Toothbrush Back Fin and Contoured Neck for Tissue Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes are not designed to provide efficient and thorough cleaning for all users due to variations in mouth shape, jaw size, and tooth orientation, leading to inadequate plaque removal in hard-to-reach areas.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush with a contoured neck and back fin that displaces soft tissues like the cheek or tongue, providing greater access to teeth and preventing the neck from rubbing against soft tissues, combined with a handle and bristles designed for efficient plaque removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional toothbrush with a straight neck and no additional structures is used, then the device is simple in structure, but it cannot provide efficient and thorough cleaning for all users due to variations in mouth shape, jaw size, and tooth orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush is divided into distinct functional segments: a brush head for cleaning, a contoured neck for tissue displacement and access, and a handle for manipulation. The neck is further segmented with a back fin protrusion that can be positioned at different locations (anterior, posterior, lateral) to adapt to various mouth configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the toothbrush have specialized local properties: the brush head has bristles for cleaning, the neck has a contoured shape with a back fin for tissue displacement, and the handle provides ergonomic grip. The back fin's local geometry (height, width, curvature) can be varied to match specific user needs.
2Ease of manufacture
If the toothbrush neck is made straight and simple, then manufacturing is easier, but the neck rubs against soft tissues and does not provide space or relief
Solution Approach 1:
The neck is designed with a contoured, curved shape rather than a straight form. The back fin protrusion features smooth curves that follow the natural contours of oral tissues, reducing friction and preventing rubbing against cheeks, tongue, or other soft structures during brushing.
3Ease of operation
If no back fin is added to the brush head, then the device remains simple, but soft tissues like cheek or tongue cannot be moved, limiting access to teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The back fin acts as an intermediary element between the brush head and the soft tissues. It serves as a mediator that displaces tissues like the cheek or tongue to create access pathways, allowing the bristles to reach otherwise inaccessible tooth surfaces without directly contacting or damaging the tissues.
4Ease of operation
If the back fin has a sharp or angular shape, then it can effectively move tissue, but it may cause discomfort or damage to the tongue and soft tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The back fin is designed with a smooth, curved surface rather than sharp edges or angular features. This curved geometry allows the fin to gently displace soft tissues like the tongue or cheek without causing discomfort, pressure points, or mechanical damage during the brushing motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A fin toothbrush includes a contoured neck and a back fin. The back fin moves soft tissue, such as the cheek or tongue of a user's mouth, thereby providing greater access to teeth when brushing. In one embodiment, the back fin is located at the back of the brush head and neck and extends in a direction that is opposite of the bristles. The back fin also has an elongated curved shape so as to provide a smooth surface to the tongue and soft tissues when brushing. When the toothbrush is positioned to brush the back teeth, the back fin pushes the cheek away from the teeth, thereby allowing the teeth to be easily cleaned. The toothbrush also includes a contoured neck, which provides space and relief to prevent the neck of the toothbrush from rubbing against soft tissues.