Severable Electrical Connector for Removable Toothbrush Head

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric toothbrushes lack a secure and easy-to-use mechanism for engaging and disengaging a removable brush head with a handle while ensuring a reliable electrical connection.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a separable brush head with a hollow handle and a neck that includes a system of electrical connectors, such as contacts, inductive components, and capacitive components, allowing for easy attachment and detachment while maintaining electrical communication between the head and handle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separable brush head design is used, then ease of replacement and storage is improved, but electrical connection reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of replacementVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The toothbrush is divided into separable components (handle and brush head) that can be easily detached and reattached. The electrical connector is also segmented into contact elements distributed across the mating surfaces, allowing the electrical connection to be maintained through the mechanical coupling of the separable parts without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical coupling and electrical connection functions are merged into a single integrated system. The mechanical engagement surfaces simultaneously provide structural support and electrical contact through integrated contact elements, achieving both ease of replacement and reliable electrical connection through a unified design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a separable brush head design is used, then ease of assembly and storage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The toothbrush is divided into separable components (handle and brush head) that can be easily detached and reattached. The electrical connector is also segmented into contact elements distributed across the mating surfaces, allowing the electrical connection to be maintained through the mechanical coupling of the separable parts without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical coupling structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables easy assembly and disassembly, maintains electrical connection through integrated contact elements, and ensures proper alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If electrical connectors are integrated into the separable connection, then electrical power delivery is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power deliveryVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical coupling and electrical connection functions are merged into a single integrated system. The mechanical engagement surfaces simultaneously provide structural support and electrical contact through integrated contact elements, achieving both ease of replacement and reliable electrical connection through a unified design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical coupling structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables easy assembly and disassembly, maintains electrical connection through integrated contact elements, and ensures proper alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7845039B2Toothbrush with severable electrical connections

Publication Date: 2010.12.07 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Disclosed is an electrical connector having particular application in an oral care implement having a removable and/or replaceable head. In particular, an electric toothbrush having a removable brush head and/or head and neck assembly and a severable electrical connector is disclosed in which the brush head includes one or more elements requiring a source of electrical power. The severable electrical connector provides electrical communication between the brush head and a power source retained within the handle or handle portion of the toothbrush.