Transverse Drive Toothbrush Resonator Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power toothbrush resonator assemblies are structurally complex, requiring precise and costly manufacturing processes, and are prone to defects due to brazing connections, which affects their reliability and performance.
Innovation Solution
A resonator assembly featuring an elongated metal rod with a back assembly and a urethane mounting member that allows for easy and cost-effective manufacturing, eliminating the need for brazing connections, and enabling precise control over resonant frequency and amplitude through adjustable mounting member durometer and position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional resonator assemblies with multiple parts and brazing connections are used, then the toothbrush can achieve resonant frequency operation, but the manufacturing cost increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (mounting shaft, mounting element, brushhead holder) into a single integrated resonator assembly. The resonator assembly includes an elongated resonator element with a mounting shaft that directly supports the brushhead holder, eliminating the need for separate brazing connections and reducing the number of parts. This integration maintains resonant frequency operation while simplifying the structure and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the brazing connections from the resonator assembly design. By using a single-piece construction or reduced-component design, the problematic brazing joints are removed entirely, preventing the defects and breakage that occur in traditional multi-part assemblies while maintaining the necessary resonant frequency operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional resonator assemblies with substantial precision manufacturing are used, then the toothbrush can achieve resonant frequency operation, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple precision-manufactured parts into a single resonator assembly that can be manufactured as one piece or with fewer joints. This integration reduces the cumulative tolerance stacking and complexity of manufacturing multiple components with tight tolerances, while still achieving the necessary resonant frequency precision through optimized geometry of the integrated structure.
3Reliability
If multiple individual parts are used in the resonator assembly, then the toothbrush can achieve resonant frequency operation, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual parts (mounting shaft, mounting element, brushhead holder) into a single integrated resonator assembly. This consolidation eliminates the need for complex assembly processes and multiple connection points, making manufacturing simpler and more reliable while maintaining the necessary resonant frequency operation.
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 simplifies the manufacturing process, enhances reliability, and maintains performance by allowing for precise control over resonant frequency and amplitude, reducing the risk of breakage and improving cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a resonator structure for a transverse drive power toothbrush... Many power toothbrushes which operate at or near a resonant frequency associated with the toothbrush structure... the driven member moves about the mount member at a selected frequency
Data Source
AI summary
The resonator assembly for a power toothbrush includes an elongated solid rod made from stainless steel, having a back assembly which includes permanent magnets which interact with an electromagnet in a drive system in the handle of the toothbrush to produce a transverse motion of the rod. A mount member is connected to the rod at a selected point along its length, and is mounted to a toothbrush housing so that the rod resonates about the mount member at a selected frequency.