Electric Toothbrush Motor Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrushes face challenges in providing moisture-proofing and optimal vibrating power transfer to the brush head while minimizing vibration transmission to the handle.
Innovation Solution
The vibrator motor is housed within a rubber covering surrounding the main unit, secured using quick locks and a motor frame with internal spacers and seals to prevent moisture ingress and allow flexible mounting, reducing vibration transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vibrator motor is rigidly secured to the main unit, then the motor attachment is secure and stable, but vibration is transferred to the toothbrush handle and moisture-proofing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A rubber covering is introduced as an intermediary element between the vibrator motor and the main unit. This rubber covering serves multiple functions: it provides moisture-proofing by sealing the motor housing, dampens vibration transfer to the handle through its elastic properties, and yet maintains secure motor attachment through friction and mechanical interlocking features.
2Reliability
If the vibrator motor is housed within a rubber covering, then moisture-proofing is improved and vibration transfer is reduced, but the motor mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber covering is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a moisture seal, a vibration damper, and a mounting structure for the vibrator motor. By integrating these three functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is reduced compared to using separate elements for each function.
3Reliability
If the rubber covering surrounds most of the main unit, then moisture-proofing is enhanced, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber covering is designed as a flexible shell that can be molded as a single piece or in sections, allowing it to conform to the motor housing and main unit geometry. This flexible shell design simplifies manufacturing compared to rigid multi-component assemblies, as it can be elastomeric-molded directly onto the motor housing with integrated sealing features.
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
This configuration enhances moisture-proofing and provides improved vibrating power to the brush head while minimizing handle vibrations, ensuring secure motor attachment and effective moisture sealing.
Implementation Method 1
The rubber covering can be arranged to reduce the vibration that is transferred to the main unit from the vibrator motor
Implementation Method 2
The motor frame can be moved somewhat on the soft rubber which gives an improved vibration effect. Also provided is a dampening so that the vibration, which is transferred to the toothbrush handle, is reduced
Implementation Method 3
The rubber covering preferably covers most of the main unit and at least part of the vibrator motor so that a seal against moisture is provided
Implementation Method 4
To safeguard against ingress of moisture, the end cover is preferably equipped with seals in the form of, for example, one or more O-rings
Data Source
AI summary
An electric toothbrush is described, comprising a vibrating brush head (20) and a main unit (6) with a vibrator motor (2) for transfer of vibrating power to the brush head (20), and also a battery (9) connected to an on/off switch (7) for operation of the vibrator motor (2). The vibrator motor (2) is not rigidly secured to the main unit (6) with help of a quick coupling (Ia), and that the vibrator motor (2) is at least partially contained in a rubber covering (5) that surrounds the main unit (6).