Toothbrush Vibration Motor Mounting for Directional Energy Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric toothbrush designs suffer from loud noise, poor user experience due to strong oscillations in the handle, and reduced cleaning performance due to uncontrolled vibration energy transmission, leading to high power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The electric toothbrush features a vibration motor housed within a carrying case located at specific positions within the handle, transmitting vibrations primarily to the brush head while minimizing energy transfer to the handle, using a solid shaft and dampening portion to focus vibrations, and powered by electronic circuitry and a battery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vibration motor transmits vibration energy in various transmission directions, then the toothbrush head can be vibrated, but loud noise and poor user experience occur due to strong oscillations transferred to the handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidnoise and handle oscillations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates the harmful vibration transmissions by positioning the vibration motor and its carrying case at specific locations within the handle. The motor is mounted such that vibration energy is directed primarily toward the brush head while minimizing transmission to the handle body, effectively separating useful vibration from harmful oscillations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrying case serves as an intermediary structure between the vibration motor and the handle. It is positioned and oriented to mediate the transmission of vibration energy, allowing controlled transmission toward the brush head while blocking or redirecting vibrations away from the handle, thus reducing noise and discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the vibration motor transmits vibration energy in various transmission directions, then the toothbrush head can be vibrated, but cleaning performance is reduced since vibration energy is distributed to unwanted parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidvibration energy distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the vibration motor and carrying case to create directional vibration transmission. The motor orientation and carrying case geometry are designed so that vibration energy is concentrated locally at the brush head where it is needed for cleaning, rather than being distributed uniformly throughout the entire toothbrush structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Power

If the vibration motor transmits vibration energy in various transmission directions, then the toothbrush head can be vibrated, but high power consumption is required due to loss of vibration energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration energyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts what would normally be wasted vibration energy (harmful transmission to the handle) into a beneficial directional transmission pattern. By strategically positioning the motor and carrying case, the design channels vibration energy that would otherwise be lost into useful vibrations at the brush head, improving energy utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 enhances cleaning performance by concentrating vibration energy on the brush head, reduces noise and user discomfort, and decreases power consumption by optimizing vibration transmission.

Implementation Method 1

The electric motor is configured to generate vibration energy that vibrates the brush head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10166092B2Toothbrush with a controlled transmission direction of vibration

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 FOREO INC

AI summary

A toothbrush device includes one electric motor that provides the toothbrush with various frequencies of pulsations that are transmitted in a controlled fashion. The toothbrush device has a brush head with bristle touch-points, a handle, and a carrying case that extends from the head to the handle and holds the electric motor (e.g., a vibration motor). The electric motor generates vibration energy that travels through a shaft of the carrying case to the brush head in generally a single direction to vibrate the brush head. For example, the carrying case of the electric motor contacts the handle at a contact point, which is approximately at the center of the carrying case such that the majority of the vibrations generated by the electric motor are transmitted toward the brush head, while the vibrations towards other directions are minimized.