Toothbrush Handle Segmentation for Grip and Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional toothbrush handle designs are not voluminous, ergonomically advantageous, or cost-effective, as they require excessive material usage and do not efficiently address issues of weight reduction and ergonomic comfort.

Innovation Solution

A toothbrush body with longitudinal supporting strips and recesses, such as holes or lateral clearances, that reduce material usage while providing ergonomic benefits like improved grip and elasticity, allowing for efficient drainage and comfort during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If conventional solid handle design is used, then structural stability is maintained, but material consumption increases and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial consumptionVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is segmented into multiple longitudinal supporting strips separated by recesses, creating a structured framework that maintains stability while reducing material usage. The supporting strips are distributed along the longitudinal axis to provide structural integrity without requiring a solid continuous handle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle incorporates a porous structure with recesses passing through from top side to underside, creating void spaces that reduce material consumption and weight while maintaining structural stability through the remaining supporting strips. This porous design allows material reduction without compromising the handle's structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Ease of operation

If handle volume is increased for ergonomic comfort, then grip security improves, but material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveergonomic comfortVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The handle volume is optimized by segmenting it into supporting strips and recesses, creating a framework that provides ergonomic grip surfaces where needed while reducing material in less critical areas. This segmented approach allows voluminous ergonomic design without excessive material consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the handle have different material densities - the supporting strips provide structural volume for ergonomic grip, while the recesses reduce material consumption. This local quality variation allows ergonomic comfort to be achieved in specific areas without increasing overall material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of moving object

If recesses are added to reduce material usage, then weight decreases and cost-effectiveness improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle weightVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses are arranged in a regular pattern along the longitudinal axis, creating repeatable structural units that simplify manufacturing. The segmented design with consistent supporting strips and recesses allows for efficient mold design and production, reducing the impact of complexity on manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recesses serve multiple functions: reducing material usage, decreasing weight, improving grip ergonomics, and facilitating drainage. This multi-functionality justifies the manufacturing complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single structural feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If longitudinal supporting strips are used to maintain structural integrity, then handle stability is preserved, but material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle stabilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into multiple longitudinal supporting strips that are distributed along the longitudinal axis. This segmentation provides structural stability through the collective support of multiple strips while reducing material consumption compared to a solid continuous handle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The porous structure with recesses between supporting strips allows material reduction while maintaining stability. The void spaces reduce material consumption without significantly compromising the structural integrity provided by the distributed supporting strips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentUS8046864B2Toothbrush with recesses

Publication Date: 2011.11.01 TRISA HLDG AG

AI summary

The toothbrush body according to the invention has on its top side a hand-supporting section with at least one longitudinal support strip which extends along the longitudinal axis of a handle part and next to which is located at least one recess which extends laterally from the top side to a bottom side. The recesses can take the form of holes located between two longitudinal support strips or of open lateral recesses formed in the broad sides of the toothbrush body.