Pneumatic Oral Care Device with Inflatable Bladder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional personal care devices, such as toothbrushes, are time-consuming and may not be suitable for individuals with dexterity issues or those who prefer a quicker oral care routine, leading to potential poor oral health.
Innovation Solution
A powered oral care device with a pneumatic module that includes a motor, pump, routing component, valves, and controller, allowing for the selective inflation and deflation of a bladder with cleaning elements, enabling efficient cleaning through controlled air displacement and motion of the cleaning elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual brushing is used, then users can perform oral care, but it requires significant time (minimum 2 minutes) and dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a pneumatic bladder that dynamically changes shape and size to actively move cleaning elements against teeth surfaces. The bladder inflates and deflates in sequence to create mechanical motion, transforming a static manual brushing tool into a dynamic automated system that performs cleaning actions without requiring user dexterity or extended time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical brushing system with a pneumatic system. Instead of relying on human hand motion and dexterity, the invention uses compressed air to inflate a bladder that mechanically moves cleaning elements. This substitution eliminates the need for user-performed manual actions while maintaining effective cleaning, directly addressing the time and dexterity constraints.
2Productivity
If automated pneumatic cleaning is implemented, then cleaning efficiency improves and time is reduced, but device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the pneumatic bladder to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it stores compressed air, provides structural support for cleaning elements, creates mechanical motion through inflation/deflation, and directly contacts teeth surfaces for cleaning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing device complexity while maintaining high cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges several functions into the single pneumatic bladder component: air storage, structural framework, actuation mechanism, and cleaning interface. By combining these functions that would traditionally require separate components into one integrated element, the device achieves automated high-speed cleaning while controlling overall system complexity.
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 an efficient and effective cleaning action, reducing the time required for oral care while accommodating users with dexterity issues, enhancing oral health by ensuring thorough cleaning with minimal effort.
Implementation Method 1
The pump is configured to displace air
Implementation Method 2
The first and second valves are configured to permit selective pressurization or depressurization of the bladder by the pump
Implementation Method 3
The first and second valves are selectively operated to output or intake air at the connector during operation of the pump
Data Source
AI summary
A personal care implement which incorporates a head coupled to a handle. The handle has a motor, a pump operably coupled to the motor, a routing component coupled to the pump, first and second valves, and a controller. The first and second valves are coupled to the routing component. The head has a plurality of cleaning elements and a bladder. The first and second valves are operated by the controller to selectively pressurize and depressurize the bladder by the pump.