U-Shaped Toothbrush With Rotating Members and Fluid Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toothbrushes often fail to effectively clean both upper and lower teeth simultaneously and lack efficient mechanisms for delivering toothpaste or water to all areas of the mouth.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush design featuring U-shaped members with bristles on multiple sections that can rotate and be integrated with a handle, including channels for toothpaste or water delivery, and a pumping device for automated dispensing, allowing for simultaneous brushing of upper and lower teeth and improved hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional toothbrush design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot effectively clean both upper and lower teeth simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush is divided into multiple independent U-shaped members, each capable of cleaning different areas of the teeth. Each U-shaped member has bristles on multiple sections (first, second, and third sections) that can independently contact upper and lower teeth, enabling simultaneous cleaning of multiple tooth surfaces without requiring a single complex brush head.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single linear brush head to a three-dimensional U-shaped structure with bristles extending from multiple sections. This spatial arrangement allows the brush to engage with both upper and lower teeth simultaneously by positioning bristles from different sections at different vertical levels, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the cleaning action.
2Productivity
If manual toothpaste application is used, then the device is simple, but toothpaste or water cannot be efficiently delivered to all areas of the mouth
Solution Approach 1:
A pumping device is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the toothpaste reservoir and the brush areas. This pump actively delivers toothpaste or water through channels to multiple U-shaped members, ensuring efficient distribution to all cleaning areas without requiring manual application, thereby improving delivery efficiency while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid delivery system is designed to serve multiple functions: it can deliver both toothpaste and water through the same channel network to multiple brush areas simultaneously. The pumping device and channel system are configured to distribute fluid to all U-shaped members, creating a universal delivery mechanism that handles different substances and reaches multiple cleaning zones.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed brush head is used, then the structure is stable, but it cannot adapt to different brushing positions and angles
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped members are designed with rotatable mounting on the handle, transforming the fixed brush head into a dynamic structure. Each U-shaped member can rotate independently to adapt to different brushing positions and angles while maintaining stable contact with the teeth. This dynamic capability allows the brush to reach various oral surfaces without compromising the structural integrity of the overall device.
Data Source
AI summary
A toothbrush apparatus including a handle, and attached first and second U-shaped members, each having first and second sections which are substantially parallel to each other and a third section which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second sections of the respective U-shaped member, which connects the first and second sections of the respective U-shaped member together. The second U-shaped member is attached to the handle, so that the U-shape of the first U-shaped member faces in a substantially opposite direction from the U-shape of the second U-shaped member; and wherein a plurality of toothbrush bristles project from each of the first, second, and third sections of the first and second U-shaped members. One or more channels may be located in the handle, permitting a liquid to flow through at least part of the handle and into an area enclosed by the sections of the respective U-shaped members.