Oral Cleansing Device Motion Sensing Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Oral cleansing devices, such as toothbrushes and oral irrigators, face delays in performance due to low power mode activation, which affects user experience, and indicators that signal readiness increase power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a motion sensing module and illumination features, including a flexible diffuser and light pipe, to cancel low power mode upon device movement and provide user feedback without significant power increase, using multiple light sources and reflectors to create a uniform light effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the device enters low power mode when idle or recharging, then power consumption is reduced and battery life is preserved, but the device performance is delayed when activated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidactivation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The motion sensing module continuously monitors for device movement even when the device is in low power mode, so that when the device is picked up, the controller can immediately wake from low power mode and activate illumination without delay, providing preliminary detection that enables instant response

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If indicators such as lights are added to signal device status, then user feedback is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatus indicationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination features operate periodically rather than continuously - they are activated only when the motion sensing module detects device movement or when a button is pressed, and remain active only for the duration needed to provide status feedback, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effective user communication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The motion sensing module automatically detects when the device is picked up and triggers the controller to wake from low power mode and activate illumination without requiring user input, providing self-service status indication that reduces power consumption by avoiding continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures the device is ready for use immediately upon activation, reduces power consumption, and enhances user experience by providing timely performance without excessive battery drain.

Implementation Method 1

The illumination features are arranged as light rings surrounding one or more function buttons. The light rings are formed by diffused light from a plurality of light sources

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

using multiple light sources and reflectors to create a uniform light effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3554418B1Brushing device with illumination features
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 WATER PIK INC
  • EP3554418B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3554418B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3554418B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an oral cleansing device with illumination features. In one example, the device includes a housing including an aperture, such as a button aperture, defined therethrough, a diffuser connected to the housing and configured to span over the aperture. The device also includes a blocking member positioned over a portion of the diffuser and connected thereto and a lighting array received within the housing and at least partially aligned with the blocking member such that light emitted from the lighting array is transmitted to an exterior of the housing by traveling around the blocking member and through the diffuser.