Silicone Casing for Vibrating Tooth Cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tooth cleaning methods, including manual toothbrushes and electronic toothbrushes, face challenges such as incomplete cleaning, improper pressure application, and hygiene issues, with manual cleaning being time-consuming and prone to errors, while advanced devices like ultrasonic toothbrushes lack mechanical cleaning particles and require complex and costly 3D printing processes for customization.
Innovation Solution
A silicone casing for a vibratory tooth cleaning device with an M-shaped cross-section and integrated cleaning structures, adapted to individual dentition through a rough estimation or bite template, providing a cost-effective manufacturing process via vacuum injection molding, ensuring comprehensive and efficient cleaning of all teeth with reduced production errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual toothbrushing is used, then the user can control the brushing process, but it is time-consuming (2.5 to 3 minutes twice a day) and prone to errors such as skipping teeth or applying incorrect pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The silicone casing is designed to automatically adapt to the user's dentition shape without requiring manual positioning or complex controls. The elastic material self-adjusts to contact all tooth surfaces, enabling the system to serve itself in achieving complete coverage without user intervention for positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The silicone casing is divided into multiple jaw sections, each with cleaning structures that can independently contact different tooth surfaces. This segmentation allows simultaneous cleaning of multiple teeth across different regions of the mouth, reducing total cleaning time while maintaining completeness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized mouth inserts are produced via 3D printing, then they can be precisely adapted to individual dentition, but the manufacturing process is complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex 3D printing processes, the invention changes the manufacturing parameter to vacuum injection molding. This process uses silicone rubber material that naturally adapts to the dentition shape through elastic deformation, achieving customization without complex manufacturing steps or expensive equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The silicone casing is designed as a disposable or replaceable component that can be easily manufactured at low cost. Rather than investing in complex customized devices, the system uses inexpensive silicone casings that are discarded or replaced periodically, simplifying the overall system while maintaining adaptability.
3Extent of automation
If ultrasonic toothbrushes are used, then cleaning can be automated, but they lack mechanical cleaning particles and require complex customization processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of automated ultrasonic cleaning with mechanical cleaning action by integrating cleaning structures (bristles or abrasive elements) directly into the silicone casing. This combination provides both automated vibration-based cleaning and mechanical scrubbing action, while the casing itself is simply manufactured through straightforward vacuum injection molding.
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 silicone casing enables fast, thorough, and hygienic tooth cleaning, adapting to individual tooth shapes, reducing the risk of missed areas and pressure errors, while the manufacturing process is cost-effective and minimizes production errors, achieving efficient and reliable cleaning in a short duration.
Implementation Method 1
a mouth insert is connected via a coupling to a vibration motor which sets the tooth cleaning device in vibration
Implementation Method 2
fabricating a silicone casing by vacuum injection molding using the negative mold
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a mouthpiece for a vibratory tooth cleaning device for simultaneously cleaning several, preferably all, of a user's teeth, comprising a holder and a silicone casing substantially completely surrounding the holder. In addition, a vibratory tooth cleaning device and a manufacturing method for a silicone casing and mouthpiece are provided.