Toothbrush Flat Light Emission Surface for Stable Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes with hemispherical light emission surfaces suffer from reduced light condensing efficiency due to water droplets attaching to the periphery, causing a refractivity difference that decreases lens effects and light intensity.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush design with a flat bristle raising surface and a light reception and condensing portion housed in a specific region, featuring a lens that condenses radiated light towards a reception surface, preventing water droplets from attaching and maintaining stable light condensing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a hemispherical light emission surface protrudes from the bristle raising surface, then light condensing efficiency is increased, but water droplets attach to the periphery causing refractivity difference reduction and light condensing efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the light emission surface protrude hemispherically from the bristle raising surface, the patent inverts the approach by making the surface flat. This prevents water droplets from attaching to the periphery and maintains the refractivity difference between the transparent resin and the surrounding medium, thereby preserving light condensing efficiency stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a flat light emission surface in the specific region where light is emitted, while maintaining the overall hemispherical shape of the light condensing portion. This localized flat surface prevents water droplet attachment at the critical emission area while preserving the light condensing function.
2Illumination intensity
If a convex light condensing lens protrudes from the bristle raising surface, then light condensing efficiency is increased, but water droplets attach to the periphery causing lens effect loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional protruding lens design by creating a flat light emission surface. This inversion eliminates the peripheral surfaces where water droplets would otherwise attach and cause refractivity difference reduction, thereby preventing the harmful effect of water droplet attachment while maintaining light condensing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of water droplet attachment into a benefit by designing a flat surface that inherently prevents water droplet accumulation. The flat surface configuration transforms what would be a harmful protruding structure into a beneficial water-repellent design, eliminating the refractivity difference problem caused by water droplets.
3Reliability
If the light emission surface is flat, then water droplet attachment is prevented, but light condensing efficiency may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light emission function with the light condensing function by integrating a light condensing portion containing a lens into the head portion. The light emission unit emits light through the flat light emission surface, and the light condensing portion simultaneously condenses this light, thereby maintaining high light condensing efficiency while preserving the flat surface configuration that prevents water droplet attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nesting by placing the light condensing portion containing the lens inside the head portion, with the light emission unit positioned within the light condensing portion. This nested structure allows the light to be emitted through the flat surface while being condensed by the internal lens, achieving both water droplet prevention and high light condensing efficiency.
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 enhances the accuracy of dental plaque detection by increasing the output of the light reception portion, ensuring consistent light condensing efficiency and ease of use without hindrance.
Implementation Method 1
a light reception and condensing portion including a lens configured to condense the radiated light from the tooth surface toward a light reception surface of the light reception portion
Implementation Method 2
the refractivity difference between the transparent resin (having a refractivity of about 1.5) forming the light exit surface and the periphery (water droplets)
Data Source
AI summary
A toothbrush includes a main body that includes a head portion with a bristle raising surface on which bristles are provided in a standing manner, a grip portion, and a neck portion. A light emission portion that emits light through a specific region of the bristle raising surface toward a tooth surface and a light reception portion that receives radiated light from the tooth surface resulting from the light, through the specific region, are provided inside of the main body. It is determined whether or not there is dental plaque on the tooth surface based on the output of the light reception portion. A light reception and condensing portion that condenses the radiated light from the tooth surface toward the light reception surface of the light reception portion is arranged in the housing portion forming the specific region.