Electric Toothbrush Head Flexion Switching Rotation Direction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric toothbrushes fail to perform the correct brushing action as recommended by dentists, lacking effective interdental cleaning and gingival massage, while manual toothbrushes require significant time and effort for moderate dental hygiene.
Innovation Solution
An electric toothbrush with a rotating head that flexes to activate switches, controlling rotation directions to mimic the correct brushing motion of manual toothbrushes, ensuring proper interdental cleaning and gingival massage by alternating rotations based on the toothbrush's inclination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electric toothbrushes use alternating rotation in two directions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the brushing action does not satisfy dentist requirements for proper interdental cleaning and gingival massage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the rotation direction adaptive rather than fixed. The rotation direction changes dynamically based on the detected brushing area, allowing the toothbrush to automatically adjust its motion pattern to match dentist recommendations for different tooth surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through sensors that detect the brushing area and provide information to the control unit. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust rotation direction based on real-time detection of which tooth surface is being cleaned, ensuring correct brushing action without complex manual control.
2Reliability
If manual toothbrushes are used to achieve correct brushing action, then the brushing action satisfies dentist requirements, but a considerable amount of time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the toothbrush to automatically determine and adjust its own rotation direction based on detected brushing area. This eliminates the need for users to manually control rotation direction or spend time learning proper technique, while still achieving dentist-recommended brushing actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual control system with an automated sensor-based control system. Instead of relying on user manual dexterity and knowledge, the system uses detection means and control units to automatically implement the correct brushing motion patterns.
3Ease of operation
If electric toothbrushes use simple alternating rotation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the interdental cleaning and gingival massage effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of rotation direction based on automatic detection of brushing area, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving cleaning effectiveness through dentist-recommended motion patterns for different tooth surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric toothbrush includes a main body, a head connected to the main body, having a stem and a rotating element rotating in first and second rotation directions, a transmission shaft rotating the rotating element, a motor generating rotary motion transmitted via transmission shaft to the rotating element, and first, second and third push switches. Pressing the first switch, which is pressed when the transmission shaft is inclined in a first flexion direction, causes rotation of the rotating element in the first rotation direction. Pressing the second switch, which is pressed when the transmission shaft is inclined in a second flexion direction, causes rotation of the rotating element in the second rotation direction. Pressing the third switch, which is pressed by the transmission shaft when inclined with respect to the main body in a third flexion direction, causes rotation of the rotating element in the first or second rotation direction.