Electric Toothbrush Connector Spring for Pivoting Carrier Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of maintaining a reliable electrical connection between components that move relative to each other in personal care devices, such as electric toothbrushes, due to repetitive motion, is addressed by using a flexible flat cable and strain relief measures, which are not suitable for automated assembly.
Innovation Solution
An elastic metal sheet element with a spring constant is used as an electrical connector between the handle and a pivoting carrier in the electric toothbrush, providing a restoring spring force and enabling automated assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible flat cable with strain relief measures is used for electrical connection between moving components, then the connection can withstand repetitive relative motion, but the assembly process becomes complex and不适合 automated assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection function and the spring function into a single elastic metal sheet element. This integrated component provides both electrical conductivity and elastic restoring force, eliminating the need for separate flexible cables and strain relief measures, thereby enabling automated assembly while maintaining connection reliability under repetitive motion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the electrical connector by using an elastic metal sheet with specific spring constants instead of a flexible flat cable. This parameter change allows the connector to provide active restoring force, improving its ability to withstand repetitive relative motion while simplifying the assembly process
2Stability of the object's composition
If the carrier is mounted for pivoting motion against a restoring spring force, then the device can return to its initial position after use, but additional components are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is merged with the spring element, serving dual functions: providing electrical connection and generating the restoring spring force. This eliminates the need for separate spring components, reducing device complexity while maintaining the carrier's ability to return to its initial position
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic metal sheet element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an electrical conductor, a spring element providing restoring force, and a mechanical connector. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the system
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 solution ensures the electrical connector withstands repetitive relative motion, facilitating automated assembly and maintaining a stable electrical connection, thereby enhancing the durability and ease of manufacturing of personal care devices.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic metal sheet element having a spring constant for providing at least a part of the restoring spring force
Implementation Method 2
the electrical connector is realized as an elastic metal sheet element
Data Source
AI summary
A personal care device, such as an electric toothbrush, has a handle having a longitudinal axis and a treatment head connected to a carrier. The carrier extends within the handle and is mounted at the handle for pivoting motion around a pivot axis against a restoring spring force. A drive unit, such as a linear actuator, is mounted on the carrier, and at least one electrical connector is arranged between the handle and the carrier to convey electrical energy from an energy source fixedly mounted with respect to the handle to the drive unit. The electrical connector can be realized as an elastic metal sheet element having a spring constant for providing at least a part of the restoring spring force.