Design Project One: The Toothbrush

Franky ReluzcoMatt MurphyNick Natoli

Kristen Van Tilburg

The primary objective of our team was to redesign an electric toothbrush to better fit customer’s needs. Through the process of dissection of the electric toothbrush we learned about the manufacturing process. Our design team came up with different types of changes in which we interviewed potential customers for their preferences. After discussing all of the changes and taking into consideration of outside opinions, we have decided on an idea for the perfect final product.

Outline of Project

After forming an accurate outline of the tasks that needed to be completed, we divided the workload equally among our four teammates. This helped the process run much more smoothly and efficiently.

For example: While two of the members were dissecting the originally designed toothbrush, the other two members wrote down the parts and the functions they served.

For any extra work that was left over, we all worked together in order to complete it.

Project Management

Slide 4 – Final hierarchal consumer needs chart

Table 2. Hierarchal Customer Needs List Obtained from Focus Group and Individual Interviews

AHP Pairwise Comparison Chart to Determine Weighting for Main Objective Categories

Problems with most electric toothbrushes:- Too expensive – main reason consumer will not purchase

- Too big – consumers do not want to hold a big, heavy, bulky grip/handle

- Uncomfortable – Consumers prefer a comfortable product to hold

- Not energy efficient – Normal batteries run out, annoying to replace

- Lack of versatility – Most only have one function

Revised Problem Statement

Slide 5 - External Search Activities

In this section our team is using much different type of methods of research to help develop the best possible electric toothbrush.

-Product Archaeology – How and where electric toothbrushes started and all the innovations that lead to where we are today.

-Patent Search – determined key technologies used in similar models.

-Benchmarking – Investigated and compared similar products on the market.

The first electric toothbrush was made in Switzerland by Dr. Philippe-Guy Woog in 1954 for handicapped people who physically could not brush their teeth..

Later determined, non-handicapped people could use the toothbrush efficiently because it minimized the chances of improperly brushing teeth.

The first model was very compact but it had to be connected to a power outlet. These would last a very long time because they were connected to power, but they would start getting warm due to the outlet power.

Later on, General Electric made the first ever rechargeable electric toothbrush. Although this was a great innovation, the product was very large and made brushing teeth very hard, and the batteries were very undependable. The toothbrushes were put on a stand for recharging and storage. Although the many problems existed with this product, it took off in the public. Much more simple brushing techniques were instilled making dental health less of an issue.

Many products in the modern times contain signals either every two minutes to state that you are done with your teeth or every thirty seconds to signify that you should move to another part of the mouth. Some contain replaceable heads so you can always keep the body of the toothbrush; others have UV sterilization of the head. More recent additions to the electric toothbrush include displays where it has setting on your preference of brushing speeds and ultrasonic waves that clear the teeth. This means that the head exhibits 2,400,000 movements per minute. As you can see, toothbrushes are getting more and more advanced.

Product Archaeology

Patent Search

Art-Function Matrix for Electric Toothbrush

Benchmarking

Morphology Table Power Generation & Accessories

Human Factors & Body Design

Energy Mechanism Brush Head

Brush Head Design(form and function)

Hand Crank with Storage Battery

Soft Gel Grip & Thick Body

Rotating Shaft with Two Rods For different Motion

Exchangeable Heads

Battery Operated Soft Rubber Grip & Thick Body

Rotating shaft Different Speeds of motion

Flossing Attachment

Multiple Power Levels

Soft gel Grip & Skinny Body

Rotating Shaft Multiply layers of plastic

Circular head with Circular motion

2-Minute Timer Soft Rubber Grip & Skinny Body

Vibrating Shaft Alternating Bristle sizes

Cost Personal

Hygiene Efficiency Durability Ergonomic

s

Criteria for Concept Selection

Energy Mechanism of Brush Head Cost Effi ciency Durability Personal Hygiene Sound Total Rank0.06 0.35 0.23 0.31 0.05

Concept Iteration 1Two rods for differention of motion 0 0 0 0 0 0 2Different speeds of motion -1 1 -1 1 -1 0.32 1Multiple layers of plastic (sound insulation) -1 -1 1 -1 1 -0.44 4Vibrating shaft 1 -1 1 -1 -1 -0.42 3

