Electric Toothbrush Redesign

1
Electric Toothbrush Redesign

• Colgate Spongebob Squarepants
• Team 3 Emily Stumbris, Mike Perone, Shane Lani,
  Aimee Tu
• Submitted To Prof. Sven Bilén
• October 24, 2004

http//www.dmvcomics.com/files/Spongebob.jpg
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Abstract

• This presentation details Team 3s efforts in
  redesigning the Colgate Spongebob Squarepants
  electric toothbrush.
• By using reverse engineering processes, Team 3
  has developed a superior model of the toothbrush.

3
Mission Statement

• The team will design a Colgate Spongebob
  Squarepants toothbrush that is effective,
  affordable, and easy for children to use.

4
External Research Basic Product Features

• Cost                             6.99, 5.99
• Time on market           2 years
• Target population        ages 3-8
• Previous versions    Different Spongebob
  decoration, Different
  cartoon characters
• Advertising                 TV Commercials
• Marketplace                Drugstores, Online
• Patented features       Electric toothbrush
  brush head, 6,848,141 
  01 Feb, 2005

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Basic Product Features Contd

• Packaging                         Colorful and
  appealing, information located
  on back panel, 15.0 g
• Aesthetics                             Extremely
  appealing to children, colorful, raised
  star shapes, Spongebob Squarepants
  character molding
• Cleaning                             Average
  quality, soft bristles, fast but small
  oscillation of top bristles, stationary bottom
  bristles
• On/off switch location       Front of brush,
  separate on/off buttons
• Battery location                  Upright in
  base, cover held on with screw, washer
  for water-tight seal
• Ease of switch use        Soft buttons, but
  large pressure needed to fully depress
• Handle                         Hard, slick
  plastic, slippery grip, not comfortable
• Quality                                Robust,
  brand-name batteries (Energizer)
• Safety                                  Watertigh
  t, batteries secure, overall safe but
  could be dangerous if dropped on foot
• Versatility                         Non-replaceab
  le brush head, no attachments included
• Weight with batteries         119.0 g
• Environmental friendliness   Totally
  non-biodegradable
• Other features                   Dorsal slits,
  stationary bottom bristle section

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External ResearchBenchmarking
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Benchmarking AnalysisNoise Level

• Brush head 4 in. away from decibel meter
  84.0
• Brush head 3 in. away from decibel meter
  84.8
• Brush head 2 in. away from decibel meter
  85.6
• Brush head 1 in. away from decibel meter
  85.0
• DC motor 4 in. away from decibel meter
  84.2
• DC motor 3 in. away from decibel meter
  86.4
• DC motor 2 in. away from decibel meter
  91.1
• DC motor 1 in. away from decibel meter
  91.3
• Approximate duration of brushing per day 6 min
  Average noise level during brushing
  84.2 dB

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Benchmarking Analysis Power Measurement
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Benchmarking Analysis Battery Life

• Number of hours available per single batter under
  load conditions 3.26 hours
• Estimated duration of each brushing 0.05 hours,
  2 times per day
• Number of days before battery replacement 32.6
  days

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Benchmarking Analysis Oscillation Frequency

• Oscillation Frequency
• 698.4 cycles per minute
• 11.64 cycles per second (Hz)

11
External Research Product Dissection

• Packaging
• Plastic Molding
• Glued to Perforated Cardboard Backing
• Color
• Weight 15 g

12
Product Dissection Battery and Bottom Cover

• Battery cover keeps batteries inside of panels
• The O-ring keeps the cover water tight
• Weight
• battery cover 6.3 g
• O-ring 0.1 g
• batteries 14.8 g

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Product Dissection Plastic Covering

• Molded plastic
• Front and back are welded together
• Colorful extruded designs
• Weight
• front panel 19.9 g
• back panel14.5 g

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Product Dissection Switch

• On/Off Buttons
• Weight 0.6 g
• Metal Switch
• Weight 0.5 g

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Product Dissection Brush Head

• Brush Head Backing
• Supports rotational brush head
• Contains Stationary Bristles
• Weight 2.7 g

• Outer Brush Head (White Bristles)
• Oscillates rotationally
• Weight 0.8 g
• Inner Brush Head (Blue Bristles)
• Stationary
• Weight 0.2 g

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Product Dissection Motor

• DC 3 Volt Motor
• Transfer of Energy
• Weight 17.7 g
• Plastic Coupler
• Weight 1.0 g
• Motor Case
• Weight 4.0 g
• Axle
• Weight 1.0 g

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Comparison of Different Mechanisms
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Concept Generation

• Concept 1 Full rotation of head Worm gear
  implementation Tongue scraper Battery life
  indicator Pressure sensor
• Concept 2 Wider oscillation Label on/off
  buttons Grip around outside Removal of
  stationary bristles Cheaper batteries Travel
  case to cover head Smaller head

• Concept 3 Back and forth motion of head Longer
  reach Smaller batteries (AAA) Braces cleaner
• Concept 4Change of featured character to Fairly
  Odd Parents Case covering entire
  brush Timer Rectangular back for
  stabilization Rechargeable battery pack with
  recharger
• Concept 5 Faster oscillation Rechargeable AA
  batteries On/off switch Floss-like tooth
  cleaner

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Concept Selection Matrix
21
Toothbrush
Handle Rubber cushion grip
Off Button
On Button
Toothbrush head
Made with SolidWorks
22
Toothbrush Head
Inner Head Stationary bristles with blue coating
to indicate expiration of usefulness.
Outer Head Oscillates between clockwise and
counterclockwise rotation
Made with SolidWorks
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Travel Protector

• Fits snugly over brush head
• Easy to put on and take off
• Makes for more convenient travel

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Conclusion

• Product dissection and redesign is a long
  step-by-step process
• Concept selection must balance customer needs
  with the feasibility of manufacturing
• Team 3s embodiment design included a new head
  with wider rotating angle, a new travel case, and
  a comfortable grip