Spring-Clamped Oral Care Brush Head for Variable Tooth Sizes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral care devices face challenges in providing effective cleaning functionality across varying jaw and tooth sizes, as conventional designs often require manual movement and are not adaptable to different oral anatomies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a force-controlled clamping mechanism in oral care devices, featuring projections with cleaning elements connected by a spring system that adjusts to accommodate varying tooth sizes, maintaining parallel sidewalls and applying consistent force for effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-geometry brushing block is used, then the device structure is simple, but the cleaning effectiveness varies significantly across different tooth sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The brushing block incorporates a spring system that enables dynamic adjustment of the distance between opposing sidewalls. This allows the block to adapt its geometry to accommodate varying tooth sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The spring mechanism provides continuous adjustment capability without requiring multiple fixed-geometry blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the geometric parameter of the brushing block (distance between sidewalls) in response to applied force. When force is applied during brushing, the spring system adjusts the sidewall distance to optimize cleaning contact across different tooth dimensions, transforming a static parameter into a dynamic one.
2Productivity
If manual movement of the brush head is required, then the device structure is simple, but the cleaning coverage and effectiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The spring system enables the brushing block to self-adjust during operation. As the user applies force during brushing, the spring mechanism automatically adjusts the sidewall distance to maintain optimal cleaning contact, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex movement mechanisms while improving cleaning coverage.
3Area of stationary object
If the cleaning elements are positioned close together, then the cleaning area coverage is increased, but the cleaning effectiveness on individual teeth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring system dynamically adjusts the distance between cleaning elements based on applied force. When brushing larger teeth, the sidewalls move closer to increase contact pressure on individual teeth. When brushing smaller teeth or for general coverage, the sidewalls maintain a larger distance to cover more area, thus optimizing both parameters across different conditions.
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 mechanism ensures improved interdental and gumline cleaning performance across a range of tooth sizes with reduced manual effort, achieving higher cleaning area fractions and lower average applied forces compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a spring system connected to the first projection and the second projection, the spring system being configured to enable the sidewall of the first projection and the sidewall of the second projection to move towards and/or away from one another
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to oral care devices and force-controlled mechanisms used in such oral care devices. For example, the oral care devices of the present disclosure may be a full or partial mouthpiece, or a multi-surface brush head, and can include one or more brushing blocks having a constant-force spring assembly. Each of these brushing blocks may include one or more sets of cleaning elements that contact the portions of the subject's mouth (e.g., teeth, gums, etc.) and provide mechanical cleaning functionality when the device is moved.