Segmented Oral Care Handle for Time Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral care implements, such as toothbrushes, lack a compact, economically designed, and robust system for indicating the duration of use to users, which is essential for effective cleaning and is difficult to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
The oral care implement features a handle with a first part housing a power source and a second part that houses a timer and user-notification device, with electrically-conductive contacts in surface contact, allowing for notifications via visible light or other means, enabling users to track time during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a timing circuit, illumination member, and power source are integrated into the handle of an oral care implement, then users can be notified of elapsed time during use, but the handle becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the handle into multiple segments: a first handle portion containing the power source, a second handle portion containing the timing circuit and illumination member, and a head portion. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately and assembled together, reducing overall complexity while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination member is positioned within a cavity in the head portion, and the timing circuit is housed within the second handle portion. These nested arrangements allow compact integration of multiple components without increasing the external dimensions of the handle, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.
2Loss of information
If a clear handle with an internal chamber housing an illumination member and timing circuit is used, then users can see and be notified of elapsed time, but the grip area becomes less compact and harder to manufacture economically
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is segmented into a first handle portion (made of opaque material for comfortable gripping) and a second handle portion (made of transparent or translucent material for visibility). This allows the grip area to be optimized for comfort and manufacturing while the visibility function is provided by a separate, smaller transparent section.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the handle have different optical properties: the first handle portion is opaque to provide comfortable grip, while the second handle portion is transparent or translucent to allow visibility of the illumination member. This local differentiation optimizes both grip comfort and time indication visibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If a modular construction with a cassette containing battery, buzzer, and circuit board is inserted into the main body, then assembly is simplified, but the connection reliability and robustness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses segmentation to create separate handle portions that are connected through a neck region. The power source is housed in the first handle portion, while the timing circuit and illumination member are in the second handle portion. This segmentation maintains modular assembly benefits while ensuring reliable connections through dedicated interface regions.
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
This design allows for a compact and robust system that notifies users of the elapsed time, enhancing the effectiveness of oral care sessions while simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes.
Implementation Method 1
attaching the second part of the handle comprises bringing an electrically-conductive contact of the assembly into surface contact with the power source
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing an oral care implement, comprises: (a) providing a head and a first part of a handle connected to the head, the first part having a first surface; (b) providing the head with at least one cleaning element; and (c) attaching a second part of the handle to the first part of the handle, which second part has a second surface and houses an assembly comprising a timer and a user-notification device that is configured to output a notification in dependence on a state of the timer, so that the first part is connected to the head at a distal end of the handle, the second part defines a proximal end of the handle, and the first and second surfaces together define an exterior surface of the handle.