ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH DESIGN PROJECT Team 15: Mike Roemer John Shrefler Troy McCrum 10/7/2011

Project Outline Customer Needs Assessment and Revised Problem Statement Focus group opinions and individual interviews Organized hierarchy created with weighting (AHP) External Searching Patent search, benchmarking, and literature review Product Dissection Bill of materials, component separation Concept Generation Sketches, morphological chart Concept Selection Pugh charts Final Design

Project Management Customer Needs: Mike Roemer & Troy McCrum Benchmarking: John Shrefler Literature Review and Patent Search: Troy McCrum Bill of Materials: Mike Roemer Morphological and Pugh Charts: Mike Roemer Sketches: John Shrefler & Mike Roemer SolidWorks Models: John Shrefler

Customer Needs Chart 1. Portable 1.1 Light 1.2 Rechargeable F.1 Plug-in Dock C.1 No more than 6 -8 inches in length 2. User friendly 2.1 Durable F.2 Removable brush heads F.3 Rubberized Grip 2.2 Easy to use 2.3 Quiet 2.4 Safe F.4 Waterproof F.5 Small parts secured 2.5 Powerful F.6 Up to date brushing technology 2.6 Stylish 3. Flexible 3.1 Works for all ages 3.2 Fits all mouths 4. Durable 4.1 Easy Maintenance 4.2 Relatively maintenance free C.2 Retails under $20.00 Hierarchal Customer Needs List Obtained from Focus Group and Individual Interviews

External Search Activities Literature Review Patent Search Benchmarking Product Dissection Design Target FUNCTION ART Highly-Efficient Motor Same button turns toothbrush off and on Built into body Two separate brushes on head Recharges inside body of the toothbrush Low noiseUS On/off Button US Battery usability light US Dual toothbrush US Rechargeable battery US

Brush Head Concepts Top: standard bristle formation Bottom: Curved bristle formation Both: Rubber Drive Shaft Cover

Brush Head Concepts Large, rotating brush head Angled Bristles Dual-Rotation

Body Concepts On/off switch in one button Thicker body for better grip “Battery is low” light

Body Concepts Hook on back for hanging Longer Neck

Energy Mechanism Concepts Rotating Drive Shaft Vibration-Based Rubber coating on drive shaft to reduce noise

Power Generation Concepts Removable Battery Rechargeable Battery Built in (Plug in at bottom) Rechargeable Battery Built in (USB Plug-in)

Power Generation Concepts Rechargeable Battery Dock Rechargeable “Quick-swap” Packs (One sits in dock while other is used)

Morphological Chart Brush HeadBody / GripPower GenerationEnergy Mechanism Concept 1 standard bristle placement single on/off button on face of grip replaceable AA battery thin drive shaft that connects to rotating brush head to turn bristles Concept degree-rotation headthick body for better grip built-in rechargeable battery that plugs in at bottom thicker drive shaft that delivers large vibrations Concept 3 large, rotating brush head"low battery" lightUSB capable rechargeable battery rubber-coated drive shaft to reduce noise Concept 4 vibration-powered angled bristles hanging hooks that snap on the back docking station for chargingnone Concept 5 2 small, rotating brush heads longer neck for more brushing leverage rechargeable "quick-swap" packs for charging none

Concept Selection: Pugh Charts Brush Head Concepts Durable (.2)Quiet (.42)Powerful (.12)TotalRank Standard bristle placement degree rotation Large, circular brush head Vibration-powered only small circular heads

Concept Selection: Pugh Charts Body & Grip Concepts Durable (.2)Ease of Use (.2)Weight (.35)TotalRank “low battery” and single on/off button Thicker body Hanging hooks Longer neck

Concept Selection: Pugh Charts Power Generation Concepts Safe (.06)Weight (.35)Ease of Use (.2)TotalRank Replaceable AA battery Built-in rechargeable battery that plugs directly into wall USB-rechargeable battery Charge dock “quick-swap” packs

Concept Selection: Pugh Charts Energy Mechanism Concepts Durable (.2)Quiet (.42)Powerful (.12)TotalRank Thin drive shaft for less noise Thicker drive shaft for more vibration Rubber-coated drive shaft to reduce noise

Concept Selection: Pugh Charts Final Concepts Portable (.29) User Friendly (.61) Flexible (.1)Durable (.2)TotalRank Roemer (single AA battery, rotating head) Shrefler (rechargable battery, rotating head) Mccrum (built-in rechargable battery, oscillating head)

Final Design Single on/off function “Battery is Low” Light Rechargeable battery with small charging dock Rubber coating on drive shaft to reduce noise

Final Design (Drawings)

How It Works When toothbrush is turned on, the DC motor starts running. Power generated from the motor is converted by the driveshaft into a spinning brushing motion that is used to clean teeth. Rubber drive shaft cover eliminates clacking from the vibrations in the brush When battery life decreases to a certain point, battery light turns on, warning consumer that the brush is close to dying.

Closing Remarks We believe that our redesigned product has successfully addressed customer needs at a good cost. “Low Battery” light, a single on/off button, and the drive shaft cover were all accomplished objectives from our revised problem statement Overall, our product is an effective electric toothbrush that is reasonably priced, convenient to consumers and travel- friendly.