Design Project 2 - Toothbrush Redesign

EDGSN 100 Section 003
Team #1 Team Travelability
March 7, 2008 - Submitted to John Klinger, EDGSN 100

Team Travelability

(From left to right) Chad Fitz Email Chad, Robert Jevin Email Bobby, Bryan Fischer Email Bryan, Michael Timpone Email Mike, and Bryan O'Neill Email Bryan




Our Prototype

Toothbrush Body
Figure 1:  This is the body of the toothbrush.  Inside is a lithium ion battery to increase battery life.  The interface was improved to have two buttons, one on and one off,  to make the product easier to use.

Toothbrush Head
Figure 2:  This is the brush head of the toothbrush.  Rather than adding another moving mechanism and increasing the cost, we chose to add a stationary second brush in order to make it feel more like a manual toothbrush.

Final Product
Figure 3:  This is our final prototype in its entirety. The toothbrush body and brush head fit together tightly but are able to be disassembled in order for proper cleaning.

Our Report

1.0 Abstract:

    Team Travelability was selected to redesign an electric toothbrush that would be more portable.  By researching different electric toothbrushes and performing surveys to see what the consumer wants in a portable electric toothbrush, we found that the toothbrush must be smaller, quieter, have a greater battery life, and a better interface.  It also had to be reasonably priced for the frequent traveler.  Each member of the team developed new product designs based on the Braun Oral-B Advanced 400.  After developing the concepts we used the selection and screening process to narrow down the choices and ultimately finish with our electric toothbrush redesign.  We decided on a design with two buttons, one on and one off, so that it was easier to use.  We also changed the battery to a lithium ion battery to extend the battery life.  We did not want to add another mechanism in the brush head that would add to the cost so we decided on a hybrid brush head with the original brush but also added a stationary second brush to make it feel more like a manual toothbrush.  We also included a travel case to keep the toothbrush from being accidentally turned on in a suitcase and wasting battery life.