Electric Toothbrush Mode Resumption Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrush mode selection systems are complex and non-automated, lacking an efficient way to remember and resume the previously selected brushing mode after the device is turned off.
Innovation Solution
An electric toothbrush with a control unit that stores the previously selected brushing mode and a timer unit to determine the off-state period, allowing the device to automatically start in the previously selected mode if turned on within a threshold period (up to 600 seconds), or default to a preselected mode if the device was off for longer, featuring distinct brushing modes with varying motion frequencies, amplitudes, or degrees of freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mode selection system with multiple switches is implemented, then the toothbrush can operate in multiple brushing modes, but the device complexity increases and the operation becomes more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically detects the user's intended mode based on the duration of the on-button press, eliminating the need for separate mode selection switches. The system serves itself by interpreting button press duration to determine the desired brushing mode, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining multi-mode functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of button press duration to differentiate between brushing modes. Short presses (e.g., <500ms) trigger one mode, while long presses (e.g., >=500ms) trigger another mode. This parameter-based differentiation eliminates the need for additional mode selection hardware, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mode selection system with multiple switches is implemented, then the toothbrush can operate in multiple brushing modes, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to non-automated selection
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically determines the desired brushing mode by monitoring the duration of the on-button press, eliminating the need for users to manually select modes through separate switches. This automated detection significantly improves ease of operation while preserving multi-mode adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the button press duration during the on-state transition, allowing it to pre-determine the intended brushing mode before actual operation begins. This preliminary action streamlines the user experience by making mode selection implicit rather than requiring explicit user input.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the toothbrush automatically terminates a brushing event and requires button press within a certain time for extended operation, then energy consumption is managed, but the operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power-on function and mode selection function into a single on-button operation. The control unit combines detection of button press duration with the power state transition, eliminating the need for separate mode selection switches and reducing device complexity while maintaining energy management capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is concerned with an electric toothbrush (1) arranged for being selectively operable in at least a first brushing mode and a second brushing mode different to the first brushing mode, which electric toothbrush comprises a control unit (80) arranged to control the electric toothbrush (1) such that it starts operation in a brushing mode that was active prior to the previous switch-off event in case the electric toothbrush (1) was in an off-state for a time period below a threshold period (T) or otherwise in a default brushing mode preselected from the at least first brushing mode and second brushing mode. Such an electric toothbrush provides convenient handling features, specifically as an accidental or short switching-off of the electric toothbrush will not result in starting the electric toothbrush in a default brushing mode but in continued utilization of the previously chosen brushing mode.