Electric Toothbrush Plaque Detection and Fluid Spray Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrushes face challenges in accurately sensing stains on teeth due to interference from toothpaste, which hinders the effectiveness of plaque and tartar removal during brushing.
Innovation Solution
An electric toothbrush design incorporating a light emitting module, a reflected light detecting module, a stain sensing module, and a fluid spraying module, where the toothbrush emits light, detects reflected light, senses stains, and controls fluid spray timing based on the detected light to optimize plaque removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light is emitted to detect reflected light for sensing stains on teeth, then stain sensing capability is provided, but toothpaste on the tooth surface interferes with light transmission and reduces sensing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting toothpaste presence on the tooth surface before conducting stain sensing. The control unit determines whether to proceed with light-based stain detection based on the toothpaste detection result, preventing inaccurate measurements caused by toothpaste interference
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary detection mechanism (toothpaste sensor) that mediates between the light emitting/detecting system and the tooth surface. This intermediary detects the presence of toothpaste and provides feedback to control the staining detection process, ensuring accurate measurements by preventing detection when toothpaste is present
2Productivity
If fluid is sprayed continuously to remove plaque and tartar, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but toothpaste removal is hindered due to timing conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by controlling the fluid spray to operate in alternating intervals with the toothbrush brushing cycles. The spray is activated during specific phases (when toothpaste needs removal) and deactivated during other phases (when plaque removal is prioritized), optimizing both functions through time-based segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the fluid spray timing adaptive and variable based on real-time detection results. The control unit dynamically adjusts spray activation based on toothpaste presence detection and brushing phase, transitioning between spray and non-spray states to optimize both toothpaste removal and plaque removal efficiency
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
Enhances the accuracy of stain sensing and plaque removal by clearing toothpaste interference and adjusting fluid spray timing for improved cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting module for emitting light from the brush unit; a reflected light detecting module for detecting reflected light of light emitted from the light emitting module
Implementation Method 2
a fluid spraying module for spraying fluid from the brush unit
Data Source
AI summary
An electric toothbrush that detects plaque on the teeth, ensures accurate plaque detection, and performs cleaning of plaque. The electric toothbrush may include a drive module having a first drive for oscillating a brush unit in a first direction and a second drive for oscillating the brush unit in a second direction; a light emitting module; a reflected light detector; a plaque detector for detecting plaque based on reflected light detected by the reflected light detector; a liquid spray part for spraying liquid from the brush unit; and a liquid spray controller for controlling a spray timing of the liquid. The liquid spray controller may spray the liquid when the amount of plaque detected by the plaque detector exceeds a threshold. The drive module may stop the first drive and perform only the second drive while the liquid is being sprayed.