Toothbrush Cleaning Element Indentation Bending Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes with plastic injection-molded cleaning elements are less gentle on teeth and gums, and fail to effectively clean interdental spaces, necessitating a solution that provides better gum protection and improved cleaning efficacy while being cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
The toothbrush features a cleaning element with strategically designed indentations and a wavy area, made from a single plastic component, which enhances bending flexibility, allowing for gentler tooth cleaning and better interdental access, and is secured with a snap connection requiring a minimum detachment force of >8 Newtons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cleaning elements are formed as plastic injection-molded parts, then manufacturing cost is reduced and production is simplified, but the cleaning action becomes less gentle on teeth and gums
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element features a cleaning section with reduced material width compared to the fastening section, creating locally different mechanical properties. This narrower cleaning section increases bending flexibility specifically where needed for gum line contact, while the wider fastening section maintains structural integrity and snap connection strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cleaning element has uniform cross-sectional area, then manufacturing is simplified, but interdental cleaning effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element is divided into distinct sections with different cross-sectional dimensions: a wider fastening section for structural support and a narrower cleaning section for enhanced flexibility and interdental access. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning element transitions from a uniform cross-section to a variable cross-section design, introducing dimensional variation along the longitudinal axis. The narrowing of the cleaning section creates a bending moment that enhances flexibility and enables the element to adapt to interdental spaces during brushing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cleaning element is made from thermoplastic elastomer, then gum protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element utilizes the viscoelastic properties of thermoplastic elastomer, specifically controlling the Shore hardness to be between 75-90 SHA. This parameter optimization provides the necessary softness for gum protection while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for effective cleaning and snap connection.
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 design provides increased bending flexibility, enabling effective cleaning of tooth flanks and interdental spaces with reduced gum irritation and improved deep cleaning capabilities, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and simplified manufacturability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one indentation is provided in the area of the cleaning section of the cleaning element, so that the cleaning section has increased bending flexibility at this point
Implementation Method 2
a fastening section for fastening in the head area of the toothbrush
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a toothbrush having a cleaning element in the form of a plastic injection molded component, comprising an attachment segment for attachment in the head region of the toothbrush and a cleaning segment for cleaning teeth, and having at least one indentation in the region of the cleaning segment, around which the cleaning segment has increased bending flexibility.