Toothbrush Noise Reduction via Elastic Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oscillating rotating electrically driven toothbrushes have a large number of interacting moving components, leading to manufacturing tolerances that result in rattling or noise during operation, which is unpleasant for the user.
Innovation Solution
The toothbrush design includes a handle portion and a detachable head portion with a rotatable drive shaft, a bristle holder pivotally mounted on the head portion, and an elastic biasing element to reduce noise by achieving zero or nearly zero clearance between moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oscillating rotating electrically driven toothbrushes are designed with multiple interacting moving components to achieve effective plaque removal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing tolerances cause rattling or noise during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastic biasing element as an intermediary component between the bristle holder and the head portion. This elastic element serves as a mediator that compensates for manufacturing tolerances and clearance between moving parts, thereby reducing noise and rattling while maintaining the necessary movement for effective cleaning. The elastic element absorbs the gaps and irregularities that would otherwise cause harmful vibrations and noise.
2Ease of operation
If the bristle holder is pivotally mounted with clearance to allow movement, then bristle movement for cleaning is enabled, but clearance causes rattling and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the connection between the bristle holder and head portion by introducing an elastic biasing element. This element dynamically adjusts the clearance parameter, maintaining just enough space for pivotal movement while eliminating excessive gaps that cause rattling. The elastic element transforms the rigid clearance problem into a flexible, controlled movement system that reduces noise while preserving functionality.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If elastic biasing elements are added to reduce clearance and noise, then noise reduction is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic biasing element is designed to be self-regulating, automatically adjusting to the operational requirements of the bristle holder without requiring external control mechanisms. The element self-compensates for clearance variations and maintains optimal contact pressure throughout the rotational movement, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple specialized components. This self-service approach reduces noise while adding minimal complexity to the overall device.
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 design effectively reduces noise and improves the operational quietness of the toothbrush, providing a more pleasant user experience while maintaining effective bristle movement for cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic biasing element is provided, which, preferably for avoiding rattling, elastically biases the bristle holder in the direction away from the head portion
Data Source
AI summary
A noise-reduced and quietly operable electrically driven toothbrush with a technically simple basic structure includes a handle portion at a first end of the toothbrush and a head portion at a second end of the toothbrush. The head portion is detachably connectable to the handle portion. A rotatable drive shaft extends at least in the head portion and defines a first longitudinal axis. An electric drive unit directly or indirectly rotates the drive shaft. A bristle holder is pivotally mounted to the head portion and is drivingly engaged by an end of the drive shaft.