Travel Toothbrush Rotating Handle Enclosure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing travel toothbrushes lack ergonomic design and ease of handling, with inadequate protection and storage solutions for the application unit during transport, leading to potential damage and contamination.

Innovation Solution

A travel toothbrush design featuring a handle unit composed of a lower and upper shell that rotates to form a storage space, completely enclosing the application unit in both stowed and application positions, providing enhanced ergonomics, protection, and user-friendly operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the application unit is completely enclosed in the handle unit during transport, then protection and safety are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of application unitVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The application unit is nested within the handle unit, with the lower shell forming a storage compartment that completely encloses the application unit during transport. This nesting arrangement provides comprehensive protection while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle unit is divided into a lower shell and an upper shell that can move relative to each other. The lower shell forms a storage compartment for the application unit, while the upper shell can open to access the application unit during use. This segmentation allows for both protection during transport and accessibility during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the upper shell can open to access the application unit, then ease of operation is improved, but stability during transport deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to application unitVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The upper shell is designed to be movable relative to the lower shell, allowing it to open for access to the application unit and close for protected storage. This dynamic design enables the structure to adapt between two stable states: open for operation and closed for transport, maintaining stability in each state while providing operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the handle unit is designed for one-handed use with specific grip geometry, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveone-handed handlingVSAvoiduser compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The handle unit features a specifically designed grip geometry with a rear end that fits comfortably in the palm of the hand and a front end that allows easy manipulation. The lower shell and upper shell are shaped to create an ergonomic grip area optimized for one-handed use, providing localized optimization for the most common usage scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3257398B1Oral hygiene agent
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 TRISA HLDG AG
  • EP3257398B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3257398B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3257398B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an oral hygiene product, in particular a travel oral hygiene product, especially a travel toothbrush, comprising at least one application unit (10) and at least one handle unit (12), which includes at least one lower shell (14) and at least one upper shell (16) movably mounted on the lower shell (14), which together define at least one storage compartment (18) for the application unit (10). It is proposed that the handle unit (12) completely encompasses at least one longitudinal axis (19) of the application unit (10) in at least one storage position and in at least one application position, at least partially.