Vibrating Toothbrush with Pulsed Motor and UV Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibrating toothbrushes face issues such as potential harm from strong rotational force, limited cleaning effectiveness, high power consumption, lack of guidance for optimal brushing time, and unsanitary conditions due to inadequate sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A vibrating toothbrush with a vibration generator, light source, and controller that provides pulsating power and multisensory alarms to guide region changes, combined with a block cap for UV sterilization, reducing power consumption and enhancing cleaning efficiency and sanitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a rotational force is too strong in existing vibrating toothbrushes, then the motor can drive the bristles effectively, but it may hurt teeth or gums
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling the motor to operate in pulsating cycles rather than continuous rotation. The controller alternates between driving and stopping the motor at preset cycles, creating periodic vibration movements of the bristles. This reduces the average rotational force applied to teeth and gums while maintaining effective cleaning during active phases, thereby resolving the contradiction between sufficient driving power and preventing tissue damage.
2Ease of operation
If existing vibrating toothbrushes rotate bristles in a predetermined direction, then the motor operation is simple, but there is a limitation in cleaning the teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to alternate the motor's rotational direction through timed on-off cycles. By controlling the motor to rotate forward for a preset period, stop, then rotate backward for a preset period, the bristles achieve multi-directional cleaning coverage. This periodic bidirectional rotation maintains simple motor operation while significantly improving cleaning effectiveness by accessing different tooth surfaces.
3Productivity
If a motor keeps operating during toothbrushing, then continuous cleaning action is provided, but power consumption is considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the motor to operate in intermittent pulses rather than continuously. The controller activates the motor for predetermined time intervals, then deactivates it for equal or proportional intervals. This periodic operation maintains effective cleaning during active phases while reducing average power consumption by eliminating energy use during idle intervals, directly resolving the contradiction between continuous cleaning and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning the motor from static continuous operation to dynamic pulsed operation. The system adapts its operational state between active and inactive phases based on preset timing cycles, creating a dynamic cleaning pattern that delivers intensive cleaning when needed while conserving energy during transitions. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by making the cleaning action adaptable rather than fixed.
4Reliability
If driving power is supplied continuously to the motor, then the motor operates smoothly, but initial driving currents reduce battery usage time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to supply driving power in pulsed intervals rather than continuously. The controller activates the motor for predetermined periods, then cuts power for equal intervals. This periodic power supply reduces the cumulative current draw and eliminates repeated high initial driving currents that occur with continuous operation, thereby extending battery usage time while maintaining reliable motor operation during active phases.
5Ease of operation
If existing electric toothbrushes are not sterilized after toothbrushing, then the device remains ready for use, but germs may thrive in the toothbrush
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by integrating sterilization as a continuous or post-use function. After the toothbrushing cycle completes, the system automatically initiates a sterilization phase where UV lighting or heat treatment is applied to the bristle area. This continuous action ensures that between uses, the toothbrush undergoes sterilization to prevent germ proliferation, while the design allows quick transition back to ready-for-use state, resolving the contradiction between sanitation and operational readiness.
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 solution enables effective toothbrushing with reduced power consumption, improved cleaning coverage, and enhanced user guidance, while maintaining sanitation through pulsating power and multisensory alerts, and UV sterilization, extending battery life and ensuring better oral hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration generator embedded in the body and configured to generate a vibrating force
Implementation Method 2
a light source unit embedded in an end portion on one side of the body and configured to generate light; a shaft detachably fixed to the end portion on one side of the body configured to guide and emit the generated light
Implementation Method 3
a UV lamp provided on one side end of the block cap and configured to sterilize a portion around the bristles upon the fitting of the block cap to the body
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a vibrating toothbrush, and more particularly to a vibrating toothbrush enabled to perform toothbrushing for a running time, periodically output an alarm signal in a multisensory way to guide change of a region subject to toothbrushing, and supply driving power in the form of pulses according to a period, thereby reducing power consumption and rapid driving stress of a motor.