UV-C Sterilizing Toothbrush Housing with Retractable Bristles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable toothbrushes are prone to bacterial growth when wet, necessitating a device that effectively sterilizes both the toothbrush and other oral hygiene products.
Innovation Solution
A portable dental hygiene device featuring a housing with a chamber and ultraviolet light emitting diodes for sterilization, allowing the toothbrush to be reconfigured for storage and sanitization, with a detachable sanitizing device and ergonomic design for easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable toothbrush is kept wet for use, then brushing function is maintained, but bacterial growth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary sterilization action by exposing the toothbrush to UV-C light within the housing chamber before the user removes and uses the toothbrush. This preliminary sanitization prevents bacterial growth that would otherwise occur during storage, allowing the toothbrush to remain in a sanitized state without requiring constant drying or replacement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If UV sterilization is added to portable toothbrush, then hygiene is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the toothbrush handle and housing into a single integrated structure. The housing that contains the UV-C LED sterilization system also serves as the toothbrush handle during use. This merging eliminates the need for separate sterilization devices or additional components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining hygiene functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it acts as the toothbrush handle during brushing, provides a chamber for UV-C sterilization, and serves as storage for the toothbrush head. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving effective sterilization.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If toothbrush head is detachable for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The toothbrush system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The toothbrush head can be detached from the handle for sterilization in the chamber, and the handle can be used independently or reassembled. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the system to adapt between different states (assembled for brushing, disassembled for sterilization) without permanent modification, balancing sterilization effectiveness with ease of 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 device effectively sterilizes toothbrush bristles using UV light, enhancing hygiene and preventing bacterial growth, while also serving as a handle for conventional use.
Implementation Method 1
The sanitizing device includes a plurality of light emitting diodes configured to provide ultraviolet light within the chamber of the housing
Implementation Method 2
The sanitizing device includes a plurality of light emitting diodes configured to provide ultraviolet light within the chamber of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A dental hygiene device includes a housing, a toothbrush, and a sanitizing device. The housing includes a chamber therein. The housing defines a mouth and an opening. The housing includes a first width adjacent the mouth and a second width spaced apart from the mouth. The second width is larger than the first width. The toothbrush is detachably securable with the mouth of the housing. The toothbrush includes a head portion including bristles, and an engaging portion. The toothbrush is reconfigurable with the housing between a first configuration, in which, the bristles are external of the housing, and a second configuration, in which, the bristles are disposed within the chamber. The sanitizing device includes a plurality of light emitting diodes to provide ultraviolet light within the chamber of the housing.