Interchangeable Mouth Shield With Vented Custom Front Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mouthguards are expensive, unpleasant to wear, difficult to breathe through, and can be aesthetically displeasing, leading to reduced usage and increased risk of mouth injuries.
Innovation Solution
An interchangeable mouth shield design comprising a lip-anterior portion and a teeth tray that can be easily coupled and decoupled, allowing users to replace individual components, features customizable panels, and includes vents for easier breathing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional mouthguard is used to protect teeth and mouth area, then protection is provided, but the cost of replacement is high and aesthetic appearance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The mouthguard is divided into two separate components: a lip-anterior portion and a teeth tray. The lip-anterior portion includes a shield and panel that can be detached from the teeth tray through a coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows users to replace only the lip-anterior portion when damaged or worn, rather than replacing the entire mouthguard, thereby reducing replacement costs while maintaining protection.
2Reliability
If a traditional mouthguard is used to protect teeth and mouth area, then protection is provided, but the taste is unpleasant and breathing is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lip-anterior portion includes a panel with multiple vents positioned at specific locations to facilitate breathing. The panel can be customized with different vent configurations, shapes, and decorative features. This local quality approach allows the mouthguard to provide protection while enabling users to breathe easily through the vents, addressing the breathing difficulty issue.
3Reliability
If a traditional mouthguard is used to protect teeth and mouth area, then protection is provided, but the aesthetic appearance is poor causing embarrassment
Solution Approach 1:
The lip-anterior portion is designed as a separate, detachable component that can be customized independently from the functional teeth tray. The panel can feature various shapes, team logos, animal profiles, text, and decorative elements. Users can choose different styles and designs to match their preferences, reducing embarrassment and increasing willingness to wear the mouthguard while maintaining protection.
4Reliability
If a traditional mouthguard is used to protect teeth and mouth area, then protection is provided, but the unpleasant taste and thirst are frequent
Solution Approach 1:
The lip-anterior portion includes a panel with specific surface characteristics that can be designed to reduce unpleasant taste and thirst. The panel material and surface treatment can be optimized locally to improve comfort during wear, while the teeth tray provides the primary protection function. This localized quality enhancement addresses taste comfort without compromising protection.
Data Source
AI summary
The interchangeable mouth shields disclosed herein include a lip-anterior portion and teeth tray that can be releasably coupled together. The lip-anterior portion includes a panel positioned anterior to a lip shield. The panel can be customized to be different shapes and have decorative features. The interchangeable mouth shield includes a vent enabling a user to breathing through the interchangeable mouth shield during use. The teeth tray can be selectively flavored.