Touch-Sensitive Toothbrush Grip for Button-Free Mode Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral healthcare devices, such as electronic toothbrushes and inter-dental cleaning devices, require users to manually activate functions using small buttons that are prone to debris accumulation and difficult to operate without direct visual access.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive oral cavity apparatus with a body portion featuring force-sensitive sensors that allow users to select functions by applying pressure, which is detected and translated into sensor values to control the device's actuators, 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 button from the device surface and replaces it with a touch-sensitive sensor integrated into the grip portion. This extraction eliminates the physical button that collects debris while maintaining the activation function through contactless pressure sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical button system with an electronic touch-sensitive sensor system. The sensor detects pressure applied to the grip portion and translates it into activation signals, eliminating the need for mechanical button components that are prone to debris accumulation.
2Ease 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 difficult to find during use when the user is not looking directly at the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the activation function with the grip portion itself. The touch-sensitive sensor is integrated into the handle, so the entire grip area becomes the activation zone. This eliminates the need for a separate, visible button and allows activation through natural gripping motion without visual attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The device activates itself through the natural action of gripping. The touch-sensitive sensor detects the pressure applied when the user holds the device, and automatically triggers activation without requiring the user to locate and press a separate button. The grip action serves dual purposes: holding the device and activating it.
3Ease of operation
If touch-sensitive sensors are integrated into the grip portion, then the device becomes easier to operate without visual contact, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch-sensitive sensor serves multiple functions: it detects grip pressure for activation, potentially measures pressure magnitude for different operating modes, and provides haptic feedback capability. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating several control functions into a single integrated component.
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 allows for seamless and hygienic operation of oral healthcare devices by enabling users to select functions through pressure application on a touch-sensitive grip, improving usability and reducing the risk of debris accumulation on activation buttons.
Implementation Method 1
the TS sensor may comprise a force-sensitive resistor which outputs a value of resistance, and may include a plurality of polymer layers which are laminated upon each other
Data Source
AI summary
An oral cavity apparatus includes a body portion having first and second ends and a grip portion; an oral tool coupled to the first end of the body portion; and a touch-sensitive (TS) sensor which is located on the body portion and outputs a sensor value indicative of a force applied thereto by a user. In addition, a controller is configured to compare the sensor value with at least one threshold value, and to actuate the oral tool based upon the results of the comparison.