Electric Toothbrush Head With Electrodes for Plaque Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toothbrushes find it difficult to effectively remove dental plaque, especially in narrow spaces, leading to issues with tooth decay and periodontal diseases due to the buildup of microbes and acid production.
Innovation Solution
An electric toothbrush design featuring a head with bristles and electrodes that generate an electric field when a driving voltage is applied, weakening dental plaque and facilitating its removal, along with a handle containing a battery, switch, and circuit to control the voltage supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional toothbrushes are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but dental plaque cannot be effectively removed especially in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines conventional mechanical brushing with electrical field generation by integrating electrodes into the toothbrush head. The electrodes work simultaneously with the bristles to remove plaque through dual mechanisms: mechanical abrasion and electrical field disruption of plaque structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrical field mechanism to supplement or partially replace the purely mechanical brushing action. The electrical field generated by the electrodes acts on the plaque to weaken its structure, making removal more effective particularly in narrow spaces where mechanical action alone is insufficient.
2Reliability
If electrodes are added to the toothbrush head, then plaque removal effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush head is designed to serve multiple functions: mechanical cleaning through bristles and electrical field generation through electrodes. This multi-functionality is achieved by integrating both systems into a single modular head unit that can be manufactured and replaced as one assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush is divided into separable components: the head containing bristles and electrodes, and the handle containing the power source. This segmentation allows the head to be manufactured independently with integrated electrode assemblies, facilitating modular production and replacement.
3Reliability
If electrical field is applied to plaque, then plaque structure is weakened and removal is facilitated, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical field is applied in periodic pulses rather than continuous operation. The control circuit activates the electrodes at specific intervals during brushing, providing sufficient electrical disruption to plaque while allowing energy conservation during non-active periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical parameters (voltage, current, frequency) are optimized to achieve effective plaque disruption at minimal energy consumption. The control circuit adjusts these parameters dynamically based on usage conditions to maintain effectiveness while minimizing power draw from the battery.
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 electric toothbrush effectively removes dental plaque, preventing tooth decay and periodontal diseases by generating an electric field that breaks down plaque, ensuring thorough cleaning even in hard-to-reach areas.
Implementation Method 1
a head with bristles and electrodes that generate an electric field when a driving voltage is applied, weakening dental plaque and facilitating its removal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electric toothbrush including a head and a handle having a shape couplable to the head and configured to supply a driving voltage to the head according to a user's control. The head includes a toothbrush head in which bristles and first and second electrodes spaced apart from each other are disposed, a head body extending from the toothbrush head, first and second connection lines disposed in the head body and connected from the toothbrush head to the first and second electrodes respectively, a head cover configured to close an end of the head body, and first and second connection pins respectively connected to the first and second connection lines and having portions externally exposed through the head cover.