Electric Toothbrush Light Guide for Plaque Detection Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrushes with light sources and sensors are deficient in accurately sensing plaque, tartar, and tooth decay due to inefficiencies in light transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A brush unit for an electric toothbrush featuring a light transmitting part and a light receiving part arranged on opposing sides of tooth cleaning elements, with the light transmitting part directing more light in a first direction intersecting the pressing direction, enhancing light transmission and reception accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light source and light sensor are placed on the brush unit, then plaque sensing capability is enabled, but sensing accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and light sensor. The light guide member includes a light transmitting part that directs light in a first direction intersecting the pressing direction, and a light receiving part positioned to receive reflected light from plaque. This intermediary structure enables accurate plaque detection by controlling light transmission and reception paths separately from the mechanical pressing function.
2Area of stationary object
If light is directed in multiple directions, then light coverage is improved, but light transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member is designed with spatially varying light transmission properties. The light transmitting part directs light primarily in a first direction that intersects the pressing direction, while the light receiving part is positioned to receive light from a specific direction. This local differentiation of light transmission characteristics ensures efficient light delivery to the target area while maintaining high transmission efficiency by avoiding omnidirectional light distribution.
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 improves the accuracy of plaque detection by ensuring a significant portion of light is directed and received effectively, enabling real-time notification to the user about plaque presence during brushing.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmitting part included on a front surface of the brush unit... the light transmitting part directs more light in a first direction, which intersects the pressing direction
Implementation Method 2
Light emitted from the light source reflects off the surface of a tooth and is detected by the light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An electric toothbrush includes an oscillating assembly and a driving assembly. The oscillating assembly has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements, a light emitting element, and a light receiving element. The drive assembly drives the oscillating assembly to oscillate at a first frequency. The light receiving element is fixed on an isolating member having a resonant frequency different from the first frequency.