Electric Toothbrush Design Project

Electric Toothbrush Design Project

Team 4

Nikolai TravisJoshua CardenMegan SchmittRob Laventure

February 20, 2013

Sequence of Design Activities Research

› Conduct and review survey and external research (via Internet) results

› Determine the most important factors in reference to the consumer needs

Design Generation› Generate different designs that address each factor individually

› Decide upon the design for each factor that best meets the consumer need

Final Design› As a group, incorporate the chosen designs into a single concept

Project Management

Design structure Matrix

Initial Problem Statement Our objective is to improve upon

current designs of the electric toothbrush. We need to consider consumers’ wants and needs when considering the design. Our modifications must have a balance between cost, environmental footprint, and overall quality.

Customer Needs

A - WeightB - SizeC - NoiseD - CostE - Ease of Assembly

PCC

Evaluated A B C D E Total WeightA 1.00 0.33 3.00 0.11 1.00 5.44 0.11B 3.00 1.00 5.00 0.33 2.00 11.33 0.23C 0.33 0.20 1.00 0.11 0.33 1.97 0.04D 9.00 3.00 9.00 1.00 3.00 25.00 0.50E 1.00 0.50 3.00 0.33 1.00 5.83 0.12

49.57

Comparison Criteria Total

Evaluated A B C D E TotalA   -1 1 -1 1 0B 1   0 -1 0 0C -1 0   -1 -1 -3D 1 1 1   1 4E -1 0 1 -1   -1AH

P

Revised Problem Statement We were assigned with the task of developing a

new electric toothbrush to put into the market. We needed to create a product that would satisfy consumers in the best way possible. During our design process, we took many factors into consideration, such as: functionality, environmental impact, manufacturing costs, patents, and most importantly profit. We did research on current products in the electric toothbrush marked and improved upon them using various design methods. Our overall goal is to maximize consumer satisfaction and minimize cost.

External Search Activity

When asked about purchasing electric toothbrushes, consumers thought the most important factor is the cost of the toothbrush.

80% of consumers prefer a rechargeable battery component

Internal Toothpaste Dispenser

When the electric toothbrush is turned on it automatically pushes toothpaste through the head and out the center of the bristles

Tongue Cleaner Located on the back side

of the toothbrush

Concept Generation

Concept Generation

Thin Head 3 Rotating Heads

• All vibrating and rotatingsimultaneously

• Super thin

Concept Generation

Solar panels on the back, toward the bottom of the toothbrush

Slides Up to turn on, slides down to turn off

Solar Power Slide On/Off

Concept Generation

Designed in the shape of an upper case “J”

Curves on both sides of the toothbrush for a nice grip

J- Shaped Body Ribbed Body

Bristle Design Brush Head Design Body Design Power Generation

Power accessories

Full head/ 360 degree bristle

Plaque Scanner

Ribbed handle

Disposable batteries

Button on/off

Standard Soft

Super thin neck

Glove

Rechargeable battery

Slide Switch on/off

3-Sided bristle arrangement

Twist design

J-shape w/ suction cup

Solar power

Switch on/off

Toilet Cleaner arrangement

Tongue cleaners

“brass Knuckle”

Wind-up, twist to start

Pressure on/off

Dual Power/manual bristles

Toothpaste dispenser

Dual handed grip

Crank as you brush

Trigger on/off

Strong outer bristles/inner spongy material

Flexible neck

“the Darth Maul”

Corded toothbrush

3-rotating heads

Mirror on neck

Gun and trigger design

Water spray middle

Dental floss dispenser

Tiny Tim grip

Morphological ChartAll Designs

Pugh Chart for Power Generation

  Size Footprint

Cost Power Total Rank

Weighting

0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3    

Concepts            Iteration 1  

1 0 -1 -1 1 -0.3 22 0 -1 1 -1 -0.3 23         0 1Iteration 2  

1 0 -1 -1 1 -0.3 32         0 23 -1 1 -1 1 0.2 1

Iteration 3  

1         0 22 0 -1 1 -1 -0.3 33 -1 1 -1 1 0.2 1

1. Rechargeable battery2. Disposable battery3. Solar power

Final Design

Final Design Features Our toothbrush uses a DC rotor system which rotates the bristles

To reduce environmental footprint and for the convenience of the consumer, the battery is solar powered.

The body of the toothbrush is ribbed and has a “J” shape, allowing for better grip and giving the consumer the option of hanging the toothbrush on a hook.

Concluding Remarks The final design presented is an innovative and

unique approach as compared to the regular toothbrush.

Although the original cost of the design might be slightly higher than the average, over time its solar power generation will save the cost of batteries or electricity required to charge.

The solar power capability also reduces the ecological footprint of the product.

Works Cited Church, C. A. "Choosing a Motor Type

for Your Motion Control Rig." OpenMoCo. N.p., 27 May 2012. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.

"Commercial Solutions." KYOCERA Solar. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.