Pressure-Adaptive Vibrating Cleaning Elements for Tissue-Safe Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal care devices with vibrating cleaning elements face issues of varying stiffness affecting cleaning efficacy and potential tissue damage due to excessive pressure, without counteracting excessive pressure application or optimizing cleaning element alignment with user anatomy.
Innovation Solution
A personal care device with a pressure sensor and control unit that adjusts vibration frequency based on applied loading force and cleaning element properties to achieve desired mechanical response and movement direction, reducing tissue damage and improving cleaning efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cleaning elements are made stiffer to improve cleaning efficacy, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but tissue damage risk increases due to excessive pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cleaning element stiffness adjustable rather than fixed. The system uses actuators to dynamically change the stiffness of cleaning elements based on detected tissue type and cleaning requirements, allowing optimal balance between cleaning effectiveness and tissue safety at different operational stages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the stiffness parameter of cleaning elements in response to sensor feedback. The system detects tissue characteristics and adjusts the mechanical properties of cleaning elements accordingly, transforming them from static components to adaptive elements that optimize performance while minimizing harm
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cleaning elements are made more compliant to reduce tissue damage, then tissue safety is improved, but cleaning effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts cleaning element compliance based on real-time feedback from sensors that detect tissue type and cleaning progress. Harder cleaning elements are deployed for robust scaling operations on hard tissues, while softer elements are used for delicate surface cleaning, optimizing both safety and effectiveness throughout the cleaning process
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical parameters of cleaning elements from fixed to variable states. By controlling actuators that adjust stiffness and compliance, the system can switch between different cleaning modes appropriate for different tissue types and cleaning stages, preventing tissue damage while maintaining cleaning efficacy
3Device complexity
If fixed stiffness cleaning elements are used to simplify device design, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning performance varies poorly with different tissue types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to cleaning element stiffness through integrated actuators and control systems. This transformation from static to dynamic components enables the device to adapt to various tissue types and cleaning requirements, significantly improving versatility while the modular design keeps complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through sensor feedback that automatically detects tissue characteristics and triggers appropriate stiffness adjustments. The device autonomously adapts its cleaning element properties based on real-time conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention and providing tissue-specific optimization
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 optimizes cleaning by controlling vibration frequency and direction based on pressure and position, enhancing cleaning effectiveness and reducing tissue damage, particularly relevant for dental care applications.
Implementation Method 1
vibratory means adapted to vibrate the cleaning elements at a range of different frequencies
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor configured to sense a loading force applied to at least a first subset of the cleaning elements
Data Source
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AI summary
Proposed are schemes, solutions, concepts, designs, methods and systems pertaining to aiding and/or improving a vibratory personal care device having cleaning elements that are adapted, in use, to vibrate. Embodiments proposed that, based on a loading force applied to the cleaning elements during use, the vibration of the cleaning elements may be controlled. That is, the vibration of the personal care device may be adapted based on a pressure applied to cleaning elements (by engagement with a tissue surface of the user).