Powered Toothbrush Capacitive Touch Control for Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powered toothbrushes lack efficient and intuitive control mechanisms for motor speed and operation modes, relying on mechanical switches that can be cumbersome and less user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A powered toothbrush with a capacitive touch control system, featuring a microprocessor-connected capacitive touch control panel with sensors that change capacitance values upon user input, allowing for intuitive control of motor speed and operation modes through capacitive touch buttons, enabling on/off functionality and speed cycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical switches are used to control motor speed and operation modes, then the control mechanism is simple in structure, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the controls become cumbersome and less user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with a capacitive touch control system. The control panel includes capacitive sensors that detect finger proximity or contact without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for physical switch mechanisms. This substitution improves ease of operation by providing a more intuitive and user-friendly interface while reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control panel as an intermediary between the user and the motor control system. The capacitive touch panel serves as a mediator that translates user gestures into control signals for the motor, providing a more ergonomic and less cumbersome interaction method compared to direct mechanical switches.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical switches are used for control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user-friendliness and efficiency of control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with a capacitive touch control system. The control panel includes capacitive sensors that detect finger proximity or contact without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for physical switch mechanisms. This substitution improves ease of operation by providing a more intuitive and user-friendly interface while reducing mechanical complexity.
3Productivity
If traditional control mechanisms are used, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the efficiency and intuitiveness of control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with a capacitive touch control system. The control panel includes capacitive sensors that detect finger proximity or contact without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for physical switch mechanisms. This substitution improves ease of operation by providing a more intuitive and user-friendly interface while reducing mechanical complexity.
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
Provides a more user-friendly and efficient control interface, allowing for seamless adjustment of motor speed and operation modes, enhancing the brushing experience with capacitive touch technology.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of capacitance sensors has a capacitance value that is changed by a user pressing a specific location of the control panel, thereby activating the capacitance sensor
Implementation Method 2
The control panel is elastically deformable in response to the application of inward directed finger pressure by a user
Implementation Method 3
The sensor target is movable towards its corresponding sensor in response to a user applying finger pressure to the control panel adjacent the sensor target which changes a capacitance of the sensor button
Data Source
AI summary
A powered toothbrush apparatus with capacitive touch control is disclosed. The tooth brush includes a head portion having an oscillating tuft block driven by a motor, a handle portion, and an elastically deformable capacitive touch control panel mounted in the handle portion. In one embodiment, the control panel includes a plurality of capacitance sensor buttons each having movable sensor targets paired with a corresponding capacitance sensor electrically connected to a programmable microprocessor. Applying finger pressure on the control panel adjacent a sensor target changes capacitance of the sensor button. The microprocessor detects the change in capacitance, which controls the operating mode of the toothbrush including on/off, motor speed, brushing mode such as pulse, or other. A related operating method is disclosed.