Oral Electrolysis Electrode Control for Dental Tartar Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing dental tartar, such as mechanical or ultrasound scalers, are limited in effectiveness and accessibility, particularly for at-home use, and there is a need for alternative treatment options that can effectively dissolve dental tartar without damaging dental enamel.
Innovation Solution
A personal oral care device with a pair of electrodes that generate hydrogen ions from water using a pulsed electrical signal, controlled by a variation in the electrical signal, to lower local pH and assist in dissolving dental tartar, combined with mechanical cleaning elements like bristles or cups, for effective tartar removal at home.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large number of electrodes are arranged in parallel to reduce electrolysis time, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is segmented into a first electrode and a second electrode that can be folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the electrodes to be arranged in parallel during operation to increase effective surface area and reduce electrolysis time, while maintaining a compact folded structure for simplified manufacturing and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly incorporates a folding mechanism that allows dynamic reconfiguration between a compact folded state for manufacturing and storage, and an expanded parallel state for operation. This dynamic transformation enables the system to achieve high productivity during electrolysis while maintaining simplicity during manufacturing.
2Productivity
If electrodes are arranged in parallel to increase effective surface area, then electrolysis efficiency is improved, but the device becomes more difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is divided into foldable sections that can be manufactured separately and then assembled by folding. This segmentation enables simpler manufacturing of individual components while achieving the desired parallel arrangement and high effective surface area during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure employs a nested folding configuration where electrode layers are stacked and folded relative to each other. This nesting approach allows multiple electrode surfaces to be packed into a compact form during manufacturing, simplifying the manufacturing process while enabling large effective surface area when deployed in parallel during operation.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact electrolyzer design is used to reduce space occupation, then ease of storage is improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyzer employs a dynamic folding structure that transitions between a compact folded state for storage and an expanded operational state for electrolysis. During operation, the expanded configuration provides adequate space for heat dissipation while maintaining a compact form factor when folded for storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly utilizes three-dimensional folding to achieve compact storage volume while maintaining operational heat dissipation capacity. By arranging electrodes in a folded multi-layer configuration, the design compactes the structure in one dimension for storage while preserving thermal pathways in other dimensions during operation.
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 device provides controlled hydrogen ion generation and mechanical cleaning, effectively dissolving dental tartar while minimizing enamel damage, allowing for safe and efficient tartar removal in a home setting.
Implementation Method 1
In order to improve the electrolysis efficiency, it is necessary to increase the number of electrodes arranged in parallel, increase the effective surface area of the electrodes, and reduce the distance between the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a membrane electrode assembly comprising a membrane, a first electrode and a second electrode
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Provided is an oral care device (100) for dental tartar removal. The oral care device comprises a control arrangement (102) configured to provide an electrical signal, for example a time-varying electrical signal. The oral care device also comprises a pair of electrodes (104A, 104B) for contacting an aqueous solution. The pair of electrodes are each connected to the control arrangement and configured to, responsive to said electrical signal, generate hydrogen ions from water in the aqueous solution to deliver within a subject's oral cavity, in particular to the subject's teeth. A variation of the electrical signal controls said generation of hydrogen ions. The thus generated hydrogen ions can lower a pH local to the subject's teeth and thereby assist to dissolve tartar thereon. The variation, for example time-variation, of the electrical signal may provide control over the generation of hydrogen ions which contrasts with, for instance, an uncontrolled generation of hydrogen ions via a non-varying voltage across the pair of electrodes provided by a direct current source. Further provided is a method of operating such an oral care device.