Spring-Loaded Bristles for Adaptive Oral Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral-care implements lack the ability to dynamically adjust bristle angles and lengths in response to brushing pressure, which can lead to inefficient cleaning and potential gum damage from excessive force.
Innovation Solution
The oral-care implement features spring-loaded cleaning elements embedded in channels within a bristle carrier, allowing for elastic deformation that changes the angle and length of the bristles as they project outward, facilitating a predetermined pattern of deflection and adaptation to the user's mouth topography.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If spring-loaded cleaning elements are used to dynamically adjust bristle angles and lengths, then cleaning efficiency is improved through deeper penetration between teeth, but device complexity increases due to the spring mechanism and channel structure
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning elements are designed as spring-loaded components that can dynamically adjust their angle and length in response to brushing pressure. The springs allow the bristles to deflect and change position during use, transitioning from a static bristle arrangement to a dynamic one that adapts to the contours of teeth and gums, thereby improving cleaning efficiency in interdental spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded cleaning elements are nested within channels formed in the bristle carrier. Each spring is housed in its own channel, with the spring portion contained within the channel structure and the projecting portion extending outward. This nesting approach organizes the complex spring mechanism within a compact form factor.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If spring-loaded cleaning elements are used to reduce gum damage through adaptable bristle positioning, then safety is improved by distributing excessive force, but device complexity increases due to the elastic deformation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism serves as a pre-configured cushioning system that activates when excessive brushing pressure is applied. The springs are designed to compress and deflect under high force, absorbing excess energy before it can be transmitted to the gums. This beforehand cushioning protects sensitive gum tissue from damage caused by aggressive brushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning elements utilize elastic deformation of spring materials to change their physical parameters (length and angle) in response to applied force. The springs are selected and configured to exhibit specific elastic properties, allowing them to deflect by controlled amounts under brushing pressure, thereby modulating the force transmitted to the gums and reducing potential damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If channels with curved portions are used to facilitate elastic deformation, then adaptability is improved for conforming to mouth topography, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The channels are designed with curved portions rather than straight geometry. These curved channels guide and facilitate the elastic deformation of the spring-loaded cleaning elements in a controlled manner. The curvature of the channels allows the springs to deflect more naturally and conform to the curved surfaces of teeth and gums, enhancing adaptability to oral topography.
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
This design enhances cleaning efficiency by allowing deeper penetration between teeth and increased contact time with the tooth surface, while reducing the risk of gum damage through adaptable bristle positioning and force distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The spring portion is structured and configured to elastically deform inside the channel to at least partially conform to a shape of the channel. This causes the projecting portion to change its length and the angle of projection.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
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AI summary
13830Q-DW 17 ABSTRACT An oral-care implement having a longitudinal axis, a bristle carrier, and a plurality of cleaning including a spring-loaded cleaning element movably disposed in a channel formed in the bristle carrier and comprising a spring portion disposed in the channel and a projecting portion longitudinally adjacent to the spring portion and outwardly extending from the channel at an angle of projection relative to the longitudinal axis. The spring portion can elastically deform inside the channel to conform to the channel's shape, thereby causing the projecting portion to change its length and angle of projection.