Toothbrush Kinetic Imaging Control for Conveyor-Line Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes have limitations in conforming to tooth curvature, cleaning interproximal areas, and retaining dentifrice, leading to reduced cleaning efficiency and discomfort due to loose packing of bristles and tuft holes.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing control device controls the capture of digital image frames using a shutter trigger sequence based on product position and conveyor line speed, enabling focused imaging of toothbrushes in various orientations to improve quality control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional toothbrushes use circular bristle cross-sections bundled in tuft holes, then the bristles can be manufactured easily, but gaps are created between adjacent bristles and between bristles and tuft hole walls, resulting in loose packing and reduced cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from circular cross-sectional bristles to non-circular cross-sectional bristles (e.g., rectangular, triangular, or other geometric shapes). This curvature change allows the bristles to pack more tightly together and against the tuft hole walls, eliminating gaps while maintaining ease of manufacture through extrusion or molding processes that can accommodate various cross-sectional geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different cross-sectional geometries to different bristle types within the same toothbrush head. For example, bristles in different regions (e.g., gingival vs. apical zones, or different tuft locations) may have optimized non-circular cross-sections tailored to their specific functional requirements, allowing each local area to achieve optimal packing density for its particular cleaning task.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional toothbrushes use flat bristle trims, then the bristle structure is simple to manufacture, but the toothbrush cannot conform to tooth curvature or effectively clean interproximal areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic or adjustable bristle trim structures that can adapt to different tooth geometries. This may include flexible bristle materials, movable bristle segments, or adjustable trim mechanisms that allow the bristle configuration to change based on the specific tooth surface being cleaned, enabling the brush to conform to curvature and access interproximal areas while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bristle trim is divided into multiple segments or zones with different geometries, allowing each segment to be optimized for specific cleaning tasks. For example, some segments may have curved profiles for conforming to tooth surfaces, while others have flat or angled profiles for interproximal access. This segmentation enables complex cleaning capabilities while keeping individual trim elements simple to manufacture.
3Device complexity
If conventional toothbrushes have loose bristle packing, then the bristle tuft structure is simpler, but gaps reduce cleaning effectiveness and cause uncomfortable feelings during brushing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key geometric parameters of the bristle cross-sections from circular to non-circular shapes. This parameter change increases the surface area of contact between adjacent bristles and between bristles and the tuft hole walls, thereby reducing gaps and improving packing density. The modified geometry parameters allow for tighter packing while maintaining relatively simple tuft construction methods, ultimately enhancing cleaning effectiveness and brushing comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are disclosed for controlling the capture of one or more digital image frames of a product on a conveyor line by a manufacturing control device. The device may be in communication with at least one camera. The device may receive a product position trigger signal. The signal may indicate that the product has entered an imaging zone of the conveyor line. The product may be disposed on the conveyor line in a vertical orientation, a horizontal orientation, and/or an intermediate orientation. The device may determine a shutter trigger sequence for the camera such a predetermined number of the digital image frames are captured while the product is within the imaging zone of the conveyor line. The device may control the capture of the predetermined number of the digital image frames via the camera using the determined shutter trigger sequence upon the receipt of the product position signal.