Concept Iteration 2Two rods for differention of motion 1 -1 1 1 1 0.3 1Different speeds of motion 0 0 0 0 0 0 2Multiple layers of plastic (sound insulation) -1 -1 1 -1 1 -0.44 4Vibrating shaft 1 -1 1 -1 -1 -0.42 3

Concept Iteration 3Two rods for differention of motion 1 1 -1 1 -1 0.44 1Different speeds of motion 1 1 -1 1 -1 0.44 1Multiple layers of plastic (sound insulation) 0 0 0 0 0 0 3Vibrating shaft 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -0.88 4

Concept Iteration 4Two rods for differention of motion -1 1 1 1 1 0.88 1Different speeds of motion -1 1 -1 1 1 0.42 3Multiple layers of plastic (sound insulation) -1 1 1 1 1 0.88 1Vibrating shaft 0 0 0 0 0 0 4

Brush Head Design Cost Size Power Cleaning Durability Total Rank0.18 0.18 0.1 0.31 0.23

Concept Iteration 1Alternating bristle sizes, Vibration 0 0 0 0 0 0 2Exchangeable heads, size differences -1 -1 1 -1 1 -0.34 4Oscilating motion with alternating bristles -1 0 -1 1 -1 -0.2 3Circular motion 1 1 1 -1 1 0.38 1

Concept Iteration 2Alternating bristle sizes, Vibration 1 1 -1 1 -1 0.34 1Exchangeable heads, size differences 0 0 0 0 0 0 4Oscilating motion with alternating bristles 1 1 -1 1 -1 0.34 1Circular motion 1 1 -1 1 -1 0.34 1

Concept Iteration 3Alternating bristle sizes, Vibration 1 0 1 -1 1 0.2 2Exchangeable heads, size differences -1 -1 -1 -1 1 -0.54 4Oscilating motion with alternating bristles 0 0 0 0 0 0 3Circular motion 1 1 1 -1 1 0.38 1

Concept Iteration 4Alternating bristle sizes, Vibration 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -0.64 4Exchangeable heads, size differences -1 -1 1 -1 1 -0.34 3Oscilating motion with alternating bristles -1 -1 1 1 -1 -0.18 2Circular motion 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Human Factors Body Design Size Cost Comfort Storage Weight Total Rank0.11 0.05

Concept Iteration 1Thick body, long neck, soft gel grip 0 0 0 0 0 0 2Thick body, long neck, soft rubber grip 0 1 -1 0 0 -0.11 4Skinny body, long neck, soft gel grip -1 1 1 1 1 0.16 1Skinny body, long neck, soft rubber grip -1 1 -1 1 1 -0.06 3

Human Factors Body Design Size Cost Comfort Storage WeightConcept Iteration 2Thick body, long neck, soft gel grip 0 -1 1 0 0 0.11 3Thick body, long neck, soft rubber grip 0 0 0 0 0 0 4Skinny body, long neck, soft gel grip -1 1 1 1 1 0.16 1Skinny body, long neck, soft rubber grip -1 1 1 1 1 0.16 1

Human Factors Body Design Size Cost Comfort Storage WeightConcept Iteration 3Thick body, long neck, soft gel grip 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -0.16 3Thick body, long neck, soft rubber grip 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -0.16 3Skinny body, long neck, soft gel grip 0 0 0 0 0 0 1Skinny body, long neck, soft rubber grip 0 1 -1 0 0 -0.11 2

Human Factors Body Design Size Cost Comfort Storage WeightConcept Iteration 4Thick body, long neck, soft gel grip 1 -1 1 -1 -1 0.06 2Thick body, long neck, soft rubber grip 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -0.16 4Skinny body, long neck, soft gel grip 0 -1 1 0 0 0.11 1Skinny body, long neck, soft rubber grip 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Final Design

Rechargeable batteries Supply chemical energy

Motor Converts energy

Driver bar Creates circular motion in head

Different buttons control speed level 2-minute timer

How does it Work?

Ergonomics Durability/Sustainability Efficiency Personal Hygiene

Concluding Remarks

Customer satisfaction based on needs: