Electric Toothbrush Design Project

1. Electric Toothbrush Design Project Team 4 Nikolai Travis Joshua Carden Megan Schmitt Rob Laventure February 20, 2013

2. 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

3. Project Management Design structure Matrix

4. 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.

5. Customer Needs PCC A - Weight B - Size C - Noise D - Cost E - Ease of Assembly AHP

6. 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.

7. External Search Activity 80% of consumers prefer a rechargeable battery component When asked about purchasing electric toothbrushes, consumers thought the most important factor is the cost of the toothbrush.

8. Tongue Cleaner Internal Toothpaste Dispenser • Located on the back side of the toothbrush Concept Generation When the electric toothbrush is turned on it automatically pushes toothpaste through the head and out the center of the bristles

9. 3 Rotating Heads Concept Generation Thin Head • Super thin • All vibrating and rotating • simultaneously

10. Concept Generation Slide On/Off Solar Power • Solar panels on the back, toward the bottom of the toothbrush • Slides Up to turn on, slides down to turn off

11. Concept Generation J- Shaped Body Ribbed Body • Designed in the shape of an upper case “J” • Curves on both sides of the toothbrush for a nice grip

12. Morphological Chart All Designs

13. Pugh Chart for Power Generation • Rechargeable battery • Disposable battery • Solar power

14. Final Design

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.