Sensor-Enabled Toothbrush Attachment for Remote Brushing Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrushes struggle to provide effective brushing assistance information during use, especially for manual toothbrushes, as the toothbrush housing obstructs the user's view of the information display.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush attachment with a sensor unit and wireless transmission unit that detects brushing actions and transmits data via radio signals, allowing information to be received remotely and displayed or audibly, enhancing user interaction and enjoyment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If information is displayed on the toothbrush housing, then the user can obtain brushing information, but the housing obstructs the user's view during brushing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the information display function from the toothbrush housing and relocates it to an external device (smartphone, tablet, or PC). The sensor unit in the toothbrush attachment detects brushing actions and transmits data wirelessly to the external device, which then displays the information. This separation eliminates the view obstruction problem while maintaining information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication system as an intermediary between the toothbrush and the display device. The sensor unit detects brushing parameters and transmits them via radio waves to the external device, which processes and displays the information. This intermediary approach allows information transfer without requiring direct line-of-sight between the toothbrush and user eyes.
2Ease of operation
If a sensor unit and wireless transmission unit are added to the toothbrush, then brushing information can be transmitted remotely, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sensor unit to detect multiple brushing parameters simultaneously (brushing position, time, number of brushings, and brushing action characteristics). This multi-functional sensor approach consolidates what could be multiple separate sensors, reducing overall complexity while enabling comprehensive brushing analysis and remote information transmission.
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
Enables users to receive brushing assistance information easily, improving brushing technique and enjoyment through audio and visual feedback, making brushing more effective and enjoyable.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor unit includes an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration as the physical quantity
Implementation Method 2
a wireless transmission unit that transmits a radio signal indicating the physical quantity detected by the sensor unit
Data Source
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AI summary
A brushing assistance system (1) comprising: a toothbrush module (207) ; and a wireless terminal device (3) that receives the radio signal, wherein the toothbrush module (207) includes: a sensor unit (21) that detects a predetermined physical quantity concerning a toothbrush (4); and a wireless transmission unit (22) that transmits a radio signal indicating the physical quantity detected by the sensor unit (21), and the wireless terminal device (3) includes: a wireless receiver (31) that receives the radio signal and obtains the physical quantity, and an output unit (354,363,373) that outputs an image or sound in a mode of enhancing enjoyment of a user based on the physical quantity.