Group 7’s Toothbrush Kenny Myers Abdullah Al Bassam Ryan Burke Ian Fitzsimmons
Outline Assembly Prototype TestingProduct finalization Concept Generation Detailed DesignsMaterial Selection Research Literature and PatentCustomer Inquires
0.1 Begin Project 1.1 Interview users to establish requirements 1.2 Literature Search 1.3 Patent Searches 1.4 Revise Problem Statement 2.1 Project dissection and benchmarking 2.2 Internal work for concept generation 2.3 Generate concepts 2.4 Select promising concept(s) 3.1 Detailed Design 3.2 Material selection/availability 3.3 Technical Drawings 4.1 Purchase materials and off the shelf components 4.2 Assemble Prototype 5.1 Develop testing protocol 5.2 Perform tests 6.1 Preparation of first progress report 6.2 Solid Modeling 6.3 Preparation of final report 6.4 Preparation of final presentation (Poster) 7.0 End Project X1.1 X 1.2 XX1.3 X1.4 X2.1 X2.2 X2.3 X2.4 X3.1XX X3.2X XX3.3 X X 5.1 X5.2 X 6.1 X X6.2 X X6.3 X
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 X0x0x0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0 X1 X1X1X1X1 x2 X2 X2X2X2X2X2X2X2X2X2X2 X3X3X3X3X3X3X3X3X3X3 X2X2 X2X2X2X2 X1X1 X1X1X1X1 X2X2 X2X2X2X2 X1X1 X1X1X1X1 X3X3 X3X3X3 X3 X3X3 X1 X1 X2X2 X2X2X2 X1X1X1 X1X1X1X1X1 X1X1X1 X4 X6X6 X5X5X5X5X5X5X5X5X5X5 X3X3X3X3X3X3X3X3X3X3 X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0 TOTAL FLOAT TasksD1D2D3 0.1 Begin Project Interview users to establish requirements Literature Search Patent Searches Revise Problem Statement Project dissection and benchmarking Internal work for concept generation Generate concepts Select promising concept(s) Detailed Design Material selection/availability Technical Drawings Purchase materials and off the shelf components Assemble Prototype Develop testing protocol Perform tests Preparation of first progress report Solid Modeling Preparation of final report Preparation of final presentation (Poster) End Project3500
Hierarchal customer needs Portable – Lightweight – Wireless – Recharge station User Friendly – Good grip – Left/right handed – Quiet – Aesthetically pleasing Sustainability – Low output – Rechargeable – Durable – Strong bristles – Energy return Cost effective – Low-cost materials – Use as little as possible – Keep toothbrush small but usable – Replaceable brush heads Safe – Sealed off electric compartment – Bristles are strong but not too stiff – Environmentally friendly Revised problem statement After some thought, our team has decided upon using a more energy efficient approach to our toothbrush. Although it seems to be lesser in importance to other factors such as portability or safety, it is a large issue within today’s society. In reference to the factors considered more important by the consumer, they have already been considered. Other companies have created very portable, user friendly, safe toothbrushes for the general population. Using the ideas created by other firms, we can focus much of our attention to the creation of a more efficient toothbrush. Ideas to be considered are those involving rechargeable batteries (for the main point is to avoid the use of disposable batteries), a non- bulky/non-cumbersome device, and possible ways to conserve the rechargeable battery.
