Power Toothbrush Brushhead Fluid-Directing Rim
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power toothbrush brushheads often produce a splayed fluid action due to rotary-type reciprocating motion, resulting in reduced clinical and sensory effects on teeth and gums, as fluid is not effectively directed towards the teeth and gums during brushing.
Innovation Solution
A rimmed or paddle-equipped brushhead design that incorporates a flexible elastomeric rim or paddle members to direct fluid flow towards the teeth by creating a 'pumping' effect through differential motion with the bristles, ensuring fluid is directed at a 90° angle towards the teeth and gums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotary-type reciprocating motion is used in the brushhead, then the brushhead can effectively clean teeth through mechanical action, but the fluid action becomes splayed and less directed toward the teeth and gums
Solution Approach 1:
The brushhead is divided into functional segments: a bristle field for cleaning and a separate rim member for fluid direction. The rim member is segmented into multiple sections that can independently guide fluid flow, allowing the cleaning action and fluid direction to be optimized separately without interfering with each other
Solution Approach 2:
The rim member acts as an intermediary element between the bristle field and the teeth/gums. It captures fluid generated by bristle motion and redirects it toward the target area, mediating the transfer of fluid from the rotating bristles to the teeth and gums in a controlled manner
2Manufacturing precision
If the rim member is made taller to improve fluid direction, then fluid flow control improves, but the rim member may interfere with tooth contact and brushing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The rim member features varying heights at different locations, with taller sections positioned to guide fluid flow and shorter sections positioned to avoid interfering with tooth contact. This localized variation in height allows each portion of the rim to perform its specific function optimally without compromising overall performance
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 fluid directionality towards the teeth and gums, improving both clinical cleaning and sensory experience by ensuring that most fluid is directed towards the teeth and gums, leading to enhanced cleaning and sensory effects compared to conventional brushheads.
Implementation Method 1
the rim member having an upper edge which is lower than the top of the bristles, and otherwise configured and arranged to produce action of fluid moving off of the bristles toward the teeth during operation of the toothbrush
Data Source
AI summary
The brushhead includes a brushhead member which includes a bristle field, the brushhead member being adapted for cleaning teeth as part of a power toothbrush, wherein the brushhead in operation moves in a reciprocating action. In one embodiment the brushhead includes a rim member which extends around at least a substantial portion of the brushhead, the rim member extending around the entire bristle field and having an upper edge which is lower than the top of the bristles. The rim member has a different flexibility than the bristles so that the movement of the rim member and the bristles is out of phase during operation of the toothbrush, which results in fluid from the bristles being directed toward the teeth during operation of the toothbrush.