Power Toothbrush Brushhead Elastic Vibration Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power toothbrushes face challenges in effectively transmitting vibrations from the handle to the brushhead, leading to instability and noise during operation, and there is a need for a simple and cost-effective structure to securely attach the brushhead to the handle while maintaining efficient vibration transmission.

Innovation Solution

The brushhead design incorporates a main body with a receiving cavity and an engaging assembly featuring an elastic member that abuts the vibrating drive shaft, providing a secure and stable connection through a recess and cover structure, allowing for efficient vibration transfer and preventing the brushhead from falling off, while maintaining a simple and low-cost manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple attachment structure is used to connect the brushhead to the handle, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and the structure is simplified, but the vibration transmission becomes unstable and noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment structureVSAvoidvibration transmission stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic connection mechanism where the drive rod can elastically deform to accommodate vibration forces. The connection structure includes flexible elements that allow controlled movement and absorption of vibration energy, enabling stable vibration transmission without requiring complex rigid constraints. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through adaptability rather than through structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate connection structure between the drive rod and brushhead that acts as a mediator for vibration transmission. This intermediate structure includes specific geometric features and material properties that optimize the transfer of vibrational energy while filtering out harmful forces. The intermediary mechanism enables effective vibration transmission with a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a secure connection mechanism is implemented to prevent brushhead detachment, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrushhead attachment securityVSAvoidconnection mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the connection interface between brushhead and handle to achieve equipotential distribution of forces during vibration. The geometric configuration of the connection features ensures that vibrational forces are evenly distributed across the attachment interface, preventing localized stress concentrations that could lead to detachment. This equipotential design provides secure attachment without requiring overly complex multi-point connection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter optimization in the connection structure, specifically in the geometry of the drive rod and its interaction surfaces. By carefully selecting dimensions, angles, and material properties of the connection components, the patent achieves reliable brushhead attachment with a relatively simple structure. The parameter-optimized connection features provide adequate securing force while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the brushhead structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the vibration transmission efficiency decreases leading to increased noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrushhead structureVSAvoidoperational noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates specific vibrational characteristics into the brushhead design, including resonant frequency optimization and vibration mode shaping. The simplified brushhead structure is designed with geometric features that promote efficient vibration transmission at optimal frequencies, reducing energy loss and minimizing noise generation. This vibration-optimized simple structure achieves low noise operation without requiring complex multi-component assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality optimization to specific regions of the brushhead rather than requiring overall structural complexity. Critical areas such as the connection interface and bristle support zones are locally reinforced or geometrically optimized to ensure efficient vibration transmission, while other areas maintain simple geometries for ease of manufacture. This localized optimization reduces noise without increasing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 ensures stable and quiet vibrations, enhances the durability and longevity of the toothbrush, and reduces noise, while providing a secure attachment that prevents the brushhead from detaching, thus improving the overall performance and user experience.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic member is elastically deformed by force provided from the vibrating drive shaft when the brushhead is attached to the handle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

When the brushhead is attached to the handle, the abutment wall abuts a vibrating drive shaft of the handle, and the main body and the handle are connected to each other through the elastic member, so that the brushhead can be vibrated by the handle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration transmission: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11678964B2Brushhead for power toothbrush
Publication Date: 2023.06.20 KUANG JUAN YUN
  • US11678964B2 patent drawing
  • US11678964B2 patent drawing
  • US11678964B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a brushhead for an power toothbrush detachably attached to a handle of the power toothbrush, the handle including a vibrating drive shaft, the brushhead comprising: a main body defining a receiving cavity which is configured to receive at least a portion of the vibrating driving shaft, the main body including a cavity wall substantially surrounding the receiving cavity and an end connected to the handle, with an opening which is defined in the end of the main body in air communication with the receiving cavity, so that the vibrating driving shaft is capable of being inserted into the receiving cavity through the opening; and an engaging assembly mounted in a side wall of the main body, the engaging assembly comprising an elastic member, which is made by metal material; wherein, a recess is defined in the outer surface of the side wall, the elastic member is deformably received in the recess, the elastic member is elastically deformed by force provided from the vibrating drive shaft when the brushhead is attached to the handle of the power toothbrush.