Electric Toothbrush Vibration Damping via Elastic Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric toothbrushes are bulky and inconvenient for portability due to their oscillation generators, which compromise brushing performance when miniaturized for compactness.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a motor with an eccentric weight, a main body case with a motor and battery accommodation, a removable toothbrush head, and elastic members for sealing and oscillation transmission, allowing for efficient oscillation transmission to the bristles while maintaining compactness and comfort during brushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electric toothbrush is miniaturized to improve portability, then the size is reduced, but the oscillation transmission to the grip becomes stronger making brushing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A cushioning member (elastic member) is introduced as an intermediary between the main body case and grip case. This intermediary component absorbs and dampens the oscillation forces transmitted to the grip, reducing the strong vibration sensation that would otherwise make brushing difficult when the toothbrush is miniaturized.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning member is pre-installed between the main body case and grip case to provide advance damping of oscillation forces. This beforehand cushioning prevents the strong vibration from reaching the user's hand during operation, allowing the toothbrush to be miniaturized without compromising brushing comfort.
2Ease of operation
If the oscillation strength is reduced to improve brushing comfort, then the grip vibration is reduced, but the teeth brushing performance is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member is strategically positioned only at the grip interface where it is needed to dampen vibration, while the oscillation transmission path to the toothbrush head remains intact. This localized damping approach allows strong oscillation for effective brushing while providing comfort at the user's hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush is divided into distinct functional zones: the main body case containing the motor and oscillation generator, the cushioning member for vibration damping, and the grip case for comfortable holding. This segmentation allows oscillation strength to be maintained for brushing performance while comfort is improved through isolated vibration damping.
3Reliability
If the oscillation generator and battery are included to maintain brushing performance, then the brushing function is superior, but the toothbrush becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The battery accommodation portion is nested within the grip case, and the motor accommodation portion is nested within the main body case. This nested arrangement allows the oscillation generator and battery to be included for superior brushing performance while minimizing the overall toothbrush volume for better portability.
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
This design enhances brushing performance by efficiently transmitting oscillation to the bristles, improving portability and user comfort while preventing water ingress and maintaining hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member arranged between the grip case and the main body case, which is received by the grip case
Implementation Method 2
the strong oscillation of the grip is transmitted to the user and makes brushing difficult
Implementation Method 3
the toothbrush rotates an eccentric weight with a motor to generate oscillation and transmit the oscillation to the toothbrush bristles
Implementation Method 4
the oscillation generated by the motor should not be reduced
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6
AI summary
An elastic ring (R2) is disposed between a grip section case (4) and a body section (21) which is formed on an inner case (20) of a body case (2) to which a toothbrush head (5) is mounted. As a result, the vibration of a motor (M) which is contained in a motor containing section (27) of the inner case (20) is less likely to be transmitted to the grip section case (4) because of the elastic ring (R2), and is transmitted to the toothbrush head (5) side in a concentrated manner. Also, the tooth cleaning performance is increased, and vibration to the hand which grips the grip section case (4) is reduced to enable the user to comfortably brush the teeth.