Design Project One: The Toothbrush

1. Design Project One: The Toothbrush Franky Reluzco Matt Murphy Nick Natoli Kristen Van Tilburg

2. Outline of Project 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.

3. Project Management 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.

4. 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

5. Revised Problem Statement 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

6. 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.

7. Product Archaeology 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.

8. Patent Search Art-Function Matrix for Electric Toothbrush

9. Benchmarking

18. Morphology Table

19. Criteria for Concept Selection Cost Personal Hygiene Efficiency Durability Ergonomics

21. Final Design

22. How does it Work? • Rechargeable batteries • Supply chemical energy • Motor • Converts energy • Driver bar • Creates circular motion in head • Different buttons control speed level • 2-minute timer

23. Concluding Remarks Customer satisfaction based on needs: Ergonomics Durability/Sustainability Efficiency Personal Hygiene