Orthodontic Flosser With Segmented Spool And Tensioning Bobbin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flossing around braces is difficult and time-consuming, often leading to frustration and ineffective removal of debris and bacteria, which can spread tooth decay and gum disease due to the challenge of maintaining tension and avoiding cross-contamination.
Innovation Solution
A flosser with a handle and head at an upward angle, featuring a source spool for fresh floss and a take-up bobbin for used floss, which applies and maintains tension, and includes separate chambers to prevent contamination, along with projections and guides for easy insertion and removal, reducing the need for manual dexterity and minimizing cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional flossing methods are used with braces, then floss can reach between teeth and braces, but the process is difficult and time-consuming requiring high manual dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The flosser device performs flossing actions automatically through mechanical means. The user simply inserts the flosser between teeth and braces, and the device automatically feeds floss, maintains tension, and retrieves floss without requiring manual threading or manipulation skills.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of threading and manipulating floss with an automated mechanical system. The flosser uses a spool and reel mechanism with tensioning elements to automatically advance and retrieve floss, eliminating the need for user dexterity in floss manipulation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If floss is manually manipulated between teeth and braces, then debris and bacteria can be removed, but the floss can redistribute contamination to other areas causing further spreading of tooth decay and gum disease
Solution Approach 1:
The flossing process is segmented into distinct zones: a clean zone where fresh floss is stored on the spool, a working zone where floss contacts teeth and braces, and a contaminated zone where used floss is collected on the reel. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination by spatially separating clean and dirty areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The flosser device acts as an intermediary between the user and the flossing process. It controls floss deployment and retrieval, maintaining tension and preventing the user's hands from directly handling contaminated floss, thereby reducing the risk of redistributing bacteria and debris.
3Reliability
If tension is maintained on floss during manual manipulation, then effective cleaning can be achieved, but this requires dexterity and skill beyond the ability of many children and adults
Solution Approach 1:
The flosser device automatically maintains tension on the floss through its spool and reel mechanism with integrated tensioning elements. The device self-regulates tension without requiring the user to manually control it, making the process reliable and accessible to users of all skill levels including children.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of tension control from a manual operation requiring skill to an automated function. The mechanical design of the spool, reel, and tensioning elements automatically maintains optimal tension on the floss throughout the flossing process, eliminating the need for user skill in tension management.
4Productivity
If floss is threaded and removed for each pair of teeth, then complete coverage can be achieved, but the repeated threading and removing is frustrating and discourages flossing
Solution Approach 1:
The flosser device enables continuous flossing action by automatically feeding fresh floss from the spool and retrieving used floss on the reel. The user can move continuously from one tooth pair to the next without stopping to re-thread floss, maintaining the useful action of cleaning throughout the entire flossing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flosser introduces dynamic elements through the movable spool and reel mechanisms that automatically adjust floss length and tension as the user moves between teeth. This dynamic system eliminates the static, repetitive process of threading and removing floss for each tooth pair.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic flosser comprising an elongated handle and a head coupled to the handle at a vertical angle is disclosed. A first and second projection extend from the head for suspending floss, the first projection is sized for insertion of floss between a wire affixed to a tooth and the tooth. A source spool of fresh floss is configured to feed fresh floss incrementally into suspension between the first and second projections while a take-up bobbin is configured for taking up used floss and applying tension to the suspended floss. A button may be used for releasing the source spool to rotate, and for holding the source spool against rotation. The source spool and take-up bobbin may be disposed in separated chambers to reduce cross contamination.