UV Toothbrush Sterilizing Assembly for Wet Brush Head Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toothbrushes are prone to bacterial growth on the brush head due to moisture, which affects oral health, and there is a need to prevent dust and bacteria from contaminating the brush head.
Innovation Solution
A toothbrush sterilizing assembly comprising a sterilizing shell, cover, sterilizing element, control module, and power supply module, which forms a sealed space for the brush head and uses ultraviolet rays to sterilize it, preventing dust and bacterial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is mounted on the brush head to prevent dust from falling, then dust protection is improved, but bacterial growth prevention is not achieved because the brush head remains wet
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the protective function into two separate components: a physical cover that prevents dust contamination and a sterilization module that eliminates bacteria. This segmentation allows each component to address its specific function effectively without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization module acts as an intermediary that processes the brush head between uses. By introducing this intermediate sterilization step, the system ensures that even though the brush head remains wet during use, bacteria are eliminated in the interval between brushings.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the brush head is kept covered to prevent contamination, then hygiene is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization module serves multiple functions: it sterilizes the brush head, dries it through air circulation, and can be integrated with the toothbrush handle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying the overall structure despite the added protective capabilities.
3Reliability
If a sterilization function is added to prevent bacterial growth, then oral health protection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization module operates periodically between toothbrushing sessions rather than continuously. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous sterilization, while still maintaining effective bacterial prevention for the next use.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization module is designed to be automatically activated when the brush head is placed in the handle, eliminating the need for user intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures consistent sterilization without requiring users to remember or manually initiate the process, while the system manages energy usage efficiently.
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 assembly effectively prevents dust and bacterial contamination, ensuring oral health by sterilizing the brush head and maintaining hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
uses ultraviolet rays to sterilize it
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a toothbrush sterilizing assembly and an electric toothbrush. The toothbrush sterilizing assembly includes a sterilizing shell, a sterilizing cover, a sterilizing element, a control module and a power supply module. The sterilizing shell has a cylindrical shape and is sleeved outside an electric toothbrush. The sterilizing cover is detachably connected to one end of the sterilizing shell and is capable of covering the one end of the sterilizing shell. The sterilizing element is disposed on an inner wall of the one end of the sterilizing shell. The control module is connected to the sterilizing element and configured to control the sterilizing element to start to sterilize a brush head of the electric toothbrush. The power supply module is electrically connected to the control module.