Rotatable Toothbrush Bristle Support Pin Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toothbrush designs with rotatable bristle carriers suffer from excessive wear and frictional issues due to direct contact between plastic components, leading to the release of fine particles and difficulty in cleaning, especially when dirt accumulates.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush design featuring a cup-shaped receptacle with a cylindrical pin that supports the bristle carrier at a small distance, separating the pivot bearing and extraction protection functions, and utilizing a radially projecting shoulder and hooks for secure engagement to prevent detachment, thereby minimizing contact surfaces and reducing friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bristle carrier is directly contact with the head section, then the pin can be securely positioned, but friction and wear increase due to large contact surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
A pin is introduced as an intermediary element between the bristle carrier and the head section. The pin is firmly attached to the head section and extends into the bristle carrier, providing secure positioning while minimizing direct contact between the bristle carrier and head section. This reduces friction and wear compared to direct contact designs.
2Device complexity
If the bristle carrier is held close to the head section, then the structure is compact, but cleaning becomes difficult due to narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The pin acts as a spacer that holds the bristle carrier at a defined distance from the head section. This creates sufficient clearance for cleaning while maintaining a compact overall structure. The pin allows the bristle carrier to be positioned optimally for both compactness and cleanability.
3Device complexity
If the bristle carrier rotates directly on the head section, then the structure is simple, but dirt accumulates in narrow spaces impeding rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The pin serves as a rotation axis that is firmly attached to the head section. The bristle carrier rotates on the pin rather than directly on the head section, which prevents dirt accumulation in narrow spaces between the bristle carrier and head section. This maintains structural simplicity while ensuring smooth rotation even when dirty.
4Ease of manufacture
If plastic components contact each other during rotation, then manufacturing is easy, but fine plastic particles are released
Solution Approach 1:
The pin is made of a material that is more wear-resistant than plastic, such as metal or a highly durable polymer. This composite material approach allows the pin to withstand rotational friction without releasing fine particles, while the plastic bristle carrier can still be easily manufactured. The material combination prevents plastic particle release while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a toothbrush comprising a brush body that has a handle section and a head section. At least one bristle support carrying the bristles is rotatably mounted in the head section. According to the invention, at least one cup-shaped receiving element is provided in the head section, into which the bristle support is introduced. A preferably metallic cylindrical pin is arranged in the receiving element, which supports the bristle support and forms its rotational axis. The pin keeps the bristle support at a short distance from the receiving element and/or in the head section and is seated with its one end in a blind hole-type receiving hole of the cup-shaped receiving element and with its other end in a blind hole-type receiving hole of the bristle support. A means for providing security against removal prevents the removal of the bristle support from the receiving element.