Segmented Toothbrush Head with Elastomeric Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes with flat bristle trims are limited in their ability to conform to the curvature of teeth, penetrate interproximal areas, and retain dentifrice, leading to reduced cleaning efficiency due to inadequate flexibility and distribution of cleaning elements.
Innovation Solution
An oral care implement with a head formed by a plurality of segments, including a cruciform segment and pairs of segments connected via elastomeric material, providing flexible connection and improved distribution of tooth cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the toothbrush head is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the brush can transmit sufficient pressure to teeth, but the head cannot conform to the curvature of teeth and penetrate interproximal areas effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush head is divided into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment, fourth segment) that can flex relative to each other. This segmentation allows the head to conform to tooth curvature while maintaining the structural integrity needed for pressure transmission, as each segment can independently adapt to the tooth surface geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush head is designed with dynamic flexibility through the segmentation and elastic connection to the handle, allowing the head to change its shape and configuration during use. This enables the bristles to adapt to different tooth surfaces while still transmitting adequate pressure from the handle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the toothbrush head is made flexible to conform to tooth surfaces, then the bristles can extend at various angles for better cleaning, but the head becomes unable to transmit sufficient pressure to teeth during normal brushing
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the head into separate segments connected in a flexible manner, the design achieves both flexibility for bristle angle adjustment and sufficient pressure transmission. The segments can move relative to each other to optimize bristle orientation while the overall structure maintains the force transmission path from the handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic properties of the head segments are optimized to provide appropriate flexibility. The segments are designed with specific elastic characteristics that allow them to deform and extend bristles at various angles while still transmitting sufficient force during normal brushing forces.
3Productivity
If conventional flat bristle trim is used, then the toothbrush structure is simple, but the cleaning efficiency is reduced due to inability to penetrate interproximal areas and retain dentifrice
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented head structure with flexible connections enables complex bristle arrangements that can penetrate interproximal areas and conform to tooth surfaces, significantly improving cleaning efficiency. The segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for specific cleaning functions while maintaining overall structural coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic, flexible head structure allows the bristles to adapt their angles and positions during use, enabling effective penetration into interproximal areas and better dentifrice retention. This dynamic capability transforms a static simple structure into an adaptive system that enhances cleaning performance.
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 flexible segment design allows for better conformation to tooth surfaces, improved retention of dentifrice, and enhanced cleaning efficiency by allowing bristles to extend at various angles, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional toothbrushes.
Implementation Method 1
each of the segments of the first and second pairs being isolated from the cruciform segment by a channel containing an elastomeric material, the elastomeric material flexibly connecting the segments of the first and second pairs to the cruciform segment
Data Source
AI summary
An oral care implement, such as a toothbrush. In one aspect, the invention is an oral care implement comprising a handle and a head. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements may extend from a front surface of the head, which is formed by a plurality of spaced-apart segments formed of a rigid material, wherein the plurality of segments include a cruciform segment integrally formed with and extending from a distal end of the handle, a first pair of segments located on opposite sides of a longitudinal portion of the cruciform segment, and a second pair of segments located on opposite sides of the longitudinal portion of the cruciform segment, the first pair of segments located on an opposite side of a transverse portion of the cruciform segment from the second pair of segments. The segments of the first and second pairs are flexibly connected to the cruciform segment.