Electric Toothbrush Axial Oscillation Segmented Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrushes with oscillating or sonic movements are inefficient in removing dental biofilm due to small contact surfaces, high pressure, and potential trauma to teeth and gums, and lack the axial movement recommended by dental specialists for effective plaque removal.
Innovation Solution
An electric toothbrush with a mechanism providing axial oscillating movement using multiple mobile platforms within the head, where nylon filament plumes move axially while their base rotates, avoiding longitudinal displacement and potential trauma, and incorporating copper nano-particles for antimicrobial properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oscillating angular-type movement is used (BROXO brush), then the brush can remove dental biofilm, but the movement is less stable and adapts less easily to the shape of teeth and interproximal anfractuosities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the movement parameter from oscillating angular-type movement to axial oscillating movement. This parameter change provides greater stability and better adaptation to tooth shapes and interproximal areas, while maintaining effective dental biofilm removal through the axial motion pattern that follows recommended dental techniques.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the brush head has a small contact surface (BROXO brush), then it can access interdental zones, but the pressure increases since pressure is inversely proportional to surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The brush head is segmented into multiple independent platforms, each capable of axial oscillating movement. This segmentation allows the brush to cover a larger contact surface area while maintaining adaptability to interdental zones, thereby distributing pressure more evenly and reducing the risk of trauma to teeth and gums.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the brush head has a small contact surface, then it can access tight spaces, but the brushing becomes slower and more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The brush head comprises multiple independent platforms that can simultaneously contact different tooth surfaces. This segmentation enables the brush to cover a larger effective brushing area while maintaining access to tight interdental spaces, thereby increasing brushing speed and reducing the time required for complete dental cleaning.
4Productivity
If sonic vibration is used, then the brush performs better than manual brushing, but vibration alone is insufficient to disintegrate and remove highly adherent dental biofilm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs axial oscillating movement of multiple platforms, which provides mechanical action superior to simple sonic vibration. This mechanical vibration effectively disintegrates and removes highly adherent dental biofilm by creating friction and mechanical stress on the biofilm structure, achieving reliable biofilm removal while maintaining good cleaning performance.
5Area of stationary object
If the platform diameter is increased to solve the small surface area problem, then the contact surface increases, but the bristles on the periphery travel a greater distance causing significant abrasive effect
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large platform, the brush head is divided into multiple smaller independent platforms. Each platform maintains a limited diameter that restricts bristle travel distance to 2-4 mm, minimizing abrasive effects. The segmentation allows the overall contact surface area to be increased while keeping individual platform sizes small enough to avoid peripheral bristle trauma.
6Stability of the object's composition
If axial movement is used, then the movement is more stable and permits better penetration in valleys and depressions, but the free end or tip of the brush may cause trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The platforms are designed to rotate around their own axes while performing axial oscillating movement. This dynamic motion causes the bristles to move in a circular pattern during axial displacement, which reduces the concentration of force at any single point and minimizes the risk of trauma from the brush tip, while maintaining the stability and penetration benefits of axial movement.
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 axial movement effectively breaks and disintegrates dental biofilm with reduced pressure and trauma, improving plaque removal efficiency and safety for teeth and gums, aligning with recommended dental techniques while minimizing abrasive effects.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating copper nano-particles for antimicrobial properties
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electric toothbrush provided with longitudinal, also called axial, oscillating movement that occurs at the active end of the bristle plumes, or nylon filaments, without the end or tip of the brush causing potentially traumatic blows, which represent an undesired risk, as still occurs according to the existing prior art.