DESIGN PROJECT
I: Electric
Toothbrush
Kara Morgan, Valentine Asalu, Joe Gray,
Alex Miller
OCTOBER 10, 2012
Concept Generation
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Customer Needs Assessment
External Search
Labs 1 & 2
Patent Search
Product Archaeology
Benchmarking
Concept Generation
(cont.)
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•
Morphological Charts
Pugh Charts
Project Management
(collective)
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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 SubObjectives
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 subcategory 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 B2
Jan. 26, 2010
US 3,220,543
Nov. 30, 1965
Benchmarking/Patent Searches:
Colgate-Palmolive Company
US D476, 157 S
Jun. 24, 2003
US D475,529 S
June 10, 2003
Benchmarking/Patent Searches:
Phillips Company
US 6,463,615 B1
Oct. 15, 2002
5, 836, 030
Nov. 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
Power Generation and Power Supplies
Accepts energy
Stores energy
Chemical (battery)
Top-loaded battery compartment
Bottom-loaded battery compartment (with
battery cap)
Flip-open central battery compartment
Electrical
Rechargeable battery unit
Wall outlet
Previous Concepts
Human Factors Body Design
Body
thickness
Grip shape
Grip location
On/off
mechanism
Buttons
Location
Slim
Smooth
Front
Switch
One button
Front
Bulky
Form-fitted
Back
Button
Two buttons
Back
No buttons
Side
Side
Previous Concepts
Energy Mechanism for Brush Head (function)
Brush head function
Motion
Rotation
Rotational
Rotational
Full rotation
Linear
Linear
Partial rotation
No rotation
Previous Concepts
Brush Head Design
Number of heads
Shape combinations
Orientation
One head
Circular
Angled
Two heads
Rectangular
Linear
Three heads
Circular and non-circular
Circular and circular
Circular and two rectangular
Two circular and one
rectangular
Three circular
Concept Selection
4 Factors
- environmentally friendly
- quality
- convenience
- comfort
Body Design Pugh Chart
Results
Concept 4
Body
Grip
Grip
Location
# of Buttons
Button
Location
Slim
Form Fitted
Front
2
Front
Energy Mechanism Brush
Head Pugh Chart
Results
Concept 1
Movement
Defined Movement
Rotational
Full Rotational
Power Generation Pugh
Chart
Results
Concept 4
Type
Type Detail
Electrical
Wall Outlet
Brush Head Design Pugh
Chart
Results
Concept 2
# of heads
Head Type
Angled?
2
Circular & noncircular
Yes
Final Design
Power Generation
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Electrical source
(wall outlet)
Brush Head Design
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2 Heads
One round, one rectangular
Slightly angled for effectiveness
Power Accessories
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Charging station
Energy Mechanism for Brush Head
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One fully rotational head
One linear head
Human Factors Body Design
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Slim body
Form fitted
Front grip (frontal grooves)
Two buttons on front
Final Design
(excluding bristles)
Final Design
1. 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
Side View
Front View
Top View
How Does it Work?
Our finalized product is designed to eliminate the
complications associated with electric toothbrushes.
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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.
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-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
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Does final product address customer needs?
o Comfort
o Environmentally sound
o Convenience
o Quality
 Durable replacement parts
 Mechanically durable
 Lasting charge life
 Effectiveness