Electric Toothbrush Motor Control for Smooth Oscillation Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrushes with oscillating motions lack the ability to smoothly and continuously adjust intensity without steps or jumping, failing to provide a seamless transition between different oscillation levels.
Innovation Solution
A personal care appliance with an electric motor and control circuit that varies the frequency and duty cycle of a voltage signal in response to user inputs, allowing the oscillation amplitude to change along a substantially linear rate of change profile, enabling smooth intensity adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional electric toothbrushes use fixed oscillation modes, then the device structure is simple, but the oscillation intensity cannot be adjusted smoothly without steps or jumping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of oscillation parameters by varying the duty cycle of the drive signal in real-time based on user input, allowing continuous smooth adjustment of oscillation intensity without fixed steps. The control circuit dynamically modifies the drive waveform parameters (duty cycle and frequency) to achieve progressive intensity changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the drive signal (duty cycle and frequency) to control oscillation intensity. By adjusting these electrical parameters continuously rather than switching between discrete modes, the system achieves smooth intensity transitions while maintaining a relatively simple control architecture.
2Ease of operation
If the oscillation amplitude is adjusted in discrete steps, then the control circuit is simple, but the transition between oscillation levels is not seamless
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic modulation of the drive signal duty cycle to achieve smooth oscillation intensity transitions. By varying the duty cycle in controlled increments over multiple cycles rather than abrupt single-step changes, the system creates seamless transitions that are difficult for users to perceive, effectively masking the discrete nature of digital control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous oscillation action throughout intensity transitions by ensuring the motor never stops running. The duty cycle is adjusted progressively while the oscillation continues uninterrupted, creating the perception of continuous smooth adjustment rather than discrete on/off transitions between intensity levels.
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 seamless and continuous adjustment of oscillation intensity, improving the effectiveness and user experience of toothbrushing by ensuring a smooth transition between different oscillation levels.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor configured to, in response to a voltage signal, oscillate a drive shaft in an oscillatory motion
Implementation Method 2
a pulse width modulation signal generator... the voltage signal having a frequency and a duty cycle, the control circuit configured to vary the frequency and the duty cycle of the voltage signal
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a personal care appliance includes an electric motor having a drive shaft. In response to a voltage signal, the drive shaft is oscillated in an oscillatory motion having an oscillation amplitude. A control circuit includes, in operable cooperation, a user interface, a processor, a pulse width modulation signal generator, and a power source. The control circuit supplies the voltage signal to the electric motor, the voltage signal having a frequency and a duty cycle. The control circuit varies the frequency and the duty cycle of the voltage signal in response to an oscillation adjustment input received from the user interface so that the oscillation amplitude of the drive shaft is varied along a substantially linear rate of change profile relative to the frequency.