Power Toothbrush Motion Control for Sweeping and Tapping Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral cleaning devices using rotary motion about a central axis are not optimized for all target areas in the mouth, leading to non-optimal performance in areas like interproximal, gumline, and molar surfaces, despite efforts to control toothbrush layout and motion.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electromagnetic drivetrain assembly that generates a controllable power tapping motion, either alone or in combination with sweeping motion, to improve stain and plaque removal, with adjustable amplitude and frequency, and sensor-activated modes for specific mouth areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single toothbrush device with fixed layout is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but cleaning performance varies non-optimally across different mouth areas
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush employs multiple drive systems that can dynamically switch between different motion patterns (sweeping motion about central axis, tapping motion perpendicular to central axis, or combination thereof) to adapt to different cleaning areas in the mouth, transforming a static single-function device into a dynamic multi-function device
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is segmented into distinct motion patterns (sweeping and tapping) that can be independently controlled and combined, allowing the device to target specific areas like gumline, interproximal, and overall surface areas with appropriate motion types
2Productivity
If sweeping motion is used for all areas, then device simplicity is maintained, but cleaning effectiveness is non-optimal for specific areas like gumline and interproximal regions
Solution Approach 1:
Different motion patterns are applied to different target areas: sweeping motion for overall surface areas, tapping motion for gumline and interproximal areas, allowing each area to receive the most effective cleaning action suited to its specific anatomical characteristics
3Productivity
If multiple toothbrush types are used to optimize different areas, then cleaning performance for each area is improved, but device complexity and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A single toothbrush device is designed with multiple drive systems capable of producing different motion patterns, making it universally effective for all mouth areas (gumline, interproximal, overall surfaces) that would otherwise require multiple specialized toothbrushes
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
The solution achieves deeper plaque removal, increased resilience to user variables, and improved cleaning performance across all mouth areas by dynamically adapting motion to specific regions, enhancing gum health and overall cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic assembly configured to: (i) periodically drive the drivetrain shaft and thereby the cleaning unit in a first direction about or along a first axis of the oral cleaning device; and (ii) periodically drive the drivetrain shaft and thereby the cleaning unit in a second direction about or along a second axis of the oral cleaning device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of generating sweeping and/or tapping motions in an oral cleaning device such as a power toothbrush device to perform optimally at all target areas of the user's mouth. The systems and methods are configured to periodically move a drivetrain shaft in a first direction about a central axis of the device or along a line that is tangential to a cleaning unit of the device, and periodically drive the drivetrain shaft in a second direction, different from the first direction, so that a set of cleaning elements that are attached to the cleaning unit move in a vertical up-down motion. The systems and methods are further configured to dynamically modify an output of the drivetrain assembly to target different areas of the user's mouth.