Powered Toothbrush Capacitive Touch Control for Intentional Activation
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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 or electronic switches that may not provide user-friendly or responsive control.
Innovation Solution
A powered toothbrush with a capacitive touch control system, featuring a deformable control panel with capacitance sensors and a microprocessor that detects changes in capacitance values to control motor speed and operation modes, allowing users to toggle the toothbrush on/off and cycle through speed settings using capacitive touch buttons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical or electronic switches are used for control, then the toothbrush can be controlled, but the control mechanism is not user-friendly or responsive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches and electronic buttons with a capacitive touch control system. The control panel uses capacitive sensors that detect changes in capacitance when a user touches or presses specific locations, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts while providing responsive and intuitive control for motor speed and operation modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system detects changes in capacitance values (electrical parameter) when the user interacts with the control panel. By monitoring capacitance changes rather than mechanical switch positions, the system achieves more sensitive and responsive control with fewer mechanical components.
2Ease of operation
If the motor is easily activated, then the toothbrush is convenient to use, but accidental activation may occur without intentional user input
Solution Approach 1:
The control system requires a pressing action with sufficient force to activate the motor, preventing accidental activation from light touches or incidental contact. The capacitive sensor is configured to detect only significant capacitance changes resulting from deliberate pressing, thereby blocking false activation while maintaining ease of intentional startup.
3Ease of operation
If a deformable control panel with capacitance sensors is used, then user-friendly control is achieved, but the control panel structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable control panel serves multiple functions: it acts as both the structural housing for the control interface and the active sensing element for capacitance detection. The panel's deformation under finger pressure directly modulates the capacitance sensor output, combining mechanical interaction and electrical sensing into a single integrated component rather than separate elements.
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 capacitive touch control system provides a user-friendly and responsive interface for controlling toothbrush operation, enabling seamless switching between speed modes and ensuring the motor is only activated with intentional user input, enhancing the brushing experience.
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
changing the distance between the sensor and sensor target by applying finger pressure to the deformable portion changes the capacitance associated with the sensor and sensor target pair
Data Source
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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.