Electric Toothbrush Head Coupling Structure Without Metal Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrushes face challenges in achieving a secure and cost-effective coupling of the brush head to the handle, often requiring metal springs or experiencing loose fits that affect vibratory performance.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush head design featuring a coupling member with a resilient wall and protrusion that engages the drive shaft, along with multiple engagement mechanisms, ensures a tight fit without additional springs, using plastic or polyester materials for cost-effectiveness and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal springs are used inside the brush head to facilitate tight coupling to the drive shaft, then the coupling stability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metal spring component from the brush head assembly entirely. Instead, the coupling member's own resilient wall provides the necessary elastic engagement with the drive shaft, eliminating the need for separate spring elements and reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the coupling function and resilient engagement into a single coupling member structure. The resilient wall of the coupling member combines the functions of structural support and elastic coupling, merging what would traditionally require separate components into one integrated part
2Reliability
If metal or springs are used to achieve tight coupling, then the vibratory effect is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates additional spring components that would increase device complexity. The coupling member's resilient wall alone provides the necessary elastic engagement to maintain tight coupling and transmit vibratory effects effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member integrates both structural support and resilient coupling functions into a single component. The resilient wall provides elastic engagement without requiring separate spring elements, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining vibratory performance
3Ease of manufacture
If no metal springs are used to reduce cost, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the coupling stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the coupling member to have resilient or elastic properties. This allows the coupling member to deform elastically during engagement with the drive shaft, providing tight coupling and stable connection without requiring metal springs
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member incorporates a resilient wall that can deform elastically to engage with the drive shaft. This flexible structure provides the necessary compliance and tight coupling without requiring rigid metal spring components
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 provides a secure, stable, and cost-effective coupling that maintains vibratory effectiveness, facilitating easy assembly and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for separate resilient members.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient wall can be configured to deform when inserted into the base. The deformation can cause inward movement of a portion of the resilient wall that is configured to engage the driveshaft.
Implementation Method 2
The protrusion can be configured to engage an inner wall of the base.
Implementation Method 3
the construction of the brush head requires that it be tightly coupled to the drive shaft of the toothbrush handle so it can withstand the high speed vibrations from operating the toothbrush
Data Source
AI summary
This document discloses a toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush. The toothbrush head includes a brush section having a plurality of bristles attached thereon, a base having an opening for receiving a drive shaft of an electric toothbrush, and a stem section. The stem section has a sidewall that surrounds a cavity for receiving the driveshaft. The brush section, base, and stem section are formed as a single piece.