Toothbrush Truss Reinforcement for Strength and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tooth and mouth cleaning devices, such as toothbrushes, face challenges in achieving sufficient strength and flexibility to withstand cleaning forces while maintaining ergonomic design and preventing gum irritation, with previous reinforcement methods like metal strips or wire mesh often resulting in limited strength gains and bond issues.
Innovation Solution
A truss-like reinforcement frame with longitudinal chords and transverse connecting rods is embedded in a plastic enveloping body, allowing for controlled strength and rigidity distribution, adapted to the tool carrier's shape for enhanced flexibility and impact resistance, and designed to minimize distortion and maximize bond strength with the enveloping material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal strip is embedded in the handle as reinforcement, then the strength against brush bending is increased, but the bond between metal strip and plastic casing becomes problematic and the strength gain is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a plastic handle body combined with an embedded reinforcement element. The reinforcement is designed as a truss-like framework made of metal or plastic, which is integrally formed with or firmly bonded to the handle body. This composite approach combines the advantages of plastic (lightweight, moldability) with the strength of metal or rigid plastic structures, achieving both high strength and reliable bonding through the integrated design of the reinforcement elements that extend into the handle body.
2Ease of operation
If the tool carrier is made slim with limited cross section for oral cavity introduction, then the ergonomics and ease of use are improved, but the flexural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement structure is segmented into a truss-like framework consisting of multiple interconnected elements (longitudinal chords and transverse rods) rather than a solid mass. This segmentation allows the reinforcement to achieve high strength-to-weight ratio and high moment of inertia within a slim profile, providing the necessary flexural strength while maintaining a compact cross-section that can be easily introduced into the oral cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement elements are arranged in a three-dimensional truss configuration with longitudinal chords extending along the handle and transverse rods connecting them. This spatial arrangement distributes structural strength across multiple dimensions, achieving high flexural strength in a slim profile by utilizing the third dimension (depth) rather than increasing cross-sectional area in the plane of bending.
3Strength
If a rigid reinforcement structure is used to increase strength, then the strength against cleaning forces is improved, but the elasticity and ability to adapt to different cleaning positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement structure is designed with inherent flexibility through its truss configuration, allowing controlled bending and elastic deformation in response to cleaning forces. The longitudinal chords and transverse rods are arranged to provide structural support while permitting the handle to adapt its shape during use, enabling the brush head to reach different positions and angles in the oral cavity without compromising overall strength.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for dental and/or oral care, especially a tooth brush, comprising a preferably rod-shaped tool support to which a cleaning tool, especially a bristle field, can be fastened. The tool support is configured as a composite body that comprises an enveloping body from a first material, preferably plastic material, and a functional body from a second material, preferably metal, which is embedded in the enveloping body. The dental and/or oral care device is characterized in that the functional body is configured in at least some sections thereof as a trelliswork girder frame that has longitudinal girders substantially extending in the longitudinal direction of the tool support and a plurality of cross-girders. The enveloping body is especially transparent so that the functional body is visible through the enveloping body.