Oral Irrigator Pressure Control for Gum Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oral irrigators often cause discomfort due to strong water pressure being directed at the gums or tongue during initial operation, and they lack intuitive and efficient pressure adjustment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An oral irrigator with a controller that automatically adjusts the water injection pressure according to a predetermined pattern, including stages of gradually increasing, maintaining, and decreasing pressure, to ensure comfortable and effective cleaning without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-pressure water is injected through a thin nozzle to remove foreign substances, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but discomfort to the tongue and gums occurs during initial operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing an initial low-pressure water injection phase before transitioning to high-pressure cleaning. The controller first operates the pumping unit at a lower load for a predetermined period to gently rinse the oral cavity, then progressively increases the load to achieve effective cleaning without causing discomfort during the transition phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through cyclic variation of pumping unit load. The controller repeatedly cycles between low-load and high-load operating states, with the pumping unit alternating between gentle rinsing phases and intensive cleaning phases. This periodic loading pattern maintains cleaning effectiveness while preventing sustained high-pressure discomfort.
2Productivity
If the pumping unit operates at high load continuously, then cleaning power is maximized, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by cycling the pumping unit between high-load cleaning phases and low-load rinsing phases. During high-load phases, the pumping unit delivers maximum cleaning power for short durations, then transitions to low-load phases that consume minimal water. This periodic on-off pattern maintains effective cleaning while significantly reducing overall water consumption compared to continuous high-load operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining alternating phases of high-load cleaning and low-load rinsing. The controller continuously operates the pumping unit, switching between phases to provide uninterrupted cleaning action. This continuous operation with varying load levels ensures that cleaning effectiveness is maintained while water is consumed only when necessary for actual cleaning rather than continuous high-pressure injection.
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 oral irrigator provides a convenient and comfortable cleaning experience by preventing strong water pressure from accidentally targeting sensitive areas and optimizing water usage, allowing for intuitive operation with minimal user input.
Implementation Method 1
a pumping unit configured to pump water of the storage unit; a nozzle unit configured to inject the water pressurized by the pumping unit into an oral cavity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an oral irrigator including: a storage unit configured to store water; a pumping unit configured to pump water of the storage unit; a nozzle unit configured to inject the water pressurized by the pumping unit into an oral cavity; and a controller configured to control of the pumping unit, wherein the controller is configured to store a pattern in which an initial stage of gradually increasing load of the pumping unit, a preliminary cleaning stage of maintaining an injection pressure at a first pressure , a full-scale cleaning stage of maintaining the injection pressure higher than the first pressure and a final cleaning stage of maintaining the injection pressure at a third pressure lower than the second pressure and the load of the pumping unit is automatically controlled based on the pattern according to a one-time input of an operation signal.