Toothbrush Force Sensor Feedback Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in determining the optimal brushing force with toothbrushes, as high forces can lead to gum irritation and tooth enamel abrasion, while low forces may reduce cleaning efficacy, making it difficult to maintain a balance.
Innovation Solution
A personal hygiene device equipped with a force sensor and output source that provides feedback to the user through visual, audible, or tactile signals, indicating when too high, too low, or sufficient brushing force is applied, helping users achieve better cleaning results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high brushing force is applied, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but gum irritation and tooth enamel abrasion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a force sensor that detects the brushing force applied by the user and provides feedback through an output source (visual, audible, or tactile signals). This feedback mechanism allows users to real-time awareness of the force level and adjust their brushing pressure to avoid excessive force while maintaining effective cleaning, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficacy and preventing gum irritation/Enamel abrasion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of brushing force from an uncontrolled variable to a monitored and regulated parameter. By using a force sensor to detect and provide feedback on the applied force, the system enables users to maintain optimal brushing force within a safe range, preventing both insufficient cleaning and excessive force that causes harm
2Object-affected harmful factors
If low brushing force is applied, then gum irritation and tooth enamel abrasion are reduced, but cleaning efficacy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensor provides real-time feedback to the user about the brushing force level. When the user applies too little force, the output source signals this condition, prompting the user to increase the force to an optimal level that ensures effective cleaning without causing harm, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing harm and maintaining cleaning efficacy
3Loss of information
If multiple force levels are monitored and indicated, then user guidance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an output source that provides visual signals through color changes or light emissions to indicate different force levels. This approach conveys multiple pieces of information about brushing force to the user through a simple and intuitive visual language, reducing the need for complex display mechanisms while maintaining comprehensive feedback capability
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 device assists users in applying the correct brushing force, reducing the risk of gum irritation and tooth enamel abrasion while maintaining effective cleaning, by providing clear feedback on force levels.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensor and an output source which is in signal communication with the force sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 2D~2F
AI summary
An oral hygiene implement (10) comprising having a handle (12), head (14), and a neck (16) extending between the handle and the head is described. The head has a plurality of cleaning elements (20) and/or massaging elements attached to the head. The oral hygiene implement also has a force sensor (32) and an output source (30). The output source provides a plurality of output signals which correspond to a plurality of conditions to a user.