DESIGN PROJECT I: Electric ToothbrushKara Morgan, Valentine Asalu, Joe Gray,

Alex Morgan

OCTOBER 10, 2012

Concept Generation

• Customer Needs Assessment

• External Search1. Labs 1 & 22. Patent Search3. Product Archaeology4. Benchmarking

Concept Generation (cont.)

• Morphological Charts

• Pugh Charts

Project Management (collective)

• Customer Needs Assessment• Labs 1 & 2• Concept Generation• Concept Selection

Product Management (specialized)

Alex Product Archaeology

Pugh Charts

Kara Customer Needs

Morphological Charts

Valentine Product Benchmarking

Problem Statement

Joe Patent Search Solid Works Design

Hierarchical Customer Needs

Figure 1. AHP Pairwise Comparison Chart to Determine Weighting for Main Objective Categories

Figure 2. AHP Pairwise Comparison Chart to Determine Weighting of Quality Sub-

Objectives

Revised Problem Statement

After having assessed the niche “green” market, the design team has identified the key consumer demands to be included in the final concepts of the electric toothbrush redesign. Ultimately, we will employ these demands in order to produce a final product that is more sustainable with regards to both customer satisfaction and environmental conscientiousness. In particular, based on the assessment of the market demands, the project will proceed with particular emphasis on the aspect of quality, namely effectiveness, the category and sub-category of which were proven to be the most critical features according to the consumers surveyed.

Benchmarking/Patent Searches We based our searches on three criteria;

Cleaning, Packaging, Aesthetics. We researched different companies to see what patents and designs they already had on the market.

Benchmarking/Patent Searches: The Gillette Company

US 7, 636, 977 B2Jan. 26, 2010

US 3,220,543Nov. 30, 1965

Benchmarking/Patent Searches: Colgate-Palmolive Company

US D475,529 SJune 10, 2003

US D476, 157 SJun. 24, 2003

Benchmarking/Patent Searches: Phillips Company

US 6,463,615 B1Oct. 15, 2002

5, 836, 030Nov. 17, 1998

Brush Head Design Concepts

Human Factors Body Design

Human Factors Body Design

Power Generation and Power Accessories

Power Generation and Power Accessories

Energy Mechanism for Brush Head

Energy Mechanism for Brush Head

Concept 1: Has jet stream of water to wet the toothpaste. None of the bristles rotate

Concept 2: One of the bristles rotate in a circular motion while the other set of bristles move in a lateral motion.

Concept 3: The brush has toothpaste dispenser built into it.

Previous Concepts

Accepts energy Stores energy

Chemical (battery)

Electrical

Top-loaded battery compartment

Bottom-loaded battery compartment (with battery cap)

Flip-open central battery compartment

Rechargeable battery unit

Wall outlet

Power Generation and Power Supplies

Previous Concepts

Body thickness

Grip shape Grip location

Slim

Bulky

Smooth

Form-fitted

Front

Back

Side

Human Factors Body Design

On/off mechanism

Buttons Location

Switch

Button

One button

Two buttons

No buttons

Front

Back

Side

Previous Concepts

Brush head function Motion Rotation

Rotational

Linear

Rotational

Linear

Full rotation

Partial rotation

No rotation

Energy Mechanism for Brush Head (function)

Previous Concepts

Number of heads Shape combinations Orientation

One head

Two heads

Three heads

Circular

Rectangular

Circular and non-circular

Circular and circular

Circular and two rectangular

Two circular and one rectangular

Three circular

Angled

Linear

Brush Head Design

Concept Selection4 Factors

- environmentally friendly

- quality

- cost

- comfort

Body Design Pugh Chart

Results

Body Grip Grip Location

# of Buttons Button Location

Concept 4 Slim Form Fitted Front 2 Front

Energy Mechanism Brush Head Pugh Chart

Results

Movement Defined Movement

Concept 1 Rotational Full Rotational

Power Generation Pugh Chart

Results

Type Type Detail

Concept 4 Electrical Wall Outlet

Brush Head Design Pugh Chart

Results

# of heads Head Type Angled?

Concept 2 2 Circular & non-circular

Yes

Final DesignPower Generation• Electrical source

(wall outlet)

Power Accessories• Charging station

Energy Mechanism for Brush Head

• One fully rotational head

• One linear head

Brush Head Design• 2 Heads

• One round, one rectangular

• Slightly angled for effectiveness

Human Factors Body Design

• Slim body

• Form fitted

• Front grip (frontal grooves)

• Two buttons on front

Final Design(excluding bristles)

Final Design1. Angled toothbrush heads

2. Circular fully rotational head

3. Rectangular linear head

4. On button

5. Off button

6. Form fitted grips

7. Rechargeable location

Final Design MultiView

Final Design Dimensions

Top View

Side ViewFront View

How Does it Work?Our finalized product is designed to eliminate the

complications associated with electric toothbrushes.

• Activation begins after pressing the on button, and activity concludes either after 2 minutes or after the off button is pressed.

• Simultaneously, the brush heads work together in order to eliminate plaque from teeth.

-One rotational and one linear moving head will ensure that tooth cavities will be penetrated and a necessary surface area can be covered.

-They are also set at a slight angle to increase penetration

• Power is generated from electrical power source.

-Toothbrush charges while sitting upright in a charging station.

Final remarks

• Does final product address customer needs?o Comforto Environmentally soundo Convenienceo Quality

Durable replacement parts Mechanically durable Lasting charge life Effectiveness