Toothbrush Head With Elastic Base Carrier And Open Support Rings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toothbrush designs with soft elastic material base carriers face challenges in maintaining bristle tufts securely while minimizing height and preventing hygiene issues due to complex arrangements and ventilation channels, which compromise the effectiveness and hygiene of the brush head.

Innovation Solution

A toothbrush head with a base carrier formed from a soft elastic material embedding open-ended support rings that securely hold bristle tufts, allowing for close proximity and flexibility, with the tufts being anchored by a bulge at the lower end that abuts against the support ring, enabling axial movement and resilience, thus overcoming extraction and hygiene issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If closed bottom holders are used to anchor metal anchors securely, then bristle tuft retention is improved, but brush head height increases and design freedom is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebristle tuft retentionVSAvoidbrush head height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of closing the bottom of holders to secure anchors, the invention inverts the approach by using open-ended support rings where the anchorage function is achieved through the interaction between the bulge at the lower end of the bristle tuft and the support ring structure, eliminating the need for closed holders and reducing brush head height

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the structural parameters of the connecting element from closed holders with specific material strength requirements to open-ended support rings with different geometric characteristics, allowing the bulge to provide the necessary anchorage function while reducing the axial dimension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple layers and ventilation channels are added to accommodate elastic bristle arrangements, then bristle flexibility is improved, but hygiene deteriorates due to bacterial accumulation at phase boundaries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebristle flexibilityVSAvoidbacterial accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the ventilation channels and intermediate layers from the brush head structure, achieving bristle flexibility through the elastic base carrier material itself rather than through complex multi-layer constructions that create hygiene problems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of multiple separate components (holders, ventilation channels, intermediate layers) into a single integrated elastic base carrier structure, eliminating the phase boundaries where bacteria accumulate while maintaining bristle flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If cup-like holders completely surrounding bristle tufts are used, then secure abutment of metal anchors is achieved, but device complexity and material requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor abutment strengthVSAvoidholder structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using cup-like holders that completely surround bristle tufts to provide abutment, the invention inverts the approach by using open-ended support rings where the bulge at the lower end of the tuft provides the anchorage function, simplifying the structure while maintaining strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the anchorage function from the holder structure, allowing the bulge to provide the anchorage function independently while the support ring provides structural support, eliminating the need for complex closed-holder designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution allows for a compact toothbrush head design with improved bristle retention and flexibility, reducing the risk of bacterial accumulation and enhancing hygiene by eliminating ventilation channels, while maintaining effective bristle positioning and resilience.

Implementation Method 1

a base carrier (1) formed from a soft elastic material in which there are embedded connecting elements separated from one another and bearing a plurality of bristle tufts (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the bristle tuft being safeguarded from extraction from the support ring by abutment between the lower end of the bristle tuft and the support ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical abutment: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS8069524B2Toothbrush

Publication Date: 2011.12.06 HALEON US HLDG LLC

AI summary

A brush head, in particular a toothbrush, with a base carrier (1) formed from a soft elastic material in which connecting elements comprising separate support rings (2) separated from one another and bearing a plurality of bristle tufts (4) are embedded, each of the rings having a bristle tuft threaded through. Preferably the bristle tuft can move axially in the support ring and is supported resiliently by the soft elastic material.