Touch-Sensitive Toothbrush Body with Variable Bristle Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral healthcare devices, such as electronic toothbrushes and inter-dental cleaning devices, require users to manually depress a small on/off button, which is prone to collecting debris and difficult to operate without direct visual access, especially during use.
Innovation Solution
An oral cleaning apparatus with a touch-sensitive body that uses force-sensitive sensors to detect user input, allowing for the selection of functions and control of bristle extension via an electro-active polymer actuator, enabling intuitive operation without visual contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a small on/off button is used to activate oral healthcare devices, then the device can be activated, but the button is prone to collect debris and is difficult to find during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional on/off button from the device surface and extracts its function into a tactile feedback mechanism integrated into the grip area. The grip portion itself becomes the activation interface, eliminating the separate button component that accumulates debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation function is merged with the grip portion of the device. The tactile feedback mechanism is integrated into the grip structure, combining the holding function and activation function into a single unified interface that is both ergonomic and hygienic.
2Ease of operation
If a small on/off button is used to activate oral healthcare devices, then the device can be activated, but it is difficult to operate without direct visual access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual-mechanical button interface with a tactile-mechanical interface. The activation mechanism responds to the natural gripping force applied by the user, eliminating the need for visual detection of a separate button during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip portion serves itself by providing tactile feedback that indicates its own state and function. The mechanism automatically responds to the user's natural gripping action without requiring visual confirmation or additional操作步骤.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bristle extension mechanisms are used, then bristle adjustment is possible, but the mechanism is complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state or properties of the bristle extension mechanism by using a material or mechanism that responds to electrical or magnetic fields, allowing extension adjustment through parameter changes rather than mechanical component assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The same actuator or control mechanism that provides tactile feedback for activation is also used to control bristle extension, making it multi-functional and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
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 users to easily select and activate different cleaning functions and adjust bristle stiffness based on applied force, improving usability and hygiene by eliminating the need for a visible button and reducing debris accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-active polymer actuator, where the second group of bristles is coupled to a carrier situated within the cavity of the oral cleaning tool... The EAP extends the second group of bristles relative to the first group of bristles in response to application to the actuator of a voltage which is equal to or greater than a threshold voltage
Implementation Method 2
at least one touch-sensitive (TS) sensor mounted upon the body portion and which outputs a sensor value indicative of a force applied thereto; a controller configured to compare the sensor value with a threshold value
Data Source
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AI summary
An oral cavity apparatus includes a body portion (802) having first and second ends (820, 822) and a grip portion situated between the first and second ends;an oral cleaning tool (808) coupled to the first end and including a toothbrush head (814) having a first and second groups of bristles (850, 852) of different firmness. The second group of bristles has an adjustable extension. An actuator (862) is coupled to the second group of bristle (852) and is configured to control an extension of the second group of bristles (852) relative to the first group of bristles (850). At least one touch-sensitive (TS) sensor (104, 106) is mounted upon the body portion and outputs a sensor value indicative of a force applied thereto. In addition, a controller (807) may be configured to compare the sensor value with a threshold value and actuate the actuator (862) to extend the second group of bristles relative to the first group of bristles based upon the results of the determination.