Secure Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oral care appliances with wick applicators face challenges in securely attaching the wick applicator to the implement, leading to potential accidental displacement during use.

Innovation Solution

A wick applicator is designed with a distal section featuring arcuate ridges and a proximal section with compressible barbs that engage with a recess in the oral care implement, ensuring secure locking within a channel or recess, allowing for fluid delivery by capillary action while resisting displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wick applicator is disposed within a channel or recess in the oral care implement, then fluid delivery to the head is enabled, but the wick applicator is susceptible to accidental displacement during use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewick applicator retentionVSAvoidwick applicator insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wick applicator incorporates a flexible band with compressible barbs that can be compressed during insertion and then expand to engage with the channel walls, providing secure retention while allowing easy insertion when compressed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The barbs on the wick applicator are designed to change their dimensional parameters under compression, allowing them to pass through the channel opening when compressed and then expand to engage with the channel walls for secure retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the wick applicator is securely locked within the channel, then displacement is prevented, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewick applicator securityVSAvoidassembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wick applicator is designed to be self-securing through its compressible barbs that automatically engage with the channel walls upon insertion, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms or complex assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical retention system replaces complex locking mechanisms with a simpler elastic engagement system where compressible barbs naturally engage with the channel walls through elastic deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution effectively secures the wick applicator in place, preventing accidental removal and ensuring consistent fluid delivery to the head of the oral care appliance, enhancing user experience and hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP2670343B1Oral care implement with fluid applicator and method of assembling the same

Publication Date: 2018.04.11 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

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AI summary

An oral care implement, such as a toothbrush, having a wick applicator and a method of assembling the same. The implement includes a head, a handle connected to the head by a neck portion, and a recess. The recess is arranged for receipt of the wick applicator. The handle includes an internal fluid reservoir holding a fluid in communication with the recess. The wick applicator is arranged to enable a fluid to pass therethrough by capillary action and has a first end portion and a second end portion. The second portion of the wick applicator comprises at least one projection for engaging at least one cooperating portion of the recess to secure the wick applicator in the recess at an operative position, whereupon the wick applicator is in fluid communication with the fluid in the reservoir.