Oral Irrigator Motor Drive for Variable Pulse and Massage Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oral irrigators typically have fixed pressure levels determined by pump and motor characteristics, which do not accommodate individual user preferences, and are complex to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
An oral irrigator with a motor and pump system that includes a massage module to vary pulse rates and fluid characteristics, allowing users to select between normal and massage modes, and a control module to adjust fluid pressure and flow based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed pressure levels are used in oral irrigators, then manufacturing is simpler, but user preference and comfort are not accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pump system adjustable rather than fixed. The motor speed can be varied to change pump output characteristics, allowing the same device to provide different pressure levels and pulse rates to accommodate individual user preferences while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the fluid delivery system by adjusting motor speed and pump characteristics. This allows variation in fluid pressure, flow rate, and pulse rate without fundamentally changing the device structure, thereby improving adaptability while controlling manufacturing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If variable pressure levels are implemented, then user comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the single pump-motor system to perform multiple functions: continuous flow mode for cleaning and pulsed flow mode for massage therapy. The control system adjusts motor speed and pump operation to provide different fluid delivery patterns, allowing one device to serve multiple user comfort needs without requiring separate specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic control of motor speed and pump operation to vary fluid pressure and flow characteristics. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the device to adapt to different user comfort preferences and oral conditions, improving ease of operation while managing device complexity through software/control rather than multiple mechanical systems.
3Stress or pressure
If mechanical valves are used to control pressure, then pressure control is achieved, but manufacturing becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pressure control valves with a more manufacturable solution: controlling fluid pressure through motor speed variation and pump characteristics. By using electrical control of the motor rather than mechanical adjustment of valves and passages, the system achieves precise pressure control while simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing component complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using mechanical valves to physically restrict fluid flow for pressure control, the patent changes the operational parameters of the pump-motor system. By adjusting motor speed and pump cycle rates, the desired fluid pressure is achieved through dynamic parameter control rather than static mechanical restriction, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effective pressure control.
Data Source
AI summary
An oral irrigator including a reservoir, a handle, a tip, a pump, a motor connected to the pump and configured to selectively actuate the pump, a processing element, and a signal generator, wherein during operation in a normal mode, the signal generator provides a first control signal to the motor causing the pump to cycle at a first pulse rate having a first flow rate over a first time duration and has a normal magnitude and a normal frequency, and wherein during operation in a massage mode, the signal generator provides a second control signal to the motor, the second control signal having a massage magnitude below the normal magnitude and a massage frequency longer than the normal frequency causing the pump to cycle at a second pulse rate and having a second flow rate over a second time duration.