Electric Toothbrush Illumination Ring for Omnidirectional Indicator Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrushes have indicators that are difficult to view when the device is held at certain angles, particularly when brushing the inside surfaces of teeth, and the connection between the grip and brush portions experiences high tension due to the angled design.
Innovation Solution
An electric toothbrush with an elongated grip and brush portion featuring an illumination ring body, light emitting elements, and a circuit board with a controller and acceleration sensor, allowing the indicator to be visible regardless of the holding angle by emitting light rays that are reflected and directed axially, and a slanted surface to optimize light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the indicator is provided on only one side of the electric toothbrush, then the structure is simple, but the user can view the indicator only when the electric toothbrush is held at a certain angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the indicator from a one-sided planar display to a three-dimensional omnidirectional display using an illumination ring. The light emitting element projects light axially, which is then reflected by a slanted surface to illuminate the entire circumference of the illumination ring, making it visible from all angles around the toothbrush.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses light emission and reflection to create a visible indicator. The light emitting element emits light that reflects off the slanted surface to illuminate the illumination ring, creating a visible optical signal that can be seen from any angle, replacing traditional non-luminous indicators.
2Ease of operation
If the brush portion is angled with respect to the grip portion, then the brushing angle is optimized, but the tension at the joint between grip portion and brush portion becomes relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate illumination ring body between the grip portion and brush portion. This segmentation allows the angled brush portion to be structurally supported while the illumination ring body absorbs and distributes the mechanical stress, reducing the tension concentration at the joint between the grip and brush portions.
3Illumination intensity
If the light emitting element directs light rays axially, then the illumination ring is uniformly illuminated, but the light intensity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a slanted surface as an intermediary between the axially directed light rays and the illumination ring. This slanted surface acts as a light redirector, taking the axial light from the emitting element and reflecting it to uniformly illuminate the entire circumference of the illumination ring, optimizing light distribution without requiring increased light source intensity.
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
Enables the user to view the indicator at any angle, reducing tension at the joint between the grip and brush portions by ensuring consistent visibility and improved usability during brushing.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting element provided in the grip portion for emitting light rays
Implementation Method 2
the light rays reflected on the slanted surface enter into the cylindrical body through the skirt of the illumination ring body
Data Source
AI summary
An electric toothbrush includes a grip portion, a brush portion on which a replaceable toothbrush is mounted, and an illumination ring between the grip portion and the brush portion. The illumination ring is provided around the toothbrush as an annular structure so that a user can view the illumination ring no matter what angle he/she is holding the toothbrush.