External Search Activities Patent/Archaeology ART ChartBrushDetachable HeadHandle DesignElectrical BristlesUS Neck US Grip US Motor US Rechargeable Battery US Benchmarking PatentDateImprovement US June 11, 1996 Circular electric toothbrush with a DC motor to oscillate the brush head EP A1May 11, 2011 head having bristle tufts implanted therein. At least two of the tufts cross so as to permit at least some the bristles to intermingle. EP B1Nov 14, 2012 a packaged electric toothbrush including a body portion for containing a battery operated motor drivingly connected or connectable to a brush head holder including at least one brush head, wherein the toothbrush includes a "try me" facility for remotely testing the operation of the toothbrush EP A1May 28, 2003A rechargeable electric toothbrush to recede within a charger US A1 Apr 3, 2012 The center bristle tuft has a first shaped cross section and the outer bristle tufts have a second shaped cross section. The first shaped cross section is different from the second shaped cross section. Applying a force to the center bristle tuft and/or the outer bristle tufts causes the center bristle tuft and/or the outer bristle tufts to deflect into the resilient cushion member US00D50027SDec 28, 2004The ornamental design for an electric toothbrush handle. EP A2Oct 20, 2010 A toothbrush head comprises a bristle holder having an attachment section attached to a hand piece, and drive coupling the bristle holder to a drive arranged on a hand piece EP A1Nov 13, 2002An electric toothbrush comprising an elongated body portion and a head including a static portion and a moving portion, a handle, and an angled shaft between the head and the handle. The portion of the toothbrush containing the head is detachably connected to the portion of the toothbrush containing the handle. ToothbrushRank out of 5 (# of reviewers) Oral-B Professional Healthy Clean + Floss Action Precision (303) Philips Sonicare HX6972 FlexCare Plus 4.3 ( 779) Cybersonic 31 (1) Orawave “Pink Ribbon” 2- Minute TwinSpin 4.7 (7) Philips Sonicare HealthyWhite (433) Oral-B Professional Healthy Clean Precision (551) Philips Sonicare Essence (5) Philips Sonicare DiamondClean 4.4 (241)
Generated Concepts – Energy Mechanisms for Brush Head Concept 1 – Oscillating brush head rather than complete rotations Concept 2 – Magnetic generator core to increase charge time Concept 3 – Oscillating bristles for added efficiency
Generated Concepts – Energy Mechanisms for Brush Head Concept 4 – Different brushing modes – Clean, Whiten, Gum Care, Sensitive Teeth, Polish, etc Concept 5 – Multi-coloured bristles that reflect signs of exhaustion/time to change brush heads
Generated Concepts – Power Generation and Power Accessories Concept 1 – Slow ramping up strength over a number of sessions to ease electric toothbrush’s induction Concept 5 – Auto-off mechanism after a specific period of time (More than 3 minutes) Concept 6 – Timers Overall 2 minute Specific 30 seconds
Generated Concepts – Brush Head Design
Generated Concepts – Human Factors Body Design
Energy Mechanisms For Brush Head portableuser-friendlysustainabilitycost-effectivesafeTotalRank weighting Concepts Iteration Iteration Iteration Concept 1: Oscilating Brushhead Concept 2: Magnetic Core Concept 3: Oscillating Bristles
Power Generation and Power Accessories portableuser-friendlysustainabilitycost-effectivesafeTotalRank weighting Concepts Iteration Iteration Iteration Concept 1: Cylindrical Lithium Battery Concept 2: Wall Charge Port Concept 3: Timers
Brush Head Design portableuser-friendlysustainabilitycost-effectivesafeTotalRank weighting Concepts Iteration Iteration Iteration Concept 1: Floss Head Concept 2: Different Size Heads Concept 3: Different Quality heads
Human Factors Body Design portableuse-friendlysustainabilitycost-effectivesafeTotalRank weighting Concepts Iteration Iteration Iteration Concept 1: Formation to Hand Concept 2: Grip Pad Concept 3: Floss attachment
Final Drawings
How it Works Magnetic core is energy efficient and increases charge time Timer – User friendly – shows user exactly how long to brush – Efficient – discourages over-use Various heads – User friendly – allows consumers to easily brush however they like Body is fully contoured to hand to increase user-friendliness
Manufactured for the Consumer The brush allows the user to interchange heads for a better brushing experience and the handle of the body makes for an easier grip. Also shows user how long to brush for Magnetic core is cost-effective and energy efficient